l68 TiMEHRI. 



the colony generally, and he thought they could not do 

 better than appoint him. 



Mr. Hawtayne seconded the proposition, which was 

 supported by Mr. Davis and carried unanimously. 



The Secretary read a communication from J. P. Mc 

 Laren touching the growing of rice and offering his ser- 

 vices therefor. The matter was referred to the Agricul- 

 tural Committee. 



The Assistant Secretary laid on the table some 

 samples of dried bananas, whole and sliced, to which 

 he invited the attention of the members as a probably 

 new industry. He had been experimenting with dif- 

 ferent varieties in various ways during the last two 

 months, and considered the result as satisfa6tory so far. 

 The larger varieties took too long ; the kind shown was 

 that known as the "fig." They lose 75 per cent, of 

 moisture in drying, and take four or five days, at a 

 temperature of 120 deg. to 150 deg. F. The samples had 

 been dried on wooden laths placed on a bed of hot sand 

 There was no doubt that sales could be made, for it was 

 verv difficult to get anything of the sort that could be 

 sent from the colony without bottles or other trouble- 

 some packages. 



Messrs. Hawtayne, Vyle and Davis spoke in favour 

 of the experiment and were of opinion that it was the 

 germ of a new industry. 



Mr. Vyle gave notice of motion, that the sum of 

 Fifty Dollars be granted from the funds of this Society 

 to Mr, Rodv/ay, for further experiments in producing 

 marketable samples of dried bananas. 



Mr. da Costa suggested that an apparatus for fruit, 

 drying should be imported. 



