Mersiitadyicccene acti katoi ic abtatieta tod rae wiabaares See -, re ie = ¥ care bi wes A FORTNIGHTLY REVIEW OF THE IMPERIAL DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE FOR THE WEST INDIES. VOLUME XVIII. JANUARY TO DECEMBER 1919. ISSUED UNDER THE AUTHORITY OF THE COMMISSIONER QF AGRICULTURE FOR THE WEST INDIES, Barbados: Tae Apvocatr Puswisutne Co,, BrioGetown. London; Tue West Inpia Commirrez, 15, Seething Lane, E.C Ae ee Enea 5th Generation |... 6,103,515,625,000,000 Total progeny from 1 tickin 1 year ... 6,108,402,346,877,500 These figeres shew the importance of using Preparations which will kill every single tick. Even the most effective Carbolic Preparations never kill more thas 65% of the ticks, and the use of such inefficient fluids can only result, at the most, in keeping the ticks in check ; whereas if an arsenical prepar- ation, such as Cooper's Cattle Tick Dip, be regularly and carefully med, complete eradication is possible within a few years. /& WEST INDIAN AGENTS. ST. KITTS: S. L. Horsford & Co. ANTIGUA: Bennett, Bryson & Co. JAMAICA: D. Henderson & Co., Kingston, GRENADA: Thomson, Hankey & Co, BARBADOS: Barbados Co-operative Cotton Co,, Ltd. BAHAMAS: H. T. Brice, Nassau. TRINIDAD: T. Geddes Grant, Ltd., Port-of-Spain. BRITISH GUIANA: T. Geddes Grant, Ltd. ST. VINCENT: Corea & Co., Kingstown, NEVIS: 8. D. Malone. AMERICAN VIRGIN ISLANDS: 0. H. Schmiegelow, St. Croix. MONTSERRAT: W. Llewellyn Wall. DOMINICA: Hon. H. A. Frampton. ST. LUCIA: Barnard Sons & Co., Castries. GUADELOUPE: Société Industrielle et Agricole, Point-a Pitre. Manufacturers: WILLIAN COOPER & NEPHEWS, Berkhamsted, England. BRANCHES: Toronto, Chicago, Sydney, Melbourne, Auckland, Buenos Aires, Monte Video, Punta Arenas, East London, Odessa aA fi yy wie ae y} aw > F —= : ss A FORTNIGHTLY REVIEW Lime OF THE NEW Yt ROT ANT (PA REE IMPERIAL DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE FOR THE WEST INDIES. BARBADOS, JANUARY li, 1919. Vou. XVIII. No. 436. Pree 1d Pace. Pace. ‘ ‘ aay ; an analysis of controlling conditions of every descripe ee ea adces dg Gleanings - 12 ‘tion, and so find ourselves involved in studies so far Australian Wines ... 11, Insect-Hating Birds in S*. Bee Keeping —A Possible | Vincent, Protection of 15 Help to Cotton Growers 5| Insect Notes:— Cane versus Beet Sugar ... 3) An Outbreak of Field Cattle Raising in Britisl Cridi@tsy iecola tebe LL outside entomology, commonly so-called, that we are obliged to apply for assistance to the physiologist, and the chemist, and the physicist, and the meteorologist, Guiana... ... ... 13) Clytus Devastator, A and the geographer, and the agriculturist, and the Co-operation among Agri- | New Pest of the Flo- Z ‘ : Pabeell Wackerss.. 2 rida Orange... ... 11 animal husbandman, and the bacteriologist, and the Cotton:— _ Cockroach Control... I! physician, and the sanitarian, or in a word, to the Acreage Under Cotton Entomology in Jamaica ... 10 7 4 ; 5 P inte Waieane ol ety ecologist, who from the nature of his studies, must, if 7 Items of Local Interest 7 Ehar m 36 : urther cetaaes & ea | Maize. Root Systemof ... 8 in regard to British [Nfaricet Mienocks 1 Cotton Growing ... ... 6) Not pers Se Re Sea Island Cotton Market 6 | oS Cowpea, Notes on Inheri- | Plant Diseases:- and Comments... 8 he is thoroughly to cover his field, be something of each and all of these, and still something more” a tance in The s+. 4) Summary of Notes on The ecologist is a product of recent developments epartmental Reports .. 14 Fungi and Plant : - yes : Farm Tractors in America 9| Diseases in 1918 Te each ee aula COEUR of the high degree of Fish, A Useful Little ... 8, St. Vincent Cotton ....... 9 specialization which has been required of scientific Gacia Plants from Teneriffe 9 West Indian Products ... 15 Co-operation among Agricultural Workers. 1—s GAS xper the heading which appears above, ns @) there was an article in a recent number of Ke the Journal of Economic Entomology by John J. Davis, an officer of the United States Mr. Bureau of Entomology. In the first paragraph there appears a quotation from an address by Dr. S. A. Forbes, before the Ento- mological Society of Philadelphia, on the ecological foundation of applied entomology: ‘It is search for specific reasons for our successes here and our failures there that we ave driven to a scrutiny and when we workers. None but the latest editions of dictionaries contain the word ecology, and the functions of the ecologist must be gathered from such statements as the foregoing. From that we gather that the ecolo- gist has to do with the functions of all the organs of plants studied in relation to all the conditions of environment This definition will stand for the plant ecologist the economic botanist or agronomist, whe in agricul- tural work is likely to be the most prominent of ecological workers. ‘The entomologist may be aa ecologist in that he may be studying insects in relation to their reaction to environment, and the term might be applied to dairy men and poultry men if they become sutticiently versed in the reactions of their par ticular group of domestic animals to all the influenges of environment 2 THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS. January 1], 1919, SS EEE Le a eee The following quotation from the article already referred to indicates the line along which co-operation may well be practised, and shows the necessity for the agricultural specialist to maintain an open mind with regard to general recommendations:— ‘Agriculture is a study of the interrelations of all branches of agriculture, a complex of gigantic propor- tions, and too great for the conception of a single mind. In the early days of scientific agriculture the workers were few, and each was by necessity more or less acquainted with the most improved practices in all branches of agricultural work, as evidenced by the fact that the teacher of agriculture was frequ utiy obliged to conduct classes in soils and crops horticulture; animal husbandry, etc. ‘lo be sure he 1a.y have been especially interested in some phase of the subject, but nevertheless a general knowledge was essential. This plan of work has gradually changed, until we have now the various investigatious for each branch, and even these are sub-divided, and thus we have specialists for the varions sub-divisions. For some years, and espe- cially since taking up intensive studies on insect prob- iems of general farm crops, the writer has recog- nized the need of co-operation and freer intercourse between the difierent and increasingly complex branches of agricultural education. We feel that there is no more important work than the co-ordination of the many farm problems, and this cannot be treated as an individual problem, but must be the c»mbined work and ideas of complex investigations from every branch of the subject. ‘Too often the entomologist, in con- sidering methods of control, attacks the problems from the purely entomological standpoint, neither thinking, nor apparently, caring whether the suggestions may meet with the requirements of the approved plan of the agronomist, chemist, or forester. Recommenda- tions have been made seriously conflicting with approved farm practices which could doubtless have been revised to meet all requirements, had the author been familiar with approved farm methods, or better, if he had consulted with specialists in that phase of agri_ eulture touching on his recommendations. It cannot be expected that an entomologist shall be familiar with all developments and approved practices in agronomy, nor the agronomist with problems entomological, but it is possible for the agronomists and entomologists, plant pathologists and entomologists, and others, freely to eensult on problems which are directly or indirectly connected, and thereby reduce, to a minimum, conflict in advisory measures. The agronomist can see points of utmost importance in the control of insects which might never be considered hy the entomologist, and the chemist would see features from his point of view which would be of invaluable help, and so on indefin- itely, and it occurs to the writer that there lies within our reach a wonderful source of information which would be made available by incorporating in our routine freer consultation with our co-workers, to say nothing of the benefit derived by securing recommenda- tions of mutual value. Entomologists are not alone to blame for this condition; indeed they have in known cases endeavoured to co-operate and seek advice from other branches of agriculture.’ Mr. Davis closes his paper with the following remarks:— ‘The above discussion is intended to emphasize the need of keeping closely in touch with workers in all branches of agriculture, and to encourage freer exchange of ideas and plans between agronomists, entomologists, plant pathologists, chemists, foresters, animal husbandmen, meteorologists, and others. Like- wise the agricultural investigator, and especially the entomologist, should not lose sight of the ecological applications, for, as Doctor Forbes has said, students in entomology should be required to complete certain courses in ecology as prerequisites to their courses in entomology: or, at least, ecology should be required as a necessary part of entomological training. ‘This like- wise applies to the agricultural student. He is re- quired to complete certain courses in agronomy, chem- istry, farm mechanics, animal husbandry, entomology, etc, and here his requirements end. He becomes familiar with soils and erops from the point of view of the agronomist, with swine or poultry problems from the conception of one who has made a special study of these particular subjects, but the average student is not able to co-ordinate these studies as could be done if he had first obtained a knowledge of applied ecology in its relation to agricultural topics.’ These ideas find application in the work of plant- ers and of the officers of agricultural. departments; they tend to sho thatco-operation ani frequent inter- course, with thc jusequent interchange of ideas, are essential for the successful solution of agricultural problems. While times are easy, and troubles few, an individual may follow his own line of action in comparative isolation, and may be quite successful: on the other hand, under altered condjtions he may fail, and fail in circumstances in which freer interchange of ideas might have saved him from disaster. The ideas expressed in this article lie at the root of the prosperity of agriculttiral communities. Von. XVIII. No. 436. THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS, 23 INDUSTRY. ~ SUGAR CANE VERSUS BEET SUGAR. Information has recently come to hand that British makers of such commodities as jam, chocolate and condensed milk have experienced difficulties, which they attribute to the use of cane sugar in place of the beet sugar which they form- erly employed in their industries. This is unfortunate, as it may lead to some preference being manifested for beet sugar, and to a desire in some quarters to obtain access once more to supplies of continental jbeet sugur furnished by enemy countries. [t would be well if the facts were carefully investigated, so that the nature of the difficulties may be clearly under- stood, and steps taken to remedy them. Tt is understood that the experience of some makers of jam and of condensed milk is that their goods manufactured With the class of cane sugar recently available exhibit a ten- dency to ferment. This defect cannot be attributed to the sugar as sugar, for it is admitted that pure cane sugar and pure beet sugar are indentical substances. The defects, there- fore, must lie with such impurities as were contained in the sugar used. Owing to.the fact that the impurities of ordinary beet sugar are extremely unpleasant, having an ottensive taste and smell, it is essential ,that the refining of beet sugar shall be very thoroughly accomplished; if not, the resulting sugar is unpleasant, and is not acceptable to the user, On the other hand, the impurities incidental to cane sugar are quite pleasant both to smell and taste; consequently cane sugar may be passed on to the market in a ; less perfectly refined condition than beet sugar, and still be acceptable to the ordinary user. indeed, there are -many grades of cane sugar in common use which are not refined sugars in the strict sense of the word: they are made direct from the cane juice by-careful methods, withont being submitted to refin- jing processes. ah It is more than probable that the manufacturers’ diffi- culties referred to above are to be explained by the fact that the cane sugars, recently placed at their disposal by the authorities regulating the supplies of sugar-cane, were cane sugars which had not been submitted to a thorough refin- ing process, such as results from treatment with animal In such a case it is conceivable that organisms capable of causing fermentation exist in the sugar, and so pass into the products of manufacture, ultimately leading to their spoiling. Had the sugar been thoroughly refined, preferably by filtration throuch animal charcoal, it is expected that these fermentive organisms would have been removed. This being so, it may be asserted that it was not the sugar that was at fault, but its method of refining. _ It is well known that in the stress of recent times one ditticulty experienced in Great britain was the obtain- ing of refined sugar, so much so that upusual steps had to be taken to get supplies of sugar refined in America for syitish use; British refineries were too few in number and too charcoal. small in capacity to produce the needed quantities. It will be readily recognized that these conditions were conducive to the furnishing of only partially refined sugars to the mann- facturers of jams and condensed milk. This recourse to American refineries is a conseqnence of the fiscal policy before the war which-led to the closing of almost all British sugar refineries, thus putting a stop to an industry which in the earlier part of the last century was of great importance in the United Kingdom. From those extinct refineries, before the swamping of the market by refined beet root sugar from the Continent, there used to be produced sugar of the utmost purity, in loaves and cubes and crystals, much of it refined from crude cane sugars from the tropical parts of the Empire. That this use of imperfectly refined cane sugar may have been the cause of the troubles complained of is rendered fairly evident by the statement of a manufacturer of choco- late, to the effect that he preferred beet sugar because it Is less sticky than cane sugar. Now thoroughly refined cane sugar