X. Timehri. 



with the development of our resources in gold and diamonds and who 

 advocated the extension of travelling facilities throughout the colony. 

 The colony can ill afford the loss of their services ; may it look forward 

 with confidence to enjoy in the near future the unselfish, patriotic services 

 of another group of such men. 



In 1897, the Society showed more activity in practical pursuits than 

 it has done of late years- It was not as purely a literary or book-collect- 

 ing Society as it now is. Its Agricultural and its Correspondence Com- 

 mittees were alert and active. But even then its general interest in agri- 

 cultural matters was on the wane. The reading of a paper dealing 

 with agricultural questions to the general Society was a sufficient reason 

 for an almost empty room ; and there were not wanting signs that in the 

 near future the rooms of the Royal Agricultural Society of British Guiana 

 would be among the very few places where practical agriculturists could 

 meet without running the risk of receiving gratuitous amateur advice as 

 to the conduct of their art, the oldest known to mankind. Strange it is 

 that the skilled agriculturists of British Guiana to whom are addressed 

 daily, nay almost hourly, instructions as to how they can best conduct 

 their own business in the interests of others, do not seek the security of 

 this room in far greater numbers than they do at present. 



At the commencement of 1897, " Timehri " was in a flourishing condi- 

 tion except with regard to subscribers. Even at that date it was not an 

 agricultural but more or less a literary and especially a natural history 

 and scientific journal. In the 1895 volume 22% and in the 1896 one, 16% 

 only of its pages were occupied with Agricultural and closely allied matters. 

 In 1897 during the first half year 54% of its pages and in the second 38% 

 were occupied by agricultural subjects. Thereupon "Timehri" ceased to 

 exist. But its back files are of very high value and are in constant use in 

 the Department of Science and Agriculture. 



The resuscitation of " Timehri " is entirely due to the initiative and 

 energy of Dr. Nunan. The Journal is, however, non-agricultural in its 

 bent. The Board of Agriculture issues a quarterly journal intended to 

 deal only with practical agricultural matters. Unfortunately, this journal 

 of late has been showing signs of degenerating into a semi-scientific and 

 literary production. The journal has been re-organised and placed under 

 the joint editorship of the Government Botanist and the Government 

 Biologist. In future its Editor is always to be an Officer of the Depart- 

 ment of Science and Agriculture who is in close touch with agricultural 

 matters. If the members of the Eoyal Agricultural and Commercial 

 Society desire the Society to retain any connection with local agriculture 

 I suggest that the Society subscribe 8 cents per annum on behalf of each 

 of its members who desire to receive copies of the Board's Journal, and 

 thus place them in a similar position to the members of local Agricultural 

 Associations. 



" Timehri " and the Board of Agriculture's Journal should form com- 

 plements each to tho other. Doubtless " Timehri " will continue to be, as it 

 now is, a great credit to this Society and a most important aid toward 

 the economic development of British Guiana. 



