386 
THE TROPICAL AGRICULTURIST. [Dec. 1, 1900. 
' "The department has every confidence in the 
good results which agricultural experinietits will 
yield in countries which, like Guatemala, may be 
said to be beginning to learn the art of cultivation, 
because the conviction of the truths spread in print 
is not grasped by the minds of the majotity of 
agriculturists except when impressed by jjractical 
results. " 
The Director points out that a coffee planter may 
learn many useful lessons by watching the results 
of the methods employed by his neighbours, engaged 
in the same pursuit, and that as he studies tue 
methods of others who grow various diffierent pro- 
ducts, his general knowledge of agriculture will be 
greatly increased. In view of these opinions, the Di- 
rector proposed to the Minister of Public Works the 
establishment of a model farm on the National 
lands as soon as the financial difficulties in the way 
should have been overcome. 
Various examples of the efforts of the department 
to encourage agriculture and implant confidence 
as to its impartiality were given, as for example 
labourers who had been sent by the local authori- 
ties in different departments to work on the planta- 
tions near the coast at the very moment when they 
■were commencing to sow wheat and maize were 
upheld in their complaints, while, at other times, 
labourers ordered to work on the roards at the 
time of the coffee harvest, thus depriving the plant- 
ers of labour at the most important period, were 
sent back to the harvest. 
On the future of coffee production, the Director 
writes : — 
"This department under my care considers that 
the almost prohibitive duties which exist on coffee 
in foreign countries will always be an obstacle to 
any scheme having for its aim the generalisation 
of coffee in the world is enormous, and as this in- 
creases, the consumption does not seem to increase 
at the same rate. The instability of the inerket 
tor this fruit commenced about two years ago, 
and wecan judge of the results by the compromised 
condition in which these countries find themselves 
which have devoted themselves entirely to its cul- 
tivation. 
"If for reason extraordinary we are still per- 
mitted to keep our place in the markets of the 
world, we mast seize the opportunity to think 
for the future. 
"Long is the list of vegetable products which 
we can export, with greater advantage than coffee 
perhaps, and certainly without running the risks 
to which is exposed a fruit produce by all the 
continents of the world with the exception of 
Europe. We have a multitude of plants whose 
utility we scarcely suspect, but which are well- 
known and valued abroad, plants which grow 
wild in our fields and which are continually des- 
troyed as their value is unknown. 
" Such for example is the plant which the Indians 
use for thatching tlieir houses, and whose long, 
flexible and strong roots are used abroad in the 
manufacture of brushes, brooms, &c. 
"This product is well-known in Europe, and 
Mexico exports this plant alone to the annual 
value of .3,000,000 dol., the preparation being of 
the most simple nature and consisting only in 
pulling out the roots with care not to break it, 
washing it and drying i^ in the sun. 
"The value of this product in New York varies 
from 7 to 17c. gold per lb., and the cost of pro- 
duction and transport does not amount to 5c. 
We must also remember that this plant is ob- 
tained in districts so arid as not to permit the 
cultivation of other planters and that the severity 
of the climate does not affect it, which has 
fruites, recommendation." — Planting Opinion. 
PLANTING NOTES. 
'' West Indian Bulletin," — The fourth number,of 
the first volume of the Weat Indian Bulletin inclu es 
paper on : Moth Borer in Sngar Cane, by H. Maxwell 
Lefroy ; Sugar Cane Experiments at Barbados, by 
Prof. J. P. d'Alboqueeqoe, and J. R. Bovell ; Experi- 
ences with Seedling Canes in British Giuana, by F. J. 
Sgahd ; Sagar.Cane Experiments in Louisiana, Fixation 
of Atmospheric Nitrogen by Leguminous Plants; Tree 
Planting in Antigua, and Care of Pa-turt- in Antigua, 
by the lion. Francis Watts: Cacao Industry in Grenada 
Fungi on the Cacao Tree, by J. H. H^ht ; Agricultural 
Education in English and in French Rural SchooU ; 
and Fumigation of Seeds and Plants. The article 
mentioned above on thn Caca disease is accompanied 
with an illustrative plate. — Gardeners' Chronicle. 
TiMBia l>Of 0 Tears Old. — Experts seem to be divided 
as to which of the two hawd woods — Jarrah and 
Karri — of Western Australia is the most durable. 
Jarrah wood piles 2 feet 2 inches square, driven 
thirty-three years ago at the Largs Bay pier, were 
found on examination to be as sound as the day 
they were put in. Some specimens of Karri wood 
taken from a fence were examined in London, and 
though the wood had been underground for twenty- 
five years it was perfectly sound. A specimen of 
Jarrah wood under similar circumstances showed 
serious decay. Timber of the Tamarisk or Shitlem 
wood has been found perfectly sound in the ancient 
temples of Egypt in connection with the stonework 
which is known to be at least 400 ) years old. — Journal 
of EoticiUture. 
Lavender Farming. — Why not earn a living by scent 
farming? That is the latest hint to the unemployed 
woman with a certain amount of capital. At Mitcham, 
Willington, Sutton, Banstead, and through the neigh- 
bouring districts vast quantities of scent-producing 
crops are grown. A contemporary describes a recent 
visit to one of these scent farms, occupying an 
area of over 600 acres, covered with broad breadths 
of Lavender, Peppermint, Rosemary, Camomile, and 
Pennyroyal. In the centre of one field of Lavender, 
comprising some 70 acres, the owner has erected a 
two-storied chalet, fri m which commanding views 
are obtained of all the neighbouring fields. It was 
delightful in such a breezy atmosphere to breathe 
the delicious odours given off under the influenoa 
of a July sun, the power of which puts strength 
and merit into the oily organs of the purple blue 
spikes which wave in every direction. As there 
must always be a world wide demand for these sweet 
commodities, it would seem to be an undertaking 
eminently adapted for ladies. Firstly, the right kind 
of land must be acquired, a deep sandy loam, 
preferably overlying chalk. A plantation of Lavender 
staiids four years, and it costs about £40 per acre 
to prepare and put out the young plants, so that 
there is but trifling return 'he first year ; after this 
they commence to be productive, and in favourable 
times the crop will give from 20 to 30 lbs. weight 
of oil per acre, which in good quality is worth about 
40s. per lb. The fine odour and strength of the 
British product makes it worth from four to six 
times that of continental growth. August is the 
month for cutting and distilling. As the season 
approaches all is bustle and activity. Lavender is 
cut with a sickle, laid with regularit> in mats, 
carried to the great vats, and after a boiling process 
of about two hours' duration the rich oil comes out 
through its proper channel, and is soon prepared 
for the wholesale druggist to handle. — Journal of 
Horlicttlture. 
