205 



Experiment Station and was purchased from the funds of the 

 Imperial Grant-in-aid. This estate consisted of about 160 acres 

 of land, nearly one-half of which is a steep hillside. At the time 

 of its purchase, the old sugar works had fallen into a state of 

 disrepair and the sugar mill was practically useless. 



" Mr. C. W. Seale was appointed Agricultural Instructor Jin 

 charge of the Experiment Station. Under his direction a house 

 was built for the use of the Agricultural Instructor ; necessary 

 roads were laid out, and model plots were established which were 

 planted up in limes, seedling canes, cacao, coffee, fruit trees, &c. 

 In 1902, Mr. W. C. Fishlock was appointed Agricultural Instructor, 

 and he has held that post up to the present time. 



" A well has been sunk and an aermotor erected for pumping 

 water. This ensures a permanent and regular water supply to the 

 Experiment Station. A small Chatanooga mill has been purchased 

 and established in the old sugar works. The sugar battery has 

 been entirely rebuilt and the buildings have been put in a fair state 

 of repair. More recently a building has been erected to serve as 

 a cotton factory, and suitable machinery for ginning and balii 

 the cotton has been placed in it. 



"On taking over the property the Department let out about 

 16 acres to twenty-four tenants on the part-payment system, the 

 tenants binding themselves to plant certain crops, and the Depart- 

 ment agreeing to put them in full possession of their plots at the 

 end of seven years. This agreement commenced in 1902, and, it 

 must be confessed, does not seem likely to end satisfactorily. 



" The land reserved for the station proper, about 14 acres, was 

 laid off in plots of 1 acre and planted with various crops. One 

 plot was planted with limes, a second with seedling canes, a third 

 with various fruit trees, a fourth with pine-apples, a fifth with 

 cacao, and a sixth with coffee, and so on. 



" These crops have mostly been successful and have served to 

 indicate what crops may be grown in Tortola. As regards outside 

 work, it may be mentioned that a wool less breed of sheep which 

 is well suited to the place has been introduced. A young Toggen- 

 burg goat was also imported with a view of improving the local 

 breed of sroats." 



Cacao Pests of Trinidad. 



>/ 



paper is given on the Cacao pests of the Island, with notes upon 

 miscellaneous crops, by Mr. 0. W. Barrett, of the United States 

 Department of Agriculture. The article has been re-issued as a 

 separate " Society Paper," No. 280. 



Both fungal and insect pests are dealt with, the most important 

 of the former being a species of LasiodlpJodia, a genus of Sphae- 

 ropsidaceae. Spox-e dispersion and remedies are discussed, but the 

 only remedy against the fungus appears to be the destruction of 

 the diseased tissues. 



The importance of " Cover Crops " to prevent cracking of the 

 soil and consequent loss of water is also dealt with, and legu- 

 minous plants of the genera Desmodium, Cassia, Jlucuna, Vigna, 

 Crotfdaria and Sesbania are recommended for this purpose, since 



