149 
back into their c condition. I shall endeavour to secure the 
services of a praetical gardener from Madeira or the Canary Islands 
from July to the end of the year, on the most reasonable terms 
possible. 
7. In regard to the Vanilla plants, they did very well so long as T 
was able to | give them my personal attention, but subsequently they all 
ot b 
nutritive ee setae is the case here. I fear also that the Liberian 
coffee w ail from the same cause, though there may be localities 
in sae where shen heal might be grown to a limited extent. The 
principal ingredient in nearly all the soils I have examined, even at 
some miles in the interior, is sand, and as the ground is never manured 
in a practical and efficient manner, its productive qualities are naturally 
much restricted. 
8. Since my arrival in Bathurst six wit a half years ago I have en- 
deavoured, piace by example and prec o demonstrate to the native 
min lligent. AE penton of a sterile and 
Au d : 
unpromising soil ed a garden in the Military Hospital com- 
ou ich duced most of the English salads and vegetables in 
great perfection, and whi am glad to say is still in full vigour. It 
was a part of my plan to show that an English gentleman was not too 
proud or too indolent to work with his hands, for in the early morning 
and evening I prepared most of the beds ordam and trained # man in 
the proper method of working the system to advantage. Since then 
most of the Europeans have started gardens, but I regret to say that 
the native class whose interests I was anxious to advance have not yet 
learnt the lesson I endeavoured to inculcate. Even now it is not 
ssible to buy a cabbage or lettuce in the market, although almost 
if ke chose to do so. In spite te of the brackish water, I have grown 
strawberries quite equal to e ordinary growths in England, and 
the natural soil is the worst imaginable for the successful 
glorification, but merely to show that in spite of natural difficulties they 
may be overcome with patience and effort. It is possible that I may 
not be here to witness the fruits of my labours, but I trust some future 
pRO of the Gambia may be able to lock back with satisfaction 
upon the small fund which was set aside for agricultural experiments in 
the year 1889. 
I have, &c. 
(Signed) G. T. CARTE 
The e Hon. Lord Knutsford, G. E. cin G., i hasinistsgtor: 
&c. 
ROYAL GARDENS, Kew, to COLONIAL OFFICE. 
SIR, Royal Gardens, Kew, May 15, 1889. 
I am desired by Mr. Thiselton Dyer to acknowledge the Nee 
of your letter of the 6th instant, forwarding a copy of a despatch 
