BOTANIC GARDENS. 131 



enumerated above are obtainable only as plants, there must of 

 necessity be a small garden, with sheds and beds, properly laid 

 out, to receive these plants, and to< take care of them until fit 

 for removal. 



With regard to the dissemination of general knowledge re- 

 specting the cultivation of economic plants, this might be very 

 effectively done by means of clearly-worded pamphlets and cir- 

 culars, supplemented by short notices in the Official Gazette, and 

 in the local Almanack.* 



There are, at present, numerous works and periodicals devoted 

 to the interests of tropical agriculture, which should find a place 

 on the table of every planter, as well as be included in any 

 public library that may exist in the colony. A list of useful 

 books for planters is given in the Appendix. 



I have already suggested that, as soon as possible, a small 

 Botanic Garden should be established, which, for its cost and 

 utility, will be found, after all, the most economical, as well as 

 the most effective means of carrying on the work sketched out 

 for the Agricultural Board. Such a garden would soon become 

 an institution of great importance and utility, and, as in most 

 colonies, prove most acceptable to the people. 



If the railway were formed, connecting Belize with the rich 

 back-lands on the Old Eiver, the garden might be established 

 some few miles out of Belize, so as to afford facilities for 



* One of the best and most comprehensive of current periodicals is the 

 Tropical Agriculturist, published by Messrs. A. M. & J. Ferguson, at the 

 Observer Press, Ceylon (A. & J. Haddon, Bouverie Street, London). 

 This contains original articles and letters bearing upon most tropical plants ; 

 as, also, a large summary of valuable information connected .with the 

 industrial application of plant products. Other periodicals, such as the 

 Planter's Gazette, Gardener's Chronicle, Colonies and India, &c., treat on 

 colonial economic plants, and often afford valuable hints to planters. 



