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ASPORGNIGHITLY REVIEW
OF THE
IMPERIAL DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE FOR THE WEST INDIES.
VOLUME III.
JANUARY TO DECEMBER 1904.
ISSUED UNDER THE AUTHORITY OF THE
COMMISSIONER OF AGRICULTURE FOR THE WEST INDIES.
Barbados; Messrs. Bowen & Sons, Bridgetown.
London: Messrs. Dutau & Co., 37, Soho Square, W. The West Inpra Commrrrer 15, Seething Lane, E.C.
Vou. III. No. 45.
CONTENTS.
A FORTNIGHTLY REVIEW
OF THE
IMPERIAL DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE FOR THE WEST INDIES.
BARBADOS, JANUARY 2,
1904: Price ld.
PAGE.
Agricultural Shows :—
Barbados...
Forthcoming ... ...
Agriculture in Peru... ... 3
Cocoa-nuts and Molascuit
ine Oamada, ss saa 2 alo
Cocoa-nuts for Planting ... 3
Coffee Culture in Queens-
land 29
Cotton :—
Barbados, in English
Market no2s 900s 050 ys)
By-products, Utilization
Oe goo | ada. ote) onc 5
Ginning at Barbados 8
St. Kitt’s... ... 5
dbwnoGkrsl 66g Soca Seco nos |
Cows’ Milk, Variation in
Composition of . ¢)
Department News ong JUL
Department Publications... 15
Educational :—-
Agricultural Scholarships 11
Essential Oils and Drugs... 7
Fruits, Food Value of 4
Geology in Relation to
Agriculture... ... ... 3
Gleanings) <0...) mee ele
Insect Notes :—
Some Peculiar Structures 10
Thrips on Cacao and
Onions. aerate eto
Jamaica Exports ... ... 8
Lemon Trade in Sicily ... 4
Market Reports we. 14
Minor Industries in the
West Indies ... ... 9
Notes and Comments ... 8
Onion Seed as Affected by
INS) cna oops poo oan WW)
Our Book Shelf :—
Kultur des Kakaobaumes 11
The Soil... eeeelel:
Picking and Ginning Cotton 1
Pine-apples and Mangos,
Composition of ... ... 4
Poultry noo ooce pea. aco PAD
Science Notes :—
Custard Apple 6
Formation of Carbo-
hydrates in Green
Plants ... od. 00
Sea-moss, Utilization of ...
Sea-weed as Manure
Sugar Industry :—
Antigua, Raising Seed-
ling Canes at dod
Beet Sugar Industry in
United States 4
Situation in Regard to
Sugai scr) less) Fee
Trinidad, Forest Resources
C1
West Indian Products in
Canadanet i <8 >... 13
Picking
and Ginning
Cotton.
) MONG the points upon which the successful
establishment of a cotton industry in these
islands depends we may mention the pick-
ing and ginning of the cotton, and it must clearly be
understood by all cotton growers that success in the
enterprise will largely depend upon the care which is
exercised in the proper preparation of the cotton for
market. It is just as important for the cotton grower
to see to the picking and assorting of his cotton as it
is for the fruit grower to pay attention to the handling
and packing of his fruit.
In picking cotton it is essential that nothing but
perfectly ripe bolls should be picked. If immature
bolls—that is bolls that are not fully open—are
allowed to be picked, the quality of the cotton will be
depreciated. Cotton from unripe bolls is weak and
brittle and high prices cannot be expected for it. The
picker must have two hands free for the picking
operation, and this is secured by his being provided
with a bag, 2 feet by 3 feet, suspended from his shoulders.
Each boll should be grasped firmly in the left hand
while the right removes the contents. The bags when
full may be emptied into sheets or baskets placed at
convenient spots at the end of the rows; the sheets (if
used) could be folded together and tied, and the cotton
carried to the store in them. After a little practice
the picker should find no difficulty in his work; but
he must be given clearly to understand that no
impurities are to get into the bag with the cotton.
A careless picker will gather with the seed-cotton frag-
ments of pods, leaves or twigs, and these will later on
have to be removed. It is with the view of preventing
this that arrangements should be made for the picker
to have the free use of both hands.
After the seed-cotton is brought in, the next step
to
THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.
January 2, 1904.
is the careful removal of any impurities. This opera-
tion is naturally very much simplified if the cotton is
carefully picked in the first instance.
Now comes the sunning. The cotton is spread
out and dried on arbours or platforms so that it may
become as dry as possible. After that the cotton is
assorted. This is a point to which special attention
should be given. Planters must realize that a small
quantity of indifferent cotton in a sample will cause
the whole to be classed as indifferent ; so that, possibly,
a large quantity of really excellent cotton is sold at the
price of poor cotton. If, however, the cotton is properly
graded the higher quality cotton will fetch possibly a
penny or two-pence more per pound. The smal] quantity
of poor cotton will naturally be sold at a lower price.
Asis always the case with unassorted produce, its mixed
character lowers the price of the better grade, while it
cannot possibly raise the price of the poorer grades.
The next operation is ‘whipping, the object of
which is to knock out all broken seeds, specks and
motes. The cotton is thrown backwards and forwards
(not rolled) on a large sieve, made of mesh wire netting
strained over a frame, 3 feet long by 2 feet wide and 6
inches deep, through which the impurities fall. This
last process should leave the cotton white and loose,
ready for ginning.
Provided that these directions with regard to the
picking and grading of seed-cotton are carefully carried
out, there will hardly be any need for further picking,
during the ginning process.
In the United States an extra charge of 53:00 for
every 1,200 tb. of seed-cotton is made for picking,
assorting and whipping at the ginning factory. It is
more convenient and economical for this to be done by
the planter before it is sent to the factory.
There is another point to which cotton growers
should pay attention. Vhen once cotton has been
picked and dried it should not be exposed to the
weather. No harm can come from storing seed-cotton
provided it is properly dried beforehand. It is
advisable for the small growers to store their cotton in
bags or barrels until there is a sufficient quantity to be
sent to be ginned.
Since the high prices that are paid for Sea Island
cotton are due to care in grading and to the removal
of all impurities, the importance of paying attention
to these points is obvious. In a recent letter to the
Imperial Commissioner of Agriculture, the Secretary
of the British Cotton Growing Association writes:
‘T particularly wish you to impress upon the growers
that every care should be exercised in picking and
grading cotton; and also that it should be shipped in
as large quantities as possible as it is very difficult to
sell small lots. The qualities required in Sea Island
cotton are length of staple, fineness, silkiness and
cleanliness, and it must be carefully ginned and
baled,’
Raising Seedling Canes at Antigua.
The following brief account of the efforts that
have been made at Antigua to raise seedling canes is
taken from the Report on Sugar-cane Experiments
in the Leeward Islands, 1902-3 —
Considerable difficulty has hitherto been experienced in
raising seedling sugar-canes in Antigua ; for several years all
results ended in failure, either no seeds germinated, or the
very few which did germinate died at an early stage of
growth.
In 1901, three seedlings were raised in the nursery, and
produced well-developed plants for reaping in 1903.
During the arrowing period in 1902, Mr. Sands, the
Curator of the Botanic Station at Antigua, made several
efforts to obtain seedlings.
Arrows of D, 95 were selected, and in these pieces of
arrows of White Transparent, Sealy Seedling and D. 95
canes were tied in order to provide pollen. Some of these
arrows so treated were enclosed in muslin bags, but the bags
were destroyed by the rain and the wind. The remaining
arrows were not so enclosed, these escaped injury and were
collected for seed. Under the circumstances one cannot be
sure that the stigmas were fertilized by pollen from the
arrows thus brought near them.
Other ripe arrows of various kinds were collected
without any attempt to pollinate them with any specific
pollen.
The arrows were sown at intervals from January 1903,
and on this occasion a plentiful crop of seedling canes
resulted. Amongst those germinating most freely were seeds
in arrows of D. 61, Red Ribbon, Naga B. and D. 102.
The seedlings were planted out in a field at Skerrett’s on
May 5, 1903, as follows :—
183 seedlings from arrows from cane D. 61.
56 ” ” ” ” ” Naga Bb.
42 ” ” ” ” ” White Transparent.
9 be
21 ” ” ” ” ” D. 116.
"7 .
“i ” ” ” ” ” Red Ribbon.
112 ” ” ” ” LOS Ot
21 ” ” » 6 » Sealy Seedling.
35 ” ” ” 5 », Sealy Seedling x D. 95.
Most of these are now growing freely ; those which have
satisfactory field characters will be submitted to chemical
examination in the usual way. Should there result any
canes of good promise, they will ultimately be tested by
being submitted to experimental cultivation.
Vou. III. No. 45.
The Situation in Regard to Sugar.
A member of the Brussels Conference, who is
closely interested in the West Indies, writes as follows
as to the situation in regard to sugar in the United
States and other markets :—
T do not quite follow what was said at Jamaica as to
the effects of the withdrawal of the countervailing duties in
the United States on bounty-fed beet sugar. It was there
stated that Jamaica sugar was thereby prejudiced in the
United States markets. My view is just the opposite.
Germany (I think most of the bounty fed sugar in the
United States came from Germany) gave a direct bounty of
about 25s. or 30s. a ton. I forget the exact amount at the
moment. This was countervailed. As the duty was taken
off so is the bounty, so that as regards competition with
Jamaica, the taking off the duty makes no difference.
But besides the direct bounty of 25s. to 30s. there was
a Cartel bounty of £3 a ton which was not countervailed,
‘and which now goes, so that as regards German competition
with Jamaica, Jamaica is in a better position than before.
As a matter of fact, however, I do not think much German
sugar went to the United States but that the real competition
came from the home industry and the non-duty paying
sugars of Hawaii and Porto Rico and that it was this that
governed prices and not the European beet sugar.
I hear in some quarters great ‘disappointment at prices
of sugar keeping so low and even for delivery some time
‘ahead. This latter is of course pure speculation and may be
mistaken, but in any case the bounty fed stocks can hardly
be worked off before March. When they are, we must,
I think, either see a reduction in European production, or an
increase in European consumption. The latter I think is
certain, partly from the reduction of the excise duties in
France, Germany and Belgium, and partly from the
endeayours now being made on the Continent to encourage
the production of sugared products, such as chocolate, ete.,
which the Sugar Commission has just ruled are not sugar
as regards Article III of the Convention, and may be heavily
protected.
Beet Sugar Industry in the United States.
The Secretary of Agriculture for the United
States refers as follows in his Annual Report to the
development of the beet sugar industry :—
In 1896, 29,220 tons were made ; one year ago 220,000
tons were made, Careful estimates put the crop now being
worked up at 260,000 tons. This is a more rapid development
than has taken place in sugar-making with new conditions in
any other country. The future of the crop depends upon the
adoption of economic methods in field and factory. The
growing of seed in the United States of a superior quality is
assured, which will result in much richer beets and better
yield than from imported seed that is never first class.
Heavier tonnage per acre will come from better farming, and
more economic economy from intelligent disposition of the
by-products. The industry is well established.
Cocoa-nuts for Planting. To replant storm-
destroyed cocoa-nuts and to extend the cultivation is a work
of importance, and as there is some difficulty in getting
plants here, the Board of Agriculture has arranged for
importing from San Blas by the Royal Mail steamers. The
nuts will be sold in Kingston at 10s. per 100. Applications to
the Secretary of the Jamaica Agricultural Society, 4, Port
Royal Street. (Jamaica Times.)
THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS. 3
GEOLOGY IN RELATION TO AGRI-
CULTURE.
In the introduction to a recently published text-
book on Agricultural Geology, the author, Mr. J. E.
Marr, M.A., F.B.S., writes as follows on the relationship
between agriculture and geology :-—
The student of agriculture is no doubt chiefly concerned
with the thin covering of soil which in so many parts of the
land conceals the solid rocks beneath ; but a knowledge
of these rocks is by no means useless to him. In the first
place, much of the material which composes the soils is
derived from the underlying rocks, and therefore varies
according to their composition, The soil of a country
composed of chalk is very different from that of an area
where red sandstone is the prevailing rock, or of one in which
clay is found beneath the soil.
Again, the degree in which the underlying rocks are
pervious to water is important, not only on account of the
influence which is exercised upon the soil above—a porous
rock causing the soil to be drier than a less porous one—
but also because of the dependence of water-supply on the
porosity of the underlying rocks. An acquaintance with the
elementary facts of geology, and with the general principles
of the science, may often save a farmer the trouble and
expense of securing the services of an expert in order to
obtain a supply of water.
Many of the rocks which compose the earth’s crust are
serviceable to the agriculturist, or contain substances which
are of service to him. It is useful to be able to know what
rocks may be utilized for building purposes, for road-metal,
and for fertilizing the soil.
Should he find it necessary to make road-cuttings, or to
excavate pits or quarries on his property, it is important
that he should have some acquaintance with the nature of
the divisional planes which traverse rocks.
Lastly, although he is not directly concerned with the
mineral substances which may exist beneath his land, which
are not useful for agricultural purposes, the knowledge of
the distribution of substances like coal and ores may prove to
be very serviceable.
AGRICULTURE IN PERU.
The following extract from a letter from Mr. A. R.
Gilzean, of Cerro Azul, Peru, to the Imperial Com-
missioner of Agriculture, is likely to be of interest to
planters in these islands :—
It is a pity you have not got a climate and soil like
those of Peru to work on. The climate here is the finest in
the world. For the last four months the temperature has
ranged between 58° and 66° F. In the summer months it goes
up to 82° at times. The soil will grow anything. Seventy-
five tons of cane from an acre is not uncommon, and the cane
often contains 20 per cent. of sugar. The usual crop of
cotton is from 600 tb. to 900 tb. per acre from plants and a
little over half that from ratoons. It can be produced,
packed, in the ports, at about 20s. per 100 tb. As it is
selling just now at 40s., everyone who can is planting it.
Alfalfa grows splendidly here. It is the most wonderful food
for stock that I have ever seen. It only thrives in the
winter, so I fear it will never do for the West Indies. Rice
of splendid quality is grown in the north of Peru. The
country is very rich in minerals. Want of sufficient labour
has been one of the principal drawbacks. Japanese can be
landed here at £10 a head.
4 THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.
1904.
JANUARY 2,
WEST INDIAN. FRUIE.
higher proportion of solid matter
THE COMPOSITION OF PINE-APPLES
AND MANGOS.
Mr. H. H. Cousins, M.A., F.C.S., publishes in the
Bulletin of the Department of Agriculture, Jamaica,
for November, the results of analyses of pine-apples
and mangos made at the Government Laboratory,
Jamaica. Some of the results obtained are particularly
interesting as showing the value of these fruits as
food. The following is a brief summary of the results
recorded in Mr. Cousins’ paper :—
In the case of the pine-apples, representatives of nine
different varieties growing at Hope Gardens were analysed.
It is stated that the specimens were average fruits and may
be taken as typical of pine-apples producible on the lighter
soils of the Liguanea plain. The table of proportional
parts—showing the proportion of top, rind, core and edible
parts—brings out the great advantage to the purchaser of the
‘Smooth Cayenne.’ This variety with its particularly thin
rind, contains 85°8 per cent. of edible matter; the remaining
varieties average only about 55 per cent. The Ripley
varieties, on the other hand, possess a large amount of rind,
and this reduces the proportion of edible matter to about
55 per cent.
Turning to the chemical composition of the edible
portion, we find the advantage rests with the ‘Ripleys,’ which
contain about 20 per cent. of solid matter and 14 per cent.
of sugar. The ‘Smooth Cayenne’ has 16 per cent. of total
solids and 12°5 per cent. of sugar. The ‘ Queen’ pine-apple
also shows a high sugar-content. Mr. Cousins summarizes
the results thus :—‘Some of our varieties, such as “Sam
Clarke,” “Cheese” and “Cow Boy,” are decidedly inferior.
The “ Queen” and the “ Ripleys” are the sweetest varieties,
and are, for local consumption, unsurpassed. For commer-
cial purposes, however, the superior eating qualities of the
“Ripley ” are more than counterbalanced by the greater size,
finer appearance and edible economy of the “Smooth
Cayenne.” ’
Four varieties of mangos were analysed, viz., ‘No. II,’
‘Yam,’ ‘Bombay’ and ‘Black.’ The superiority of the
‘Bombay,’ so far as edible economy is concerned, is most
marked. It contains 65:1 per cent. of edible matter, as
against 59°9 in ‘ No. IJ,’ 55:2 in ‘ Yam’ and 53°6 in ‘ Black.’
This, of course, is chiefly due to the small size of the stone,
so characteristic of these eastern varieties.
In the matter of sugar-content, however, the ‘ Black’
leads with 16°66 per cent., the ‘Yam’ containing the least
sugar, viz. 9°52. The ‘Black’ also contains a much
than the other varieties.
Of this mango Mr. Cousins states: ‘As a food the ‘“ Black”
mango holds the first place. A content of 22 per cent. of
total. solids, containing 17 per cent. of sugar, is truly remark-
able for a fruit of this character.’
THE FOOD VALUE OF FRUITS.
Snyder, in his Chemistry of Plant and Animat
Life, writes as follows on the food value of fruits —-
Fruits contain a large amount of water and a small
amount of dry matter. The dry matter is composed
mainly of non-nitrogenous compounds, such as starch and
sugar. These foods all contain small amounts of nitrogenous
compounds, of which the larger portion is in non-proteid
forms. Organic acids, in small amounts, and essential oils
are characteristic features.
When judged only on the basis of the nutrients
present, many fruits would be assigned a low place in the
list of foods, as they contain only comparatively small
amounts. Most fruits are used in the dietary, not so much
with the view of supplying nutrients as for other purposes.
The organic acids, essential oils and soluble mineral
compounds, together with the digestible form in which the
nutrients are present, are the factors which give fruits their
unique value. The organic acids and essential oils impart
palatability and assist functionally in the digestive process.
Some fruits, such as figs and prunes, contain chemical
compounds which are laxative in character. In the human
ration, fresh fruits are as essential, and occupy the same
position, as roots and vegetables in stock rations.
THE LEMON TRADE IN SICILY.
The following is an extract from a letter from His
Majesty’s Consul “at Palermo to the Secretary of State
for Foreign Affairs, published in the Dominica Official
Gazette of November 28, in which information is given
on the prospects of the green fruit trade in Palermo :—
The fruit on the trees is abundant, but small; the crop
is likely to be about 50 per cent. better than last year.
The demand is feeble and prices low. This month, already
25,000 boxes have been exported, to 16,000 for the same
period last year; half of this was last season’s crop and half
green fruit of this season’s harvest. The low grade fruit
not worth exporting is used for extracting the acid for the
formation of citrate or else acetic [ ? citric ] acid. It sells
locally for 1s. 8d. per 1,000, at which price it does not pay
for the gathering.
Vou. III. No. 45.
THE AGRICULTURAL
NEWS. 5
COTTON.
Cotton at St. Kitt’s.
We extract the following information on the
experimental cultivation of cotton at St. Kitt’s from a
paper by Mr. A. O. Thurston published in the West
Indian Bulletin, Vol. IV, pp. 227-8 —
Advices received by last mail report the sale of the
first shipment of 12,000 Ib. of lint at 1s. 1$d. per bh. From
the experience gained during the past year, I have come to
the following conclusions: (1) That the cotton industry is
a promising one if the present prices last ; (2) that low-lying
lands capable of bearing good crops of cane are also the best
for cotton ; (3) that such lands should be well tilled and kept
free from weeds from the time of planting to the develop-
ment of the cotton bolls; (4) that during the process
of cultivation the soil should be drawn up around the plants
to keep them from being injured by wind ; (5) that 4-feet
rows on good lands and 3-feet in hilly or exposed situations,
with single plants left in 12 to 15 inches apart, are good
distances ; (6) that June, July and August are the best
months for planting ; (7) that it is necessary to have on hand
spraying machines and a sufficient supply of Paris green or
other insecticide, to deal with a sudden inroad of cater-
pillars ; (8) that the red stain bug can also do considerable
damage to the quality of the cotton, and efforts should be
made to keep it in check; (9) that the cost of labour
required to cultivate an acre, from the time of preparation to
the reaping of the cotton, under conditions prevailing here in
lands recently under cane cultivation, does not exceed 15s. ;
and (10) that cotton is ginned much better if recently picked.
In conclusion I may say that I purpose planting 350 acres
in cotton this year.
Utilization of Cotton Seed By-products.
In the Consular Report on the trade of Marseilles
for 1902 reference is made to the utilization of the
by-products of cotton seed in the manufacture of soap.
The information is supplied at the request of Indian
cotton growers and makers of cotton seed cake, who
have made inquiries as to the processes by which their
waste products might be converted into paper and
soap. In view of a possible cotton seed oil industry in
these islands the following information is likely to be
of interest :—
Nothing is known in Marseilles as to the production
and utilization of linter cotton. ‘The cotton seed used by
the Marseilles millers is imported solely from Egypt. The
Egyptian seed gives no lint. There is only one large crusher
of cotton seed in Marseilles. He does not decorticate the
seed, and the hulls are pressed into shape for cattle feeding
and for manuring the market gardens in the neighbourhood
of Marseilles. The turn out of the cotton oil in Marseilles is
limited by the sale of the cake, which alone enables the
millers to work at a profit.
The supply of cotton seed from Egypt has been sufficient
to meet the local demand. Some Indian trial importations
were made, but shipments were discontinued owing to the
seed being enveloped in lint and the oil obtained being
inferior in quality to that given by the Egyptian seed.
Marseilles soap manufacturers have established their reputa-
tion by the superior quality of their soap ; and it is essential
that the ingredients employed should be of the finest quality.
A common brown soap is made at Marseilles from the
residue of cotton seed oil after refining, the process adopted
in refining the oil making the residue suitable to the purpose.
After crushing, the hulls are pressed into cake, the oil
extracted is refined by caustic alkalis (soda), and the residue,
after refining, is thus in itself an imperfect soap.
SEA-WEED AS MANURE.
It has long been known that sea-weed has
valuable fertilizing properties. Sir Humphrey Davy
in his Elements of Agricultural Chemistry, published
in 1814, refers to its use as a manure on the sea-coasts
of Britain and Ireland. Yet the value of this material
is not generally recognized and it is probably not
utilized to the extent it deserves. Naturally its use,
on account of its bulky nature, is restricted to lands
near the sea-coast ; but in such places sea-weed might
well be used as a means of enriching the soil.
It may be regarded as a ‘general’ manure,
supplying all the constituents of plant food, and is
therefore classed with such materials as farmyard
manure, although it contains a much higher percentage
of potash. It is especially useful on light, sandy soils
on account of the large amount of humus which it
supplies to the soil, a soil constituent which, on account
of the rapidity of decay under tropical conditions, is
too often deficient in West Indian soils. Watts in his
Introductory Manual for Sugar Growers writes:
‘This forms a valuable manure when ploughed in; by
this means nitrogen and potash are supplied together
with vegetable matter. About 20 to 30 tons per acre
form an excellent dressing’.
On the sea-side sugar estates in Jamaica and also
in Barbados, sea-weed is freely used as a litter for
stalled animals or for pen manuring, and many
cultivators have employed it with considerable success
for yams and other starchy ground provisions, just as it
has been used to increase the yield of potatos in other
countries. In the United States Department of
Agriculture, Farmers’ Bulletin No. 105, an account is
given of experiments in the use of sea-weed conducted
by James Hendrick at Aberdeen University, Scotland,
and by the Rhode Island Station staff in the United
States, and gives the following summary of results :—
While sea-weed has been used for a variety of purposes
it is chiefly valuable as a manure. For this purpose it might
be classed with green manures and barnyard manure, though
differing from the latter in its higher content of potash
(largely soluble) and lower content of phosphoric acid. On
account of its higher content of potash, sea-weed is best
adapted to soils deficient in this element and to crops which
are ‘potash feeders’ such as potatos, clover, etc. To secure
a well-balanced fertilizer adapted to general purposes, the
sea-weed shouldbe combined with a phosphate of some kind.
Sea-weed rapidly decomposes in the soil readily yielding up
its fertilizing constituents to crops. It is therefore most
economical to apply it to the soil as a top dressing or to
plough it in in the fresh condition without previous fermenta-
tion.
An advantage of sea-weed over barnyard manure is its
freedom from weed seeds, insects, and germs or spores of
plant diseases.
6 THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.
January 2, 1904.
POULTRY.
The following notes are taken from the Furm
Journal of Philadelphia :—
Let poultry of all kinds fast at least twelve hours
before killing.
First make a few hens pay you a profit, then start
a large flock, Many a man has made a failure by starting
on too large a scale.
No figures, however large, should tempt the breeder to
sell his best birds. The best is none too good for the
breeder who wants to keep his stock up to high standards,
The business hen is the well-bred hen selected for the
purpose.
Many failures in poultry keeping have their origin in
over crowding.
We have no respect for age when it comes to old hens
that have outlived their usefulness. Better sell them at the
market price.
A handful of sunflower seed, now and then, adds lustre
to the plumage.
The Agricultural Experiment Stations tell us that corn
is one of the very best foods for poultry ; but they do not
tell us to feed it exclusively. Corn exclusively is too heavy
and too rich ; something to make bulk must be added. We
know of nothing better than bran.
SCIENCE NOTES.
The Formation of Carbohydrates in
Green Plants.
It is a well-known fact that green plants, or parts
of plants, in sunlight, are able to build up some form
of carbohydrate from the carbon dioxide absorbed from
the air and the water taken up from the soil. The
process is accompanied by an evolution of oxygen
about equal in volume to that of the carbon dioxide
absorbed. The process is known as carbon assimi-
lation or photosynthesis.
Very little is known of the intermediate stages in
this process. Baeyer suggested that the carbon
dioxide is decomposed into carbon monoxide and water,
as represented in the equation :—
500, = 2COMe 0,
The water is also decomposed, according to this
theory, into hydrogen and oxygen. The hydrogen and
carbon monoxide are then combined into a_ body
known as ‘formaldehyde’ according to the equation :—
CO) -H, —8CH, 0
and this formaldehyde is later converted into sugar.
One great difficulty in accepting this theory has
been that there is no evidence that carbon monoxide
is formed and that no proof has been offered that this
gas can be made use of by plants, as it should be if
Baeyer’s theory is correct.
Some experiments have recently been conducted
on this latter point by Messrs. Bottomley and Jackson,
and an account of them is given in the Proceedings of
the Royal Society (Vol. LX XII, p- 130). The follow-
ing abstract of the paper by Prof. Reynolds Green is
taken from the Botanisches Centralblatt :—
The authors publish a preliminary account of researches
made on the power of green plants to utilize carbon
monoxide with a view to the bearing of the work on Baeyer’s
theory of photosynthesis. Their results are ;—
(1) Plants of Zvopaeolum will thrive in an atmosphere
containing carbon monoxide without a trace of carbon
dioxide, provided that the quantity present exceeds the
normal quantity of carbon dioxide in the proportion of the
relative solubilities of the two gases in water. Greater
quantities might be present, even up to 70 per cent., so
long as oxygen was present in normal amount.
(2) In bright sunshine a negative pressure is always
observable in the bell jars containing plants growing in the
monoxide, the volume of oxygen exhaled being only half
that given off when the dioxide is supplied.
(3) Starch is formed in plants supplied with the
monoxide and exposed to sunlight. It was found in the
leaves and in the green stems, especially crowded around the
vascular bundles.
(4) Seeds can be germinated and seedlings grown in an
atmosphere containing as much as 65 per cent. of carbon
monoxide, organic compounds of carbon being formed during
the process.
The Custard Apple.
We gave on page 390 of the last volume of the
Agricultural News a note on the sour sop (Arnona muricata)
together with an illustration showing the fruits and leaves
of the tree.
Custarp APPLE.
[Kew Guide. ]
Fig. 1.
Fig. 1 shows the fruit and leaves of a closely allied
tree—the custard apple (Anona reticulata).
The tree bearing this well-known fruit is common in
most of the West Indian Islands. The fruit is not as
popular as that of the sour sop.
It is more or less oval in shape and possesses a much
smoother skin than the sour sop. In Grenada this fruit is
called the ‘ Bullock’s heart,’ which is evidently a reference to
its peculiar appearance.
The leaves and young twigs are used for tanning, while
a black dye is said to be obtained from the unripe fruit.
Vou. III. No. 45.
NOTES ON SOME ESSENTIAL OILS
AND DRUGS.
Considerable interest has been aroused from time
to time in the West Indies upon the subject of the
possibilities of a trade in essential oils. At the West
Indian Agricultural Conference, 1902, a valuable paper
was read by Mr. J. H. Hart, F.L.S., Superintendent
of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Trinidad, on the
‘Preparation of Essential Oils in the West Indies.’
This paper will be found in the West Indian Bulletin,
Vol. II, pp. 171-8, together with some interesting
remarks on the same subject by Dr. H. A. A. Nicholls,
ot Dominica. We give below further notes on some of
these oils :—
OIL OF GUAIAC WOOD.
This oil is the product of lignum vitae (Guaia-
cum officinale) which is of common occurrence in
these islands. The wood is chiefly obtained from
Cuba and Hayti. An allusion is made to its export
from the latter island in the Agricultural News, Vol.
II, p. 360, where it is stated that the export has
increased greatly of late, 3,048 tons of wood and 27
tons of gum being exported during the year 1902.
The wood is exported in the form of logs.
The following reference is made to the oil of
guaiac wood in the semi-annual report of Messrs.
Schimmel & Co., of Miltitz, London and New York -—
The importation of raw material has ceased completely,
and as a consequence the prices have advanced by more than
double. We were in the fortunate position of being able to
provide our clients with abundant supplies, but at present
stocks are entirely exhausted and no supplies of wood in
sight. ‘ ;
From a voluminous essay which was awarded a prize by
the Medical Faculty of Rostock University, and which is
entitled: ‘Contributions to the knowledge of guaiac prepara-
tions,’ we abstract the following details of the physiological
action of oil of guaiac wood and of guaiol :—
Both preparations have the same action on the animal
organism. Oil of guaiac wood passes without injurious effect
through the organism of mammals. The central paralysis
observed on frogs is produced by many essential oils in
doses of a centigram. Guaiol is also free from toxic effect
on warm-blooded animals, and it has no share (or only a very
unimportant one) in the paralysing effect of the oil. It passes
almost completely unchanged through the organisms, and
only traces of glycuronic acid can be detected in the urine.
LEMON
This oil is the product of the lemon grass (And ro-
poyon Schoenanthus). The oil has been exported
from time to time from these islands in small quanti-
ties, but it is hardly correct, as stated in the following
note, also taken from Messrs. Schimmel’s report, that
the cultivation of these grasses is extending to any
great extent :—
GRASS OIL.
The value of this article unfortunately appears to
remain at its present exceedingly high level ; it should prove
highly remunerative to the manufacturers on the Malabar
coast, if it is taken into consideration that the former normal
price was less by half than what it is now. Stocks of any
importance exist nowhere. There can therefore be no
doubt that the high prices will remain in force. We
THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS. a
have repeatedly mentioned in our reports that the cultiva-
tion of andropogon grasses in the West Indian Islands
appears to be extending more and more, as during the last
few years we have frequently received from those countries
samples of oils which were derived from this species of grass,
and which were partly citronella oils, and partly oils of
lemon grass.
OIL OF PIMENTA.,
We give the following extract from the above-
mentioned report referring to oil of punenta, but it
should be noted that it is not stated whether this oil
is prepared from the leaves of the pimenta tree
(Pimenta officinalis) :—
Colourless or pale-yellow, subsequently brown ; soluble
in spiritus fortior in every proportion ; when shaken with
the same volume of caustic soda lye, an almost solid mass
should be formed ; the solution in an equal volume of spiritus
fortior should only have a very feeble acid reaction ; test for
carbolic acid.
VANILLIN.
Vanillin is the scent-yielding or aromatic consti-
tuent of vanilla fruits, in which it usually occurs in the
proportion of about 2 per cent. It is found on the
surtace of vanilla pods in the form of minute glistening
crystals. It is prepared artificially from coniferin,
a substance occurring in the sapwood of some of the
Coniferae. The following scientific note on this
substance is also taken from Messrs. Schimmel’s
report :—
The decline in the value has not only come to a stand-
still, prices show even an advance. They may have to be
raised still further, should those of clove oil, which forms the
material for vanillin, continue to rise.
It will be known that vanilla fruit, in the state in which
it is gathered, does not in the least possess the characteristic
odour of vanilla. It only acquires this odour by suitable
treatment. H. Lecomte has now studied the conditions
which bring about the formation of vanillin, which imparts
the wonderful perfume to the fruit. According to the
researches of the above-named scientist, there exist in the
vanilla plant two ferments, which differ in a marked degree
from each other in their functions. The one, an oxydase, is
present in the individual organs of the plant, such as the
leaves, shoots, and their aqueous extracts, in the green and
ripe fruit which has not yet been worked up, and in the
prepared commercial fruit. Lecomte detected it in these
organs of plants of different origin, by means of G. Bertrand’s
reaction. At the same time, the presence of manganese salts
was observed in all products, which renders it rot impossible
that they stand in some relation to the above-named ferment.
The second ferment is contained in the sap of the vanilla,
and produces, as a hydratizing ferment (in the manner of
diastase bringing about the conversion of starch into grape
sugar), the formation of a substance which shows the same
reactions as those which have always been met with in the
vanilla plant. With regard to the mechanical treatment of
vanilla, it would appear in the first instance as if it
counteracted the function of the ferment. It consists, as is
well known, of the immersion of the fruit during twenty
seconds in water of 85° C., a manipulation which might bring
about the destruction of the ferment. But the author has
convinced himself that a temperature of about 50°, such as
the interior of the fruit probably only reaches during the
short duration of the process, really promotes the function
of the oxydase.
on
THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.
January 2, 1904,
EDITORIAL NOTICES.
Letters and matter for publication, as well
as all specimens for naming, should be addressed
to the Commissioner, Imperial Department of
Agriculture, Barbados.
Communications are invited, written on one
side of the paper only. It should be understood
that no contributions or specimens can, in any
case, be returned.
All applications for copies of the ‘Agricul-
tural News’ should be addressed to the Agents,
and not to the Department. A complete list of
the London and Local agents will be found at
foot of page 15 of this issue.
The ‘Agricultural News’: Price ld. per
number, post free 144d. Annual subscription
payable to Agents 2s. 2d., post free 3s. 3d.
Agricultural Slews
Vou. III.
1904. No. 45.
NOTES AND COMMENTS.
SATURDAY, JANUARY 2,
Barbados Cotton in the English Market.
Information has been received by the Imperial
Commissioner of Agriculture from the British Cotton
Growing Association with regard to the sale of cotton
recently shipped from Barbados. Of the 18 bales
shipped, 11 were sold at 123d. per tb. and 7 at
133d. The cotton is reported as being ‘good staple,
clean, fairly well prepared, but rather deficient in
strength.’
EE
Utilization of Sea-moss.
Samples of sea-moss were recently received from
Dr. Numa Rat, of Anguilla, at the office of the
Imperial Department of Agriculture. Dr. Rat mentioned
that this moss is exported from Anguilla in some
quantity to British Guiana, where it is retailed at 8d.
per Ib., and suggested that an export trade might be
developed.
Messrs. Knight & Co., druggists, of Barbados, to
whom a sample of this moss was sent, do not consider
that the prospects of such a trade are at all promising,
since a similar moss is collected locally and sold at
from 6 cents to 12 cents per Ib. A sample has also
been forwarded to Professor Dunstan, of the Imperial
Institute, with a request that he will endeavour to
obtain information as regards the value of this
product.
Another use for this sea-moss, suggested by
Dr. Rat, is in the preparation of a paste (‘stickphast’).
As such the product has been found entirely satisfac-
tory, and it is possible that a sale might be obtained
for it, if it can be manufactured at a sufficiently low
price.
Ginning Cotton at Barbados.
We understand that at a meeting of the Cotton
Committee of the Barbados Agricultural Society, held
on Friday November 27, 1903, it was decided to
fix the price for ginning and baling cotton at the
Central Cotton Factory at 3 cents per tb. of lint.
It is generally accepted that during the coming
crop seed-cotton in all parts of the West Indies will be
ginned at the rate of 3 cents per tb. It is essential,
however, that the cotton be sent to the factory
carefully assorted and whipped beforehand.
SnD
Cotton Cultivation in Trinidad.
fhe following is a brief summary of a paper,
published in the Proceedings of the Agricultural
Society, Trinidad, showing the state of cotton cultiva-
tion in that island at the end of September 1903, as
reported in replies to a circular sent to all who had
received seed from the Botanic Gardens. Thirty-one
circulars were sent out, and fifteen replies received :—
There are about 52} acres under cotton, some
340 tb. of seed having been sown. Of the seed sown
only about 46 per cent. germinated. From the replies
as to the state of the cotton, we gather that on about
half the estates the cotton was ‘ growing well, while in
the other cases it was reported as ‘ fair,’
EEE
Jamaica Exports.
The Annual Report of the Collector General for the
year ended March 31, 1903, is published as a supple-
ment to the Jamaica Guzette of November 19, 1903.
The exports show a net increase of £353,198, or
18:2 per cent. over those of the previous year. The
increases occur chiefly in the following :—cocoa-nuts,
bananas, grape fruit, ginger, pimento and rum. A
decrease in quantity and value is, however, recorded in
respect of cacao, horses and mules, and lime juice.
The following remarks by the Collector General
with respect to certain articles of export are of
interest :—
‘The increase in the output and the price obtained
for ginger are encouraging. Jamaica ginger has a
reputation for its excellent quality, but on account of
the primitive method of preparing it for market, and
the little attention paid to sorting and grading, Cochin
ginger (which is of less intrinsic value than Jamaican,
but is much better graded and sorted) obtains
a higher price in the English market. It is hoped
that the increase in our exportation recorded this year
is an indication that exporters are paying attention to
the need of careful preparation for market, by which
the confidence of buyers may be established by success-
ful competition carried on in the foreign markets. The
honey industry is a flourishing one and the appreciable
increase in this year’s output is one of the welcome signs
of the awakening of the small settler to the knowledge
that there is within his easy reach means of adding to
his income, and the remunerative price obtained should
be encouragement to continued effort on his part.’
Vou. III. No. 45.
THE AGRICULTURAL
NEWS. 9
Variation in the Composition of Cows’ Milk.
A report on experiments, conducted in the
laboratory of the Agricultural Department of the
University of Cambridge with the object of observing
the effects of variations in the times of milking on the
composition of cows’ milk, is published by the Board of
Agriculture, England, in the Annual Report on the
distribution of Grants for Agricultural Education
and Research.
Three cross-shorthorn cows were chosen; one was
a good milker, the second a very fair milker, while the
third was a poor milker. For the first fourteen days
they were milked at regular intervals of twelve hours;
during the second fourteen days the periods between
the times of milking were unequal, viz., sixteen hours
and eight hours alternately.
It was found that the secretion of fat was
considerably influenced by the alteration in the times
between the milkings, while the solids not fat were
only slightly affected. A larger quantity of milk was
obtained after the longer period of secretion but the
milk was poorer in fat. The fat appeared to vary
inversely as the quantity of the milk.
The experiments also appear to show that the
cow giving the best milk was the one which showed
the greatest variation.
ae
Minor Industries of the West Indies.
The West India Committce Circular, of Decem-
ber 2, has an interesting article on the subject of our
minor industries. The writer after pointing out that
there has been in the past an almost entire dependence
upon the cultivation of sugar in these islands and that,
with the exception of the cacao industry of Trinidad
and Grenada, the lime juice industry of Montserrat
and the banana trade of Jamaica, there has been an
entire absence of minor industries, refers to the
establishment of the Imperial Department of Agri-
culture as the ‘first step towards the propagation of
“minor industrialism,”’ and to the labours of Sir
Daniel Morris in so sedulously fostering the knowledge
of cultivation as ‘forming a splendid sequel to this
act,’
Reference is made to the planting of cotton and to
the possibility of the West Indies soon becoming
recognized as a cotton-producing centre, and also to
the desirability of greater attention being paid to the
cultivation of cocoa-nuts. After touching briefly upon
several other industries, the writer states: ‘And yet one
hesitates to condemn those who have so far neglected
the sources of income which have lain so close to their
hand, for the individual is powerless to improve his lot
unless directed in the way he ought to go. Hence one
welcomes the work of the Agricultural Department,
one welcomes the agricultural education which should
never have been sacrificed to a more classical curricu-
lum, one welcomes the local agricultural shows ; so, too,
one hopes to see the establishment of co-operative
societies for local sale, of agricultural banks for
deserving workers and of ready transport facilities to
markets near and far.’
Coffee Culture in Queensland.
The Queensland Agricultural Journal for
November contains the Annual Report of the Secretary
for Agriculture and also that of the Instructor in
Coffee Culture. From these reports we learn that the
production of coffee in Queensland is only about
45 per cent. of the consumption. From 1895 to 1901
the area planted in coffee steadily increased, and while
there was a decrease in 1902—attributed to the
extraordinary season—it is to be hoped that this
cultivation will be extended considerably. The pro-
duction in 1901 amounted to 130,293 tb.
During the year ended June 30, 1903, fair to good
crops have been obtained on most of the estates,
especially on those which have received cultural
attention. The Instructor is able to report considerable
improvement in the methods adopted both in the field
andin the curing house. From the following quotation
it will be seen that the prospects for coftee-growers in
Queensland are distinctly favourable: ‘With an industry
capable of extension to twenty times its present size
before any grave consideration need be given to
exportation, no fear need be entertained regarding the
advisability of the cultivation of coffee in the Common-
wealth on account of the apparent surplus in the
world’s supply of low-grade cottees as would seem to be
entertained in some quarters.’
EEE
Forest Resources of Trinidad.
We have received a copy of a paper read at the
Victoria Institute, Trinidad, on March 7, 1903, by
Mr. C. S. Rogers, Forest Officer, on ‘The Forest
Resources of the Colony.’ In 1898 a committee was
appointed to report on the subject of forest conservancy ;
as results of the report of this committee may be
mentioned the visit of Mr. F. Lodge, of the Indian
Forest Service, in 1900, the appointment of Mr. Rogers
as Forestry Officer, and the adoption of a forest policy
by the Government. This policy is summarized by
Mr. Rogers as including ‘the reservation of certain
areas of land from sale and their management as forests
for the protection of the climate, the regulation of the
water supply in the rivers, the prevention of landslips
and floods, and the production of timber and other
forest produce.’
The total exports of timber from Trinidad were
valued at £8,779 in 1901, as against £12,802 in 1900.
This decline is principally due to the fact that the
easily accessible forests have been exhausted.
Mr. Rogers emphasizes the necessity for system-
atic examination of all forests with a view to estimating
the available supply. The chief difticulty lies in the
fact that so few of the forests have been created by
planting. Planters are urged to create new forests by
planting and to improve the natural forests by adding
valuable timber trees. The worthless trees should be
cut out and in their places hard woods should be
substituted. In the case of cedar forests planting has not
been found necessary. The poorer trees have been cut
out and removed, and a fine crop of young cedar
has sprung up.
10 THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.
JANUARY 2, 1904.
INSECT NOTES
Thrips on Cacao and Onions.
In a recent report the Acting Agricultural
Instructor at Grenada draws attention to the increasing
severity of the attacks of the cacao thrips, It is
stated that on many estates and cultivations the
ravages of this insect have been so serious as consider-
ably to decrease the yield. Vigorous action on the
part of planters in Grenada is most necessary. An
obstacle in the way of getting rid of this pest appears
to be the fact that it also attacks a variety of other
trees, wild and cultivated. Suggestions as to the
treatment of the cacao thrips will be found in the
Agricultural News, Vol. I, p. 88; while _ fuller
information is given in the West Jndian Bulletin, Vol.
II, pp. 176 and 288.
Thrips appeared last year and did some damage to
the onion crops in Barbados. The pest has again
appeared this season but has fortunately done little or no
damage as yet. No successful remedy for thrips has
yet been found, but trials are being made of various
washes which, it is hoped, will prove effective in
combating the pest.
Some Peculiar Insect Structures.
It is a general rule among all animals, except the very
lowest, that individuals are bi-laterally symmetrical. This
means that if a line were drawn down the back from front
to rear or from head to tail, the right side would be like the
left, and the organs and appendages of one side just like
those of the other. This is especially true of insects, and in
this group of animal life the exceptions to this rule are very
rare.
Thrips, however, presents a very striking exception, or
a good example of asymmetry as it is called This is
noticed in the mouth parts.
The jaws of insects are at the sides of the mouth and
work laterally, meeting in front. There are two pairs, the
larger of which are mandibles and the smaller maxillae, the
upper lip (labrum) and the lower lip (labium) form the
upper and lower walls of the mouth. There are many
modifications of these parts in different orders of insects, but
these modifications rarely affect the symmetry.
In the flies these are so manifest as to form a regular
proboscis for sucking. In many bees and wasps the
mandibles are but slightly modified, while the other parts
form a proboscis which is used for sucking, but this is
accomplished by a long tongue which reaches to the top of
the proboscis, and the process is more a lapping action than
real suction, as in the flies. The butterflies and moths and
the bugs, such as plant lice, scale insects, lice, bed bugs,
etc., have real sucking mouth parts, but the larvae of
butterflies and moths all haye strong mandibles for biting.
Beetles (hardbacks), grasshoppers, cockroaches and pond
flies have typical biting mouth parts in larval and adult
stages.
In the case of the thrips, however, we have a rather
large group of insects of world-wide distribution among
which asymmetry of the mouth parts seems to be the rule.
On the left side of the mouth is a large mandible, while on
the right there is none or only the merest trace of a
rudimentary jaw, and the upper lip is modified accordingly.
The right half is well developed, while the left is very much
atrophied.
Although the right mandible is comparatively large,
the insect feeds by sucking and the mandible merely serves
for piercing the tissue and not for chewing.
A very good description of the asymmetry of the thrips
with drawings is given by Dr. W. E. Hinds in his monograph
on the Vhysanoptera of North America, published by the
United States National Museum, Washington, D.C.
Insects are normally unisexual, but cases occasionally
occur where both sexes are united in one individual. This
is known as hermaphroditism and is the cause of another
form of asymmetry. It is especially noticeable in those
insects in which there isa marked difference in the form,
size or colour of the male and female. Professor John B.
Smith, in his Leonomie Entomology, says that no true herma-
phrodites occur among insects, but since the writing of that
book several instances have been recorded and the specimens
preserved in different collections where they may be seen.
Instances are on record of hermaphroditism in moths,
the females of which are large, light-coloured, with slender
antennae, the males much smaller, darker-coloured with
feathery antennae. The hermaphrodite found has one side
distinctly male and the other distinctly female ; one side of
the body is dark with the small dark wing and the feathery
antennae of the male, while the other is light with the large
light-coloured wings and slender antennae of the female.
The former of these two cases of asymmetry is very general
with the entire order Thysanoptera to which thrips belongs,
and which is considered to be one of the most primitive of all
the orders of insects and one of the oldest orders geologically.
The latter, however, is only occasionally found and is not con-
fined to any order or group of insects, and must be regarded
as a reversion to type, pointing to a remote ancestry in which
both sexes were united in one individual, as in the case in
the present-day forms of snails, slugs, and earthworms, and
away from which insects, in common with many other forms
of animal life, have developed by processes of evolution.
ONION SEED AS AFFECTED BY AGE.
The following account of experiments in connexion
with the germination of onion seed is taken from
American Gardening of October 17 :—
Since November J], 1896, the Connecticut Station has
examined samples of onion seed, both grown in that State
and in California. While the number of samples examined
of California-grown seed is not large enough to make a close
comparison, it is quite evident that a larger percentage of
the California seed germinates than of the Connecticut seed.
It is also shown that onion seed more than one year old,
as a rule, has much less sprouting capacity than new seed.
Whether the plants produced from old seed are as vigorous
and productive as those from fresh seed is quite another
question, on which laboratory germination tests can give no
light. The average sprouting capacity of four average
varieties, of which a considerable number of samples has
been tested, shows that the three Globe varieties and the
Wethersfield Red are essentially alike in sprouting capacity,
but the White Portugal appears to be distinctly inferior.
Vou. III. No. 45. THE
AGRICULTURAL NEWS. 1]
EDUCATIONAL.
Agricultural Scholarships.
As notified in the Agricultural News (Vol. II,
p. 333) the Imperial Department of Agriculture recently
offered for competition two scholarships tenable at
Harrison College, Barbados, of the annual value of £75,
one for the Leeward Islands and one for the Windward
Islands. ‘The examinations for these were held at
Antigua, Grenada and St. Lucia on December 1, and
following days.
The Scholarship for the Leeward Islands has been
won by A. H. Boon, of Antigua, and that for the
Windward Islands by G. O. M. O'Reilly, of St. Lucia,
The following list of marks shows the position of the
various candidates at the examinations :—
Grenada—
C. Comwall : sats bs a 126
E N. Smith a he Ps Ae 256
St. Lucia—
ie Bay Belmarifick-- ae eae sis 456
- G. O. M. O'Reilly 505*
Antigua—
A. H. Boon 406*
G. A. Goodwin 154
F. H. Malone 376
A local Agricultural Scholarship, tenable at
Harrison College, Barbados, was recently offered for
competition. As a result of the examination R. C.
Hunt has been awarded a scholarship of the value of
£16, and the scholarship held by C. A. Hinds has been
increased from £16 to £21 per annuin.
DEPARTMENT NEWS.
A conference of cotton growers was held at the
Court House, Kingstown, St. Vincent, on Thursday,
December 17, 1903, at which the Imperial Com-
missioner of Agriculture gave an address on the cotton
industry.
Sir Daniel Morris spoke on the cultivation and
picking of cotton and its preparation before it is sent
to be ginned. He also explained the proposed working
of the Central Cotton Factory now in course of erection
at Kingstown. é
Sir Daniel Morris returned to Barbados by
R.M.S. ‘Eden’ on Saturday, December 19.
The Imperial Commissioner of Agriculture left
Barbados in 8.8. ‘Orinoco’ on the 29th. ultimo on an
official tour in the Northern Islands and to confer with
Sir Gerald Strickland in reference to the cotton
industry and other matters of immediate interest in
the Leeward Islands. It is probable that Sir Daniel
Morris will return on or about the 10th. instant. :
Mr. Henry A. Ballou, B.Sc., Entomologist on the
staff of the Imperial Department of Agriculture,
proceeded to Montserrat on the 29th. ultimo to under-
take a further investigation of the disease affecting
cotton in that island.
OTES ee
THE SOIL: An introduction to the scientific study of
the growth of crops. By A. D. Hall, M.A., London: John
Murray, Albemarle Street, 1903. Price 3s. 6d.
This volume by Professor Hall, Director of the Rotham-
sted Experimental Station, formerly Principal of the South-
eastern Agricultural College, Wye, is primarily intended, as
stated in the preface, ‘for students of our agricultural
colleges and schools, and for the farmer who wishes to know
something about the materials he is handling day by day.’
We unhesitatingly recommend this book to all who
desire to make themselves acquainted with recent investiga-
tions connected with the scientifie study of soils. The
subject is dealt with by Professor Hall in such a way as to
be perfectly intelligible to readers who may not have made
a special study of agricultural chemistry.
The chemical, “physical and biological problems in the
study of soils are here placed before the reader, who is
thereby enabled to appreciate the amount of information
that has resulted from investigations carried out along these
lines. Throughout the whole of this book the close connexion
between science and practice is brought prominently forward.
The influence of the various tillage operations upon the
fertility of the soil, the relation of ‘living organisms to soil
fertility, the causes of sterility, and the possibilities of soil
improvement are among the subjects upon which the reader
will find this book shedding light.
We would draw special attention to the seventh chapter,
dealing with the living organisms of the soil. An interest-
ing account is given of ‘the progress of our knowledge during
recent years in this section of agricultural science. It is
shown how the soil, formerly regarded as a mass of inert
matter, is now regarded as being full of life, as containing
thousands of minute organisms, which are now known to be
responsible for many of the changes which were until
recently thought to be of a purely chemical nature. Conse-
quently soil fertility is no longer considered to depend solely
upon the amount of plant food contained in the soil ; other
questions, such as the healthy condition of the soil as regards
the life of soil bacteria and their ability to carry on their
important functions, have to be taken into consideration.
DIE KULTUR DES
SEINE SCHADLINGE
C. Boysen, 1904.
This is a recently issued text-book on the culture and
diseases of the cacao tree. It appears to be a complete and
concise guide for the cacao planter and to such as are able to
read German will be found very useful.
A detailed description of the plant is given as well as
information relating to its requirements, both cultural and
climatic. The author deals at considerable length with the
subject of shade and suitable plants for inter-cropping. A
section is also devoted to the gathering of the crop and its
preparation for market. In Part II an account is given of
the insect and fungoid pests of cacao, and here, as in Part J,
the text is very w ell illustrated.
KAKAOBAUMES UND
dy Ludwig Kindt. Hamburg :
12 THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.
“a
January 2, 1904.
GLEANINGS.
Information is desired by Mr. Herbert Barclay, of
Georgetown, British Guiana, as to the method of manufac-
turing cocoa-nut oil into lard. Possibly some of the readers
of the Agricultural News will be able to supply this
information,
According to a despatch from Havanna to the Pruit and
Produce News of New York, numerous experiments are
being conducted in cotton growing in Cuba. It is claimed
that the experiments are entirely successful and that a yield
of 2 bales of long, fine, Sea Island cotton per acre will be
obtained.
The Comptroller of Customs, British Guiana, states in
his annual report that the total value of exports of colonial
produce, other than sugar, rum and molasses, exceeds the
average of the previous five years by $127,806°89 and
amounted to 29 per cent. of the total value of the exports of
the colony.
It may not be generally known that ramie is used in
the manufacture of mantles for incandescent lamps. Indian
Planting and Gardening quotes the Journal of Gas Light-
ing to the effect that ‘the demand for ramie mantles has
grown enormously of late, and most large buyers are
specifying ramie mantles in their orders.’
The Mexican cotton boll weevil is steadily spreading in
the United States. It has, however, not yet reached the
eastern cotton-growing States. It is probable that Congress
will be recommended to appropriate a sum of $5,000,000, to
be expended by a commission under the direction of the
Secretary of Agriculture in combating this pest.
A sample box of sliced cassava tuber has been received
at the office of the Imperial Department of Agriculture from
St. Lucia. This sample was prepared at the Dennery Sugar
Factory where the slicing is done by a machine invented by
Mr. A. J. Pollonais. Dried cassava is shipped from several
of the West Indian Islands to be used in the manufacture of
glucose.
The new molasses food, molascuit, originating in Demer-
ara, is gaining ground rapidly. As we have previously stated
in these columns, its success lies in the fact that sufticient of
the cane cellulose is mixed with the molasses to permit its
transportation as dry material, and this cane cellulose is found
to be very largely digestible. Contracts for its delivery are
now making in England on the basis of 45 per cent. saccharine
matter, and the Argentine government is reported to be using
molascuit for its cavalry horses with successful results.
(Louisiana Planter.)
Mr. Antoine Polimeni, of 12, Mark Lane, London,
E.C., is desirous of opening correspondence with growers or
merchants, dealing with concentrated lime juice, raw lime
juice and oil of lime in the West Indies.
According to the Jamaica Gleaner of December 9, the
experiment in growing rice at the Prison Farm is an entire
success. There are upwards of 3 acres in rice laden with
grain. The yield is expected to be about 70 bushels to the
acre. Good results have also been obtained in the cotton
experiment plot, from which a large quantity of cotton has
already been gathered.
Colonel H. W. Feilden, C.B., of Burwash, Sussex, writes
to the Imperial Commissioner of Agriculture :
‘Robinson Crusoe was quite correct when he described
the Caribs landing on Tobago as cannibals, I worked at a
kitchen ‘‘midden” on the shore, several times, and found in
it human bones fractured and charred, along with those of
a seal, shells of course, and broken implements.’
The Board of Agriculture of British Guiana has issued
a notice that with a view to encourage the cultivation of
cotton in the colony his Excellency the Governor offers a
prize of $50 to the grower of the largest area in cotton,
cultivated and reaped before June 30, 1904. Only those
possessing or controlling less than 51 acres of land will be
eligible for this prize. A second prize of $10 will be given
to the next best competitor.
Mr. A. K. Agar, Honorary Secretary of the Dominica
Agricultural Society, has contributed the following note :-—
‘At a general meeting of the Dominica Agricultural Society,
held on December 16, the Hon’ble F. Watts gave a very
interesting address to a large number of members. He
described in full the testing of both raw and concentrated
lime juice, and advocated the planting of hedges of pois
doux (Inga laurina) through lime plantations, as is done in
Guadeloupe, as a means of protecting the soil.’
In reference to the note in the Agricultural News
(Vol. II, p 412) on the fruiting of the ‘Traveller’s Tree’
(Ravenala madagascariensis), Mr. J. B. Dopwell, Foreman
at the St. Vincent Botanic Station, writes that one of these
trees at the Station fruited in 1901, and a few plants were
raised from the seed. Although none of the eighteen trees at
the Station fruited in 1902, fruits were this year observed on
the same tree that fruited in 1901. A few plants have
again been raised from seed.
Reference has been made in the Agricultural News
(Vol. I, p. 283) to the export of monazite sand from Bahia
in Brazil. According to the Consular Report on the Trade
of Bahia for 1902 there is a considerable decline in the
value of this sand. The following extract is of interest :—
‘This article continues to be a monopoly in the hands of
the one firm which secured valuable concessions in the Prado
district of this State in 1899. Various attempts are made
from time to time to develop other new sand-bearing
districts, but hitherto the percentage of thorium discovered
has not proved sufficiently high to enable the sand to be put
on European markets at a profit, after the export and State
duties (in all about £8 per ton) have been paid.’
Vou. III. No. 45.
THE AGRICULTURAL
NEWS. 13
WEST INDIAN PRODUCTS.
Cocoa-nut Meal and Molascuit in Canada.
The following letter, addressed by the Commis-
sioner of Customs at Ottawa to Mr. J. Russell Murray,
Agent for this Department in the Dominion of Canada,
is of interest :—
Ottawa, November 28, 1903.
IT have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your
letter, of the 14th. instant, to the Hon’ble Minister of Customs
in regard to the free entry of cocoa-nut meal and molascuit
when produced in the British West Indies and imported into
Canada.
In reply I am to state that cocoa-nut meal is admitted
to free entry under item No. 559 of the tariff as palm nut
meal,
You state that molascuit is the fibre of the sugar-cane
after it has passed through the crushing mills, then
mixed with a low grade molasses and prepared for stock
feeding.
Under the Customs Tariff of 1897, the duty on this
article (molascuit), composed as above stated, would be 20 per
cent. ad valorem, subject to a rebate of one-third of the above
duty under the preferential tariff, when produced, in and
imported direct from, the British West Indies.
An Act of Parliament would be necessary to change the
duty in this case, and I am unable to state what action
Parliament may be inclined to take in the matter.
I may point out, however, that under the tariff as
it stands now, the British West Indies have a tariff preference
of 62 per cent. in their favour, as against foreign competitors,
in respect of molascuit imported into Canada.
If the article were placed on the free list, this tariff
advantage in favour of the British West Indian product
would disappear.
I have, ete.,
(Sgd.) JOHN McDOUGAL,
Commissioner of Customs.
West Indian Products in Canada.
The following extracts from a report by Mr. J.
Russell Murray, Agent of the Imperial Department of
Agriculture at Montreal, on West Indian business in
Canada, dated December 7, 1903, will be of interest to
growers in the West Indies :—
Cocoa-nuts: All grades of West Indian nuts are of ready
sale if up to the standard of 32 inches in diameter and
weighing not less than 140 Ib. per bag of 100 nuts. We
can place a contract of 200 to 400 bags per month.
Jamaicas, $28 to $30 per 1,000, duty paid in Montreal.
Cacao: Offerings of new crop will now find market.
Demand steady and prices in sympathy with New York.
Trinidad, 14¢c. to 15. per tb. ; Grenada, 13c. to 134c.
Coffee: Market continues to advance and fair business
is being transacted for all grades.
West Indian, 12c. per tb. ; Jamaica, 8c, for ordinary
cand 10c. for fair to good.
Sugar: The markets are flat owing to a general
holding back of business in the United States until the
Cuban reciprocity treaty is passed. No large lots have
arrived in Montreal during the last two weeks.
Molasses: Market continues firm owing to short supplies
of New Orleans, and prices have advanced lc. to lie. per
gallon. Barbados may be quoted to-day at 42c. to 47e.
(inland cities).
Molascuit : During the coming crop every effort should
be made to develop this product. There will be a large
market for it in Canada, and I should be glad to arrange
contracts for producers. Samples of this product from
Demerara have created a most favourable impression among
the stock-farming interests.
AGRICULTURAL SHOWS.
Barbados.
The Annual Agricultural and Industrial Exhibition of
the Barbados Agricultural Society was held at Harrison
College on December 21. Owing to the very inclement
weather which prevailed on the three or four days preceding
the Show, the exhibits were not as numerous as in previous
years, but were on the whole of comparatively high quality.
The Imperial Department of Agriculture offered three
special prizes of $5:00 each, namely :—
For the best collection of fruit.
For the best collection of meals.
For the best collection of vegetables.
Ten ‘Diplomas of Merit’ of the Department were offered,
of which six were awarded as follows :—
WENTS. ashe se0 Castle Grant plantation.
Pepers (fresh) ... Mr. Francis Lythcott.
Grape fruit Castle Grant plantation.
Muscatel Grapes Mr. Jas. T. Bourne.
Cured and Pickled
Hams and Bacon ...
Salted and Pickled
Fish ... Mr. G. W. Hunt.
The stud Anglo-Nubian billy ‘Black Rock’ and the
Toffenburg billy ‘ Bruce,’ imported by the Department with
the object of improving the local breed of goats, were on
show and attracted much attention.
As usual the good quality of the ground provisions and
vegetables was one of the striking features of the Exhibition.
Another point of interest in connexion with this show was
the exhibit of specimens of local minor industrial products—
cured hams and bacon, biscuits, oleomargarine and preserved
fish ready for export. It is to be hoped that these minor
industries may so develop as not only to decrease the number
and value of the imports in their respective lines, but to
build up an export trade with the neighbouring colonies.
The Zenith Packing Company.
Forthcoming Shows.
Arrangements are being made for the holding of
the following Shows under the auspices of the Imperial
Department of Agriculture :-—
Antigua: February 1904.
Barbados: The Local Industrial Exhibition and Show
of Stock for Peasant Proprietors will be held at Lower
Estate, St. Michael, on January 12, 1904.
Dominica : Sixth Annual Show to be held in February
1904.
Montserrat: The Fourth Annual Show, under the
auspices of the Imperial Department of Agriculture, will be
held in the Market during the month of February 1904.
St. Vincent: It is proposed to hold an Agricultural
Show on March 10 next.
THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.
January 2, 1904.
MARKET REPORTS.
gegndons. - Decanber 8, 1903. Messrs. Krarron, Pirer
‘& Co., THE West InpiA CoMMITTEE Crrcun AR;
“THE Liv ERPOOL CoTron Association W EEKLY
CIRCULAR’, Deneve: 4; and ‘Tur Pusric LepcEr,’
December 5, 1903.
Ators—Barbados, 13/- to 35/-; Curacoa, 14/- to 30/- per
ewt.
Arrowroor—St. Vincent, 1fd. to 12d
1/8 per tb.
Batata—1/9 to 2/3 per Tb.
Bees’-wax—47 10s. to £7 15s. per ewt.
Cacao—Trinidad, 63/- to 70/- per ewt. ; Jamaica, 486 to
63/- per cwt.; Grenada, 53/- to 62/ per cwt. ;
other islands, 51, - to 53/-
Carpamoms—Mysore, 7. to 32 2 per Ib.
Corree—Jamaica, ordin: Ary, 34/ - to 55/- per ewt.
Corra—Trinidad, £15 15s. to £16 per ton, c.i-f.
Corron—West Indian, 63d. per tb.
Divi Divi—No quotations.
Frvuir—
Bananas—Jamaica, 7/- to 9/- per bunch.
Grape Fruit—12/- to 13/- per case.
Orances—Jamaica, 9/- to 12/- per case.
Prve-arpLes—No quotations.
Fustric—No quotations.
Giycer—Jamaica, 36/- to 55/- per ewt.
Honey—Jamaica, 19/- to 28,6 per cwt.
Istnciass—West Indian lump, 2/3 to 2/10; Cake, 1/5 to
1/7 per tb.
Kora Nurs—4d. to 7d. per th.
Line Jurce—Raw, 10d. to 1/2 per gallon ; Concentrated,
£12 15s. per cask of 108 gallons.
Logwoop—£4 2s. 6d. to £5; Roots, £4 to £4 10s.
per ton.
Mace—1/10 to 2/6 per th.
NITRATE OF Sopa—Agricultural, £10 Ee ton.
Nurmecs-—62’s, 2/4; To's, 1/105 85's, 1/7 per th.
Pimento—- 32d. to 4d. per tb.
Rum—Demerara, 9. per proof gallon ; Jamaica, 1/6 to 8/-
per proof gallon.
SARSAPARILLA—Jamaica, 10d. to 1/1 per th.
Sucar—Crystallized, 15,3 to 16/6 per cwt.; Molasses
Sugar—in demand, 11/6 to 15/-.
SupHate or Ammonta—£12 5s. per ton.
Tamarryps—Antigua, 8/- to 8/6 per cwt.
; Bermuda, 1/3 to
St. John, N.B.,—December J, 1903.—‘ Tue Marrrnte
MERCHANT.’
Mo.asses—Porto Rico, 41c. to 44c.; Barbados, 38c. to
39c. per gallon.
New York,—November 27, 1903.—Messrs. GItLEspie
Bros. & Co.
Bananas—No quotations.
Cacao—-African, 12c. to 124c.; Caracas, 14c. to dc. ;
Jamaica, 10}c. to 124c.; Grenada, 12}c. to 13c.;
Trinidad, 13}c. to 14}c. per tb.
Cocoa-nuts—Trinidads, $18- 00 to $20:00;
$22-00 to $24:00 per M. selected.
Correr—Jamaica, fair to good ordinary, 6c. to The.
per tb. ; Manchester grades, 8c. to 10$c. perth.
Grixcer—Jamaica, 7jc. to 8fe. per tb.
Goat Skrss—Jamaicas, 50c. to 53}c. per th.
Grave Frurr—-$3°50 to $6-00 per barrel.
Orances—$3°25 to $3°75 per barrel.
Pivento—7 jc. to 8c. per th., ex store.
Jamaicas,
British Guiana,—December 17, 1903.
Rvusser—No quotations.
Sucar—Centrifugals, 96°, 3}c.; Muscoyados, 89°, 3}c. ;.
Molasses, 89°, 3c. per th.
INTER-COLONIAL MARKETS.
Barbados,—December 19, 1903.—Messrs. T. 8S. Garra-
way & Co., and Messrs. James A. Lyncu & Co.
Arrowroot—St. Vincent, $3°75 per 100 th.
Cacao—$10°00 to $11-00 per 100 tb.
Cocoa-Nurts—$9'00 per M. (husked nuts).
CorreE—Jamaica and ordinary Rio, $8-00 and $9°50 per
100 tb. respectively.
Hay—$1°25 per 100 tb.
Mancres—Nitrate of soda, $65°00 ; Ohlendorff’s dissolved
guano, $60°00 ; Sulphate of ammonia, $76°00; Sulphate
of potash, $67°00; Sheep Manure, $6°25 per ton.
Mo.rasses—No quotations.
Onxtoxs—$3°25 per 100 th.
Poraros, EncrisH—$1°70 to $2°40 per 100 tb.
Rice—Ballam, $4°95 per bag (190 th.) ; Patna $3°75 per
100 tb. “Range $3°00 per 100 tb.
Sucar—No quotations.
essrs. WEITING
& LUcHTER.
Arrowroot—St. Vincent, 38°75 to $9-00 per barrel.
Barara—40e. to 42c. per th.
Cacao—Native, Ile. to 12c. per tbh.
Cassava Srarcu—5-00 to $5°50 per barrel.
Cocoa-Nuts—$8°00 to $10°00 per M.
CorreE—Rio and Jamaica, 11c. to 12¢. per th. (retail).
—Creole, 1lc. to 12c. per tb.
Duat—New, $3°35; Old, $3°10 per bag of 168 th.
Eppors—$1°20 per barrel.
Morasses—Vacuum Pan yellow, 15c. per gallon, casks
included.
Ontons—Madeira, 2hc. per tb. ex store ; 3 Garlic, 6c. to Te.
Pea Nurs—Curacoa, 3je. ; American, 5c. per = (retail).
PrLanTAtys—20c. to 40c. per bunch.
Poraros, Excrisn-—$2°50 to $4:00 per barrel.
Rice—Ballam, $4°60 per 177 tb., ex store; Creole 18c.
to 20c. per galten (retail).
Sweer Poraros—Barbados, $1°44 per barrel.
Tannr1as—$2°40 per bag.
Yams—White, $1°68 per bag.
Svucar—Dark Crystals, $1°82 to $1°85 ; Yellow, $2°20 to
$2°30 ; White, $3°50; Molasses, $1°60 to $1-90 per
100 th.
Timper—Greenheart, 32c. to 55¢. per cubic fout.
WALLABA SHINGLES—$3'00 to $5°00 per M.
Trinidad,—December 17, 1903.—Messrs. Gorpox, Grant
& Co., and Messrs. Epcar Trrep & Co,
Batata—Venezuelan, 38c. per th.
Cacao—Ordinary, $13° 25 to $13°50; Estates, $14°25
to $14°50 per fanega.
Cocoa-nuts—$16-00 per M. f.o.b., selected in bags of 100.
Cocoa-nut Meat—lje. per tb.
Cocoa-NuT Ort—5de. per Imperial Gallon (casks included).
Corres—Venezuelan, 63c. per th.
Corra—$2°40 to $2°50 per 100 tb.
Oxtons—$3°50 per 100 Th.
Poratos, ENGiisH—$1°25 to $1°30 per 100 tb.
Rice—Yellow, $4°25 to $450; White Table, $5°50 to
$5°75 per bag.
Sccar—No quotations.
Vou. Ill. No. 45. THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS. 15
Publications on sale of the Imperial Department of Agriculture
FOR THE WEST INDIES.
The ‘WEST INDIAN BULLETIN.’ A Quarterly Scientific Journal.
Volume 1. Reports of the Agricultural Conference of 1899 and 1900 and other papers ; complete, in the original
paper covers as issued, post free, 5s. The parts can no longer be sold separately.
Volume II. Full report of the Conference of 1901 and other papers. Price, in original paper covers as issued,
2s, Post free, 2s. 8d.
Volume III. Report of the Agricultural Conference of 1902 and other papers. Price, in original paper covers
as issued, 2s. Post free, 2s. 8d.
Volume IV. No.1. Papers on general subjects. No. 2 ditto. No. 3. Papers on Cotton. Price 6d. Post free, 8d.
PAMPHLET SERIES.
The Pamphlets are written in a simple and popular manner and the information contained in them is especially
adapted to West Indian conditions. They contain, amongst other subjects, summaries of the results of the experiment work
on sugar-cane and manures, the full official reports of which have only a limited circulation. The following list gives particulars
of all the pamphlets which are still available. The missing numbers are out of print and can no longer be supplied :—
(3) Seedling and other Canes, at Barbados, in 1900. Price 2d. Post free, 23d.
(5) General Treatment of Insect Pests, 2nd Edition Revised. Price 4d. Post free, 43d.
(6) Recipes for cooking Sweet Potatos. Price 2d. Post free, 23d.
(7) Scale Insects of the Lesser Antilles, Part I. Price 4d. Post free, 5d.
(9) Bee-keeping in the West Indies. Price 4d. Post free, 5d.
(12) Seedling and other Canes in the Leeward Islands, 1900-1901. Price 2d. Post free, 24d.
(13) Seedling and other Canes at Barbados, in 1901. Price 4d. Post free, 5d.
(14) Screw Worm in Cattle at St. Lucia. Price 2d. Post free, 23d.
(15) Plain Talk to Small Owners. Price 2d. Post free, 23d.
(16) Hints on Onion Cultivation. Price 2d. Post free, 24d.
(17) General Treatment of Fungoid Pests. Price 4d. Post free, 5d.
(18) Recipes for cooking West Indian Yams. Price 2d. Post free, 23d.
(19) Seedling and other Canes at Barbados, in 1902. Price 4d. Post free, 5d.
(20) Seedling and other Canes in the Leeward Islands, 1901-1902. Price 2d. Post free, 24d.
(21) Cotton and Onion Industries in the West Indies. Price 2d. Post free, 23d.
(22) Scale Insects of the Lesser Antilles, Part IT. Price 4d. Post free, 5d.
3) Notes on Poultry in the West Indies. Price 4d. Post free, 5d.
4) Dominica, Hints to Settlers. Price 2d. Post free, 2$d.
25) Ground Nuts in the West Indies. Price 2d. Post free, 23d.
26) Seedling and other Canes at Barbados, in 1903. Price 4d. Post free, 5d.
7) Seedling and other Canes in the Leeward Islands, 1902-1903. Price 2d. Post free, 2hd.
aa
Lo Lo bo bo te
‘NATURE TEACHING.’
A text-book based upon the general principles of Agriculture for the use of schools, prepared by the Honourable
Francis Watts and others. (Pages XII and 199). Price, limp cloth 2s., or in a superior style of binding 2s. 6d. Postage
in either binding, 33d. extra.
COTTON.
A special pamphlet (foolscap size), entitled ‘Information relating to Cotton Cultivation in the West Indies,’ has
recently been issued. It is on sale by all local Agents of the Department. Price 3d. Post free, 43d.
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 on in each colony and the progress made in
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 1s. 74d. per half-year, or 3s. 3d. per annum. Vol. I complete with title page and index as issued.—Price 4s. Post
free, 5s. Only a few copies available. All applications for copies are to be addressed to the Agents, not to the Department.
Agents.
The following have been appointed agents for the ae of the publications of the Department :—
London: Messrs. Dutau & Co., 37, Soho Square, W. City Agents: Tae West Inpta Commirtes, 15, Seething
Lane, London, E.C. Barbados: Messrs. Bowen & Sons, Bridgetown. Jamaica: Tae EpucationaL Suppiy
Company, 16, King St., Kingston. British Guianw: ‘Daily Chronicle’ Office, Georgetown, Z'rinidad: Messrs. Murr,
Marsnatn & Co., Port-of-Spain. Zobago: Mr. C. L. Puacemann, Scarborough. Grenada: Messrs. F. Marrast & Co.,
“The Stores,’ St. George. St. Vincent: Mr. W. C. D. Prouproor, Kingstown. St. Lueia: Miss A. E. Taynor, Castries.
Dominica: Messrs. C. F. Duverney & Co., Market St., Roseau. Montserrat: Mr. W. Lurwettyn Watt, Plymouth.
Antigua: Mr. 8. D. Manone, St. John’s. St. Avté’s: Messrs. S. L. Horsrorp & Co., Basseterre. Nevis: Mr. 8. D. MALone,
Charlestown.
16 THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS. January 2, 1904.
THE BEST MANURES FOR COLONIAL USE
SE AS peop
Ohlendorff’s Dissolved Peruvian Guano—For Sugar-cane and general use
Ohlendorff’s Special Sugar-cane Manure
Ohlendorff’s Special Cocoa Manure
Ohlendorff’s Special Cotton Manure
Sulphate of Ammonia, Nitrate of Soda, Superphosphates, high grades,
Potash Salts, Basic Slag and all other high-class Fertilizers.
APPLY TO LOCAL AGENTS OR DIRECT TO
THE ANGLO-CONTINENTAL (LATE OHLENDORFF’S) GUANO WORKS,
London Agency: 15, Leadenhall Street, London, E.C.
[46. ] Barbados Agents: Messrs. James A. Lynch & Co., Bridgetown.
OA CHO.” JOURNAL D'AGRICULTURE TROPICALE.
BY
A MONTHLY ILLUSTRATED REVIEW DEALING
WITH ALL MATTERS CONNECTED WITH
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NEW EDITION. TROPICAL AGRIGULTURE.
Each number contains fifteen original
A TREATISE ON THE CULTIVATION, CURING AND articles and a complete review of new publications.
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COMMERCIAL CACAG. colonies, as well as in Australia and North and
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Printed at Office of Agricultural Reporter, 4, High Street, Bridgetown, Barbados.
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A FORTNIGHTLY REVIEW
OF THE
Vor. Ill. No. 46. BARBADOS, JANUARY 16, 1904. Price 1d.
CONTENTS.
to molasses and syrup. ‘The greater part of the
Pace. PAGE . - : :
: , d “pamphlet is devoted to the report of the Imperial
Agave Americana, Fibreof 24 | Gleanings... ... ... ... 28 y Ae Geno : :
Agricultural Education .... 24 | Guinea Grass, Machine Commissioner and Mr. Bovell containing information
Agriculture in Lagos ... 25 for Cutting ... ... 2! obtained in New York and elsewhere as to the trade
Balata, Notes on -» 25 | Insect Notes :— in molasses. A brief summary of this report has
Bananas from Sierra The Cotton Worm ... 26 é : 2 = =
MA Greede pen ne = 28x 320 ‘ ~ already been given in the Agricultural News (Vol. I,
Barbiclad andvParto Rico Jamaica, Prison Farm at 20 ». 387)
Molasses ... ... .-. 17 | Lectures to Planters at Ba ‘
Barbados Local Exhibition 24 Barbados ... ... ... 23 - eo :
Eeetpccring <= Monch itegoree os B1 It has for some time been felt that something
West Indian Honey ... 22 | Notes and Comments ... 24 should be done to improve the quality of Barbados
Cacao, Shade Trees and Ontario Crop Report ... 24 ee = [aif all a aaa
ase Stee MATEY “oh | Oranges, Bide and molasses. Ina ae the Imperial Commissioner
Carbon Bisulphide as an _ Packing for Export 20 of Agriculture, dated September 7 last, the Barbados
__Insecticide —.... .... 29 | Our Book Shelf:— Committee of Commerce made the suggestion that it.
Cotton :— Diseases of the Horse 27 9975 ae i
Montserrat ... ... ... 2b Hints on Outfit for would be to the advantage of all concerned if Sir Daniel
ae ae viene Oe ie in Tropical Morris and Mr. Bovell were able, while on a visit to the
¢ Ce ee ee SS ene cen coe Mb a .
N Pamphlet No. 28, just issued by this however it was ascertained that the time was not
Department, planters and others are a suitable one for the purpose on account of the crop
placed in possession of information relating season being over, this plan was abandoned.
18 - THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.
January L6, 1904.
As has already been stated, it was found possible
to obtain in New York and elsewhere valuable
information which is summarized in a handy form in
the pamphlet referred to for the use of planters and
others interested in the matter.
A careful perusal of the report will indicate the
lines upon which an improvement in the quality of
Barbados molasses might be made. The exports of
molasses from Barbados during the past three years
have been as follows: 1901, 46,043 puncheons, valued
at £143,884 ; 1902, 42,760 puncheons, valued at £119,
728; and 1903, 30,177 puncheons, valued at £105,303,
Barbados molasses, it was ascertained, would
appear to correspond with the intermediate grade of
Porto Rico molasses, known as ‘Choice’, although the
latter is of a decidedly better colour, Porto Rico
‘Fancy, which is the highest grade, realized in New
York last year 7e. per gallon more than the Barbados
article. Nearly all of the ‘Fancy’ molasses is used in
the eastern part of the United States, none going to
Canada; on the other hand, Porto Rico ‘Choice’ and
Barbados molasses nearly all go to Canada.
In the matter of packages, it was ascertained that
the hogsheads and puncheons are in some cases smaller
and nearly always of a better quality than those used
in Barbados. There appears to be a tendency for
buyers of molasses to prefer barrels to hogsheads and
puncheons for the reason that the latter when empty
are practically It would be well if
shippers were to note these points as well as the
objection made to the method of fastening the Barba-
dos hogsheads.
unsaleable.
Here the ends of the wooden hoops on
the puncheons are placed together and wound with
rope-yarn; in Porto Rico the hoops are locked. The
Barbados fastening does not appear to be sufficiently
strong: the plan of locking the hoops might perhaps be
substituted.
It is evident that sulphuring the cane juice and
also the packages would be advantageous both in
giving a better colour to the molasses and in prevent-
ing the acidity, which was stated in New York to be
an undesirable feature of Barbados molasses. Sulphur-
ing the barrels has been found by Dr. Wiley, Chief of
the Bureau of Chemistry, United States Department
of Agriculture. to be very successful. Syrup so treated
kept for many months although the barrel was opened
several times for samples to be withdrawn.
It would also appear necessary that greater
attention should be paid to grading, as this would
assist in improving the prospects of good prices. A
suggestion is offered that a few trial shipments should
be made of syrup, similar to that sent from Ruby
estate last season. It must be noted that it is not
proposed that syrup should be shipped on a large scale
but only after it has been established that syrup
would pay better than sugar. There would of course
be a danger of serious competition arising, in which
the Barbados syrup would not have the particular
advantages enjoyed by the molasses produced in this
island.
It is hoped that planters and merchants, being
placed in possession of information as to the require-
ments of the market, will make an earnest effort to
bring about such improvement in the general character
of Barbados molasses as will lead to a demand for it
at figures not below those obtained for the best
qualities produced in other countries.
Exactly similar remarks apply to the molasses
shipped at Antigua and St. Kitt’s and indeed to all
localities where muscovado made. At
Jamaica little or no molasses is exported. It is there
entirely utilized in the manufacture of rum.
sugar 1s
Barbados Molasses.
The following extract from the Louisiane
Planter of December 5, 1903, may be of interest as
bearing on the question of improving the quality of
Barbados molasses, which has of late occupied so much
attention in this island :—
We think that what is the matter with Barbados is
what is occurring everywhere in the sugar world. The
encroachment of corn syrups or glucose upon the market for
liquid sweets is felt everywhere, and it has practically
destroyed the Louisiana molasses trade, and we presume
that its influence is now reaching the sugar planters of
Barbados. Good, wholesome, plantation molasses is one of
the best food articles known, and it is a pity that the
chemically prepared corn glucose should seem to be crowding
it out of existence.
Porto Rico Molasses.
Mr. Consul Churchward’s Report on the Trade and
Commerce of Porto Rico for the year 1902, recently
issued by the Foreign Office as No. 3,027 of the
Diplomatic and Consular Reports, contains references
to the island’s trade in molasses which are of consider=
able interest :—
Vou. III.
No. 46.
The total value of the exports of molasses during the year
was £70,860 as against £63,324 for the previous year—an
increase of nearly 12 per cent. Mr. Vice-consul Toro states
that in the Ponce district, ‘there are no less than sixteen
plantations, some of them large ones, which yet make only
muscovado sugars, thus the large export of molasses, which
amounted this year to 2,766,170 gallons, valued at £69,995.’
The Vice-consul for Mayaguez reports that 640,807
gallons of molasses were exported, of which no fewer than
thirteen cargoes were in British bottoms for British North
America.
In the report of the Vice-consul at Arroya de
Quayama, it is stated that the principal exports are sugar,
molasses, cigars, bay rum, and essence of bay. The report
continues : ‘As all these articles were free of duties in the
United States of America, the difference in price is so
enormous that they cannot be exported to other countries,
except in the case of molasses, which in spite of entering free
of duty into the United States, nearly all that is made in
this district is exported to the Dominion of Canada, 395,645
gallons, of the value of £12,812, being sent to that country
during the past year.’
It is further shown that of the £70,860 worth of
molasses exported from Porto Rico during the year,
£65,937 worth (or over 93 per cent.) went to Canada,
Improvement of the Sugar-cane by
Chemical Selection.
The following abstract of a paper published by
Dr. J. D. Kobus in the Annales du Jardin Botanique
de Buitenzorg, is taken from the Jowrnal of the
Royal Horticultural Society for October. It gives
a concise summary of the main features of Dr. Kobus’
investigation on the subject of the raising of improved
varieties of sugar-cane by vegetative reproduction :—
This laborious and detailed paper on the ‘ Chemical
Selection of the Sugar-cane’ is worthy of close study by
every breeder of plants, for it gives an account of an attempt
to produce by cuttings a race of sugar-cane that should
display an increased vigour by an increased yield of sugar
and by an increased power of resisting (sereh-) disease. The
conclusions drawn obviously have a very important Vearing
upon cultivated herbs that are propagated vegetatively
rather than by seeds.
The conclusions arrived at may be summarized as
follows :—
1. The amount of sugar in the individual stems of one
sugar plant was apt to vary greatly. The author selected
for propagation plants that exhibited small variations, and
he suggests that greater success might attend analogous
attempts at improvement in the [English] potato were more
attention paid to the amount of starch in the whole of the
tubers rather than in individual tubers.
2. The variability of the amount of sugar in the
different varieties was greatest in thick-stemmed varieties
that had long been in cultivation, and least in young ones
more recently selected from seed.
3. The amount of sugar in the cane varied directly
with the weight of the same.
4. Heavy plants gave rise to heavy offspring. The
same character has been shown in reference to the potato.
5. The descendants of plants rich in sugar were richer
in sugar and heavier than unselected plants.
6. But the simple selection of cuttings of heavy plants
did not lead to the production of forms markedly richer in
THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS. 19
sugar, though the resulting plants were in general richer in
sugar. Indeed, heavy plants poor in sugar seemed to have
a much worse effect on the amount of sugar in the progeny
than did light plants poor in sugar.
7. Extreme care had to be exercised in the selection of
the ground on which the experiments were made ; for even
on an apparently uniform soil great differences were apt to
appear in the individual plants merely in consequence of
local variations in the soil.
8. A most important discovery was made, namely, that
the increased vigour as reflected in the larger yield of sugar
was accompanied by greater immunity from the sereh-
disease.
TAMWORTH PIGS IN TRINIDAD.
The following notes on the results obtained with
Tamworth pigs at the Government Farm, Trinidad,
forwarded by Mr. C. W. Meaden, the Manager, are
of interest. It is evident from the financial statement
that the experiment has been a success and that this
class of pig is suited to West Indian conditions, when
careful attention is paid to management :—
These pigs seem to have adapted themselves to the
climate of Trinidad, having withstood the test for three
years. They are hardy, free from any kind of disease, good
breeders, and the sows are careful of their young. No
particular process of feeding has been adopted, anything
usually produced in the way of garden produce being
given cooked. They are comfortably housed in concrete
styes with litter. They are fed at 6 a.m., exercised till
10 a.m., bathed and given a feed of Para grass and various.
wild vines, and fed again at 4 p.m. With this treatment
this class of pig will keep in reasonable growing condition,
and at twelve months should produce 150 tb. of good, firm
pork, the lean and fat being well distributed. Judging
from particulars which have been received from purchasers
of the young pigs, the introduction may be said to have
been satisfactory. In their management it must be remem-
bered that as these pigs are pure bred, they should receive
rather more care than is usually given to the common native
animal, especially in their early days. So far as can be
learned, the crossing with the common sow has given
favourable results. Experiments conducted in Canada have
shown that crosses between the Berkshire and the Tamworth
have given the best results so far as the production of the
most suitable bacon for export is concerned. The combina-
tion has been appreciated in the bacon market, as the
meat produced shows the happy medium of lean and fat
which is so much fayoured for the breakfast table.
The following is the financial record of the experiment
for the year :—
Tevenne:
72 pigs sold at $3:00 per head $216-00
5 ,, transferred to Tobago
Farm at $3-00 15:00
Service of boar to 13 sows at
$1-00 13-00
$244-00
Expenditure :
Attendant at $8:00 per month $96-00
Cost of food for six pigs at 3c.
per day 65°70
$161-70
Profit on as fee O58 $82°3
The register showed for the year eighty-four births
from five sows. Of these seventy-two were sold, five trans-
ferred and seven died.
20 THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.
January 16, 1904.
WEST INDIAN FRUIZ
PICKING AND PACKING ORANGES
FOR EXPORT.
The subject of curing oranges has already been dealt
with in an article in the Agricultural News (Vol. II,
p. 101), where great stress was laid on the necessity of
drying the fruit before packing, so that the entrance of
fungi may be prevented. It is also pointed out that
the fruit must be so picked and packed as to prevent
bruising.
In an article on the cultivation of oranges in
Industrial Trinidad, the writer, Mr. H. Caracciolo,
states that success in the orange industry mainly
depends on the picking and packing, and gives the
following directions for shippers to which we would
direct careful attention :—
Oranges should be picked with a fruit picker. This
consists of a pole to which is attached a shear, under which
is hung a net-work bag to receive the fruit.
They should be collected when full and before getting
yellow, care being taken in clipping the stems to leave a
small portion on the orange.
They must then be spread in an open and airy shed and
left there for two or three days (depending on the weather)
to dry, but they must not be sundried.
This process is adopted to drive away any extra moisture
from the rind.
They will then be wrapped in tissue paper, packed
tightly but not squeezed, as one orange that may get
damaged will very soon rot and spoil the whole box, the last
operation being to cart to port. This should be done on
springs as the jerking experienced by our system of carts
will knock them about too much and cause much damage.
It is also advisable to let fruits arrive at port on the day of
shipment to avoid unnecessary handling. Fruits should be
shipped to arrive in England from July to October, but
August and September are preferable, and to the United
States from September to February.
In conclusion, I strongly recommend this business to my
fellow colonists who will find it very remunerative ; we must
not be intimidated by failures in the beginning, for nothing
is attained without experiencing some difficulty and disap-
pointment at first, but when these have been overcome, one will
then look with satisfaction at the prospects that will be in
store. I have had that experience already and paid dearly
for it ; but given those shipping facilities, the rest is in our
hands, and the day will come when we shall recognize its
benefits.
BANANAS FROM SIERRA LEONE.
In reference to a specimen bunch of bananas
shipped from Sierra Leone to London, a prominent fruit
merchant in Covent Garden market writes :—
It is a small bunch in a chilled condition and so
discoloured as to be unsaleable and unusable. In fact,
it is a very poor sample of the same variety that is coming
from Jamaica and Costa Rica, and which, if in good
condition, is worth only 5s. to 7s. per bunch; while the
Canary Islands fruit is worth double, weight for weight, if
in good condition.
It might be mentioned that the bananas that are
so successfully being shipped from Barbados are
identical with those shipped from the Canary Islands
and fetch similar prices.
PRISON FARM AT JAMAICA.
Several references have been made in the Agri-
cultural News to the suecess which has attended the
establishment of the farm at the Spanish Town prison
in Jamaica. The following interesting report on the
cultivation is taken from the December issue of the
Journal of the Jamaica Agricultural Society :—
It is now a year since the first operations were
commenced at the Prison Farm, Spanish Town, and a visit
to the place now will show that it is really a model
cultivation. There are 10 acres under bananas, planted 16
by 16 feet, promising to begin shooting in January ; 3} acres
of different varieties of rice, just ripening in magnificent
condition ; 3 acres of sweet and bitter cassava, including the
best known local varieties, and some seedling varieties ;
12 acres of sweet potatos, providing a succession of roots for
use in the prison; 1 acre of cotton giving an exceptionally
heavy bearing, something like ten times the average, and
coming in at the best time—during the dry months of
January and February; an acre of pumpkins, yielding a
heavy weekly supply ; 3 acres of yams, just bearing; an acre
of corn; 1 acre Guinea corn, } acre of peas, patches of peppers,
kallaloo, ochros, and } acre of kitchen garden, growing
tomatos, egg-plants, turnips, carrots, cabbage, kohlL-rabi,
potatos, etc. The cultivation has paid its way, and is likely
to do more. The laying out of the ground has been done
with excellent judgement and skill, the irrigation system is
economical and effective, and the water can be laid on at any
place at any time, while the drainage system is complete and
effective.
Vou. III. No. 46.
THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS. 21
COTTON.
Cotton at Montserrat.
We extract the following information on the
cultivation of cotton at Montserrat from papers by his
Honour F. H. Watkins, the Commissioner, and Mr. A. J.
Jordan, the Agricultural Instructor, in the West
Indian Bulletin, Vol. IV, pp. 231-5. Mr. Watkins
states that he is indebted for most of the results given
in his paper to Mr. C. Watson, of Dagenham, and
Mr. Jordan :—
As to the character of the land specially suited to cotton,
it has been found that soils of a light gravelly nature are the
best adapted to its growth, an average of 1,000 tb. of
seed-cotton per acre having been obtained as against a yield
of 600 Ib. from heavier soils.
Encouragement in the shape of free distribution of
good, reliable seed has been given to the owners of suitable
lands by the local government and the British Cotton
Growing Association of Oldham. Of all the varieties of
seed the Sea Island is decidedly the favourite, for it has
given the best results both in quantity and in the length of
the fibre. There is, moreover, a good demand for long-
stapled cotton both in America and in England.
For the crop of 1903-4 it is estimated that nearly 700
acres will be planted. The time for planting is in June and
July, or August at the latest. The seeds are planted three
to a hole, about 6 to 12 tb. per acre, in 4 feet rows and
16 inches apart. Some planters advocate 2 feet by 3 feet.
The period for reaping extends from the middle of
November to May, and onan average, 1,000 tb. of seed-
cotton were obtained from an acre. After ginning, the
proportion of seed was as 7,163 tb. of seed to 2,837 tb. of
lint in 10,000 ib. of seed-cotton or, roughly speaking, 7-to 3.
A woman—and picking cotton is work eminently suited for
women and children—after a little practice, can pick 40 to
50 tb. of seed-cotton in a day, that is, an acre in twenty to
twenty-five days: in other words, twenty to twenty-five
women could pick an acre in a day. Care should be taken
to pick the cotton in dry weather. Whether it will be of
advantage to ratoon the crop, is a question to be decided
by further experience. The minimum price obtained has
been 10d. per tb., and a maximum of ls. 13d. per Ib. has
been obtained. The cotton industry has come most
opportunely and may enable the island to tide over, in
a measure, a serious crisis in its agricultural history.
COST OF CULTIVATION.
Most of the land planted in cotton last season was
previously in cane, but in one instance some new land was
cleared of bush. The bush was first cut and burnt, the
debris ranged in lines with a hoe and the cotton seed planted
in between the lines. The cost of cultivation was given to
me as follows: —
25 fy Gk
Cutting and burning per acre age LO @
Ranging a) 4 0
Planting Pern 08 1 6
Three weedings @ ls. 2d. per acre... 3 6
Picking 1,000 tb. @ 1s. per 100 bb. ... 10 0
119 O
In the case of land planted with cotton after cane, the
work was much less. The cane stumps were dug out and
the trash ranged in the furrows. The banks were then
forked or grubbed over with a subsoil plough and the seeds
planted. Three weedings were given during growth. The
cost of cultivation was as follows -—
25 BE HGle
Digging out cane stumps per acre ... 2 6
Ranging trash Wis fs 2 0
Forking banks ee qe ie
Planting seed Be ti5 } ©
’ net
Three weedings @ Is. 2d. ,, ,,_ ..- ay
Picking cotton @ 1s. per 100 tb 10 0
8) 5a
When the plough was used instead of the fork, the cost
of ploughing per acre was about 3s.
The first weeding is generally given as soon as the
plants are well above the ground, and the second and third
weedings at intervals of from two to three weeks, and by
the time the last weeding has been given the plants are
almost meeting across the rows.
Cotton Seed Cake.
The Farmer and Stoch-breeder, of November 16,
publishes a report on the adulteration of manures and
feeding stutts, submitted by the Consulting Chemist
to the last meeting of the Council of the Royal Agri-
cultural Society of England. In this report Dr. Voelcker
draws attention to the adulteration of Egyptian cotton
seed cake :—
There is good reason to believe that admixture of
Bombay cotton seed with Egyptian-grown seed goes on
extensively, the product being sold as ‘Egyptian cotton seed
cake’, and at the price of the latter. As the Bombay seed,
on account of the presence of an excess of cotton wool and of
its inferior quality, is more than £1 per ton cheaper than the
Egyptian seed, there is considerable margin for profit in this
admixture, which is really an adulteration. Purchasers are
advised to stipulate in their contracts for ‘pure Egyptian
cotton seed cake,’ and to see that cotton seed cake sold to
them is so described on the invoice sent.
Machine for Cutting Guinea Grass, etc. The
Hon’ble Lieutenant-Colonel A. H. Pinnock writes in the
November issue of the Journal of the Jamaica Agricultural
Society on the utility of horse-power mowing machines for
entting Guinea grass and cleaning commons. The writer
has had in use for eighteen months a ‘ Deering Ideal One-
horse Mower,’ and during that time it has cut over 100 acres
of grass and commons without requiring any expenditure
whatever for repairs. The cost of this machine landed in
Jamaica was £10 10s. Colonel Pinnock has found it
advisable to attach to it a false shoe by means of which the
knife is kept 3 to 5 inches, as required, above the level of
the ground. This attachment protects the knife from injury
by stumps, ete. It is estimated that with one big horse or
a pair of small mules, the machine can cut an acre of Guinea
grass in half an hour. This machine has also been found to
give most satisfactory results when used for cleaning pastures
and commons. Eight to ten acres per day would be a
reasonable task for a man and two mules.
22 THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.
BEE-KEEPING.
West Indian Honey.
We extract the following from an article in the
Canadian Grocer of December 4 :—
Jamaica and Trinidad are the two islands producing the
largest amount of honey. Jamaica has now attained the
position of an exporting country, whereas Trinidad consumes
all it produces. The industry of bee-keeping in Trinidad is
on the increase, and before long that island will become
a shipping centre. The variety of bees that is found to be
a success is the Italian bee, and all colonies that are being
developed are from these strains. The best honey is
produced during the months of January to the end of May,
that is during the period of the dry season. It is during the
dry season that a large majority of trees are in flower, and
owing to the dryness of the atmosphere, the saccharine cells
in the flowers are most highly developed. During the other
portion of the year the production of honey is much smaller
owing to the lack of flowers and to the necessity of having
to feed the bees with molasses and sugar. Honey produced
during this period is of much poorer flavour than that
produced during the early six months of the year.
In St. Lucia bee-keeping and the honey industry is
being pushed forward energetically and systematically by
Mr. G. §. Hudson, the Agricultural Instructor, whose
first sales in London brought 20s. per ewt. c.i.f. This honey
was very favourably reported upon by the brokers, and
though produced at the period when the West Indian hog
plum tree was in flower, which tree produces one of the
worst flavoured honeys, the quality of the honey, irrespective
of the flavour, was of good standard.
The colour of the West Indian honey is very much
darker than that of our domestic white clover honey ; it is
more of the character of buckwheat, though without this
latter grade’s peculiar flavour. It is also very much stronger,
and such honey as has been received in Montreal has been
taken by the large biscuit manufacturers for its stronger and
more penetrating characteristics. During the past season
one Montreal biscuit and confectionery company bought over
a carload. In the West Indies, as well, it is used in the
manufacture of goods where sugar would have a tendency to
ferment, and undoubtedly for a similar reason Canadian
manufacturers find use for it. It is mixed with lime juice
in the islands and this prevents fermentation and derangement
of the stomach. As regards the prospect of trade with Canada
there is no reason why good business should not result, though
the greatest difticulty in the way of a regular and steady trade
would seem to lie in the fact that the Canadian consumer
has for so long been accustomed to using the distinctively
rich, white clover, Canadian honey, and the stronger West
Indian honey taste would require cultivation. Still as
a product for use by manufacturers the field is open in
Canada, and with its stronger and more fermenting
characteristics it should find ready sale.
The duty on honey coming into Canada is 3e. per b.,
but on West Indian honey coming in under the British prefer-
ential tariff would be }e. less, or 2c. per tb.
JANUARY 16, 1904.
NOTES ON WATERING.
Carelessness in the matter of watering is often
the cause of failure in the garden. The following
extract from an article on watering in Indian Plant-
ing and Gardening of November 21, 1903, gives
suggestions which might well be adopted :—
One of the commonest mistakes is that of merely
moistening the surface of the earth. If we casually glance
at the work of our mali, it appears to be all right, but by
removing a little of the top earth we find, in many cases,
that the soil underneath is quite dry, the water never having
reached the lower roots ; this is the cause of a large number
of failures with our plants. When watering is necessary,
let it be done thoroughly. Never water hard-baked earth ;
first loosen the soil to a depth of 4 or 5 inches, then
give a copious supply of water. Always keep the surface
soil loose ; this will lessen the evaporation, and prevent the
soil from baking and cracking. All watering, or as much as
possible, should be done late in the afternoon. Water for
many gardens has to be brought from a distance ; in these
cases it ought to be carried in the daytime, kept in tanks or
barrels, and applied as late as it can conveniently be done in
the afternoon. When watering cannot be done in the
afternoon, let the work be performed the first thing in the
morning ; never, if it can possibly be helped, when the sun is
shining. For all vegetable gardens we recommend the laying
on of a mulch of manure, straw or some such material to
prevent the rapid evaporation of moisture from the soil. It
would serve the same purpose in our compounds, but looks
unsightly, and ought to be used only when there is a scarcity
of water. Fruit trees and shrubs are also greatly benefited
by a mulching of good stable manure ; never apply it thicker
than 3 inches ; if too thick a coat be given, it is apt to
interfere with the free percolation of the air through the soil.
It is preferable to use rain or pond water as long as it is
procurable. All liquid manures should be saved from the
cow-sheds and stables ; this should be diluted with clean water
before being used. | Never give manure water to plants that
are suffering from drought ; first give clean water, then, after
the plants have revived, apply liquid manure. The majority
of plants in the vegetable garden, when well established, will be
greatly benefited by frequent applications of liquid manure.
SUNFLOWERS AND BEES.
Writing in the August issue of the Journal of
the Jamaica Agricultural Society, Dr. James Neish
gives an interesting account of his experience in the
cultivation of sunflowers. Referring to the general
complaint of those who have grown this useful plant in
the West Indies but have so often failed to make it
produce seed, Dr. Neish confirms the opinion of the
Director of Public Gardens and Plantations in Jamaica,
that the want of success in this particular is due to the
absence of bees in the locality where sunflowers are
grown. Dr. Neish goes on to say :—
At Old Harbour there are two extensive apiaries, and
there is no lack of bees in this neighbourhood. When the
sunflowers bloomed, it was interesting to notice the remark-
able attention which the bees paid to them, as many as
sixteen bees having been counted on one flower-head. The
result has naturally been a full development of well-grown
seeds, which are available for reproducing the crop. Under
our tropical influences, the sunflower grows rapidly, and
the cultivator will not have long to wait for a return.
Vou. III. No. 46.
THE AGRICULTURAL
NEWS. 23
LECTURES TO PLANTERS AT BARBADOS.
The following is a summary of Mr. Lewton-Brain’s
third lecture on Sugar-cane diseases :-—
The root disease of the sugar-cane has probably caused
more damage, during the past few years, than all other sugar-
cane diseases together. It appears to attack equally well all
varieties of cane at present in cultivation and yields to no
fungicidal treatment. The fungus attacks ratoons more
frequently than it does plant canes. The leaves first show
signs of the disease ; instead of a dozen or so broad, bright
green leaves, we get them drying up much earlier than they
should do. The drying up takes place first at the tip and
edges of the leaves and gradually spreads until the whole
leaf is dry and withered. The younger leaves, before they
even begin to turn yellow, do not open out as they should
‘do; they remain partially rolled up. Evidently the plant
is suffering from the lack of water. The leaves farthest from
the main axis, and first the parts of them which are farthest
removed, are drying up and dying, while the younger leaves
which are still receiving a certain amount of water roll up
to reduce the water lost by the process of transpiration.
The old dry leaf-sheaths, which in a healthy plant are
thrown off leaving the base of the stem clean, remain attached
and require considerable force to remove them. On
examination we find that they are all matted together, by
a clean looking, white felt which is the mycelium of the
fungus Marasmius. The matted leaf bases have a characteristic
musty smell. The roots normally spring from the nodes, burst
through the leaf bases and then grow down into the soil.
Either these do not develop at all or their growth ceases when
they are about } or } inch long.
The canes attacked by the root fungus are usually
considerably dwarfed in comparison with others in the same
field ; not only are fewer leaves developed, but the stems are
much thinner and drier and usuaily shorter than normal
canes. Again the diseased canes are very easily uprooted, the
slightest pull being sufficient to remove the stool.
Finally from the bases of the stools or from the roots
arise the fruits of the fungus. These are small, white or
yellowish toadstools, and we usually find them in groups.
They are rarely to be found except in wet weather, and the
best time to look for them is in the early morning before the
sun has dried them up. These fruits bear the spores.
Under natural conditions the spores are shed at the base
of the cane plant and are thence carried away either by wind
or insects. Each spore is capable, if conditions be favourable,
of infecting a cane plant with root disease. If one of
these spores be carried by the wind and get on a cane
plant, it will, in all probability, fall on one of the leaf-
sheaths and will lodge somewhere between the sheath and
the stem. The chances are that the spore will germinate and
soon give rise to a mycelium, which at first grows in, and
obtains its nourishment from, the dead and dying tissues of the
leaf-sheaths. It passes from one of these to another and by
its dense matted habit of growth, binds them altogether into
a musty smelling mass. In a similar way the fungus spreads
to any dead or dying part of the plant above or below ground.
The mycelium then proceeds to attack the growing
region of the root which is composed of a number of very
delicate thin-walled cells, full of protoplasm. The fungus
does no other damage and attacks no other part of
the plant; it simply enters the tissues of the growing
points and destroys them. This is the cause of the dark
colour of the root-tips which I mentioned as one of the
symptoms of root disease. But this is quite enough to affect
seriously the growth and nourishment of the cane.
As roots die away and are not replaced by others, the
water and mineral salts from the soil are absorbed in
gradually decreasing quantities, consequently the leaves are
unable to manufacture so much of the sugar and _ proteid
substances, which are required for use during growth.
The first sign of the disease is due to the cutting off of
a part of the water supply. The effect on the plant is the
same as that of excessive drought. The leaves under these
conditions roll up in order to Jessen the loss of water by
transpiration, and with plants infected with root disease
this condition becomes more or less permanent. This
prevents them from taking in the full amount of gases from the
air. In this way the food supplies of the plant are attacked
at both ends, at the roots and the leaves, and this at a time,
it must be remembered, when the plant requires more food
than usual in order to replace the roots which are being
killed off by the fungus.
The fungus has now established itself on its host. The
latter gradually becomes weaker and weaker, owing to the
process of slow starvation. The stunted habit of the plant
is due to its inability to form new organs, owing to lack of
nourishment ; while the ease with which the plant is
uprooted is due to the non-development of roots, which are
the anchoring as well as the absorbing organs of the plant.
Later on in the year, usually during the wet season, the
fungus proceeds to reproduce itself. This it does by putting
out the small toadstools, on which the spores are borne.
The toadstools usually grow out near the ground, either
from dead roots or from the trash at the base of the stem.
The cane does not of course always succumb to the
attack of the fungus in this manner. The fungus will
establish itself, as before, on the old leaf-sheaths and other
dead parts and be ready to attack the roots. Buta plant
cane growing vigorously and under favourable conditions
will be able to form new roots so abundantly and so fast
that the attack of the fungus produces little effect on it.
The same thing of course may happen after the fungus has
commenced to do damage, if the conditions change and
become such as favour root development.
The fungus is also spread by the mycelium travelling
underground. Any old cane stump or piece of trash is a
sufficient source of nourishment for the mycelium. If then
any infected stump is brought near a growing cane, the
mycelium passes from one to another.
We must, in every possible way, increase the vigour of
the canes. A cane growing vigorously is not likely to be
damaged, seriously, by the root fungus. The soil should
therefore be cultivated as thoroughly as possible, so as to
give the roots the best chance of developing, and at the
same time to weaken the fungus. When only a small patch
in a field is attacked and the disease is noticed in time, this
area should be isolated from the rest of the field to prevent
the fungus spreading by its mycelium underground. This
can be done by digging a trench around the area.
Then we haye the disposal of infected material. All
cane stumps infested with the Marasmius mycelium should,
if possible, be burnt, otherwise they may be mixed with lime
and buried, but not in a cane field. Trash from infested
fields should not be used in cane fields, nor should it be
made into pen manure which is to be applied to canes. It
may be used on land which is to be planted in cotton or in
any other crop which is not liable to root disease.
Again land which has borne a badly attacked crop of
canes should not be planted in cane till the fungus has been
starved out. Cotton offers itself as a remunerative crop,
which might be grown in rotation with sugar-cane.
24 THE
AGRICULTURAL NEWS.
January 16, 1904.
EDITORIAL NOTICES.
Letters and matter for publication, as well
as all specimens for naming, should be addressed
to the Commissioner, Imperial Department of
Agriculture, Barbados.
Communications are invited, written on one
side of the paper only. It should be understood
that no contributions or specimens can, in any
case, be returned.
All applications for copies of the ‘Agricul-
tural News’ should be addressed to the Agents,
and not to the Department. A complete list of
the London and Local agents will be found at
foot of page 15 of this volume.
The ‘Agricultural News’: Price ld. per
number, post free 14d. Annual subscription
payable to Agents 2s. 2d., post free 3s. 3d.
Agricultural dews
1904. No. 46.
Vou. Ill. SATURDAY, JANUARY 16,
NOTES AND COMMENTS.
Agricultural Education.
At the recent Assizes held at Barbados, the Grand
Jury, in their reply to the address of the Chief Justice,
referred in the following terms to the efforts now being
made to extend agricultural education and bring the
rising generation into sympathy with agricultural
pursuits :—
We embrace this opportunity to express our appreciation
of the efforts of the Imperial Department of Agriculture in
trying to imbue the minds of the young that to follow the
calling of an agricultural labourer is not derogatory, and we
venture to assert that, if the Department is successful in this
direction, in a few years there will be further ground for
congratulation.
rr
Barbados Local Exhibition.
The fourth annual Local Industrial Exhibition
and Show of Stock for Peasant Proprietors, under the
auspices of the Imperial Department of Agriculture,
was held at Lower Estate, St. Michael’s, on Tuesday,
January 12.
These local shows are organized mainly for
peasant proprietors, for the purpose of encouraging
the better selection and cultivation of fruit, vegetables,
ete. With this object over 200 money prizes were
offered for competition by the Imperial Commissioner
of Agriculture. Five diplomas of merit of the Imperial
Department of Agriculture were awarded in various
competitions.
A more detailed report of the exhibition will be
given in the next issue of the Agricultural News.
Ontario Crop Report.
The Crop Bulletin just issued by the Ontario
Department of Agriculture, gives statistics and general
information relating to the crops of Ontario for 1903,
The condition of the tobacco crop at harvesting
was reported as from fair to good; the cool, wet
summer kept growth back, but the fine, early antumn
was most favourable. Beets, of which a good yield was
reported, appear to be growing in favour as a food for
live stock. The honey crop was good except in a few
districts where the weather was unfavourable.
ED + a
Fibre of Agave americana.
Reference was made in the Agricultural News,
Vol. II, p. 398, to the uses of the agaves, and to the
production of a drink, known as ‘ Pulque, from the
century plant (Agave americana). Fibre is also
obtained from this plant and a sample, obtained from
Assam, was recently examined at the Imperial Institute.
A report on this fibre is given in the Zmperial Institute
Bulletin, No. 3. The report of the brokers to whom the
samples were submitted was as follows: ‘Of good quality
but rather too dry and brittle : its strength, colour and
length are all described as fairly satisfactory. Portions
of the samples are of good quality, being equal to
ordinary sisal hemp from the West Indies and wouid
realize about the same price, which ranges at the
present time from £35 to £38 per ton.’ While it is
pointed out that this price is exceptionally high,
a trial shipment of a few tons was recommended.
ee ———e
Cotton Pests at Antigua.
Ina recent report Mr. W. N. Sands, Curator of
the Antigua Botanic Station, gives an interesting
account of efforts directed against the cotton caterpillar
and other pests that have appeared in the cotton
cultivations during the past season.
Experiments were conducted to ascertain the most
ettective proportions in which Paris green should be
used. Spraying with Paris green in water was found
of little avail and dusting was then resorted to. When
mixed with lime, 1 tb. of Paris green to 6 th. of lime
gave the best results. This insecticide was also tried
mixed with flour and with plaster of Paris, but in
neither case were the results as good as when the Paris
green was mixed with lime. The flour caused the
Paris green to adhere to the leaves better but was
very difficult to apply. A mixture of 1 th. of Paris
green and 6 th. of lime was usually sufficient to dust
4 to 1 acre.
Hand-picking of the caterpillars does not appear
to be practical on a large scale, although good results
are recorded where hand-picking of the pupae was
practised.
On one estate the cotton cultivation had been
kept free from insects by the use of flocks of turkeys
and chickens.
It would appear from this report that the cotton
worm can effectively be kept in check when Paris
green is used with care and judgement /mimediately
on appearance of the pest.
Vou. III. No. 46.
THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS. 25
Agriculture in Lagos.
The Annual Colonial Report on Lagos for
1902 contains a review of the agricultural position of
the colony during the year.
A model farm has been started at Oloke Meji
with the object of promoting the cultivation of tropical
products that can be grown in the colony and
protectorate. With the assistance of the British
Cotton Growing Association the cultivation of cotton
has been embarked upon, several thousand acres
having been planted out. Cotton was an established
industry in the past, as shown by the fact that in
1869 the value of the cotton exported was £79,957,
Of recent years the natives have grown merely sufficient
for home use,
As a result of the appointment of a European”
Produce Inspector, the quality of the palm kernels
shipped has been improved, the profits and the prices
realized being higher than for many years. A very
satisfactory state of affairs in the mahogany trade is
reported, African wood being in great demand both
in England and in America.
The trade in cacao was not satisfactory: although
Lagos cacao is of good quality, sufficient attention is
not paid to curing. Of trade generally the Collector
of Customs reports: ‘The year was one of the best the
colony has ever experienced as regards both imports
and exports.’
Shade Trees and Manures for Cacao.
It may be of interest to record the following
results of experiments, relating to shade trees and
manures for cacao, conducted at Trinidad, Dominica
and St. Lucia.
The general experience with Immortel trees is
that on poor soils these trees do not supply sufticient
nitrogen for the cacao, and an application of some
nitrogenous manure is advisable. In Trinidad, 23 ewt.
to 3 ewt. of either sulphate of ammonia or nitrate
of soda have given good results. Shade trees are not
usually grown with cacao in Dominica on account of
the damage done to the cacao by the falling of such
trees as the Immortel or the Saman. The use of
Castilloa elasticu is advocated by the Curator for this
purpose on account of its withstanding gales better.
With regard to the application of fertilizers, the
large amounts of nitrate of soda and sulphate of
-ammonia, suggested by the Botanic Department at
‘Trinidad, are not considered necessary either in
Dominica or St. Lucia. As the result of trials in the
latter island Mr. Hudson recommends the application of
1 ewt. of nitrate of soda (costing 15s.) or 1 ewt of
sulphate of ammonia (containing 20 to 24 per cent. of
-ammonia) at a cost of 17s.
Basic slag has been found to give the best results
_as a phosphatic manure for cacao. For St. Lucia an
application of 8 ewt. to 10 cwt. is recommended.
Much smaller quantities appear to be used in Trinidad.
Potash is supplied in ‘Trinidad in the form
of sulphate of potash (3 cwt. per acre) or wood-ashes
.(7 ewt.); in St. Lucia the application of potash does
not, as a general rule, appear to be necessary.
Lectures to Planters at Barbados.
The third and concluding lecture of the course of
lectures to planters on Sugar-cane diseases was delivered
by Mr. L. Lewton-Brain, B.A., F.L.S., Mycologist and
Lecturer in Agriculture on the staff of the Imperial
Department of Agriculture, on Friday, January 8.
A summary of the lecture is given on page 23 of this
issue.
The full text of the three lectures will shortly be
issued as No. 29 of the Pamphlet series.
a
Notes on Balata.
The India-rubber Journal of December 7, 1903,
contains an interesting article on balata by Mr, H. L.
Terry, F.C. As a considerable amount of misconcep-
tion exists as to the nature and uses of this substance,
and there is a common tendency to regard it as
identical both with gutta-percha and with India-rubber,
we give the following brief summary of Mr. Terry’s
article :
Balata and India-rubber are entirely distinct
bodies both as regards their origin and _ physical
characters and also in the uses to which they are
applied.
With regard to balata and gutta-percha, however,
it is impossible in the present state of chemical
knowledge, to say that they are fundamentally different.
Many of their properties are the same. Botanically
they are quite distinct: balata is the product of
Mimusops globosa, occurring pretty generally in
Trinidad, the Guianas and Venezuela; while the gutta-
percha tree is Dichopsis Gutta (found in the Malay
Archipelago).
Although it is commonly stated that balata is
employed as an insulating material, the writer is of
opinion that its use for deep sea work is practically nil.
What is known with tolerable exactitude is the
destination, other than cable works, of the London
imports of balata, and when these various purchases
are added up, it is seen that there is not much left for
employment in the electrical industry. Moreover, the
fact that the market price of balata has not risen in
consonance with the great rise that has taken place in
that of gutta-percha, would seem to indicate that balata
cannot replace gutta-percha for electrical work. It
seems fairly safe to assume that balata has very small
application, if any, for insulating purposes. No doubt
its defects are largely due to the amount of resinous
matter that it contains, 40 to 50 per cent. being often
found in the better quality, compared with 20 per cent.
in the best gutta-percha.
Like India-rubber and gutta-percha, balata is
obtained as a milky exudation on the incision of the
tree; the very wasteful method of cutting down the
tree instead of tapping it being the procedure generally
in vogue. The milk has to be coagulated in order to
separate the valuable substance from the water in
which it is disseminated. This is done either by
boiling the sap in kettles until it is of a doughy
consistency, this on exposure to air soon solidifying to
a block; or by drying the milky fluid gradually in
shallow pans exposed to the sun’s rays.
26 THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.
January 16, 1904.
INSECT NOTES.
The Cotton Worm.
Several references have been made in recent
issues of the Agricultural News to the cotton worm
which has proved a troublesome pest to cotton in
Barbados and elsewhere in the West Indies. In the
present issue we reproduce from the West Indian
Bulletin, (Vol. IV, pp. 269-71) extracts from Mr. Ballou's
account of the life-history of this pest. It will be
seen that probably three to four days are occupied
in the egg stage, that the larval stage takes from
one to three weeks, while the insect remains in
a dormant state for about a fortnight, the whole
generation taking between three and six weeks:—
The egg: The egg is laid upon the under side of the
younger leaves near the top of the plant. Each female moth
lays a large number of eggs
which are generally scattered
and rarely, if ever, in clusters.
The egg is pale green in
colour and quite easily distin-
guished upon the surface of
the leaf. Seen from above,
the egg presents a circular
outline, but viewed from the
Egg of Aletia argil- Side it appears rather ellipti-
Fig. 2. a :
lacea, greatly enlarged : a, dorsal ; Cal, or as if flattened from
above. If it be examined
with a pocket lens, its surface
will be seen to be marked with fine lines or ridges
radiating from the centre above. The duration of the egg
stage in midsummer in the United States is given as three to
four days, and in cooler weather slightly longer.
The larva: When the young caterpillar first leaves the
shell, it is very small and not easily seen, so nearly is it of
the colour of the under surface
of the leaf, where it remains
a short time and begins feeding.
At first it does not eat the tissue
of the leaf clean but merely
enaws away the under surface
which is much more tender
than the thicker upper surface.
As it grows older it eats the
entire tissue of the leaf except
only the largest veins. This
insect is one of the ‘loopers’ or
‘measuring worms.’ These names
are given because the larva travels
by arching its body and bringing
up its hind legs to the forward
ones and then reaching out again
to get a new hold with the for-
ward pairs. This peculiarity
is shown even in the earliest
stages. The development of the
caterpillar requires from one to
three weeks, and during this
period the skin is shed five times.
When first hatched, the larva is z
yellowish in colour but Larva of Aletia argillacea,
becomes greenish with numerous enlarged ; actual length indi-
black spots and yellowish longi- cated by hair line.
tudinal lines. The fully-grown
b, side view.
Corron Worm.
soon
a, side; 6, dorsal view.
larva measures nearly 1} inches and is quite slender. The
head is dull olive-green ; a very fine bluish-white line extends
along the middle of the back the entire length of the body.
On either side of this fine line is a wider green line ; each of
these being, in turn, bordered by a yellow band. There are
two rows of black spots along the back—one row in each of
the yellow bands—each of the black spots has a fine stiff
hair or bristle arising from its centre, and careful examination
will show a fine white ring outside the black of each spot.
The sides are olive-green with several more or less
interrupted lighter lines running Jengthwise, the lower one
being continuous. There are black spots on the sides also,
which are like those on the back except that they are
smaller, and are not arranged in regular rows. There is
much variation in the colour of the larvae at different
seasons of the year, the earlier broods being lighter and the
‘later ones darker.
The pupa: When the caterpillar is fully grown, it spins
a thin, scant cocoon inside which it pupates. The cocoon
usually consists of a few whitish, silken threads, which hold
the pupa on the under side of the leaf, the edge of the leaf
being frequently slightly rolled or drawn under. The pupa
is at first greenish, but soon becomes dark-brown. It is a
little more than } inch in length.
One week to thirty days is the length of time given for
the pupa stage in the United States. Probably in the West
Indies the time of pupation will not extend over more than
two weeks on account of the uniformly warm weather.
The adult insect: The adult or winged insect of the
cotton caterpillar is a small greyish moth with a spread of
wings from 13 to 1} inches. There are several fine, wavy,
dark lines running across the forewings, and one or two:
small bluish-white spots in each forewing toward the front.
The moth is a night-flyer, hiding by day, and when
disturbed, flying with short, swift darts. At night it flies.
Fie. 4. Adult of Aletia argillacea: a, wings spread; b,
wings folded, natural resting position.
out to feed and lays its eggs. Egg-laying begins a few days
after the female leaves the chrysalis and each female lays a
large number of eggs—300 to 500. Many moths are unable
to feed, others merely suck the juices of flowers and
fruit ; but this one has a peculiar proboscis with which it is.
able to pierce the skin and tissues of ripe fruits, ete., upon
which it feeds It also feeds upon the nectar of flowers, ete.
Further experimental work is still necessary to show
how many broods there are in the West Indies, and at what
times they appear ; but it is probable that breeding continues
all the year round, and that the larger numbers at certain
times or seasons are due to the increased amount of cotton
available at those times. Five broods are known to occur
each year in the United States.
The eyes are dark, velvety-brown, large and prominent.
Palpi are large and are directed forward and upward in front
of the eyes. Between the eyes the long, slender proboscis is
coiled up like a watch spring. The antennae are a light,
yellowish-grey, long and slender and composed of a large
number of small segments.
Vou. II. No. 46.
THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS. 27
EDUCATIONAL.
Agricultural Schools.
The usual half-yearly examinations were held at
the Agricultural Schools at Dominica, St. Lucia and
St. Vincent in December last. The following are the
general reports of the examiner (Mr. L. Lewton-
Brain, B.A., F.L.S.), from which it will be seen that
the results are, on the whole, of a satisfactory
character :—
DOMINICA.
The papers, on the whole, are fairly satisfactory,
especially those of the senior class. Both classes have sent
in weak papers in Chemistry and the juniors also in
Arithmetic and Geography. Great watchfulness is needed
to prevent the boys’ knowledge being merely a matter of
memory ; they must be taught, if possible, to think and
reason. Great care should be taken, in performing
experiments, that every boy sees and understands every
detail. The average of marks is not high, owing to the fact
that, in most subjects, all the boys fail, more or less, to
answer one particular question, as is noted in the separate
reports on the different subjects. Among the seniors, Elwin,
Winston and Serrant have done fairly well. There is not much
to choose between the others. Watty is the only one who
has totalled less than 50 per cent. Among the juniors,
Josse and Bruney are well above the others. Bellot, Gachette
and La Rocque are all considerably under 50 per cent.
ST. LUCIA.
The new syllabus has now been in force for only a tew
months, consequently the results, as was to be expected,
are not so entirely satisfactory as they were under the
old syllabus. There seems a tendency, especially in the
Chemistry and Botany, for the work to be too bookish. This
should be carefully guarded against and the work in these
sciences should be taught in close connexion not only with
the experimental work in the class room, but also with the
practical work in the School gardens. The papers in
Agriculture are the most satisfactory. There seems some
confusion in the grouping of the boys into two classes ; some
of them have done the senior papers in one subject and the
junior in others ; consequently the arrangement of the boys
in order of merit is hardly possible. Goring has again done
very well, and Allahdua, Edgar, du Boulay and Flavien,
fairly so. Pedriel is the only boy who has less than 50 per
cent. of the total marks.
ST. VINCENT.
The two new boys, Falby and Henderson, have done very
little: it is to be hoped that they will show considerable
improvement at the next examination. Apart from them, the
junior boys have not done well; in nearly every subject their
answers are comparatively of less value than those of
the senior boys. The seniors have done very well, on the
whole; their answers show that the subjects have been
taught in a practical manner and that they have seen and
understood the experiments described. None of the juniors
should be promoted to the senior class. Among the seniors,
Glasgow and Derrick have sent in excellent papers all
through. Derrick has beaten Glasgow on account of his
arithmetic paper ; in the other subjects Glasgow is better or
equal. None of the seniors have obtained less than 50 per
cent. of the total marks; Browne and Warner are near it.
Among the juniors, Durrant is the best. Longheed and
Rankin have both totalled less than 50 per cent.
~ SS x
HIN’
SS ON OUTIIT
TROPICAL COUNTRIES :
Principal of Livingstone College, Editor of Climate, and
Instructor in Health and Outfit to the Royal Geographical
FOR TRAVELLERS IN
By C. F. Harford, M.A., M.D.,
Society. London -
Row, W., 1903.
The special object of this little handbook is to answer
some of the questions that present themselves to intending
travellers. While it is quite impossible to lay down rules
that will meet all cases, there are, as stated in the introduc-
tion, ‘certain general principles which should guide the
intending traveller in the selection of his equipment, which
are dealt with in succeeding pages.’
Chapter V dealing with Mosquito Protection is especially
worthy of consideration. Information is given as to
mosquito nets, mosquito boots and other methods of protee-
tion.
While this book is not written so much for the use of
persons visiting well-organized communities, such as are
found in the West Indies, as for those joining exploring
expeditions and the like, yet it contains much _ useful
information which should be of assistance to travellers in
any tropical country.
The Royal Geographical Society, 1, Saville
DISEASES OF THE HORSE: <& special report
of the Bureau of Animal Industry, United States Depart-
ment of Agriculture. Washington: Government Printing
Office, 1903.
This is a new and revised edition of a report first
issued in 1890, the limited edition of which was very soon
exhausted. An entirely new article on ‘The examination of
a horse’, by the State Veterinarian of Pennsylvania, is
included, as well as a chapter on horse-shoeing, by Dr. J. W.
Adams, Professor of Surgery in the Veterinary Department
of the University of Pennsylvania.
The report has been prepared by a number of the
foremost men in the veterinary profession in the United
States, and may, therefore, be regarded as the work of
specialists in the various branches of the subject. It forms
a safe and reliable guide for horse owners in the treatment
of the diseases of the horse, the want of which has long
been felt not only in the United States but also in Great
Britain and the colonies.
This volume has been prepared for the special use of
the farmer, and will be found to be free, for the most part,
from technical terms and expressions, and to be written in
a more or less popular style.
Horse owners will, no doubt, find the chapters on the
diseases of the foot and horse-shoeing particularly useful in
enabling them to adopt humane and scientific treatment of
the horse’s foot, and to prevent the unnecessary suffering
so often brought about by careless or unscientific shoeing.
The volume is well illustrated throughout, containing
some forty excellent plates in addition to a number of
smaller figures.
28 THE AGRICULTURAL
NEWS. January 16, 1904.
GLEANINGS.
The Maltese Jenny lately imported into Antigua has
given birth to a fine young Jack which is in thriving
condition.
The death of the pure-bred Short-horn Bull at the
Skerrett’s Farm, Antigua, was reported in the Agricultural
News (Vol. I, p. 108). We learn that a fine bull calf,
obtained from this animal, is now a month old and weighs
115 th. A second bull calf from the same animal is being
reared on a private plantation,
The Transvaal Agricultural Journal suggests the
following for destroying fowl lice :—‘Put a little plug
tobacco in some hot water. Let the solution stand over-
night in a covered vessel, and then spray all over the body.
Repeat in a week if necessary.’
The India-rubber Journal of December 21, 1903, has
the following note on West Indian rubber :—‘ Trinidad
exported 35,442 Ib. of balata, worth £2,888, in 1902. In
the same year, British Honduras exported rubber to the
value of $14,163, while Cuba imported rubber goods to the
value of $134,995, as against $148,398, in 1901.
About the middle of December last the Diamond
plantation in British Guiana completed a record crop of
12,525 tons of sugar. Among the seedling canes under
cultivation are 600 acres of Barbados cane, 208. Over the
whole of the crop it is stated that ‘the seedling canes have
averaged considerably more sugar per acre than the Bourbon
cane.
In the Colonial Report on the British Solomon Islands
for 1902-3, it is stated that the area under cultivation of
cocoa-nuts at the Tulagi Station has been increased from 105
to 135 acres. Many young cocoa-nut trees, of from three
and a half to four years old, are showing signs of blossom
and nuts, and young trees upwards of four years old are
producing a return. The trees are planted 33 feet
apart, giving forty to the acre. The growth has been so
vigorous that in the older part of the plantation the leaves
of adjoining trees overlap.
A correspondent, writing in the October issue of the
Agricultural Journal of the Cape of Good Hope, describes a
simple preventive for ticks. A large herd of goats had
suffered considerably from an attack of ticks, when the writer
conceived the idea of trying the effect of the wild garlic
plant. The remaining goats each received two of these
bulbs, with the result that the ticks fell from the animals,
which were not again attacked. It appears that oil of garlic
isa strong germicide, permeating the whole system when
eaten in quantity.
The following notice, signed by the Hon’ble C. A.
Shand, of Nevis, appeared in the St. Chiistopher Advertiser
of December 22, 1903 :—
‘Cotton growers are warned against separating the
cotton seeds from the lint by hand, as hand-picked cotton is
very inferior to that ginned by machinery owing to the
uneven staple resulting from the former process.’
According to the Board of Trade Journal attention is
drawn in the report for 1902 of the Rotterdam Chamber of
Commerce to the use of cocoa-nut oil in the margarine
industry. Since the attempts to neutralize this oil—rendering
it all but scentless and flavourless—proved successful, its
consumption greatly increased. It is stated that the use of
this fat is open to no objection as a constituent of margarine
on account of its fairly high nutritive value. It is imported
into Rotterdam from Marseilles, London and elsewhere under
a variety of names, such as cocosine, vegetaline, ete.
The Annual Colonial Report on Barbados for 1902 has
the following reference to the establishment of a cotton
industry in the island:—‘A large supply of seed has been
imported and distributed free of cost to planters, and it is
estimated that some 1,200 acres, capable of yielding about
300,000 tb. of clean cotton, will shortly be under culti-
vation. The advantage of the industry to the colony
hes in the fact that the cotton can be grown on land that is
unsuitable for the sugar-cane, and its introduction will not,
therefore, displace sugar cultivation to any great extent.’
Referrimg to the ‘canker’ which has made its appear-
ance on rubber trees in Ceylon, the Jndia-rubber World
says: ‘It would be strange if the acclimatization of the
Hevea in Asia should be unaccompanied by some malady to
which it has not been known to be subject in America. The
transference of some other economic plants from their native
habitat has developed in them unfavourable conditions,
which in time have been remedied by science, and this very
fact should prevent the complete discouragement of the
Ceylon rubber planters at the first indication of any troubles.
with their trees.’
The Gardeners’ Chronicle of December 19, 1903, has:
the following reference to the cultivation of ginger in the:
Central African Protectorate:
‘This product is giving great promise of being worthy
of extensive cultivation. The climate is eminently suitable.
As 40s. may be reckoned on as about the average London
price per cwt., it ought to be largely grown. Propagation is.
an easy matter, and it has been proved that from one crown
it is possible to obtain over twenty good strong shoots in
a year; and it is estimated that it is possible to get a half
pound of ginger from each plant in the same period.’
The Colonial Report on Ceylon for 1902 states :—* Para
rubber is rapidly taking its place as one of the most impor-
tant of the cultivations of the island, and has been planted
up in various climates at different elevations, but will be
found no doubt most profitable at the lower elevations.
During the year some 25,000 seeds have been distributed
from the trees in the Henaratgoda Garden. Good yields.
have been obtained, and the best methods of getting rid
of the water and preparing the “biscuits” for the market are
beginning to be understood and practised. Prices have
been kept up to a high figure, over 4s, having been obtained
for a large quantity.’
Vou. III. No. 46.
THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS. 29:
BARBADOS AND PORTO RICO MOLASSES.
Pamphlet Series, No. 28.
This pamphlet contains correspondence relating to the
inquiry conducted by Sir Daniel Morris and Mr. J. R. Bovell
on the subject of Barbados and Porto Rico molasses and
their report embodying the results of the inquiry.
A clear statement is given of the relative merits of
Barbados and Porto Rico molasses, and the preparation of the
latter for market is described. It is considered that the
quality of Barbados molasses might be improved by the
adoption of some of the methods practised in Porto Rico.
A brief summary of the report together with the
recommendations made by Sir Daniel Morris and Mr. Bovell,
hasalready appeared in the Agricultural News (Vol. II, p. 387).
A more complete review of this pamphlet together with
a general statement of the position of affairs in connexion
with this inquiry will be found on pp. 17 and 18 of the
present issue.
BRITISH GUIANA: REPORT OF THE BOARD
OF AGRICULTURE, 1901-3. By Professor J. B.
Harrison, C.M.G., M.A., Deputy Chairman.
This report gives an account of the work of the Board
from its inception, in July 1901, to March 31, 1903. During
this period eight general meetings have been held; the
greater part of the Board’s business is conducted by
circulating papers—a plan which admits of matters being
disposed at the meetings with little expenditure of time and
discussion.
The following are the Standing Committees :—Finance
and Executive, Stock, Library, Exhibition, Agricultural
Education, Sugar-cane Experiments, and Subsidiary Products.
