884 
Supplement to the ^'Tropical Agriculturist" [June 1, 1899. 
nearch by the author during a period of over 
twenty-five yenrs. During the preparation of 
the work for publication the author Ims hud 
the assistance cf lihre experts, botanists, and 
others in many lands, and it is tliouglit the 
volume will prove a valunble contribution not 
only to the literature d' economic industries but 
to ethno-botnny as well. 
The demand made upon the dep'irtment for 
information regarding every phase of the fibre 
industry shows the extent of the industrial 
interest in fibres and tlicir manufacture, while 
the popular interest in tiiis subject i* evinced 
by the constant applications received by tlio 
department from teachers in our colleges and 
schools for fibre specimens and literature. To 
these two classes especially the work will prove 
most useful, and at the same time it is hoped 
that it may be of assistance to those writers 
upon industrial topics who from lack of authori- 
tative information regarding new fibres have some- 
times been led into error and mis-statement, The 
alphabetical arrangement of the titles, wliicli 
include both tiie common and botanical names 
of the fibre plants described, afford a ready 
means of referring to any described species, 
la the portions relating to the study and uses 
of fibres and on fibre identification the technology 
of fibre work is presented in the hope that more 
tttteutiou may be given to this work by American 
Students, as it opens up a broad field of practical 
research , 
CHAS. RICHARD DOUGE, 
Special Agent in charge of Fibre Investigativii. 
Hon, J, Steeling Morton, Secretary, 
OCCASIONAL KOTE.S. 
On another page wo give a resume of an 
instructive article on Ostrich Farming. It would 
be interesting to have further particulars regard- 
ing the breeding of these profitable birds (which we 
shall endeavour to j)rocure), such as the nature of 
the climate &c. suitable to them, as there may 
be a possibility of their thriving in the dry 
arid areas towards the north of the Island, where 
natural drawbacks and remote situation make 
successful agriculture an impossibility. 
There is some difference of opinion about the 
form in which food should be to dairy cows given 
i.e., whether dry or in a semi-liquid state. In the 
last report on the Trinidad Government Farm we 
read : " The result of experiment is in favour of 
the mash over dry feeding — it is convenient and 
. Jess wasteful, and from observation it has a deci- 
' dedly favourable influence on the milk yield." 
The following analysis of Guinea grass by the 
Government aniilyst of Trinidad appears in the 
last report on the Trinidad Government Farm, 
with a note by the chemist, who says: "From 
the analytical data Guinea grass is infinitely 
8uj)erior to ordinary pasture or Bahama grasS; but 
has about the same value as mauur«jd pasture 
grass or Englitii clover." 
Moisture 16-88 
Albuminous compounds . . 8'448 
Carbonaceous principles, woody 
fibre . . 58-752 
Mineral matter .. .. 15-72 
100 
We are glad to leara that Vet*ri«!iry Surgeon 
Cliinniah (an old student of the School of Agri- 
culture; has made a successful start in practice, 
and (hut his inoculation treatment for rinderpfst 
has been attended with good re-ults. We feel 
certain thnt with the energy and love for his 
profession which Mr. Chinniali poRf esses, he will 
soon gain eminence in his profession. 
Mr Slurgess, Government Veterinary Surgeon 
has left for FJngland on short leave, and Mr. 
E. T. lloole is acting for him. 
We heartily congratulate Mr. II. 1). L<jwis, lufe 
Headmaster of the Scliool of Agricnlture,at present 
Inspector f f Schools. Central fro vine, on the 
honour tliat has been conferred on him l)y H.E. 
the Lieut. -Governor, who has been plensed to 
appoint him a Muliandiram. Mr. Lswis is an 
enthusiastic agriculturist who haa not forgotten 
the instruction of the native cultivation in Agri- 
culture in his journeyings to and fro as an In- 
spector of Schools. If for no other reason lie 
deserves the honour for the good work he has 
done in this direction. 
A sale of stock drafted from the Government 
Dairy Herd look place on the 16th Mny when 
excellent prices were realised. These sales arn 
becoming very popular, and we are glad to find 
the Government revenue officers among tlie pur- 
ch asers. Before long the influence of the Govern- 
ment Dairy will be markedly seen in the improve- 
ment of cattle in various parts of the Island. 
The first plants of the Xancimum sweet potato 
(previously referred to as having been introduced 
from America) were lifted after about four months' 
growth, and the results were very promising. 
One vine which was placed in a more favourable 
situation then the others gave4J lbs. of tubers of 
good average size. A large number of plants will 
now be secured, some of which will be available 
for distribution. Our thanks are due to Mr. George 
Warr who presented the original plants to the 
School. ' 
The Agri-Horticultural Show flxel to take place 
in Colombo on July 21st and 22nd promises to be 
a most successful function. The Government 
Agent of the Western Province (the Hon. Mr. F.R. 
Ellis) has taken much trouble to enlist the 
sympathies of the Headmen of the Province, 
through whose influence alone the rural popula- 
tion—who should greatly benefit by these Shows 
—can be expected to take an interest in the 
exhibition. 
