114 
TlMEHRI. 
destru6lion of British Colonies. It is true the year about 
to close has been more favourable as regards markets to 
our industry than many preceding ones, but this has 
been mainly due to the advantage obtained by our sugar 
in the United States market, by reason of the counter- 
vailing duties levied on bounty assisted sugars, It 
would, however, be folly to look upon this advantage as 
likely to be a permanent one. Nothing can absolutely 
restore confidence or rehabilitate the British Colonial 
suorar industry until the Mother Country opens her 
markets to her Colonies and restores free-trade and 
honest competition. I cannot honestly say that any 
progress has been made with regard to minor industries 
during the year. The establishment of these industries 
must be a very slow and tedious process, and though in 
time they may form a prop to our main industry, no 
intelligent colonist would be foolhardy enough to say 
that there is any likelihood of their ever filling its place. 
As far as human vision can see the future of this Colony, 
the prosperity of its inhabitants, its very existence as a 
valuable and civilised portion of Her Majesty's dominions, 
depends entirely on the rehabilitation and continuance 
of the sugar industry. 
The experimental cane cultivation at the Botanic Gar- 
dens continues to be carefully carried on under the able 
superintendence of Messrs. Jenman and Harrison. The 
propagation of seedling canes has been attended with 
some measure of success, and cuttings from some of the 
most promising of these seedlings are now being grown 
on various sugar estates. On the New Colonial Com- 
pany's estates the most promising seedlings 1: ave been 
found to be Nos. 78, 145, 95, 74 and 109. i feel conh- 
dent that success will eventually crov\n the efforts that 
are being made to find and cultivate a cane superior to 
the Bourbon. Many of the seedlings have already 
demonstrated the fa6t that they are hardier and ratoon 
better than <^he Bourbon. 1 am glad to say some slight 
progress has been made in inducing labourers to culti- 
vate canes for sale to owners of sugar fa6lories, the land 
sele6led being located on sugar estates, where drainage, 
water supply, cheap transport, &c., are guaranteed. The 