is no more sticky than is beet sugar, so it must be con- cluded that his experience referred to the imperfectly refined cane sugar. In the work of reconstructing industries after the war sugar will play a large part, and the question of the produc- tion of cane sugar will be a vital one for many of our colonies. Sugar production in British colonies has been ata great disadvantage in the past in its struggles to com- pete with beet sugar, a struggle which hinged, not so much upon the qualities of the respective sugars, but upon the fiscal conditions under which they were produced and marketed. Now that these disabilities are. to be removed, it is very undesirable that any undeserved stigma should attach to cane sugar, or that there should arise a preterence for beet sugar, on the fart of even some British manufac- turers, based on erroneous grounds. A body of prejudiced purchasers in the United Kinglom might be a source ot serious danger to the colonial sugar industry. It would be an acceptable and useful national service if one of the Associations now springing up in England for tke devolopment of the colonia! sugar industry, and the investi- gation of sugar problems, were to take up this question, and investigate it thoroughly, and to give wide publicity to the results of the investigation as soon as possible. It is to be remembered that the consumption of sugar in the major industries concerned with the production of jams, confection- ery, condensed milk, and allied commodities, uses a very large part of the sugar imported into the United Kingdom; consequently, anything working to the detriment of cane sugar in this connexion is a matter of grave concern. Mere declamation, or the assertion of the merit of one kind of sugar as contrasted with another, will not suttice; the matter should be thoroughly and carefully investigated. DEPARTMENT NEWS. Dr. J. C. Hutson, BA., Ph.D. who for eighteen months, during Mr. Ballou’s absence in Egypt, acted as Entomologist on the staff of the Imperial Departmens of Agricalture for the West Indies, has recently been appointed to the post of En'omologist on the staff of the Agricultural Department, Ceylon. He has already left Eng'and to take up his duties, and has probably reached Ceylon by now 4 THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS, NOTES ON INHERITANCE IN THE COWPEA. ANTHOCYANIN COLOURATION OF STEM AND LEAF STALK, AND NEW ERA PATTERN OF THE SEED COAT. As the outcome of werk carried on at the Experiment Station, Sr. Vincent, by Mr. S. C. Harlaud, B.Sc., a con- siderable body of information has been acquired respecting the mode of inheritance of certain genetic factors in the cowpea. Mr. Harland now furnishes the following notes, with a desire to place on record a summary of such facts as have come to light, reserving a detailed presentation of the complete results for a later date. A paper embodying the results of his investigations relating to the inheritance of colour and pattern of the seed coat, and of flower colour, has been contributed to the Journal of Genetics by him, and will probably appear in the near future. In many varieties of cowpea, the region near the junction of the main stem and petioles is dark red in colour, owing to the presence of anthocyanin pigment in the epider- mal cells, The same pigment is also found at the junction of the petioles with the leaflets. In other varieties pigmenta- tion is totally absent. In crosses between pigmented and anpigmented kinds, the following results were obtained :— Ff, generation. Pigmentation present. F., veneration. Five families were grown, and segregation occurred into the parental types in the following proportions:— Plants. Pigmented. Unpigmented. 171 132 39 Expectation 137'25 $275 This ratio is close to the expected 3:1, characteristic of a single genetic difference. everal families were grown in F.,. Fi, generation. Of fifteen families grown from F., pigmented plants, four families threw pigmented only. There were ninety-one plants in al]. The remaining eleven families segregated into pig- mented and unpigmented, the results being:— Plants. Pigmented, npigmented. 369 276 93 Expectation 277°75 92:25 The ratio of pigmented to unpigmented plants in segre- gating F., families is thus close to 3:1. From F., uopigmented plants four families were grown in F.. All bred true to the unpigmented condition, the number of plants being 140. Conclusion. From these results it may be concluded that the presence of anthocyanin colouration in the stem and leaf stalk of the cowpea is due to a single unit factor, dominant to its absence. THE NEW EKA PATTERN OF THE SEED COAT. The variety New Era is one of the best known varieties of cowpea, being highly valued by the farmers of the Southern States as a forage crop. The secds are thickly and uniformly dotted witha dark blue anthocyanin pigment, the ground January ll, 1919. colour being a medium brown which deepens with age. In pre- vious investigations | Spillman (1911), Harland (1918) it has been noted that the Solid type of pattern, i.e, that characteriz- ing the basal colour of New Era, is due to two factors. One of these is the Watson factor (W), and the other is the Hol- stein factor (H). The factor H is responsible for the type of pattern known as Holstein, while the factor W produces another type of pattern known as Watson. The factor Watson deepens the colour of the flower, changing it from the type known as Pale to the type known as Dark. ‘Thus, it may be assumed that New Era contains both W and H. Crosses have made between New Era and a variety known as Para, which was originally obtained from Brazil. A short description of the parental types is as follows :— Vew Era, Pattern, solid brown, thickly dotted with blue anthocyanin pigment producing the characteristic New Era pattern. Flower, of type known as Dark, ie. standard and wings both purple. Anthocyanin pigment present in stem and leaf stalk. The same pigment is also found in the young pod, particularly at the tip, in the calyx, and at the top of the flower stalk. Para. Seed, pale cream, almost white. Flower and also the vegetative parts of the plant devoid of antho- eyanin pigment. Types with no anthocyanin pig- mentation whatever are conveniently termed ‘albino ’ FY generation, The seed possesses the characteristic New Era pattern, but the dotting is not so intense. The distribution of antho- cyanin colour in the vegetative parts is like that of New Era, as is also the flower colour. Fr, generation. Owing to the attacks of insect pests it was not possible to grow a large number of plants in the F’,, but sutficient data were obtained to render fairly clear the genetic constitu- tion of the parental types. Three types appeared:—- 1. The New Era type (including plants like the F, ). 2. A new type, different in several respects from New Era. The seed coat pattern is brown solid colour, no dotting being present. Anthocyanin is present in stem and leaf stalk, but not in the young pod, calyx, or peduncle. The flower colour is dark. 3. The Albino type The numerical results of the I°. are as follows:— New Era. Brown. Albinoy 10 2 5 Inthe F., three families were grown. One of these was from an albino, and bred true. The other two were from F., pants of the New Era type, and both showed seg- regation into New Iira, Brown, and Albino, The numerical results of these two families are as follows: — New Era. jrown. Albino. Family | 14 6 10 2 1] 4 +] Total 25 10 19 Combining these results with those of F., it will be seen that the ratio of New Era:Brown:Albino is very close to 9:3:4, thus: — New Era. Brown. Albino. Found 7) 12 24 Expected 399 Nias: 17'8 These results may be explained by assuming that two independently inherited genetic differences are concerned in this cross :— Vot. XVIII. No. 436. THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS, 5 HE. —A factor which produces the New Era pattern ou the seed coat, and also anthocyanin pigment in the young pod, calyx, and peduncle. R.—A factor for pigment in the seed coat, anthocyanin in stem and leaf stalk, and colour in the flower. E is without effect except R be present. According to this view, the cross under discussion is Er bye r. The types appearing in F’, are, 9 E R (New Era), 3 e R (Brown), 3 Er * (Albino), and 1 er (Albino). oi ; Since all the pigmented types possess the Solid type of pattern, it is evident that Para has both the Watson (W) and Holstein (H) factors. These are without visible effect except in the presence of the factor for pigmentation of the seed coat brought in by New Era. Thestatement that the factor R is responsible for brown colour in the seed coat, and anthocyanin colour in stem, leaf sta'k, and flower, does not preclude the existence in the Albino type of Para of factors for flower colour and anthocyanin pigmentation of the vegetative parts, for such factors may be present and have no visible effect, except in presence of R. Thus the cross may be : — : Para (X W H r e) by New Era (X WH R E) where X is the factor for anthocyanin colour in stem and leaf stalk, Wis the factor for Watson pattern and Dark flower, H is the factor for Holstein pattern, Ki is the factor for pigmentation of the seed coat, and E is the factor for the New Era pattern. None of the factors have visible etfect except in presence of R, REFERENCES: Harland, S. G., 1918. ‘A Study of Inheritance in the Cowpea (Vigna sinensis) Journ of Genetics (nob yet pub- lished). : Re FA Spillman, W. J., 1911. ‘Inheritance of the “Hye” in Vigna’. The American Naturalist, Vol. XIV, September 1911, pp. 513-23. BEE KEEPING—A POSSIBLE HELP TO COTTON GROWERS. It bas often been noticed that a large percentage of the flowers produced by any one cotton plant fail to set bolls. A study of this condition by the late Mr. Rowland M. Meade, appeared in the /owrnal of Heredity, October 1918. Although the writer’s death prevented any further investigation, his preliminary notes on the subject are very suggestive, and may lead to further studies on this line. As far as information goes, it does not appear that any experi- ments of the kind described below have been as yet under- taken in the cotton-growing islands of the West Indies. Such experiments and their results will be well worth record- ing. Much of Mr. Meade’s paper is reproduced below _ The percentage of cotton flowers that develop into mature bolls is generally low. ven under. the most favour- able conditions many of the buds do not reach the blooming stage, and many flowers that open fail to set bolls. , Inadequate pollination may be considered as a possible cause of the shedding, when the flowering stage had been reached. : ae The cot'on flower is a large, cup-shaped blossom; it is borne in an upright position on the upper side of the fruiting branch. The pollen grains are very large, and have moist ‘spinose surfaces, so that they tend to cohere when freed from the anthers, and are not carried about by the wind. “The period during which fertilization is possible lasts only a few hours. The flowers open soon after sunrise, com- mence to wither as the temperature rises in the middle of the day, and closes in the evening when the stigma is dry, The second or third day after blooming, the petals, stamens, and pistil separate from the rest of the Hower, and fall from the plant. In some types the relative position of the stigmas and stamens is favourable, and in others unfavourable, for self- pollination. Most of the flowers with long stigmas projecting above the stamens do not become completely self-fertilized, as the anthers and stigmas are too widely separated. The flowers of many of the iong staple varieties are of this type, the stig- mas often exceeding the anthers by 15 min. The bolls resulting from such flowers have 25 to 45 per cent. of aborted seeds, and it seems not unreasonable to attribute this abor- tion in part to the lack of perfect pollination. Flowers with short stigmas inbedded among the upper stamens, are readily self-fertilized. Erect stamens, either long or short, are alsa favourable to self-fertilization, since they bring the anthers in close proximity to the pistils. Cotton bolls have three to five locks or compartments, each containing from six to eleven ovules, the number vary- ing with the type of cotton. Few locks of long staple types contain more than nine seeds, while most of those of big- bolled, short types have at least eight seeds. It was found by preliminary investigation that the bolls failed to set unless at Jeast 25 grains of pollen were applied to the stigmas; even with this number, only one or two seeds matured in each lock. As each lock contains from six to eleven ovules, it is necessary for at least 25 to 55 grains of pollen to reach the stigmas in order that all the ovules of a four or five-locked boll be fertilized. An experiment was conducted at San Antonio, Texas during 1913, to determine whether an iucrease in boll pro< production might be expected on the result of complete pollination. Two varieties of cotton were chosen for this investigation—Durango, a long staple type with stigmas exserted beyond the stamens, and Azala, a short staple type with short stigmas embedded among the stamens. The separation of the anthers from the stigma in the Durango flower reduces the chances of self-fertilization, while the conditions found in Acala cotton favour self-fertilization. Two rows cf each variety were planted for this experiment. One of the rows of each variety was designated as A, and the other as B. The flowers in the A rows were com- pletely self-pollinated, anthers being removed by hand, and the pollen scattered over the pistil until the stigmas were well covered. The flowersin the B rows were allowed to become pollinated naturally- The hand pollination in the A rows produced the effect that might be expected from the work of bees or other pollinating insects operating in great numbers. As was anticipated, better results (an increase of nearly 11 per cent.) were obtained by artificial pollination in the Durangg cotton thanin the Acala variety, in which the increase was only about half as great’ As before stated, the flowers of thegformer have exserted pistils, not adapted for perfect self-pollination, while those of the latter variety have short pistils. No effort was made to exclude insects, and the weather conditions during the course of the investigation were not unfavourable to their activities. Itis evident from inereased yield of- bolls secured in the long-pistilled Darango variety through artificial pollination that the presence of additional pollinating insects would aid in reducing the hig! nereent ey 1 percentage of shedding. The value of honey bees in this connexion