We have already given in the Agricultural News, from time
to time, extracts from reports on the sugar-cane experiments
and on the efforts that have been made to promote agri-
cultural instruction in the colony, by means of school
gardens, agricultural shows, etc.
Special attention is drawn in the report to the work
performed by the Stock Committee: ‘In accordance with
the recommendations of the committee, two half-bred
Guernsey bulls were imported from Trinidad, two Plymouth
Rock cocks and twelve hens of the same kind from Canada,
while at the end of the financial year orders were in course of
execution in Canada for a thoroughbred Short-horn bull, a
Holstein bulland three Holstein cows, and in Trinidad for
thoroughbred Berkshire pigs. This committee will doubtless
in course of time find its work greatly increased. There is
perhaps no subsidiary industry in this colony of greater
promise than that of raising stock on the very extensive
pasture lands of the littoral, and later, perhaps, on some of
the Berbice savannahs.’
Similar accounts are given of the work performed by
the other committees, which bear evidence of the usefulness
of this recently-formed Board. There can be no doubt that
this work, so well inaugurated, will have far-reaching effect
on the agricultural progress of the colony.
DEPARTMENT NEWS.
The Imperial Commissioner of Agriculture arrived
at Antigua on Saturday, January 2. A meeting of
planters was held at Government House on Wednes-
day, January 6. The Governor, Sir Gerald Strickland,
presided. Sir Daniel Morris gave an address embody-
ing some of the results of his recent visit to the
United States; and the Hon’ble Francis Watts laid
before the meeting an outline of the scheme for
advancing money to cotton growers during the coming
season. Particulars of this scheme will be published
later. The Commissioner of Agriculture returned to
Barbados on January 9.
We regret to announce the death, on January 3,
of Mr. William Lunt, Curator of the Botanic Station
and Agricultural Superintendent of Sugar-cane Experi-
ments at St. Kitt’s. The occurrence is deeply
regretted by all classes of the community.
Mr. Henry A. Ballou, B.Sc., has been occupied
in the investigation of cotton diseases at Montserrat.
The ‘mite’ pest has caused some damage especially on
the western slopes of the island, Mr. Ballou is expected
to return on January 16.
Mr. W. B. Seabrook, the expert ginner from the
Sea Islands of South Carolina, whose services have
been engaged by the Imperial Department of Agri-
culture, arrived at Barbados in S.S. ‘Fluminense’ on
the 13th. instant.
THE' USE OF CARBON BISULPHIDE AS
AN INSECTICIDE.
We reprinted on p. 397 of the Agricultural News
(Vol. IL) a pamphlet, prepared by Mr. H. H. Cousins,
giving instructions as to the use of carbon bisulphide
as an insecticide. The editor of the Journal of the
Jamaica Agricultural Society gives the following
additional notes as to its use for certain purposes :—
Destroying stinging ants attacking pineapples and
orange trees by finding their nests, pouring a little of the
liquid in the hills or in the holes and fling some earth over.
Even when the ants had their nests around the roots of the
orange trees, the application of the bisulphide did not harm
the roots.
Where orange trees had leaves turning yellow, and
attacks by grubs at the roots were suspected, four holes were
bored dowr, 2 feet from the tree (closer in very young trees)
and about a tablespoonful poured in each of the holes,
quickly covering with some earth instantly.
Barrels of corn and peas were protected from attacks by
weevils, and these insects destroyed where they already
existed, by pouring a teaspoonful of bisulphide into a little
tobacco tin (or any other like utensil) placed on the top of
the cover, a sack flung over and the lid of the barrel jammed
down tight on the sack.
The drawback to the free use of bisulphide in orange
groves where the grubs of the Fidler Beetle were attacking
the roots of the trees, was the expense of buying it, 3s. 6d.
for a jar holding a little less than a quart. Now that the
Chemist holds a supply at so cheap a rate as 4d. a Ib., this
stuff ought to come into general use.
30 THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.
January 16, 1904..
WEST INDIAN PRODUCTS.
Drugs and Spices in the London Market.
The following report on the London Drug and
Spice Market during the months of October and
November has been contributed by Mr. J. R. Jackson,
ALS. The last report (for September) of this series
will be found in the Agricultural News, Vol. II,
p. 366 :—
Tn the unavoidable absence from the Agricultural News
of my notes on the London drug and spice sales during
October last it will not be necessary, at this period, to
review in detail the markets of that month, except where
they have a bearing upon the of the month of
November now under review, or in the case of a few special
articles.
Thus in the early part of October good West Indian
kola nuts sold at 6¢. for good, bold bright, nine bags being
disposed of at this date ; while a barrel of good sold at 53d.,
and some odd packages of mouldy and damaged fetched
prices ranging from 4d. to 4d. per Ib. These prices varied
slightly during the remainder of the month, the quotations
at the sale on the 14th. being as follows: for good bright,
Bhd. ; fair, 5d. to 5fd., and mouldy, 2d. to 24d.
Sarsaparilla at the first sale in October sold at prices
ranging from 9d. for damaged Jamaica to 1s. Id.; while
some 28 bales badly sea-damaged and mouldy Lima Jamaica
sold at 5hd.
On October 14, over 300 barrels of manufacturing
St. Vincent arrowroot was sold at 2d., and 50 tons at 33d.
GINGER,
The demand for ginger during the month was never
very great. At the sale on the 7th. fair, washed, rough Cochin
was quoted at 30s., and slightly mouldy cuttings at 26s.
Of 277 barrels of Jamaica offered, only four sold at 52s. 6d.
for good middling.
At the first sale in November no Jamaica ginger was
offered and there was little or no demand for the article of
any grade ; 386 bags of Cochin were offered and bought in at
34s. for good, washed rough, and 50s. for good cuttings. In
addition to this, 53 cases of small eut were also offered and
bought in at 45s. The market remained practically in the same
duil condition throughout the month, and at the last auction
Cochin ginger was quoted at much lower prices, about
1,000 bags being bought in; 58 barrels of Jamaica were
offered and 40 sold at 38s. to 39s. 6d. for ordinary dullish,
and 43s, for medium dullish.
SARSAPARILLA.
The dealings in sarsaparilla during November may be
thus stated. In the middle of the month fair Lima Jamaica
was sold at steady rates, fair selling at 10d. per tb. Grey
Jamaica was scarce, one bale offered being bought in at
1s. 4d. Two bales of mixed, red and pale, native Jamaica,
realized 11d. per tb., and a bale of pale yellow Shd. : while
for good brands of Honduras, 1s. 1d. to 1s. 2d. was paid.
At the last sale of the month 45 bales of grey Jamaica were
offered and sold at 1s. to Is. 1d. for fair rolled fibrous, and
10d. to 113d. for coarse and partly country damaged, sea-
damaged fetching 9d. Eight bales of native Jamaica were
offered and bought in,
sales
KOLA,
Of kola nuts four bags of good, red West Indian were
sold at the mid-month’s sale at 4$d., and for three packages
of good small to medium, 4d. to 44. was paid, mouldy
fetching 3d. to 33d.
ARROWROOT.,
At the sale on the 12th., 100 barrels good mannfactured
St. Vincent arrowroot were disposed of at 2}d., while fine
St Vincent was bought in at 3/. to 44d., and good at 21d.
Bermuda was also bought in at 1s. 6d. per Ib A week
later 200 barrels of St. Vincent were offered at 1}. to 2d.
per lb. Nothing further in this article is reported up to the
end of November.
MACE, NUTMEGS AND PIMENTO.
At the spice sales on the 17th., West Indian mace was
realizing somewhat lower prices, pale selling at 2s. 4d. ; fair,
2s. Id. to 2s. 3d.; ordinary, 1s. Lld. to 2s.; and broken,
ls. 10d. to Is. l1d. Fair to good Jaya at this sale was
bought in at 2s. 5d. to 2s. Td.
West Indian nutmegs were selling at rather cheaper
rates but with a steady demand, 243 packages being
disposed of. At the last sale of the month three barrels of
West Indian nutmegs, 112’s dark, fetched 11¢., no Penang
or Singapore being offered.
Pimento was at this sale bought in at 44d. to 42d.
CASSIA FISTULA, ANNATTO AND TAMARINDS,
The other iteins of interest at the end of the month are
the following :—Cassia Iistula: nine baskets of very lean
kind sold at 30s. per ewt. Annatto seed: of this article ro
other kind but fair Madras has been quoted and this sold
readily at from 3%. to 4d. per tb. Good Barbados
tamarinds were disposed of at prices varying from 14s. 3d. to
l4s 6d per ewt.
To sum up, the general tone that has prevailed
throughout the month in the drug and spice markets may
be described as inactive. The interest excited in October on
the subject of Mr. Chamberlain’s fiscal policy has as yet by
no means subsided.
POULTRY.
Sulphuric Acid for Chicken Cholera.
The following information relating to chicken
cholera which originally appeared in L’Union Phar-
muceutique, is taken from the Pharmaceutical
Journal of November 28, 1903 :—
Some poultry keepers are aware that the occasional
addition of a little sulphuric acid to the drinking water
supplied to their fowls has a beneficial and tonic effect,
although the fact does not appear to be generally known-
A recent outbreak of chicken cholera in Bulgaria has enabled
P. Bitschetf to demonstrate that it is a valuable remedy in
that fatal disease, at the same time rendering immune the
healthy fowls exposed to infection. The dose given is three
parts of sulphuric acid in 1,000 of water. Tt is stated that
this acid water should not be given for more than three days
at a time, since it is said to cause the laying of ‘soft eggs,”
and to give rise to diarrhoea.
The editor of the Pharmaceutical Journal com-
menting on the above suggests the use of a solution of
ferrous sulphate instead of sulphuric acid. One drachm
to 40 fluid ounces has been found beneficial. When
either this or the acid is used, the drinking vessel
employed should be of earthenware and not of
‘galvanized’ iron.
‘Vou. III.
No. 46. THE
AGRICULTURAL NEWS. 31
MARKET REPORTS.
London,— December 22, 1903. Messrs. Kearron, Pirer
St.
& Co., Messrs. E. A. DE Pass & Co. and Messrs.
J. Hares Catrp & Co., ‘THE LiverpooL Corron
AssocraTION WEEKLY CrrcuLaR’, December 11 ;
and ‘THE Pupiic LepceEr,’ December 19, 1903.
Ators—Barbados, 13/- to 35/- ; Curagoa, 14/6 to 35/- per
ewt.
Arrowroor—St. Vincent, 1}d. to 3$d.; Bermuda, 1/3 to
1/8 per tb.
Barara—1/8 to 2/3 per th.
Brrs’-wax—&7 10s. to £7 12s. 6. per ewt.
Cacao—Trinidad, 64/- to 72/- per cwt. ; Grenada, 53/-
to 62/- per ewt.; Dominica, St. Lucia, Jamaica, 50/-
to 60/- per ewt.
Carpamoms—Mysore, 7d. to 3/2 per tb.
CorrrE—Jamaica, ordinary, 35/- to 55/- per cwt.
Corra—Trinidad, £15 10s. per ton, c.1.f.
Corron—West Indian Sea Island, 1/1 to 1/2 per tb.
Divi Divi— No quotations.
Froir—
Bananas—Canary Islands, 8/- to 11/- per bunch.
Grape Frurr—10/- to 11/- per case.
ORANGES—Jamaica, 8/- to 10/- per case.
PINE-APPLES—No quotations.
Fustic—£3 10s. to £4 per ton.
GiInGER—Jamaica, 36/- to 55/- per ewt.
Honty—Jamaica, 19/- to 28/6 per cwt.
Istnc~ass—West Indian lump, 2/3 to 2/11; Cake, 1/3 to
1/7 per th.
Kora Nuts—4d. to 7d. per tb.
Lime Jurce—Raw, 10d. to 1s. 2d. per gallon ; Concentrated,
£12 15s. to £13 per cask of 108 gallons.
Loawoop—£4 2s. 6d. to £5; Roots, £4 to £4 10s.
per ton.
Mace—1/10 to 2/7 per th.
Nirrate oF Sopa—Agricultural, £9 12s. 6d. per ton.
Nurmrcs-—69’s to 60's, 2/- to 2/6; 90’s to 80's, 1/2 to 1/6
per tb.
Pimento—-35d. to 4d. per th.
Rum—Demerara, 9/1. to 10d. per proof gallon ; Jamaica, 1/6
to 8/- per proof gallon.
SaRsapaRILLA—No quotations.
Sucar—Crystallized, 15/- to 16/9 per ewt.; Muscovado,
11/- to 14/6 ; Molasses Sugar, 11/9 to 16/3.
SutpHate or Ammonta—£12 7s. 6d. per ton.
Tamariyps—Auntigua, 8/- to 8/6 per ewt.
John, N.B.,—December 1, 1903.—‘ Tur Manrrme
MERCHANT.’
Motasses—Porto Rico, 41e. to 44c.; Barbados, 38c. to
39c. per gallon.
New York,—December 11, 1903.—Messrs. GILLESPIE
Bros. & Co.
Bananas—No quotations.
Cacao— African, 11}e. to 12}c.; Caracas, 14e. to de. ;
Jamaica, 10$c. to 12c.; Grenada, 12}c. to 13c.;
Trinidad, 14c. to 15c. per tb.
Cocoa-nuts—Trinidads, $18°00 to $20:00; Jamaicas,
$22-00 to $24:00 per M., selected.
CorreE—Jamaica, fair to good ordinary, Te. to 8c.
per tb. ; Manchester grades, 9c. to 11c. per tb.
‘GINGER—Jamaica, 7jc. to 8}c. per tb.
Goat Sxins—Jamaicas, 50c. to 53}c. per tb.
‘GRAPE FRuItT—-$5-00 to $8-00 per barrel.
‘ORANGES—$3'00 to $3-50 per barrel.
Barbados,
Pinento—7 3c. per th.
RupspeR—No quotations.
i
Sucar—Centrifugals, 96°, 3c. ; Muscovados, 89°, 3ic.;
Molasses, 89°, 2} 3c. per tb.
INTER-COLONIAL MARKETS.
January 2, 1903.—Messrs. T. 8. Garra-
way & Co., and Messrs. James A. Lyncenw & Co.
ArrowrooT—St. Vincent, $3°60 per 100 th.
Cacao—$10:00 to $11:00 per 100 tb.
Cocoa-Nuts—$9°00 per M. (husked nuts).
CorreE—Jamaica and ordinary Rio, $9-00 to $9-50 per
100 tb. respectively.
Hay—$1-25 per 100 tb.
Manvures—-Nitrate of soda, $65°00 ; Ohlendorff’s dissolved
guano, $60-00; Sulphate of ammonia, $76-00 to $85-00;
Sulphate of potash, $67-00; Sheep Manure, $6:25
per ton (ex ship).
Motasses—No quotations.
Ontons—$3°25 per 100 th.
Poratos, ENGLisH— $1°70 to $2°40 per 100 tb.
Rice—Ballam, $4°65 per bag (178 tb.) ; Patna $3°75 per
100 tb. ; Rangoon, $3:00 per 100 th.
SuGar—No quotations.
British Guiana,—December 31, 1903.—Messrs. Wirring
& RICHTER.
ARROwROOT—St. Vincent, $8°50 to $900 per barrel.
Barara—40c. to 42c. per th.
Cacao—Native, lle. to 12c. per tb.
Cassava SrarcH—5-00 per barrel.
Cocoa-nuts—$11°00 to $12:00 per M.
CorreE—Rio and Jamaica, 12c. to 15c. per tb. (retail).
—-Creole, lle. to 12c. per th.
Duat—New, $3°30 to $3:40; Old, $3°10 per bag of 168 tb.
Eppors—$1°44 per barrel.
Morasses—Vacuum Pan yellow, 15c. per gallon, casks
included.
Ontons—23ec. to 3c. per th., ex store; Garlic, 6c. to Ze.
Pea Nuts—Curagoa, 3je. ; American, 5c. per th. (retail).
PrLantTarns—20e. to 60c. per bunch.
Poratos, EnxerisH—-$2°50 to $2°75 per barrel.
Rice—Ballam, $4°60 to $4:65 per 177 tb., ex store ; Creole,
18ec. to 20c. per gallon (retail).
Sweer Poraros—Barbados, $1°68 per barrel.
Tannras—-$2°40 per bag.
Yams—White, $1°68 per bag.
Sucar—Dark Crystals, $1°82 ; Yellow, $2:20 to $2°30;
White, $3°50 ; Molasses, $1°60 to $1-90 per 100 tb.
Trurer—Greenheart, 32c. to 55c. per cubic foot.
WaALLABA SHINGLES—$3-00 to $5:00 per M.
Trinidad,—December 31, 1903.—Messrs. Gorpon, Grant
& Co., and Messrs. Epcar Tripp & Co.
Batara—No quotations.
Cacao—Ordinary, $13°00 to $15°25; Estates, $13-75
to $14:00 per fanega.
Cocoa-NuTs—$16-00 per M. f.o.b., selected in bags of 100.
Cocoa-Nut Mrat—l}e. per th.
Cocoa-nut O11—5dce. per Imperial Gallon (casks included).
CorrEe—Venezuelan, 63c. per th.
Corra—$2°40 to $2°50 per 100 th.
Onxtons—$3°50 per 100 tb.
Poratos, ENGLisH—$1°16 to $1:20 per 100 tb.
Rice—Yellow, $4°25 to $450; White Table, $5:50 to
$575 per bag.
Sucar—No quotations.
32 THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS. January 16, 1904.
THE BEST MANURES FOR COLONIAL USE
So2 EAS EU Ee
Ohlendorff’s Dissolved Peruvian Guano—For Sugar-cane and general use
Ohlendorff’s Special Sugar-cane Manure
Ohlendorff’s Special Cocoa Manure
Ohlendorff’s Special Cotton Manure
Sulphate of Ammonia, Nitrate of Soda, Superphosphates, high grades,
Potash Salts, Basic Slag and all other high-class Fertilizers.
APPLY TO LOCAL AGENTS OR DIRECT TO
THE ANGLO-CONTINENTAL (LATE OHLENDORFF’S) GUANO WORKS,
London Agency: 15, Leadenhall Street, London, E.C.
[46. } Barbados Agents: Messrs. James A. Lynch & Co., Bridgetown.
“CACEHO.,.” | JOURNAL D'AGRICULTURE TROPICALE.
BS A MONTHLY ILLUSTRATED REVIEW DEALING
WITH ALL MATTERS CONNECTED WITH
J. H. HAR F.Lss.
NEW EDITION. | TROPIGAL AGRICULTURE.
| Each number contains fifteen original
A TREATISE ON THE CULTIVATION, CURING AND articles and a complete review of new publications.
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Be SN
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2x ry & ANY
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lt 6
A FORTNIGHTLY REVIEW
OF THE
IMPERIAL DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE FOR THE WEST INDIES.
JAN UARY 30, 1
Pace ld.
Vou. IIL ee “47. “BARB ADOS, “1904.
CONTENTS. é ‘ :
Mr. Rust moved the following resolution: ‘That
Pace. PaGE. this Chamber has watched with much interest the
Insect Notes :—
Botanic Stations, Domi-
nica and St. Lucia 42
Cotton Leaf-blister Mite 42
Rubber Trees, Insect
Agricultural Shows :—
Barbados Local Exhibi-
GION sae Rsey ose tO)
Bananas, Teeadbe ecole ee OD
Barbados : Pests Off. «22 «.. 42
Geyral oes ee Fs Leeward Islands, Agri-
cultural Improvements 41
Bee-keeping :-— Limes, Seedless... ... ... 36
Bee-paralysis and
Sulphur... . 38 | Market Reports ... ... 47
Botanical Laboratory at 38 Notes and Comments ... 40
Cocoa-nut Planting in West | Onion Seed... ... ... ... 40
Indies... .. ... ... 86 | Perfumes, Manufacture of 43
Columbian Cassayas in on
St. Vincent :—
India... 6. we on 38 Botanic Station ... ... 43
AJ =
on . an Cotton .atiein. oj. ee 4L
PANIED es oaiias tu) see) foto, OL Sugar Industry :_—
Barbados... vee OF Manainn 34
ee eal Sugar Consumption in
Department News ... ... 43 | Canada... ... . 3D
Refucational :— W oe Indian Molasses | in i
Agricultural Tending & in ale sete es arene
‘Jamaica... 45 | Traveller’s Tree, Fruiting
Lectures to Teachers in Obie... xiphopteroidoe-
io duale. folium.
Danaea nigrescens. * kookenaamae.
Davallia Sloanei. AS Harrisi.
Hymenophyllum kaieteurum. Pteris_bulbifera.
Nephrodium negligens. > inaequalis, Jenm. non
aS basiattenuatum. Baker.
33 nimbatum. “ Harrisonae.
1 grenadense. Trichomanes solitarium.
Vou. III. No. 47.
THE AGRICULTURAL. NEWS. 37
—$—$—$<——————————————————————————
COTTON,
Cotton at Antigua.
A special meeting of the Agricultural and
Commercial Society and persons interested in cotton
growing was held at Government House on Wednesday,
January 6, on the invitation of his Excellency Sir
Gerald Strickland, K.C.M.G.
His Excellency in introducing Sir Daniel Morris,
K.C.MG.., referred to the visit by the latter to the
cotton-growing districts of the United States. The
principal object of the meeting was to hear some of
the information gathered by Sir Daniel on that visit.
Sir Daniel Morris, in addressing the meeting,
expressed great pleasure in being atforded an oppor-
tunity of again meeting the planters of Antigua. He
briefly reviewed the objects of his visit to the United
States and discussed the question of the demand for
Sea Island cotton and its market. ‘Merchants and
brokers have,’ he stated, ‘no fear of the market being
overstocked and prices depreciating, provided that
cotton of first class quality is produced,’
After Sir Daniel had dealt with the soil and
methods of cultivation, picking, etcl, observed in the
United States, his Excellency asked Mr. Watts to
explain the terms and arrangements to be made in
connexion with the proposed cotton loans.
Mr. Watts stated that of the £5,000 available for loans
in the Leeward Islands, £1,100 would be allotted for use in
Antigua. Regulations will be formulated and published in
a definite manner. As the loans have to be repaid, and as his
Excellency had hinted at personal responsibility, strict
business caution would have to be exercised in lending this
money. A charge of 2 per cent. would be made to cover
working expenses, and in addition, interest at the rate of 5
per cent. per annum : thus a person borrowing £100 for six
months would have to pay £4 10s. Od.
By way of security, a lien on the crop must be given
which lien must take priority : besides this the borrower
must obtain other security, preferably the guarantee of one
or two substantial persons. There were difficulties in the way
of taking land as security, and as far as possible this would be
avoided. The money would be advanced in instalments
(probably at the rate of 10s. per acre) up to an amount not
exceeding £2 per acre. To obtain these loans applications
should be addressed to himself (Mr. Watts) in the case of
persons resident in Antigua. In the other Presidencies,
applications should be made to the Administrator or Commis-
sioner. It was advisable that those desirous of obtaining loars
should apply in good time, stating the acreage it was proposed
to cultivate in cotton and the security offered. Early applica-
tion was desirable because the amount available was not
unlimited, and it might be necessary to make some selection
regarding the allotment of the money.
Generally speaking cotton should be planted between
June and September, hence it was not likely that it would be
necessary to advance any money before May or June. An
exception might perhaps be made, as suggested by his
Excellency, in connexion with clearing lands covered with
serub at Piccadilly : in that case some small advance might be
made towards clearing. There must also be a minimum limit
as regards the amount lent : possibly no loan would be con-
sidered on a smaller basis than 10 acres of cotton (i.e. £20).
Cotton Cultivation at Barbados.
The following observations, which appeared in the
Barbados Agricultural Reporter of January 16, are
specially useful in calling attention to the need for
intelligent and careful treatment of the cotton fields at
the present time. We have recently seen a fine field
of cotton, ready to be picked, utterly neglected and the
fibre allowed to be blown about and destroyed by wind
and rain, No industry can prosper, if steady attention
is not devoted to it :—
The cotton field is now in evidence everywhere, and
just now it may be seen at all stages. There are young
fields recently planted, very healthy and promising. There
are more advanced fields just throwing out flowers and bolls
-—as many as eighty pods were counted on one plant at
Westmoreland just lately—and again there are fields now
yielding produce. Some planters have begun already to give
cotton a bad name. ‘The worm and the disease destroy it.
It does not give the return prophesied. It costs too much
to grow it and reap it. The expense of ginning and shipping
it cuts too deeply into the profit.’
Worm and fungus are, no doubt, a drawback ; but
it has been seen that the injury by the former is much
exaggerated, and that the latter may be combated and
overcome. We cannot expect a good return from cotton or
anything else without careful cultivation. Some planters
have not kept their cotton fields as clean as they were
advised, and some have thought they could plant cotton
following upon second crop canes, without much tillage or
any manure and yet expect a good return. There are fields
of cotton now about to be reaped that have received as
careful attention and as liberal treatment as first crop canes.
If the return from these fields prove unsatisfactory, then
there will be reason for disappointment; but it does not look
like it to-day. As to cost of picking, especially, we are
informed that in America they pay 45 or 50 cents per cwt.
of seed-cotton ; that the reapers pick 100 tb. a day and
could pick 200 Ib., if they chose ; that in Montserrat they pay
one shilling per 100 tb. for picking. It is understood that it
is a business that must be learned, and at first it is very
tedious. It appears to us that some intelligent person
should be sent in charge of the pickers on the first occasion,
to illustrate to them what is required, and then the women
may reasonably be expected to pick the cotton carefully at
6d. a day for 50 bb.
Porto Rico Cotton.
The London Times (Weekly Edition) of December
25, 1903, has the following note on the sale of Porto
Rico cotton in England :—
Mr. A. A. Paton, Vice-chairman of the British Cotton
Growing Association, states that he has sold through Messrs.
F. Zerega and Co. 13 bales of Porto Rico cotton at 143d. per
Ib., and 33 bales more are to be delivered in Liverpool this
week. The first lot was sold in small parcels, so that the
spinners of the country might test its rare qualities.
Altogether from 1,000 to 1,200 bales are to be shipped this
season, and there is confidence that the price realized by the
cotton just sold will stimulate cotton cultivation throughout
the West Indies. Messrs. F. Zerega and Co. presented the
above Association with all the seed from the cotton, and it is
to be distributed among the West Indian Islands. In the
view of Mr. Paton this is the finest cotton ever imported
into Liverpool, and it is noted that for the cultivation of this
fibre the climate and soil of the islands are peculiarly
adapted.
38 THE
AGRICULTURAL NEWS.
January 30, 1904.
The following letter has been received by the
Imperial Commissioner of Agriculture from Dr. N. L.
Britton, the Director-in-Chief of the New York
Botanical Garden, dated December 26, 1903, in reference
to the facilities that are being offered for research in
tropical botany at Cinchona, Jamaica :—
Referring to my letter of August 14, 1903, [see Agii-
cultural News, Vol. II, p. 311] I take pleasure in stating
that the group of buildings of the Colonial Government
of Jamaica at the Cinchona Botanical Gardens will be
maintained as a Botanical Laboratory by the New York
Botanical Garden, under an agreement with
Government, and with the co-operation of the Department
of Public Gardens and Plantations of Jamaica ; sufficient
land for experimental purposes and for a nursery is included
in the leasehold privileges. The buildings include a residence
known as Bellevue House, three laboratories, two ranges
of glass, and one or two small buildings suitable for
lodgings.
Investigators are offered the following facilities :—
1. The use of tables in the laboratory buildings.
2. Lodging in Bellevue House or in one of the other
buildings at Cinchona.
3. The use of land for experimental purposes.
4. Privileges to study the plantations at Cinchona and
also those at Hope and Castleton Gardens.
5. Privilege to consult the botanical library of the
Department of Public Gardens and Plantations at Hope
Gardens, and to take books therefrom to Cinchona under
such conditions as may be imposed by the Director of
Public Gardens and Plantations.
6. An immense number of indigenous species is
within easy reach in the primitive forests adjacent -to
Cinchona.
All persons who may apply for permission to study at
Cinchona must submit such evidence as the Director-in-
Chief of the New York Botanical Garden may require, that
they are competent to pursue investigation to advantage.
While in residence at Cinchona, they will be under the
supervision of the Hon. William Fawcett, Director of Public
Gardens and Plantations, to whose interest and advice the
establishment of this American Tropical Laboratory is
largely due.
A laboratory fee, payable to the New York Botanical
Garden, will be required of persons granted the above
privileges.
Upon approval by the Scientific Directors of the New
York Botanical Garden, any other institution, society or
individual may be assigned the use of a table at Cinchona
by the payment of $100-00 annually, which will entitle them
to nominate students desiring to avail themselves of the
facilities of the laboratory for admission without the payment
of fees, but not more than one person may be granted the
use of any table at the same time.
The necessary expenses for a month’s residence at
Cinchona, including travelling expenses to and from ports on
the Atlantic seaboard of the United States, are from $140:00
to $200-00 ; for two months’ residence, $160°00 to $230-00.
the Colonial
BEE-KEEPING.
Bee-paralysis -and Sulphur.
It is not uncommon for a bee-keeper to notice
individual bees come staggering out of a hive and
after a great deal of restlessness fall over on one
side and eventually die. These are the symptoms
of bee-paralysis. This disease has never had much
attention paid to it by the bee-keeper, because it
seldom causes the loss of the colony affected, but yet
it is very distressing to watch a bee lose its life in
this way.
In Gleanings in Bee Culture for December 15
last, the following reference to the successful use of
sulphur as a cure for bee-paralysis is made:
In preparing the index for 1903 I was greatly surprised
to see the number ‘of cases during the past year of the
successful use of sulphur for curing bee-paralysis. These,
coming from time to time, did not attract my special
attention : but the fact that so many of them confirm O. O.
Poppleton’s observations all through, is somewhat significant.
Indeed, I think we may safely conclude that the once
incurable disease is now easily curable.
On reviewing the articles above indicated, it is
found that a colony of bees affected with bee-paralysis
is treated by simply sprinkling about a tablespoonful
of finely powered sulphur over all the brood combs.
COLUMBIAN CASSAVAS IN INDIA.
The following is a letter addressed by the Inspec-
tor General of Agriculture in India to the editor of
Indian Planting and Gardening on the subject of
the cultivation of varieties of Columbian cassava
obtained trom Mr. Robert Thomson, of Jamaica :—
The centtings sent by Mr. Robert Thomson to the
Punjab Government either failed to germinate or the weak
plants which grew from some of them subsequently died.
The importation into Bombay proved to be more successful.
Some of the cuttings were dead when they arrived. A_pro-
portion of the remainder germinated satisfactorily. A good
many varieties are represented. Some varieties grew
excellently, and all did fairly well. The tubers from a single
plant weighed in some cases over 30 Ib. These varieties
appear to be easy to grow and are propagated from cuttings
got from the main stems and maturer parts of branches.
Consequently a well matured plant yields a considerable
number. The cultivation will now be carried froin
the experimental plot to the field. Arrangements have
been made to compare these imported varieties with
varieties which have long been cultivated in various parts
of India. The drought-resisting capacity claimed for the
imported varieties will be tested ; also their comparative
values for the production of tapioca flour and for the
production of tubers to be used as vegetables. It is
possible that fully matured plants yield tubers best suited
for the former purpose, whilst tubers fit for use as vegetables
can be dug about six months after the sets are planted.
These points have not yet been fully worked out. An inquiry
into the poisonous characters of some varieties has been
begun. I can promise that if the Columbian varieties are
proved to be an introduction of agricultural and commercial
value, every effort will be made to spread the cultivation.
Vou. III. No. 47.
RELATIONSHIP OF WOODS TO DOMESTIC
WATER SUPPLIES.
The following paper, on the ‘Relationship of woods
to domestic water supplies’, taken from the Journal of
the Board of Agriculture, December 1903, gives
useful information upon this interesting subject :—
This subject has, for more than twenty years, occupied
much of the attention of Forest Experimental Stations,
especially in Germany, France, Austria and Switzerland, and
in view of its importance the conclusions arrived at may be
usefully summarized.
It has been asserted, and theoretically the contention is
doubtless correct, that masses of woodland increase the
rainfall. ‘The causes of this result are sought for in the
reduction of temperature associated with forests, and in the
greater absolute and relative humidity of the air in woods.
But although it may be possible. to obtain experimental
proof by means of elaborate and long-continued observations
in a region where extensive afforestation or deforestation is
taking place, it may at once be said that such tree-planting,
as is practically possible in Britain, can have no appreciable
influence on the rainfall. Trees do, however, under certain
conditions of the atmosphere, condense dew on their leaves
and branches, and_ this effect may often be seen in the wet
state of the ground underneath trees on a foggy morning
when the surface elsewhere is comparatively dry.
But the case is materially different where the fate of
the rain and snow that fall on a tract of woodland is
considered. he foliage, branches and stems of the trees
intercept much of the rain and snow, so that it never reaches
the ground at all, the amount so intercepted usually ranging
from 30 to 45 per cent. of the total, but much depends on
the character of the rainfall and on the species of tree. In
a district of heavy annual rainfall a smalier proportion
of the precipitation is caught by, and evaporated from,
the trees than where the rainfall is’ light. Similarly,
in the case of heavy and long-continued rain, as contrasted
with gentle showers ; in the latter case, in fact, but
little of the water reaches the ground through the leafy
canopy of a dense forest. Then again, much depends
on the kind of tree, evergreens intercepting more water
throughout a year than deciduous trees ; and a_ larger
proportion of the rainfall is evaporated from the leaves and
branches in summer than in winter.
But although less rain-water reaches the soil of a wood
than finds its way to the ground in the open country, the
moisture in the soil is much better conserved in the former
than in the latter case. This is due partly to the exclusion
of the sun’s rays by the foliage, partly to the absorbent and
retentive character of the decaying vegetable matter that
covers the ground of a dense and well-managed wood, and
partly tothe air ina forest being more humid and thus
better fitted to discourage evaporation. The lace work of
tree roots, too, that occupy the soil of a forest, offers
mechanical resistance to the rapid surface-flow and _percola-
tion of water. It is also to be noted that roots penetrate to
great depths, and when they die, they leave holes through
which water readily penetrates from-the surface. The
friable condition of the soil of a wood, too, permits ready
percolation of water, whereas in the open country the denser
character of the surface of the ground is less favourable to
the entrance of water. The consequence is that streams in a
wooded country are not so subject to rapid rises and falls,
the flow being maintained more equally throughout the year.
Where water-supply for domestic or industrial purposes
THE AGRICULTURAL
NEWS. 39
is concerned, the avoidance of violent freshets on the one
hand, and of scanty flow on the other, is alike desirable. Not
only may the water of sudden and heavy floods be lost
owing to the incapacity of the reservoir to contain it, but
such floods have also the disadvantage of carrying much mud
and similar material in suspension, and this gradually silts
up reservoirs, besides entailing increased expenditure in
filtering.
It may be pointed out that the water of a reservoir
surrounded by well-stocked woodland is not subjected to the
same amount of violent agitation during gales as is the case
where such sheltering agency is absent. The mud and silt
deposited on the bottom, and especially along the margin, is,
consequently, left comparatively undisturbed, with corres-
ponding advantages in the matter of purity.
When a catchment area is covered with trees, and with
the vegetable matter that accumulates on the surface of the
ground, the water that reaches the soil as rain is impeded in
its flow and its evaporation is hindered, so that the general
effect is equivalent to an increase in the size of the reservoir.
It is also important to note, that snow melts more slowly
underneath trees than in the open country, so that at a time
of thaw the snow-water is yielded up more gradually.
Forests not only affect the degree of moisture in soil, but
they also exert a considerable influence on the soil
temperature. Although this influence is greatest at the
surface of the ground, it is also perceptible to a depth of
several feet. On the average of a large number of
Continental Stations, it was found that woods of various
species and ages depressed the mean annual temperature at
the surface of the ground by about 2°6° F., while even
at the depth of 4 feet the reduction of temperature was 2°.
This general cooling influence is due to a variety of
causes. The foliage of the trees excludes the sun’s rays, the
decaying vegetable matter that covers the ground prevents
the free exchange of air between the soil and the atmosphere,
while the water in the soil absorbs much heat without its
temperature being much affected.
While woods have a depressing influence on the mean
annual temperature, it is found that this effect is much
greater in summer than in winter. On the average of eleven
German Stations, the July temperature of the surface soil in
the forest was found to be 7° F. lower than that in the
open field, whereas in December the former was rather
warmer than the latter. Forests, therefore, tend to equalize
the temperature of water collected in them, the temperature
being slightly raised in winter and markedly reduced in
summer. This result would appear to be of considerable
practical and hygienic importance, where a supply of water
for domestic purposes is concerned.
To the credit of forests is also to be placed the fact that
they exercise a purifying influence both on the air and on
the soil, germs of all kinds being markedly scarcer in a well-
wooded district than in a similar extent of treeless country.
Felling Trees by Electricity. Successful experi-
ments are reported from France with regard to the felling
of trees by electricity. According to a recent issue of Le
Jardin, in various forests the plan has been tried of using
a platinum wire heated to a white heat by an electric
current instead of a saw. By this means the tree is
severed more easily and rapidly than by the older methods ;
no sawdust is made, and the slight charring produced by the
burning wire preserves the wood. The new principle is said
to be eight times as speedy as when a saw is used. (Gardeners?
Chronicle, January 2.)
40 THE
AGRICULTURAL NEWS.
January 30, 1904.
EDITORIAL NOTICES.
Letters and matter for publication, as well
as all specimens for naming, should be addressed
to the Commissioner, Imperial Department of
Agriculture, Barbados.
Communications are invited, written on one
side of the paper only. It should be understood
that no contributions or specimens Can, in any
case, be returned.
All applications for copies of the ‘Agricul-
tural News’ should be addressed to the Agents,
and not to the Department. A complete list of
the London and Local agents will be found at
foot of page 15 of this volume.
The ‘Agricultural News’: Price 1d. per
number, post free 144d. Annual subscription
payable to Agents 2s. 2d., post free 3s. 3d.
Agricultural slews
Vou. III. SATURDAY, JANUARY 30,
1904. No. 47.
NOTES AND COMMENTS.
Onion Seed.
With the view of securing a supply of selected
onion seed for planting this year in the West Indies, it
is desired that orders for such seed (specifying whether
white or red onion seed is required) should be handed
in to the local officers of the Department not later than
Saturday, February 20 next.
In any case it is important that all orders for
onion seed should reach the Imperial Commissioner of
Agriculture not later than February 27. The seed so
ordered would be specially selected for the Department
and arrive in the West Indies about August next.
Se A
The Woods of Barbados.
At the regular monthly meeting of the Barbados
Natural History Society, held at the Planters’ Hall on
Wednesday, January 13, an interesting and instructive
paper on the ‘Woods of Barbados’ was read by
Miss Robinson.
A description was given of the botanical character-
istics and the appearances and uses of the woods of a
large number of trees found in Barbados. These
included the mahogany, tamarind, Barbados cedar,
Barbados ebony (Albizzia Lebbek), lignum vitae,
manchineel, logwood, fiddle wood, scarlet cordia, bay
berry, bully tree, locust, fustie and others.
We notice that the white cedar or white wood
(Tecoma leucorylon) has apparently been omitted
through inadvertence. No account of the woods of
Barbados would be complete without a reference to
this useful timber tree.
Fruiting of the Travellers Tree.
Mention was made in the Agricultural News,
Vol. Il, p. 412, of the fruiting of the Traveller’s Tree
(Ravenala madagascariensis) in Borneo, and it was
suggested that instances of the fruiting of this tree in
the West Indies might be recorded. We published on
p. 12 of the present volume a note as to observations
made in St. Vincent by Mr. J. B. Dopwell, Foreman of
the Botanic Station. Mr. J. H. Hart, Superintendent
of the Royal Botanic Gardens at Trinidad, has also
communicated interesting information relating to this
matter.
As far as Mr. Hart is aware, the tree has never
fruited in the Botanic Gardens at Trinidad, but several
plants raised in the Gardens have flowered in different
positions as follows :—
(1) Ina villa garden in St. Anne’s Road, Port-of-
Spain, in 1895; (2) several at St. Madeline Usine, in
1897; (3) now in flower at All Saints’ Rectory, Port-of-
Spain.
SO $$
Barbados Central Cotton Factory.
The Central Cotton Factory at Barbados was
re-opened by his Excellency Sir Frederic Hodgson,
K.C.M.G., on Monday, January 25. ‘The factory is now
provided with six gins, a baling press and everything
necessary for dealing with the present crop.
The Chairman of the Cotton Committee (his
Honour F. J. Clarke) presided, and after mentioning
that the factory, opened by Lady Morris on July 31
last, had been greatly extended and improved, invited
his Excellency to re-open the factory for the season
1904.
His Excellency briefly reviewed the steps that had
led to the erection of the factory and mentioned that
the thanks of the planters were due to the Cotton
Committee, the Imperial Commissioner of Agriculture
and Mr. J. R. Bovell for the efforts they had put
forth in endeavouring to establish this new industry,
He also alluded to the considerable assistance afforded
by the British Cotton Growing Association and the
grants voted by the Barbados Legislature. He wished
the industry every success and declared the factory
open.
Sir Daniel Morris in thanking his Excellency for
re-opening the factory stated that the factory had
cost £903, of which the Government of Barbados had
contributed £640 and the British Cotton Growing
Association £263. He emphasized the need for the
planters to thoroughly clean and assort their cotton
before sending it to the factory. He regretted to state
that reports had reached him that in some parts of the
island the cotton cultivation was not being looked
after so closely as was desirable. He urged that the
planters who had received seed, free of cost, were in
duty bound to cultivate and care their cotton until it
was gathered, even if it had to be done at a loss. In
experiments of this sort as much was to be learnt from
failure as from suecess. He was confident that when
the planters realized the situation, they would do all
in their power to assist in establishing a successful
cotton industry in Barbados.
Vou. III. No. 47.
THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS. 4]
Care of Farm Implements.
The care of implements is a matter to which far
too little attention is usually paid by agriculturists:
It is especially necessary in tropical countries that
tools and implements should not be neglected. We
would suggest that efforts be made to instil this into
the minds of the young: lessons might well be devoted
to this matter in the elementary schools. Moreover,
it should be a sine qua non of the receipt ofa grant for
agricultural teaching that proper provision is made for
the tools to be used by the scholars.
The Agricultural World of January 2 draws
attention to the necessity of keeping machines and
tools under cover when not in use, in order to avoid
injury by weathering. The importance of a coat
of paint as a protection to woodwork is generally well
recognized, but the paint is seldom used.
Another point is the damage that is done to the
wearing parts of machines and implements through
neglect to use oil and grease. Again, nuts and screws
are allowed to rust through want of oil, with the result
that the threads become worn out and the nuts and
screws cannot be removed without injury.
Careful attention to such points as these will
cause farm implements to last much longer and,
further, to give much greater satisfaction while in use.
a
Cotton at St. Vincent.
A short note appeared in the Agricultural
News (Vol. II, p. 408) on the state of the cotton
experiment plots at St. Vincent. A further report,
dealing with the plots in Bequia, has recently been
received from Mr. Osment, the Agricultural Instructor.
The plot at Union consists of 5 acres—2} in
Upland and 23 in Sea Island. The condition of both
plots was good and the plants were bearing well. The
average number of ripe and unripe pods on the Upland
cotton was twenty-five; on the Sea Island, thirty-five.
About 800 th. of seed-cotton had been picked from the
Upland plot. Only a small quantity of the Sea Island
cotton had been picked.
At St. Hillary the plot required weeding, but the
cotton plants appeared to be healthy. The same
acreage had been planted as at Union. Over 400 tb.
of Upland cotton had been picked and the plants still
had a fair number of ripe and unripe pods on them,
The picking of the Sea Island cotton was still in
progress, about 50 tb. having been already picked.
On both plots the Sea Island plants had been
blown over to some extent by the strong winds: the
Upland variety has not suffered much, apparently being
able to withstand the wind better.
The Agricultural Instructor also reports on a
number of cotton plots, other than Departmental, in
the district. The plots, though small, appeared to be
well looked after, and the plants were bearing well.
Mr. Osment remarks: ‘The planting of cotton experi-
ment plots by the Imperial Department of Agriculture at
Bequia has given the people an opportunity of seeing
the proper way cotton should be planted and the
necessity for planting the best varieties’.
Relationship of Woods to Water Supplies.
We reproduce on page 39 of this issue a
summary of the conclusions arrived at by the Forest
Experiment Stations in Europe in connexion with
investigations as to the ‘Relationship of woods to
domestic water supplies.’
It is not considered probable that the rainfall can
be appreciably increased by such tree-planting as is
possible in Britain, but it is pointed out that the
great advantage of woods lies in their conserving
soil moisture and consequently increasing the amount
of available water. Not only is the soil protected by
the foliage from the hot rays of the sun, but it is also
rendered much more retentive and absorbent by the
decaying leaves that have dropped from the trees.
Moreover, the soil being in a more porous and friable
condition, the rain-water finds a more easy entrance
than it would in the open country. All this has an
appreciable influence wpon the flow of streams that have
their sources in a well-wooded district.
Forests also have a cooling influence on the soil,
which is due chiefly to the exclusion of the sun’s rays.
Since, however, this depressing influence is much
greater in summer than in winter, the effect of forests
is to equalize the temperature of water collected in
them, and this, it is pointed out, may be of considerable
importance from a hygienic point of view.
—— a
Agricultural Improvements in the Leeward
Islands.
In the Leeward Islands Blue Book for 1902-3,
the following review is given-of the recent improve-
ments in Agriculture in the colony :—
Owing to the critical condition of the sugar industry no
substantial improvements in machinery have been made.
Increased attention is being given to the cultivation of
new varieties of sugar-cane, which have now largely replaced
the Bourbon variety throughout the sugar districts of the
colony. The investigations in connexion with varieties of
sugar-cane and the manurial requirements of this crop have
been continued by the Imperial Department of Agriculture,
the expenses being defrayed from Imperial grants. The
results of these investigations are followed with considerable
interest by those engaged in the sugar industry.
A small, but substantial, onion industry has been
established in Antigua, and a useful effort has been made in
the same direction in Montserrat,
Owing to the low price of sugar, more attention has
been given to the cultivation of corn (maize).
Cotton has been planted on a considerable scale in
St. Kitt’s and Montserrat, and on a small scale in Antigua.
This industry promises to be of very great importance to the
Leeward Islands.
In Dominica the activity in increasing the cultivation of
limes and cacao has been well maintained, new plantations
have been opened and old ones extended.
In Montserrat considerable progress has been made in
the way of restoring cultivation of lime trees and food
supplies after the diastrous hurricane of August 7, 1899.
In the Virgin Islands efforts are being directed towards
the establishment of such industries as cotton growing,
limes and pine-apple planting, etc., for which purposes the
climate and soil are well adapted.
A2 THE AGRICULTURAL
INSECT NOTES.
The Botanic Stations at Dominica and St. Lucia.
Mr. H. A. Ballou, B.Se.~the Entomologist on the
staff of the Imperial Department of Agriculture,
recently spent a short time in Dominica and St. Lucia
while en route for and returning from Montserrat,
and has presented to the Imperial Commissioner of
Agriculture a report on his visit to the Botanic Stations
in those islands, of which the following is a_ brief
summary -—
Dy
DOMINICA.
The plants at the Botanic Station were found to be in
good condition as far as insect pests were concerned.
Overgrown and useless nursery stock was torn out and
burned, and the remaining nursery stock was quite free
from scale insects; while in the Gardens and _ plots only
a few common scales were seen and these were not doing
appreciable damage.
Limes in the island have greatly improved during the
wet season, the purple scale (Mytilaspis eitricola) having
almost entirely disappeared from some estates.
The Bath estate in its present condition shows what
may be done by persistent spraying. Kerosene emulsion as
a spray has been largely replaced by rosin wash (see Pamphlet
No. 5, p. 12). The rosin wash has been found much
cheaper, quite as efficient and much less likely to injure
the leaves. Kerosene emulsion is frequently improperly
prepared and in consequence sometimes burns the foliage and
young twigs. This does not happen with the rosin mixtures.
Lefroy’s mixture (crude Barbados oil and whale oil soap)
is being tried on a small scale, and if it seems to give good
results, will be tried on a larger scale in comparison with
the rosin wash. This is very cheap when made in large
quantities, and so far as tried has given good results. An
account of this insecticide, with directions for mixing, is
given in the West Indian Bulletin (Vol. U1, p. 319).
A fumigating chamber is being built at the Station, and
very soon Dominica will be in a position to fumigate all
imported plants and cuttings and thus do much to prevent
the introduction of new pests.
ST. LUCTA.
This report mentions that no new insect pests were
noticed and very little damage was being done by the well-
known forms, though a few of them were found in small
numbers.
The Station has a good equipment of spraying apparatus
and insecticides, and considerable attention is paid to
spraying, with very good results.
Mention is also made of the occurrence of the mite of
the cotton, Zriophyes (Phytoptus) gossypz, on a few cotton
plants growing in the Gardens. Mr. George 8. Hudson, the
Agricultural Instructor at St. Lucia, remembers seeing this
disease of cotton for many years and believes it to be
generally distributed over the island, but states that hitherto
it has done but little damage.
NEWS. January 30, 1904.
Insect Pests of Rubber Trees.
Writing in the Agricultural Bulletin of the Straits
Settlements for October last, Mr. H. N. Ridley, M.A., F.L.S..
Director of the Botanic Gardens at Singapore, describes
a longicorn beetle which has been observed attacking
a young Casti//oa tree in that colony. Mr. Ridley mentions
that this beetle appears to be Kpepseotes luscus, of wide
distribution in the Eastern Archipelago. The perfect insect
is described as being } inch in length and } inch across
the back. The elytra (or wing covers) are brown, mottled
with yellow, with a round, black, velvety spot on each
shoulder,
At Anandale estate, Grenada, West Indies, a longicorn
beetle has also been noticed by the Hon. W. H. Lascelles to
attack young Cuast///oa trees. A female specimen of the
Grenada insect was forwarded to the Head Office at Barbados
for examination and was recognized by Mr. Maxwell-Lefroy,
then Entomologist of the Department, as Z'aenvotes scalaris,
a species which is known to attack bread-fruit and wild
rubber (/eus sp.) trees in these islands. The West Indian
beetle is about the same size as its Eastern relative, but
differs from it in appearance, being on the upper side of
a dark-brown or almost black colour. The elytra are
marked, throughout the entire length of their inner margins,
with a narrow, yellow stripe and have also on each wing
cover two or three small scattered spots of the same colour.
Both species tunnel through the bark and have been found
in the central pith of the tree.
In the treatment of Epepscotes luscus, Mr. Ridley
recommends passing a wire down the hole made by the beetle
grub and applying Jeye’s fluid. Mr. Maxwell-Lefroy also
recommends probing the holes with a hooked wire and suggests
the application of a mixture of carbolic acid and soap. He
also advises setting trap logs of wild rubber (/eus sp.)
among the Casti//oa trees and hand-catching the beetles
in the early morning.
The above is interesting as illustrative of the similarity
of the attacks made by insects of this family on Cast?//oa
rubber trees in both Eastern and Western quarters of
the globe.
Cotton Leaf-Blister Mite.
Mr. A. J. Jordan, Agricultural Instructor at Montserrat,
has recently concluded a series of experiments with several
insecticides for the control of the cotton leaf-blister mite so
common in that island.
Several of the well-known contact poisons were used as
sprays and a dry mixture of lime and sulphur was dusted on
to the plants. All the plants were badly affected by the
disease and no difference was to be seen in their condition ;.
but at the conclusion of the experiment, those plants treated
with lime and sulphur were in a much healthier state
than the others.
The plants were cut and weighed, and the results
carefully tabulated. The plot on which they grew was not
treated except by the application of lime and sulphur.
Young plants are coming up and, although those removed
were badly infested, apparently the seedlings are compara-
tively free from the disease.
While this experiment is not conclusive, it indicates
that lime and sulphur will probably furnish a means of
control for this very serious pest. Similar experiments were
started in Montserrat early in September last (see Agri-
cultural News, Vol. H, p. 309), but owing to unfavourable-
weather conditions they were discontinued before any results
had been reached.
Vor, Ill. No. 47. THE
= == =
THE BOTANIC STATION AT ST. VINCENT.
We take the following extracts from an account
of the Botanic Station at St. Vincent by the Foreman,
Mr. J. B. Dopwell :—
In one of the rich, well-sheltered valleys of St. Vincent,
at an elevation of 203 feet above the sea-level, and about
4 mile north of Kingstown, will be found the Botanic Station.
Here was formerly situated the old garden said to have been
the first institution of its kind in the West Indies. The
following historical extract is taken from the Rev. Lansdown
Guilding’s account of the Botanic Gardens, St. Vincent,
(1765-1825) :—
This garden seems to owe its origin to certain advertise-
ments in the Transactions of the Society of Arts for 1762 and
the four following years, offering rewards to any one who should
cultivate a spdt in the West Indies in which plants, useful in
medicine and profitable as articles of commerce, might be
propagated, and where nurseries of the valuable productions of
Asia and other distant parts might be formed for the benefit of
His Majesty’s colonies.
General Melville, who was then Chief Governor of the
Windward Islands, with a laudable and patriotic zeal resolved
to commence the task, and in 1765 gave and cleared at his own
expense 20 acres of land in the most favourable situation he
could find.
So great was the interest taken in this garden, which
promised to be a source of much profit to the colonies and of
commerce to the mother country, that His Majesty was pleased
in 1790 to send a ship to the South Seas to procure for it the
bread-fruit (Artocarpus incisa) and every other valuable tree
that could be obtained. The lamentable termination of this
first voyage is known to every one. Not discouraged by the fate
of the first, the King determined to fit’ out a second ship of
discovery, and shortly afterwards Captain Bligh set sail in
the ‘ Providence’. In December 1792, Captain Bligh
touched at St. Helena on his return, and in January 1793,
attended by Captain Portlock of the ‘ Assistant’ brig, landed
the best portion of his valuable cargo, about 530 plants, on the
shores of St. Vincent.
The extent of the garden, which is of irregular figure, does
not exceed 39$ acres. In May 1823, most of the valuable plants
at the St. Vincent Botanic Station were removed to the Trinidad
Gardens, after which time some of the best trees were either
stolen or disappeared through neglect, as no responsible person
except a labouring man was placed in charge of the grounds.
After many years of neglect and decline, the Botanic
Station was re-established in May 1890 owing to the efforts
of Sir Walter Hely-Hutchinson, G.C.M.G., then Governor and
Commander-in-chief of the Windward Islands, now Governor
of Cape Colony. At this time Mr. Henry Powell, who has
recently left St. Vincent to take up an appointment at Mom-
bassa, East Africa, assumed the duties of the curatorship.
Then there were merely a few plants dotted here and there,
notably cinnamon, clove, nutmegs and bread-fruit, and though
some of these have been destroyed by hurricanes, others are
well preserved.
Entering the Station by the southern entrance, one
comes to the circular drive. At the base of the central
avenue, just above the circular drive, stand two fine
specimens of the toddy palm (Caryota wrens). At this point
three walks meet, viz., the central avenue, the lovers’ walk
and the walk leading to the western entrance. These walks
meet again at the rose garden and are again continued up to
the nurseries and on to Government House.
AGRICULTURAL NEWS. 43
The ground between the central avenue and the walk
on the left is chietly under- nutmeg cultivation. On the
other side are planted various rubber plants, coffee and
timber trees. Along both sides of the central avenue are
planted Caryota palms at intervals of about 60 feet, with
a variety of other palms between. Then comes a plantation
of grafted mangos. This order of planting continues for
about 120 yards and then terminates in a rose garden.
About 30 yards from the rose garden is the Curator’s
office, to the east of which lies the nursery where plants are
propagated for distribution to planters.
THE MANUFACTURE OF PERFUMES.
The following account of the manufacture of
perfumes and flower essences in Grasse is taken from
the Journal of the Society of Arts of November 20,
1903 :—
The city of Grasse, the most important industrial place
of the Riviera, is widely known on account of its perfume
manufacture. At present thirty-five establishments making
essences of flowers are in operation there, The average
consumption of roses for that purpose is about 2,650,000 hb.,
and that of orange flowers about 660,000 ib. per annum.
The annual sale of these essences amounts to about £200,000.
Vallauris has nine such factories. The most important
product of this industry is oil of neroli, made from the
flowers of the bitter orange A kilogramme (2-2 bb.) of
this oil is worth £12. From the peel of the bitter orange,
oil of orange is made. The peel of the sweet orange is
seldom used for making oi]. The manufacture of essence of
roses 1s also very extensive. The so-called oil of roses is
manufactured from Andropogon Schoenanthus. The flowers
of the large-flowered jasmine yield the oil of jasmine.
One acre planted with jasmine is said to yield a yearly
product worth £250, but requires a good deal of work.
A pound of essence of violets is worth from 9s. to
10s. Oil of geranium is produced from the flowers of
Pelargonium capitatum. The flowers of the tuberose, of the
Jonquil, and of a species of narcissus are manufactured into
essences ; also the leaves of the citronella plant, the root of
the Jris florentina (violet root), the patchouli flowers,
sandalwood, ete. Fortunately for many places in the
Riviera, the consumption of these essences has not decreased
in late years.
DEPARTMENT NEWS.
The Fish-curing Factory, which is being established
at Barbados under the auspices of the Imperial
Department of Agriculture, was opened on Saturday,
January 23, for imspection by a number of leading
merchants and others. ‘The visitors were received by
Sir Daniel Morris, who addressed a few remarks giving
an account of the successive steps which had led to
the establishment of the factory. A considerable quan-
tity of cured fish had already been successfully exported
to British Guiana and Trinidad, and forty barreis of
flying-fish, albacore, dolphin and sprats either pickled,
salted or dried, were now available for disposal at
reasonable prices. He mentioned that Barbados
imported every year salted and pickled fish to the value
of £47,000, and ventured to think that a portion of
this sum, at any rate, might be saved, and the island
greatly benefited.
44 THE AGRICULTURAL
GLEANINGS.
Island
ordered through the Imperial Department of Agriculture for
use in Jamaica during the next planting season,
A ton of selected Sea cotton seed has been
Among the exports from British Guiana for the period
January 1, 1904 to January 12, 1904, are mentioned
5023 tons of molascuit.
An old time distich, reminiscent of the period when
Barbados largely produced cotton, still survives amongst the
peasantry :—
‘T live in the thickets: I live very well,
Upon guinea corn, coco and cotton to sell.’
The Board of Trade Journal referring to the exports of
Grenada, says: ‘Cotton and cotton seed are at present
exclusively the product of Carriacou, the principal dependency
of Grenada. In 1902, the actual export was 2,212 ewt. of
raw cotton, and 4,536 ewt. of cotton seed, valued at £4,069.’
At a meeting of the Managing Committee of the
St. Lucia Agricultural Society on December 30, Sir Daniel
Morris promised, if the necessary arrangements could be
carried out, to attend a Conference of landowners and planters
at Castries on Tuesday, February 23, to discuss the prospects
of the cotton industry.
Mr. A. H. Clark, a graduate of Harvard University, is
on a visit to the Lesser Antilles for the purpose of making
collections of fossils and mammals. Mr. Clark is specially
interested in bird life and he has already made investigations
likely to be of value from the scientific as well as the
agricultural point of view.
The Journal of the New York Botanical Garden for
November 1903 contains an interesting report by Professor
F. E. Lloyd on a ‘ Botanical expedition to the island of
Dominica, British West Indies.’ Professor Lloyd acknowl-
edges his indebtedness for valuable suggestions and
assistance received from Mr. J. Jones, the Curator of the
Botanic Station, and states that ‘Roseau can boast of a very
delightful and useful Botanic Station.’
The Annual Report of the Sinithsonian Institute for
1902, which has just been issued, contains two articles on
the volcanic eruptions in St. Vincent and Martinique. One
of these is the preliminary report of Drs. Tempest Anderson
and J. 8. Flett, reprinted from the Proceedings of the
Royal Society, while the second is by J. C. Russell, of the
United States National Geographical Society Expedition to
the West Indies. At the conclusion of the latter paper,
there is printed a useful bibliography of magazine articles,
reports, ete., concerning these eruptions.
NEWS. January 30, 1904.
A Prize List of the Demerara County Show 1904, to be
held at Eve Leary Barracks on February 26 next, has been
forwarded to this Office through the courtesy of Mr. T. S.
Hargreaves, the Secretary of the Show Committee. We
notice that an extra prize is offered by his Excellency the
Governor for 50 tb. of beef corned in the colony, and also one,
offered by Mrs. Macquarrie, for the best conditioned, groomed
and harnessed donkey.
We learn from the Jamaica Da‘ly Telegraph of January
12 that there is every possibility of an industry in cassava
starch being worked up in that colony. A factory has been
erected and the proprietor (Mr. J. W. Middleton) is about to
make a trial shipment of 1 ton to England. A sample of
starch from this factory was recently pronounced by
Mr. Cousins to be ‘ free from acid and all impurities’. ;
The cultivation of bees is rapidly becoming a national
industry in America. It is estimated that 300,000 people
are more or less interested and engaged in bee culture.
Thirty years ago the output of honey was estimated at
15,000,000 Ib. ; its value last year is estimated by the
Government at £4,000,000. As is so often the case with
American industries, a pleasing feature of bee-keeping is the
large number of small farmers who follow it. (Indian
Planting and Gardening, November 28, 1903.)
Another very wise precaution to prevent cocoa-nut
palms being up-rooted by wind is to plant the seed-nuts at
the bottom of holes, 3 feet deep. The holes. so dug are not
filled up by hand, seeing that the light sandy soil fills up the
hole in course of time. The roots of palms planted in this
manner are naturally deeper and better covered than are
those of trees grown from seeds embedded in the usual
manner, immediately below the surface. (The Colonial
Report on the Cocos-Keeling Islands for 1903.)
Mr. William M. Smith, Acting Agricultural Instructor
at Grenada, writes: ‘The planters here complain of the
great increase of the “ Brown Rot ” fungus during the past
year. They have lost sight of the fact that, although the
burying and burning of the pod shells in the field is
expensive, the saving of the cacao trees from the disease-
more than compensates for the expense incurred in this way.’
A circular (No. 52) recently issued by the Office of
Experiment Stations of the United States Department of
Agriculture gives a list of ‘A few good books and bulletins
on nature study, school gardening and elementary agriculture
for common schools.’ The aim of the circular is to recom-
mend a few books that are likely to be useful to teachers
and pupils. It is also suggested that the books mentioned
might serve as a nucleus for a public school agricultural
library.
Potatos meant to be used for planting require vastly
more careful treatment than potatos meant only to be eaten.
Sometimes potatos are raised from the beginning, in a special
field with special treatment of the soil, special cultivation, and
altogether special attention, to be sold for seed purposes; but
mostly such high cultivation is given nowadays to all farm
crops, that an ordinary field is gone through, and the finest
and healthiest-appearing plants are chosen, and those that
yield prelifically of good sized potatos, not necessarily the
largest, but the best merchantable yield, are taken, and the
soundest potatos chosen from these as ‘seed.’ (Journal of
the Jamaica Aaricultural Society, December 1903.)
Vor. HI. No. 47.
THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS. 45
EDUCATIONAL.
Agricultural Teaching in Jamaica.
Ata meeting of the Board of Agriculture of Jamaica
held on November 10 last, on the invitation of the Chairman
(the Hon. Sydney Olivier, C.M.G.,), Sir Daniel Morris,
K.C.M.G., spoke in reference to teaching elementary science
and agriculture in the primary schools in the colony. He
suggested that greater importance should be given to these
subjects in the Code by allotting to them the same number
of marks on inspection as is given for other primary
subjects. He stated that in Trinidad and elsewhere in the
West Indies there were already numerous school gardens
established, and that, probably, the reason for the small
number in Jamaica was that the regulations were too severe,
i.e., that the ground must be at least } acre in extent
and that it must be fenced and tools provided before-
hand. He also suggested that at all Agricultural Shows
held in the island there should be a special section for school
children, where they might exhibit plants grown by
themselves in pots. ‘The question of inspection was then
discussed, and it appeared to the Board that if the number
of the Agricultural Instructors were increased, say by four,
the Education Department might invite their assistance to
supervise and assist the working of school gardens and to
report on “them for the Department. The Board after
discussion of Sir Daniel Morris’ criticism recorded its opinion
that the progress made in the development of agricultural
elementary education during the five years, to which attention
had been directed to it, was not so satisfactory as could be
desired. It was resolved to recommend to the Governor
that the Superintending Inspector of Schools should be
placed on the Board of Agriculture in order to afford him an
opportunity of keeping in closer touch with agricultural
development in the colony. (Bulletin of the Department of
Agriculture, Jamaica, December 1903.)
Lectures to Teachers in Jamaica.
We learn from Jamaica papers that the annual
course of lectures to elementary school teachers
commenced on Monday, January 4, and was_ to
continue till Friday, January 29. The general
programme of the course, which is similar to those of
former years, except that it has been arranged for a
portion of the practical instruction to be given at the
Mico Training College, where the teachers are being
lodged, is given as follows in the Jamaica Times of
January 2 :—
7—9.30 a.m. Practical Work and Demonstrations at the
Mico, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays ; at Hope
Gardens on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.
11.30 —2.30 Agricultural Science Course by Mr. Tever-
sham.
Afternoon, three each week, Tuesdays, Thursdays and
Fridays. Addresses on special subjects at the Mico,
commencing at 4.30 p.m., open to the public.
Evening, Messrs. Peet and Skyers hold classes in
Manual Work by the Code.
AGRICULTURAL SHOWS.
Barbados Local Exhibition.
As stated in our fast issue, the fourth Local
Agricultural Exhibition and Show of Stock for Peasant
Proprietors was held under the auspices of the
Imperial Department of Agriculture at Lower Estate,
St. Michael, on Tuesday, January 12.
The show was in every sense a success, the fine
weather which prevailed throughout the day permitting
a large attendance. The number of entries was not
as large as at previous shows, but there was an undoubted
improvement in the quality of the exhibits. There
were distinct signs of greater care being bestowed upon
the growth and preparation of the products, and the
one hundred exhibits sent in by pupils from the
Primary Schools were of distinct merit.
The vegetables shown in Class II were particularly
numerous and of fine quality. The starches, meals
and other prepared products in Class IV, though not
as numerous as hitherto, were of a high order and
formed one of the most encouraging signs of the
improvement that is being steadily brought about by
these shows.
The exhibition was visited by his Excellency the
Governor who made a careful inspection of all the
exhibits. After distributing the prizes, Sir Frederic
Hodgson briefly addressed the gathering. He had
been struck with the unmistakable advance on previous
years, and thought they had learnt the lesson that an
expenditure of time, labour and skill resulted in products
of great value and more easily marketable. He advised
the cultivation of vegetables, the rearing of poultry
and production of eggs, by means of which they might
materially increase their earnings. In conclusion
he congratulated the Imperial Commissioner and
Mr. Bovell on the success of the exhibition.
Sir Daniel Morris thanked his Excellency for his
presence and for distributing the prizes, which, he
remarked, showed the deep concern taken by him in
everything connected with the interests of the people
of Barbados. The better quality of the exhibits
and the better style in which they were presented
showed that they were advancing step by step in
improving the treatment of the soil and in deriving
greater profit from their labours. Their thanks were
due to Mr. G, L. Pile, M.C.P., for kindly permitting the
use of the buildings in which to hold the exhibition ; to
Mr. Bayne, the manager ; to Mr. Bovell and to the judges
and other gentlemen who had so largely contributed to
the success of the show.
In reference to this exhibition, the Barbados
Agricultural Reporter of January 16, has the
following :—
On visiting this exhibition, we were again reminded of
the value of the Imperial Department of Agriculture to this
island, not only in the efforts it has put forth to assist our
principal industries, but in the development of the energies
of our industrious peasantry on their small holdings, and in
giving assistance to the practical education of the children
in our elementary schools.
46 THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.
January 30, 1904.
ANALYSIS OF GRENADA CACAO * SOIL.
The following is a report by Professor J. P.
d’ Albuquerque, M.A., F.LC., F.C.S., on two samples of
soil from Belle Vue estate, Grenada, forwarded by the
Commissioner of Agriculture for A. Wellesley Lewis,
Esq :—
The samples of soil were mixed and an average sample
analysed : a similar course was pursued with the samples of
subsoil.
The analyses
phosphoric acid.
indicate a clayey soil, deficient in
The total péreentage of potash is rather
low, but of this a fair proportion is immediately available.
The amount of carbonate of lime though not great is probably
sufficient for the needs of the trees, The percentage of
nitrogen is rather high.
T recommend an application of 4 ewt. of basic slag and
$ ewt. of sulphate of potash per acre either dug in the holes
before the cacao is planted or lightly forked in between the
trees. When the trees show signs of flagging growth, apply
1 ewt. per acre of nitrate of soda as a top dressing near the
trees and soon after the cacao crop has been reaped.
MECHANICAL ANALYSIS (RESULTS CALCULATED TO SOIL DRIED AT 100° c.).
Soil. | Subsoil.
Decent. Pounds per peeent Pounds per
Acre. Acre.
Diameter of Particulars.
Gravel 3 millimetres to 1 mm. ... PAT 4°1
Coarse sand 1 95 op WG a oc 7 | 30
Medium sand 0-5 = ny AD eg 9 | 5-6
Find sand 0-2 an 55 O;05 ers. 22-1 21°6
* Silt 0-05 ” op WUE. = 5p . 0 21°3 | 24°3
Fine silt 0-01 5 op WIVES og 28-6 29-2
(Clay 0-002 ” ” 23° 12°2
Fine clay* Os) » » =—— 1000 | 160:0
96-6 92-9
CHEMICAL ANALYSIS OF FINE SOIL (RESULTS CALCULATED TO SOIL DRIED aT 100° C.).
Soil. Subsoil.
Peveant: Pounds per | poy cent. Pr punds per
Acre. Acre.
Insoluble siliceous matter ... 560 p60 309 roe 34-967 1,049,010 33887 1,016,610
Soluble silica... ae Se 500 he “066 1,980 “050 2,700
Potassium oxidet Ris 6a0 S00 Ree ee jet 126 3,780 126 3,780
Sodium oxide ... Sse aa ae ae ; ee dee 118 3,540 “114 3,420
Calcium oxide ode as 680 ate Ae) ee “620 18,600 “640 19,200
Magnesia a ase one O80 abi ae Bie "662 19,860 “756 22,680
Manganese oxide Gas 200 689 ee ae as ac 160 4,800 180 5.400
Tron oxide and alumina re ane awe aie sie aAD 46/139 1,384,17 47-208 1,416,240
Phosphoric anhydride } do6 00 766 ac ‘141 4,230 “112 3,360
Sulphuric anhydride ais ne Ae dis aa “096 2.880 “142 4,260
Carbonic anhydride +t sins oes = a oneta) 5,250 “205 6,150
Combined water and organic matter * ... aes eae 16°730 501,900 16°540 496,200
100-000 3,000,000 100-000 | 3,000,000
* Containing Nitrogen ee nia gn ee wae wee 294 8,820 ‘231 6,930
+ Containing Potassium oxide soluble in 1 per cent. citric acid “020 600 “O21 630
+ Containing Phosphoric anhydride soluble in 1 per cent.
citric acid ... wes 600 os nee trace trace
++ Equal to Carbonate of Lime ea ace B98 11,940 “466 13,980
Vou. III. No. 47.
THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS. 47
MARKET REPORTS.
London, — January 5, 1904. Messrs. Knarron, Piper & Co.,
Messrs. E. A. Dr Pass & Co. and Messrs. J. HALES
Carp & Co., ‘THE LivErroon Corron AssocraTION
WreEKLY CircuLar’, December 23, 1903; and
‘Tue Poustrc Lepcer,’ January 2, 1904.
Ators—Barbados, 13/- to 35/- ; Curacoa, 14/6 to 35/- per
ewt.
Anrrowroot—St. Vincent, 14d. to 3$d.; Bermuda, 1/3 to
1/8 per tb.
Barara—1)9 to 2/3 per tb.
Bees’-wax—£7 2s. 6d. to £7 7s. Gd. per ewt.
Cacao—Trinidad, 64/- to 72/- per cwt. ; Grenada, 53/-
to 62/- per cwt.; Dominica, St. Lucia and Jamaica,
50/- to 54/- per ewt.
Carpamoms—Mysore, 7d. to 3/2 per Ib.
CorrEE—Jamaica, ordinary, 35/- to 55/- per ewt.
Corra—Trinidad, £15 10s. to £15 12s. 6d. per ton, ¢.i.f.
Corron—West Indian Sea Island, 1/2 to 1/3 per tb.
Divi Divr— No quotations.
Frvuir—
Bananas—Canary Islands, 8/- to 11/- per bunch.
Grave Frurr—10/- to 11/- per case.
OraANGES—Jamaica, 8/- to 10/- per case.
PINE-APPLES—No quotations.
Fustic—£3 10s. to £4 per ton.
Grxcer—Jamaica, 36/- to 55/- per ewt.
Honey—Jamaica, 19/- to 28,6 per ewt.
Istnciass—West Indian lump, 2/3 to 2/11; Cake, 1/5 to
1/7 per th.
Kora Nurs—4d. to 7d. per tb.
Live Jurce—Raw, 10d. to 1s. 2d. per gallon ; Concentrated,
£13 to £13 10s. per cask of 108 gallons.
Logwoop —£4 2s. 6d. to £5; Roots, £4 to £4 10s.
per ton.
Mace—1/10 to 2)7 per th.
Nirrare or Sopa—Agricultural, £9 12s. 6d. per ton.
Nurmecs-—69’s to 60's, 1/9 to 2/4; 90’s to 80's, 1/2 to 1/6
per tb.
Pimenro—-33d. to 4d. per tb.
Rum—Demerara, 9d. to 10d. per proof gallon ; Jamaica, 1/6
to 8/- per proof gallon.
SaRSAPARILLA—No quotations.
Suear—Crystallized, 15/- to 16/9 per ewt.; Muscovado,
11/- to 14/6 ; Molasses Sugar, 11/9 to 16/3.
SunpHate or AmMonta—£12 17s. 6d. per ton.
Tamarmnps—Antigua, 8/- to 8,6 per ewt.
Halifax, N.S.,—December 29, 1903.— ‘ Marnie
MERCHANT.’
Bananas—$2'25 to $2°50 per bunch.
OraNncEs—Jamaica, $5-00 to $5°50 per barrel.
Prvne-appLEes—$3'50 for case of 24.
New York,—January 8, 1904.—Messrs. GILLEsPrE
Bros. & Co.
Bananas—No quotations.
Cacao— African, 12c. to 12}c.; Caracas, 13}ce. to 14sec. ;
Jamaica, 10$c. to 12$¢.; Grenada, 1235c. to Ldc.;
Trinidad, 13$c. to 14$c. per tb.
Cocoa-NuTs—Trinidads, $17°00 to $19°00; Jamaicas,
$21-00 to $23°00 per M., selected.
Corrre—Jamaica, fair to good ordinary, 8c. to 8c.
per tb. ; Manchester grades, 10c. to 12c. per tb.
Gincer—Jamaica, Te. to 8jc. per tb.
Goat Skrxs—Jamaicas, 50c. to 54c. per th.
Grave Fruir—$5:00 to $7:00 per barrel.
Ornances—$3'75 to $4:00 per barrel.
Pimento—7he. to 7}e. per th.
Russer—No quotations.
Sucar—Centrifugals, 96°, 34c.; Muscovados, 89°, 3e
Molasses, 89°, 2}c. per Ib.
—
INTER-COLONIAL MARKETS.
Barbados,—January 16, 1904.—Messrs. T. S. Garra-
way & Co., and Messrs. James A. Lynco & Co.
Arrowroot—St. Vincent, $3°60 per 100 th.
Csacao—$13-00 per 100 fb.
Cocoa-Nuts—$9°37 per M. for unhusked nuts.
CoFFEE—Jamaica and ordinary Rio, $9-°00 to $9°50 per
100 tb. respectively.
Hay—$1°-25 per 100 th.
Manvres—-Nitrate of soda, $65°00 ; Ohlendorff’s dissolved
guano, $60°00; Sulphate of ammonia, $76-00 to $85-00 ;
Sulphate of potash, $67-°00; Sheep Manure, $6°25
per ton (ex ship).
Mo rasses—No quotations.
Oxtoxs—$3'50 per 100 th.
Poratos, ENeiisH—$2°75 per 100 tb.
Rice—Ballam, $5:00 per bag (190 tb.) ; Patna $360 per
100 tb.
Suear—No quotations.
British Guiana,—January 14, 1904.—Messrs. Wintine
& Ricwrer.
Arrowhkoot—St. Vincent, $8°50 per barrel.
Barara—40c. to 42c, per tb.
Cacao—Native, Ile. to 12c. per tb.
Cassava SrarcH—$5-50 per barrel.
Cocoa-nutTs—$11:00 to $12-00 per M.
Correre—Rio and Jamaica, 12c. to 13c. per tb. (retail).
—Creole, 1le. to 12c. per tb.
Duat—$3-50 to $3°60 per bag of 168 Tb.
Eppors—$1°44 per barrel.
Motasses—Vacuum Pan yellow, 15ce. per gallon, casks
included.
Oxtons—2he. to 3c. per tb., ex store; Garlic, 6c. to 7c.
Pea Nurs—Curacoa, 3}c. ; American, 5c. per th. (retail).
Priantarys—20c. to 60c. per bunch.
Poratos, ENGLisH--$2°50 to $2°80 per barrel.
Rice—Ballam, $460 to $4°65 per 177 tb., ex store ; Creole,
18e. to 20e. per gallon (retail).
Sweet Poraros—Barbados, $1°44 per barrel.
Tannras— $2°64 per bag.
Yams—White, $1°68 per bag.
Sucar—Dark Crystals, $1°85 ; Yellow, $2°20 to $2°30;
White, $3°50; Molasses, $1°60 to $1:90 per 100 tb.
Triper—Greenheart, 32c. to 55c. per cubic foot.
Wataba SHINGLES—$3°00 to $5°00 per M.
Trinidad,—January 14, 1904—Messrs. Gorpon, Grant
& Co., and Messrs. Epcar Trire & Co.
3ALATA—34e. to 36e.
Cacao—Ordinary, $13°25 to $13°75; Estates, $14:00
to $14°75 per fanega.
Cocoa-Nuts—$16-00 per M. f.o.b., selected in bags of 100,
(husked).
Cocoa-Nut Meat—lje. per Ib.
Cocos-Nur Om—55e. per Imperial Gallon (casks included).
Corree—Venezuelan, 7%c. per tb.
Copra—$2°50 to $2°60 per 100 th.
Oxtons—$3-25 to $3°50 per 100 tb.
Poraros, EnctisH—$1'10 to $1:25 per 100 tb.
Ricr—Yellow, $4:°25 to $4:50; White Table, $5°25 to
$5°75 per bag.
Suear—No quotations.
4& THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS. January 30, 1904.
THE BEST MANURES FOR COLONIAL USE
ASE ea
Ohlendorff’s Dissolved Peruvian Guano—For Sugar-cane and general use
Ohlendorff’s Special Sugar-cane Manure
Ohlendorff’s Special Cocoa Manure
Ohlendorff’s Special Cotton Manure
Sulphate of Ammonia, Nitrate of Soda, Superphosphates, high grades,
Potash Salts, Basic Slag and all other high-class Fertilizers.
APPLY TO LOCAL AGENTS OR DIRECT TO
THE ANGLO-CONTINENTAL (LATE OHLENDORFF’S) GUANO WORKS,
London Agency: 15, Leadenhall Street, London, E.C.
[a2: Barbados Agents: Messrs. James A. Lynch & Co., Bridgetown.
“CACAO.” | DEPARTMENT PUBLICATIONS.
BY RECENTLY ISSUED:
Pamphlet No. 28,—
Joo. HAR F:L.s. _| ‘BARBADOS AND PORTO RICO MOLASSES.’
NEW EDITION. Price 3d. Post Free, 383d.
‘WEST INDIAN BULLETIN’ (VOL. WV, NO. 3)
Papers on Cotton. Price 6d. Post Free, 8.
A TREATISE ON THE CULTIVATION, CURING AND
CHEMISTRY OF
IN THE P :
COMMERCIAL CACAO. RESS
Pamphlet No. 29,—
DAVIDSON & TODD, Trinidad. LECTURES ON DISEASES OF THE SUGAR-CANE,
Containing report of Sir Daniel Morris, K.C.M.G.,
D.Se., and Mr. J. R. Bovell, F.L.S., F.C.S., on visit
Do is r ihe : Fe sence
Price 3s. per copy to the cotton-growing districts of U.S.A.
[50.]
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A FORTNIGHTLY REVIEW
OF THE
Vou. III. No. 48.
IMPERIAL DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE FOR THE WEST INDIES.
BARBADOS, FEBRUARY 13, 1904.
Price ld.
CONTENTS.
Pace. PAGE
Bacteria and the Nitrogen Gleanings ... ... 60
Problem ... ... ... 51 | Grenada, Exports of ... 57
Bee-keeping :—
West Indian Honey on
Royal Mail Steamers 54
Indigo, Natural versus
Artificialan seem cecne es OG;
Insect Notes :— =
Experiment Station at
Cacao, Cultivation in Lagos 56 Montserrat... ... ... 58
Cashew Tree ... ... ... 52
Cotton :—
Disease at Montserrat... 5:
SCCM sic, atert wawee ctval soe) OG
Jamaica Soils ... ... ... 3
Machinery for Sale ... ... 5:
| Market Reports... ... 6
Metric System... ... «..
Department Publications... 63 Mosquitogeiaas \ vane es oe
eee | Mule-breeding in Trinidad 59
Dominica :— VNuscouad Sous 56
Crop Prospects ... ... 57 ao
Property for Sale... ... 6
a)
Notes and Comments ... 56
Onion Seed... ... ... «2. 56
Orange, An Abnormal... 55
Our Book Shelf :—
A Treatise on Cacao ... 61
| Practical Pollination... ... 51
Sugar Industry :—
. 49} Antigua Central Factory 51
British Guiana, Cane-
farmingsineee ne) a2) OL
Grocery Sugars inCanada 50
| Sunflower asa Crop... ... d4
Educational :—-
Nature Study... ... ... 59
School Gardens in
rIMIdad ya ees) ees) 10201 OD)
Fish-curing Industry at
Barbados pee ee
Fruit and Vegetables,
Grading of... ... ... 52
Temperate in West
madtesy cay ceeiydeoyi ws
Tropical in England ... 5:
Mubene Parasites, Render- Tobago, Forest Reserva- &
ing Plants Immune | sons geo
against... . 56 | West Indian Products ... 61
bo ot
Fish-curing Industry at Barbados.
E published in the Agricultural News
(Vol. II, p. 217) an extract relating to
experiments that were being tried in
curing flying fish, in which it was mentioned that,
Mr. G. W. Hunt had obtained, through the Imperial
Department of Agriculture, the use of buildings on
the Reef Recreation Ground for carrying on a fish-
curing business. These buildings had originally been
purchased from the military authorities by the General
Board of Health for quarantine purposes.
With the object of making better known the
efforts that had been made during the last twelve
months to establish a fish-curing industry in the island,
and with the view of obtaining the assistance of
merchants and others in disposing of the fish on a
commercial scale, a number of gentlemen interested in
the undertaking were invited to inspect the buildings
on January 23, and to see something of the results of
Mr. Hunt’s efforts. Sir Daniel Morris explained that
the experiment had now arrived at a stage when it
must either come to an end, or embark upon a career
of comparative prosperity. It was his hope that fish-
curing would make such progress in Barbados as to
become one of the established industries of the island.
What he wished to point out was that, when an
industry of this kind had been shown to be a practi-
cable one, it was necessary, in order to carry it on on
commercial lines, for it to receive general support from
the mercantile community. He therefore appealed to
those present to do what they could to remove any
prejudice that may happen to exist as to a new food
of this kind. That the fish was perfectly wholesome,
the letters that had been received from Trinidad and
British Guiana, to which colonies several successful
shipments had already been made, amply testified.
50 “THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.
Fresruary 13, 1904.
He would like to add that, while they were
endeavouring to build up an export trade in salted and
pickled fish, they were particularly anxious that the
fish should, as far as possible, be utilized locally by the
people and in the public institutions of the colony.
In this way the importations of salted and pickled fish
from the United States and Canada might be reduced.
Barbados imported every year salted and pickled fish
to the value of about £47,000, and while it could not
be hoped to save the whole of this large sum, it might
be possible, if the industry were placed on a permanent
footing, that at least a portion of it, say one-third,
might be saved with considerable advantage to the
island.
Sir Daniel stated that the subject of organizing
the West Indian fisheries and rendering them more
generally profitable had been engaging the attention
of the Imperial Department of Agriculture for some
time. He had, at one time, hoped it would be possible
to establish a fishery branch of the Department as was
the case with the Agricultural Departments of England,
of Ireland, and of the Cape of Good Hope. The only
difficulty was in regard to funds. The Secretary of
State for the Colonies had approved of the proposal
provided the various West Indian Colonies would
contribute a share towards the cost of its maintenance.
He had communicated with the different governments,
but owing to the prevailing depression in the sugar
industry and other circumstances, they were unable to
afford material help. This was the case especially with
Barbados. The reply he received in the ¢
colony was that the Governor-in-Executive Committee
regretted that owing to financial considerations it
was unable to assist with funds for starting a fishing
industry. The Governor (Sir Frederic M. Hodgson)
was, personally, in favour of something being done.
That was three years ago. In May last year, Mr. Hunt
approached him and asked if it would be possible to
obtain assistance from the Department in starting an
experimental fish-curing factory. Mr. Hunt mentioned
the desirability of obtaining the present buildings.
Eventually the Government of Barbados agreed to
transfer them with the adjoining out-offices to the
Imperial Department of Agriculture. The main
building was 60 feet long and about 20 feet wide,
and was well suited for the purpose in view. Since
the building had been transferred, the Department had
incurred expense in removing the partitions. re-arrang-
ing some of the out-buildings and other necessary
changes and additions. A jetty had been provided for
landing the fish, the fore-shore had been fenced in and
a fish-scaling shed had been erected. Also water had
case of this
been laid on from the mains of the Water Works
Department. Altogether, with the aid of the funds of
the Department, Mr. Hunt was now ina position to
prepare and cure about 20 barrels of fish per day. That
would mean something like 4,000 to 5,000 barrels per
annum. It would be noticed that Mr. Hunt did not
put up flying fish. only. There were also albacore,
dolphin, shark and dried sprats. The fish was either
pickled, salted or dried. The Imperial Department of
Agriculture prepared to continue to give
Mr. Hunt assistance from a scientific point of view and
to furnish him with information, in regard to fishery
matters, desired from other countries. Messrs. Hiins-
chell & Co. were general agents for the factory ; but
it had been arranged that merchants in Bridgetown, if
they preferred it, could obtain their supplies direct
from Mr. Hunt. Mr. Hunt at present had over 40
barrels of cured flying fish in stock. Each barret
contained about 600 fish weighing in all about 150 tb.
It was estimated that cured flying fish could be delivered
locally at about $4:00 per barrel, or at about one-half
the cost of salted fish from Canada,
Was
SUGAR
INDUSTRY.
Grocery sunt in Canada.
The following letter in regard to the condition of
the sugar market in the Dominion of Canada, has been
received from Mr, Alexander Wills, of Montreal, dated
January 21, 1904 :—
In my last I advised you I would refer shortly to the
position of British West Indian sugars in Canada. I have
now pleasure in enclosing a copy of a circular letter that we
have issued in the interest of the sugar shippers, in order to
acquaint them with the conditions at the present moment
existing in the Canadian markets for, especially, refining sugars.
The letter speaks for itself and we trust it will save some
of our friends making losses, or at least minimizing them. It
may place business on a better basis by having all sugars for
this purpose jirst offered direct to Canada, and so free them
from the depressing effects of being handled by New York
brokers, who offer them in turn to our refiners under the
market conditions created by the passing of the Cuban
Reciprocity Treaty.
Grocery sugars are not thus affected and a good and
growing market is to be found here. Montreal is the greatest
centre for handling all classes of sugars and good results can
be obtained for shipments here ; but this class of sugar must
be shipped in bags or barrels, bags preferably, and not
hogsheads, This package is of no use here and stops the sale
of sugar.
I understand some proposals are being considered in
Jamaica on the above subject, and if you can advise me om
what is being done, I shall be greatly obliged,
Vot. Ill. No. 48.
Antigua Central Sugar Factory.
The following preliminary notice, signed by the
Hon. Francis Watts, Chairman of the Central Sugar
Factories" Board, appeared in the’ Leeward Islands
Gazette of January 21, 1904 :—
Under an agreement recently entered into between the
Government of this Presidency and the owner of the
Belvidere estates, arrangements have been made whereby
sugar-canes grown by peasants, up to an aggregate amount
of 1,500 tons in a year, will be purchased at Bendal’s
Works on the following conditions :—
Payment will be made for canes on a sliding scale,
which will be published shortly. The price is never to be
jess than 7s. 6d. per ton for good canes.
Canes to be accepted inust be clean, sound and ripe.
They are to be delivered at Bendal’s Works.
Peasants desiring to sell canes to the Bendal’s Factory
must give timely notice to the Manager of the Factory
of their intention to send canes.
Detailed particulars, as to the conditions under which
canes will be received and paid for, may be obtained on
application to the Manager of Bendal’s Factory or to the
Chairman of the Central Sugar Factories Board.
Cane-farming in British Guiana.
The West India Committee Circular of January 5,
after referring to the progress of cane-farming in
Trinidad, gives the following account of what is being
done in this connexion in British Guiana :—
For some time past efforts have been made to start
a similar industry in British Guiana, but the conditions
regarding drainage, transport, etc., in that colony have been
such as to retard the development of cane-farming hitherto.
Tt will be noted with satisfaction, however, from the figures
given below, for which we are indebted to Mr. F. I. Scard,
of British Guiana, that some substantial progress has been
made during the past three years. The figures show :—
1903. 1900.
Essequibo (including Wakenaam) 580 45
Demerara B00 ee 308 26
Berbice ... on sis 130
1,018 cal
These figures represent the acreage of peasant farmers’
canes dealt with by fifteen estates. The canes are mostly
paid for by the punt load, at a price equal to about 8s. per
ton, or by the gallon in one or two instances. Three estates
adopt a sliding scale of price, according to the value of
96 per cent. crystals in Georgetown. _ Land for the purpose
is provided by the estates in eight cases. In the Essequibo
district and in one instance in Demerara, the managers speak
encouragingly of the industry. The figures given do not
include canes supplied in quantity by the employers of
labour, but merely those grown by the individual exertions
of the peasantry. The growth of the industry has been
considerable, but it is much to be feared that the present
low price of sugar will affect its immediate future very
prejudicially. In Demerara the cost of canes, at 8s. per
ton, to make a ton of sugar, would be somewhere about £5,
leaving a loss to the manufacturer, while a reduction of price,
in the present position of the industry, would, it is feared,
effectually discourage the farmers.
THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS. 51
BACTERIA AND THE NITROGEN
PROBLEM.
A paper on this subject, by Mr. George T. Moore,
Physiologist-in-Charge of the Laboratory of Plant-Physiology,
Bureau of Plant Industry, was published in the Yearbook of
the United States Department of Agriculture for 1902.
The author first points out the importance of nitrogen
to plants, which often overshadows that of potash or of
phosphates, ete. He goes on’ to describe the ways in which
nitrogen is lost, the principal being the waste due to modern
sewage methods, the action of denitrifying bacteria, the
washing out of soluble nitrogenous salts from the soil by
rain, ete. i
To supply this waste we have the supplies of nitrate of
soda in Chili and Peru, which are, however, rapidly
becoming exhausted ; the deposits of guano, which are also
nearly exhausted, and the sulphate of ammonia obtained in
the distillation of coal. There finally remains the nitrogen
of the atmosphere. Many attempts have been made to
combine this nitrogen with oxygen artificially, and to
convert the compounds formed into nitrates, but none of
them have yet been successful. Certain soil bacteria are
known, which are able, while living independently, to fix
atmospheric nitrogen. Attempts have been made to inoculate
soils with these bacteria, but the results have not been
uniformly successful, and the matter is still in an experi-
mental stage.
There are, again, the bacteria which inhabit the nodules
on the roots of leguminous plants. Leguminous plants
possessed of these nodules are able to flourish and produce
seed in soils, which are absolutely devoid of nitrogen, the
necessary supplies of this element being taken from the air.
There are, however, certain regions in which the soil does
not contain the right kind of bacteria, and in which,
therefore, no tubercles are formed on the roots of leguminous
crops, and no nitrogen is absorbed from the atmosphere.
Cultures of these organisms have been prepared for the
purpose of introducing them into the soil, the cultures being
put up in tubes and sold as ‘nitragin.’ Cultures of
special varieties of bacteria were prepared for each kind of
leguminous crop. Here again, however, the results of
inoculating the soil were usually disappointing. Investi-
gations, made in the laboratory of plant physiology of
the Bureau of Plant Industry, have led to better results.
By the use of proper media artificial cultures have been
made, which have proved quite successful in inoculating
soils. The cultures are made on liquid media, which are
soaked up in some absorbent material and then allowed
to dry. These dry cultures retain their vitality for months.
To use them, they are mixed up with a large quantity
of water and the bacteria are left for a time to revive
and multiply. The water containing the bacteria is then
either applied to the soil, or the seeds to be sown are
soaked in it before being planted. The trials have been
made on a large scale, with very satisfactory results.
Practical Pollination. Mr. Davidson, of Fanners,
Wickam Bishops, Essex, described an ingenious method of
artificial fertilization of flowers as follows :—‘I have
adopted a method of economizing pollen, the ordinary camel’s-
hair brush being very wasteful. If a stick of sealing-wax be
rubbed briskly on the coat-sleeve, as for electrical experiment,
and then presented to the flower, the pollen flies to it and
adheres. Every particle can thus be utilized far more easily
than with a brush.’ (Journal of the Royal Horticultural
Society, October 1903.)
52 THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.
Fresruary 13, 1904.
WEST INDIAN FRUIT.
GRADING AND PACKING FRUIT AND
VEGETABLES.
The following is a brief summary of a leaflet
(No. 98) recently issued by the Board of Agriculture
and Fisheries on the subject of preparing produce for
the market :—
Admirable and necessary as the highest cultivation
must always be, yet something more is required to secure
complete commercial success, namely, the conveyance of the
produce in the best possible style to the market or to the
consumer. It is at this point too many fail, and a material
proportion of unprofitable sales is mainly attributable to
neglect in presenting goods in the most satisfactory manner.
It is not sufficiently recognized how readily all fruits
are injured by rough handling. Even hard, unripe apples
and pears are soon bruised, and not only do these marks
show as serious defects in the appearance of the fruits, but
the keeping qualities are also affected. One general rule is
applicable to all fruits, and that is, they shouid never, if it
can be avoided, be gathered when they are wet, especially if
they have to be packed for sending a long distance.
In grading fruits the points of importance are:—(1)
freedom from injuries and blemishes ; (2) good size and even
form ; (3) colour ; (4) high quality with ripeness. The first
two are essential to all high-class fruits. The bulk of fruit
grading will be mainly concerned with variations in size ; it
is of the utmost importance to ensure that each grade be as
uniform throughout as close attention can accomplish.
The essential rules in grading vegetables of all kinds
are the following :—(1) Exclude all immature, overgrown,
coarse or defective specimens from the leading grades. (2)
Make each grade as uniform as possible. (3) Let freshness
and fitness for use be the characteristics of all vegetables
when consigned to market or consumers.
The best culture and most careful grading may lose all
their value through neglectful packing. In dealing with
fruits the essentials for success are as follows :— (1) Use
only perfectly sound fruits. (2) Pack firmly, without
crushing. (3) Use the best, elastic, odourless materials as
packing. (4) Place all choice and ripe fruits in small
quantities and shallow packages.
Various materials are available for packing purposes,
but much the best are the several grades of wood-wool now
prepared, the coarsest being suitable for large packages and
heavy fruits, and the finest, softest samples for the choicest
and ripe fruits. All choice and delicate fruits should be
encircled with bands of folded, soft, tissue paper, having a
glaced surface, which must be in contact with the fruit.
In the matter of branding or labelling, a grower should
adopt a uniform system and adhere to it, so that his brand
may become known and have a market value, and every
package ought to have the name of the variety and quality
boldly printed on the label.
THE CASHEW TREE.
In forwarding an extract from the St. Thomas J/ail
Notes of January 25 on the cashew tree (A nacardium
occidentale) Dr. John Hutson, of Barbados, suggests
that as this tree grows well over the St. Andrew’s
hiils in Barbados, it might be worth while to make use
of its products.
The extract shows that American botanists are
of opinion that the cultivation of the cashew should be
encouraged in Porto Rico for the following reasons :—
1. No other nut can compare with it in delicious
flavour. Candy manufacturers have a good thing in this nut.
2. The kernel yields a nutritive oil, equal to almond and
superior to olive oil.
3. The gum is of special value being sub-astringent and
specially obnoxious to insect life. The mucilage is therefore
useful for book-binders.
4, The juice from the trunk is an indelible ink.
5. The bark is useful for tanning.
6. Acids obtainable are valuable as stimulants, anzes-
thetics and lotions. One of the oils is a substitute for iodine.
7. Valuable as a cosmetic, will remove tans.
TROPICAL FRUITS IN ENGLAND.
It is recorded that among the chief attractions of the
London fruit market at Christmas time were custard-apples,
avocado pears, and persimmons. Custard-apples and avocado
pears were of excellent quality, and the prices ran from 12s.
to 18s. per dozen fruits, wholesale. The deep orange-red
persimmons were selling at 3s. adozen. It is probable that
most of these fruits came from Madeira and the Canaries,
though the persimmons may have come from the United
States, where they are grown to a considerable extent.
The persimmon is a Japanese fruit that is very little known
in England, but it is commonly cultivated in the United
States, being usually propagated by collar-grafting upon
seedlings of the native species (Diospyros virginiana). ;
Vou. III. No. 48.
COTTON.
Cotton Disease in Montserrat.
The following is the report of Mr. H. A. Ballou,
B.Sc., Entomologist on the staff of the Imperial
Department of Agriculture, on his investigations
relating to the leaf-blister mite which has been causing
so much damage to cotton in Montserrat :—
During my stay in Montserrat I visited cotton fields in
all districts of the island with the view of obtaining any new
facts as to the present distribution, the probable origin, and
the seriousness of the infestation in different localities. In
addition, a considerable share of my time was spent at
Dagenham estate and vicinity and at the Grove Experiment
Station, studying the development of the disease since my
previous visit and devising and arranging the details of
systematic experiments for its control.
Dagenham estate is on the leeward side of the island ;
here where the leaf-blister mite was first noticed, the damage
from its ravages has been more serious by far than in any
other part of the island. Mr. Watson, the Attorney, informed
me that the yield of cotton from 130 acres will be no more,
and probably considerably less, than that obtained from 30
acres the previous crop. In several fields the cotton was
being up-rooted and burned. These fields, under normal
conditions, should have gone on bearing for two months
longer. At Dagenham there was a serious outbreak of the
cotton worm in October, and in several large fields all the
leaves were eaten off except those which were attacked by
the leaf-blister mite. These mite-infested leaves were so
distorted and deformed that they were of no use to the
plants, and the mites from them infested the new leaves as
fast as they were produced, making it especially difficult for
the plants to recover. On other estates, fields, which were
entirely defoliated by the caterpillars and which were not
infested by the mite, made good recovery, and at the time of
my visit gave promise of fair crops. The fields that were
first attacked suffered most or they were completely destroyed
first.
On the windward side of the island the leaf-blister mite
is to be found in nearly every field of cotton. At Trants,
fields, which were in bearing and were slightly infested at
the time of my visit in September, had in Junuary just
finished an excellent crop. I was informed that these fields
would soon be cleared and the plants burned without any
attempt to produce a ratoon crop. Certain fields at Bethel
and Whites are infested but only in spots, and these spots for
the most part are on the windward side of each field.
In the northern part of the island several fields of
cotton were visited belonging to the Montserrat Lime Juice
Company. These were slightly infested in each case, and as
in other cases, nearly always at the windward side of the
field. In the south part of the island the same condition
was found, the infestation was slight, and on the windward
side of each field, showing that the pest had been carried by
the wind, and indicating that the mite in each case comes from
outside the cotton field.
One of the most common of the Montserrat wild
plants is the shrub known as Acacia arabica. .... This
plant is very seriously infested by a mite, which causes
small, sub-globular galls on the leaflets and peculiar,
irregularly shaped blisters on the young tender wood
of branches and newly formed spines. The mite is very
similar to the mite of the cotton, but a little smaller (see
West Indian Bulletin, Vol. IV, p. 282). The galls on the
a0e
THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS. 53
leaflets are not at all like those on the cotton leaf, but where
the wood is attacked, very much the same effect is produced,
as that noticed on the tender stems of cotton. It frequently
happens that several galls occur upon a single leaflet and
sometimes on both upper and under surfaces.
The galls are generally distinct and do not run together
to form irregular, distorted masses, except upon the stems
and spines where they frequently occur.
At Dagenham, there are no Acacias growing very
near the cotton fields in which the Hriophyes was first
discovered, but in every case of recent infestation, as noticed
at this visit, infested Acacias occurred in greater or
less numbers to the windward and generally at a very short
distance. In spite of these facts it is not possible to say
definitely that this mite has come from the Acacia to infest
the cotton. . ..
The remedies for the cotton leaf-blister mite are still in
the experimental stage. The experiments, which were
commenced at the time of my visit to Montserrat in
September, were discontinued on account of unfavourable
weather conditions. Mr. Jordan, however, carried out some
experiments along similar lines, and his results indicate that
a mixture of lime and sulphur in equal parts, dusted on the
plants, will help to control the pest. During this recent visit
to Montserrat I arranged fcr two series of experiments, which
should give more conclusive evidence as to the value of
different insecticides in controlling this pest. One of these
is a field experiment, for which Mr. C. Watson kindly
provided } acre of land, which he had put in good condition
for planting, and he promised the necessary labour for
planting and for the application of the insecticides. The
other series consists of several box experiments at the Grove
Experiment Station. Mr. Jordan has undertaken the
supervision of these, as well as the infestation experiment.
It is hoped that these experiments will give results
sufficiently definite to be of service in the preparation for
the next crop of cotton. A report giving details of the
experiments, the observations, results and conclusions, will
probably follow in due course.
Nothing has been added to the knowledge of the
life-history of EHriophyes gossypii during this visit. The
working out of this life-history would require several weeks
of continuous investigation, and knowing that the necessary
time was not available for this purpose, I devoted myself to
the investigations as given in the preceding paragraphs.
The following is a brief summary of this report
with some conclusions that may be of more or less interest :—
(a) The cotton leaf-blister mite has increased in severity
in those fields, where it was already established, and has
appeared in the cotton fields in all parts of the island.
(b) The attack of the cotton worm greatly added to the
injury by the mite in badly infested fields.
(c) The appearance of the mite in recently infested fields
indicates that it may have come from the common wild
Acacia.
(d) Weather conditions, during the past season have
been rather unfavourable to the cotton, and consequently it
suffered more from the attacks of the pests.
(e) Considerable time is required after infestation before
the attack becomes a menace to the crop. Ordinary
conditions of clean culture and the careful destruction of all
plants growing in cotton fields, at the end of the crop season,
will probably keep the pest within reasonable bounds.
(f) Experiments now in progress should demonstrate
remedial measures of value in the cultivation of succeeding
crops.
54 THE
AGRICULTURAL NEWS.
Fresruary 13, 1904-
BEE-KEEPING.
West Indian Honey on Royal Mail Steamers.
In a recent letter to the Superintendent of the
Royal Mail Steam Packet Company at Barbados, the
suggestion was made by the Imperial Commissioner of
Agriculture that a supply of ‘comb honey ’ might be
obtained from St. Lucia, Dominica, Montserrat and
other islands in the West Indies for the use of
passengers on the transatlantic and _ intercolonial
steamers. It is understood that Jamaica honey is
entirely used on the steamers of the Imperial Direct
West India Mail Service, and there is no doubt that its
use serves to bring this product tothe notice of the public.
The following communication, forwarded by Com-
mander Owen, R.N.R., will show that the suggestion
has been readily adopted, and it is to be hoped that
the interests of West Indian bee-keepers will thereby
be enhanced :—
Attached please find a copy of a circular to Pursers
of the intercolonial steamers directing them to obtain
honey at the Leeward Islands and have it placed on the
saloon tables. It may be useful for suppliers to know that
the proper channel for obtaining supplies, according to the
Jatest regulations, is through the Company’s Agents. If it
proves a success, I will ask our Provedore Manager at
Southampton to have it advertised on board the transatlantic
ships.
The following preserves and pickles, made in Barbados,
are now advertised on board all the Company’s West Indian
mail ships :—Guava jelly, guava cheese, pine-apple jam,
shaddock rind, limes in syrup, hot sauce, mountain cabbage
and pepper essence.
[Circular.]
Honey forms one of the minor industries in the
Leeward Islands and it is considered by the Imperial Depart-
ment of Agriculture that the Company’s ships could be the
means of advertising and so encouraging it. At the same
time it might be appreciated by passengers ; some of them are
certain to like it and perhaps prefer it to jam or marmalade.
While it is desired to have it placed on the saloon tables for
the above reasons, the Company is not to be put to any more
expense than would be incurred by adding another brand of
jam or pickles to our store list. The Barbados industries of
guava jelly, guava marmalade, pickles, shaddock rind,
mountain cabbage and preserved limes are now regularly
advertised on board all the Company’s West India mail ships
and it is desired to do the same for the honey industry. It
is obtainable at St. Kitt’s, Montserrat and at St. Lucia.
Please give your attention to the above and report the
results to me after a fair trial, for the information of the
Company.
It would be well if bee-keepers in the various
islands were to communicate with the Company’s
Agents, as advised above, with a view to enabling this
experiment to be carried out successfully.
THE SUNFLOWER AS A CROP.
In the January issue of the Journal of the
Jamaica Agricultural Society, Dr. James Neish gives
his experiences in the cultivation of sunflowers as
follows :—
To grow the sunflower beneficially as a crop, it should
be planted in the spring-time of the year. During the past
year the writer has carried on experiments, which show that
when this seed is sown during the later and hot months of
the year, in our tropical climate, the yield is diminished as
compared with the yield obtained from a crop sown in
February or March. It would, indeed, appear that as this
plant is naturally a plant growing to advantage in
temperate latitudes, we should adapt it to much similar
conditions, and plant at that period of the year when
vegetation first awakens, namely, in February or March. The
sunflower then grows into a tall stem and bears a large
flower at its summit. This is the characteristic growth of
the Russian sunflower. The seeds in the large, single flower
are well developed under attentive cultivation, and such
seeds are well adapted for preservation, and may be
depended on for growing succeeding crops. As already
stated, the early crop not only gives a better yield, but the
quality of the early crop is improved.
On the contrary, our late-sown crops gave smaller plants,
and they rushed into flower and seed before attaining a
proper growth, the flowers being small, and the seeds being
comparatively worthless. It has been shown that late-sown
crops are not advantageous. It would appear that the high
temperature of the later months stimulates the plants into
permature flowering and seeding.
The sunflower requires a rich and well-worked soil ; the
plough and Assam fork are the implements to employ, and the
soil should be made fine for a seed-bed. The modes of
seeding and cultivation should closely resemble those of
Indian corn. If the hoe be used, shallow excavations should
be made in straight lines, 3 feet apart, and nct more than
three seeds should be dropped in the excavations, taking
some care to drop the seeds widely apart; they should be
properly covered with fine moist soil and the soil compacted
sufficiently to guard against birds, and also to ensure germi-
nation. During the growth of the plant it should receive
attentive hoeing. On the large scale this may be done with
the cultivator, but some hand-hoeing will also be necessary
close to the stem in order that all weeds may be destroyed.
The plant quickly responds to attentive hoeing, and the
careful cultivator will find it to his interest to give a frequent
hoeing so as to keep the plant in active growth. During
growth the sunflower seems to have few enemies. Fowls
should be kept away, otherwise they soon acquire the habit of
flying up to the seed-head and eating out the seeds. After
the seed is harvested, however, the grower must beware of
rats; the seed should be stored in rat-proof bins, after
thoroughly drying the heads.
In Jamaica the value of the sunflower as a crop will be
found to consist in furnishing a plentiful supply of nectar to
bees, and the seeds are most serviceable as a food for fowls,
which rapidly get fat on this food when they are fully grown.
The white seed is said to give a better quality of oil, but in
our experience the grey-seeded sort gives a greater yield of
seed. It is advisable to procure the grey Russian seed from
a dealer. A very good sort of this kind was obtained locally
from the agent of Burpee, of Philadelphia, the crop from this
giving the best return.
The object of this communication has been to suggest
early planting as the best to command success.
Vou. III. No, 48.
THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.
or
or
CULTIVATION OF TEMPERATE FRUIT
IN THE WEST INDIES.
A reference is made in a recent issue of the Demerara
Daily Chronicle to the efforts which have been made to
cultivate English fruit in that colony. With regard to the
attempts of the Mayor, Mr. E. A. V. Abraham, and Mr. M. A.
Perreira, of the firm of Messrs. J. P. -Santos & Co., in this
direction, the Datly Chronicle states :—
‘Mr. Abraham has succeeded fairly well with cherries,
which are giving fruit at the present time, but not consider-
ing the trees sutticiently grown, Mr. Abraham is taking off the
blossoms. Mr. Abraham has also succeeded with pears and
peaches, and an American apple tree he planted is now well
grown, although it is considered doubtful whether it will
ever yield fruit. Several experiments made by Mr. Perreira
went well until the trees reached the size that Mr. Abraham’s
has attained, but the plants died after this. Mr. Perreira’s
efforts with strawberries have been better rewarded. He
has several beds in fruit at present, and encouraged by the size
and quality of his strawberries, he has decided to extend his
cultivation.’
In other parts of the West Indies the question of
growing temperate fruit, although never amounting to any-
thing like an industry, has, also, from time to time occupied
the attention of those having estates at high elevations
where the climatic conditions are suitable for the growth of
such plants.
Thus, in Dominica it is recorded that Mr. George Snyder
and others have obtained fruits of English apples and straw-
berries at elevations of 2,000 feet and upwards. In Grenada,
Dr, William Laing has obtained similar results with apples
at Richmond estate; at St. Lucia, strawberries have been
successfully grown at the Botanic Station at sea-level,
and from other islands in the Windward and Leeward
groups we Jearn of more or less successful sporadic
attempts in this direction. At Jamaica, according to the
Annual Reports of the Director of Public Gardens and
Plantations for the years 1897 and 1898, such temperate
fruits as figs, peaches, apples, pears, plums and Himalayan
raspberries, planted at Resource Orange Garden, at an
elevation of between 3,000 and 4,000 feet, grew well and, in
the case of apples, are said to have ‘borne good crops
of fruit.’
The chief difficulty experienced in the cultivation of
temperate fruits in the tropics is that of checking the
continuous growth of the trees during the winter months,
November to February, when plants of all kinds in northern
climates enjoy a complete rest. At Jamaica attempts have
been made to imitate this condition of plant growth by
removing the soil from around the roots during those months
and replacing it with the return of spring. The plan has
however not given satisfactory results in the case of any
stone fruit—peaches, plums, etc.
With the exception of strawberries, which, as already
mentioned, have been found to grow and bear crops at low
elevations, it may be assumed from the foregoing, that on
small areas at high elevations in these islands the cultivation
of temperate fruits on a limited scale is possible. At the
same time it is doubtful if it could be made remunerative as
an industry. Elevation must always be the main feature
in determining the success or failure of such experiments.
AN ABNORMAL ORANGE.
A description of an abnormal orange found growing in
British Guiana was given insthe Agricultural News (Vol. I,
p- 201). In that case part of the fruit had the appearance
of a sour orange, and part that of a sweet orange. Fig. 5
shows another abnormal orange, obtained through Mr. J. R.
Bovell from Mr. H. T. Carrington, of Welches plantation,
Barbados. On being dissectéd this fruit was found to have
a very peculiar structure. ~ There appeared to be two
placentae—one thick and displaced towards one side, while
what was apparently the second formed a band across the
long diameter. The cells were arranged irregularly—most
appeared to radiate from the,band, the seeds being all in its
immediate neighbourhood,
Fic. 5. An ApnorMAL ORANGE.
It is difficult to say whether the two placentae have
arisen from two ovaries, or whether one placenta is merely
adventitious and of later growth.
Another possibility is that the former of these apparent
placentae is not a placenta at all, but merely of the nature
of a thickening of the rind due to some injury, or, if this
is a twin fruit, a remnant of what might have been a dividing
wall between the two.
MACHINERY FOR SALE.
A horse-power driving gear, recently imported
into Antigua, is offered for sale. This could be used
for driving any machinery, such as chaff cutter, corn
mills, ete. It can be worked by any number of horses,
from one to four, so that the power generated will
depend on the number of horses employed.
This part of the machinery cost £11 10s. 3d., and
the proportion of importation charges amounted to £1,
making a total of £12 10s. 3d.
The following is the description, taken from the
catalogue of Messrs. Hobson and Co., 17, State Street,
New York :-—
Hobson & Co.’s Iron Frame Horse Gear, No. 14. This
is a very compact, high speed, all iron gear, perfectly adapted
for driving light threshing machines, cross-cut wood saws,
feed cutters, grinding mills, ete. At the ordinary walking
gait of a horse, it will develop 200 revolutions per minute on
the tumbling shaft. The diameter of the band wheel is 25
inches, with 4-inch face, but any other diameter will be
supplied to order. Price, $6500. | Weight and measure-.
ment :—seyen packages containing one complete machine,
gross weight, 1,235 Ib; cubic measurement, 42 feet.
Applications should be made to the Hon. Francis
Watts, B.Sc., Government Analytical and Agricultural
Chemist for the Leeward Islands, Government Labora-
tory, Antigua.
56 THE
AGRICULTURAL NEWS.
FEBRUARY 13, 1904.
EDITORIAL NOTICES.
Letters and matter for publication, as well
as all specimens for naming, should be addressed
to the Commissioner, Imperial Department of
Agriculture, Barbados.
Communications are invited, written on one
side of the paper only. It should be understood
that no contributions or specimens can, in any
case, be returned.
All applications for copies of the ‘Agricul-
tural News’ should be addressed to the Agents,
and not to the Department. A complete list of
the London and Local agents will be found at
foot of page 63 of this issue.
The ‘Agricultural News’: Price 1d. per
number, post free 14d. Annual subscription
payable to Agents 2s. 2d., post free 3s. 3d.
Agricultural stews
Vou. II]. SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 1904. No. 48.
NOTES AND COMMENTS.
Onion Seed.
With the view of securing a supply of selected
onion seed for planting this year in the West Indies, it
is desired that orders for such seed (specifying whether
white or red onion seed is required) should be handed
in to the local officers of the Department not later
than Saturday, February 20 next.
In any case it is important that all orders for
onion seed should reach the Imperial Commissioner of
Agriculture not later than February 27. The seed so
ordered would be specially selected for the Department,
and it is hoped it will arrive in the West Indies
about August next. It is urged that during the next
season all the onion seed should be planted in beds: and
when large enough the seedlings should be transplanted
into the field.
—EE ae —_
Muscovado Sugar.
The following extract, taken from a recent book
on Jamaica, exhibits a singular confusion of ideas in
respect of West Indian sugar :—
One rejoices to hear that the refiners of sngar in
America are beginning to be nervous, lest, in consequence of
the coming abolition of the Continental bounty system, the
British West Indian sugar should find its way to the
markets of the mother country. There is a special cane,
called Muscovados, which to the American refiners is
indispensable, and which apparently comes in greater bulk
from our colonies.
As is well known, ‘muscovados’ is not a special cane,
but a term applied to a class of sugar made by what
is known as the muscovado or open-pan process of
evaporation.
Cotton Seed.
In support of what has been already mentioned in
regard to the importance of obtaining the best quality
of cotton seed for the West Indies, we quote as follows
from a report by Mr. George P. Foaden in the Journal
of the Khedivial Agricultural Society (Vol. V
p. 178) :—
‘The question of the selection of seed for planting
is one of very great interest; in fact it is one that
cannot be overlooked. The choice of good seed is
essential to the production of good staple cotton.’
ED EE
Rendering Plants immune against Fungus
Parasites.
In an interesting article in the Journal of the
Royal Horticultural Society for October 1903,
Mr. George Massee, F.L.S., suggests a method whereby
cucumber and tomato plants may be rendered immune
against fungus parasites. Mr. Massee has in view
plants grown under glass, but it is not improbable that
similar results would follow the treatment of plants
grown in the open air in the tropics.
It is recommended to begin watering the young
seedlings (when a fortnight old) every third day with
a solution consisting of 1 oz. of sulphate of copper
dissolved in 50 gallons of water. After treating for six
weeks as above, commence watering every fourth day
with a solution containing 1 0z. of sulphate of copper
in 35 gailons of water. The sulphate of copper should
be pure, and rain-water should be used, if possible.
It would be useful ifexperiments were tried, along
the lines indicated above, on cucumber and tomato
plants at the various Botanic Stations in the West
Indies, and the results carefully noted.
EE
Cacao Cultivation in Lagos.
The West African Mail of December 18, contains
a report by Mr. E. W. Foster, Curator of the Botanic
Gardens, Oloke Meji, on the cultivation of cacao, The
following is a brief summary of the report :—
Cacao should be planted in deep, moderately rich,
loose clay, such as is found on the banks of streams.
Dry rocky soils, stiff clays, and soils exposed to strong
wind or sea breeze should be avoided.
Care shonld be taken to select seed from the
largest pods of heavy-bearing trees. These should, if
possible, be trees far removed from inferior varieties in
order to avoid variation resulting from cross-fertili-
zation. The aim of the planter should be to plant
trees of only one variety so as to secure beans of one
size and quality.
The nurseries should always be placed near water
and well protected from wind and direct sunlight.
After sowing, the beds should be kept shaded and be
watered when necessary ; transplanting must be carried
out with great care to avoid injuring the roots. The
cultivation will have to be weeded about three times a
year; this can be done with the hoe at first, but
afterwards the weeds should be kept down with a
cutlass, since the hoe is apt to injure the surface roots,
Vou, Ill. No. 48.
THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.
-~]
or
Jamaica Soils.
An instructive lecture on ‘The Cultivated Soils
of Jamaica’ was recently delivered to the teachers
undergoing the annual course of agricultural instruc-
tion in Jamaica by Mr. H. H. Cousins, M.A., F.C.S.,
the Government Analytical and Agricultural Chemist:
The following is a brief summary :—
When Mr. Cousins first went to Jamaica the idea
was given him that most of the soils were so exhausted
by long cultivation that his business was to prescribe
some medicine that would improve them. His work
at the laboratory very soon showed him that this was
far from being the case. In most instances the factor
that limited the growing of crops in Jamaica was not
so much the supply of plant food as the supply of
water. It must be recognized that if maximum crops
were to be obtained, every possible means of saving
water must be adopted.
They must endeavour to get all the small
proprietors to feed their stock on their back lands,
collect manure and concentrate it on their cultivated
lands, and then they would find their soil becoming
richer and richer every year.
Mr. Cousins then urged the teachers to put the
knowledge they had gained during the course to the
best possible advantage. They must aim at teaching
the main points with regard to cultivation by illustra-
tion in the school garden.
a A
Crop Prospects in Dominica.
The following is a brief summary of an interesting
and satisfactory report by Mr. J. Jones, the Curator of
the Botanic Station at Dominica, on a recent visit to
the windward district of that island :—
As in other parts of Dominica, limes form the
most important crop in this district. The trees are
rapidly recovering from the attacks of scale insects,
which did considerable damage in the early part of
1903. This is probably due to the rapid increase of
their natural enemies, assisted, no doubt, by the heavy
rainfall of the latter half of the year. Planters should
provide themselves with spraying outfits and be
prepared to deal with the pests immediately they
appear. It is satisfactory to note that greater
attention is now being paid to pruning in the wind-
ward district, with the result that there are fewer
fungus-infested trees.
The cacao in this district is young and, on the
whole, doing well. The Curator lays stress on the
necessity for planting wind-breaks in exposed situa-
tions, and advocates close planting, ‘The cacao experi-
ment plots appear to have served a good purpose.
Castillow rubber trees have been planted as shade
‘trees for cacao at Stowe estate, and as they resist the
wind well, seem to be specially suited to the purpose.
Experiments with Para rubber (Hevea brasiliensis)
and Lagos silk rubber (Funtumia elastica) have not
given good results, being easily uprooted by the gales.
At Belvidere, at an elevation of 800 feet, several acres
of Funtumia have been planted. If the experiment
proves a success, the cultivation will be extended.
Natural versus Artificial Indigo.
A circular has recently been issued by the
Reporter on Economic Products to the Government of
India dealing with the present state of the trade
in indigo between India and Allepo.
Between 600 and 700 chests of indigo are
imported into Allepo from India every year. On
account, however, of the competition of German synthetic
indigo, this is usually sold by the merchants at a. loss.
This synthetic indigo has two advantages over the
natural product, viz. that it is cheaper and that its
price does not vary.
It was generally thought that owing to these
advantages natural indigo would be entirely replaced
by the synthetic. That this has not happened is due
to the fact that synthetic indigo has not the same smell
as that to which the native dyers are accustomed, who
are therefore prejudiced against it. | Moreover, cloth
dyed with it alone fades im about two months.
The consequence is that the two forms are mixed in
about equal proportions, the resulting mixture being
more durable and also brighter in colour than the
natural indigo.
On account, however, of the impetus that has been
given to the dyeing industry by the popularity of this
mixed dye, much more indigo is used than formerly,
and the reduction in the demand for natural indigo
has not been nearly as great as might have been
expected from the facts mentioned.
——EnE> ee
Exports of Grenada.
The recently issued Colonial Report on Grenada
for 1902 bears testimony to the satisfactory state of the
trade in local products. ‘The exports were in excess of
those of 1901 as well as of the average for the five
years preceding 1901,
The tables show that during the last five years
there has been a steady increase in the exports of these
products. The crop of cacao for 1902 was 61,285 bags
(valued at £268,211), as against an average, for the
five years ending September 1901, of 53,379 bags,
This satisfactory increase is attributed to improved
methods and extended cultivation as a result of the
efforts of the Agricultural Instructor and the lessons
taught by the experiment plots established by the
Imperial Department of Agriculture.
Nutmegs and spices were exported to the extent
of 6,839 ewt. (valued at £25,522). This is an increase
of more than 2,000 ecwt. over the average for the
previous five years, but the prices were not as favour-
able as in 1901, and there is, therefore, a decrease in
the value of the spices exported.
In the case of cotton an increase is also recorded.
The average export for the five years was 2,095 ewt. of
raw cotton and 4,537 cwt. of cotton seed of the average
annual value of £3,605; in 1902 the exports were
2,212 ewt. of raw cotton and 4,536 ewt. of cotton seed,
valued at £4,069. As stated in the last issue of the
Agricultural News (p. 44), the cotton and cotton seed
are exclusively the product of Carriacou, a dependency
of Grenada.
58 THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.
Fepruary 13, 1904.
INSECT NOTES.
The Experiment Station at Montserrat.
The following is a brief report by Mr. H. A.
Ballou, B.Sc., Entomologist on the statt of the Imperial
Department of Agriculture, on the condition of the
Grove Experiment Station at Montserrat in relation
to insect pests. It will be seen that nothing of the
nature of a serious insect attack has occurred at the
Station and that every effort is made to keep the
plants free from pests :—
The general condition of the plants in the gardens and
nurseries was very good : very few insect pests were found
and these, with one exception, were well-known forms and in
very small numbers.
A tew plants in the nurseries, attacked by species of
Lecanium and the Black Line seale, which had been left
over in the nurseries, were taken out and destroyed.
The only new insect found at the Botanic Station was
a species of Bagworm, feeding on the leaves of the grape
fruit. Several specimens were taken but all died while still
in the larval stage, and so far Tam not acquainted with the
adult insect. Spraying with Paris green will serve to keep
this insect under control.
In the report of my visit to Montserrat in May 1903
(Agricultural News, Vol. II, p. 248) I mentioned a hedge of
lime trees at the Station which had been sprayed, At the
time of my last visit, this hedge had not received the second
spraying and showed only slight re-infestation.
The trees are remarkably healthy and vigorous, and
their freedom from scales indicates what might be accom-
plished by careful spraying.
The spraying apparatus at Grove Station consists of two
Knapsack sprayers and several Atomizers. A good stock of
insecticides is kept on hand. Mr. Jordan is trying some
experiments with crude sulphur from the local Soufriere, for
insecticide purposes, and this will also be tried in the leaf-
blister mite experiments.
Onions in Montserrat have been attacked by two species
of caterpillars, and this with the unfavourable weather will
probably somewhat reduce the crop. The caterpillars differ
trom the so-called onion moth in that they do not live inside
the leaf. One of these is a moth larva, the adult of which I
have not been able to obtain, and the other is a butterfly
larva not determined, but probably Pverts sp. These are
easily found in the very early morning or late in the evening.
As soon as the sun is on the onion plants it is very
difficult to find them as they evidently hide in, or on, the
ground during the day and come out again to feed after
sunset. These pests cause the leaves to turn a greyish brown,
and the field takes a dry look as if some leaves were ripening
prematurely. The larvae seem to be alike in eating only the
outer epidermis and the soft tissues leaving the inside
epidermis to wither and turn brown. Spraying or dusting
with Paris green will probably prove a simple and effective
check for this pest. I was unable to find any Thrips on the
onions,
FOREST RESERVATIONS IN TOBAGO.
A letter was recently received by the Imperial
Commissioner of Agriculture from Dr. J. C. Gifford,
who has for some time been working on forest reserva-
tious in Porto Rico, mentioning that he had found an
old map of Tobago, made before Queen Victoria’s time,
on which was marked a forest reservation. Dr. Gifford
stated that it was,labelled ‘Reserved in Woods for
Rains, and asked to be furnished with further informa-
tion relating to these tropical reserves.
The Government of Trinidad, on being communi-
cated with, furnished reports on the subject by Mr. F.
Lodge, of the Indian Forest Service, and Mr. C. S.
Rogers, Forest Officer in Trinidad, and mentioned that
forest reserves are now being laid out on all the
mountain ridges in Trinidad.
Mr. Rogers’ account of the Tobago rain reserve is
as follows :—
The reserve in Tobago referred to by Dr. Gifford was,
until 1903, merely a tract of land reserved from sale and
marked on the map. It included little more than the top of
the main ridge of the Central Range of the island; its area
was given as 2,500 acres. I find that its area by planimeter
is 5,200 acres.
In 1900, Mr. Lodge, Deputy Conservator of Forests of
the Indian Forest Service, reported on Forest Conservation
in the colony of Trinidad and Tobago. He recommended
that the Tobago rain reserve should be enlarged so as to
include the catchment areas of the streams which rise in the
Central Range. A copy of Mr. Lodge’s report would
doubtless be of interest to Dr. Gifford.
In 1901, Mr. Rogers, of the Indian Forest Department,
was appointed Forest Officer in the colony of Trinidad and
Tobago. He visited Tobago in the following year and in
order to carry out Mr. Lodge’s recommendations proposed a
new boundary for the Tobago reserve. This boundary is a
line parallel to the main ridge of the island at a distance of
+ mile from it on the northern, and 1 mile from it on
the southern side, connected by lines skirting the boundaries
of private lands on the east and west.
These proposals were sanctioned and the boundary was
ordered to be surveyed and marked out on the ground. The
work is now in progress and it is expected that it will be
finished by the end of February. The area is estimated at
10,000 acres. The map, from which the area of the old rain
reserve was calculated by planimeter, is that in use in the
Crown Lands Office.
A Victim of the Mosquito Plant. Under
the above heading a correspondent of the Madras Mail
records the results arising after having thoroughly rubbed
his hands and face with the fresh leaves of the African
mosquito plant (Ocimum viride). The mosquitos being
still troublesome, as a further precaution, he crushed the
stalks of the leaves, and well rubbed in the juice. At
the moment the effect seemed successful; but the next
morning a rash appeared on his face which later on developed
into rather painful blisters. The victim is now concerned to
learn whether the juice of the leaves or the stalks caused the
trouble. He has tried in vain to persuade his friends and
the doctor to make experiments on themselves to settle this
point, in the interest of science. ‘ For myself,’ he adds, ‘1
am content to consider the efficacy of the plant as a mosquito-
fuge sufficiently proved, but I am bound to confess I prefer
the evil to the remedy’. :
Vou. III. No. 48.
THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS. 59
——=
IN TRINIDAD.
The following notes on mule-breeding at Trinidad
have been forwarded by Mr. C. W. Meaden, Manager
of the Trinidad Government Farm. to supplement
those already published in the Agricultural News
(Vol. II, p. 391) :—
Mule-breeding is quite a new departure in this island
and should by all means be adopted, as the demand for such
animals for all classes of work is very great and their cost
to purchase consequently high.
An Andalusian jack was imported some two years ago ;
he stands 14°2 hands high and possesses an excellent head
and forehand ; his hind quarters are a little shallow, but this
has not come out in his progeny yet. He has kept in good
health and costs very little to keep, one feed of oats daily,
with plenty of ripe Guinea grass, cane tops, ete.
Three foals were born in October 1902: these have done
exceedingly well and shown satisfactory growth; they are
hardy and full of life. Their measurements are—No. 1, 14:2
hands high ; Nos. 2 and 3, 13-2 hands high; girth taken close
up to the forearm covering the vital organs shows on the
first 58 inches ; on the two latter, 55 inches. Three others,
born in September last, show equally promising growth: there
are a dozen good mares due to foal about April next.
The feeding given to the mule foals after weaning is
amixture of fine pollard and cocoa-nut meal in equal parts—
3 Ib. per head each morning, costing 4 cents. They run day
and night on the pastures with the other animals and graze
as they like. The total cost of rearing and placing a 15-2-
hand mule on the market I estimate to be about $90:00
Should the growth of these three mules continue, they
may, at the age mentioned, equal the class of mule imported
here from the United States, whose present market value is
about $180:00 each. This price would leave a fair margin
of profit, providing the business is conducted upon a suffi-
ciently large scale.
Given good pasture land, the young mules might be
brought up entirely upon grass until the time arrived for
breaking them and thus reduce the cost of rearing. At this
farm we are not able for the present to rely entirely upon
grass for growth as the herbage is not sufficiently nutritious
for the purpose. However, as time goes on the grasses
under cultivation will probably become good enough to
sustain the young animals during their early career.
To breed big mules to compete with Americans, big
dams must be used: the best for the purpose may probably
be the roadster, with a dash of blood in them. A 16-hand
mare put to a 14:2 to 15-hand jack would produce just what
is required to suit the general market.
The jack is sent round to the various country districts
and Tobago, putting up at Police Stations. In this way he
Served eighty-one mares which is about the limit which should
be permitted per annum. If the result of this is 60 per cent.
of foals, the breeding of mules has taken a very good start.
Every effort has been made to induce East Indian and
peasant proprietors to accept the advantage of breeding their
own mules. Their particular employment as general carters,
cane-farmers, ete., makes it necessary to possess mules. They
have, I am pleased to say, been our best customers for
the service, very much to their future advantage.
EDUCATIONAL.
School Gardens in Trinidad.
As illustrative of the progress which has been
made during the past few years in the teaching of
practical agriculture in rural schools at Trinidad, the
following extract from the Colonial Report on
Trinidad and Tobago (pp. 8 and 9, par. 27) for the
year 1902-8 is of interest :—
Practical agriculture now forms a part of the daily
teaching in most schools in the colony. The institution of
School Vegetable Shows has proved a decided success, the
local committees having entered heartily into the work. The
following extract from the Annual Report of the Acting
Inspector of Schools, laid before the Legislative Council at
its last meeting, is of interest :—
‘Nearly every rural school has its tidy little garden, in
place of the wilderness of weeds and rank grass formerly so
much in evidence. In many instances the garden’s sphere
of usefulness is not limited to the supply of edible vegetables.
but it serves also as a miniature experiment station. Here
may be seen plants in various stages of cultivation, and
‘perhaps even of uncultivation; some flourishing in soil
rendered rich by manures, side by side with others struggling
for existence for want of such aid; some lank and attenuated
from overcrowding, others vigorous and healthy from being
allowed ample room for growth; some sun-exposed and
pining for want of water, others delicate and weakly from
a too liberal supply of both water and shade. In such
a school garden (and I have several in my mind), the
pupils are receiving one continuous object-lesson.’
Nature Study.
We take the following note on the establishment
of a ‘School Nature-Study Union’ from Nature of
December 10, 1903 :—
A School Nature-Study Union has been established to
utilize and make better known facilities which already exist
for encouraging the study of nature by pupils in primary and
secondary schools, and to supplement by work in several
new directions the efforts of existing associations. The
prospectus of the Union states that it is proposed to promote
addresses to children by supplying lantern slides and speci-
mens to teachers desirous of giving lessons on natural
objects, and by providing qualified lecturers where desired ;
to assist in the organization of school rambles and journeys,
in the establishment of school museums and in the arrange-
ment of conferences and natural history field days. ‘The
inauguration of a junior department, of reading circles, of
circulating libraries for teachers, is also contemplated, as
well as the publication of an official organ. Sir George
Kekewich, K.C.B., is the president, and the Rev. C.
Hinscliff, Bobbing, Sittinbourne, is the hon. secretary of
the Union.
Metric System. We learn from Nature of January
7, that a Bill has been introduced into the United States
House of Representatives to enact that on and after January
1 next, all departments of the Government shall employ and
use only the weights and measures of the metric system. In
view of this and the efforts that are proposed to be made to
introduce the metric system into these colonies, it would be
well if this system were to form a subject of instruction in
all West Indian schools.
60 THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.
Fesruary 13, 1904.
GLEANINGS.
