143 
devi Vintest arrowroot would soon regain its position in the markets of 
the w 
December 49.—I left Wallilabo at 10 o'clock for Chateaubelair. 
e Godman, F. i 
West баве € fai stores History) Mupiosstist Committee. My object 
was to visit the Richmond valley, a rich tract of country lately explored 
at the foot of the spurs of Morne % Garou. Mr. Herbert Smith, who 
knew the "e well and had taken a deep interest in it, was good 
enough to pany me and make all the arrangements for the j journey. 
After teit fast we rode through the Golden Grove sugar estate and up 
the valley leading to the high woods through Petit Bordell. We left the 
horses near the crest of a ridge, and then made our way along this for 
some distance until we overlooked a deep valley with Morne à Garon 
rising in the distance due north. We descended by a steep path to the 
bottom of this valley, and after following the course of a river for a 
short distance we struck across the country in a northerly direction 
until we struck a larger river flowing to the left. We now found 
ourselves at the bottom of the Richmond valley, and camped for the 
night at a sheltered spot at an elevation of 1,000 feet close to the river. 
According to Mr. Herbert Smith the valley extended inland from this 
point for four or five miles. It had an average breadth of about three to 
four miles. Altogether it was estimated that there were between 8,000 
and 10,000 acres of rich forest in this district, and most of it was suitable 
for cultivation: The elevation would range Кош 1,090 feet to 2,500 feet. 
is broken up into numerous valleys and ravines bounded by 
somewhat sharp rocky ridges. There are numerous streams of excellent 
water, The soil that eame ander my observation was of a rich loamy 
character on a substratum of clay and broken rock. 
fine timber growing everywhere. We camped under the het of fine 
clean-stemmed Gommier trees, some of which were three ur feet in 
diameter. [n a direct line the distance from the coast pde not be 
more than eight to ten miles. So far no cultivation had been attempted 
in any part of the valley. The general character of the vegetation 
indieated a rich soil, plenty of moisture, and sheltered conditions. 
December 30.—Leaving Mr. Herbert Smith to eontinue a journey he 
had planned across the island I returned to Chateaubelair with a negro 
guide, following the tortuous and roeky course of the river. This had 
n 
Although HA ee a det deal ae my foot I kept an "— to 
give another address at the Court House at 4 o'clock, for which a large 
number of planters and small negro proprietor s had come in from the 
country. In this address I drew attention to t the extensive clearing of 
rich forest lands that was taking place in the interior of the island 
merely to grow a few crops of yams and provisions, These lands were 
exhausted by successive crops, and then abandoned E fresh land. 
This system was eharacterised as a most injurious and wasteful one, and 
demandisg the earnest attention not only of the owners of such land, 
t of all дар а in the welfare of the island. Suggestions were 
к respecting the permanent retention of such lands in a state of 
fertility, and the plants likely to be successfully cultivated upon them, 