is recognized in some localities, and it would seem that growers of long-stapled varieties might find bee keeping a distinct advantage to the cotton cr Op. 6 THE AGRICULTURAL COTTON. SEA ISLAND COTTON MARKET. The report of Messrs. Henry W. Frost & Co., on Sea Island cotton in the Southern States, for the week ended November 23, 1918, is as follows:— IsLANps. The market has remained duil, with no demand. The Factors are more desirous of selling, as the stock is accumulating, but continue to hold nominally at prices last quoted (Fine to Fully Fine 72e., f.0.b._ and freight), being unwilling to make any concession in price, until there is some renewal of demand. However, we think, with order in hand, enabling us to make a positive bid, we could buy at a decided concession from present asking prices. Under these conditions, we omit quotations. GEORGIAS AND FLORIDAS, With very limited demand the market in Savannah and throughout the interior towns is very dull. Some sales of small lots are made at irregular prices, depending upon the views or necessities of the owners, rendering it impossible to quote, as the demand is not suffi- cient to establish a markets The very small amount ginned to November 15 has caused crop estimates to be reduced, and encourages the large holders of cotton to think that the limited supply will be required by the trade, and consequently a demand will spring up, enabling them sooner or later to sell to better advantage. We can buy occasionally in a limited way:— Faucy 64c., f-o.b. and freight. Extra Choice 63c., t.o.b, and freight. The exports from Savannah for the week have been : to Northern Mills 469 bales, and from Jacksonville to Northern Mills 220 bales. The United States Census Bureau reports the amount of cotton ginned to November 15, as follows:— 2,132 bales | 13,904 ,, } South Carolina Georgia making a total of 24,145 bales Florida 8109». | againstlast year 68,188 ,, total crop 88,174 bales TOG. 93,002 0), ,, Me lo OO E: 3 POUBE GO Tie cyt 5) Bees 8b)278> 3 ee Ss 8b”. Be Te8bT FURTHER DEVELOPMENT IN REGARD TO BRITISH COTTON GROWING. The following information has been forwarded by the British Cotton Growing Association: — The Council of the British Cotton Growing Association have receutly had an interview with Sir Henry Birchenough, K.C.M.G., the Chairman of the Empire Cotton Growing Committee. Sir Frank Forbes Adam, Bart., C.I.E., presided, and congratulated Sir Henry Birchenough on the great work he had done for the Empire in his capacity as Chairman of numerous Committees set up by the Government. The British Cotton Growing Association early in 1917 had come to the conclusion that the development of cotton cultivation within the British Empire was not receiving the attention NEWS. January 1], 1919. and assistance which it merited from the Government, and that there was a good deal of indifference being shown, which was injurious to the work the Association have at heart. It was therefore decided to send a Deputa- tion, which was received by the President of the Board of Trade, on behalf of the Prime Minister. The outcome of that meeting was the appointment of a powerful Committee, — under the name of the Empire Cotton Growing Committee, of which Sir Henry Birchenough is Chairman, to investigate the whole of the circumstances of the growth of cotton in the. British Empire, and to report- The British Cotton Growing Association had during the past fifteen years effected a great deal of arduous spade work which had been done uncommonly well. Lancashire, both employers and operatives, had sub- scribed liberally to the funds of the Association, and nearly haif a million of money had been raised without any expec- tation on the part of the subscribers of obtaining any return beyond extending the area of cotton cultivation. Any profits that might have been earned would have been spent in new developments. Sir Henry Birchenough explained that the Empire Cotton Growing Committee was formed largely at the request of the British Cotton Growing Association, sup- ported by a strong recommendation of the Board of Trade. The object of that Committee was in no sense whatever to replace anything that had been done, or was being done, or will be done in the future in Lancashire, but, on the contrary, its object was to supplement and support those efforts, and the Committee is not intended to replace any efforts, or committees, or bodies which are already at work. Sir Henry recognized most gratefully the extraordin- ary work which the British Cotton Growing Association had done under circumstances of great difficulty. The early years were the difficult ones, but, when once the preliminary diffi- culties had been overcome, the reward came much more rapid- ly thanseemed possible in the early stages. The Empire Cotton Growing Committee was composed of representatives of the self-governing Dominions and various Colonies, of the representatives on Public Departments, and of repre- sentatives of the various branches of the cotton industry. The Committee had been in existence almost a year, and during that time there had been certain pressing problems to advise upon. The war had made progress in many directions difficult, but the Committee had now reached a stage at which they felt they could go ahead. The Committee was being further strengthened, in order to obtain the co-operation of all classes in Lancashire—a co-operation not only of interests, but of knowledge. Up to the present time sub-Committees have been set up, to divide the work among them on one hand, and on the other hand, to secure still further the cordial co-operation of the different classes in Lancashire. The Committees already appointed were Finance, Commerce, Research, Information, and three Terri- torial Committees, viz. India, Egypt and the Sudan, and the self-governing Dominions and Colonies. It was not desired that the Committee should be regarded as a London one; certain meetings could most conveniently be held in London, but a large number of the Committee meetings would be - held in Manchester or elsewhere in Lancashire, because it was necessary for Lancashire to feei that they were their Committees, and that this was their work; and _ its association should be as close as possible to the industry itself. A combination ef private enterprise and government assistance was vital to the future. The main Committee of the Empire Cotton Growing Committee, which of course is interested in cotton growing all over the world, even in the self-governing Colonies and India, could take over a great Vou. XVIII. No. 436, deal of the difficult work which the Association had done in the past, namely its relations with Government Departments, Colonia] Governments, the Egyptian and Indian Governments. This would leave the Association freer to carry on the work of the active production of cotton. The desire and effort of the Empire Cotton Growing Committee would be to assist the Association in every way, to give advice where possible, and to represent the Association’s wishes, wants, and needs to the Government. Under these circumstances it is hoped that as soon as the troubles and difficulties of the war are over, the Association will be able to take a fresh leap forward, and attain the era of prosperity which all desired. It was absolute- ly necessary to develop the cotton growing areas in the British Empire, in view of the large increase of American takings, and there was now an atmosphere at Whitehall most fayourable to that position. The present attitude of the Government was very sympathetic. The Committee wished to feel that it had the united support of Lancashire behind it; and if so, real progress would be made. Mr. Hutton also spoke, and stated that it was for their Association to see that the Committee was a success. It was necessary for capital, labour, and everybody to pull together in this matter, because sooner or later there would not be enough cotton to go round. Acreage under Cotton in St. Vincent.—From a report of the Agricultural Superintendent, St. Vincent, recently forwarded for the information of the Imperial Commissioner of Agriculture for the West Indies, it appears that for the 1918-19 crop there is a total area of 6,089 acres under cotton in that island and its dependent Grenadines. Of this total there are 4,583 acres planted in Sea Island and 1,446 acres in the Marie Galante variety, all of the latter being in the Grenadines. There has been an increase of 1,024 acres under Sea Island, or nearly 30 per cent. over the area planted last year. The acreage under Marie Galante also shows an increase of nearly 15 per cent. : DOWN THE ISLANDS. ITEMS OF LOCAL INTEREST. st. vincENT. The Agricultural Superintendent writes to say there is little of interest to report for the month of November. Cotton picking wasin full swing. Heavy rains at the teginning of the month, following similar rains at the end of October, led to damage being done to bolls by external disease, and consequently, some loss of crop. The rainfall was not well distributed, although the monthly total is satis- factory, namely 8°78 inches, recorded at the Botanic Station, and 8°91 at the Experiment Station. In the report of special work of officers for the month, mention is made of visits by the Agricultural Superintendent to estates in the Calliaqua and other districts, in connexion with cotton investigations, where there was some loss of cotton due to the causes stated above. On the Land Settle- ment estates in the Linley Vailey district, cotton is exten- sively grown, but the diminutive size of the plantsin the majority of cases points to a deficiency in soil fertility as the cause of the poor yield. Arrowroot.was being reaped and yielding fair returns. Cotton picking was also in progress at the Clare Valley-Questelles Land Settlement, and very good THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS, Lf returns were being obtained in some cases. Here a certain amount of loss had been caused by phytophthora disease of the bolls, which, it is shown, can t minimized by giving more attention to cultural method AGRICULTURE IN BARBADOS. This is the third December in succession during which weather of an unusual character has prevailed. In December 1916 there was a protracted drought. Last year up to the 22nd day of the month there had been practically only one showery day, but on the 23rd, 24th, and 25th some parts of the island were visited by rainstorms of a severe character. Again this year, December has not brought the fre- quent showers which are usual at this time. But while there has not been in general sufficient rain, the weather has been cool, and nearly every day since the 9th instant there have been misty skies with only snatches of bright sunshine. Under these circumstances evaporation has not been rapid, and vegetation has not suffered as it did during the corres ponding periods of 1916 and 1917. The following shows the rainfall during 1916, 1917, and 1918 on two estates—one in the red soil on the hills almost in the-centre of the island, and the other in the black soil in the south:— ted soil 1916. 1917. 1918. 93°80 inches 85'‘17 inches 76°37 inches Block soil 1916. 1917. 1018. 56:04 inches 57:01 inches On the whole, 1$18 has been a seasonable year, and the crops now nearly matured will compare favourably with some of the best years in the agricultural history of the island. Neither the tillage for the young crop nor the manuring has been completed, and apparently a few weeks of the New Year will have gone by before either will have been accomplished. The fields that have been put out of hand look fairly well, but in many instances the cultivation has not struck us as being up to last year’s standard. There is a roughness which meets the eye sometimes, but doubtless the best has been done with the labour which was available. Many estates gave bonuses at Christm’as time by way of encouragement to labourers. We are told that the spring of young canes is in general better than it was last year. The fields planted early are growing splendidly, and the recent showers will greatly assist those which were planted at a later date. No less than thirty-three estates changed hands during the year. The total acreage of the thirty-three was 9,132 acres, and the total sum paid for them was £808,994. The year 1918 will, we think, be remembered as the high water-mark of prices paid for sugar estates in Barbados, Not only has the flourishing condition of the sugar market induced higher prices, but there has been keen competition among owners of factories to secure estates whereby they will be guaranteed a fairly adequate supply of canes. Time will show whether the factory system under such circumstances will or will not be the best thing for the island. The prices of provisions, while not as low as housekeep- ers would like, cannot be said to be exorbitant. The rates this week are: eddoes, white and nut, $1°20 per 100 Ib.; yams $1°44 per 100 tb.; potatoes, 96c. per 100 tb. The bulk of the yam and eddoe crop is still to be reaped, but it is expected that potatoes will be sold at a higher rate during the early months of the New Year. (The Barbados Agricu/tura/ Reporter, December 28, 1918.) 51-29 inches NEWS. Jancary 11, 1919. $s THE AGRICULTURAL EDITORIAL | NOTICES. HeabD OFFICE — BARBADOS. Letters and matter for publication, as well as all apecimens for naming, should be addressed to the vinmissioner, Imperial Department of Agriculture, Barbados. All applications for copies ot the ‘Agricultural News’ and other Departmental publications, should be addressed to the Agents, and not to the Department. The complete list of Agents will be found on page 4 of the cover. Imperial Commissioner of Sir Francis Watts, K.C.M.G., Agriculture for the West Indies D.Se., F.1.C., F.C.S. SCIENTIFIC STAFF. Scientific Assistant and fW. R. Dunlop.* Assistant Editor (Rev. C. H. Branch, B.A. Entomologist H. A. Ballou, M.Sc. Mycologist W. Nowell, D.1.C. Assistant for Cotton Research S. C. Harland, B.Se.t OLERICAL STAFF, Ohief Clerk A. G. Howell. Clerical Assistants P. Taylor.