The lemon cultivated at Antigua has been
determined at the Royal Gardens, Kew, as Andropogon
Nardus, var. genuinus, Hack.
grass
According to the Consular Report on the trade of the
Philippine Islands for 1902, the export of Panama hats,
chiefly to the United States, has attained considerable
dimensions, the total value exported being about £35,000.
The Consular Report on the trade of Charleston and
District for 1902 states that 11,937,406 Ib. of bagging
were imported at the ports of the district. This was
principally used for baling Sea Island cotton.
According to a report from Nevis, dated January 26,
some of the cotton fields in that island are turning out well,
and about 50,000 Ib. of seed-cotton are awaiting the erection
of the gins, which are expected to be ready for working
about the end of this month.
We are informed by the Curator of the Botanic Station
at Tobago that it is estimated that 60 to 70 acres are under
cotton cultivation in that island, and that, judging from the
number of applications for seed made to the Botanic Station,
there is every promise of this old industry being re-established.
The Antigua Agricultural and Commercial Society has
recently passed a resolution suggesting that the Government
should introduce a flock of Barbados blackbirds, in order to
protect the cotton and other industries from the attacks of
caterpillars.
According to the Lederalist and Grenada People, the
trade in oranges between Grenada and Barbados is becoming
an important one. The mail, that arrived at Barbados on
January 16, brought over 20,000 oranges, and a large
shipment was also made by the following mail.
We learn from Dominica papers received by last mail
that a second attempt is to be made to turn to a profitable
account the Dominica sulphur springs, which are situated
near Soufriére in the south-west corner of the island.
Hitherto the sulphur has been exported in its crude form ;
the new company will attempt to produce on the spot pure
sulphur adapted to the trade requirements.
We learn from the Consular Report on the trade of Costa
Rica that the area under banana cultivation continues to
increase rapidly. The export of this fruit to the United
States was begun in 1831, when 3,500 bunches were shipped.
During 1902, 4,174,199 were exported to the United States ;
while a monthly fruit service between Limon and Bristol and
Manchester has become during 1903 a fortnightly service.
The Hon. Wm. ‘Faweett, B.Sc; F.L.S., Director of
Public Gardens and Plantations in Jamaica, writes : ‘The
“ Travellers Tree ” (Ravenala Madagascariensis) has fruited
regularly at Castleton Gardens for over twenty years, and
seeds have been gathered for propagating purposes and for
distribution.’ :
As stated in the Agricultural News, Vol. III, p. 3,
arrangements were made by the Board of Agriculture in
Jamaica to import cocoanuts from San Blas for planting,
in place of those destroyed by the hurricane. We learn
from the current number of the Journal of the Jamaica
Agricultural Society that 20,000 nuts were ordered, and as
this number was not sufficient to meet the demand, 10,000
more have been obtained.
According to a correspondent writing in the Demerara
Argosy of January 27, ‘the cheap Costa Rica banana is very
popular in the midland counties [of England], and whilst in
the large cities, such as London, Liverpool and Glasgow, the
choicer Canary banana is the most popular and highest priced,
the cheap Jamaica and Costa Rica fruit takes the lead in the
midland cities and inland towns.’
Mr. C. H. Knowles, B.Se., Acting Curator of the
Botanic Station at St. Vincent, has reported on a visit of
inspection to the Georgetown Experiment Station. A variety
of crops is ‘being grown at the Station and these were found
to be in a satisfactory condition. The country round
Georgetown is fast recovering from the effects of the disasters,
caused by the volcanic eruptions, and is gradually becoming
covered with vegetation.
It is interesting to observe from statistics given in the
Consular Report on the trade of Charleston and District for
1902, that the exports of cotton (principally to the United
Kingdom, Germany, Italy, Spain, France, Russia and
Holland) show a steady decline during the last few years.
The number of bales exported from Charleston, Savannah,
Brunswick and Wilmington being as follows :—in 1900,
1,515,719 ; 1901, 1,374,291 ; 1902, 1,348,069. The exports
of cotton seed, on the other hand, have greatly increased.
According to Our Western Empire, an attempt is being
made to make molascuit a free import in Canada as are the
various oil meals. ‘The present duty on molascuit is 20 per
cent. ad valorem, but subject, of course, to the preferential
rebate of one-third. It is much more important at the
moment that the West Indians, who supply molascuit, should
be able to compete freely with other food-stuffs in the
Dominion, than that they should have a preferential tariff as
against molascuit supplied from any other quarter, and
Canadian farmers should have every opportunity of obtaining
this excellent cattle food.’
As is well known, the quotations in the public telegrams,
received in the West Indies for cotton, apply only to Upland
cotton, a variety which is not produced in these colonies.
The variety, to which chief attention is devoted here, is
Sea Island cotton. This is usually worth double the value
of Upland cotton. At the request of the Imperial Commis-
sioner of Agriculture, the General Superintendent of the
West India and Panama Telegraph Company has been good
enough to submit for the consideration of the Directors the
desirability of substituting the quotations for Sea Island
cotton for those of Upland cotton as likely to be of greater
interest to cotton growers in this part of the world.
Vou. III. No. 48.
THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS. 61
WEST INDIAN PRODUCTS.
Drugs and Spices in the London Market.
The following is a report by Mv. J. R. Jackson,
A.LS., on the London drug and spice markets for the
month of December 1903 :—
During the whole month of December, the reports of
the markets in drugs and spices were characterized as more or
less inactive. At the beginning of the month business was
stated to be ‘far from brisk’ with but few changes of
importance in any of the products for the preceding month.
At the last drug sale of the year, which took place on
December 10, nothing of special interest occurred ; buyers,
it was said, were ‘holding back in view of approaching stock
taking.’ A week later, business both in drugs and spices
was limited to immediate necessities, and on the 23rd., two
days before Christmas, the markets were reported as ‘practi-
cally at a standstill.’
Besides the actual business transacted nothing of any
interest has occurred either in the appearance of any new
product or fresh sources of supply. The following details
respecting the produce of the West Indian Colonies will
illustrate the state of the London markets generally during
the closing month of the year, a condition that is with very
little change of annual recurrence.
GINGER.
At the first spice sale on the 2nd. of the month, there
was a slow demand for ginger, the rates for which were
generally lower than in the previous month: 488 packages
of Jamaica were offered and 216 sold, the prices ranging from
47s. 6d. to 50s. for middling to fair bright small; 41s. to
43s. for medium daullish, and 37s. to 38s. for ordinary to
ordinary dullish. There was a slow demand for Cochin,
good, small cut being sold at 38s. 6d. without reserve, and
medium and bold bought in at 65s. A week later, namely,
on the 9th., no Jamaica ginger was offered and Cochin was
again bought in, including medium to bold cut, at 65s. ;
small, washed rough was sold at 26s. ; fair was bought in at
28s., and good, limed Japan sold at 24s. On the 16th., which
was the last public spice sale of the year, no Jamaica was
offered, but about 200 packages of Cochin were disposed of at
the following rates:—Washed, rough wormy, 21s. 6d. to
22s. 6d.; damaged, 22s. to 25s.; white sound was bought
jn at 26s., and small cut Cochin at 40s,
PIMENTO, NUTMEGS AND MACE.
At the first spice sale 70 bags of good pimento sold at
4d, fair fetching 527., and greyish 33¢. A week later the
prices showed a downward tendency, 209 bags selling at
from 32d. to 33d. for fair. At the last sale, on the 23rd.,
the demand had improved at somewhat advanced rates,
about 300 bags of fair selling at 4d. per Ib.
West Indian nutmegs at the beginning of the month
showed a slight decline on the prices of the previous month,
without any appreciable change at the succeeding sales.
Mace also began the month at lower rates, West Indian
selling at 2s. 4d. to 2s. 6d. for good; 2s. ld. to 2s. 2d. for
fair; 1s. 1ld. to 2s. for ordinary, and 1s, 10d. to Is. 11d.
for broken. At this same sale Java realized 2s. 4d.
ARROWROOT, SARSAPARILLA, ETC.
No St. Vincent arrowroot was offered at the first sale,
and 15 barrels of Natal were bought in at 6$d. At the sale
a week later, 830 packages of St. Vincent were offered and
bought in, good to fine manufacturing at 24d. to 3id. On
the 16th., over 300 barrels of St. Vincent were sold without
reserve at 1d, to 13d. for common to ordinary.
_
Sarsaparilla occupied but little attention during the
month, there being practically no demand. Three bales
of Lima Jamaica, fair sound, were sold at 10d. at the auction
on the 10th., and no sale was effected for the native Jamaica
offered. A small quantity of Honduras was sold at 1s. 1d.
per Ib.
Of the other products it may be mentioned that
14 bales of fair, bright, West Indian Cassia I’/stula were sold
in the middle of the month at 30s. per ewt., and that good
West Indian kola nuts realized 53d. per Ib.
ies
=
A TREATISE ON CACAO (Theobroma cacao): By
F. Emmanuel Olivieri. Trinidad: Mole Bros., 27, Chacon
Street, Port-of-Spain. (3rd. Edition.) Price 5s.
This work on the cultivation of the cacao tree and the
curing and preparation of the produce for market is stated
by the writer to be the outcome of twenty years’ practical
experience. The author treats the subject entirely from the
point of view of a Trinidad cacao planter, and while the
book contains much that is of interest and value to cultivators
in that island, the chapters devoted to shade trees, cultivation
generally and manuring, describe methods which differ in
some respects from those practised in Grenada and elsewhere
in the West Indies.
Parts vii and viii deal chiefly with the Bois Immortel as
a shade tree for cacao, its manurial value and its effect as a
preserver of the fertility of the soil as compared with other
trees grown in cacao plantations in Trinidad.
The chapters on insect and fungoid diseases of the cacao
tree are of interest, as showing the importance which the
writer attaches to the use of the remedial measures suggested
by the Imperial Department of Agriculture.
The book is fairly well printed and illustrated, although
in the case of the various types of cacao represented in the
latter, the wood cuts would be of greater value were the local
names given to each variety instead of the general terms
‘Red’ and ‘ Yellow’ cacao, ete.
The purpose of the book is excellent, and to all who are
practically interested in cacao we have no hesitation in
recommending it.
DOMINICA.
PROPERTY FOR SALE.
In the Pegona district ; said to contain 252 acres
of valley land, 35 acres in cacao (11 acres having
flowered) and 20 acres in lime (4 acres in bearing).
Price—£3,000.
Apply by letter to
Mr. Wm. Davies,
Roseau,
Dominica.
THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.
Frpruary 13, 1904.
St. John, N.B.,
MARKET REPORTS.
London,— January 19, 1904. Messrs. Kearron, Preer &Co.,
Messrs. E. A. Dr Pass & Co. and Messrs. J. HALES
Carp & Co.; ‘THE Liverpoon Corron AssociaTIONn
WEEKLY CrrcuLar’, January 15, 1904; and
‘Tue Pusric Lepcrr, January 2, 1904.
Ators—Barbados, 13/- to 35/-; Curacoa, 14/6 to 35/- per
ewt.
Arrowroot—St. Vincent, 14d. to 34d.; Bermuda, 1/5 to
1/8 per tb.
Batata—1/9 to 2/2 per Ib.
Bres’-wax—4£7 7s. 6d. per cwt.
Cacao—Trinidad, 68/- to 76/6 per ewt. ; Grenada, 52/-
to 62/- per ewt.; Dominica, St. Lucia and Jamaica,
51/- to 58/- per cwt.
Carpamoms—Mysore, 7. to 3/2 per th.
CorreE—Jamaica, ordinary, 38/- to 56/- per ewt.
Corra—Trinidad, £15 15s. to £15 17s. 6d. per ton, c.i-f.
Corron—West Indian Sea Island, 1/2 to 1/3 per th.
Divi Divi— No quotations.
Froeir—
Bananas—Jamaica, 5/- to 7/-.
Grave Fruir—10/- to 11/- per case.
OranGEsS—Jamaica, 8/- to 9/3 per case of 150 to 176.
Prve-apreLes—No quotations.
Fusric—£3 10s. to £4 per ton.
Gincer— Jamaica, 36/- to 55/- per ewt.
Honty—Jamaica, 18/- to 30/- per ewt.
Istycuass—West Indian lump, 2/3 to 2/11; Cake, 1/5 to
1/7 per th.
Kota Nurs—4d. to 7d. per th.
Live Jurce—Raw, 9d. to 1s. ld. per gallon ; Concentrated,
£13 to £13 10s. per cask of 108 gallons.
Lime Om—Hand pressed (discoloured), 2,6; Distilled,
1/3} to 1/4 per th.
Locwoop—£4 2s. 6d. to £5; Roots, £4 to £4 10s.
per ton.
Mace—I/10 to 2/6 per th.
Nirratre or Sopa—Agricultural, £9 12s. 6d. per ton.
Nurmecs-—69’'s to 60's, 1/9 to 2/3; 90's to 80's, 1/1 to 1/4
per tb.
Prvento—4d. to 44d. per tb.
Rum—Demerara, 9d. to 10d. per proof gallon ; Jamaica, 1/6
to 8/- per proof gallon.
SarsaparmLta—943d. to 1s. per tb.
Sucar—Crystallized, 14,9 to 16/6 per ewt.; Muscovado,
11/- to 14/6; Molasses Sugar, 11/9 to 16/-.
Sunpwatre or AmmMonta—£12 17s. 6d. per ton.
Tamarinps—Antigua, 8/- to 8/6 per cwt.
January 12, 1904.—‘ THe Maritime
MeErcHaANtT,’
Motasses—Barbados, 34c. per gallon. Porto Rico, 40c.
New York,—January 22, 1904.—Messrs. GitLespie
Bros. & Co.
Bananas—No quotations.
Cacao— African, 12c.; Caracas, 1c. to 14}c. ; Jamaica,
10sec. to 12hc.; Grenada, 125c. to 12}c.; Trinidad,
13jc. to 145e. per th.
Cocoa-Nuts—Trinidads, $17°00 to $18:°00; Jamaicas,
$2100 to $23:00 per M., selected.
Corree—Jamaica, fair to good ordinary, Te. to 8{c.
per tb. ; Manchester grades, 10c. to 12c. per th.
GrixceR—Jamaica, 7}c. per th.
Goat Skrss—Jamaicas, 50c. to 54e. per th.
Grave Frourr—-$3°50 to $5°60 per barrel.
Orances—$3°50 to $4°00 per barrel.
Barbados,
British Guiana,
Pimento—7}e. per th.
RusseR—No quotations.
Sucar—Centrifugals, 96°, 344c. ; Muscovados, 89°, 227c. >
Molasses, 89°, 21 8c. per tb.
INTER-COLONIAL MARKETS.
January 30, 1904.—Messrs. T. S. Garra-
way & Co., and Messrs. James A. Lyncn «& Co,
ARrRowRoot—St. Vincent, $3°60 per 100 th.
Cacao—$10-00 to $10°50 per 100 tb.
Cocoa-Nuts—$9°37 per M. for unhusked nuts.
CorreeE—Jamaica and ordinary Rio, $9°50 to $11:00 p
100 th. respectively. g o
Hay—81°'10 per 100 th.
Manvures—-Nitrate of soda, $65:00 ; Ohlendorff’s dissolved
guano, $60°00; Sulphate of ammonia, $76-00 to $85-00;
Sulphate of potash, $67:00; Sheep Manure, $6°25
per ton (ex ship).
Motasses—t6c. per gallon (puncheon included).
Oxtons—$3°25 to $3°42 per 100 th.
Poratos, ENGLisH—$2°00 per 100 tb.
Rice—Ballam, $5°10 per bag (190 tbh.) ; Patna $3-60 7
100 1b. . ee
Sucar—No quotations.
January 28, 1904.—Messrs. Wrerine .
& RIcHTer.
Arrowkoot—St. Vincent, $8°50 per barrel.
Batara—40c. to 42c. per tb.
Cacao—Native, Ile. to 12c. per th.
Cassava SrarcH—$6'50 per barrel.
Cocoa-Nuts—$11-00 to $12°00 per M.
CorreE—Rio and Jamaica, 13¢. to 14c. per tb. (retail).
—Creole, 13c. per th.
DxHaL—$3'60 to 83°70 per bag of 168 th.
Eppors—$1°44 per barrel.
Morasses—Vacuum Pan yellow, 15c. per gallon, casks
included,
Ontons—4c. to 5c. per tb., ex store; Garlic, 6c. to Ze.
Pea Nutrs—Curagoa, 3fe. ; American, 5e. per tb. (retail).
PLaNTAINS—20c. to 48e. per bunch.
Poratos, ENGLisH—-$2°70 to $3-00 per barrel.
Rice-—Ballam, $4°60 per 177 tb., ex store; Creole,
18c. to 20c. per gallon (retail).
Sweet Poratros—Barbados, $1°32 per barrel.
Tannras— $1°92 per bag.
Yams—White, $1°44 per bag.
Sucar—Dark Crystals, $1°85 ; Yellow, $2°20 to $2°30;
White, $3°50; Molasses, $1:60 to $1:90 per 100 tb.
TimbeR—Greenheart, 32c. to 55c. per cubic foot.
WatLaba SHINGLES—$3‘00 to $500 per M.
Trinidad,—January 28, 1904.—Messrs. Gorpox, Grant
& Co., and Messrs. Epcar Trier & Co.
Batata—No quotations.
Cacao—Ordinary, $13-00 to $13:°50; Estates, $14:00:
per fanega (110 tb.).
Cocoa-Nuts—$16'00 per M., f.o.b., selected in bags of 100,.
(husked).
Cocoa-Nur Mrat—l}e. per Ib.
Cocoa-Nur Or—5bde. per Imperial Gallon (casks included).
Corree—Venezuelan, 7Ze. per th.
Copra—$2°40 to $2°50 per 100 th.
Ontons—$2°70 per 100 th.
Poratos, ENGLisH—$1-00 to $1:25 per 100 th.
tice—Yellow, $4°25 to $4:40; White Table, $5°25 to
35°75 per bag.
Sucar—No quotations.
Vou. Il. No. 48. THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS. 63
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lo Lo bo Lo lo be
ooo o>
RATS Ol Co
SESS TSE
64 THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS. Frsruary 13, 1904.
THE BEST MANURES FOR COLONIAL USE
ey ago sd} 2
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Ohlendorff’s Special Sugar-cane Manure
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A TREATISE ON THE CULTIVATION, CURING AND
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‘LECTURES ON DISEASES OF THE SUGAR-CANE,
COMMERCIAL CACAO.
DAVIDSON & TODD, Trinidad.
Wm.WESLEY & Co., 28, Essex St., London.
‘West Indian Bulletin’ (Vol. IV, No. 4).
Containing report of Sir Daniel Morris, K.C.M.G.,
Bie amie ® ; D.Se., and Mr. J. R. Bovell, F.L.S., F.C.S., on visit
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Ka Sip
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e:iin
LA a
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OF
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IMPERIAL DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE FOR THE WEST INDIES.
Vou. Ill. No. 49.
BARBADOS, FEBRUARY 27, 1904.
Price ld.
CONTENTS.
Pace. PaGE
Agave americana, Fibre | Insect Notes :—
Of... ... «2. oe «- 72] Carbon Bisulphide for
Arbor Day at Montserrat 70 Parasol Ants ... ... 74
RNa A eal’ 2 (68% | Fumigation of Imported
vu = 7 de D al... OC e : [=
Corn oil, Rubber from ... 77 Plamtsios ss. ..5 ... 74
‘} .
poor = Gutane 73 | Malaria, Prevention of ... 7
British Honduras, Worm | Market) Reports), -.. (3. 78
in... ... .«. 69 | Nutrition, Principles of ... 71
Bees site ees iB
pation of.» + 72. | Our Book Shelf :—
p npc ae pes ae oe
Seed Selection, Improve- ae SuDTES sours pit ake
meoee by. cx, cain 69 The Food of the Gods ... 75
| be
é
Selection of Seed... ... 69 | Paint, a Cheap... ... 2.
Cotton Ginneries in the Para Rubber Seeds, Utiliza-
West Indies... ... 65 tioMjOR mms sees ccs
7 Plants, Number to the acre 6:
- NF roe Lind
Doe ment NewS ing. Ny | Plants, Liquid Food for
Department Publications...
House wi, 20. « 75
Department Reports :— ie
Lectures on the Diseases ee re
SES NGiasar-ban’ v7 Seeds, Vitality of 75
S | Street Tree Planting 75
Fruit and Nuts as Food . . 68 |
Gleanings ... ...
Goat Keeping ...
Hybridization
Sugar Industry :—
er British Guiana ... ... 66
neo 7) Jaye val
7 JAVA sR eM ecen Ueee) calcd
73 | Toronto Exhibition, 1904... 72
Cotton Ginneries in the West
Indies.
T is very creditable that within the short
period of eighteen months several well-
es equipped ginneries have already been
successfully. established in the West Indies.
The first ginnery was started under the auspices
of the Imperial Department of Agriculture and the
St. Lucia Agricultural Society at the Riviére Dorée
Experiment Station at St. Lucia in 1901. This was
placed under the charge of Mr. George Barnard,
a responsible local planter, who has continued to take
a great interest in cotton growing. The gin was
a Dobson & Barlow single roller gin, the cost of which
was provided by the St. Lucia Agricultural Society.
A cotton press was added later by means of a grant from
the Imperial Department of Agriculture. The gin was
operated by a horse-power driving gear. Recently an
aermotor has been erected by Mr. Barnard which is
reported to be working satisfactorily. Two Macarthy
gins, loaned by the British Cotton Growing Association,
are in charge of Mr. H. D. Hunter, at the Dennery
Sugar Factory on the windward side of St. Lucia.
A hand-power gin, received from the British Cotton
Growing Association, is for the present located at the
Agricultural School at Union for the instruction of the
pupils and use of the small settlers in the Gros Islet
district.
The first ginnery operated by steam power in the
West Indies was started at St. Kitt’s on Canada estate
(lately transferred to Spooner’s), under the control of
Messrs. Sendall & Wade, and managed by Mr. A. O.
Thurston. This consisted of two single action gins
and a tramping press driven by a Tangye horizontal
steam engine. ‘The first shipment of cotton from this
factory comprised 12,000 tb. of lint. This obtained
133d. per tb. in the Liverpool market.
A ginnery, also belonging to Messrs. Sendall &
66 THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.
=
Fesruary 27, 1904.
Wade and operated by steam power, was started at
Montserrat in the beginning of 1903, This, at present,
consists of two gins and a screw press operated by an
oil engine. Another ginnery, owned by Mrs. Howes,
is in active work on the windward side of Montserrat.
A third ginnery is in charge of Mr, Wilkins.
A Government ginnery, driven by steam power
and containing one double action, single roller gin, was
opened by Lady Morris at Barbados on July 31, 1903.
This was re-opened, after considerable enlargement, by
Sir Frederic Hodgson, K.C.M.G., on February 25,
1904. At present it consists of a 12 horse-power steam
engine, six single action Macarthy gins (Platts) and
a hand-power baling press. The cost of this factory
is placed at about £900. Mr, J. J. Law was engineer
in charge.
It may be added that Messrs. H. E. Thorne & Son,
at Barbados, have a private ginnery in operation with
two Asa Lees single action, single roller gins, and a
screw baling press of their own construction. Both the
gins and press are operated by steam power.
A Government ginnery, driven by an oil engine
with three single action, single roller gins, (one Platts
and two Asa Lees) and a hand-power baling press, was
opened at Antigua by Lady Edeline Strickland on
December 11, 1903. A hand-power gin, provided by
the Imperial Department of Agriculture, has been in
active use at Antigua for nearly two years.
What is likely to prove the largest and most
effective ginnery in the West Indies is now in course
of being erected at St. Vincent under the direction of
the Imperial Department of Agriculture. Mr, J. J. Law
is engineer in charge. The factory will be a three-
storied building, 90 feet long, 27 feet wide, with a 12-foot
There will be a lower or basement. floor,
The roof of the
verandah,
a ginning floor and a_ cotton loft.
verandah opening out from the cotton loft will serve
for drying the seed-cotton, The machinery will be
operated by a Hornsby-Akroyd oil engine and consist
of eight gins—2 Platts, 2 Dobson & Barlows, 4 Asa
Lees. “There are two baling presses: one is an exact
counterpart of that used for packing Sea Island
cotton in James Island, South Carolina. The latter
was furnished by Messrs. Lebbey and Bailey, of
Charleston, S.C. A hand-power gin is also available
at St. Vincent.
Mr. E. Y. Connell, an enterprising engineer, is
engaged in establishing a central ginnery at Nevis,
where he will be prepared to deal with all the seed-
cotton likely to be produced in that island. The
engine and a gin have been loaned by the local
Government. Two more gins are shortly expected to
complete the outfit for the current season. All the
gins are a contribution from the British Cotton
Growing Association,
Two hand-power cotton gins and a press, are in
course of being provided for use in the island of
Anguilla. In the Virgin Islands a cotton gin and a
press, contributed by the British Cotton Growing
Association, are proposed to be operated by an aermotor
similar to that in use at St. Lucia. A hand-power gin
is provided for use, if necessary, in the out-islands of
this group.
According to a Grenada newspaper ‘cotton
machinery is being erected by Mr. L. R. Mitchell on
the northern side of the éareenage, St. George.’
At Jamaica, a Macarthy single roller gin and
baling press have been contributed by the British
Cotton Growing Association for the use of growers in
that island.
during the current year.
Hand-power gins and presses have lately been
obtained for use in Trinidad and British Guiana. These
are intended to be used during the crop season of 1904,
In regard to all these ginneries it is desirable to
place on record an appreciation of the very active part
taken in their establishment by the British Cotton
Growing Association, The total value of the engines,
gins and presses contributed by the Association cannot
be far short of £700. It is understood that, unless
otherwise agreed upon, the engines, gins and presses
are to be regarded as on loan and to remain the
property of the Association.
SUGAR
INDUSTRY.
Sugar-cane Experiments at British Guiana.
The following is the progress report, prepared by
Professor Harrison, C.M.G., M.A., F.LC., F.G.S., on
the sugar-cane experiments at British Guiana for the
half-year ended December 31, 1903 :—
During the period under review the sugar-cane
experiments have been carried on under my control, assisted
by the advice of members of the Sugar-cane Experiments
Committee of the Board of Agriculture. The actual conduct
of the work has devolved upon Mr. R. Ward, Agricultural
Assistant to that Board.
They are proposed to be ready for use .
Vou, Ill. No. 49.
THE AGRICULTURAL
NEWS. 67
The months of July, August, September and October
were occupied by the usual agricultural operations proper to
the season. The canes made good growth during this period.
During October and November examinations were made of
some thousands of new seedlings raised from seed in 1900
and 1901.
The canes commenced to arrow late in August, No.
95 flowering freely towards the end of that month. It was
followed by Nos. 74, 116, 2,028, 3,157, 3,287, 3,866, and the
White Transparent, all of which were in flower during the
first week of September.
Many other varieties flowered during September and
October, but owing probably to the exceptional dryness of
the weather, a large proportion of the arrows were abortive
and remained arrested in their sheaths. Due probably to
the same cause was the scarcity of fertile seeds produced this
year. Two hundred and nine sowings were made and only
3,216 seeds germinated, the lowest rate for many years.
About 2,500 young seedlings have been secured.
The most prolific variety was No. 115, followed by
No. 1,087 and by No. 2,468. The White Transparent and
the Bourbon proved the least fertile.
The cross-fertilization experiments again failed ; in the
case of the White Transparent and the Mani completely, the
two varieties not arrowing at the same time ; the experiment
with these kinds will not be repeated : while in that of the
White Transparent and the Po-a-ole only four plantlets have
been obtained, which may or may not have resulted from
cross-fertilization.
The following are the varieties cut on the North
field, the average of canes per acre yielded by them and the
indicated proportions of saccharose in the juices expressed
from them by a laboratory mill :—
Ist. RATOONS. 12 MONTHS OLD.
Nos. of | Tons of canes | Pounds of saccharose per gallon
canes. per acre. in the normal juice.
| 625 4GT5 1-756
116 39-4 1783
130 30°71 1-888
95 22-65 2-149
145 39°7 1958
109 35°6 1-857
78 3D'1 1-709
115 34:5 1-870
74 28°7 1-888
3,956 34-4 1816
PLANT CANES. 12 MONTHS OLD.
Pounds of saccharose per gallon
in the normal juice.
Tons of canes
Nos. of
canes. per acre.
B. 147 2:
32-7 1814
W.Transpt. 316 | 1-966
Bourbon 29°5 1°635
2,190 26:0 1-740
The average yield of the 1st. ratoon canes was at the
rate of 38 tons of canes per acre, that of the plant canes
29-9 tons.
Similar details for the varieties planted on South field
and reaped as plant canes seventeen months old are as
follows -—
PLANT CANES. 17 MONTHS OLD.
Nos. of | Tons of canes | Pounds of saccharose per gallon
canes. per acre. | in the normal juice.
625 25°35 1-870
109 254. “| 1-886
115 24 | 1:869
W. Transpt. 2256) | 1998
|
The average yield on this field was at the rate of
24-5 tons of canes per acre.
The effect of nitrogen on the canes was well shown,
the results being in tons of canes per acre :—
Low Nitrogen. | High Nitrogen.
Nos. of No (200 tb. sulphate (300 Ib. and 400 1b.
Canes. Nitrogen. | ammonia per |sulphateammonia
acre.) per acre.)
625 42:8 48-7 517
116 33°2 39 547
109 30°3 34:5 42
145 32-4 44-9 38°9
78 28°5 355 41-5
3,956 32°6 30°77 39°9
Mean 33:3 389 44-7
130 28-2 32
115 29°7 39:2
74 24:8 34:5
95 19-2 26°1
Mean 25:5 32°9
PLANT CANES. NORTH FIELD.
B. 147 30 33 35°1
W.Transpt.| 30-2 375 Sal
Bourbon 27-4 28°9 32-2
2,190 20 21:3 33°8
Mean 20-6 30°2 34:5
PLANT CANES. SOUTH FIELD.
625 22-2 23°6 30°2
115 V7 25°8 28:7
109 18-9 268 30°6
W. Transpt. 15-6 23°6 248
Mean 18°6 24-9 28-6
ee
These experiments therefore have produced singularly
clear proofs of the dependence of the yield of the sugar-cane
on the proportion of available nitrogen added in manures,
and, with others previously reported, show that the various
varieties of sugar-cane resemble the Bourbon in the dependence
of their yield upon this constituent.
(Lo be continued.)
68 THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.
Fesruary 27, 1904.
WEST INDIAN
FRUIT:
AN ABNORMAL COCOA-NUT.
In the Agricultural Bulletin of the Straits
Settlements for October last, Mr. T. F. Weld, District
Officer at Kwala Selangor, gives the following interest-
ing account of an abnormal cocoa-nut found in that
colony :—
At Assam Java, Kwala Selangor, there is a plantation
of cocoa-nuts which contains two trees of great peculiarity.
Instead of the bunches of flowers, which appear on the
ordinary cocoa-nut tree, are found shoots which jut out from
the tree not unlike the spike of a nipa palm. As the so-called
spike grows, the cocoa-nuts themselves, without any show of
flower whatsoever, appear in line along the whole length of
the shoot somewhat like the fruit on a bunch of ‘rambai,’
but quite close together. As the nuts swell, the number,
which at first might amount to fifty on one shoot, is gradually
lessened as they fall off before maturity. In the end there
probably remain some seven or eight nuts only on each
shoot, of which there may be apparently about the same
number as an ordinary cocoa-nut tree has branches of
Howers. The natives here have never heard of any similar
trees except these two and they call them ‘ nyor-nipa.’
FRUIT AND NUTS AS FOOD.
Indian Planting and Gardening of November
21 gives an account of experiments conducted by the
United States Department of Agriculture to determine
the dietary value of different foods. The experiments
in question were conducted during the space of two
years by Prof. Jaffa, of the University of California.
The following extract is of interest as indicating the
food value of nuts and fruit, and more especially of
pea nuts, or ground nuts as they are usually called
in the West Indies :—
The fare given in these experiments was in every case
one that would appeal to any normal appetite. It embraced
honey, tomatos, apples, bananas, grapes, pears, pomegranates,
persimmons, oranges, strawberries, watermelons, figs, almonds,
pea nut butter, ete. The only animal foods allowed were
cottage cheese and eggs, and these in limited quantities.
The cost of such a diet varied from 15c. to 18c. a day.
Tt was found that the food eaten supphed about 60 per cent.
of the protein usually secured by the average meat diet,
while health and strength continued the same, if they did not
improve, and in two or three cases there was a slight gain
in flesh and weight.
One of the chief objects of the series of experiments was
to furnish data as to the value of nuts as food. Fruits
contain little protein, and nuts are relied on in the fruitarian
plan of eating to balance the ration. Fruits are rich in
carbohydrates and nuts in fat. A pound of pea nuts, whieh
costs 7c., furnishes 1,000 calories of energy at a cost of 34c.,
and protein at a cost of 36e. per Ib.
The average price per Ib. of the protein of nuts ranges
higher than the corresponding average of meats, but the cost
per lb. of pea nut protein is lower than for meats, fish, eggs,
milk, dairy products, and prepared cereals. The only foods
which furnish protein at a less cost than pea nuts are flour
and dried beans. According to Professor Jaffa’s experiments,
nuts are the cheapest source of energy for the fruitarian, the
pea nut ranging far ahead of any other kind.
Although pea nuts supply protein and energy for a
smaller sum than bread, they are outranked by dried beans,
which at 5c. per Ib. will supply for 10c. over 200 grains of
protein and 3,040 calories of energy.
NUMBER OF PLANTS TO THE ACRE.
The following table, showing the number of plants
to the acre when planted at various distances, and the
l ,
area, in square feet, available for each plant, is
reproduced from Tropical Agriculture for convenience
of reference :—
Square | Number Square Number
Feet | feet to |of plants | Feet | feet to of plants
apart. each to the apart. each | to the
plant. acre. | plant. | acre.
taecmed i |
iexaal ] 43,560 det -| 49 889
2 52 I 2 21,780 axaun 56 778
2x2 4 10,190 8x8 | 64 681
2x3 6 7,260 9x9 81 538
3} 53} 9 4,840 | 10x 10 100 435
3x4 2 3,630 || 12x12) 144 302
4x4 16 22) lida 225 193
4x5 20 2,178 || 16 x 16 256 170
b5) Se (3) 25 1,742 |} 17x17 289 151
5x6 30 1,452 || 18x 18 324 134
6x 6 36 1,210 || 20 x 20 400 109
6x7 42 1,037 || 25 x 25 625 69
Vor. Ill. No. 49.
THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS. 69
COTTON. |
Improvement by Seed Selection.
We published in the Agricultural News (Vol. I,
p. 373) an extract from a report by Mr. George P.
Foaden on a visit to the cotton-growing States of
America. Mr. Foaden, who is the Principal of the
School of Agriculture in Egypt, paid his visit to the
United States in May 1903. His report is published
in the Journal of the Khedivial Agricultural Society
and School of Agriculture (Vol. V, Nos. 4 and 5).
The following extracts from the report deal with the
important subject of seed selection :—
It is impossible to overestimate the importance of
the selection of good seed or the influence which it
has on the resulting cotton crop. In the absence of
some system of selection, all cultivated plants tend towards
deterioration though this is much more marked in some cases
than in others. The more highly developed and specialized
a plant is, the more rapidly will it deteriorate under adverse
conditions. Of all plants, cotton responds liberally, both as
far as yield and quality are concerned, to careful treatment,
and the sowing of good seed is the very first essential to the
production of good stapled cotton. However carefully our land
may be prepared and manured, the production of superior
cotton from inferior and mixed seed is an impossibility.
The present variety of cotton known as Sea Island has
in fact been obtained by one means, and that is ‘selection.’
While this has been the case, and while the fibre to-day is
acknowledged to have attained the highest standard of
excellence, yet it is accepted that its superiority can only be
maintained provided a system of selection is continued. There
is no question of allowing Sea Island cotton to deteriorate ;
those interested in its growth by the careful system adopted
prevent this.
In the selection of seed for cotton we have two primary
objects in view, viz., to obtain the greatest yield and the best
quality. To select for both objects at the same time is quite
possible, though we think that the main object in view can
be accomplished by growing in the first place the very
best seed obtainable, and then selecting seed from the
heaviest yielding plants, provided the quality of those plants
is equal to the best standard of that variety. In the system
of selection adopted by Sea Island planters most distinctive
results have been obtained. For example, one grower’s
ideal has been to obtain heavy yields with but a secondary
regard for quality and this has been quite successful, the
grower’s cotton being known in the market as that from
heavy yielding plants but whose quality is not ‘extra.’
Another planter again has selected for quality only, and
though yield has been to a certain extent sacrificed, yet his
cotton is sold for a much higher price. Thus, starting with
the same seed, two different ideals may be reached according
to the wish of the particular grower. As a rule, however,
our primary object is to imcrease the yield, and while
striving to obtain this we have to see that we do not sacrifice
quality and other desirable characteristics, but keep them at
least up to the best standard.
The history of Sea Island cotton which is so extremely
interesting provides us with an object-lesson and ample
food for reflection. It serves as an example showing
how a tropical plant has not only been adapted to another
climate, but at the same time the produce has been
brought to a very high pitch of perfection; the whole
having been accomplished by selection, aided by good
cultivation and manuring. In the year 1785, seeds were
brought from the Bahamas and planted in the State of
Georgia. The plants died down, but sprang up again from
the roots and succeeded in ripening a few seeds before the
next winter. The earliest of the seeds thus produced were
sown and this again repeated the following year. By this
means an earlier flowering and ripening plant was produced
until at last the plant matured a large proportion of its seed
before adverse climatic conditions came, and this even along
the coasts of the Carolinas. Having attained this, a very
careful system of selection was adopted with the view of
improving quality, that is to say increasing the length,
strength and fineness of the staple. By a continuation of this
process of vigorous selection, the production of the finest
quality cotton in the world has been attained.
Selection of Seed.
To a representative of the Barbados Advocate,
who visited the Barbados Central Cotton Factory on
January 29, Mr. W. B. Seabrook, Ginnery Expert to
the Imperial Department of Agriculture for the West
Indies, made the following remarks on this subject :—
The first important step in planting cotton, with any
hope of success, is to secure good seed—seed that can be
guaranteed to yield fibre uniform in length and fineness of
staple. It is as reasonabie to place a cur in competition
with a fine-bred setter and hope to get a prize, as to place
cotton of mixed quality and staple in the market and expect
it to obtain the same price as that which is uniform.
The good seed, to which I refer, and which is so essential
to success, could be obtained to the best advantage where
Sea Island cotton is raised in its highest state of perfection,
viz., from the Sea Islands of South Carolina, especially those
nearest to Charleston. The selection of cotton seed has
long been a study with planters there, and good seed, yield-
ing fibre of good length and fineness of staple, can be
obtained from them as proposed by the Imperial Department
of Agriculture. Thousands of bushels of Sea Island cotton
seed are used every year for fertilizing purposes—planters
refusing to plant it because of deterioration in quality. This
might be obtained for very little ; but if unfit for planting
there, it would be unfit here. It is necessary, therefore, to
obtain seed from a reliable source, and one where its purity
can be vouched for. The difference in cost will be a small
item in comparison with the difference in result. Once the
strain is established in the West Indies, enterprising and
intelligent planters could at once begin to make selections
for themselves, and keep up a continuous supply of fine,
long-staple cotton to be delivered to the Central Factories
which are fully able to prepare it for the market in the best
possible condition.
The Cotton Worm in British Honduras.
A correspondent writing in the Clarion states that
some of the newly planted cotton in British Honduras has
been attacked by the cotton worm. It appears that an
attempt was made to grow cotton in that colony at the time
when high prices were obtained for cotton during the
American civil war, but was abandoned on account of the
ravages of this pest. Now, however, that it is realized that
the cotton worm can be kept in check by the use of Paris
green, its presence need not prove a very serious obstacle.
Evidently the cotton worm is general. It appears in
every country where cotton is grown; so that there is
nothing exceptional in its appearance in the West Indies.
70 THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.
PREVENTION OF MALARIA.
The Barbados Official Gazette of February 11
contains a circular despatch from the Secretary of
State for the Colonies giving information in connexion
with the investigation of malaria and the training of
medical officers in the treatment and prevention of
tropical diseases. In this despatch an outline is
given of what has been attempted in the direction of
improving health and sanitation in tropical colonies
and protectorates, and of the work of the Malaria
Commission appointed by the Royal Society on the
suggestion of the Secretary of State for the Colonies.
As enclosures to the despatch are published a statement
by the Secretary of the Royal Society, briefly reviewing
what has been accomplished by the Commission, and
a memorandum by Drs. Stephens and Christophers
setting forth their views as to the results of their
researches on native malaria and the prevention of
malaria. From the latter enclosure we extract the
following notes on ‘ personal precautions’ :—
We cannot emphasize finally too strongly the need at
present for these. We ourselves, by unremitting care,
completely escaped contracting malaria during over three
years’ residence in Africa and India ; in places, too, where,
more frequently than not, the deadly conditions we have
described existed. Among these precautions we place the
proper use of a mosquito net as far and away the greatest
means of individual protection.
Mosquito net : The net should be square (not a bell
net), should not have a single, even minute, hole, should
hang inside the poles if these are used, should be tucked in
under the mattress, and should noé trail on the ground.
A piece of closely woven material, fastened on all round at
the level of the body is a necessary addition, in order to
protect the limbs during sleep from bites through the net.
When not in use the ends of the net should be twisted up
somewhat, and then thrown over the top. We always
arranged our nets ourselves, never trusting to servants, and
further to be doubly certain, we always carefully searched
the interior with a candle before going to sleep. To these
minute precautions, solely, we attribute our absolute freedom
from malaria. Employed without care and _ attention,
a mosquito net is little protection in such malarious places
as most up-country African stations.
2. Subsidiary measures: In many of the more malarious
places we visited we considered that other subsidiary precau-
tions, such as will suggest themselves to any intelligent
person, were also necessary. To protect our legs and ankles,
for instance, we considered it necessary to wear thick
trousers, with puttees, or the very convenient, so-called
mosquito boots. The face and hands are not in waking
hours very likely to be bitten by Anopheles, though they are
very likely to be bitten by various species ot Culex. It
must be understood, however, that for precautions to be
effective in badly malarious places considerable care and
thoughtfulness is entailed, and few followed our example.
3. Quinine: During the whole of our three years’
life in the tropics we found it quite unnecessary to use
quinine. If, however, the bites of Anopheles cannot be
guarded against, quinine should be taken as a prophylactic.
We consider Professor Koch’s method of taking 15 grains on
two successive days in each week as the best. Repeated
small doses are of doubtful efficacy.
In view of the above recommendations interest
Fresruary 27, 1904.
attaches to the following letter, from the Booth
Steamship Co. to the Honorary Secretary of the
Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, published in
the Journal of Commerce of January 22 :—
The following extract from the log of the captain of our
steamer ‘Javary,’ while lying at Iquitos, Peru, about two
months ago, will no doubt be of interest to all connected
with the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine :—‘ There
appears to be quite an epidemic in Iquitos this voyage,
and several deaths have taken place from ‘“ Black Vomit.”
Fortunately, the ship’s company keep healthy. The mosquito
nets supplied by the company are a great boon to the men,
for the mosquitos just now are almost unbearable.’ We may
mention that, following the recommendations of the Liverpool
School, our steamers trading to Iquitos have been for several
years regularly provided with mosquito nets for the use of
the crew, with the most satisfactory results. Cases of
malaria were frequent, sometimes resulting fatally, but since
the introduction of the mosquito nets and their general
adoption by all embers of the crews, we are pleased to say
that these steamers have enjoyed a wonderful immunity from
sickness. In view of this we have latterly provided mosquito
nets for the crews of all our steamers in the Para and
Manaos trade, and although it is rather soon to make any
definite statement as to the result, we have reason to suppose
that it will be equally satisfactory, as it is some months
since we heard of the last case of yellow fever, and so far as
we know, not one has occurred in any steamer after the
introduction of the mosquito nets. We place these facts
before you as they will no doubt be of interest to other
shipowners trading with the tropics.
ARBOR DAY AT MONTSERRAT.
The following letter from Mr. Charles M. Martin,
Inspector of Schools for the Leeward Islands, to the
Imperial Commissioner of Agriculture, dated Mont-
serrat, February 3, 1904, gives an account of the Arbor
Day celebrations in that island :—
You will be glad to hear that our Arbor Day celebrations
in Montserrat were a great success.
On Monday, January 25, fifteen trees were planted at
Harris’ Cemetery to form an avenue along the main walk.
On Tuesday, the two schools met before the Court House
(the children wearing the distinctive colours of their school
gardens) and, after a short address by me, marched to Cocoa-
nut Hill, where nearly forty mahogany trees were planted on
both sides of the road. Mrs. Watkins was present and
planted the first tree. On Wednesday, the children of
Olveston school planted six trees as the first beginning of
what should be a fine avenue along the approaches to the
school. On Friday, Bethel school planted eight trees along
the boundaries of the school premises. In all, some seventy
trees were planted and over 1,100 children took part in the
proceedings. The amount of interest evinced by both
teachers and children in the celebrations was gratifying.
In future, Arbor Day will be held on the King’s
Birthday. Special songs and recitations have been learnt
and were rendered on the occasions referred to above, and it
is evident that the day will be one of lasting good to all
concerned. I must acknowledge with thanks the services of
Mr. Jordan, which helped greatly to the success of the
proceedings. Mr. Watkins, who took great interest in the
arrangements, was unfortunately prevented by illness from
being present on any of the days, and we much regretted his
absence,
Vou. III. No. 49.
THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS. 71
The following brief account of the general composi-
tion of foods and feeding stuffs is taken from a
recently issued Bulletin of the United States Depart-
ment of Agriculture (Office of Experiment Stations,
Bulletin No. 125) entitled: A digest of Recent Experi-
ments on Horse Feeding. The concise explanations
of the principal terms used in connexion with the
composition of foods is likely to be useful :—
The study of foods and feeding stuffs has shown that,
although they differ so much in texture and appearance, they
are in reality made up of a small number of chemical
constituents, namely, protein, fat, carbohydrates and ash,
together with a larger or smaller amount of water. The
latter can often be seen as in the juice of fresh plants. In
dry hay no water or juice is visible. A small amount is,
however, contained in minute particles in the plant tissues.
Protein is a name given to the total group of nitrogen-
ous materials present. The group is made up mainly of the
true proteids and albumens, such as the gluten of wheat, and
of nitrogenous materials such as amides, which are believed to
have a lower feeding value than the albumens.
The group ‘fat’ includes the true vegetable fats and
oils, like the oil in cotton seed or corn, as well as vegetable
wax, some chlorophyll (the green colouring matter in leaves,
ete.) and other colouring matters ; in brief, all the materials
which are extracted by ether in the usual laboratory method
of estimating fat. The name ‘ether extract’ is often and
very properly applied to this group. Chemically considered,
the true fats are glycerides of the fatty acids, chiefly oleic,
stearic and palmitic.
The group ‘carbohydrates’ includes starches, sugars,
crude fibre, cellulose, pentosans, and other bodies of a similar
chemical structure. This group is usually sub-divided, accord-
ing to the analytical methods followed in estimating it, into
‘nitrogen-free extract’? and ‘crude fibre’; the former sub-
division including principally sugar, starches and most of the
pentosans, and the latter, cellulose, lignin, and other woody
substances which very largely make up the rigid structure of
plants. The proteids contain nitrogen in addition to carbon,
oxygen, hydrogen, and a little phosphorus and sulphur. The
fat consists of carbon, oxygen and hydrogen, as do also
carbohydrates. In the carbohydrates, however, the oxygen
and hydrogen, are always present in the proportion in which
they occur in water, namely, two atoms of hydrogen to one
of oxygen.
The group ‘mineral matter’ includes the inorganic
bodies present in the form of salts in the juices and tissues
of the different feeding stuffs, the principal chemical elements
found being sodium, potassium, calcium, chlorine, fluorine,
phosphorus and sulphur. The term ‘ash’ is often and very
properly used for this group, since the mineral matter
represents the incombustible portion which remains when any
given feeding stuff is burned.
The relation between the quantities of nitrogenous and
nitrogen-free nutrients in the ration is called the nutritive or
nutrient ratio. In calculating this ratio 1 tb. of fat is taken
as equivalent to 2°25 tb. of carbohydrates—this being
approximately the ratio of their fuel values—so that the
nutritive ratio is actually that of the protein to the carbo-
hydrates plus 2°25 times the fat.
SUGAR-CANE EXPERIMENT STATIONS
IN JAVA.
The following interesting account of the sugar-
cane experiment stations in Java, and the lines upon
which investigations are being carried on, by Dr. J.
D. Kobus, is translated from the Revue Agricole of
Reunion for October 1903 :—
The West Java station was started at Kagok in 1886.
For three years it was located in the town of Pekalongan.
The East Java station dates from 1887. It has been located
from the beginning in the town of Pasoeroean.
Formerly there was a third station—Central Java—
founded in 1885. The able director, M. F. Soltwedel, died
in December 1889 after having discovered the possibility
of raising sugar-canes from seed. With him also originated
the idea of growing sugar-canes in mountain lands at an
elevation of 2,000 feet so as to avoid the ravages of the sereh
disease. After two or three years the station was closed.
At West Java the first director was W. Krueger, the
well-known author of the German treatise on Sugar-cane
and its Culture, in which he has recorded his personal
experience in Java (from 1886 to 1891), as well as that of
the other stations in the island up to 1896. In 1891, he
was succeeded by Dr. F. A. F. C. Went, who has gained
great distinction by his researches on the diseases of the
sugar-cane. He was assisted by H. C. Prinsen Geerligs
who succeeded him in 1896. The researches of Prinsen
Geerligs on sugar manufacture are widely known, also his
little work which has already passed through three editions
in Dutch and in English.
The first director of the East Java station was Dr. J. G.
Kramers. I assisted him as sub-director. In the first
few years we were engaged in soil research experiments with
various manures, ete. In 1890, the director was succeeded
by Dr. J. H. Wakker, a botanist of distinction. He set
himself to concentrate our efforts on researches as to the
cause of the disease known as ‘sereh,’ which threatened
entirely to exterminate the sugar-cane in Java. Dr. Wakker
made interesting and thorough research in regard to other
diseases of the sugar-cane, but, like Dr. Went, he did not
succeed in discovering the cause of ‘sereh’.
After ten year’s of active work, Dr. Wakker resigned
his post for personal reasons. I succeeded him in 1898.
Since 1893, I had been editing the Archief voor de Java-
Suikerindustrie, a work which I had to relinquish on assuming
the directorship of the station. As you know the chemical
selection of the sugar-cane and the raising of seedlings have
since occupied the better part of my time. I still, however,
continue my researches on the soil and my experiments with
manures. ...
All the publications of our stations are sent to the
contributing members of each station. All without
distinction can ask for information from each other and all
have equal rights to the varieties of sugar-cane and seeds,
provided that applications are received before July 1. We
raise the canes ordered on their account and in January the
seedlings are sent to them and the cost received. Last
January more than 17 acres of cane were grown by us for
raising seedlings. As soon as the young canes are six
months old, each internode can be used as a plant. In
January 1904, our nurseries will be on a still larger scale.
Our experiment fields at the same station have an area of
86 acres, containing more than 200 varieties of seedling
canes. The best only are distributed to the Usines ; before
this it is necessary that they should haye been carefully
proved for four consecutive years.
a |
to
THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.
Frsruary 27, 1904.
EDITORIAL NOTICES.
Letters and matter for publication, as well
as all specimens for naming, should be addressed
to the Commissioner, Imperial Department of
Agriculture, Barbados.
Communications are invited, written on one
side of the paper only. It should be understood
that no contributions or specimens can, in any
case, be returned.
All applications for copies of the ‘Agricul-
tural News’ should be addressed to the Agents,
and not to the Department. A complete list of
the London and Local agents will be found at
foot of page 79 of this issue.
The ‘Agricultural News’: Price 1d. per
number, post free 14d. Annual subscription
payable to Agents 2s. 2d. Post free, 3s. 3d.
( i 5 OH) ;
Agricultural slows
Vou. Ill. SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 1904. No. 49.
NOTES AND COMMENTS.
Fibre of Agave americana.
Mention was made in the Agricultural News
(Vol. III, p. 24) of an account given in the Zmperial
Institute Bulletin of fibre of a plant forwarded from
Assam under the name of Agave americana, The
following note appears in the current issue of the same
journal :— ‘The Imperial Institute has now been
informed by the Officiating Reporter on Economie
Products to the Government of India that the identity
of the plant in question is under investigation and that
it is probably not Agave americana, as was originally
supposed.’
———— oD Oo
Cotton Cultivation.
With the view of presenting the details of cotton
cultivation in a popular and attractive form, the
Imperial Department of Agriculture is arranging for a
series of addresses, illustrated by latern slides, to be
delivered before the beginning of the next planting
season.
The addresses will afford hints and suggestions as
to the selection and preparation of the land and the
best time for planting. They will give full particulars
of the methods to be adopted for sowing the seed,
thinning out seedlings, weeding and moulding the
plants and the treatment of the worm and other pests:
also as to picking, assorting and grading the cotton
ready to be sent to the ginning factory.
It is probable that the addresses will be delivered
simultaneously in each island in April, May and June
next.
1904.
In the Agricultural News, Vol. II, p. 325, the
attention of readers was directed to a report by
Mr. G. Whitfield Smith, Travelling Superintendent
of the Imperial Department of Agriculture, who
happened to be present, on the West Indian section
at the Exhihition held at Toronto in August and
September last. It will be seen from this report that
not only were the larger colonies well represented,
but excellent exhibits were also forwarded from the
Windward and Leeward Islands and from Barbados.
The West Indian section generally was greatly appre-
ciated and excited a good deal of interest among
visitors at this Exhibition.
With the view of again bringing the staple
products of these colonies prominently under the notice
of the Canadians, and of developing closer business
relations between them and our fellow-subjects in the
Dominion, it is desirable that each colony should be
fully and attractively represented at the Exhibitions
to be held in Toronto and elsewhere in Canada in
August and September next. It is therefore important
that steps be taken to obtain glass bottles for exhibits
at once so that they may be ready in time for use
when required in July next.
Toronto Exhibition,
————
Cotton Planting at Montserrat.
A discussion has taken place in the columns of
the Montserrat Herald relative to the best time for
planting cotton.
A correspondent suggests that this should be done
either earlier or later than has been the practice
hitherto, in order to avoid having cotton in a forward
state during the months of September, October and
November. During these months insect pests are
particularly abundant and the cotton worm has proved
no exception. It is therefore contended that cotton
should be planted either in March or, for late planting,
in October and November. The early planted cotton,
being then ready for reaping about August or
September, when the caterpillar is abundant, would be
in a condition in which it would be least likely to be
harmed. On the other hand, the cotton planted during
October and November would ripen from March to
May before the insects are particularly abundant.
The experience of this correspondent is to some
extent confirmed by that of Mr. Jordan, the Agri-
cultural Instructor, who gives figures to prove that the
best results were obtained when the cotton was
planted early. Mr. Jordan points out, however, that
other factors have to be taken into consideration in
determining the best time for planting cotton, and
that this must be influenced largely by local conditions,
This is an important matter and we would urge
upon planters to endeavour to work it out by carefully
tested experiments. At the same time it should be
remembered that, if a good supply of Paris green be
kept at hand and the plants dusted immediately they
are attacked by the caterpillar, no serious loss need
be anticipated.
.
|
Vou. III. No. 49.
THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS. 73
Sugar-cane Experiments in British Guiana.
We publish in this issue of the Agricultural
News (pp. 66-7) the first instalment of a progress
report on the sugar-cane experiments in British
Guiana for the half-year ended December 31, 1903.
In this report Professor Harrison reviews the
work that has been carried out during the half-year.
An account is given of the efforts to raise seedling
canes. An idea of the extent of this work will be
obtained when it is realized that some 2,500 seedlings
were obtained, and that this is the lowest rate for
many years. Owing to the exceptional dryness of the
weather during September and October, a large
proportion of the arrows were abortive and there was
a scarcity of fertile seeds. The experiment in the
cross-fertilization of the White Transparent and the
Mani canes, which was not successful, is to be repeated.
As will be seen from the tables, the manurial experi-
ments bring out clearly the fact that the amount of
available nitrogen added in manures is the principal
factor regulating the yield.
——— EEE
Utilization of Para Rubber Seeds.
An interesting article on this subject will be found
in the current issue of the Zinperial Institute Bulletin
(No. 4). As mentioned in the Agricultural News
(Vol. IL, p. 296), the Technical Branch of the Imperial
Institute has been investigating the properties of the
seeds of the Para rubber tree (Hevew brasiliensis).
Several consignments of seeds and of meal prepared
from them have recently been received at the Imperial
Institute for a report as to their commercial values.
Oil was obtained from the kernels, which constitute
about 50 per cent. by weight of the whole seed, and
from the whole seed; the former yielding 42°3 per cent.
of oil, and the latter 20 per cent. The oil obtained
from the kernels alone is clear, of a light colour, and
has an odour somewhat resembling that of linseed oil.
Leading brokers, to whom the oil was submitted,
reported that it would probably be used as a substitute
for linseed oil and would be worth at present £20 per
ton. They valued the decorticated seeds at £10 to £12
per ton.
The sample of Para rubber seed meal was free from
husk and possessed the pleasant odour characteristic
of oil meals. ‘The following results were furnished by
the meal on analysis :—Moisture, 9:1 per cent.; ash,
353; fibre, 34; oil, 36:1; proteids 182; carbohy-
drates, 29°67.
‘The results of this examination of the Para
rubber seed meal indicate that the material thus
prepared could neither be used as a fodder, owing to
the presence in it of large quantities of free fatty acids,
nor tor the expression of Para rubber seed oil, since the
latter has been largely decomposed. It is probable,
however, that if the oil were expressed from the
decorticated seeds, the residual cake could be utilized
as a feeding material. Such a “cake” should be almost
as valuable as linseed cake, which at present sells at
from £5 15s. to £6 15s. per ton.’
Cotton Growing in British Guiana.
The Demerara Chronicle of February 10 reviews
the first half-yearly report of the Berbice Cotton
Growers’ Committee.
While those whom the movement is essentially
intended to benefit have not responded in as hearty
a manner as might have been expected, and in
consequence only a few competitors entered for the
prizes offered by the Committee, yet the promoters
are to be congratulated upon the start that has been
made. The prizes for the best cotton cultivation in
each of the ten districts of Berbice, into which the
Committee divided the county, are to be offered again
for the current half-year, when it is anticipated that
there will be ‘keener competition and more promising
results.’ It is reported that 460 tb. of cotton seed had
been distributed during the previous three weeks,
and that about 98 acres of land is expected to be
planted in cotton on the West Coast, Berbice, and 50
acres on the Upper Berbice river.
His Excellency the Governor has offered a prize
of $50 for the largest area in cotton before June next,
and Sir H. A. Bovell a prize of $60 for the best 200-Ib.
bale of cotton. A prize is also being offered by
Mr. Bruce Stephens, of Trinidad, to encourage the new
industry.
— ee ———
Hybridization.
A paper on this subject was read by Mr. D. J.
Wilson at the opening of the West of Scotland
Agricultural College im October 1902.
It is pointed out that work on hybridization
has probably been carried on for ages. The first
hybrid plant of which we have any record was the
result. of the crossing of two species of Dianthus by
Thomas Fairchild.
Most of the earlier work on hybrids was done by
gardeners rather than by agriculturists; this is to be
explained by the facts that gardeners have a larger
variety of plants to work on and that their knowledge
of the individual plants is likely to be greater.
The International Conference on Plant Breeding
held in New York in 1902 showed how great an
interest is now being taken in this subject, especially
in the United States.
The author himself has worked on an elaborate
series of crosses in the genus Brassica. Among
others, hybrids showing intermediate characters have
been obtained using Brussels sprouts, as the seed
parent, and curled kale, broccoli and savoy, as pollen
parents. Some of the hybrids, although they flower
profusely, do not bear seed; this is owing to the fact
that the pollen is inferior. Crossing of Inish potatos is
a difficult matter owing to the fact that some
yarieties never bear flowers, while very few bear fruits
freely. A number of hybrids have, however, been
obtained, some of which have yielded promising results.
One result is curious: when the tubers of one parent
are red and those of the other white, it is found that
many of the tubers of the cross are purple and white,
but few are red.
74 THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.
FEBRUARY 27, 1904.
INSECT NOTES.
Fumigation of Imported Plants.
The necessity for the adoption of a careful and systematic
scheme to prevent the introduction of insect pests into agri-
cultural centres has been forcibly demonstrated in recent years,
and inspection and fumigation at ports of entry have been
shown to be more effective than any other method yet
devised.
Of the insect pests that have become so serious as to
threaten even the existence of several horticultural or agri-
cultural enterprises, by far the greater number have been those
introduced from elsewhere, which have found more favour-
able conditions in the new localities than in the places from
which they came. Striking examples might be given of
such introductions, but a few of the more notable ones will
suffice.
The grape Phylloxera (Phylloxera vastatriz) which, in
its native home in the United States was very insignificant
as a pest, became, when introduced into the vine-growing
districts of Southern France, a most serious scourge, causing
loss aggregating millions of dollars and threatening the
very existence of the vine industry. The Colorado
potato beetle (Doryphora decemlineata), when first discovered,
was merely of scientific interest feeding upon wild plants,
but with the great increase in the area cultivated in the
Trish potato (Solanum tuberosum) it has spread over the
entire North American continent and has become a pest of
vital importance. The Cottony Cushion Scale (Leerya
purchasi) as a native was of minor importance in Australia,
but when introduced into the citrus groves of California,
it nearly ruined the orange and lemon industries. The histories
of this pest in New Zealand and Cape of Good Hope,
of the Gypsy Moth (Porthetria dispar) in Massachusetts,
and the San José Scale (Aspidiotus perniciosus) in the United
States all illustrate the serious danger that may arise from
imperted pests.
With a view to preventing any such serious trouble
many governments have passed laws to prohibit the importa-
tion of plants, cuttings, bulbs and other articles likely to be
infested with serious pests, or the treatment of such imported
articles at ports of entry in order to disinfect them. Among
the countries haying such laws may be mentioned New
Zealand, Cape of Good Hope, Germany, France, Switzerland,
Turkey and Canada. In the United States many states have
laws requiring the regular inspection, once a year, of orchards
and nurseries, and, if found free of noxious insect or other
pests, a certificate to that effect is given the proprietor.
Many states also insist that all nursery stock shipped into
the state shall be accompanied with such a certificate of
inspection.
In the West Indies also something has been done along
this line. Jamaica has laws in operation requiring the
fumigation with hydrocyanic gas of all imported plants.
The fumigation as required by these laws has been carried
on for several years with marked success. The British Guiana
Court of Policy has recently passed a law entitled ‘An
Ordinance to prevent the introduction into this Colony
of Diseases of Plants.’ The planters in Dominica have asked
for similar enactment to protect the lime and orange industries
in that island, and already fumigating chambers are in
course of construction and it will probably not be long now
before suitable laws are enacted to provide for the fumigation
of all imported plants.
The general method adopted for disinfecting nursery
stock and other plants is known as the hydrocyanic gas
method, and when fumigation is mentioned in this connexion,
it always means that treatment, unless otherwise specified.
Hydrocyanic gas as an insecticide was first used in
combating the Cottony Cushion Scale in California, by
Mr. D. W. Coguillet in 1886. Since that time many
experiments have been tried with it and its great value as an
insecticide is now firmly established. It has been used for
fumigating nurseries, orchards, granaries, mills, houses, ships,
etc., as well as plants, fruits and vegetables for import or
export shipment.
As applied to the British West Indies fumigation of
imported plants cannot fail to be of the utmost benefit. It
is true that many insect pests and especially scale insects are
already to be found in these islands, but as pointed out by
Mr. Maxwell-Lefroy in his paper in the West Indian Bulletin
(Vol. III, p. 240) entitled ‘Scale Insects of the West Indies,’
about one-third of all the species of scale insects now known
in these islands are introduced species. Thus, 80 species are
given as native, 4 as doubtful in origin, and 36 introduced. —
Of the introduced species it is necessary to mention only two,
the Purple or Mussel Scale (MJytzlaspis citricola) and the
Orange Snow Scale (Chionaspis citri). These perhaps are the
most serious pests of orange and lime trees in these colonies.
On the other hand, the native West Indian Red Scale
(Aspidiotus articulatus), found everywhere throughout the
West Indies and on a great variety of plants, rarely becomes
a serious pest. These instances might be multiplied, but
they should suffice to convince any who may have hitherto
doubted the value of preventive measures in dealing with
insect pests. The fact that we are already troubled with
pests of many kinds cannot for a moment be given as a
reason why we should allow others to be admitted, and
especially when it is remembered that imported or introduced
pests are likely, and almost certain, to become more
destructive than the native ones. Hence the necessity of
adopting an efficient means of preventing the introduction
of such pests will be apparent. The old saying ‘an ounce
of prevention is worth a pound of cure ’ may very truly
be applied to the matter of insect pests. That fumigation
with hydrocyanic gas furnishes the necessary prevention has
been amply proved by workers in economic entomology in
many countries and under varying circumstances.
Carbon bisulphide for Parasol Ants.
The Trinidad Bulletin of Miscellaneous Information
for January contains an interesting reference to the value of
carbon bisulphide as a destroyer of the parasol ant in
Trinidad. Mr. Hart states: ‘it has been tried here in every
possible way on the “ Bachrack” or parasol ant and has
been found very effective. It has also been recently used as
an insecticide for herbarium specimens and books and found
to be very effective. ’
A Cheap Paint. According to American Gardening
of January 30, ‘a cheap and durable outdoor paint is made
by mixing hydraulic cement, to the consistency that can be
applied by a brush, with sweet skim milk. A quart of the
cement requires about a gallon of milk.’
Vou. III. No. 49.
THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.
-I
or
oor SADE ; a: alt,
THE CYPRUS JOURNAL: Published at the ‘Cyprus
Journal’ Office, Nicosia. Price 2ep. per number; annual
subscription including postage abroad, 3s.
This is a new publication, the purpose of which is
described by the sub-titlke—‘a monthly review of the
agriculture, industries and archaeology of Cyprus.’ It is
proposed to publish in English and Greek, and in some
instances in Turkish, information likely to be useful to the
farmers of Cyprus.
This issue contains a review of the efforts that have
been made by the Government to bring about an improve-
ment in the agricultural condition of the island. Nursery
and Experiment Gardens have been started as a means of
distributing economic plants, and land has been purchased
for a Model Experimental Farm.
Among other interesting articles may be mentioned :
‘Cotton cultivation in Cyprus,’ ‘the Advantages of Agri-
cultural Exhibitions and Shows,’ and ‘the Requirements of
Productive Trees.’
‘THE FOOD OF THE GODS’
London : Rk. Brimley Johnson,
W. C., 1903.
This book gives a fairly complete, popular account of
the growth and manufacture of cacao. It deals with the
subject mainly from a commercial point of view and is
naturally of very little special interest to the cacao planter.
The book is nicely got up and contains a large number
of well-executed illustrations relating to the cultivation of
this crop in the West Indies.
The first chapter deals with the nature of cacao, its
uses, adulterations, constituents, etc. In the second chapter
an account is given of the growth and cultivation of the
cacao tree and the curing of the beans. The last chapter,
dealing with ‘sources and varieties’ is also of interest.
- By Brandon Head.
4, Adam Street, Adelphi,
LIQUID FOOD FOR HOUSE PLANTS.
The following note, taken from American Garden-
img of January 30, should be of value to amateur
gardeners and others interested in growing pot plants
in the West Indies :—
The best liquid food for house plants and the most
economical is made from sheep manure. To prepare this
make a bag of coarse material, and in it put a quart of sheep
manure. Put the bag in a wooden pail, fill up with cold
water and let it stand for a day. Pour off the water and
use one quart to the gallon in the watering-can: apply
only to the roots, giving each plant a good dose. Fill the
pail again with water, and the next week use this half and
half. Take out the bag and let it drip to give another dose,
using this half and half, then spread-the dregs as a mulch on
the soil of the pots. For house pots do not water the soil
again until the pot on the outside shows the need of it.
The harm done in watering house plants is in washing the
nutriment out of the soil.
STREET TREE PLANTING.
Indian Planting and Gardening of January 2
has an article on the above subject emphasizing the
need for the appointment of a special officer whose
duty it would be to supervise the planting of trees in
the streets of Calcutta. It is pointed out that not only
are trees planted in a haphazard fashion without
regard to their suitability for the purpose, but
moreover, the employés of the ‘Telephone and
Telegraph Companies are allowed to lop and hack
the trees in such a way as to spoil their appearance.
This is a point to which attention might also be
paid in the West Indies; we have seen many instances
of damage being done in this way. It is not only that
the trees are made unsightly by this treatment, but
the lopping being carried on without any regard for
the most elementary rules of pruning, the result. is
disastrous to the health of the trees. Rough stumps
and jagged wounds are left which soon give rise to
rotting and disease: the rotting spreads, and a fine tree
is finally destroyed. If such “work were done under
the supervision of a capable gardener, the trees would
not be rendered unsightly nor would they be perma-
nently damaged as aresult of fungoid attacks.
The writer of the article referred to goes on to
quote from a review in the Gardeners’ Chronicle of
a recent French work on street planting as follows :—
The methods of transplanting, the machinery employed,
the care to be given after removal, the cost, and other
particulars are briefly and clearly described. We notice,
however, that M. Liquet, like every one else, adopts the plan
of putting a grating (gri//e) close up to the base of the tree
for the admission of air and water to the roots; but that is
just the place where such an arrangemeut is least required.
The grating should be fixed at some considerable distance
from the trunk, so as to admit air and water to the feeding
roots. These, as every one knows, are at a distance from
the trunk. A similar mistake is often made in applying
manure close round the base of the tree instead of at a distance.
Two or three large gratings at intervals between each tree
and its neighbour would be better than the present system ;
better still would it be to have, wherever possible, an open
border all the way along from tree to tree. Now that street-
planting on an extensive scale will soon be carried out in
the new streets in the course of construction in London,
these details should be attended to.
Vitality of Seeds. A remarkable instance of the
extraordinary vitality of henbane seeds has perhaps sufficient
importance to be placed on record. About four years ago
a considerable portion of the foundations of the ancient
Priory, near Belvoir Castle, Leicestershire, was laid bare in
the cause of antiquarian research, and the soil and other
débris thrown out on the adjacent old pasture land. The
following year some remarkably fine plants of Hyoseyamus
niger grew, flowered and ripened their seed amid thistles and
nettles. Several plants appeared the year after, but since
that time they have, apparently, become extinct. Now, as
this Priory is said to have been demolished in the reign of
Henry VIII, a much longer period has elasped than in either
of the instances mentioned above. Although Conium macu-
latum abounds in the neighbourhood, I have never seen
Hyoscyamus niger growing wild within a radius of 20 miles
from Belvoir Castle. (Pharmaceutical Journal.)
76 THE
AGRICULTURAL
NEWS.
Frsruary 27, 1904.
GLEANINGS:
Good West Indian kola nuts sold recently for 53d. per tb.
At a meeting of the Liverpool Chamber of Commerce,
the Chairman (Sir Alfred Jones, K.C.M.G.) stated that the
exports of West African cacao in 1893 were £9,000, and
in 1902, £94,000 in value.
The following report and valuation on a small sample of
cotton sent from Hannay’s plantation, Barbados, has been
recently received:— ‘Bright, clear, good, silky staple.
Value per Ib. on spot, 13d. to 134d.
It is announced that the Trinidad Agricultural Society
has made suitable arrangements for the permanent exhibition
of commercial samples of the products of Trinidad in the
Board of Trade Building, Montreal.
The Superintendent of the Botanic Station, British
Honduras, gave two lectures with practical demonstrations to
elementary school teachers on Tuesday and Wednesday,
January 5 and 6, at the Botanic Station. (The Clarion,
January 14, 1904.)
We learn from the St. Vincent Government Gazette of
January 21 that it is proposed to charter a vessel to ply
between St. Vincent and Grenada every Friday, arriving at
Grenada in time for Saturday morning’s market. It is
hoped that in this way a market will be found for St. Vincent
fruit and vegetables.
According to Indian Planting and Gardening of
January 9, careful experiments have been conducted in the
Government Laboratory at Muktesar, which show that
quinine is absolutely useless in cases of rinderpest. Inocu-
lation treatment for this disease is, on the other hand,
growing in popularity.
The total value of the produce shipped from Tobago to
Port-of-Spain during the year 1902-3 is given as nearly
£30,000. The shipments include 1,086 cattle, 1,823 goats,
2,203 pigs, 3,260 dozen of eggs, 2,030 dozen of fowls, 16,600
gallons of cocoanut oil, 2,000 bags of cacao, 226 tons of
sugar, and over 500 tons of vegetables. (Our Western
Empire, January 15, 1904.)
In view of the spread of the cotton mite at Montserrat,
the Imperial Department of Agriculture is advising the
planters that at the close of the present season all the old
cotton plants should be destroyed (if possible by fire) and
not a single one left to carry over the disease to the next
season. Also that, as far as possible, the planting for the
next season be established on fresh land and with selected
seed obtained outside the island and carefully disinfected
beforehand.
It is announced that arrangements have been made
through the Trinidad Agricultural Society for the importation
of Gros Michel banana suckers in regular shipments by each
Royal Mail steamer. These will be supplied in retail lots at
cost price subject to a commission of 5 per cent. It is
estimated that the cost landed on wharf will be 15s. per
hundred.
The Pharmaceutical Journal of January 30, 1904, states:
‘ A Congo plant, known as Iboga, has been examined by
Landrin and Dybowsky. It is stated to possess properties
similar to those of coca and kola. It is a woody plant of
low growth, with a large root. The natives use all parts of
the plant, but prefer the root, as being more active. Its
physiological properties are due to an alkaloid named
ibogaine.’
The farmer and Stock-breeder of February 1 contains
notes by the Veterinarian of the Oklahoma Experiment
Station on the treatment of mange in cattle. A cheap and
effective remedy can be prepared from tobacco and sulphur
as follows : ‘ Place 1 Ib. of tobacco leaves or plug in | gallon
of water and allow to stand for twenty-four hours ; boil and
allow to stand over night. Mix 1 tb. of sulphur in a gallon
of water ; remove tobacco leaves from the infusion, and mix
this with the sulphur water, adding 4 gallons of water.’
A Colonial Products Exhibition was opened at Liverpool
on December 29 by the Duke of Marlborough. The
exhibition owes its initiation to Sir Alfred Jones, K.C.M.G.
Among the stalls, which attracted a considerable share of
attention, may be mentioned Mr. Thomas Dowd’s West
Indian Exhibit, containing a fine selection of Jamaica fruits,
and the display of banana products (‘ Bananine’ bread and
flour) by Mr. Wm. Alfred Jones, of the Jamaica Produce
Company.
The Jamaica 7%mes of February 6 announces the follow-
ing results in connexion with the recent teachers’ agricultural
course :—
‘Mr. Cousins gave £2 and Mr. Fawcett £1, as prizes for
the best forked patch of land. Mr. G. A. Robinson, Mr. L.
Virtue and Mr. Hay gained 97 marks out of a maximum of
100. They got £1 each. A further prize of £1 was given
by Mr. Cousins for the best essay on the course. Mr. Jabez
Stewart won this.’
According to the Tertile Mercury of January 23, notice
has been received by the Cuban Vice-Consul in London
‘that the province of Santa Clara will be able to export, in
four months’ time, an important amount of Sea Island cotton,
which is the best quality, and a smaller amount of the
Upland, which is not so good.’
This is interesting as showing that Upland cotton is not
so satisfactory in Cuba as Sea Island, thus confirming the
experience in the British West Indies.
An interesting paper on a familiar subject, the relation
of temperature to the keeping property of milk, has reached
us from Storrs, Connecticut. The view of the writer,
Dr. H. W. Conn, the well-known dairy bacteriologist, is
that the keeping of milk is more a matter of temperature
than of cleanliness. At 50° neither of the lactic ferments
makes much growth, but putrefactive bacteria develop, and
though these may not make the milk sour, they make it
unwholesome. Milk, which has been kept sweet by exposure
to low temperatures, should be viewed with suspicion.
(Nature, January 29, 1904.)
Vou. III. No. 49.
THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS. 7
LECTURES ON THE DISEASES OF THE
SUGAR-CANE: By L. Lewton-Brain, B.A. F.LS.,
Mycologist on the staff of the Imperial Department of
Agriculture. Pamphlet series, No. 29.
As announced on p. 25 of this volume, the lectures on
the diseases of the sugar-cane, recently delivered at Barbados
by Mr. Lewton-Brain, have been issued in pamphlet form.
We quote from the preface the following remarks of the
Imperial Commissioner of Agriculture :—
‘The diseases referred to attack canes to a greater or less
extent in all the sugar-producing colonies in the West Indies.
The root disease (Marasmius) was especially prevalent at
Barbados last year, and it was largely due to the attacks of
this fungus that the sugar crop of 1893 (35,000 hhds.) was
lower than any during a period of thirty-four years. It was
even lower than in 1895, when the ravages of the rind fungus
(Trichosphaeria) reduced the normal crop of 56,000 hhds. to
36,000 hhds. and led to the practical abandonment of the
Bourbon cane. The principal canes now cultivated are the
White Transparent and seedling canes.
‘A conservative estimate, after making every allowance
for unfavourable seasons and other circumstances, has placed
the loss due to the attacks of fungoid diseases at Barbados
during 1903 at 10,000 hhds. of the value of £70,000. If
we take into account the loss sustained in molasses also, the
total loss in 1903 would not fall far short of £100,000. It
was with the view of aiding the planter to control the
diseases affecting his crops, especially in these days of low
prices, that the lectures delivered by Mr. Lewton-Brain were
organized. If the advice given in the lectures be closely
followed, there is little doubt that the loss likely to be
sustained from the attacks of cane diseases might be reduced at
least one-half. It is hoped that in view of these facts
the recommendations of the Department will receive the
hearty support of all members of the planting community.
‘The root fungus is present again this year, but, owing
to the greater vigour of the canes due to favourable seasons,
the effects are not so marked as last year. It is recommended
that tops for planting should be selected from healthy canes
only ; that where the disease shows itself in small patches in
the fields these should be isolated by a trench (about a foot
deep) dug round them, so as to prevent the disease from
passing through the soil and attacking healthy canes ; that
"all cane stumps whatsoever should be dug up and destroyed
either by burning or being heaped up and treated with
quicklime ; and that where a field has been very badly
attacked by root disease it should be thrown out of cultivation
in canes, treated with lime, and planted with other crops for
a period of at least one year, preferably two years.
‘These recommendations are of so simple and practical
a character that no difficulty need be experienced in carrying
them out, and especially as the probability is that they
would be the means of saving a considerable portion of the
loss to the sugar industry of this island which was estimated
last year by responsible officers of the Department at
£100,000.’ :
DEPARTMENT NEWS.
The Imperial Commissioner of Agriculture left
for the Northern Islands in the S.S. ‘Orinoco’ on
February 22. An important conference of landowners
and planters was to be held at St. Lucia on the 23rd.
instant to discuss the prospects of cotton growing in
that island. Agricultural Shows were to be held at
Dominica on February 25, at Montserrat on February 25,
and Antigua, on February 26. Afterwards the Imperial
Commissioner proposed to proceed on a visit of
inspection to St. Kitt’s and Nevis, and return to
Barbados in the 8.8. ‘Dahome’ on March 4
Subject to the approval of the Secretary of State,
Mr. R. D. Anstead, B.A., Christ’s College, Cambridge,
will assume the duties of Agricultural Assistant at the
Government Laboratory under the Island Professor
of Chemistry, in connexion with Sugar-cane Experi-
ments at Barbados, from March 1 next.
Pending the approval of the Secretary of State,
Mr. W. N. Sands, Curator of the Botanic Station at
Antigua, wil proceed to take up the duties of
his appointment as Agricultural Superintendent at
St. Vincent on or about March 5 next.
GOAT KEEPING.
The following notes on goat keeping appear in
the Journal of the British Honduras Society of
Agriculture and Commerce (Vol. I, Part 2, p. 32):—
It is perhaps not generally known that thousands of
kid gloves are made every year from goat-skins. Many
millions of pairs of gloves of all shades and thickness
are the product of the destructive goat.
In the raising of goats we have another profitable
industry which might advantageously be taken up by some
persons in this colony. We are apt to look upon goats as
a nuisance. So they undoubtedly are in the towns and
wherever there is a garden or cultivation of any plants ; but
there are thousands of acres of scrubby country land which
could be utilized for raising large herds of these animals.
Take our pine ridges, which are to some extent useless for
cultivation : goats would thrive wellon such lands. They do
not require very much care, as is the case with most other
animals, and they are easily managed. A few boys can look
after several hundred.
In addition to this skin-value, the flesh, especially when
young, is excellent meat and can be sold. Goats also furnish
a very rich milk that can be made into cheese, ete.
An ordinary sized goat-skin is worth from 25c. to 50c.
There should be a large margin of profit in this business,
as goats require no expensive feeding, in fact they can
forage out all the food they need for themselves.
Rubber from Corn Oil. According to the India
Rubber World, rubber from corn oil is a most important
rubber substitute, its popularity being due to its usefulness
as a filler and insulator and to its low cost. Corn oil rubber
is one of the products of the Corn Products Co. of the United
States. The plants operated by this company also manufac-
ture glucose, starch, dextrine, syrup, glycerine, ete., the
rubber being one of the by-products.
=T
io)
THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.
Frsruary 27, 1904-
MARKET REPORTS.
London,— February 2, 1904. Messrs. Kearron, Preer &Co.,
St.
New York,—January 22,
Messrs. E. A. Dr Pass & Co. and Messrs. J.
Hates Carrp & Co.; ‘THE Liverroon Corron
Association WEEKLY CrircuLar’, January 29, 1904;
and ‘Tar Pupric Lepcrr, January 30, 1904.
ALors—Barbados, 15/- to 35/-; Curagoa, 14/- to 35/- per
ewt.
Arrowroor—St. Vincent, Id. to 3hd.;
1/8 per Ib.
Batara—1/9 to 2/2 per th.
Bees’-wax—£7 5s. per ewt.
Cacao—Trinidad, 68 - to 74/- per ewt. ; Grenada, 53 -
to 62/- per ewt.; Dominica, St. Lucia and Jamaica,
51/- to 61,/- per ewt.
Carpamoms—Mysore, 7d. to 3/2 per Ih.
CorreE—Jamaica, ordinary, 40/- to 58/- per ewt.
Corra—Trinidad, £16 15s. per ton, c.i.f.
Corron—West Indian Sea Island, 1/4 to 1/5 per th,
Divi Divi— No quotations.
Frvir—
Bananas—Jamaica, 5/- to 7/- per bunch.
Grapre Frurr—10/- to 11/- per case.
ORANGES—Jamaica, 8/- to 9/3 per case of 150 to 176.
Prve-arpLes—No quotations.
Fusric—£3 10s. to £4 per ton.
GincEeR—Jamaica, 35/- to 55/- per ewt.
Honey—Jamaica, 18 - to 30/- per ewt.
Istyctass—West Indian lump, 2/4 to 2/11; Cake, 1/5 to
1/6 per th.
Kota Nurs—4d. to 7d. per tb.
Live Jurce—Raw, 9d. to 1s. per gallon ; Concentrated,
£12 10s. to £18 per cask of 108 gallons.
Live O11—No quotations.
Locwoop—£4 Ys. 6d. to £5; Roots, £4 to £4 10s.
per ton.
Mace—J/9 to 2/3 per th.
Nirrare or Sopa—dAgricultural, £9 15s, per ton.
Nermecs-—69’s to 60's, 1/8 to 2/2; 90's to 80's, 1/- to 1/3
per th.
Pimento—4d. to 44d. per tb.
Rum—Demerara, 9/. to 103d. per proof gallon ; Jamaica, 1/6
to 8/- per proof gallon.
SaRSAPARILLA—No quotations.
Scucar—Crystallized, 14,9 to 16/-
12/- to 14/-.
Sutewate or AmMonta—£12 17s. 6d. per ton.
Tamarinps— Antigua, 8/- to 8/6 per cwt.
John, N.B.,
MERCHANT.’
Bermuda, 1/3 to
per ewt.; Muscoyado,
January 12, 1904.—‘ THe Maritime
Motasses—Barbados, 34c. per gallon. Porto Rico, 40c.
1904.—Messrs. GILLESPIE
Bros. & Co.
Bananas—No quotations.
Cacao—
~~ SES OES SSS SY SO SS NYS © OSES OOS OSE r S
Wwwwiwwwwk
Agents.
The following have been appointed agents for the sale of the publications of the Department :-—
London: Messrs. Dutau & Co., 37, Soho Square, W. City Agents: Toe West Inpis Commirres, 15, Seething
Lane, London, E.C. Barbados: Messrs. Bowen & Sons, Bridgetown. Jamaica: THe EpucarionaL Supriy
Company, 16, King St., Kingston. British Guianu: ‘Daily Chronicle’ Office, Georgetown. Trinidad: Messrs. Murr,
MarsHatt & Co., Port-of-Spain. Zobago: Mr. C. L. Pruscemann, Scarborough. Grenada: Messrs. F. Marrast & Co.,
‘The Stores,’ St. George. St. Vincent: Mr. W. C. D. Prouproot, Kingstown. St. Lucia: Mrs. Borman, Bridge Street,
Castries. Dominica : Messrs. C. F, DuvERNEY & Co., Market St., Roseau. Montserrat : Mr. W. LLEWELLYN WALL, Plymouth.
Antigua: Mr. S. D. Matong, St. John’s. St. Kitt’s: Messrs. 8. L. Horsrorp & Co., Basseterre. Vevs: Mr. 8. D. Manone,
Charlestown. Bahamas ; Wesleyan Methodist Book Concern, Nassau.
80 THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS. Fepruary 27, 1904.
THE BEST MANURES FOR COLONIAL USE
Se Se
Ohlendorff’s Dissolved Peruvian Guano—For Sugar-cane and general use
Ohlendorff’s Special Sugar-cane Manure
Ohlendorff’s Special Cocoa Manure
Ohlendorff’s Special Cotton Manure
Sulphate of Ammonia, Nitrate of Soda, Superphosphates, high grades,
Potash Salts, Basic Slag and all other high-class Fertilizers.
APPLY TO LOCAL AGENTS OR DIRECT TO
THE ANGLO-CONTINENTAL (LATE OHLENDORFF’S) GUANO WORKS,
London Agency: 15, Leadenhall Street, London, E.C.
(ees) Barbados Agents: Messrs. James A. Lynch & Co., Bridgetown.
“CAGAO.” | DEPARTMENT PUBLICATIONS.
oe RECENTLY ISSUED: |
| Pamphlet No. 28,— |
or Fa, F.LS:! | ‘BARBADOS AND PORTO RICO MOLASSES.’
NEW EDITION. | Price. 3d. Post Free, 3hd.
‘WEST INDIAN BULLETIN’ (VOL. IV, NO. 3).
Papers on Cotton. Price Gd. Post Free, 8d.
A TREATISE ON THE @ULTIVATION, CURING AND
CHEMISTRY OF
COMMERCIAL CACAO. | Pamphlet No. 29,—
‘LECTURES ON DISEASES OF THE SUGAR-CANE.’
DAVIDSON & TODD, Trinidad.
Wm.WESLEY & Co, 28, Essex St, London. || | ‘WEST INDIAN BULLETIN’ (Vol. IV, No. 4).
Containing report of Sir Daniel Morris, K.C.M.G.,
z D.Se., and Mr. J. R. Bovell, F.L.S., F.C.S., on yisit
[50] Se ae to the cotton-growing districts of U.S.A.
50.
Printed at Office of Agricultural Reporter, 4, High Street, Bridgetown, Barbados.
pads i) mM
RACE
A FORTNIGHTLY REVIEW
OF THE
IMPERIAL DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE FOR THE WEST INDIES.
BARBADOS, MARCH 12, 1904.
PricE ld.
No. 50.
CONTENTS.
PAGE. PAGE
Agricultural Shows : Guadeloupe Jaborandi ... 94
Antigua... ... ... .. 9 | Insect Notes :—
MOminicay se e---ihes ues POL Lady-birds in West
Montserrat ... ... ... 91 | Indies woo eee peaa AD
Bananas, Varieties at Thrips on Cacao in
Prinidads ti. jc ass. 194 Gronaduiee-eeass bee OU
Barbados, Minor Indus- Market Reports ... ... 95
tries at ... ... .- 86 | Musk Seed... 93
Blindness from Sand-box
| Nitrogen, The Supply of,
MUICC Hees | iesse eee (wese G2 togblantsessecsd eae
Cocoa-nut Disease in | Our Book Shelf :—
British Honduras ... 88 | Dominica Agriculturist 91
Coffee Trade of Columbia 89 The Evolution of Plant
Cotton :— JbihS, Seas) cco! «ood Teoh a
Bales ... ... ... «.. 85 The Natural History of
Cultivation —...--. ---1 oo Plants sen cop cap) wht
Quotations for... ... 88 | Peasantry and Cultivation 84
Petroleum from Trinidad 89
Sugar Industry :—
British Guiana Sugar-
cane Experiments ... 82
St. Vincent... ... ... 85 |
Supply of ... ... ... 85
Cotton Industry ... ... 2&1
Department News... ... 93 |
Eelworms in Tobacco ... 86 | Venezuela, Agricultural
Feeding, Economical, on Condition of ... ... 89
Sugar Estates... ... 89 | West Indian Products .. 94
French Guiana, Trade of | West Indies, Diversitica-
Fruit, Carriage of... ... 84 | tion of Crops in ... 85
Gleamimosmcs | s-.) 22) 229,92) |oWindmills. neem eee OT
a
ioe)
Cotton Industry.
N spite of many adverse circumstances the
cotton crop now being reaped, though small
i in quantity, is proving of excellent quality
everywhere in the West Indies. In this connexion it
may be interesting to mention that the Secretary of
the British Cotton Growing Association reports that
a consignment of cotton just received from Barbados
‘is valued at from 16d. to 17d. per tb. and is considered
the best Sea Island cotton which has yet been imported
from the West Indies,’
The cotton ginneries at Barbados, Montserrat,
Antigua and Nevis are in full working and it is expected
that regular shipments of cotton, cn a commercial
scale, will take place during the next few weeks. The
yield, as already stated, is not so large so was anticipated,
owing to the unfavourable season and the attacks of
the cotton worm. It is felt, however, that with the
experience now gained the cotton worm and other
difficulties should be successfully dealt with during the
coming season.
The question of low freight for cotton is occupying
a good deal of attention. It is probable that the
present rates (65s. per ton weight) will have to be
reduced, as there are indications that through shipment
via New York to Liverpool or Manchester may be
possible at about 45s. per ton weight.
The great point in establishing the cotton industry
is to obtain careful and intelligent action in cultivating
the crop of 1905 and ensure that the utmost effort is
made to obtain not only cotton of good quality but in
such quantity as to make the industry remunerative.
The experience so far gained should prove of great
service in this direction. The heavy rains and strong
winds, experienced during the past season, cannot be
provided against ; but as regards better cultivation and
the treatment of the cotton worm there should be great
improvement in all directions.
CO
to
THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.
Mancn 12, 1904.
The first important matter to arrange for is the
destruction of all old cotton plants at the end of the
present crop so as to leave nothing for insects and other
pests to feed upon to carry them over until the next
crop. There should be no attempt to ratoon any areas
in cotton this year. Those who do so will only have
themselves to thank, if their plants are affected with
disease and the crop is injured. Nothing can justify
any attempt at carrying over a ratoon crop this year.
It is hoped that no one will attempt anything of the
kind.
a ratoon crop from the present plants is likely to be so
small as to be hardly worth the trouble.
The next point is carefully to select new land for
the next planting. The soil should be good and deep,
of a light loamy character and in a sheltered and
accessible situation. The land should be ploughed or
forked and well broken up so as to form a mould. The
locality should not be a wet one. A rainfall exceeding
80 inches per annum may be regarded as probably too
heavy for profitable cotton growing.
The selection of good seed has been urged so often
that it is hardly necessary to repeat recommendations
under this head. None of the seed grown this year in
the West Indies should be used for planting purposes.
The Imperial Department of Agriculture is prepared
to supply the best seed direct from the Sea Islands at
Further, this seed will
cost price. be disinfected
beforehand.
Perhaps the most important point of all is to
prepare for the attacks of the cotton worm, This
attacks cotton everywhere. It is proved, however,
that the treatment with Paris green and lime is
absolutely trustworthy, if applied in time. For every
acre planted in cotton there should be kept at
hand, ready for use for the cotton worm, at a
moment’s notice, at least 8 tb. of Paris green and 18
tb. of slaked lime; also bags of coarse osnaburg for
distributing the mixture consisting of one part of Paris
green to six parts of lime. Those who are prepared to
carry out fully these suggestions and give close
attention to the cultivation and care of their cotton
fields need have little or no anxiety as to the future
of the cotton industry in these colonies.
Blindness Caused by Sand-box Juice. It
is generally known throughout the West Indies that the
juices (‘ milk’) of the sand-box, the manchineel and other
trees are of an injurious nature. Asa case in point, mention
might be made of a man in Trinidad who has been blind
for about four years, the blindness having been caused, it is
said, by the juice of the sand-box tree (Hura crepitans).
The risk is too great, and, besides, the yield of
SUGAR INDUSTRY.
Sugar-cane Sepaeanents at British Guiana.
The following concludes the progress report, the
first instalment of which was published in the previous
number of the Agricultural News :—
Half of the older plots on North
dressings of slag-phosphates in June 1901, applied at the
rate of 6 ewt. per acre. The means of the yields of the
varieties of canes grown upon it without and with slag-
phosphates, when reaped in 1902 as plant canes, were 68°6 and
68 tons respectively.
The following shows the tons of canes per acre reaped
from each variety in December 1903 as classed under their
various systems of nitrogenous manuring :—
field received
Ist. RATOONS.
|
No Nitrogen. | Low Nitrogen. | High Nitrogen.
INos. off N° Slag- | No Slag- | No Slag-
ee phos- | phos- | phos- | phos- | phos- | phos-
*| phates. | phates. | phates. | phates. | phates. | phates.
625) 42°8 | “49-9. | Arey 3\ 048-2" 516) voles
116) 35:1 31-2 38°9 39-2 43°8 48°35
130] 28-4 28°1 32°73 31-2
95) 18:7 Il) 25:3 26°6
145 | 34:9 | 29°9 | 420 | 46:9 | 387 |) 42
109) 28-7 || 3169 || gba | 34-7 |-42 iados
78| 28-4 28°5 36°3 34:8 40-7 41-9
115} 28:3 31-2 36°6 418
74| 24:0 25°7 35°3 33-7
3,956 | 32:7 32°5 30-4 31 37°6 42-2
Mean | 30-2 30:2 36 36°8 44-8
Sixty plots on this field were occupied by four varieties,
one-third of the plots receiving in 1902, at the planting of
canes, slag-phosphates at the rate of 6 cwt. per acre, one-third
‘basic superphosphate’ at a similar rate, while the remaining
third did not receive any phosphatic dressing. The results
in tons of canes per acre were as follows :—
PLANT CANES.
No Nitrogen. Low Nitrogen. | High Nitrogen.
SS Iles a) a | 2 os] & Rilo |m | a
A z i Ale
2,190 }21-7 |} 21-1 | 26-231 | 18 tis 33°7 | 35:3) 32°2
B.147 | 30°3 | 30°3 | 29-4 |.25°5 | 34:5 | 39:1 | 35 |34 | 36:3
White
Trans-
parent | 28-9 | 31-7 | 29°9 | 32°8 | 36:9 | 42°9 | 36:9 | 37 | 37:3
Bour-
bon | 29°5 |24°5|28 |29:2|31:4)26 | 29-5 | 31-7] 32:2
Mean | 27°6 | 26°9 | 28-4 | 29-6 | 30-2 | 30:2 | 33°8 | 34-5] 34-5
On South field, using ninety-two plots with varieties
as plant canes, the comparative results with and without
slag-phosphates were as follows :—
THE AGRICULTURAL
NEWS. 83
PLANT CANES,
No Nitrogen. [Low Nitrogen.|/High Nitrogen.
No | Slag | No | Slag- | No | Slag-
Nos. of canes.) phos- | phos- | phos- | phos- | phos- | phos-
phates. |phates. |phates. |phates. |phates. |phates.
625 20°2 | 20-2 | 21-9 | 25-4 | 29-4 | 31
115 Wl | W71 =| 25:7 | 25-8 | 28-7 | 286
109 7iSeh || TUG) 1 ri 26°5 | 29°8 | 31-4
W. Transpt. | 16 15-1 | 23°8 | 23-5 | 24:5 | 24-6
Mean 17-8 | 18-1 | 24-6 | 25:3 || 28:1 || 28-9
Taken in connexion with the figures, yielded by the
analyses of the soil made in 1891-2 and in 1902 and
contained in the reports for 1896-1902 and for 1902-3, the
results indicate that if a British Guiana sugar-cane soil shows
on analysis a content of ‘008 per cent. of phosphoric acid
soluble in 1 per cent. citric acid solution or of ‘002 per cent.
soluble in two-hundredth normal hydrochloric acid under
conditions of constant shaking for five hours, manuring with
phosphates in all probability will not produce appreciably
increased yields of sugar-cane.
This conclusion based on the results of twelve years’
field-experiments is an important one for the guidance of
planters in this colony. At present large quantities of
slag-phosphates (1,655 tons valued at $21,849 at port of
shipment in 1902-3) are yearly imported, at an approximate
cost on the field of say $20-00 per ton, and are applied to
the soil at the rates of several hundredweights per acre.
By submitting a properly drawn sample of the soil to which
he contemplates applying slag-phosphates for analysis (at
a cost of $2°50) the planter can ascertain whether his soil
contains more or less than ‘008 per cent. of phosphoric acid
soluble in 1 per cent. citric acid, and be guided accordingly.
In my opinion considerable economy would ensue from the
adoption of this course.
The following, arranged in order of their yields of
indicated saccharose, shows the rates of yields of canes per
acre and the saccharose-contents of the expressed juices of
the varieties of canes which were reaped in December 1903
as third ratoons on the Brickdam field :—
oun ... | Tons canes Saccharose Bourbon
eo canes: per acre. |b. per gallon.| equals 100.
1,087 44-7 1816 217-4
B. 147 45-2 1728 207-7
145 42-1 1:°822 198-3
625 52°6 1478 194-7
1,896 40-2 1-884 189
109 381 1°842 181°3
754 40°6 1796 — 17671
135 36°5 1°832 167-1
1,483 36°3 1°822 160
3,157 36°2 1-770 1581
1,143 35:2 1-718 157-9
1,640 34°5 1-738 saya)
1,184 32°6 1:863 156°6
115 39 1-671 153°7
3,873 33°6 1-759 151°4
a ang | Lons canes | Saccharose Bourbon
SOE O! Canes: per acre. | tb. per gallon. | equals 100.
1,905 316 1-790 147-7
116 34:9 1-775 147°3
74 28 1884 147
2,190 33°8 1-796 143°3
125 351 1-619 140
2,028 31 1-660 139-2
130 41:3 1:666 139-2
132 32°8 1536 138°8
2,468 29 1816 136-4
4,399 36 1458 133-2
3,287 30°7 1-666 128:°7
102 28 1:666 124°3
1,880 24°6 1:863 123°8
3,866 31-7 1603 123-4
117 25:7 1:822 112°9
White Transpt. 25-4 1:730 1117
4,139 27-7 1536 110-1
Bourbon 21°6 1-796 100
1,859 17-1 2-009 ileal,
These canes were not supplied and hence the results are
indications of the actual ratooning powers of the varieties as
compared with the Bourbon.
The mean indicated saccharose in the expressed juice
of each of the varieties per acre per crop, which has been
cultivated on this field since 1900, is as follows :-—
NioowOg Saccharose in Neva Saccharose in
variety. expressed juice per ance expressed juice per
acre of canes. acre of canes.
B. 147 5°20 1,880 3°96
145 bali 1,896 3°95
625 4:99 116 3°78
115 4-74 125 3°76
1,087 4-69 130 3°72
109 4°66 135 3°72
74 4°63 754 3°60
2,190 4:10 102 3°37
1,640 4-05 117 319
RS Ii 4:05 White T. 3:15
132 4-01 1,483 3:06
2,468 4:00 1,905 301
2,028 3°98 Bourbon 3-00
The high yield of B. 147 in these experiments is worthy
of note. As in the earlier Barbados experiments under
similar conditions of plot growth, it has appeared to be
a cane of exceptional high potential value, while, as it is
reported to have been in Barbados, in this colony on a large
scale it has been a comparative failure.
Six hundred and twenty-five mule-cart loads of canes
were distributed during the last fortnight of December to the
various plantations and to a very few cane farmers who
applied for them. I am of opinion that we now know
sufficient about our new varieties of canes to be able to
recommend some of them with confidence to cane farmers,
and I hope in the near future to receive applications from them.
la
84 THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.
Marcu 12, 1904.
N
WEST INDIAN
PRU:
VARIETIES OF BANANAS AT TRINIDAD.
We take the following note on varieties of bananas
from the Trinidad Bulletin of Miscellaneous Infor-
mation for January last :—
The new varieties of bananas at St. Clair, which were
introduced trom the East Indies by the Imperial Department
of Agriculture, have commenced to fruit. The first bunch is
mature and turns out to be something quite different to any
hitherto grown in the colony. It came to us under the name
of Musa discolor.
CARRIAGE OF FRUIT.
One of the difficulties in the way of establishing
successful fruit industries in the West Indies is that of
getting the fruit to the port of shipment. In some
districts the absence of good roads increases this
difficulty, and renders it almost impossible to avoid
injury to the fruit. But even when roads are good
damage is often done by carelessness in carting. ‘The
state of affairs, described in the following extract from
the Queensland Agricultural Jowrnal, is only too
common in these islands :—
A short time ago, while riding along a country road
through one of our best orange-growing districts, I met
a cartload of oranges on the way to the nearest railway
station. Every case that I could see was standing on end
in the cart, and had come its journey in that position.
Now, fancy fruit being jolted along a bush road on end,
and then shipped off to some distant market ! What chance
has that fruit of presenting a sound and attractive condition
and appearance under the salesman’s hammer? Is it not
almost certain to be so seriously damaged as to lose a big
percentage of its value? No other result is possible ; and
yet growers complain from. time to time of their fruit going
wrong when they send it away, and that in some way that
they can never understand,
They declare that it was perfectly sound when gathered
and packed ; that nothing whatever was the matter with it.
Well, all I can say is that there is likely to be a good deal
the matter with it after going 8 or 10 miles over bush roads
with the cases on end. One of the great points in packing
and handling fruit for market. is the avoidance of pressure,
and all jarring or bumping, as far as is possible. But here
you have the greatest possible pressure, and the finest chance
in the world for the maximum of jarring and friction.
And supposing that the fruit was packed in the most
careful manner to begin with, that careful packing is likely to
be very seriously disturbed before the end of such a journey.
I want to say to our growers that this sort of thing will
not do. It will neither bring credit or profit to those engaged
in the industry. Care at every point must be the motto, or
some single act of carelessness will probably spoil a lot of
good work and a lot of good fruit at the same time.
PEASANTRY AND CULTIVATION.
The Demerara Argosy of January 6, in reviewing
the report of the Department of Lands and Mines for
1902-3, makes the following reference to cultivation by
peasant proprietors :—
The Commissioner regrets that the cane-farming
industry is not in a more flourishing condition, but when we
remember that the price of sugar has been abnormally low,
we need not consider the fact that 2,500 acres have been
devoted to the staple by farmers altogether unsatisfactory.
It may safely be predicted that when a better price rules for
sugar those peasant proprietors, whose farms are in the
vicinity of sugar estates, will not be slow to take advantage
of the inducements to put part of their land, at all events, in
canes. Cane cultivation they are acquainted with and will
take to, if they find a profitable market for their produce. At
present, the farmers grow, for the most part, perishable
products, it being estimated that 75 per cent. of their total
cultivation consists of plantains, tannias, cassava, ete., and
the Commissioner remarks that the supply of these already
exceeds the demand. Except in the Pomeroon and the
North-West District, the small holders do little more than
grow sufficient vegetables for the support of their families.
“While all are ignorant of the method of cultivation of crops
of a more permanent nature,’ Mr. Fowler states, ‘the
majority lack stimulus to increased: industrial activity, their
wants being of the fewest and simplest, and readily supplied
by the bounty of nature with a minimum of toil. It is this
lack of stimulus that is responsible more than anything else
for the backward state of our minor industries. In Barbados
every plot of ground possible of cultivation is beneficially
oceupied, because in the struggle for existence, rendered
necessary by a dense population, the people realize the need
of making the most of their opportunities. Here as much
land as can be profitably occupied may be purchased at 15e.
per acre, free of any conditions as to cultivation, so that
our rural peasantry hardly require to exert themselves at all
to supply their few and simple wants. It would bea good
thing for Barbados, and a good thing for this colony, if a few
thousands of that island’s agricultural labourers could be
induced to come over and settle on our Crown lands.’
Vor. III. No. 50. THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS. 85
COTTON. © DIVERSIFICATION OF CROPS IN THE
3 WEST INDIES.
Cotton at St. Vincent. The following is a letter addressed by the
The following notice, signed by Mr. W. B.
Seabrook, Cotton Expert, and Mr. C. H. Knowles,
Acting Curator of the Botanic Station, has been
inserted in the St. Vincent papers :—
Cotton planters are asked to facilitate the work of the
Cotton Factory and also to further their own interests by
giving careful attention to the following points when picking
and preparing the cotton for ginning at the Factory :—
(1) No short-staple cotton of any kind should on any
account be mixed with the long-staple Sea Island.
(2) Great care should be taken to remove al/ trash, bits
of leaves, etc., from the cotton when picking and before it is
mixed in bulk.
(3) Yellow stained cotton can be ginned, but must be
sent separately and not mixed with clean white cotton.
Cotton Bales. ;
We extract the following note on this subject
from Mr. Foaden’s report to which we referred in the
last issue of the Agricultural News (Vol. III, p. 69):—
The American cotton bale leaves a great deal to be
desired, and the question is one which has been discussed at
great length during recent years. Compared with an
Egyptian bale, it is very inferior: it shows the cotton in
many places, the bagging is inferior and the ties often break.
The standard size of the American bale is about 54 inches
long, 27 inches wide and about 16 inches thick, weighing
about 500 Ib. The Indian bale is smaller and lighter, the
Egyptian, though not much larger, is heavier. The average
weight of the bale of the chief cotton-growing countries is
approximately as follows :—
American, 500 Ib. ; Brazilian, 230 tb. ; Egyptian, 740 tb ;
Indian, 400 tb. ; and Peruvian, 182 tb.
The Supply of Cotton.
The following note, taken from the January number
of the Journal of the Jamaica Agricultural Society,
gives a hopeful account of the prospects of the cotton
industry in the future, which should do much to
remove any doubts of growers as to the ultimate
success of the efforts now being made to revive the
cultivation of cotton in these islands :—
There never was a period in the history of cotton when
the prospects of a great world shortage is so evident as now,
a shortage, too, not like the one caused by the Civil War in
the United States. Formerly it was almost wholly the
county of Lancashire in England that consumed cotton.
Now it:still takes as much as ever—or would if it could get
it. It is not through want of trade but lack of supply
that the mills there have shut down, and Belgium, Germany,
Italy, Japan, India and the United States have all large
cotton-manufacturing industries besides. The United States
does not supply itself with just the varieties of cotton that
we can grow best, viz., Sea Island and Egyptian. It imports
from Egypt annually 7} million dollars worth of cotton.
Was there ever an industry with such a good chance—when
the world gasps for supplies and cannot get them? Will the
demand last? It is calculated that it will, for the United
States are using more and more of their Upland cotton,
while it is not probable that they will ever be able to grow
all the Sea Island they require. A shortage for many years
yet isin sight. -
Imperial Commissioner of Agriculture to the Editor
of the Louisiana Planter on the above subject :—
In the Louisiana Planter, No. 26, for December 26, I
notice it is stated that although during late years I have
been advocating a diversification of crops in the British West
Indies, I am now said to have slightly changed my views.
As the Louisiana Planter is so widely read in these
colonies, as well as in other parts of the world, I would ask
your permission to place on record that the views I have
consistently advocated for twenty-five years have in no
degree altered in regard to the necessity for a diversification
of crops as a means of improving the circumstances of the
West Indies.
In my address at the Sugar Conference, held at Jamaica
on November 11 last, I drew special attention to the sugar
industry and advocated its extension, because in the eager
rush for profits arising from the cultivation of bananas there
were indications that the claims of sugar, as one of the staple
industries of the island, were in danger of being overlooked.
I went on to say that a prosperous sugar industry would also
mean a prosperous pen-keeping industry. The sugar
industry and cacao and other industries were essential in
order to place the circumstances of the island in a stable
condition, so that, if anything happened to one industry, the
others should be able to take its place. It was not safe to
depend alone on a flourishing banana industry. It was
necessary that a flourishing sugar industry and flourishing
cacao, coffee and other industries should also be maintained
in the island.
At the present moment, in order to aid still further in
the diversification of crops, I am iaking an active part in
encouraging a cotton industry and in starting on a moder-
ately large scale the cultivation of rubber trees, onions,
ground nuts, vanilla, oranges, grape fruit and pine-apples.
I would take advantage of this opportunity of thanking
you very heartily for the sympathy and the interest shown
by the Lowisiana Planter in the welfare of the British West
Indies
In reviewing this letter the Editor of the Lowis-
iana Planter writes as follows in his issue for
February 13 :—
Elsewhere in this issue will be found an interesting
letter from Sir Daniel Morris, the Imperial Commissioner of
Agriculture in the British West Indies. The letter explains
the present position of Sir Daniel, and we were led into our
conclusions, to which he takes exception, by his seeming
reference to the sugar industry as the main dependence, after
all, of the British West Indies, when the continually falling
markets throughout the entire sugar world are seemingly
carrying disaster to that industry everywhere.
Sir Daniel Morris has done such excellent work already
in urging the diversification of crops in the West Indies, that
we can only praise his untiring interest, unflagging energy
and supreme devotion to the cause in which he is engaged.
In this connexion we may give, as applicable to Sir Daniel’s
present position, a clipping from a recent issue of the Jamaica
Gleaner, which really states the whole case :—
‘The great point in Sir Daniel’s agricultural gospel is
the necessity for more industries to supplement those on
which the island relies to too great an extent at present. He
urged this when he was formerly in the island; he has urged
it on every visit he has paid to it since ; he again urges it
more emphatically than ever.’
86 THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.
Marcu 12, 1904.
MINOR INDUSTRIES AT BARBADOS.
Ata meeting of the Barbados Agricultural Society,
held on February 19, after the special business before
the meeting had been disposed of, the Imperial
Commissioner of Agriculture addressed the members in
reference to the present position of minor industries in
the island.
remarks :—
The following is a brief summary of his
Next to the sugar industry, the subjects that were of
greatest moment to the island were the experiments that
were being carried on in the cultivation of cotton, onions and
bananas. ‘These experiments had been going on for some
time and were still more or less in the experimental stage.
Hence it was of great importance that the planters should
consider the cireumstances connected with these industries
and see what could be done in order to place them on
a thoroughly satisfactory footing.
COTTON INDUSTRY.
With regard to the cotton industry, the general
impression amongst members of the planting community was
that the experiments of the last season had been a good deal
interfered with, first of all by the cotton worm, and next by
the unfavourable weather that had prevailed during the last
three or four months. Nevertheless, the prospects for the
present season were promising. He had already received
orders for something like 850 bushels of the best cotton seed
to be obtained from the Sea Islands, and the invitation to
growers to pay for it within a certain time had been well
responded to throughout the West Indies. To show that the
people were in earnest in the matter in this island, he would
mention that Mr. Bovell had received orders and payment for
about 4,800 Ib. of seed, which meant that at least 800 acres
would be put under cultivation during the next season. He
had little doubt that, if the planters would exercise due care
with their crops, they would have a fair chance of success.
With regard to planting for the next season, he would
strongly advise that every effort should be made to prevent
the carrying over of diseases to the new crop. With that in
view it was necessary tbat every portion of the last crop
should be buried or burned ; that only selected seed, previously
sterilized, should be sown; and finally that the cotton should
be planted on entirely new land.
If it were found, ultimately, that the conditions of
climate and soil were unfavourable to cotton, by all means let
them try something else; but until they had carried on
experiments for another year or two, he was of opinion that
they would not be in a position to say what the future of the
industry was likely to be.
The Hon. Forster Alleyne briefly stated to the meeting
his experience and mentioned that although he was a little
disappointed in the yield, yet he was not discouraged in the
least and was intending to plant as much, if not more, cotton
this year.
ONION CULTIVATION.
Sir Daniel Morris then proceeded to make some remarks
about onion cultivation. He said that this cultivation had
been carried on in some cases with success ; in others it had
not been so successful. As far as he could gather, there had
been two or three reasons why the cultivation this year had
not been so successful as before. One of these was that the
season had been an unfavourable one for onion growing. The
weather had been very wet, and in some cases the bulbs
had commenced to rot. The Department was hoping to
obtain seed in July this year. Growers should try to plant
their onions this year so as to get them ready for the market
about the middle or end of January. At any rate, the
experiments were well worth continuing.
Mr. Seibert Evelyn agreed with Sir Daniel Morris that
the weather had been most unfavourable for onion cultivation,
but considered that, on the whole, the experiments had been
satisfactory and should be persevered with. The Hon. Forster
Alleyne also expressed himself as satisfied that onions were
a most satisfactory crop to grow in Barbados, and stated
he intended to continue their cultivation.
SHIPMENTS OF FRUIT.
Sir Daniel Morris said he would next touch on the
exportation of fruit. The planters had been trying the
experiment of shipping bananas from this island to the
English market, packed in crates as in the Canary Islands.
On the whole, these experiments had not turned out badly.
Some growers had made money, others had lost. If the
growers of bananas would grow large bunches and cut them
exactly at the right time for shipment, there was little
doubt that there was a prospect of a remunerative trade
between this island and the United Kingdom by means_ of
the Royal Mail Steamers. He suggested that a conference of
the banana growers should be held to consider what might
be done to advance their interests.
Sir Daniel Morris then read a letter (dated January 13,
1904), that he had received from the Chairman of the Royal
Mail Steam Packet Company. The following is an extract
from this letter :—
From my previous communications you are aware that the
question of the conveyance of fruit from the West Indies has
been haying my close personal attention.
CHINESE BANANAS FROM BARBADOS,
T note that your desire is to establish a trade in the Chinese
banana from Barbados on entirely different lines from those
adopted at Jamaica by the United Fruit Company, of U.S.A.,
or at Trinidad by the Symington Syndicate, and that in your
opinion, a system of ventilation by means of fans is sufticient to
enable the Chinese banana, when packed in crates, to arrive in
England in good condition.
I also note that cold storage 1s not required for bananas
from Barbados, provided the fruit chamber is thoroughly
ventilated by fans sufticiently large to ensure a current of air
through the compartment.
ORDINARY BANANAS AND OTHER FRUIT,
The result of my recent investigations has caused me to
form an opinion coincident with your own, as to the best system
of fitting steamers for the carriage of fruit, and I have now
arranged to fit the system recommended by you in the ‘Tagus’
and ‘ Trent,’ in place of the existing system. The same air will
then be continually passed through the chambers and returned
to the refrigerators, when, on each occasion, it will be deprived
of any moisture. When this work is carried out, and we have
had time to ascertain by practical experience if the results are
satisfactory, my company will take into consideration fitting a
similar system in the other mail steamers.
Eelworms in Tobacco. Mr. John Belling, B.Se,
writes from the Agricultural School at St. Kitt’s: ‘Some
plants of Sumatra tobacco, grown at the Botanic Station,
suddenly wilted when about a foot high. In translucent
swellings on their young roots I found motionless nematodes
or eelworms. ‘The infection was traced to the compost in
the boxes in which the seedlings were first pricked out.’
Vou. Ill. No. 50.
THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS. 87
——
WINDMILLS.
The following information on windmills is taken
from King’s Physics of Agriculture :—
If we except horse-power and that of cattle, there is no
torm of motor which has been so generally or so widely used
on the farm as the windmill, and its use is daily increasing,
especially now since all parts are made of steel, well galvanized
to protect them from rust, and their relative efficiency has
been increased.
WORK TO WHICH THE WINDMILL IS ADAPTED.
Tt must not be understood that a windmill is well suited
to furnish power for any and all kinds of farm work, if only
it is made large enough. On the contrary, it is only adapted
to certain lines where the work done can be accumulated at
times when the wind is favourable, such as pumping water
for stock and for the supply of the house, if only a suitably
placed reservoir of sufficient capacity is provided ; for
grinding grain for stock, and for wood sawing.
WIND PRESSURE.
The pressure which the wind may exert upon a surface
depends primarily upon (1) its weight per cubic foot, (2) its
velocity, and (3) the angle at which it strikes the surface.
ABILITY OF WIND TO DO WORK.
The work which wind can do depends upon the amount
which passes through a given windmill per inmute and the
pressure which it exerts. But as the pressure varies with
the square of the velocity, and the quantity passing the mill
varies directly as the velocity, the theoretic working capacity
of the wind must increase as the cubes of the wind velocity.
Thus with miles
per hour of 5) 10 | 15} 20 25) 30; 35] 40
Or, taking 5 to
1, they are as i) 2 3] 4 5) 6 7]; 8
The relative
horse-powers
are as 1} S| 27) 64} 125) 216! 343/512
Theoretical
horse-power is| 025} +2 |°675)1°6 | 3°125) 5:4) 8°575)12°8
Perry regards it approximately correct to state that a
12-foot windmill in a 5-mile wind may develop qo of a horse-
power, and the figures in the last line in the table above are
his.
RELATION OF DIAMETER OF WHEEL TO ITS EFFICIENCY.
Tn increasing the horse-power of an engine it is not usually
necessary to increase its weight and strength much more than
in proportion to the increase of power which is to be
developed, but in the case of two wind wheels, having the
same type of construction, the one which is to develop double
the horse-power must have a strength of resistance practically
eight times as great in order to withstand the highest
wind pressures to which it is liable to be subjected. This is
so because doubling the diameter of the wheel not only
makes the surface of wind pressure four-fold, but at the same
time carries the centre of pressure farther from the axis of
the wheel, causing it to act upon a longer lever arm. But to
increase the strength of resistance of the wheel eight-fold
makes it necessary to build it much heavier and this detracts
from its relative efficiency. :
Besides this, with wheels of large diameter there are
much greater differences in the wind pressure on the different
parts of the wind sails, because the actual velocity of the
sails increases with the distance of their points from the
centre of the wheel. But the angular velocity must be the
same in all parts of the sail, and this causes the wind sail to
be forced around away from the wind passing through the
wheel with very different velocities, and this difference
reduces the relative efficiency, so that large windmills of like
pattern do not increase the available horse-power as much as
the size is increased.
AMOUNT OF WORK DONE BY A WINDMILL IN PUMPING WATER,
We have measured the amount of water which was
pumped during one entire year by a 16-foot geared windmill.
This mill was provided with three pumps arranged so as to
lift water 12°85 feet whenever there was wind enough to
enable it to do any work. When the wind was lightest it
was given the pump of smallest capacity, when stronger the
one of next size, when still stronger both together ; the third
pump being used only in the very highest winds.
The smallest amount of water lifted 10 feet high, in ten
days, was enough to cover 9°87 acres 1 inch deep, and this
occurred from July 28 to August 7, at the time when water
for irrigation is most needed. The largest amount pumped
was enough to cover 75°73 acres 1 inch deep.
AMOUNT OF WORK DONE BY A WINDMILL IN GRINDING FEED.
Another set of trials, aiming to measure the amount of
feed which may be ground with a 12-foot geared windmill,
was made at the Wisconsin Experiment Station, and using
the observed amounts of corn ground under a wide range of
wind velocities and the observed hourly wind velocities, as
recorded for the pumping experiment, the amount of feed
which could have been ground, had it been fed automatically
and kept running continuously, has been computed and given
in the table which follows :—
Table showing the amount of corn which could have
been ground by a 12-foot aermotor windmill during the
year, from March 6, 1897, to March 6, 1898, with all winds
from 9 miles to 30 miles per hour.
Ae sea ecwmabmic | eels =
GS-3 || es || ae |S ‘aipe-chpreanor|mmene
slag peel Bia s|.ee pa 5
Aol] 2) | Sa ce t= || eta ee
ob ioae Bo %) Sy lhelae || 20 © bb
ae S Shea oe = S See
= A < i A 17 88
1: 500 i 60 83
1: 250 46 84
It will be seen that steeping cotton seeds in solutions of
corrosive sublimate up to a strength of 1 in 250 has no
effect on the total number of seeds germinated. The 1 : 250
solution, however, appears to have a slight retarding influence
on the speed of germination.
A second series of experiments has been started, carried
out exactly as above. In this series, in addition, one set of
seeds has been steeped in a 1 : 100 solution of corrosive
sublimate.
A third series, to test the effect of steeping the seeds,
drying them, and then planting them at different times after
drying, has also been started.
Remedies for Scalds and Burns. A _ useful
solution recommended for immediate application in the case
of scalds and burns is sulphate of magnesia (common Epsom
salts). A saturated solution of bicarbonate of soda, also,
gives relief and is generally used asa first dressing. Directions
for use are as follows: Keep cloths, well wetted with either
of the solutions above mentioned, on the scald or burn, being
careful not to remove the cloths but supply fresh solution to
keep them always moist.
118 THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.
Apri 9, 1904.
CASSAVA STARCH.
The following note on the manufacture of cassava
starch appeared in the Journal of the Jamaica Agri-
cultural Society for March 1904 :—
The manufacture of starch from bitter cassava by
machinery, which is being carried on at Longville, the prop-
erty of Mr. J. W. Middleton, is being watched with interest.
We haye talked much of a great starch industry; this is the
first systematic attempt to grow cassava largely, make starch
and ship it in quantity to the United Kingdom to be tested.
The details of the cultivation and manufacture show that
starch can be produced here on terms as good as, and perhaps
better than, in most other countries. It remains to be seen
how the starch made stands the test in Lancashire for sizing
cloth goods, against German potato starch and United States
corn starch. As both the cultivation and the process of
manufacture can be greatly improved from experience gained
in the first shipment of the experiment, it should not be
confidently expected that the starch must receive the highest
commendation, nor should we, if it is not perfect, be
discouraged. The German and the United States makers
have available the most perfect of machinery, and the very
best skill through long practice. If we make a morsel of
a show against the potato and corn products at all, better
equipped machinery and longer practice will soon put us
ahead. The price of starch varies from £10 to £14 per ton. At
the lower figure it would pay very well—better than sugar.
PROFITABLE RABBIT BREEDING.
The value of the rabbits imported into this country
[United Kingdom] last year was over a million sterling—
just about the same as the value of the foreign motor-cars we
bought ; but, whereas in the latter case there was a great
to-do at our supineness in letting the foreigner benefit so
largely in the trade, we accepted the million’s worth of
rabbits without demur.
The most profitable plan [for rearing rabbits] is the
movable hutch, or Morant system—called after the inventor
of it, Major Morant. This system requires grass land and a
light, dry soil; the rabbits are kept in large hutches,
movable, with wired floors, so that they can nibble the grass
the hutch stands on.*
These hutches stand out in the field, and must be moved
regularly twice a day. The rabbits graze in the grass, and
thus get a portion of their keep. In wet weather they must,
however, remain stationery, as wet grass upsets the rabbits.
At such times they should have a little hay. These hutches
do equally well for the rabbits when taken away from their
mother, and the buck can inhabit a somewhat smaller one of
the same pattern. He likes a shelf to sit on in his.
The management of the doe is very simple: Give her
plenty of hay, and she will make her nest, lining it with her
own fur. Some drinking water should be given her at this
time, and a little bread-and-milk will be advantageous
feeding. It is best not to meddle with the young. Dutch
rabbits seldom mind, but other breeds do, and not infre-
quently desert them if disturbed. Dogs, cats and mice also
violently upset them. The doe should have all the green
food and hay she cares to eat when rearing her young, and
if there is a shortage of the first, roots can take their place.
(County Gentleman.)
* This plan is now being adop‘ed with Belgian hares at
the Agricultural School, St. Lucia. [Ed. A.N.j
FUNGOID DISEASES OF CACAO IN
SURINAM.
Professor F. A. F. C. Went, whose name is well known
in the West Indies in connexion with his work on sugar-cane
diseases in Java, has recently published an account of the
diseases on cacao in Surinam entitled De Ziekteverschijnselen
van de Cacao-plant in Surinam. The work is mainly devoted
to fungoid diseases, and especially to the ‘ Krullotenziekte’
or ‘ Witch Broom disease,’ which causes great damage in
Surinam and to which attention has repeatedly been drawn
in the Agricultural News (see Vol. II, p. 117).
Attention is drawn to the borer, Stedrastoma depressa,
which occurs in various estates in Surinam, to the parasol
ants, and to a caterpillar which eats the young leaves.
Canker of the stem was observed on one plantation on
the Surinam river. This is probably the same as that
oceurring in the British West Indies, reported from Trinidad,
Grenada and Dominica. It is characterized by the exudation
of a red, gummy mass from the bark, followed by a drying
up. On cutting into the bark this is seen to have a wine-
red colour, the underlying wood also taking on an abnormal
colour. If a section of such diseased bark be examined
microscopically, the hyphae of the fungus can be made out,
The fungus (¢ Veetria sp.) is probably a wound parasite
and therefore careful attention should be paid to all wounds.
A disease of cacao trees in Surinam is called by the
planters ‘root disease’. A root disease, probably caused by
some Hymenomycetous fungus, is known in the West Indies,
and one caused by JMaerophoma vestita is known in Central
America, It is possible that one of these fungi may be the
cause of the Surinam disease.
There is still another disease in Surinam which was not
more closely investigated ; this was characterized by the
drying up of the tops of the young twigs. The disease
appears similar to that known in the British West Indies and
caused by Diplodia cacavicola.
The darkening of the fruits of cacao is stated by many
planters to cause much damage ; but it must be remembered
that often the difference between this disease and the
hardening of the fruits, which accompanies the witch broom
disease, is not understood. This darkening of the fruit was
noted in Trinidad, and later in Grenada. Diseased fruits
were sent to Kew and the fungus was identified as
Phytophthora omnivora.
A very full account is given of the witch broom disease.
This includes a review of previous work, the results of an
inquiry among Surinam planters, and of the author’s own
inquiries and investigations.
SCIENTIFIC AGRICULTURE.
The following is an extract from the address made
by His Majesty the King on the occasion of the
opening of the new buildings in the University of
Cambridge for the promotion of original research in
agriculture :—
I am very glad to know of the educational work in
connexion with the great industry of agriculture which you
have undertaken. In common with most branches of indus-
try, agriculture has in modern times come to depend for its
success and extension upon the unremitting application to it
of the results of scientific investigation. No greater service
can be rendered to this ancient industry than to furnish it
with the means of research and instruction, which are essential
in order that labour may be directed in profitable channels.
‘capable of expressing some practical insight into
Vou. III. No. 52.
THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS. 119
EDUCATIONAL.
Harrison College, Barbados.
The following is the report on the examination in
agricultural science, conducted by Mr. H. H. Cousins,
M.A., F.C.S., Government Agricultural and Analytical
Chemist, Jamaica :—
Six students entered for this-examination. The marks
obtained on the whole work vary from ‘a maximum of 83 per
cent.—Bancroft—to a minimum of 46 per cent., with an
average of 67 per cent. I mention this result as a striking
proof that the higher standard of work I felt justified in
asking for in this examination has been very adequately met
both by the teaching staft and the taught.
A comparison of the work submitted by the class in
1901 with that sent in in 1903 is truly surprising. The
subject is now no longer an ordinary school subject strictly
limited to mere text-book knowledge and practically devoid
of technical value and insight. The papers sent are, for the
most part, of a high standard and display a technical,
agricultural and practical attitude that is highly creditable
both to Professor d’Albuquerque, his staff and his pupils.
As three years have now elapsed since I was first
privileged to examine agricultural science at Barbados, I may
perhaps be permitted to express an opinion as to the progress
of this work. The agricultural science course at Barbados is
a branch of the secondary education at Harrison College ; it
might therefore seem, at first sight, unfair to expect any
approach to a true technical standard of teaching under such
conditions. I recognized, however, that in the Island
Professor and his staff, with the reflected stimulus
of the Imperial Department, Barbados possessed
the requisite machinery for attaining a standard
of high efficiency in the teaching of agricultural
principles specially focussed to the needs and cir-
cumstances of the colony.
I therefore deliberately set myself to establish
a standard in these examinations that should raise
‘Agriculture’ from its well-merited contempt as
‘a school or ‘South Kensington’ subject to a level
the actualities of the local industry.
The results in 1902 encouraged me in this
aim, and the outcome of this last examination has
entirely justified the opinion I had formed. With-
out departing from the limits of the syllabus,
questions were set involving agricultural ‘ nous,’
so as to elicit the information in the form in
which alone such knowledge can be of use in
practice. Had the class been taught in routine
lines and from text-books only, the marks obtained
would have been low. I am indeed pleased and
proud to be able to record that, in the majority
of cases, the questions were treated in a style and
spirit deserving of all praise. These results must
be recognized as an undeniable proof that the work at
Barbados is not only educational but is also imbued with
that technical and practical spirit, which is necessary if
agricultural science is to be taught to any adequate
purpose.
The practical work in Sugar Chemistry showed a fairly
uniform competence in the performance of the standard
method of sugar analysis involved in modern factory
control.
Fic. 6.
Barbados.
The annual report of the Inspectors of Schools
at Barbados contains the following notice of the
educational work of the Imperial Department of
Agriculture :—
We would again record, with much appreciation, the
assistance rendered to elementary education by the Agricultu-
ral and Science Departments. The lectures of Dr. Long-
field Smith on the study of nature were continued until
June at the four centres arranged in the previous year. The
‘teachers attended regularly, and the increased interest mani-
fested by the pupils at the annual examination in the object-
lesson exercises, and also in the cultivation of plants, mostly
in pots or boxes, but at a few schools in gardens, was
evidence that the work of the lecturer had not been fruitless.
At the local exhibition held at Lower Estate on January
12, 1904, the exhibits from the schools were fewer than on
previous occasions, we think from local disadvantages, but
the character of the exhibits was acknowledged by every
one to be distinctly superior to that of those shown at previous
exhibitions. Most of the prizes on this occasion were
obtained by pupils in the Mount Tabor, Turner’s Hall,
Clifton Hill, St. Augustine’s, St. Matthew’s, and Greenwich
Schools.
MALTESE DONKEYS.
In May 1901, a fine Maltese jack ‘Orphan Boy’
and a jenny of the same breed were imported from the
United States by the imperial Department of Agriculture
and placed at the Skerrett’s Farm at Antigua.
Both have
MaALrEse JENNY AND Foau av ANTIGUA.
since grown into handsome and valuable animals. In
September 1903, the jenny gave birth to a foal which is
represented in the above illustration. Another jack, ‘John B,
Junior,’ was imported from the United States in June 1901,
and placed at the Agricultural School at Dominica. A half-
bred jack ‘ Bismarck,’ obtained from Jamaica in March 1901,
has proved a great success at Nevis. The Department is
anxious to obtain a good half-bred jack similar to the last
from one of the other islands.
120 THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.
Aprit 9, 1904.
EDITORIAL NOTICES.
Letters and matter for publication, as well
as all specimens for naming, should be addressed
to the Commissioner, Imperial Department of
Agriculture, Barbados.
Communications are invited, written on one
side of the paper only. It should be understood
that no contributions or specimens can, in any
case, be returned.
All applications for copies of the ‘Agricul-
tural News’ should be addressed to the Agents,
and not to the Department. A complete list of
the London and Local agents will be found at
foot of page 127 of this issue.
The ‘Agricultural News’: Price ld. per
number, post free 14d. Annual subscription
payable to Agents 2s. 2d. Post free, 3s. 3d.
Agricultural Hews
APRIL 9,
1904. No. 52.
Vou. III.
NOTES AND COMMENTS.
SATURDAY,
West India Committee Circular.
During the past year this Circular has been
largely extended and improved. It is now a fortnightly
publication likely to prove of great value to the
West Indies. A new feature in connexion with the
efforts of the West India Committee is the organiza-
tion of lectures on subjects of interest to these
colonies. On March 8, a lecture was delivered at the
Committee Rooms (15, Seething Lane, E.C.,) by Sir
Patrick Manson on ‘The Disease Problem ofthe West
Indies. A summary ofthis lecture; published im the
West India Committee Cerenlar of March 1s deserves
careful attention. It may be mentioned thateall the
Publications of the Imperial-De
are obtainable at the West Indi
Horse Breeding in Rarbaick:
A committee of the Jamaica Agricultural Society
has recently formulated plans for the improvement of
horses in Jamaica.
It is argued that the industry needs resuscitation
and that efforts in this direction should not be left
entirely to private enterprise. It is recommended that
four approved sires and also four approved jacks be
placed at the disposal of the peasantry in the parishes
of St. Elizabeth, St. Catherine and St. Ann at reduced
fees.
In the event of suitable animals not being pro-
curable, it is recommended that the society be empow-
ered, as soon as a Stock Farm is established, to obtain
a stallion of the type used for getting hunters in
England and a jack of the Maltese breed.
Seed Potatos.
The most satisfactory sort of Euglish potatos to
plant in the West Indies is that known as the ‘Bliss
‘Triumph ’ Potato. It is the one largely grown at
Bermuda for export to the New York market and
after careful trial in the West Indies it has given the
best results of any. ‘The difficulty is to obtain the seed
potatos early enough in the autumn to allow them to
be planted before the dry season sets in, in the
Windward and Leeward Islands, in November and
December of each year. The Imperial Department of
Agriculture is prepared to obtain (at cost price) seed
potatos to be delivered in the West Indies early in
September next. The cost last year was at the rate of
18s. per barrel. Those desirous of obtaining supplies of
English seed potatos are requested to communicate
with the officers of the Department in the several
islands not later than May 1 next.
