t88 TlMEHRI. 



In stating that the Hon. E. C. Luard's paper on Open 

 Drainage and Steam Husbandry was open for discussion, 

 the President said he was sorry there were not more 

 planters present, as it was a matter in which they were 

 greatly interested. 



The Hon. A. R Gilzean said he had just come from 

 Berbice, where a steam plough was at work on Pin. 

 Canefield. It was the first time he had seen steam cul- 

 tivation successfully at work in the colony. Many years 

 ago he had made experiments with his uncle but found 

 a great difficulty with the open drains, although he suc- 

 ceeded in jumping them by putting three wheels to his 

 plough. Then the drains got filled, and ultimately he 

 had to give it up because the engines were not power- 

 ful enough. His uncle thought deep cultivation desirable, 

 and went so far on Leonora^ that canes would not grow 

 for some years afterwards. In some things he agreed 

 with Mr. Luard, but he was certain that it would never 

 do to have cane rows running parallel to the drains, as 

 the water would certainly lodge in the middle of the beds. 

 There was no doubt that steam ploughing was the thing 

 if it could be adapted to local circumstances. At Cane- 

 field he saw the plough crossing comparatively large 

 drains, two and a half feet wide by two deep, and it did 

 so admirably, but the drains required cleaning by manual 

 labour afterwards at a cost of $2 50 per acre. At Cane- 

 field there were tile drains, but these were not depended 

 upon altogether, being supplemented by open ditches 

 on the top of the beds. He did not think that after the 

 experience of Messrs, EwiNG at Canefield and on the 

 East Coast of Demerara, they could ever be successful 

 with tile drainage. It would be a great benefit if some 



