300 



these were found to have increased in number to 308. The bulbs were 

 then sorted into sizes with the following results : — 



4 bulbs, 3 inches in circumference 

 25 " 4 " 

 20 " 5 " 

 13 " 5\ " 

 20 " 6 " 



9 " 6J " 

 8 " 7 " 



5 " 8 " 

 204 " small, under 3 ins. in circumference. 



308 



Vegetables — Although attention has been devoted in the first place, 

 and mainly to the cultivation and propagation of plants of the Citrus 

 family, other products that are likely to prove useful are being tried 

 on a small scale, when time and circumstances permit of this being 

 done. This district is eminently suited during certain months of the 

 year for the cultivation of European vegetables, and certain kinds are 

 fairly well grown, but here, as elsewhere, the peasantry need practical 

 lessons on the best methods of cultivation. With this object in view, 

 as well as to test the capabilities of the soil, a few vegetables have 

 been grown — cabbages, turnips, carrots, beet, leeks, peas, potatoes, 

 tomatoes, cucumbers, marrows. 



One pound of potatoes yielded 401bs. of good tubers ; tomatoes yield 

 abundant crops of handsome well flavoured fruits ; splendid marrows 

 were produced in less than a month from date of sowing seed, and 

 cucumbers in two months ; cabbages form excellent heads, large and 

 firm, and all the other kinds grown have been most successful. The 

 seeds of tomato, etc., are given to any of the settlers who ask for them. 



The following special experiment in potato cultivat'on was carried 

 out, but, for the reasons stated was not altogether a success, and 

 similar experiments carried out in different parts of the Island about 

 the same time were, generally, even less successful. 



Report on Potato Experiment. 



We received one barrel of Potatoes from Mr. Douet in October 1896. 

 They were apparently fine potatoes for cooking purposes, but not at all 

 what are known as " seed potatoes". They were too large and evi- 

 dently had not been allowed to remain in the ground long enough to 

 ripen, and consequently the eyes were immature, and unable to make 

 good strong growths. Then again, many of the large tubers, when 

 cut, were found to be quite hollow and useless, 401bs in weight being 

 in this state. 



The potatoes were kept till the middle of November, and as they 

 were then showing signs of growth the sets were prepared, and on the 

 20th of November they were planted at Resource, at an elevation 

 of 3,600 feet, the ground having previously been well dug and man- 

 ured. The soil I may mention is a gravelly loam. 



Mode of Planting. The sets were planted in trenches 2^ feet apart, 

 and a space of 15 inches was allowed between the sets in the trenches. 



