262 
FLORA AND SYLVA 
;,and selection, with a view 
to obtaining races of increased economic 
value and specially adapted to American 
conditions. NoristheAmerican govern- 
ment unmindful of its new colonies, for 
the world is beingransackedby itsagents 
for the finest strains of Mango and other 
tropical fruits suited to the climate of 
Puerto Rico, and the natives will be en- 
couraged to plant nothing but the best 
kinds, supplied under guarantee from 
the government. Many of the best 
varieties of these fruits are so local in their 
distribution that a great work might be 
done for our own colonies the world 
over upon these lines. Neither is the 
ornamental sacrificed to material con- 
siderations, for side by side are experi- 
ments as to the treatment and breeding 
of Roses ; trials ofwild Dahlias collected 
in Mexico and of so new a type and 
such beauty that important results are 
looked for ; and experiments under 
glass with a little known Lily {Liliujn 
philippinense) of no great beauty in itself 
but remarkable for its rapid growth. It 
is hoped by crossing to raise a new race 
of quick-growing Lilies, which would 
prove ofimmense value to florists. Even 
the least promising wastes are not for- 
gotten by this argus-eyed department, 
for it is also occupied with batches of 
Cacti from which it is hoped to obtain 
spineless fodder-plants for the desert 
tracts of the Western States, which must 
gain in importance as the land is slowly 
made capable of supporting life. 
It may be said that the entire world 
is now so cosmopolitan that, though 
America may gather the first-fruits of 1 
her enlightened poHcy in matters such | 
as these, the benefits must ultimately 
be shared by all the world. But, apart 
from the selfishness of such a view, 
American raisers are working for a cli- 
mate and conditions so difTerent from 
our own that it by no means follows 
that what is best for America is best 
for us. Even Spain has recently adopted 
a common-sense scheme for the im- 
provement of her fertile land and the re- 
clamation of marsh and mountain tracts 
long left waste. Among other induce- 
ments to good cultivation this scheme 
allows for the total remission of all taxa- 
tion for lands newly planted, during 
periods varying from two or three to 
seventy-five years, according to the 
nature of the work done and the char- 
acter of the ultimate yield. In some 
cases a distinct period is fixed, and in 
others an indefinite time is to elapse, 
allowing the yield to reach a certain 
proportion before making any return 
to the State. 
In view of the increased attention 
now given to matters of such import- 
ance by governments the world over, 
is it not time for our own to realise 
the need of a forward policy aimed at 
the development of the vast latent wealth 
of our country as regards agriculture, 
horticulture, and forestry ? What is 
there to prevent the authorities atKew, 
or an additional department equipped 
for the purpose, undertaking practical 
work of this nature, and empowered to 
retain for the nation the services of those 
best qualified to lead their fellows in 
matters of practical culture and the 
constant war with insect pests and 
disease ? ^ * * 
