Report of Society's Meetings. 201 



made, several years ago. The Commission did not propose the 

 systematic examination of soils as a " panacea," but fully recognized 

 that it could only aft as a guard against the cultivation of soils of 

 doubtful fertility ; in our opinion a most important matter with relation 

 to the successful attempts at minor agricultural industries. We would 

 also point out that the question of expense raised by Mr. Thiselton- 

 Dyer does not apply to this Colony, which possesses a fully equipped 

 agricultural laboratory and a competent staff; the only additional ex- 

 pense might possibly be a slight increase in the amount paid for fuel. 



Further on Mr. Thiselton-Dyer makes the trite remark, " Barbados 

 " is teeming with an industrious negro population. I have suggested 

 " to Mr. Nevile Lubbock that the attempt might be made to transfer 

 •* respeftable families to Demerara." 



This suggestion of Mr. Thiselton-Dyer is really very good, and it is 

 very kind of him to make it. Kew must know much more about the 

 Barbados negro than British Guiana can be supposed to do ; but it is a 

 little late, as attempts have been made for the last thirty years at least, 

 and they have been attended with some success. Out of seven negroes 

 in this colony, one, at least, will be found to be a native of the West 

 Indies, chiefly of Barbados. Numerous incentives have been held out 

 over and over again, to induce families to immigrate from Barbados, 

 but experience shews that the average respeflable Barbadian does not 

 like exiling himself from his beloved island, and even if he does visit 

 British Guiana he hopes to save a little money and return to his native 

 land. Still, some have come to stay, and more would be very welcome. 



With regard to paragraph 6. The cultivation of coffee has received 

 a great deal of attention from time to time, but in the past, as in the 

 present, the question of the labour supply has interfered materially with 

 the establishment of cultivation on a large scale, and it is not on 

 account of sugar having crushed it out, that coffee estates have not been 

 established. 



With regard to paragraph 16, suggesting that the Government might 

 scatter India Rubber seeds in suitable places; the question is to find 

 such suitable places that are accessible. It is of no use to scatter seeds 

 in the forest. The struggle for existence in a tropical forest is so keen, 

 that out of fifty seeds scattered not one germinates; and out of five 

 hundred that germinate scarce one attains any growth. As a proof of 

 this, the well-known faft may be adduced, that when a clearing is made 

 in the forest a " second growth" immediately springs up of itself 



CO 



