36 The JouHnal of the Royal 
medium of physical pain. Monday's afternoon work 
consisted of papers on general subjects most of which, 
such as Mr. Olivier's description of the constitution and 
life history of the members of the new Agricultural Board 
of Jamaica, Mr. Watts's paper on the preparation of citrate 
of lime and Mr. Freeman's on the lost aloe industry of 
Barbados, were more adapted to the '* Bulletin " of the 
Imperial Department than a general Conference. 
Taking the Conference as a whole the most striking 
feature appeared to me to be the progress made in 
Agricultural Education in Jamaica, and I consider that 
the existence of a Teachers' Training College, utilised for 
the training of students and teachers in agriculture in 
addition to the ordinary subjects of education, is the 
great factor in the success, which is apparently attending 
the Jamaica efforts. As regards the conduct of the 
Conference, much more work could be got into the 
limited time were the system adopted different. Much 
time is wasted by matters being discussed in open 
Conference which could be done and better done in 
section. Thus, the whole of the Saturday was taken up 
by the sugar part of the programme, while 70 ^ of the 
delegates to whom the subject could present no special 
interest were compelled to pass their time in wearisome 
inaction, when they might have been doing useful work 
in section. Again, open Conference is much against 
freedom of debate, and matters can be much better dealt 
with under the greater liberty of section. By the above 
remarks I am in no way deprecating the work being 
carried on by the Imperial Department of Agriculture. 
The value of this, especially in Agricultural teaching, 
entomological work, &c., cannot be over-estimated, but I 
very much doubt if the Conference on its present lines 
is worth all the trouble and time Dr. Morris and his able 
coadjutors give to it. 
I remain, Gentlemen, 
Your obedient Servant, 
FBEDERIC I. SCARD. 
