179 
‘necessary, but by others its value for the preservation of the beans 
is held to be all important. The polishing process takes from ten 
to twenty minutes. Owing to the different varieties.of Cacao in 
Trinidad both of Calabash, Forastero and Criollo, which may be 
growing in the same plantation, a very mixed sample of beans may 
be brought in and this adds considerably to the difficulties of 
properly regulating the fermentation and may often result in 
spoiling somewhat the grade of the product. lantations true to 
type would be of immense benefit to the industry, but except by 
grafting such an end does not appear to be possible. 
Sugar—This proved to be an inexhaustible subject of discussion, 
such well-worn topics as the value of seedling canes over the Bourbon 
and White Transparent varieties receiving their due share of atten- 
tion. The possibility of making experiments on Mendelian lines with 
Sugar cane was raised by Mr. South, who presented a paper on 
experiments, but nevertheless both as regards Sugar and Cotton it 
would seem highly desirable that Mendelian experiments should be 
started on a proper basis. An experimental station would have to 
be established and equipped with duly qualified officers, who should 
be allowed to pursue their investigations and researches without the 
distractions of advisory and routine work and without fear of 
constant interruption from members of the commercial community 
eager for results. 
At present, therefore, the methods of selection now in operation 
must be continued though no fixity of type can be assured. 
Nowhere are such experiments being conducted with greater care 
than in British Guiana, and the work of the Agricultural 
Department in that Colony is deserving of the highest praise. 
A series of beautiful water-colour drawings by Miss van Nooten 
future as a record of varietal characters. 
Mr. Urich dealt with the various insect pests and pointed to the 
need of co-operation between Demerara and the Islands, with 
regard to investigations in connection with the encouragement of 
natural enemies and the application of remedial measures, a 
* Ina paper presented to the Conference Mr. Sahasrabudde put forward the 
view, as the result of his investigations, that the different types of axillary buds 
offered a useful character for classifying sugar cane varieties, but the hypothesis 
did not appear to be sufficiently well proved though it may be found eventually 
to be capable of application. 
23773 B2 
