a 
Tue First Two YEARS OF THE“ SOCIETY.” = 231 
the Committee hoped that this spirit of enterprise and 
unanimity would spread until measures of great and 
decided improvement should be worked out and the 
resources of the colony largely developed. 
In regard to drainage, they said their preparations for 
the experiment at Pln. La Penitence were in a forward 
state and that the laying of tiles would commence as 
soon as the draining engine was ereéted. They 
attached the greatest importance to this experiment as 
the first step towards improved tillage, the introduction 
of efficient implements and cattle labour, the use of 
manures, and the other essentials of high cultivation and 
economical labour. They had received two reports on 
the results of different manures but could give no 
decided opinion in favour of guano, as a_ general 
opinion was entertained that sea-shelis or lime would be 
better. They reported the Metayer system as contin- 
uing to prosper, that new machinery had _ been 
imported, that 4,859 immigrants had arrived, that 
there had been a drought and that it was proposed 
to sink a deep artesian well as an experiment. The 
Combined Court had not yet voted the sum for premiums, 
but they had hopes that this would still be done. Mr. 
RETEMEYER had offered, on his own account, a liberal sum 
for an essay on the best system of managing a plantation, 
and Mr. CHARLES OLIPHANT, of Edinburgh, a medal for 
the neatest and cleanest cottage in one distriét. They 
suggested that premiums should be offered for improved 
methods of making hay and keeping up pasture lands, as 
there was no doubt that the price of provender would 
thus be reduced. They had received a report on the 
plantain disease from Dr. BoNyuN, by which it appeared 
GG2 
