484 TRINIDAD. 



the members 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 " 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 contributions 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 employed 

 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 executive, and, if 

 properly organised, would, I believe, work successfully. 



Men are fond of distinction, and, were the members of the 

 " Central Committee " to derive some importance from the appoint- 

 ment, it is to be anticipated they would gladly devote time and 

 attention to the object of the institution. I therefore suggest that 

 the committee should be consulted on all matters connected with, 

 or affecting the agricultural interests of the colony, as is the case 

 in France. That body would then be, not a mere sugar-planters' 

 committee, but would include cacao and other planters. It 