Supply of Paris Green.
During the period when the cotton worm is
prevalent in the West Indies there is possibly no
article likely to be in more urgent demand than Paris
green. This is an aceto-arsenite of copper and is
regarded as the most effective substance yet known
for the treatment of the cotton worm. Indeed, without
it, there would be little chance of making the industry
remunerative in any locality where the worm is
common. As already advised in these pages, the first
thing to be done by the cotton grower before the next
planting season is to provide himself with a supply of
Paris green and keep it on hand ready for immediate
use. Probably Paris green will be procurable locally
in all these colonies at a reasonable cost. Where,
however, any difficulty is likety to be experienced, the
material might be imported direct from Messrs.
Gillespie Bros. & Co., 4, Stone Street, New York,
Mr. James A. Blanchard, 80 and 82, William Street,
New York, or Messrs. Legget and Brother, Agricultural
Department, 301, Pearl Street, New York, or other
manufacturers.
Pe eee
Agricultural Progress in Ceylon.
In a paper read before the Royal Colonial Institute
by Mr. John Ferguson, C.M.G., M.L.C., on ‘Ceylon
from 1896 to 1903’, it is shown that there has been
most satisfactory progress in the principal agricultural
industries of the island.
Coffee, which twenty years ago was the staple
crop, is now a thing of the past; its place has been
taken by tea, cacao, cardamoms and rubber. The rise
of the green tea industry has all been within the last
five years. In the eight years, cacao cultivation has
expanded from 21,000 to about 35,000 acres, the
exports having risen in that period from 31,000 ews.
to about 60,000 ewt. ‘The area under cardamoms has
been doubled, the exports in 1903 being 910,000 th.
The development of the new rubber-growing
industry has been most satisfactory: there is no risk of
over production, and Ceylon rubber-has already secured
a high character and good price in the London market.
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Vou. III. No. 52.
THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS. 121
Vegetables of Costa Rica.
An article entitled ‘Gemiisepflanzen von Costarica’
by C. Wercklé appears in the March issue of Der
Tropenpflanzer, which gives a number of facts with
regard to the vegetables used in that country.
Among the plants, the leaves and young shoots
of which are used as vegetables, may be mentioned the
gourd, the ‘christophine’ or ‘cho-cho ’ (Sechium edule),
the sweet cassava, the papaw (Curica Papaya) and
other species of Curica, also a wild Cyclanthera.
There are also used the young leaves of the ‘chicasquil’
(Jatropha multifida?), the very young leaves of the red
variety of the ‘liquisque’ or tannia (Colocasia escu-
lenta), and the leaves of a tree-nettle (Boehmeria sp.) :
finally there are eaten the flowers of the ‘itabo’
(Yucca elephantipes?), and the inflorescence of one of
the Commelinaceae, probably a Tradescuntia.
The tomato, egg plant (Solanum Melongena),
Spanish pepper (Capsicum annuum), ‘chayote’ or
christophine (Sechiwm edule), ‘tacacos’ (Sechiwm sp.
or Cyclanthera sp.?), the unripe fruits of species of
Carica, and of Pussiflora quadrangularis, var.
muacrocarpa (‘Granado real’) are the most important
native fruit vegetables. Peas are grown in high
lands and thrive very well, lentils are uncommon,
lupins have only recently been tried. Beans are one
of the chief foods and thrive excellently, there are two
main kinds of the native bean (Phaseolus lunatus).
The ochro (Hibiscus esculentus) is only planted here
and there, mainly by negroes. An Asclepiad (Gonolo-
bus edulis), bears fine fruits as large as a child’s head,
which when quite young are liked as a vegetable.
The tannia (Colocasia esculenta) and two species
of Dioscorea are the only foreign tubers cultivated ;
the native ones are sweet potato (Zpomoea butatas),
hhish potato (Solanum tuberosum), ‘cho-cho’ (Sechiwm
edule) and sweet cassava (Manihot Aipi).
‘Trade and Agriculture of British Guiana.
According to the Colonial Report on British
Guiana for 1902-3, the total value of colonial produce
exported during the year was £1,673,549. The total
export of sugar was larger than it has been since 1887.
In that year the export of sugar reached 134,874 tons,
at an average value of £13 6s. 8d. per ton. The
average value for last year works out at £8 13s. 5d.
per ton, the total value being £1,042,023. There was
a considerable increase in the amount of rum exported,
but the value of this was only £135,670 as compared
with £160,846 during the previous year. The exports
of molasses, which were over two and a half times
those of the previous year, were valued at £10,496.
Reference is made to the increase in the shipments of
sugar to Canada, this trade having received consider-
able impetus since the close of the year under review.
The acreage in cane cultivation has again
increased, 73,193 acres being under cane at the end of
the year. The experimental cane cultivation under
the Board of Agriculture was actively proceeded with
during the year: the new varieties of sugar-cane have
attracted much attention, all the estates in the colony
now taking part in the work.
The principal minor industries in the colony are
rice, cacao, coffee, cocoa-nuts, plantains and bananas,
and stock raising. ‘There was a decrease in rice cultiva-
tion, due, it appears, to unfavourable weather. The
crop, representing the cultivation of 16,628 acres, was
estimated at 395,948 bags (of 120 th. each) of paddy.
It is shown that the extension of rice cultivation
has caused a steady decline in the rice imports.
In addition to the exports of cacao (93,917 tb.) a
considerable quantity was sold to the local chocolate
factory; the coffee grown was all consumed in_ the
colony. Reference is made to the work of the newly
appointed Board of Agriculture, especially to its
endeavours to interest’ the people in agriculture by
means of shows, to promote the spread of agricultural
knowledge, and to improve the breeds of live stock in
the colony.
Eee
The Protection of Native Plants.
A lecture was recently delivered by Dr. Robert T.
Jackson before the ‘Massachusetts Horticultural
Society on the above subject. The following is a brief
résumé of the lecture :—
The effort to do something to protect and maintain
our wild animals and plants, instead of indiscriminately
and even wantonly destroying them, is seen in a
number of ways. Our fish and game laws look to the
preservation of game animals; the Audubon Society
attempts to check the destruction of our native birds ;
the widespread forestry movement has attained an
important standing as an effort to protect, improve and
increase our forest areas. The larger plants or trees
need protection and fostering care most emphatically.
What causes the disappearance of plants? First and
foremost are the axe and the plough. With the
cutting down of forests, the spread of cultivated land
and the extension of towns and cities, regions, once
populated by native animals and plants, give way to
the changed conditions. Plants are often reduced in
number by thoughtless picking in unreasonable
quantities; the principles that should be urged are:
gather in moderation, cut the stem and not tear it off,
never pull up the root except for transplanting, and, if
there be reason to believe that a plant is rare, leave it
to increase its kind by seed and root. Children should
have the fact instilled into them that the plant, as a
living organism, has a right to existence.
After the axe and the plough, the worst enemy of
our native plants is the commercial collector: owners
of land could doubtless do much to check this by
posting notices having reference to trespassing.
The mountain laurel (Kalmic latifolia), holly,
and the ground pine are plants that are much used in
America for decorative purposes. As these are
gathered in such large quantities, and the source 1s
limited, some steps should be taken to protect them
from more or less total extinction.
Societies for the protection of native plants have
been organized in numerous places : such organizations
are of considerable value in spreading a spirit of
protective care of plants for their own welfare.
AGRICULTURAL NEWS.
Aprit 9, 1904.
tec
INSECT NOTES.
Ticks on Fowls.
The Imperial Department of Agriculture has recently
received, from a correspondent in Barbados, specimens of a
tick from a fowl house. The specimens were accompanied
by a letter stating that the fowls had been drooping and a
few had died and that it was suspected that this tick might
be the cause.
Reference to this pest (Avgas sp.) is found in the
Agricultural News (Vol. I, pp. 74 & 106). On p. 106
Mr. J. H. Hart, Superintendent of the Royal Botanic Gardens,
Trinidad, is quoted as saying: ‘It kills fowls rapidly unless
they are treated. We have found kerosene and cocoa-nut
oil, in equal parts, very effective.’
In Barbados pure kerosene oil has been recommended
for disinfecting the poultry house, and also white lime wash
with 4 oz. crude carbolic acid to the gallon of wash. These
may be put on with a spraying pump, or with a brush,
taking care to cover all parts of the interior and to penetrate
all cracks and crevices. Careful disinfection of the poultry
houses and fowl runs, and treatment of the fowls themselves
will be necessary in order to exterminate the pests.
Scale Insects in Cyprus.
The Cyprus Journal (Vol. I, no. I) has an interesting
article on Carob scale disease. The Carob (Ceratonia
siliqua) is a tree which, while not yielding crops of high
value, is of considerable importance on account of its
contribution to the general supply of stock food in the
island. Several scale insects are known to attack the Carob
of which the White Scale (Aspidiotus ceratoniae) is the most
serious. This appeared a few years ago in small numbers
and in scattered localities, but is now generally distributed
and has become in some places a serious pest.
In the village of Kili the attack of the White Seale has
been the worst. Here, in the valley lying between two
ranges of hills, the atmosphere is hot and moist and peculiarly
adapted to the multiplication of the scale insects. At the
same time, the Director of Agriculture states that in this
badly infested locality he had never observed the Lady-bird,
Chilocorus bisustulatus, which is common in other parts of
the island, nor had he seen any other parasite on the scale,
and he considers that these facts explain why this locality
should be more badly infested than others.
The Carob not being considered of sufficient economic
importance to warrant the processes of spraying or fumigating,
the Director of Agriculture proposes the following method
of combating the scale disease :—
All the leaves, fruit and twigs are removed in January
and the trunk and limbs of the tree are white-washed with a
thick solution of slaked lime containing 3 to 5 per cent.
petroleum. This is put on with a brush or a piece of cloth
attached toa stick. This treatment is not costly and is quite
effective. One year’s crop from the tree will be lost, as all
the energies of the tree will be devoted to recovery from the
stripping of the leaves and twigs. Watch should be kept of
the trees for several years after this treatment and all
scale-infested leaves, fruit or branches removed.
Cockroaches.
Several notices have appeared in the columns of
the Agricultural News regarding the destruction of
cockroaches. The following method, from L’Agricul-
ture pratique des pays chauds, seems simple and
likely to be effectual :-—
Wide mouth bottles 6 inches or 8 inches in height are
partly filled with oil [sweet oil?] and placed in the haunts of
the insects. The bottles should be slightly tipped up and
fastened in this position to make the ascent easier to the
cockroach. Attracted by the odour of the oil the insect
plunges into the bottle and the oil, where he is killed by the
action of the latter.
Banana Weevil in Madagascar.
The L’Agricultwre pratique des pays chauds contains an
article on this subject in which the damage to the ‘Fig’
banana by a weevil is mentioned and a description of the
weevil in its different stages is given. This insect is the
same as the Banana Weevil known in certain of the West
Indian Islands (Sphenophorus sordidus), which tunnels in the
stems and frequently causes the death of the tree.
The special importance of this pest in Madagascar is due
to the fact that the bananas are used as shelter for cacao,
and the destruction of this cover gives the cacao a set-back
for five or six months.
No remedies are suggested, except to choose those
varieties which are least susceptible to the attack.
Mr. H. Maxwell-Lefroy, formerly Entomologist on the
staff of the Imperial Department of Agriculture, recom-
mended the use of lime, ashes, soot, or refuse tobacco, at the
base of the banana stem, to prevent the entrance of the adult
borer, and the destruction of the infected stems by burning,
by treatment with quick lime or by burying them, for the
destruction of any eggs, larvae, pupae or adults that might
be within. As a single banana stem sometimes contains as
many as fifty borers in different stages, this would seem to be
quite a rational method.
The Tsetse Fly and Sleeping Sickness.
An interesting article in Vatwre of February 1, 1904,
on sleeping sickness rehearses the proof that the tsetse fly
is responsible for the transmittance of this fatal disease.
For 100 years the sleeping sickness has been known in
Africa, but only recently has the nature of the disease and
the method of its transmission been well understood.
The tsetse fly disease (‘Ngana’) of cattle was shown by
Colonel Bruce, R.A.M.C., F.R.S., to be caused by a microscopic
organism, called by scientists a trypanosome. This organism
is introduced into the blood by the tsetse fly when it bites its.
victim, having been derived from an unhealthy animal.
Surra disease of horses in India is also caused by a trypano-
some and there is a similar disease of cattle in South America.
In 1902, trypanosomes were discovered in man. Since
that time much work has been done on the sleeping sickness
and the relation between it, the presence of trypanosomes
and the distribution of the tsetse fly, and it has been demon-
strated that the distribution of the disease and of a certain
species of biting fly are identical. Trypanosomes in the
blood produce only a characteristic fever, but in cases where
a trypanosome has gained entry to the cerebrospinal fluid,
sleeping sickness and consequent death result.
There is no treatment for the sleeping sickness that
affords any hope of a cure ; the disease is always fatal.
Von. Itt. No. 52.
THE AGRICULTURAL
NEWS. 123
SCIENCE NOTES.
A Weather Plant.
About thirteen years ago M. Nowack, an Austrian,
described a ‘Weather plant’ supposed to have been discovered
by him. ‘The plant in question proved to be what is known
in the West Indies and elsewhere as the ‘Crab’s Eyes.’ It
is a slender vine with pinnate leaves, producing small, bright-
red seeds with a black spot. The scientific name is Abrus
precatorius. The first name was given on account of the
softness of the leaves, and the second (prayer or paternoster
pea) because the bright-coloured seeds were sometimes used
as a rosary.
M. Nowack claimed that by closely watching the
changes that took place in the position of the leaves and the
rise and fall of the twigs and branches he could predict
‘changes in the weather and also the occurrence of earth-
quakes.’ After a full and careful investigation made at Kew
and elsewhere, Professor F, W. Oliver was in a position to
show, conclusively,
exhibited the usual sleep-movements commonly noticed in
tropical vegetation and that there was no connexion
existing between these movements and changes in the
weather or the occurrence of earthquakes.
There appears to be a revival of interest in this matter.
It is observed that the subject was recently discussed at a
meeting of the Society of Arts in London, but apparently no
new facts were brought forward ‘in support of the claims
advocated by M. Nowack.
Those interested in the subject will find full information
and a detailed account of the investigations above referred to
in the Kew Bulletin (1890, pp. 1-28).
Propagation of Plants by Leaves.
Herr Lindemuth of Berlin, has published in Gartenflora
(1903, Heft 18 and 25) the results of his experiments on
the propagation of plants by means of their leaves. Horti-
culturists have long been accustomed to use this means of
propagation in a few plants, notably in the Gloxinia and
certain Crassulaceae, among which Bryophyllum calycinum
{Leaf of life] is a well-known example. It was, however,
probably not suspected that the leaves of so many plants
could be made to produce roots. In his first communication
Herr Lindemuth gives the names of twenty-eight species, of
nearly as many different genera, in which his experiments
have been successful. These include such plants as the
foxglove (Digitalis purpurea), the musk (Wimulus moschatus),
the tomato and the vine. The leaves of thirteen species,
including the potato, monkshood (Aconitum Napellus) and
the common bedding geranium (Pelargonium zonale) refused
to root at all.
Usually the roots were produced quickly—in the vine in
sixteen days, in Veronica in seven days, and in the African
marigold in eight days—but the amount of time required,
and, indeed, success at all, was shown to depend very much
on the season when the experiments were made. Thus, in
the vine roots were developed in sixteen days in August ;
but complete failure resulted in September when the leaves
perished. In his second communication, the author records
success with thirty-four additional species, including three of
those with which he had met with failure before. The
results so far obtained show that few of the leaves thus
experimented on will form buds, only five having done so.
(8S. A. S. in Knowledge and Scientific News, March 1904.)
that the ‘Crab’s Eyes’ plant only -
Yeast.
Yeast is a substance, the uses of which for domestic
purposes and in brewing, etc., are well known. Yeast itself
is a plant belonging to the group of fungi.
The yeast plant, Saccharomyces, differs from most other
fungi in that its body consists of a single cell; it is probable
that the yeast is a reduced form, being descended from
ancestors which possessed a mycelium.
When brought into a proper nutrient medium, such as
a sugar solution containing ammonium tartrate (as a source
of nitrogen) and minute quantities of mineral salts, yeast
proceeds to reproduce. The process is one of budding.
A small bulge appears at one side of the cell, which increases
in size until it is the same size as the parent cell and is then
cut off; the daughter cell then repeats the process. Sometimes
the budding proceeds so rapidly that both the daughter and
mother cells start budding again before they become sepa-
rated ; in this way we get short chains of cells, each one of
which, however, is a distinct plant. The spores of many
other fungi are capable of reproducing in this way, by budding,
but the buds so produced are capable, given the proper
conditions, of giving rise toa hypha and so to a mycelium.
The yeast buds have never been made to produce a hypha.
Under certain conditions the yeast plant produces spores.
We can make it do this by cultivating it until it is growing
vigorously and then spreading it out in a thin film on the
surface of a plaster of Paris plate; damp air is continuously
passed over the plate. In twenty-four hours the cell contents
become finely granular, next we notice four bright points
appearing in the cell, and finally the cell contents group
themselves around these, and separate off to form four
‘endospores’, arranged in a tetrad inside the old wall of the
mother cell.
Ordinary brewers’ yeast is a mixture of various species
of yeast; some of these do not bring about alcoholic fermenta-
tion, and are either useless or positively harmful. In this
lies the advantage of using only pure cultures of particular
yeasts, which are known to bring about the desired fermenta-
tions. This method is now used in up-to-date breweries.
DEPARTMEMT NEWS.
Mr. George Whitfield Smith, Travelling Superin-
tendent on the statf of the Imperial Department of
Agriculture, has been appointed by the Secretary of
State for the Colonies to the post of Magistrate for the
Northern District of Grenada, to reside at Carriacou.
In view of the important agricultural efforts to be
carried on there and the value attached to the
successful working of the Land Settlement Scheme,
Mr. George Whitfield Smith’s appointment is calculated
to prove of great service in advancing the general
interests of that island.
The Secretary of State has approved of the
appointment of Mr. William Henry Patterson as
Curator of the Botanic and Experiment Stations at
Antigua in succession to Mr. W. N. Sands, who has
been recently transferred to St. Vincent. Mr. Patter-
son was sub-foreman at the Royal Gardens at Kew and
previously for three years had been employed in the
County Technical Laboratories at Chelmsford. His
wife is also a skilled horticulturist, trained at Kew.
Mr. and Mrs: Patterson are due to arrive at Antigua
in the mail of April 13.
124 THE
AGRICULTURAL NEWS.
Aprit 9, 1904.
GLEANINGS.
Sixty bales of cotton and 200 crates of bananas were
shipped from Barbados to England by the 8.8. ‘ Atrato’ on
March 26.
The Bulletin of St. Thomas (D.W.I.) announces that
labourers are wanted to plant cotton. Applications to be
made to Lawyer Jérgensen,
The second annual sale of stock took place at Woodlands
Stock Farm, Grenada, on March 25. The sale included
horses, Zebu and Hereford cattle, native milch cows, poultry,
ete.
According to a writer in the Journal d’ Agriculture
Tropicale, it is possible to change the sex in the papaw plant.
It is stated that if the male papaw be topped, as soon as its
sex is ascertainable, the tree will bear good fruit.
The Curator of the Tobago Botanic Station reports that
the Parasol Ant is causing considerable damage throughout
the island. The small settlers have been assisted by the
Botanic Station in destroying this pest with carbon bisulphide.
According to the Annual Report of the Department of
Public Gardens, Jamaica, the trees of mangosteen, planted
behind the Superintendent’s house at Castleton Gardens in
1875, fruited heavily during the year. There are now six or
seven fruiting trees of this delicious fruit.
Vanilla planifolia grows vigorously at Castleton, and
one plant growing over the high limbs of a tree of Spondias
/utea has produced several pods although the flowers were
not fertilized by hand.
The Centenary of the Royal Horticultural Society of
England was celebrated on March 7 last. This Society has
a splendid record during the last hundred years and deserves
the hearty support of lovers of gardens in all parts of the
Empire.
A leaflet (No. 100) has recently been issued by the
Board of Agriculture and Fisheries: it is entitled ‘ Pig
Breeding and Feeding.’ This leaflet will be found to
contain much valuable information on the subject with
which it deals.
According tothe Conswar Report on the trade of Alexan-
dria for 1902, the exports of cotton were 6,621,608 kantars
(about 292,651 tons): this is 16 per cent. more in quantity
and 23 per cent. more in value than the average for the four
preceding years. The exports of cotton seed amounted to
17,540,515 bushels—9 per cent. less in quantity, but 8 per
cent. more in value.
A tree of Monodora tenuifolia (natural order Anonaceae)
is reported hy the Curator to be flowering for the first time
at the Grenada Botanic Station. A similar tree is, also, in
flower at the St. Lucia Botanic Station.
It is stated in the India-rubber Journal that rubber
planters in the Malay Peninsula are using aluminium cups
for tapping purposes. By this means it is hoped to avoid
impurities and discolouring due to rust.
At arecent meeting of the Trinidad Chamber of
Commerce it was suggested that steps should be taken to
advertise the colony for the purpose of attracting tourists,
It was stated that a sum of money had been placed by the
Government on the estimates for this purpose.
According to official returns recently published by the
Board of Agriculture and Fisheries, the estimated total
produce of potatos in Great Britain in 1903 was 2,913,713
tons from 564,286 acres. This represents a yield of 5:16
tons to the acre ; the average yield for ten years is 5-89 tons,
In the discussion on the estimates in the Jamaica
Legislative Council, it was stated by the Colonial Secretary
that for eleven months of the year ended March 31, 1904,
there had been a cash balance of £251 on the working of the
Prison Farm at Spanish Town.
The Curator of the Grenada Botanic Station reports
that satisfactory crops of onions have been reaped in the
island, during the past season, at Government House
grounds, Good Hope estate and the Botanic Station. The
seed used was that imported from Teneriffe by the Imperial
Department of Agriculture.
It is stated in the Annual Report of the Jamaica Board
of Agriculture that nearly all the grafted nutmegs at the
Hope Experiment Station flowered in January and February,.
which are the windiest months: many flowers and even
leaves were blown off ;a few held and the nuts are developing:
in the same way as the old seedling trees. These were hand-
fertilized.
Mr. William M. Smith, Acting Agricultural Instructor
at Grenada, writes that sheep manure is being used in large:
quantities for cacao this year. It is brought in schooners.
from Venezuela, Bonaire and St. Martins. Artificial
manures are also being applied. It is gratifying to observe:
that the value of high-class culture is being recognized by
large and small cacao cultivators in Grenada.
The Natal Agricultural Journal of January has an:
interesting note on horse sickness, due to the bite of a
mosquito. It is not shown that the mosquito gets the.
infection from an unhealthy animal, but this is the case:
with most of the insect-earried diseases. Protection of
horses from night insects is the only effectual preventive, as.
there seems to be no cure, when once the disease has been.
contracted.
In reply to a circular despatch of Mr. Chamberlain,
September 9, 1902, British Guiana, Trinidad and the
Leeward and Windward Islands have expressed themselves
in favour of the adoption of the metric system [of weights
and measures] ; Jamaica and British Honduras recommended
the adoption of the system of the U.S.A. The reply of
Barbados is, on the whole, unfavourable. (West India
Committee Circular.)
Vou. III. No. 52.
THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS. 125
WEST INDIAN PRODUCTS.
Drugs and Spices in the London Market.
The following is Mr. J. R. Jackson’s report on the
London Drug and Spice Market for the month of
February :—
The chief talk of the month, whether in social or
commercial circles, has been of the Russo-Japanese war.
From a business point of view its effects are already being
felt on the markets, and advances in the price of Japanese
products continue to be the natural result. The tone of the
markets, generally, has, however, shown an improvement
since our last report, though nothing of a special nature
demands notice. The following are the chief items dealt
with :—
GINGER.
At the auction on February 10, 20 barrels of Jamaica
were offered and sold at the following prices: Small and
medium, 39s. to 40s. ; bright, 36s. 6d. ; small dark, 35s., and
rough dark, 33s. 6d. Fair, washed, rough Cochin sold at
27s., while 27s. 6d. to 28s. was paid for slightly wormy, and
23s. to 25s. 6d. for wormy brown. It was reported at this
sale that a fairly large crop of the Jamaica product was
expected this year, but that it was anticipated to be of
unusually poor quality. At the sale on the 17th., prices
stood thus: Jamaica common small being bought in at
36s., while cut Cochin unsorted was disposed of, without
reserve, at 38s. to 38s. 6d. ; fair, good Japan realizing from
23s, to 26s, At the last sale on the 24th., 870 packages of
Cochin were bought in at 57s. 6d. for good medium cut and
75s. for good bold. Two hundred barrels of new crop
Jamaica were offered and 30 were sold at 43s. for bold
dullish and 35s. for small dark. Japan limed offered at the
same sale was bought in at 25s.
ARROW ROOT.
At the first sale on the 3rd., 250 barrels of St. Vincent
were offered; of these 92 were sold at from 12d. to 2d.
per tb. for fair manufacturing. At the succeeding auctions,
arrowroot was slow of sale and the prices remained as above.
SARSAPARILLA,.
At the drug sale on February 4, 22 bales of grey
Jamaica were offered and a few were sold at 1s. 1d. for fair,
and for part coarse 1s. was wanted. For sea-damaged
sarsaparilla a bid of 103d. was accepted; 6 bags of fair
Lima realized 10d.; 9 bales of native Jamaica dull to fair
red were disposed of at 7d., and two bales fine bright red,
rolled, at 1ld. Atthe second sale in the middle of the
month the prices remained about the same, at the following
quotations: 4 bales fibrous, grey Jamaica all sold at Is.
per Ib,; 14 packages of Lima Jamaica, fair quality, all sold
at 10d., and 15 other bales at 9$¢7. to 11d.; Honduras was
bought in at 1s. 2d.
BAY OIL.
Though bay oil does not seem to have been offered
at any of the sales during the month, it may be interesting
to say that in answer to inquiries made as to the uses of this
oil, which is distilled from the leaves of Pimenta aeris, I am
indebted to the courtesy of Mr. J. C. Ummey, of the firm
of Wright, Layman and Umney, Ltd., Southark Street,
London, for the following information :—
‘There is a considerable demand for this oil for per-
fumery purposes and especially for hair washes. It is also
used in some considerable quantities in the manufacture
of toilet soaps, and if there should at any time be a large
falling ‘off in the clove crops, it is not impossible that bay
oil might come into use for many of the purposes for which
oil of cloves, oil of cinnamon leaf, oil of pimento and other
eugenol-containing oils are required.
Synthetically produced vanillin is used to a very con
siderable extent, and in its manufacture eugenol is used
as a starting point. The adoption of bay oil instead of that
of the clove and other oils mentioned would depend upon
the price at which it could be produced in competition.
The sweet and characteristic fragrance of bay oil is not due
to eugenol, but to certain lighter fractions. It would thus
seem that the extended uses of bay oil are possible in the
future and that it is a likely substitute for many other well-
known essential oils.’
KOLA NUTS, LIME JUICE, MUSK SEED, ETC.
Of other products 17 baskets of fair, fresh, West Indian
kola nuts were offered at the auction on the 18th., 8d. being
demanded for them, but none sold. At the same sale 19
hogsheads of Dominica unworked lime juice were all sold
at 10$d. per gallon, and one case of ordinary Dominica
distilled lime oil was disposed of at 1s. 3d. per Ib. In the
early part of the month one case of slightly mouldy musk
seed was disposed of at 8/. per Ib. At the same sale a large
quantity of good annatto seed from Ceylon was offered, 34d.
per tb. being wanted, but some of it was afterwards disposed
of at 31d.
Mace, nutmegs and pimento were all in small demand
at usual rates.
West Indian Products in Canada.
The following report on West Indian produce in
Canada has been received from Mr. Alexander Wills,
Import Agent, Montreal:—
SUGAR.
Prices have turned in favour of sellers and we sincerely
trust this will continue for the benefit of our West Indian
friends.
Grocery sugars are in good demand, and those in colour
under 16 D.S. sell well.
MOLASSES.
The new ruling of the Government regarding imported
molasses has brought forth many opinions on the advisa-
bility of the move. The new rule is that all molasses
shall be tested by subjecting the article to indirect instead
of direct polarization test. The duty on molasses testing
40 degrees, or over, cane sugar or sucrose, is 1#e. per
gallon. Molasses under 40 degrees and not Jess than 35
degrees is charged 1c. per gallon and in addition le.
for every degree or part of a degree under 40 degrees.
All under 35 degrees must pay a duty of ?c. per Ib. The
effect is the complete extinction of the low-grade molasses
trade. Ontario is the principal centre of this trade, and it
opens up another opportunity for good molasses. Trade in
this product is fair, but buyers look for lower prices in the
Barbados product, owing to report of a large crop. General
prices have fallen from 2 to 5c, per gallon, Ontario showing
the heaviest drop.
LIMES AND PINE-APPLES.
The season for these will begin in April, and I shall
be glad to have timely advices of shipments so as to make
arrangements ahead. An earnest endeavour should be made
in Dominica and Jamaica to use cases instead of barrels, and
pack pines eighteen to the case.
THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.
Aprit 9, 1904.
MARKET REPORTS.
London,—March 15, 1904. Messrs. Krarroy, Pirer
& Co., Messrs. J. Hates Carrp & Co.; ‘THE
Liverpoot Corron AssocriaTION WEEKLY CIR-
cuLaR’, March 4, 1904 ; ‘THe Wesr INpIA
Commutrer Crrcutar,’ March 15, 1904; and
‘THe Pusric Lepcer,’ March 12, 1904.
Ators—Barbados, 13/- to 35/-; Curagoa, 14/6 to 55- per
ewt.
Arrowroor—St. Vincent, 137. to S4d.; Bermuda, 12 to
1/6 per th.
Barata—l/6 to 111 per Ib.
Bees’-wax—£7 to £7 5s. per cwt.
Cacao—Trinidad, 60/- to 68/- per ewt. ; Grenada, 52/-
to 59/- per ewt.; Dominica, St. Lucia and Jamaica,
51/- to 60 - per ewt.
Carpamoms—Mysore, 7d. to 3/3 per th.
CorreE—Jamaica, ordinary, 38/- to 60/- per ewt.
Corra—Trinidad, £17 per ton, c.i.f.
Corron—Carriacou 8#7. per th. ; West Indian Sea Island,
1/4 to 1/5 per th.
Divi Divi— No quotations.
Frvuir—
Bananas—Jamaica, 5/- to 7/- per bunch.
GrarE Freuir—10/- to il/- per ease.
OrancEs—Jamaica, 8/- to 9/3 per case of 150 to 176.
PINE-APPLES—No quotations.
Fusric—£3 10s. to £4 per ton.
Gincer—Jamaica, 33/- to 55/- per ewt.
Honey—Jamaica, 18 /- to 30/- per ewt.
Istyciass—West Indian lump, 2/8 to 2/11; Cake, 1/1 to
1/2 per tb.
Kora Nuts—4d. to 7d. per tb.
Live JurceE—Raw, 9d. to 1s. 2d. per gallon; Concentrated,
£12 to £12 10s. per cask of 108 gallons.
Live O1—No quotations.
Locwoop—£4 2s. Gd. to £5; Roots, £4 to £4 10s.
per ton.
Mace—1/9 to 2/5 per th.
NirratEe oF Sopa—Agricultural, £9 15s. per ton.
Nutmecs-—69’s to 60’s, 1/8 to 2/2; 90's to 80's, 1,- to 1/3
per tb.
Pivento—34d. to 3gd. per tb.
Rum—Demerara, 9d. to 103d. per proof gallon ; Jamaica, 1/6
to 8/- per proof gallon.
Sarsaparmtta—Jamaica, 1/- to 1/1 per th.
Svucar—Crystallized, 14/3 to 15/3 per ewt.; Muscoyado,
Barbados, 14/6 per ewt.
ScLpHaTe or AmMontTA—£12 17s. 6d. per ton.
Tamartnps—Antigua, 8/- to 8/6 per ewt.
Montreal,—March 9, 1904.—Mr. ALexanper WILLs.
Cocoa-Nuts— Trinidad, $2400 ; Jamaica, $24°27 per M.
CorrEE—Jamaica, 8jc. to 9$e. per Th.
Gixcer—Jamaica, 6c. to 8c. per tb.
Motasses—Barbados, 3lc. to 34c. per gallon.
Morascurr—Demerara, $1°32 per 100 th.
Nourmecs—Grenadas, 110’s, 20c. to 21}. per th.
Pimento—Jamaica, 8c. to 8}c. per tb.
Scear—Crystals, $2-09} per 100 Th. in bond.
—Molasses, $1°24 to $1°24} per 100 th. in bond.
New York,—March 4, 1904.—Messrs. GruLespre Bros.
& Co.
Bananas—No quotations.
Cacao—Caracas, 13c. to 14e.; Jamaica, 10}c. to 123c.;
Grenada, 122c. to 12Zc.; Trinidad, 13c. to 13%c. per th.
Cocoa-Nuts—Trinidads, $22 to $24 ; Jamaicas, $26 to $28
per M., selected.
Corree—Jamaica, fair to good ordinary, 6jc. to 73
per th.
Griycer—Jamaica, 63c. to Te. per th.
Goar Skrys—Jamaicas, 58¢e. per th.
Cc.
GrarE Frvit—No quotations.
ORrANGES—No quotations.
Pimento—7 $e. perth.
Rvusser—No quotations.
Sucar—Centrifugals, 96°, 343c. ; Muscovados, 89°, 213c.
to 2Zc. per th.
INTER-COLONIAL MARKETS.
Antigua,—March 23, 1904.—Messrs. Bexnerr Brysox.
& Co., Lrp.
Morasses—1l6e. per gallon (Imperial).
Sugar—$1-40 per 100 tb.
Barbados,—March 26, 1904.—Messrs. T. S. Garra-
way & Co., and Messrs. James A. Lyncu & Co.
Arrowroot—St. Vincent, $3°60 per 100 th.
Cacao—$12°50 to $13°50 per 100 fh.
Cocoa-Nuts—$10°00 per M. for husked nuts.
Corrre—Jamaica and ordinary Rio, $10°00 and $12-00 per
100 th. respectively?
Hay—%6e. per 100 th.
Manvres—-Nitrate of soda, (none in stock) ; Ohlendorff’s
dissolved guano, $60°00; Sulphate of ammonia, $76°00
to $85°00; Sulphate of potash, $67-00.
Mo rasses—t4e. per gallon (puncheon included).
Onxtons—$3°60 to $3-90 per 100 th.
Poratos, ENcuisH—$1°60 per 100 tb.
Rice—Ballam, $500 per bag (190 th.) ; Patna, $3°60 per
100 tb.
SuGar—in hhds., $1°60 per 100 th. (packages included).
British Guiana,—March 24, 1904.—Messrs. Wietine
& Lucurer.
Arrowroor—St. Vineent, $7°50 to $7°75 per barrel.
Barara—40e. to 42c. per th.
Cacao—Native, 12c. to 13e. per th.
Cassava StarcH—$6-00 per barrel.
Cocoa-Nuts—$8 ‘00 to $10-00 per M.
CorreE— Rio and Jamaica, 12c. to 15c. per th. (retail).
—Creole, 12ec. per th.
Duat—$3-90 to $4:00 per bag of 168 th.
Eppors—$1-00 to $1°44 per barrel.
Morasses—Vacuum Pan yellow, 16c. per gallon, (casks
included).
Onxtons—4ec. to Ge. per tb., ex store; Garlic, 6e. to Te.
Pea Nuts—Curacoa, 4c. ; American, 5}c. per th. (retail).
PLantatys—36e. to 68e. per bunch.
Poratos, EnxciisH--$2°25 to $2°50 per barrel.
Rice—Ballam, $4°65 per 177 tb., ex store; Creole,
20c. per gallon (retail).
Sweer Poraros—Barbados, $1°20 per barrel.
Tannias—$2'16 per bag.
Yams—White, $1-68 per bag.
Sucar—Dark Crystals, $1°88% ; Yellow, $2°30 to §2-40;
White, $3°50; Molasses, $1°60 to $1°90 per 100 Th.
Timper—Greenheart, 32c. to 55c. per cubic foot.
WALLABA SHINGLES—$3°00 to $5°50 per M.
Trinidad,—March 24, 1904.—Messrs. Gorpoy, Grant
& Co., and Messrs. EpGar Tripp & Co.
Batata—No quotations.
Cacao—Ordinary, $13-00 to $15-25; Estates, $14°00
to $14°50 per fanega (110 tb.).
Cocoa-Nuts—-$20°00 per M., f.o.b., selected in bags of 100,
(husked).
Cocoa-Nut Mrat—tlje. per th.
Cocoa-Nuv Or_—67e. per Imperial gallon (casks included).
Corree—Venezuelan, 6c. to Ze. per 100 th.
Copra—-$2°75 to $3-00 per 100 th.
OnrtIoNS—$3°25 to $3°50 per 100 th.
Mo tasses—15e. per gallon (without cask).
Poratos, ENGLIsH—$1°25 to $1°40 per 100 tb.
Rice—Yellow, $4°25 to $450; White Table, $5-25 to
$600 per bag.
Sucar—Yellow Crystals, $2°25 ; Molasses Sugar, $200
per 100 th.
Vou, Ill. No. 52. THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS. 127
——
Publications on sale of the Imperial Department of Agriculture
FOR THE WEST INDIES.
The ‘WEST INDIAN BULLETIN.’ A Quarterly Scientific Journal.
Volume JI. Complete in the original paper covers as issued, post free, 5s.
Volumes II and III. Price m original paper covers as issued 2s. each. Post free, 2s. 8d.
Volume IV. Nos. 1 and 2. Papers on general subjects. No. 3. Papers on Cotton cultivation ;
distribution and varieties of Sea Island cotton ; improvement by seed selection ; agricultural chemistry
of cotton ; fungoid and insect pests. No. 4. Sea Island Cotton in the United States
and the West Indies. Price 6d. each number. Post free, 8d.
PAMPHLET SERIES.
The Pamphlets are written in a simple and popular manner and the information contained in them is especially
adapted to West Indian conditions. They contain, amongst other subjects, summaries of the results of the experiment work
on sugar-cane and manures, the full official reports of which have only a limited circulation. The following list gives particulars
of all the pamphlets which are still available. The missing numbers are out of print and can no longer “be supplied : —
(3) Seedling and other Canes at Barbados, in 1900. Price 2d. Post free, 24d.
(5) General Treatment of Insect Pests, 2nd Edition Revised. Price 4d. Post free, 4hd.
(6) Recipes for cooking Sweet Potatos. Price 2d. Post free, 24d.
(7) Seale Insects of the Lesser Antilles, Part I. Price 4d. Post free, 5d.
(9) Bee-keeping in the West Indies. Price 4¢. Post free, 5d.
(12) Seedling and other Canes in the Leeward Islands, 1900-1901. Price 2d. Post free, 24d.
(13) Seedling and other Canes at Barbados, in 1901. Price 4d. Post free, 5d.
(14) Screw Worm in Cattle at St. Lucia. Price 2d. Post free, 24d.
(15) Plain Talk to Small Owners. Price 2d. Post free, 23d.
(16) Hints on Onion Cultivation. Price 2¢. Post free, 23d.
(17) General Treatment of Fungoid Pests. Price 4¢. Post free, 5d.
(18) Recipes for cooking West Indian Yams. Price 2d. Post free, 23d.
(19) Seedling and other Canes at Barbados, in 1902. Price 4d. Post free, 5d.
(20) Seedling and other Canes in the Leeward Islands, 1901-1902. Price 2d. Post free, 25:
Cotton and Onion Industries in the West Indies. Price 2d. © Post free, 2
Seale Insects of the Lesser Antilles, Part II. Price 4d. Post free, 5d.
Notes on Poultry in the West Indies. Price 4d. Post free, 5d.
Dominica, Hints to Settlers. Price 2d. Post free, 24d.
Ground Nuts in the West Indies. Price 2d. Post free, 24d.
Seedling and other Canes at Barbados, in 1903. Price 4d. Post free, 5d.
Seedling and other Canes in the Leeward Islands, 1902-1903. Price 2d. Post free, 23d.
Barbados and Porto Rico Molasses. Price 3d. Post free, 33d.
Lectures on the Diseases of the Sugar-cane. Price 4d. Post free, 5d.
‘NATURE TEACHING,’
A text-book based upon the general principles of Agriculture for the use of schools, prepared by the Honourable
Francis Watts and others. (Pages XII and 199). Price, limp cloth 2s., or in a superior style of binding 2s, 6d. Postage
in either binding, 33d. extra.
COTTON.
A special pamphlet (foolseap size), entitled ‘Information relating to Cotton Cultivation in the West
Indies,’ has recently been issued. It is on sale by all local Agents of the Department. Price 3d. Post free, 43d.
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 on in each colony and the progress made in
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, 1}d. The subscription price, including postage,
is Ls. Tid. per half-year, or 3s. 3d. per annum. Vols. I and IT complete with title page and index as issued. —Price 4s. Post
free, 5s. Only a few copies available. Ad/ applications , for copies are to he addressed to the Agents, not to the Department,
Ld,
4d,
>
WwW WW Ll Wlk
OH TH Ove WL
~~ OS SOS OES wer Sr
Agents.
The following have been appointed agents for the sale of the publications of the Department :—
London: Messrs. Dutau & Co., 37, Soho Square, W. City Agents: THe West Inpra ComMirres, 15, Seething
Lane, London, E.C. Barbados: Messrs. Bowen & Sons, Bridgetown. Jamaica: Toe Epucationan Suppiy
“Company, 16, King St., Kingston. British Guiana: ‘Daily Chronicle’ Office, Georgetown, Trinidad: Messrs. Murr,
Marsnaty & Co., Port-of-Spain. Yobago: Mr. C. L. PuaGemann, Scarborough. Grenada: Messrs. F. Marrast & Co.,
‘The Stores,’ St. George. St. Vincent: Mr. W. C. D. Prouproor, Kingstown. St. Lueta: Mrs. Borman, Bridge Street,
“Castries. Dominica : Messrs. C. F, Duvernry & Co., Market St., Roseau. Jontserrat : Mr. W. LLEWELLYN WALL, Plymouth.
Antigua: Mr. S. D. Matong, St. John’s. St. Kvtt’s: Messrs. 8. L. Horsrorp & Co., Basseterre. Wevis: Mr. 8. D. MAtone,
“Charlestown. Bahamas : Wesleyan Methodist Book Concern, Nassau.
T26 THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS. Aprit 9, 1904.
THE BEST MANURES FOR COLONIAL USE
AR
Ohlendorff’s Dissolved Peruvian Guano—For Sugar-cane and general use
Ohlendorff’s Special Sugar-cane Manure
Ohlendorff’s Special Cocoa Manure
Ohlendorff’s Special Cotton Manure
Sulphate of Ammonia, Nitrate of Soda, Superphosphates, high grades,
Potash Salts, Basic Slag and all other high-class Fertilizers.
APPLY TO LOCAL AGENTS OR DIRECT TO
THE ANGLO-CONTINENTAL (LATE OHLENDORFF’S) GUANO WORKS,
London Agency: 15, Leadenhall Street, London, E.C.
[r2.] Barbados Agents: Messrs. James A. Lynch & Co., Bridgetown.
tf iJ Curacoa Society for the Promotion of
C A C A O : Agriculture, Stock breeding, Salt
Industry and Fishery.
BY Pee
A COLONIAL “EX Ad Bi hOm
i. so .. AR ELS. Will be held in this island on May 23, 1904.
(Sgd.) H. H. R. CHAPMAN,
NEW EDITION. Curacoa, Vice-President.
Dutch West Indies,
March 5, 1904. DUSSEL,
Secretary.
A TREATISE ON THE CULTIVATION, CURING AND
CHEMISTRY OF
FOR COTTON GROWERS :
‘WEST INDIAN BULLETIN’
(VOL. IV, NO. 4.)
COMMERCIAL CACAO.
DAVIDSON & TODD, Trinidad.
Wm.WESLEY & Co., 28, Essex St., London.
Containing fnll report by Sir Daniel Morris,
K.C.M.G., D.Se., and Mr. J. R. Bovell, F.L.S., F.G:S.,
Price 3s. per copy. on visit to the Cotton Growing districts of U.S.A.
Printed at Office of Ayricultural Reporter, 4, High Street, Bridgetown, Barbados,
=
“a LAL eae
= = Wa
S /
A FORTNIGHTLY REVIEW
or
Vou. III. No. 53.
IMPERIAL DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE FOR THE WEST INDIES.
BARBADOS, APRIL 23, 1904.
THE
Prick ld,
CONTENTS.
PAGE. Paci
Barbados, Exports of ... 155 | Insect Notes :—
Mealie Grub od) Ado eles)
Gand! Crasten yates oo.
British Guiana, Rice
industry ... -. .. Lol
Cacao, Production and Mango in Jamaica ... 132
Consumption .... ... 157 | Market Reports vou 142
Cassava Starch... ... .. 137 | Northern Nigeria, Agri-
Cocoa-nuts in the Philip- culture’... ... ... 139
pines... ... 0... «. 152 | Our Book Shelf :—
Cotton Notes :— 133 Cotton Culture ... ... 141
Sales of Montserrat ... 133 Economic Zoology... 141
Selection of Seed 133 Farmers’ Bulletins of
Philippines... «.. TAL
Powell, H., in East Africa 154
St. Lucia, Trade and Agri-
COUT encs Aon don Uy,
Science Notes :—
Insect-attacking fungi 135
Resurrection plants ... 135
Shade tree for Cacao ... 155
Sugar Industry :
Demerara seedling in
Elawyaie sees.) ene LOO)
School Gardens and Molaseniiy 2... ...- 13
Arbor Day... ... 141 New Sugar-producing
Fibre plants in Mexico... 15 TRIN: Goo a5) cna ane Aish
Forests, Utility of ... ... 134 U.S. concessions to
Shipment from Barba-
dos ond)" bade se
United States crop... 136
Department News...
Department Publications 143
Department Reports :---
Lectures on Agti-
cultural Science
Leeward Islands Sugar-
cane Experiments ... 15
Educational :—
Fruit, Selection for Cubageeer pee ee Lol
Export 152 | Tropical Diseases and their
Gleanings ... 140 causes 139
Insect Notes :— West Indian Cotton.
Funigation of Imported Wrong theories, Mischief
Plants Sao pon deo Hots) of ood on, coo” pow akait
West Indian Cotton.
: g Manchester and the reports to hand as to
the quality of the staple are uniformly satisfactory.
In every instance where there has been a wise
selection of soil and climate and where the cultivation
and ginning have been carefully attended to, the
financial results are most encouraging. We hope to
publish the details as they come to hand.
The chief drawback experienced during the past
Where the
worm did not appear at all, or where 16 was succesfully
kept under control, the return in lint per acre was
the Sea Islands of South
Carolina. As it is admitted that im most parts of
the West Indies ficld labour is cheaper and more
reliable than in the United States, there can be little
doubt that the profits likely to arise, on an average of
years, from the best qualities of cotton grown in these
colonies, should be as satisfactory as in any part of
season was the attack of the cotton worm.
quite as good as in
the world.
The best results have been obtained where the soil
was originally of good quality or where it was manured
and carefully cultivated. It should be clearly under-
stood that it is useless to expect to grow large crops
of cotton, or indeed of anything else, in poor soils, or
even in good soils unless the cultivation receives
constant attention and the plants are kept free from
the cotton worm and other enemies.
As regards the sort of cotton to grow, it has been
conclusively shown that the best is Sea Island cotton.
This, as is well known, is a native of the West Indies—
a geographical fact of great importance—and in
130 , THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.
addition it has been proved by experimental cultivation,
over several thousand acres during the past season,
that West Indian Sea Island cotton, when well culti-
vated and properly prepared, is of exceptional quality
and obtains high prices.
If it should be shown, after careful trial, that any
locality is found unsuitable to the growth of Sea Island
cotton, it may be regarded as likely to be unsuitable
for the growth of any cotton that will pay to cultivate.
The Upland cotton plant is admitted to be hardier
than the Sea Island cotton and it yield sa heavier crop,
but it is usually worth only one-half the value of
Sea Island cotton, and in the competition with other
countries, which will inevitably follow the high prices
now ruling, the cultivation of Upland cotton must
prove still less remunerative.
Sea Island cotton, on the other hand, can only be
produced in a few localities and probably in no
locality more favourably than in the West India
Islands. As already indicated in these pages, it is of
the utmost importance that only selected seed of Sea
Island cotton should be planted for the next crop and
that the seed be disinfected beforehand.
In order to control the attacks of the cotton
worm—the principal enemy so far met with in the
West Indies—it is necessary that for every acre planted
in cotton there should be obtained and kept ready
for use, at a moment's notice, 3 tb. of Paris green
and 18 tb. of slaked lime. After the experience
of last season, it should be regarded as useless to
attempt to grow cotton unless the cotton worm is
entirely kept in check. The Paris green and lime
treatment has everywhere proved successful.
The season for starting operations for the next
crop will soon be here. Already, selected seed of the
best Sea Island cotton sufficient to plant 7,000 acres
has been secured by the Imperial Department of
Agriculture. This, after being disinfected, will be
distributed to growers at cost price. Those who
propose to plant cotton next season are advised to
consult the local officers of the Department and after
making a judicious selection of land to begin at once
to prepare and manure it.
If the opinion of the Department were to prevail,
only capable and experienced planters would be
advised, at present at all events, to embark in cotton
growing. It is not desirable for amateurs or persons
without means to attempt a cultivation of this
sort. The safer course, for all new industries, is for
Apri 23, 1904.
them to be taken up by skilled agriculturists and
carried on in a systematic and careful manner, so that
the results attained may be published for the informa-
tion and guidance of the general community.
In view of the full and clear statement of facts
respecting cotton growing in the West Indies contained
in the recently published number of the West Indian
Bulletin (Vol. IV, no. 4), no intelligent planter should
be in doubt as to the conditions necessary for
establishing a successful -cotton industry. All who
propose to plant cotton are recommended to study
carefully the hints given in the work above referred
to, and it is urged in the interests of all concerned
that experiments with cotton growing in the West
Indies be undertaken by the leading and more
experienced planters in order that during the coming
may be definitely and authoritatively
ascertained what are the prospects of a cotton industry
on a large scale as compared with sugar, cacao, fruit
and other well-established industries in these colonies,
season it
SUGAR INDUSTRY.
Demerara Seedling in Hawaii.
The Demerara Argosy of April 6 has the following
reference to the success that has attended the
cultivation of Demerara seedling cane No. 117 in
Hawaii :—
At the usual meeting of the Hawaiian Sugar Planters?
Association, when reports were received and considered from
the various committees on the work for the year, Mr. Eckhart,
Director of the Experiment Station, im discussing the
merits of the different cane varieties, wrote: ‘ For irrigated
plantations, Demerara seedling No. 117 is, in my opinion,
the most promising variety, as at the experiment station field
it easily leads all the other canes. On one of the Oahu
plantations, where it has been tried in competition with
Striped Singapore, Tibco Merd, Rose Bamboo, and Fijt
Purple, it yielded from a ton to a ton and a half more sugar
to the acre than the other varieties. It is a rather grassy
cane, that is characterized by thick stooling, giving heavy
tonnage per acre, and by juices of rather low purity except
with ratoons, when purity is good. Louisiana Striped has
been planted on quite a large scale (about 15 acres, I think)
on one irrigated plantation and dces very well, that is, fully
as well as Lahaina. It flowers earlier and more generally
than Lahaina or Rose Bamboo.’ It was pointed out in
conclusion that the cultivation of cane on cane land in
Hawaii is practically continuous and that while burning of
trash and leaves is general, it is the exception and not the
rule to rest the lands, or to greensoil them by the cultivation
of leguminous plants,
|
|
Vor. III. No. 53.
THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS. 131
Molascuit.
The following note relating to the manufacture
of molascuit is taken from the Demerara Argosy of
April 6. Special reference is made to the fact that
this product enjoys a decided advantage over other
sugared stock foods on account of the absorbent
properties of the megass:—
Mr. George Hughes, the patentee of the now famous
cattle food, molascuit, has written to a correspondent in
Demerara suggesting that manufacturers in this colony should
turn out an article containing at least 55 per cent. of sugar.
In support of this suggestion, he states that there are on the
market many sugared stock foods, but as these are made of
materials that do not possess the absorbent qualities equal to
a megass meal, their sugar content is lower. He thinks,
therefore, that molascuit manufacturers should push this
advantage to the utmost by producing molascuit containing
at least 55 per cent. of sugar, thus rendering competition
by those other stoek foods impossible, except from the
disadvantageous position of an admittedly inferior article.
United States Concession to Cuba.
The following is an extract from an article on the
subject of the Cuban reciprocity treaty that appeared
in the Louisiana Planter of March 12, 1904:—
From all these data we see that our reciprocity treaty
with Cuba has been a very decided boomerang, doing no
good to the Cubans, but returning to us and inflicting much
injury upon us. It has not benefited the Cubans by making
Cuban sugar worth more in that island than similar goods in
San_ Domingo, or Jamaica, or Trinidad. On the contrary,
the prices of sugars have been lowered and ‘this decline has
- forced down prices throughout the West Indies generally and
now, on the part of the Cubans themselves, in order to cover
the deficiency in revenues arising from the diminished duties
levied upon their chief imports from the United States, they
simply elevated the duties 20 per cent. or more, and now
collect as much as ever on the bulk of American productions
entering the island.
A New Sugar-producing Plant.
Several references have recently been made in
scientific and other journals to a new source of sugar.
We reproduce the following account of the plant from
the Gardeners’ Chronicle of March 19 :—
In the early part of 1901 the authorities at Kew, as we
learn from Mr. Hillier, received from H.B.M. Consul at
Asuncion, Paraguay, fragments of a Composite plant
credited with possessing a remarkable sweetening property,
a few leaves being sufficient to sweeten a strong cup
of tea or coffee, giving also a pleasant aromatic flavour.
The plant was discovered growing in the highlands of
Amambaya and near the source of the river Monday by
Dr. Bertoni, and described by him in evista de Agronomia, il,
pp. 35-7 (1899) under the name ELupatorium rebaudianum.
From the meagre material received at Kew, it was found
that the smallest portion caused a persistent sweetness in
the mouth, and further that the floral structure of the
Specimen agreed more nearly with the genus Stevia than
with Zupatoriun, its affinity being with S. co//ina, Gardner.
The foregoing facts are gathered from the Kew Bulletin for
1901, p. 173; and we find upon inquiry that living plants
or full herbarium specimens are still desired at Kew to
facilitate the identification of this interesting plant.
THE MISCHIEF OF WRONG THEORIES.
The following interesting extract is taken from
the Monthly Weather Review of the.Weather Bureau
of the U.S. Department of Agriculture for December
1903 :-—
During the past century there has been such steady
progress in all branches of science that the more intelligent
portion of the community has abandoned those notions
with regard to astrology, alchemy, spontaneous generation,
witchcraft, and other philosophies, that were formerly accepted
by the most learned. The diffusion of education has raised
the children of the present generation above the level of the
philosophers of « former generation. And yet we have seen
it demonstrated again and again that the popular majority
does not fully appreciate the extent of our present knowledge
of the laws of the weather, and is still liable to resort to
unscientific methods in the hope of accomplishing that to
which science has not yet attained.
We have seen communities in America and Australia
carried away with the idea that cannonading can produce
rain, or in Europe that the ringing of church bells or the
offermg of prayers can avert droughts and floods. In
Southern Europe the agriculturists are but just recovering
from the strange belief that hail can be prevented by shooting
rings of smoke toward the clouds. During the past ten
years a wealthy engineer of Russia has devoted his fortune to
the conversion of the people to his idea that the moon
controls the weather, and so seriously does his advocacy of
this error affect the uneducated agricultural community that
the Director of the weather service at Odessa (Klossovsky)
has gone to the trouble of publishing an elaborate statement
of the errors in fact and theory committed by this engineer.
He shows very clearly that Demtchinsky’s ,method of
predicting the weather by lunar periods amounts to nothing
more than predicting an average condition, an average which
very rarely occurs, whereas the departures from it are very
frequent. The verifications of these predictions are like the
combinations in an ordinary game of chance, where there is
an equal number of heads and tails or hits and misses.
As the collection of meteorological statistics depends so
Jargeiy upon the voluntary work of thousands of unpaid
observers, it is to be feared that the good work we are doing
in America may be seriously interrupted, if erroneous views
are allowed to have an influence in this country as profound
as they seem to have in Southern Russia.
We cannot repeat too often and too clearly the general
proposition that meteorology is to be advanced only by
studying in details the effects on the atmosphere of insolation,
radiation, the diurnal rotation and annual revolution of the
earth, and the presence of continents and oceans.
RICE INDUSTRY IN BRITISH GUIANA.
In the course of an interview reported in the
Demerara Argosy of April 6, Mr. T. E. Tinne, of the
firm of Sandbach, Parker and Co., made the following
reference to the rice industry :—
I have also been impressed by the enormous extension
of rice cultivation. In the not far distant future, we should
be able not only to raise all the rice required for our own
consumption, but to be exporters of rice to other countries. We
have got the front of Leonora—some 300 acres—planted in
rice. All the land we could spare we gave out to the coolies
to encourage them to settle on the property, and we are
finding the policy is sound.
132 THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.
Aprit 23, 1904.
WW
WEST INDIAN
BRUT:
THE MANGO IN JAMAICA.
The Jamaica Leader of March 25 has the follow-
ing interesting note on the history of the mango in
that island :—
The plants found on board the vessel captured by Lord
Rodney were lodged in a garden near Gordon Town, and
twelve years afterwards, in 1794, an advertisement appeared
in the Royal Gazette offering eighteen plants for distribution,
six for each county. This was the nucleus of its cultivation in
Jamaica, and such a congenial home did the mango find
here, that thirty-two years after it was introduced it was
described as being ‘one of the commonest fruit trees, in a great
number of varieties.’ The next time that we find ‘new blood’
brought in is in 1869, when Sir John Peter Grant imported
from India two cases of grafted mangos, the first containing
six varieties, the second twelve. Among these was the
famous ‘ Bombay.’ After this the number of fresh varieties
introduced quickly increased in number, and in the succeeding
years, up to 1901, young imported plants have been grown
in the island, and swelled the numbers of this delicious fruit.
In conclusion, a few words about the king of mangos, the
No. 11, may not be uninteresting. According to one account
it was the first that came into the island, the plants on the
captured French vessel all being numbered—No. 11 being
the famous variety. It has, however, been also said that the
numbering took place many years later, when the different
kinds of mangos then in Jamaica were thus enumerated to
distinguish them one from the other.
SELECTION OF FRUIT FOR EXPORT.
In a leading article entitled ‘Some plain words to our
banana planters,’ the Jamaica Daily Telegraph of April 5
mentions that the last Direct Line Steamer had taken
a cargo of nearly 2,000 bunches of bananas—the _ first
shipment since the hurricane of August last. In connexion
with this shipment, it is stated, an important fact is to be
noticed, viz., the Jarge number of rejections. This, of course,
was due to the temptation of growers, particularly those
with only a few acres who must have been suffering keenly
from lack of money, to ship as much fruit as possible
regardless of its suitability, or otherwise, for the market.
The article continues :—
‘When will our planters learn to be wise? Had the
rejected bunches only been allowed to remain on the trees
two or three weeks longer they would have been fit for
shipment, and would almost certainly have been purchased
by the representatives of Messrs. Elders and Fyffes, Ltd., or
the United Fruit Co. As it was, they were not purchased ;
and the growers were the losers. We should like to see our
banana planters acting ina manner which would show that
they possess a real grasp of the existing situation. The
United Fruit Co. and Messrs. Elders and I’yffes, Ltd., are
not going to buy fruit which they will not be able to selk
when they Jand it in America or England. Is not that
fact self-evident? If so, why court disaster by eutting fruit
which is sure to be rejected ??
COCOA-NUT CULTIVATION IN ‘THE
PHILIPPINES.
The Burean of Agriculture of the Philippines has
recently issued a Bulletin on cocoa-nut cultivation,
The Bulletin deals with the history and botany of the
cocoa-nut palm, the uses of the various products and
the methods of cultivation, including the treatment of
insect pests and the renovation of old groves. The
following is a summary of the conclusions arrived at by
the author (Mr. W. S. Lyon, Officer-in-charge of the
Division of Plant Industry ):—
The present conditions present especially flattering
attractions to cocoanut growers capable of undertaking the
cultivation upon a scale of some magnitude. By co-opera-
tion, small estates could combine in the common ownership
of machinery, whereby the products of the groves could be
converted into more profitable substances than copra.
The present production of copra is an assurance of a
sufficient supply to warrant the erection of a high-class
modern plant for the manufacture of the ultimate (the
‘butter’) products of the nut. The products of such an
enterprise would be increased by the certainty of a local
market in the Philippines for some part of the output. The
average market value of the best grades of copra in the
Marseilles market is $5440, gold, per English ton.
The minimum size of a plantation, on which economical
application of oil and fibre-preparing machinery could be
made, is 60 hectares [148-26 acres].
The natural enemies and diseases of the plant are
relatively few, easily held in check by vigilance and the
exercise of competent business management.
In view of an ever-expanding demand for cocoa-nut
products, and in the light of the foregoing conclusions, the
industry, when prosecuted upon a considerable scale and
subject to the requirements previously set forth, promises for
many years to be one of the most profitable and desirable
enterprises which command the attention of the Filipino
planter.
Vout. Ill. No. 53.
THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.
133
COTTON NOTES.
Now that the returns of sales of West Indian cotton are
coming in, interest in the industry is generally increasing.
There is no doubt about the quality of the best Sea
Island cotton produced in these colonies. What is important
is to make sure that a// the cotton to be shipped next year
will be uniform and of the best quality.
It may be mentioned that sufficient selected cotton seed
to plant, altogether, about 7,000, acres is now in course of
being distributed by the Imperial Department of Agriculture.
If all this seed were carefully planted and looked after, the
Sea Island cotton industry in the West Indies would be well
established on a large scale.
A good many people will probably plant cotton without
being fully acquainted with the conditions necessary for
success. These simply court failure and loss, and will only
have themselves to thank for taking up an industry they do
not understand.
There are several publications that have been issued
during the last twelve months by the Imperial Department
of Agriculture giving simple and clear directions in regard
to cotton planting ; and, besides, there are officers stationed
in each colony who are always prepared to advise and assist
cultivators.
To prevent disappointment it is advised that persons,
who, hitherto, have had no experience in planting and are
without means, should not start cotton growing. It is well
known that starting a new industry like cotton requires
a sound knowledge of planting and constant personal
attention, or it is sure to fail.
To make cotton growing a success it would be useful if,
in each locality, a few really earnest and painstaking people
would start the cultivation, after they have fully realized the
difficulties that have to be overcome. Their example and
experience would be more valuable than piles of literature.
Tt has been suggested that the Board of Agriculture in
British Guiana and Jamaica, and the Agricultural Society at
Trinidad might greatly assist by starting ten or a dozen
experiment plots (about one or two acres each) in different
portions of these colonies, place them under experienced
men and, if necessary, pay all expenses on condition that
returns are presented at the end of the season showing
exactly the details of expenditure and the gross receipts in
each case. Ten such trial plots, at £5 each, would cost £50.
Such a course would at once place the experiments on
such a footing that the results would be immediately
available and a large amount of time and money would be
saved. It would, also, enable members of the mercantile
community to form their own estimate of the probable
value of the new cotton industry as compared with other
industries.
Where cotton has already been tried and failed, on
account of disease, there should be an entire destruction of
all old cotton plants by burning: that is the first requisite.
After that the new cultivation should be in fresh land with
fresh seed—care being taken that the soil is well prepared
and manured beforehand.
We learn that at Montserrat the cotton growers, at
a public meeting, have resolved to carry out fully the above
recommendations. It is well known that they have hitherto
experienced many drawbacks ; but they now hope to make
afresh start and overcome some, if not all, of their difticulties.
It should be remembered that weak and badly nourished
plants are more liable to disease than strong and vigorous
plants. Hence the necessity for choosing good soil ; or, if the
soil is not good, of giving it extra cultivation and plenty of
manure.
It is observed that at Jamaica, after some delay, it is
proposed to go in for cotton cultivation on a large
scale. This involves some risk, and especially if the growers
are not fully informed as to the need for selecting good soil
and carefully looking after every detail whilst the crop is
growing. Also, in making due provision to meet the attacks
of the cotton worm. A good stock of Paris green and
powdered lime should, if possible, be secured before or as
soon as the seed is planted.
It is also proposed at Jamaica to begin planting cotton
in April. This may answer in some districts where there
are rains in May and June ; but in others, especially where
trial plots are proposed to be assisted by the Board of
Agriculture, it might be advisable to plant at intervals later
in the year in order to determine the best planting season
for each district by actual experiment.
As a final word it is advised that those who are desirous
of making themselves thoroughly acquainted with the details
of planting Sea Island cotton in the West Indies should
obtain a copy of the West Indian Bulletin (Vol. IV, no. 4)
and carefully study it. This publication is obtainable
(price 6d., post free 8d.) from Agents in all parts of
the West Indies. Also in London, from Dulau & Co., 37,
Soho Square, W.; and at the rooms of the West India
Committee, 16, Seething Lane, E.C.
Sales of Montserrat Sea Island Cotton.
From the account sales of a Montserrat cotton
grower we learn the following satisfactory results of
recent sales of Sea Island cotton shipped to England
from that island :—
From the sale of 499 tb. in July 1903, the net proceeds
were £16 5s. 4d. In November 1903, 319 tb. were sold at
83d. per tb. ; the net proceeds of this sale were £11 2s. Lots
of 35 tb. and 40 tb. sold at 54d. and 43d. respectively, and
netted 15s. in each case.
In January of this year, 1,955 tb. were sold at different
times at 1s. 2d. per lb. After deducting charges for freight,
insurance, brokerage, etc., the sum of £107 6s. was paid to
the shipper.
Selection of Cotton Seed.
The following extract is taken from a letter, dated
March 29, received from the Secretary of the British
Cotton Growing Association :—
The bulk of the cotton from Barbados is turning out
very well, but you must impress on all the growers the
necessity for very careful selection of seed and extreme care in
cultivation and handling, as unless Sea Island cotton is quite
right in all respects, it suffers severely in price.
134 THE AGRICULTURAL
NEWS. Aprit 23, 1904
THE UTILITY OF FORESTS.
The following short statement of the uses of
forests, which originally appeared in the Boston
Transcript, istaken from the Barbados Daily News :—
Let us take two hillsides of identical slope and exposure,
one being forested, the other cleared. The rain falls on the
canopy of trees in the one instance and drips softly from
leaves and branches and trickles down the trunks. The soil
beneath is soft and loose (even in winter it does not freeze
hard), a composition of disintegrated rock, decaying leaves
and twigs and even logs, and all tied together by a dense
mass of roots and rootlets. The rain comes upon this forest
soil so softly through the trees that the ground is not
compacted and hardened or gullied as it would be if the rain
fell directly on the soil.
The loose and spongy earth takes up the water as fast as
it falls, and that which is not seized by the roots for the
nourishment of the trees is carried away into underground
basins, from which it slowly percolates and eventually comes
out upon the surface again as springs. So slowly does this
filtermg go on, the spongy soil holding the water back, that
the springs are given a constant and almost steady supply.
Even a drought will actually dry up but few such. Snows
also melt -more slowly in the forest, thereby preventing
disastrous spring freshets.
In the other case, that of the treeless slope, the rain
falls directly on the bare ground and pounds it hard and
impervious. ‘The water for the most part runs off super-
ficially as from a roof. Not enough water sinks into the
ground to help feed a constant spring. The surface run-off of
a hard rain on a bare hillside is moreover conducive to
gullying and washing of a most destructive nature, and the
waters being poured immediately into the stream beds cause
freshets. The freshet waters quickly rush by, wreaking havoe
with fields, bridges and mills, and the next week the streams
are nearly run dry.
FIBRE PLANTS IN MEXICO.
The following interesting account of the fibre
industry of Mexico is taken from the Consular Report
on Mexico tor 1902 :—
Another branch which is also a very important one, and
which, on account of the small amount of care required, is
extending very rapidly, is the cultivation and exportation of
fibres. Mexico is rich in plants which would give very good
and strong fibres, if they were only carefully attended to.
At present the only fibres that are of any importance and
receive any kind of care are henequen, ixtle and the broom
root. ‘The first is extensively cultivated in the State of
Yucatan, and the exports are made through the ports on
that coast, principally, if not entirely, through the port
of Progreso, whence it is carried by vessels belonging to
a company formed for the special purpose of conveying it to
New York, which acts as the principal distributing centre.
Ixtle is grown in the more northerly States on the Guif of
Mexico, but especially so in the States of Vera Cruz and
Tamaulipas, finding an easy outlet through the two principal
ports of Mexico, namely, Vera Cruz and Tampico. Broom
root is found in more or less commonly throughout the
republic, but it is not cultivated.
The total exports of fibres of all kinds in the year 1902
amounted to 105,913 tons. of which 88,087 tons were
henequen (85,691 tons in the rough, and 2,395 tons in
manufactured articles, principally hammocks and cordage),
and the remainder consisted of 14,055 tons of ixtle (14,036
tons in the rough, and only 19 tons of manufactured articles,
cordage, etc.), and 3,771 tons of broom root. The value of
these exports, as given in the official returns, was £3,277,501,
as compared with 103,518 tons of fibres valued at £2,438,979
in the year 1901. The values of the different fibres exported
during the year were £2,946,900 for henequen, as against
£204,700 for ixtle and £125,900 for broom root. The price
of henequen on January 1, 1902, on the New York market,
the principal consumer of this fibre, was 8$c., gold, a price
which was maintained without any marked change through-
out the year. The broom root exported during the year was
sent almost entirely to Belgium, while the ixtle found its way
to the United States, the United Kingdom and Germany.
MR. POWELL IN BRITISH EAST AFRICA.
Mr. Henry Powell, formerly Curator of the Botanic
Station at St. Vincent, and now Assistant in the
Agricultural Department in the British East Africa
Protectorate, writes as follows :—
The voyage out from England to Mombasa was intensely
interesting. At Zanzibar, I met Dr. MacDonald, of
St. Vincent, who took me to a fruit plantation in the island.
At Pemba, I landed at two places and saw magnificent clove
and cocoa-nut plantations.
My headquarters in British East Africa are at Nairobi
which is also the headquarters of the Uganda Railway, and
where everything in connexion with the line is now built and
repaired. Nairobi is 5,450 feet above sea-level and is distant
from Mombasa by rail 328 miles. I regard the climate at
Nairobi as unique. We are now in the hot and dry season
and the temperature ranges from about 80° F. in the shade
by day to 50° F. in the early morning. There are no
mosquitos, no fever, no excessive perspiration even when
hard at work, and as a result Europeans enjoy as good
health here as in any part of Europe. English vegetables of
nearly all kinds and flowers thrive admirably.
The Agricultural Department here has only recently
been established and we are all busy getting things into
shape. At Nairobi we have an Experimental Farm with
pedigree stock, including a Polled Angus bull, Muscat
donkey, Irish Conemara stallion, fowls, ducks, ete.
The crops under trial include wheat, oats, barley, flax,
lentils, clover, fenugreek, maize, lucerne, beans, cotton, etc.,
and it is amazing how well the majority succeed. The
sugar-cane also does well here, so that the immense range of
cultivations. can be understood. Most excellent butter is
made and dairying is on the increase, the milk being much
richer than in the West Indies. Large numbers of settlers
are constantly arriving from South Africa and other places,
and immense tracts of land are being taken up. Ramie and
other fibres are being grown and settlers are anxious to grow
the former on extended areas.
At Naivasha, about 60 miles from here, we have
a large pedigree stock farm and the work of the Agricultural
Department extends over many thousands of square miles.
We have the services of a cotton expert from Egypt who
is now touring the country, coastwards, selecting land for,
and starting, experiments. I am following and shall continue
to follow with the greatest interest the results of the
experiments in St. Vincent, and I am convinced that the
cotton industry there will prove a success.
I am much indebted to yeu for causing the Agri
cultural News and other publications to be sent me, and
I can assure you that I continue to take the greatest interest
in the work of your Department.
Vou. III. No. 53.
THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.
135
SCIENCE NOTES.
A Shade Tree for Cacao.
The ‘Madera’ shade tree of Nicaragua (Gliricidia
maculata) is reported by Mr. Broadway to be now in flower
at the Grenada Botanic Station ; this is the second time this
tree has flowered since it was introduced to Grenada from
the Botanic Gardens at Trinidad. There are a number of
these trees in the gardens at King’s House in Jamaica.
The ‘ Madera’ shade tree is also now flowering at Chelston,
Barbados, where it is regularly frequented by a large number
of humming birds. It is worth cultivating for these alone.
iricidia maculata, which belongs to the natural order
Leguminosae, has flowers of a light-purplish colour borne
along the branches for 18 inches or more.
Mr. Hart states in the Trinidad Bulletin of Miscellaneous
Information (September 1893) that this is the tree in general
use in Nicaragua as a shade for cacao: ‘The plantation is
formed, and the ‘“‘ Madera,” or permanent shade, is planted
from seed in straight lines, about 5 varas apart, which
would be equal to about 13 English feet. After allowing
the shade to grow for from eighteen months to two years, the
cacao trees are planted in the same lines as the shade trees
and alternating with them in the rows at about 12 or 13 feet
apart or less. The ‘‘ Madera” becomes the permanent shade
of the plantation.’
Insect-attacking Fungi.
Fungi, in so far as they concern the agriculturist, are
often looked upon as a group, every member of which is
either harmful or certainly not beneficial. There is, however,
a group of fungi the members of which are distinctly friends
of the agriculturist ; this group includes those fungi which
are parasitic upon insects.
One of the most noted of these fungi is the so-called
‘South African locust fungus’ (J/ucor exitiosus), which has
been largely used in South Africa for the destruction of the
locust. Other fungi are known to be parasitic upon scale
insects in the West Indies and elsewhere, and Mr. Ballou has
expressed the opinion (Agricultural News, Vol. II, p. 232)
that some of these fungi do a considerable amount of damage
to the scales. House-flies often suffer severely from the
attacks of the fly fungus (Zmpusa) while chinch bugs are
attacked by a fungus, Sporotrichum, which often destroys
large numbers of these pests.
Fic 7. Larva of Diatrea saccharalis killed by Cordyceps
Barberi.
Among the most interesting of these fungi are a number of
species of the genus Curdyceps belonging to the Ascomycetes.
The genus is world-wide in its distribution and most of the
species live upon caterpillars and grubs of various kinds ;
Cordyceps Barberi (Fig. 7) is parasitic upon the larva of the
moth-borer of the sugar-cane.
When a spore of Cordyceps falls upon the body of a
living grub it puts out a short germ-tube or hypha, which
bores through the skin of the host and then branches. The
hyphae penetrate further into the inner tissues of the grub.
Next these hyphae, inside the host, begin to produce spores
(conidia) ; these conidia get into the blood and then commence
budding in a similar manner to that described for the yeast
plant (Agricultural News, Vol. III, p. 123). The budding
proceeds rapidly, and the spores so produced are carried in
the blood to all parts of the animal, which then dies.
The spores now put out hyphae which branch and grow
through the tissues of the grub, which they consume and
replace. Finally, what appears to be the insect body is
simply a mass of very thickly interwoven hyphae of Cordyceps.
The hyphal mass or sclerotiwn, however, still retains the
external form of the grub.
Later on, the fungus begins to produce spores. Thickly
woven masses of hyphae break out from the sclerotium and
grow up into the air to form club-shaped bodies with a stalk
and head. The illustration shows these, in various stages,
growing from all parts of the sclerotium. When ripe, the
head is seen studded with numerous minute pores : these
pores are the openings of flask-shaped chambers in which the
spores are produced. In each flask numerous long, narrow
asci are formed, and in each of these eight thread-like
ascospores are formed. Before the ascospores are liberated,
they break up into very numerous small spores, which escape
through the pore of the flask into the outer air.
A few species of this genus are parasitic upon other
fungi, the truffles and their allies. One of these, Cordyceps
ophioglossoides, is found in England, growing upon a fungus,
Elaphomyces, which in turn grows upon the roots of pine
trees.
Resurrection Plants.
Three different plants are known under the above name,
says Mr. A. Hemsley in the Garden. Mesembryanthemum
Tripolium is one of the most remarkable. When dry, the seed
capsules are tightly closed up and when soaked in water the
capsules will open out their curious valves. On being dried
they will close, but will open again with moisture. This may
be repeated several times without destroying the remarkable
hygroscopic properties. The seed vessels or capsules of many
other plants possess the same properties, and it is chiefly
those which grow in countries or districts where they have
long dry seasons. The seeds which ripen during the early
part of the dry season, remain on the ground for a consider-
able time, and are protected by the folding up of the capsules.
When the rain comes these coverings open and allow the seed
to escape during the time the ground is most suited for their
germination. Anastatica hierachuntica is another known as
the Resurrection plant. It is a curious little annual belonging
to the Cruciferae. The third known as the Resurrection plant
is Selaginella lepidophylla, a club moss, which, after being
dried up, will again assume its natural appearance. On this
account it is often sold as a vegetable curiosity. (Indian
Planting and Gardening, February 6, 1904. )
Goats at Malta. Milch cows are few innumber
nearly all the fresh milk being furnished by the goat, which
is of a good breed, the best specimens being able to furnish
on an ayerage from 5 to 6 pints per diem. The milk
derived from sheep is all turned into cheese. (C.O. Report,
1902-3.)
136 THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.
Aprit 23, 1904,
EDITORIAL NOTICES.
Letters and matter for publication, as well
as all specimens for naming, should be addressed
to the Commissioner, Imperial Department of
Agriculture, Barbados.
Communications are invited, written on one
side of the paper only. It should be understood
that no contributions or specimens can, in any
case, be returned.
All applications for copies of the ‘Agricul-
tural News’ should be addressed to the Agents,
and not to the Department. A complete list of
the London and Local agents will be found at
foot of page 143 of this issue.
The ‘Agricultural News’: Price 1d. per
number, post free 144d. Annual subscription
payable to Agents 2s. 2d. Post free, 3s. 3d.
Agricultural slows
APRIL, 23, 1904. No. 53.
Von. III.
NOTES AND COMMENTS.
SATURDAY,
West Indian Bulletin.
It is desirable to mention that the supply of the
West Indian Bulletin (Vol. IV, no. 3), containing
general information respecting the cultivation of cotton
and other matters, is now exhausted and further copies
cannot be supplied.
The Department is desirous of obtaining clean
copies of this number. Any persons having them for
disposal might communicate with the local agents of
the Department, who are authorized to pay 3d. per
copy.
Copies of the West Indian Bulletin (Vol. IV,
no. 4), containing later information embodied in
a Report by Sir Daniel Morris and Mr. J. R. Bovell on
Sea Island cotton in the United States and the West
Indies, are still available and may be obtained from all
Agents (price 6/., free by post 8¢/.).
Oo —”
Shipments of Cotton from Barbados.
During the current season Mr. Bovell reports that,
according to returns furnished by the Comptroller of
Customs at Barbados, there have been shipped, up to
March 31 last, 244 bales and 2 bags of cotton,
containing 61,000 tb., of the estimated value of £3,050.
The Central Factory shipped 135 bales of Sea Island
cotton, 21 bales of Egyptian cotton, 1 bale of Upland,
and 2 bags of cotton from native plants. Others
shipped 82 bales of Sea Island cotton and 5 bales of
Egyptian. ‘This is interesting as a record of the first
shipment of cotton from Barbados on a commercial
scale probably for forty years.
Leeward Islands Sugar-cane Experiments.
Part II of the Report on the Sugar-cane
experiments conducted in the Leeward Islands in the
season 1902-3, under the direction of the Imperial
Department of Agriculture, has recently been issued.
The price of the Report has been fixed at 1s, for
each part or 2s. per set. This publication may be
obtained of all agents of the Department.
ee
Exports of Barbados.
We extract the following figures relating to the
exports of Barbados for 1903 from a statement in the
Official Gazette of March 31, 1904:—
Sheep, goats and swine, 720, valued at £601;
butter, 741 tb., valued at £25; fruit and vegetables to
the value of £7,099; hides, £569: ice, £218; building
lime, £1,547; manjak, 650 tons, valued at £6,508 :
molasses, 30,344 puncheons, valued at £136,548;
muscovado sugar, 35,170 hogsheads, valued at £232,122;
dry sngar, 3,453 hogsheads, valued at £27,624; and
tamarinds, 866 barrels of the value of £866.
The following items might also be mentioned as
some of them occur now for the first time :—prepared
cacao, £10; raw cotton, 550 tb., valued at £28; cotton
seed, 3,700 th., valued at £13: cured fish, £5: Barbados
petroleum, £18; salted and pickled pork, 200 tb.,.
valued at £4; suceades, £240; and tar, £45.
oe Eo
The United States Cotton Crop.
Frequent references have been made in the
United States press to the anticipated results of the
recent rise in the price of cotton, and to the specula-
tions of the great dealers in this commodity. The
New York Times of March 19 draws attention to the
failure of the attempt to create a corner in cotton,
taking advantage of the fact that the cotton yield of
the United States was below the normal requirements
of the world.
Referring to the same subject, the Barbados
Advocate of April 7 points out that, in spite of the
repeated warnings of the press and the United States
Department of Agriculture to farmers not to increase
their sowings, it appears that the average increase
throughout the whole cotton-producing area is about
30 percent. Such an increase would naturally have the
effect of lowering the prices to a considerable extent,
notwithstanding the ever-increasing demand for cotton.
This fact need not, however. discourage West
Indian planters from increasing their sowings of Sea
Island cotton, for, as stated by the Advocate :-—
Sea Island cotton, which is the variety indigenous to
the West Indies will be little, if at all, affected by the
increased acreage here referred to. So that planters who are
proposing to go in for cotton cultivation on any scale need
not be deterred from doing so. The area suited for the
cultivation of this variety in the United States cannot be
indefinitely enlarged. It is, in fact, already fully appropri-
ated. Hence the high market value, which the Sea Island
cotton has attained on account of the length and quality of
the fibre which make it adapted to uses to which other kinds
are not suited is not likely to suffer any considerable decline.
|
Vou. III. No. 53.
THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.
137
Cassava Starch in Jamaica.
References have already been made in_ the
Agricultural News (Vol. III, pp. 44, 105 and 118) to
the etforts that are being made in Jamaica to establish
an export business in cassava starch, and more
particularly to the trial shipment that had been made
by Mr. J. W. Middleton, who had started a factory for
the manufacture of this starch at Longville, Clarendon,
The Jamaica Daily Telegraph of March 26, 1904,
states: ‘Mr. J. W. Middleton has just received a cable
report from Manchester on the result of the tests to
which the cassava starch made at his factory has been
subjected. The results of the trial have been very
satisfactory, and he has been asked to send at the
earliest opportunity 50 tons, for which a price of £10
per ton in Bristol is offered.’
Commenting on this report the same journal
remarks that it is conclusively shown that there is
a bright future for the cassava starch industry, for,
considering the cheapness with which cassava can be
grown and the moderate cost at which the starch can
be manufactured, there is money in the new venture.
It is stated that the manufacturer has succeeded
in making a starch to suit the finishers of high-class
goods in Manchester, who at present use, for their
finer processes, wheat starch which costs, on an average,
£27 per ton.
‘The cultivation at Longville consists of about 50
acres, which will be ready for starch making this season.
The capacity of the plant is about 150 tons per annum,’
EEE ee
Cassava Starch.
Referring some months ago to the experimental
shipment of cassava starch from Jamaica, the result of
which is given elsewhere in this issue, the Jamaica
Times stated: ‘Ladies complain bitterly of the
damage done to clothes by the acid in cassava starch
as it is often put on the market here. We find that
there appears to be a general belief in that direction
throughout the West Indies: it is particularly prevalent,
we are informed, in Barbados.
With a view to obtaining further information on
this point, a sample of Barbados cassava starch was,
at the request of the Imperial Commissioner of
Agriculture, forwarded to Professor d’Albuquerque for
examination as to its freedom, or otherwise, from acid.
Professor d’Albuquerque reported: ‘The acidity
of this sample by ordinary tests is imperceptible. . . .
This sample of cassava starch, in respect to freedom
from acidity, compares very favourably with the best
obtainable sample of arrowroot starch.’
With reference to the general characters of
cassava starch for laundry purposes, the following
report from a laundry in England is of interest :—
I have tried the sample of starch you sent me both
boiled and unboiled. One table-spoonful of your starch is
equal to two of mine ; it is very glutinous. The cold starch,
when used with borax, is certainly stronger than the starch
I have been using, but it is inclined to stick to the iron and
on the outside of the collars, etc. The starch is a good
colour. It could be used for starching without borax, as it is
very stiff and also gives a gloss.
Trade and Agriculture of St. Lucia.
The Colonial Report on St. Lucia for the year
1902 contains a number of interesting facts relating to
the trade and agriculture of the colony. Although
there is a considerable decline in the total value of the
exports, this is mainly due to a falling off in the export
of coal. The exports of sugar and sugar products also
show a decline in value, but we are glad to notice that
the steady increase in the export of cacao has been
maintained. It is interesting to note that pimento
sticks figure quite largely in the table of exports:
15,996 were exported during the year, their value being
estimated at £446.
Reference is made in this report to the work of the
Agricultural Department, especially to that of the
Botanic Station in distributing plants, and that of the
Agricultural Instructor in advising planters on the
preparation of produce for market and agricultural
matters generally.
Sane —
The Production and Consumption of Cacao.
The Tropical Agriculturist of March 1, 1904,
publishes a report by Messrs. Lewis and Noyes on the
above subject.
In a list of the quantities of cacao (in bags)
produced, during the last five years, in the various
cacao-growing countries, it is shown that the principal
producers in 1902 were: Guayaquil (467,000), Africa
(297,504), Bahia (273,977), Trinidad (166,788), Vene-
zuela (166,000), Grenada (61,279), Ceylon (60,455),
Para (49,840), and Africa, British, (47,900). The
production in Jamaica was 17,620 bags; the returns
for Mexico were not complete, but the production in
1901 was 35,859 bags.
There has been an important increase in the
production of cacao in all countries except Surinam,
Java, Hayti and San Domingo. In Surinam the
decrease is due to the inroads of the ‘ Witch Broom ’
disease ; in Java to adverse climatic conditions, and in
Hayti and San Domingo to political disturbances,
On the other hand, the industry has made great
strides in our West African possessions (where every
assistance 1s being given by the authorities), as will be
seen from the following figures showing the production :
1898 (787), 1899 (4,787), 1900 (9,047), 1901 (16,170),
and 1902 (47,900). It would appear that there is
likely to be considerable increase in the production of
this article in the Congo, in Costa Rica, and also in
Java and Ceylon.
‘The consumption appears to be growing steadily,
and we see no reason why this healthy condition
should not continue, when we take into consideration
the many forms of manufacture from the raw state,
and its growing recognition as a nutritious article of
diet both in this and in other countries. The
consumption of the world is estimated to be, for 1902,
about 120,000 tons.’
A table, giving the comparative prices for the
cacao exported from different countries, shows that the
highest prices were obtained in 1903 for that from
Guayaquil (65s. to 80s.), Trinidad (64s. to 75s.), and
Grenada (51s. to 62s.).
138 THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.
APRIL 23, 1904.
INSECT NOTES.
The Fumigation of Imported Plants.
The necessity for adopting preventive measures against
the introduction of insect pests has already been dealt with
in the Agricultural News (Vol. II, p. 74). In that article
it was mentioned that Jamaica had for some time been
enforcing the fumigation of imported plants and that British
Guiana had recently enacted a law for the same purpose.
Of the Lesser Antilles, Dominica is the first to make
a positive start in this matter. Fumigating chambers have
been built and materials for fumigating have been procured.
The fumigating chambers are of two sizes—one, 8 feet by 6
feet by 6 feet inside, and the other 2 feet by 2 feet by 2}
feet. They are built of matched {inch pine (deal) boards,
double boarded with a sheet of building paper between, and
made as nearly air-tight as possible.
The fumigation is accomplished by means of hydrocyanic
acid gas. This is produced by the addition of potassium
cyanide to a mixture of sulphuric acid and water. The
cyanide should be ‘miner’s fused’, of a strength of 98 to 99
per cent., and the sulphuric acid, a good grade of commercial
acid, with a specific gravity of not less than 1°83.
For use in a box or chamber 1 oz. of cyanide should be
used for each 300 feet (cubic content), and for generating
the gas a vessel of wood, glass or earthenware, but never
metal. The amount of acid should be one and a half times
the amount of cyanide and that of water one and a half times
as much as of acid. The amounts for the large fumigating
chamker mentioned above would then be : cyanide, 1 oz.; acid,
13 oz. ; water, 24 0z.; and for the smaller box, cyanide, 1
gramme ; acid, 1} ce. ; water, 24 ce.
An arrangement should be made so that after the
mixture of acid and water is placed in the generating vessel,
the cyanide, loosely wrapped in soft paper, can be added,
after all doors, ete, are closed. This is accomplished by
means of a string through a hole in the side of the chamber.
The plants or fruits are put in place, the water and acid in
the generator and the charge of cyanide suspended above the
generator by the string. When all is securely closed, the
cyanideislowered intothe generator, and the smallhole through
which the string passes closed by means of a cork or wooden
plug. When the cyanide is dropped into the acid and water, a
violent bubbling takes place and a cloud of steam is given
off ; this steam is mixed with the poisonous hydrocyanic gas,
which continues to be given off till the cyanide is used up.
As hydrocyanic gas is extremely poisonous, the greatest
care 1s necessary on the part of the operators not to breathe
it. It is nearly colourless, with a strong odour of burnt
almonds, which is easily detected by one familiar with it,
even when present in small quantity.
For ordinary plants, the time required in fumigating is
one hour, but more tender plants may be exposed for a
shorter time, or the amount of the material used may be
decreased. At the end of the required time, the doors and
ventilators should be opened and the fumigating chamber
allowed to become free from the gas. Not less than fifteen
minutes should be allowed to pass before anyone should enter
or breathe the air at the door or window.
fusca).
The Mealie Grub.
The Transvaal Agricultural Journal for January 1904
contains an interesting article on the Mealie Grub (Sesamia
The insect is one of the Noctuid moths and its
habit of feeding in the mealie (maize) plant is very similar to
the habit of the Moth-borer of the Sugar-cane (Diatrea
saccharalis) of the West Indies.
The eggs are laid on the leaf and the young caterpillar
works its way down into the heart and stem of the plant,
seriously injuring or killing the plant.
The remedies suggested are—(1) Taking out the affected
plants and destroying them ; (2) rotation of crops ; (3) late
planting ; and (4) fall ploughing or burning of stalks.
It may be of interest to note that the Mealie Grub of the
Transvaal is the Sugar-cane borer of Mauritius, while the
Moth-borer of the sugar-cane in the West Indies is known in
the United States and other places as the Larger Corn-stalk
borer,
LEEWARD ISLANDS:
CANE EXPERIMENTS, 1902-3.
Watts,
Agricultural Chemist.
REPORT ON SUGAR-
Part II. By Francis
3.Sc., F.LC, F.C.S., Government Analytical and
Price 1s.
This part of the report deals with the experiments that
have been carried out during the year in the Leeward Islands.
to ascertain the manurial requirements of the sugar-cane.
It is proved that the use of artificial manures is not
remunerative with plant canes, the use of pen manure and
the proper preparation of the land being all that is necessary
to give maximum crops: with ratoons, on the other hand,
artificial manures are decidedly remunerative. For these
nitrogen, in a rapidly acting form, must be used. The
experiments also bring out the desirability of applying the
nitrogen in one dose rather than in divided doses.
An appendix to this report deals with the relationship:
between the tonnage of cane and the pounds of sucrose in
the juice—a question of great importance in connexion with
experiments of this nature. Mr. Watts states: ‘It is probable
that we shall in the future make our comparisons in
manurial experiments on the basis of tons of canes, rather
than of pounds of sucrose.’
LECTURES ON AGRICULTURAL SCIENCE: By
Longfield Smith, B.Sc. (Edin.), Ph.D. (Leipzig), Lecturer
in Agricultural Science at Barbados. Price 3d.
This is a summary of the lectures that were delivered
by Dr. Longfield Smith at Barbados in 1902 and 1903 and
in Bermuda in 1904. In these lectures a wide range is
covered, as elementary facts in chemistry, physics and biology,
directly or indirectly connected with agriculture, are discussed.
This publication is likely to be of considerable use to-
officers of the Department and others in connexion with
lectures to teachers.
Vou. III. No. 53.
THE AGRICULTURAL
NEWS. 139
TROPICAL
CAUSES.
The following is an extract from the lecture on
‘The Disease Problem of the West Indies, delivered
by Sir Patrick Manson, K.C.M.G., M.D., F.R.S., at the
West India Committee Rooms on March 8. We propose
to publish further extracts from this valuable lecture in
future issues of the Agricultural News. The present
extract deals particularly with the causes of certain
tropical diseases :—
Our knowledge of the cause of malaria and of the
means by which it is disseminated is even more precise. We
know that what we call malaria is a minute animal which
lives in the blood of man. Each blood corpuscle occupied
by the growing parasite is destroyed. When the corpuscles
so invaded break up and liberate the little groups of young
parasites into which the full grown parasites divide, the
characteristic fever is produced. Generation of parasites
follows generation, and in a very short time, in consequence
of the destruction of many blood corpuscles, the patient is
brought to a condition of profound anemia, even if he does
not die of the disease. Under the most favourable cireum-
stances he is unfitted for work for a longer or shorter time.
If not properly treated, his fever spells may recur during
several months or years, and all this time he is more or less
of a burden to his friends or to the community. We know
now that the malaria parasite is passed from the sick to the
sound by a special kind of mosquito, and we also know that
if this mosquito is prevented from biting the sick, or if it
does chance to bite the sick, from subsequently biting the
sound, there will be no spread of the infection.
We are not so sure about the germ cause or causes of the
dysenteries and diarrhceas, but we are sure that most of these
diseases are caused by germs conveyed from the sick to the
sound, either in food or in water, or by direct contact with
the discharges from diseased surfaces, and, further, that the
growth of these germs and the diseases to which they give
rise are specially favoured by unwholesome feeding. The
influence of feeding in inducing these intestinal diseases is
specially well illustrated by what happens in most negro
nurseries Writing in the sixth issue of that most instructive
publication, the British Guiana Medical Annual, Dr. N.
Barnes remarks: ‘As regards feeding, the children of our
populace must be ranged in two great classes. The Hindu
coolies almost invariably nurse their children. With the
negroes it is far different. Almost from the moment of birth
the black baby is crammed with pap made of plantain,
Indian corn meal, cassava starch, etc., sometimes even with
soup made of salt meat or fish. When this diet causes
dyspepsia, and the child, being in pain, begins to ery, the
usual treatment is to fill it up with more pap until it is
unable to cry.’ Under such circumstances dysentery, or
diarrhea, or convulsions, are only to be expected. This
grotesque system of infant feeding has much to do with the
enormous infantile mortality so notorious among the negro
races.
Crotons. A correspondent is anxious- to obtain
a plant or two of croton ‘ Princess of Wales.’ Possibly some
‘of our correspondents can inform him where these are
available and the cost, packed ready for shipment.
DEPARTMENT NEWS.
The Imperial Commissioner of Agriculture embark-
ed in H.M.S. ‘Pallas’ for St. Lucia and Antigua on
Monday, April 18. After. completing his visit to
Antigua it is probable that he will call at Dominica
and St. Lucia and return by R.M.S. ‘Eden’ due at
Barbados on the 23rd. instant.
AGRICULTURE IN NORTHERN NIGERIA.
In the Colonial Report on Northern Nigeria tor
1902, the High Commissioner (Sir F. Lugard) makes
the following remarks on the agriculture of the
colony :—
Additional consignments of cotton seed have been
received from England and distributed. Samples of indi-
genous cotton from each province have been sent to the
British Cotton Growing Association, and also some samples
of the cotton from the new seed, but as yet their report has
not been received. I hear that the latter has been valued at
the very high price of 63d. per Ib. It is under consideration
to send a cotton expert to Northern Nigeria, as has been
done to each of the other West African Colonies, to
instruct the natives in the use of ginning and _ pressing
apparatus, and report on the suitability of various districts
and soils for cotton cultivation, and upon the prospects of
the industry if taken seriously in hand. My own view is
that imported products such as cacao, improved cotton,
coffee, etc., should not be grown in plantations by Europeans,
but introduced as a crop among the agricultural villages, and
their cultivation promoted by a distribution of plants and
seeds, and by a promise to buy the produce, and by bonuses
for good results in order to naturalize them in the country.
The extensive growth of the onion and leek throughout the
Hausa States shows that the people readily adopt a new
culture. It is necessary to establish nurseries of such plants
for distribution, under the care of an expert Curator, and
I think it would be most useful to place in the Government
Gardens specimens of indigenous trees of economic value
(e.g., the various rubber plants, wood-oil trees, gambia pod,
etc.), so that residents and others on arrival could learn to
recognize these, and promote their cultivation, and check
their destruction in their provinces. It is, above all,
important to teach the people the use of oxen in agriculture,
and to introduce the American or Indian plough used by the
Kaffirs of South Africa. It has been pointed out by many
writers, that since throughout Africa oxen are only driven or
tended by men, the introduction of ploughs has the result of
emancipating the women to some extent from the labour of
field work, and causes it to be undertaken by men. Men,
however, already work in the fields throughout the greater
part of Northern Nigeria.
Land Crabs. Mr. Henry Millen, Curator of the
Tobago Botanic Station, writes that carbon bisulphide has
been found useful for exterminating land crabs which abound
in the Station. The following method has been found to
give good results :—Cotton is placed in the holes to a
distance of about a foot—large holes will require about a
handfull. The cotton is then saturated with the carbon
bisulphide, and the holes closed up. In these experiments it
was found that a bottle of carbon bisulphide (sold locally at
ls. 8d.) was sufficient to destroy from twenty-five to thirty
crabs.
140 THE
AGRICULTURAL NEWS.
Aprit 23, 1904.
GLEANINGS.
Voice of March 31
pupils and master of the Castries Boys’ Primary School
on the success of the recently established school garden.
The St. Lucia congratulates the
There are a few vacancies for suitable pupils at the
Agricultural School and Experiment Station at St. Lucia.
Application for admission should be made as early as possible
to the Curator of the Botanic Station.
Prices for copra are slightly easier, being $2°75 per
100 tbh. We understand that practically all the cocoa-nuts in
the island, for some months to come, have been engaged at
very fair prices. (Trinidad J/rror, April 8.)
The St. Croix Bulletin states that the smaller planters
on the contiguous estates have signed contracts to deliver
cane to the Bethlehem Central Factory, the cane growers to
receive 6 per cent. in sugar of the weight of the cane.
One hundred and ninety-one bunches of bananas, 10
crates of mangos, 12 bales and 3 bags of cotton and 12 bags
of cotton seed, were shipped on the R.M.S. ‘Orinoco’ for
Southampton,
It is stated in the Sugar Planter’s Journal that a new
use has been found for bagasse, viz., for the manufacture
of cardboard. A company, known as the Fibre Board
Company, has been formed for the purpose in Boston.
More cane sugar for refining purposes is reaching the
United Kingdom than for years, and Liverpool seems to be
getting the preference as the port of arrival. The heavy
dock charges of London do not conduce to increasing supplies.
(International Sugar Journal.)
American Gardening for February 20 has the follow-
ing: ‘ Never plant seeds in dry soil, or in soil that is less
moist than the seeds, as the drier soil will extract the
moisture from the seeds and the germ will die. The finer
soil particles are, whether for potting, the garden or the farm,
the more their surface is increased for taking up and holding
moisture, the greater the surface for root-hairs to work upon.’
In acknowledging the receipt of a copy of the West
Indian Bulletin (Vol. 4, no. 4), Mr. W. A. Orton, of the
Bureau of Plant Industry, U.S. Department of Agriculture,
an eminent authority on the cultivation of Sea Island cotton
in South Carolina, writes : ‘This publication should prove of
great value to your cotton planters, since, from its clear
treatment of the culture of Sea Island cotton, it forms a very
valuable addition to our cotton literature.’
Reports received from St. Vincent in respect of the
working of the Central Cotton Factory are of a very
satisfactory character. The machinery works smoothly and
effectively anda large shipment of cotton is to be made by
this mail.
Be sure to include ground nuts in your order for garden
seeds. Half a gallon of seed will contain about 400 kernels,
enough to plant 200 hills, which, with proper care, should
yield 2 bushels. Ground nuts are as easily grown as Irish
potatos, the method of culture being similar. (J’arm Journal.)
A French patent for the production of a substitute for
India-rubber has been taken out by Fayolle. The ingredients
used are glycerin treated’ with sulphuric acid ; afterwards
formalin is added and later pure phenol. The new product
is said to be suitable for use in rendering fabrics waterproof
or as an electric insulator.
A lecture was recently delivered in Jamaica by the Hon,
T. H. Sharp on the cotton industry. Mr. Sharp is reported
by the Daily Telegraph of March 31 to have ‘ exhibited
samples of the Sea Island and Upland cotton, and pointed
out that, owing to the texture of the latter, it fetched a much
larger price.’ There is, of course, an error here, as it is the
former, the Sea Island, that fetches the higher price.
Mr. W. E. Broadway reports that the yam and sweet
potato crops were recently dug in the ‘ Food Index Plots’ at
the Grenada Botanic Station. Of the yams, the heaviest crops
were yielded by the ‘White Water’ and ‘St. Lucia’
varieties, one tuber of the former variety weighing 234 hb.
In the sweet potato plot the best results were obtained from
the ‘Moko’ variety, which is also the favourite variety with
the people of the island.
According to the annual report of the Secretary of the
Jamaica Agricultural Society, there are now forty-one
affiliated branch societies with a total membership of 2,563.
The Prize Holdings Competition scheme has been carried
through with considerable success in the parishes of
Hannover and Westmoreland. There were seventy-eight
entries in the former parish and ninety-two in the latter.
The judges expressed their gratification at the efforts of the
competitors.
The Hill Garden at Curepipe, Mauritius, is chiefly for
nursing plants that cannot be grown at the tropical garden
at Pamplemousses owing to the climate. Large numbers of
seedlings are raised yearly—Juniperus, Pinus sinensis,
Eucalyptus—and are planted on Crown lands in different
parts of the colony or sold to private persons for re-afforesta-
tion purposes. A Re-afforestation Ordinance has been passed,
and arrangements under the advice of an expert forest officer
of the Indian Forest Department are now being matured to
give effect to it. (C.0. Report, 1902.)
It is officially stated that the United States Government
spends six and a quarter million dollars (£1,250,000) in
promoting its agricultural interests, while the several States:
and territories expend something over four and a half million
dollars (£900,000) for a similar purpose. These make a total
of ten and a quarter million dollars (£2,050,000) expended
annually in advancing the interests of agriculture. It is
added : ‘this is certainly a most liberal figure and much more
than is being expended by any other Government in the
world for the same purpose.’
a eae
Vou. Til. No. 53. THE
AGRICULTURAL NEWS.
141
ON ECONOMIC ZOOLOGY
By F. V. Theobald. London: Printed by order of the
Trustees of the Br ttish Museum, 1904.
. This is next in series to the List Leport, a notice of
which will be found in the Agricultural News, Vol. I, p. 331,
and deals with animals grouped and classified according to
the place they hold, considered from the point of view of
Economic Zoology.
Reports to the Board of Agriculture on Agricultural
Zoology and answers to correspondents make up Part IT.
There is also a list of insect pests of Egypt, additional insect
pests of the West Indies and Coccidae of Egypt, altogether
making a valuable and interesting collection of information.
SECOND REPORT
FARMERS BULLETINS OF THE PHILIPPINE
BUREAU OF AGRICULTURE.
We have received a number of Farmers’ Bulletins issued
by the Philippine Bureau of Agriculture. These publications
are of the same character as the Farmers’ Bulletins of the
United States Department of Agriculture and are likely to
be of the greatest value to planters i in the Philippines.
Among the Bulletins already published may be
mentioned: No. 1, ‘A Primer on the cultivation of sugar-
cane’; No. 2, ‘Cacao culture in the Philippimes’; No. 3,
‘Modern rice culture’; No. 7, ‘Report on the introduction
and distribution of seeds and plants by the Bureau of
Agriculture’; and No. 8, ‘The cocoa-nut.’
In No. 1 it is stated: ‘The present practices plainly
indicate a lack of knowledge of certain fundamental
principles in cane cultivation, and the purpose of this paper
is to place before the cane grower, in compact form, the
elementary information essential to the success which lies
within his reach.’ This quotation serves to indicate the
general purpose and nature of the series.
Bees. CULTURE: ByN. J.R
No. 63 of the
This bulletin, which is written by the Director of the
Georgia Experiment Station, is chiefly devoted to the field
experiments that have been carried on in that Station. The
following experiments are reported upon: (1) variety test,
(2) ‘composite’ seed test (where an early and a late variety
are planted together), (3) manurial experiments, (+) planting
on bed or level.
In an appendix are given suggestions and manurial
formulae based on carefully conducted experiments. The
results of fourteen years’ experiments appear to justify the
drawing of certain conclusions as to the requirements of the
cotton plant. Thus, the following rotation is recommended :
Ist year, corn and peas ; 2nd year, wheat and oats followed
by cow peas for hay ; drd year, cotton.
It must, of course, be understood that this bulletin
deals entirely with Upland cotton and not with Sea Island
cotton—the variety being grown in the West Indies.
edding. Bulletin
Georgia State Buperiment Station, 1903,
EDUCATIONAL.
School Gardens and Arbor Day.
The following is taken from American Gardening
of March 19, 1904: —
SCHOOL GARDENS.
School gardens continue to receive a constantly increasing
of public attention. From very many parts of the
country reports reach us bearing witness to this widespread
interest. There can be no question but that the movement
should be encouraged by all who are in any way concerned
in practical horticulture. If the younger generation has
implanted in it an intelligent interest in garden routine work,
together with an intelligent acquaintance with growing
plants, there will not be the need of so much missionary work
in garden art in the future as there has been in the past.
The school garden movement was started some eighty
years ago, but its most rapid development has been within
the last decade. Work in this country is not by any means
sufficiently widespread. With a round 100,000 school
gardens in Europe, is it any wonder that garden art has
reached a wider distribution across the ocean than it has
with us !
It is not at all necessary or desirable that all the school
children should be made into gardeners, but the early teaching
would raise the standard of those who adopt the calling and
create a better appreciation of the craftman’s skill in ‘those
who would depend upon the labour of others. From the
standpoint of the trade, too, the increased interest in garden
embellishment would stimulate a widespread and healthy
demand for plants and seeds of high quality,
ARBOR
share
DAY.
Very closely associated with the school garden movement
is the Arbor Day celebration. Nearly every State now sets
apart one day which is devoted to the planting ot trees with
more or less ceremony. True it is that a very large amount
of the work involved is entirely spent and wasted energy.
Too often, the planting is done in a perfunctory and
haphazard manner, and the trees set out are left to care for
themselves.
Planted and neglected, and allowed to die, whatever
possible good may have been started in the minds of children
is entirely counteracted. Some of the most interesting tre2-
planting exercises take place in connexion with the schools
of densely populated cities. Usually, under such conditions,
the park department (co-operating with the school system)
supplies the trees to be planted, selects the locations, and
attends to their subsequent needs. Where such planting has
been done in small parks and city squares near schools, the
children have begun to feel a personal interest in the growth
of ‘their’ trees, and from this beginning a recognition of the
purpose and value of parks can easily be traced,
All these movements which draw attention to the living
plant and better citizenship should receive the heartiest
support of the horticulturist.
In the West Indies the Imperial Department of
Agriculture has devoted considerable attention to these
matters. Every effort has been made to encourage the
establishment of school gardens: at all the Agricultural
Shows held under the auspices of the Department,
special prizes have been offered for exhibits by the
children attending elementary schools. Officers of the
Department have also given every encouragement to
the Arbor Day movement.
THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.
Arrit 23, 1904.
MARKET REPORTS.
London,— March 29, 1904. Messrs. Kerartoy, Prrer
& Co., Messrs. J. Hates Camp & Co.; ‘THE
Liverroon. Corron Association WEEKLY Cir-
cuLaR’, March 25, 1904 ; ‘THe West Inpra
ComMITTEE CrecuLar,’ March 29, 1904; and
‘THE Pusiic Lepcer,’ March 26, 1904.
Ators—Barbados, 13/- to 35/-; Curacoa, 21/- to 38- per
ewt.
Arrowroot—St. Vincent, 13d. to 3$d.; Bermuda, 12 to
1/7 per th.
Batatra—1/6 to 1/11 per Ib.
Bees’-wax—£7 to £7 5s. per ewt.
Cacao—tTrinidad, 60/- to 70/- per ewt. ; Grenada, 52 -
to 59/6 per ewt.; Dominica, St. Lucia and Jamaica,
51/- to 60/- per cwt.
CarpamMoms—Mysore, 7d. to 3/3 per tb.
Corrre—Jamaica, good ordinary, 39/- per cwt.
Corra—tTrinidad, £16 5s. per ton, c.i.f.
Corron—West Indian Sea Island, 1/4 per tb.
Divi Divi— No quotations.
Fruir—
Bananas—Jamaica, 5 - to 7'- per bunch.
Grave Frurr—10/- to 11/- per case.
Orances—Jamaica, 8/- to 9/3 per case of LO to 176,
Pine-areLes—No quotations.
Fustic—£3 10s. to £4 per ton,
Grxcer—Jamnaica, 33/- to 55/- per ewt.
Honey—Jamaica, 18/- to 30 - per cwt.
Isryetass—West Indian lump, 2.8 to 211; Cake, 11 to
1/3 per th.
Kkota Nuts—4d. to 7d. per th.
Lime Jurce—Raw, 10d. to 1s. 2d. per gallon ; Concentrated,
£12 to £12 15s. per cask of 108 gallons.
Lime O1-—No quotations.
Logcwoop—£4 2s. 6d. to £5; Roots, £4 to £4 10s.
per ton.
Macre—1}/9 to 2,5 per th.
Nirrate oF Sopa—Agricultural, £10 2s. 6/7. per ton.
Nuermrcs-—69’s to 60's, 1/8 to 2/2; 90's te 80's, 1,- to 15
per tb.
Pimento— 34d. to 34d. per tb.
Rem—Demerara, 74d. to 93d. per proof gallon ; Jamaica, 1 4
to 8/- per proof gallon.
SarsaparILLa—Jamaica, 1/- to 1/1 per th.
Scucar—Crystallized, 146 to 16- per ewt.; Muscovado,
Barbados, 14.6 per ewt.
Scipwate or AmMontra—£12 12s. 6d. per ton.
Tamartnps—Antigua, 8/- to 8/6 per ewt.
Montreal, March 9, 1904.—Mr. ALexanyper Witts.
Cocoa-nuts— Trinidad, $24°00 ; Jamaica, $24°27 per M.
CorreE—Jamaica, 8{e. to 9$e. per Th.
Grixcger—Jamaica, 6c. to 8c. per tb.
Morasses—Barbados, 3le. to 34c. per gallon.
Morascurr—Demerara, $1°32 per 100 th.
Ncurmrcs—Grenadas, 110’s, 20c. to 21}c. per th.
Pinentro—Jamaica, 8e. to Ste. per th.
Scucar—Crystals, $2°09} per 100 Tbh. in bond.
—Molasses, $1°24 to $1°24? per 100 MH. in bond.
New York,—Apri! 1, 1904.—Messrs. Gittespre Bros.
& Co.
Bananas—No quotations.
Cacao—Caracas, 18c. to 14c.; Jamaica, 10$c. to 12hc.;
Grenada, 12}c. to 13c.; Trinidad, 124e. to l4e. per tb.
Cocoa-Nuts—Trinidads, $28 to $30 ; Jamaicas, $32 to $54
per M., selected.
Corree—Jamaica, fair to good ordinary, Tic. to Se.
per tb.
Grycer—Jamaica, 6}. to Tie. per th.
Goat Skrss—Jamaicas, 50c. to 54c. per th.
Grare Freir—-No quotations.
ORANGES—No quotations.
Prexto—7#e. per tb.
Barbados,—April 9,
Trinidad,—April 7, 1904.—Messrs.
Reupeer—No quotations.
Svcar—Centrifugals, 96°, 334¢. to3tte. ; Muscovados, 89°,
Syzc. to 3y5e. 5 Molasses sugars, 89°, 233c. to 2V3e,
per tb.
INTER-COLONIAL MARKETS.
Antigua,— April 6, 1904.—Messrs. Brennerr Brysow
& Co., Lrp.
Motassrs—16c. per gallon (Imperial).
Sugar—$1°524 per 100 th.
1904.—Messrs. T. S. Garra-
way & Co., and Messrs. James A. Lyncu & Co.
Arrowroor—St. Vincent, $3°60 per 100 th.
Cacao—$12-00 to $12'75 per 100 th.
Cocoa-Nuts—$10°00 per M. for husked nuts.
Corree—Jamaica, $9°00 to $12°50; ordinary Rio, $12-00
per 100 th.
Hiy—95e. to 96e. per 100 tb.
Manvures— Nitrate of soda, $60:00 to $65:00; Ohlendorff's
dissolved guano, $60°00; Sulphate of ammonia, $76-00
to $8500; Sulphate of potash, $67-00.
Motasses—14e. per gallon (puncheon included).
Oxtons—Madeira, $3°65 ; local, $3°00 per 100 th.
Poratos, ENcuisH— $1°60 to $2°16 per barrel.
Rice—Ballam, $475 per bag (190 tb.) ; Patna, $3°50 te
$3°60 per 100 Tb.
Scucar—in hhds., 89°, $1-60 (packages included). Dark
Crystals, 96°, $2-00 per 100 th.
British Guiana,—April 7, 1904.—Messrs. Wrerine
& RICHTER.
Arrowroor—St. Vincent, $7°50 to $775 per barrel.
Barara—40ec. to 42c. per tb.
Cacao—Native, 12e. to 13e. per th.
Cassava SrarcH —$6°50 per barrel.
Cocoa-NutTS—$8 00 to $10°00 per M.
CorreE—Rio and Jamaica, 12c. to 13c. per th. (retail).
Creole, 12c. per th.
DxHAt—$3-90 to $8-95 per bag of 168 tb.
Eppors—$1-00 to $1°20 per barrel.
Morasses—Vacuum Pan yellow, 16c. per gallon (casks
included),
Oxtons—5e. to 6c. per th., ex store; Garlic, 6c. to Te
Pea Nurs—Curacoa, 4e.; American, dc. to dsc. per th
(retail).
PLanvains—24c. to 72c. per bunch.
Poraros, ENGLisH-—$2°25 to $2°50 per barrel.
Rice-—Ballam, $4°65 per 177 tb., ex store; Creole,
20c. per gallon (retail).
Sweer Poratos—Barbados, $1°52 per barrel.
Taystas—-No quotations.
Yamus—White, $1°68 to 81°80 per bag.
Sccar—Dark Crystals, $2°00; Yellow, $2°30 to $2°40;
White, $5:00 to 83°50; Molasses, $1°60 to $1-90
per 100 tb.
Timper—Greenheart, $2c. to 55c. per cubie fout.
Wattaba SHINGLES—$3'00 to $5°50 per M.
Gorpon, GRANT
& Co., and Messrs. EpGar Tripp & Co.
Batara—No quotations.
Cacao—Ordinary, $1260 to $13-00; Estates, $13-00
to $13°50 per fanega (110 th.).
Cocoa-Nuts—-$20°00 per M., f.o.b., seleeted in bags of 100:
(husked).
Cocoa-nur Meat—l fe. per tb.
Cocoa-nuv Ort—Gde. per Imperial gallon (casks included).
Correse—Venezuelan, 6}c. to Te. per 100 Th.
Copra— $2°75 to $3:00 per 100 th.
Onxtons—$3°00 to $4°00 per 1C0 th.
Moxasses—-No quotations.
Portaros, ExertsH —$1°25 to $140 per 100 th.
Rice—Yellow, $4°25 to $4°50; White Table, $5°25 to
$600 per bag.
Sucar--White Crystals, $3°25 ; Yellow Crystals, $2°25 3.
Molasses Sugar, $2°00 to $2°10 per 100 Th.
See
—————
Wor. Ill. No. 53. THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS. 145
—— —=
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The Pamphlets are written in a simple and popular mamner and the information contained in them is especially
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(17) General Treatment of Fungoid Pests. Price 4d. Post free, 5d.
) Recipes for cooking West Indian Yams. Price 2d. Post free, 24d.
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The ‘AGRICULTURAL NEWS’ A Fortnightly Review.
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bo bo ty to te to te Lo
OH ATS OH LO
~eroSE NaS NS
—
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The following have been appointed agents for the sale of the publications of the Department :—
London: Messrs. Dutau & Co., 37, Soho Square, W. City Ayents: THe West Inpra Commirres, 15, Seething
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‘Charlestown. Lahamas : Wesleyan Methodist Book Concern, Nassau.
Tit THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS. Aprit 23, 1904.
THE BEST MANURES FOR COLONIAL USE
AR
Ohlendorff’s Dissolved Peruvian Guano—For Sugar-cane and general use
Ohlendorff’s Special Sugar-cane Manure —
Ohlendorff’s Special Cocoa Manure
Ohlendorff’s Special Cotton Manure
Sulphate of Ammonia, Nitrate of Soda, Superphosphates, high grades,
Potash Salts, Basic Slag and all other high-class Fertilizers.
APPLY TO LOCAL AGENTS OR DIRECT TO
THE ANGLO-CONTINENTAL (LATE OHLENDORFF’S) GUANO WORKS,
London Agency: 15, Leadenhall Street, London, E.C.
#2.) Barbados Agents: Messrs. James A. Lynch & Co., Bridgetown.
ices Sst UI eel le
Curacoa Society for the Promotion of
Agriculture, Stock breeding, Salt
Industry aoe Fishery.
“CACAO.”
BY
A COLONIAL EXHIBITION
ye H. HART, F.L.S. Will be held in this island on May 23, 1904.
(Sgd.) H. H. R. CHAPMAN,
NEW EDITION. Curacoa, Vice-President.
Dute ch Wee st Indies
March 5, 1904, DUSSEL,
= Secretary.
A TREATISE ON THE CULTIVATION, CURING AND
CHEMISTRY OF
FOR COTTON GROWERS :
‘WEST INDIAN BULLETIN’
(VOL. IV, NO. 4)
COMMERCIAL CACAO.
DAVIDSON & TODD, Trinidad.
Wm.WESLEY & Co., 28, Essex St., London.
Containing full report by Sir Daniel Morris,
K.C. LG... D.Se- and Mr. J. R. Bovell, F.LS., FCS,
Price 38. = 9per ;copy. ni Nidibaie fie Campane -growing districts of U.S. A.
I ee
Bins va at “Office of Aone Re Foe 4, High Street, Bridgetown, Barb aor OS.
RS OO Z
——
\
Fue - s Rs =
" Rr ; z Ze . | |
: Co
A FORTNIGHTLY REVIEW
THE
OF
IMPERIAL DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE FOR THE WEST INDIES.
Vou. III. No. 54.
BARBADOS, MAY 7,
Pricr ld.
1904.
CONTENTS.
PAGE. PAGE.
Argentine, Agriculture in Notes and Comments 152
the = ee ee» 151 | Oil of Ben 150
Barbados, Shipments of Science Notes :—
Cotton -.. 152 Albizzia Lebbek ... 151
Bee Keeping :—- Plants and Nitrogen ... 151
Cho-cho asa bee plant 155 Talipot Palm 151
Cassava Starch — ...150, 152 Ylang-Ylang coo coo
Copra in Samoa ... 153 | Sea-moss, Utilization of 152
Cotton :— Stock Sale at Grenada ... 157
Ginneries in West Sugar-cane Experi-
Indies + 153 ments in the
Nano ec essy ces) pace, 149 Leeward Islands 145
Nevis, Experiments at 149 | Sugar Industry :—
Notes seen, wesy ses LEO Barbados ai oor godone EXD
Seed, Disinfecting . 149 Hawaii and Trinidad 152
Seed oil industry in Thymol for worms in
India ... ceo oon 1S) Horses ce cag WY
Department News... ... 155 | West Indian Products :—
Gleanings... ... ... ... 156 Cassava for glucose
Gommier Resin .. 155 manufacture ..- 148
Grenada Layas . 158 Cocoa-nuts in Canada 148
Insect Notes :— West Indian sugar in
Cotton Leaf-blister mite 154 Canada dea aco Aleks)
Sugar-cane beetle-borer 154 | Woolly Pyrol for green
Sugar-cane leaf hopper 154 dressing oo 153
Jamaica, Exports of 153 | Yellow fever and
Market Reports 159 Mosquitos... 157
Sugar-cane Experiments in the
Leeward Islands.
contained a brief review of the recently
issued report on the sugar-cane manurial
experiments conducted under the direction of the
Imperial Department of Agriculture in the Leeward
Islands during the season 1902-3. The important
nature of these results warrants our making a further
reference to them.
As stated by the Hon. Francis Watts in his letter
of transmittal, ‘a considerable amount of information
has been accumulated, and definite results are now
appearing, some of them of a striking character.”
Amongst these might be mentioned the detrimental
effect of dividing the nitrogen into two doses. The
experiments have clearly demonstrated that it is better,
both for plant canes and ratoons, to give all the
nitrogen in one application. It is further shown that
this ettect is most marked where potash is given in
considerable quantity with the first dose of nitrogen.
It is suggested that this somewhat unexpected result is
to be explained by reference to the manner of feeding
in the case of the sugar-cane.
We would draw particular attention to the
statement made by Mr. Watts that ‘plant canes, when
the field in which they have been planted has been
properly tilled and manured with pen manure, require
no artificial manure.’ Planters are advised to apply
artificial manures to plant canes only when it has been
found impossible to give the requisite amount of pen
manure. With ratoon canes, however, it is very
different. It is clearly shown by the experiments that
maximum crops can be obtained only by the use of
artificial manures.
For ratoon canes, nitrogen, in a rapidly-acting
146
THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.
May 7, 1904.
form, is very necessary and should take the form
of 2 cwt. to 3 ewt. of nitrate of soda or 1} ewt.
to 2} ewt. of sulphate of ammonia. It will be found
profitable to apply, in addition, potash and phosphate,
and for this purpose the application of {~ ewt. of
sulphate of potash and 1} ewt. to 2 ewt. of either
basic phosphate or superphosphate is suggested. The
manurial requirements of ratoon canes differ consider-
ably from those of plant canes.
It should be borne in mind that these conclusions
apply only in the case of sugar estates in the Leeward
Islands and under the conditions normally existing
there.
In an appendix to the report Mr. Watts deals with
the relationship between the tonnage of canes and the
pounds of sucrose in the juice. The conclusions
be regarded as
importance both to practical planters and to chemists
arrived at must of considerable
in charge of sugar-cane experiment stations.
Hitherto it has been the make
comparisons between the various plots on the basis of
eustom to
the pounds of sucrose per acre in the juice expressed
from the canes. Carefully conducted experiments
have shown, however, that the artificial manures
>
employed do not exert a profound influence upon the
amount of sugar in the cane, in contradistinction to its
influence upon the weight of the cane. ‘The variations
in the amount of sucrose as a result of the influence of
manures are not great.
Mr. Watts therefore arrives at the following
conclusion :
likely to be used in ordinary practice in the Leeward
Islands, exert
the weight of the cane per acre without profoundly
altering the weight of sucrose to the ton of cane.
It is probable that we shall in the future make
‘Mannres in such quantities as are
their influence chiefly in altering
our comparisons in manurial experiments on the
basis of tons of cane rather than of pounds of sucrose.’
Some doubt has existed as to this point, and the
conclusion is, therefore, of considerable importance.
It may readily be understood how this will simplity
the work of the Experiment Station worker and enable
the results to be attained at a less cost than formerly.
Sweet Cup. The purple-fruited Sweet cup (Pass/flora
edulis) introduced by the Imperial Department of Agriculture
from Jamaica is doing well at the Botanic Station at Antigua.
A single vine is bearing at present about 100 fruits. The
results at other Stations where plants have been raised would
be of interest.
SUGAR INDUSTRY.
Sugar-cane Experiments at Barbados.
The following is a progress report by Professor
d Albuquerque, M.A., F.LC, F.C.S.. and Mr. J. R.
Bovell, F.LS., F.C.S., on the sugar-cane experiments
at Barbados for the half-year ended December 31,
1903 :—
During the half-year under review, the report of the
manurial experiments for the crop reaped in 1903 was
published. 'Thése experiments were carried on at Dodds
Botanic Station, St. Philip, and at six plantations situated on
typical black and red soils.
At four of the stations the plots were approximately
1 acre each in area, and were laid down in duplicate. The
object in adopting a limited number of plots of the larger
area was, in the first place, to ascertain how far the results
obtained with the ordinary small plots would agree with
those on a somewhat larger scale, and, in the second place, to
meet the wishes of planters who had expressed a desire to see
some of the results tested on larger plots.
At Dodds a gangway or unoccupied space is left around
each plot; this eliminates the possibility of the canes in one
plot interfering with those of the adjacent plots, but it also
introduces a condition somewhat different to that of ordinary
cultivation.
The waste of land and consequent expense which
would attend the employment of this method on a large
scale, especially on ordinary estates, led us to look for
another method of attaining the same object. Accord-
ingly, the whole field under experiment is planted in
canes and parcelled out into plots, and the whole of each
plot is manured with its own proper fertilizer. In
reaping, however, the outside ring of canes of each plot
is left uncut and serves as a kind of guard ring to
prevent the roots of the inner (reaped) portion of each plot
interfering with those of its neighbours. This reduces the
experimental area of the plot, but renders the conditions of
cultivation perfectly normal and eliminates the likelihood of
the manuring of one plot interfering with that of others.
The lines upon which the manures were selected were
the same as in the previous three years: that is to say, active
forms of nitrogen (sulphate of ammonia, nitrate of soda), basie
slag phosphate, superphosphate, sulphate of potash and
slaked lime were the materials used for the experiments.
The weather conditions were exceedingly unfavourable
for the crops and for agricultural experiments, and the
results of the manurial experiments serve to indicate the sort
of return to expect from manuring in a year of repeated
periods of drought rather than under the average conditions
under which agriculture can be pursued with profit. The
root-fungus (Marasmius sacchar’) was, under the conditions
prevalent this season, distinctly in evidence in all parts of
the island and must be reckoned with as a disturbing factor
in estimating the value of the experimental results.
The soil of Summervale field at Dodds, which was the
manurial experiment field reaped this year, is a heavy clay
black soil. It is poor compared with the soils generally
under cultivation in Barbados: its content of carbonate of
lime is below the average and the amounts of nitrogen,
phosphoric acid and potash are exceedingly low. If welkh
Von. Ill. No. 54.
tilled and adequately manured with farmyard manure, it
is to be expected that this soil would respond handsomely to
appropriate chemical fertilizers. During the season under
review, however, the droughts that occurred interfered with
the normal sequence of events, and the usual favourable
effect of applying sulphate of ammonia was not observed,
except in the case of the plot that received 200 tb. sulphate
of ammonia, part wpplied in January and part in June, which
showed an increase by its application of 84 tons of produce
{canes and tops). The plot that received 360 Ib. nitrate of
soda gave an increase of 7 tons produce, but the best plot
of the whole field was that which received 40 tb. nitrogen in
the form of dried blood (i.e., about 350 Ib. dried blood) all
applied in Janaary, which showed an increase of 10 tons
produce, say, ? tons of marketable sugar with its attendant
molasses.
Of the phosphate plots those that received 200 Ib. to
250 tb. basic slag alone showed a small increase of 2 to 4
tons of produce.
The potash plots showed a small but unprofitable
increase as the result of the application of 80 Ib. to 200 Ib.
sulphate of potash per acre.
At Foursquare a field of 84 acres was under experiment.
The soil is a rather stiff, black clay, and, in respect to its
chemical constitution, altogether superior to that at Dodds,
containing especially an abundance of potential phosphoric
acid and by no means deficient in nitrogen or potash:
moreover, it received an ample application of good farmyard
manure. Ina year of drought it is therefore not surprising
that the canes should be unable profitably to utilize any
further supplies.
As a matter of fact, the mean result of the twenty-one
plots that received farmyard manure but no chemical manure
was 214 tons of produce per acre. ‘I'wenty plots that received
farmyard manure and an ordinary chemical manure, consist-
ing of 200 Ib. sulphate of ammonia, 120 tb. nitrate of soda,
250 WB. basic slag and 100 fb. sulphate of potash, gave
a mean result of 24 tons produce, that is, an increase of 24
tons of produce over the no chemical manure plots: a result
which shows that in a year of drought the increased return
would not compensate for the expenditure on manure.
It is true that some of the plots showed larger returns
than this, but, on the whole, it seems safest to limit ourselves
to the following :—
In the nitrogen series most of the plots showed no
increase as the result of the application of the nitrogen.
The plots that received minerals and 60 fb. nitrogen as
sulphate of ammonia showed an increased yield of 24 tons
produce.
Double minerals in addition to nitrogen produced no
adequate return for the extra outlay.
In the absence of minerals, nitrogen in small applica-
tions gave unfavourable results ; in large applications (80 th.
to 100 tb.) gave favourable results.
Phosphatic manures appeared to cause a small increase,
and on the whole, superphosphate appeared to be superior to
basic slag.
The application of 25 tb. potash as sulphate gave an
increased yield.
Still in view of the interesting fact that an application
of slaked lime has in other (and normal) seasons given good
results in heavy clay soils, even though they were rich in
carbonate of lime, we may here state that the six plots that
received slaked lime gave an average yield of 27 tons of
produce, that is, an increase of 5} tons, and we are inelined to
attribute this result to the well-known effect of the soluble
forms of lime on heavy clay soils of uniting the fine
THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.
147
particles into larger aggregates and thereby improving the
drainage and aeration of the land.
At Hopewell three experimental fields were reaped
containing, respectively, plant canes, first and second ratoons.
In Metcher field 34 acres were laid under experiment
and divided into twenty-seven plots, each containing 252
stools of canes. The soil is a red clay, rich in nitrogen and
phosphoric acid. The field received a heavy application of
farmyard manure, 40 tons per acre.
The results show an increase by manuring, which, in the
most favourable plots, amounted to 6 tons produce per acre.
Nitrogen was the most important constituent in producing
this result, but there is evidence that both the phosphates
and potash contributed to increase the yield. Basie slag was
a more effective form of phosphate than superphosphate.
Ashford field contained 4 acres of experimental plots
which were of the usual size. The soil is a red, stiff clay on
a stiff clay subsoil rich in nitrogen, carbonate of lime, and
other mineral constituents required by plants. Before the
canes were planted 30 tons per acre of farmyard manure
were applied, and besides the experimental manures applied
during the growth of the plants the ratoons also received
various applications. Briefly put, the results of the
experiments go to show that, in the case of these first ratoons,
an application of chemical manure gave the substantial
increase of 8 to 10 tons of produce, and that this increase
was due in part to the application of phosphate, and in part
to the application of nitrogen. The experiments did not
show any superiority of one form of phosphate over the
other.
Hopper field contained second ratoons, and the experi-
ments were a continuation of those of the two previous seasons,
when plant canes and first ratoons were reaped from the same
plots. The soil is a red clay and rests on a red clay subsoil.
It is rich in carbonates of lime, nitrogen and phosphoric acid.
Some of the plots received an application of 40 tons per
acre of farmyard manure before the canes were planted.
The results may be summed up as follows :—
In the case of land that had received no farmyard
manure before the canes were planted—
Minerals alone produced no effect.
Minerals and nitrogen produced a crop of 20 tons
produce, and minerals were necessarily applied to the ratoons
tor the nitrogen to produce its full effect.
Basic slag phosphate produced no effect ; superphosphate
a small increase.
Potash in increasing applications up to 75 Ib. produced
a large increase of yield.
In the case of land that had received a large application
of farmyard manure before the canes were planted —
The application of nitrogen up to 75 tb. or 100 bb.
produced a large increase in the yield.
It is not clear whether minerals produced any effect
when applied in addition to nitrogen, when the amount of
the latter did not exceed 75 b.
When the application of nitrogen reached 100 b., the
application of minerals in addition produced no further
increase of yield.
ONE-ACRE PLOTS.
The one-acre manurial plots were at Hampton, Bushy
Park, Ruby and Blowers. ‘The results are, on the whole,
similar to those obtained with small plots at Dodds and
Foursquare, in that they show a comparatively small increase
of yield as the result of the application of chemical fertilizers.
This we attribute to the small and irregular rainfall of this
season.
(To be continued.)
148 THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.
WEST INDIAN PRODUCTS.
Cocoa-nuts
in Canada.
The following note on the trade between the
West Indies and Canada in cocoa-nuts has been
received from Mr. J. Russell Murray, of Montreal :—
The great shortage of Jamaica nuts has brought about
a demand for nuts from the various other islands, and I am
writing to-day to the secretaries of the Agricultural Societies
in the various islands asking them to put me in communica-
tion with cocoa-nut growers. The Trinidad and Tobago
section I have already covered, but if you know of any
source besides Dominica, I should be glad if you would give
me the necessary information.
Do you know any growers of San Blas nuts ;
so, can you give me their addresses? These are required
here for a special class of trade the British West Indian
nuts do not cover and I shouid like to get into connexion
with them.
and, if
Cassava for Glucose Manufacture.
Mention has been made in the Agricultural
News (Vol. Ill, p. 12) of a sample of dried, sliced
eassava tubers forwarded from St. Lucia, which, it was
stated, were used in the manufacture of glucose.
