25 



" A Practical Agricultural School to be the means of diverting 

 some of the young blood of the country in the direction of 

 Agricultural pursuits and so lessen the general tendency of the 

 rising educated youths to become ' merchants and clerks.' 



"An established centre for the introduction and subsequent 

 development of alien elements of Economic botany of commercial 

 importance elsewhere." 



" A nursery for Economic tropical plants of commercial 

 importance." 



" Such an enterprise must anticipate what commercial benefit 

 may in a few years be brought about by the steady distribution of 

 young trees of Economic value among the Chiefs and people of 

 the many villages that border the network of water which 

 permeates the Colony and its neighbourhood." 



Further the Superintendent was to direct his efforts to — 

 " (a) Promotion of extension of growth of the Cocoa-nut palm. 

 (b) Introduction of a better class of Cotton and its extended 



growth." 

 (a) Culture of the naturalized tobacco and improvement 

 therein by importation of suitable seed. 



(d) Growth of ginger, cacao, pepper (red), and coffee. 



(e) Development of the rubber, gum, and resin trees, and of 



fibres. 

 (/) Growth and judicious planting of Eucalyptus, Melaleucas, 



and the Casuarinas. 

 (//) Model Kitchen Gardening." 



He was also to consider the apprenticeship of Refugee (ex- 

 slave) boys ; the industrial education of sons of Chiefs ; sale of 

 plants ; and the gratuitous distribution under the authority in 

 writing of the Governor, whenever of advantage to the general 

 interest.* 



The site selected was at Ebute Metta on the mainland, and the 

 area of land enclosed was 3f acres. 



Mr. James McXair, from the Hope Nurseries, Kingston, Jamaica, 

 commenced his duties as the first Superintendent on the 

 8th November, 1887. 



The original cost of the Department was moderate. The yearly 

 estimate was about £300, including salary of Superintendent 

 £100-£150 (with Quarters), Gardener £30 ; two labourers Is. per 

 day each ; tools and incidental expenses. 



Particulars of the Economic plants mentioned in the scheme of 

 operations and in later reports will be given under the botanical 

 name of each subject. The general progress of the garden 

 during its first year is shown by the following report. On the 

 12th November, 1888, Sir Alfred Moloney in a despatch to 

 Lord Knutsford, states, "Your Lordship will observe that the 

 reasons advanced in favour of the establishment of a botanic 

 centre in this Colony have been within a year supported by the 

 attainment of the objects on account of which the institution was 



* Kew Bulletin. 1888, pp. 151, 152. 



