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 places visited, February 1899

 Daily Gleaner, February 27, 1899

Local Agricultural Society.

FORMATION OF TWO MORE.

LUCEA, FEB, 22.ND.- Mr. Douet, the indefatigable Secretary of the Jamaica Agricultural Society and Mr. Doidge of the Jamaica Bee Supply Coy, paid a visit here to-day in the interests of agriculture and bee culture.

The hour of meeting was not very suitable, but as the two gentlemen had a number of engagements to fill on this tour, the best had to be made of the arrangement.

The meeting was held in the Rusea school, and although the boys had a holiday they preferred to wait and hear the lectures to going off to play. Many children of the Presbyterian school were also present; so that “Young Jamaica” was well represented. The surrounding district had representatives, viz : Greenisland, Greenland, Dias, Riverside, Broomsville, Flint River, Maryland and a few others, while the town contributed a number of ladies and gentlemen.

C. A. Rerrie, Esq., was called to the chair. He introduced Mr. Douet who in his opening remarks expressed regret at the absence of the Rev. Mr. MacNee, but he knew the absence was unavoidable as he had gone to Kingston on Parochial business. He then proceeded to give a very instructive lecture on the work of the Society, how to form a Branch, what was being done in the growing of pineapples, bananas, oranges, &c. He gave a practical demonstration of budding and promised when the Branch had been formed he would have pleasure in budding it (affiliating was the word he used) on to the Society.

He was followed by Mr. Doidge, who soon showed that he was an enthusiast in the culture pf bees. He gave a very interesting lecture in the form of an object lesson, being provided with an improved hive and all the latest improvements to get the most honey in the easiest way. Two facts he gave which ought to promote the industry: first, that Jamaica honey from the cocoanut trees beats all the best honey in the

world, and second, that Jamaica wax obtains in the London Market 12s. to 15s. per cwt. more than that of other countries.

After the gentlemen had been accorded a hearty vote of thanks, a Branch Society was formed. Thirty-one names were put down and the office-bearers were chosen as follows ;- President, Dr. C. M. Phillips; vice-President, C. Cover, Esq., B.A.; Treasurer, F.B. Cover, Esq.; Secretary, Rev. J. S. Gartshore, M.A, Flint River P.O. The fee for membership was fixed at 1s.

A cordial vote of thanks to the Chairman terminated the proceedings.

AT SAVANNA-LA-MAR.

SAV-LA-MAR, FEB. 24^th: - Messrs. Douet and Doidge attended at the Court House on Thursday, according to announcement, and lectured in connection with thr Jamaica Agricultural Society.

The Hon. and Rev. Henry; Clarke presided, and there must have been about 150 people present, including a few ladies.

The Chairman in introducing Mr. Douet said he was convinced more and more every day that if we were to be helped we must help ourselves. He had kept bees in his young days but never could succeed in getting the honey without killing the bees.

Mr. Douet dealt principally with orange and pine cultivation, explaining how orange trees were budded, and how pines could be profitably cultivated. He was listened to with marked attention, and afterwards questioned by Messrs. Seaton, Sadler, Murray, and others.

Mr. Doidge spoke at first on the growing and handling of coffee, and afterwards lectured on Bee-keeping. He seemed to have the details of the subject at his fingers' ends, and had an improved hive and other apparatus to illustrate his remarks, At the conclusion of the lecture, a Savanna-la-Mar branch of the Jamaica Agricultural Society was formed, and about 35 people gave m their names to join. The following were appointed as officers - Messrs. C. P. Bovell (Chairman) J. S. Segree (Vice-chairman) and George Malcolm (Secretary and Treasurer.) A vote of thanks to the lecturers brought this interesting meeting to a close.

 

Another correspondent writes – " It is to be regretted that the meeting was called at the hour of 11 a.m. Dozens of clerks and others employed in stores would have been glad to have heard the lecture, and as Thursday is a half holiday in Sav-la-Mar it is difficult to understand why the meeting was not fixed for say 2 pm."

 

 Daily Gleaner, February 28, 1899

Mr. Douet's Tour.