Samples of these tubers and others prepared in
Barbados were forwarded by the Imperial Commissioner
of Agriculture to Messrs. Garton, Hill & Co., Battersea,
London, S.W., large manufacturers of glucose, with
a request that they would furnish a report as to their
value and suitability for the market.
In their reply, Messrs. Garton, Hill & Co. state
that the tubers are not in a convenient form for the
manufacture of glucose and would have to be crushed
or ground before going into the convertor. This extra
treatment would be troublesome and expensive. For
this reason it is not thought that the sliced tubers
would have a sale in England.
It appears, however, that there are prospects for
a trade in cassava with glucose manufacturers, if it be
prepared in another form, viz., as a meal. A sample of
cassava meal was forwarded to the same firm from
Jamaica by Mr. H. H. Cousins, Agricultural and
Analytical Chemist. Messrs. Garton, Hill & Co. think
that there should be a market for a limited amount of
this flour, which they considered a very nice article,
and report as follows :—
This substance would be a suitable material for glucose
and should command about 10s. per ton more than Borneo
sago flour for this purpose. This would make its market
value about £5 10s. per ton as competing with rough sago
and tapioca flours, but as I mentioned in my last letter
the fact that several of the largest glucose makers have put
up plant to treat the whole maize — separating oil, husk,
gluten, ete. and converting the starch at once into glucose—
will make the demand for flour for glucose manufacture less
certain. Still I am inclined to think that there should be
amarket for a limited amount of this flour, and it is quite
possible a demand for it for other purposes might arise, if the
quality were similar to this sample.
West Indian Sugar in Canada.
The following is a circular letter, dated April 7,
which has been sent by Mr. J. Russell Murray, of
Montreal, Canada, to correspondents in the sugar
trade with reference to the trade in West Indian
sugar in Canada and particularly to the preferential
tariff accorded by the Dominion Government :—
As you will see by the copy of the Montreal Gazette L
send you by this mail, we have managed to give the fullest
publicity to the action of the St. Kitt’s, Antigua and
Trinidad sugar planters in respect to the preferential tariff on
sugar accorded by the Canadian Government to the British
possessions in the West Indies, and their claim that the
Canadian refiners here are reaping the entire benefit of same.
I called to-day on both the sugar refineries here, and
both of them professed to be quite open to do business, but
explained that they never did make firm offers and would
not do so. One of them told me that they considered it a
great mistake for the West India planters and merchants to
offer their sugars to New York, or to them, through New
York brokers and merchants, as they would very much prefer
considering offers made to them through Canadian brokers.
Whether it is the prospective stoppage of consignments
or the fear that the Government here may retaliate on them
in some way for diverting into their own pockets what
was intended to benefit the West Indian planters, I do not
know ; but it seems to me that it would now be possible for
sales of sugar to be made to the refiners here at a fair price,
provided they cannot buy the same sugar from a New York
house at prices on the basis of Cuban sugars duty paid New
York.
Tt now remains for you to send me firm offers at
a price, c. & f., Montreal on the customary terms for
Centrifugals 96 basis and Muscovado 89 basis in bags only,
not hogsheads, in cargo lots—to Montreal direct by steamer
or sailer—which I shall place before the refiners, and do
my best to bring about business.
Vou. III. No. 54.
THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS. 149
COTTON NOTES.
A planter writes:—I am of opinion that land for Sea
Island cotton should be regularly cultivated and manured
as for canes. Under such treatment the yield of seed-cotton
has averaged 1,000 tb. per acre. This gives me a retwn
equal to that from canes, but in eight months instead of
sixteen months.
The planter continues :—I have had two places under
my charge where these results have been attained, and
I propose to take up cotton growing on a still larger scale this
year. There can be no doubt that Sea Island cotton is the
best to grow—that is, provided it is well looked after and the
cotton worm is kept in check.
The Secretary of the British Cotton Growing Association
writes to the Imperial Commissioner of Agriculture, under
date April 11, 1904:—‘You will be glad to hear that the
cotton coming forward is fetching good prices, especially
that from Barbados. For some reason or other the cotton
from Anguilla, St. Kitt’s, and some other small islands is not
quite up to the mark.’
Disinfecting Cotton Seed.
In a recent issue of the Agricultural News (Vol. III,
p. 117) an account was given of some experiments, carried on
in the Mycological Laboratory of the Imperial Department
of Agriculture, to test the effect on the germination of cotton
seeds of steeping them in solutions of corrosive sublimate.
In this series of experiments the seeds were planted
immediately after being taken from the solutions.
It was then mentioned that a second series of
experiments had been started. This was a duplicate of the
first series, but in addition, the effect of a 1: 100 solution
was tested. The results were as follows :—
Strength of Percentage of
corrosive sublimate seeds
solution. germinated.
Water... ae Sue 76
1: 1,000... ace A. 74
Ile Secs 500 gt 83
1: 500... éé0 boo 78
he 2B ose neo as 81
1: 100... ane abe 43
The 1 per cent. solution thus had a marked effect in
reducing the percentage of seeds that germinated.
A third series was started to test the effect of steeping the
seeds, drying them and then planting at different intervals.
The seeds were all soaked in a 1 : 500 solution of corrosive
sublimate for one hour, on March 23. The results were :—
A. Seeds planted immediately,
Percentage of seeds germinated = 13
B. Seeds dried, planted April 6 (after 14 days),
Percentage of seeds germinated = 65
C. Seeds dried, planted April 13 (after 21 days),
Percentage of seeds germinated 74
D. Seeds dried, planted April 20 (after 28 days),
Percentage of seeds germinated
oI
bo
It is evident, therefore, that, so far as the effect on
germination goes, it is immaterial whether the seeds be
planted immediately after being steeped or dried and planted
at any interval afterwards.
Improvement of Indian Cotton.
In a recently published letter from the Govern-
ment of India, the following important statement is
made with regard to efforts that are being put forth
to bring about an improvement in the quality of
indigenous varieties of cotton:—
As Sir G. Watt has pointed out in the papers forwarded
with Lord George Hamilton’s despatch of July 17 last,
efforts were at first directed too much to the acclimatization
of exotic species. More recently attention has been given to
the improvement of indigenous varieties at the various
Government farms, and we are convinced that in this
direction lies our best hope of success. The great importance
of improving the quality of Indian cottons has always been
recognized by the Government, and when an Inspector-
General of Agriculture was appointed in 1901, he was asked
to devote his first attention to the subject. Experiments
were then undertaken on a more extensive scale under the
persenal supervision of the Inspector-General, who had
studied the methods adopted in America. The cultivation of
exotic varieties has not been discontinued, but the main
object of the experiments has been the improvement of the
quality of indigenous varieties and the possibility of obtaining
new and improved varieties by hybridization.
Cotton Experiments at Nevis.
The Hon. C. Arthur Shand has forwarded the
following notes on the experiments in cotton growing
at the Experiment Station at Nevis during 1903-4 :—
The experiments were particularly designed to test the
best distance for planting cotton. For this purpose four
plots (A,B,C,D,) were planted in cotton at varying distances.
The following table gives particulars for each plot :—
Plot Area in Distance Yield in pounds
"| sq. feet. between plants. of seed-cotton.
A 7083 3.x 3 363
B 708} 2x 3 241
y 7083 2 x3 267
D 7083 1} x 3 413
It will be observed that the best results were obtained
from plots A and D, especially the latter. The land was
treated in the same manner for each plot, and no manure of
any kind was applied. The total yield from the four plots
(about ;1; acre) was 129 Ib. of seed-cotton, or at the rate of
about 1,900 tb. per acre.
Owing to frequent applications of Paris green no
damage whatever was done by the cotton worm.
Green Dressing. We are informed by Mr. John
Belling, B.Sc., that in the drought of 1903 the velvet bean,
grown in St. Kitt’s as green dressing, was often skeletonized
by caterpillars, while the cow pea with leathery leaves was
scarcely ever attacked by the inescts.
150
THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.
May 7, 19042
THE PROSPECTS OF CASSAVA STARCH.
Mr. H. H. Cousins, M.A., F.C.S., writes as follows
on this subject in the Bulletin of the Jamaica
Department of Agriculture for March :—
Through the enterprise of Mr. J. W. Middleton in
testing the commercial production of starch at Longville and
his public spirit in placing his results at the disposal of the
Board of Agriculture, it is now possible to form some definite
opinion as to the possibilities of cassava starch as an industry
for Jamaica.
The experiment at Longville has been of a tentative
character, and the actual possibilities of the industry, when
established on a reasonable commercial scale and with the
best machinery and management, are far in excess of those
directly indicated by Mr. Middleton’s preliminary results.
AGRICULTURAL YIELD.
The returns of tubers per acre at Longville, as recorded
by Mr. W. J. Thompson, varied considerably. Where the
cassava had been planted between bananas or under shade
the yield was not satisfactory. Hight tons of tubers per acre
were obtained on one piece of land, and there is every reason
to believe that by thorough tillage and the propagation of
the best varieties of cassava a return of 10 tons per acre can
reasonably be expected. Mr. Joseph Shore finds that this is
a fair return from lands in cassava on the northside.
The cost of production at Longville was 10s. 6d. per ton
with an 8-ton crop, allowing £1 per acre for rent. I estimate
that the cost of production can be reduced to 8s. per ton by
reasonable economies and improvements in the cultivation.
The Florida factories pay 18s. per ton for the tubers in
the field, the cost of digging and delivery to the factory
being about 6s. a ton in addition.
MANUFACTURE.
At Longville, 6 tons of cassava tubers, pulped in a small
St. Vincent rotary grater, yielded 1 ton of air-dried starch
by the West Indian process. The cassava contained about
29 per cent. of starch. The actual cost of production of the
starch, including the growing of the cassava, amounted to £8
per ton.
COST OF
BY-PRODUCTS.
The bitty or residual pulp, when dried to a content of
15 per cent. of moisture, amounted toa return of 1} tons of
dry material to each ton of starch. The composition of this
product closely corresponded to that of the meal from the
whole tubers sun-dried. Cassava bitty is therefore a valuable
food-stuff for cattle or pigs. If we deduct 30s. per ton for
the cost of expressing the excess of moisture, drying and
bagging the bitty, its net value cannot be less than 30s, per
ton to the factory, on a low selling price of £3 per ton.
A deduction of £2 per ton on the cost of the cassava starch
is therefore apparent.
The cost of production of a ton of cassava starch with
a process that only recovers 60 per cent. of the total starch in
the tubers, is therefore only £6 per ton.
COMMERCIAL PROSPECTS.
The starch prepared by Mr. Middleton at Longville was
of variable quality at the outset until a satisfactory method
ot working had been arrived at.
By careful neutralization of the erude starch with soda,
using litmus papers as an indicator, it was found possible
entirely to neutralize the organic acids of fermentation that
are inseparable from any process of working on cassava
tubers. A high-grade starch, free from fibre and dirt, was
produced, and this should fetch anything from £15 to £20
a ton wholesale.
A modern plant, which obviated the necessity of peeling
the tubers by hand, would save £1 per ton in the cost of
labour for making the starch. A return of at least 20 per
cent. of starch equal to 2 tons per acre should be obtainable.
It would appear that in cassava starch we have a product
that will give us double the financial return per acre of
sugar under ordinary Jamaica conditions and at a cost of
production so considerably less, that there is large margin for
profit, without which no industry can be generally successful
in this island.
RECOMMENDATIONS,
The chief requirements for ensuring the success of the
industry are the following :—
(1) Capital for installing the best plant for dealing
with tubers, so as to eliminate all unnecessary
handlabour and ensuring the best product
possible.
(2) Lands of light texture in a district of moderate
rainfall, capable of being cultivated by implements
and within easy reach of the factory.
(3) A good water-supply with a system of sand
filtration and a covered tank for storing pure
water,
These conditions obtain on large areas of alluvial soil
on the south side of the island, where bananas languish in an
average season for lack of water. A system of ‘cassava
farming’ by the local peasantry should be started in
connexion with each factory.
Experiments to test the most profitable varieties and
methods of tillage, cultivation and management should be
organized by the Department of Agriculture.
ANALYSIS OF CASSAVA PRODUCTS
FROM LONGVILLE.
Starch | Insoluble
Dees Moisture
= Total. Total. fibre.
Starch A. 15°62 76°67 0°32
Starch B.
Starch C.
Starchm)S saa Ric bce
Bitty Bee ane adi
Meal from \
whole tubers f
15°89 76°67 | 0°35
17-54 76°60 | 0°36
17-62 78:13 | 0:42
15:13
15:08 55-70
OIL OF BEN.
The Pharmaceutical Journal of April 9 has the
following note on oil of ben :—
According to J. Lewkowitsch, the characters usually
given for ‘ben oil’ do not accord with those afforded by an
authentic specimen of the true oil, furnished by the Director
of the Imperial Institute, derived from Moringa pterygo-
sperma, from Jamaica. The chief interest of oil of ben lies in
its very low iodine value; this explains why the oil is
specially valuable for lubricating watch springs and other
delicate machinery.
An interesting account of this oil will be found in
the Kew Bulletin (1887, p. 7), where it is mentioned
that for many years efforts had been made in Jamaica
to prepare oil of ben from the seeds of the horse radish
tree (Moringa pterygosperma), but apparently without
success. The original oil of ben is supposed to have
been obtained from another species (MZ. aptera), a native
of Nubia and Arabia.
No. 54.
SCIENCE NOTES.
The Talipot Palm.
We are informed by Mr. J. Jones, the Curator of the
Botanic Station at Dominica, that the Talipot palm
(Corypha umbraculifera) growing in the Public Gardens at
Roseau is now throwing out its infloresence. This plant is
said to be about thirty years old.
References have already been made in the Agricultural
News (Vol. Il, pp. 44 and 108) to the fruiting of this palm
in British Guiana and Jamaica. The plant in British Guiana
was about twenty-eight years old at time of fruiting; it
possessed ‘a stem 50 to 60 feet high, crowned with a panicle,
10 to 12 feet long, bearing an enormous crop of fruit.’
This palm is a native of Ceylon, where its leaves are
commonly used by the natives as umbrellas and also for
thatching. The talipot palm fruits but once in its life, the
fruiting process terminating its life.
Vout. III.
Ylang-Ylang.*
The Ylang-Ylang or Thlang-Ihlang tree of the Philippine
Islands yields flowers that furnish by distillation a valuable
essential oil.
The tree is cultivated in many of the Botanic Gardens
in the West Indies and it appears to do well in this part of
the world. It belongs to the Sour sop family (Anonaceae),
but the fruit is not edible. The chief, in fact the only,
interest attached to it is based on the perfume extracted
from the flowers.
According to Indian Planting and Gardening, the
flowers of the Ylang-Ylang are being utilized in Réunion for
the production of an essential oil that is in large and
increasing demand in Europe. The price has been steadily
rising during the last few years. According to M. de
Flacourt, a hectare of land at Réunion planted with 500
Ylang-Ylang trees should yield a net profit of 1,116 francs.
Mr. J. Charles Sawer, in a letter dated February 13 last,
states that Ylang oil is costly and it cannot be prepared
properly except by using a vacuum still made in London for
such special purposes. He adds: ‘Manila Ylang oil goes
higher and higher in price, the supply being insufficient for
the demand ; the flowers obtain high prices in the island of
Luzon’.
Plants and Nitrogen.
It is a well-known fact that the majority of green
plants require their nitrogen to be supplied to them in
the form of nitrates. Most green plants are unable to
take in nitrogen which is in the form of ammonia or
ammonia compounds. The following abstract, taken
from the Haperiment Station Record of February
1904, gives an account of a small, green alga, which has
adapted itself to the taking in of nitrogen in the form
of ammonia compounds. The original paper appeared
in the Proceedings of the Royal Society, Vol. 71, pp.
458-76 :—
A study is reported of a small, unicellular, green alga,
which was noticed as frequently present in sewage and
sewage materials, when these had been kept for some time,
particular reference being paid to its nitrogen metabolism.
Diluted ammoniacal solutions were found to have become
* Artabotrys odoratissimus.
THE AGRICULTURAL
NEWS.
infested with this alga, a fact that seemed of interest in the
physiology of the plant.
Pure cultures were prepared and grown in various media.
While chlorophyll-bearing plants in general prefer their
nitrogen in the form of nitrates; these are found readily to
assimilate nitrogen in the form of ammonia and to present
the best growth when grown in cultures containing ammonia
or various ammoniacal compounds. This feature of the
nitrogen assimilation of the plant is believed to be a special-
ized characteristic developed from the growth of the plant in
water, which contained comparatively large amounts of
ammonia such as are found in sewage and sewage-polluted
water.
Albizzia Lebbek.
The following note on the growth of Albizzia
Lebbek, known in Jamaica as ‘Woman’s Tongue’ and
in Barbados as ‘Barbados ebony’, is taken from the
Trinidad Bulletin of Miscellaneous Information for
April :—
This tree, though so common in the island of Jamaica,
is one which does not thrive under cultivation in Trinidad ;
for even with the greatest care it can hardly be kept alive.
This fact is strong evidence that there exists a decided
difference in climate between the two islands.
That the difference is not one of temperature, merely, is
shown by the fact that the mean annual and daily readings
at the two places differ but slightly ; the mean annual by
half a degree only, at similar elevations.
From observations during a series of years it would
appear that the failure of Albizzia Lebbek in Trinidad, is
due probably to the greater humidity which exists in the
latter place, and possibly to a deficiency of calcareous matter
in the soil. The Saman (Pithecolobium Saman, Benth.,) is
a tree which flourishes in Jamaica side by side with the
Albizzia, and does equally well, if not better, in Trinidad.
We have here, therefore, a case which is interesting as
to the why and wherefore of the different growth shown by
two leguminous trees of similar habit and nearly related
botanically to each other. In Trinidad and also Jamaica
there is strong evidence that the Saman, (‘Guango’ of
Jamaica) is an imported tree, while the A/dzzz7a is indigenous
to Jamaica but imported to Trinidad.
AGRICULTURE IN THE ARGENTINE.
The Consular Report on the Argentine Republic
for 1902 and 1903 has the following reference to
agricultural progress in that country :—
The abundant harvest of 1902-3, followed by the
excellent prospects of that of 1903-4, has given a remarkable
stimulus to agriculture in the Argentine Republic, and the
area cultivated in 1903 shows a very large increase over any
previous year. The chief features are the increasing
cultivation of maize, especially in the province of Santa Fé,
and the continued laying down of land to lucerne (alfalfa) in
the western and north-western districts, where water is found
only a few metres from the surface. In fact the growing of
lucerne may be said to have revolutionized agriculture in this
country, where it will yield excellent crops for many years,
if not eaten down too closely by sheep or ruined by drought
in districts where the water is deeper.
The imports of agricultural machinery, threshing
machines, etc., from the United Kingdom and the United
States have been exceptionally large of late.
—
or
bo
THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.
May 7, 1904.
EDITORIAL NOTICES.
Letters and matter for publication, as well
as all specimens for naming, should be addressed
to the Commissioner, Imperial Department of
Agriculture, Barbados.
Communications are invited, written on one
side of the paper only. It should be understood
that no contributions or specimens can, in any
case, be returned.
All applications for copies of the ‘Agricul-
tural News’ should be addressed to the Agents,
and not to the Department. A complete list of
the London and Local agents will be found at
foot of page 143 of this volume.
The ‘Agricultural News’: Price ld. per
number, post free 14d. Annual subscription
payable to Agents 2s. 2d. Post free, 3s. 3d.
Agricultural slews
MAY 7,
Vou. IIt. SATURDAY, 1904. No. 54.
NOTES AND COMMENTS.
The Utilization of Sea-moss.
A note appeared on the subject of sea-moss from
Anguilla in the Agricultural News (Vol. ILL, p. 8)
and it was mentioned that a sample had been
forwarded to the Imperial Institute for a report as to
its possibilities.
In his report Professor Dunstan states that the
two samples (one from Barbados and one from
Anguilla) were similar in character to Irish moss, and
it was thought that they might possibly prove suitable
for some of the purposes for which the latter is
employed.
The West Indian mosses are less completely
soluble in water than Imish moss, especially the sample
from Barbados. In regard to gelatinizing power, the
sample from Barbados was distinetly superior, and
that from Anguilla inferior, to Irish moss. Six grains
of Anguilla moss, five of Irish, and two of Barbados
were required to form a jelly with 100 ¢. ¢. of water.
Both specimens of West Indian moss yielded a mucil-
age which possessed good adhesive properties.
A firm of brokers, to whom specimens were
submitted for valuation, reported that, as far as could
be judged from the small sample available, the West
Indian mosses were not equal to Irish moss for
technical purposes, and that consignments represented
by the sample would fetch from 10s. to 15s. per ewt.
The market price of Irish moss was from 20s. to 30s.
according to quality. It is suggested that consign-
ments of several hundredweights of the two mosses
should be forwarded in order that the market could be
properly tested.
Cassava Starch.
In the last issue of the Agricultural News
(p. 157) reference was made to the presence of acid
in cassava starch, and to the results of Professor
d’Albuquerque’s examination of a sample from Barbados,
Professor d’Albuquerque has similarly examined a
sample of cassava starch from Dominica, and reported:
‘The acidity of this sample by ordinary tests is
imperceptible. The delicate method of estimation
employed discloses a trace of acidity exceedingly small
compared with the best available samples of arrowroot
starch. This is a very carefully prepared starch.’
Sugar Industries of Hawaii and Trinidad.
The Sugar Planter publishes an interview by
a representative of a local paper with Mr. W. G. Kay,
a sugar planter of Trinidad, who was on a visit to
Hawai for the purpose of studying steam cultivation
and methods of production generally. Mr. Kay draws
an interesting comparison between the two countries
as sugar producers.
Conditions are widely difterent in Trinidad and
Hawau. In Trinidad planters have to depend entirely
upon the rainfall. The average production in Trinidad
is 2 tons of sugar to the acre; in Hawaii it is double
that amount. The total sugar output of Trinidad is
60,000 tons yearly. The cost of production is from
$45 to $48 per ton : in Hawaii it is from $40 to $45.
My. Kay was of opinion that Hawaiian planters go
in for more intense cultivation: the labour-saving
devices require a minimum of supervision, Triple
crushing is the rule in Hawau, while in Trinidad
double rollers are used almost entirely.
a
Shipments of Cotton from Barbados.
A return with valuation of 82 bales of cotton
shipped from Barbados on February 2 and March 12
last was received by last mail from the British Cotton
Growing Association.
There were 69 bales of Sea Island cotton and 13
bales of Egyptian cotton. The average price quoted
for the Sea Island cotton was just under 15d. (30c.)
per tb. The highest was 16$d. (33c.) per Ib: the lowest
13d. (26c.) per Tb.
The highest figures, 16d. to 163d. per tb., were
quoted for a Sea Island cotton described as ‘clean,
bright, well prepared, with fine, long staple.’
The lowest price was for Sea Island cotton described
as ‘ staple short, coarse and irregular’
For Egyptian cotton the highest value quoted was
83d. (174¢.) per tb., described as ‘ fairly clean, staple
irregular but fairly strong. The average for Egyptian
cotton was a little over 8d. (16c.) per tb.
Later advices to hand state that of 51 bales of
Barbados cotton recently shipped to Manchester the
prices were as follows :—
Forty bales of Sea Island cotton sold for 15d. to
16d. per tb.; 11 bales of Egyptian cotton sold for 8d. to
10d. per Tb.
Worse. Lit: (No; of;
THE AGRICULTURAL
NEWS. 153
Cotton Ginneries in the West Indies.
An article on this subject appeared in the
Agricultural News for February 27. It was there
stated that ‘in regard to all these ginneries it is
desirable to place on record an appreciation of the
very active part taken in their establishment by the
British Cotton Growing Association.’ This is not quite
correct, as we learn that the ginneries erected by
Messrs. Sendall and Wade at St. Kitt’s and Montserrat
received no support from the British Cotton Growing
Association, The whole cost, including their erection,
was borne by the firm named.
EE
Copra in Samoa.
The only important export from Samoa at the
present time is copra. The Consular Report for 1903
states that the value of the exports of copra was
£68,526, or over 98 per cent. of the total value of
exports. There was a serious decline in the value of
copra exported owing toa drop in price from £14 to
£9 15s. per ton, f.0.b. The Sydney market absorbs
from 3,000 to 4,000 tons of Samoan copra yearly, the
product being used in the manufacture of oil and soap.
The only other products of any value are cacao
(some 2,000 acres having been planted up to the
present), kawa or kava (the root of Piper methysticum
which has narcotic properties), and a little fruit.
Attempts are being made to establish the cultivation
of rubber trees.
EE
Exports of Jamaica.
The Colonial Report on Jamaica for the year
1902-3 gives some interesting statistics with regard to
the island’s exports.
From the table of the exports of the ten leading
products of the island itis seen that bananas occupy
the first place, yielding £1,134,750, or more than one-
half of the total value of the exports for the year. ‘The
value of the other fresh fruit exported was as follows:
oranges, £101,054; grape fruit, £9,189; pine-apples,
£2,932; mangos, £605; limes, £502. The total value
of perishable fruit exported was 56 per cent. of the
total exported produce of the island.
It is pointed out in this report that, however
valuable the development of the fruit trade might be,
it could hardly be regarded as satisfactory that the
island should only have been saved from a decline by the
increase in the exports of so precarious a staple as
bananas. ‘These remarks,’ it is stated, ‘have been
regrettably emphasized by the devastation etfected by
the cyclone of August 11, 1903.
There wasan increase in the values of the exports
of sugar and rum; the total for the two products was
£324,244, placing them second on the list of exports.
The next staple on the list is coffee. Although the
output increased during the year, the value, owing to
low prices, was over £20,000 less than in the previous
year. It is pointed out that the salvation of this
industry is only to be looked for in improvement in
methods of cultivation and curing. The Blue Mountain
coffee is a product of a special class and always obtains
a more or less satisfactory price.
Woolly Pyrol for Green Dressing.
Foremost among the plants used in the West
Indies for green dressing is the woolly pyrol (Dolichos
Lablab), This leguminous plant is very commonly
used in Barbados, where it gives excellent results
when ploughed into the soil. As this plant is a low,
bushy grower, it has been suggested for planting with
young cacao trees for the purpose of nitrogen fixation.
At the Agricultural Conference of 1900 (see
West Indian Bulletin, Vol. I, pp. 218-9), a discussion
took place as to whether leguminous plants grown in
shade, as for example, under old cacao trees, were
capable of fixing atmospheric nitrogen. With the
object of arriving at a definite conclusion on this point,
it has been arranged for experiments to be carried out
at St. Lucia and Grenada with woolly pyrol as
a green dressing for cacao plantations. It is proposed to
endeavour to obtain in each island half a dozen plots of
cacao of about } acre, three being in young cacao, where
the leguminous plants would obtain a fair amount of
sunlight, and three plots of fully grown cacao where
the ground is completely shaded. Seeds of the woolly
pyrol have been forwarded to St. Lucia and Grenada
for the carrying out of these experiments, which will
be reported upon in due course.
Se
Cotton Seed Oil Industry in India.
The Agricultural Ledger (1903—No. 9) is devoted
to a discussion on the cotton seed oil industry and the
establishment of cotton seed oil mills in India. The
following brief summary is likely to be of interest :—
Cotton seed has always been a valuable agri-
cultural product in Egypt and India. In America,
where cotton seed was at one time practically a waste
product, oil mills with machinery for delinting, hulling
and pressing the seed are now extensively established.
The refined oil is exported as a substitute for butter and
lard, and also used locally for the manufacture of soap
and salad oil. The cake is both exported and used in
the country.
The introduction of the American methods into
India would, from an agricultural point of view, be
preferable to a large export of cotton seed, provided
the cake is kept in the country. The export of oil
removes nothing which would add to the fertility of the
soil, whereas the export of the cake, which might be
used as a cattle food or directly as a manure, would be
an agricultural loss.
Very large quantities of oil seeds are exported
from India, including linseed, rape seed, sesamum,
cotton seed, poppy seed and earth nuts. The drain of
oil seed exports from India is very severe on the
agricultural resources of the country, and the more
unsatisfactory because manufactured products obtained
therefrom are re-imported and these help in no degree
to return fertilty to the land.
On account of the difficulty of freeing the seed
from lint, cotton seed oil cannot easily be pressed in
the villages as is done with other oil seeds. Conse-
quently it is practically unknown in India, although
excellent feeding stuffs are made from ground nuts,
rape seed, sesamum, ete.
THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.
May 1904.
The Cotton Leaf-blister Mite.
In a report to the Imperial Commissioner of Agriculture
Mr. A. J. Jordan, the Curator of the Botanie Station at
Montserrat, gives some of the results of the experiments that
have been carried on for the purpose of controlling the leaf-
blister mite (2riophyes yossypi/) in that island. These
experiments were planned by the Entomologist on the staff
of the Imperial Department of Agriculture at the time of his
visit to Montserrat in January last. Mr. Watson, the
Attorney for Dagenham estate, provided land, labour, and
much of the material required, while upon Mr. Jordan
devolved the general supervision of the planting operations
and the application of the insecticides.
For the experiment was used }$ acre of land near
Dagenham works, which had been cleared of a crop of cotton
just previous to the beginning of the experiment. This crop
had been badly attacked by the leaf-blister mite. The land
was divided into eight plots, and half of each was treated
with crude sulphur from the local Soufriére sown broadcast
at the rate of 100 tb. per acre. No effect was observed from
this application. The plots which were not treated were the
first to show infestation and they grew steadily worse. No
better results were obtained from the plot treated with the
crude Barbados oil and whale oil soap mixture.
On the other hand, all the plots which received flowers
of sulphur, either sprayed or dusted on the plants, gave the
best results. Up to the time of reporting, six applications had
been made on each plot, and the results appear to indicate
that sulphur is the remedy to be employed for this pest.
A series of box experiments with sterilized and unsteril-
ized soil, and with sterilized and unsterilized seeds was also
carried out. No effect was observable from the soil
sterilization, but it is recorded that none of the plants from
the sterilized seeds developed the disease until it was
introduced intentionally. The soil used in these experiments
was taken from the compost heap at Groye Station. Had soil
from a field which had borne a badly infested crop of cotton
been used, it is probable that a difference would have been
noticed between the sterilized and the unsterilized soils.
Attempts to inoculate healthy cotton plants by bringing
them in contact with diseased Acacia leaves failed. This
confirms the opinion of Dr. A. Nalepa, of Vienna, Austria, to
whom specimens of affected cotton leaves and the leaf galls of
the Acacca were submitted. Dr. Nalepa was able to say that
the mites were different species.
A brief account was given in the Agricultural News
(Vol. III, p. 42) of experiments on a small scale which
indicated that sulphur was likely to prove a remedy for the
leaf-blister mite, and the results of this field experiment all
point in the same direction. The application of these
principles to a field crop will be necessary to show whether
they are practicable, and it is to be hoped that further
experiments may be carried on extending over the entire
growing season, in which the cost of the application of
remedies can be reckoned against the yield, so that data may
be obtainable for definite recommendations in the future.
Sugar-cane Leaf Hopper in Hawaii.
During the past two years considerable damage has
been done to growing canes in Hawaii by a leaf hopper
known as Perkinsiella saccharicida. So serious has it
become that a bulletin has been published by the Hawaiian
Board of Commissioners of Ree cctire and Forestry giving
a complete account of the pest, and references have been
made to it in newspapers in the United States and in
Barbados. In view of the general interest taken in this pest
the following statements may not be out of place at this
time :—
The leaf hopper of the cane in Hawaii is very closely
related to the cane fly (Delphaw saccharivora) which is so
common in the West Indies. In Hawaii it is an imported
species, its original home being in Queensland, where it has
long been know n; but as it has. never been destructiv e there,
it probably has some powerful natural enemy which keeps its
numbers down. In Hawaii, however, it has no such check,
and it is attacking canes there with all the force common to
imported pests. Attempts are now being made by the
authorities to introduce lady-birds which will prey upon it.
The common lady-bird in Hawaii feeds very readily upon
the leaf hopper, but it is, in turn, kept in check by an enemy
which lays its egg in the body of the adult lady-bird beetle.
There is prob: vaubly no danger of this pest being introduced
into the West Indies, as no plant canes are being brought
from Australia, Java or Hawaii, where the leaf ‘hopper is,
known ; and further, since planters are fully aware of the
serious nature of this pest, they are not likely to take the
chance of introducing it by importing canes from those
countries.
A Beetle-borer of the Sugar-cane in Java.
In the communication No. 70 of the Experiment
Station for Sugar Culture in West Java, is to be found
a description of a beetle boring in the stem of the cane, with
its life-history and an account of its occurrence in that
island.
This beetle (Holaniara picescens, Fairm.) was first
recorded in West Java in 1897 by Dr. Went. Now its
distribution is quite general.
The eggs are eral and are laid singly in the ground.
The larva when first hatched makes its way into the
cane through the buds or eyes, frequently feeding first on the
young tender roots at the mode or following around the line
of tender growing tissue just above the node.
The larval stage occupies two or three months. This is
passed inside the cane in the burrow eaten out by the larva
as it works down into the stem.
The pupal stage of six days is passed in the ground, and
although it is not known how soon the female begins to lay
eggs after emerging from the pupal stage and how long the
egg laying is continued, it is supposed “that there are only
two generations per annum. The larva is about 10 mm. (2
inch), and the beetle 5 mm. (+ inch).
Plant Diseases in Hawaii. A press bulletin
(No. 9) recently published by the Hawaii Agricultural
Experiment Station gives an account of two fungoid diseases:
of crops in that island. The first disease is the well-known
‘pine-apple’ disease of sugar-cane, which was reported from
one of the windward plantations i in 1903. The treatment is.
that recommended by the Imperial Department of Agri-
culture. The second disease is the * brown-eyed’ disease of
coffee, so-called from the brown spots produced on the leaves ;
the fungus also occurs on the half-formed berries.
Vou. III. No. 54.
THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS. 155
oy
BEE KEEPING.
The Cho-cho as a Bee plant.
In a bulletin issued by the United States Depart-
ment of Agriculture, entitled : The chayote : A tropical
vegetable, there occurs the following account of the
value of this plant (Sechiwm edule), known in the West
Indies as Cho-cho or Christophine, as a bee plant :—
As in other vegetables of the squash family, the stamens
and pistils are in separate flowers, pollination taking place
through the agency of insects. To attract these the flowers of
both kinds, but especially the pistillate, yield abundant
nectar, which is secreted in ten glands, two at the base of
each of the lobes of the corolla. In most of the countries
into which it has been introduced bee keeping has not been
a regular industry, and the value of the chayote as a source of
honey has not been noticed, but the reports of experimenters
in New South Wales contain very emphatic statements on the
subject :—
‘Wher the plant is in flower I have noticed that the
vines were swarming with bees, and as flowers are scarce in
the autumn, the plant will no doubt be valuable as a honey
producer.
The plant, which spreads over a large area, commenced
flowering at the close of the year, and has been well laden
with mellifluous blossoms ever since. The bees are extremely
fond of the cho-cho, and with the apiarist the newly
introduced plant must become a strong favourite.’
It will be seen that the chayote differs from many
Cucurbitaceae in producing numerous flowers on each fertile
branch. It has long been known that the flowers of this
family are rich in honey, but from the standpoint of the
bee keeper they have been considered of little importance
because seldom accessible in sufficient amount, though in
the United States fields are recognized as good bee pastures.
The chayote seems to make up by numbers what the flowers
lack in size, so that the yield of honey may be larger than in
related plants. In addition to this, there is the fact that
Sechium is a perennial bloomer in the tropics and in the
sub-tropical regions has a very long season. It is thus
possible that in regions like parts of Florida, where bee
keeping is already an established industry, the honey-
producing qualities of the chayote may be found of practical
account in connexion with its other utilities.
It would be of interest if bee keepers in the West
Indies would state their experience with this plant as
a source of honey.
GOMMIER RESIN.
There are two gommier or resin trees known in
the West Indies. The lowland gommier tree, also
known as the birch or gum mastic, is Bursera gumimi-
jera. This has a smooth, reddish bark and is a
familiar object everywhere in the lowlands in the West
Indies. A specimen of ‘Cachilou’ or ‘Incense gum’
from this tree was forwarded to the Colonial and
Indian Exhibition, 1886, by Dr. Nicholls of Dominica;
also a ‘Carib flambeaux made with gum Cachilou’
Mr. W. H. Porter sent to the same Exhibition a model
of a dug-out or passenger canoe or ‘ pirouge’ with the
shell made from the gommier tree (Bursera gumimi-
fera).
There is also a mountain gommier tree, with a
rough, ash-coloured bark, growing inland at elevations
of 1,500 to 3,000 feet—Dacryodes hexandra. This
has been met with at Nevis, Dominica, St. Vincent
and Grenada, but always in high woods.
In the Bulletin of the Imperial Institute for
March (p. 26), there is published an interesting account
of a gormmier resin from Dominica forwarded by the
Administrator to Mr. Watts who was then in England,
It is not stated whether this was obtained from
the lowland or the mountain gommier. It is
described as ‘opaque, whitish and viscous’ and obtained
from the gommier tree common ‘in the forests of
Dominica and that the resin is collected by the natives
and used locally in the preparation of torches and as
incense, The probability is that it was obtained from
Dacryodes hexandra.
The following particulars are given as to the
commercial valuation of gommier resin from Domi-
nica :—
The principal purposes to which elemi resin is applied
are the preparation of printing inks and the manufacture of
spirit varnishes, although a small quantity is also used in
medicine. Specimens of gommier resin were submitted to
manufacturers of printing inks and to varnish makers, who
both reported that the soft gommier resin would answer
their purposes as well as elemi.
Other samples were then submitted to brokers for
valuation, They stated that the material was somewhat
dirty, and would only be worth from 17s. to 18s. per ewt., as
compared with 50s. to 55s. per ewt. obtainable for true elemi.
This difference in price is probably to be accounted for by
the fact that elemi is usually sold in this country in
a comparatively fresh and soft condition and that it is
generally fairly free from dirt.
It is probable that gommier resin, if exported in a fresh
and clean condition, would realize prices more nearly equal
to those obtained for true elemi.
DEPARTMENT NEWS.
With the approval of the Secretary of State for
the Colonies, the Imperial Commissioner of Agriculture
will proceed to the United Kingdom on duty in
connexion with the work of the Department, on June
4 next.
Mr. W. B. Seabrook, the expert cotton ginner
from the Sea Islands, proceeded by last mail on a short
visit to the Leeward Islands in order to afford assistance
in connexion with cotton ginning, On his return,
he will spend a day at St. Lucia. Mr. Seabrook will
leave for Jamaica by the mail of May 9 next.
156 THE AGRICULTURAL
NEWS. May 7, 1904.
GLEANINGS.
The rainfall at the Tobago Botanic Station for the year
1903-4 was 117:06 inches. This is the heaviest annual
rainfall recorded since the establishment of the Station.
According to the Guardian, the Legislative Council of
Dominica has passed a measure for largely reducing the
export duties on essential oils manufactured in the island.
Specimens of the common Montserrat Acacia, which was
. ? . .
formerly thought to be Acacia arabica, have been identified
at the Royal Gardens, Kew, as Acacia tortuosa, Willd.
It is proposed to hold a Colonial and Indian Exhibition
at the Crystal Palace during the summer of 1905. The
West India Committee has agreed to undertake the charge
of a West Indian exhibit.
In reference to the note in the Agricultural News (Vol.
III, p. 124) regarding the flowering of Wonodora tenutfolia
at Grenada and St. Lucia, we are informed by the Curator
that this tree has flowered annually at the Dominica Botanic
Station.
As stated in our last issue, there are a few vacancies for
suitable pupils at the Agricultural School at St. Lucia. There
are also vacancies at Dominica and St. Vincent. Applica-
tion should in each case be made to the Agricultural
Superintendent.
The Imperial Department of Agriculture has placed at
the Agricultural School, St. Lucia, a single-acting, hand-
power, Macarthy cotton gin, received from the British Cotton
Growing Association. Two similar hand-power gins are at
work at Anguilla and one at St. Vincent.
Plants from two of the four seeds of the Coco-de-mer
(Ledoicea sechellarum), received last year at the Dominica
Botanic Station from the Seychelles, are reported to be
growing nicely, and it is hoped that this interesting species
will become established.
Messrs. Rider & Son, Ltd., of Aldersgate Street, E.C.,
announce the early publication of a work entitled : ‘Timbers
of Commerce and their identification,’ by Mr. Herbert Stone,
F.L.S., F.R.C.1., to whose report on the ‘ Results of technical
tests applied to timbers’ we have referred in these columns.
According to the Z%mes, a syndicate has been formed
to exploit the mangrove bark industry. As mentioned
in the Agricultural News (Vol. U, p. 361) the mangrove is
one of the tanning plants. Buyers are only offering £2 2s. 6d.
per ton for this bark, but it is thought that better prices may
be offered later.
A consignment of the best varieties of pine-apples has
recently been received at the Tobago Botanic Station from
Jamaica. The local varieties produce, for the most part,
small fruits which are inferior in flavour to the well-known
varieties introduced.
Mr. W. E. Broadway writes that there is a specimen of
the Bullet Wood tree or Balata (Wimusops globosa) fruiting
in the Botanic Station at Grenada. The tree is about twelve
years old. It began bearing two years ago. A fine lot of
fruit, of large size and juicy, has just been gathered from it.
The fruits of the Bullet Wood tree are said to be delicious
when fully ripe.
Mr. John Belling, B.Sc., writes from St. Kitt’s : ‘ About
two dozen grape vines (some American) were planted from
cuttings at Stone Fort estate in February 1903. By the
following autumn, having been well manured and watered,
they nearly covered the arbours and produced a fair number
of bunches of ripe fruit.’
Mr. Belling relates his experiences in the cross-fertiliza-
tion of tobacco: ‘Some Havana tobacco seed from flowers
cross-fertilized by hand yielded undoubtedly stronger plants
than the ordinary seed, which I have observed is usually
self-fertilized and only occasionally crossed by the humming
bird or hawk moth.’
A $100,000 cassava starch factory is to be built at Lake
City, Florida, by a Chicago firm. The citizens of the town
provided the site and subscribed for a large block of stock.
The mill will have a daily capacity of 120 tons of raw
material, and is expected to be a great aid to farmers in the
locality by furnishing a market for cassava roots. (Experi-
ment Station Record, Vol. XV, no. 7.)
The Gardeners’ Chronicle of April 9 has an interesting
review of a work entitled: ‘The present condition of
electroculture.” It deals with the subject of the application
of electricity to vegetation. There are two stages in the
electric treatment—the electrization of seeds and electrocul-
ture proper. The latter consists in growing plants in the
light of the voltaic arc, ete., and also in electrifying the
plants, the air and the soil.
According to the Tropical Agriculturist, the exports of
tea from Ceylon during 1903 amounted to 151,120,009 tb. as
against 84,000,000 Ib. ten years ago. The United Kingdom
received about 63 per cent. of this amount. It is pointed
out that the amount of tea taken by the United Kingdom
has not increased in anything like the same proportion
as the output from Ceylon, although her consumption has
appreciably increased.
In the interest of sugar manufacturers in the West
Indies and British Guiana, the West India Committee is
taking steps to collect and tabulate statistics regarding the
cost of production of sugar on vacuum pay estates. A form
is being circulated to estates which the management is
asked to fill up, so that statistics may be obtained under
certain heads. It is stated that ‘cost of cultivation’ is
meant to include every expense up to delivery of the canes
to the factory door and two-thirds of the management. By
‘factory expenses’ is meant to be included every expense
from taking the canes at the factory and placing the
produce f.o.b.
Vou. III. No. 54.
THE AGRICULTURAL
NEWS. 157
—
THYMOL FOR WORMS IN HORSES.
The following note on the use of thymol for the
treatment of vermiceous diseases of horses, by Mr. H.
H. Cousins, M.A., F.C.S., Government Analytical and
Agricultural Chemist, Jamaica, is taken from the
Bulletin of the Jamaica Agricultural Departinent
for March :—
Thymol is the most efficient remedy for the various
forms of worms and nematodes that attack the horse. The
writer has tested it in Jamaica with gratifying results and
thinks it worthy of the attention of all horse owners in the
island.
Bots are a frequent cause of lack of condition in our
horses in Jamaica, and other types of vermiceous pests are
undoubtedly of frequent occurrence.
Thymol has a marked taste and smell and special
measures are necessary to secure its successful administration.
For horses we have found it most satisfactory to dissolve
the thymol in rectified spirits and to stir up the solution
with ten times as much sugar. By evaporation at the heat
of boiling water, the spirit is driven off and a uniform
mixture of thymol and sugar is obtained. This can easily be
administered by mixing it with ground corn or even stirring
it up with the usual feed of corn or oats. The dose recom-
mended by F. V. Theobald* has been found quite satisfac-
tory, both as regards efficiency and freedom from hurt to the
horse, viz., 15 grains of thymol morning and evening for
two successive days. In the country districts it would be
well to give a diet of a laxative green food, such as Spanish
Needle, to promote the excretion of the parasites,
The writer considers, from personal experience with his
own horses during the past three years, that the thymol
treatment should be regularly administered to all horses once
a year, preferably in the spring. The market price of thymol
varies considerably ; at present the ruling price is 7s. 8d. per
Tb. in Germany. One ounce at 6d. would provide twenty-
eight single doses, so that the actual cost of thymol per horse
would not exceed one penny. Supposing 1 oz. of thymol
were purchased this should be dissolved in a little spirit of
wine and the solution stirred well into 10 oz. of white
‘Albion’ sugar. If placed in a tin pan and steamed for a
“short time, the spirit will evaporate and the residue can be
bottled for use. The dose for a horse would be 4 oz.
‘night and morning for two successive days.
YELLOW FEVER AND MOSQUITOS.
The following extract on the relationship between
yellow fever and “mosquitos is taken from Sir Patrick
Manson’s lecture on ‘ ‘The Disease problem of the West
Indies, delivered at the West India Committee Rooms,
on March 8, to which reference was made in our last
issue :—
As regards yellow fever, although we do not know the
germ of the disease, we know w here! this germ resides and
how it is acquired. The germ is so minute that it passes
through the closest porcelain filter ; it is ultra-microscopic.
But although it is invisible, we know it exists, and that like
the germ of malaria it circulates in the blood and is transferred
from one victim to another by a certain kind of mosquito.
This knowledge, though only some two years old, has already
done much, and is destined in the future to do more, for the West
Indies and the neighbouring mainland than money subsidies,
banana culture, trade preferences, and all similar methods of
stimulating prosperity lumped together. The world should
* Agricultural Zoology, p. 484.
ever be grateful to the American authors of this, the latest
and perhaps the greatest, triumph of sanitary science.
Thanks to the labours of these Americans, we know that the
germ of yellow fever is present in the blood of the patient
only during the first three or four days of the disease. If
the patient is bitten at this time by the common West Indian
tiger mosquito (Stegomyia fasciata), the insect sucks up the
germ. In the tissues of the mosquito the germ now under-
goes certain developmental changes, which after the lapse of
about a fortnight enable it, when re-introduced into another
and non-immune man by the bite of the mosquito, to
multiply in the blood, and after three or four days to produce
this deadly disease. If, therefore, the yellow fever patient
is not bitten by the mosquito in question during the first
three or four days of his illness, or if the healthy man is
protected from the bites of the infected mosquito, the latter
will not contract the disease, even though he lives in the
same room as the patient, or wears the same clothes, or even
sleeps in the same bed. Acting on this knowledge, the
American sanitarians have rid Havanna of yellow fever.
For the first time in nearly 200 years there is now no yellow
fever in that city, once the hotbed of this disease, a hotbed
from which many devasting epidemics have spread all over
the West Indies and to many parts of the United States,
Mexico, and Central South America.
STOCK SALE AT GRENADA.
In the previous volume of the Agricultural News
(p. 57) an account was given of the first annual sale of
stock at the Woodlands Stock Farm, Grenada. ‘The
following account of the second of these sales has been
contributed by Mr. W. M. Smith, Acting Agricultural
Instructor at Grenada :—
The second annual stock sule at ‘ Woodlands’ estate
took place on Friday, March 25. Owing to the inclemency
of the weather, the attendance of intending purchasers was
very small. The sale commenced at 2 p.m. with the offer of
sixty Plymouth Rock fowls put up in lots of three (one cock
and two hens). These were mostly young birds and realized
an average price of 18s. per lot, the highest price paid for
one lot being 25s. A Plymouth Rock hen and eight chicks
sold for 18s. 6d.
Thirty white Guinea fowls, in lots of six, were sold at an
average price of 21s. per Jot.
One hundred and twenty sheep were next offered in lots
of twenty, but as no higher bid than £10 per lot was made,
they were withdrawn. I understand that they have since
been sold in one lot at $3°50 each.
Of ten horses offered, five sold at the following rates :—
A three year old half-bred filly aco goo) eaeK0)
A four year old half-bred mare .. £34 10s.
A two and a half year old half-bred colt sco eo) OES
A 3 ay £18 10s.
An aged ‘American draft horse Goo ono eeilb) WOs.
A large number of half-bred Hereford and Zebu cattle
were oftered, of which about twenty were sold at an average
price of £7 each. These were principally milch cows and
heifers.
A few pure-bred Berkshire pigs were offered, of which
two sows were sold at £4 10s. and £5 respectively.
The results, on the whole, were not as satisfactory as
last year. There was very little competition, and, conse-
quently, the prices realized were comparatively low, and
a large number of the animals were withdrawn. The stock
offered this year was not quite so fine as that of last year.
THE AGRICULTURAL
SOME GRENADA LAVAS.
The following notes on ‘Some Grenada Lavas’ have
been communicated by Professor J. B. Harrison, C.M.G.,
M.A. FIC, F.CS., F.G.S., Government Analyst,
British Guiana :—
When examining the rocks collected in Grenada in
connexion with the soil examinations made by me in
1895-6, the results of which were published in 1897 under the
title of ‘The Rocks and Soils of Grenada,’ the microscopical
examinations were made in London with slices, which I had
prepared in British Guiana, and which from lack of practice
Thad not succeeded in making as thin as desirable. The
matrix of rocks of two types, which were classed as Augite-
andesite with olivine and as olivine-basalt, was described by
the gentleman who examined them for me as feldspathic.
At the time I recognized that the analyses indicated that
the rocks were of a more basic nature than either andesites
or feldspathic basalts should be, but I was so fully occupied
with other work that I did not inyestigate the cause of this.
During a hurried visit to St. George, Grenada, in 1902,
while in transit to Trinidad, I collected some further
specimens of lava from some blocks lying in beds of voleanic
conglomerate near the mouth of the Sendall tunnel on the
shore of St. George’s bay, and I sent these together with
some of those which, in company with Mr. Broadway, I had
collected in 1895, to Messrs. Voigt and Hochgesang, and had
thin sections prepared for microscopical examination ; these
were made sufficiently thin to allow a satisfactory examina-
tion of the matrix being made.
The lavas are made up of phenocrysts of a green augite
and some of plagioclase-feldspar with some small blebs of
olivine in a felspathoid matrix of granules and prisms of
nepheline, granules of colourless and of green augite ; grains
of olivine and some grains of original and of secondary
magnetite, the latter being derived from the green augite and
from olivine. The lavas are therefore according to their
matrix augite-nephelinite and nepheline-basalt, the matrix of
the latter being very rich in green augite and in olivine.
The analyses givenin ‘The Rocks and Soils of Grenada’
are as follows :—
Augite- Nepheline-
nephelinite. basalt.
Silica ee 46°15 42°83
| Alumina 13°25 10°92
Tron peroxide nee 1-22 4°33
Tron protoxide ee eu 85 8-82
Magnesium oxide ; 782 14:02
+ Calcium oxide 3.0 ne 13°89 3°20
| Sodium oxide ae me OTT 324
; Potassiumoxide —... Pr 95 “64
| Water Bers ws 2-01 1-80
| Titanium oxide... we 36 05
! Phosphoric anhydride ue Ate “39
| Manganese oxide... ohh 2h; “12
| =
100-37 100:36 |
The augite-nephelinite is a rock of the albanase type,
while the nepheline-basalt is allied to belchrose.
The ultimate magnatie compositions of the lavas are as
follows : —
NEWS. May 7, 1904.
Augite- Nepheline-
nephelinite. basalt.
Orthoclase ... ede ee i nee
Andesite 75 13°35
Leucite 35 3:1
Nepheline 26-4 14:8
| Diopside 49-9 417
| Olivine (2 20-0
Apatite 3 1:0
Magnetite 19 63
At the time the original examinations were made the
green augite was separated from the matrix and found to
have the following composition :—
Green Augite
from Augite-nephelinite.
Silica i; ass ts ax 46°78
Alumina ... 500 B85
Iron peroxide 4:25
Tron protoxide 6-24
| Magnesium oxide... 13°28
Calcium oxide 20-15
| 100°33
If we take into consideration the composition of the
green augite which is present in both classes of the rocks,
their mineralogical compositions are probably as follows ;—
Augite- Nepheline-
nephelinite. | basalt.
Green augite 186 52-6
Diopside 379 35
Olivine 4:7 174
Nepheline a2 30°7 | 17-9
Anorthite ... = 2-6
Imenite 6 | all
Magnetite =I 2°8
Apatite nog 3 | 10
Silica (secondary) ... 19 | 4:0
| Water 2:0 | 18
100-0 1011
The silica shown in both of the above calculations is
doubtless secondary as many of the specimens collected
showed signs of commencing decomposition. When small
pieces of the rocks are placed in cold diluted hydrochloric
acid of specific gravity 1:05, gelatinous silica is set free,
the rocks are decomposed, and in the course of a few hours
fall to pieces, a sandy residue being left, the dark-coloured
augite resisting the action of the acid while the felspathoids
and the olivine are quickly attacked and decomposed by it.
The foregoing notes will to many appear out of place in
a journal devoted to agriculture, but this is not so. They
explain the formation, rapid production, and texture of the
soils of great fertility in several parts of Grenada through
the easy degradation, due to their mineralogical composition,
of certain of its Javas to great depths.
If similar rocks—nephelinites or nephelin-basalts—oceur
in other parts of the West Indian Islands, soils of like properties
to the Grenada ones will result from them.
Vou. III. No. 54. THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS. 159
MARKET REPORTS.
London,— April 12, 1904. Messrs. Krarron, Prper
& Co. Messrs. J. Hanes Carp & Co.; ‘THE
Liverpoot Corron Assocration WEEKLY CiR-
cuLar’, April 8, 1904; ‘Tun West InpIA
Comarrer Crrcunar,’ April 12, 1904; and
‘THe Pusric Lepcer,’ April 9, 1904.
Ators—Barbados, 13/- to 35/-; Curagea, 13/- to 38/- per
ewt.
ARRowrRooT—St. Vincent, 1}d. to 3}d.; Bermuda, 1/2 to
1/6 per tb.
Baratra—t1/6 to 1/10 per tb.
Bres’-wax—£7 to £7 5s. per ewt.
Cacao—Trinidad, 60/- to 70/- per ewt. ; Grenada, 52/-
to 59/6 per ewt. ; Dominica, St. Lucia and Jamaica,
51/-, to 60/- per ewt.
CarpamMoms—Mysore, 7d. to 3/3 per Ib.
Corrrr—Jamaica, good ordinary, 38/- to 40/- per ewt.
Corra—Trinidad, £15 15s. to £16 per ton, ¢.1.f.
Corron—West Indian Sea Island, 1/4 per tb.
Frvir—
Banayas—Jamaica, 5/- to 7/- per bunch.
Grape Frurr—10/- to 11/- per case.
OrancEs—Jamaica, 8/- to 9/3 per case of 150 to 176.
PINE-APPLES—No quotations.
Fusric—£3 10s. to £4 per ton.
Gixcer—Jamaica, 33/- to 55/- per ewt.
Hoxey—Jamaica, 18/- to 30/- per ewt.
JTstncLass—West Indian lump, 2/8 to 2/11; Cake, thin
palish, 1/3 per tb.
Koua Nuts—4d. to 7d. per tb.
Lie Jvice—Raw, 11d. to 1s. 2d. per gallon ; Concentrated,
£12 to £13 per cask of 108 gallons.
Time O1—1/10 per tb., distilled.
Locwoop—£4 2s. 6d. to £5; Roots, £4 to £4 10s.
per ton.
Mace—},9 to 2/3 per tb.
Nirrate or Sopa—Agricultural, £9 15s. per ton.
Nuruecs-—69’s to 60’s, 1/8 to 2/2; 90's to 80's, 1/- to 1/3
per Ib.
Prvento—-3}d. to 3fd. per Tb.
Rum—Demerara, 74d. to 9$d. per proof gallon ; Jamaica, 1/4
to 8/- per proof gallon.
SansapaRmLLa—Jamaica, 1/- to 1/1 per tb.
Sucar—Crystallized, 14/9 to 15/3 per ewt.; Muscovado,
Barbados, 13/9 to 14/6 per ewt. ; Molasses, 11,- to
15/- per ewt.
SurpHate or AmMoNTA—£12 12s. 6d. per ton.
Tamarryps—Antigua, 8/- to 8,6 per ewt.
Montreal,—April 9, 1904.—Mr. J. Russet Murray.
(In bond quotations).
Cacso—Jamaica, 18e. to 13}c.; Trinidad, 13e. to 13je.
per tb. c. & f.
Crpar—Trinidad, 45c. per cubic foot c.i.f.
Cocoa-Nurs— Jamaica, $28°50 ; Tobago, $23-00 ; Trinidad,
$27°50; per M. c. & f.
Corrre—Jamaica, medium, 8}c. to 9$c. per th. c. & f.
Gixcer—Jamaica, unbleached, 6c. to 8c. per th. c. & f.
Moxascurr—Demerara, $132 per 100 tb. c. & f.
Motasses—Barbados, 3le. to 34c.; Antigua, 33c. to 344c.
per Imperial gallon.
Nerwres—Grenada, 110’s, 18c. to 19$e. per th. c. & f.
Pivento—Jamaica, 8c. to 8jc. per th. c. & f.
Sucar—Grey Crystals, 96°, $2°32 per 100 th. ¢ &F.
—Molasses, 89°, $1°46} per 100 tb. c. Xf.
New York,—April 15, 1904.—Messrs. Grttespie Bros.
& Co.
Cacso—Caracas, 13c. to 14c.; Jamaica, 10}c. to 12ke.;
Grenada, 123c. to 13c.; Trinidad, 125c. to 14c._per th.
Cocoa-Nuts—Trinidads, $28 to $30; Jamaicas, $32 to $34
per Mw. selected.
CorreE—Jamaica, fair to good ordinary, 7jc. to 8c.
per tb.
Gixcer—Jamaica, 6 $c. to Te. per th.
Goar Sxins—Jamaicas, 50c. to 54c. per th.
Pimento—7e. per th.
Sucar—Centrifugals, 96°, 38c. ; Muscovados, 89°, 3,%c. ;
Molasses sugars, 89°, 213c. per tb.
INTER-COLONIAL MARKETS.
Antigua,—April 20, 1904.—Messrs. Brnnerr Bryson
& Co., Lrp.
Motasses—l4c. per gallon (Imperial).
Sugar—$1-60 per 100 tb.
Barbados,—April 23, 1904.—Messrs. T. 5S. Garra-
way & Co., and Messrs. James A. Lyncn & Co.
Arrowroor—St. Vincent, $3°60 per 100 tb.
Cacao—$12-00 to $12°50 per 100 fb.
Cocoa-Nuts—$12-00 per M. for husked nuts.
CorrreE—Jamaica, $9:00 to $10-00 ; ordinary Rio, $12-00
per 100 tb.
Hay—9de. to 96c. per 100 tb.
Manvres—-Nitrate of soda, $60:00 to $65°00; Ohlendorfi’s
dissolved guano, $60-00; Sulphate of ammonia, $76-00
to $85:00; Sulphate of potash, $67 -00.
Motasses—124c. per gallon (puncheon included).
Oxtons—Madeira, (bunched) $3°65 to $3°75; Bermuda,
(loose) $2°00 per 100 th.
Poratos, ENGiisH—$1°62 to $2-00 per barrel.
Rice—Ballam, $4°75 per bag (190 tb.) ; Patna, $3°50 to
$3°60 per 100 tb.
Suear—in hhds., 89’, $1:60 (packages included). Dark
Crystals, 96°, $1°90 per 100 tb.
British Guiana,—April 21, 1904.—Messrs. Wierine
& RICHTER.
Arrowroor—St. Vincent, $7°50 to $775 per barrel.
Barara—40e. to 42c. per th.
Cacao—Native, 12c. to 13c. per tb.
Cassava SrarcH—$6°50 per barrel.
Cocosa-Nuts—$8°00 to $10°00 per M.
Corrre—Rio and Jamaica, 12c. to 13c. per tb. (retail).
—Creole, 12c. per tb.
Duat—New, $4:00 per bag of 168 tb.
Eppors—$1°00 to $120 per barrel.
Morasses—Vacuum Pan yellow, 16c. per gallon (casks
included).
Ontons—5e. to Ge. per tb., ex store; Garlic, 6e. to Te.
Pea Nors—Curacoa, 4c. ; American, 5$c. per tb. (retail).
PianTarns—24e. to 72c. per bunch.
Poratos, ExeitsH—-$2°50 to $3°00 per barrel.
Rice—Ballam, $4°60; Creole, $4°50 per 177 tb., ex store.
Sweer Poraros—Barbados, $1:°68 per barrel ; $1°44 per
bag.
Tannras—$2°40 per barrel.
Yams—White, $1°56 to $1°92 per bag.
Sucar—Dark Crystals, $2°00 to $2-05 ; Yellow, $2°30 to
$2°40; White, $3°00 to $3°50 ; Molasses, $1°60 to
$1-90 per 100 tb.
TreER—Greenheart, 32c. to 55c. per cubic foot.
Watapa SHINGLES—$3-00, $3°75 and $5°50 per M.
Trinidad, —April 21, 1904.—Messrs. Gorpon, GRANT
& Co., and Messrs. Encar Tripp & Co.
Baratra—No quotations.
Cacao—Ordinary to Good Red, $12°7 to $13-00 ; Estates,
$12-80 to $13°25 per fanega (110 fb.).
Cocoa-Nuts—-$20-00 per M., f.0.b., large selected peeled in
bags.
Cocoa-Nut Meat—lje. per tb.
Cocoa-Nut Om—6de. per Imperial gallon (casks included).
Corrre—Venezuelan, 3c. to Te. per tb.
Coprra—-$2°85 per 100 ib.
Oxtons—$2°90 to $3°50 per 100 Ib.
Morasses—No quotations.
Poratos, ENciisH—$1‘50 to $1°75 per 100 th.
Rice—Yellow, $425 to $440; White Table, $5°25 to
$6-00 per bag.
Scucar—-White- Crystals, $3°25 ; Yellow, Crystals $2°25 $
Molasses Sugar, $2°00 to $2°10 per 100 th.
160 THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS. May 7, 1904.
ee ASE ues
Ohlendorff’s Dissolved Peruvian Guano—For Sugar-cane and general use
Ohlendorff’s Special Sugar-cane Manure
Ohlendorff’s Special Cocoa Manure
Ohlendorff’s Special Cotton Manure
Sulphate of Ammonia, Nitrate of Soda, Superphosphates, high grades,
Potash Salts, Basic Slag and all other high-class Fertilizers.
APPLY TO LOCAL AGENTS OR DIRECT TO
THE ANGLO-CONTINENTAL (LATE OHLENDORFF’S) GUANO WORKS,
London Agency: 15, Leadenhall Street, London, E.C.
[72] Barbados Agents: Messrs. James A. Lynch & Co., Bridgetown.
f 3 Curacoa Society for the Promotion of
C A C A O x Agriculture, Stock breeding, Salt
Industry and Fishery.
i A COLONIAL EXHIBITION
J... HARES. ELS. Will be held in this island on May 23, 1904.
(Sgd.) H. H. R. CHAPMAN,
NEW EDITION. Curagoa, Vice-President.
Dutch West Indies,
March 5, 1904. DUSSEL,
> J La Secretary.
A TREATISE ON THE CULTIVATION, CURING AND SS
; Sage
CHEMISTRY OF
FOR COTTON GROWERS :
‘WEST INDIAN BULLETIN’
(VOL. IV, NO. 4)
COMMERCIAL CACAO.
DAVIDSON & TODD, Trinidad.
Wm.WESLEY & Co., 28, Essex St., London.
Containing full report by Sir Daniel Morris,
K.C.M.G., D.Se., and Mr. J. R. Bovell, F.L.S., F.C.S.,
Price 3s. per copy. on visit to the Cotton-growing districts of U.S.A.
|
Printed at Office of Agricultural Reporter, 4, High Street, Bridgetown, Barbados.
OF
A FORTNIGHTLY REVIEW
THE
IMPERIAL DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE FOR THE WEST INDIES.
BARBADOS, MAY 21, 1904.
Price ld.
Vou. II. No. 55.
CONTENTS.
PAGE. PAGE.
Castilloa Rubber Seeds ... 165 | Market Reports Sc 174
Citrus Fruit and Pine- Medicinal Plants, A
apples in Jamaica ... 164 Garden of... ... 167
Cotton Notes :— Northern Nigeria,
British Guiana ... 169 Exports of ... ... 168
Grenada Central Fac- Notes and Comments 168
tory ... ... ... ... 165 | Our Book Shelf :—
St. Lucia, Experiments _ Flowering Plants and
abe wee wee 165 Ferns 71
West Indies, History of Vegetables and
Cottomin ... .-. «... 165 Flowers from Seeds 171
Department News... ... 171 | Pine-apple Fibre : 166
Department Publications 175 | Pine-apples, Tinning 164
Dominica, Exports of .. 169 Rainfall at Dominica 173
Fer-de-lance at St. Lucia 163 | Science Notes :— ee
Fodder Grasses for West Pomegranate eee 167
enon 168 Red Sorrel and Surinam
Gleanings... ... «. ... 172 gs _ Cherry Oe aes 167
Grapes, Culture of ... . 169 Silk-cotton for Canada ... 173
a Sisal Hemp in Queensland 166
Insect Notes :— Sugar Industry :—
Grenada Maribunta ... 170 Barbados . 162
Insects and Disease ... 166 Maple sugar... ... ... 163
Paris Green and Trade in Cassava Products 161
London Purple - 170 | Vanilla in Pondichéry ... 169
Sugar-cane Leaf Hopper 170 | West Indian Products ... 173
Trade in Cassava Products.
EVERAL references have been
recent issues of the Agricultural News to
ar the possibilities of a trade in cassava
products being worked up between the West Indies
and the United Kingdom. Cassava is so commonly
made in
es
cultivated in these islands, and its cultivation so well
understood by the small cultivators, that new outlets
for its products would, no doubt, be eagerly taken
advantage of.
It would appear that there is a possibility of
a market being found for cassava in at least two
directions, viz., for cassava starch and for the manufac-
ture of glucose.
With regard to the former, much credit is due to
the enterprise of Mr. J. W. Middleton, of Jamaica, in
starting a factory for the manufacture of cassava starch
on his property at Longville. In January of the
present year, Mr. Middleton shipped a ton of cassava
starch to England for the purpose of testing the
market and learning the value of this product. The
results of this trial shipment have already been
announced in the Agricultural News: they were
entirely satisfactory, asa price of £10 per ton in Bristol
was offered, with a request that 50 tons should be
shipped at the earliest opportunity.
We learn that the factory at Longville is capable
of turning out 150 tons per annum, and we have no
doubt that as soon as it is shown that there is a ready
sale for this product, Mr. Middleton’s operations will
be extended. As we have already stated, cassava is
a crop that is particularly suitable for the small
proprietor, and there should be no difficulty in starting
a very successful cassava-farming industry.
In the article published in the last issue of the
162 THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.
May 21, 1904.
Agricultural News, Mr. Cousins puts forward very
clearly the conditions that are necessary for securing
the success of this new industry: these are (1) capital
for installing the best plant, (2) suitable lands within
easy reach of the factory, and (3) a good water supply.
The utmost care will be necessary to secure a high-
grade starch, free from acid, fibre and dirt. There
should be no difticulty in finding these conditions in
many parts of the West Indies.
Cassava starch prepared at the factory, where
special attention is paid to these points, seems to be
certain of obtaining good prices in the English markets ;
when made, however, on a small scale, and the manu-
facture is carried out in a dilatory manner, the product
is likely to contain acid and to be, in consequence,
unsuitable for the special purposes for which the
high-grade starch is required,
The figures given by Mr. Cousins show clearly
that the cost of growing cassava and preparing the
starch is so low as to leave a good margin for profit.
Moreover, the residual pulp, or bitty, is of considerable
value as a food for stock. Allowing for this, the total
cost of producing a ton of cassava starch should not
exceed £6. When it is realized that the average
yield, in Jamaica at any rate, is 10 tons to the acre, it
should be obvious that the industry is one that is
likely to yield handsome profits.
With regard to the other possible use of cassava,
viz., as a source of glucose, the opinions of brokers
have already been given in the Agricultural News.
It is not considered that the exportation in the form of
dried, sliced tubers is likely to receive much encourage-
ment from the manufacturers of glucose on account
of the additional expense entailed in grinding them.
In the form of cassava flour, as recently sent from
Jamaica, however, it is possible that there will be
a limited market for cassava as a source of glucose, at
a price, probably, of about £5 10s. per ton.
Messrs. Garton, Hill & Co., to whom the samples
were sent for valuation, have pointed out that the
demand for cassava flour will be uncertain on account
of the fact that several of the largest glucose manufac-
turers have already installed plants for obtaining glucose
trom whole corn. It would appear, therefore, that it is
in the manufacture of starch that we may expect to
find a profitable use for cassava. There can be little
doubt that where factories for the purpose could be
erected, the growing of cassava might with advantage
be taken up by the peasantry on a fairly large scale.
SUGAR INDUSTRY.
Sugar-cane Experiments at Barbados.
The following is the concluding portion of the
progress report by Professor J. P. d’Albuquerque M.A.,
F.LC., F.C.S., and Mr. J. R. Bovell, F.L.S., F.C.S., on
the sugar-cane experiments at Barbados for the
half-year ended December 31, 1903 :—
EXPERIMENTS UPON TILLAGE.
At Hampton plantation a very level, 63-acre field
(Drink-water field) was marked out into ten large strips and
subjected to the different processes of tillage detailed below.
The strips differed somewhat in length and width ; the
width in different strips varied between 10 and 14 holes. The
results are calculated to the acre and are given in the
following table : —
Numbers of
plots.
Canes, tons
per acre,
‘Subsoiled close; lined 6 x 6;
cane holes dug ; manured and
_ cultivated in the usual estate
manner.
Meaniesnltst sui... eeecuieeee 15:
—
turning under farmyard manure
8 in. deep; cane holes dug; and
estate
jn flat with dise plough,
ordinary
methods.
[retin in
Nean resultsie.e. cea eeemeere
15°59
Subsoiled close ;a furrow opened
js mould board plough 6 feet
|} apart ; manure spread on banks ;
ee canes planted in furrow 6 feet
Sv)
apart.
Mean results: sc eescc) eee) ee 14°94
(Ridged with dise plough, turning
under farmyard manure 8 in.
deep ; planted in rows in bottom
‘of furrow ; cultivated with Dia-
mond cultivator ; and trashed as
usual.
\. Mean results ... ... 13°20
‘Subsoiling opened one way ;
forked piece of land left between
, cane holes ; and cultivated in the
ordinary estate way.
Mean results).:. <.. s..) .--|) plga20)
5, 10
It will be seen that an extreme difference of 2} tons of
canes occurred between (1) the most favourable plots and (2)
the least favourable plots.
——————
ere rere Pe
Vou. III. No. 55.
THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS. 163
(1) The most favourable plots were subsoiled close,
cane holes dug and manured and cultivated in the usual
estate manner.
(2) The least favourable plots were ridged with the
dise plough, turning under farmyard manure 8 inches deep,
the canes being planted in rows at the bottom of the furrows
and cultivated with the Diamond cultivator.
EXPERIMENTS NOW IN PROGRESS.
For the period now under review, there are 8,120
experiments covering an area of 143°294 acres. The experi-
ments may, for the sake of convenience, be divided into two
groups-—the first consisting of the experiments which were
being carried on during the first half-year of 1903, the latter
the experiments which were inaugurated during the half-
year ending December 1903.
As a detailed list of the first group was given in the
last report (Agricultural News, Vol. LH, p. 306), there is no
necessity for reproducing it here. We may, however,
mention that the root fungus, which last half-year we
reported as existing in some of the manurial plots, is, in spite
of the favourable rainfall, still in evidence, and there is no
doubt that in some plots it will unfavourably affect the
results. We further regret to say that, in some instances,
many of the seedling and other canes have also been attacked.
On the whole, however, the stands of canes on the
experimental plots have grown fairly well and will on some
estates give large yields.
The following is a detailed list of the experiments of
the second group, the number of plots and areas under
experiment :—
EXPERIMENTS WITH MANURES.
Of the 106 plant cane manurial plots, covering an area
of 14:196 acres, twenty-six are in ‘Summervale’ field at
Dodds, twenty-six in ‘Negro Yard’ field at Foursquare, and
fifty-four in ‘Ten Acre’ field at Hopewell.
By the kind permission of Mr. A. Cameron, experiments
on eighteen manurial plots, extending over an area of 16-02
acres, are being conducted on the estates of Messrs. T. Daniel
& Co., Ltd. Of these, six are in ‘ Logwood’ field at Balls,
six in ‘ No, 2 Lynch’ field at Hampton, and six in ‘ Upper
Gall’ field at Ruby.
With one exception the canes on the manurial plots have
grown fairly well.
EXPERIMENTS WITH SELECTED SEEDLING AND OTHER CANES,
This group of experiments consists of 182 plots with an
area of 10°815 acres. Of these, thirty-four are in ‘ Dixon’
field at Waterford, fifty-four in ‘ Upper Chapel’ field at
Dodds, twenty in ‘Jack Tar’ field at Coverley, twenty-four
in ‘ Cars’ field at Husbands, twenty-eight in ‘ Ginger’ field
at Henley, and twenty-two in ‘Upper Belle’ field at Claybury.
On the whole, the canes in this group of experiments
germinated fairly well and at present there is every prospect
of their giving a good return.
EXPERIMENTS WITH SEEDLING CANES OTHER THAN THOSE
OF THE FIRST YEAR AND DIFFERENT NAMED VARIETIES.
In this section of the experiments there are 1,684 plots
extending over an area of 22°264 acres. At Dodds there
are 395 plots of plant canes in the following fields, viz :—
‘Cat Hole,’ fifty-five; ‘Upper Padmore,’ seventy-six ; ‘Harrow,’
thirty-four ; ‘Pilgrim,’ forty-two; ‘Upper Bay Tree,’ fifty-five ;
‘House,’ fifty-five; ‘Lower Nightingale,’ thirty-eight; and
‘Summeryale,’ forty. In ‘Seven Acre’ field at the Ridge,
twenty-three; in ‘Cut Hill’ field at Hannays, twelve; in
‘Above the Yard’ field at Sunbury, twenty-nine; in ‘Garden’
field at the Pine, thirteen; in ‘Monkey Pond’ field at Brighton,
twelve; in ‘Cow House’ field at Hampton, nine; in ‘South
Negro Yard’ field at Oughterson, seven; in ‘Still Pond’ field
at Clifton Hall, twenty-four; in ‘Simmons Bottom’ field at
Lower estate, eight ; and in ‘Sandy’ field at Waterford, 1,172.
With one or two exceptions, the canes in this section of
the experiments have grown regularly and a uniform stand is
being obtained.
YOUNG SEEDLING CANES.
During December and January seeds obtained from
some of the old seedlings and from some of the other canes
were sown. Owing, we think, to the drought which occurred
while the seeds were maturing, their germinating power was
lower this year than any year since canes from seed have been
grown, and, although more seeds were sown, fewer grew than
usual, and of those that did germinate many appeared so
feeble that they died soon afterwards. Still, however, 1,000
have been obtained, many of which are now looking fairly
well.
Our best thanks are due to the proprietors, attorneys
and managers who have so kindly placed land at our disposal
and for their ready co-operation with us in carrying out the
experiments.
Maple Sugar.
The Louisiana Planter of April 16, contains an
interesting article entitled: ‘Origin of Maple Sugar.’
It describes the sacred myths and traditions connected
with the maple tree that existed among the Iroquois
Indians :—
The season of sugar making from beginning to end is
a sort of carnival or general holiday among these children of
nature ; even those who are civilized and working in the towns
will drop everything and hurry off to the woods when the
sap begins to flow.
Our pioneer fathers made few improvements upon
Indian methods of sugar making, but in the course of years
buckets have taken the place of troughs; open pans are
used instead of kettles ; the furnace instead of the open fire.
The work is done under cover and much of the outdoor
poetry of this spring industry has faded into the light of
common day, the prosaic air of our work-a-day life.
‘Sap-run’ does not last long; it comes and goes with
the weather and has all the caprices of other delightful
things, and no one can control its infinite variety. Every
woodland creature enjoys the sweet drink. The squirrels
slyly help themselves when no one is looking, cows will
watch and empty the bucket while your back is turned,
sheep will drink enough to kill them if they have half
a chance, and boys must keep constant watch over the liquid.
But best of all is the delight of the honey bees in the
overflowing sap. Up and down the dark, shining trunks
they crawl, sometimes so full of the enticing food that they
can scarcely move, and could be brushed away by the
handful.
Fer-de-lance at St. Lucia. We extract the
following from the annual report on the sanitary condition of
St. Lucia, published in the Gazette of April 23 :—‘Unfor-
tunately there is also recorded a death from snake bite.
Some fifteen years ago, a week rarely elapsed, or a ride of 3
or 4 miles into the country, without my seeing one or more
Fer-de-lance. Five or six snakes, 2 to 3 feet long, were always
killed annually by the gang clearing the Victoria Hospital
Grounds. Of late years no trace of one has been met with
and I have not seen a live snake for several years.’
164
THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.
May 21, 1904.
WEST
CITRUS FRUIT AND PINE-APPLES IN
JAMAICA.
In his report to the Trinidad Agricultural Society
on the Fruit Industry of Jamaica, Mr. W. E. Smith
makes the following reference to the trade in fruit
other than bananas :-—
Oranges, grape fruit and pines figure in no insignificant
degree in the total value of their exports. During last year
they shipped nearly 71,000,000 oranges (equal to 180,000
barrels), 8,011 packages of grape fruit and 8,220 dozens of
pines.
The Jamaica oranges possess a very fine texture and
exquisite flavour, but they are in my opinion inferior in size
and appearance to those ordinarily grown here, while the best
of our varieties would be hard to beat anywhere.
The greater proportion is sent to the States, but of late
years considerable quantities have been put on the English
market, and found much favour there,
Notwithstanding a protective duty of $1°50 per 70 Ib.
gross in the States, it seems that the Jamaica growers can
still make a profit out of oranges so long as the Florida and
California fruit is not in season. It is to the English markets
that the buyers are at present looking, but the general
complaint is want of more frequent shipping facilities than
are afforded by the fortnightly service to Bristol by the
Imperial Direct Line.
The large buyers of oranges pay from Is. per 100 to as
low as 3d., delivered at the nearest railway station, and the
process of grading, wrapping and packing is done very much
in the same manner as that followed by the Symington
Syndicate here. The prices realized in English ports are
subject to great variation, according to quality, condition
and season. Last Christmas the best quality of Jamaica
oranges fetched in London from 12s. to 14s. per box of 200,
a statement I should myself scarcely credit, were it not taken
from a very reliable source indeed.
On all sides I heard the same story, that profits or
losses (as with bananas) depend absolutely upon the kind of
care given to the selection and handling of oranges before
shipment, and to the maintenance of an equable temperature
throughout the sea voyage. Quality and condition, as with
most things, will always command and hold the best markets,
and the Jamaica people seem to be fully alive to this.
Budding of the choicer sorts is practised to some
extent, and hybridizing experiments are also being carried
out with the Ripley and Cayenne varieties of pines, the
special object being to combine the superior edible qualities
of the one with the more symmetrical shape and size of the
other.
\
INDIAN FRUIT.
TINNING PINE-APPLES.
Mr. H. N. Ridley, M.A., F.LS., writes as follows
in the Agricultural Bulletin of the Straits and
Federated Malay States tor February, on the tinning
of pine-apples :—
The pines are here always peeled by hand, though
machines for this purpose have been invented, as it is found
more economical to use hand labour here where it is cheap.
The peelers are Chinese. They cut the top and bottom off
the pine and peel it with a knife, holding the pine in the
left hand, which is covered with an India-rubber glove, to
protect it from the acid action of the pine juice. The gloves
have constantly to be renewed as they are soon destroyed by
use. The pines are then put in the tins which are filled. up
with either water or syrup. The cores are removed
previously, if required, by a tin tube which is pressed through
the centre, but most pines are tinned without coring. The
syrup is made of three catties of sugar to one picul of water,
After the pine is put in the tin it is soldered up, and
a number of tins are put on a kind of wooden raft and
plunged in a tank of water heated by steam. They are
boiled in this tank for from ten minutes, in the case of the
smallest tins, to an hour and a half for large tins. The
biggest tins weigh 5 tb. when full. After removal from the
boiling water a puncture is made in the top of the tin with
a hammer and punch, and in large tins two punctures. This
is to let out the steam, and after this the holes made are
resoldered and the tins plunged again into boiling water for
nine minutes. They are then labelled packed for
export.
and
The object of tinning without sugar is to avoid duty on
sugar, and also to enable confectioners to use them for their
purposes. Pine-apple juice is often added in the case of
pines not preserved with sugar, but the tins are often filled
with plain water.
Other forms of exported pines are in slices } inch thick
(sliced pines), and with the eyes removed (eyeless pines).
Bruised pines and others are often cut into chunks, or cubes.
All these are tinned in the same way. Grated or jam pine
is another form of export. Crystallized pines are dried in
the sun, and then crystallized in sugar.
The sugar used is usually Java sugar, but Mr. Landau
tells me he finds Austrian beet sugar better, on account of its
colour. The cost is, however, about the same. One
manufacturer states that he preserves all his pines in syrup
about 30 degrees solution, using from 11 to 20 tb. of sugar to
1 ewt. of pines.
Vou. III. No. 55.
THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.
165
COTTON NOTES.
Cotton Factory at Grenada.
The following announcement relating to the
opening of a cotton factory at Grenada, appeared in the
public telegrams of May 12 :—
At a meeting to-day of leading gentlemen highly
representative of the commercial, agricultural and mercantile
interests of the colony, at which also were present, his
Excellency Sir Robert Llewelyn, Lady Llewelyn, Miss Gladys
Llewelyn and Sir Daniel Morris, the Commissioner of
Agriculture for the West Indies, a large cotton ginning
and baling factory, erected by Mr. L. R. Mitchell, was
formally opened at the upper end of the Careenage,
St. George’s. The machinery was erected by Mr. J. C.
McQueen, and is the first cotton factory erected in the island
since the American Civil War.
Cotton Experiments at St. Lucia.
The Agricultural Instructor at St. Lucia has selected
the following localities for cotton experiment plots to be
started under the auspices of the St. Lucia Agricultural
Society and the Imperial Department of Agriculture :—
Laborie, at Saphir estate; Soufriére, at Petit Delcert estate ;
Castries, at Vide Bouteille estate; Gros Islet, at Reduit
estate ; Dennery, at Anse Canot estate, and Micoud, at Mde.
Micoud estate.
Each plot will be divided into three sections: section 1
to contain Sea Island cotton, planted May-June; section 2,
Upland cotton, planted May-June ; and section 3, Sea Island
cotton, planted September-October.
Full instructions on cultural and other points are being
issued to each plot owner and special stress is being laid on
the necessity for the land being thoroughly forked before
planting. In addition to these plots, there will be 2 acres
planted in Sea Island and Upland cotton on land adjoining
the Agricultural School at Union, and 3 to 5 acres will be
planted with varieties of cotton at the Riviére Dorée
Experiment Station.
History of Cotton in the West Indies.
Sir George Watt, Kt, C.LE., M.B., C.M., LL.D.,
Reporter on Economic Products to the Government of
India, delivered a lecture at the West India Committee
Rooms on April 19 on‘Cotton Improvement.’ The
lecturer gave an interesting account of the history of
cotton. We reproduce his remarks relating to the
history of cotton in the West Indies :—
It is believed that in 1657 cotton had actually been
experimentally grown on some of the sugar estates of
Barbados. We also read that early in the 18th. century
cotton had become an important auxiliary crop in Jamaica,
Trinidad and elsewhere in the West Indies. Several writers
allude to at least two, if not three, of the best known cotton
plants of the world as having been found in a truly wild
State in the West Indies. As already indicated, they
| supplied America with its finest seed, but the cultivation of
cotton in these islands seems to have been given up in favour
of sugar, thus leaving the American growers an absolutely
free market in the British supply. There is nothing to
Show that the retirement of the West Indies was in any
Sense due to inability to produce cottons as fine as, if not finer
than those grown in America. On the contrary, it seems
fairly certain that the most prized cottons of the world (at
the present day) all, or nearly all, originated in these islands.
The American and West Indian series form an assemblage
very distinct from that of the Old World. The leaves are
very much larger, broader, nothing like so deeply segmented,
and the bracteoles much more laciniate than those of India,
China, Africa, and Egypt. Being also very highly cultivated
states the seeds are mostly naked, after the removal of the
long, silky floss. But due to their higher cultivation they
are collectively much more liable to the ravages of pests and
blights than are the Indian cottons. The so-called short
staples of the American series are usually longer than the
long staples of India. But as manifesting the great progress
made by the American farmers, it may be added that the
short staples of the New World belong for the most part to
the Occidental series already mentioned.
The New World it will thus be seen had been rapidly
and most successfully established as an important source of
supply in competition with the Old, and what was to India
an even more serious aspect, the American and West Indian
cottons were early recognized as superior to those of Asia.
In a remarkably short time, therefore, the whole aspect of
the cotton trade of the world changed. India fell into a
position of secondary importance. The West Indies gave
attention to indigo in preference to cotton, as their auxiliary
crop, but soon abandoned indigo and concentrated attention
on sugar. America, on the other hand, gave cotton produc-
tion a prominent position in its agricultural enterprise, and
with surprising rapidity distanced India both in quality and
quantity. Instead of furnishing Europe with raw cotton
and cotton goods, India now became dependent on England
for her own supplies of the finer cotton textiles, and a large
import trade was in consequence established. The triumph
was thus complete of improved mechanical contrivances and
intelligent agriculture over hereditary skill and child-like
traditions.
CASTILLOA RUBBER SEEDS.
The following note on the packing of castilloa
rubber seeds for transport is taken from the Consular
Report on Samoa for 1903 :—
It is generally understood that great difficulties exist in
obtaining seeds of the Castilloa elastica in good condition
from long distances. These difficulties would not be so great
if the senders of the seeds would observe certain essential
points, viz.: lst., the seeds must be perfectly ripe, and should
not be allowed to stand any length of time before packing ;
2nd., they must not be packed in too large quantities—a tin
box, 6 by 4 by 2 inches, will hold 250 seeds (of course there
are exceptions, such as a person travelling with the seeds
giving them personal attention) ; 3rd., the packing (powdered
charcoal) should be wetted at least twenty-four hours before
using and when used should not be too wet. In packing place
a layer of the moist charcoal in the tin box, and then set in
rows the seeds, leaving a little space between each seed, then
another layer of charcoal and so on until full. Seeds packed in
this manner under ordinarily favourable conditions should
keep in a slow growing condition for forty days. If the ger-
mination should happen to be rapid, or the box be a long time
in transit, and the seeds when the box is opened be found to
have grown into one another, then the sides of the tin box
should be cut down in several places and the block lifted out
intact ; afterwards, by carefully teasing the rootlets apart
with two pieces of pointed wood, most of the contents can be
used.
166 THE
AGRICULTURAL NEWS.
May 21, 1904,
PINE-APPLE FIBRE.
Farmers Bulletin No, 4, of the Philippine Bureau
of Agriculture, entitled: ‘Preliminary report on the
commercial fibres of the Philippines’ gives an interest-
ing account of the extraction and uses of pine-apple
fibre. It is mentioned that this fibre has long been
appreciated in countries where the pine-apple flourishes,
on account of its strength, fineness, and durability in
water. It is used in India and China for thread and
woven into cloth, the Chinese importing the fibre from
Singapore :—
In the provinces of the Philippines, where the plants
are grown for fibre, the fruit is eut shortly after flowering, in
order that the leaves may develop more fully. When the
leaves are mature, they must be cut before they become old,
and worked as soon as possible after cutting. The fibre is so
fine that it cannot be separated from the pulp when the
leaves are old and dry. As in the extraction of Manila hemp
and maguey, the pine-apple fibre is also extracted in a simple
and primitive way. ‘The fibre is too light and fine to admit
of being drawn as Manila hemp is drawn, so the natives in
Southern Luzon and Panay resort to a method of scraping.
The freshly cut leaves are spread upon a narrow bench, and
with light short strokes of an iron scraper, the edge of which
is not too sharp, the epidermis is scraped off. Sometimes
a bamboo or wooden scraper is used, and while this method
is slower, yet there is less waste, and a softer quality of fibre
is produced. This exposes a layer of fibre which is lifted by
the fingers or a small spatula. The scraping is then con-
tinued until another layer of fibre is exposed, and this
in turn is lifted away. The process continues until all
the fibres of the leaf are separated out. As the
fibre is separated it is washed in clear water, and laid out in
the sun to dry and bleach. The washing and drying may be
repeated until the fibre possesses the texture and whiteness
desired.
A mature plant has about forty leaves from 1} to 3
inches broad and ranging from 2 to 5 feet long. In the
provinces of Iloilo and Antique, where pine-apple plants are
grown largely for their fibre, a ton of leaves, about 22,000,
produces from 50 to 65 tb. of dry fibre. This is a small yield
when we take into consideration the number of leaves which
have to be handled and the labour of extracting the fibre.
Before the pine-apple fibre can become a very important
commercial product, machines will have to be devised for
extracting the fibre on plantations more extensive than those
worked at present. ‘Two machines have been used, the Van
Buren and the Sanford Mallory, but they have not yet been
able to produce a quantity of fibre sufficient to make their
use economical.
The pineapple fibre has not yet been produced in
quantities sufficient to give it commercial importance. But
no doubt it is destined to a more extensive use than ‘at
present, as it possesses unique qualities. The fabrics called
‘pina’ and ‘ rengue,’ manufactured from it here in the
Philippines, are constantly becoming more popular in both
Europe and America, and there is a growing demand for
these fabrics for embroidery. The rengue and pina are now
valued at from 25 to 75c. per yard, and the fibre in the
London market has been adjudged worth £30 per ton.
The fibre is also used for small cordage where great
strength is required. In Calcutta a rope 3} inches in
circumference was tested and bore a strain of 5,700 tb. It
has been suggested that the dried leaves from the fruit
plantations could be used for paper stock, but as yet no trials
along this line have been made.
INSECTS AND DISEASE.
The following is a further extract from Sir
Patrick Manson’s lecture at the West India Committee
Rooms on the disease problem in the West Indies :—
From what I have said you will be struck with the
importance of the réle played by the mosquito in the
diffusion of tropical disease. In truth, take away mosquitos,
and the tropics would be as healthy, if not healthier,
than England. The fact of the matter is that it is only now
we are beginning to recognize that nearly all the grave
diseases of the tropics, and some of the grave diseases of
temperate climates, are conveyed by the instrumentality of
mosquitos, flies, ticks, fleas, and certain other small deer
with names not to ke mentioned in polite society. It is a
humiliating confession to have to make, but is nevertheless
true, that until lately man was not the lord of creation; the
flies that buzzed about him or the fleas that he carried on
his person were his masters. We now begin to apprehend
the rationale of cleanliness, of how it conduces to health.
Dirt means vermin—vermin which bite, and by their bite
transfer other and more deadly vermin. And not only is
this the case as regards man; it is equally the case as
regards the domestic animals. Thus the germ of a virulent
cattle disease common in many parts of America, of the
Cape, of Australia, and even of the south of Europe, is
passed from cow to cow by the cattle tick. Nature rarely
loses an opportunity of fostering parasitic life. The
opportunity supplied by the habits of the blood-sucking
insects is one which she has not neglected. She sometimes
seems to goa long way out of her usual direct and simple
course in order that so good an opportunity be not lost.
Thus certain blood-sucking creatures, like the ticks, feed
only once, and so cannot directly transfer disease germs
from animal to animal. To get over this difficulty in the
case of the ticks, nature has arranged that the disease germ
shall pass into the egg of the mother tick and thus into the
blood of the cow the young tick feeds on. There is a
devilish sort of ingenuity in this utilization of blood-sucking
insects in the conveyance of disease germs: it looks like
design, but surely design of a vindictive order.
SISAL HEMP IN QUEENSLAND.
The following note on the cultivation of sisal
hemp in Queensland is taken from the Textile Mereury
of April 23 :—
A sample of sisal hemp, grown at St. Helena, was
recently forwarded to Messrs. James Miller and Co,,
Melbourne, by the Queensland Department of Agriculture,
Messrs. Miller have expressed a high opinion of the sample,
and stated that there is a demand for at least 2,000 tons
yearly, the value of which would range from £30 to £35
per ton, according to quality.
Sisal hemp is now being grown in Queensland, and £30
to £35 per ton is the market price obtained. It is estimated
that 2,000 tons a year can be disposed of in Australia itself,
where it might be largely used for the manufacture of
binder twine. Sisal is practically a modern fibre, and in
Messrs. W. F. Malcolm and Co.’s hemp report for last year
the consumption is put down at 610,000 bales—an inerease
of 74,000 bales on the previous year. Manila and New
Zealand hemps are just now very high in price, and as the
world’s demand for fibre is somewhat greater than the
production, there may well be a good opening for the
production of this article in Queensland.
Vou. Ill. No. 55.
SCIENCE NOTES.
Red Sorrel and Surinam Cherry.
In Farmers’ Bulletin No. 169, of the U. S.
Department of Agriculture, there is an article on some
tropical and sub-tropical fruits, from which we extract
the following information relating to the red sorrel
(Hibiscus Sabdariffa) and the Surinam cherry
(Eugenia uniflora)—two plants widely cultivated in
these islands :—
The roselle, or Jamaica sorrel, is the fruit of Hcbiscus
Sabdariffa, a widely distributed tropical plant, which yields
the roselle fibre of commerce. As grown in Florida and
California it is an herbaceous annual. The plants are grown
from seed in spring, and require a long season free from frost
to mature. Under favourable conditions they produce a very
heavy, continuous crop of blossoms in the latter part of the
summer and autumn. ‘The fruits, which somewhat resemble
okra or gumbo in form, though they are much shorter in
proportion to their size, are a dark magenta red in colour
and are used for making jellies and preserves, which are of
a beautiful red colour and have a flavour suggesting that of
the cranberry. The thick, juicy, dark-red calyxes are the
only portions used, and these are at their best soon after the
petals fall. If the harvest is long delayed, the enlarging
ovary forms too large a proportion of the product and lessens
its value by detracting from the flavour of the jelly or
preserves. Roselle jelly is now on the market, though it is
not very common.
The Surinam cherry, sometimes called pitanga, is the
fruit of a tropical shrub, native to Brazil and other tropical
regions of South America. This shrub, which attains
a height of about 20 feet, is grown to a limited extent in
southern Florida and southern California. The fruit is about
the size of an ordinary cherry, is roundish oblate in form,
ribbed, bright red in colour and of a sharp, but pleasant, acid
flavour. It is somewhat used for domestic jelly making, but
the product has not yet attained commercial importance,
at least in the United States.
On an average, the roselle is made up of about equal
proportions of pods and calyx. The edible portion of the
Surinam cherry constitutes some 83 per cent. of the entire
fruit, and the stems and stones together some 17 per cent.
The average composition of these fruits is as follows :—
Water.} Protein. | Fat ees ~| Ash.
drates
Surinam cherry 85-0 “4 (a) 13:2 | “7
Roselle :
Calyx 86°5 2-1 3 103 | ‘8
Pod eis ...| 84:0 EOS |) 10) 12:2) | 1:1
Extract from calyx| 91-2 =) (@) GRAN er
Extract from pods! 93:7 15 (Oy Cea
(a) Including 10 per cent. invert sugar, 10°1 per cent.
total sugar.
(6) Including 1-6 per cent. sugar.
* _(c) Including 1 per cent. sugar.
The Surinam cherry and roselle do not differ materially
in chemical composition from more common fruits. The
total quantity of nutritive material is small in proportion to
the bulk, while the proportion of water (juice) is large.
These fruits are generally regarded as palatable and are of
value in adding to the variety and attractiveness of the diet.
THE AGRICULTURAL
NEWS. 167
The Pomegranate.
The pomegranate (Punica granatum) is a native of
North-west India, but cultivated in most tropical countries.
The tree is small and of a somewhat straggling habit ;
the flowers are crimson.
8. Punica GRANATUM.
[From Kew Guide.]
‘ Pomegranates are greatly valued in warm countries on
account of their delicious, cooling and refreshing pulp.
Numerous varieties are grown, some being sweet and vinous,
and others acid or of a bitter astringent taste; and the
colour of their pulp is much redder in some than in others.
They are generally about the size of the fist, and have
a tough, leathery rind of a beautiful, deep, golden colour
tinged with red, and are crowned with the remains of the
calyx-lobes. The rind, especially that of the bitter kind,
contains a large quantity of tannin, and is used for tanning
the celebrated morocco-leather, and also as an astringent
medicine ; the flowers likewise yield a red dye.’ (Treasury of
Botany.)
A GARDEN OF MEDICINAL PLANTS.
American Gardening of April 16 has the following
account of the interesting exhibit of medicinal plants
at the Louisiana Exposition :—
One of the features at the Louisiana Purchase Exposi
tion is the outdoor exhibit of the office of Drug and
Medicinal Plant Investigations of the U. 8. Department ot
Agriculture, made under the direction of Rodney H. True,
Physiologist-in-charge.
This exhibit comprises growing specimens of various
medicinal plants, some of them native species which are
gradually becoming scarcer and therefore more valuable, some
simply ordinary weeds that can be picked up on almost any
farm, for which, however, there is considerable demand.
A few foreign drug plants, of which we are now importing
large quantities, and which could be cultivated in this country
as well as abroad, are also introduced. The area devoted
to medicinal plants consists of a strip of land 180 feet
long by 40 feet wide. This is laid off in forty-seven plots,
each measuring about 13 feet in length by 7 feet in width,
with walks between the beds affording easy access to the
plots for purposes of closer scrutiny and examination.
The labels give the common and scientific names of the
plants, the parts employed in medicine, and their properties.
168 THE
AGRICULTURAL NEWS.
May 21, 1904.
EDITORIAL NOTICES.
Letters and matter for publication, as well
as all specimens for naming, should be addressed
to the Commissioner, Imperial Department of
Agriculture, Barbados.
All applications for copies of the ‘Agricul-
tural News’ should be addressed to the Agents,
and not to the Department. A complete list of
the London and Local agents will be found at
foot of page 175 of this issue.
The ‘Agricultural News’: Price 1d. per
number, post free 14d. Annual subscription
payable to Agents 2s. 2d. Post free, 3s. 3d.
Agricultural dlews
Wor, JUNE
SATURDAY, MAY 21, 1904. No. 55,
NOTES AND COMMENTS.
Contents of Present Issue.
Among the articles in this issue of the Agri-
cultural News the following may be referred to as of
particular interest :—
On pages 162-3 will be found the concluding
portion of the progress report on the sugar-cane
experiments at Barbados. The instalment of this
report published in the last issue dealt particularly
with the manurial experiments at Dodds and Hopewell.
In this issue the report deals with experiments with
tillage and gives a detailed list of the experiments
inaugurated during the period under review.
An interesting note on the method of tinning
pine-apples, as practised in the Straits Settlements, is
given on page 164, where there will also be found a
further extract from Mr. Smith’s report to the Trinidad
Agricultural Society on the Fruit Industry of Jamaica.
Mr. Smith’s report deals principally with the banana
industry: the remarks given here refer to the trade in
other fruits.
Under ‘Cotton Notes’ will be found references to
the opening of a Central Cotton Factory at Grenada
and to proposed cotton experiment plots at St. Lucia.
We also publish an interesting extract from Sir George
Watt’s lecture on the Improvement of Cotton. This
extract deals particularly with the history of cotton in
the West Indies.
The short extract on page 166 describing the
methods adopted in the Philippines for the extraction
of pine-apple fibre is likely to be of interest as indicat-
ing a possible new industry for the West Indies.
In the article on Paris green and London purple
a brief comparison is given between these two insecti-
cides, either of which might be used for the cotton
worm. On the whole, however, better results are likely
to be obtained from the use of Paris green.
Exports of Northern Nigeria.
According to the Colonial Report on Northern
Nigeria tor 1902, the principal exports are rubber,
shea nuts and shea butter, palm kernels, ivory, gum
arabic, wood oil, and ground nuts.
Shea butter is the product of a tree known as
Butyrospermum Parkii, belonging to the natural order
Sapotaceae. The value of the exports of shea nuts
and shea butter amounted in 1902 to £15,205, against
a total of £32,651 in the previous year. The failure
was due entirely to natural causes, and the crop is
expected to recover itself.
The exports of rubber were valued at £21,927,
of palm kernels at £10,481, and ground nuts at £1,958,
$$$ + ——_§_
A Stitch in Time.
Those about to plant cotton are advised to take
precautions in good time to secure supplies of Paris
green and lime in order to destroy the caterpillars
which attack cotton.
The proportions to be used are 1 tb. of Paris green
and 6 th. of slaked lime. These are to be dusted on the
cotton plants directly the worms appear.
Local merchants are being asked to import and
keep in stock the necessary supplies of Paris green and
lime, from whom cotton-planters can purchase at
reasonable rates and to whom they are advised to make
known their wants at an early date.
Cotton-planters are earnestly urged to provide
themselves with supplies of Paris green and lime long
before the caterpillars are due to make their appearance:
it is only in this way that attacks can be quickly met
and the best results obtained from the industry.
Fodder Grasses for West Africa.
The Bulletin of the Imperial Tnstitute, Vol. II,
no. 1, contains an interesting article on the above
subject. The particular problems to be solved in the
case of West Africa are, it is stated: ‘The provision
of fodder during (1) the wet season, and (2) the dry
season, the latter being either ensilage, hay, or grasses
which yield crops during this time. The plants to be
employed must perforce be either native or introduced,
but in the first instance attention should be directed to
the former,’
Notes are given of the more important fodder
grasses recorded from West Africa, where many of
them are already held in high esteem. he list
includes :—Guinea grass (Panicum maximum), ‘the
most important for general purposes’; Para grass
(Panicum muticum), a ‘permanent grass for swampy
localities’; Barbados sour grass (Andropogon pertusus)
and Jamaica pimento grass (Stenotaphrum ameri-
canum), for dry regions and on poor soils; Bahama
grass or devil's grass (Cynodon dactylon), Jamaica sour
grass (Paspalum distichwm), sugar-cane (Saccharum
officinarum), ete.
“Notes, drawn largely from the West Indian
Bulletin and the Bulletin of the Department of
Agriculture of Jamuica, ave given as to the value of
these and other grasses as fodder.
Mot. lil sNo: 55,
Exports of Dominica.
It will be of interest to have on record the
following summary of the principal items of export
from the island of Dominica during the year 1903 :—
Bay leaves, 174 bales, valued at £783 ; logwood
and divi-divi, 34 cords (£68) ; fresh fruit to the value
of £4,501 ; preserved fruits (including tamarinds and
pickled limes), 762 barrels, of the value of £322 ; lime
juice (raw), 129,316 gallons, valued at £4,849 ; lime
juice (concentrated), 6,670 gallons (£14,175) ; essential
oils, 3,081 gallons, of the value of £1,544; sugar
(crystallized) 225 tons, valued at £1,890.
The exports of fresh fruit included bananas, cocoa-
nuts, limes, mangos, pine-apples, ete. ; and the essential
oils, bay, lime and orange. The bay oil (valued at £35)
was, however, not the product of the island.
A
_ Vanilla in Pondichery.
An article, by M. A. Block, in the March-April
issue of L’Agricultwre pratique des Pays Chauds,
1904, gives an account of the trial cultivation of vanilla
in French India.
The plant was first introduced to the Colonial
Garden at Pondichéry in 1879 from Réunion, the area
planted being about 15 ares (rather more than } acre).
The area was gradually increased, until in 1901,
3 hectares 77 ares (about 94 acres) were under
cultivation.
The author points out that the cultivation in
Pondichéry must be considered an artificial one owing
to the unfavourable conditions of soil and climate.
Vanilla requires a porous, friable soil, rich in humus,
and frequent but moderate rains. In Pondichéry the
soil is clayey and for eight months (March to October)
there is practically no rain, while torrents from
November to February. The cultivation can thus
be maintained only by constant care and attention, and
by reducing the number of flowers pollinated to
~ a minimum.
$<
Cotton growing in British Guiana.
Correspondence has recently been published in the
Demerara press between Mr. E. R. Davson and
Dr. Rowland, the honorary secretary of the Berbice
Cotton Growers’ Committee.
The policy of the committee has been to encourage
cotton growing among the peasant proprietors, as
stated by Dr. Rowland, ‘in much the same way as the
coolie grows rice,....and they have only asked the
planter to cultivate an acre or so, just as an example to
the farmer.’
In his letter to Dr. Rowland, Mr. Davson remarks
that it is a moot point, whether cotton growing should
be developed on the large plantation or the small
proprietary system, and states that, with a view to
settling the point he is having 5 acres planted in
cotton on Providence and Bath estates. This will be
cultivated on ordinary estate conditions, and will
enable sufficient reliable data to be obtained to decide
whether cotton is a suitable crop to be taken up on
a large scale in the colony.
THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.
169
We have on several occasions expressed the
opinion in the Agricultural News that it is desirable
that experiments in cotton growing—as in the
introduction of any new industry—should, in the first
instance, be conducted only by experienced and skilful
planters. It is only in this way that we can arrive at
reliable data, as to cost of cultivation, yield, ete., which
must necessarily be obtained before the industry can
satisfactorily be established, and which can be published
for the information and guidance of others.
a
The Culture of Grapes.
The Bulletin of the Department of Agricultwre
of Jamaica for March contains the report of a lecture
on grape vine culture by the Rev. Wm. Griffith, an
ardent horticulturist in Jamaica. The lecture, which
was one of the recent course for elementary school
teachers, contains many valuable hints on this subject
which are likely to be of interest to some of our
readers, and we therefore make the following brief
summary :—
The grape vine succeeds well in low-lying
situations near the sea. Vines are raised in a variety
of ways—from seeds, layers, single buds, and cuttings.
The custom in Jamaica is to grow from cuttings with
two buds planted firmly in light soil so deeply that the
bud just peeps above the surface of the soil. It is a
good plan, when the young vine has reached about 8 to
10 feet, to cut off about a foot of the top and so restrict
the future growth, keeping both leader and laterals
regularly pinched back.
As arule the question of the next year’s crop is
settled a year ahead. Pruning does not give fruit, it
only settles its method of distribution over the surface
of the vine. Two systems of pruning prevail—one is
the close or spur pruning, and the other is to leave
from two to three buds on the cane when pruning in
spring. The latter plan gives larger and_ looser
clusters, and less thinning is required. The proper
time for pruning in Jamaica is between the end
of January and the middle of March. If the season
is dry and warm, the commencement of pruning may
usefully be delayed. After pruning water should be
given very sparingly until the buds begin to push,
when a copious watering should be given.
The next important duty is thinning out the
young grapes as soon as possible after the fruit has
set. Some varieties, such as Muscat of Alexandria and
Muscat Hamburg, give little trouble in this direction,
but Gros Colman and many others require from 50 to
70 per cent. of the set berries to be thinned out.
With regard to the varieties to be grown there is
a wide range for choice. Muscat of Alexandria is a
universal favourite. More vines of this variety are
grown in Jamaica than of any other. It is by far the
best mid-year and late grape in cultivation. Where
grapes are grown simply for home consumption, and
only one vine can be grown, the Muscat of Alexandria
should be selected. Where there is room for two or
more vines, Foster’s White seedling, for early use,
and Lady Downe’s Seedling or Alicante, for late supply,
would be serviceable.
170 THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS. May 21, 1904.
On the other hand, corrosive sublimate appeared to
exercise no such injurious influence.
The conclusion is, therefore, that the corrosive
INSECT NOTES.
Grenada Maribunta.
The usefulness of the Grenada Maribunta (Polybia
occidentalis) is mentioned in the Agricultural News (Vol. I,
p- 200). A mass of these insects hanging to a palm leaf was
recently captured in the Botanic Gardens at Grenada. They
were probably swarming, as honey bees swarm when they
start to establish a new nest. A swarm, or colony, of
these insects contains three kinds of individuals—queens,
workers and males. The adults feed their young on insects,
generally caterpillars, which they partially masticate for them.
Sugar-cane Leaf Hopper in Hawaii.
In the last issue of the Agricu/tural News we published
a brief note on the occurrence of this pest in Hawaii. In the
3ulletin there referred to as having been issued by the
Hawaiian Commissioners of Agriculture and Forestry,
an interesting account is given, as an appendix, of the
chemical treatment of seed-canes containing eggs of the
leaf hopper, with a view to destroying these without injury
to the cane. The following is a brief summary of the
experiments which were carried out by Mr. C. F. Eckart, the
Director of the Experiment Station at Makiki :—
The chemicals employed in these experiments were
hydrocyanic acid gas, corrosive sublimate, and carbolic acid,
and the relative resistance of the eggs of the leaf hopper to
these was clearly shown. Sections of cane, 8 inches long,
were cut from badly affected first-year canes, only such
portions being taken as bore evidence of hopper eggs having
been recently deposited.
The canes were divided into eight lots and treated with
corrosive sublimate solution, in various strengths for varying
periods ; with carbolie acid, in various strengths for varying
periods ; fumigated with hydrocyanic acid gas for twenty-
four hours ; finally one lot was left untreated.
After this treatment the canes were placed in boxes
with tight-fitting glass tops, and the young hoppers which
hatched out were counted at intervals.
The various solutions of carbolic acid were found
ineffective in destroying the eggs. The effect of the other
chemicals will be seen from the fact that, although after
nineteen days a total of 200 hoppers had hatched from the
untreated canes, only one had hatched from the canes treated
with corrosive sublimate and one from the lot fumigated
with hydrocyanic acid gas
A further series of tests was carried out to note the
effect of fumigating canes for varying lengths of time, and
of merely dipping canes in corrosive sublimate instead of
soaking. The gas was found to be very effective in destroying
the eggs when the canes were fumigated for periods of six
hours and over: treatment for three hours was insufticient.
The corrosive sublimate treatment appeared to be most
effective when a 2 per cent. solution was used.
Further tests to note the effect of the different treat-
ments on the germinating power of the canes showed,
however, that the length of time that the cane was in contact
with the gas had a marked effect on the vitality of the eye.
sublimate solution is the most useful agent, since it destroys
the eggs and does not affect the germinating power of the
cane,
Paris Green and London Purple.
During the last cotton-growing season Paris green and
London purple were recommended in the Agricultural News
for use in combating the cotton worm. It may be of interest
to our readers to have a comparison of these materials to
help in deciding which of them to use.
London purple and Paris green are both arsenical
poisons ; that is to say, arsenic is the killing agent, and their
value as insecticides depends largely on the amount of this
element they contain. They are known as stomach poisons,
that is, they are effective only when taken into the stomach
with food.
Paris green is a chemical compound of arsenic, copper
and acetic acid, and the higher the percentage of total arsenic
and the lower the percentage of free or uncombined arsenic
or arsenious acid, the better the insecticide. This is because,
as already stated, the killing value of Paris green depends on
the proportion of arsenic compounds, and because uncombined
arsenic is almost certain to scald the leaves of the plants to
which it is applied.
London purple is a chemical compound of calcium and
arsenic, and is much more variable in composition than Paris
green. It is also much more finely divided and much
lighter. It contains a lower percentage of total arsenic and,
generally, a considerably higher percentage of uncombined or
soluble arsenic, and this would have the same burning effect
as in the case of Paris green.
The fact that London purple is much lighter than Paris
green and remains in suspension much longer is in favour of
London purple when used in spraying operations ; further, its
cost is slightly less. On account, however, of its lower
arsenic content, a larger amount will be required to do a given
amount of work.
Tn using either Paris green or London purple as a spray,
quick lime should be added to the mixture, equal weights of
lime and poison being used. The free arsenic combines with
the lime and is thereby rendered harmless to the leaves,
while it retains its killing properties as a stomach poison.
When dusted on to the leaves in a dry state, mixed with
lime at the rate of one to six, neither of these poisons is likely
to cause any serious injury to the plants. It is recommended
in spraying operations that the mixture be made up and
allowed to stand for from six to ten days before being used,
and stirred every day: this gives time for the lime and
arsenic to combine. For the same reason it would probably
be equally advantageous to mix the poison and dry lime for
dusting a few days before using.
Briefly stated, then, the characteristics of Paris green
and London purple are as follows :—
Paris green. London purple.
Rather heavy.
Coarse.
Settles quickly in water.
High total arsenic content
(56 to 60 per cent.).
Low free arsenic content
(usually about 6 per cent.).
Light in weight.
Finely ground.
temains in suspension.
Low total arsenic content
(35 to 44 per cent.).
Comparatively high free
arsenic content (up to 15
per cent.).
Uniform in composition, Variable in composition.
Von. III. No. 55. THE
AGRICULTURAL
NEWS. 171
OTES ard REVIEWS %
VEGETABLES AND FLOWERS FROM SEEDS
IN TROPICAL, SEMI-TROPICAL AND TEMPERATE
CLIMATES: Reading, England: Sutton & Sons. Price 5s.
The preface to this work refers to the craving of
Europeans in distant lands for English vegetables and flowers.
Many of these can be grown in every country of the world :
others cannot be grown with any hope of success, except in
certain favourable localities. The writers give in this useful
handbook of horticulture information as to the requirements
of the principal flowers and vegetables, which, it is hoped,
will go far towards minimizing failures, as well as loss of
time and money in profitless experiments.
We feel sure that this work, which has had an excellent
reception among horticulturists in England, will be found
particularly useful to gardeners—both professional and
amateur—in these colonies, where experiments with English
vegetables and flowers are so frequently attempted, which,
through insufficient knowledge as to the requirements of the
plants, often meet with but little success.
The growing of English flowers and vegetables has been
frequently referred to in the Agricultural News, and it is
probable that many persons, who have attempted the culture
of them, will find much of value in Messrs. Sutton’s latest
handbook. The book is well got up and contains a very
large number of good illustrations.
. FLOWERING PLANTS AND FERNS: By J.C.
Willis, M.A., Director of the Royal Botanic Gardens,
Ceylon. Second Edition, revised and re-arranged in one
volume. Cambridge: The University Press, 1904. Price
10s. 6d.
The first edition of this work was published in 1897 in
two volumes and supplied a long-felt want for a dictionary
in a small, handy form for students of botany. From
students of economic botany, travellers in the colonies and
others, it received a hearty reception.
The author states in the preface to the new edition that
he has found that the division of the work into two volumes
was a mistake; therefore, the whole is now combined in one
volume, the first part being shortened as much as possible.
On the other hand, a large quantity of new and valuable
matter has been added and various other alterations have
been made to render the work as complete as possible
as a work of reference for botanical students.
Chapter IV (‘Economie Botany’) gives a_ useful
summary of the principal products of the vegetable kingdom
with a list of the principal plants cultivated for these
different products. The chapter on the geographical dis-
tribution of plants is also of considerable interest.
We have much pleasure in giving a hearty welcome to
this new edition of a work which we can without any
hesitation recommend. Curators of Botanic Stations and
lecturers in agricultural science in the West Indies, as well
as all others who are interested in botany in these islands,
will find Mr. Willis’ work extremely useful for purposes of
reference.
DEPARTMENT NEWS.
With the approval of the Secretary of State for
the Colonies the Imperial Commissioner of Agriculture
will be absent on duty in the United Kingdom from
June 4 next.
During the absence of the Commissioner, Professor
d’Albuquerque, M.A., F.L.C., F.C.S., will be authorized
to sign official correspondence.
The Imperial Commissioner of Agriculture pro-
ceeded on a tour in the Southern Islands on Monday,
May 9. He landed at St. Vincent and visited the
Central Cotton Factory which was working in
a satisfactory manner. He afterwards proceeded to
Grenada landing there on Tuesday, May 10. He was
present at the opening of the Cotton Factory, erected
by Mr. L. R. Mitchell, on Thursday, May 12, and
attended the inaugural meeting of the Grenada
Agricultural and Commercial Society (his Excellency
Sir Robert B. Llewelyn in the chair) and delivered an
address. On the return voyage Sir Daniel Morris took
part in a conference of the cotton growers of
St. Vincent held in the Council Chamber (his Honour
the Administrator in the chair) on Saturday, May 14.
He landed at Barbados early en the morning of the
15th.
Mr. L. Lewton-Brain, B.A., F.L.S., Mycologist and
Lecturer in Agriculture on the staff of the Imperial
Department of Agriculture, proceeded to St. Vincent
on May 9. During his visit to that island, he inspected
the work carried on at the Agricultural School and the
Experiment Station attached to it; also the Botanic
Station and the conditions of the plants and the
collections and nurseries, in respect of their freedom, or
otherwise, from fungoid pests. Mr. Lewton-Brain
returned to Barbados on May 15.
Mr. Henry A. Ballou, B.Sc., the Entomologist on
the staff of the Imperial Department of Agriculture,
proceeded to Grenada on May 9. He devoted special
attention to the presence of ‘thrips’ on cacao trees and
visited estates in St. Andrew, where thrips had been
reported to be present. Mr. Ballou also studied the
prevalence of ‘ black blight’ at Grenada with the view
of offering further suggestions for dealing with it. The
results of Mr. Ballou’s visit will be dealt with later.
He returned to Barbados on May 15.
Dr. Longfield Smith, Lecturer in Agricultural
Science at Harrison College. Barbados, in connexion
with the Imperial Department of Agriculture, who
has been delivering a course of lectures on agricultural
science to teachers in elementary schools in Bermuda,
returned to Barbados in 8.8. ‘Ocamo’ on May 12.
Mr. George 8. Hudson, Agricultural Instructor at
St. Lucia, was a passengeron the R.M.S. ‘La Plata’
for England on leave of absence. During Mr. Hudson’s
absence, Mr. G. A. Deveaux will act as Agricultural
Instructor.
172 THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.
GLEANINGS.
The Central American rubber tree is flowering for the
first time in Montserrat, at the Harris Station.
The United States Agricultural Appropriation Bill, as
finally passed both houses, involves a total expenditure of
$5,902,040. (American Gardening, April 16, 1904.)
Four and three quarter pounds of vanilla beans cured at
the Agricultural School at Dominica have been received by
the Imperial Commissioner of Agriculture. The beans are
extremely well cured, and altogether the sample is a very
satisfactory one.
At the usual monthly meeting of the Jamaica Board of
Agriculture held on April 12, it was reported that orders for
6,900 tb. of cotton seed had been received and further orders
were being received daily. Half a ton of seed had therefore
been cabled for,
It is notified in the Grenada Gazette that his Excellency
the Governor has appointed Mr. W. E. Broadway, Curator of
the Botanic Station, to be the authority to determine
whether any plants, vegetables and fruits, intended for
importation into the colony, are diseased.
Mr. John Belling, B.Sc., writes from St. Kitt’s advising
those planting roses to choose, if practicable, the varieties
recommended by Mr. Cousins as most suitable for Jamaica
(see Agricultural News, Vol. II, p. 260). Most American
florists supply them at 10c. each.
Mr. A. J. Jordan, Curator of the Botanic Station at
Montserrat, reports results of experiments to test the best
varieties of sweet potatos for the island. The varieties
giving the best results were ‘ Caroline Lea,’ ‘Mama,’ ‘ Red
Bourbon,’ ‘ White Gilkes,’ and ‘ Playwell.’
According to a report furnished by Messrs. Ide and
Christie, the well-known Fibre Brokers of London, the
average prices per ton of sisal hemp during the last
seven years has been as follows: 1897, £16 6s. 8d. ; 1898,
£27 18s. 4d. ; 1899, £34 4s. 2d. ; 1900, £35 8s. 4d. ; 1901,
£32 11s. 8d. ; 1902, £43 1s. 8d. ; 1903, £36 6s. 8d.
In reference to the note in the Agricultural News, Vol.
III, p. 156, respecting the hand-power cotton gin at the
Agricultural School at St. Lucia, the St. Lucia Gazette
contains a notice inviting growers of Sea Island cotton to
make use of the gin. Application is to be made to the
Agricultural Superintendent, who will explain the conditions
under which permission may be granted for the free use of
the gin.
May 21, 1904.
Mr. W. E. Broadway writes that the so-called Asparagus
fern (Asparagus plumosus) is fruiting at the Government
House grounds, Grenada. Lach fruit is green-coloured,
containing a hard, round, black seed. Young plants are
springing up spontaneously around the mother plant.
The Imperial Commissioner of Agriculture has been
informed that the Board of Directors of the West India and
Panama Telegraph Co., Ltd., has decided to resume quoting
in the public telegrams ‘middling Upland cotton’ as well
as Sea Island cotton.
A silver challenge medal has been presented by the
Trinidad Agricultural Society for competition among the
schools of the colony at the school shows. The medal was
won this year by the Couva Government school, and it was
handed to the winner by his Excellency the Acting Governor
on May 9.
Arrangements have been made for lectures and demon-
stration lessons on agricultural science for elementary school
teachers in British Guiana. Teachers who have passed the
examination in agricultural science will have an opportunity
of attending a class for practical work in the Bourda School
Garden and a course of demonstration lessons at the
Government Laboratory. Lectures in agricultural science
will also be given in Essequebo and Berbice.
Efforts are being made in Jamaica to develop the sheep-
breeding industry. A large number of sheep are annually
imported for the use of the troops. It is thought that sufficient
sheep should be raised locally to supply this demand. The
Agricultural Society has taken the matter in hand, and
the Secretary is endeavouring to obtain information from
sheep breeders as to the size of their flocks and the number
of fat sheep they are likely to have for sale.
In the annual report on the sanitary condition of
St. Kitt’s-Nevis, Dr. Fretz states: ‘ Filariasis is an affection
extremely prevalent in this presidency. As far as is known,
the only cause of the distribution of malaria and filaria is the
mosquito special to each disease, and as the subject is being
made known far and wide, it it reasonable to expect that in
the near future these diseases may become very much less
common.’
According toa pamphlet on wheat growing in Canada,
recently issued by Dr. Wm. Saunders, Director of the
Canadian Experimental Farms, it is estimated that there are
171 million acres of land fit for settlement in Western
Canada, of which 5 millions are now under cultivation. The:
present production of wheat and other grains is estimated at
125 million bushels, and the possible wheat production at 800:
million bushels.
The Jamaica Leader is urging the peasantry to grow
castor oil plants. A local soap factory, which has for some
years been using cocoa-nuts through inability to obtain castor
oil seeds, and which is at present unable to buy cocoa-nuts
on account of the hurricane, is now offering 4s. a bushel, or
8s. 4d¢. per 100 tb., for castor oil seeds. It is pointed out
that these might be produced in preference to corn. The oil
nut plant bears soon and goes on bearing for several years
without re-planting.
Vor. Ill. No. 5d.
THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.
173
WEST. INDIAN PRODUCTS.
Drugs and Spices in the London Market.
The following notes on the drug and spice sales in
the London Market during the month of March last
have been contributed by Mr. J. R. Jackson, A.L.S.:—
In the drug and spice markets little or nothing has
occurred during the month to call for any special observation
with regard to the chief West Indian products. Interest
continues to be centred in camphor, menthol, and other
productions of Japan. A few West Indian products,
however, such as kola and arrowroot, may be mentioned in
regard to the price asked for the first, and with reference to
the quality of the second.
KOLA.
Thus, at the first drug auction on March 3, 14 packages
of kola were offered, though none found buyers, the prices
asked being 33d. per Ib. for African, and 7d. for fair bright
washed West Indian. No other offerings of West Indian
were made during the month, but on the 30th. there was a
demand for the cheaper qualities of West African at from
41d. to 43d, which were almost unobtainable.
ARROWROOT,
With regard to arrowroot, 94 barrels of good manufac-
turing St. Vincent were disposed of at the sale on March 3,
at 13d. per ib., which price was maintained throughout the
month. On the question of the quality of arrowroot, the
following paragraph recently appeared in the Chemist and
Druggist:—‘We understand that the public analysts are
about to pay attention to arrowroot, and we should not be
surprised to hear that some prosecutions are to take place
shortly.’ It is reported that some of the importers of
arrowroot have decided in future to sell the article
.
Molasses sugars, 89’, 2}3c. per tb
INTER-COLONIAL MARKETS.
Antigua,—May 4, 1904.—Messrs. Brnnerr Bryson.
& Co., Lrp.
Motasses—l4e. per gallon (Imperial).
Sugar—$1°60 per 100 th.
Barbados,—May 7, 1904.—Messrs. T. S. Garraway
& Co., and Messrs. James A. Lyncu & Co.
Arrowroot—St. Vincent, $3°25 to $3°60 per 100 tb.
Cacao—$11-00, to $12°50 per 100 Th.
Cocoa-Nurs—$12°00 per M. for husked nuts.
Corree—Jamaica, $9°00 to $10°00 ; ordinary Rio, 312-00:
per 100 th.
Hay—95e. to 96e. per 100 th.
Manvures—-Nitrate of soda, $60°00 to $65°00; Ohlendorff’s.
dissolved guano, $60°00; Sulphate of ammonia, $76°00
to 85°00; Sulphate of potash, $67-00.
Motrasses—?23e. per gallon (puncheon included).
Oxtons—Madeira, (bunched) $3°00 to $4:00 ex store >
Bermuda, (loose) $1°30 to $1°90, ex Dahomé, per
100 tb.
Poratros, EncitisH— Nova Scotia, $2°00; Bermuda, $4:10-
per barrel.
Rice—Ballam, $4°65 to $4°75 per bag (190 tb.) ; Patna,
$3°50 to $3°60 per 100 Tb.
SuGcar—in hhds., 89°, $1°65 (packages included). Dark
Crystals, 96°, $2°05 per 100 Ib.
British Guiana,—May 5, 1904.—Messrs. WueTine
& RicHrer.
Arrowroor—St. Vincent, $7°50 per barrel.
3aLata—40c. to 42c. per tb.
Cacao—Native, 12c. to 15e. per tb.
Cassava Srarcu—$6°50 per barrel.
Cocoa-Nuts—$8°00 to $10°00 per M.
CorrrE—Rio and Jamaica, 12c. to 13c. per th. (retail).
—Creole, 12c. per tb.
Duat—New, $4:70 to $4°90 per bag of 168 tb.
Eppors—80ce. to $1°08 per barrel.
Morasses—Vacuum Pan yellow, 16c. per gallon (casks.
included).
Oxtons—5e. to Ge. per th., ex store; Garlic, Te. to 8e.
Pea Nours—Curacoa, 4c. ; American, 5$c. per tb. (retail).
PrantarNs—25c. to 50c. per bunch.
Poratos, ENGLisH—$3°25 to $3°50 per barrel.
Rice-—Ballam, $4°60; Creole, $4°50 per 177 th., ex store.
Sweer Poraros—Barbados, $1°20 per barrel ; $1°00 per
bag.
Tannras—$2°28 per barrel.
Yams—White, $1°92 per bag.
Sucar—Dark Crystals, $2°10; Yellow, $2°30 to $2°40;
White, §3:00 to $3°50; Molasses, $1°60 to $190
per 100 th.
Timber—Greenheart, 32c. to 55c. per eubie foot.
Waxtaba SHincLes—$3'00, $3°75 and $5°50 per M.
Messrs. Gorpon, GRANT
& Co., and Messrs. EpGar Tripp & Co.
Cacao—Ordinary to Good Red, $1275 to $15-0) ; Estates,
$12-90 to $13°25 per fanega (110 tb.).
Cocoa-Nuts—-$20-00 per M., f.o.b., large selected peeled in.
bags.
Cocoa-Nur Mrat—l}e. per Ib.
Cocoa-Nur Om—58e. per Imperial gallon (casks included).
Corree—Venezuelan, 6je. to Te. per th.
Copra— $2-75 per 100 th.
ONIONS “40 to $2°80 per 1CO tb.
Motasses—-No quotations.
Poratros, ENciisH—$1°70 to $1°80 per 100 tb.
Rice—Yellow, $4:20 to $440; White Table, $5°00 to-
$5°75 per bag.
Sucar--White Crystals, $3°25; Yellow Crystals $2°25 ;.
Molasses Sugar, $2°00 to $2°10 per 100 Tb.
:
1
Vou. Ill No. 55. THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS. 175
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PAMPHLET SERIES.
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(3) Seedling and other Canes at Barbados, in 1900. Price 2d. Post free, 24d.
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176 THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.
May 21, 1903s
THE BEST MANURES FOR COLONIAL USE
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‘WEST INDIAN BULLETIN’
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Daniel Morris, —
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IMPERIAL DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE FOR THE WEST INDIES.
BARBADOS, JUNE 4, 1904.
Price ld.
CONTENTS.
Pace. PAGE.
Agricultural Societies :— Educational :—-
Grenada - «. «. 178} St. Vincent Agricultural
Arbor Day at Jamaica ... 187 School . 187
Avocado Pear ... . 187 School Gardens seq eye
ae 181 Forest Reserves ona. lets)
anané soda) on5 | "1 ¢ i F
Dodds Reformatory ... 189 eu e ae 181
British Guiana, Instructor Pm 2 ame
in Agriculture... ... 186 | Gleanings ... ++ 188
Cotton :— Jamaica Tea... ... ... 180
Barbados, Industry at 182 | Love Vine, Destruction
Barbados, recent Sales of 182 Of Panes.) ese . 185
Diseases and Parasites Malaria and Mosquitos 183
of see nee eee eee 183 | Market Reports see JIS
Factories at Barbados Minor Industries at
and St. Vincent 186 Barbados pesmi}
Jamaica... 185 | Notes and Comments ... 184
Lectures on ... 184 | Royal Mail Steam Packet
Montserrat ... ... 185 Covmeaaeecse es - «-- 185
New Pamphlet on 185 | Rubber in Samoa ... 190
St. Vincent Factory .. 184 | Sugar Industry :—
Hiplamdiss ices ase 182 British Guiana, Seedling
Department News... ... 187 canes in ... 180
Department Reports :— Cuba, Experiments in 179
British Guiana alee Queensland, West Indian
Educational :-—- Seedling canes in ... 180
Jamaica, Agricultural Toronto Exhibition, 1904 184
Scholarships 187 | West Indian Products ... 190
Minor Industries at Barbados.
addressed a special meeting of Barbados
planters on Tuesday, May 31, on the
minor industries of the island. His Excellency the
Governor presided.
Sir Daniel Morris offered his congratulations to
the planters on the very promising outlook for the
sugar industry. While the Department had given,
and would continue to give, every possibie attention to
this, their main, industry, it was necessary that they
should look around for other industries to supple-
They would thus be ensuring their prosperity ,
There were two or
ment it.
by establishing these industries.
three such industries capable of considerable develop-
ment—industries for which they might utilize lands
not particularly well suited to sugar-cane cultivation. -
Tt was of these that he wished to speak that afternoon.
First, with regard to the cotton industry. They
had shipped to England about 300 bales, and the
result was that they had established a reputation in
Lancashire for Barbados cotton—for a cotton which
was probably superior to any received from the United
States. This was the result of about_fifteen months’
experimenting. Last season’s experience had, in one
sense, been unfortunate: this was due to poor seed,
their inexperience with regard to the right time for
planting, and the cotton worm. Still, he considered
that the almost pre-eminent position Barbados cotton
had attained should encourage them to increase its
production. He hoped that some 1,200 acres would be
planted next season, and that should increase their
export from 300 bales to something like 1,200 bales.
a
=I
THE
AGRICULTURAL NEWS.
June 4, 1904.
He would, however, impress upon them that, if they
wished to meet with suecess in these experiments,
they must plant suitable land, manure and cultivate
highly, and keep a keen lookout for the worm and
other pests—in fact, the preparation of the land and
the attention devoted to cotton must be just as good
as that given to cane. With regard to the cotton
worm, he would mention that two firms in the island
were pledged to keep on hand } ton of Paris green
and to sell it at 18c. per Ib.
One of the great advantages of this industry was
that they could obtain in eight months from cotton
a return that would require sixteen months from cane.
But the greatest advantage of all was that in Sea
Island cotton this and other islands could have an
industry specially their own. This was the reason
why the Department was advising planters in the
West Indies to go in only for Sea Island cotton. It
was a maritime plant that would thrive only near
the sea. If they were to grow Upland or short-staple
cotton, they would soon come into competition with
Brazil, Peru, Africa, and other countries, which were
capable of enormous development in growing short-staple
cotton,
In the case of bananas, again, they had what
might be considered a special industry, and one,
which might be regarded as fairly well established.
The requirements of the banana, viz., fairly strong soil
and a sheltered position, limited somewhat the area
that could be devoted to its cultivation: yet it
was estimated that there were over 5,000 acres of land
in Barbados suitable for this crop. So far the indus-
try had been carried on by the Department, which
shipped the fruit,
England, and distributed the proceeds.
arranged for its disposal in
The results
had been very satisfactory: during the period from
January to April last they had shipped 809 large
bunches (of which only 24 per cent. failed to arrive in
a perfectly sound condition), and 378 bunches in double
crates, The average price paid to the growers for the
former worked out at 4s. 13d. per bunch: for the
smaller bunches 3s. 53d. was the average price paid.
