4. Report of the Agricultural Committee. 



warrant this conclusion, provided renewed exertions and 

 cordial cooperation be not wanting amongst the planters. 

 The Island still possesses its fertile soil and favorable cli- 

 mate, and is well supplied with the cattle, buildings and ma- 

 chinery necessary for producing its staple manufacture. 



The return to a more fortunate condition may in some 

 measure be retarded by the short crop of this year, and by 

 the anticipated falling off in the extent of its successor. The 

 former being attributable to a dry season, combined with 

 the effect in certain parts of the Island, of the Disease in the 

 Canes*, — a calamity which may tend to diminish the amount 

 of next crop. But such visitations arise from dispensations 

 of Providence to which man must bow in all resignation, whilst 

 endeavouring, by the right use of the intellect with which 

 he has been endowed, to discover the means of diminishing 

 their intensity. It is the peculiar privilege of the agricultur- 

 ist to be thus placed, by the nature of his calling, in more 

 direct contact with those wonderful workings of nature, 

 which establish to the meanest comprehension the existence 

 of a Supreme Director of the Universe, whose interference 

 alone can bring to a successful issue man's best laid plans. 



To attain, however, the desired amelioration in the posi- 

 tion of the Colony, the supply of labour before alluded to 

 is essentially requisite, especially regular, efficient and cheap 

 labour: and the production of sugar here as an industry, 



* This Disease — which has already been separately reported upon b;* 

 the Committee, and is now the subject of a special inquiry by the Com- 

 mission appointed for the pnrpose by His Excellency the Governor,— 

 has happily taken a more favorable aspect since the above was written, 

 while the general prospects of next crop have been greatly brightened 

 b-j the late propitioas weather. 



