56 
ne In regard to the indigenous timber trees, Mr. Hooper's 
arks indicate a possible opening for an export trade :—“ In 
si ponon the forests differ but little from those in the neigh- 
“ bouring islands, but, as I have said, the deep soil allows of a 
“denser and a more diversified growth at higher and 2 
“ exposed elevations than in St. Vincent. The chief feature i 
“ the tree-growth is the general paiana of Balata (Minm apun 
“and other members of the tural orders Sapotaceae an 
“ Laurineae. They are for ey sa part capable of yielding 
“valuable timbers, but hitherto the difficulty of transporting 
. Soke from the interior to the towns has prevented their 
“assuming any value. It only needs the construction of roads, 
“and the adoption of special means of transport, to give a 
s an T value to thé timber that is now considered an 
mbra 
bee It eae therefore, be borne in mind in allotting Crown 
lands that it is most important to protect the forests with timber, 
and prevent them from being sacrificed to the first comer who 
is at present established, and trees below a certain size should not 
be permitted to be cut down or exported from the island. 
CROWN LANDS. 
205. In the Crown Lands’ Regulations, lra in Executive 
Council on the 5th November 1890, it is stated that “ Sales of 
ands by auction shall be for cash, or on such other terms 
“and conditions as may with the approval of the Governor in 
sale 
“number of purchasers of pee tants under these regulations 
“ who are able to show go rogress in this direction in the 
“ fourth year after the date of ine deposit.” 
256. Plants for cultivation on Crown a are arranged to be 
Breed from the Botanic Station free of charge. The number 
of grants of Crown lands, as already stated, is S353. It has been 
suggested in evidence that the conditions for acqu iring these 
lands shoal be rendered still easier, and that the period during 
which payments a be made should be extended to 10 and not 
five years. The essential point is to secure that the lands are placed 
under permanent CAVARA, as opposed to the spasmodic culti- 
vation of ground provisions. For the latter, land could be 
obtained in ga neighbourhood of the sugar estates, and within 
easy reach of roads and habitations. There is apparently no 