* K. R. C. Foster. Miss B. Robinson, Assistant Typist Miss W. Ellis. Assistant for Publications A.B. Price, Fell. Journ. Inst. *Seconded for Military Service. +Provided by the Imperial Department of Scientific and Industrial Research. Agricultural stews 2 A. Corbin. Typist Vou XVIII. SATURDAY, JANUARY 11, 1919. No. 436 NOTES AND COMMENTS. Contents of Present Issue. Co-operation among agricultnral workers, especially those engaged in scientific work, is the subject of the editorial in this issue. Under Insect Notes on page 10 will be found the first part of a summary of the report of the Govern- ment Entomologist in Jamaica for the year 1917-18, On page 11 there appears an interesting note on cock- roach control, together with two short notes on other insect pests. A summary of the information during 1918, under the heading Plant Diseases, in this Journal, is given on page 14. The article on page 3—‘Cane versus Beet Sugar’ — is of importance. The Root System of Maize. The root system of any plant ought to be borne in mind under cultivation, tor it is evident that, according to whether the roots penetrate deep into the subsoil or whether they are chiefly within a few inches of the surface, cultural operations ought to be modified to suit the habit of the plant. Interesting observations on the root system of maize or Indian corn, by H. Wenholz, Inspector of Agriculture, are recorded by him in the Agricultural Gazette of New South Wales, October 1918, with recommendations as to the cultivation of the plant, based on these observations, It would seem that although maize roots have been found to penetrate to 4 or 5 feet in good soils, the crop is not generally a deep-rooting one. This is especially to be observed in the later stages of growth, in which the bulk of the feeding roots are situated in the surface soil. When the plants are about 12 or 18 inches high, the roots will be about 6 inches from the surface between the rows, gradually approaching to within 3 or 4 inches of the surface, at a distance of 6 or 8 inches from the maize plants. After this, a large number of feeding roots approach to within 38 or 4 inches of the surface between the rows. The lateral spread of the roots depends on the dry- ness of the soil, the roots extending very quickly in a dry soil. Ina dry season at Gratton, New South Wales, during the early growth, roots were found to have extended 3 feet laterally towards the adjacent row by the time the plants were JS inches high. In a more normal season, the roots of adjacent rows 4 feet’ apart were found to be interlaced, when the crop was not quite 2 feet high. In «a wet season the roots will not have spread so far. Frem these observations, the following recommen- dations regarding depth of cultivation can be made:— 1. Deep cultivation should not be given close to the rows, but may be given between the rows in early growth. 2. Shallow cultivation throughout should be the rule after the plants are about 18 inches or 2 feet high. In a wet season deeper cultivation can be given, not only because the roots do not spread so quickly, but because a little root pruning does not do so much harm. —_——D ae A Useful Little Fish. The usefulness of the ‘million’ (Girardinus poeci- loides), as a destroyer of mosquito larvae, has{often been noticed in articles in the Agricultural News. Another little fish, belonging to the same family, and useful for the same purpose, is the subject of an article by C. Raveret-Wattel in the Bulletin de la Société Nutionale d Acclimatation de France, December 1917, which is reviewed in the Agricultural Gazette of CanadasAugust 1918. Gambusia afinis is described as a very small tish (the largest specimens rarely attain a length of 5 cm ) belonging to the family Cyprinodontidae, which closely resemble Cyprinidae in outward appearance, but are differentiated by several characters, notably the pres- Vou. XVIII. No. 436. THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS 9 ence of teeth; many of them are ovoviviparous, as is the genus Gambusia. The Gambusias are of no value as. food, but are of great utility, as their food consists almost wholly of mosquito larvae, of which they destroy great numbers. They are among the best fish as destroyers of mosaui- toes, because they live at the surface of the water (whence the name of ‘top-minnows,’ given to them in the United States), and they can live in water so shal- low as to be uninhabitable for most other species; large numbers of this fish are often found in ponds where the mud is at times only covered by 3 em. of water. These fish breed easily, on account of their hardi- ness, and because of the fact that, as they are born in an advanced state of development, they are less exposed to various dangers. Experiments made in New Jersey have shown that notonly are they easy to breed, but they constitute a hitherto neglected means for control- ling mosquitoes, wherever the water is sufficiently warm. It would seem as if this fish might be useful in destroying mosquito larvae in situations where Girar- dinus poeciloides would not thrive. > Sa St. Vincent Cotton. It is interesting to find from information supplied to the Imperial Commissoner of Agriculture by Mr. W. N. Sands, Agricultural Superintendent, St. Vincent, that the cotton, grown from seed supplied by the Agri- cultural Department to various estates in St. Vincent and the Grenadines for the 1917-18 crop, was uni- formly satifactory in grade. It was graded in the United Kingdom from ‘Good Ordinary’ to ‘Superfine’, and fetched prices ranging from 3s. 4c/. to 4s. 2d. per th. The seed was from a pedigree selection of the ‘Rivers’ or V.1 type, originally selected at the Experi- ment Station, and subsequently grown at Glen and Rathomill estates, and on the small island of Battowia lying south-east of St. Vincent. ; For the 1917-18 crop 11,423 th. of this selected seed were sold to planters, with the result stated above. For the present season, 1918-19, there has been sold 14.535 th. of the same seed: This crop is now being reaped, and is of a high standard. ; The foreman of the Experiment Station, after a visit to Battowia on December 9, for the purpose of ascertaining whether the cotton was up to the required standard, and whether the crop would be sufficient to provide a large quantity of seed for the season 1919-20, reported that on the 37 acres under the selected cotton the plants were all Sea Island, and true in every particular to the type required. ‘They were also vigor- ous. and bearing heavily. The seeds were large and well developed, tufted at both | ends, and the lint was above the average of ‘Good Ordinary’ as regards length trength. i TPE iacabisfactory condition is 2nother proof of the advantages, even of the necessity, of continuous selec- tion, always urged by the Imperial Department of Agriculture, if Sea Island cotton is to be a successful crop. It is worth noting that ‘Good Ordinary’ and ‘Superfine’ are different types of cotton, used for difter- ent purposes, the quantity in demand of the latter being quite small, for very special kinds of fabrics. EE Gacia Plants from Teneriffe. In the Agricultural News, July 13, 1918, attention was drawu to certain flowering leguminous shrubs of the genus Cytisus, natives of Teneriffe, with a sugges- tion that they might be experimented with in the West Indies. Dr. G. V. Perez has recently forwarded ‘a small parcel of seeds to the Imperial Commissioner of Agriculture, for distribution in some of these islands. Dr. Perez says that he only happens to have on hand, at present, seeds of the Gacia (Cytisus stenopetalus), although there may be among them a small mixture of the seeds of Gacia blanca (C. pallidus). The two are easily distinguished, even when quite small, the latter having very silky leaves with practically no petiole. Both are showy ornamental shrubs, and are both used as forage in the island of Palma. The seeds, which are quite small, should be dipped, Dr. Perez says, for about half a minute in boiling water before sowing. The Gacias are both literally covered with yellow flowers in spring and summer in Teneriffe. They grow, if left alone, into tall shrubs up to from 15 to 25 feet high. If grown for forage, they should be pollarded regularly from the time they are one or two years old. EEE ae Farm Tractors in America. The great increase in the numbers of farm motors and in the use of them in the United States is the subject of an interesting article in The Field, November 30, 1918. The fact is that the farm tractor is an important agent for increased food production, and is a positive factor in the world’s food problem. Many tractors operated by a single person are accomplishing more than it would be possible to accom- plish with ten horses and two men. ‘Tractors have been so simplified in control that women are operating them with the greatest ease. One of the most important factors in the value of the tractor is that it can be operated for twenty hours a day, thereby enabling the farmer to cultivate his farm at the time when it is best to do so in order to produce good crops. On one large Western farm one tractor worked continuously, without stopping the engine, for eighty consecutive hours, and ploughed approximately one acre per hour during that period. While this was being done the weather was so hot that those farmers relying on the horse were compelled to stop work for several hours in the hottest portion of the day. A few years ago the thought of tractor makers pro- ducing tens of thousands of tractors in one year was inconceivable. ‘l'o-day there are over half-a-dozen firms. who have this year produced over 10.000 tractors, and some of them have produced double and nearly triple this number, 10 THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS. January lJ, 1918. fy a eS ee ee “INSECT NOTES. ENTOMOLOGY IN JAMAICA. The Annual Report on the Department of Agriculture, Jamaica, for the year ended March 31, 1918, contains among other matters the Annual Report of Mr. A. H. Ritchie, B. A., Entomologist, as Section VIII. ‘The body of the general report was reviewed in the previous number of the Agricultural News. The following is a summary of the sec- tion devoted to the report of the Entomologist. During the year the complaints of the depredation of the sweet potato weevil (Cy/as formicarius) have been more numerous than usual, This increased prevalence appears to be due to the lack of care in selecting material for planting. Small potato roots, used to form a nursery to provide slips for planting, furnish sound plants. Young tips of vines are much more free from infestation than old and hard portions of the vine, and they also give a better yield in the subse- quent crop There seems to be no care or judgment used in this matter on the part of many; old and even infested vines were seen used for planting. A strict rotation of crops should be practised, and greater care is necessary in the disposal of weevil-infested potatoes when the crop is harvested. It is often found impossible to allow the crop to mature fully on account of the rapid increase of weevil injury as the crop is ripening. This is estimated \o be greater than the increase in weight ot roots in the same time, and consequently the crop should be lifted as soon as the weevil attack is observed. It is judged that a useful line of experiment would be that of endeavouring to produce a short crop variety —one which would ripen early with fair yields, especially for use in districts where the wet season is short, and the dry season jmposes a check on the plant. In localities where the sweet potato weevil is a pest, sweet potatoes can be expected to give crops, (a) if the natural or cultural conditions are such that the crop makes steady growth, without checks or set-backs; (b) if careful selection is made of plant material to provide the best slips and those free from weevil infestation; (c) if careful attention is given to the general sanitation of the fields; and (d) if rotation of crops is practised year after year. The Entomologist refers to the new weevil of sweet potatoes, Palacopus costicollis, and that of the yam, Pa/aeopus dioscoreae, mentioned in the Agricultural News, (Vol. XVII, p. 346), and adds another to the list of sweet potato pests. Euscepes porcellus, which had not been previously recorded in Jamaica. Other sweet potato insects mentioned are a scolytid beetle, Hypothenemus ritchie’, anew species found to be injurious to dried potato chips which were prepared for the manufacture of sweet potato flour; the sweet potato leaf-folder (Pilocrocis tripunctata, Fab.), which is occasionally destruc- tive in sweet potato fields in Jamaica; and Afefriona propingua, one of the tortoise shell beetles, which occurs in gmall numbers, The yam scale (Asfidio/vs hartii) is recorded as some- times killing out the yam plants. Badly infested roots used for planting are the source of scales which attack the young vine. The remedy is to dip the yam heads before planting in strong lime-sulphur, 1 gallon concentrate (32° Beaumé) to 10 gallons of water, and allowing this to dry thoroughly. Infested vines should be burned after the crop is harvested. The yam weevil (Pi/aeopus dioscoreae) has been mentioned. Attention is called to the prohibition by the United States Government of the importation of yams and sweet potatoes grown in Jamaica, owing to the prevalence of the weevils Cy/as formicarius and Euscepes batatae. The greatly increased production of field peas has been accompanied by extensive losses from the attack of the weevils Bruchus phaseoli, and #. guadrimaculatus in the fields and in storage. Peas should be planted at such a time as will provide a quick growing season, and a dry ripening period. The crop should be gathered at once when it is ripe, and the beans treated immediately to destroy the weevil life in them. This may be done by sun drying, in a machine for the application of artificial heat, or by the use of carbon bisul- phide. The peas should then be stored in tight bins or other receptacles to prevent reinfestation. A kerosene tiu full of peas may be successfully treated by introducing a teaspoon- ful of carbon bisulphide, covering down, and allowimg it to ; remain for twenty-four hours. ‘There is no method of field treatment, and control rests in proper and immediate care of the crop,’ Cut worms were much in evidence, especially in reclaimed land hastily prepared for food crops or sugar-cane. Such lands should be thoroughly cleared of all weeds and bushes, and either fallowed for four to six weeks before planting, or given an application of poison bait. Indian corn was attacked by the usual pests, the boll worm (/fe/iothis obsoleta), and the corn ear worm (Laphvgma frusiperda). The following are given as protections for the young plants: (a) mixa little over} teaspoonful of Paris green in 1 quart of corn meal till all has a green tinge; sprinkle a pinch of this in each uncurling corn heart; (b) dust arsenate of lead and wood-ashes in equal parts, or Paris green road dust, white-lime, or wood-ashes, 15 parts, lightly from a fine muslin bag into the corn heart; (c) arsenate of lead asa wet spray, } tb. to 4 gallons of water, can be applied with force into the corn hearts from a tin mist spray:r with a quart container; (d) hand picking has given good results; (e) ground cultivation with a scuftle hoe will expose the pupating forms to sun and natural enemies; the caterpillar changes into the moth in the soil at the base of the corn plant; (f) a well prepared and rich seed bed will greatly favour the qnick establishment of the plants, and take them beyond the point when the worms may eat out the growing tip of the corn plant. Corn weevil causes some loss, but this can be largely prevented by quick and thorough drying on the cob whea the crop is gathered. Shelled corn should be stored in tight bins, as in the case of peas. The application of heat, and the use of carbon bisulphide have the same beneficial effect in the case of corn as with peas. The cultivation of rice in the Westmoreland district, as a war measure, directed attention to certain insect problems connecied with health and sanitation, ‘Satisfactory drainage and water control in districts where rice is being grown, besides ameliorating the malaria and mosquito situation, would greatly assist in the contro) of liverfluke of cattle, and certain Tabanidae or horse flies. The water snails concerned as intermediate hosts of fluke would be deprived of consid- erable areas offering breeding conditions—conditions which are also suitable for the maggots of horse flies which at times become a plague in the region of the morass.’ (To be continued.) Von. XVIII. No. 436. THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS. 11 EES SSIS SEES ESSE EEE neneneemeeneeeeneeeeeeeeeee emma eeed CUCKROACH CONTROL. Experiments on cockroach control by E. V. Wa ter Ames, Iowa, are recorded in the Journal of Economic Ento- mology, for October 1918, Vol. XI, p. 424. The cockroaches used in the experiment were //a‘¢a germanica and B. ortentalis. Powdered boric acid and powdered borax and sugar were used as insecticides, and trials were made of traps. The results obtained in these experiments are given in the summary of the article, which is reproduced herewith: — 1. Traps may be used as a means of control, but cannot be relied on as a method of extermination. 2. Boric acid isa safe and economical material to use against the cockroaches, as it is non-poisonous to human beings, and yet very effective against cockroaches. 3. A mixture of equal parts of powdered borax and powdered sugar ground together is effective against cock- roaches, is safe and economical, although acting slower than boric acid. 4. Cockroaches eat these substances in an effort to keep clean, and not for any possible food value. The large cockroach which is more frequently a house- hold pest in the West Indies may be controlled by the same means—the use of boric acid. This is freely scattered in places frequented by the cockroaches, and as they move about in search of food the boric acid adheres to their legs, bodies and antennae and in cleaning it off with their mouth-parts, they eat enough to cause their death. A cockroach covered with dust or dirt will, when unmol- ested, again begin a process of cleaving. Usually it draws first one antenna after the other slowly between the mandibles, then begins on the legs, later the abdomen, doubling up almost into a ball until it cleans itself thoroughly. Boric acid, being a very fine, light powder, readily adheres to the insect’s legs and body, and must be cleaned off. The pow- dered borax and sugar mixture is heavier, and readily hardens if moisture is present, so is not so well distributed upon the parts of the insect’s body. Hence the greater efficiency of boric acid as compared with the borax and sugar mixture. CLYTUS DEVASTATOR, NEW PEST OF THE FLORIDA ORANGE This is the subject of a paper by Dr. E. A. Back, United States Bureau of Entomology, in the Journal of Economic Entomology, Vol. XI, No 5. October 1918, p. 411. The insect with which the paper deals is a long-horned beetle of the family Cerambicydae, the larva of which lives as a borer, attacking the healthy wood of the branches, trunks, and roots of the citrus trees. It was first described in 1836, at which time it was recorded as a serious pest of citrus in Cuba. It has now appeared in Florida, and has demonstrated its ability to become a serious pest in that State- r It is said to have been reared from pomegranate (Puvica Granatum), ‘Cuban mahogany’, and C7¢rvs (orange), with the common mangrove (AAcz0phora mangle) as its preferred host plant. AN OUTBREAK OF FIELD CRICKETS. The common field cricket (Grv//us integer) of the south- ern part of the Sacramento Valley, California, became so abundant in May and June 1917, as to cause severe injury to young plantings of truck crops, and especially young growths of vines and trees. The grasshopper bait (bran and arsenic) was tried but gave little protection. Flooding the vineyard or orchard for a few hours was the most successful treatment. The attack terminated in a complete disappearance of the cricket. (Journal of Economic Entomology, Vol. XI, October 1918, p. 433.) ; This attack is similar to attacks by field crickets in St. Kitts and Nevis, on cotton seedlings. In these instances, a common, but usually not particularly abundant insect, developed enormously, and caused considerable injury for a short time, and then practically disappeared. AUSTRALIAN WINES. Apropos of the making of orange wine in the West Indies, to which attention was drawn in the Agricultural News, November 16, 1918, the following extract from an article in The Times Trade Supplement, November 1918, is of interest as showing how fermented drinks of low alcoholic standard, and of local production, may become of commercial impor- tance, and, it may be added, of national benefit when com- pared with more fiery spirits: — ‘Australians cannot be called a wine-drinking people, but the shortage in spirits has led to a large increase in the con- sumption of cheap wines. It is reasonable to assume that many persons hitherto in the habit of drinking beer or spirits will continue to consume wine, even after the conclusion of the war. Australian soldiers will also have cultivated a taste for wine after their sojourn in France, where spirits are pro- hibited to the ordinary soldier, and French beer is not liked. This is leading to additional areas being devoted to the growth of the vine in Australia, and later on strenuous efforts will also be made to increase the export trade. Even at the present time, when shipping is so scarce, the Australian wine grower is steadily increasing his exports to the Far Hast, where Australian winesare taking the place of European products. On one steamer which left Sydney during July for the East there were 1,400 cases of Australian wine. The Dutch in Java and the neighbouring islands are the largest consumers, but consignments are also going to centres to which before the war great quantities of German wine were shipped. The Chinese are also buying the choicest brands of Australian wine, one merchant alone taking 200 cases in a single order. ‘The greater demand for Australian wines is revealed by official figures issued in August by the Government of South Australia, which show that last season (1917-18) the output of wine from that State was 5,322,116 gallons, being an increase of 2,371,118 gallons, or 80 per cent. on the output for the previous season. The largest preceding vintage was 3,974,838 gallons in 1913. Approximately 32,404 tons of grapes were used. The stocks of wine in South Australia on June 30, 1918 (including the latest viutage) amounted to 86,642,330 gallons. While in other States the increase in the area devoted to wine-producing grapes is not so pronounced, the indications are that Aus- tralian growers are making preparations for a big expansion in business after the war. Their anticipations should be realized, for whilefthe Australian product does not yet equal the choicest vintages of France, it is of extremely good quality.’ The first colonists in the West Indies used to make, according to Hughes, most palatable wines from bananas and pine-apples. It.may be worth while to reproduce his instructions for their manufacture in a future number of this Journal. 12 THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS. A Government notice, published in the $7. Croix Avis, November 23, 1918, proclaims that the Government of St. Croix has established stations for the free distribution of milk to mothers who have children one year old or younger, and who are unable to buy it for themselves. From a notice in ature, December 5, 1918, of the Fifth Indian Science Congress, it is reported that the statement was made at the Congress that, as one of the results of the war, several distilleries for the extraction of essential oils have been established in Southern India, and that experts now have confidence in the ability of India to supply the world’s demand.for sandal oil and thymol. A practical banana grower, Cc. E. B. Welsh, writes in the Agricultural Gazette of New South Wales, October 1918, as to the actual return from an 8-acre banana planta- tion for the last twelve months. The number of cases des- patched to the Sydney and Melbourne markets was 1,413, and the gross returns were £848 5s. 8d. After the payment of expenses, the actual net proceeds were £593 1s. 10d. A correspondent of the Commercial Review of British Guiana, September 191%, referring to the manufacture of orange wine in the West Indian colonies, claims that this product is on a fair level, both in taste and bouquet, with ordinary Madeira or French wine of a smilar age ; in colour it approaches that of a sherry, but it is stated that it can be made to assume a rich, deep port colour, without the use of injurious chemicals. he pastoral industry in Brazil has received careful attention during the last two decades, large consignments of Zebu cattle from India and of the best English breeds having been imported, with a view to improving the native races of cattle. The results have been an enormous development of the export to allied countries of frozen meat since the commencement of the war (A/on/hly Journal of the Liverpool Incorporated Chamber of Commerce, October 1918.) At a recent meeting of the Académie des Sciences, Paris, samples were exhibited of every kind of paper, from cigarette paper to card-board, obtained by the Karen Bramson process, which consists in grinding up and soaking the dead leaves of trees. It is stated that the leaves of all trees can be used for this purpose. The veins of the leaves yield a paste from which the paper is made, while the leaf powder is said to be suitable for a cattle food, or for burning. (Weeh/y Bulletin, Department of Trade and Commerce, Canada, Novemter 18, 1918.) January 11, 1919, The Field, December 14, 1918, in an arvicle on the possi bilities uf alcohol fuel for motors, says that if on a map of South Africa, 25 feet square one square inch be marked off, enough maize could be grown on that comparatively small area to produce more than ten times the present con- sumption of motor spirit in the United Kingdom. That seems an astounding statement, but it shows how feasible is the production of alcohol on a large scale. Alcohol can be used in ordinary motor car engines by being mixed with 25 to 30 per cent of benzol. The sugar crop of Peru of 1916-17 is estimated at 280,000 short tons, whereas the average annual production in the three years before the war was 185,000 short tons. Of the half-million acres of good sugar land in Peru, it is stated that only about 100,C00 acres are planted in sugar-cane, but that: there are projects now under consideration to increase the acreage very considerably. It may be inferred, therefore, that this industry in the Peruviac Republic has very great possi- bilities before it in the way of sugar production. (The Louisiana Planter, November 9, 1918.) Experiments in France on the feeding of poultry with sea-weed are noted in the Wonthly Bulletin of Agricultural Intelligence and Plant Diseases, September 1918. The sea- weeds were freed from salt by being washed several times in fresh water. They were then chopped into small pieces, which is easier if they have previously been partially dried. They are then mixed with boiled crushed potatoes, and put in a baker’s oven for three hours, or ccoked over a slow fire. When the whole is well jellied, it is kneaded, and distributed to the poultry. The hens developed well, laid normally, and their flesh had no peculiar flavour. The results are stated to have been satisfactory in every particular. The salt industry of Turks and Caicos Islands con- stitutes by far the largest portion of their exports. The value of the salt exported in 1917, according tc Zhe Board of Trade Journal, November 14, 1918, was £31,738. The year 1917, it is stated, will ever be memorable in the annals of the salt industry in those islands, as a year when the demand exceeded the supply, and when the selling price reached a figure unknown for very many years. Especially welcome, as a result of Government effort, was the re-appear- ance of Newfoundland as a purchaser, after an absence of about twenty-two years. It is hoped that every effort will be made to retain this market, which is able to absorb more than one half of the entire salt output of the Dependency. In 1917 there were reported 136 military, 19 naval, and 23 civilian cases of malaria contracted in Hngland, ie, in people who had not been out of the country. The problem of the possible danger to the civilian population of the influx of malaria-infected soldiers from abroad was con- sidered by the Local Government Board. It wonld appear, from the information cullected, that malaria had not completely died out in England, as was generally thought to be the case, perhaps with very rare exceptions, but, on the other hand, the cases in 1917 were anew phenomenon, and there can be no reasonable doubt that the cause of these cases was the new supply of infection from soldiers from overseas, distributed by indigenous anophelines. (Va/ure, December 5, 1918.) You. XVIII. No. 436. THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS. 13 CATTLE RAISING IN BRITISH GUIANA. Mr. John Mullin, of the Department of Lands and Mines, has recently pointed out in the Journal of the Board of Agriculture, British Guiana, July 1918, the great possibili- ties open to that colony to become a great meat-producing eentre. His article was reproduced in the Commercial Review of the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce, October 1918, from which the following extracts are taken. British Guiana possesses some 3 or 4 million acres of pasture land (known locally as ‘Savannah Country’) immediately adjoining the northern pasture lands of Brazil and extending northwards