17 
render it less depen apse imports from other countries. 
these industries the m t pro omising are the cultivation of rice, 
fruit, cocoa-nuts, and aa raising of cattle, 
RICE CULTIVATION. 
; a in 
pM The i iyers in 1895-96 were 49,262,831 lbs. (about 
22,000 tons), of the value of £183,394 There is a Customs duty 
on rice at the rate of 35 cents. per 100 lbs., yielding a yearly 
revenue of shale “£30, 000. Rice sells locally at 30 cents. per peri 
Considering the favourable conditions that have always 
existed for the cultivation of rice in British Guiana, it is a matter 
of oor? that it has not already become an established 
industry. 
51. As long as high E suse for sugar, etn it was more 
profitable to grow sugar than rice. Under present circumstances 
there can be no doubt that <p chants of British Suis should 
low the example of the cotton planters in the $ United 
or sugar. 
Further, the coolies coming from the rice-growing districts of 
India are well nce ene with the cultivation, and readily enter 
upon it. In the Report of the Special Commission on Minor 
Industries it a tated : “The opinions expressed by those who 
“ have gained practical experience on the subject are unanimous 
“ as to rice being a pr hich is being, n be, profitably 
“can be grown, and the excellent quality of the grain produced, 
‘fully justify the encouragement of the cultivation of this 
i n which it ong be tigen vce pa tems ci wants, 
52. The evidence of Mr. A. R. Gilzean, who has an intimate 
“after the first one are large and wonderfully regular, being 
« Practically unaffected by the seasons; (4 e cultivation of 
‘ rice does not ence the land, so neither manuring nor resting 
“ have to be resorted t 
53. Mr. Bassell eee of Coffee Grove plantation. states : “ For 
“ 10 years the coolies living on or near Coffee Grove have culti- 
“ vated spcaspestbite over 100 acres of rice on this estate, and I 
15045 B 
