Cocoa-Planting In

New Guinea

Letter to the Editor THE remarks of Mr. Nixon-Westwood A about cocoa-growing in New Guinea, published in your September issue, call for comment.

I think I am correct in saying that the planters of the Territory have no great respect for the Agricultural Department’s work of the past; but the action of Mr.

E. C. Green (the officer of the Depart ment to whom the reference is made) in spending his furlough of 12 months— quite different to a flying visit —studying the cocoa industry and problems con nected with it, under the tutorship of some of the world’s foremost Tropical Agriculturists, is a commendable and progressive step.

Since Mr, Green’s return to the Terri tory, he has given unstintingly the results of his observations and teachings at Trinidad to anyone interested and has been able to give a number of planters valuable information. Mr. Green is now the Superintendent of the Demonstration Plantation of the Department of Agri culture, and is busy planting cocoa in various experimental ways; and the knowledge thus gained will be very valu able in the future. He is also making experiments in fermentation. Practical benefit has already been obtained from these experiments.

The Thesis presented by Mr. Green in part requirement for the Associateship of The Imperial College of Tropical Agriculture (he is the first Australian to gain this distinction) has been published as a Bulletin by the Department: and to the majority of planters here, who know practically nothing about cocoa, it will prove a valuable guide and should in terest them to the extent of making them seek further knowledge of the subject.

Maybe Samoan methods would be ap plicable here, and the suggestion that a planter from Samoa could give us valuable information is feasible; but the Department has apparently not thought all this out yet and Mr. Nixon-Westwood’s letter may lead them to investigate the desirability of; (1) Sending an officer to Samoa for experience or (2) Engaging an experienced man from Samoa. (1) of course would mean: (a) Who? (b) When? (c) How?; and (2) could go ad infinitum.

In the .meantime, let us give a measure of praise to Mr. Green’s good work.

I am, etc..

Turalam.

Rabaul. T.N.G.

October 19, 1935.