and eastwards to the middle West of the colony, and thence, with the exception of a forest belt (through which a cattle trail is now under construction) along the great Berbice-Demerara River divide to the Atlantic seaboard. The following extract from the Annual Report of thé Department of Lands and Mines for the year 1916, is inter- esting : — ‘The demand for Crown lands for the purpose of grazing cattle is steadily increasing. It has, of course, been long known and thoroughly proved tbat British Guiana is emi- nently suited to the raising of cattle; but until comparatively recent years there has been no attempt to go in for systematic ranching, the reason being that practically every manager of a sugar estate possessed a tine herd of cattle which grazed on the abandoned or fallow lands of the estate, and these herds provided ample supplies to meet local demands. With the growth of the rice industry, however, lands hitherto available for grazing have been taken up for rice, and most of these herds have been broken up, and purchased by small farmers —principally East Indians—who go in more for dairy business than for the raising of cattle for slaughter. This has naturally tended to create a shortage of beef cattle, which has been reflected in the increased prices of meat in recent years, and, following the laws of supply and demand, has led to the formation of local companies for financing and carrying on cattle ranching on modern business lines, with most encourag- ing results. ‘Thanks to the admirable work of the Board of Agricul- ture, and the hearty co-operation of the sugar planters in im- porting and distributing thoroughbred English and American stock, there are to-day many very fine herds of cattle to be seen in different parts of the colony, and prospective ranchers need ‘anticipate no difficulty in procuring excellent cattle, thoroughly seasoned, and well suited for the preliminary stocking of ranches. ‘Whilst too much stress cannot be laid on the tremendous possibilities of the large savannahs in the hinter- land of the colony for cattle raising, it should not be imag- ined that British Guiana cannot become a large centre for eattle rearing until those savannahs are connected to the goast by railway communication. On the contrary, there are very large areas of excellent savannah land on the lower reaches of the navigable rivers of the colony which are highly suitable for ranching purposes, and which, being acces- sible to direct ocean steamer communication, would permit of the erection of packing and canning factories which could compete successfully in the local and West Indian markets against the present imported meats. ‘Typical examples of these areas are the large, well- drained and watered savannabs on the Berbice, Canje, Ituni, Vironje, and Abary Rivers, where hundreds of thousands of areas of Crown land still await the rancher, and it remains to be seen whether these areas are to be exploited by foreign capital and enterprise, or whether the re-awakened interest in the Imperial dominions as a field for investment after the War will lead to the establishment by British concerns of ranches and packing houses which will be formidable com- petitors of those at present controlling the markets in these latitudes.’ The conditions under which Crown lands in British Guiana can at present be obtained for cattle grazing are very generous. Over lands on the ‘Hinterland Savannahs’, extend- ing from the Brazilian boundary to the middle West of the colony, ‘Cattle Grazing Permissions’ are issued, each covering a50 square mile block (10 miles by 5 miles at a nominal annual charge of $15 (£3 2s. 6¢,) This permission does not require the holder to fence the land, but carries with it the right to obtain a ninety-nine year Jease, if within five years from the date of issue of the permis.ion the holder shall have (1) a corral of not less tham 2,500 square yards in area, and (2) a habitable house with a _ resident stockman, and (3) five hundred head of cattle, on the land covered by each permission. The ninety-nine year lease carries a slightly higher rental, which at present is fixed at $2 (8¢. 4s.) for every square mile, or } of a cent (one-third of one half-penny) an acre, but the Government reserves the right, in the event of railway communication being established within the colony, to raise the rent to a sum not exceeding $5 (£1 Os. 102.) for every square mile, or a maximum of a little under + of acent. an acre. This lease is modelled on the Australian laws, and is designed to encourage, and not to restrict the rancher. Since the report of the Department of Lands and Mines was written, the Government have commenced to open a cattle trail to connect these middle West Savannahs with those running along the berbice-Demerara River divide to the coast. The savannahs to the west of the forest belt, and ex- tending to the coast, may be divided into two parts of almost equal areas: (a) those situate on the low flat alluvial coast- lands, which are exceedingly fertile, and (b) those extending from the alluvial flat lands back to the forest belt, forming undulating sandy downs, well drained and watered, but not well grassed, except in their.iare fertile saucerlike hollows. Though apparently not so suited to cattle ranching as the savannahs of the hinterland or the lush-grass flat ands of the coast, these undulating downs should be better suited to sheep farming than the more swampy coast lands, and as the price of mutton in the local market and in those of the neighbouring islands ranges from 36c. (ls. 6¢.) a pound upwards, here is a profitable field for the successful sheep farmer in this colony. The yearly rent charged under cattle grazing leases issued in respect of the Coastal Savannahs are somewhat higher than those charged for the hinterland, being 10c. (5d.) an acre. The lease also requires the holder to fence the land in places where the tract taken out adjoins other hold- ings, and where there exist no natural boundaries, such as wide streams, which render fencing unnecessary. Highly successful ranches have been established under these leases, and the results obtained from cattle ranching on the coast-lands are decidedly good. There are exceptional possibilities for hog farming on a large scale on the coast-lands also, as there is a huge market for pickled pork, hams, and bacon, both in the colony, the West Indian Islands, and the neighbouring colonies of Dutch and French Guiana. British Guiana is singularly free from many of the dangerous animal diseases common to other countries, and has none Which are peculiarto it. On the Hinterland Savan- nahs cattle disease is practically unknown, and history recorde no epidemic of any kind. V4 ; THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS, January 11, 1919. LL 6} ~ —lhLLLL ee ees PLANT DISEASES. SUMMARY OF NOTES ON FUNGI AND PLANT DISEASES IN 1918. The following is a classified summary of the informa- tion given in this Journal under the heading Plant Diseases during the year 1918:— SUGAR-CANK. Observations on diseases of the sugar- cane in Barbados, reproduced on page 78 from the Annual Report of the Barbados Department of Agriculture, show that MWarasmius Sacchari, the root fungus, was by fan the anost troublesome disease in that island affecting the cane crop. Four other fungi causing disease in cane are alsc recorded. From the; Annnal Report of the Department of Science and Agriculture. of British Guiana, 1916, which is noticed on page 222, it seems that fungoid diseases of sugar- cane are diminishing in that colony. An account ofa new and serious disease of sugar-cane, known as the mottling disease, which has lately appeared in Porto Rico, is given on page 110. A short review of an important paper on sugar- cane diseases in the West Inclies, which was contributed to the West Indien Bulletin, Vol. XVI, No. 4, will be found on page 158. CITRUS TREES. An account of citrus scab, as affecting grapefruit and other citrus in Porto Rico, as well as of wood rot of citrus trees in that island, is given on page 62. On the same page there are some notes on the water and mois- ture conditions most favourable or otherwise to disease- resistance of citrus trees. How to protect citrus fruits from rots in transit is the subject of an article on page 94, and the occurrence of a disease found on citrus fruits on sale in the market is noted on page 254, while on page 142 it is noticed that orange fruit may be infected with the same fungi which cause in‘ernal boll disease of cotton, in the same manner as the cotton bolls are, namely by punctures of some plant-feeding bug. A serious disease affecting orange trees in California, and known as citrus, blast, is described on page 110. * cacao. Diseases atfecting cacao in ('ganda are noticed on page 30, and a (leseription of the algal disease known as red rust of cacao, will be found on page 190. corron. A snmmary of the record made on the internal disease of cotton bolls in the West Indies, which forms the subject of papers in the //s/ dndian Bulletin, Vo\. XVI, No. 3, and Vol. XVII, No. 1, is to be fonnd on page 238. Notes are given (p. 30) with regard to the diseases affecting cotton in Uganda. of observations coconuts. Diseases affecting coco-nut trees in Jamaica are described, on page 286, and on page 302 there is a further note on the destructive disease, coco-nut bud rot, as occurring in that island. On pages 498 and 414 will be found articles dealing with the results of » recent investigation on diseases of coco nnt trees in Grenada. A description of several moulds occurring on copra, which cause great deterioration of the product in the Philippines, is given on page 318. orHer crovs, A serious disease of bananas in Grenada, where it is called “black head’, is described on page 206. Investigations into the cause of this disease seem to point to the conclusion that # is dne to attacks of nematodes (eel- worms). An article on grey mould of castor beans, which has occasioned serious injury to that crop in Florfda, is reprinted on page 354. A new disease of coffee plants in Surinam is the enbiect of a note on page 382, Other articles in connexion with plant diseases, which: were printed in last year’s volume of this Journal, deal with the subject in amore general way. The dissemination of para- sitic fungi (p.14) is the subject of an article which points ous the many ways in which this dissemination may occur, and urges the necessity of vigilance in guarding against importations of + such foes. On page 174 there is a description of the measures which are in force in Cuba with respect to plant sanitation. The different degrees of resistance or susceptibility to disease, shown by various strains.of the same species of plants, is the subject of an article on page 270. A useful scheme of classi- fication of plant diseases with reference to the nature of the parasitism involved is outlined on page 366. Short reviews of the accounts of plant diseases given in the report of several agricultural departments will be found on pages 30 (Uganda), 78 (Barbados), and 222 (British Guiana). On page 46 an account is given of the possible damage done to trees by the growth of the bracket fungus (/vmes Zucidus) on their roots or collars. Brief notes on the pow- dery ‘mildew of rose bushes, and on the treatment of seed with reference to angular leaf spot, will be found on page 254- REPORT ON THE SUGAR-CANE BARBADOS: EXPERIMENTS FOR THE SEASON 1016-78. This is the usual joint report, recently issued by Pro- fessor J. P. d’Albuquerque, Island Professor of Chemistry and Agricultural Science; and Mr. J. R Bovell, Superinten- dent of Agriculture, on sugarcane experiments conducted in Barbados during the season 1916-18 Like previous reports,. this is divided into three parts: Part I analysing the rainfall, Part II dealing with manurial experiments with sugar-cane, and Part III relating to experiments with varieties of sugar- cane. The manurial experiments were directed, as in former years, toascertaining the effect of the application of farm- yard manure in ordinary quantity and in double the ordinary quantity; also of nitrogen, phosphate, and potash, upon the industrial yield of thesugar-cane. The results from most of the plots, which are given in tabular form, are said to be so different from those of previous years. with the exception, of the last three years, and so conflicting with those of some of the other plots as to leave nodoubt but that this yeara very disturbing factor was again present, which has inasked the true results of the manuring. This disturbing factor is stated to be grubs of the root borer (Diafrepes abdbreniatus) and the brown hard back (/’/Ay/adus smitai), which attacked the canes in the manurial plots to such an extent as to render it impossi- ble to draw any definite conclusions from the results obtained. As to the number of seedlings raised during the period under review, it is mentioned that, in 1916. owing to the snitable weather conditions abont 15,000 seedling sugar-. canes were grown. Of these, 6,563 were potted out, ank ; Vor. XVIII. No, 436. THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS. 15 2,957 of the more vigorous were planted at Waterford in Under the St. Vincent ‘Birds and Fish Protection 1917. These seedlings grew well and during the reaping season of 1918, 375 were reaped and the juice analysed. Of these 121 were, from their high tonnage and rich juice, con- sidered worthy of retention. Owing to the favourable weather conditions that prevailed during the flowering season of the sagar-canes in 1917, over 15,000 seedlings were obtained. A number of these were grown from seed obtained from Bloomsbury plantation. Of the seedlings that germin- ated 4977 were potted out and a first selection of 2,724 of the more vigorous were planted in April 1918 in land rented from Waterford plantation. Since 1898 a total of 87,698 sugar-canes have been raised from seed and potted out. Of this number 7,303 reached the second stage. Of these latter 3,066 varieties were under cultivation during the season 1916-18, and 784 variety and manurial plots were dand the sugar-canes therefrom analysed. At present there ap} be three - seedlings which are being tried unde. uoary plantation con- ditions, with satistactory results, namely, B.H.10 (12), Ba.6032, and Ba.7924. There are also four new varieties, seedlings of the B. 6450, which have been cultivated for the ypast three years at Dodds in comparison with the White Transparent and B, 6450. As these seedlings appear to be worthy of being tried under ordinary plantation conditions, the results obtained with them are given in tabular form so that plauters may, if they think fit, cultivate them tentatively -on their estates. These varieties are—B.8.F. 12(45), B.S.F. 12 (34), B.S.F 12 (27), and B.S.F. 12 (24). fn the summary of the principal results obtained in connexion with seedling and other varieties of sugar-cane, it is stated that the object which is steadily kept in view is to obtain such varieties as will be best suited to the soil and climatic conditions existing in the different districts of the island. Comparison of yields from the different varieties shows that, on the average, the seedling canes B.6450, Ba.6032, and B.H.10 (12) maintain premier position in the experimental results. PROTECTION OF INSECT-EATING BIRDS IN ST. VINCENT. On the recommendation of the Agricultural Superinten- dent, a notice was recently posted up throughout the colony -of St. Vincent, in which it was notified for general informa- tion that the following insect-eating birds were fully protected ‘by law :— ‘Tick’ or ‘Chapman’ bird (Crofophaga ant), ‘Bequia Sweet’* or ‘Barbados blackbird’ (Quscalus Jortirostris). ‘Pipiri’ or ‘Hawk-beater’ (Zyravmus rostratus), ‘Top-knot’ or ‘Flycatcher’ (Z/azzea martinica). ‘Blue Gaulding’ (Ardea caerulez). The preservation of these valuable birds is necessary, because they assist materially in controlling pests damaging local crops. For example, the first three named are known to feed onthe cotton stainer (Dysdercus delauney?) as well as othe rinsects, and the Blue Gaulding is a noted enemy of the destructive mole-cricket (Gryotalpa didactyla). * According to Mr. Austin H. Clarke’s list of birds of S*. ~ Vincent in the West Indiun Bulletin, Vol. V, p. 75, the ‘Bequia Sweet? is Quiscalus luminosius, a different species from the Barbados blackbird, (). fortirostris.