474 TRINIDAD. 



proved that voluntary societies do not and cannct beneficially 

 operate, and the reasons are obvious. It then becomes the duty 

 of the Government to take the matter into their own hands. A 

 " Central Agricultural Board, or Committee/' should be estab- 

 lished by law, to consist of six or more members — the director 

 or directors of the model farms, and the Government botanist, 

 being ex-officio members; the others to be appointed by the 

 Governor. All the members to be required punctually to attend 

 the meetings of the " Committee/' under a penalty of £1 for 

 non-attendance unless good excuse is given : the botanist to act 

 as secretary. 



It would be the duty of the u Central Committee " to prepare 

 a general plan for the management of the model farm ; they 

 should examine the books and accounts of the director, and 

 approve the latter for payment, on being found correct. It 

 would also be within the province of the ' ' Central Committee " 

 to collect facts connected with the agriculture of the colony ; 

 and, for that purpose, to prepare such local questions as may be 

 deemed of importance, for circulation among the proprietors of 

 estates and intelligent planters, in the different parts of the 

 colony. A digest of interesting facts, observations, and contri- 

 butions should be published, for general information, in a 

 journal, to be entitled the " Trinidad Annual Register of 

 Agriculture/' the said journal to be aided and supported by 

 the Government. 



As the model farm ought to be made, as far as possible, a 

 self-supporting establishment, all net revenues should be em- 

 ployed — first, to repay the purchase-money; and this being 

 effected, the entire proceeds should thenceforth be kept as a 

 reserve against contingencies, and for the general promotion of 

 agricultural objects and interests. 



Although the model farm and the " Central Committee " are 

 here made to be mutually dependent, they may still exist sepa- 

 rately and independently. I am, however, fully aware of the 

 many difficulties which may attend the establishment of a model 

 farm in Trinidad. Prejudice and routine will, under existing 

 circumstances, raise their cry against such an institution ; and 

 but a few, it is to be feared, will be awakened to its advantages 

 — I would say, to its blessings. On the other hand, the 

 formation of a " Central Committee " rests entirely with the 



