102 
Although in 1884 the recommendation reached the stage of adoption 
by the Sorea of State for the Colonies, the scheme only took shape 
in Septemba d 
The ssity for such an institution had-been long recognised in the 
Giai in at ee fea of the development of its cultural industries. Tn 
recognition of E. want, and te pps to the gei feeling, I took 
d 
oyal Gardens at Kew to develop new a eee and to distribute plants 
of con.mercial importance. In furtherance of such views, there have been 
established in all our West Indian Possessions, Botanic Stations. Surely 
the time has come for a similar institution in & Colony which has such 
exceptional sdivantages, whether we look to climate, soil, or a market. 
It has been with some justice advanced nies British Honduras can be 
. made the reram Garden of North Americ 
* * 
The "edm of our cultural industries, still really in their infancy, 
are chiefly represented by ba sie ine plant. m cocoanu Pe: coir, co Praet 
henequen, Indian corn, limes, mangoe g and € 
pineapples, avocado pears, rubber, to which there should be addel, in 
time, urnatto, cacao, grou ind-nut, indigo, Mod ramie, spices, manila, 
and doubtless other marketable commodities 
* * * * + * 
‘There resulted the unanimous acceptance and passing by the Legis- 
lature of an Ordinance No. 1 of 1892, to provide for the establishment 
of a Botanic Station 
is Ordinance empowered the Governor-in-Council to make from 
time to time Rules :— 
(1.) For the management, government, and control of the station, 
and of the officers appointed in connexion therewith. 
(2.) For the distribution of plants therefrom. 
(4. Generally for encouraging and promoting the use and efficiency 
Station as a means of education in all matters 
redu g to agriculture and horticulture: 
Provision of 1300 dollars, made up of. 300 dollar: ts for a gardener 
and 1000 dollars for the maintenance of the grounds of Government 
House, had been previously made in the annual Estimates. under 
* Governor and Councils, 
In 1892 that — was supplemented by 1000 dollars, and the 
aggregate credited to the Surveyor-General's Department under the 
new heading ‘ Botanic Centre.’ 
The following is the Report of the Committee appointed to recom- 
ae a suitable site for the establishment of the Central Botanic 
Sta 
Sm, . Belize, 29th December 1893. 
|. Tm committee RUBUS to decide on the most suitable site for à 
a botanic station have the honour to report :— 