Sir Daniel Morris then read a letter he had
received from Messrs. Pink and Sons, in which was
emphasized the need for uniformity in the size of the
packages and of using crates of the exact size of the
bunch. We propose to publish this letter in a future
issue,
Another industry that appeared to be full of
promise was the onion industry. Their experiments
last season had not, perhaps, been as successful as they
might have wished, but that was to be attributed
unfavourable season. The
Department had again imported the best obtainable
seed from Teneriffe, and, in the case of Barbados, it
was proposed to plant about 50 acres.
mainly to a somewhat
A further matter mentioned was the raising of good
The best variety for the
West Indies was the Bliss Triumph and seed potatos of
this would be obtainable early in September next.
crops of English potatos.
AGRICULTURAL SOCIETIES.
Grenada.
At a meeting of the Grenada Agricultural and
Commercial Society, held on Friday, May 13, (the
Governor, Sir Robert B. Llewelyn, presiding), the
Imperial Commissioner of Agriculture gave an address
of which the following is a brief summary :—
He expressed pleasure in being present at what he
understood was the first meeting of the newly constituted
Agricultural and Commercial Society and wished the Society
every success.
The cacao industry, he observed, was of the annual
export value of £300,000; spices, £30,000 ; fruit, £700;
kola, £250 ; sugar, £270 ; making a total of £331,220.
Owing to the very considerable demand on his time in
other islands, not so fortunately placed as Grenada, he had
not visited them often during the past year. His interest,
however, had not slackened, and now that the local Agri-
cultural Department was likely to be re-organized, his visits
would be more frequent.
As far as the Imperial Department of Agriculture was
concerned, it was his desire to maintain and extend its
usefulness by every possible means in Grenada.
The experiment cacao and other plots started by the
Department and worked under its direction by the travelling
Agricultural Instructor, had been maintained for four years
and he was satisfied that they had proved of considerable
value both to large and small cultivators. It was now
proposed to start a new series of such plots and carry them
on in co-operation with an Agricultural Experiments
Committee to be appointed by that Society.
Sir Daniel regretted that no Agricultural Show had been
held at Grenada since February 1902 and that the grant
offered by the Department had been allowed to lapse. He
suggested that district committees might be appointed to
undertake arrangements for a Show to be held early in 1905,
In regard to cotton, he congratulated the island on the
opening of Mr. L. R. Mitchell’s cotton gimery at St. George
on the previous day. In the southern districts of the island
cotton was likely to do well, and it was also possible to
develop very considerably the interesting cotton industry
carried on for so many years by settlers at Carriacou.
In conclusion he pointed out the desirability of starting
an Agricultural School to afford a thoroughly practical
training in agriculture to the youth of Grenada; and he
specially urged the importance of successfully carrying on the
school gardens already attached to some of the elementary
schools in the colony.
Vou. III. No. 56.
THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.
179
SUGAR INDUSTRY.
Sugar-cane Experiments in
In the last volume of the Agricultwrul News
(p. 179) we published the results of some experiments
with new canes in Cuba, kindly furnished by
Mr. Edwin F. Atkins, the proprietor of Central
Soledad, one of the largest sugar plantations in that
island. In forwarding the results obtained this year,
Mr. Atkins has written to the Imperial Commissioner
of Agriculture as follows :-—
I enclose table of our examination of experimental canes,
cut in February, which may interest you. The past season
has been a dry one and may in part account for the high
density of the juices. The one seedling that we have been
Cuba.
able to bring to maturity, namely, Harvard 208, is a cross
between a Crystalline and a Ribbon cane, and the first
examination, as you will note, shows a very satisfactory
result.
You will note by the table that some of your Barbados
seedlings, as well as the D. 95, gave the highest polarizations
and purity, your B. 208 leading in this respect, but being
deficient in juice as shown by extraction. All these canes
were ground under the same conditions in a small experi-
mental mill operated by a belt from the main shafting of the
machine shop. The ‘Caledonia Queen,’ of which we now
have quite a fair-sized plot from the third planting, promises
very well.
EXAMINATION OF EXPERIMENTAL CANES, 1904.
|
Per cent. c
Origin. Name. Extraction. puopent Ol Condition of Canes.
Solids. Sucrose. PE
Cuba Harvard 208 66°70 18:10 17-20 95-00 Healthy
Barbados Cal. Queen 64-00 17-70 16°10 91-00 ns
- B. 109 54:50 19-10 16-80 88-00 3
¥ B. 156 61:90 20:10 18°10 90°10 e
Queensland Meira 66°65 19°50 17°50 89°80 ,, first plant poor
Red Cavengerie 68°75 16°40 12°20 74:40 Healthy
Queensland Dan’! Dupont 60:02 19°80 16°40 82°80 », thin
a White Bamboo 70-00 18°70 15:90 85-00 p
Barbados B. 208 57:87 21-50 20°40 94°90 Healthy (short 2nd. plant)
Demerara D. 95 60:00 21:40 20-00 93°40 Fair, badly sprouted
Louisiana La. Purple 63°16 19-40 18:10 93°40 Healthy, rather weak
Barbados No. 147 62°50 20°60 18°70 90°80 Healthy
Cuba Cinta Morada 60°19 19-90 18-90 94-90 =a
Barbados White Transparent 60-00 19°80 18-60 93-90 5, 2nd. plant poor
Java Gen. Zambourt 96 61:53 18°10 16°50 91-20 Slightly sprouted
i Gen. Zambourt 100 70°00 18°30 16°60 90°70 Healthy, short
Cuba Black Mt. 58°33 19-00 15:50 81-60 Thin, badly sprouted
., White 66°66 17-10 15-00 87-70 Poor
Jamaica — 68:96 17°60 15-00 85°20 Slightly sprouted
Cuba White 65°52 19-70 18-00 91:40 Poor
4 Sitiera 62°50 20°50 19-10 93-20 Healthy
Barbados B. 2,885 58°33 20°10 17-70 88-10 ss
Queensland Black Fiji 66°67 18-00 14:80 82°20 3
Barbados B. 3,381 60-00 21-10 18°60 88:10 is
Mexico Cinta 57°10 20°10 18-70 93°40 Poor, very short
Barbados Ducumi B 62°50 18-40 16°80 91-40 Healthy, short
Hawaii Lahaina 61°67 19°20 17°50 91-92 Poor
Java Warren 36 55°56 18°80 14:90 79°30 Healthy, robust
Barbados White Sport 66°67 17-90 15-10 84-40 », short
Java No. 66 58°34 19-60 18-60 92-80 Poor
3 No. 137 70:00 20°70 19-20 92-07 Poor, owing to location
5 No. 247 66°67 19-60 17-20 87:70 Healthy
on G.Z.P. 100 56°25 21:90 20°60 94:10 Fair, slightly sprouted
. No. 239 58°80 14-60 10:10 69°20 Diseased
ns No. 223 (red) 64:28 19-60 17°70 90°40 Poor
Cuba Crystalline 66°67 19-50 17-00 87:20 Healthy
Cinta 62°50 21:00 19°30 91:90 5
Java No. 51 63°52 19-10 17°30 90-60 Excellent
3, Black Louzier 311 58°62 21-20 18-20 85:90 Poor, owing to location
us No. 223 yellow 60-00 18°70 16°40 87-70 Poor, borers
180
THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.
June 4, 1904.
SUGAR INDUSTRY (Continued).
Seedling Canes in British Guiana.
The following interesting information in regard
to the experimental cultivation of Seedling canes at
Diamond Plantation is taken from a letter received
from the Manager, Mr. John M. Fleming, dated March
24 last :—
For the short grinding just completed here last week,
605 acres of Bourbon and 104 aeres of B. 208 were reaped.
All of these canes suffered from a deficiency of rain in
January to the middle of March, when they were young, and
later on, from the middle of April to the middle of July, from
excessive wet. ‘This made them stunted, and in the arrowing
season almost every individual Bourbon cane flowered : B. 208
arrowed more than in the previous year, but still not nearly
to the same extent as Bourbon. It exhibits, however,
a marked tendency to sprout at the eyes after the arrowing
period.
The Bourbon cane yielded an average of 1°91 tons sugar
per acre: the B. 208, 3 tons per acre, or about 57 per cent.
more. This isa very much greater difference than I have
hitherto observed, and is due to the stunted crop of Bourbon.
Tt is an interesting record, but by no means expresses the
comparative values of the two varieties in a year more suited
to the Bourbon. The quality of cane juice from each was
excellent, and far better than is usual in Demerara.
The following table gives the results cf growing Bourbon
and seedlings, for 1901, 1902, and 1903 on this plantation :—
2 , a The following is
| Sellen BS a further expression
ee | OU es : of opinion from Mr.
| zls=/]8 = Fleming in regard to
Silas | = 29 | 5 cane B 208:—
=, ae zs = be = B. 208 is in ny
ee: | Seo | 69 = opinion the best cane you
| SLs IS have given us so far. I
= | SS | have just finished reaping
at | + nearly 100 acres of it,
| ee ae eT and notwithstanding the
Vie srs pee ccna ae fact that after they were
tas eeaa|eoe| a planted in January 1903,
Sear) 5 they encountered a severe
Sen aes ==) | = 4 droughtand some months
Wl tS) | Seierk | sS 2 later an exceptionally
NE 1 OD heavy rainy season, and
2/9 a S|. mo were in consequence not
[oe eS i a heavy crop, they were
oS RCO era still a long way better
== = than Bourbons grown
a {ES Re under similar conditions.
alan lal An objectionable feature
ae + of this variety is a
aloo |s 3 marked tendency to
S Sao = 4 sprout at the eyes after
= es — || 3, | the arrowing season, or
= 2 S z S 2 when its growth has from
|| Se lias ‘ any cause been tempora-
a | as |e rily checked. A very
open | ov strong point in its favour
ey Sais) that invevery trial 1
2 BS td = 3 have made of it I have
23 s 35 invariably found the
op en _| juice of excellent quality.
West Indian Seedling Canes in Queensland.
Mr. Edward Grimley, Secretary of the Queensland
Acclimatization Society, has forwarded to Mr. J. R.
Bovell the following newspaper extract relating to
seedling canes (B. 147, B. 156, B. 176) sent him some
time ago. It will be seen that B. 147 gave particularly
good results, 23°40 per cent. of ‘ possible obtainable cane
sugar’ (a local term signifying 1ts marketable qualities)
being recorded :—
At the last meeting of our council the following
analyses of sugar-cane were read. The canes were grown by
Mr. J. G. Robbins, Mayfield, Mowbray River, Port Douglas.
They are some of the canes this society imported some years
ago from the West Indies, and were at that time the best of
the seedlings raised in Barbados and Demerara, and which we
distributed to some forty or fifty plantations all along the
eastern coasts. At first they did not seem to do well, and I
am now waiting for particulars of analyses from various
sources. If they are found to do as well at other places as
with Mr. Robbins, a great stride has been made in the fight
between cane and beet. All these canes have been found
in the West Indies to give a good tonnage to the acre,
ranging mostly about 30 tons.
ANALYSIS OF SEEDLINGS (JUICE).
) | t ]
| Fe 2| Lo
| = Bo lees ae BOP oe
lies a (88) 2 |. 2 |e) a
ares TE Es] a | iee x = ips =
s Q |e) & | 3 | 50 | 6! |) aloe
= m AR!) O | & | O | & |e
D. 145 (R) 16-8 10691) 9:3/13-50 180 1°50 80-4, 11-85
(D. 115 (P)|L6°6 |1-0682|} 9°2}14-10) 1-44) 1:06 84-0) 12-85
/D. 116 (R)|18-7 |1-0779) 10-4|16-30| -74) 1-66 87-2! 15-10
IB. “(R), 10842) 11-0)17°80} +38) 1-62 89-9) 16.80
3. ) 19788] 10°5)16-90) +36) 1:24 88-9] 15-85
iB. yi: 11088] 14:1/24:10) -20) 1-20) 84:5) 23-40
ID. Ne 10954) 12°6)20°10} +96) 1-64 88-5) 18-80
D. ))23-20]1°0977| 12°8)21-20) -20) 9-77) 91-4] 20:20
‘Dz )I: 1:0968] 12°7|21-10] -72/ 1-18) 91-7| 20°15
3. y): 1-1002} 13°5)22-80| +38) 1-22) 93-4] 22-00
3. i: 10977] 12°S/21-70| -39) 1-11) 93:5) 20-05
* Description of cane: (R) Ratoon. (P) Plant.
The first five were cut on July 14, and the balance on
October 4.
JAMAICA TEA.
The Jamaica Gleaner quotes as follows from the
Financier :—
The culture of tea seems destined to become an
important industry in the island. The experimental stage
was passed last year, when 5,030 Ib. was the crop ; this year
15,000 tb. were produced and it is confidently predicted by
those engaged in the business that inside of five years an
annual production of 250,000 Ib. willbe attained. Each year
in December the plant is cut off about 8 inches above the
ground, and, as it throws out its bud and leaf-bearing shoots,
the buds are nipped off every two or three weeks through the
year and the curling, fermenting and curing processes
contribute to the making of the marketable product. That
it meets the requisite standard of quality would seem to
have been fully demonstrated, for the expansion of facilities
on a large scale is in progress.
vil
4
"Vor. III. No. 56.
THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.
WEsr INDIAN FRUIT.
BARBADOS BANANAS.
The following is an extract from a letter from the
Secretary of the West Indian Club (W. A. M. Goode,
Esq.), dated London, May 2, addressed to the
Imperial Commissioner of Agriculture for the West
Indies :—
I at once put your kind suggestion into execution and
at the last Club dinner, held on April 27, we enjoyed the
Barbados bananas and sweet potatos sent up by Messrs. Pink
& Sons. Some twenty or thirty members were present and
all expressed themselves as highly pleased with the quality
of the product : the bananas were especially good. They
were all labelled ‘Barbados,’ so that the island got full
credit, and in addition I made a little speech in which I
informed those present how the bananas came to be on the
table. I have written Messrs. Pink saying that I shall be
glad to help them in any way I can, and Mr. Rutherford, of
Wilkinson & Gaviller, who presided at the dinner, has also
written to them and sent a list of names of people to whom
they might send samples and get business. Several merchants
here that night expressed gratified surprise at the quality of
the bananas, and I have no doubt from what I hear, that
the Barbados trade in bananas will profit by your suggestion
to the West Indian Club.
HANDLING AND PACKING FRUIT.
Mr. R. L. Young writes in the current number of
the Bulletin of the Jamaica Department of Agri-
cultwre on the subject of handling and packing fruit as
follows :—
Let me commence by stating that most of my experience
in handling fruit of all kinds, more especially of citrus fruit,
has been in cultivated groves; as I have never had any
satisfactory results in handling our wild citrus fruit, owing
to the inability to control the labourers, whilst scattered all
over the pastures. In a cultivated grove the trees are
followed row by row, one person with clipping sheers with
round points, meant for that purpose, whilst a child follows
with a padded basket to receive the fruit. Any fruits
slipping from the hand or touching the ground ever so
lightly are rejected. The fruits are not taken from the trees
in one picking, the thoroughly ripe ones are selected first,
a preference being given to those that are clean, bright
coloured, well shaped, firm, and smooth, as most likely
to command good prices; at the same time, by this method
the trees are lightened, and assisted to bring on the later
fruit. Another advantage of our cultivated over the wild
fruits is that they can be stem cut right away from the trees,
thereby avoiding the very common danger of tearing the
skin, when the gatherers have to climb the trees to pull
them.
The fruit should be picked at least three or four days
and spread out in the packing house, hefore attempting to
pack them, allowing the rind to shrink and lose its surplus
moisture. If packed immediately after picking they will
sweat in the boxes, even at an ordinary temperature, and the
contents of the box become damp, and are in danger of rot
and decay. Another advantage gained by allowing the
fruits to shrink is that the skin becomes more pliable and
yielding, and the fruits are better able to stand the pressure
of packing, at the same time bringing to light any with
imperfections, such as prickle marks, scratches, or bruises,
which can be rejected forthwith.
The packing of oranges has now been reduced to a fine
art, and the box usually used is the standard one of
26 x 115 x 114 inches, boxes being much preferred to
barrels, owing to greater convenience in handling them.
The oranges are then wrapped and packed. The old
system of bringing one orange directly on the top of the
other has been discarded. They are now alternated, so that
each orange comes over the space between two, giving the
whole more solidity and elasticity, and the fruit, as a result,
sustains less injury from rough handling.
The sizes of the oranges are regulated, a big and a small
one never being put in the same box. For this purpose
a sizer is used, which helps to simplify matters very much,
boxes being arranged to hold 96, 112, 126, 150, 176, 200,
216, 250.
The fruits are then packed closely and firmly in the box,
so that there will be no room for them to tumble about and
be bruised. Next, a thin cover is placed on, and held in
position by two thin cleats across the top ends, the centre of
the top being left free.
The distinguishing brand is then placed on either end,
and the number contained in the box is carefully printed on
the side.
The Moon Flower. We should be glad to obtain
information as to the occurrence in the West Indies, in the
wild or cultivated state, of the Moon Flower, Ipomoea
Bona-Nox (Calonyction speciosum). As the juice of this plant
can be used for coagulating the latex of Castzlloa elastica,
it is desirable that the vine should be examined with a view
to determining its constituents.
—t
ios)
bo
THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.
June 4, 1904.
COTTON NOTES.
Recent Sales of Barbados Cotton.
The following particulars have been furnished by
the Secretary of the British Cotton Growing Associa-
tion in respect of the sales of Barbados cotton shipped
from that island from February 6 to March 26 last :—
(1) 19 bales shipped per 8.8. ‘Darien’ and advised in
yonr letter of February 6. All this is sold ; the 16 bales of
Sea Island at 16d. to 163d. and the 3 bales of Egyptian at
83d. A report on this lot was sent to you on April 14.
The net proceeds were £242 4s. 3d.
(2) 14 bales shipped per 8.8 ‘Wanderer’ and advised
in your letter of February 19. All this cotton is sold;
13 bales of Sea Island at 16}d. and the 1 bale of Egyptian
(No. 27) at 83d. I enclose valuation of this shipment. The
net proceeds of this consignment were £220 16s. 6d.
(3) 41 bales of cotton and 9 bags of seed shipped per
S.S. ‘La Plata’ and advised in your letter of February 27.
All this cotton is sold; the 36 bales of Sea Island at 15d. to
163d. and the 5 bales of the Egyptian at 8$d. ‘The seed is
unsold. A report on this consignment was forwarded to
you on April 12. The net proceeds were £625 10s. 8d.
(4) 43 bales of cotton and 17 bags of seed shipped per
S.S. ‘Tagus’ and advised in your letter of March 12. All
this cotton is sold with the exception of No. 98; the 34
bales of Sea Island sold at 14d. to 163d. and the 9 bales of
Egyptian at 83d. A report on this shipment was forwarded
to you on April 12. It realized net £669 5s. 4d.
(5) 40 bales and 2 bags of cotton and 20 bags of seed
shipped per 8.8. ‘Atrato’ and advised in your letter of March
26. All the cotton is sold; the Sea Island at 16d. to 164d.
and 3 bales of Egyptian at 83d. The 2 bags of native
cotton have been sold at 8$d. Valuation and report on this
shipment are enclosed herewith.
Barbados Cotton Industry.
The following report from the Cotton Committee
of the Barbados Agricultural Society was handed in at
the regular meeting of the Society held on May 28 :—
The committee appointed at a meeting of the Society held
on February 6, 1903, to co-operate with the Imperial Depart-
ment of Agriculture for the West Indies in its endeavour to
establish a cotton and onion industry in Barbados, begs to submit
the following interim report on the cotton industry. Later on,
when the cotton season is over, the cotton shipped and the
proceeds divided, the Committee trusts to be in a position to
present a fuller report, giving a short history of the movement
from its inception, together with a detailed account of the
working of the factory, the total cotton ginned, ete.
After extensive additions had been made to the factory
towards the close of last and the beginning of this year, the
Central Cotton Factory was re-opened by his Excellency the
Governor on Monday, January 25 last.
Shortly before the completion of the factory, Mr. Seabrook
the ginning expert who had been engaged by the Imperial
Commissioner of Agriculture specially in connexion with the
cotton factory at St. Vincent, arrived in Barbados on his way
to that island, and Sir Daniel Morris was good enough to allow
him to remain in this colony for a fortnight so as to render
assistance in setting the gins and explaining generally how
cotton factories should be equipped and run.
From the time the factory was started in January to the
present time 225,224 tb. of seed-cotton have been ginned,
yielding 64,909 tb. or 28°82 per cent. of lint, and 156,990 tb. of
seed ; the loss during ginning amounted to 3,325 Tb. or nearly 13
per cent. of the total weight of seed-cottun, Of the seed
55,105 tb have been crushed, and 12,284 th. belonging princi-
pally to peasant proprietors, have been shipped.
The total expenses to date, including the money advanced
to small proprietors, are £417 5s. The cost of crushing the seed
at 6c. per 100 tb. is £6 17s. 9d.
Since the beginning of the present ginning season 241 bales
and 5 bags of cotton have been delivered. Of the bales 230
have been shipped and 11 delivered to the owners or their
agents, while the 5 bags have been shipped Of the bales
shipped 200 were of Sea Island, 28 of Egyptian, one of Upland
and one of mixed Sea Island and Upland cotton, and three of
the bags were Sea Island and two of cotton obtained from
native plants.
There is at present in the factory in small quantities belong-
ing to different people sufficient cotton to make about 6 bales
These small lots will be kept untilthe owners send in moreseed-
cotton, when they will be baled along with the new lots of lint.
There are also at present 79 bags of seed-cotton in the factory
waiting to be ginned as soon as sufficient is received to keep
the factory going for two or three days.
Of the cotton shipped account sales have been received for
117 bales, realizing £1,760.
Details as to the result of these shipments will be
found elsewhere on this page.
Upland Cotton.
The following article on the cultivation of
Upland cotton in the West Indies is taken from the
Barbados Advocate:
A writer in the Votce of St. Lucia pleads for the
cultivation of Upland instead of Sea Island cotton in
St. Lucia. The latter, he says, requires to be treated as
a hot-house plant, and although it may bring double the
price of Upland, it is too expensive to cultivate. He argues
that St. Lucia should continue to cultivate Upland and go
on experimenting with Sea Island. The question is purely
a commercial one. If the good folk of St. Lucia can
establish a better paying industry by growing Upland cotton
than by cultivating Sea Island, they would be silly not to do
so. But they can hardly expect the Imperial Department of
Agriculture to advise and assist them in growing the inferior
though hardier plant, when the results of the Department’s
investigations all point to the inadvisability of such a course.
At the present high market rate, there is a bare possibility
that any other than the best lint might pay the cost of cultiva-
tion in the West Indies and leave a margin of profit. But
the cotton industry of these colonies is not intended to meet
a temporarily inflated market. Unless it can hold its own
when prices get back to their normal level, the money and
time spent on its establishment would be wasted. There is
abundant evidence that in the near future the supply of
cotton will have once more overtaken the demand, and in
that case the prospects of Upland cotton becoming a remuner-
ative West Indian industry are not likely to be specially
roseate. It is because Sir Daniel Morris is working for the
future as well as for the immediate present, that he counsels
cotton growers to concentrate their energies on the cultiva-
tion of the Sea Island variety. That the experimenter will
meet setbacks in the initial stages of the establishment of
an industry is only what is to be expected; but such
difficulties are seldom regarded as sufficient to justify the
abandonment of the enterprise, unless it was entered on as
a mere speculation without regard to the history of the plant
or the suitability of soil and climate to its adaptation, The
vast amount of literature on cotton issued periodically by
the Agricultural Department shows how carefully that part
of the question has been gone into, and how solid are the
grounds on which the Commissioner bases his reasons for
Vou. III. No. 56.
THE AGRICULTURAL
NEWS. 183
advising that Sea Island be cultivated in preference to any
other variety. If, then, the St. Lucia cultivators reject this
advice and go in for Upland cotton, we believe they will
still be afforded assistance by the Commissioner, but it must
necessarily be discriminative. Otherwise, cultivators in other
colonies, believing that the cultivation of Upland cotton was
being carried on not merely with the sympathetic assistance
but on the advice and with’ the active co-operation of the
Department, might be misled into abandoning Sea Island
and also take to growing the inferior staple.
Cotton at Jamaica.
The following is an extract from the official report
of the meeting of the Board of Agriculture, Jamaica,
held on Tuesday, February 16 :—
A meeting of the Committee appointed to consider the
applications for £5 grants for an experimental acre of cotton,
consisting of Hon. W. Fawcett, Mr. H. H. Cousins and the
Secretary, Mr. John Barclay, met at Hope Gardens on
Wednesday, February 27, at 9.15 a.m.
The meeting considered thirty-four applications and
after rejecting those which were from good banana districts,
chose the following ten, as representing the most suitable
districts in soils and climatic conditions :—
1. Miss Marvin, Shortwood, St. Andrew.
2. J. J. Robinson, Stony Hill, 5
3. Arthur J. Webb, Llandovery, St. Ann.
4. The Rey. C. T. Ricard Pedro Plains, St. Elizabeth.
5, A. C. L. Martin, Alligator Pond, Manchester.
6. The Rey. E. A. Arnett, for lower Trelawny, Trelawny.
7. C. R. Taylor, Seere-
tary, St. John’s
Branch Society, Guanaboa Vale,
8. Thos. H. N. Cripps, Dallas Castle,
9. C. H. L. Nicholson, May Pen, Clarendon.
10. Rowland E. Gillespy, Falmouth, Trelawny.
The Secretary read a minute from Mr. Fursdon report-
ing that he had entered into arrangements with some Syrians,
one of whom had long experience in all the branches of
cotton cultivation in Egypt, whereby they could grow cotton
as an experiment on 40 to 50 acres of land in the front of his
house at ‘Two Mile Wood,’ Hartlands, on very reasonable
terms, and he had given him an option to purchase a block
of 480 acres of land within the next twelve months.
The Board expressed satisfaction that these Syrians had
been so encouraged and agreed that everything should be
done with a view to facilitate the experiment.
The Secretary submitted applications for the use of the
steam gin at Spanish Town, from the Hon. T. H. Sharp,
Mr. A. J. Webb, the Hon. H. T. Ronaldson, and Mr. Fursdon
on behalf of the Syrians.
It was agreed to assign the sum of not more than £20
for free grants of cotton seed, and the Secretary was directed
to insert the following advertisement under Government
notices, viz.:—
The Board of Agriculture has decided to spend up to
£20 from the grant made by the British Cotton Growing
Association in the purchase of Sea Island cotton seed. The
Board is prepared to consider applications for free grants of
cotton seed on the condition that full reports are made to
the Director of Public Gardens, to whom applications are to
be made.
At the monthly meeting held on Tuesday, March
15, the following business connected with the cotton
industry was transacted :—
St. Catherine.
St. Andrew.
The Director of Public Gardens said that he had
ordered 2,640 tb. of cotton seed, and, taking into account the
orders they had in hand, they would require 335 tb. more.
It was decided to give free grants of cotton seed, sufficient
to plant 1 acre, to approved applicants and the Director of
Public Gardens was authorized to order 1,000 tb. more of
Sea Island cotton seed.
Applications for the use of the cotton gin were made
by the Hons. T. H. Sharp, and H. T. Ronaldson, Messrs.
C. A. T. Fursdon, and P. H. Greg. The Chairman moved
that the gin be placed with Mr. Fursdon at Hartlands, the
Archbishop seconded, and this was agreed to, Mr. Fursdon to
gin cotton from the experimental acres and any others
offered to a reasonable extent at the standard rate of 14d.
per lb. The Chairman stated that he was writing to the British
Cotton Growing Association asking for two hand gins which
could gin 200 tb. a day.
Diseases and Parasites of the Cotton Plant.
Under this title there has appeared in the Demerara
Argosy a series of four articles, written in a popular and
interesting style, intended for the instruction of the cotton
planters of British Guiana.
The writer mentions the publications of the U.S.
Department of Agriculture and of the Imperial Department
of Agriculture for the West Indies as the principal sources of
his information. The remedies recommended to the cotton
growers of British Guiana are the same as those that have
been found most useful in the West India Islands.
Special stress is laid on the necessity for care and
labour on the part of the planters, who are further enjomed
to keep a sharp look out for pests and diseases of all kinds
and to apply, on their first appearance, the remedies that are
recommended. Planters are also warned to have on hand
a supply of insecticides, so that they may not be taken by
surprise in the event of an outbreak of insect or fungoid
attack. It is pointed out in these articles that it is unnecessary
for cotton growers to take alarm until some definite trouble
arises, and then it is of vital importance to act quickly and
intelligently. The importance of maintaining the cotton
plants in as vigorous a state of growth as possible by
manuring and careful cultivation is emphasized.
MALARIA AND MOSQUITOS.
At the recent International Congress on Hygiene
and Demography held at Brussels, the following
resolution regarding malaria was passed :—
That this Congress, recognizing the practical importance
of the mosquito-malaria theory, would urge on all Govern-
ments in malarial countries :—
(1) that officials, both civil and military, be required
before taking service in such countries, to show evidence of
practical knowledge of the theory and its application ;
(2) that educational establishments, whether Govern-
mental, missionary, or other, in such countries be requested
to include in their curricula, instruction of native students in
the mosquito-malaria theory and its practical application ;
(3) that officials ignorant of the theory or systematically
ignoring its practical application be considered as unsuitable
for service in malarial countries,
ee
Paternoster Peas. A correspondent in Berlin
is anxious to obtain a quantity of the ‘large paternoster peas
(black and red, as large as a cherry).’ These are probably
the seeds of Ormosia dasycarpa.
184 THE
AGRICULTURAL NEWS.
June 4, 1904.
EDITORIAL NOTICES.
Letters and matter for publication, as well
as all specimens for naming, should be addressed
to the Commissioner, Imperial Department of
Agriculture, Barbados.
All applications for copies of the ‘Agricul-
tural News’ should be addressed to the Agents,
and not to the Department. A complete list of
the London and Local agents will be found at
foot of page 175 of this volume.
The ‘Agricultural News’: Price 1d. per
number, post free 14d. Annual subscription
payable to Agents 2s. 2d. Post free, 3s. 3d.
Agricultural stews
Vor. III.
SATURDAY,
NOTES AND COMMENTS.
Contents of Present Issue.
The present position of the cotton, banana, and
onion industries at Barbados were discussed by the
Imperial Commissioner of Agriculture at a recent
meeting of Barbados planters (see editorial).
JUNE 4, 1904. No. 56.
On pp. 179-80 information is given as to the
cultivation of seedling sugar-canes in Cuba, Queens-
land, and British Guiana. B. 208 has given good
results in Cuba and British Guiana, and B. 147 in
Queensland.
In our next issue we hope to publish information
in regard to the area devoted to varieties of sugar-cane
other than Bourbon in British Guiana.
Our cotton notes on pp. 182-3 include the report
of the Barbados Cotton Committee, the results of
recent sales of Barbados cotton, and an account of
efforts that are being made at Jamaica. We also
publish a report by Mr. J. H. Hart, F.L.S., of Trinidad,
on a visit to the Barbados and St. Vincent cotton
factories. Mr. Hart gives a fairly detailed account of
the equipment and working of these two factories,
At the request of the Chairman of the Board of
Agriculture, British Guiana, we publish, on p. 186,
a notice relating to the appointment of an Assistant
Instructor in Agriculture at a salary of S600 per
annum.
Extracts from the annual report of the Acting
Superintendent of Dodds Reformatory, Barbados, and
from a report by the Assistant Instructor in Agri-
culture in British Guiana on a visit tou the Pomeroon
and Moruea districts will be found on p. 189. The
report on Dodds Reformatory contains interesting
information in respect of the experiments with cotton
and onions. These experiments met with very fair
success.
Toronto Exhibition, 1904.
The following is an extract from a letter received
from Messrs. Pickford and Black, of Halifax, relative
to a West Indian exhibit at the Toronto Exhibition
proposed to be held in 1904:—
It is our opinion that, because of the very large Fair at
St. Louis, it would not be advisable to have a West Indian
exhibit at Toronto this year, but to take it up again the
following year. Whilst the Toronto Show will, no doubt,
be largely attended, still the more extensive exhibition at
St. Louis will draw very large numbers, and it would appear to
us that an occasional omission of an exhibit, such as the
West Indies make, is preferable to running it every year.
rr +
Seedling Canes in British Guiana.
We publish on p. 180 interesting and encouraging
information with regard to the success that has
attended the growth of seedling canes in British
Guiana. Itis worthy of note that at Diamond plantation
excellent results have been obtained with B. 208, of
which seedling, it will be seen, Mr. Fleming holds
a high but discriminating opinion.
Mr. Fleming demonstrates, in tabular form, the
comparative results of seedling canes and the Bourbon
variety during the last three years.
ED Oe
Lectures on Cotton Cultivation.
As already briefly announced in the Agricultural
News (Vol. ILI, p. 72), it is proposed during the next
few months to have a series of popular lectures on
cotton cultivation throughout the West Indies.
For this purpose lantern slides have already been
prepared, which will serve to illustrate the cultivation
of cotton in its various stages.
It is hoped that, by means of these addresses, the
sympathy and co-operation of all classes of the com-
munity will be enlisted, and that the experiments in
cotton growing to be carried on during the coming
season under the auspices of the Imperial Department
of Agriculture will thereby be rendered of the greatest
value to all concerned.
OOD + ae
St. Vincent Cotton Factory.
In an address given by the Imperial Com-
missioner of Agriculture at a conference of cotton
planters of St. Vincent, held in the Council Chamber,
Kingstown, on Friday, May 14, it was announced that
the gross amount of seed-cotton delivered at the
fuctory to that date was 91,420 tb. Of this quantity,
82,524 Ib. had already been ginned, producing 23,684 tb.
of lint and 59,025 th. of seed. The proportion of lint
to seed-cotton was at the rate of 29 per cent. This is
a higher rate than usual for Sea Island and is probably
due to the presence of a quantity of small-seeded cotton
of the Marie Galante type.
The earnings of the factory for nine working days,
at the rate of 3c. per 100 Ib. of lint, were £148 Os. 6d.
The prospects of cotton planting for the next
season at St. Vincent are said to be promising.
Vou. III. No. 56.
Royal Mail Steam Packet Company.
The following extract is taken from the opening
remarks in the report of the Court of Directors of the
Royal Mail Steam Packet Company presented on
May 11 last :—
In presenting the accounts for the year 1903, the
Court of Directors have to report that the trade with the
West Indies has continued in a depressed condition, and the
rates of freight, both outwards and homewards, have, in
many instances, been unremunerative. The action taken by
the Colonial Office, in conjunction with the Imperial Depart-
ment of Agriculture, for the development of the industries of
the West Indies, which it is hoped will help to restore
these colonies to their former prosperity, will continue to
receive the warm co-operation of the Court, who in this
connexion have had pleasure in carrying, free of freight,
trial shipments of fruit, cotton, and machinery.
This Department deeply appreciates the generous
and sympathetic efforts made by the Directors to
assist in its work, and is glad of the opportunity of
expressing the value of their hearty co-operation in
promoting the agricultural development of the West
Indies.
SS =
Cotton Cultivation in Montserrat.
A highly successful meeting of planters and small
owners was held at the R. C. School at Montserrat on
Saturday, May 14, when the Commissioner (his Honour
F, H. Watkins) gave a ‘ Plain talk to Small Owners’
on the cotton industry in Montserrat.
Mr. Watkins briefly summarized the advantages
and disadvantages of cotton cultivation and urged his
hearers, should they determine to embark on this new
industry, to give their careful attention to various
points in connexion with the grewth of cotton and its
cultivation for the market. After going into these
points in detail, Mr. Watkins impressed upon the
growers that they must realize: (1) that cotton
requires suitable soil and climatic conditions, and
constant and intelligent observation; (2) that this
industry should not be embarked upon, unless the
growers were determined to throw all their energy and
power of observation into the cultivation ; and (3) that
if the industry 1s to succeed, unselfish and combined
action must be taken to stamp out insect pests and
clisease. 2
a
Destruction of the Love Vine in Trinidad.
On page 342 of the last volume of the Agvi-
cultural News we gave a summary of a leaflet, issued
in Trinidad, which described measures to be adopted for
destroying the parasitic pest known as Love Vine
(Cuscuta sp). So serious a menace to the agricultural
interests of the island has this pest become, that steps
have been taken to deal with it by legislation.
Under the Agricultural Protection Ordinance
(No. 20 of 1902) inspectors have been appointed who
will collect from infested spots and forward for identifi-
cation to the Chief Inspector (Mr. J. H. Hart, F.LS.,)
portions of the pest. The Chief Inspector will there-
THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS. 185
upon obtain the approval of the Governor to sign an
order to destroy the parasite. ‘This order directs the
destruction within twenty-one days, by burning or
burying, ‘of all that destructive vegetable growth
known as Cuscuta or Love Vine now being and
growing upon the said land’,
Provision is made under the Ordinance for the
due carrying out of such order or for prosecution in
the case of defaulters.
$< n> + a
West Indian Bulletin.
The first number of Volume V of the West Indian
Bulletin has just been published. his contains
several articles likely to be of interest in these
colonies. The first is a lengthy, but interesting
article, by Mr. W. R. Buttenshaw, M.A., B.Sc, in
which is brought together a mass of information
relative to the starch-producing plants of the West
Indies. ‘The text is illustrated by eleven original
drawings showing the characteristics of the starch
grains in each case.
The second article is by Mr. R. Radclyffe Hall,
B.A., and Mr. J. R. Bovell, F.LS., F.C.S., giving the
results of experiments in growing twenty-eight
varieties of sweet potatos at Barbados under the
direction of the Imperial Department of Agriculture.
Other articles are on the Fruit Industry of
Jamaica, the Birds of St. Vincent and the Naudet
process for extracting cane juice.
It may be added that the West Indian Bulletin
is on sale by the London and Local Agents of the
Department (price 6d., post free 8 +
A New Pamphlet on Cotton Cultivation.
A pamphlet devoted to cotton cultivation is being
prepared and will shortly be issued. This pamphlet,
which is arranged in the form of a catechism of
cotton growing, is designed especially for the use of
peasant proprietors, small settlers and others who
require information on this subject in a simple and
popular style.
It will deal with the essential points in regard to
cotton growing in all stages from the preparation of
the soil to the preparation of the seed-cotton for the
factory. Clear directions will be given as to the
sowing of the seed, the proper season for planting,
manuring, tillage, and care of the plant during its
growth, including minute instructions as to methods of
treating the cotton worm and other serious pests of
cotton. In this pamphlet will also be giyen directions
as to picking and sunning cotton so as to enable
growers to obtain the best possible prices for their
product. Finally, all the more essential points, to
which attention will have to be paid, will be carefully
summarized.
We strongly advise all cotton growers to obtain
this pamphlet as soon as it is issued, and to make
themselves thoroughly familiar with its contents: it is
only by so doing can they hope to meet with that
measure of success which is so heartily desired.
186
THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.
June 4, 1904.
THE COTTON FACTORIES AT BARBADOS
AND ST. VINCENT.
The following is a report, dated May 17, 1904, by
Mr. J. H. Hart, F.L.S., Superintendent of the Royal
Botanic Gardens, Trinidad, on a visit recently made
by him to the cotton factories at Barbados and
St. Vincent :—
On the invitation of Sir Daniel Morris, K.C.M.G., and
with the approval of his Excellency the Acting Governor, I
proceeded to Barbados by the mail of May 6, for the purpose
of witnessing the operations carried on in the cotton-ginning
factory at Bridgetown, established by the Imperial Depart-
ment of Agriculture.
Communicating immediately on my arrival with
Sir Daniel Morris, I was able to make arrangements to see the
gins at work on the morning of Monday, May 10. On
arrival at the factory, I was met by Mr. J. R. Bovell, who
was kind enough to show me the machines in operation and
to explain their working in full detail.
As described in the West Indian Bulletin, Vol. IV, p. 317,
the Barbados factory consists of six single-action roller
Macarthy gins (Platts) and a hand-power baling press. My
visit was timed to enable me to see the factory in full work
and the first impression I received was the business-like
character of all the operations. There appeared to be an
abundance of raw cotton waiting to be ginned, and the
machines were rapidly turning it into clean and marketable
produce, in bales of 250 to 300 tb. each.
Mr. Bovell explained that, on the delivery of the cotton,
each grower was given a receipt for the gross amount of
seed-cotton delivered at the factory, and when the work of
ginning was complete, the grower received a statement showing
the net weight of lint and seed produced, after deducting
for any loss which occurred in the operation. The cotton is
at once baled and addressed ready for the market. It is
sent on to the British Cotton Growing Association, which
undertakes to dispose of the parcels to the best advantage
of the producers.
The working of the power gins was thoroughly
examined, and the most important features were clearly
pointed out to me by Mr. Bovell. There appears to be
little difticulty in obtaining operatives, and I am informed
that they rapidiy acquire the necessary skill. Each gin is
attended by one man to feed and one woman to pick and
dispose of the cotton as it leaves the machine.
The seed is crushed by a roller mill and is returned to
the growers for cattle food; most of the present season’s seed
has been treated in this manner, as it is intended to use
imported seed for the next crop.
As the full statistics of the Barbados factory will be
published in due course, it is unnecessary to enter into details
in this report. It may be mentioned, however, that the
cotton appeared to be of excellent quality, and the manipula-
tion all that could be desired. The soft and silky cotton
coming from each machine at a regular speed, proved that
they were working smoothly and well, and at a rate which
caused the single baling press to be kept going at its best
speed all the time.
Having to pay a visit of inspection to the Tobago Botanie
Station, I returned by the Intercolonial Steamer, which
enabled me to land at St. Vincent and inspect the factory in
that island. Sir Daniel Morris being on board, I was able
to.accompany him on his visit to the factory, which is
situated a short walk from the landing place. The inspec-
tion showed an admirably arranged three-story building with
six gins at work and plenty of cotton to work upon. This
mill, I was informed, is considered by Mr. Seabrook, the
American ginning expert, to be fully equal in its arrangements
to any in the United States.
The factory was in full work. The gins are of three
different makes—two Platts, two Dobson & Barlow, and
two Asa Lees. The gins, like those at Barbados, are some 40
inches in width, and their capacity has been estimated to be
300 Tb. of lint per hour for six gins, or 50 Ib. per hour for
a single gin. The hand gins imported for use in Trinidad are
roller gins of Platts make, and are about one-third the
capacity of the power gin when driven at the same speed. They
can be worked by power and are supplied with parts for that
purpose. I was informed that hand gins can never be
expected to do as good work as power machines, on account
of the unpreventable variation in speed which oceurs with
hand labour. The Trinidad hand gins have, however, per-
formed all the work they were called upon to perform during
the present season, and their work appears to compare
favourably with that done in other colonies. If, however,
a large area is planted in Trinidad during the coming season,
they will not be sufficiently powerful to deal with the crop,
and further provision would have to be made to meet the
wants of growers.
On enquiry I find that in none of the islands are
advances made for growing cotton, but that full provision is
made for ginning and marketing all that can be produced ; it
is considered a better policy to assist the industry by
such means than to make direct advances to the growers.
I have, in conclusion, to record my appreciation of the
kindness of Sir Daniel Morris in inviting me to inspect the
working of the cotton factories under his Department, and
for the personal trouble he took to ensure that I should
make myself fully acquainted with essential details of the
machinery and the methods of work which have been so
successfully adopted.
BRITISH GUIANA.
Assistant Instructor in Agriculture.
Applications are invited from candidates for the above
post, who should be between twenty and thirty years of age.
Preference will be given to candidates having knowledge of
and experience in the growth of tropical products under the
conditions existent on the coast-lands of British Guiana. A
knowledge of draining operations is of importance.
Candidates must submit with their applications copies
of satisfactory certificates of good health and of good
character together with copies of not more than three
testimonials from their present or former employers.
The salary attached to the post is $600 per annum.
Duties. To give instruction in practical horti-agri-
culture to farmers and settlers in the various districts of the
colony, to assist in the inspection and examination of the
scholars of primary schools in the elements of agriculture,
to assist generally in the supervision of experiments carried
on under the auspices of the Board of Agriculture, to assist
in the work of the nurseries at the Botanic Gardens and to
take part in the general work of the Board.
The instructor will be expected to avail himself of
the many opportunities which will be afforded him of
increasing his knowledge of tropical agriculture, and will be
required to undergo a course of instruction in agricultural
science at the Government Laboratory.
Applications should be addressed to the Deputy Chair-
man, Board of Agriculture, Georgetown, British Guiana, on
or before August 31, 1904.
Vor, III. No, 56.
EDUCATIONAL.
St. Vincent Agricultural School.
Several pupils of the Agricultural School, St. Vincent,
will complete their courses, and be leaving in June and
September. They will be nineteen years of age and have been
in the school for four years. They have received a thorough
training in all the operations connected with the cultivation
and care of plants, and in the theoretical part of the subject.
The Agricultural Superintendent of St. Vincent will be glad
to hear from anyone desiring further information as to the
character and capabilities of these boys.
Agricultural Scholarships at Jamaica.
The Leader of May 13 states :—
The Board of Agriculture has decided to offer three
scholarships of the value of £35 each, tenable at the Govern-
ment Laboratory, Hope, next year. The examination will be
held on January 15 next, and it is to be hoped that a large
number of competitors will come forward in connexion with
this excellent move.
Tools for School Gardens.
A number of tools suitable for school gardens
have been specially imported into Barbados by Messrs.
C. F. Harrison & Co., at the request of the Imperial
Com missioner of Agriculture, and are now on sale at
reduced prices as follows :
Forks at 3s. 6d. each ; trowels (7 inches) at 1s. 3d. ;
weeding forks at 1s.; spades at 3s. 6d.; rakes with from six
to twenty teeth, from 6d. to 1s. 8d.; and hoes at Is.
Laying out School Gardens.
A circular has recently been issued in Grenada in
which the Acting Agricultural Instructor makes useful
suggestions for the laying out and general working of
school gardens. We take the following extracts :—
The garden may be laid out in the following manner :-—
(a) A narrow bed against the fence all round the
inside of the garden: in this might be planted a hedge, for
which purpose hibiscus, crotons, etc., are to be recommended.
Ornamental climbers might also be trained on the fence.
(6) A number of small beds to be utilized for
competition among the pupils in growing garden vegetables,
ete.
(c) Large square beds for specimen plants of all sorts,
to be used for purposes of instruction.
ARBOR DAY AT JAMAICA.
The Director of Public Gardens, Jamaica, has
issued a notice that allotments of seedlings of the
following trees in bamboo pots would be made to any
church, school, or private individual, prepared to plant
them out on Victoria or Empire Day (May 24):-—
Bread-nut, Cananga odorata, the Carapa tree of Guiana
(Carapa guianensis), Cassia Fistula, Cassia siamea, Dillenia
indica, Dolichandrone, Eucalyptus, the Silky Oak of Austra-
hia (Grevillea robusta), Java Almond, Juniper cedar, Kola-
nut, Lignum vitae, Mahoe, Mahogany, JJoringa, Palms,
Sandbox, Spathodea, Wild Tamarind, etc.
THE AGRICULTURAL
NEWS. 187
DEPARTMENT NEWS.
As already announced, the Imperial Commissioner
of Agriculture for the West Indies embarks to-day in
R.M.S. ‘ Atrato’ for the United Kingdom.
The Hon. Francis Watts, B.Se, F.LC., F.C.S.,
Government Analytical and Agricultural Chemist and
Superintendent of Agriculture for the Leeward Islands,
arrived at Barbados in the 8.S. ‘ Orinoco’ on Saturday,
May 28, to confer with the Imperial Commissioner of
Agriculture on matters relating to the work of the
Department in the Leeward Islands. Mr. Watts
returned by 8.8. ‘Ocamo’ on Tuesday, May 31.
Mr. W. R. Buttenshaw, M.A., B.Sc., Scientific
Assistant on the staff of the Imperial Department of
Agriculture, will leave Barbados on Monday, June 13,
on an official visit to the Northern Islands. Mr. Butten-
shaw will visit St. Lucia, Dominica, Montserrat,
Antigua and St. Kitt’s, and is expected to return to
Barbados by 8.8. ‘Dahome’ on June 24.
AVOCADO PEAR.
In the last issue of the Agricultural News
(p. 167) we gave an extract from Furmers’ Bulletin
No. 169 containing information as to the composition
of the red sorrel and the Surinam cherry. From the
same source we take the following account of the
avocado pear :—
The alligator pear, also known as aguacate, avocado,
midshipman’s butter, ete., is the fruit of Persea gratissima,
a tree native to tropical America, but now widely grown
throughout tropical countries. The principal commercial
supply in the markets of the United States comes from
Jamaica, though there is a considerable and increasing
production of this fruit in southern Florida, both on the
mainland and on the keys. Small quantities are also grown
in the wilder regions of southern California. The West
Indian type, which is the only one found in the markets of
eastern United States, yields a fruit of about the size of the
largest pears. The varieties differ considerably in form, and
range from deep purple to light green in colour. Generally
speaking, they are not unlike a medium-sized egg-plant fruit
in form and appearance. The portion eaten is a pulp which
surrounds a single large seed. In texture the pulp is soft
and somewhat like butter, and is perhaps most commonly
used for salad making.
The Mexican type of alligator pear, which is now being
tested in California and Florida, is a smaller tree and yields
a much smaller fruit. It is, however, reported to endure
several degrees of frost, whereas the West Indian type is
injured by a temperature of 32° F.
According to Woods and Merril, who recently studied
their chemical composition at the Maine Station, the average
weight of the avocados analysed was about ? tb. each. The
edible portion or pulp constituted, on an average, 71 per
cent., the seed 20 per cent., and the skin 9 per cent. of the
entire fruit.
The chemical composition was as follows:—
Water 81:0 per cent.
Protein LON 825
Fat LO tie set od
Carbohydrates 68 ,, ,,
Ash 0-9
188 THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.
GLEANINGS.
The Hon. C. Arthur Shand writes from Nevis: ‘The
first shipment of cotton has turned out remarkably well and
the prices realized vary from Is. 3d. to 1s. 4d. per tbl
Agricultural Day Scholarships at the Antigua Grammar
School of the value of £10 each a year have been awarded
to Hugh Henry and Norman L. Yearwood.
Mr. T. J. Harris, Agricultural Instructor and Assistant
Superintendent at Hope Gardens, Jamaica, has been selected
for the post of Superintendent of Public Gardens in Bermuda.
The value of cotton and cotton seed exported from
Egypt in 1903 amounted to £17,178,200, which represents
about 89 per cent. of the total exports. (Board of Trade
Journal.)
In Sicily small or damaged lemons are utilized for the
manufacture of essence from the peel and concentrated juice
from the pulp. After the juice is expressed, the residue is
fed to goats.
The plot of land at the Mico Training College, Jamaica,
that was dug by the teachers attending the agricultural
course of training held in January last, is to be utilized by
the students of that institution for cotton cultivation.
Unquestionably the most important industry in the
Bahamas is that of the sponge fishery. During last year
1,292,037 tb. of sponges, valued at £94,821, were exported,
over 50 per cent. going to the United States. (Board of
Trade Journal.)
As showing the method of arranging the price to be
paid for canes at central factories, we quote the following
from the St. Croix Avis :—‘ The factory sugar price was
fixed on Monday at $1°48 per 100 tb. of sugar, which, at
54 tb. per 100, is equal to 8-14. per 100 Ib. of canes.’
At the last meeting of the Nevis Agricultural Society
it was decided to hold an agricultural show under the
auspices of the Society at the end of the present year or the
beginning of the next. It was also decided to celebrate
Arbor Day on the King’s birthday.
The importation of kapok again shows a marked
increase, the total for the Netherlands amounting to 51,918
bales in 1903, as against 45,551 in the previous year. The
prices range at present thus : extra cleaned East India, 54d.
to 53d. per tb. ; first quality East India, 5d. to 54d.;
uncleaned East India, 13d. to 14d. (Consular Report on trade
of Amsterdam.)
June 4, 1904.
According to the report on British Guiana for the year
1903, the balata industry was particularly successful, the
amount of the gum obtained for the year being 540,800 hb,
or 50,357 tbh. in excess of the highest return ever reached in
any one year.
Official statistics show that the orange and lemon
harvest of Italy for the year 1903-4 was a most abundant
one, about 5,250,000,000 fruits having been gathered,
compared with 4,900,000,000 in 1902-3. (Chamber of
Commerce Journal, May 1904.)
The Jamaica Leader of May 15 contains an interesting
little article on the ground dove. It is stated that before the
introduction of the mungoose this bird used to make its
nest on the ground: now it builds principally upon low
shrubs. This adaptation to new conditions has probably
saved the ground dove from extinction.
According to the Pharmaceutical Journal of April 30,
a paper has recently been published in which it is shown
that the seeds of Strophanthus gratus ave probably the best
source of the drug strophanthin. The official seeds are
those of S. hispidus (‘ Kombe’) ; but, it is pointed out, these
are not easily obtained pure in commerce. SS. gratus occurs
commonly in the English, French and German territories of
tropical Africa.
Prof. E. Dwight Sanderson, State Entomologist for
Texas, writes in the Lntomological News: ‘The work of the
Division of Entomology of the United States Department of
Agriculture and of the State Entomologist has resulted in
demonstrating practicable methods of fighting the cotton boll
weevil and the boll worm, and it is now largely a question
of getting the cotton planters to adopt the improved methods
of culture outlined.’
According to the Consular Report on the trade of Iquitos
(Brazil) for 1903, the total exports of rubber from Iquitos
including Caballo Cocha and Leticia were 803,953 tb. Owing
to the great rise in price of rubber, the difference in value is
far greater, showing an increase on last year of £238,000,
the total value being £650,000 as compared with £412,000
last year. Over 60 per cent. of the export were shipped to
Liverpool, the remainder going to Havre.
During the last ten years the importation into Balti-
more from Jamaica of oranges, limes, bananas and other
fruits has reached large proportions. During a single week
of the past year nine steamers arrived bringing the enormous
number of 199,010 bunches of bananas, besides other fruits.
Owing to the hurricane in Jamaica of last August, however,
the trade is at present [March 7, 1904] almost completely
stopped, and it will be some months before it is resumed.
(Consular Report on trade of Maryland, ete.)
We extract the following from the annual report of the
Headmaster of the Lodge School, Barbados: ‘The new
science class room and physical apparatus have, I feel
confident, proved of great benefit to the school in providing
more scope both for teaching and for learning. And the
substitution in the junior school of classes in elementary
physics for the former weekly lectures on chemistry (a change
which I have introduced in higher forms this year) is already
showing good results in developing habits of observation and
some degree of manual cleverness.’
Vou. Ill. No. 56. THE
AGRICULTURAL NEWS.
189
LEFORT.S,
BRITISH GUIANA: REPORT ON A VISIT TO
THE POMEROON AND MORUCA DISTRICTS: By
FE. Beckett, Assistant Instructor in Agriculture.
This is a report to the Board of Agriculture on a visit
made to the abovenamed districts in January last.
Mr. Beckett remarks that the most interesting feature of
the vegetation of the Tapacooma Creek is the large number
of Hevea rubber trees. Efforts made to obtain rubber from
them did not, however, meet with success ; possibly better
results would be obtained at a ditferent season.
As Mr. Beckett states, it is difficult to tell whether the
species are of any economic value, but it is probable that
some of them are. We would suggest that a careful and
systematic investigation of these rubber trees might be of
considerable advantage to the colony at the present time. In
any case, it is not unlikely that the true Para rubber tree
(Hevea brasiliensis) would thrive equally well in the same
situations and prove of value.
At the Waramuri Mission Station a number of economic
trees of various kinds were found, but there was little or no
systematic cultivation. Mr. Beckett advised the growing of
pine-apples and ground nuts.
On the Aciwini there was a carefully cultivated cacao
plantation, which the owner was recommended to extend.
In this district cocoa-nuts have been planted pretty exten-
sively. It is estimated that withm the last two years
70,000 trees have been planted. One planter has an excellent
hand-mill, capable of grindirg 1,000 nuts per day.
Coffee, cacao, cocoamuts and tobacco appear to be
promising crops for this district. Insufficiency of labour is
at present the chief drawback : it is considered that a better
knowledge of even elementary principles of agriculture is
yauch needed by the farmers.
The following extracts from this report are of interest :—
Maceaseema.—This is My. im Thurn’s old home and was
once the most beautiful station in the colony, owing to the great
5 Saees A
Fish oils from Dominica — 233 tion of an 226
Fumigation of Imported Jamaica, Manurial
JAMS gos. Baa Sooo 221) experiments .. 227
a air I 5 a =
Gleanings... ... ... ... 236 Rum as an illuminant 226
) es cl .
Guayaasaweed ... ... 229 | U.S. Tropical Experiment
Hedge Plants ... ... ... 233 Stations 233
i=)
West Indian Braducts in-
London Market... 23
Wiane-Ylanp (te). .- 2oll
Insect Notes *-—
Entomology in Hawaii 234
Grenada SOS oe reece cso
Fumigation of Imported Plants.
N a previous issue of the Agricultural
News (Vol. II, p. 74) the important sub-
its ject of the fumigation of imported plants
was dealt with.
In that article numerous instances were cited to
show that most of the serious insect attacks, in different
parts of the world, had been due to the importation of
pests from other countries, where, owing to their having
been kept in check by natural enemies, or from other
causes, their effect on the crops had been insignificant.
Tn new localities, under different conditions, these pests
soon became a serious menace to agricultural indus-
tries. With a view to preventing such undesirable
introductions, many Governments have prohibited the
importation of plants likely to be infected, or have
allowed their importation only after fumigation at the
port of entry.
In order to furnish detailed information as to the
action that has been taken in this connexion in some
of the West India Islands, the Imperial Commissioner
of Agriculture directed the preparation of a circular
containing the laws and proclamations, issued in
Jamaica from time to time, which have resulted in a
system of fumigation of imported plants, which appears
to work smoothly and which will, in all probability,
prevent the introduction of new pests into that island.
Copies of laws and proclamations issued in British
Guiana and Dominica have also been printed.
This circular has been sent to those islands
throughout the West Indies which have not, so far,
taken any definite action in this matter. It is hoped
that the information contained in this circular will be
of assistance to colonies about to frame new laws, or to
modify existing laws for the purpose of preventing the
introduction of insect pests.
226 THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.
Jury 16, 1904.
As the fumigation plants has
apparently been carried out with every success in
Jamaica, it is suggested that similar regulations night
be adopted in those islands where no such regulations
exist. It is to be hoped that careful consideration will
be given to this important matter, as there can be no
doubt that it is greatly to the advantage of agri-
various islands that some
of imported
cultural interests in the
such well-digested scheme fer the prevention of the
introduction of insect pests should be put into operation.
The Jamaica ‘Seeds and Plants Importation Law’
gives the Governor of the island power to prohibit or
restrict the importation of seeds, plants, cuttings, buds
or grafts, as well as their coverings or packages. In
order that such importations may conveniently be
dealt with as the law directs, their entry is restricted
to the port of Kingston. There they are taken charge
of by an officer of the Customs Department, whose
duty it is to notify the Island Chemist, who is the
authority to decide on any questions connected with
the fumigation of proclaimed articles.
For the fumigation of large consignments of
plants a fumigatory chamber has been erected at the
government wharf, while small parcels are dealt with
in a fumigatory box. Every care is taken to keep
plants, cuttings, ete. alive and in good condition, and,
so far as is known, but few instances have occurred
where plants have suffered to any Serious extent from
the fumigating process.
Particulars as to the method usually adopted for
the fumigation of plants have already been given in the
Agricultural News (Vol. II, p. 138).
fumigating chambers are recommended—the large,
8 feet by 6 feet by 6 feet inside, and the smaller, 2 feet
by 2 feet by 23 feet.
Two sizes of
Hydrocyanie gas—the poison used for this work—
is obtained by the addition of potassium cyanide to
a mixture of sulphuric acid and water. One ounce of
the cyanide should be used for every 300 cubic feet of
space. The larger chamber will, therefore, require
abont 1 oz., and the smaller about 1 gramme.
Every care must be exercised by the operator not
to breath this poisonous vapour, and, after the chamber
has been used, sufficient time must be allowed to lapse
before it is entered.
The fumigatorium recently erected at the Botanic
Station, Dominica, has been used with entirely satis-
factory results, and planters are co-operating with the
Government in its endeavours to prevent the introduc-
tion of pests.
Production of Cane Sugar.
According to figures published in the Yearbook of the
United States Department of Agriculture, the total world’s
production of cane sugar for 1903 amounted to 4,423,061
tons. Of this amount 1,130,000 tons were produced in Cuba,
1,000,561 in Asia, 513,000 in South America (excluding
British Guiana), and 519,000 in Porto Rico and Hawaii,
The British West Indies exported 145,000 tons, British
Guiana 125,000 tons, the French West Indies 65,000 tons,
and the Danish West Indies (St. Croix) 13,000 tons.
Of these amounts the United States received, in 1903,
85,680 tons from the British West Indies, 76,947 tons from
British Guiana, and 18,395 tons from the Danish West
Indies.
The largest suppliers of the United States in that year
were: Cuba (1,069,865 tons) and the Dutch East Indies
(397,213 tons). The total imports of sugar, beet and cane,
amounted to 1,882,191 tons.
Rum as an Illuminant and Source of Power.
The following is taken from the West India
Committee Circular of June 21, 1904 :—
Professor J. B. Harrison, Government Analyst of British
Guiana, has furnished to the Government an important report
on the use of white rum as a source of power and an
illuminant, and this is now published for general information
in the hope that it may lead to a more general demand in the
colony for white spirits for those purposes.
Theoretically, alcohol has only three-fifths of the thermal
value of petroleum, but for motor purposes it has been found
that 28 per cent. of the theoretical efticiency of aleohol can be
attained as against a maximum of 15 per cent. in the case of
petroleum products.
The results of experiments in France, Germany and
Austria are given. At a price of about I4c. per gallon,
it has been proved in Germany that alcohol can compete
economically with steam and other agents in engines of less
than 20 horse-power. In France, it appears that the (monetary)
efficiency of a mixture of alcohol and 18 per cent. of petroleum
spirit is almost equal to that of petrol. In Austria, as the
result of tests made on behalf of the Ministry of Finance, it
has been recommended that cheap denatured spirit, specially
suitable for motors, be prepared by mixing 100 litres of
alcohol with 5 litres of petroleum spirit, 0°5 litre of pyridine
or some heavy oil containing ketones, and 0-2 grm. of methyl
violet in aleohol solution as a means of identification.
For lighting purposes, with incandescent lamps, aleohok
lias been found to be much superior to petroleum. With
alcohol at 22e. per gallon, with one form of lamp of
German construction, a light of 85 candle-power has been
obtained at a cost of $c. per hour, while another form—
the so-called are lJamp—gives a light of 550 candle-power at
two-thirds the cost of an electric light of the same power at
Berlin rates.
Professor Harrison points out that in British Guiana
alcohol occupies a more favourable position than in Germany,
France and Austria, with respect to petroleum spirit, the cost
of the latter being high in a tropical climate.
Vou. Ill. No. 59.
THE AGRICULTURAL
bo
to
ay
NEWS.
Manurial Experiments in Jamaica.
The Bulletin of the Departmegt of Agriculture,
Jamaica, for June 1904, publishes the first part of
a report by Mr. H. H. Cousins, M.A., F.C.S., Agri-
cultural and Analytical Chemist, on the manurial
experiments on sugar-cane in 1903, The report
records the results of the experiments on six estates
with the ratoon crop of 1903, following the first series
of experiments with plant canes, analyses being given
in each case. The following is a brief summary of these
results :-—
At Albion estate in the parish of St. Thomas, the results
with D. 95 Ist. ratoons are said to have agreed with those
obtained in the previous year, the manures showing a general
increase in all cases. With Mont Blane canes, however, quite
different results are recorded. Last year the manures
produced no results ; with the ratoon crop some of the plots
showed an increase but not a profitable one, while others
showed a deficit both in tonnage and in cost.
At Holland estate, St. Elizabeth, the results previously
obtained were confirmed, all the manured plots showing an
increase and, with the exception of the pen manure, a profit
on manuring. Mr. Cousins remarks that the figures in
connexion with these experiments indicate ‘ that the yield on
this estate, despite long years of cane cultivation, can be
increased enormously by drainage, by liming, by the growth
of leguminous dressings, and, with due caution and
judgement, the use of a little complete chemical manure.’
At Hillside estate in Vere, the same manures were
applied as at Holland. With one exception, all the plots
receiving manure showed an increase. It is recorded that
the juice obtained here ‘contained absolutely no glucose at
all and the canes must have attained a state of complete
chemical maturation.’
At Amity Hall, also in Vere, the increased yield by
manuring was so small that losses occurred in all but two
cases. ‘This is attributed to deficient rainfall.
The results with ratoons at Caymanas estate in
St. Catherine were confusing and at variance with those
obtained from the plant canes, while at Vale Royal in
Trelawny unfavourable seasons are said to have reduced
the returns. The opinion is expressed that in an average
year fertilizers should prove profitable.
It might be added that the work of supervision of these
experiments has now been specially provided for by the
appointment of Mr. T. H. Sharp, Jr., B.S.A., as Superintend-
ent of sugar experiments.
AGRICULTURAL SOCIETIES.
Dominica.
The following report of a meeting of the Dominica
Agricultural Society held at the Court House, Roseau,
on June 25, has been communicated by Mr. A. K.
Agar, the Honorary Secretary:—
The report of the committee appointed to consider a
Produce Association was read, but the scheme was not found
practicable. The committee for the management of the
1905 Agricultural Show was appointed. The Vice-President
read some notes compiled by Mr. J. F. Scully on the climatic
and agricultural conditions prevailing in his district, and a
discussion followed. A few other minor items of local
interest were also brought forward.
STOCK NOTES.
The following notes are taken from the Farm
Journal of Philadelphia :—
Love of stock is one of the essential elements of
successful stock raising
Feeding a little linseed meal occasionally to stock is
beneficial, keeping the system regulated.
Land that dries quickly after a rain is best for a poultry
yard. Sour, tainted, or wet land will slaughter more fowls
and chicks than will the dreaded roup.
Wet the horses’ feet every day with a sponge, if you do
not put them in a soaking tub. Simply wetting them every
day will do more than you think to keep them in good
condition.
All grains fed to hogs had best be soaked twelve hours
before being fed. Especially is this necessary with barley,
peas, and corn. One of the best grains for growing swine is
oats.
Some cows will give down their milk best when they
have a little grain in the manger before them to work at
while the process of milking is going on. It is worth while
to humour the fancy of these cows.
To make the horse’s coat shine, feed him a bit of oil
meal every day. Begin lightly : not more than a tablespoon-
ful at first. Gradually increase until he will take a pint,
then hold at that for a while.
Horses that are given water with regularity fatten most
readily. They can be taught to take water before breakfast,
and this light drink seems to be worth a great deal to them.
In an effort to put flesh upon an animal, the water is as big
a factor as the grain.
When a horse acquires the bad habit of gnawing at the
manger, or the sides of the stall, or chewing at his halter
rope, rub on some mutton tallow, as the taste of it is very
disagreeable to him. A few applications are all that is
necessary to break him of this habit.
Salt regularly. Many do not do this, but wait a week or
two and then give the cattle all the salt they will eat. Being
hungry for it, they are apt to overdo the matter. Then down
comes your milk test. Salt possesses medicinal qualities.
Use it carefully for that reason.
Thoroughly scald the churn, but have it cool when the
cream is putin. If itis too warm the texture of the butter
will be injured. From time to time, while the cream is
accumulating before churning, it is a good plan to stir it once
ina while. Keep in a warm, not hot, place, and be sure the
cream is sour clear through before beginning to churn.
There is a theory that nothing a cow eats affects the
quality of her milk. If she is made to produce 5-per-cent.
milk she will do it no matter what she has to eat. In practice
this does not hold good, however. You cannot feed a cow
dry straw and get rich milk. Every farmer knows that
corn-meal will make the richest milk of anything. Pumpkins
will also give us a thick, yellow cream.
Cocoa-nut Oil for Toothache. With regard
to cocoa-nut oil it may be useful to mention that it is used
by the natives as a specific for toothache, and is said to be a
never-failing remedy. The directions for use are as follows :—
Procure a fresh cocoa-nut, cut it in half, place one half with
the coneave side facing upwards ona large cup containing
some cotton wool, and inside the cocoa-nut put some live
charcoal. When the oil exudes on to the wool, take the
latter out, and insert it with the aid of a blunt needle into
the aching cavity. (Consular Report on trade of Kiungchow.)
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THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.
JuLty 16, 1904.
4)
R
WEST INDIAN
MANURING CITRUS TREES.
In a previous issue of the Agricultural News
(Vol. III, p. 100), we published a note by Mr. E. A.
Agar of Dominica, on the use of pen manure with
citrus trees. Mr. Agar’s experience was that pen
manure increased the size of the fruits at the expense
of quality. The following note on the same subject,
by Mr. W. M. Smith, Acting Agricultural Instructor at
Grenada, will be of interest :—
A grape fruit tree, growing at Nianganfoix estate,
Grenada, from the roots of which all the soil, to a depth of
about 12 inches, had been washed away, has been treated in
the following manner with the best results: A 3-foot barrier
of bamboos, enclosing a space of 7 feet square, was placed
around the stem of the tree, and a compost was gradually
accumulated in it for a period of about three months, until
it reached the height of about 2 feet 6 inches. This compost
was formed of sweepings from house, kitchen and yard, as
well as a small quantity of pen manure and earth.
This treatment was given just before the tree blossomed
in 1903. It now has most luxuriant foliage, has given a big
crop this year, and the fruits were not only large, but also as
fine in quality as any grown in the island.
PLANTING COCOA-NUT TREES.
The British Guiana Board of Agriculture has
recently published the following directions for planting
cocoa-nut trees :—
Selection of Seed.—Nuts which are quite ripe should be
chosen from trees which bear good crops, and which are
neither very young nor very old. They should be picked
and not allowed to fall or they may be injured, and they
should be kept for about a month before sowing. Very big
nuts are not always the best, because only a few may be
borne on the tree ; oblong nuts should be avoided.
Sowing.—Trenches should be dug about 6 inches deep
in good, light soil and the nuts placed in them on their sides
about 6 inches apart, with the bigger ends slightly down-
wards. Ashes should be placed in the trenches to keep
away insects. The nuts should be half covered with soil
and over all should be put about 6 inches of grass or cane
trash. In dry weather, they must be watered every two
days. Some of the nuts may not germinate, but in from
five to eight months those that have sprouted will be ready
to plant out.
FRUIT
Planting out.—At distances of about 30 feet apart
dig holes 3 feet wide and about 25 feet deep. The soil
should be taken out of the holes, thoroughly mixed with
well-rotted manure or ashes, and then put back again. Put
in the sprouted nut on its side and cover it with soil. All
the roots that are injured should be cut off before planting.
Treatment after Planting —Care must be taken that the
nuts are kept covered with earth, as they tend to grow out
of the soil in time. The soil round the palms must be kept
clean and free from weeds and should be dressed about once
a year with manure and ashes. Catch cropssuch as cassava,
cotton, maize, sweet potatos, etc., may be planted between
the trees, but not too close to them.
In about five to six years’ time the palms will begin to
produce fruit, but they will not bear well until the seventh
to twelfth year after planting.
COMPOSITION OF ORANGES AND
LEMONS.
The following notes on the chemical composition
of oranges and lemons are taken from Snyder's
Chemistry of Plant and Animal Life, reviewed on
p- 219 of our last issue :—
Oranges contain from 10 to 15 per cent. of solid matter,
the larger portion (80 per cent.) being sugar. The citric
acid content ranges from 1 to 2°5 per cent. in different
varieties. The amount of protein, fat and fibre is small. The
ash or mineral matter averages about } per cent. and is
composed mainly of potash and lime with smaller amounts
of other compounds. The iron and sulphur content in some
kinds of oranges is larger than is ordinarily found in other
fruits. In average oranges, the physical composition is as
follows :—
Rind, 20 to 30 per cent. ; pulp, 25 to 35 per cent., and
juice, 35 to 50 per cent.
Lemons differ from oranges in containing larger amounts
of citric acid and smaller amounts of sucrose, levulose and
dextrose. The average composition of lemons is as follows :—
Physical Composition.
Rind 25 to 35 per cent.
Pulp 250 D2) Wie, sles Sugar Dt0: _ aes
Juice LOMO) 5) sae meee Citric) acid) 6) to Olas
The ash of the lemon is somewhat similar in composition
to the ash of the orange, but is present in larger amount.
Chemical Composition.
Solids 10 to 12 per cent.
4
Vou. III. No.
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THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.
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COTTON NOTES.
Expeirments with Varieties in British Guiana.
A report by Mr. R. Ward, on the experiments
carried on at the Botanic Gardens, British Guiana, 1n
growing various kinds of cotton, was published in the
Demerara Official Gazette of May 24 last. We take
the following extract, from which it will be seen that
the Egyptian and the introduced Sea Island, are
spoken of as giving the best results :—
Last year there were obtained, from different sources,
small quantities of seed of the following varieties:—Buck,
Brazilian or Kidney, Native Sea Island, introduced Sea
Island, Egyptian, and Upland.
The three first-named local varieties grew into plants
which were much larger andmore bushy than the three last-
named. Being much stronger growing, they require more
space between the rows and between the plants in the rows.
Plants raised from the seeds of local varieties took a longer
time in coming into bearing than the introduced varieties of
Sea Island and Egyptian, these latter yielding their second
crop when the former were bearing their first. From this it
will appear evident that it would not do to raise these large-
growing sorts every year from seed; but as they ratoon
readily and well, they should be treated as perennials, and
earefully cut back after the reaping of each crop.
The quality of fibre varies very considerably in these
different kinds. The introduced Sea Island appears to give
the best staple ; next to this in length of staple and first in
silkiness is the Buck cotton—probably the same as the Black
Peruvian. The other varieties—Native Sea Island, Brazilian
and Egyptian—somewhat resemble each other in the quality
of their product, the cotton from them being shorter in
staple and less silky than that from the others referred to.
The Egyptian and the Upland varieties are the first to
bear from seed, the crop taking three or four months to
mature. Next follows the introduced Sea Island, which
requires four to five months. The others take from six to
eight months. The ratooning power of the Sea Island is yet
to be tested; but it is evident that the Egyptian variety
must be treated as an annual.
Owing to the bad season and irregular growth, it has
not yet been possible to compile a reliable record as to yield;
but speaking generally, I would say that the best yield has
been got from the Egyptian (Mit Afifi variety), the intro-
duced Sea Island coming after. The others had yielded very
hittle when the time came for them to be cut back ; and itis as
ratoons that I am expecting them to show to best advantage.
In our small experiments we were fortunately not
troubled with the cotton worm, so destructive to some
cultivations ; but the insect known as the ‘cotton stainer’
was very troublesome. Various methods of trapping this
are advocated, but further experiments are necessary before
any one of these can be pronounced the most effective way of
dealing with this pest. As regards the cotton worm, its
treatment with Paris green and lime has been found to be
absolutely trustworthy if applied at the proper time.
On the branches and stems of weak and sickly plants,
some scale insects have been met with; but these, while
affecting the plants, do no harm to the cotton. As a general
treatment which will have a favourable result on the various
insect pests that are liable to attack the cotton, it will be
found useful, when pruning or replanting, to remove care-
fully to a convenient place and to burn all dead branches
and stems of old plants.
Sea Island Cotton.
An interesting article in the Yearbook of the U.S.
Department of Agriculture for 1903, on the ‘ Principal
commercial Plant Fibres’ contains the following
reference to Sea Island cotton :—
Sea Island cotton is obtained from a plant known
technically as Gossypium barbadense. This species was found
in the West Indies when Columbus first visited those islands.
The best varieties of Sea Island cotton have been developed
by careful seed selection and cultivation on James and Edisto
islands, along the coast of South Carolina. This cotton is
cultivated on other islands and the adjacent mainland in that
region, and also in sandy soils in the interior, across southern
Georgia and northern Florida. Fresh supplies of seed are
brought from the coast every two or three years to keep up
the quality of that grown in the interior. During the last
two years the cultivation of Sea Island cotton has been
re-introduced into Porto Rico and the British West Indies,
and under improved conditions it seems likely to become
more profitable there than before it was crowded out by the
sugar industry.
The Sea Island plant differs from that of Upland cotton
in its larger growth—3 to 8 feet high—with longer and more
flexible branches, more deeply lobed leaves, bright yellow
flowers, and sharp-pointed bolls, having three, instead of four
or five, divisions or locks. The seeds are black or dark
brown, and are not covered with a persistent fuzz. The lint
is 13 to 2 inches long, finer and longer than that of Upland
cotton, and usually softer and more lustrous. It commands
a price ranging from 2c. to 15c. per Ib. more than Upland
cotton, but it requires greater care in its production and is
more exacting in regard to soil and climate. It yields less
per acre (100 tb. to 500 ib.), and costs more to pick and gin.
It is used in making fine threads for sewing and for laces,
fine yarns for fancy hosiery, for weaving into the finest lawns
and dimities, and generally for the most expensive grades of
cotton goods.
THE GUAVA AS A WEED.
M. Paul des Grottes, in the May issue of the Journal
@ Agriculture Tropicale, draws attention to the care and
judgement that should be exercised before introducing new
plants into a country. He mentions the various superior
cultivated guavas, the ‘pear,’ ‘strawberry,’ and ‘Cayenne’
varieties, which he says he would not hesitate to introduce
anywhere.
The case is different with the common wild guava. In
spite of the delicious preserves that can be made from its
fruit, its value for stock, its use for fire wood, etc., the guava
is a weed.
The qualities that render it a nuisance are the rapidity
with which it reproduces and the difficulty of destroying it
when established. Domestic animals, as well as birds, spread
the bush in pastures, they eat the fruits, and the seeds pass
through their bodies, uninjured and ready to germinate with
vigour.
Merely cutting back the bushes to the level of the soil is
useless and has to be repeated every three months or even at
smaller intervals during the rainy season. The only way of
exterminating it is to remove every root. The author
mentions that the best instrument, for this purpose, he has
seen, was in St. Lucia ; it was introduced by the Agricultural
Superintendent (see Agricultural News, Vol. Il., p. 43).
With the use of this machine, a native of moderate strength
could easily clear a hectare (24 acres) of bush in a day.
230 THE
AGRICULTURAL NEWS.
Jury 16, 1904.
Mr. John Barclay, the Secretary of the Jamaica
Agricultural Society, has forwarded notes on rabbit
keeping, specially written for the Agricultural News.
Mr. Barclay deals with the general principles of rabbit
keeping, including housing, feeding, breeding, ete.
In the first instalment useful information is given
as to the breeds best suited to the West Indies, ete. :—
I know of no hobby that can be made so practically
useful as the rearing of poultry and rabbits. Both poultry
and rabbits can, at the same time, provide as much vexation
as anything I know of, if losses are the general rule. It
is to prevent occurrences of this sort, as far as possible, by
furnishing information from actual practice in the raising of
rabbits, that these notes are written.
HOW RABBITS ARE USUALLY KEPT IN JAMAICA,
In Jamaica, rabbits are kept by every other small
settler in some parishes, both for the sake of their manure
and for their table value; most owners of estates, too, keep
afew both as pets and for the table. There is no market
for them yet, however, in the same way as there is for
poultry, pork, and mutton, although a very limited trade
does occur in Kingston during the tourist season,
There is, unfortunately, no method, and little knowledge,
among most small settlers as to how these animals should be
kept, and their practices are often abominable. The rabbits
are usually kept in hutches set on posts, about 4 feet from
the ground, to prevent dogs jumping up. There is a hutch
of one apartment, not often water tight, with a little open
platform in front. Here bucks, does and young are often
kept together in the one apartment. This is unnatural and
cruel. The bucks torment the does, often the latter torment
each other. The does have no privacy when they have
young. The results are that the young ones are often
killed as they are born, either by the doe herself or by other
does, if she is not their superior in strength ; perhaps one or
two young ones manage to escape harm and grow up.
Running with bucks, the young does are bred before they are
fully grown, and so deterioration goes on. Fortunately,
the agricultural propaganda persistently kept up through
Jamaica, and which deals with live stock as much as with
cultivation, has at least inculeated a knowledge of the
importance of fresh blood, so much so, for instance, that
one breeder of predigree pigs reported to me that the
prejudice against inbreeding was being carried to extremes.
T considered this satisfactory. Thus settlers are now more
frequently changing and exchanging their bucks. The
additional evil of the promiscuous breeding of bucks and
does of the same family is, therefore, not so common as it
was, although still too common.
In the wild state there is plenty of room, plenty of
freedom, and the animals have abundance of exercise in
securing their food. Moreover, the does can retire, each to
her own particular burrow, and be in seclusion when they
bear their young. The young rabbits have room to grow
and escape the attacks of larger rabbits.
The kind of rabbits kept among small settlers is thus
generally very small, and poor-looking ; yet there is arising
a desire for better stock, and inquiries for Belgian hares,
pure, three-quarter or half-bred, to improve common rabbits,
are becoming more frequent. Among larger planters in
Jamaica, Belgian hares, pure or nearly so, are comparatively
common, and the demand for fresh blood of that variety,
though not so wide-spread as it might be, considering the
number who keep rabbits, is regular, if limited.
The common rabbits are of all colours, —white, grey and
white, black and white; but the uniform grey of the Belgian
hare is becoming more and more common. There are
a great many different breeds of domestic rabbits throughout
the rabbit-breeding world, but we are best suited here with
the thin-coated, active breeds. The striving after size in
animals for hot countries is, | think, not best served by the
introduction of large, heavy-coated animals. These all the
more quickly deteriorate, and the progeny from a large breed
on a smaller one is, just as often as not, small and weakly,
or, if big, sluggish in nature. The best method of improving
a breed, increasing it in size and hardiness, is by care,
attention and knowledge in breeding, feeding and housing,
more especially in allowing animals to mature before breeding,
and in breeding no near relations together.
BREEDS FOR THE WEST INDIES.
The breeds kept most in the United Kingdom are—
the common wild rabbit (which is usually grey, though
in some parts black is frequently seen), the Silver Grey,
Belgian Hare, Flemish Giant, Angora, Dutch, Lop Ear,
Himalayan, and Patagonian.
Of these the following have been kept in Jamaica :—
Belgian Hare, Silver Grey, Flemish Giant, Lop Ear, and the
Angora. But no heavy-coated breed should be kept in
warm climates. Of those mentioned the choice for the West
Indies is the Belgian hare. This is really not a hare, and is
no relation at all of the hare of the field. It is simply an
improved rabbit.
The Belgian hare is comparatively common in Jamaica
and thrives easily with such ordinary attention as every
domestic animal should receive. It is large, not thick-set,
but rather slim, and active, of a dark-grey colour, deepening
sometimes to a rich brown on the back. I have had does
weighing 10 Ib., but find such not so successful as breeders
as those weighing from 7 to 8 Ib. Bucks I have had to
12 tb., but such size and weight do not fit them for breed-
ing successfully. Bucks from 8 to 10 Ib. are as heavy as is
desirable. Of course, for animals fattened for table, the more
weight the better, but very fat animals must not be kept
over long. A favourite breed for crossing with Belgian
hares among breeders in the United Kingdom is the
Flemish Giant rabbit. These animals grow to a large size,
but are very slow and clumsy. The does are not good mothers,
as they are so heavy-footed that they are apt to trample on
their young. Thus the custom is to use the Flemish Giant buck
with the Belgian hare does, and this cross results in a fine
table animal, putting on weight quickly, and easy to fatten.
The young ones of this cross, pushed on with a little grain
and milk, after weaning, can be used at three months old,
when the flesh is white and tender—very good for an
invalid and convalescent diet, being more delicate than
chicken. The Flemish Giant is of a deep iron-grey colour,
though rather heavily coated, and the fur is loose and not
thick.
A year or two ago a Belgian hare craze or fad broke
out in the United States and great sums were paid for show
specimens. It is best, therefore, to import from the United
Kingdom where more sensible notions prevail in regard to the
proper place and value of the Belgian hare. The sum of 10s. is
enough to pay there for very good, selected specimens for
breeding. In Jamaica, young ones can be had for 4s.
and upwards for fair specimens, and 10s. each for a good
wel]l-grown buck or doe should secure well-bred stock.
Vou. Ill. No. 59.
YLANG-YLANG.
In a previous issue of the Agricultural News
(Vol. If, p. 151) mention was made of the Ylang-
Ylang tree, the flowers of which yield a valuable
perfume. In their recent Semi-annual Report, Messrs.
Schimmel & Co. state that the exceptional demand for
the oil has been continued, their sales for 1903 being
much greater than those for 1902. The following
account of the cultivation of the tree is then given:—
Flacourt, in Revue des Cultures Coloniales (Vol. 13,
p. 366 ; Vol. 14, p. 16), makes some interesting communica-
tions respecting the cultivation of ylang-ylang trees in
Réunion, which are based on practical experience, and there-
fore contain much useful instruction for those who are
interested in the subject. Both Unona latifolia and Unona
odorata* which have now for a long time been grown as
trees for avenues are suitable for the cultivation. But
absolute necessities therefor are a tropical tranquil climate,
and a porous soil containing a certain amount of moisture.
In order to grow the trees from seed, the latter, taken
from the ripe fleshy berries, must be freed carefully, by
repeated washing, from all traces of pulp, and immediately
after the last washing be placed in the seed-bed which may
be laid out in a rich, well-manured soil. The germ-plants
make their appearance after forty to sixty days and after one
to one and a half months are planted out in nurseries which
must be situated in a shady place.
This planting out in nurseries is, in Réunion, generally
preceded by a process which consists of this: the young
germ-plants are placed singly in vessels of beaker-form,
so-called ‘tentes,’ which can be readily constructed from the
leaves of Pandanus utilis. The plants, transposed in one or
other manner, require about two months to attain a height of
25 to 30 cm. and to develop sufficiently.
At this stage the plants are best suited to the process
of transferring to the plantations. During the next two years
the latter must be tended with care, and yet yield nothing.
From the third year onwards the trees begin to flower
and the crop can already be estimated at 150 to 200 francs
per hectare (24 acres). It is, however, necessary to see that
the trees do not grow to a greater height than 2°5 to 3 metres.
This is done by cutting off the tops, which at the same time
causes a powerful development of the lateral branches and
an abundant formation of blossoms, so that the yield
becomes very remunerative.
The flowering period of the ylang-ylang trees commences
in Réunion from January to February, but a regular forma-
tion of blossoms, giving the best yield, can only be reckoned
upon from May to August. Those blossoms which are
freshest when submitted to distillation yield oils of better
quality. Fifty to 64 kilos. of freshly gathered blossoms
produce 1 kilo, oil, that is, 1°56 to 2 per cent. The yield from
one hectare of plantation laid out according to Flacourt is
annually from 3 to 4 kilos. oil, giving a net profit from 1,116
to 1,616 francs.
*The botanical name of the ylang-ylang tree is usually
given as Artabotrys odoratissimus, of which Unona odoratissina
isasynonym. [Ed. A. N.]
THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS. 231
AGRICULTURE IN THE BAHAMAS.
The following extracts are taken from the General
Descriptive Report on the Bahamas Islands in which is
included the annual report to the Secretary of State
for the Colonies for 1902 :—
The surface rock in all the Bahama Islands is exceedingly
hard, so much so that if struck sharply with a_ steel
instrument, sparks are emitted, as in the case of flint ; this
rock, however, is of very different texture beneath, and is
easily sawn into blocks, making an excellent building stone.
Moreover, if the rock is blown up and sufficiently pulverized,
it forms an admirable medium for the growth of a variety of
economical products, and is especially adapted to citrus
fruits. There can be no question also that cotton would
thrive in it, though, as I have pointed out elsewhere, the
drawback to this culture is the practically certain attacks of
formidable insect pests.... Unless the cultivator is prepared
to deal with these pests scientifically, as is the case
in the southern States of America, it is hopeless to expect
to succeed with cotton. In these islands there is no such
thing as scientific culture. It is true that pine-apples
are grown on a large scale, especially in Eleuthera, and that
a considerable measure of success has been achieved by
certain growers, but it has been laid down as an axiom, that
the plant will only thrive in the red soil mentioned, and
when exhaustion of properties which render it a suitable food
takes place, fertilization is resorted to, and an American
mixture is used, whose component parts are entirely unknown
to the users of it. Recent experiments, however, have
proved that pine-apples will thrive elsewhere. At this moment
there are some small plantations near the town, where the
pines are being grown in the interstices of the most unpromis-
ing-looking honeycomb rock ; there can be but a small deposit
of humus in these fissures, but nevertheless, up to the
present, the plants look healthy and vigorous.
Almost all tropical fruits will thrive in Bahamas soil,
given sufficient depth, but many trees may be seen growing
out of interstices in the rocks, and this is especially the case
with the sapodilla which seems to grow under the most
adverse conditions, and produces excellent fruit. Several
groves of cocoa-nuts exist, but the conditions are not so
suitable to their growth as was considered to be the case
some years ago, when extensive experiments were made.
This palm thrives in some places near the sea, but I do not
think its culture could ever be made a paying speculation.
So much has been written in regard to the ‘sisal’ plant,
that I need only say its cultivation is extending, and
undoubtedly it grows well, established in places where the
roots have room to spread. I see no reason why the
extraction of the fibre should not be a profitable industry in
these islands. Even taking into consideration adjacent
competition and natural fluctuation of the market, the plant
needs no special culture and is practically free from insect
pests, drought does nor affect it, and, on the other hand, it is
impervious to the torrential rain which generally occurs
during the summer months. The leaves can be readily
cleaned by hand, and there are good machines which do the
work in a more expeditious manner. The type generally used
here is the ‘Todd’ machine, which I understand is as good as
any in the market.
It is gratifying to be able to report that the Sisal Fibre
Company of Little Abaco continues its work with every
prospect of success. The company has about 5,000 acres
under cultivation and 145 tons of fibre were shipped at an
estimated value of £4,350. Additional machinery has been
placed upon the estate, and it is expected that during the
next year the output will approximate £15,000 in value.
THE
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AGRICULTURAL NEWS.
Juty 16, 1904.
EDITORIAL NOTICES.
Letters and matter for publication, as well
as all specimens for naming, should be addressed
to the Commissioner, Imperial Department of
Agriculture, Barbados.
All applications for copies of the ‘Agricul-
tural News’ should be addressed to the Agents,
and not to the Department. A complete list of
the London and Local agents will be found at
foot of page 223 of this volume.
The ‘Agricultural News’: Price 1d. per
number, post free 14d. Annual subscription
payable to Agents 2s. 2d. Post free, 3s. 3d.
Agricultural dlews
JULY 16,
Vou. III.
NOTES AND COMMENTS.
Contents of Present Issue.
A short summary of the results of manurial
experiments with the sugar-cane in Jamaica is given
on p. 227; also a note by Professor Harrison, of British
Gwiana, on the use of rum as an illuminant and
a source of power (p. 226).
SATURDAY,
1904. No. 59.
Our cotton notes include a report on experiments
with different varieties in British Guiana, and a short
account of Sea Island cotton from the Yearbook of the
United States Department of Agriculture.
The first instalment of Mr. Barclay’s rabbit notes
is published on p. 250.
On p. 231 we publish an extract on agriculture in
the Bahamas; information relating to the exports of
those islands will be found on p. 233. A Curator is
required for the Botanic Station which is shortly to be
established. For particulars see p. 238.
In an interesting note on black blight in Grenada
(see p. 284) Mr. Ballou discusses the cause of this pest,
the trees most frequently affected, and proposals for its
extermination.
Manurial experiments with cotton are to be carried
out in the Leeward Islands. A complete list of the
proposed experiments is given on p. 237. ‘These are to
be arranged along the lines of the sugar-cane experi-
ments in the Leeward Islands.
Mr. J. R. Jackson’s usual monthly report will be
found on p. 238. A quiet tone is reported in the
London drug and spice markets,
Rabbit Keeping in the West Indies.
We have published in these columns articles on
the management and rearing of poultry ana ducks,
specially written by Mr. John Barclay, the energetic
Secretary of the Jamaica Agricultural Society.
In this issue we commence a series of similar
useful articles dealing with rabbits. Rabbit keeping
is a remunerative industry, and one particularly in
favour among small settlers in these islands.
Mr. Barclay has had considerable practical
experience in rearing birds and rabbits and_ also
excellent opportunities for becoming acquainted with
the special requirements for their successful manage-
ment in these islands. We are therefore confident
that his articles will be of great service to those of
our readers who are interested in this branch of
agriculture.
DD Oe
Sisal Hemp from Caicos Islands.
An excellent sample of sisal hemp was recently
received from his Honour the Commissioner of the
Turks and Caicos Islands, who wrote, under date
March 22, 1904: ‘The sample I send you is from
a plantation owned by an American firm, From the
two fibre plantations in the Caicos we exported last
year 443,870 th., valued at £6,488,’
The sample, which was a remarkably good one, the
fibre being bright and strong, was forwarded by the
Imperial Commissioner of Agriculture to Messrs. Ide
and Christie, who have furnished the following satis-
factory report :—
‘Your favour of the 5th. inst. with sample of sisal
hemp from the Caicos Islands safely to hand. The
latter shows first-class material, better than any of the
Mexican and as good as the best from the Bahamas.
Value, £33 per ton, but less to sell quantity. For the
past few years we have seen small lots on this market.
Manila hemp being on the downward move, all hard
hemps are likely to fall in value.’
The Juniper Cedar.
The Bulletin of the Department of Agriculture,
Jamaica, for April 1904, has an article on the Juniper
cedar.
Dr. M. 'T. Masters pointed out in an article in the
Bulletin of the Botanical Department, Jamaica, for
April 1901, that the Juniper cedar of Jamaica was
not, as had been supposed, identical with that of
Bermuda. This opinion has been confirmed by Prof-
essor C. S. Sargent, who states that it is identical
with the special red cedar which is a native of Florida.
Professor Sargent separates Juniperus virgini-
and, as described in his Silva of North America, into
three species : (1) Juniperus virginiana, the red cedar
of the North, (2) the red cedar of Florida, which is not
distinguishable from Juniperus barbadensis of the
West Indies, and (3) the red cedar of western America.
This opinion, it is stated, is of importance com-
mercially, for ‘the Florida tree is the pencil cedar of
commerce.’ The trees of Florida and Jamaica will now
be known as Juniperus barbadensis,
SE ————
Wor LID.» No: 59. THE
AGRICULTURAL NEWS.
Fish Oils from Dominica.
Samples of two oils obtained from Dominica were
recently forwarded to experts by the Imperial Com-
missioner of Agriculture with a view to ascertaining
whether they possessed any commercial value.
The first sample—one of shark-liver oil—has been
reported upon by Messrs Burgoyne, Burbidges & Co.
as tollows:—
‘We have examined the sample of shark-liver oil
sent to us,and beg to say that it is of good quality, and
fairly sweet, and we consider the value of same about
£15 to £16 per ton, landed, packages free, less 24 per
cent. There would be no use for this oil in medicine,
but it could perhaps be used for leather, ete.’ Jas
In regard to a sample of black fish oil, which is
produced in fair quantities in Dominica, Messrs.
Gillespie Bros. & Co., to whom the sample was sent,
write as follows :—
‘Our brokers report that this is a nice, sweet oil
but rather thick. They value it here at £15 per ton
ex dock, less 24 per cent., at which price it should
command a ready sale. This time last year the value
would have been from £17 to £18 per ton, but the low
price of linseed and other oils has depressed the market
for the time being.
‘Our brokers further suggest that shipment be
made in barrels or any other casks, and that care should
be taken that they are in good condition for the voyage.
Parcels of 10 tons and over would probably command
a better price than that obtained for small lots.’
$< eee
United States Tropical Experiment Stations.
The report of the United States Secretary of
Agriculture for 1903 contains references to the work
that has been carried on in the Experiment Stations in
Hawaii and Porto Rico.
In Hawaii experiments have been continued on
the tannia rot and potato rot. The former may be
prevented, it is stated, by proper attention to methods
of irrigation and the application of suitable fertilizers ;
the potato rot can be combated by the use of Bordeaux
mixture.
It is hoped that the investigations in connexion
with corn cultivation will succeed in placing this
industry once more on a_ satisfactory basis, several
introduced varieties having given excellent results.
Preliminary operations have been performed at
the new Porto Rico Station. ‘A beginning has been
made to establish nurseries of citrus fruits and rubber
and tea plants, as well as varieties of mangos, bananas,
and tropical fruits. Arrangements have been made
by which improved varieties of tropical fruits are being
secured from different portions of the West India
Islands through the courtesy of the Commissioner of
Agriculture for the British West Indies.’
Experiments have been commenced to test various
fibre plants, leguminous crops for restoring the soil, ete.
At the La Carmelita plantation 10 acres have
been placed at the disposal of the station for experi-
ments with coffee to test the different methods of
pruning, shading, fertilizing, ete.
Hedge Plants.
An interesting experiment has been carried out at
the Botanic Station, Montserrat, to ascertain the most
suitable plants for making hedges. This forms an
excellent demonstration plot, as one can see at a glance
which plants are likely to serve best for this purpose.
The following plants have been grown: cushaw
(Acacia tortwosa), logwood (Haematorylon campe-
chianum), wild coffee (Clerodendron aculeatum),
myrtle lime (Tvriphasia Aurantiola), and bread-and-
cheese (Inga Unguis-cati).
The Acacia, started from seed in 1903, has formed
a dense hedge, 43 feet high, and the prickly nature of
this plant should render it very suitable, since stock
would be unable to push through. The logwood hedge
is now 5 feet in height: the seeds were sown in 1902.
Of this experiment, Mr. Jordan reports: ‘It is
probable that cushaw and logwood will be found to
be the best plants for the purpose of hedges. Seeds
can readily be obtained from the wild plants in May.
As both plants are rapid growers, it is better to sow the
seeds in the position required than to transplant.’
Mr. Jordan estimates that the cost of planting
such hedges would be about £2 per mile, with an
additional 6s. per mile per annum for trimming and
supplying.
EE
Exports of the Bahamas.
We publish on p. 231 of this issue extracts from
the recently published Descriptive Report on the
Bahamas Islands relating to agricultural industries.
A few notes on the principal exports from these islands
may also be of interest.
The exports figuring most prominently, with their
values, included: sponges (£97,584), Bahamas hemp
(£37,574), pine-apples (£36,957), canned fruits (£9,515),
and turtle-shell (£8,886). Practically the whole of the
hemp was exported to the United States ; also a large
proportion of the sponge. On the other hand, the
United Kingdom received most of the turtle-shell.
The agricultural industries are principally the
growing of pine-apples and oranges, both of which go to
the United States. In the growing of oranges, Florida
has proved so keen a competitor that it scarcely pays
to ship them from the Bahamas, especially in the face
of the duty of 1c. per tb. levied in the United States on
foreign imports. The exports of this fruit have
declined in value from £3,148 in 1900 to £1,446 in
1902. It is suggested that grape fruit cultivation
would prove more remunerative.
It is reported that there is little attempt at
scientific culture, although there are signs of awakening
to the value of land. The islands are handicapped in
their development by the scant soil and absence of
natural water supplies. ‘Agriculture is practically
a neglected art. Soil culture is not easy, but, where it
is systematically attempted, well repays effort. There
is, undoubtedly, a more cheering look-out for the sisal
industry, and those plantations which are worked on
proper lines are yielding good results. This cultivation
is extending and bids fair to be a permanent and
promising one for these islands.’
234 THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.
JuLy 16, 1904.
Grenada.
The following are further extracts from Mr. Ballou’s
report on his recent visit to Grenada. The subject
dealt with is the ‘black blight’ which is so prevalent
in that island. Further information on this pest will
be found in the Agricultural News, Vol. II, p. 37:—
Black blight is a fungus of the genus Capnodium. It
finds nutriment and favourable conditions for growth in the
secretions of the scale insects and is nearly always to be seen
in greater or Jess quantity on scale-infested trees. As a first
cause of Injury, it is comparatively insignificant, the damage
done to plants attacked by black blight being almost
entirely damage by scale insects.
Several trees are always to be seen which show the black
blight on leaves and twigs. The most striking of these are:
clammy cherry (Cordia Collococca), mango (Mangifera
indica), breadfruit (Artocarpus incisa), sapodilla (Sapota
Achras), guava (Psidium guava), lime (Citrus medica, var.
acida), orange (Citrus Aurantium).
Black blight also seems able to subsist on the products
of several different kinds of scale insects, prominent
among which are the following: all the species of the
shield scales (Zecanium), the glassy star scale (Vinsonia
stellifera), the mussel scale (JJytilaspis citricola), and
the mealy shield scale (Protopulvinaria pyriformis). Many
of the plants affected by these scales, and the attendant
black blight, live on year after year, though the upper
surfaces of all leaves seem to be thickly coated with the
mycelinm of Capnodium, and the under surfaces and small
twigs seriously attacked by scale insects.
No serious attack of black blight, or the scale insects
causing it, has yet been observed on cacao or nutmeg, and
it may be stated as a general truth that, until the scale
insects attack these plants, the black blight will not,
and that any observant planter will be able to detect
the beginnings of such attack, and by the application
of contact insecticides will be able to ward off the attack
before it assumes serious proportions. The fact that for so
many years cacao has been grown in these islands, where
many of these scale insects are native, and has never been
seriously attacked by them would lead to the supposition
that it is not a favourite food plant for the scales.
Mr. MacNeill, formerly Agricultural Instructor at
Grenada, in a letter dated November 1902, gives a long
list of plants affected by black blight and says: ‘When
mangos, breadfruit and other trees become affected with
the blight, the crops suffer and I have heard of cases
where the trees died;’ but he does not say from his
own knowledge that black blight does kill trees, or that
he has everseen trees that he considered had been killed
by this pest. As bearing on this point, I would refer
to the mango. This tree, in many places, is affected year
after year by black blight, and yet each new crop of leaves
comes on and fully recovers the tree so that with the casting
of the old leaves and the bursting of the new, the tree stands
to all appearances a clean and healthy tree. Many affected
leaves are left, however, and in a short time the scale insects
take possession of the new growth and the black fungus soon
appears on the leaves which were clean.
When in Grenada, I noticed that the trees in the
vicinity of St. Georges were much more commonly attacked
by black blight than trees along the leeward coast and in the
northern part of the island. What conditions are responsible
for this 1am not able to say, but I presume that the more
unnatural nature of the locality leads to this prevalence.
The extermination of black blight in an island like
Grenada would be a practical impossibility. That is to say,
the expense of exterminating the various scale insects which
furnish conditions favourable to the growth of the black
blight would entail an enormous expenditure of money, which
would hardly be warranted until the pest gave evidence of
being seriously injurious to a valuable crop, and it would
necessitate the destruction of so many trees and food plants
of the scale insects that the results might be more
unfavourable and far-reaching than would be supposed. The
control, however, of black blight, and of the scale insects it
follows, is, on the whole, a simple matter on any given area,
In conclusion, I would again point out that black blight
is unsightly but comparatively uninjurious ; the scale insects
which it follows may, however, become a serious pest, but
they can be controlled.
Entomology in Hawaii.
The Hawaiian Government employs four entomologists
who are officers of the Board of Commissioners of Agriculture
and Forestry. The chief entomological work is given in the
Hawavian Forester and Agriculturist (Vol. I, no. 4, April
1904) as coming under two heads: (1) suppression of insect
pests already in the islands, and (2) prevention of the
introduction of new insect pests into the islands.
For the former the natural enemies of the various
insect pests are depended upon to a large extent. Two of
the four entomologists spend a large part of their time
travelling in search of natural enemies in the places from
which different pests have been imported.
The work under the second head is done by the resident
entomologists, who inspect all importations of plants and
decide whether they shall be allowed to land, and, if so,
whether they shall be treated in order to deal with any
insects that may have been found on or among them.
In addition, the matter of spraying and the best
cultural methods for dealing with pests attacking the various
crops receive a good deal of attention.
At present the leaf-hopper of the sugar-cane is one of
the most troublesome pests. Not only does it injure the
canes by puncturing the leaves and stems in feeding, and in
egg-laying, but in addition these punctures serve to give
entrance to fungoid diseases.
The leaf-hopper of the Hawaiian Islands (Perkinsiella
saccharicida) is closely related to the cane fly (Delphax
saccharivora) and the corn fly (Delphar maidis) of the West
Indies, but it is much more serious a pest than the latter.
(See Agricultural News, Vol. IL, p. 154.)
Pickling Lemon and Orange Peel. ‘The
fruit is cut in half and the pulp extracted. The peel is
then thrown into open casks of salt and water and soaked
for three days. The water is then drawn off and the peels
are packed in layers in barrels. When the barrel is full, it
is closed down and salt water is poured in through the bung
to fill up completely. When the fruit is saturated the cask
is sealed.’ (West Indian Bulletin, Vol. V, p. 70.)
ae ol
Vou. III. No. 59. THE
HOW 10 MAKE SCHOOL GARDENS :
A manual
By H. D. Hemenway, B.S., Director
New York: Doubleday,
for teachers and pupils.
of Hartford School of Horticulture.
Page & Co., 1903.
This little manual is designed to be of service to those
teachers, anxious to take part in the school garden move-
ment, who may not have had the advantage of agricultural
training.
It is suggested that in laying out a school garden the
aesthetic side should not be lost sight of, but that this should
not, on the other hand, be the controlling element. A wise
teacher will let the aesthetic and the agricultural elements
harmonize. This is the key-note to this book. We hope
that the establishment of school gardens in the West Indies
will be along the same lines. We have seen school gardens
which were really nothing but flower gardens. Something
more than this is wanted: they should be miniature experi-
ment plots designed to instruct the children and draw out
their powers of observation.
Full directions are given by Mr. Hemenway as to the
laying out of the garden and the preparation and fertilization
of the land before planting.
Then follow notes on lessons in garden work, instructions
being given for planting various vegetables and flowers.
Lessons in greenhouse work deal with such matters as
planting seeds, potting plants, striking cuttings, ete. Other
lessons deal with grafting and budding.
Although this book deals with the cultivation of
temperate plants, there is much in it to recommend its
intelligent adoption as a guide by teachers in these islands,
who will be able to learn from it the best kind of instruction
to give.
SCHOOL GARDENS IN EUROPE: Special
Consular Reports issued by the Bureau of Foreign Commerce,
Department of State. Washington - Government Printing
Office, 1900.
This consists of ‘reports from Consuls of the United
States in answer to instructions from the Department of
State’ to prepare reports upon ‘ the founding, progress, and
practical working of school gardens in your respective
districts.’
Reports are published from Belgium, France, Germany,
and Switzerland. Each contains interesting information
relating to the nature of the instruction provided, programmes
of the courses of instruction, ete.
Excellent photographic illustrations of classes of
children engaged in work in the gardens and in the school
rooms add to the value of these reports.
In several cases, grants are given by the Government
towards the establishment and maintenance of these gardens.
In Switzerland a prize of $50 was offered for the best compo-
sition on the subject, and the Consul at Aaran furnishes a
translation of that which received the prize, which is particu-
Jarly interesting.
AGRICULTURAL NEWS. 935
EDUCATIONAL.
Agricultural School, Dominica.
Mr. A. J. Brooks, the Officer-in-charge, reports as
follows
Since the opening of the school in 1900, eighteen boys
have completed their course of instruction and left the school.
All these boys are now engaged in agricultural work in
this island.
Eleven are working on estates as overseers, five are
working land owned by themselves or relations, two are
retained by the Imperial Department at the Botanic Station
and Agricultural School.
School Gardens in Grenada.
The following is taken from the annual report of
the Inspector of Schools in Grenada just issued :—
It is with satisfaction that I note the completion of
thirteen school gardens during the year. These have all been
laid out and enclosed from government funds under govern-
ment supervision. The total cost was about £170, the
average size of each being between } and } acre. A scheme
of cash payments in lump sum in connexion with the annual
examinations was submitted to the Board of Education, but
nothing has since been heard of it. At the annual examina-
tions held October to December 1903, only two schools had
really commenced operations, viz., the St. Paul’s Anglican
and the St. Paul’s Roman Catholic schools. Each had “made
a fairly good start. The gardens have all been established
in prominent places, so as to become object-lessons to the
people of the labouring classes. Blackie’s Readers are being
more and more extensively used, and the theoretical work
done during the year has stood the test of fairly searching
examination by the Inspectors. Substantial progress may
be expected at the next round of examinations.
If the object-lessons were taught systematically, and the
introduction of plant life into the course brought about, the
lack of sympathy for the teaching of agriculture that has
been so marked would gradually be removed, beginning at
the lowest standards of the school.
CAREFUL PREPARATION OF PRODUCTS.
An article in the India-Rubber World for June 1,
gives some figures to illustrate the bearing of the
purity of rubber on its market value. After speaking
of the high prices obtained by Ceylon planters for
rubber from Hevea, compared with the prices obtained
for Mexican rubber from Castilloa, the writer of the
article goes on:—
Para rubber, imported at 51 per tb. with 15 per cent.
of shrinkage in cleaning, really costs the manufacturer
$1173. At the same time Mexican rubber imported at
only 75c., with 30 per cent. shrinkage, really costs at
the factory $1:07 per lb. The chief explanation of the
high prices obtained by the Ceylon planters is that they do
not ship dirt to market ; the percentage of shrinkage in
their product is almost nz/. Hence when some Ceylon
rubber sold recently in London at 31:29} per ib., while
Central American rubber brought only 81c., this difference
alone formed no reason for discouraging the planters
of Castilloa, which yields the Central sorts. The latter
rubber might have brought $1 or more, if prepared as
carefully as the Ceylon rubber.
THE AGRICULTURAL
NEWS. Juty 16, 1904.
GLEANINGS.
Sea Island cotton seed is on sale at the Botanic Station,
Grenada, at 2d. per tbh. Application for seed should be
made to the Curator.
The annual local agricultural exhibition and show of
stock for peasants will be held at Dunscombe plantation,
St. Thomas, Barbados, on Tuesday, January 10, 1905.
A cotton ginning plant and baling press, capable of
handling a crop of 600 acres, will shortly be put up at
Stone Fort estate, St. Nitt’s. The plant will be ready for
work in October next.
A total of 4,225 tb. of Sea Island cotton seed has been
distributed in Jamaica. This should be sufiicient to plant
about 700 acres. Cotton will be ginned and baled at
Hartlands at a charge of 3c. per tb. of clean cotton.
In Jamaica the Island Chemist has made arrangements
for supplying thymol, prepared as described in the Agri-
cultural News, Vol. Ill, p. 157, which is recommended for
bots and worms in horses, at the small charge of 2d. per dose.
The second of the series of lectures on cotton growing in
Barbados was given at the Parry School, St Lucy, on
Wednesday, July 6. The lecturers were Mr. J. R. Bovell
and Mr. L. Lewton-Brain. Owing to unfavourable weather
the attendance was only fair.
The British Bee Journal gives the approximate number
of colonies of bees in various countries as follows :—United
States, 4,500,000 ; Germany, 2,000,000 ; Austria, 1,800,000 ;
Spain, 1,700,000 ; France, 1,000,000 ; Great Britain, 500,000 ;
Holland, 250,000; Belgium, 200,000; Denmark, 100,000 ;
Greece, 50,000 ; Switzerland, 30,000.
According to a United States Consular Report, cedar
holds a high place among the woods of Columbia, one year’s
exports of this wood from the two principal ports of the
Atlantic amounting to 2,481 metric tons. ‘On the Vene-
zuelan border is found the red smelling cedar, called juniper,
largely used in the manufacture of lead pencils.’
According to the Consular Report, there is likely to be
a rapid development in the production of rubber in Indo-
China. ‘The quantity exported rose from 53 tons in 1899
to 340 tons in 1900, but fell to 266 tons in 1901. The high
prices offering have led to a somewhat reckless draining of
the sources of supply during the last few years, but regula-
tions are now being enforced to prevent wasteful destruction
of plants and to encourage replanting.’
The Board of Trade Journal of May 12 gives particulars
relating to the manufacture of cocaine in Peru. In 1901,
610,006 kilos. of coca leaves and 10,688 kilos. of cocaine were
exported. The average price of cocaine in that year was
£30 per kilo.
We are pleased to hear that Mr. E. M. Cutting, the
Barbados scholar of 1901, has obtained a First Class, in
Botany, in Part II of the Natural Sciences Tripos at
Cambridge. It will be remembered that in 1903 Mr. Cutting
obtained a First Class in Part I of this Tripos, at the end of
his second year at Cambridge.
During the fortnight ended June 16, 301 bales of West
Indian cotton were imported into the United Kingdom, sales
being effected at the following prices: West Indian, 6°75d.
to 6°79¢.; West Indian Sea Island, medium fine, 14d.; fine,
15d. ; extra fine, 16d. per Ib. One bale of Barbabos cotton
realized as much as 18d. per tbh. (West India Committee
Circular.)
A correspondent writes in the Natal Agricultural
Journal: ‘1 should like to warn your readers of the absolute
necessity of providing bees with a regular supply of pure
water during dry weather, otherwise they are likely to seek
water in the foulest places. I have found it a good plan to
float small pieces of wood in a pan of water, so that the bees
can sit on them and drink without danger of being drowned.’
The Rev. Canon Weymouth, writing in the Journal of
the Royal Horticultural Society on the Hawaiian Islands,
refers to the oily nuts of the Indian walnut or candleberry
tree (Aleurites moluccana), which is not uncommon in the
West Indies. He states: ‘The natives formerly strung the
kernels on bamboo splints and used them as torches. Black
polished ornaments are made from the shells.’
Among the recommendations contained in the report of
the Committee appointed by his Excellency the Governor-in-
Chief of the Windward Islands to consider the expenditure
of the balance of the St. Vincent Eruption Fund, we notice
the following: ‘That a sum of £1,000 be granted to the
Imperial Department of Agriculture for the purchase of
stock to improve the present breed of animals in the colony
and for the housing and enclosure of such stock.’
In his annual Report on the work of the Government
Laboratory, Jamaica, for 1905-4, Mr. Cousins reports a visit
to a coffee plantation where trees were dying out in certain
fields—a state of affairs attributed by the planter to the use
of guano as a fertilizer. Mr. Cousins found, however, that
the trees were affected by a root fungus and that there was
a definite connexion between the roots of dead or decaying
Avocado pear trees and the affected coffee. ‘This appears
to confirm the opinion that the pears should not be grown on
any lands intended for subsequent cultivation.’
The report of the Horticulturist of the Canadian
Experimental Farms contains a reference to experiments in
dust spraying. In dry districts spraying is sometimes
difficult owing to scarcity of water. Satisfactory results have
been obtained from the use of various machines invented for
the purpose. Air-slaked lime has been used in the place of
water for carrying the fungicides and insecticides. As a rule
the nozzle of these machines is so far away that there is little
danger to the operator from the use of arsenical poisons,
provided the work is carefully done.
Vou. Ill. No. 59.
MANURIAL EXPERIMENTS WITH COTTON.
It has been agreed, in consultation with the
Hon. F. Watts, B.Se, FIC, F.C.S., that manurial
experiments with cotton be carried on in the Leeward
Islands. Experiments will therefore be conducted by
the Department of Agriculture and cotton planters
working together on the following lines :—
The Department of Agriculture will provide the
artificial manures for the experiments, and will supervise
their application.
The planter co-operating will be required to prepare the
land for the experiments and to plant the necessary dividing
lines of pigeon peas; to weed and care for the crop during
growth, taking all reasonable precautions for the prevention
of insect and other pests, including the provision and
application of proper insecticides ; to gather the cotton from
each plot separately, which can be readily done by having as
many bags for storing cotton as there are plots in the series
of experiments.
When the reaping is completed the proceeds of each
plot will be weighed, and ginned, and small samples of lint
from each plot sent to the government laboratory for
examination and valuation.
The necessary information concerning the weight of
seed-cotton, of lint obtained per plot and of the general nature
and growth of the crop will be forwarded to the govern-
ment laboratory for the purpose of preparing the proper
report upon the experiments, in a manner similar to that
followed in the case of experiments with sugar-canes. It is
desirable that care be taken to provide for concise publica-
tion of results ; fragmentary and piece-meal publication is to
be deprecated.
It is proposed that the experiments shall be arranged
somewhat on the same lines as those conducted with sugar-
canes, and a list of some thirty-five to forty experiments has
been drawn up. These experiments are designed to ascertain
the requirements of the cotton plant as regards (1) nitrogen,
(2) phosphates, (3) potash, (4) salt, and (5) the influence
of sulphate of copper. Other experiments, as for example,
those with insecticides or fungicides may be added to the
series, if local circumstances demand the addition.
Each plot is to be 75 acre, and the plots are to be
separated from one another by rows of pigeon peas. “Arranged
in this manner, each series of experiments will require about
1} acres.
"Little difficulty should be experienced in picking the
cotton separately from each plot, if a bag is provided for each
plot and plainly marked with the number of the plot. The
bags should not be carried about from plot to plot while
picking is going on.
The following list of experiments has been put forward
as suitable for this year’s work:—
1. No manure.
2. Pen manure.
NITROGEN SERIES.
no phosphate.
20 Tb. nitrogen as sulphate of ammonia, no
no phosphate.
3. No nitrogen, 30 th. potash, 40 tb. phosphate.
4, 20 tb. nitrogen as sulphate of ammonia, 30 Ib. potash,
40 tb. phosphate.
5. 30 tb. nitrogen as sulphate of ammonia, 30 Ib. potash,
40 tb. phosphate.
6. 20 tb. nitrogen as nitrate of soda, 30 Ib. potash,
40 1b. phosphate.
7. 30 tb. nitrogen as nitrate of soda, 30 tb. potash,
40 th. phosphate.
8. 30 ib. nitrogen as sulphate of ammonia, 30 fb. potash,
9,
potash,
THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.
237
10. 30 Tb. nitrogen as sulphate of ammonia,
no phosphate.
11. 20 tb. nitrogen as nitrate of soda,
no phosphate.
12. 50 tb. nitrogen as nitrate of soda,
no phosphate.
no potash,
no potash,
no potash,
PHOSPHATE SERIES.
13. No phosphate, 50 tb. nitrogen, 30 Tb. potash.
14. 40 tb. phosphoric acid as basic phosphate, 30 tb. nitrogen,
30 tb. potash.
15. 60 ib. phosphoric acid as basic phosphate, 30 Tb.
30 tb. potash.
16. 80 tb. phosphoric acid as basie phosphate, 30 tb. potash.
17. 40 tb. phosphoric acid as basic phosphate, no nitrogen,
no potash.
18. 40 tb. phosphcrie acid as superphosphate, 30 tb. nitrogen,
30 Ib. potash.
19. 60 tb. phosphoric acid as superphosphate, 30 Tb. nitrogen,
30 tb. potash.
nitrogen,
POTASH SERIES,
20. No potash, 30 tb. nitrogen, 40 tb. phosphate.
21. 20 Tb. potash as sulphate, 30 tb. nitrogen, 40 tb. phosphate.
22. 30 tb. potash as sulphate, 30 tb. nitrogen, 40 tb. phosphate.
23. 40 Ib potash as sulphate, 30 ib. nitrogen, 40 tb. phosphate.
24. 40 tb. potash as sulphate, no nitrogen, no phosphate.
COTTON SEED MEAL SERIES.
25. 3,000 tb.
26. 600 tb.
27. 300 tb.
28. 300 ib.
29. 300 tb.
cotton seed.
cotton seed.
cotton seed,
cotton seed,
cotton seed,
30 tb. potash,
no potash,
30 Th. potash,
no phosphate.
40 th phosphate.
40 tb. phosphate.
30. 300 Tb. cotton seed, 30 1b. potash, 40 tb. phosphate,
30 tb. nitrogen.
SALT SERIES.
31. 100 tb. salt alone.
32. 200 tb. salt alone.
33. 100 tb. salt, 30 th. nitrogen, 30 th. potash, 40 tb. phosphate.
34. 200 tb. salt, 30 Th. nitrogen, 30 th. potash, 40 tb. phosphate.
35. 100 th. salt, 300 tb. cotton seed
SULPHATE OF COPPER SERIES.*
36. 20 tb. sulphate of copper.
37. 20 tbh. sulphate of copper, 30 tb. nitrogen, 30 tb potash,
40 Tb. phosphate.
38. 20 tbh. sulphate of copper, 300 tb. cotton seed.
Note.
Plots nos. 5, 14 and 22, also nos. 8, and 13 are identical,
so that one plot, that is, no. 5, will serve 5, 14 and 22,
and one plot, that is, no. 8, will serve for 8 and 13.
Stingless Bees. From a commercial point of view,
the stingless bees are of almost no importance, at least at the
present time. There are several varieties, or, perhaps, more
properly speaking, species, in the West Indies, Mexico,
Central America, and the South American countries. Some
of these bees will store as much as half a gallon of honey
in a log; but the great majority of them, if I am correct,
work from hand to mouth, just about as the native human
beings exist in the same localities. We once had a colony
of stingless bees imported from Mexico. Our climate did not
seem to agree with them, and they soon dwindled away.
While the stingless bees, as their name indicates, have no
stings, yet they can bite pretty viciously. One variety is
said to be able to ‘ bite so tremendously’ that the average
person unfamiliar with the sting of the regular honey bee
supposes he has actually been stung. (Gleanings in Lee
Culture.)
*See Agricultural News, Vol. III, p. 56, ‘Rendering Plants
immune against Fungus Parasites.’
1
oo
lo 4}
THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.
Jury 16, 1904.
WEST INDIAN PRODUCTS.
Drugs and Spices in the London Market.
The following is Mr. J. R. Jackson’s report on the
London Drug and Spice market for the month of May:—
The same quiet tone reported for April has continued
in the drug and spice markets throughout the month of May,
and but little change may be expected through the
summer months; consequently, there is nothing of any special
character to note, and this applies not only to West Indian
products but to those of other countries generally.
ARROWROOT,
As an illustration of the effect changes in cultures haye,
or are likely to have, in different countries, on the several
markets, it may be noted that, with regard to arrowroot, the
following has appeared in that well-informed and up-to-date
journal, the Chemist and Druggist :—
‘It is said that a considerable number of the proprietors
of arrowroot estates in St. Vincent are, in the near future,
to devote themselves to the cultivation of cotton, which fact
may eventually bring about dearer prices for arrowroot. No
supplies were offered at the London auction on Tuesday,
May 3, and privately, the market is reported firmer, added to
which deliveries during the first four months of the year
amounted to 8,068 barrels against 5,487 barrels last year.
The stock is now 9,022 barrels, against 11,205 _ barrels.’
Some proof of the above statement has been shown by the
quotation of later prices. Commencing a week after the
above statement appeared, good manufacturing St. Vincent
realized 13d. to 13d. per b., while a week later, 2 236 barrels
were offered and bought i in at 21d. to 33d. per Ib.
GINGER.
At the first spice auction of the month over 700
packages of Jamaica ginger were offered and somewhat more
than half sold at steady prices, viz., 57s. for bold; 46s. to 50s.
for fair to good washed ; 39s. to 43s., for medium dullish to
medium washed, and 34s. to 38s. 6d., for ordinary to
ordinary dullish. Cochin was in slow demand, fetching 25s.
for shrivelled brown Calicut rough, and 21s. 6d. for small.
A fortnight later, viz.,on May 18, as many as 1,300 packages
of Jamaica were offered, and about 650 sold at the following
rates :—Good washed, 47s.; bold, 45s.; medium to fair
washed, 40s. to 44s., small and middling dullish, 36s.;
ordinary, 34s. to 36s. 6d., and common dark, 31s. 6d. to 33s.
Rough Covhin was quoted at about 2s. lower. It may be of
interest to note in connexion with the ginger trade, that sales
have been effected in Liverpool of the new crop of Sierra
Leone at 20s. per ewt.
MACE, NUTMEGS, PIMENTO, ETC.
Of other West Indian spices, the quotations at the first
sale of the month were as follows:—Mace, fair quality, ls. 9d.
to ls. 10d. ; ordinary, 1s. 7d. to 1s, 8d., and pickings, 1s. 6d.
to ls. 7d. per Ib. A fortnight later the prices had slightly
advanced, good West Indian realizing 1s. 11d.: ordinary to
fair, 1s. 8d. to 1s. 9d., and broken, 1s. 5d.
Nutmegs.—These were from 3d. to 1d. per tb. dearer than
in the preceding month, chiefly in the smaller and medium
sizes, and these prices remained steady throughout the month.
Pimento.—Of jimento 680 bags of 1901 import were
offered at the first sale, greyish to fair quality selling at
34d. to 3d. per tb. On the 18th. a large quantity of
pimento was again offered and disposed of, mostly without
reserve, at prices varying but slightly from the above.
Sarsaparilla.—On May 12, 3 bales of genuine grey
Jamaica, of common quality, were offered and bought in at
Is. Id. per tb. There was a fair supply of native Jamaica,
but no fine red was offered: 6d. to 11d. per tb. was obtained
for common mixed to fair red; Lima sold at 10d., and
several bales of Honduras were limited at ls. 1d. to ls. 2d.
KOLA NUTS, ANNATTO SEED, TAMARINDS, ETC.
At the first sale, on the 12th., good West Indian kola
nuts sold at 53d. to 6d. ;and two bags of good East Indian,
said to be from Ceylon, were disposed of at “5d. per Ib.
At the same sale, 51 packages of annatto seed were
offered and 9 of fair Madras sold at 34d. per tb.
At the same sale, 3 bags of ordinary West Indian musk
seed were offered and 2 sold at 7d. per tb.
Tamarinds were also offered in quantity, good bright
Barbados, of new crop, selling at 10s. per cwt., in bond ;
while low stony East Indian sold at 5s. A week later, viz.,
on the 19th., it was announced that the steamship ‘Inchmona’
from Barbados had arrived with 264 barrels, and the ‘Winnie’
from Antigna with 217 barrels and 33 half-barrels. The
last named vessel had also brought 24 casks of Tonka beans
from Trinidad.
West Indian distilled lime oil was quoted at the end
of the month at ls. 6¢. per tb., and new raw West Indian
lime juice at from Is. 2d. to 1s. 5d., according to quality
and quantity.
BAHAMAS — ISLANDS.
Appointment of Curator of Botanic Station.
A Board of Agriculture has recently been estab-
lished in the Bahamas, and it is proposed to start
a Botanie Station for which a Curator is required,
Particulars as to this appointment are contained in the
following extract from a letter addressed by the Acting
Chairman of the Board of Agriculture to the Imperial
Commissioner of Agriculture :—
Believing that a man who has become familiar with the
climate, soil and plants of the West Indies would best suit
these islands, the Board would be much indebted to you if
you would kindly let it become known that such a man is
wanted and forward to them, with your indorsement, any
applications that may be made.
The candidate is to state his capabilities.
salary is from £150 to £200.
The Board would prefer a practical man with some
scientific training, and, as you may suppose, a knowledge of
the sugar industry is umnecessary. The Bill appointing
a Curator is for a period of three years only, but may be
renewed if the experiment is found to be satisfactory ; and it
is expected that the Curator with reach here not later than
October.
It would be well if applications for this post were
addressed, in the first instance, to the Imperial Commis-
sioner of Agriculture for the West Indies, Barbados.
The proposed
Lawn Grasses in Egypt. According to the
Journal of the Alexandria Horticultural Society, anong the
grasses most frequently used in Egypt for making lawns are
Stenotaphrum americanum (the Jamaica pimento grass) and
Cynodon Dactylon (the Bahama or Devil’s grass of the West
Indies.) Of the latter it is stated: ‘Experience has shown the
absolute necessity of obtaining a flat surface before planting,
as no amount ef earth added after the grass has taken root
will have the same effect in levelling up the soil.’
Vou. III. No. 59.
THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS. 239
MARKET REPORTS.
London,—June 21, 1904. Messrs. Kerarron, Piper
& Co., Messrs. J. Hanes Carrp & Co., Messrs.
KE. A. de Pass & Co., ‘THE West INpIA COMMITTEE
Circunar’; ‘THE LrvErroon Corron AssociaTION
WEEKLY CIRCULAR,’ June 17, 1904 ; and ‘THE
Puetic Lepcer, June 18, 1904.
ALoEs—Barbados, 13/- to 35/- ; Curagva, 14/- to 38/- per cwt.
Arrowroor—St. Vincent, 13d. to 3}d.; Bermuda, 1/2 to
1/6 per tb.
Batara—Demerara Sheet, 2/3; Venezuelan Block, 1/55
per tb.
Bees’-wax—£7 to £7 7s. Gd. per ewt.
Cacao—Trinidad, 57/- to 68/- per ewt. ; Grenada, 52/-
to 58/- per ewt.; Dominica, St. Lucia, and Jamaica,
50/- to 58/- per cwt.
Carpamoms—Mysore, 7d. to 3/3 per tb.
CorrrE—Jamaica, good ordinary, 37/- to 38/- per ewt.
Copra—Trinidad, sundried, £16 10s. to £16 15s. per
ton, c.i.f.
Corron—West Indian Sea Island, 163d. to 18d. per Ib.
Frouir—
Bananas—Jamaica, 4/6 to 7/6 per bunch.
Grave Frurr—10/- to 11/- per case.
OrANGES—No quotations.
Pivg-aprLes—Antigua, 14/- to 16/- per barrel.
Fusric—£3 10s. to £4 per ton.
Gincer—Jamaica, common to middling, 31/6 to 43/- ; good
fair bright, 46/6 to 48/- per cwt.
Honry—18/- to 30/- per ewt.
Isrncitass— West Indian lump, 2/5 to 2/11 ; Cake, medium,
palish, 1/3 per th.
Koua Nurs—4d. to 7d. per tb.
Lime Juice—Raw, 1/4 to 1/6 per gallon; Concentrated,
£13 5s. per cask of 108 gallons.
Lime Orm—1/5 to 1/6 per tb., distilled.
Locwoop —£4 2s. Gd. to £5; Roots, £4 to £4 10s. per ton.
Mace—1/2 to 2/1 per tb.
Nirrate or Sopa—Agricultural, £10 per ton.
Nurmncs-—140’s, 6d. to 64d. ; 100’s, 9d. ; 57’s, 2/3 per Th.
Prventro—-3d. to 3$d. per tb.
Rum—Demerara, 7d. to 74d. per proof gallon; Jamaica,
1s 93d. and upwards per proof gallon; Leewards,
7d. to 10d. per proof gallon.
SarsapaRILLaA—Jamaica, 7d. to 1/- per tb.
Sucar—Crystallized, 15/3 per cwt. ; Muscoyado, Barbados,
11/6 to 13/3 per ewt. ; 89°, 9s. 13d. on floating terms ;
Molasses, 11/6 to 15/- per cewt.
SunpHare or AmMMontIA—£12 per ton.
Tamartyps—Antigua, 7/- to 8/-; Barbados, 10/- to 11/-
per cwt.
Montreal,—June 9, 1904.—Mr. J. Russern Murray.
(In bond quotations.)
Bananas—Jamaica, $1°25 per bunch of 8 hands ; $1:40
per bunch firsts ; $1°65 per bunch Jumbos, c. & f.
Cacao—Jamaica, lle. to 12c. per tbh. ec. &f.
Srepar—Trinidad, 45c. per cubic foot, ¢.i.f.
Cocoa-nurs— Jamaica, $24:00 to $26-00 ; Trinidad, $21:00
to $23-00 per M. c. & f.
Correr—Jamaica, medium, 8he. to 9$c. per th. c. & f.
Gincer—Jamaica, unbleached, 63c. to 8c. per th. c. & f.
Limes—Jamaica, $6°00 per barrel, c. & f.
Mo.ascurr—Demerara, $132 per 100 th. c. &f.
Mo.asses—Barbados, 22c. to 25c.; Antigua, 21c. to 22e.
per Inperial gallon.
Nurmecs—Grenada, 110’s, 173c. to 183c. per th. c. & f.
Pimento—Jamaica, 7}c. to 7c. per th. c. & f.
Sucar—Grey Crystals, 96°, $2°40 to $2.50 per 100 th. c. &f.
—Centrifugals, 89°, $2:05 to $215 per 100 th. c. & f.
—Molasses, 89°, $1°88 per 100 tb. c. &f.
—Barbados, 89°, $2°25 per 100 th. c. &. f.
New York,—June 24, 1904.— Messrs. Gituespie Bros. & Co.
Cacso—Caracas, 12$c. to13c.; Jamaica, 10}c. to 12c.;
Grenada, 12}c. to 12$c.; Trinidad, 12{c. to 13}c. per tbh.
Barbados,
Cocoa-Nuts—Trinidads, $19 to $21 per M., selected.
Jamaicas--No quotations.
CorrrE—Jamaica, fair to good ordinary, 7c. to 7ie. per tb.
GincrerR—Jamaica, 63c. to 8c. per tb.
Goat Skrns—Jamaicas, 52c. to 54$c. per tb.
Pinvento—6je. to 6$c. per th. i
Sucar—Centrifugals, 96°, 3%1¢.; Muscovados, 89°, 313c.
Molasses, 89°, 3:4c. per fb Y
INTER-COLONIAL MARKETS.
Antigua,—June 29, 1904.—Messrs. BENNETT Bryson
& Co., Lrp.
Mo tasses—13$c. per gallon (Imperial).
Sugar—$1°85 per 100 th.
July 2, 1904.—Messrs. T. S. Garraway
& Co., and Messrs. James A. Lyncw & Co.
Arrowrkoot—St. Vincent, $3°50 to $3°70 per 100 th.
Cacao—$11°50 to $12:00 per 100 ib.
Cocoa-Nurs—$10°75 per M. for husked nuts.
CorreE—Jamaica, $9°00 to $10-00 ; ordinary Rio, $11-00
per 100 tb.
Hay—95c. to $1:00 per 100 th.
Manures—-Nitrate of soda, $60-00 ; Ohlendorfi’s dissolved
guano, $60-00; Sulphate of ammonia, $7500 to $76:00;
Sulphate of potash, $67:00.
Mouasses—13e. per gallon (puncheon included).
Ontons—Madeira (stringed), $2°25 per 100 ib. ex ‘Sarstoon’ ;
Bermuda-— No quotations.
Poratos, ENctisH— Bermuda, $4:00 per barrel.
Rice—Ballam, $4°50 to $4°60 per bag (190 ib.) ; Patna,
$3°40 per 100 tb.
