55 
double advantage of training the boys in agricultural pursuits, and 
of raising crops of value to the island. New and improved canes 
might also be introduced and cultivated for distribution to the 
sugar estates. What is suggested, is not an expensive Government 
farm, but a simple and practical neukan where economic lente 
could be experimentally cultivated on a larger scale than is possible 
at the present botanic station, and where the produce could be 
cured in such a way as to serve as object lessons to the peasant 
cultivators. 
251. In some districts, as in the northern portions of 
the island where the land is undulating, cattle-raising may 
e carried on with success. The cattle required to supply 
the troops are at present imported from Porto Rico. The 
authorities have, however, agreed to accept local cattle pro- 
i they are i ou 
egre locally. The best tropical grass is the Guinea grass. Thi 
ight be established in fenced pastures, and form a valuable 
food, especially during ie seasons. A demand is also arising for 
orses and mules. There are thousands of acres of land suitable 
tors loai -pens ” as in aes aica. <A stallion of good pedigree 
was introduced in 1896. It is stated that, as the result of the 
i endicten of “ Rosierucian ” in 1888 by the Agricultural Society, 
over 30 good foals were secured to the island. 
FOREST LANDS. 
. Mr. Hooper, in his report on the forests of St. Lucia, is not 
“to settle down on his own | nd and farm it, without the restless 
“ encouragement of such a feeling in Jamaica, but in St. Lucia it 
“is Seni for the estates are lived on, or have been handed 
“do their present owners in most cases, and with the 
xample ha 
* ue er more alare islands, and he would not, when cultivating 
e such a constant danger to it as others who 
“ steadfastly e a fresh soil is alone fit to grow yams and 
“ similar cr rops. Recent legislation, and the current of general 
« inclination, is in favour of constituting a more extended peasant 
“ proprietorship, and I am certainly of opinion that the possible 
“ drawbacks of such a policy are less in St. Lucia than in any other 
“islands I am acquainted with, and this is an important con- 
“ sideration in the matter of forest conservation, as the two 
“ matters are intimately connected.” 
