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“...BRITISH GUIANA 373
of slavery. On the extreme east coast of Demerara there is a
considerable area under coco-nuts, and this form of cultivation
is1 being extended. At Agatash, on the left bank of the Esee-
| quibo River, about "two miles above Bartica, there is a fine lime
estate on which citrate of lime is manufactured. The collection
of balata from the tree known as Mimusops globosa forms an
important industry. This gutta-percha-like substance is largely
used for insulating purposes and in the manufacture of belting,
etc. In the interior gold is recovered by “placer” washing,
and also to a less extent by quartz-mining, while a system of
! dredging and hydraulic washing has been adopted with great
I success. During the early days of the gold industry some
I diamonds were found when the day’s “ clean up” was taking.
I place, and the stones naturally attracted attention. A gold
I expedition to the Upper Mazaruni in 1890 discovered small!
I diamonds in fair numbers, aid...”
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“... soon as
the gins are started, the feeders take the cotton from the shoots
1 through a small hinged door, which can easily he shut in case of
fire. On the seed-cotton being fed to the gins, the lint
is separated from the seed. The former passes over a leather
: roller and drops on to an endless conveyor, while the seed falls
through the grids on to an inclined plane, and passes through
the floor to the lowest storey. While the lint is on the conveyor,
any motes or other impurities are watched for and picked out.
From the conveyor the lint is taken to the baling-room, where
it is baled under pressure. It is then ready for shipment. In
the lowest room the seed is stored for planting the next season s
crop, for feeding the animals, or for making manure.
THE BALATA INDUSTRY. A flourishing balata industry
exists in British Guiana. This product is a gutta-percha-like
substance which is tapped from a forest tree known as the Bullet
tree or Mimusops globosa. It is used for...”
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