Suegar—in hhds., 89°, $1°85 (packages included). Dark
Crystals, 96°, $2°20 per 100 th.
British Guiana,—June 30, 1904.—Messrs. Wuetine
& RicHrer.
Arrowroor—St. Vincent, $9:00 per barrel.
Batara—3idc. to 40c. per th.
Cacao—Native, 12c. to 13e. per tb.
Cassava STARCH—§7 ‘00 per barrel.
Cocoa-Nuts—$8 ‘00 to $10°00 per M.
CorrEE—Rio and Jamaica, 12c. per tb. (retail).
—-Creole, lle. per tb.
Dxrat—$4:60 to $475 per bag of 168 tb., ex ‘Sarstoon.”
Eppors—96c. per barrel.
Morasses—Vacuum Pan yellow, 16c. per gallon (casks
included).
Ontons—§$2°00 per 100 tb., ex ‘Sarstoon’; Teneriffe, 13c.
to 2c. per Th.
Pea Nurs—Curacoa, 4c. ; American, 5c. per Ib. (retail).
Pranrams—20c. to 40c. per bunch.
Poratos, EnciisH—§$3'00 to $4:00 per barrel.
Rice—Ballam, old, $4°60 ; Creole, $4°50 per 177 tb., ex store.
Sweet Poratos—Barbados, $1°20 per barrel, $1:00 per bag.
Tannras—-$1°20 per barrel.
Yams—White, $1°68 per bag.
Suegar—Dark Crystals, $2:12} to $2:173 ; Yellow, $2°25 to
$2°50; White, $3:00 to $3°50; Molasses, $1°70 to
$2:00 per 100 tb.
Trmeer—Greenheart, 32c. to 55c. per cubic fout.
Watrrasa Surncres—$3°00, $3°75 and $5°50 per M.
Trinidad,—June 30, 1904.—Messrs. Gorpon, Grant
& Co. ; and Messrs. EpGar Tripp & Co.
Cacao—Ordinary to good red, $12°10 to $12°25 ; Estates,
$1225 to $12°45 ; Venezuelan, $12°60 to $12°80 ver
fanega (110 tb.).
Cocoa-Nut Meat—l}e. per tb.
Cocoa-NuT O1r—68c. per Imperial gallon (casks included).
Corree—Venezuelan, 6c. per tb.
Copra—-$2°65 to $2°75 per 100 tb.
Ontons—Teneriffe, 80c. ; Madeira, $1°25 per 100 tb.
Poraros, Encuiso—$1'75 to $2°25 per 100 tb.
Rice—Yellow, $4°20 to $450; White Table, $550 to
$5°75 per bag.
Sucar—-White Crystals, $3:25; Yellow Crystals, $2°35
Molasses Sugar, $2°20 to $2:25 per 100 th.
240 THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS. Jury 16, 1904.
THE BEST MANURES FOR COLONIAL USE
=A Ree
Ohlendorff’s Dissolved Peruvian Guano—For Sugar-cane and general use
Ohlendorff’s Special Sugar-cane Manure
Ohlendorff’s Special Cocoa Manure
Ohlendorff’s Special Cotton Manure
Sulphate of Ammonia, Nitrate of Soda, Superphosphates, high grades,
Potash Salts, Basic Slag and all other high-class Fertilizers.
APPLY TO LOCAL AGENTS OR DIRECT TO
THE ANGLO-CONTINENTAL (LATE OHLENDORFF'S) GUANO WORKS,
London Agency: 15, Leadenhall Street, London, E.C.
(72. ] Barbados Agents: Messrs. James A. Lynch & Co., Bridgetown.
JUST PUBLISHED — DEPARTMENT PUBLICATIONS.
A. B. G.
COTTON PLANTING | Ait aaa
FOR PEASANT PROPRIETORS, | ‘WEST INDIAN BULLETIN’ (VOL. V, NO. 1).
Containing full directions for the coming
season. Price 4/7. Post free, 5/ To be obtained of all Agents.
Price 6d. Post Free, 8d.
c¢
C AC Oe’
By J. He HART. Ps. FOR COTTON GROWERS :
NEW EDITION. ‘
3
A treatise on the cultivation, curing and chemistry of WEST INDIAN BULLETIN
DAVIDSON & TODD, Trinidad.
Wm.WESLEY & Co., 28, Essex St., London.
Containing full report by Sir Daniel Morris,
K.C.M.G., D.Sc., and Mr. J. R. Bovell, F.LS., F.C.S.,
on visit to the Cotton-growing districts of U.S.A.
Price 3s. per copy.
Printed at Office of Agricultural Reporter, 4, High Street, Bridgetown, Barbados.
= NEO
A FORTNIGHTLY REVIEW
OF
THE
IMPERIAL DEPARTMENT QF AGRICULTURE FOR THE WEST INDIES.
Vou. IT ite. 60. BARB ADOS, JULY 30, 1904. Ener 1d.
CONTENTS. in these colonies since the inauguration of the Imperial
Department of Agriculture. We give the following
PaGE. PAGE 2 ‘S)
Insect Notes :—
Auto-spray ... ... ... 250
Black grubs... ... ... 250
Dominica... ... ... 247 Dry powder Gun... 250
Agricultural Shows, Jamaica, Government
Circular to Exhibitors 254 Laboratory > «. 249
Kaolin in St. Kitt’s 8 Boo aes: 5)
: Market Reports... ... 255
United States... ... 244 Notes and ents oe 248
Cacao, Yield in Dominica 246 | Oil of Ben Bee wes oes 49
Castor oil plant in Ceylon 249 | Onions :—
Agricultural Industries
in the West Indies 241
Agricultural School,
Bananas, Consumption in
Cotton Notes: — Bacterial rot weet 2s (245.
St. Lucia ... seo 2AD Cultivation in Jamaica 253
Seed oil in Austria Bony 4: 555 West Indian Trade in 253
Shipment of West
Indian... .. 245
Danish West Indies,
Grasses and Cattle in 249
Department News... ... 251
Department Reports :—
Our Book Shelf :—
Senior Country
Reader, III... ... 251
Pine-apples, Gathering 244
Poultry Notes... ... ... 247
Rabbit Keeping... ... 246
British Honduias —... 253 | Rubber planting in
Mirmnidady "sr. se) se. 200 Ceylon... 250
Educational :— Sisal Exports from Mexico 251
British Guiana, Agri-
cultural Apprentices 251
St. Lucia, School
Sugar Industry :—
Cane farming at Nevis 243
Manurial eo 242
Garden in : Hoy rae Porto Rico ... . ws 240
Falkland Islands, Agri- West Indian Fruit in
culture in. «-. 249 London ... ... 244, 248
Gleanings... ... ... ... 252 | West Indian Products ... 254
The Agricultural Industries of the
West Indies.
> N his lecture to the members of the West
India Committee on the ‘ Agricultural
Industries of the West Indies, Sir Daniel
Riorris gave an account of the progress of agriculture
brief summary of the lecture.
There was among some people an idea that the
West Indies were played out or could not compete with
other countries on account of want of land: that was
altogether erroneous. It was estimated that there
still some 2,000,000 acres of uncultivated land,
suitable for bearing crops of some kind. Much of this
was not, of course, suitable for bearing large crops of
sugar, cacao, bananas, ete., but there were other
industries capable of being started on such land, and it
was part of the work of the Imperial Department of
Agriculture to carry on experiments that would lead to
the profitable cultivation of such industries on remunera-
tive lines.
were
After indicating briefly the more important lines
of work in which the Department was engaged,
Sir Daniel referred to the sugar-cane experiments.
These were devoted to raising new varieties of canes
for the purpose of increasing the yield of sugar per acre
and of obtaining disease-resistant canes; also to testing
the relative values of manures and the most economical
methods of cultivation. Altogether there were about 500
acres under sugar-cane experiments in the West Indies
A yery considerable number of new canes was raised
every year. Only very few of these proved worthy of
being cultivated on a large scale. The work was still in
the experimental stage but was nevertheless full of
promise. The area planted in new seedling canes in
British Guiana comprised about 13,000 acres. In Bar-
242 THE
AGRICULTURAL NEWS.
Jury 30, 1904.
bados and Antigua, owing to the occurrence of disease
in the Bourbon cane, seedling and other canes were
The yield of seedling
almost exclusively cultivated.
canes in many cases exceeded that of the Bourbon.
Sir Daniel then briefly sketched the history of the
resuscitated cotton industry from the start that was
made in 1900 up to the present time, when sufficient seed
had been distributed to plant 8,000 acres. The result
had been to show that the West Indies could produce
as good cotton as the United States. The encourage-
ment of this industry had received special attention
from the Imperial Department of Agriculture. There
were, he said, fifteen cotton ginneries already estab-
lished, turning out cotton of high quality. He believed
that by establishing a market for a special class of
cotton, the Sea Island, the West Indies need have
little fear from the competition of other countries, as
they could not grow Sea Island cotton and would have
to confine themselves to the ordinary class of short-
staple cotton.
With regard to subsidiary industries, cacao, rice,
fruit, and limes were, next to sugar, among the most
Experiments in the field treat-
on at
important industries.
ment of cacao and limes were being carried
Grenada and Dominica, The very extensive fruit indus-
try of Jamaica, which was now worth nearly £1,000,000
per annum, had received a considerable impetus by the
establishment of the Direct Line of steamers between
that island and the United Kingdom.
to export bananas and
A serious
attempt was now being made
other fruit from Trinidad. A very interesting banana
industry had lately been taken up in Barbados, where
a banana exactly similar to the Canary banana was
being cultivated, and a keen demand at good prices had
arisen for it. Great care was being exercised in the
packing of these bananas and they arrived in excellent
condition.
The export of oranges had been carried on in
Jamaica on a considerable scale for some time, and now
that greater care was being taken in selecting and
marketing the fruit, there was no reason why the trade
should not be very considerably increased in value.
Pine-apples were being produced on a fairly large
scale at Antigua. This pine was cf good quality and
approached in flavour the much esteemed Ripley. For
possibly the Smooth Cayenne was the
best pine of all: this variety was being largely
cultivated in Jamaica, and recently good fruit had
been grown at Dominica and St. Vincent.
export purposes,
Recent experiments had shown that English
potatos could be grown at a profit in the West Indies
even to meet local requirements. Arrangements had
now been made to obtain seed potatos of the ‘ Bliss
Triumph’ variety for planting at the beginning of
September. The potatos would then have time to
grow before the setting in of the dry season, and they
would be the first to come into the market in New
York and London.
An onion industry had been carried on for some
time in Antigua to supply the New York market. In
Antigua onions were grown entirely on the cane banks
and received no special attention after they were once
planted out. Therefore, whatever money was made
from them was pure profit. As the West Indian
onions would be placed on the New York market at
least a month before those grown at Bermuda, there
Was an opportunity for a comparatively large trade.
In conclusion, Sir Daniel Morris said that it was
impossible that this work should suddenly come to an
end. ‘The way to ensure its continnance would be for
each colony to supplement the Imperial Grant. It
would still be desirable that the administration should
be entrusted to the Imperial Commissioner of Agri-
culture: unless they hada central authority it would be
impossible to secure united action, without which they
would fail to attain that degree of effort which was
necessary for their highest prosperity.
SUGAR INDUSTRY.
Manurial Experiments with the Sugar-cane.
It will be remembered that the manurial experi-
ments conducted by Mr. Watts in the Leeward Islands
tend to show that when pen manure is used phosphate
and potash are not remunerative either when applied
to plants or ratoon canes, nitrogenous manures being
by themselves profitable. See Report on Experiments
awith Sugar-canes in the Leeward Islands, Part II,
(Manurial Experiments) pp. 8, 52, 102, 103, 106, and
107; also Pamphlet No. 30, Manurial Experiments
with Sugar-canes in the Leeward Islands, pp. 55-62
These conclusions are supported by the following
remarks taken from a paper on ‘The Sugar Industry
in Java’ by H. C. Prinsen Geerligs (International
Sugar Journal, June 1904, p. 283) :—
The sugar-cane manure exclusively used in Java is
a nitrogenous fertilizer ; potash and phosphoric acid, which
are inissed in no fertilizing mixture, find no application here,
as numerous experiments nade at the experiment stations in
Java have shown they do not improve the quantity or quality
of the cane manured with them. It must be observed that
T am now speaking of Java only, and of cane planted on land
which bears two rice crops on irrigated land between two
cane crops,
Vor. III. No. 60.
THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.
243,
Cane Farming in Nevis.
We published in a_ previous issue of the Agri-
cultural News (Vol. II, p. 226) particulars as to
proposals for utilizing an additional Imperial grant of
£1,000 in aid of peasant cultivation in the island of
Nevis.
It will be remembered that the arrangement was
for muscavado mill owners, in consideration of a grant
to be paid to them by the Government, to undertake to
purchase canes from peasant proprietors and to pay
for the same according to a sliding scale depending
upon the net local value of muscovado sugar per 100 Ib.
We are pleased to be able to record that the
proposals have met with considerable success, some
factories having purchased a much larger quantity of
canes than their agreements required.
These arrangements were mainly the outcome of
suggestions submitted by the Hon. F. Watts, who
writes as follows:—
The proposals appear to have worked well and have
proved useful in tiding the struggling sugar industry of
Nevis over a very bad time.
Among the important results following are the increased
knowledge of the quantity of cane produced from a given
area of land, and of the quantity of cane required to produce
a ton of sugar. This knowledge cannot fail to lead to
improvements both in the field and in sugar manufacture.
The adoption of the plan of selling canes by weight has
been to the advantage of both buyer and seller, by doing
away with the troublesome and wasteful share system under
which each person’s cane was separately manufactured into
sugar and the produce shared.
Sugar and Molasses in Porto Rico.
The following extracts, taken from the Consular
Report on the trade of Porto Rico for 1903, give an
interesting statement of the condition of the sugar
industry in that island :-—
The area of sugar-cane cultivation is increasing, but not
so rapidly as Porto Rico’s favourable position with regard to
the certain and free United States market over other sugar-
producing areas would seem to justify, even in view of the
possibilities of the United States reciprocity with Cuba.
The crop for 1903, as estimated in my last report, was
almost accurately realized, viz., 105,000 tons, and these
figures it is thought wili be exceeded by some 20 per cent.
this year.
The crops for the last three years are as follows :—
Quantity.
es Sugar. | Molasses.
Pounds. | Gallons.
1900-1 137,817,470 2,848,314
1901-2 183,822,636 | 3,080,132
1902-3 233,070,000 | 3,537,000
DISTRICT OF PONCE.
The general yield of sugar was a disappoincment ;
fortunately, prices were fair and helped somewhat.
This district produces about one-fourth of the whole
island crop, and as soon as the central factories turn out
their full capacity it will figure still higher : the value of the
exports during 1905 amounted to £347,000; in 1902,
£241,000. This increase is due to Guanica Centrale making
its first crop.
The first crop from Guanica Centrale was a disappoint-
ment as only about 10,000 tons were produced. Prospects
for next year are better, and they expect to make 25,000
tons, about one-quarter from their own canes, and the balance
from planters’ canes.
As almost all suitable cane lands are being put into
cultivation, their next crop promises to be a large one. The
Centrale’s actual grinding capacity is about 1,800 tons of
cane per day, and this could be increased without great
difficulty.
The system of discharging the cane cars by means of
electric cranes is a specially noteworthy feature and has
proved quite a success.
The company owns 16 miles of l-metre gauge railroad,
200 cars of 12 to 15 tons capacity, and four 40-tons capacity
Baldwin locomotives. ‘The American [ailroad Company
has acquired 150 of the same cane cars; there are thus 350
of these cars used in the transportation of canes.
The company has a big electric plant for supplying
power to the factory and to eight irrigation stations, where
electric-driven, Root centrifugal pumps are used.
Nine Stirling boilers are installed with a total of 4,000
horse-power.
After the usual difficulties during the first crop in such
large enterprises, the company seems to be working now
with a brighter future.
Molasses is decreasing in the district owing to less
muscovado sugars being made. The exports were of the
value of £45,544 in 1903, and £69,995 in 1902.
DISTRICT OF MAYAGUEZ.
The crop of sugar exported from this port during the
year under review was about 7,750 tons, showing a falling off
of nearly 1,000 tons as compared with the previous season of
1902, while that of molasses reached 622,757 gallons.
The Guanica Centrale Factory, which lies within the
Ponce district, has made arrangements with several sugar
planters of this district to grind their canes there, so that
although next crop’s production of sugar here will probably
be larger, there is bound to be a considerable falling off in
the produce to be exported from this port, and a little
reduction in the quantity of molasses to be shipped during
1904 in consequence of so many small planters changing their
muscovado to the centrifugal system employed by the
Centrale Factory.
The change cannot but be beneficial to sugar planters
of the district with canes within reasonable distance from
the railroad between this city and Ponce; but the com-
munity in general, and particularly the great number of
labourers who depended on the local sugar estates, will be
losers.
DISTRICT OF ARECIBO.
The production of sugar has not been so satisfactory as
was expected, considering the increased plantations in this
district. The exports, all to the United States, show a decrease,
partly owing to the lack of crushing facilities in certain
sections of the district ; the canes are sent out and the sugar
exported through the port of San Juan.
Since the erection of modern sugar factories the produc-
tion of molasses for export has ceased; only low grades
suitable for alcohol are obtainable here.
244 THE AGRICULTURAL
NEWS. Jury 30, 1904.
WEST INDIAN FRUIT:
WEST INDIAN FRUIT IN LONDON.
West India
We extract the following from the
Committee Circular of July 5:—
A feature of the banquet given by Mr. Lyttelton at the
Colonial Oftice on the occasion of the celebration of the
King’s Birthday, on June 24, was a selection of West
Indian fruit, presented by the Imperial Commissioner of
Agriculture. ‘This consisted of a fine bunch of Barbados
bananas, and a selection of Smooth Cayenne pine-apples grown
in the island of Dominica. The Barbados bananas are
a special sort and are sent over carefully packed in cotton
wool in wooden crates. The flavour is said to be superior to
that of any other bananas that reach this country.
The pine-apples were greatly appreciated and their com-
mercial value is shown by the fact that Messrs. George Monro,
Ltd., who recently sold two crates, reported that it was the best
fruit they had so far received from the West Indies, and that
if similar fruit, carefully packed so as to protect both the
erown and fruit, were regularly shipped from the West Indies,
a good trade might be done in them. Of the first consign-
ment, above referred to, every fruit arrived in excellent
eondition and fetched an average net price of 4s. each.
At the dinner given in his honour by the West Indian
Club on June 22, Sir Daniel Morris presented a fine sample
ef litchi fruit from the West Indies. This is a native of
China and is highly esteemed, possibly next to the mangos-
teen, for flavour and delicacy. So far, the litchi has not
been exported from the West Indies, although fine large trees
are to be found in some of the islands. The fruit successfully
brought over by the donor was grown under the care of
Mr. J. H. Hart, F.L.S., at the beautiful Botanic Gardens at
Trinidad. Mr. Hart mentions that this is only the third
time in seventeen years that the Trinidad trees have fruited.
Possibly by a system of skilful control and irrigation the trees
may be induced to become more prolific and produce regularly
large crops of one of the most delicious fruits of the tropics.
GATHERING PINE-APPLES.
With regard to the article on ‘Gathering fruit for
market,’ reprinted in the Agricultural News (Vol. II,
p. 212) from the Bulletin of the Department of Agri-
culture, Jamaica, Mr, J. H. Hart, F.L.S., writes from
‘Trinidad as follows :—
The recommendations of the writers in reference to
pine-apples are contrary to my experience.
They write: Do not cut the stems but break off each
rlose up to the base of the fruit.
T should advise :—
Cut the stems carefully close up to the base of the fruit,
in the same way as oranges are treated, and do not break
out the stem as it is apt to cause injury to the fruit and
cause rapid decay.
As this is a point in regard to which opinions of
practical men appear to be contradictory, it would be
of interest if pine-apple growers would give the results
of their experience in this connexion.
CONSUMPTION OF BANANAS
UNITED STATES.
The United States Monthly Consular Reports
for March 1904 gives the following statistics showing
the value of bananas declared for export to the United
States during the fiscal years ended June 30, 1902 and
1903, respectively :—
IN THE
1902.
1903.
Country. Increase.
British Honduras $115,803 | $129,512 | $13,709
British West Indies |$3,390,230 |$3,904,341 | $514,111
Colombia 601,072 635,200 | 34,128
Costa Rica ... ..-| 1,616,195 | 1,956,805 340,610
Dominican Republic 94,617 97,500 2,883
Guatemala ... 83,433 91,870 8,457
Honduras 749,681 | 1,097,066 | 347,385
Nicaragua 446,006 842,220 396,214
Total ...1$7,097,037 | 8,754,514 | 1,657,477
To Refine Bees’-wax. Melt the wax in a jar, and
put into it powdered nitrate of soda (Chili saltpetre) in the
proportion of 1 oz. to 1 tb. of wax, Afterwards add, by
degrees, 2 oz. to 1 tb. of sulphuric acid, diluted with ten
times its weight of water, keeping the wax warm, and
stirring the while. Let it stand a short time, and then fill
up the jar with hot water and allow the whole to cool. The
wax should then be white. Afterwards wash with water to
remove any nitric acid which may remain, as it would make
the wax yellow. There is a slight difference observable in
the quality during refining or bleaching. (Queensland
Agricultural Journal.)
Vou. Ill. No. 60.
THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS. 24
or
COTTON NOTES.
Cotton from St. Lucia.
Reports have recently been’ received from the
British Cotton Growing Association upon two samples
of cotton forwarded from St. Lucia through the
Imperial Commissioner of Agriculture.
The report on a sample of Upland cotton was as
follows :-—
Clean, bright, well prepared. ‘ Fully good middling’ in
grade. Staple equal to moderate extra American in length,
but rather lacking in strength and regularity. Good useful
cotton. Value, 7°20d. to 7°30d. (Value middling American,
6°72d.)
The second sample—one of Sea Island cotton—was
reported upon as follows :—
Clean, bright, well prepared. Lacking in length and
coarse. Value, 10d. (small black seed).
Shipment of West Indian Cotton.
We desire to draw the attention of cotton growers
to the following important announcement made in the
West India Committee Circular. It is only by giving
careful consideration to such points as those referred
to that it can be hoped to attain ultimate success with
the cotton industry :—
With reference to the shipment of Sea Island cotton
from the West Indies there are two points, we are informed
by the Imperial Commissioner, that require to receive special
attention. The first of these is the packing. This is
generally much tco loose, and in consequence, the freight
rates for next season may have to be raised. It is well
known that Sea Island cotton will not bear the heavy
pressure that is employed for compressing short-staple cotton,
but there is no doubt that the West Indian Sea Island
cotton will stand, without injury, much greater pressure than
is used at present, and it would be in the interest of the
growers that this should be borne in mind. The next point
is that to obtain the best prices for West Indian Sea Island
cotton it should be consigned, for the present at least, to
the British Cotton Growing Association. The Association,
through its brokers, has established a special market for
West Indian cotton, and the high prices now ruling are
obtainable only where the shipments are placed in the hands
of firms who make a specialty of this class of cotton, and
who have the confidence of manufacturers who require long-
staple cotton of the best quality. The shipment of small
independent lots of West Indian Sea Island cotton is there-
fore to be deprecated as calculated to injure the industry.
Cotton Seed Oil in Austria.
The following note appeared in the United States
Consular Reports for March 1904 :—
The imports of cotton seed oil from the United States
decreased from 161 metric tons in 1901 to 120°4 metric tons
in 1902, in consequence of the great increase in price of this
article. Cotton seed oil is used extensively here asa table
oil, but the prices at which it has been held during the past
two years have placed it beyond the reach of the poorer
classes and cheaper oils took its place to some extent.
Attempts have been made to import the raw material
and produce cotton seed oil in Austria, but all such attempts
haye failed because the cotton seed suffers by the long sea
voyage and the quality of oil produced therefrom is greatly
inferior to the American product. Experiments made with
Egyptian cotton seed, which does not seem to undergo
chemical changes during the comparatively short journey
from Egypt to Austria, have shown that it is not fit for the
manufacture of edible oil.
Furthermore, it is not at all probable, if the cotton seed
oil industry were undertaken here, that a profitable market
could be found in Austria-Hungary for the oil cake, which is
so important a by-product of the cotton seed oil industry,
inasmuch as its yield constitutes from 85 to 90 per cent. of
the raw material. Serious doubts must therefore be
expressed whether the proposed imposition of a prohibitive
import duty on cotton seed oil would in the long run
accomplish its purpose.
A BACTERIAL ROT OF ONIONS.
In Barbados, during the past season, onions have been
attacked by a rot, which affects the inner scales of the bulb.
It was generally noticed after the onions had been gathered
and stored.
Microscopical examination of the diseased scales showed
that they were swarming with countless numbers of motile
bacteria. No traces of fungus hyphae were to be found. It
seemed probable that the bacteria were the immediate cause
of the rot, and that their development had been favoured by
moist conditions, either while the onions were growing or
when they were being gathered or dried. The weather
during last December, January and February was exception-
ally moist in Barbados. It was noticed that in most cases
the rot had apparently started at the collar.
Inquiries were made of various persons who had practical
experience in onion growing. Their replies, in nearly every
case, attributed the disease to the wet weather while the
onions were growing and ripening. In one case it was
suggested that the rot followed attacks of onion thrips.
An epidemic of a similar, if not the same, bacterial
disease caused great loss to onion growers in New York State
in 1898. It was made the subject of an investigation by
Mr. F. C. Stewart, the Botanist to the New York State
Experiment Station.
It was found that, although the rot was quite certainly
due to bacteria, it could not easily be conveyed to healthy
plants by inoculation, except in the presence of water. It was
shown that the unusually large amount of rot in 1898 was
due to the excessively wet weather which occurred in July
and August of that year.
The only means of prevention are to keep the onions as
dry as possible both in the field and in storage, and to keep
the cultivation as clean as possible.
KAOLIN IN ST. KITT’S.
The late Dr. Haven, United States Commercial Agent at
St. Kitt’s, reported last November on kaolin deposits in the
island.
Samples of the kaolin taken from a bank deposit at
Ottley’s estate, were sent to Professor John Clark, of
Glasgow, who reported: ‘ The results of my analysis indicate
that this is kaolin, or China clay, and I am of the opinion
that it is of sufficient purity for pottery purposes.’
Dr. Haven stated that there seemed to be a large
deposit of this kaolin, which is covered by 3 or 4 feet of the
red clay such as is much used in the adjacent island of Nevis
for making water jugs, pitchers, etc., which being porous are
employed as coolers.
246 THE
AGRICULTURAL NEWS.
Jury 30, 1904.
RABBIT KEEPING IN THE WEST INDIES.
The following is a further instalment of Mr. J.
Barelay’s notes on rabbit keeping :—
HOUSING,
The hutch set on four posts, 4 feet from the ground, is
the best for our conditions in general. This prevents strange
dogs getting at the rabbits, and cats and rats are kept off by
putting a sheet of tin round the posts the same way as is
done with cocoa-nut trees. I have not much sympathy with
the people whose house-dogs and cats are not to be trusted to
run with the rabbits. On estates where there is some privacy
and a good expanse of green pasture (common), what is called
the Morant system, with boxes placed here and_ there
around the house, is by far the best way of keeping
rabbits, as the boxes may be shifted on to fresh grass
daily ; and if the dogs are trained to protect, rather than
molest, the rabbits, these can be allowed liberty to run in and
out of the boxes as they please. The Morant system consists
simply in providing a long box for the rabbits placed on the
ground. This is divided into two, either open at the bottom,
or with wide mesh wire to keep the rabbits from scraping
(though Belgian hares are not given much to scraping). One
division is closed round and with a box in it, meant for
a breeding nest; the other with mesh wire all round, the top
of the former being sloping, in the form of a lid, with hinges,
so that it may be lifted up, and it is thus easy to get at the
rabbits. For most circuinstances in the West Indies, however,
the raised hutch will be the only kind of housing convenient.
The following description, taken from the Journal
of the Jamaica Agricultural Society for July 1903, is written
by an experienced rabbit keeper :-—
‘Hutches may be of any convenient shape, as large
as can be afforded, with high roof well over-hanging to
give shelter from driving rain. Three sides may be wired
( -nch wire) and one boarded for protection from wind.
A board placed securely as a shelter, about 14 to 16 inches
above the floor and 12 inches from the roof, on to which the
rabbits can jump, is a great addition to their comfort, and
gives exercise, besides providing a snug retreat out of
wind and light, where they can retire to sleep during the
day. A box put in the hutch is not so good, as most
rabbits wiJl prefer to lie stretched out on their high
shelf, which is cooler. But whatever the style of hutch,
the floor should be of wirenetting (}-inch mesh) which
will ensure a dry, clean house. The wire left bare would
be injurious to the feet of the rabbits, and to avoid
this a plentiful supply of dry hay-grass (or dried Guinea
grass, if the other is not to be had) must be spread
all over the floor. The rabbits will feed heartily on this
when it is put in fresh every morning. The lhutches
should be placed on posts at least 3 feet above the
ground, and occasionally a layer of fresh earth should he
spread under them as a deodorant. They should stand in a
sheltered, well drained position under trees. Some sun
should reach the rabbitry to keep it dry and healthy, but
rabbits cannot stand much sun.
‘All the woodwork of the hutches should be painted
inside and out with tar thinned with a little kerosene
oil and laid on while boiling hot. This soon dries in
and should be renewed every few months. The hutches
should be tarred in rotation, removing their inmates for
two or three days until the tar is dry.
tive to the wood, keeping away insects and preventing
the rabbits from gnawing. Any part of the hutch that is
soiled should be wiped out daily with a cloth, wrung out of
some weak disinfectant, Izal preferably, as it is non-
potsonous,
This is a preserva-
‘Hutches for nurseries should be more snug than those
intended for half-grown or mature stock. They should be
furnished with a confortable nest box, about 18 inches long,
by 12 inches high, and 12 wide, with one opening 4 inches
above the level of its floor, made like that of a pigeon cote.’
In one locality, where there was a stretch of green
sward, the writer kept his Belgian hares running free,
having trained the dogs not to meddle with them. ‘To
prevent the animals from becoming wild, they were driven
into their boxes occasionally and kept in for a few days at
a time, being then let out only night and morning for
fifteen minutes or so. They would all scamper to their
house at a clap of the hands.
In another locality, high and cool, the house is a hutch
of the ordinary kind used by the people, with wattled sides
and with a thatched roof, the back, turned towards the
prevailing wind, being thatched also. This hutch is erected
in a poultry run, which has a wattled fence around it, and
the hares are let out occasionally for short runs.
YIELD OF CACAO IN DOMINICA.
In the following extract from his annual report
on the Botanic Station at Doniinica, the Curator
(Mr. J. Jones) gives the yield of cacao from the experi-
ment plots and makes interesting observations as to the
relative yields of wet and dry (cured) cacao :—
The area under experiment is 1} acres. Besides the
cacao trees there are growing on this land six large trees of
Castilloa elastica, six nutmegs, and some fruit trees. The
total yield from the five plots in wet cacao for 1903 was
5,352 Ib, After careful experiment it is found that at this
station 100 Ib. of wet cacao give 425 Tb. of dry or cured
cacao. The yield from the plot i in cured cacao is, therefore,
2,274 tb. (20°30 ewt.), or at the rate of 11°60 ewt. per acre,
for the year ending June 1903.
The total cacao crop at the station for the year
mentioned was 50 ewt.
For the year ending June 1904, the total yield from the
five plots was 4,026 tb. of wet cacao. This is equal to 1,701 tb.
of cured cacao (15°18 ewt.), or at the rate of 8°67 ewt. per
acre. The total crop of cacao at the station this year was
44 ewt. The fall in the crop was probably due to unfavour-
able climatic conditions.
In some islands, wet cacao is calculated to give half its
weight as cured cacao, This is a high estimate, but it can,
no doubt, be obtained, if the cacao pods are all allowed to
remain on the trees until quite ripe. The beans are then
comparatively dry, as the mucilage surrounding the seeds,
which is so abundant before the pods are quite ripe,
disappears to a considerable extent. The Joss during the
fermenting and drying process from thoroughly ripe pods is
much less than from cacao pods less ripe. In Dominica,
owing to the prevalence of praedial larceny, much of the
cacao is gathered before it is as ripe as it should be, hence
the return per 100 Ib. of wet cacao cannot be placed higher
than 42 tb. In these experiments the beans are weighed
immediately after breaking the pods. If cacao beans were
allowed to drain for twelve to eighteen hours after breaking,
and then weighed, the proportion of cured cacao per 100 i
of wet would be higher.
Vou. III. No. 60.
THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS. 247
DOMINICA AGRICULTURAL SCHOOL.
Extracts from Ledger kept by a Pupil.
The following are extracts taken from the ledger
kept by a pupil of the Agricultural School at Dominica.
It will be seen that each boy keeps an accurate record
of the work done in the carrying out of each experi-
ment :—
SWEET POTATO EXPERIMENT.
Area, 900 sq. feet, or 4, acre, approximately.
Previous crop.—Onions and cabbage. The land was,
however, resting for a considerable time. Number of banks, 16.
Preparation of land.—November 26, 1902.
The land was staked off at 3 feet apart at each of the
long sides. The line was stretched and the land hoed up
into banks 2 feet high.
Preparation of cuttings.—November 26, 1902.
Good, healthy potato vines were selected for making
cuttings. From these, cuttings 9 to 12 inches long were made
by cutting these just below a node and taking off the lower
leaves, that is, the portion of the cuttings which are to be
buried below the soil.
Planting.—November 26, 1902.
The cuttings were planted 9 to 12 inches apart on the
banks. The method adopted was to make the holes with
a ‘dibbler, then put in the three lower nodes of the
cuttings and draw the soil firm around them. Two rows
of cuttings were put on each bank.
After-cultivation.—The weather being wet, the cuttings
came on rapidly, and soon covered the banks. The weeds
were thus kept down, and the plot was only weeded once—
the first week in January 1903.
Reaping and results——The vines were cleared off and
the potatos dug on March 25, 1903—four months after
planting. They were forked out, weighed, and stored up in
a house after being lightly cleaned of the soil.
The crop from the 100 sq. yards was 288 Ib. of potatos
in all, that is, a return of 6°25 tons per acre.
Value of crop at $d. per Ib. 12s. Od.
Pi » per acre £29 Os. 94d.
WHITE BEAN EXPERIMENT,
Preparation of land.—December 12, 1902.
The potato banks that were in the plot were levelled
down with the hoe. As by this means the soil was already
quite loose, no forking was done. The land was afterwards
levelled with the rake.
Planting.—December 12, 1902.
The land was staked off 2 feet apart along the long sides,
and the line stretched between opposite stakes. Holes were
made about 3 inches deep and 3 inches apart close to the
line, and two beans planted in each hole and covered over.
The soil being very loose was trampled down firm over the
holes. The plot was then raked over.
After-cultivation.—On January 14, 1903, the cultivator
was passed between the rows of beans to cut off weeds and
stir up the soil. At the same time the beans were hilled up
by drawing up the soil on both sides to about 6 inches high
around the plants. On January 22, the beans that were not
hilled up on the first occasion were now done up.
Reaping.—The beans were allowed to dry on the plant
before being picked. The first picking took place on
February 21, when 9} tb. of cleaned beans were got.
The second reaping took place on March 3; the plants
with the beans on were pulled out and put in the drying
house. The total weight of beans got was 13 tb. Of these
12 oz. mildewed.
YAM BEAN EXPERIMENT.
Previous crop.—Plantains with bonavist peas between.
Number of banks, 15.
Preparation of land.—The land was pickaxed some
time in March, and left in that condition.
June 8, 1903. It was on this day gone over, and the
lumps made fine, after which banks 4 feet wide were made.
Planting.—June 9, 1903. Holes about 3 inches deep
were made at 2 feet apart on the tops of the banks and two
seeds were put in each hole. The rainy season had just set in,
EXPERIMENT ON DESTROYING TICKS ON A COW.
A cow at the school being affected with ticks was
treated with a Strong preparation of kerosene emulsion
which was made and applied as under :—
Preparation of kerosene emulsion —(Stock Solution)
May 26, 1903.
Half a kerosene tin of water was put on the fire to boil.
When boiling about 2d. worth of soap was put in and stirred
until it had quite dissolved. The tin was then taken off the
fire and one quart of kerosene was immediately added to it,
the whole being well stirred up at the same time, to get the
kerosene well mixed up with the soap solution.
Vigorous stirring was then kept up for some time, until
the mixture became white and creamy.
Application.—The emulsion was mixed with water in
the proportion 1:2 and the whole well mixed together. It
was then sprayed on the cow with a ‘Knapsack sprayer’ and
rubbed on to her with the hand. This was continued every
five or seven days until she was free of the ticks.
POULTRY NOTES.
The Water Supply.
We reproduce below (fig. 9) an illustration of a simple
little contrivance for the poultry yard.
The illustration is taken from the
Reader, IIT, which is reviewed on p. 251.
Country
Senior
Fig 9. PLAN FOR KEEPING THE DRINKING WATER CLEAN.
It represents un inexpensive and easily made arrange-
ment for keeping clean the water supplied to fowls for
drinking purposes. The fowls can put their heads through
between the laths and drink from the pan without dirtying
the water. This plan might also be adopted where skimmed
milk is fed to poultry.
248 THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.
Jury 30, 1904.
EDITORIAL NOTICES.
Letters and matter for publication, as well
as all specimens for naming, should be addressed
to the Commissioner, Imperial Department of
Agriculture, Barbados.
All applications for copies of the ‘Agricul-
tural News’ should be addressed to the Agents,
and not to the Department. A complete list of
the London and Local agents will be found at
foot of page 223 of this volume.
The ‘Agricultural News’: Price 1d. per
number, post free 1%d. Annual subscription
payable to Agents 2s. 2d. Post free, 3s. 3d.
Agricultural sews
Vou. III.
SATURDAY, JULY 30, 1904. No. 60.
NOTES AND COMMENTS.
Contents of Present Issue.
A brief summary of Sir Daniel Morris’ lecture to
the members of the West India Committee on the
‘ Agricultural Industries of the West Indies’ will be
found on p. 241.
Under the heading ‘Sugar Industry’ are notes on
manurial experiments, on the cane-farming industry in
Nevis, and a statement of the condition of the industry
in the neighbouring island of Porto Rico during 1903.
Special reference is made to the first year’s operations
at the Guanica central factory.
Our ‘Cotton Notes’ contain a report on samples
of cotton from St. Lucia and an announcement, relative
to the shipment of cotton from these islands, made in
the West India Committee Circular.
Mr. Barelay’s rabbit notes are continued on p. 246.
The subject of this instalment is the proper housing of
rabbits.
In a former issue of the Agricultural News we
stated we should publish extracts from one of the
ledgers kept by boys attending the Agricultural Schools,
These extracts will be found on p. 247.
The short account of a successful school garden in
St. Lucia, given on p. 251, is likely to be of interest.
On the same page we publish a note relating to an
agricultural apprenticeship scheme which is to be put
into operation in British Guiana.
Short reviews on the recently issued annual
reports of the Botanic Stations at British Honduras
and Trinidad will be found on p. 253. On the same
page are interesting notes on onion cultivation and the
prospects of a West Indian trade,
Botanic Station Reports.
The first of the annual reports on the West
Indian Botanic Stations, Agricultural Schools, ete., for
the year ended March 31, 1904, viz., that for Dominica,
has been published and is being distributed by this
mail.
It is expected that the reports for St. Lucia and
Montserrat, which are now in the printers’ hands, will
be ready for distribution by next mail.
The report for St. Vincent is also in the press,
and will shortly be published.
rE Oe
The Onion Industry.
In this issue of the Agricultural News we
publish several short articles on the onion industry in
the West Indies.
A very brief account of a bacterial disease, which
caused considerable damage to onions in Barbados last
season, is given on p. 245. A full account of this
disease, methods of prevention, etce., has been prepared
and will appear in the next issue of the West Indian
Bulletin (Vol. V, no. 2).
Further notes on onion cultivation will be found
on p. 253: these include details as to yield, ete., of an
experiment carried on in Jamaica, and an interesting
letter from British,Guiana giving certain hints that
should be valuable to growers and shippers who are
desirous of supplying British Guiana,
n> + ae
West Indian Fruit in London.
We learn from the West Jndia Committee
Circular that a large silver medal was awarded to the
exhibit of West Indian fruit at the Horticultural
Exhibition held at the Botanical Gardens from June 6
to 11. The arrangements of this exhibit were carried
out by the West India Committee.
A large exhibit was sent by the Royal Mail Steam
Packet Company and comprised bananas, grape fruit,
limes, mangos, oranges, pine-apples, and sapodillas.
There were also exhibits of Antigua pine-apples,
Jamaica bananas and grape fruit, as well as a fine show
of fresh limes and lime products lent by Messrs.
L. Rose & Co., Ltd.
In this connexion mention might also be made of
two crates of pine-apples from Dominica, which were
taken to England by the Imperial Commissioner of
Agriculture. These pines were grown at the Botanic
Station, Dominica, from suckers imported from Jamaica.
As will be seen from the following report, from Messrs,
George Monro, Ltd., of Covent Garden Market, these
pine-apples arrived in excellent condition and fetched
good prices.
The brokers’ report was as follows :—
‘Your pines came to hand and are better in
quality and condition than any we have as yet received
from the West Indian Colonies. Ienclose our sale and
think if they would be eareful to send only selected
fruits, carefully packed to protect crowns as well as
fruits, and sent in cool chamber, not frozen, there
might be a trade to be done.’
From the account sales we learn that the sixteen
pines fetched £3 4s. 3d., an average of 4s, each,
Vou. Ill. No. 60.
THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS. 249
Government Laboratory, Jamaica.
We have received a copy of the annual report of
the Island and Agricultural Chemist in Jamaica for
the year ended March 31, 1904.
Out of a total of 485 samples (exclusive of plants
for fumigation) dealt with during the year, 310 were
classed as ‘Agricultural. The small proportion of
police and customs samples enabled the chemist to
devote most of his time to agricultural problems.
The results of most of the agricultural analyses
and investigations have appeared) in the Bulletin of
the Department of Agriculture, and have been noticed
from time to time in the Agricultural News.
Reference is made to the work of Mr. C. Allan,
BSe., who was appointed Fermentation Chemist
during the year. Mr. Allan has visited a large number
of estates, studying local conditions and taking samples
for work in the Laboratory.
Grasses and Cattle in the Danish West Indies.
In a report, dated November 20, 1903, the United
States Consul at St. Thomas states that it 1s
remarkable to find so many fine cattle as exist among
the native herds in the Danish West Indies, consider-
ing they feed only on the native grasses.
The grasses most popular for cultivated pastures
are Guinea grass and ‘Spanish grass, by which name,
we believe, Para grass is known in some _ parts.
Although the former is more often grown, probably on
account of its stronger and more rapid growth, herds-
men are not able to state which is better for the cattle.
Possibly the Spanish grass is better able to withstand
drought, and it is remarkable how quickly the pastures
are renewed after the rain begins to fall.
The only drawback to the establishment of a
stock-raising industry appears to be the occasionally
protracted dry season. Investigations are, however,
now being carried out with a view to the introduction
of an irrigation system.
Agriculture in the Falkland Islands.
In these islands agriculture is practically confined
to sheep rearing. According to the Annual Report
for 1903, the estimated number of sheep on the farms
was 681,209. The exports of wool during the year were
of the value of £103,597 ; of sheep-skins, £7,450.
It is reported that most of the farmers are endeay-
ouring to improve their flocks by selection and the
importation of new blood. During the year 515 sheep
were imported from New Zealand, Romney Marsh
rams being most favoured for the purpose.
The great pest of the farmers is the so-called ‘ wild’
goose. ‘It is represented that from 100,000 to 150,000
(representing grass for 20,000 sheep) might, with
advantage to the sheep farmers, be destroyed annually.’
Ten shillings per 100 is the price paid for the upper
beaks of these birds as evidence of their slaughter.
His Excellency the Governor does not sympathize
with these efforts and is of opinion that, as the
Falkland Islands goose is excellent eating, some scheme
might be devised for preserving the food and marketing
the high-class down.
Oil of Ben.
We published in the Agricultwral News, Vol. III,
p. 150, a short note on oil of ben, in which reference
was made to an examination of this oil by the Director
of the Imperial Institute.
In an article on the ‘Nature and commercial uses
of Ben Oil’ in the Bulletin of the Imperial Institute
(Vol. II, no. 2), reference is made to examinations of
samples from Northern Nigeria and Jamaica.
The seeds, which were identified as those of
Moringa pterygosperma, received from Northern
Nigeria, contained 38 per cent. of an almost odourless,
pale-yellow oil, possessing a bland, agreeable taste.
Brokers to whom the oil was submitted reported that
the oil would probably be able to compete for edible
and culinary purposes with American refined cotton
seed oil, which is at present worth about £22 per ton.
The seeds were valued at about £7 per ton delivered in
London. The sample of ben oil received from Jamaica
in December 1903 was found to have a very slight,
pleasant odour, and an agreeable taste. The results of
the chemical examination are given.
It is pointed out that in arriving at the cost of
production, which appears very large, the manufac-
turers in Jamaica appear to have made no allowance
for the residual cake which might be of value as a
cattle food.
—E ee
Castor Oil Plant in Ceylon.
The Annual Report on the Royal Botanic
Gardens, Ceylon, contains an interesting account of
experiments conducted at the Experiment Station with
different varieties of the castor oil plant. Varieties
were obtained from Calcutta, Madras, Colombo, and
Hakgala.
The Calcutta variety grows toa larger tree than
any of the others. The crop is ready for reaping in
four to five months after planting at stake, and
a month later if the seedlings are transplanted. The
yield was at the rate of 152 tb. of seed per acre. This
variety, however, is not recommended for cultivation on
account of its liability to the attacks of a green fly.
The Madras variety, of much smaller habit,
resisted, to some extent, the attacks of the fly. It
bears fruit somewhat earlier than the preceding
variety. The yield was at the rate of 43 cwt. of seeds
per acre, and it appears to be one of the best varieties
of the castor oil plant.
The Colombo (‘Patna’) variety comes between the
two preceding varieties in point of habit. The crop
can be expected four to five months after sowing. The
yield was at the rate of 3 cwt. of seed to the acre.
The fourth kind, known as ‘ Major,’ is a perennial
variety. It isa large, quick-growing variety, but was
completely defoliated by the previously mentioned fly.
The yield of seeds was at the rate of 354 Ib. per acre.
Of all the varieties the Madras suffered least from
the green fly. An effective remedy for this insect pest
was found in Macdougal’s mixture.
The leaves of the plant were also attacked by a
fungus. This can be killed with a solution of copper
sulphate (blue-stone) in the proportion of 1 in 1,000.
THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.
Jury 30, 1904.
INSECT NOTES.
Dry Powder Gun.
Several of these ‘guns’ have been imported into
the West Indies for the application of Paris green to
cotton and other crops, and appear to have given
satisfaction. The following description is given in
Messrs. Peter Henderson & Co.’s catalogue:
For applying any dry powder, such as Paris green,
hellebore, insect powder, plaster, etc., on plants or trees, the
powder being evenly distributed over a wide space and with
the least possible waste, the work being more rapidly done
than by any other known instrument. It is 27 inches long,
with extra tubes for dusting trees and holds 1 quart of powder.
By turning the crank a fan is rapidly revolved which forces
a current of air through the tubes, that carries with it
a small portion of powder. The quantity may be increased
or diminished as desired.
The Auto-spray.
This is an automatic, compressed air sprayer in which
the pumping is all for the purpose of compressing the air in
the receptacle, while the spraying is accomplished by the
expansion of this compressed air.
The sprayer consists of a plain, brass cylinder containing
an air pump, a sling for carrying the whole, and a discharge
pipe and nozzle.
The Auto-spray is cheaper than the Success knapsack
sprayer, and although perhaps not quite so durable, is
a very simple and practical machine. A certain amount of
care must be exercised, as, if too much pressure be put on,
the tank might burst at the seam.
The nozzle which is sold with this machine is a special
feature, since it combines the Vermorel principle of spray with
an automatic cut-off, and the needle used for clearing the
nozzle vent forms also a part of the cut-off arrangement.
The cost of the Auto-spray in the United States is
from $5 to 37, while the knapsack sprayer costs $12. The
former can be purchased in Barbados, complete with hose
and nozzle, for $10.
Black Grub or Cut Worm.
The various species of insects known as Black Grubs or
Cut Worms are made the subject of one of the Circulars of
the Ceylon Royal Botanic Gardens, Vol. IH, no. 2, March
1904. The depredations of these insects in tea nurseries are
mentioned, and remedies given. The remedies include
poisoned baits and traps. Poisoned baits include freshly cut
grass and clover dipped in Paris green mixture, and bran
mixed with Paris green at the rate of 1 tb. Paris green to
1 bushel bran. These baits are put about in small piles at
frequent intervals in the field. Growing the plants in
a cylinder of tin or paper prevents the grub from getting at
the stem of the plant.
Kainit and nitrate of soda are known to act as deterrents
to the cut worms, when applied to the fields as top dressing.
Small conical holes in the ground, empty jam tins, ete., serve
a useful purpose as traps into which the grubs fall, and from
which they are unable to crawl out.
Last season, cotton in some parts of the West Indies was
attacked by cut worms. In case of other attacks probably
the best bait would be a mixture of bran, molasses and Paris
green. The tins, ete, have been successfully used at
St. Kitt’s as traps for the mole cricket (Agricultural News,
Vol. Il, p. 200). The bait of bran, molasses and poison
should be valuable for use in fighting the mole cricket.
RUBBER PLANTING IN CEYLON.
We extract from the annual report of the Director
of the Royal Botanic Gardens for 1903 the followin
account of the efforts that are being made to establish
a rubber industry in Ceylon:—
The planting of rubber, more especially the Para kind,
has been pushed on very rapidly during the year, and it is
probable that about 12,000 acres are now devoted to this
product, which bids fair to become the largest of the ‘minor’
agricultural industries. The export for 1903 was 389 ewt.
(43,568 b.). Its success is a source of legitimate satisfaction
to this Department and to the Governments concerned. It
must not be lost sight of that Ceylon is now reaping the
benefit of the action of the Indian Government aided by the
Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. The distribution of the tree
in the island and the elaboration of the methods of cultiva-
tion and of tapping and preparing the rubber have been the
work of this Department. The cleanliness of the Ceylon
‘biscuits’ meets with much favour in Europe, and high
prices, reaching at times even as much as 5s. per Ib., have
been paid for them, prices considerably exceeding those paid
for the best ‘wild’ rubbers. It seems not unlikely that the
latter will in time be largely driven out of the market by
the cultivated rubber, as occurred in the case of cinchona.
At the same time, recent scientific investigations into the
nature of rubber latex have thrown a good deal of light on
the probable synthesis of rubber, and brought its artificial
production measurably nearer. There is no need for alarm
as to the future of rubber planting, for it is hardly to be
expected that any efficient substitute or synthesized rubber
will be produced on a large scale for many years to come at
a price that will render rubber cultivation unremunerative.
At present profits are large, and planters can face a consider-
able reduction in the price of rubber; but now, while profits
are good, is the time to study improvements, to try experi-
ments on the best methods, and to reduce the cost of
production. Careful attention is required to the methods of
preparation, which at present are open to great improvement.
It is of great importance to keep up the name which Ceylon
rubber is acquiring for good quality and cleanliness. Some
samples which have been exported show that the milk has
not been properly filtered, as recommended by Mr. Parkin,
and others have been taken from too young trees, the
rubber consequently lacking tenacity.
Planting is going on in all directions, and even in some
unsuitable places, where disappointment is likely to ensue.
Preparations are being made to try Hevea trees under
irrigation at the Cotton Experiment Station at Mahailup-
palama; should this prove successful an important industry
will be thrown open to cultivators in the dry zones. Some
alarm has been caused by the attacks of a canker fungus in
many districts, but prompt steps have been taken for its
treatment under the advice of the Mycologist, in whose
report details will be found.
Vou. III. No. 60.
THE AGRICULTURAL
NEWS.
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SENIOk COUNTRY READER, IIT; By H. B. M.
Buchanan, B.A., London: Macmillan d: Co., Ltd., 1904.
Price, 2s. ;
Among our book-shelf notes (Vol. II, p. 235) will be
found a short review of a Country Reader, Part il. The
present volume belongs to the same series and is equally to
be recommended.
It is entirely devoted to agricultural matters. Beginning
with a chapter on ‘Simple principles of manuring,’ and
another devoted to the use of agricultural implements, it
goes on to deal with the various crops commonly cultivated
in Great Britain.
The later chapters should prove almost as useful in West
Indian as in English schools: they deal with such subjects as
‘Cottage gardens,’ ‘ Cottage pigs,’ ‘Cottage poultry,’ ‘ Hares
and rabbits —a comparison,’ etc.
The chapters on poultry and rabbits are particularly well
written and contain many useful suggestions, such as what
birds and what breeds of rabbits to keep, the arrangement of
the hutch, and so on.
This little book contains a large number of admirable
illustrations (one of which we reproduce on p. 247), and at
the end is a vocabulary explaining many of the words used.
A West Indian teacher, who is interested in agriculture
and devoting his attention to a school garden, would be likely
to find this little reader full of suggestions that would be
useful to him both in his teaching and in his practical
agriculture.
SISAL EXPORTS FROM MEXICO.
The following note, which appeared in the South
American Journal, London, of February 13, 1904, is
taken from the United States Monthly Summary of
Commerce and Finance for February :—
The export of henequen or sisal hemp, as it is often
called, during the calendar year 1903 from Yucatan, through
the ports of Progresso and Campeche, consisted of 611,939
bales, value declared in the custom-houses, $36,040,032°32.
The exports during the last five years were: 1899,
445,978 bales ; 1900, 499,626 ; 1901, 517,519; 1902, 528,246:
1903, 611,939.
It will be observed that there has been a steady increase
in the production of henequen. The latest information is
that during this year (1904) the plantations are being very
considerably increased ; the yield for the year is expected to
exceed last year’s.
DEPARTMENT NEWS.
At a convocation of the University of Durham,
held on June 22, the honorary degree of D.C.L. was
conferred upon Sir Daniel Morris, K.C.M.G., D.Sc.,
M.A., F.LS., Imperial Commissioner of Agriculture
for the West Indies.
EDUCATIONAL.
Agricultural Apprentices in British Guiana.
At the last meeting of the British Guiana Board
of Agriculture it was decided to approve of a scheme of
agricultural apprenticeship whereby boys were to
receive instruction at the Botanic Station and experi-
ment fields. The following are the principal sugges-
tions :-—
That the number of apprentices shall for the present be
limited to six.
That a three-months’ probation shall be allowed.
That the age limit shall be between fifteen and eighteen
years. That the period of apprenticeship shall be three years.
That the rate of pay shall be 16c. per diem for the first
year, 20c. for the second year, and 24ce. for the third year,
That the apprentice shall attend one course of lectures
to teachers at Queen’s College during the second and third
years of his apprenticeship,
That a plot of land shall be given to such apprentices as
are deserving of it, after the first year.
That, if feasible, opportunities shall be offered to the
apprentices of accompanying an Agricultural Instructor on
some of his visits during the third year of apprenticeship.
A School Garden in St. Lucia.
On a recent visit to St. Lucia, we were much
impressed with the excellent results that had been
achieved in the garden at the Castries Anglican
Juvenile School. This is undoubtedly one of the best
attempts of the kind we have seen. Through the
courtesy of the Inspector of Schools we were enabled
to obtain from the teacher notes from which the follow-
ing brief sketch of the operations that have been
conducted has been compiled :—
Operations were commenced soon after the Easter
vacation in 1902, the necessary funds being supplied by the
Manager for the clearing, forking, bedding, ete., of a plot, 72
feet by 32 feet, which was made up into eleven beds, 44 feet
wide, with 2-feet walks between.
Cabbage, tomato, egg plant, onion, beet, lettuce, and
other seeds were sown in boxes, and the seedlings trans-
planted into beds by the boys.
In November, an additional plot, 68 feet by 36 feet,
was made up into ten beds, 5 feet wide.
Nine exhibits were sent to the Agricultural Show held
on March 27, 1903, for which three first prizes were awarded.
Throughout 1903 and up to the present the cost of
upkeep has easily been met by the proceeds of the sales of
produce.
A bed, 20 feet by 4} feet, was planted with Sea Island
cotton seed in September 1903. The lint was beautifully
hand-picked by the girls.
Cabbages have been grown weighing over 6 Ib. ; tomatos,
4 0z.; egg fruits, 4 Ib.; sweet peppers (‘Ruby King’), 6
inches long. :
Much trouble has been experienced from attacks of the
mole cricket.
Over two dozen kinds of garden vegetables and eight
other kinds of plants have been grown from time to time.
The teacher of this school is to be congratulated
upon the excellent results that have followed his
efforts.
252 THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.
Juty 30, 1904.
GLEANINGS.
The Imperial Commissioner of Agriculture has presented
to the Zoological Society of London two specimens of the
tuberculated Iguanas (Jguana tubereulata) from Montserrat.
One of these was about 3 feet long.
A special number of the West India Commitee Circular
was issued on June 28 devoted to a report of the lecture on
‘The Agricultural Industries of the West Indies,’ delivered
by Sir Daniel Morris on June 23.
At the Jast meeting of the British Guiana Board of
Agriculture it was reported that a field in front of the Orphan
Asylum was to be utilized for specimen minor cultivation of
such crops as rubber, sisal hemp, coffee, and cacao.
As a result of the damage done to the cultivations at
the Government Reformatory, Jamaica, the value of the
products reaped during the year 1903-4 was only £185 18s. ;
in the previous year it was £364 18s. 9d.
At the request of his Highness the Khedive, three
wardian cases of the following varieties of bananas have been
shipped from Barbados for trial in Egypt:— dwarf or
Chinese, Jamaica or Gros Michel, red banana, fig, and the
silk banana.
According to the Consular Report on the trade of Porto
Rico for 1903, cotton cultivation experienced an active revival
all over the island. It is said that about 10,000 acres have
been planted with cotton during the year, and that some 5,000
bales have been produced.
The D. W. I. Fruit Company is making a pretty large
shipment to Copenhagen to-day by the ‘St. Croix.’ Besides
various kinds of dried fruits (bananas, pines, tamarinds) there
are honey, wax, cocoa-nuts, yams, limes, etc., and several
casks of tobacco grown in St. Croix. (St. Thomas Bulletin,
July 5.)
The 24th. inst.—St. John the Baptist Day—was a busy
one at the Botanic Garden ; a large number of people went to
the gardens for plants. Budded Washington navel oranges,
spices, guavas, sweet oranges, and mandarins were the principal
fruit plants in demand. Shade trees, etc., were also
requisitioned. (Grenada /’edera/ist, June 28.)
In the Belgium Bulletin of Agriculture an account is
given of experiments to test the duration of the effect of
green manure. ‘The results indicated that the effect of
green manuring is quite noticeable on early potatos, less
marked on late potatos, still less marked the second year, and
disappears the third’ (Agricultural Gazette of New South
Wales.)
The Local Instructor at Montserrat reports that there is
a good demand for papain, which is likely to increase, as
Americans are advertising medicines made from this drug.
Large quantities sent from India have, however, had the
effect of lowering the prices.
Prizes are being offered in Trinidad by the Government
for (1) the best 2 acres of Sea Island cotton, (2) the best
1 acre, (3) the best sample of gimned Sea Island cotton in
bale of not less than 150 tb. in weight. Sufficient seed will
be supplied free to those entering the competition.
The ‘dividivi’ of commerce contains on the average
from 40 to 45 per cent. of tannin. The commercial value of
such material at present is from £8 10s. to £11 per ton,
and it is probable that Indian ‘ divi-divi’ of the same quality
as the present sample would sell readily at this price.
(Bulletin of Imperial Institute, Jane 30.)
In Farmers’ Bulletin No. 190 the following method
is recommended for disposing of animals dying of contagious
diseases :—‘ In the absence of a furnace or specially prepared
place for burning, a hole or trench, 2 or 3 feet deep, may be
dug, a layer of brushwood placed on the bottom, and on this
the body covered with brushwood sprinkled with kerosene.’
The fifth annual show was held under the auspices of
the Port Royal Mountains Branch of the Jamaica Agri-
cultural Society at the Hope Garden grounds on Wednesday,
July 6. The show was an entire success, the attendance
being large and the exhibits of high quality. As usual at
this show, the exhibits of minor products were very numerous
and attracted much attention.
During the fortnight ended June 30, 195 bales of West
Indian cotton were imported into the United Kingdom
(London, 154 bales; Southampton, 30; Bristol, 11), sales being
effected at the following prices : West Indian, 5-91-6°38d. per
Tb.; West Indian Sea Island, medium fine, 14d.; fine, 15d.;
extra fine, 16d. per Ib. (West India Committee Circular.)
3ermuda holds a unique place in the Western World.
It is a little country, with absolutely no manufactures or
railways, with agriculture alone as its industry (the annual
export of potatos, onions, bulbs, and vegetables being about
$500,000), with no business but that of selling goods at
retail and in a limited way warehousing of wines and
spirits ; nevertheless Bermuda is of importance in the Western
Hemisphere. (U.S. Consular Reports, March 1904.)
The most important industry in this consular district
[Honduras] is the raising and cultivation of bananas. The
United States takes the entire crop. The last year has been
a very satisfactory one and good prices prevailed. The area
of cultivated ground has been considerably increased. Quite
a number of orange, lemon, and rubber trees have been
planted, and the exportation of these products is expected to
increase. (U.S. Consular Reports.)
The British Consul at San Francisce states in his annual
report that the exports of citrus fruit from California show
a constant increase since 1892. Not many of the Californian
oranges appear to go to the United Kingdom. The importa-
tions of oranges and lemons show a decided decrease.
Growers are most anxious to obtain a machine for extracting
oil of lemon as the present process is not found to be
satisfactory.
Vou. III.
THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.
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BRITISH HONDURAS :
BOVYANIC STATION, 1903.
Superintendent.
ON
Campbell,
REPORT TILE
By te
This report gives an account of the work carried on at
the Botanic Stations and Nurseries under the supervision of
the Superintendent.
The Belize Station is maintained as an ornamental
garden, the soil being unsuited for economic plants. The
nursery attached to this station is described as important,
being utilized by persons from all parts of the colony.
At Stann Creek a variety of crops are being experi-
mented with, including cacao, vanilla, nutmeg, Liberian
coffee, ete. A number of small experiment plots were also
planted at Corosal.
The Superintendent has given practical instruction in
agricultural matters in a number of cases where his services
were requested by small planters and others.
The parasol ant is described as being the worst pest of
the British Honduras agriculturist. Carbon bisulphide is
described as being effective, but its price is very high.
An appendix to the report deals with experiments in
cotton growing carried out at the stations and in conjunction
with planters. he cultivation is still in the experimental
stage, but there is reason to believe that cotton will be
planted extensively during the coming season.
TRINIDAD: REPORT
DEPARTMENT, 1903-4.
intendent.
This report, which forms No. 17 of the series of Annual
Reports, describes the work of the department for the
last financial year.
The number of purchasers of plants at the nursery was
601, an increase of 201 over the previous year’s record.
Two Agricultural Instructors were supplied, whose
duties included visits to every district of the island for the
purpose of affording agricultural instruction in the schools
and giving public instruction on agricultural topics at
meetings, etc. Lectures were also given by the Superinten-
dent at seven centres.
There is a large stock of plants in the nurseries ; the
large demand for economic and ornamental plants has been
fully met.
Mr. Hart makes interesting observations upon the
seedling cane experiments, which have been continued with
satisfactory results.
Interesting notes are also given on a large variety of
economic plants grown in the gardens, which include rubber,
timber, and fruit trees.
Experiments have been carried out with cotton, and
seed, obtained through the Imperial Department of Agri-
culture, was distributed to the amount of 1,201 tb.; cotton has
been ginned at the St. Clair Station by means of two hand-
gins provided by the Government,
ON THE BOTANICAL
By J. H. Hart, F.L.S., Super-
ONION CULTIVATION.
Jamaica.
The following note, reprinted from the Journal
of the Jamaica Agricultural Society tor June, records
the experiences of a grower of onions in Jamaica :-—
In December 1897, I got } tb. of Bermuda onion
seed from Messrs. Peter Henderson, New York: I sowed
these in drills in nursery beds which had been thoroughly
forked and raked quite smooth. When they grew to about
the thickness of a pencil, I set them out to grow in deep
loam soil which had also been thoroughly forked and raked
quite fine. The beds were 4 feet wide and the onions
planted in rows, 2 feet wide by 8 inches in the step. I kept
them hand-weeded and moulded high all the time, and
irrigated once a week until the onions began to dry. After
that I did not irrigate or mould again. I left them in the
ground until the stalk dried down to the bulb, then lifted
them and gave them three days’ sun. They were then ready
for market. I got 25s. per 100 tb. for them, selling them in
Kingston and Spanish Town. They were very much praised
by the buyers. About one-third of the crop weighed 4 tb.
each, and they were very delicate in flavour. One quarter
of an acre netted me £13 10s, These were grown at Turner’s
pen, near Spanish Town.
In 1899 I grew a small quantity at Colbeck for my
home use. I cultivated these in the same way, but
without irrigation, and not on such good soil, and these
turned out fairly well, but did not come up to the standard
of the irrigated ones.
West Indian Onion Trade.
At a meeting of the Antigua Agricultural and
Commercial Society held on July 1, the Hon. F. Watts
read the following extracts from a letter from
Mr. S. Webb, of the firm of Wieting & Richter, of
Georgetown, Demerara, relating to the onion trade :
Latterly consignments of onions have been coming to
this market from your island to parties here who do not
know much about the trade, nor have they much hold on the
buyers.
It has occurred to me that the following hints may be
useful to growers and packers.
From March to June we generally get Teneriffe
onions. The complaint against these onions is that their
flavour is too mild and they are put up in strings, with far
too much of the stalk on each string, which weighs as onions.
From June to September-October, Madeira onions come
in, put up in bunches, with far less of the stalk plaited in.
They are full flavoured. From October to March we have to
depend on Lisbon for our supplies. New Lisbon onions very
seldom reach here in good order, and could Antigua or
Barbados compete in these months, no doubt the trade could
be deflected from Lisbon to our soils in the West Indies. but
your onions at present are not treated in a way to suit this
trade. The onions are, mind you, fairly good onions, but
the roots should not be cut very close to the onion, nor should
the stem be close cut; the stems should be at least 6 inches
long, to allow for drying. The stalks should be allowed to
dry gradually ; if cut close up to the onions, they (the onions)
get hard and lumpy in their centres, which causes them to
burst and spoil quickly.
If your packers could bunch their onions and not ship
them loose, their commercial value would be much enhanced.
254 THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS. Juty 30, 1904.
WEST INDIAN PRODUCTS. time for improving, selecting, and preparing exhibits. First
New York.
The following notes on West Indian products are
taken from the annual report of Consul-General Sir
Percy Sanderson, K.C.M.G., on the trade and commerce
of New York and district for 1903 (Foreign Office :
Diplomatic and Consular Reports, No, 3,159) :—
Cacao showed an increase of about 10 per cent. in both
quantity and value.
Coffee decreased both in quantity and value, and the
import from the Hast and West Indies diminished by about
50 per cent. The price ruled lower till towards the end of
the year, when it rose somewhat rapidly owing to speculation.
The importation of jute decreased by over 50 per cent.
in quantity and only a little less in value. There was
a slight increase in quantity but a decrease in value in
manila, and an increase in both quantity and value in the
import of sisal,
Crude India-rubber showed an increase of about 10 per
cent. in quantity and 38 per cent, in value.
There was a large increase in the quantity of cane sugar
imported, due probably to the treaty with Cuba, but the
value did not show a corresponding increase.
The export of Upland cotton shows an increase of about
54 per cent. in quantity and over 25 per cent. in value as
compared with 1902 ;a reduction of 7 per cent. in quantity,
but an increase of over 36 per cent. in value as compared
with the average of the previous five years. The price
increased enormously during the year, owing to speculation.
In January it stood at 8°90c., from which point it gradu-
ally rose to 13°50c. towards the end of July ; during
August there was a partial reaction to 12°75c. and from
that point the price gradually fell till it reached 9°6c. in
October ; on reports, however, of a crop under 10,000,000
bales speculation was renewed, the price advanced to 13-7e.
in December, and was pushed far higher in January 1904.
The largest export is to the United Kingdom, and the
quantity exported increased in 1903 as compared with the
previous year,
From the figures given in the table of imports at
the end of the report, we notice that the total value
of bananas imported into New York for 1903 was
£324,000, being a decrease in value compared with
1902, of £3,000. The quantities imported are not
given in this report.
The value of vanilla beans imported during the
year was £269,003; this was an increase of £127, 000
compared with 1902. ‘The quantities imported were :
1902, 201,000 tons: 1903, 326,000 tons. Mahogany,
to the value of £276,000, was imported in 1903, being
an increase of £10,000 as compared with 1902.
CIRCULAR TO EXHIBITORS AT SHOWS.
The Journal of the Jamaica Agricultural
Society for June publishes the following ‘ Circular to
Exhibitors, issued by the Port Roy: al Mountains Show
Committee, which, it is stated, 1s ‘appropriate enough
to be put on permanent record as containing useful
hints for intending exhibitors at any show’ :—
Do not decide to enter exhibits at the last moment, but
several months before, if possible. This will allow plenty of
read your ‘ prize list’
carefully and follow the regulations
given therein,
If six varieties of vegetables are “required
send siz not eight or three, or some other number. by
a ‘design’ (of flowers for instance) is meant a design, not
a mere bunch and soon. If you do not quite understand
the prize list or regulations, get some one who does to
explain them to you.
Be particular at the show with your exhibits.
Be honest—do not show someone else’s products as your
own.
Be sure that your exhibit is entered for the vight class,
and that the label is fully and correctly filled up. If
possible see to this before the day of the show. The fact
that the authorities will do their best to prevent your
blundering does not in any degree relieve you of responsi-
bility. Exhibitors must wait their turns and deliver
exhibits at the show ground to the member of the committee
arranging the class in which they are to be exhibited. They
must not be dumped down anywhere.
SELECTION AND PREPARATION OF MINOR PRODUCTS.
Vegetables, bread-kind, fruits, ete., must be of good size,
well shaped, good colour, nice flavour, and clean. They must
not be so over-grown or old as to be coarse, or bruised, mil-
dewed, rusty, or insect eaten. Pick all exhibits by hand,
possible. Wash roots (such as cocos, carrots, and turnips) and
fruits, if necessary, with a soft cloth, don’t scrape them. Cut
cabbages, lettuces, flowers, ete., early the morning of the
show or after sunset on the day before so that they may be
quite fresh.
Pot Plants.—Don't exhibit these in such things as old
tins or boxes, or at any rate pick out the neatest you can
find and paint them green or brown. Clean all pots.
Remove insects and weeds. Prune the plants to remove (a)
branches that spoil the shape of the plant, (b) dead or insect-
eaten branches or leaves, (c) excess of ple Put a layer of
damp moss about an inch deep above the soil in the pots.
Don’t exhibit a pot or box too large or too small for the
plant.
Packing.—Kverything connected with the packing of
exhibits must be, first of all, clean, and then of neat and
simple design. Wooden trays, painted green, do well for
most exhibits. Oils, preserves, pickles, syrups or liquids
must be put up in clean, white, glass bottles or jars. Don’t
use coloured glass. If your exhibit is a novelty, attach a
neat card with its name and what it can be used for. Pack
exhibits very carefully for carrying to the show. Put soft
paper between fruits, ete., liable to bruise. Shade from sun
everything liable to wilt.
Aninals.—Groom well morning of show, having done
so for months before, and afterwards a/ways continue this
good practice. Use neat halters. Clean all the harness,
and the trap perfectly. that live stock are quite
comfortable before you leave your exhibit.
See
CONCLUSION,
The judges’ duty is to search for faults, make a note of
the faults in your exhibits, and correct for next show. Be
prepared for the judges differing from you as to which
exhibit deserves the prize. Don’t hang around to listen
when the judging is going on. If you bave a good reason
for believing that your exhibit has been overlooked by
the judges make a polite appeal at once to the secretary
and you will get justice. Do not be disorderly and risk
being sent away. Remember your exhibit will have helped
the success of the show, even if not quite good enough to
take the prize this year. -Try again next time !
Vox. III. No. 60. THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.
bo
ou
or
MARKET REPORTS.
London,—July 5, 1904. Messrs. Kearron, Prper
& Co., Messrs. J. Hates Carrp & Co., Messrs.
E. A. de Pass & Co., ‘Tue West InpIA CoMMITTEE
CrecuLar’; ‘THE Liverroon Corron AssociaTIONn
Weekty Cincunar,’ July 1, 1904 ; and ‘THE
Pusric Leperr,’ July 2, 1904.
Ators—Barbados, 13/- to 35/- ; Curacoa, 14/- to 38/- per cwt.
Arrowroor—St. Vincent, 13d. to 3}d.; Bermuda, 1/2 to
1/6 per tb.
Barara—Demerara Sheet, 1/7 to 1/10; Venezuelan Block,
1/4 per Ib.
Bees’-wax—£7 5s. to £7 12s. Gi. per cwt.
Cacao—Trinidad, 59/- to 61/- per ewt. ; Grenada, 50/-
to 57/6 per ewt. ; Dominica, St. Lucia, and Jamaica,
51/- to 57/- per ewt.
Carpamoms—Mysore, 7d. to 3/3 per th.
Corrre—Jamaica, good ordinary, 38/- per ewt.
Copra—Trinidad, sundried, £17 to £17 5s. per ton, ¢.if.
Corron—West Indian Sea Island, 15d. to 16d. per tb.
Fruir
Bananas—Jamaica, 4/- to 6/- per bunch.
Grape Frurr—10/- to 11/- per case.
Fusric—£3 10s. to £4 per ton.
Gixcer—Jamaica, common to middling, 31/- to 40/-; good
fair bright, 43/6 to 46/- per ewt.
Honey—18/- to 30/- per cwt.
Istyciass— West Indian lump, 2/2 to 2/10; Cake, medium
palish, 1/2 to 1/5 per th.
Koia Nuts—4d. to 7d. per tb.
Lime Jurce—Raw, 1/3 to 1/6 per gallon; Concentrated,
£12 10s. to £13 10s per cask of 108 gallons.
Lime Orm—1/5 to 1/6 per tb., distilled.
Loawoop —£4 2s. Gd. to £5; Roots, £4 to £4 10s. per ton.
Mace—1/1 to 1/8 per tb.
Nirrare or Sopa—Agricultural, £10 2s. 6d. to £10 7s. 6d.
per ton.
Nurmecs-—110’s, to 100’s, 8d. to 9d ; 54's, 2/7 per th.
Pimento—dd. per tb.
Rum—Demerara, 7d. to 8d. per proof gallon; Jamaica,
1s 3d. to 8/- per proof gallon ; Leewards, 7d. to 10d.
per proof gallon.
Sarsapanmpa—Jamaica, 8d. to 9d. per Th.
Sucar—Crystallized, 15,6 to 16/9 per ewt.; Muscovado,
Barbados, 15/3 per ewt. ; 89°, 9s. 3d. on floating terms ;
Molasses, 11/6 to 15/- per cwt.
SuteHare or Ammonta—£12 per ton.
Tamarinps—Antigua, 7/- to 8/-; Barbados, 10/- to 10/6
per ewt.
Montreal,—June 9, 1904.—Mr. J. Russern Murray.
(In bond quotations. )
Bananas—Jamaica, $1°25 per bunch of 8 hands ; $1°40
per bunch firsts ; $1°65 per bunch Jumbos, c. & f.
Cacao—Jamaica, lle. to 12c. per tb. c. Gf.
Crepar—Trinidad, 45c. per cubic foot, c.1.f.
Cocoa-Nurs— Jamaica, $24°00 to $2600; Trinidad, $21-00
to $23-00 per M. c. & f.
Corrre—Jamaica, medium, Se. to 9$c. per th. c. &f.
Grycer—Jamaica, unbleached, 63c. to 8c. per tb. c. & f.
Lives—Jamaica, $6°00 per barrel c. & f.
Morascurr—Demerara, $132 per 100 tb. c. Gf.
Motasses—Barbados, 22c. to 25c.; Antigua, 21c. to 22c.
per Inperial gallon.
Nurmecs—Grenada, 110’s, 173. to 183. per th. c. & f.
Prmenro—Jamaica, Thc. to 7jc. per th. ¢. & f.
Sucar—Grey Crystals, 96°, $2°40 to $2°50 per 100 th. c. &f.
—Centrifugals, 89°, $2°05 to $2:15 per 100 th. c. & f.
—Molasses, 89°, $1°88 per 100 tb. c. &E.
—Barbados, 89°, $2°25 per 100 th. c. &. f.
New York,—July 8, 1904.—Messrs. GrtLEsrie Bros. &Co.
Cacao—Caracas, 12}c. to13c.; Jamaica, 10jc. to 11}c.;
Grenada, 12c. to 12$¢e.; Trinidad, 12c. to 15#c. per th.
Cocoa-nuts—Trinidads, $20 to $21 per M., selected.
Jamaicas--No quotations.
CorreE—Jamaica, fair to good ordinary, Te. to T}c. per tb.
Grixncer—Jamaica, 64c. to 8c. per tb.
Goat Skrys—Jamaicas, 52c. to 54$c. per tb.
Pimento—6}e. to 64e. per th.
Sucar—Centrifugals, 96°, 313c. to 4c. ; Muscovados, 89°,
3yi;¢. to 3$c. ; Molasses, 89°, 3fc. per tb.
INTER-COLONIAL MARKETS.
Antigua,-—July 13, 1904.—Messrs. Bennetr Bryson
& Co., Lrp.
Mo tasses—1l4e. per gallon (Imperial).
Sugar—$1-90 per 100 th.
Barbados,—July 16, 1904.—Messrs. T. 8. Garraway
& Co., and Messrs. James A. Lyncn & Co.
Arrowroor—St. Vincent, $3°50 to $3°70 per 100 th.
Cacao—$11°50 to $14-00 per 100 ib.
Cocoa-Nuts—$10°75 per M. for husked nuts.
CorrEE—Jamaica, $9:00 to $10:00 ; ordinary Rio, $11-00
per 100 tb.
Hay—1°00 per 100 th.
Manures—-Nitrate of soda, $60:00 ; Ohlendorft’s dissolved
guano, $60:00; Sulphate of ammonia, $75°00; Sulphate
of potash, $67-00.
Mo tasses—l4e. per gallon (puncheon included).
Ontons—Madeira (stringed), $2°25 per 100 tb. ; Bermuda,
— No quotations.
Poratos, ENGLIsH—$1°80 to $1°87 per barrel.
Rice—Ballam, $4°50 to $4°60 per bag (190 tb.) ; Patna,
$3°40 per 100 tb.
Suear—in hhds., 89°, $1°95 (packages included). Dark
Crystals, 96°, $2°20 per 100 Tb.
British Guiana,—July 14, 1904.—Messrs. Wuetine
& Ricwrer.
Arrowroor—St. Vincent, $8°50 per barrel.
Barara—3dc. to 40c. per th.
Cacao—Native, 12c. to 13c. per tb.
Cassava Srarcu—$7‘00 per barrel.
Cocoa-nutTs—$8 ‘00 to $10°00 per M.
Corree-—Rio and Jamaica, 12c. to 124c. per tb. (retail).
—Creole, lle. per tb.
Duat—$4'50 per bag of 168 tb.
Eppors—96c. per barrel.
Morasses—Vacuum Pan yellow, 16c. per gallon (casks
included).
Ontons—$2°00 per 100 Ib., ex ‘Pocklington’ ; Teneriffe, + fe.
to $c. per th.
Pea Nurs—Curacoa, 4c. ; American, 5jc. to 6c. per tbh.
(retail).
Pranrains—20e. to 32c. per bunch.
Poraros, ENGiLisH——$3'00 to $3°25 per barrel.
Rice—Ballam, old, $4°60; new, $4°50; Creole, $4°50 per
177 tb., ex store.
Sweer Poratros—Barbados, $1°44 per barrel, $1:20 per bag.
Tannias—$1°32 per barrel.
Yams—White, $1°92 per bag.
Sucar—Dark Crystals, $2°20 to $2°225; Yellow, $2°50 to
$2:60; White, $3°50 to $3°75; Molasses, $2:00 to
$2°15 per 100 th.
Trreer—Greenheart, 32c. to 34c. per cubic foot.
Wattasa SHINGLES—$3°00, $3°75 and $5°50 per M.
Trinidad,—July 14, 1904.—Messrs. Gorpon, Grant
& Co. ; and Messrs. EpGar Tripp & Co.
Cacao—Ordinary to good red, $12°10 to $12°25 ; Estates,
$12-20 to $12°45 ; Venezuelan, $12°50 to $12°80 ner
fanega (110 tb.).
Cocoa-Nut Meat—l{e. per tb.
Cocoa-nutT Orn—67e. per Imperial gallon (casks included).
Corree—Venezuelan, (3c. per th.
Copra—-$2°65 to $2°70 per 100 tb. =
Ontons—Teneriffe, $1:00 per 100 th.
Poratos, EncrisH—$1l°75 to $2:00 per 100 th.
Rice—Yellow, $4°25 to $4°35; White Table, $5°50 to
$5°75 per bag.
Sucar—-White Crystals, $2°20 to $3°35; Molasses Sugar,
—No quotations.
256 THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS. Jury 30, 1904.
THE BEST MANURES FOR COLONIAL USE
= ASEween
Ohlendorff’s Dissolved Peruvian Guano—For Sugar-cane and general use
Ohlendorff’s Special Sugar-cane Manure
Ohlendorff’s Special Cocoa Manure
Ohlendorff’s Special Cotton Manure
Sulphate of Ammonia, Nitrate of Soda, Superphosphates, high grades,
Potash Salts, Basic Slag and all other high-class Fertilizers.
APPLY TO LOCAL AGENTS OR DIRECT TO
THE ANGLO-CONTINENTAL (LATE OHLENDORFF’S) GUANO WORKS,
London Agency: 15, Leadenhall Street, London, E.C.
(2 Barbados Agents: Messrs. James A. Lynch & Co., Bridgetown.
ESTATE FOR SALE OR TO -ET. | | DEPARTMENT PUBLICATIONS.
An excellent property situate between the Wood-
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of St. Andrew’s, Dominica.
= SPECIAL TERMS FOR CASH,
For full particulars apply to the proprietor, | ‘WEST INDIAN BULLETIN’ (VOL. V, NO. I).
NATHL. POWELL, |
Wesley, Dominica.
JUST ISSUED:
To be obtained of all Agents.
Price 6d. Post Free, Sc/.
“CA Caro’
By J. H. HART, F.LS. | FOR COTTON GROWERS :
NEW EDITION. ‘ ;
A treatise on the cultivation, curing and chemistry of WEST INDIAN BULLETIN
COMMERCIAL CACAO. (VOL. IV, NO. 4.)
DAVIDSON & TODD, Trinidad.
Wm.WESLEY & Co., 28, Essex St., London. | | Containing full report by Sir Daniel Morris,
K.C.M.G., D.Se., and Mr. J. R. Bovell, F.LS., F.CS.,
Price 3s. per copy. on visit to the Cotton-growing districts of U.S.A. f
Printed at Office of Agricultural Reporter, 4, High Street, Bridgetown, Barbados
R77
WF SS
A FORENIGHTLY REVIEW
OF
THE
IMPERIAL DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE FOR THE WEST INDIES.
Vou. Ill. No. 61.
BARBADOS, AUGUST 13, 1904.
Price ld.
CONTENTS.
PAGE.
Agricultural Societies :-—
St. Lucia
| Gleanings...
262 | Grenada Mangos in New
Bahamas, Agriculture in 260 York ... 265
Bananas, Chinese .. 260 | Insect Notes :—
Bermuda, Eggs and Cotton leaf-blister Mite 266
Poultry in 266 Fiddler beetle of the
British Honduras, Orange ... ... ... 266
Exports of —.... ... 265 | Market Reports... ... 270
Citronella Oil, Adultera- Notes and Comments ... 264
tion of ve wee eee 299 | Oranges, Packing for
Cotton Notes :— English market —... 260
Jamaica ... 261 | Rabbit Keeping ... ... 262
Porto Rico .-. .. 261 | Science Notes :—
St. Vincent Cotton sread-nut 263
Growers’ Association 261 | Shipment of Bananas
West Indies, Cotton from Barbados 257
Growing in ... 261 | Sugar Industry :—
Department News.. ... 269 Cane sugar and Beet
Department Publications 271 SUCAL Seen E ne yrs 200
Department Reports :— Ideal sugar-cane 259
Dominica Sete se DOK Trinidad, Seedling
Montserrat ... . 267 canesat ... ... ... 208
St. Lucia .. .. +... 267 | Sweet Potato Meal... ... 263
Dutch India, Exports of 265 | West Indian Products ... 269
Educational :-— Virgin Islands, Agri-
Agricultural Schools ... 263 culture in ...
Shipment of Bananas from
Barbados.
with the of bananas from
g Barbados to which we desire to draw the
attention of shippers. Mention has already been
made in the Agricultural News of the need for
shipment
greater care in the making of crates. The points for
shippers to remember are—first, that in making their
they to certain standard
measurements; secondly, the crates must be made of
suitable material and sufhciently strong to enable
them to be handled without getting broken.
crates should conform
First, then, in the matter of the size of crates,
Complaints have been made by the Royal Mail
Company that raany of the packages are far larger
than is necessary and consequently take up more than
their fair share of space. Mention was made of one
bunch which was packed in a crate fully 6 inches too
long and 3 inches too wide. But besides this, as
pointed out by Messrs. Pink & Sons in arecent letter to
Mr. J. R. Bovell, when larger crates are used than are
required, 1t becomes necessary to use more packing. In
consequence, particularly at this time of the year, the
fruit is kept too hot and is over-ripe when it reaches
England. In order to secure as much uniformity as
possible, the company has suggested three standard
sizes for crates, viz, (1) 27 inches by 15 inches,
(2) 30 inches by 17 inches, and (3) 34 inches by
17 inches. For these three sizes the uniform rates to
be charged to Southampton will be Is. 6d., 2s., and
2s, 6d. respectively. For all other crates, not conform-
ing to these standards, the charge will be 16s. 8d. and
5 per cent. per ton measurement. It will thus be seen
that it is both to the shipper’s interest and the
company’s convenience that an effort be made to
secure the uniformity suggested. It may be mentioned
that, so far as the shipment of bananas by the Depart-
258 THE AGRICULTURAL
ment is concerned, the new freight rates will come into
operation with the first shipment next month.
Next, in regard to the material to be used in
making erates. These require to be made of teugh
wood that will not split. It has been found that pine
wood is not suitable for the purpose, as it is not
sufficiently strong to bear handling. It the crates get
broken, it stands to reason that the bananas will be
bruised, and they cannot in that case be expected
to arrive in a good condition.
Similarly, Mr. Bovell has found it necessary to
draw the attention of shippers to the fact that bananas
have been sent for shipment packed in crates the slats
of which were too thin. These ought to be half an inch
in thickness. Again, others have had the slats projecting
in such a way that they could easily be knocked off.
Mr. Bovell has, therefore, warned shippers that bananas
sent in such crates will not be accepted for shipment.
It must be clearly understood that at this stage
in the establishment of the banana industry, when
every effort must be put forth to ensure the arrival of
the fruit in the best possible condition, so that Bar-
bados bananas may gain for themselves a good name
in the English markets, most serious attention must
be paid to such important matters of detail as those
mentioned. It is only by exercising every care in the
handling and packing of the fruit that if can be hoped
to secure good prices. As our readers are well aware,
good prices have been obtained, and the profits from
the industry have been satisfactory; moreover, Bar-
bados beginning to be known and
appreciated in the English markets. It is with the
view of assisting this promising industry that we refer
once more to this subject.
bananas are
Further emphasis is given to the necessity that
exists for exercising the greatest care, not only in
packing but also in picking bananas for shipment, by
the following extract from a letter addressed to the
Royal Mail Steam Packet Company by Messrs. J. & E.
Hall, Limited, who have just completed the fittings of
the ‘Tagus’ and ‘Trent’ for the cool transport of fruit:—
“The success of the fruit-carrying department will
largely depend upon the condition in which the fruit
is stowed and on the handling of the plant before and
after loading. If the fruit is cut too “full,” no refriger-
ating power will carry it, once it has reached a certain
degree of ripeness. It is found necessary on large
fruit-carrying steamers to watch very closely the
loading, and the ditterent degree of ripeness of fruit is
very difficult to determine by any but experts. We
NEWS.
Avueusr 13, 1904.
wish to draw attention to the importance of this aspect
of the question, as we notice that even with all precan-
tions on the part of shipowners, bananas are very often
put on board in a state which is very prejudicial to
their safe carriage and to obtaining a good market
price at this end.’
4 g Dinar ges} <
SUGAR INDUSTRY.
Seedling Canes in Trinidad.
The following note in regard to the future cultiva-
tion of seedling canes in Trinidad is taken from the
Report on the Botanical Department for 1903-4 :—
This season it is proposed to eliminate many of the
seedlings, which have shown insufficient characters to render
them worthy of general cultivation, and to use the area they
have previously occupied for extending the cultivation of
selected kinds, so as to afford material for planting on
a larger scale.
It would appear from results that our practice of
eutting annually in May for several years past has led to
a diminution of seed production ; as most of the varieties
have produced either no seed at all, or only small and
insignificant quantities. It is proposed therefore to select
and plant a few of each of the best varieties in beds, for
seed purposes only, and to allow them to remain over, without
cutting, for longer periods than twelve months. Seed
collected in October 1903 was small in quantity, but
a goodly number of plants was raised, which will appear in
due course. It has also been noted that the seedlings raised
during the past four years have not shown the same variety
or the same sucrose content as the batches raised six or eight
years ago; and the evidence appears to point to this also
beine due to annual cutting, ie., not allowing the cane
a sutticient period of growth previous to the flowering stage,
which generally occurs in Trinidad in October and November
of each year.
The Difference between Cane Sugar and Beet
Sugar.
The Journal @& Agriculture Tropicale tor June
1904 contains an article by Mr. George de Préaudet
dealing with the superiority of cane over beet sugar.
We give the following summary :—
It is evident that of all refined sugars the purest is
white cane sugar. For if this were identically the same as
white beet sugar, as is held by some authorities, why is it
that the large manufacturers of champagne require their
sugar dealers to give them a formal declaration that they
never allow into their works a single bag of beet sugar?
Experience has shown that wines sweetened with beet sugar
always give an after-taste of beet root.
A very easy test is carried out as follows: Take two
glasses containing moistened sugar—one beet and the other
cane. Cover both with saucers and allow them to stand for
some days. If they are tasted at the end of that time, it will
be found that the beet sugar has assumed a taste of beet root
and also emits a slight odour.
Vou. III. No. 61.
THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.
259
The refining of beet sugar is not carried on with as
much care as is that of cane. The best, purest, and most
delicate sugar is made from the sugar-cane.
An Ideal Sugar-cane.
The Queensland Agricultural Journal for April
publishes the following extract from a statement made
by Dr. Stubbs in a New Orleans paper :—
Six years ago we received a large number of various
canes from Trinidad. We promptly began to experiment.
We tried to ascertain which cane was best adapted for this
climate. We made a score or more experiments and carefully
compared the results. We wanted to get a cane that would
find ready and congenial growth here in Louisiana, and that
would at the same time increase the sugar output for the
acreage in this State.
I am delighted to say that our patience has at length
been rewarded. We now have two kinds of cane that are
highly successful. They are unquestionably a great deal
more satisfactory than the best cane known here for many
years. In my opinion, they are the most valuable canes that
ean be grown in Louisiana soil. They make what our
agricultural experts call an ideal specimen. We have
classified them as ‘T. 95’ and ‘T. 74. *
To the lay public there is nothing exceedingly significant
in these words ‘T. 74, but to the sugar-planter they will be
nothing less than startling. This cane produces 38 tons to
the acre. The juice yields 16 per cent. of sugar. Under
a nine-roller mill 81 per cent. is obtained without saturation.
If you will compare these figures with statistics of cane
now grown, you will realize that this new cane will revolu-
tionize the sugar industry of Louisiana. The old cane gives
an acreage of 20 to 30 tons, with a 12-per cent. yield in the
juice. Under the roller, it gives a percentage of 71.
The new cane is long jointed, green, perfectly healthy,
and beautiful in appearance. It has an excellent stubble and
remarkable vigour. It withstood the terrific gale that swept
over the city on September 9 and 10. It is deep-rooted and
strong, and was the only cane in the field that was not blown
either flat or partly down to the ground. It was not
damaged the least bit by the storm.
We are ready and willing to furnish this cane to any
planter who may apply for it. We expect to send out more
than 500 bundles in the next few weeks. Requests for the
cane are coming in on every mail. We shall begin to ship
the cane in a few days. Planters throughout the State show
intense interest, and have strong faith in the new specimens.
_We shall send some of the cane to the Experiment Stations in
Cuba and the Hawaiian Islands.
In the following issue of the Queensland Agr/-
cultural Journal reference is made to the excellent
results obtained by Mr. E. Grimley with West Indian
seedling canes (see Agricultural News, Vol. III,
p. 180), and it is stated :—
Tt will be seen that the ideal sugar-cane is B.147, giving
23°40 per cent. of crystallizable sugar. B.208 is another
splendid sugar-yielding cane, and both are evidently superior
to T. 74, notwithstanding the weight of cane per acre
produced by the latter is 38 tons, and of the West Indian
varieties, 30 tons. In Queensland, this weight will doubtless
be exceeded.
*We presume that this isa mistake. The canes referred
to are undoubtedly D, 95 and D. 74. (See Agricultural Nevs,
Vol. IL, p. 323.)
ADULTERATION OF CITRONELLA OIL.
The report for 1903 of the Director of the Royal
Botanic Gardens, Ceylon, contains the following refer-
ence to the decline of the citronella oil industry owing
to adulteration and to efforts that are to be made to
check this :—
The heaviest fall is in citronella oil, amounting to over
230,000 tb. or 18 per cent. This, following a fall of
140,000 tb. in the previous year, indicates that the industry
is on the decline, as was predicted in previous years, land
going out of cultivation. Adulteration is chietly responsible
for this state of things, though there has also been over-
production. The drop in exports has caused a rise in price
to Is. Id. or Is. 2d. per tb. The cultivation continues to
extend in Java, and the pure oil thenee exported is preferred
by consumers.
Mr. Bamber, the Government Chemist, has been
occupied with this question for some years, as mentioned
in previous reports, and his investigations have lately been
crowned with success. He has devised a test which is easily
workable, and which shows in a few minutes the exact
percentage of adulterant contained in any given sample of
oil. Applications of this test to samples of export oils have
shown that very large quantities of adulterant are often
used. Schimmel’s test, the only one hitherto employed, is
in any case less satisfactory, is more difficult to carry out,
and is very often not properly managed by those using it.
Proposals are being formulated to have an official examina-
tion of all exported oils made at the ports, no oil being
allowed to go out of Ceylon except under a Government
certificate as to its composition as tested by Bamber’s test.
In this way we may hope to see this important industry once
more set upon its feet, and the decline checked, which would
otherwise apparently lead to its almost total extinction, for
it seems hopeless to expect the native cultivators and dealers
to refrain from adulteration unless compelled, even though
it be killing the industry.
Particulars of this recently devised test are given
in the following extract from the Government Chemist's
report :—
A large number of experiments have been made with
pure and adulterated citronella oils to devise a method of
detecting or estimating adulterants in the citronella oil.
The following process has been found very successful, and
depends on the greater solubility of the citronella oil than
the adulterants in alcohol of known strength, when the oil
has been previously mixed with a vegetable fatty oil. The
test is carried out as follows :—Two cubic centimetres of
pure, fresh cocoa-nut oil, free from acid, are measured into
a graduated tube, then 2 cubic centimetres of the citronella
oil to be tested, and both mixed. Twenty cubic centimetres
of 83 per cent. alcohol are then added and the tube shaken
for one minute. The tube is then placed in a Leffman-Beam
or similar centrifugal machine and whirled for about one
minute, when the tube is removed and the volume of cocoa-
nut oil, plus the adulterant, read off. The graduations of the
tubes, pipettes, ete., must be accurate, and the estimation
made at a temperature of about 80° F. A pure citronella
oil can be kept as a standard and occasionally tested in the
above manner, when the reading should be exactly 2 cubic
centimetres, or the amount of cocoa-nut oil added. Since
this test has been devised for detecting adulteration with
mineral and fatty oils, a new adulterant has quite recently
been found in the form of spirit. This form of adulteration
can be detected by other means, and the question is now
being worked out,
260
THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.
Aueust 13, 1904.
WEST INDIAN
PACKING ORANGES FOR THE ENGLISH
MARKBT.
The Cyprus Journal for May contains an article
in which the following hints on packing oranges for the
English market are given by a well-known firm of fruit
brokers :—
Divide the oranges, keeping the rounds from the ovals,
and pack each kind separately. This is absolutely necessary.
Grade the oranges into three to five sizes and pack each
size separately. This also is absolutely necessary.
Pack the cases so that each case shall contain an equal
number of equal-sized fruit, and on the end of the box brand
the number of oranges contained therein.
When branding the boxes state if they contain round or
oval. It is of no use to pack both round and oval in the
same box.
In packing see that each orange is firmly placed so that
it is not shaken loose when the case is handled.
One of the several important reasons why the oranges
in each case should be of equal size is to enable the retailers,
who sell to the public at a certain rate, to give equal-sized
fruit to their customers.
The large fruit is preferred, as heavy supplies of small
fruit are received from Spain, and prices rule munch lower for
these than for large fruit. Attention should, therefore, be
given to large fruit, and by preference to ovals, and exporters
should, as much as possible, avoid shipping small oranges.
The round orange has to compete with those from Valencia
and Sidon.
CHINESE BANANAS.
The following note appeared in the Journal of
the Jamaicu Agricultural Society for Jane :—
After the storm of November 1899, and the hurricane
of August last, when so much damage was done to bananas,
we called attention to the dwarf banana (J/usa Cavendishi)
commonly called here the Chinese banana, and its stout,
wind-proof growth. It easily withstood the rain and wind-
storm of November 1899, it even withstood the hurricane of
August ; and both times a good quantity of this variety was
under our personal observation. In Fiji, where the people
have always depended largely upon the banana for food, and
which now supplies the Australian and New Zealand markets
with this variety, the introduction of the dwarf banana in
place of the imposing-looking tall varieties saved the people
FRU:
from being sometimes on the verge of famine, as they
formerly were, through losses by storms recurring at short
intervals. This variety is said not to keep as well as the
Martinique: we have not found it so. It grows better on
poorer soils and does not require so much moisture. It
certainly does not sucker so profusely as the Martinique ; but
is not that an advantage, so long as it gives a succession of
one or two, which it never fails to do? It can be planted
6 feet apart. At present our market in the United States
does not want it, although it is the variety which goes from
Hawaii to San Francisco and supplies the Pacific coast of
North America. But in the British markets it is preferred,
because it is the kind which has been and is now being
supplied from the Canary Islands and is now also being
shipped in small quantities, and successfully, from Barbados.
The dwarf banana ought to be taken up and cultivated by
those who would make a specialty of supplying the British
market. It can be grown on this plan with a far more
moderate supply of water than the Martinique. A systematic
test of the dwarf banana should be made.
AGRICULTURE IN THE BAHAMAS.
We extract the following notes from the United
States Consular Reports for March 1904 :—
Fruit Trade.—The crop of pine-apples was fairly good,
prices ranging rather lower than usual. More than $150,000
worth was shipped to the United States. There was some
increase in the number preserved. Some guavas were also
preserved. The orange and grape fruit came into market
later in the season. The quantity of grape fruit is increas-
ing. A destructive hurricane has just passed over this
colony, which will seriously injure the orange and grape
fruit crops for the ensuing fall.
Hemp Trade.—The increase in the quantity of hemp
produced is quite marked, and this industry will continue to
prosper. Over $100,000 worth was exported, mostly to the
United States, during this period.
Agriculture. — Although considerable is done in the way
of agriculture, there is little in the sale or use of machinery,
the soil being altogether too rough and rocky. The
implements in use are of an old-fashioned kind.
Sponge Industry.—The sponge industry continues to be
the most important business of the colony, and the amount
taken by the United States maintained about its usual pro-
portion, reaching some $275,000 per annum. The trade was,
for a portion of 1902, rather dull, but during the first six
months of 1903 it began to recover.
Vor. bik sNo: 61.
THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.
261
COTTON NOTES.
Cotton Growing in the West Indies.
Under the auspices of the Liverpool Chamber of
Commerce a large meeting was held on July 6 at the
Exchange Station Hotel for the purpose of hearing
addresses by Sir Gerald Strickland, K.C.M.G., and
Sir Daniel Morris, K.C.M.G., on the possibilities offered
by the West Indies for cotton growing. Sir Alfred
Jones, K.C.M.G., presided.
Sir Gerald Strickland pout out that in the
West Indies there was much land, which was not
suitable for sugar-cane cultivation, which might be
utilized for cotton growing. He referred to the fact
that up to a comparatively recent time sugar had been
the main industry in the Leeward Islands. It was
desirable to establish a cotton industry side by side
with sugar.
In the course of his address Sir Daniel Morris
made the following remarks, for a report of which we
are indebted to the Liverpool Mercury of July 7:—
Next year they hoped to have 8,000 to 10,000 acres
under cotton. In addition to See Island cotton seed, they
put in Egyptian cotton seed, and they also planted native
cotton. In spite of the bad quality of the seed they sowed
last year, the price they received this year for their cotton
was very favourable indeed. The greater part of cotton from
Barbados—the best qualities—was fetching 15d., 16d., and
164d. per Tb., whilst one bale of the same cotton tad fetched
ls. 6d. per Ob. This showed that, where they got good
seed and proper cultivation, they were obtaining good returns,
They hoped, before many years had passed, that the West
Indies would export 20,000, 30,000, and up to 50,000 bales
of cotton to this country. They had there an organization in
the Department of Agriculture which could assist and advise
the planters what to do. He said those who proposed to have
any dealings with the West Indies at the present time could
rest assured that the prospects of investment of capital were
as good as in any part of the world.
Cotton Growing in Jamaica.
We extract the following from the report of the
usual monthly meeting of the Jamaica Board of Agri-
culture as published in 1 the Gleaner of July 20:—
The report of the sub-committee appointed to inquire
into the cotton industry was submitted. It recommended
that the Board should do all in its power to bring forcibly to
the notice of the Government the advisability of pushing this
industry with all its resources, especially in fostering the
industry in the plains of St. Hlizabeth where little that can
be exported is produced at present. The committee also
recommended that the Board should get in close touch at
once with the British Cotton Growing Association and
impress on them the capabilities of Jamaica for growing
cotton, that the people are awakening to the importance of
the industry, the results of experiments so far as gone, and
the price of Jamaica cotton already marketed.
The matter of cotton growing in the parish of
St. Elizabeth has been enthusiastically taken up by
the local branch of the Jamaica Agricultural Society.
The Travelling Instructor is to visit certain districts of
the parish to “report upon their suitability for cotton
growing.
St. Vincent Cotton Growers’ Association.
We learn from the Sentry that in response to the
invitation of the Acting Administrator a meeting of
gentlemen interested in agriculture was held at
St. Vincent on July 21, ab which it was decided to form
a Cotton Growers’ Association in order to have a recog=
nized local body to watch the interests of cotton growers.
The officers of the~ association are—-Mr. Alex-
ander Smith, Chairman; Mr. J. G. W. Hazell,
Treasurer ; and Mr. W, N. Sands, Secretary.
The following resolutions were carried :—
1. Resolved that this meeting considers that it is
desirable to form a local Cotton Growers’ Association to
protect and further the interests of the cotton industry_in
this ee
. Resolved that, in order to establish such an associa-
tion as an organized body, growers of cotton and others
interested in the cultivation who desire to become members
of the association be required to pay an entrance fee of 5s.
and a monthly subscription of 1s. The funds to be applied
im such manner as the association may direct. That a
President be elected under a working committee one of whom
shall be nominated as Chairman, and that a Secretary be
Appoluies.
That the Government and Imperial Department of
Agvoulinte be asked to recognize the association as an
established body to co-operate in all matters for the advance-
ment of the Cotton Industry.
Cotton Cultivation in Porto Rico.
The following account of experiments in cotton
growing in Porto: Rico is contained in the Consular
Report for 1903 :—
Cotton cultivation experienced an active revival all over
the island under the auspices of an American firm, which
supplied a considerable quantity of seed gratis.
About 10,000 acres are said to have been planted with
cotton during the year and to have yielded satisfactorily
(some 5,000 bales), both as regards quantity and quality.
The results are pronounced capable of important
improvement as soon as the now inexperienced cultivators,
pickers, and handlers have mastered the methods of the novel
industry.
At present the introducers of the venture contrast the
native labour very unfavourably with that in the American
cotton fields and ginneries.
Ginneries have been erected at San Juan, and other
plants will follow at various points of the island to meet
requirements that doubtlessly will be doubled or trebled in «
short time.
The sort is Sea Island. To the end of the year cotton
to the value of £871 was exported to the United States.
Mr. Vice-Consul Wilson reports on cotton cultiva-
tion in the Arecibo district as follows :—
There has been some attempt at planting Sea Island
cotton in this district, but the result has not been so satisfac-
tory as was expected, mostly owing to the poor attention
given to the fields and the lack of experience in picking, etc. ;
however, the reports as to quality and stoutness of the fibre
are favourable.
THE
RABBIT KEEPING IN THE WEST INDIES.
In the following further instalment of notes on
rabbit keeping in the West Indies Mr. Barclay deals
with the subject of the breeding of rabbits :-—
BREEDING.
Bucks and does should not be used for breeding until
at least eight months old, and nine months is better. Usually
in Jamaica does are bred as early as they will do so and have
litters at six months old or before. This is wrong and results
in deterioration. A doe which seems to be a_ persistent
fighter should at once be fattened and killed for table, but
when accustomed to each other young does will not as a rule
fight. Young does therefore kept for breeding, can be kept
together until of a breeding age. After being put to the
buck, and within a fortnight of having young, the young
does should be put each in its own separate apartment and
disturbed as little as possible. At this time the doe should
receive a little extra in the way of food, but not of a fatten-
ing nature, like corn.
per LOO tb.
Timner—Greenheart, 32c. to 34c. per cubic foot.
Watana SHincLes—$3'00, $3°75 and $5°50 per M.
$f
aa)
Gorpon, GRANT
& Co. ;and Messrs. Epcar Tripp & Co,
Cacao—Ordinary, $12°15 to $12°25; Estates, $12°25 to-
$12°35; Venezuelan, $1250 to $1280 per fanega.
(110 b.).
Cocoa-Nuts—-$17°00 per M., f.0.b.
Cocoa-Nuv Meat—lj{e. per tb.
Cocoa-Nuv Or.—70e. per Imperial gallon (casks included).
Corrre—Venezuelan, 63c. per Th.
Corra— $2°70 per 100 tb.
Oxtoxs—S$1-02 to $1°60 per 160 tb.
Poraros, ExcrisH—$1'25 to $1°80 per 100 tb.
Rice—Yellow, $425 to $440; White Table, $5°50 to
$5'75 per bag.
Stcar—-White Crystals, $2°20 to $3°25; Molasses Sugar,
—No quotations.
Vou. Ill. No. 61. THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS. 271
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A FORTNIGHTLY REVIEW
OF THE
Vout. III. No. 62.
CONTENTS.
Insect Notes :-—
Brown Ant in Porto
Rico: ee each aes ss
St. Kitt’s-Nevis ... ... 282
Job’s Tears as a Famine
Agriculture in :—
Gold Coast .. ... ... 2
Portuguese East Africa 278
Cacao :—
In Brazil
F pO S Hoodese se. 275
& 7 9°
ae ee of... 4. 281 Mango, Budding 283
Market Reports ... ... 287
Notes and Comments ... 280
Onion Seed for the West
Paris Green, Applica-
tion of few tke mtieceZOl
West Indies mes) pees) DOH
Department News... ... 285 Tadies 280
Department Publications 280 | p.) a Ke Fe the:
Department Reports :— a WW t pee ee 278
British Guiana ... ... 285 Rubb hess pre oe Sth
St. Vincent... ... ... 285 ts Mo sper om 9R
Virgin Islands... ... 285 Sci * Not aa ae aah
Dominica Pine-apples in , ra eae y onc
onda 280 Argan tree of Morocco 279
a ESO Atmospheric Nitrogen 279
Educational :— Sea-weed as a Manure ... 279
School Gardens ... ... 286 | Sugar Industry :—
Eel-wormsin St. Vincent 283 Virgin Islands 275
: posit West Indies oct age eV!
Gleanings ... - 284.) West Tndian!Products ... 286
Horticultural Shows in Wind-breaks or Shelter-
United Kingdom ... 276 belts ... BP gas 2
Wind-Breaks or Shelter-Belts.
> N many of the West India Islands, more
especially those which deforestation has
$ caused to become wind-swept, one of the
most urgent requirements, from an agricultural stand-
point, is the protection of estates and peasants’
provision grounds from the wind. This can be effected
by the planting of rows of suitable trees as wind-breaks
or shelter-belts.
When the principal crop of such islands was the
sugar-cane, and when the peasants were content to
grow canes and ground provisions, there was but little
need for this protection. Now, however, that other
industries are being introduced, when planters and
peasant proprietors are commencing to cultivate such
crops as limes, coffee and cacao, it 1s being realized
that good results can be obtained only where satis-
factory protection is afforded.
In the absence of such protection the trees make
poor growth and the yield of produce is unsatisfactory.
In many districts the stunted and backward condition
of the plants is at once an indication that the situation
is unfavourable.
Again, in the case of such trees as those men-
tioned, where the yield depends upon the setting of
the fruit, it is of primary importance that the flowers
shall not be blown away by the wind before this takes
place. That is one of the principal reasons for
advocating the need of adequate protection for planta-
tions of limes, coffee, or cacao. Neglect to take this
precaution has been the cause of frequent failure.
Another advantage of wind-breaks—one that
is of considerable importance in districts lable to
more or less prolonged droughts—lies in the part
played by wind-breaks in conserving soil moisture.
By sheltering the land from the drying winds
they exercise a strong protective effect on the
274 THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.
Avucusr 27, 1904.
water supply, reducing evaporation to a considerable
extent. This aspect of the question has already
been dealt with in the Agricultural News (Vol.
II, p. 338) in an article on the ‘Conservation of
Soil Moisture,’ where it was mentioned that ‘as the
result of experiments, King states in his Irrigation
and Drainage that “the drying effect of the wind at
300 feet was 30 per cent. greater than at 20 feet, and
7 per cent. greater than at 150 feet from the hedge.”’
For these reasons we would urge a careful consid-
eration of this matter when a plantation is being laid
out. If new land is being opened up for the purpose,
the object will be satisfactorily attained by leaving
a strip of the natural forest. In other cases, suitable
trees will have to be planted in rows and afterwards
pruned and trimmed in order to make them effective
wind-breaks. They must not be allowed to give too
much shade, but should be trimmed to form hedges.
Further, it is advisable to choose a tree that is ever-
green : a tree which sheds its leaves in the dry season,
that is, just at the time an effective wind-break is
particularly required, is scarcely suitable.
Now, what are the most suitable trees for the
purpose? We might give a long list of trees that have
either been used or recommended for planting as
wind-breaks, but we will refer to two only—Galba (Calo-
phyllum Calaba), which is particularly suitable for
planting in exposed situations; and, for more moist
situations, Jnga lauwrina, known in Dominica and the
French Islands as Pois doux, in Antigua and Mont-
serrat as Spanish oak, and in St. Kitt’s-Nevis as
Spanish ash.
Galba is a quick-growing tree, capable of standing
the sea blast, and possesses the further important
It would be well
if planters in those islands in which galba is found
advantage of being an evergreen,
were to collect as many seeds as possible and have
them sown. Similarly, the local officers of the Depart-
ment might raise seedlings for distribution,
In the French West Indies hedges of nga
laurinuw are planted about every 200 feet, across the
direction of the prevailing winds, throughout the cacao
and coffee plantations. They are also planted by the
peasants around their provision grounds. These practices
might well be copied in the British West Indies. It
will be necessary in the first place to urge upon the
peasantry the need for such wind-breaks, and this will
perhaps best be done by object-lessons at the Botanic
Stations.
It will thus be seen that we strongly advise the
systematic planting of wind-breaks as a protection from
the wind. This is particularly necessary where crops
like limes, coffee and cacao are being grown. One of
the largest undertakings of this nature in the West
Indies is in with the Land Settlement
On the estates that have been
given out in allotments in that island a comiplete
system of wind-break planting was determined: the
total length of these lines amounts to 20 miles. Galba
is the tree that has been employed in this case.
SUGAR INDUSTRY.
The Sugar Industry in the West Indies.
In his lecture to the members of the West India
Committee on the ‘Agricultural Industries of the West
Indies, Sir Daniel Morris made the following reference
to the experiments with the sugar-cane and the present
position of the sugar industry in these islands :—
It is an important feature in all the sugat-cane experi-
ments carried on by the Imperial Department of Agriculture
that the canes are cultivated in the same manner as the
ordinary crop of the estate, so as to institute a close
comparison on the most practical basis between these canes
and those ordinarily grown on the estate. It may be
mentioned that the expenses of cultivating sugar-canes at the
experiment stations on estates are borne by the planters
themselves. A very considerable number of new canes are
raised every year. Only very few of these prove worthy of
being cultivated on a large scale. Some of the new seedling
canes have proved of great value, not only in the West Indies,
but also in Louisiana, Cuba, Natal, Mauritius, and (ueens-
land. The work of raising seedling canes is still, however, in
the experimental stage, but it is full of promise in the future.
The area planted in new seedling canes in British Guiana has
steadily increased, and now coniprises about 13,000 acres.
In Barbados and Antigua, owing to the occurrence of disease
in the Bourbon cane, seedling and other canes are almost
exclusively cultivated. On regular plantations in the West
Indies the total areas of seedling and other canes than
Bourbon may be placed at about 30,000 acres. The yield of
seedling canes has in many cases exceeded that of the
Sourbon cane. On one large plantation in British Guiana
the results in favour of seedling canes during the last three
years have averaged 20 per cent.
connexion
Scheme in St. Vincent.
Sir Daniel then referred to the excellent results
that had attended the cultivation of West Indian
seedling canes in Demerara, Louisiana, Cuba, and
Queensland, information in regard to which will be
found in the Agricultural News, Vol. II, pp. 179-80.
Continuing, he said :—
A factor of great importance in regard to the future of
the sugar industry is the removal of the Continental sugar
bounties. Every one interested in the welfare of the West
Indies fully appreciates the active part taken by our
Chairman, and those associated with him, in obtaining the
abolition of the sugar bounties. Already a much more
hopeful feeling prevails in regard to sugar growing in the
West Indies and the prospects are possibly more encouraging
than they have been for many years. A prominent member
Vou. III. No. 62.
THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.
Lo
=I
On
of the West India Committee has shown his confidence in
the improved prospects of sugar growing by enlarging his
possessions in British Guiana; the machinery on two of the
largest estates in that colony have lately been improved;
while at Antigua Sir Gerald Strickland has been successful
in affording assistance in starting two sugar factories which
will prove of great service in that island. There is also the
hope that the Nandet system, which appears to combine the
best results of crushing and maceration, may assist in
reducing the cost of production. I understand that the new
process is to be ~tried on a fairly large scale m “Trinidad
during the next crop.
There can be no doubt that in several of the West Indian
Colonies the prospects for sugar growing are capable of being
rendered as promising as anywhere in the tropics. There are
extensive tracts of land in Jamaica, British Guiana, and
Trinidad, where the soil is particularly well suited to
the sugar-cane and where with good cultivation and
a moderate quantity of manure the yield of sugar, now
bounties are removed, would be likely to prove remunerative.
The great point in favour of sugar cultivation, where it can
be successfully carried on, is that it employs a very large
amount of labour and gives employment also to various
tradesmen, and circulates a considerable amount of money
amongst the general community. There appears to be some-
thing specially favourable to sugar in the atmosphere of the
West Indies and in the disposition of the negro population
towards it. One of the difficulties that the Imperial
Department of Agriculture meets with in its endeavour to
promote minor industries is the strong predilection of the
negro to plant nothing but the sugar-cane. In spite of
getting the poorest results from the cultivation of the cane
in the exhausted soil of their provision grounds, the negro
still prefers to plant sugar-cane than to plant cotton. ‘In the
sugar-cane,’ he says, ‘I get something to eat; I cannot eat
cotton, I therefore plant cane.’ It may be that it is merely
a matter of sentiment, but in any case, where sugar can be
made to pay better than anything else, there is no reason
why that cultivation should not be continued. What,
however, is claimed is that by growing cotton in suitable
localities, the people in the West Indies might obtain the
same results in eight months from cotton as they obtain from
sugar-cane in sixteen months.
Sugar-cane Cultivation in the Virgin Islands.
The following extracts relating to experiments
with the sugar-cane in the Virgin Islands are taken
from the Report on the Experiment Station, Tortola,
1903-4. Tt is stated that about 2,000 tops of seedling
cane B. 147 were obtained from St. Kitt’s and
distributed among small proprietors :—
: An acre of land on the bay side was cultivated and
planted’ with sugar-canes in December and January. The
variety selected was B. 147: About 15 tons of farmyard
manure were dug in in December, and about 15 tons more
in March; in the latter case holes were opened between the
cane holes, and the manure placed in these and covered up.
Owing to losses in shipment, due to the tops perishing, a
Jarge quantity died, and the vacant holes had to be supplied.
It was found that the tops grew much better than pieces
of cane. Despite drought, the canes are now looking fairly
well. The total cost up to date has been about £10. If the
variety proves successful here, it is hoped to distribute it
through the island. Hitherto the only cane grown in the
island has been 'the old Bourbon, which is liable to attacks
of fungus and borer. |
It is felt that the island should at least produce enough
sugar for local requirements. Last year some 20 tons of
sugar were imported.
From the old l-acre plot about 10 tons of cane were
reaped and some fair-quality muscovado sugar was made.
Muscovado sugar retails here at about 2d. tos 24d. per bb.
Forty-five barrels of sugar were made for tenants and
occupiers of land in the vicinity of the station, the sugar
being of a good grocery type, and worth about £1 5s. to
£1 10s. per barrel locally.
A -larger ~mill is needed.
excellent crushing but is too small.
The present one does
JOBS TEARS AS A FAMINE FOOD.
The Agricultural Ledger (1904—No. 6) contains
interesting information in regard to ‘Certain Indian
accessory vegetable food-stuffs used in greater quantity
when famine presses.’ Among the products studied were
the seeds known as ‘Job’s tears’ (Coir Luchryma-
Jobi), which are fairly plentiful in the West Indies.
The native name of this grain is Kasaiya. We
publish: the following extracts :—
Elliptical seeds, sharply pointed at one end, olive-green
to brown in colour, extremely hard, so much so that they
cannot be broken between the teeth. Their size is rather
larger than ordinary barley. They contain a white kernel of
great hardness and of no flavour.
Mr. Barucha (who sent the specimens) writes :—
‘Kasaiya is a large seed collected from plants or shrubs
that look like reeds and grow on banks of streams. The
seed is enclosed in a hard shell which has to be broken with
a rod or has to be roughly ground. If mixed with maize it
can be turned into bread, but it is mostly cooked like rice.
It tastes like wheat, and is considered nutritious. A pound
and a half of this Kasaiya would suffice for a man per day,
but it is generally not used alone, and is not resorted to as
long as maize is to be had.’
RESULTS OF ANALYSIS.
Rroteidsies. ee. | ns 18°81 per cent.
Bate Sess ice: 6:2 8
Soluble carbohydrates ... 59°55,
Fibre Ben) Bey arte, 1k28"
Ash saree eae Bins 4
Water 10-74
496 ‘5
Energy value ... 378 calories.
Our analyses as well as those of Dr. Church show that
this is a food specially rich in proteids and fats. When
separated from its very hard husk, it should form a food of
great value, especially as its energy-value is the highest of
all the foods studied.
Professor Church writing of this food says: ‘Through-
out Assam and in the eastern frontier lands of India, this
coarse cereal constitutes an important food of the hill tribes,
replacing to some extent the millet of Northern and
Southern India... The grains of wild kinds are exceedingly
hard and are used as beads, those of the cultivated variety
are much softer and more easily husked.’
He gives the following analyses of two varieties :—
Water . 132 14°8 per cent.
Albuminoids .... 18°7 1G:Ge Bot oe
Starch 58°3 CORRE eT
Oil nod’ poo. pamt 5784 Sad Vine
Hibre! =e... leo QQ iad oie
Ash See eee Qik SPT) Pe
276 uae
AGRICULTURAL NEWS.
Aueust 27, 1904.
INTERNATIONAL HORTICULTURAL EXHI-
BITION IN EDINBURGH.
The Council of the Royal Caledonian Horticultural
Society has arranged to hold an International Horti-
cultural Exhibition in Edinburgh in September 1905.
The following letter has been addressed by the
Secretary to Sir Daniel Morris :-—
The Council of this Society has arranged to hold an
International Horticultural Exhibition here in September
1905, and is desirous that the exhibits from the colonies
should be as complete as possible. It is not at all necessary
that the exhibits should be large, but rather that they
should be representative of the products of the colonies
represented.
I have heard from Kew that you are at present in this
country and that you might probably see your way to make
a really effective exhibit representative of the West Indies.
If there is any further information which you would like to
have, I shall be very glad to hear from you.
The enclosed Preliminary Prize Schedule was sent out
containing the principal competitions arranged up to
February in order to let exhibitors see generally what they
might be expected to prepare for, and other competitions are
at present under consideration.
Extract from Prize List.
CLASS VI.
To Growers only.
other British Colony.
Collection of fruits and vegetables of any sort.
First prize, £10 10s. ; second, £7 7s. ; third, £5 5s.
Open to Canada, Australia, and any
SHOW OF COLONIAL FRUIT IN LONDON.
A great show of colonial-grown fruit, and of
British, colonial and foreign preserved and dried fruit,
jams, ete., will be held in the Royal Horticultural Hall,
Vincent Square, Westminster, 8.W., on December 13
and 14, 1904.
The following extract from a letter, addressed to
Sir Daniel Morris by the Secretary of the Royal
Horticultural Society and extracts from the recently
issued schedule will explain the objects and arrange-
ments of this exhibition :—
I send you herewith a copy of the schedule recently
issued for the Autumn and Winter Shows of this Society.
You will see that the Society proposes to hold an exhibition
on December 13 and 14 next, of colonial-grown fruits,
both fresh and preserved, or dried or bottled.
This new departure has only been rendered possible for
the first time this year, by the completion of the Society’s
new Centennial Hall in Vincent Square, Westminster, and
the Council is anxious to make the exhibition a success,
and that it should worthily represent our colonies.
Would you therefore be so kind as to let me know how
best I may make it known in your colonies? I have sent the
schedule to 100 colonial newspapers, _in addition to
the press at home, and if you would oblige us by sending
the names of any prominent shippers, importers, or growers,
who you think might be likely to exhibit, I should be glad
to send them schedules direct, or I would send you any
number for distribution.
If desired, the Society’s own officials will unpack and
stage exhibits, provided they arrive in good time; but the
Society cannot undertake to repack and return. No charge is
made for space. Opportunity will also be afforded for each
colony to make a collective exhibit in addition to individual
entries. Decorations of such exhibits should, as far as
possible, be confined to plants and foliage representative of
each colony,
Au exhibition of jams and of dried, bottled, and
otherwise preserved fruits will be held at the same time,
which will be open to home, colonial, and foreign produce
in separate classes. A press view will be held on Monday,
December 12, from 5 to 8 p.m., and the exhibition will be
open to the public from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Tuesday and
Wednesday, December 13 and 14. The goods must be
cleared away on Thursday, December 15.
Extract from Schedule.
DIVISION I.
Colonial-grown Fruit.
The staging must be finished by 4 p.m. on December 12,
as there will be a press private view at 5 p.m.
The colony in which the fruit has been grown must in
all cases be stated. Medals or other prizes will be awarded
at the discretion of the Council.
Class 1.—Collection of colonial-grown Fruit. Such
things as yams and sweet potatos may be
included.
Class 2.—Collection of colonial-grown Apples (Eating).
Class 3.—Collection of colonial-grown Apples (Cooking).
Class 4.—Collection of colonial-grown Pears.
Class 5.—Colonial-grown Pine-apples.
Class 6.—Colonial-grown Bananas.
Class 7.—Colonial-grown Mangos.
Class 8.—Colonial-grown Grapes.
Class 9.—Any other colonial-grown Fruits.
Class 10.—Colonial-grown Yams, Sweet potatos, ete.
Wore) tit, No; 62:
THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS. Pa
COTTON NOTES.
The Cotton Industry in the West Indies.
Considerable interest is being taken in England
in the efforts that are being made to establish a cotton
industry in these islands. We reproduce the following
interesting article from the Times of July 21:—
It is satisfactory to report that the experimental
cultivation of cotton in the West Indies has proved a success,
and that the industry is now established on a commercial
basis. Plantations exist in Barbados, St. Lucia, St. Vincent,
Montserrat, Antigua, St. Kitt’s, Trinidad, and the smaller
islands, while plots have also been started in Jamaica and
British Guiana. The total area estimated to be under
cultivation is 4,000 acres. During the season just ended
Barbados alone shipped, up to March 31, 244 bales and
2 bags of cotton, weighing 61,000 tb., and the gins have
been busy since. The Imperial Department of Agriculture,
which has the work in hand, has orders from planters for
Sea Island seed suflicient to plant 7,000 acres,* and as
this quantity has been paid for, the presumption is that it
will be used. In Jamaica, where the pioneer work is being
carried out by the Board of Agriculture, enough seed has
been disposed of to plant 500 acres. A number of Syrians,
who are acquainted with cotton growing in Egypt, are
engaged in the cultivation there. Central factories for
ginning and pressing the cotton have: been erected in the
various islands, anda cotton gin expert, from the Sea Islands,
has just completed four months’ work on the machines, all of
which are now in perfect working order. He states that the
factory in St. Vincent is the best-arranged and best-equipped
he has ever seen. A nine-honrs’ run of the six gins yielded
3,800 Ib. of lint; in Barbados, where the methods and
appliances are not so scientifically complete, a similar run
gave from 1,500 tb. to 1,600 tb. There are a few private
ginneries, but the majority are Government undertakings
carried on under the direction of the Imperial Department
of Agriculture. The cotton is ginned, baled, and shipped
for the planters for 3c. per lb. of lint; seed-cotton is also
purchased at the rate of 4c. per tb., which is equivalent to
payment at the rate of about 11d. per tb. for the lint in the
Liverpool market. The prices obtained for the Sea Island
cotton have been highly satisfactory. One recent consign-
ment from Barbados was valued at from 16d. to 17d. per bb.,
another averaged just under 15d., the highest price being
16}d., and the lowest 13d. Prices current exhibited in
Barbados at the same time showed that Sea Island cotton
was being quoted in Savannah at from 10d. to 124d., but
this was evidently the price for common lint, as the last crop
on the Sea Islands brought from 30c. to 35¢e.—this, of course,
representing the resuit of thirty odd years of careful selection
and cultivation. The figures given are sufficient to indicate
that West Indian cotton, grown from Sea Island seed, is
capable of yielding a return quite equal to the finest product
of America. It is calculated that, the yield of lint being
assumed to be 204 tb. per acre—the average in America—
and the total cost of placing it in the Liverpool market 7d.
per Ib. for cotton fetching 12d. per tb., the net profit would
be at the rate of £5 2s. per acre. + Labour is cheaper in
the West Indies than in the Southern States ; the cotton gin
expert referred to was amazed at the low value of the labour
in Barbados.
Bia Probably 10,000 acres will be planted during the season
1904-5.
tIncluding the value of the seed for feeding purposes,
the total net profit would be about £7 per acre.
Sir Daniel Morris, the head of the Imperial Department
of Agriculture, is of opinion that the only cotton that should
be grown in the West Indies is the Sea Island variety,
which, it is well known, is a native of these islands. Other
varieties are therefore being eliminated. Some planters
favour the Upland, and even the indigenous varieties which
are still found growing wild, but it will undoubtedly prove
more advantageous to devote attention only to the highly
cultivated, long-staple Sea Island cotton. The area through-
out the world suitable for the growth of Upland is unlimited ;
that able to produce Sea Island is strictly limited. The
Jatter fetches double the price of any other cotton, and,
like Blue Mountain coffee, will remain unaffected by future
fluctuations of the market. A sample of the native cotton
of Jamaica has been sent to England and pronounced very
fine, being valued at 14d. per Ib. It is a cotton which
appears to resist insect pests, and many think that a first-
class variety might be evolved from it. The experiments in
the island, however, are being made with Sea Island seed,
and it will probably be found wiser to begin where the Sea
Island planters have left off than to engage in experiments
which may not prove successful.
Many difficulties have naturally been encountered in
establishing the industry, owing largely to the inexperience
and ignorance of the growers, the most formidable being the
attack of the cotton worm. Remedies were not at hand, and
loss was sustained; but the planters are now forearmed, and
they believe themselves able to cope with any similar
emergency. Every assistance is rendered to growers by the
Imperial Agricultural Department, which has published and
circulated an extensive literature on the subject. One of
Sir Daniel Morris’ latest ideas is to send the officers of the
Department to the various islands to deliver popular lectures
on the industry with magic-lantern illustrations. He
recommends, however, that only capable planters should go
in for cotton growing at present, and advises those who wish
to come out to the West Indies to embark on planting on
a large scale, to pay a visit first to St. Vincent, and study
the conditions and opportunities there. Great credit is due
to him for his indefatigable efforts to promote the industry
during the past four years. West Indian planters are not
very ready to strike out on new lines, and, but for the steady
persistence and influence of the Department, aided by
practical assistance from the British Cotton Growing
Association and the West India Committee, it is doubtful
whether the present important results would have been
achieved.
The following paragraph
St. James’ Budget of July 23 :—
The announcement that no less than 4,000 acres
are now under cultivation seems to point to the establish-
ment of the cotton industry in the West Indies upon that
commercial basis which must be the foundation of its success.
Plantations are now dotted over practically every one of the
islands, and the future output shows a most promising
tendency to increase. For the coming season the Imperial
Department of Agriculture has already received orders—and
better still, payment, for this argues confidence on the part
of the planters—for enough seed to cover 7,000 acres.
All this, considering the difficulties which have been
encountered during the experimental period, forms a most
encouraging start. And the excellent educational work
which has been carried on, under the guidance of Sir Daniel
Morris, by the Agricultural Department, must be most heartily
commended for the stimulus and direction which have been
given to the efforts of the pioneers in this most important
movement.
appeared in the
THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.
Aveust 27, 1904.
RABBIT KEEPING IN THE WEST INDIES.
The following is a further instalment of Mr. Bar-
clay’s notes on rabbit keeping. The subject of this
instalment is the feeding and watering of rabbits :—
FEEDING.
The young rabbits will begin nibbling at green stuff at
three weeks old, although they may not be seen at first, as
they come out during the night. They should get as much
of this as they can eat and they will soon also eat every
plant, root or grain put in. Rabbits should not be fed
invariably the same stuff or roots, but should have a variety—
not necessarily two or three different things at the same
meal, but preferably a round of several plants they like for
successive feeds. The following are all eaten with relish :—
sweet potato vines, cowitch vines, pea vines, thistle (called
in Jamaica ‘Rabbit Feeding, and eaten by rabbits with
avidity); Spanish needle (a good laxative when young), all
grasses eaten by cattle—but the rabbits only take these
generally when none of the foregoing are available—Guinea
grass, Para grass, Bahama grass, pimento grass, rice, corn
(maize) and Guinea corn stalks and leaves are all liked when
green, and so are the young blades of the sugar-cane. The
leaves of the bastard cedar trees, wild grape, yam leaves,
turnip, carrot, beet (both leaves and roots), cabbage, lettuce,
parsley, etc. For roots, sweet potatos are most convenient
and may be given raw, or boiled; also yam boiled, sweet
cassava boiled. Bananas just turning yellow are relished.
For grains, oats are best, but as it is not a_ native
product, I find rice, cracked corn, a few peas and
A little parched corn, and especially
all for the doe in young.
soaked peas are excellent for
Guinea corn all liked.
crusts of bread are best of
I have mentioned that
the suckling doe.
Tt should be noted that sweet potato slips should never
be given to a doe about to have young or when suckling
young. It is current, in Jamaica at any rate, that it dries
up the milk; and there may be truth in this. There is
generally some foundation for such ideas, although we are
apt to say ‘Bosh!
We have in the West Indies a great variety of foods
ayailable, and few owners would require to buy any feeding.
For the young, growing animals, a variety of such green
stuff, as has been mentioned, is good (giving just enough
that they clear it off), and it should be given every evening
at sundown. Note that wet stuff must mot be fed, and if
rains are prevalent the green stuff should be pulled the day
before and put aside under cover to dry. No wet, green stuff
should ever be given.
It is judicious to have in the hutches or boxes a rack to
hold the feeding, otherwise when flung on the floor, half of it
is wasted. A root of sweet potato, a chunk of hard-boiled
yam or a crust of bread should accompany the green stuff,
placed at the bottom of the heap so that they will not eat it
first. If in the morning there is some green stuff repeatedly
left uneaten, reduce the feed by the same quantity next
evening, trying a little more occasionally to test their
appetites. At the morning feed a little porridge and milk,
made of rolled oats or cornmeal, is best, if this can be afforded,
say about a heaped table-spoonful for each young rabbit,
increasing to two for a full-grown animal. If not this, about
the same quantity of oats, corn (maize) or Guinea corn,
a banana, a crust of bread, and a little more green food, will
do. The mother doe, as has been stated, should also have
a few soaked peas.
