xlvi. 



Timehri. 



Among the more striking, if not the most striking, of the agricul- 

 tural developments in the West Indian Province during the 21 years 

 which have elapsed since 1897 has been the very extensive rice-industry 

 of British Guiana. In 1897 one of the most important steps ever taken 

 with regard to that industry was completed by the erection, by the aid 

 of a Government loan, of the pioneer large-scale rice-factory in George- 

 town. Iu the Report of the West Indian Royal Commission issued 

 towards the end of 1897 was the following : — 



" Rice to the value of £180,000 was imported in 1895-96 for con- 

 sumption in the Colony. Rice of excellent quality is already grown 

 " in British Guiana, and every effort should be made to produce locally 

 "all that is wanted of this article." 



Whilst in the Dr. Morris' Subsidiary Report was the following : — 



" There can be no doubt as to the decided opinion which prevails 

 " that rice-growing is a most promising industry on the coast lands of 

 " British Guiana. The cultivation so far has been undertaken on com- 

 " paratively small areas by coolies, and with very crude appliances for 

 '• threshing and husking the grain. Recently a loan has been sanctioned 

 " by the Government for erecting and working oue or more rice factories 

 " where the rice could be milled and prepared at a small cost for local 

 " consumption. The present cost of husking rice by hand-pounding in 

 " mortars is estimated at 3s. 6d. per bag. At well-equipped mills, this 

 " could be done at a cost of about Is. 6d. per bag. It is confidently 

 " anticipated that as soon as mills are established, a great impetus will 

 " be given to rice-growing all over the Colony." 



The progress of the rice-industry since 1884 is shown in the follow- 

 ing statement : — 



Q a i n q uc a n ltd Periods. 