—[Ed.4. N.] Ordinance’ of 1901, any person who kills, wounds, or takes the eggs or nest of any protected bird, or has in his possession any such bird isliable on conviction toa fineof £5, or in default, to imprisonment for any term not exceeding three months. WEST INDIAN PRODUCTS. DRUGS AND SPICES ON THE LONDON MARKET. The month of November opened with a general absence of interest in products of all kinds, whether considered as food or medicine. The military situation alone has pos- sessed the public mind, but asthe month advanced, and it became known that the armistice had been signed, the effect even then was one more of joy than of business. Later on however, towards the close of the month, things became somewhat more normal, though by no means settled, with the disturbing element of a general election before the nation. GINGER, NUTMEGS, MACE, AND. SARSAPARILLA. There has been a quiet but steady demand for ginger throughout the month. At the first auction on the 7th quotations were as follows: Jamaica 165s. to 180s. per ewt., washed Cochin 160s., Calicut 157s., Japanese 125s., and African 120s. At the last auction on the 28th of the month ginger was easier—at the following rates: Jamaica 150s. to 170s., Calicut 150s., washed Cochin remained at 160s., and African at 120s. Nutmegs were in good supply at auction on the 21st of the month, when some 900 odd packages of West Indian were offered, and mostly sold at the following rates: 82’s, to 132’s. to the tb. ls. 5d, slightly defective ls. 62. to10d., and wormy and broken Is. 1d. togd. A week later nutmegs were again in good supply, and were disposed of at advanced rates, 7 barrels of West Indian fetching 1s: 8d. per tb. for slightly wormy. At the same auc- tion 15 boxes of Singapore 80’s were bought in at 3s. 6a, per Ib. At the spice auction on the 21st of the month 182 packages of West Indian mace were offered, but only a few were sold at the following rates: 3s. 4d. being paid for good pale, 2s. 10d. to 3s. 2d. for fair, while ordinary fetched from 2s. 4d. to 2s. 10d., and broken ls. 3¢. to 2s, 2¢. A week later good pale was to be obtained for 2s, 72., and broken for ls. 7d, per Ib. There has been very little done during the month in sarsaparilla in consequence, it was reported, of heavy stocks already in hand. PIMEN 0, LIME JUICE, CITRIC ACID, CASSIA FISTULA, and TAMARINDS. Pimento has been in quiet demand throughout the month varying from 6d. to 7d. per tb. Quite at the end of the month large quantities of lime juice were exported as having arrived from the West Indies, good pale raw being quoted at 4s. 6d. per gallon. The quotations for citric acid through- out the month have been steady at4s. 9d. to 4s. 107. Cassia, Fistula has been in steady demand throughout the month at 160s. per ewt. It was announced at the end of the month that large supplies of We:t Indian tamarinds amounting to 600 barrels were on their way for the London market. 16 THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS. JaANvARY ll, 1919 MARKET REPORTS. London.—Taz Wesr Inpia Committee Crecunar, December 12. ARROWROOT— No quotations. Batata—Venezuelan Block, no quotations; Sheet, ne quo tations. Brreswax—No quotations. Cacao—Trinidad, 90/-; Grenada, 85/-; Jamaica, no quota- tions. Corrze—Jamaica, no quotations. Copra—£46. Fruit—No quotations. Gixcer—Jamaica, no quotations Hongy—West Indian, 230/- to 22/6. Loe Jurce—Raw, 4/-: concentrated, £30; Otto of lime (hand-pressed), no quotations. Loewoop—No quotations. Mace—No guotations. Nourmecs—No quotationss. Potento—6d. Rousser—Para, fine hard, no quotations; fine soft, no quo- tations; Castilloa, no quotations. Trinidad.—Messrs Gorpon, Grant & Co,, December 9. Oacao—Venezuelan, $16°75 to $17°25; Trinidad, $16°50 to S17 00. Coco-nut Om—$1°51 per gallon. Oorrer—Venezuelan, lic. to 14c. per th.. Oorra—$7°25 per 100 tb. Duat—$10°00 per bag. Ontons—$8°00 per 100 fb. Pras, Sprit—$8-00 per bag. Porators—English, $5°60 per 100 th. Rice—Yellow, $14:00 to $14°50; White, $9°00 per bag. New York.—Messre Gmuzsrrz Bros, & Co., Novem ber, 29. Cacao—Caracas, 6c. to 16}c.; Grenada, life. to 15jc.; Trinidad, liic. to 16}c.; Jamaica, 14$c. Coco-nuts—Jamaica selects, $51:00; Trinidad $52-00 culls, $28-00 to $29°00 per M. CorrgE—Jamaica, 18c. to 21c. per th. GincER—18$c. to 2le. per fb. Goar Sxrys—Innportation prohibited. GrarE Fruit—Jamaica, $2°50 to $3:00. Liwes— Nominal $7-00. Mace—$1-43 to $1°45 per th. Noutrmecs—30c. Oraners—$2-50 to 33-00. Pimento—She. to 9c. per th. Svear—Centrifugals, 96°, 6°055c; Muscovador, 89°, 5-f566 Molasses, 89°, 5°052c. all duty paid. Barbados.—Messcs. T.S. Garraway & Co., December 28, Arrowroot—$i000 per 100 th. Cacao—$12:00 to $12°50 per 100 th Coco-nuts—$38'00 husked nuts. Hay—No quotations. Mo.assrs—No quotations. On1ons— No quotations. Pras, Sprit—No quotations; Canada, no quotationa. Potators—No quotations. Rice—Ballam, no quotations; Patna, no quotations; Ruaz goop, no quotations. Sucar—Dark Crystals, $5°50 Svear—American crushed, nv quotations. Publications on sale of the Imperial Department of Agriculture. The ‘WEST INDIAN BULLETIN’: A Quarterly Scientific Journal. Volume XVII, No. 1. Containing Papers on Insects attacking Cotton Bolls, and a Paper on Fish Poisoning. HANDBOOK AND PAMPHLET SERIES. The Pamphlets and Handbooks are written in a simple and popular manner, and the taformation contained in than ls especially adapted to West Indian conditions. The number issued up to the present time is eighty-two, The ‘AGRICULTURAL NEWS’: A Fortnightly Review. The ‘ Agricultural News’ contains extracts from official correspondence, and from progress and other reports; and, in fact, any information indicating what is going onin each colony, and the progress made im agricultural matters throughout the West Indies. The ‘ Agricultural News’ is printed in time to be distributed regularly by each mail, and is on sale by the local agents of the Department at one penny per number, post free 14d. The subscription price, including postage, is 2s. 2d. per half-year, or 3s. 3d. per annum. Volumes VIII to XVI complete, with title page and index, as issued—Price 4s, each, —post free, 5s. The scale of charges for ADVERTISEMENTS may be obtained on application to the Agents. AGENTS FOR THE SALE OF THE PUBLICATIONS OF THE DEPARTMENT. London: Messrs. Detau & Co., 37, Soho Square, W. Grenada: Messrs. THos. Lawtor & Co., St. Georges, West Inp1a Commitrzr, 15, Seething Lane. St, Vincent: Mr. J. D, Bonavre, ‘Times’ Office. Barbados: Apvocate Co. Lrp., Broad Street, Bridgetown. St. Lucia; Mr. R. W. Nivxs, Botanic Station Jamaica: Tax Epucationat Suppry Company, 16, King Dominica: Mr. J. 8. H. BripGewarsr, Roseau Street, Kingston. Montserrat: Mr. W. Rosson, Botanic Station, British Guiana: Tue Araosy Co., Lrp., Georgetown. Antigua: Mr. 8. D. Manone, St. John’s Trinidad: Messrs. Mure-Marsuaxy & Co., Port-of-Spain. St. Kitts: Tez Brsie anv Book Suppty AGENoy, Basexrxgae Tobago: Mr. C. L. Puacemann, Scarborough. Nevis: Mr. W. I. Howxtt, Experiment Station, Bahamas. Mr H G Onrisri Board of Agriculture, Nassau. Canada: Lew W, Cummens, 31, Youge Street, Toronto THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS. FOR SALE. | A COTTON GINNING PLANT Complete with 8 Gins, 1 Lintergin, Boiler, | Engine with up-to-date Machine-shop, etc. — ALL IN GOOD WORKING ORDER. The Building is of Pitch Pine covered with galvanized iron, and could be easily removed. For further particulars apply to 0. H. SCHMIEGELOW, Christiansted, St. Croix, V.I.U.S.A. (439) JUST ISSUED. WEST INDIAN BULLETIN, Vol. XVII, No. 2. ONTAINING papers: on Manurial Experiments with Sea Island Cotton in St. Vincent in 1917-18, by S. C. Harland, B.Sc.; Some Observations on the Relation of Lint Length to Rainfall, by R. E, Kelsick; Report on the | Prevalence of some Pests and Diseases in the West Indies during 1917, (Compiled from the Reports of the Principal | Agricultural Officers); and Shrinkage of Soils. Price 6p, Post FREE 8b GOVERNMENT VEGETABLE PRODUCTS FACTORY, BRITISH GUIANA. WANTED kok the Government Vegetable Products Factory | an Energetic Man as Manager. Applications are invited from men who have had some experience in drying aud milling rice, maize, pulses and similar | produets, and who are able to keep the detailed records | and accounts required in the working of’such a factory. Applications together with a statement of the salary expected, originals and copies of testimonials from three previous employers (the originals will be returned) should be addressed to the Secretary, 19 and 20, Broad Street. Charlestown, Georgetown, Demerara, not later than Jannary 15, 1919. KE. M.- PETERKIN, Secretary. (438) Vegetable Products Factory. SPACE AVAILABLE FOR ADVERTISEMENT, Vor. XVIII. No. 436 THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS January il, 1918. A WORD TO PLANTERS In consequence of the continued official prohibition of Guano exports from England, we much regret that business with our West Indian friends is, for the time heing interrupted. Directly shipmeut of our well-known (original) DISSOLVED GUANO AND RAW PERUVIAN GUANO FOR SUGAR AND OTHER CULTIVATIONS can be resumed, we shall be glad of orders and shall do our utmost to meet all requirements, The Anglo-Continental Guano Works, Ltd. DOCK HOUSE, BILLITER STREET, LONDON, E.C., 3. Works: Victoria Docks, E. Barbados Agents: James A. Lynch & Co., Ltd., Bridgetown. THE BARBADOS CO-OPERATIVE COTTON FACTORY, LIMITED. WE HAVE BEEN BUYING West Indian Cotton Seed during the past eight years, and we are prepared to continue purchasing same at HIGHEST POSSIBLE PRICES IN THE FUTURE. Our methods of doing this business are too well known to ovr friends to need any further comment. Qur large plantation supply business places us ina position to continue to execute any orders entrusted to us to the best advantage, THE INTERESTS OF OUR WEST INDIAN FRIENDS ARE OURS AT ALL TIMES. PLEEASE CALL > ON @US. THE BARBADOS C®-OPERATIVE COTTON FACTORY, LTD., ____ BARBADOS. Printed at Orites of Agricultural Reporter,{4, High Street} Briiyatown, Barbados, SS es 2 ? GF, = te f Ji ZA if i i tis {7 ai ~~ (| df YS aw SATURDAY, JANUARY 25, 1919. ‘(One penny. _ R. M. S. P. MAIL, PASSENGER & CARGO SERVICES FROM THE WEST INDIES TO PORTS OF CALL THE UNITED KINGDOM Azores. CANADA Montserrat, Antigua, St. Kitts Bermuda, Halifax, N. S., & St. ‘John (N.B.) DEMERARA & PARAMARIBO Grenada & Trinidad. (Trinidad, Puerto Colombia, PANAMA CANAL & PACIFIC PORTS Cartagena, Colon, Panama, |Gallao, Iquique, Antofagasta & Valparaiso. {i Vincent, St. Lucia, Dominica, UNITED KINGDOM TO BRAZIL, URUGUAY & ARGENTINA Via Spain, Portugal, Madeira & St. Vincent. REGULAR SAILINGS FROM THE UNITED KINGDOM TO MOROCCO, CANARY ISLANDS & MADEIRA, & JAPAN. Head Office > 18, Moorgate Street, London. Branches at BARBADOS, Trinidad, Tebago, Demerara. Colon, Jamaica, Antitla, New York, Halifax N.S., Buenos yAiras, Santos, Sao Paulo | “Rio de Janeiro, Madrid, etc. THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS. Some Tick Facts — A single Female Tick may lay as many as 5,000 eggs. The progeny of one single ‘Female Tick may, in the course of seven months, come to number 6,750,000,000 individuals. oe Ste ee t. Hf gorged ticks are crushed, it will be found that tkelz intestines are completely filled with a dark, thick mass of blood which has been sucked from the animal host : this blood should have gone to the formation of milk, flesh, and the laying on of fat. 2 A Female Tick, when fully gorged with blood, may weigh as much as 30 times more than before it began to engorge. 3. A beast, badly infested with ticks, weighed 730 lbs. It was freed from ticks by dipping, and two months later—its food and general treatment remaining the same as before dipping—it had gained 285 lbs.—a daily average gain of 432 Ibs. 4 No less than 28 lbs. of Ticks were taken from a horse which died from anzmia resulting from gross tick infestation. § A large number of tick bites over a limited area of skin may be followed by infection with pus-producing organisms, giving rise to small abscesses which may develop into ulcers. The discharge from such sores— or even the mere oozing of blood serum through the tick punctures—keeps the hair moist and matted: in such areas fly eggs are laid and hatched, resulting in infestation with destructive maggots, causing ulcers and other complications that will require medical treatment. 6 In the United States, the death)rate amongst cattle in the Tick areas is three times higher than in the areas free from ticks. 7. Ticks only stop on an animal for three weeks; dipping or spraying must therefore be done not less often than every three weeks im order to catch ticks before they drop off. @ The perforations of the skin caused by tick bites facilitate the entrance of various kinds of disease germs. OATTLE TICK raMace 9. Ticks prevent cattle maturing normally, and this necessitates Beef Cattle being kept until they are 3 or more years old., Cost of two-years extra feed and care, and interest oh capital tied up, involves a heavy additional outlay, the necessity for which can be entirely avoided by the adoption of thorough tick destruction measures. 