356 TRINIDAD. 



therefore, that would tend to afford practical experience and 

 theoretical knowledge must be beneficial. This object, in my 

 opinion, will be obtained mostly, if not wholly, by the establish- 

 ment of model farms or estates, whereon cultivation, not only of 

 the staples, but of all the alimentary articles, would be con- 

 ducted according* to the most approved methods. It is more 

 than probable that many who now hesitate to devote time and 

 attention to the culture of provisions, or who consider such occu- 

 pation as unremunerative, and therefore not worth the attempt, 

 would gladly resort to the same if it were satisfactorily proved 

 by authentic data that the raising of provisions is as profitable — 

 perhaps more so — on a proportionately smaller scale than the 

 cultivation of the grand staples. Any risks, at least, would be 

 greatly lessened. I have no doubt that all the branches of our 

 agricultural industry would benefit by the establishment of 

 model farms. 



We might, besides establishing model farms, found here at 

 once an Agronomic Station. Such stations exist in Germany, in 

 France, and elsewhere in Europe; they were founded mainly for 

 the benefit of the best growers, who, in a great part owe to them 

 their success and the supremacy they have obtained in the 

 markets of the world. Our agronomic station ought to be con- 

 nected with the Botanic Gardens, and should be organised on a 

 plan somewhat different from the one adopted in Europe. It 

 should be established for the advantage of the whole colony. 

 Cane, cacao, coffee and spices should be experimentally culti- 

 vated ; also rice, tobacco, and sesamum. We can fortunately 

 dispose of part of the St. Clair estate, recently bought by the 

 Government ; the portion on the north, along the river Maraval, 

 might be set apart, and turned into an experimental farm. It 

 would be within proximity of the town ; and the prisoners, 

 especially the juvenile offenders, might be employed for all cul- 

 tural purposes. The cultivation of the best varieties of the sugar- 

 cane might be experimented there with different manures, after 

 the soil had been carefully analysed. When ripe, the canes 

 should be analysed, with a view to ascertaining the proportion of 

 sugar, albuminous matter and salts in reference to the manure 

 supplied. The best varieties of cacao and coffee should also be 

 cultivated, and different manures tested. A fair trial should 

 be given to the cultivation of tobacco and rice. We import 



