OBJECT OF MODEL FARMS. 481 



the property of wealthy landlords, where scientific information is 

 at ready command, private individuals may, either by their own 

 exertions or by liberal encouragements, correct the theory or 

 improve the practice of agriculture ; and yet agricultural socie- 

 ties, even there, are of the greatest advantage. 



But in countries, like France, where properties are subdivided 

 into small allotments, and particularly in such colonies as the 

 West Indies, where the proprietary body is either impoverished or 

 actually bordering on ruin, individual exertions generally remain 

 sterile, and voluntary societies are powerless to do good. 



It has, therefore, been deemed necessary in France to form 

 model farms, and to organise a " Central Board of Agriculture " 

 under the control of the government. 



The West India islands, compared with France, are in a still 

 worse position than the latter as compared with England ; and 

 model farms, with agricultural schools supported by the govern- 

 ment, are the only channels through which to convey to the 

 people theoretical as well as practical instruction, and the only means 

 for eventually improving the art of husbandry in this archipelago. 



Sincerely impressed with this conviction myself a humble 

 individual, but deeply interested in the prosperity of this 

 fine colony I presume to intrude on your lordship's valuable 

 time by offering, for your perusal, the following ideas, or sketch 

 of a model farm. Such an establishment, properly conducted, 

 would, in my opinion, be of no less benefit to Trinidad than any 

 past or present scheme for immigration. 



At no other period, perhaps, will the colonial government 

 have a better opportunity of purchasing, at a moderate rate, one 

 of the numerous sugar-estates now abandoned, and investing the 

 same as colonial property. In case the government could spare 

 a sufficient sum of money, two model farms might be established 

 one in Victoria, and the other in St. George ; say, in Napa- 

 rima for the former, and Tacarigua, or St. Joseph, for the latter 

 county. 



The cultivation of the sugar-cane and the manufacture of 

 sugar should be the chief object of those establishments ; but 

 the culture of cacao and the raising of ground-provisions should 

 also be liberally encouraged ; in fact, the farms would be expected 

 to produce a full supply of vegetable food for the people thereon 

 employed. 



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