On the Potato. 



By C. A. Lloyd. 



BOUT the middle of last May, I left Georgetown 

 on a trip to the Potaro River and was detained 

 for several days at Bartica Grove, awaiting the 

 chance of a passage in the first Gold Digging boat bound 

 in that direction. 



While staying at Bartica I was agreeably surprised to 

 observe the change that had taken place in the little town- 

 ship during the last few years. Several new buildings, 

 private as well as public, had been ere6ted, the streets 

 were in better repair and in a more cleanly condition, the 

 people I m.et, orderly and well behaved, and the whole 

 settlement bore altogether a more cheerful mien than it 

 did when I visited it three years ago. 



It would be hard for anyone to prophesy what the 

 future may have in store for Bartica ; the present tiny 

 colle6lion of houses may be but the nucleus of a large 

 and flourishing town in years to come. Certain it is that 

 no better men could have been chosen to look after its 

 welfare than its present Board of Commissioners, and 

 the people of Bartica may feel assured that every effort 

 will be made to secure its advancement. The whole 

 thing however seems to depend on the progress of the 

 Gold Industry — if that fails Bartica is inevitably doomed. 

 On the other hand the opening up of a payable quartz 

 mine on any of the rivers in its neighbourhood would 

 mean sure and certain prosperity. 



After waiting patiently for about five days, at last 



UU 



