203 



most sugar on that particular estate. If the yield can be increased by 

 even a quarter of a ton per acre, it is worth all the trouble entailed. 



In 1895 the Department supplied a collection of canes to Mr. 

 Thomas Kemp who devoted a large area to their cultivation, and tested 

 them himself. * The same idea was carried out by Mr. Webb and 

 Captain Shirley. ** But in order that the analysis be done systema- 

 tically, so that the results may be on the same basis, and capable of 

 comparison, it should be carried out on different estates by the same 

 person and he should be an Agricultural Chemist. 



Mr. Craig also undertook experimental work, and fortunately when 

 his canes were ready for testing, Mr. Watts was at hand to go to Danks 

 and analyse them, t 



Government Chemist. — When the Government Chemist is appoint- 

 ed, it would be well that one definite portion of the work assigned to 

 him, should be the analysis on the spot of canes grown experimentally 

 on one or two estates in each sugar growing district. With the assis- 

 tance of the sugar planters themselves, the estates might be carefully 

 selected as typical of certain districts, arrangements could readily be 

 made for the distribution from these experimental plots of the most 

 successful canes throughout the surrounding districts, and for the ex- 

 change of tops from one district to another, so necessary for maintain- 

 ing a vigorous constitution in the cane. 



Another portion of the Chemist's duties should be to continue Mr. 

 Bowrey's work in analysing, and undertake experimental work on 

 manures for canes at Hope Gardens. 



Treatise on Sugar C ane. — During the year an important treatise 

 was published on the u Agriculture of the Sugar Cane " by Dr. Stubbs, 

 Director of the Sugar Experiment Station in Louisiana, U. S. A., sum- 

 marising all the latest information on the subject, and giving results of 

 his experience in Louisiana. Copious extracts from this work were 

 printed in the Bulletin, and Mr. Watts added notes, giving his 

 view on certain points derived from his long practical acquaintance 

 with sugar growing in the West Indies.}: But the treatise itself should 

 be in the hands of every sugar-planter, copies can be obtained direct 

 from the author. 



Tea. 



There is a demand for tea plants, which are supplied from the Hill 

 Gardens. The number distributed was 3,760 besides some seed. 



Tobacco. 



Distribution o< Seed — Seed was imported by the Department from 

 Havana through the aoency of the British Consul-General of the best 

 tobacco of Vuelta Abajo, and was distributed free to everyone who 

 applied for it. 



At Montpelier, the Hon. Evelyn Ellis's estate, 60 acres were 



* Bulletin, Sept , 1.-96, 



• • Bulletin, .Mar, 1897. t Bulletin, April, 1899. 

 X Bulletins May to October, 1898. 



