lxxii. Timehri. 



Per Cent, of Total Area Under the Various Crops in 1896-97 

 and in 1917-191S. 



100.00 100.00 



Agricultural Loan Banks. 



The Society took interest in and devoted much time to discussions of 

 various proposals for the establishment of Agricultural Loan Banks. 

 Owing to the practical initiative of Sir Frederic Hodgson whilst Governor 

 of the colony this has become an accomplished fact during the period 

 under review and the banks promise to exert a marked influence on the 

 existence of what may be termed peasant-industries, such as cane-farming, 

 coconut, coffee, cacao, lime and tobacco planting on the small scale. The 

 enthusiasm with which the inauguration of these banks has been received 

 is an excellent augury for the future of the small farmer and peasant 

 proprietor of the colouy. 



Forestal Industries. 

 In and about 1897 the Society showed much interest in the Forestal 

 and Mining industries of the colony as well as in the purely agricultural 

 ones. With three exceptions, — balata, lumber and diamonds, — progress 

 in them has not been satisfactory. 



At that time the Society had frequent discussions regarding the 

 possibility of developing an export trade in the timbers of the colony, 

 and on the initiative of Sir Cavendish Boyle took practical steps by 

 exporting logs of the more promising varieties of local woods to London. 

 Much has since been done in the hope of increasing the export demands 

 for British Guiana timbers but with very little effect. 



The collection of gums such as Demerara animi or copal — Locust 

 gum, — Hiowa or Incense gum, and Balsam copaiba has been more or lees 

 in a state of stagnation during the period. Other forest industries show 

 little change. 



Owing to the varying effects of the seasons it is not desirable to 

 compare the exports of forestal products one year with another, and hence 

 I prefer to compare them in periods of 4 years. The oxporta for 1917, 