10. The total annual loss sustained in the United States as a result of ticks is enormous. $100,000,000_ (£20,000,000) is the amount named by the United States Department of: Agriculture. Il. If ticks are not kept under control, young animals may never become fully developed, but remain thin, weak, and stunted, and thus the more easily succumb to diseases, as a result of lowered vitality. 12. Newly-hatched ticks can live as long as eight months without food, even during the colder season. 13. Hides from animals that have been infested with ticks are graded as No. 4 quality: the same hides if free from tick marks would grade as No. 2 quality. The difference in price between these two qualities is three cents a pound. Therefore, on an average hide, weigh- ing 42 lbs. the loss due to ticks would be more than $1.26. 14. It has been calculated that a single beast may, as a result of Tick infestation, lose as much as 500 lbs. of blood ir a season. 15. In a carefully ‘conducted test it was found that tick- infested cows lost an average of 9} lbs. in weight, while the cows free from ticks gained during the same period an average of 44 Ibs., both lots of cows being fed exactly alike. 16. The presence of ticks on cattle is a serious drain on the animals’ systems, one consequence of which is that the amount of milk produced by cows is diminished. In one experiment, cows badly infested with ticks produced 42% less milk than cows kept free from ticks. COOPER’S CATTLE TICK DIP. Flas received the official approval of the Rhodesia, Jollowing Countries: Union of South Africa, Northern Brazil, Nyasaland, Swaziland, Southern Rhodesia, © Madagascar, British East Africa, German East Africa, Portuguese West Africa, Egypt, United States of America, New South Wales Northern Territory of Australia, Basutoland, Portuguese East Africa. Argentine Republic, Queensland, WEST INDIAN AGENTS. ST. KITTS: S. L. Horsford & Co. ANTIGUA: Bennett, Bryson & Co. JAMAICA: D. Henderson & Co., Kingston. GRENADA; Thomson, Hankey & Co, | BARBADOS: Barbados Co-operative Cotton Co., Ltd." SAH AMAS: H. 'T. Brice, Nassau. TRINIDAD: T. Geddes Grant, Ltd., Port-of-Spain. BRITISH GUIANA: T. Geddes Grant, Lta. ST. VINCENT: Corea & Co., Kingstown. NEVIS: 8. D. Malone. : AMERICAN VIRGIN ISLANDS: 0. H. Schmiegelow, St. Crow. MONTSERRAT: W. Liewellyn Wall. DOMINICA: Hon. H. A. Frampton. ST. LUCIA: Barnard Sons & Co., Castries. GUADELOUPE: Société Industrielle et Agricole, Point-a Pitre. Manufacturers: WILLIAN COOPER & NEPHEWS, Berkhamsted, Englamd. BRANCHES: Toronto, Chicago, Sydney, Melbourne, Auckland, Buenos Aires, Monte Video, iia Arenas, East London, Olesga bl ce all tt meer 6 ww A FORTNIGHTLY REVIEW OF THE IMPERIAL DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE FOR THE WEST INDIES. Vou. XVIII. No. 437. BARBADOS, JANUARY 25, 1919. Price Id, PaGeE. Develop- PaGE. Agriculture andthe Future 17 Isle of Pines, Agriculture in Barbados... 23) ment of ... Antigua and St. Kitts Cot- | Items of Local Interest . 29 99 tON ... 2.) s.. %.. w-. 24) Market Reports Grisly Tock. 4 Bacon and Hams, Home . Notes and Comments... 24 Curing of BARE sant e tee Cal ; Hee a ‘| Plant Diseases: — haps Plant Diseases in Jamaica 30 Maintenance of ()uality of Egyptian Cotton ... Sea Island Cotton Market 91 Potash Salts in U.S. 4 | America tee yee tee “~~ Poultry inthe Philippines 23 Cotton Seed Products ie TP a Ginesiine Toxicity of 31 Seger Ca Span of Reet Piece! s o Nae faturity o Be Gr a NUE ores he on Inheri- 9) Sugar Factory, Profit- Department News A | 19° Sharing in 1a West In- Gleanings ... .. 2. ... 28 | a mS ; vt Grain Sorghums, The ... 29 Weed Seeds, Buried... ... 24 Insect Notes:— Zebra and Its Hybrids as Entomology in Jamaica... 26; Domestic Animals... : 25 Tick Destruction ... 27 Agriculture and the Future. OWADAYS the most prominent subject in the public mind, as evidenced in periodic \ literature, is that of the reconstruction of life and industry after the war. ‘The war has so upset the conditions of these that the affairs of the world have to be put into order again. The Chairman of the Royal Society of Arts, Mr. Alan A. Campbell Swinton, F.R.S., delivered a most comprehensive and stimulating address at the meeting of the Society on November 20,1918. His subject was Science and the Future, and it was dealt with from the standpoint of the wonderful progress that has been made in the past, with an outlook towards the still more wonderful things which may be accomplished in the future. i One is apt in thinking of the inheritance received by the present from the past, to regard the material things as of most importance. Hence the wanton des- truction of the production of centuries of human labour, and the devastation of cultivated lands, which have been perpetrated by the Huns continually during the progress of the war, have raised the greatest possible indignation inthe minds of the civilized world. On the other hand, it must be remembered that the great- est heritage of the present is not material construc- tion, but the products of the mind, and the accumula- tion of priceless scientific knowledge. It is not too much to say, as Mr. Swinton putit, that ‘all our indus- tries, all our arts, and all our sciences have their root in the distant past. Some knowledge of importance may have been, in the crash of empires and the great social convulsions that have taken place, lost or forgot- ten, but comparatively not much: while owing to the invention of printing, and the consequent easy multi- plication of records, this’ is never likely to happen again, at any rate on any considerable scale.’ The reconstruction therefore of the material pro- ducts of civilization is in fact of far less importance than the knowledge of how to construct them. Here comes in the value of the continuity of investigation and research, and of the records brought down from the nd I THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS. ‘past, and extendiny through the present to the future, which it is the province of science to maintain and im- prove. This store of knowledge, applicable to all indus- tries, and one may perhaps say, more especially to -agriculture, has been accumulating from before the -dawn of history: it isthat which has enabled mankind to advance more and material civilization which is less important. more 1n Now to turn to the future. The war has demen- strated in the piainest manner that the world at present nearly lives up to its food production, with very little margin beyond. Were it nat for the application of science ‘to agriculture—in mechanical aids to cultivation, in methods of irrigation and fertilization and the like, in improved facilities of transport, and in other directions —the world could hardly support its present population: whileas human beings increase still more, in the future the difticulty will be further accentuated, if conditions similar to those at present continue to prevail. Then, if once the stage be reached when the population should -overtake its means of subsistence, it is dithicult to heleve that anything could prevent the fiercest war- fare between peoples struggling in dire want for the bare necessaries of life. It is tor science to pre- vent, if possible, such a state of aifairs, by further discoveries and inventions, and their applications to production. All industries, and not least agriculture, must become more intricate and elaborate as time goes on. Suceess will more and nore depend on the management -of specially trained individuals, together with the intel- ligent and hearty co-operation of the great mass of workers cheerfully submitting to the technical instrue- tions given by snch management. In agriculture to-day the old rules of thumb are obsolete in most countries, and, wherever they still exist, the sooner they go the better. The modern world has no room for nnscientifie and antiquated methods. conditions reasonable saine time -eaution will in control. ‘The Government of the United States has long set an exatople in this direction, and it is very satisfactory to note that the British Government is awakening to its responsibility in this matter, Whatever sums the (Jovernment of the Empire may spend in promoting the application of science to industry and agriculture, provided that the expenditure is wisely directed, wiil soon repay themselves 1oany times over by the increase of prosperity which is sure to result. In striving after the most desirable it is right that science should look for all assistance from Governments, but at the have to he exercised 1919, January 25, One way in which Governments can vitally assist in the progress of science is by increasing the facilities for technical scientific education. Some advance in this direction is being made, but wider and wiser etforts are needed to promote a more extended interest in scientific subjects. And here individuals can give useful assistance. What is wanted is to awaken a taste, especially in the rising generation, for scientific literature: for the ‘fairy tales of science’ will prove, if once an interest is taken in them, much more delighs- ful than a great deal of the literary rubbish on which so many persons waste time. Another aspect of this question is that the pursms of science is endless, It can never be said that any- one has got to know everything about any one subject. For instance, year by year there is additional know- ledge acquired in the cultivation of all crops, and in the manufacture of their products. The beet root industry isa striking example of this, and the strides made inrecent years in the cane-sugar industry is another proof of the benefit accruing to agriculture from scientific knowledge and practice. After all, agriculture has always been, and always will be the fundamental industry of mankind. For man requires energy, and that is supplied by food, the most of which must always be furnished by the pro- ducts of agriculture. In reality all our energy is supplied by the sun and it is stored up for utilization by animal existence in plant life. And yet it is compu- ted that only about three-millionths of the solar energy which reaches the earth is stored in vegetation. Thus there is a vast field for agricultural science in the future to inerese the amount of available food energy by more intensive cultivation, so as to utilize more and more of the sun's light and heat hitherto not rendered ayaiiable. It would seem that this will be one of the out- standing problems of the future how best to employ the enormous flood of radiant solar energy which daily falls on the earth’s surface. And this will be especially the task of the agriculturist. Not only will he have to provide increased food, but increased fuel, for it seers probable that the stored up fuel of coal and mineral oi] is well on its way to exhaustion. But the agricul- turist need not think that he will have to grow only firewood for fuel. Much more likely it is that the fue] of the fature will be obtained from the crops which store upin large qaantities the solar energy in the form of starch and sugar, which can be converted into alcohol for fuel purposes, as is already being done. Here it would seein that the tropics may be destined to play an increasingly prominent part in the agricul. Vou, XVII. No, 437. tural future of the world. Ter, as is well known, most of the root crops of the tropics are capable of produc- ing large proportions of starch, while even the waste products of the sugar-cane factory, are capable of pro- ducing quantities of alcohol. In conclusion, with science directing the agricul- ture of the future, and skill, economy, and co-operating ii its pursuit, there is no reason to fear energy that the reorganization of the world’s agricultural resources will in any respect fall short of the result hoped for. PROFIT-SHARING IN A WEST INDIAN SUGAR FACTORY. In presenting the report of the Directors to the ordinary general meeting of the Ste. Madeleine Sugar Company, Ltd., held on November 21, 1918, the Chairman, Mr. G. Moody Stuart, gave an interesting sketch of some proposed develop- ments in the future working of the company. He first alluded to the difficulties which had been experienced in the past season in Trinidad, owing to shortage in the cane crop. his was attribute generally to the ravages ef the frog-hopper. On the other hand, it appeared as if the damage had been mainly due to excessive rainfall, causing injury to the canes in many ways, especially in keeping the subsoil in a water-logyed condition, conducive to root disease. The cane crops on the lands belonging to the company were much less damaged than those on some neighbouring estates, the explanation given being the good work done during the last four years to improve the condition of the land on the company’s property. The great increase in the cost ot production was noted as a matter for grave concern, In spite of this and of the short crop, the Directors, owing to the present high prices for sugar, were able to declare a dividend to the shareholders, The most interesting portion to the public, apart from shareholders, is the part of Mr. Moody Stuart's speech dealing with proposed future improvements in the transac: tions of the factory with three groups of employees. The first group is that of cane farmers; that is, those who grow cane on small holdings for sale to the factories. There are 7,000 of these growing cane for the Ste. Madeleine factory. he system in Trinidad of regulating the price of such cane has never been satisfactory. The Antigua method is the fairest, basing the cane price always on the value of sugar, and it has been decided to adopt it at Ste. Madeleine, with an adjustment to cover the difference between the quality of the cane, and conditions of delivery in Antigua and those in Trinidad. In Antigua the peasants’ cane rate is 41 per cent. on the value of sugar delivered on board ship, put the qnality of the cane there is 17 per cent. better than in Trinidad, and in Antigua the factory is free from certain - charges which it has to bear in Trinidad. To cover these ditferences, the termsat Ste, Madeleine are made 43 per cent. on the value of the sugar delivered on board ship, less charges for export duty, shipping, bagging, and also of trans- port of the cane. With this adjustment the two companies will be placed on equivalent terms. The price for the past season on this basis works out at 16s. per ton instead of 14s., which means an alditional payment of £7,945 13y.