The Minor Industries. 77 
as good as the best cacao soils of Trinidad. With increasing agricultural 
knowledge we can hope to see other colonists following the example of that 
plucky pioneer—Mr. R. A. Barclay, who establishea what has been called by 
high authorities a ‘‘ Model Cacao ” estate, on the Demerara river. 
It is true that on old abandoned estates the dangerous fungus known as 
Witchbroom exists, but in these days of enlightenment, the trained man can 
keep his cultivation free from this pest. 
Cotton—We have, it is true, done nothing with this cultivation, but as there 
are hupes of our technical officers producing a promising hybrid, we may yet 
be able, like the little island of Tobago, to grow a hybrid cotton at a profit. 
Tobacco.—We can grow a very excellent leaf. Our trouble has been the 
euring of the product in this moist climate, but the Rupununi Savannah Indians 
produce a tobacco which we have smoked very often with every satisfaction 
As the country is developea we have hopes that the cultivation of this crop 
may become one of great importance. 
Plantains and Ground Provisions.—These products forming as they do, the 
staff of life for the inhabitants of the colony, are worthy of much more care and 
attention than they receive. Unfortunately the plantain disease has made its 
presence felt in this colony. Every effort should be made to eradicate it. 
The experienced Black farmer if asked what crop is the most profitable in this 
colony will tell you, canes, first, and then plantains. This industry is one 
that is certainly capable of expansion in the future. 
Fibres.—We have native fibres from the ‘“‘ Kratta ” to the common wilc 
Hibiscus that will repay investigation and already interest of a practical nature 
has been evinced in this industry by at least one Company, which has planted 
sisal hemp on an extensive scale. 
Bananas and Fruit—Probably it will be a long time yet before bananas can 
come to the fore as a product of importance, but the fruit industry in the hands 
of skilful agriculturists can be made to perform an important function in our 
midst. At present nothing could be worse than the existing state of affairs. 
A few “ middle-men ” grasp all the profit, there is no cultivation worthy of the 
name, and good fruit is an expensive luxury not to be thought of by the ordin- 
ary individual. And yet things might be very different. The development 
of the colony, in course of time, must mean improvement in the method of 
distribution, and this may mean a brighter future for this industry. With 
a tourist “trade ” too, well-bred and cultivated pine-apples, good varieties oi 
oranges and well-flavourd mangoes from grafted varieties, ‘should have an 
attraction which, by business methods, may be expanded by growers into 
something pertaining to the nature of an industry. 
There should be some hope for a country which can range with soma degree 
of success from cacao culture to fruit-growing, and from rubber to the 
exploiting of indigenous tanning material. 2 