Mr. Douet and Mr. Doidge left here on Monday last [February 20] to give a series of lectures on agriculture and bee-culture in the country districts. The party slept at Montepelier on Monday night, and on Tuesday, proceeded to Montego Bay where a meeting was held in the Court House at 1130 a.m.. Mr. S Hart presiding. The attendance was a large one, among those present being. Hon D. A. Corinaldi. Revs J. Austin, Hewett, Hutchins and Webster, Messrs. J. S. Farquharson, R J, Collymore, Hewitt, C. Roper, C. J. Gourzoung, Miss Farquharson, Inspector dePass, Miss Davis, Mr. J. Edwards. Mr. J. Corinaldi, Dr. McCatty. Miss Hill, Mr. Cohen. Mr. Robinson. Mr. Webster, and Rev. W. M. Christie.

Mr. Douet lectured on the usual topics, reviewing the work that had been done by the Society. Mr. Doidge followed with an interesting lecture on bee-keeping. The meeting concluded at 3.30 p.m.

Mr. Douet had numerous requests from the clergy of the parish to return as early as possible to lecture on agricultural mutters in the rural districts, guaranteeing good audiences. These gentlemen desired Mr. Douet to hold monthly meetings in the parish, but this he informed them was impossible. He, however, promised to go to the parish as often as he possibly could especially where local societies are established.

Mr. Douet and Mr. Doidge left for Lucea at 6 p.m. on the same day, arriving there at 9.45. At 10 a m on the 22nd, a meeting was held at Rusea school house, the Court House being occupied by the

R. M. Court. The audience here was a fairly representative one, and was under the chairmanship of Mr. J. B. Rerrie, in the absence of the Hon. Rev. James MacNee, who wrote to Mr. Douet. informing him that his presence had been prevented by his having had to visit Kingston to attend the meeting with Sir David Barbour. The usual lectures by Mr. Douet and Mr. Doidge were given, and at the close of the meeting. a Branch Society as stated in yesterday's GLEANER was organized under the presidency of Dr. C. M Phillips, with Mr. C. A. Cover as vice-President. All the preliminaries necessary were arranged and over 30 members were enrolled. This branch will be admitted to affiliation with the Parent Society at its next meeting.

At 2 pm., Mr. Douet and Mr. Doidge started for Sav-la-Mar, via George's Plain where the rice cultivation of Mr. Walter Wooliscroft was inspected. Mr. Douet thoroughly inspected the whole process of preparing the rice for market. The method adopted for growing the rice is that the coolies grow the rice on the property and sell it to the proprietor for ordinary rates of from 7s. to 8s. per [  ] quarts in the husk. According to the quality. Mr. Wooliscroft is so satisfied with results so far that he is adding machinery to double the output for the next season. He has also ordered special seed for supplying the Coolies for planting. Mr. Wooliscroft is also establishing a large orange grove on George's Plain.

The party then proceeded to Sweet River, the property of Mr. W. M. Douet. where Mr. Doidge inspected the apiary. Mr. Wooliscroft is about starting an apiary.

At 11 a.m. on the 23rd, a meeting was held at Sav-la-Mar in the Court House, this time with the chairmanship of the Rev. Henry Clarke.

An account of the meeting was given in yesterday’s GLEANER.

After the meeting a branch Society was formed with Mr. C. P. Bovell as President,

Only 30  persons being enrolled as members, and Mr. Douet had instructions to ask for affiliation at the next meeting of the Society.

At 4 p.m. the same day, Mr. Douet went on to Shaftston, the property of L. Tate, where the grape cultivation carried on was inspected. Mr. Tate is making preparation to start an apiary here. On Friday morning the party left for Petersville the property of Mr. T.

McNeil. Here there is a large poultry farm, and Mr. McNeil is making extreme

arrangements for an apiary.

The party then proceeded through Hopeton, Warstock and Lambs River, arriving at the last named place rather late: but the members of the branch society were waiting to see the secretary, and a meeting was held. The president. Mr. J. R. Williams, Dr. Cooke and several ladies were present. After the lecture the party went on to Kew Park, the residence of Mr. Williams, where they spent the night, returning home by the train from Montpelier yesterday.

Mr. Douet said that the tour was a very interesting one. General interest in agriculture is being aroused among all classes of the community, and the visits and lectures were doing an immense amount of good.

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