Notes

Abstract

A WARM tribute to the value of the scientific work carried through in the West Indies by the Imperial Department of Agriculture was paid by the Prime Minister, Mr. Asquith, in a speech at a banquet given by the West Indian Club on June 15. In the course of his remarks, Mr. Asquith said:—“I desire to refer for a moment with the warmest appreciation to the work of the Central Department of Agriculture. Established in 1898 at the cost of the Imperial Government, presided over with distinguished ability first by Sir Daniel Morris and now by his successor, Dr. Watts, the work of that department is universally and gratefully acknowledged by the planters to be largely responsible for the improved state of affairs in all branches of agriculture, and I believe—I speak with some experience—it would be difficult to find a case in which any analogous experiment made by the Home Government has attained such speedy and satisfactory results. The outlook is thus full of promise, and not the less so by reason of the fact that the Panama Canal is now approaching completion. The ultimate effects of that great enterprise are, of course, at present incalculable, but it can hardly be doubted that it will in the long run favourably influence the economic progress of the West Indies.” It is seldom that such warm commendation is given by a Minister, but the work. that has been done merits it fully. So long ago as 1888, the value of botanical federation in the West Indies was urged in these columns, and several articles appeared relating to it and the starting of experiment stations and other aids to the development of the colonies. It is gratifying to find that after all the years which have elapsed since then the results are regarded with such satisfaction, not only by the persons closely concerned with the West Indies, but also by statesmen in the mother country.