40 
Mr. Bovell, the eee oe undertook | carried out a very 
valuable series of cultural experiments to determine = best 
varieties of canes suitable for the ations of Barbados. After 
artificial and other manures on the growth and yield of canes 
was carefully followed. The results of these investigations were 
published in annual reports prepared by Protonsor Harrison and 
Mr. Bovell. After Professor Harrison’s removal to British 
Guiana, the experiments at Barbadoes were e contin ued by his 
successor, Professor D’Albuqueryue, still with the valuable 
cultural assistance afforded by Mr. Bovell. 
The observations and investigations carried on at the Barbados 
Botanical Station are generally acknowledged to be of the highest 
value to the staple industry of the is serj The facts so far 
obtained show that a good deal more is possible to be done to 
improve the yield of canes. In fact, it is surprising that 
doing for the sugar-cane what has been so successfully accom- 
plished in European countries in regard to the beet. 
Besides the experiments in sugar-cane, steps have been taken 
at the Dodds Botanical Station to cultivate other plants, 
especially species of Agave, Furcrea, oo ia, Bohmeria, 
for fibre purposes. The present land is, however, too clayey 
for such plants, and also too much exposed to strong and dry 
winds. While it has answered very well, up to a certain point, 
for useful experiments in regard to sugar-cane, the site at Dodds 
is quite unsuitable for the neg alec of other plants. The wind 
is most injurious to them, and during certain seasons of the year 
newy is little or no water aoha “for purposes of cultivation. 
It would be of considerable advantage in the interests of the 
sugar industry, as well as of others, to possess an experimental 
station in another part of the island. 
If such a second station were established, it is possible that 
plants likely p eat value to Barbados. The 
sland is now s ely dependent on sugar, that it is ver 
desirable to encourage, as far as possible, any measure calculated 
to i e it. It is also equally important to 
support it other and subsidiary industries. There are still 
large a of waste land i arbados where a fibre industry 
i e cessfully established, and also other lands where 
paon yielding ta barks might be cultivated. These cannot 
experimentally tried at Dodds owing to the unsuitability of 
of the soil and the exposed character of the situation. 
The following may be ess consulted in regard to the 
economic resources of Barbados 
Hughes, Griffith. The Natural History of = Barbados. In 
ten books. London, 1750. Folio. pp. 314, tt. 29. Botany, 
pr. 97-256. 