WATER.
If any grain or dry meal stuff like cornmeal or rolled
oats or oatmeal is fed, then water must be put before the
rabbits; and the doe-mother, when about to have young, or
after she has had them and is suckling them, should always
have water by her. The water should be renewed each
morning. Though rabbits, like sheep, in other countries
seldom drink, here where the days are hot, and especially
where the air is dry, rabbits will drink regularly.
AGRICULTURE IN PORTUGUESE EAST
AFRICA.
The following account of the local industries in
Portuguese East Africa is taken from the Consular
Report on the trade of Beira for 1903 :—
The exported produce of the district is almost a negli-
gible quantity. At present, sugar, rubber, and wax form
the most important articles enumerated. The former,
manufactured on the Zambesi, is shipped exclusively to
Lisbon, where it receives important preferential treatment
and a substantial bounty per ton ; but large plantations of
cocoanut palms are being made at various points on the
coast, with a view to establishing a future export trade in
copra, and doubtless when the young plants come into
bearing the result will amply fulfil expectations. Ground nuts,
although very largely and profitably exported from Quilimane
and the northern ports of the province, would seem to attract
but little attention here, and the same may be said of other
important industries which are capable of being established.
Much progress has been made during 1903 by the
government of the Mozambique Company in an interesting
experimental garden or plantation which it has established
at Govuro in the south of the territory, with a view to
determining what plants, etc., are best adapted to cultivation
in the conditions locally obtaining.
In addition to what has been done at Govuro, most
valuable and interesting experiments have been made in the
cultivation of cotton, for which this district is believed to be
admirably adapted, and which should prove a source of great
profit to local planters. The experiments in question were
made under the direction of the company’s officials, and have
had encouraging results. An area of about 4 acres was
planted, but, owing to a misunderstanding, only 1,500 plants
were raised instead of 5,000, which that extent of land could
easily have sustained. The result returned some 1,300 tb. of
cotton, which was forwarded unginned to Europe for
examination and report. The British, French, and Belgian
experts who conducted the examination were unanimous in
regarding it as a fine cotton of the ordinary long-staple
description, but remarkable for its extraordinary strength.
The value placed upon it properly ginned and picked was
Tid. to 8d. per tb. Naturally, 1,500 tb. of cotton to 4 acres
of land is not a paying proposition ; but the area mentioned,
as will be gleaned from the above figures, is capable of
producing more than three times that quantity. Experiments
with this valuable commodity are now being made on a much
larger scale, and it is believed that cotton cultivation has
a great future before it in this large and apparently suitable
region.
Vou. III. No. 62.
SCIENCE NOTES.
The Argan Tree of Morocco.
It is said that the most interesting vegetable production
of Morocco is the Argan tree (Argania Sideroxylon). This
tree, which belongs to the natural order Sapotaceae, does not
grow toa great height, but its trunk is of considerable size,
one tree having measured 26 feet in circumference. The tree
has a peculiar habit of growth; it gives off branches at
a height of some 3 feet from the ground, which at first
descend till they touch the ground ; at a considerable distance
from the trunk they ascend. In this way each tree occupies
a great space, the individual referred to above having
a circumference of no less than 220 feet.
From the seeds a valuable oil, resembling olive oil is
extracted ; this is used for cooking purposes and also as an
illuminant. Moreover, the fruits of the argan tree are eaten
by stock.
A full and interesting account of this tree is given in
Hooker’s Marocco and the great Atlus, where it is stated :
‘When the fruit ripens, herds of goats, sheep, and cows are
driven thither ;a man beats the tree with a long pole, and
the fruits fall and are devoured voraciously by the cattle. In
the evening they are led home, and, when comfortably
settled in their yards, they commence chewing the cud
and throw out the nuts, which are collected each morning
as soon as the animals have departed upon their daily
excursion.’
We are indebted to Mr. Henry Harries, of Kew, London,
for the following memorandum on argan nuts, prepared by
His Majesty’s Vice-Consul at Mogador :—
‘The natives collect the ripe nuts by knocking them off
the trees with a stick ; they then break the nut with a stone
to get the kernel out: they half-roast these and grind them
in a hand-stone mill till the oil comes out.
‘The residue is made into cakes to feed camels, cows,
and goats—not horses—and it is called “ zigmoona.” Sheep
also eat it.
‘Europeans like the oil for culinary purposes. They
heat the oil, which is brought in by natives in bottles.
A piece of bread is put in the oil and is cooked with it;
this removes the strong flavour. Natives, however, do
not object to this strong flavour. It is preferred to olive
oil for cooking purposes ; it is sweeter and more expensive
by reason that each nut has to be cracked by hand, and
these are very hard. The oil is burned by the natives tor
lighting purposes, but is of no use as a lubricant, as it gets
hot directly.’
Seeds of the argan tree were forwarded to the Imperial
Department of Agriculture by Mr. Harries in January last.
This is a sub-tropical, rather than a tropical, tree, but
might be suited for planting in dry, hilly districts in the
West Indies.
Fixation of Atmospheric Nitrogen.
In the Agricultural News, Vol. Il, p. 406, we
published a note on the subject of the fixation of atmo-
spheric nitrogen by chemical agency, in which it was
stated that Dr. Frank had demonstrated that this
could be effected by means of the carbides of
barium and calcium. The latter, if was mentioned,
was converted into calcium cyanamide, which could be
used as a direct means of enriching the soil.
The following extracts. upon this subject, taken
THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS. 279
from the Bulletin of the Imperial Institute, are of
considerable interest from both the scientific and the
practical point of view :—
The use of artificial nitrogenous manures supplies
ready means of improving soils deficient in nitrogen, and
the substances mostly used for this purpose at the present
time are ammonium sulphate and sodium nitrate. Nitrogen-
ous manures have so far been more expensive than those
containing other plant constituents, and for this reason the
importance of devising a practical means for utilizing the
nitrogen of the atmosphere as a source of such manures has
long been recognized. It is therefore interesting to note
that the substance calcium cyanamide has recently been
prepared with the use of atmospheric nitrogen on a com-
mercial scale in Germany, and has been placed on the
market under the name of ‘Kalkstickstoff.’
The manurial properties of this substance have been
tested by Professors Wagner and Gerlach, at Darmstadt and
Posen respectively, with various crop-plants, and although
there is much to learn with regard to the conditions under
which it may be most advantageously employed, this
material has already proved itself a manurial agent apparently
as valuable as ammonium salts and nearly as effective as
sodium nitrate. It is considered very probable that if calcium
cyanamide can be manufactured cheaply, it will find a place
among the artificial nitrogenous manures.
SHEA-WEED AS A MANURE.
The following note on the use of sea-weed in
Cyprus is taken from the Cyprus Journal tor June :—
On many parts of the sea-coast of the island the wild
waves of winter cast up from the sea large quantities of sea-
weed, which is sometimes used by peasants, when the supply
of old chopped straw is short, in the preparation of their
sun-burnt mud bricks. This sea-weed, however, if the salt
it contains is washed away by one or two good rains, can be
used very profitably for manuring fields and plantations
situated not far from the shore. For this purpose the sea-
weed is conveyed to a more or less elevated position, where
a bed of it from 4 to 5 feet thick is formed ; and after one or
two sharp showers it is used as a manure either alone or,
better still, mixed with stable manure. Sea-weed becomes
far more useful as manure, if, before being brought to the
field, it is used as a litter in the stable, because by absorbing
the liquid excrement of the cattle its fertilizing value is
increased.
CACAO CROP OF BRAZIL.
The following note appeared in the United
States Monthly Consular Reports for March 1904 :—
The cacao season of 1903 is much later than that of
1902. Cacao is a very erratic crop, and the oldest inhabit-
ant will not venture a prediction on it. The last of the crop
of the previous year was practically all in the manufacturers’
possession by this time. This year it is still coming in
abundantly and will probably run far into September. The
cacao season includes two crops, beginning, respectively, in
January and June.. The summer crop is said to be a shade
better (because drier) than the winter crop, though the yield
should be about equal. This year more cacao came in the
market in July than was received during the entire six
months preceding. A few days ago about 2,000 tons were
stored ‘in Para and every steamer was taking away large
cargoes of it. However, the demand continues strong and
the price good.
bho
(oa)
oO
THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.
Aucust 27, 1904.
EDITORIAL NOTICES.
Letters and matter for publication, as well
as all specimens for naming, should be addressed
to the Commissioner, Imperial Department of
Agriculture, Barbados.
All applications for copies of the ‘Agricul-
tural News’ should be addressed to the Agents,
and not to the Department. A complete list of
the London and Local agents will be found at
foot of page 271 of this volume.
The ‘Agricultural News’: Price 1d. per
number, post free 14d. Annual subscription
payable to Agents 2s. 2d. Post free, 3s. 3d.
Agricultural slows
SATURDAY, AUGUST 27, 1904. No. 62.
Vou. III.
NOTES AND COMMENTS.
Contents of Present Issue.
We desire to draw attention to the necessity tor
planting wind-breaks for the protection of crops. This
subject is fully dealt with in our editorial.
On pp. 274-5 we reproduce in full Sir Daniel
Morris’ statement of the position of the sugar industry
in the West Indies. Special reference is made to the
Departments efforts in behalf of the industry.
Preparations are being made for holding two
important Horticultural Shows in the United Kingdom.
It is important that the West Indies should be well
represented at these, and the matter should receive
early attention. Full particulars are given in the
extracts published on p. 276.
The Times’ review of the West Indian cotton
industry, published on p. 277, will be read with interest
by planters.
The feeding and watering of rabbits form the
subject of Mr. Barclay’s notes on rabbit keeping in this
issue. See p. 278.
Under the heading ‘Insect Notes’ will be found
an interesting report on insects prevalent in St. Kitt’s-
Nevis, and a note on the control of the Brown Ant in
Porto Rico.
On p. 283 is an illustrated article describing the
methods of budding the mango. The directions are
clearly stated and should easily be carried out.
We publish a report from Mr. Russell Murray on
West Indian produce in Canada. This report was
unfortunately crowded out from our last issue.
Teneriffe Onion Seed for the West Indies.
The onion seed ordered from Teneritfe by the
Imperial Department of Agriculture was forwarded to
the various islands by the last Royal Mail steamer.
In all 767 tb. have been received: this is made up
of 5262 th. of white and 2403 tb. red seed.
Of the total quantity 297 tb. are for Barbados,
254 tb. for Antigua, 50 tb. each for Jamaica, St. Kitt’s,
and Nevis, and smaller quantities for the other islands.
This seed has been specially selected for the
Department and is the best seed obtainable. It is
hoped that it will give good results.
We would again urge those who are proposing to
grow onions to sow the seed in beds, transplanting the
seedlings when large enough to the fields.
rr rr
Department Publications.
In consequence of the exceptionally large demand
for Pamphlet No. 31, A. B. C. of Cotton Planting, it
has been found necessary to issue a second edition.
This pamphlet can therefore still be obtained of all
agents of the Department; price 4d/., post free 5d.
The hearty reception that has been accorded to
this little publication is a gratifying indication that
cotton cultivation is being taken up by the peasant
proprietors as well as the planters throughout the
West Indies.
Two more of the annual reports on the Botanic
Stations, ete., are issued to-day. These are (1) Reports
on the Botanic Station, Agricultural School, and
Land Settlement Scheme, St. Vincent: and (2) Report
on the Experiment Station, Tortola, The price of these
publications, which are reviewed on p. 285, is 3d. each.
ro
Dominica Pine-apples in London.
In reference to the note in the Agricultural News,
Vol. III, p. 248, relative to the sale of Dominica
pine-apples in London, it might be mentioned that
a further shipment has been received by Messrs. Geo.
Monro, Ltd., Covent Garden Market, who report that
the fruits, which came in quite green, were placed in
the banana room and coloured up all right and have
been partly sold. The shipment consisted of twenty-
eight fruits, which sold for £5 6s. 6d., or at an average
price of 3s. 9}d. each. The results of the sales are
most promising. It must be borne in mind that the
consignment arrived at the height of the London
season and was not too large to meet the demand.
The brokers write that in selecting pine-apples it
is better for shippers to err on the green side than the
ripe, especially at this time of the year. They desire
it to be impressed upon shippers that careful packing
is most necessary. Many pine-apples have been received
from the West Indies which have had to be sold at
about a quarter of the price at which they should have
been sold, on account of the difference in their condition
on arrival.
The fruits, the sale of which is recorded above,
were Smooth Cayennes grown and packed at the
Botanic Station, Dominica.
Ve. III. No. 62.
THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS. 281
Rubber Exports from Mozambique.
The Consular Report on the trade of Mozambique,
referring to the great increase in the amount and value
of the exports, states that the chief cause of this lies in
the largely augmented output of rubber, the total
value of which, in 1903, was £35,296, as against £12,058
in the previous year.
It is stated that the rubber is of inferior quality,
being extracted by what is known as the ‘cooking’
process. There are three recognized grades of rubber,
viz., (#) pure rubber extracted by incision, (>) impure
rubber extracted by incision, and (¢) rubber extracted
by ‘cooking and crushing.’
Only 100 kilos, of the value of £20, of the first
grade were exported. The exports of impure rubber
extracted by incision amounted to 70,452 kilos, valued
at £2,348, the remaining 278,878 kilos being ‘ cooked’
rubber. In all three grades there was an increased
export.
The other exports from Mozambique are ground
nuts and mealies. he exports of the former, which
were shipped to Bombay, Germany, and France, were
of the value of £6,055 during the year 1903.
Dae
A New Cacao Disease.
Specimens of twigs and leaves of cacao have
recently been received at the Head Office of the
Imperial Department of Agriculture from St. Lucia for
examination. It was found that they were attacked
by a fungoid disease which appears to be new, at least
in the West Indies.
The external appearance of the twigs attacked is
quite characteristic. The hyphae of the fungus are
joined together into dark-coloured threads, about the
thickness of a horse-hair. Sometimes a number of
these threads hang quite loosely about the cacao twigs,
and then resemble very closely a bunch of horse-hair :
closer examination reveals that these threads are all
part of one branching system and that some of them
are growing closely adpressed to the bark. In other
cases the threads are nearly all growing in this latter
manner, viz., attached to the bark. The threads also
spread to the leaves and then appear to follow the
veins. In their youngest parts the threads are white
and thinner.
It is proposed to make a further study of this
disease. So far, it is known in only one small area in
St. Lucia, and only on cacao. Should any of our readers
have any knowledge of it, it is to be hoped that they
will communicate any information to the Imperial
Commissioner of Agriculture. The points on which
information is desired are whether the disease occurs in
any of the other islands, whether it occurs on cacao or
on any wild trees or bushes, how much damage it does,
and whether any measures have been taken to eradicate
it. Dried specimens of affected twigs and leaves
should, if possible, be forwarded at the same time.
Similar diseases have occurred on tea in India and
Ceylon. It has been found possible to deal with them
by careful pruning and by painting the affected parts
with a lime-sulphur wash.
Agriculture in the Gold Coast.
We have received the Report of the Botanicul
and Agricultural Department of the Gold Coast for
1903. The report deals with the gardens at Aburi, the
station at Tarkwa, the Christansborg Castle garden
and the cocoa-nut, rubber, and kola plantations.
In an appendix the Curator makes interesting
observations on some of the most important vegetable
products exported from the colony. Although the
exports of cacao steadily inereased up to 1902, there
was a decline in 1903. It is stated that the cultivation
of this crop is rapidly spreading in all directions. ‘The
quality of the product appears to have deteriorated, in
consequence of bad curing and insufficient grading.
The exports of timber were larger than during the
previous year. Rubber was exported in increased
quantities, the increase in value over the exports of
1902 being £107,898. The exports of coffee, kola, and
copra also show an increase. It is reported, however,
that there was a decline in the exports of palm kernels,
palm oil, Guinea grains, and gum copal.
Considerable attention has been paid to the
encouragement of the cotton-growing industry; the
natives are beginning to take an interest in this crop,
although, under existing conditions, 1t does not appear
that there is much profit in the industry. The price
paid for unginned cotton is 14d. per tb., while the cost
of transporting a load of 60 tb. of cotton to the nearest
market varies between Is. 6d. and 4s.
oo +
The Application of Paris Green to Cotton.
The Bulletin of the Department of Agriculture,
Jamaica, for July, contains a letter from Mr. W. B.
Seabrook relative to the method of applying Paris
green to cotton. In this letter Mr. Seabrook advocates
the use of the undiluted poison, and it is stated that
the planters in the Sea Islands have given up mixing
the Paris green with lime.
As Mr. Seabrook’s advice might, at first sight,
appear to be somewhat contradictory to that given by
this Department, we reproduce the following extract
from the West Indian Bulletin (Vol. IV, pp. 328-9),
in which the reasons for recommending the admixture
of lime for the West Indies are clearly stated :—
The lime has been recommended in mixture with Paris
green, in these islands, principally that the labourer might
be able to see what he has done as he goes along, and the
overseer could also see that the work has been done
thoroughly, since Paris green by itself would not be seen on
the leaves. Moreover, the lime serves to prevent undue
waste. The labourers in the cotton fields in the United
States are accustomed to cotton as a principal crop, and
realize that their living depends on the success of the crop ;
but in the West Indies this is different. The labourers
having been brought up in the cane fields are not able to
take the interest in cotton that they should, and their work
is not reliable unless some check is kept upon them, so that
it can easily be seen whether they have done their work
properly. When the labourers become interested in the
success of the cotton crop, and realize its importance to
them, as well as to the planter, then it will be possible to
use Paris green as it is used in other places, and get the
same efficiency in results.
282 THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.
Avcust 27, 1904.
INSECT NOTES.
St. Kitt’s-Nevis.
The following extracts, taken from Mr. Ballou’s
report on his recent visit to St. Kitt’s-Nevis, contain
interesting references to insect pests which were found
to be prevalent in the presidency :—
ST. KITT’s.
The Botanic Station, from its location and the nature of
its soil, suffered severely from the lack of rain. The dry
weather was especially favourable to the development of
scale insects. The return of favourable growing weather, the
completion of the plans for planting new trees and shrubs,
and the remoyal of a few useless specimens, together with the
application of insecticide remedies which I suggested to
Mr. Shepherd, will, I believe, make this station even more
attractive than usual, with a minimum of insect pests.
Many of the scales ordinarily to be found in these
islands were seen on the plants at the Botanic Station, most
of them in comparatively stall numbers; a few, however, were
found in some quantities. Among the latter may be men-
tioned the purple scale (WWytilaspis citricola) on orange, the
guava mealy seale (Pulvinaria jficus), the common shield
scale (Lecanium hesperidum) on star apple, and the smaller
snow scale (Chionaspis minor) on hibiscus.
On the Hibiscus and Imbricaria hedges where the small
snow scale was abundant a small, black lady-bird was found
in large numbers. This insect was actively feeding on the
scale and is probably very valuable in helping to keep down
this particular scale. The lady-bird has not been determined,
but it is closely related to the Penti//ia which has been so
useful in the United States as an enemy of the San José
scale. It may be possible to introduce this lady-bird to other
islands to assist in keeping down certain species of scale
Insects.
Cotton during the past year was seriously injured by
the ravages of the cotton worm (Alectia argillacea). The
damage done was very severe because of the scarcity
of Paris green at the time it was most needed.
The leaf-blister mite (Lriophyes gossypii) has been
present and occasioned some loss in the cotton crop, but has
not been so serious as in Montserrat, where it first came to
notice.. Occurring as it did simultaneously with the severe
attacks of cotton worm, it caused more serious damage than
it otherwise would have done.
At Conaree estate an interesting experiment in growing
cotton among plant canes was noticed. An account of this
experiment was given in the Agricultural News (Vol. III,
p- 213). At the time of my visit (July 8) this cotton was
very vigorous in appearance with many bolls and flowers, and
apparently very little diseased. The leaf-blister mite was
present, but on only a small proportion of the plants. It
is of interest that these plants had been growing about, seven
months before the leaf-blister mite was noticed, although
careful watch had been kept for it, and in July only a few
of the bottom branches showed the effects of its presence,
It may also be mentioned that this cotton had not been
attacked by the cotton worm.
—
NEVIS.
During the past year the cotton worm had been a
serious pest ; the cotton stainer had appeared in some parts
of the island, and the leaf-blister mite had also done some
damage, but it did not occur in all parts of the island.
At Maddens estate I visited a plantation of cacao in
one of the valleys on the mountain side. The plants were
strong and vigorous in appearance and were, for the most
part, free from disease and pests. A few plants, however,
had been attacked and the leaves more or less damaged.
No pest could be found at work and the injury was assigned
to a small snail which is very common at that place. Lime
and Paris green and lime were recommeded for trial as
remedies. The plants seemed to be attacked only in the
vicinity of the footpaths.
The Brown Ant in Porto Rico.
The Brown Ant (Solenopsis geminata) is a serious pest
in the orange groves of Porto Rico; and the Porto Rico
Agricultural Experiment Station has recently issued a special
Circular (No. 4), entitled ‘Control of the Brown Ant in
Orange Orchards,’ of which the following is a_ brief
summary :—
These ants feed on small seeds, dead insects, and the
honey wax of the scale insects. They make their burrows
at the foot of the trees and apparently do no damage until
they have acquired a taste for the gum of the tree. From
that time on, they seem to prefer the tree gum to the
secretion of the scale insects, and to obtain it they not only
make wounds, but keep old wounds open by gnawing at the
edges, so that they are not able to heal over. In this way
trees are sometimes entirely girdled and killed. This pest
is considered to be next in the scale
insects, and already severe damage has been done to the
citrus orchards in Porto Rico. A large number of remedies
have been tried, and two of the best are recommended.
Girdle Paint.—This is a sticky, waxy mixture for
covering wounds, to keep out air and water and prevent
rotting of the wood, and to stop the passage of the ants up
the trees. It is made as follows: 4 parts of common rosin
and 3 parts (by weight) of raw linseed oil are melted together
over a slow fire and boiled for ten minutes. After removal
from the fire, but while still hot, this liquid is beaten up with
a small quantity of cold tobacco tea (about $ pint of the
tea to 3 pints of the rosin-oil mixture). The addition of the
tobacco tea will thicken the brown liquid to a yellowish,
semi-solid wax, which should retain its extreme stickiness for
two to four days when applied to the trees.
A ring of this wax, about 2 inches wide, around the trunk
just above the ground, and a second rmg about 6 inches above
the first will prevent the passage of the ants, so long as the
wax retains its sticky properties.
It is very valuable also for covering wounds of all kinds
whether made by insects, gnawing animals, or by pruning.
Ant Killer.—¥or exterminating ants in their nests,
This is made of rosin, 2 parts ; washing soda, 1 part ; tobacco:
tea, | part. Boil all together over a slow fire, stirring slowly,
till all the rosin is dissolved. After simmering about fifteen
minutes, remove from the fire and add, little by little, 10 to
15 parts more of tobacco tea, stirring rapidly for five minutes
or more. A few spoonfuls of this mixture, applied with a
coarse syringe at the top of an ant nest, will kill the ants
without injuring the tree roots. It must be mixed to just
the right consistency, however, for if too thick it will not run,
and if too thin will soak into the ground and will not follow
the galleries of the ant nest.
seriousness to
Vou. Ill. No. 62.
THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.
The following notes have been extracted from
Bulletin No. 46 of the Bureau of Plant Industry,
U.S. Department of Agriculture, ‘The propagation of
tropical fruit trees and other plants’ :—
APPLYING THE BUDS.
Two-or three-year-old seedlings and moderate-sized trees
may be used as stocks on which to bud approved varieties of
the mango. The stems selected for the reception of the buds
should be at least an inch in thickness. When of this
diameter, both wood and bark are thoroughly ripe, and the
union of the scion with the stock will be easily accomplished
if the operation of inserting the buds is performed carefully.
The method of budding which has been found to work most
satisfactorily (fig. 10) consists in removing a rectangular
piece of bark from
the stock and insert-
ing a piece similar
in shape and a trifle
larger in size, hav-
ing a bud in the
centre, from a
branch of a desirable
variety.
The bud must
be selected from
wood old enough to
have lost its foliage.
This means that the
bud wood will some-
times be over two
years old. To a
certain extent
success depends
upon the precision
with which the
section of bark . is
removed from the
stock and also from the variety to be propagated, as the
more neatly the bud section is fitted into the space prepared
for it, the greater the probability of a successful union.
After the section of bark from the bud stick is nicely
fitted in place, and before tying, a small quantity of grafting
wax should be smeared over the parts where they come
together and tied firmly in place with thick strands of raftia.
(Fig. 10, ¢.) This effectually prevents the admission of air
to the spaces which, no matter how carefully the operation
be performed, exist between stock and scion ; it also serves
to prevent moisture from gaining access to the cut surfaces.
The cut surfaces and all but the bud should then be covered
with strips of cloth dipped in melted paraftin, wrapping being
begun at the lower part, so that when finished, water will
not gain entrance to the wrapped section of bark. If that
part of the stock where the bud is tied be exposed to the
sun, it is always advisable to furnish shade, which is best
supplied by strips of paper tied above the bud and extending
down over it. Two weeks may be allowed to pass before an
examination is made. The cloth wrappings may then be
removed, and the raftia should be loosened if there is danger
of its cutting into the bark. When a sufficient time has
elapsed to make certain that union has taken place, part of
Fig. 10. RecrancuLar patcH METHOD
OF BUDDING THE MANco.
the top of the stock should be removed in order to encourage
the bud to start.
WHEN TO BUD.
Budding may be performed at any time during the
growing season, but with each plant there are certain periods
when the operation will be found to be more successful than
at other times. These periods are indicated by the growths
or ‘flushes’ being about half developed. At these times the
sap appears to be more active than at others, as the bark
peels from the wood more readily than when the growths
are of firmer texture.
A SECOND METHOD OF ATTACHING THE BUD.
Another method of attaching the bud, varying slightly
in the details from
that given above,
has been practised
during the past
season at Miami,
Florida, with an
encouraging degree
of success. (Fig. 11.)
The bud section
differs from the
rectangular - shaped
piece of bark in
that one end of
it is pointed instead
of being cut straight
across, Which makes
it possible to push
the bark of the
scion down tight
against the bark of
the stock; the top
part is then cut
off square with the
transverse cut in the bark of the stock, and is pressed firmly
into position previous to tying and waxing in the usual way.
Fig. 11.
METHOD OF BUDDING
MANGO USED IN FLORIDA.
THE
EEL-WORMS IN ST. VINCENT.
Specimens of yam plants were received at the Head
Office of the Imperial Department of Agriculture, Barbados,
recently from one of the refugee allotments at St. Vincent.
The allottee complained that his cacao, yam, cassava, and
tannia plants would not grow. On examination it was seen
that the underground parts of the yams showed a number of
large swellings or galls. These galls were examined
microscopically and were found to contain a number of
minute, thread-like eel-worms, which were undoubtedly the
cause of the trouble.
These eel-worms are a common pest in cultivated land
throughout the world, and are very difficult to deal with.
They attack very many kinds of cultivated plants and weeds,
both in the field and garden. Attacked plants are usually
stunted in their development; then, sooner or later, the foliage
withers and the plant dies.
A thorough dressing of lime is one treatment recom-
mended; 1 to 2 tons per acre should be applied in
two or three lots during the year. Carbon bisulphide kills
the worms when applied to the soil, but is too expensive
except in gardens. Another way is to find out what plants
are not attacked by the worms and then to plant only these
for a number of years, until the pests are starved out; the
difficulty of this method lies in the necessity for keeping the
land free from weeds during the period of starvation.
bo
10 2)
rss
THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.
Aucust 27, 1904.
GLEANINGS.
Efforts are being made to exterminate the mungoose in
Trinidad. A reward of 5s. is being offered for each carcass
of a female, and 1s. for the male.
The Agricultural Superintendent at St. Vincent is
5 . . - a . c
prepared to receive applications from parents or guardians of
boys desirous of entering the Agricultural School.
The Antigua Standard suggests that a remunerative
trade in pine-apples might be established by shipping to the
Danish West Indian Fruit Co. Ltd., of St. Thomas.
A very dry year has been experienced at the Botanic
Station at St. Kitt’s, only 39°54 inches being recorded. This
was 10 inches less than in 1902-3.
We have received from Mr. J. H. Hart, F.L.S., a fruit
of the Souari or butter-nut tree of Demerara (Caryocar
nuciterum). This was from a tree grown in the Botanic
Gardens, Trinidad, from a seed imported fourteen years ago.
It is estimated that the total area under cocoa-nut
cultivation in the Federated Malay States is 77,500 acres.
In Ceylon the area under this cultivation amounts to over
800,000 acres. (Board of Trade Journal.)
In April last some fields of sweet potates at Dodds,
Barbados, were rather badly effected with thrips, which
caused the plants to be defoliated. It was found, however,
that the plants recovered without insecticidal treatment, and
that the yield was not seriously reduced.
The Board of Trade Journal gives the number of bales
of cotton imported into the United Kingdom from the
british colonies and possessions during the three months
ended June 30, 1904, as follows: British India, 98,288 ;
British West Indies, 1,302 ; British West Africa, 572.
In connexion with the recent Arbor Day celebration in
Jamaica, in May last, 6,870 plants were distributed free from
the Public Gardens to 448 applicants. The plants most
largely distributed were lignum vitae (929), palms (713),
kola (661), eucalyptus (E38), mahogany (485), moringa (411),
and mahoe (389).
During the fortnight ended July 28, 115 bales of West
Indian cotton were imported into the United Kingdom. As
we go to press we learn that sales of St. Vincent Sea Island
cotton have been effected through the British Cotton
Growing Association at 15$d. per tb., and Barbados Sea
Island at 163d. per tb. The latter is reported to be very
fine. (West India Committee Circular.)
The Jamaica Daily Telegraph of July 30, referring to
announcements that a quantity of new and improved
machinery has been obtained for two well-known — sugar
estates, states that there are welcome signs of a revival of
the sugar industry in the island.
A notice in the Demerara Argosy of August 3, states
that inquiries have been received for ‘Carnauba wax, a
material prepared by extracting the moisture from lacerated
palm leaves.’ The palm referred to is the sealing wax palm
of Brazil (Copernicia cerifera), an account of which will be
found in the Agricultural News (Vol. I, p. 307).
In his annual report the Inspector of Schools, Trinidad,
states that the interest awakened some three or four years
ago in the teaching of agriculture shows no signs of
abatement. Of the 180 schools examined in this subject,
thirty obtained the highest award ‘Very good,’ while 104
were classified as ‘Good.’
An Agricultural Show was held at Lucea, Jamaica, on
July 28. There was a good attendance in spite of bad
weather. The exhibits were not as numerous as at last year’s
show, but a decided improvement in quality was noticeable,
especially in the case of cured cacao. His Excellency the
Acting Governor opened the show.
Generally speaking there appears to have been a decrease
in the native cultivator’s produce during last year, and an
increase in jungle produce, due doubtless to the increasingly
careful administration of the Forest Department. The
increase both of imports and exports in Pahang is interesting
as showing the steady development of that part of the country.
(Federated Malay States Agricultural Bulletin.)
The annual report of the Director of Agriculture,
published in the Cyprus Journal for June, records that the
work of the Department in introducing machinery has met
with encouraging success. The use of reaping machines, and
ploughs is steadily increasing. The example of the Govern-
ment in importing a steam threshing machine has also been
followed. The native process of threshing is tedious, and the
quality of the prepared grain poor. Cereal growing is the
principal agricultural industry in Cyprus.
In a memorandum on the Jamaica sugar experiment
scheme (see Agricultural News, Vol. II, p. 211), Mr. H. H.
Cousins refers as follows to seedling canes: ‘There are
districts in the island where the seedling canes already at our
disposal are capable of giving a return of at least 30 per cent.
more sugar per acre than the Jamaica cane. The seasonable
and irrigable areas should benefit with certainty from carefully
controlled trials of the most promising seedling canes now in
cultivation. Estate trials of ten varieties specially selected for
local conditions have been arranged on twelve estates.’
The Bulletin of Miscellaneous Information, Trinidad,
contains a report on logwood honey forwarded to the
Imperial Institute from the Experiment Station. — It
is stated that honey is liable to considerable variation, but
in this instance the sample compares very favourably with
the recognized standard of genuine honey. The brokers to
whom the sample was submitted for valuation report that it
is of ‘fair colour, clear, and would be worth about 20s. per
ewt. in the London market.’ For comparison with this
valuation, the following prices of honey are given: Chili, 18s.
to 30s. ; California, 20s. to 40s,; and Jamaica, 16s, to 27s.
Wot. III. No. 62. THE AGRICULTURAL, NEWS. 285
which he raises produce. Several of the boys obtained
Ez prizes for their exhibits at the Show.
: ATEN. a FEPORT §/ This is a satisfactory report, and it is evident that good
KA Maer tie results are being accomplished.
ae t Ze ” ‘e
VIRGIN ISLANDS: ANNUAL REPORT ON THE
EXPERIMEN! STATION, TORTOLA, 1903-4.
The total expenditure on this station was £572 12s. 1d.
‘The receipts from the sale of produce amounted to £26 5s. 8d.
The sugar battery was pulled down and completely
rebuilt during the year. A new nursery shed was also
erected.
The condition of the garden appears to be satisfactory.
The work of improving its general appearance has been
continued.
Vegetable seeds, plant tops of seedling cane B. 147, and
pine-apple suckers were distributed.
In the experiment plots, cotton, sugar-cane, yams,
onions, cacao, and other economic plants were grown. The
results were fairly successful. The cacao plot is particularly
promising and has demonstrated the suitability of this
cultivation to parts of Tortola, provided wind-breaks are
planted.
It appears that useful work is being accomplished by
Mr. Fishlock for the improvement of agriculture in the
Virgin Islands.
ST. VINCENT: ANNUAL REPORTS ON THE
BOTANIC STATION, AGRICULTURAL SCHOOL,
AND LAND SETTLEMENT SCHEME, 1903-4.
Botanic Station—Mr. W. N. Sands, having been
appointed Agricultural Superintendent in succession to
Mr. Powell, who left St. Vincent in November, took up
his duties on March 4, 1904.
The expenditure during the year, including the cost of
upkeep of the experiment plots, amounted to £595 16s. 4d.
The sum of £45 15s. 6d. was received from the sale of
plants, ete.
There was a very large increase in’ the number of
economic plants distributed during the year. This increase
was mainly due to the free distribution of plants to allottees
under the Land Settlement Scheme.
The experiments in growing crops in volcanic ash were
continued. The conclusions arrived at are clearly stated.
An account is given of the efforts made to establish
a cotton industry in the island. The area planted last season
was nearly 400 acres. Eleven experiment plots were also
started during the year.
Agricultural School.—Mr. Knowles reports that there
were twenty boys in the school at the beginning of the year ;
three others joined in August, and six have left during the
year.
The value of the food crops grown in the experiment
plots during the year represented a saving of £24 4s. 1d.
on the food expenditure.
Satisfactory results were obtained at the two half-
yearly examinations.
The boys assisted in making arrangements for the
_ Agricultural Show held in March.
Each boy has a garden plot, 20 feet by 20 feet, in
Land Settlement Scheme.—The report of the Agricultural
Instructor deals with the work in connexion with the
allotments at Linley Valley, Cumberland Valley, Clare
Valley and Questelles, Richmond Hill, New Adelphi, and
Park Hill. The total number of allotments on these estates
is 646.
Over 4,000 cacao, 108 nutmeg, 308 cinnamon, and
732 coffee plants were distributed to allottees.
The work of planting and supplying the wind-breaks
was continued. Over 20 miles of wind-breaks are being
planted.
On the whole, it is reported, the allottees appear, to be
taking an interest in their allotments and are producing
satisfactory results. The Instructor gave instruction in the
planting and care of crops, with demonstrations in pruning,
manuring, ete.
BRITISH GUIANA: ANNUAL REPORT ON THE
BOTANIC GARDENS, 1903-4. By A. W. Bartlett, B.A.,
B.Se., F.L.S., Superintendent.
Mr. Bartlett took over the charge of the Botanic
Gardens in November 1903.
The usual routine work was carried on during the year.
From the nursery 10,904 plants were distributed to public
institutions, ete.
The report includes an account of the work done at the
Government House Gardens, the Victoria Law Courts
jardens, the Berbice Public Gardens, ete.
A long list is given of seeds available for exchange.
The receipts from the sale of plants, produce, etc.,
amounted to $1,039. This is an increase of $54 on the last
year’s receipts.
The total rainfall at the gardens during the year was
104:43 inches, exceeding the average for the last twenty-four
years by 10 inches.
DEPARTMENT NEWS.
The Secretary of State for the Colonies has
ranted an extension of leave to Sir Daniel Morris,
K.C.M.G., from September 5 to October 24, during
which period Professor J. P. d’Albuquerque will act as
Imperial Commissioner of Agriculture. It 1s expected
that Sir Daniel Morris will leave England in the
R.M.S. ‘Trent’ on October 12.
Mr. L. Lewton-Brain, B.A., F.L.S., Mycologist and
Agricultural Lecturer on the staff of the Imperial
Department of Agriculture, left Barbadosin 8.8. ‘Oruro’
on Tuesday, August 23, for St. Vincent, for the purpose
of inspecting the Agricultural School. Mr. Lewton-
Brain was expected to return to Barbados to-day.
Mr. F. E. Bundy, Acting Agricultural Superin-
tendent at St. Lucia, having obtained leave of absence,
the Rev. L. Barlow has been appointed to act as
Agricultural Superintendent until further notice.
286
THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.
Aveust 27, 1904.
WEST INDIAN PRODUCTS.
Canada.
Under date July 9, Mr. J. Russell Murray sends
the following report on West Indian products in
Canada:
A considerable improvement is noticeable in general,
and there is more inquiry for shipments during the last
month than in the two previous months, but there is not the
volume of trade that was anticipated. Agricultural interests
have somewhat improved, though reports from Ontario
indicate a shortness in several of the fruit varieties.
SUGAR.
The sugar market is strong, and European beet has
again taken an upward move, to- day’ s quotation being 9s. 6d.,
or within 14d. of the point it touched on May 26, and all
factors indicate a further advance. Local refiners advanced
their prices to-day 5c. per 100 tb., but there is no active
demand, and West Indian sugars remain quiet and practically
unchanged. Fairly bright refining crystals and 89° syrup
sugars “would find a moderate outlet. The S.S. ‘Larne’
landed a cargo of 31,000 bags of Trinidad sugar last week,
and the 8.8. ‘Oxonian’ is expected in a few days with part
cargo.
The prospects of beet culture in the Province of Ontario
cannot be said to have improved, two factories having closed
down recently notwithstanding the Canadian bounty of 50c.
per 100 tb. and the import tariff for refined sugars of 31-245
per 100 tb., which make a practical protection of 81-7435 per
100 tb. The bounty is to be continued for another two years.
MOLASSES.
The molasses trade is in a very uncertain condition, and
little is being done. It is reported that a combination of buyers
in the Maritime Provinces has been formed to purchase in
bulk and fix selling rates, and a rumour of the formation of
a similar corner in the Quebec market is also in circulation.
Prices remain steady and the demand is good.
COCOA-NUTS.
The market continues steady, but the shortness of the
supply of Jamaica nuts, hitherto depended upon, has given
an opportunity for other islands to get a foothold, and if
shippers will advise me of supplies available, I am in
a position to secure them an opening and a profitable business.
Shippers must be careful to ship only thoroughly ripened
nuts. A shipment received to-day had many nuts evidently
gathered before they were ripe, as shown by the whiteness of
the fibre on the shell, and in every instance the nut was
decayed. Prices are slightly lower, but good sound nuts
command the full price.
FRUIT.
Limes.—Supplies continue to arrive in moderate
quantities, but the continuous cool weather has retarded
consumption, and the abnormally low price of lemons is also
a potent factor in checking sales.
Pine-apples.—The market continues well supplied, and
demand is good. The ‘sugar-loaf’ pine is not desired in this
market.
Bananas.—F ull supply, and demand is good.
SPICES,
Nutmegs..—Grenadas,
Pimento.—Stronger.
Ginger.—Quiet and unchanged.
steady and little demand.
EDUCATIONAL.
School Gardens.
The Bulletin of the Department of Agriculture,
Jamaica, for July, contains an interesting article by
Mr. T. J. Harris on school gardens. The article is.
accompanied by a diagram showing how the garden
should be arranged. We reproduce the following
extract :—
The first work to be undertaken by the elementary
school teacher is to lay out a garden in such a way as to:
permit of all the crops planted therein being neatly arranged
in straight lines; to effect this a regular systematic plan
should be followed; accompanying this note is a plan of
a acre garden suitable for a school, in which it will
be seen that the whole garden is an exact rectangle with
an intersecting main path down the centre, and side paths
leading from it to the garden fence to permit of inspection
without trampling on ‘the plots. The width of the main
path is 6 feet, of the side paths 3 feet, and the five sections.
24 feet; section No. 6 is 311 feet wide, making each side
1514 feet long; the width of the garden therefore, being
72 feet, this will make 10,890 square feet, or } acre. For
a smaller garden, say, ene-half the size (4 acre), the same
plan may be used, but the scale, of course, must be changed.
Having lined out the plots and paths, the temporary
pegs which mark the sections should be replaced with
permanent ones of hard wood to serve as points from which
to measure when lining out for planting the various crops ;
the surface soil of the paths should then be removed to the
depth of 4 to 6 inches and scattered over the adjacent plots,
stones or shells laid along the edge of the plots, and the
path filled with gravel or sand. It is highly important that
the children be allowed to assist in the laying out of the
paths and plots, and if the teacher is careful to get correct
right angles and parallels and exact measurements, he will
not fail to enlist the interest of the children.
The work of planting may now commence, each section
to be taken separately, beginning, say, with No. 6 ; reference
to the plan will show this to contain bananas interplanted
with cacao, and plantains with coffee ; the bananas are 12 feet
apart and the plantains 8 feet. The cacao and coffee trees
are not planted until the bananas and plantains are large
enough to give sufticient shade. The lining out should be
done as carefully as possible; a glance at the plan will
suggest the method to be employed.
The citrus section may be taken next, planting corn,
when the proper season arrives, along the lines marked.
The nursery will consist of a small seedand nursery bed, and
later two rows of stocks set out for budding upon.
A careful study of the plan will render instructions as to
the remaining sections superfluous ; it must be understood,
however, that this plan is more suggestive than imperative ;
numberless difticulties will beset the teacher, but it is felt
that these brief instructions will be found useful when the
work is taken up in real earnest.
Sumeire Tobacco in Jamaica. At the meeting
of the Jamaica Board of Agriculture held on May 10, it
was stated that a Cuban expert had reported that the Sumatra.
tobacco grown at Hope Gardens was of very good quality and
could not be known from genuine Sumatra, “and that it was.
better than that grown in “Cuba. The value of the best leaf
was estimated at from 6s. to 8s. per tb; and inferior quality
at about half that price.
—
“Vou. III.
No. 62. THE
AGRICULTURAL NEWS. 287
New York,—August 5,
MARKET REPORTS.
‘London,— August 2, 1904. Messrs. J. Hares Carrp & Co.,
Messrs. Kearton, Piper & Co., Messrs. E. A.
DE Pass & Co., ‘THe West InprA ComMirrer Crr-
cuLAR’;and ‘THE Pusitic LepGEr,’ July 30, 1904.
Ators—Barbados, 13/- to 35/- ; Curacoa, 14/- to 38/- per cwt.
Arrowroot—St. Vincent, 1}d. to 12d. per tb.
Barara—Block, 1/3 to 1/33.per Th.
Bees’-wax—£7 2s. 6d. to £7 12s. Gd. per ewt.
Cacao—Trinidad, 58/- to 62/- per ewt. ; Grenada, 52/-
to 57/6 per ewt. ; Dominica, 54/- to 56/- per cwt. ;
Jamaica, 48/6 to 56/- per ewt.
Carpamoms—Mysore, 7}. to 2/- per th.
Correr—Jamaica, good ordinary, 36/- to 38/- per ewt.
Corron—St. Vincent Sea Island, 15}d.; Barbados Sea
Island, 16$d. per tb.
Fruir
BaNnaNas—Jamaica, 4/- to 6/- per bunch.
Grark Frurr—Jamaica, 10/- to 11/- per case.
Fusric—£3 10s. to £4 per ton.
Grxcer—Jamaica, common to middling, 31/- to 38/- ; fair
to fine, 45/- to 55/- per cwt.
Honey—18/- to 30/- per ewt.
IstncLass—West Indian lump, 2/6 to 2/10; cake, 1/2 to 1/3
per th.
Kora Nuts—4d. to 7d. per th.
Live Jurce—Raw, 1/2 to 1/5 per gallon; concentrated,
£14 per cask of 108 gallons.
Lime O1—1/6 to 1/7 per tb., distilled.
Loawoop —£4 2s. 6d. to £5; Roots, £4 to £4 10s. per ton.
Mace—Fair to good pale, 1/6 to 1/9; red, 1/2 to 1/5 per tb.
Nirrate or Sopa—Agricultural, £10 5s. per ton.
Nurmecs-—65’s, 1/8; 85's, 11d.; 105’s, 8d.; 125’s 64d.
per tb.
Pimento—3d. per tb.
Rum—Demerara, 7d. to 74d. per proof gallon; Jamaica,
1s 9d. per proof gallon ; Leewards, 7d. to 10d. per
proof gallon.
Sarsaparttna—Jamaica, 7d. to 1/- per tb.
Sucar—Crystallized, 16/- to 17/- per ewt.; Muscovado,
89°, 9s. 6d. on floating terms per ewt.; Molasses,
11/6 to 15/- per ewt.
SubrHate of AmMoNIA—£12 per ton.
“Montreal,—July 9, 1904.—Mr. J. Russern Murray.
(In bond quotations.)
Bananas—Jamaica, $1°10 per bunch of 8 hands ; $1°50°
per bunch firsts ; $1°75 per bunch Jumbos, c. & f.
Cacao—Jamaica, lle. to 12c. per th., c. &f.
Crepar—Trinidad, 40c. per cubic foot, c.i.f.
Cocoa-nuts— Jamaica, $24°00 to $26:00; Trinidad, $21-00
to $25-00 per M., c. & f.
Corrre—Jamaica, medium, 83c. to 9$c. per th., c. &f.
Gixcer—Jamaica, unbleached, 6c. to 8c. per tb., c. & f.
Limes—Jamaica, $6°00 per barrel, c. & f.
Morascurr—Demerara, $1°32 per 100 tb., c. & f.
Motasses—Barbados, 22c. to 25e.; Antigua, 19c. to 2le.
per Imperial gallon.
Murmecs—Grenada, 110’s, 17¢. to 18c. per tb., c. & f.
Pimento—Jamaica, 8c. to 8}c. per tb., c. & f.
Sucar—Grey Crystals, 96°, $2°50 to $2-60 per 100 th., c. &f.
—Centrifugals, 89°, $2°15 to $2°25 per 100 th., c. & f.
—Molasses, 89°, $2°00 per 100 th., c. & f.
—Barbados, 89°, $2°25 per 100 tb., c. &. f.
1904.—Messrs. GILLESPIE
Bros. & Co.
Cacao—Caracas, 12}¢. to 13c. ;
Grenada, 12c. to 12}c.; Trinidad, 12c. to 13c. per th.
Cocoa-NutTs—Trinidads, $23 to $25 per M., selected. ;
Jamaicas—$26°50 to $29.
CorrrE—Jamaica, fair to good ordinary, 74c. to 8¢. per tb.
GinceR—Jamaica, 6}c. to 7c. per tb.
Goat Sxins—Jamaicas, 52c. to 54$c. per th.
Pimento—4je. to 5c. per tb., spot quotation.
Jamaica, 9}c. to 1c. 5}
j
|
Sucar—Centrifugals, 96°, 4c. to 4c. ; Muscovados, 89°,
375¢. 5 Molasses, 89°, 3,;c. per tb.
INTER-COLONIAL MARKETS.
Antigua,—August 10, 1904.—Messrs. Bennerr Bryson
& Co., Lip.
Motasses—Markets closed.
Sucar—$2-025 per 100 th.
Barbados,—August 13, 1904.—Messrs. T. S. Garraway
& Co., and Messrs. James A. Lyncu & Co.
Arrowroot—St. Vincent, $3°50 to $3°60 per 100 th.
Cacao—Dominica, $14:00 per 100 tb.
Cocoa-Nurs—$10°75 per M. for husked nuts.
CorreE—Jamaica, $900 to $10°00 ; ordinary Rio, $11-00
per 100 tb.
Hay—$1°20 per 100 th.
Manures—-Nitrate of soda, $60:00 ; Ohlendorff’s dissolved
guano, $60-00; Sulphate of ammonia, $72°00 to $75:00;
Sulphate of potash, $67-00.
Mo rasses—ld4e. per gallon (puncheon included).
Ontons—Madeira (stringed), $1:75 to $1-:80 per 100 ib. ;
Teneriffe, $1°19 to $1-25 per 100 th.
Poratos, ENGLIsH—$2°75 to $3:00 per barrel.
Rice—Ballam, $4°50 to $4°60 per bag (190 tb.) ; Patna,
$3°40 per 100 tb.
Sue¢ar—in hhds., 89’, $1-95 (packages included) per 100 th.
Dark Crystals—No quotations.
British Guiana,—August 11, 1904.—Messrs. Wrerine
& RicHrer.
Arrowkoot—St. Vincent, $8-00 to $8°50 per barrel.
Batara—Venezuela block, 25c.; Demerara sheet, 35c.
per tb.
Cacao—Native, 12c. to 13c. per tb.
Cassava SrarcH—7°‘50 per barrel.
Cocoa-NuTsS—$8 ‘00 to $1000 per M.
Corrre—Rio and Jamaica, 125c. to 18e. per tb. (retail).
—Creole, 1lc. per tb.
Duat— $4:25 to $4°50 per bag of 168 tb.
Eppors—$1°20 to $1°44 per barrel.
Moxasses—Vacuum Pan yellow, 16c. per
included).
Ontons—$1°60 to $1°90 per 100 tb., ex ‘Saba.’ ; Teneriffe,
ie. to 1dc. per tb.
Pea Nurs—Curagoa, 4c. ; American, 5}c. to 6c. per tb.
(retail).
PLantTaIns—20c. to 36c. per bunch.
Poraros, EnerisH—Tenerifie and Madeira, $2°75 to $3:00
per barrel (retail).
Rice—Ballam, $4'40 to $450; Creole, $4°50 per 177 ib.,
ex store.
Sweet Poratos—Barbados, $1°20 per barrel, $1°08 per bag.
TANNIAS—$1°'92 per barrel.
Yams—White, $2°40 per bag.
Sucar—Dark Crystals, $2°25 ; Yellow,
White, $5°50 to
per 100 tb.
Timper—Greenheart, 52c. to 34c. per cubic foot.
WaALLABA SHINGLES—$3‘00, $3°75 and $5°50 per M.
gallon (casks
$2°50 to $2°60;
$5°75 ; Molasses, $2°00 to $2-15
Trinidad,—August 11, 1904.—Messrs. Gorpon, Grant
& Co. ; and Messrs. Epcar Tripp & Co.
Cacao—Ordinary, $12°15 to $12°20; Estates, $12°35 to
$12°50; Venezuelan, $12°50 to $12°75 per fanega
(110 tb.).
Cocoa-Nuts—$18'00 per M., f.0.b.
Cocoa-Nut Meat—l}e. per tb.
Cocos-Nut O11—70ce. per Imperial gallon (casks included).
Corree—Venezuelan, 3c. per tb.
Corra—$2°70 per 100 tb.
Ontons—$1°40 to $1°60 per 100 tb.
Poratos, EncrisH—$1'20 to $1°45 per 100 tb.
Rice—Yellow, $4:25 to $440; White Table, $5°25 to
$5°75 per bag.
Suear—No quotations.
288 THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS. August 27, 1904.
THE BEST MANURES FOR COLONIAL USE
oe ASE ae
Ohlendorff’s Dissolved Peruvian Guano—For Sugar-cane and general use
Ohlendorff’s Special Sugar-cane Manure
Ohlenderff’s Special Cocoa Manure
Ohlendorff’s Special Cotton Manure
Sulphate of Ammonia, Nitrate of Soda, Superphosphates, high grades,
Potash Salts, Basic Slag and all other high-class Fertilizers.
APPLY TO LOCAL AGENTS OR DIRECT TO
THE ANGLO-CONTINENTAL (LATE OHLENDORFF’S) GUANO WORKS,
London Agency: 15, Leadenhall Street, London, E.C.
[72.] Barbados Agents: Messrs. James A. Lynch & Co., Bridgetown.
ESTATE FOR SALE OR 10 LET. DEPARTMENT PUBLICATIONS.
An excellent property situate between the Wood-
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of St. Andrew’s, Dominica. FOR COTTON GROWERS :
ca SPECIAL TERMS FOR CASE A. B.C.
For full particulars apply to the proprietor,
NATHL. POWELL,
Wesley, Dominica. | | C 0 Ak T 0 N Pp L A N T [ N C
FOR PEASANT PROPRIETORS,
Containing full directions for the coming
Cc ACA ©O : ot season. Price 4¢. Post free, 5d.
By J. H. HART, F.LS.
NEW EDITION.
A treatise on the cultivation, curing and chemistry of [| f WEST INDIAN BULLETIN "
COMMERCIAL CACAO.
| DAVIDSON & TODD, Trinidad. Oy Oe TY NO. ),
OF
Wm.WESLEY & Co., 28, Essex St., London. Containing full report by Sir Daniel Morris,
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Price 3s. per copy. on visit to the Cotton-growing districts of U.S.A. f
Printed at Office of Agricultural Reporter, 4, High Street, Bridgetown, Barbados.
>
TF iI
9 E29
ar
BORMNIGHTLY REVIEW
OF THE
IMPERIAL DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE FOR THE WEST INDIES.
Vou. III. No. 63.
CONTENTS.
PaGE. PAGE.
Banana Industry in the Onion Cultivation ... ... 289
Canary Islands . 292 | Onion Cultivation in
Bermuda, Agviculturein 297 Egypt acc a00 . 295
Birds, Fruits, and Insects 299 | Our Book Shelf :-—
Cocoa-nuts for New York 296 Cultuurgewassen en
Coffee, Brazilian _ 298 Boschproducten in
Cotton Industry :— de Kolonie Suriname 299
Jiammerten ts _ 293 Guide to Castleton
Leanna 296 Gardens, Jamaica ... 299
w te eee nee 28 Notincunne:
St. Vincent, Sales of... 293 ES OR NAVEEN
Trinidad Ons 908 Agriculture . 299
West Indies.., . 293 | Pine-apple Cultivation in
Date Palm in India ... 295 Fiji... ... .. ... 292
Department News... ... 301 | Queensland, Agriculture
Department Reports:— MD 1 o00° oct 65 | pop eUIL
D St. mae Nevis pe rads aot Rabbit Keeping in the
ominica, Fish oils from 294 Wieetulndies _ 294
Fibre Plantsin Mauritius 297 | Rats and Mice, Destruc-
Forestry in Hongkong ... 301 tion of coo og ass)
Fumigation of Imported Rubber in Jamaica . 293
a sco PAE : .
ee 300 Soil Moisture, Control-
Tasca ANGER ais lingin the Orchard 295
Mexican Cotton Boll Suga Jini aay ra 4
Weevil 298 British Guiana . 290
Si ibatee oy 298 French West Indies ... 291
Market Reports... ... 303 | West Indian Products :—
Mosquitos and Malaria... 292 Canada... .. ... 002
Notes and Comments... 296 London .-. 302
Onion Cultivation.
) S mentioned in the last issue of the Agri-
cultural News, 767 tb. of onion seed have
% been obtained by the Imperial Department
of Agriculture from Teneriffe for planters in the West
Indies. This amount of seed should be sufficient to
plant nearly 200 acres.
BARBADOS, SEPTEMBER 10, 1904.
Price 1d.
Within the last twelve or thirteen years onion
cultivation has been to a certain extent revolutionized—
mainly in consequence of what is known as the ‘New
Onion Culture’ put forward by Mr. T. Greiner in
a little book of that title. The novelty of the method
consists in transplanting the onions from seed beds.
It has been demonstrated by experiments that the
transplanting method has many advantages over the
old style of sowing the seeds directly in the field.
The yield is larger; the bulbs are of uniform size
and mature earlier; much waste of seed is avoided,
and the young seedlings can be looked after better.
On account of the smallness of the seed, special
care is necessary in securing well-prepared nursery
beds in which the seed is to be sown. These should
be raised 1 foot or 18 inches, and the soil well
pulverized. The seed should be sown in drills across
the bed about 6 inches apart.
As ants are very hable to be troublesome at this
time, a careful watch must be kept: it would probably
be as well to spray the bed lightly, before and after
sowing, with a dilute kerosene emulsion. Perhaps
a simpler method—and one which has proved
equally efficacious—is that recommended in Pamphlet
no. 8, ‘Cultivation of vegetables in Barbados,’ (p. 3):
‘The soil should be watered lightly with ordinary
water, and then with a mixture of kerosene oil
and water, in the proportion of one tea-spoonful of
kerosene oil to 1 pint of water, which should be well
shaken before and during use.’
THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.
SeprempBer 10, 1904.
It is as well, also, to afford some protection to the
seed beds from heavy rains which would wash out the
seeds: for this purpose ‘cheese cloth’ can be tacked to
laths placed on posts about 4 feet from the bed. The
seed should not all be sown at once, but at intervals, so
that the seedlings may not be all of the same size when
the time comes for transplanting.
The land chosen for onion cultivation should, if
possible, be fairly rich and deep: it must be well
drained and liberally manured. Absence of standing
water must be upon. In the manuring of
onion fields a serious mistake has been made in using
fresh farmyard manure; this has probably been one of
the causes of the bacterial rot referred to
Agricultural News (Vol. II, p. 245). The manure
must be completely rotted before it is used. Finally,
the land must be thoroughly cultivated and left with
a smooth surface.
insisted
in the
Now we come to the matter of transplanting. Full
information on this part of the subject has already been
given in the Agricultural News (Vol. II, p. 294-5),
and we advise onion growers to read those pages
carefully. The illustrations to the text show
clearly how this operation should be carried ont.
very
Transplanting is most easily and conveniently
done when the ground is freshly prepared, in which
ease the plants can be set with the finger. If the
earth has been allowed to harden or cake, a small
dibber will be necessary. (See fig. 23 in the article
previously referred to.) The operation is made easier
if the plants are carefully trimmed at each end.
Figure 24 shows exactly how this should be done. It
is important that onions should not be set too deep.
The plants should be set about an inch deep: this will
allow the bulbs to grow to full size, and not being
buried too deep, they can be easily harvested. Figures
27 and 28 indicate the correct and the incorrect depths
at which onions should be planted.
In addition to the articles that have already
appeared in the Agricultural News, the following
publications of the Department might usefully be
consulted: Pamphlets 8, 16, and 21, and the West
Indian Bulletin, Vol. I, pp. 163-6.
In connexion with the cultivation of onions in the
West Indies, we might mention that onion boxes can
be delivered from St. John’s, N.B., at Barbados, e.1.f., at
10}c. each.
SUGAR INDUSTRY.
Sugar-cane Experiments in British Guiana.
The following is a report, submitted by Professor
J. B. Harrison, C.M.G., M.A., on behalf of the Sugar-
cane Experiments Committee of the Board of Agri-
culture of British Guiana, on the results of the experi-
ments with varieties of canes carried on on plantations
during the crop season July to December 31, 1903.
The committee has also published tables giving the
mean results obtained with the different varieties :-—
Twenty-four of the plantations which have placed their
results at the disposal of the Board have carried on large-
scale experiments during the crop, and the following shows
the number of experiments made with certain varieties of
canes, and the acreage occupied therewith :—
Warists No. of experiments Acreage
ariety. 2
ss reported. occupied,
Bourbon... sis 15 7,507
White Transparent ... 19 1,279
D. 109 ae ses 7 987
B. 147 a Pe 12 446
D. 95 ee on 3 52
D. 78 ogD poe 8 93
D. 145 sigs ee 10 99
D. 74 rs Sn 6 24
D. 625 386 a2 ill 123
Sealy es 156 4 24
A large number of experiments with other varieties
were reported, but as they were either small-scale experi-
ments, in which each variety occupied a lesser area than
1 acre, or in which a yariety had been experimented upon
on less than three plantations, the results, although in many
cases interesting, are not included in this report.
In the appended table of results the figures given are
the mean figures deduced from the returns, the average of
the experiments with a variety on a plantation being regarded
asa unit. The following gives the mean yields and the true
average yields of commercial sugar in tons per acre :—
Variety. | Mean. | Average.
D. 625 2°66 2-51
D. 109 2-09 1-95
B. 147 5 1:98 2:22
D: 95 1:96 2-06
D. 145 1°88 1-98
Bourbon 1:86 1:80
Sealy ape 1°83 1°72
White Transparent 1-64 1-3
D. 78 163 161
D. 74 1:50 1-87
The mean yields do not represent the actual yields per
acre obtained as the areas of the experiments varied greatly,
but as they are affected more by the locality of the experi-
ments and less by the area in one locality than are the true
averages, I think that they are the more reliable guides to
the relative value of varieties.
The attached tables give, in the case of each variety
reported upon, the means of the data supplied with regard to
Vou. III. No. 63.
THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS. 291
both plant and ratoon canes, and to plant canes and ratoons
separately. As comparison of the figures obtained from the
experimental fields at the Botanic Gardens with those from
estates given in a former report conclusively proved that no
reliable deductions can be formed from small experiments
with varieties of canes regarding their probable yields when
cultivated under estates’ conditions and on the manufacturing
scale, I have not included in the tables any record from the
experimental fields. These results will be found in the
Report on the agricultural work in the Botanie Gardens and
the Government Laboratory for the year 1903-4.
As in former years, the value of the data varies greatly,
the results recorded where the experiments have extended
over large areas and on several plantations being generally
more reliable than where the areas are small and the number
of experiments reported few.
The following shows the mean yield of each variety, in
tons of commercial sugar per acre, during the years 1901-3,
and the means of the yields of the three crop-years :—
Wena Crop of |Crop of/Autumn crop Means
eae es 1901-2. |1902-3.| of 1903. |1901-3.)
|
D. 625 2°95) || 2°52 2°66 2°71
Sealy 2-49 | 2-08 1:83 2-13
D. 95 2-24 | 2-06 1:96 2-09
D. 145 217 IV 1-88 2-07
D. 109 1°91 214 2-09 2-05
B. 147 1:99 1:95 1-98 eS)i
Bourbon 2718 176 1:86 1-93
D. 74 coq) | 2UB) Baers’ 1:50 1°86
White Transparent) 2°03 1:86 1-64 1-84
D. 78 lee 39 1°83 1-63 1°62
|
The following shows the recorded yields of commercial
sugar per acre by the varieties as compared with that of the
Bourbon taken as 100 :—
1901-3. 1901-5.
Variety. Bourbon Variety. Bourbon
as 100. as 100.
D. 625 ... ...| 140°0 B. 147 102-1
Sealy... ..-| 110°3 Bourbon ... ..-| 100-0
1D) WB een ...| 108-3 D. 145 ees .--| 96°3
Dp. 145... coq) OA White Transparent) 95°53
1D), WOE) sae ...| L06°2 Di Se) tee sol te!)
RELATIVE VALUES OF PLANTS AND RATOONS,
The following shows the mean returns, in tons of
commercial sugar per acre, of the varieties of canes as plants
and as ratoons : —
Prants Raroons.
|
Var 1901. |1902.|1903.|1901-3 | 1901. |1902./1903.)1901-5.
D. 625 275 |2°57|2:65| 2:66 | 2°54 | 2:47)2°67) 2-56 |
Sealy |No data} 2°32) 2°30| 2°31 |No data 1°83) 1°67) 1°75 |
D. 95 218 |2:00|2°12) 210) 1°75 |2-13/1-88) 1-92 :
D. 145 2:20 |2:18|1:89| 2°09 | 2°21 |2°17/1-88| 2-09 |
D. 109 | 2:23 |2-17|2:18| 2:19 | 2°50 |2:10/2-01) 2-20 |
B. 147 | 220 |2-25)1-90| 2°12 | 1°81 |1°76)2-05) 1:87 |
D. 74 181 |1:95/)1°50) 1°75 | 2°58 | 2°16/1:50) 2-U8 |
White |
cy 1°63 |1:97)1-72| 1-77 | 1°86 |1°74)1-49) 1-70 |
1-62 11°7512-49!] 1:95 | 240 1:15
1-82
This indicates, generally, that the varieties raised and
selected locally are as a rule good ratooning canes, and that
the imported Barbados varieties (White Transparent, Sealy,
and B. 147) are not of equal merit with them in this respect.
(Zo be concluded.)
The Sugar Industry in the French West Indies.
The following letter from Guadeloupe, which
appeared in the Louisiuna Planter of August 6,
contains an interesting account of the position of the
sugar industry in Martinique and Guadeloupe:—
I have just returned from Martinique, where I have
been sojourning some twenty days. All the sugar factories
in that colony have completed their harvest of the cane crop
and this latter has been generally very bad. The yield of
sugar-cane has been from 25 to 30 metrical tons per hectare,
or from 10 to 12 long tons per English acre, in place of 40
metrical tons per hectare, or 16 tons per acre, that are
ordinarily obtained. This diminution of 25 per cent. in the
crop is the disastrous result of the cyclone of August 8, 1903.
The yield of sugar has been also very bad, the factories
which have obtained the most getting scarcely 8 per cent., or
160 ib. of sugar per short ton of cane. The average has been
but 7 per cent., or 140 Ib. of sugar per short ton of cane.
The average yield in molasses has been from 3 to 4:2 per
cent. of the weight of the cane.
In Guadeloupe the harvest of the cane crop has also
been completed, all the central factories having ceased
operations early in June. The results here have been better
than in Martinique. The yield of the fields in cane has been
about 40 to 45 metrical tons of cane per hectare, or 16 to 18
long tons of cane per English acre, and the yield in sugar has
been about 9 per cent. of the weight of the cane, or 180 Ib.
of sugar per short ton of cane. ‘The yield of molasses has
been less than that of Martinique and is about 24 to 34 per
cent. of the weight of the cane.
This colony, although it has fewer central factories than
Martinique, produces generally more sugar. The yield in
sugar in Guadeloupe has always been greater than that
obtained in Martinique, which is attributed to the quality of
the lands giving canes of higher saccharine content and with
juice of greater purity.
On the other hand, the yield in rum, or tafia, obtained
in Martinique, has always been greater than that obtained in
Guadeloupe, which is attributed first to the quality of the
molasses, and secondly, to the method of manufacture. In
Martinique they convert into rum all of the molasses
produced in the manufacture of sugar in the factories and
a large part of the molasses made in Guadeloupe. All the
rum is exported to France. The rum consumed in the country
is produced in plantation distilleries, which manufacture it
directly from the juice in the cane. The latter is taken
sometimes raw and sometimes concentrated by evaporation to
15 or 20 degrees Beaumé. The rum thus obtained is much
finer and much more highly appreciated by the local
consumers. Guadeloupe produces very little rum for export,
only six factories distilling their molasses, the others deliver-
ing their molasses to the distilleries of Martinique.
The sugar industry of both Martinique and Guadeloupe
is much behind in the matter of the progress realized in the
sugar industry elsewhere during recent years. In order to
arrive at the best results our factories would need to be much
improved.
to
oO
ko
THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.
SepTeMBER 10, 1904.
WEST
INDIAN
FRUIG
THE BANANA INDUSTRY IN THE
CANARY ISLANDS.
Considerable space is devoted in the Consular
Report on the trade of the Canary Islands for 1903 to
the banana industry. We give the following summary,
which is of particular interest in view of the develop-
ment of the industry in these islands :—
During the year 1,879,258 crates, of the value of
£375,851 were exported, as against 1,656,876 crates,
valued at £284,520, in the previous year.
It might reasonably have been anticipated that the
prices of the fruit would decrease in proportion as the
output increased, but such has not been the ease. Even
although a considerable amount of land has been brought
under irrigation since 1900, prices have maintained a steady
upward movement. It is confidently expected that prices
will not only be maintained but continue to rise. Pessimistic
views are, however, also held. In of the
introduction of Jamaica bananas into the United Kingdom,
shipowners deemed it advisable to meet the threatened
competition by a reduction of freights. Competition among
the shipping companies has also benefited the farmer, and
an impulse has been given to increased cultivation. A further
cause of the rise in values was the storm in Jamaica, which
induced the belief that, for a considerable time at any rate,
there would be short supplies in the United Kingdom.
Although it is anticipated that freights may be raised
and prices fall owing to Jamaica bananas resuming their
place on the British market, some authorities are of opinion
that growers have a sufficiently large margin of profit to
allow for a considerable reduction in prices, and that the
trade has a fair future before it, especially if the proposed
irrigation schemes are carried out.
consequence
In a note added later it is stated that the prices
have dropped considerably owing to increased arrivals
from Jamaica.
PINE-APPLE CULTIVATION IN FIJI.
Indian Planting and Gardening has the
following short article on pine-apple cultivation in
Fiji. It will be seen that in several respects methods
ditfer from those practised in the West Indies :—
Our Fiji pines are all exported and find a market in
Australia and New Zealand. We do not do any canning
here, but ship the fruit whole in cases, averaging about
thirty pines to the case. The nature of the country and
climate of Fiji, however, are far more suited to the
growing of bananas or plantains than pines: but unfor-
tunately, the hurricanes we experience severely injure
the bananas and do not harm the pines.
Climate and Soil required. Pines require a moderately
dry climate, otherwise they get too watery and soft, and then
will not travel well when shipped. A loose, friable soil of
a sandy nature is best. I generally plant 5 x 5 feet, so as to
permit of subsequent crops mataring properly.
Suckers for Planting.—Vhe young healthy suckers near
the bottom of the parent plants are the best for planting.
From such the fruit will be ready for cutting in about twelve
months. From the head or top shoot when planted fruits
take nearly two years to come to maturity, but from these it
is a good plan to get a change of seed. Do not plant any
suckers that have flowered, as the crop from these would be
very small, The correct time to take the suckers for planting
is before the fruit has been eut from the parent plant.
After the third year of cutting it is advisable to replant,
and if possible not on the old land, but select new soil.
Cost and Labour.—lIf the land is heavily timbered it
would cost £4 per acre to bring it into bearing in Fiji. After
being planted one man can keep 15 acres clean—it must be
kept very clean - but more Jabour is required during crop
time.
MOSQUITOS AND MALARIA.
The following reference to the successful efforts
that have been made to remove the cause of
malaria at Ismailia cecurs in the Consular Report on
the trade of Port Said and Suez :—
Tn 1902, the Canal Company invited Major Ronald Ross
to come out on a special mission in order to deal with the
question of mosquitos in connexion with the malarial fever
which for many years had proved a scourge at Ismailia.
The report says: ‘Mosquito larvae developing exclusively in
stagnant water, our first efforts were to deal with the marshy
soil round the town. Several large pools were filled up, and
where this could be done narrow trenches were dug and
currents of water maintained in order to prevent the larvae
from remaining. A staff was also organized for the regular
inspection of buildings, and petroleum was freely used in all
tanks, ete., which could not be filled up. These measures,
combined with the obligatory employment of quinine, have
produced the most satisfactory and decisive results. Not
only have the mosquitos entirely disappeared, but the cases of
fever have also diminished, and it may be regarded as certain
that in the very near future malarial fever will definitely cease
at Ismailia.’
Vou. III. No. 63.
THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS. 293
COTTON INDUSTRY.
The Cotton Industry in the West Indies.
The Jamaica Gleaner publishes a letter from
Sir Daniel Morris from which we take the following
extract relating to the cotton industry :-—
I was very much impressed with-the high opinion that
has been formed of our cotton in Liverpool. I had a long
conversation with brokers who have dealt with recent
shipments, and they assured me that they could receive at
least 30,000 bales of Sea Island cotton without affecting
prices. Spinners of long-staple have taken a special interest
in West Indian cotton. They like it better than Egyptian
and are prepared to give good prices for all our best qualities,
such as are being shipped from Barbados and other islands.
Everything I have seen and heard on this side is
distinctly favourable to the idea of establishing cotton in
the West Indies.
Sales of St. Vincent Cotton.
Mr. W. N. Sands, Agricultural Superintendent at
St. Vincent. has forwarded the following information,
abstracted from recently received account sales, relating
to the first shipment of St. Vincent cotton. The cotton
was shipped to the British Cotton Growing Association:—
The Sea Island realized 15d. per tb. and the Cannouan
and Union Island varieties from 7$d. to 73d. per tb. Reports
of subsequent shipments show that the Sea Island has been
sold at prices ranging from 14d. to 15d., but the account sales
have not yet been sent out.
These prices may be considered very satisfactory to all
concerned.
The first shipment consisted of 29 bales of Sea Island,
27 selling at 15¢. The two remaining contained a mixture
of cottons.
The other 10 bales were the local varieties, making the
total of 39.
Cotton Cultivation in Jamaica.
The following extracts from a report by Mr. John
Barclay, Secretary of the Jamaica Agricultural Society,
on cotton cultivation are of interest in showing what is
being done in the way of experiments in Jamaica, and
further contain various useful hints :—
I visited two of the largest plots in the island,
that of Mr. Fursdon at Two Mile Wood and those of the
Hon. T. H. Sharp at Angels and Eltham, near Spanish Town.
I found Mr. Fursdon busy superintending the ginning of
Egyptian cotton forwarded to him from settlers in the Pedro
Plains. At the very outset there was a lesson to be learnt
here. The cotton had been picked at least three weeks
before it was fit; it had been carelessly picked, and was
mixed with such foreign matter as bits of leaves and sticks
and even bits of paper ; it looked dirty as if some of it had
been taken up from the ground. This involved a great deal
more trouble and labour in the ginning. Egyptian cotton is
of a slightly yellowish-brown colour, but the colour of this
cotton had been much deepened by its being packed in bags
stained with red earth.
So far, Mr. Fursdon’s is the only ginnery in the
island. The gin is the one presented by the British Cotton
Growing Association to the Government. The staple of
Egyptian cotton being shorter than Sea Island, the gin has
to be set closer to take the lint from the seed, so
that it is very necessary that the two varieties should not be
mixed. It is fortunate that this gin is already working
smoothly. Mr. Fursdon has about.10 acres of cotton, part
of it being Egyptian and part Sea Island. The Egyptian
variety grows into a larger bush than the Sea Island, but
I did not notice here that there was any distinction in their
relative vigour ; both crops were in good condition. The Sea
Island had been planted a month later and was just beginning
to blossom. The plants were not over 3 feet high, while
the Egyptian stood 4 to 5 feet high with the bolls already
opening, showing the seed-cotton. Indeed a little of it was
ready to be picked.
Mr. Sharp has 10 acres of Sea Island cotton planted
at Angels. This crop, planted in April, was nearly all
coming into blossom, some of the most forward plants
already having ripe bolls on them. The rainfall in this
district is very light, but the Sea Island plants stood
about 3 feet high and would evidently produce a very high
rate of cotton per acre. Further down towards Spanish
Town, at Eltham estate, Mr. Sharp has 10 acres more of
cotton through an orange grove. Half of this cultivation is
Egyptian and half Sea Island. I saw no insects but ants
and stainers on the cotton. The Sea Island plants stood
from 3 feet to over 5 feet in height. Some of the pods of
Egyptian cotton are already ripening, and the first general
picking will be made next week. While there will be a great
erop here, I do not think it will be as much as if the plants
had been further apart.
Mr. Sharp has also 10 acres of cotton planted at Inverness
and about the same acreage at Colbecks. While I am glad
to say that neither of these cu!tivations has been troubled by
caterpillars, as some cultivations have on the north side, I am
sorry to say that the stainer is in very great numbers at
Hartlands and at Eltham and may depreciate the value of
the cotton by discolouring it. I did not notice any of
these insects on the Sea Island cotton at Angels. Experi-
ments are being tried with various mixtures to attract these
insects from the cotton and kill them, as hand-picking
would prove too expensive.
RUBBER IN JAMAICA.
The following brief note on the cultivation of
rubber trees in Jamaica, which appeared in the Bulletin
of the Department of Agriculture, is of interest :—
It has been universally understood that with the
exception of the Ceara rubber, other rubber plants only
succeed in districts that are moist; and the planting of
rubber trees has not been pushed in Jamaica for fear of
interfering with the cacao and banana industries. Large
numbers of plants, however, especially of Castilloa, have
been distributed from the Gardens with a recommendation to
plant them along fences to serve as fence posts, if they turned
out to be of no value for the rubber.
Experiments have been made in growing Castilloa, the
most promising for Jamaica, both at Castleton and Hope
Gardens. Contrary to expectation, it has been found that
Castilloa succeeds better in the open than under shade, and
this has been confirmed by experiments made by Mr. J.
Shore at Cinnamon Hill.
In the extracts now appearing in the Bulletin on
Castilloa in Central America, by Professor Cook, it is shown
that a dry season seems to be necessary for the full supply of
rubber.
It will be well therefore to experiment with Castilloa in
districts where bananas and cacao do not thrive.
THE
AGRICULTURAL NEWS.
SeprtemBer 10, 1904.
RABBIT KEEPING IN THE WEST INDIES.
The following is
Mr. Barclay’s notes on rabbits. This instalment deals
with the common ailments of rabbits :—
DISEASES.
While rabbits are hardy, they are, like many other
animals, subject to certain troubles. It would serve no
purpose to describe many of these here fully. They all arise
from (1) errors of diet, (2) bad housing—exposure to
draughts and rain, (3) dirt, or (4) mbreeding,
Tf a rabbit looks out of sorts, look to your treatment
generally. (1) See that your hutch is water-tight. (2) See
if wet green stuff is being fed, and if so, stop it ; diarrhoea
is the result of feeding this sort of food. (3) See that too
much corn or dry stuff is not being fed; this results in
constipation. If so, give only green food and sweet potatos.
The following preventive and curative treatment should then
be immediately acted upon. [Remember that rabbits have
claws and that the kick of their hind legs can give a deep
seratch. They also bite, though not badly.] Lift by the
ears with one hand, supporting the rabbit by holding the
thighs with the hand. Sit down and place the animal
between your knees, pressing it gently with them, pinch
the side of the mouth with your fingers when it will
open a little, insert a tea-spoon not quite filled with
castor oil and dip it into the throat. Then by the ears
pull the head up gently and hold the mouth, when the
oil will be swallowed. The next day give sweet oil (cocoa-
nut, cotton-seed, olive, ete.) instead of castor: repeat the
castor oil on the second day, and the day after sweet oil
again. Then stop. : ;
This is a general preventive treatment when illness is not
specifically diagnosed. Reduce dry food and increase the green
food. This is especially the food for preventing constipation.
For diarrhoea give the same doses of castor oil and sweet oil,
but increase tne dry food and reduce the green food. Especially
good for diarrhoea is a little dry boiled rice—not sloppy.
Cold in the Head.—This is often caused by a crack in
the hutch which causes the rabbit to be always in a draught.
See to this at once. Remember prevention is always better
than cure. If the rabbit has taken cold it will be constantly
sneezing and running at the nose.
Give warm food, such as bread and milk, boiled sweet
potatos, served warm, mixed with a little cornmeal ; in each
feed put eight drops of sweet spirits of nitre, and if the
rabbit will not eat its food when this is mixed with it, put
the spirits of nitre in a little milk and pour down its throat.
Constipation.—I have referred to this above. This
complaint only makes its appearance when there has been a
lack of herbaceous food. The symptoms are as follows :
The rabbit is seen sitting in one corner of the hutch taking
no notice of food, and sometimes the body is swollen.
It must be tempted to eat green food, such as Spanish
needle, ‘Rabbit Feeding,’ banana or cabbage leaves.
Should this fail to bring about the desired result, put a little
salt and water down its throat; put in just enough salt to
make the water saline, and put a few drops of ‘Healing Oil’
init. A few days of this treatment will put matters right.
the concluding portion of
Diseased Liver.—This is a complaint the rabbit keeper
must be on the lookout for, as any sign of diseased liver will
spoil the sale of his produce. There is a difficulty in
breathing which is heavy and sometimes audible, and the
rabbit should at once be killed. It is little use trying to
doctor, in fact, it is not worth the trouble unless the
animal is a very valuable one.
In case a remedy is wanted, the following will be
useful:—Give twice a day a tea-spoonful of castor oil, and
plenty of young ‘Spanish needle’ amongst the green food.
This disease will be prevented by not allowing the rabbit to
eat off the floor, and by avoiding feeding corn, and cornmeal
much.
Dropsy ov Pot Belly.—This is one of the commonest of
rabbit diseases and one to which the young stock are most
liable. An excess of wet green food in large quantities,
or large quantities of the same fed at irregular hours, or
hutches too small—these are the general causes.
The animal’s body becomes swollen, as the rabbit will
keep on eating, if allowed ; the complaint is aggravated and
death soon ensues.
Induce it to have a run on dry ground.
such as a few peas—leaves of the banana or plantain are
good—and give a little parsley, thyme, or sliced carrots ;
but any other green food or roots must be given sparingly.
A proper allowance of sweet hay and corn with limited green
food, fed at regular hours, is the prevention.
Snuffles.—A common disease is a form of cold, called
‘Snuftles.’ The animal sneezes repeatedly and matter collects
on its nostrils. Put a pinch of permanganate of potash in
water, and bathe the nostrils, then touch them with
eucalyptus oil. Do this daily until better: keep the animal
dry and comfortable. It is exposure to damp, often the drip
in a leaky house, that causes snuffles, and if neglected, this
may turn into consumption, which is incurable.
If a rabbit becomes very bad before it is noticed,
it is better to kill it than attempt a cure.
Give dry food,
FISH OILS FROM DOMINICA.
The Dominica Guardian makes the following
reference to the note in the Agricultural News
(Vol. III, p. 233) on the above subject :—
This industry has heretofore received too little notice
here, albeit one that promises development as well as reward
to those who would embark in an crganized venture in that
direction. Sharks are pretty common in our waters, but it
is only lately that the fishermen bring them to the shore,
little regard being paid to the value of its oil, which is very
seldom extracted.
Shoals of black fish prank in the offing at all hours,
but they are seldom interfered with, and only occasionally do
we see one being taken to the market, probably when other
fish are scarce. These are sold in large junks for a couple
of pence which makes the catch scarcely worth the fishers’
while. In some instances the oil has been extracted, and
here again there is discouragement, there being no market
for it. We know of one or two instances where ventures at
shipment have been made, with poor results, probably
because the shippers did not know where to go to with the
article, as most certainly £15 to £18 per ton would give a
fine margin of profit. Now that the Department of Agri-
culture has taken the matter to a certain extent in hand, with
good results, it is to be hoped that they will not allow it to
rest there.
Wor, lille “Nos 63.
THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS. 295
CONTROLLIN
G SOIL MOISTURE IN
THE
ORCHARD.
This important subject has been referred to at
various times in the publications of the Imperial
Department of Agriculture, particularly in the West
Indian Bulletin (Vol. Il, p. 96; Vol. IV, p. 176), and
the Agricultural News (Vol. II, p. 187). It is further
dealt with in the Report of the Fruit Growers’
Association of Ontario, 1902, by Professor J. B. Reyn-
olds. We give the following short summary of this
interesting paper :—
The first point to consider is the proper preparation of
the land before planting. The drainage of the land must
receive attention; if the land is naturally well drained,
artificial drainage will not be necessary. Then the soil must
be thoroughly loosened so that the roots may be encouraged
to go deep instead of keeping to the surface.
Next, let us consider the various methods of treating the
soil after the trees have been planted. One method is to put
the orchard down to permanent sod. This method, which
has obvious advantages, is not to be universally condemned ;
its advisability will depend upon the locality. East of
Toronto, where the rainfall is greatest, the sodding of
orchards is not found to be unfavourable to the pro-
duction of fruit. To the west of Toronto, on the
other hand, this practice is rather objectionable from the
point of view of soil moisture, and it is a question whether
we can afford the withdrawal of the moisture from the land
occasioned by the growing grass. The diminution of the
water supply causes the apples to ripen earlier in the season,
and therefore sodding cannot be approved in districts where
moisture is scarce. Cropping is also a question of local
climate. The orchard may be profitably cropped where the
soil is rich enough to stand it, and the soil moisture is plenti-
ful enough. It appears to me that, subject to the exceptions
mentioned, the safest plan is not to sod an orchard nor to
crop it, in the ordinary sense, but to use a ‘ cover crop,’ that
is to say, a crop sown late in the summer, or early in the
autumn, allowed to remain as a cover to the land during the
winter, and ploughed down the following spring.
It must be clearly understood that no particular system
of soil culture for orchards can be recommended without
a particular study of local conditions.
THE DATE PALM IN INDIA.
In the Report on the Botanical Gardens at
- Saharanpur and Mussoorie, the Superintendent gives
the following summary of his experiences with the
date palm (Phoenix dactylifera) :—
It has been conclusively proved that date palms under
ordinary care thrive well at Saharanpur. When the trees
have attained to some age, ten years and over, they flower
and set fruit profusely ; but only a very small percentage of
the fruit ripens in normal seasons, and even in our abnormally
dry seasons, one or two small showers of rain are sufficient
to destroy the bulk of the crop. Date palms may, therefore,
be successfully grown for ornamental purposes anywhere in
the province ; but for food, in seasons of late or light rain-
fall, the quantity of fruit that may be counted on to ripen is
so small as not to be worth taking into account.
ONION CULTIVATION IN EGYPT.
The following account of onion cultivation in
Egypt is taken from Bulletin No. 62 of the Bureau of
Plant Industry of the U. S. Department of Agriculture,
entitled : ‘ Notes on Egyptian Agriculture’ :-—
Onions are grown to a considerable extent in Upper
Egypt (not less than 15,000 acres), largely on the islands
which appear after the fall of the Nile and on the banks of
the river. They are also grown on ordinary soils under
perennial irrigation. Although two or three varieties are
recognized, that known as the Saidi forms the bulk of the
export trade. The crop grows to the greatest advantage on
deep, loamy soils, inclining to sandy, and possessing a con-
siderable amount of humus.
Seed is sown in a manured seed bed in September.
About one-ninth of a bushel of seed sown on 350 square
yards of land provides sufficient plants for 1 acre.
The land for onions should be well prepared by two or
three ploughings, reduced to a friable condition, and made
into ridges about 2 feet apart. The seedlings are pushed in
the sides of the ridges (both sides) by the fingers and are
left about 6 inches apart.
On the islands and river banks the land is not ploughed
at all, but the seedlings are sown on the flat, either singly in
rows about 14 inches apart, or in bunches in rows 20 inches
apart. In this case the crop is not watered during growth.
The operation of transplanting is done in November and
December on the islands and river banks, but later on
ordinary lands even up to January and February.
The crop requires careful cultivation to prevent the
growth of weeds, and a small hoe is employed to keep the
land well stirred. During the first month after transplanting,
the crop must be hoed and weeded, and this must be repeated
during the second month.
Onions respond to liberal manuring. Barnyard manure
is employed, and on the alluvial deposits this is put under
the plants at the time of transplanting, but on other land it
is applied from one to one and a half months after trans-
planting and as a rule before any water is applied. Small
quantities of coufri are sometimes used, though barnyard
manure is in greatest favour.
On ordinary perennial irrigated lands six or seven
waterings are given during the growth of the crop. These
should be light and not sufficient in amount to soak the soil.
About five months after transplanting, the bulbs have
attained full size and the leaves become yellow. The crop is
now ready to lift, and no water should be applied for nearly
a month before harvesting; otherwise a second growth
commences.
The bulbs are removed and exposed to the sun for two
days, the tops being then removed, and another day allowed
for drying.
Early in April the onion crop arrives at Alexandria for
export, the first arrivals realizing the highest price. The
product per acre amounts to 5 to 6 tons, on an average, on
good soil. Care has to be taken in storing. If not
thoroughly dried many of the onions will sprout, and those
which have been injured or bruised will decay. The average
price is from £2 to £3 per ton.
The following figures indicate the export trade :—
1899, 76,568 tons to the value of £236,498.
GOON O034.) 3 5 £157,670.
9 OI 649935) % 5 £133,986.
102, Zi ees os ae 3 £103,842.
The bulk of the crop is sent to England, and the rest
chiefly to Austria.
296 THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.
SEerTEMBER 10, 1904.
EDITORIAL NOTICES.
Letters and matter for publication, as well
as all specimens for naming, should be addressed
to the Commissioner, Imperial Department of
Agriculture, Barbados.
All applications for copies of the ‘Agri-
cultural News’ should be addressed to the
Agents, and not to the Department. A com-
plete list of the London and Local agents will
be found at foot of page 271 of this volume.
The ‘Agricultural News’: Price 1d. per
number, post free 144d. Annual subscription
payable to Agents 2s. 2d. Post free, 3s. 3d.
Agricultural stews
Vou. ITI. SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 1904. No. 63.
NOTES AND COMMENTS.
Contents of Present Issue.
In our editorial we draw attention to some of the
more important points coanected with the growing of
onions. The short article on p. 295 on the cultivation
of onions in Egypt is also likely to be of interest.
The first portion of a progress report on the
sugar-cane experiments that have been conducted on
estates in British Guiana is given on pp. 290-1. This
report will be concluded in our next issue. A short
review of the last season’s operations on sugar estates in
Guadeloupe and Martinique will be found on p. 291,
On p. 292 we publish information relating to the
banana industry in the Canary Islands. It will be
seen that the trade with the United Kingdom has
been considerably atfected by the imports from the
West Indies.
From our cotton notes it will be seen that the
prospects of establishing a cotton industry in the West
Indies are considered by persons connected with the
trade in England to be encouraging. We also publish
extracts froma report on experiments in cotton growing
in Jamaica.
In the present issue Mr. Barclay concludes his
interesting and useful notes on rabbit keeping. Hints
are given as to the treatment of the diseases of rabbits.
On p. 298 a revie is given of the present position
of the experiments that are being carried on in the
United States against the Mexican cotton boll weevil.
Although this pest has not, fortunately, so far, appeared
in these islands, it 1s considered desirable that planters
should be supplied with information as to the methods
which have been found necessary for combating it.
Lectures on Cotton Cultivation.
In connexion with the lectures on cotton cultiva-
tion being arranged by the Imperial Department of
Agriculture, the following fixtures have been made in
St. Vincent :—The Court House, Kingstown, on Wednes-
day, August 31; the Barracks, Colonarie, on Monday,
September 5: the Schoolroom, Stubbs, on Tuesday,
September 6: the Schoolroom, Campden Park, on
Monday, September 12: the Schoolroom, Barrouallie,
on Wednesday, September 14.
His Honour the Acting Administrator will preside
at the first lecture, and all the lectures will be fully
illustrated by lantern slides. The lecturers will be
Mr. W. N. Sands and Mr. C. H. Knowles, B.Se.
Cocoa-nuts for New York.
Hemingways ‘London Purple’ Co., Ltd., has
addressed a letter to the Imperial Commissioner of
Agriculture asking for information on the situation of
the cocoa-nut oil industry in the West Indies.
The firm desires certain information, the nature of
which will be gathered from the following extract:—
‘We may shortly be interested in an enterprise
for the manufacture of cocoa-nut oil, and would be
glad to have particulars
which cocoa-nut palms are abundant; also as to the
cost of land in these sections and the usual terms of
land tenure. The above points are of particular in-
terest. We should also be very glad if you could put us
in the way of ascertaining at what price we could
buy a good grade of cocoa-nuts already picked and
delivered at ditferent points.’
En ee
The Mexican Cotton Boll Weevil.
We publish on p. 298 extracts from a recently
issued bulletin on the Mexican cotton boll weevil. As
is well known, this has proved a most serious pest, and
there are indications that it will spread further and
further. Yet it has been demonstrated that ‘a crop
can be grown profitably in spite of the boll weevil?
But this is possible only when great attention is
given to cultural methods.
The efficacy of these cultural methods against
insect pests is not sufficiently realized in the
West Indies, the tendency being to think that
the application of insecticides will always put things
right. In several of these islands we have noticed old
cotton plants left standing long after their period of
usefulness has passed. Such a practice only serves to
give additional opportunities for the development of
pests. As soon as it becomes apparent that no more
cotton will be produced on the plants, they should be
pulled up and buried, or, in the case of plants obvicusly
attected by some pest, burned.
It has further been demonstrated that the boll
weevil is distributed with seed : this fact furnishes an
additional argument for the sterilization of all seed
before sowing, as has been done in the case of seed
distributed by the Imperial Department of Agriculture.
It would also be advisable to fumigate the seed in the
chambers that have been, or are being, erected for the
fumigation of imported plants.
as to the localities in|
pice:
amount has been distributed.
Wor, lt. No. 63. THE
AGRICULTURAL
NEWS. 297
Rabbit Keeping in the West Indies.
The notes on ‘Rabbit Keeping in the West
Indies’ which have been written by Mr. John Barclay,
Secretary of the Jamaica Agricultural Society, for the
Agricultural News, are concluded in the present issue.
These articles were commenced in our issue for July 16.
They have dealt with the breeds of rabbits, their
proper housing, breeding, and feeding, while the last
instalment is devoted to the treatment of diseases.
Mr. Barclay has clearly shown that care and attention
are necessary to make rabbit keeping a success, but
that when intelligently taken up the rearing of rabbits
is likely to prove remunerative.
rrr
Fumigation of Imported Plants.
We are glad to learn that an Ordinance (No. 9 of
1904) has been passed by the Legislative Council of
Dominica, and has received the Governor’s assent, to
provide for the fumigation of plants imported into the
presidency. ‘This Ordinance is based upon that in force
in Jamaica which has given entire satisfaction.
It ordains that all plants imported shall be
delivered up to the Treasurer who shall cause them to
be conveyed to the agricultural authority (the Curator
.of the Botanic Station) for fumigation; that plants
shall be landed only at the port of Roseau; that the
process of fumigation shall be conducted by the agri-
cultural authority in such a manner as he may consider
adequate for the destruction of any vegetable or insect
pests which may possibly be on such plants: that all
plants shall be removed by the owner from the Botanic
Station immediately on his being required to do so.
The Ordinance further states that the expenses of
removal to the place of fumigation and of the fumiga-
tion shall be borne by the Government, but that the
‘Government shall incur no lability in respect of any
risk attending fumigation.
eee
‘Cotton Experiments in Trinidad.
In the Bulletin of Miscellaneous Informution
Mr. J. H. Hart, F.L.S., Superintendent of the Botanical
Department, reviews the experiments that have been
carried on with cotton in Trinidad.
At the St. Clair Experiment Station the trial of
Sea Island cotton was not a success, the plants being
badly attacked by insects. Better results were obtained
with Upland or Creole cotton, which did not suffer in
this way. Samples sent to the Imperial Institute were
reported to be superior to American Upland and to be
-worth about 9d. per tb. Sea Island cotton from Princes
Town district, ginned at the station, obtained a price of
15d. per tb.
It is evident that serious efforts are to be made
to carry on experiments during the ensuing season.
“Over 2,000 th. of seed have been obtained through the
Imperial Department of Agriculture, and a large
Experiment plots are to
be started at Diego Martin reformatory, River estate,
-Cedros, Dabadie, and St. Clair with Sea Island cotton,
with a view to proving whether this variety is suitable
for cultivation in Trinidad.
Fibre Plants in Mauritius.
The Journal @ Agriculture Tropicale for March
contains a paper by M. Boname on the fibre industry
in Mauritius. The plant that is cultivated for fibre is
Furcraea gigantea, called the ‘green aloe’ to
distinguish it from the ‘blue aloe’ (Agave americana).
The exports of fibre from Mauritius have varied
from 358 to 3,000 tons annually. The machine used
for extracting the fibre is very primitive and similar
to the Mexican ‘raspador;’ it is worked by water or
steam power. It is estimated that, on an average,
85,000 Ib. of leaves are required to yield 1 ton of dry
fibre. M. Boname sets forth very clearly the superior
claims of the sisal plant as a source of fibre. As the
result of experiments it has been shown that the sisal
plant gives 60 per cent. more fibre from a similar
weight of leaves than the Fureraea. The sisal fibre is
much easier to extract and clean, the price in foreign
markets is higher, and the yield is greater.
EE
Agriculture in Bermuda.
According to the Annual Report on Bermuda
for 1903, there was a considerable increase in the
value of the exports during the year. The principal
exports were arrowroot, bulbs, hides, onions, potatos,
and miscellaneous vegetables. The exports of onions
amounted in value to £55,340: these were shipped
almost entirely to the United States. The value of
the exports of potatos was £33,945.
There is in the colony an arrowroot factory
equipped with a modern plant. The product of this
factory is of excellent quality and commands a good
price. The value of the exports of arrowroot (to the
United Kingdom) was £1,184. Hope is expressed
that this trade will grow, as the manufacture of
arrowroot was at one time an important industry.
The crops of potatos and onions were average
ones ; higher prices were obtained for the onions than
in the previous year, but the prices of potatos were
low all through the season. The lily crop was small,
and prices were low; consequently, there was a large
falling off in the value of the exports of lily bulbs.
There was an appreciable increase in the exports
of vegetables other than potatos and onions, and it is
stated that a much larger quantity would be exported
to New York, if greater facilities for cold storage
accommodation were offered.
At the Public Gardens, which are supported
chiefly as an agricultural experiment station under
the Board of Agriculture, an experiment in the grow-
ing and curing of tobacco was conducted during the
year. A portion of the product was forwarded to the
Imperial Institute for a report. Several thousand
Panama-hat plants (Carludovica palmata) were raised
from seed and distributed. A silo has been erected
at the garden, and it has been demonstrated that
ensilage might with advantage be generally made by
farmers in the colony. Reference is made in the report
to the arrangements that have been made with the
Imperial Department of Agriculture for the services
of an agricultural lecturer,
THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.
SerremBer 10, 1904.
5 .
INSECT NOTES.
Mexican Cotton Boll Weevil.
For ten years past the Mexican cotton boll weevil
has been a pest of importance, steadily spreading
through the cotton-growing region of Texas, and so
difficult has it been to control, that many statements
have been made regarding its destructiveness, present
and future. The United States Department of
Agriculture has made an exhaustive study of the life-
history and habits of this pest and has recently issued
a bulletin covering all the work to the end of the
season 1903—Division of Entomology, Bulletin No. 45.
The following notes consist chiefly of extracts from this
bulletin, and in view of the many extravagant state-
ments which have appeared from time to time in
various newspapers, these extracts should be of
interest to cotton growers in all parts of the world :—
The Mexican cotton boll weevil (Anthonomus grandis,
Boh.) has the unique record of developing in less than
twenty years from a most obscure species to undoubtedly
one of the most important economically in the world.
Before the advent of the boll weevil into Texas, unfavourable
weather at planting time, summer droughts, and heavy falls
of rains caused very short crops to be produced. Now,
however, the tendency is everywhere to attribute all the
shortage to the weevil. Nevertheless, the pest is undoubtedly
the most serious menace that the cotton planters of the
South have ever been compelled to face, if not indeed, the
most serious danger that ever threatened any agricultural
industry. In spite of the generally serious outlook, however,
it must be stated that fears of the damage the weevil may do
are very often much exaggerated, especially in the newly
invaded regions. It is not at all necessary to abandon
cotton. The work of the Division of Entomology for several
seasons has demonstrated that a crop can be grown profitably
in spite of the boll weevil, and this experience is duplicated
by many planters in Texas. The infested area. . . includes
about 30 per cent. of the cotton acreage of the United States,
which produced in 1900 about 35 per cent. of the total crop
of the country, or about one-fourth of the crop of the world
for that year. It seems safe to predict that in fifteen to
eighteen years the pest will be found throughout the cotton
belt of America. Although there are no truly cosmopolitan
cotton insects, it seems likely that the boll weevil may
eventually be more widely spread than any other.’
Cultural methods have been proved to be the only sure
means of combating the weevil. Every suggested remedy
has been tried and in every case negative results have been
obtained. Cultural methods are summarized under five
heads as follows :—
1. Fall destruction.—Cotton plants should be uprooted
and burned as soon as the cotton is all harvested.
2. Early planting of rapidly maturing varieties. —This
gives the cotton plants an opportunity to get well developed
before the weevils become very abundant, and the injury is
greatly lessened.
3. Wide spacing.—This favours rapid maturity of the
plant, and acts as a remedial measure by allowing the sun to
reach the ground and causing the drying up of the squares in
which the larvae oceur.
4. Thorough cultivation.
5, Fertilization with commercial preparations containing
high percentage of phosphoric acid.
St. Lucia.
The following notes are extracted from a report
by Mr. Ballou, on his recent visit to St. Lucia :—
The plants at the Botanic Station all seemed in good
condition, none being sufliciently infested by scale or other
insect pests to be noticeable. Mr. Buckmire informed me
that a supply of the usual insecticides is kept on hand, and
that the spraying apparatus which I had seen on previous
visits was all in good order and frequently used.
At the Agricultural School, the gardens and nursery
plots were carefully inspected and for the most part found to
be in good condition. The cacao and Castilloa rubber were
apparently growing vigorously except a few cacao plants which
were smnaller than others of the same age ; no cause was, how-
ever, to be seen for this difference. These plants were quite
free from pests, except one Castilloa plant which was badly
attacked by the Akee fringed scale (Asterolecanium pustulans).
T recommended that this plant be taken out and destroyed and.
that others on which a few of the scales appeared be sprayed.
In the nurseries some of the small orange plants were
somewhat infested with the West Indian red - scale
(Aspidiotus articulatus) and one of the shield scales (Lecantum
sp.). It was recommended that these plants be sprayed.
Two plots of cotton, one of Upland and one of Sea
Island, were very strong and healthy. On the plot of Upland
cotton one cotton worm was found, and a few plants were
attacked by plant lice. These latter will probably not prove
serious, as there were a number of the red lady-birds (Cycloneda
sanguinea) present. Careful watch will be kept for the
appearance of the worms, and Paris green will be promptly
used. The Sea Island cotton was especially vigorous in
appearance. No worms or plant lice were to be seen
infesting it. The leaf-blister mite was not seen on either
of these plots, though careful search was made for it.
BRAZILIAN COFFEE.
The Monthly Consular Reports (United States)
for March contains the following note :—
Careful investigation leads me to assume that the
coming coffee crop (harvest of 1904-5) throughout the coffee
States of Brazil will, from present indications, likely be
below the average. It is of course impossible as yet to get
reliable estimates, but there is no doubt that the coffee trees
have suffered a great deal lately: first, probably on account
of exhaustion, in consequence of consecutive abundant
bearing ; and, second, through very severe droughts that have
prevailed for the last few months. There has consequently
already been a considerable rise in the prices of coffee here as
well as abroad ; but this seems to be caused more by specula-
tion than the natural condition of the market, as the visible
supply in the United States, as well as in Europe, is large
enough to satisfy a year’s consumption without any further
receipts. The present rise in prices will mostly benefit the
dealers abroad who hold large stocks, the producers having
already disposed of nearly all their holdings.
Vou. III. No. 63.
THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS. 299
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GUIDE TO CASTLETON GARDENS, JAMAICA :
By Wm. Faweett, B.Sc., F.L.S., Director of Public Gardens
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Sealy... ea 48 1467 19) 12:0
White Transparent} 57-0 1-449 815 116
D. 78 63-4 1°395 78:2 14:4
|D. 74 61:3 1474 80°77 14°6
The means of the contents of saccharose in pounds per
gallon, of the quotients of purity, of the quotients of non-
sugars and of the recovery of commercial sugars per cent. of
indicated sugar in the juices of the varieties during 1901-3
are as follows :—
Variety. z Es op 2 5
ss 2 g iS
2 = eS = 3
| wal a A Cc a
1D), G25 so 1334 79:4 | 12°6 98 84:6
Sealy 1435 81-2 | 12-1 75 84:5
1D, BY) Gen 1:480 Sol lded 5:9) || 82-ll
ID), 11285) 355 1-444 82:00 lel 92 | 843
IDS NOL eas 1:390 | 83:2 9-9 eal 82-0
B: 147. 1:376 | 79°8 | 13°6 8-0 83°5
Bourbon 1-480) S2eanlpelaticll 7-2 82°5
IDEs = see Sad||) eetax0) 81:9 | 12°6 6:2 83°9
WhiteTransparent) 1433 83-2 SO dell se co0)
D. 78 1:305 (itte} || SISSY) 89 | 83:1
In considering these results it must be borne in mind
that in the cases of many of the experiments the varieties of
sugar-cane have been grown on land on which the latter cane
does not flourish, while the Bourbon returns are, as a rule,
from land of average quality.
Sisal Hemp at New Orleans. The following
table, states the Consular Report for 1903, shows how rapid
has been the increase in the imports of sisal hemp from
Mexico into New Orleans :—
1900 1,466 tons, valued at £37,281.
1901 ... 14,069 ,, gg coeetagalley
1902) ....°23,365 ., Mie.) £644,907
1903... 31,424 ,, a) eels
308 THE
AGRICULTURAL NEWS.
SEPTEMBER 24, 1904.
WIEST INDIAN PRUE
THE CITROMETER.
Ata meeting of the Dominica Agricultural Society,
held on August 12, the Hon. Francis Watts
addressed the meeting as follows on the subject of the
citrometer, a special form of hydrometer for testing
lemon and lime juice:
The origin of the scale of the citrometer was unknown,
and he believed he had rediscovered it, for he found that
when the indications of the citrometer were taken in boiling
concentrated lime juice they were found to approximate
closely to the indications of a Twaddell’s hydrometer at
60° F. Thus, a sample of lime juice giving a reading of 60°
citrometer at boiling temperature will give a reading of 60°
Twaddell at 60° F. As a result of the discovery, the
planters will now be able to concentrate their lime juice
with some degree of scientific accuracy.
MARKETING FRUIT.
In an able article in the Natal Agricultural
Journal on ‘Fruit gulture as a Natal Industry,’ the
writer makes the following observations on the
marketing of fruit :—
No fruit, except the lowest qualities, should be marketed
in rough bulk. All others should be graded to size, colour,
form, and maturity, and packed so that they can be sold in
the case.
The fruit must arrive at its destination before it is
fully mature, and still sufticiently free from bruises to allow
it to ripen equally and thoroughly. It is in being able to
judge, or to know from past experience, the exact condition
in which each fruit must be picked in order to arrive fit, that
the skilled grower and packer scores, while the amateur
keeps on losing money while he learns.
Regular senders of highest grades soon become known,
and then constantly command a market. Their brands
become widely recognized, the constant quality is a standing
advertisement. But this condition is attained only by
adhering rigidly to the principle of sending away no second
grades ; indeed such should not be grown, but if they are
grown make cider or marmalade of them rather than ruin
a good name by marketing this class. It is not in the fruit
alone that this care is necessary, but in every detail connected
with each consignment, the grading, the quality, the maturity,
the colour, the cases, the packing, the despatch, the cartage,
the ventilated car, the cool chamber (if necessary)—in fact,
every detail, however small, which can make or mar the
success of a business,
THE BANANA INDUSTRY IN THE
UNITED STATES.
The following account of the banana industry in
the United States is taken from the Consular Report
on the trade of Philadelphia for 1903 :—
During the last fifteen years the trade in bananas has
grown to an enormous extent in the United States of
America. In 1902 there are reported to have been
50,000,000 bunches of bananas brought into the United
States, while from ten to fifteen years ago the fruit was
practically unknown here.
Cuba was the first country to send bananas to the
United States; the Spanish-American war, however, pre-
vented the proper development of the crops, and finally the
trade with that island ceased altogether. Jamaica, in the
meantime, has substituted its banana crops for those of
Cuba, and up to the time of the hurricane last year a large
proportion of the bananas imported to the United States
came from that island. The hurricane destroyed a large
number of the plantations, and it will not be until next
autumn that they will be again in operation.
Of late great development has taken place in the
banana trade of Central and South America, and a con-
siderable portion of the supplies now received come from
those districts. Another producer is Porto Rico, and many
consumers think that its fruit is superior to any other, and
the prices therefore range higher for the fruit from that island.
The banana business has now been reduced to a science.
Formerly shipments were made on sailing schooners, and in
consequence large portions of the cargoes were always found
to be spoiled, but of late this trade has been carried on with
fine steamers fitted with refrigerating apparatus. Most of
the fruit is consigned direct to the dealers, but occasionally
a cargo arrives in port here, which is sold by auction.
AGRICULTURE IN ST. LUCIA.
In the St. Lucia Blue Book for 1903, the following
remarks occur under the heading ‘Improvements in
Agriculture and Manufactures’:—
The cultivation of limes has been taken up on a small
scale.
Manioe cultivation and preparation for the export of
starch is in the experimental stage.
Cacao plantations are gradually being extended, and
methods of cultivation improved.
Cotton growing is slowly on the increase, the area under
this crop being about 250 acres.
Vou. Ill. No. 64.
THE AGRICULTURAL
NEWS.
309
COTTON INDUSTRY.
West Indian Cotton in England.
The West India Committee Circular has the
following interesting note on the position of West
Indian cotton on the English markets :—
We learn from Mr. Wolstenholme, Vice-chairman of
the West Indies section of the British Cotton-growing
Association, that, after remaining steady for several months,
the market for Florida and Georgia Sea Island cotton in
Savannah has declined Id. per tb. A stock of about 8,000
bales has been held there for extreme prices, and owing to
the near approach of the new crop, which will come forward
in September, holders are pushing sales. In consequence, all
the lower qualities of West Indian Sea Island, which compete
with Floridas and Georgias, have fallen in value to a similar
extent. The very best, which compares with Carolina Sea
Island, of which there is no stock, commands full rates. For
Florida, which was recently worth 15d. to 16d. per tb., the
new crop is expected to open at about 13¢., which was last
season’s opening price.
Cotton in Paraguay.
The following note on the prospects of cotton
cultivation in Paraguay is taken from the Consular
Report for 1905 :—
Cotton has been cultivated in Paraguay for many years,
but hitherto little or no attempt has been made to export it.
In the past year, however, considerable interest has been
manifested in this product by cotton dealers and experts
who have visited the country. Samples forwarded to the
United Kingdom have met with considerable approval, and
one shipment to Manchester was pronounced ‘ very good
standard quality.’ Paraguayan cotton is said to resemble the
Egyptian variety. A shipment of 12 bales has been sold by
two different firms in London, the opinion expressed by the
buyers being favourable, and to the effect that the cotton was
clean, lustrous, and free from seeds or leaves, and shouid be
able to compete with United Siates cotton. Besides the
white variety, there is also a coloured cotton growing
in this country which is stated to command a good price
in Europe. The prices obtained for these cottons in
Europe were 5d. per tb. for the white and 6. for the red.
Galtonl@ulrisncodan Sait enmerins:
At a meeting of the British Guiana Board of
Agriculture held on August 26, Professor Harrison
made the following interesting statement with regard
to cotton experiments in the colony:—
Since the Board’s last meeting he had visited the
majority of places in the colony where cotton was being
cultivated, and the result had pointed fairly conclusively to
the fact that the cultivation of Sea Island cotton on heavy
clay soil was absolutely waste of men’s time and money.
On the lightest soil, like the soil of Bush Lot, satisfactory
crops were being obtained, and if the experimenter had
known more of agriculture he would have had not only
a satisfactory crop but a heavy one. Jn going from place to
place he saw a great variety of soils and in that way obtained
indications with regard to the cultivation of Sea Island
cotton. The experiments at Windsor Forest were very
interesting. The variety there, which had been sold as
Egyptian, seemed to be yery promising so far as growth was
concerned, but how it promised commercially he did not know.
Cotton Growing in the Gold Coast Colony.
_ Mv Edward Fisher visited the Gold Coast in the
interests of the British Cotton-growing Association in
June last year to report on the prospects of establishing
a cotton-growing industry in the colony. His report is
published in the Report of the Botanical and Agii-
cultural Department for 1903. The following is a
summary of his views -— F
Cotton will grow well in most of the districts visited,
provided it receives proper care and attention.
_ Labour-saving implements should be introduced, and the
natives taught the use of them.
Convenient markets should be provided in all cotton-
growing districts.
The producer should be paid the highest possible price
for his raw cotton, even if the buyers have to abstain from
making any profit at present.
Until the stock and transport problem is settled, it will
not pay to open up large plantations for the growing of
cotton alone under European management.
Native cotton receiving the same care and attention as
is given to cotton grown from American seed would compare
favourably with the latter, and being acclimatized is less
liable to injury, although at present its yield is smaller.
Insects are at present very injurious.
Seed Selection.
The following note on the importance of selecting
good cotton seed is extracted from Bulletin 62, Bureau
of Plant Industry, United States Department of Agri-
culture, ‘Notes on Egyptian Agriculture’:-—
The question of the selection of seed for sowing is
occupying considerable attention in Egypt, as Afifi cotton,
which is the mainstay of the crop, is greatly deteriorating.
Owing to the great similarity not only of the plants of the
different varieties grown in the country but also of their
seeds, the matter is a somewhat difficult one. At the
present time the question of seed is entirely in the hands of
the cotton merchants. When the best qualities of cotton of
the first picking are being ginned, the factory owner places
on one side the resulting seed for disposal to his clients the
following season. This is excellent as far as it goes, but
where two or three varieties are being dealt with in
a factory, even though the proprietor may clean his gins, his
tiddles, etc., after each ginning, a certain admixture must
take place. The seedsman class is quite wanting in Egypt,
and until recently most of the cultivators were not sufficiently
alive to the question of good seed. At the present time,
howeyer, the Khedivial Agricultural Society is paying special
attention to this most important subject, while individual
cultivators appreciate more the necessity of employing good
and pure seed.
Small cultivators in the past obtained their seed to
a great extent through the village money-lender, who supplied
them with ordinary commercial seed quite unsuited for
sowing purposes. The Khedivial Agricultural Society now
distributes seed of first-picking cotton to small growers at
cost price. The value of the seed, plus a moderate rate of
interest, is collected by the Government agents when the
ordinary taxes are collected. The seed is not paid for
until the resulting cotton crop is picked. The benefits are
two-fold, not only is the fellah provided with better seed
than he would obtain elsewhere, but he is to a certain extent
kept out of the hands of the usurer. The question of the
establishment of seed areas is now under consideration,
310 THE
AGRICULTUR:
MANUFACTURE OF PANAMA HATS.
The following interesting account of the nanutac-
ture of Panama hats from “Cen ludovica palinata 1s
taken from the United States Monthly Consular
Reports for April :—
These hats are made from the common fan-shaped palm,
called ‘Palmicha,’ which grows wild in abundance, generally
in moderate climate and fairly moist ground. Young shoots,
uniform in size, are cut from the plant and boiled to
a certain stage, being softened thereby and brought to
a light-yellow colour, The process of boiling appears to be
an art in itself, and only 7 few people can turn ont good
straw. The boilers sell the straw at so much a pound,
according to quality and the prevailing prices of hats.
CARLUDOVICA
Fig. 12.
{From Dictionary of Gardening. |
PALMATA.
When the proper boiling point is reached the shoots are
put up to dry and the leaves quickly separated. This is
done indoors, where there is a current of air, but no sun-
shine. When the leaves are nearly dry, they are split with
a little Y-shaped instrument of wood, so that every good
leaf is the same size. When left alone to dry the leaves curl
in at the edges and are then ready for use, and at this point
the straw is carefully wrapped in clean cloths, as the light
and dry atmosphere spoils it. When finished the straw is
carefully pared with a pocket-knife and then battered all over
with a small hand maul, after which it is washed with
common yellow soap and a little lime juice and left to dry,
away from the sunlight.
AL NEWS. SEPTEMBER 24, 1904.
The hats made in Snuaza district in Colombia are
considered much superior to those made in Ecuador,
The manufacture of these hats is affected, to
a great
( leg ree,
hy climatie influences, an expert hatter being unable
to make as good a hat in the dry, summer weather as during
the rainy probably on this account hats
parts of the Suaza district are superior
a short distance away.
Long training is necessary to become a good hatter, and
the girls are started at the work at the very early age of ten
years and must practise constantly. Hatters work every day
from early morning, wasting very little time in eating and
often carrying on their work by candlelight, so as to finish in
time for market day, for the loss of an hour may mean to
them the loss of the money which would have been acquired
from the sale of the hat.
Sensei < in some
to those made just
It may be mentioned that another species of the
genus Carludovicu (C. jamaicensis) yields the straw
from which the jippi-jappa hats are made in Jamaica.
An interesting account of this plant appeared in the
Bulletin of the Botanical Department, Jamaica, for
October 1902.
THE SEA ISLANDS OF SOUTH CAROLINA.
The TVertile Mercury of August 20
following interesting note on he Sea
cotton produc tion:
has the
Islands and
A few people are under the impression that Sea Island
cotton is grown in the South Sea Islands, whereas it is in those
islands which form an archipelago on the south-east coast of
the United States, extending from the mouth of the Savannah
river northward along the coast to Charleston, that give their
name to the special class of black, free-seed, long-staple
cotton so commonly mentioned. The four larger islands are
James, Edisto, Wadmalaw, and John’s, which occupy an
sregate area of some 100,000 acres. There are five
smaller islands, severally named St. Helena, Lady’s, Paris,
Port Royal, and Spring. The climate is sub-tropical and the
average annual rainfall about 353 inches. The precipitation
is greatest at the time the cotton plants are growing, between
May and August ; lowest when they are ripening, from
September to November. The islands lie in about 33° north
latitude, the same as Bermuda.
cotton from the Sea Islands commanded 6s. 3/7. to 8s. 4d.
per Ib. Later on, in 1867, trouble began in the form of
labour difficulties, excessive rains, and the appearance of the
destructive cotton worm, and continued for some four or five
years. As a consequence, the methods of cultivation had to
he altered, the planting of large tracts being discontinued,
and replace red by the intense cultivation of smaller areas. At
ee the Sea Island planters are enjoying the benefit of
this new system, which was introduced first on James Island.
After the civil war (1860-4)
Lecture Experiments. ‘he teacher should set
up the experiment before the class, carefully explaining, or
rather letting them work out from his remarks, the logie of
each step. Each student should then for himself observe
and record results, and deduce conclusions as if the experi-
ment were entirely his own. It is particularly necessary that
the students understand the exact logic of each step, and
that their records should bring it out clearly. Their records,
too, should express and keep perfectly distinct (a) the object
of the experiment, (b) the method and apparatus employed,
(c) the results actually observed, (d) conelusions. (The
Teaching Botanist.)
Wor. Lit; No: 64:
THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS. 31]
THE AVOCADO PEAR IN FLORIDA.
A bulletin, * recently issued by the Bureau of
Plant Industry of the United States Department of
Agriculture, contains a complete account of the
propagation, cultivation, and marketing of the avocado
pear (Persea gratissima). As this tree is widely
cultivated throughout the West Indies, the following
short summary is likely to be of interest :-—
The avocado has never been subjected to cultivation and
careful breeding. These pages have been prepared with
a view to systematizing our knowledge of it and to pointing
out the directions for its improvement.
For Wind-breaks and) Shade purposes. —The vigorous-
growing varieties of avocado will serve as wind-breaks as
satisfactorily as purely ornamental trees, and in addition
may be expected to give a veturn of fruit. The tall, sturdy
growth makes free pruning of the lower limbs possible, while
the abundant growth of leaves will still produce a dense
shade.
Methods of starting an Orchard.—While there are
various ways in which orchards can be successfully started,
the following is recommended. Place the seeds in a well-
prepared seed bed, from + to 6 inches apart in a drill, 3 or 4
inches deep. Transplant trom the seed bed to the nursery
when the seedlings are from 6 to 12 inches high. For
transplanting rainy weather should be chosen, otherwise
much watering will be necessary. In the nursery the rows
should be from 4 to 6 feet apart, and the trees set about
a foot apart in the row. After planting in the nursery,
cultivation should be thorough and frequent.
Budding.—In the avocado there seems to be no difficulty
in making the buds take, but there is considerable difficulty
in making them start. Experience indicates that budding at
or near the crown is preferable to top-working. It is very
important that the stock and scion be in as perfect condition
as possible. The common shield-bud method seems to be
as successful as any that have been tried.
Transplanting to the ield.—A tree should not be
transplanted from the nursery until it has attained a height
of about 3 feet. In taking up these trees as many of the
smaller roots should be secured as possible. The roots
should be kept moist, and the tree well watered when set out.
The top should be cut back to some extent, but enough foliage
left to shade the stem. If the tree is not sutticiently
provided with leaves, an artificial shade can be made by the
use of palmetto fans. A considerable quantity of mulch
should be placed about them: this prevents the soil from
becoming hot about the roots and from drying out.
One hundred budded trees to an acre are sufficient. Of
the large-growing varieties eighty trees to the acre will be
found sufticient.
Superiority of budded Trees.—Avocados do not come
true to seed, and orchards of seedling trees cannot be relied
upon to produce good crops. Budded trees bear earlier than
seedling trees.
Picking.—As now grown, the fruits of a tree do not as
a rule mature uniformly, so that in most cases two or more
* Bulletin No. 61. ‘The Avocado in Florida ; its propaga-
tion, cultivation, and marketing.’ By P. H. Rolfs. Washing-
ton, 1904.
pickings have to be made. The fruit must be removed from
the tree while it is still very firm, if it is to be shipped to
a distant market. The fruit should be broken off so as to
leave a portion of the stem attached to the fruit.
Packing.—Care must be exercised to have all the
specimens in a erate of uniform shape and size. For ship-
ping purposes the market at present demands a tomato crate
or an egg-plant crate. Before packing, each individual pear
should be wrapped in some substantial and attractive paper.
Pear-shaped fruits and oblong shapes are preferred,
Round ave less desirable than bottle-necked fruits.
THE CULTIVATION OF CACAO.
The following note on the cultivation of cacao
in Colombia appeared in the United States Monthly
Consulay Reports for April _—
For the information of persons desirous of engaging in
the cacao business in our insular possessions, [ submit the
following memorandum of the process gone through in
Colombia in preparing this bean for commerce.
The first thing is to observe care in gathering the crop
in season, or the bean suffers in appearance and quality.
The cacao berry is generally extracted at the plantation,
thus avoiding transportation of the husk.
No machinery is used for the purpose of extracting the
berry, the husk being broken by hand with a wooden mallet or
with a short, curved-edge machete. The husk is cut open
lengthways by two cuts on opposite sides, care being taken
not to cut the berry.
After opening the husk the grains are removed by hand
or a small wooden ladle and taken to the cleaning house,
where they are put in a wooden tank, having a slight slope,
or in a room tiled with bricks and also having an inclined
floor, the object of which is the draining off of the fluid from
the cacao. This tank or room is known as a drain. The
cacao is left to drain from thirty to forty-eight hours and is
then placed in the sun to dry, either in brickyards or on
hurdles of wood, which can be covered with sacking.
After a day in the sun it is stored two days for fermenta-
tion, as this is necessary to give the cacao grains the
market requirements. It is then placed in the sun every day
to dry thoroughly and, to hurry this process, it is laid out in
layers and stirred frequently with wooden rakes.
Whenever this sunning process is hindered by rain,
hurdles are used, being placed over a fire made of dry wood,
the latter precaution being taken to prevent smoke. There
is also a machine made for the purpose of drying cacao.
During the sunning and previous to laying out in yards
or hurdles, and while the cacao is still fairly moist, it should
_be mixed up with brick dust to which has been added a little
common ash in the proportion of about 9 to 1. The result
of this is that a varnish-like dust forms over it, giving it
not only the necessary colour, but preserving it from what is
known as the grub insect.
The husk of the cacao is used on plantations as manure.
Copaiba Balsam. Copaiba balsam is obtained
from leguminous trees of the genus Coparfera (principally
C. officinalis), which are indigenous to tropical America.
Copaifera officinalis is also recorded in several of the West
India Islands. The principal varieties are Maracaibo balsam
and the Para balsam. According to the Consular Report on
Caracas, the exports of copaiba oil from Maracaibo amounted,
in 1903, to 625 ewt., valued at £5,986. Copaiba is used in
the preparation of various medicines and is a specific for
bronchial troubles.
THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.
EDITORIAL NOTICES.
Letters and matter for publication, as well
as all specimens for naming, should be addressed
to the Commissioner, Imperial Department of
Agriculture, Barbados.
All applications for copies of the ‘Agri-
cultural News’ should be addressed to the
Agents, and not to the Department. A com-
plete list of the London and Local agents will
be found at foot of page 319 of this issue.
The ‘Agricultural News’: Price 1d. per
number, post free 14d. Annual subscription
payable to Agents 2s. 2d. Post free, 3s. 3d.
Agricultural dlews
Vou. II]. SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 1904. No. 64.
NOTES AND COMMENTS.
Contents of Present Issue.
On pp. 305-6 will be found a summarized account
of an article in the West Indian Bulletin (Vol. V,
no. 2) on the progress made by the cacao industry in
the West Indies.
The concluding portion of the progress report on
the experiments that have been conducted with sugar-
cane varieties on estates in British Guiana is published
on p. 507.
An interesting progress report on experiments,
carried out in Jamaica to test the suitability of local
sugars for use in fruit preserves, is also included in our
‘sugar notes,’
Several interesting notes relating to the cotton
industry will be found on p. 309. In one of these the
position of West Indian cotton on the English market
is clearly stated.
On p. 310 an account is given of the manufacture
of panama, hats.
Jn the article, on p. 311, on the cultivation of the
avocado pear, the advisability of establishing orchards
by badding is urged. A brief summary of the methods
to be adopted is given,
Under the leading ‘ Insect Notes’ we publish some
interesting extracts from recent reports by the
Entomologist of this Department.
The Times’ review of the work of the Imperial
Department of Agriculture is reproduced on p, 317.
SEPTEMBER 24, 1904.
Spraying in Lime Plantations.
In the extracts given on p. 314 from Mr. Ballou’s
report on his visit to Dominica, reference is made to
the excellent condition of the hme trees on an estate
where spraying was thoroughly carried out last year.
In a recent address to the members of the
Dominica Agricultural Society, the Hon. F. Watts
referred to the same subject, stating that he had
observed a marked improvement in the condition of the
trees in the island. ‘The lime planters,’ he said, ‘ had
evidently been alive to the situation, and had applied
repressive measures of a varied nature with very
marked success.’
-— +
Exhibitions of Colonial Fruit in Great Britain.
In a previous issue of the Agricultural News
(Vol. III, p. 276) we gave details of two important
Horticultural Exhibitions for which preparations are
being made in Great Britain.
The first of these is being organized by the Royal
Horticultural Society, and will be held at the Society’s
new hall in London on December 13 and 14 next.
Opportunities will be attorded for collective exhibits
from each colony in addition to individual exhibits.
The Society’s officials will, if desired, unpack and stage
exhibits, provided they arrive in good time,
The other exhibition is that being arranged for
by the Royal Caledonian Horticultural Society to be
held in Edinburgh in September 1905. It will be
seen that a special class is open to the colonies for
fruits and vegetables of any sort.
In these two exhibitions the West Indian Colonies
have an excellent opportunity of bringing their
products prominently before the notice of the British
public. Such an opportunity of promoting trade
should not be allowed to slip, and we trust that full
advantage will be taken of it,
_ +
The Oil Seed Trade of Marseilles.
An important feature of the trade of the port of
Marseilles is the oil seed industry. According to the
Consular Report, this trade was exceptionally ~ good
during 1903. On account of the record crops of
sesame seed and ground nuts in India and on the west
coast of Africa, the prices of raw material were low.
The principal oil seeds imported are ground nuts,
gingelly (Sesamum indicum), cocoa-nuts (copra),
castor oil, cotton, linseed, palm nut, ete.: the gingelly
and undecorticated ground nuts yield edible oils,
while oils from the other seeds are used in the
Marseilles soap industry and for technical purposes.
The large imports of oil seeds have rendered unneces-
sary the importation of manufactured oils.
There is a considerable export of ground nut husk
meal from Marseilles. The undecorticated nuts are
shelled, and the shells ground to a whitish powder
which is used for cattle feeding. It is mainly exported
to Hamburg and Stettin, where it is mixed with
molasses, forming a good, brittle cake. All the linseed
and practically all the gingelly and poppy cakes are
consumed in France for feeding cattle or manuring.
Wor Li No: iG;
THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS. 313
Exports of Hayti.
The Annual Report on the trade of Hayti has
recently been issued. The principal exports of the
republic are coffee, cacao, logwood, yellow wood (fustic),
guiac (lignum vitae), cotton, wax, cocoa-nuts, ete. The
principal market for these products is at Havre. ‘The
exports of coffee and yellow wood show a decrease,
while cacao, logwood, and guiac were exported in
greater quantities than in the previous year. ‘There
was an increase in the cultivation of cotton, and the
output was much augmented.
cotton are expected to reach 4,000,000 tb, in 1904.
It is reported that there are no signs of any
agricultural progress; the principal articles of export
are allowed to grow wild, and it is only at harvest time
that any attention is paid to them.
rr -
Sugar-cane Experiments in British Guiana.
From the progress report on experiments with
varieties of sugar-cane in British Guiana, published in
this and the preceding issue of the Agricultural
News, it will be seen that experiments have been
conducted on twenty-four plantations, the principal
varieties, other than the Bourbon, being the White
Transparent, D. 109, and B. 147,
Very good results have been obtained with D. 625,
in respect not only of its yield of sugar but also of its
ratooning powers, its milling qualities, and the quality
of its megass as fuel. This cane and also D, 109 are
therefore recommended to cane farmers for trial.
The yields of some varieties—D. 74, the White
Transparent, and D. 78—have fallen off, and the
further extension of their cultivation is not recom-
mended.
$< +
Cacao in the Dutch East Indies.
An article in Der Tropenpflanzer for August
gives an account of the position of the cacao industry
in Java and other Dutch islands in the East Indies,
The cultivation is not carried on to a large extent,
but trees are found in gardens and in mixed planta-
tions. The product is worked up by Chinese labourers.
The trunks of older trees suffer from the canker
disease (? Nectriw sp.), young twigs are killed by the
so-called ‘djamur upas’ disease, and pods are darkened
(? by Phytophthora). Pods are also bored by caterpil-
lars of a small moth, and are attacked by several
other insects; the plants also suffer much from leaf-
eating insects.
The exports of cacao from Java have increased
from about 350 tons in 1890 to about 1,200 tons in
1903; in 1902 the yield was only about 800 tons, and
in 1901 it was about 1,100 tons. The other islands,
Celebes and the Moluccas, export very little.
The yield is small, working out at less than } tb.
of marketable product per tree. According to
Dr. Zehnter, this is due, in part, to the fact that cacao
is only planted in land that cannot be used for coftee,
in part to irrational treatment of the plants and the
consequent loss by insects and diseases. Most of the
-cacao 1s exported to Holland.
The shipments of
Cotton Cultivation in St. Vincent.
We are glad to observe that in St. Vincent
considerable interest is being taken in cotton cultivation.
Reference has been made in the Agricultural
News (Vol. III, p. 261) to the establishment in the
island of a Cotton Growers’ Association. A meeting
of this body was held on September 5, when
important business was transacted. A letter was read
from the Governor in which his Excellency consented
to become the President of the Association, and another
from the Imperial Commissioner of Agriculture
recognizing the Association as a representative
agricultural body of the island. It is evident that such
a strongly organized body as the St. Vincent Cotton
Growers’ Association will be of the greatest value in
furthering the interests of cotton growers,
In our last issue we gave a list of fixtures which
had been arranged in St. Vincent for the illustrated
lectures on cotton growing. From reports received by
last mail we learn that several of these lectures had
been given and had, on the whole, been well attended,
rrr rr
West Indian Bulletin.
The second number of Volume V_ of the Wes¢
Indian Bulletin (issued to-day) contains a number of
interesting articles. Notes upon a variety of West
Indian fodder plants have been collected and are
published. These notes will supplement the paper
by the Hon. Francis Watts in a previous issue of the
West Indian Bulletin (Vol. TEL, pp. 353-62).
The article on ‘Cold Storage of Fruit’ contains
the most recent information on the subject of the
transportation of fruit, which has been obtained from
experts connected with the fruit trade. In view of
the efforts that are at the present time being made to
establish a fruit trade between several of these islands
and the United Kingdom, this article is likely to be of
particular interest.
The next article deals fully with the ‘Bacterial
Rot of Onions,’ previously referred to in the Agri-
cultural News (Vol. III, p. 245).
Attempts have been made in the West Indies to
introduce the cultivation of the Date Palm (Phoenix
dactylifera). Suckers have been obtained from
Algeria and planted out in Jamaica and Trinidad, An
account of these and other experiments is given, as
also a summarized description of the methods of
cultivating the date palm in Northern Africa and
the Persian Gulf region.
The next article is devoted to the ‘Sisal Hemp
Industry. This article gives a complete account of the
establishment of this industry in the Bahamas:
references are also made to the successful cultivation
of sisal in the Caicos Islands.
The concluding article is an interesting description,
by Mr. L. Lewton-Brain, B.A., F.LS., of the ‘West
Indian Anthracnose of Cotton. Mr. Lewton-Brain’s
paper, which is illustrated by a number of drawings,
shows that this disease is caused by a variety of the
fungus (Colletotrichum gossypii), which is the cause of
the American anthracnose.
THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.
SEPTEMBER 24, 1904.
INSECT NOTES.
Dominica.
The following extracts are taken from Mr. Ballou’s
report on his recent visit to Dominica :—
As the time at my disposal was very short I made no
inspection of the gardens and nurseries. Some time was
spent in discussing a disease of the pine-apple and an injury
to cacao which Mr. Brooks brought to my notice. The pine-
apple disease appeared to be ‘Tangle root,’ while the injury to
cacao seemed to be due to the action of wind rather than
to any specific disease.
The two fumigation chambers have been completed and
are in place at the Botanic Station ready for the fumigation
of imported and other plants.
Some time was also spent going over the lime groves on
the Bath estate. Most of the lime trees were in excellent
condition, and though a few scale insects were to be seen, the
beneficial effects of the thorough and systematic spraying
done in 1903 were very evident. No spraying has been
done on the Bath estate on the present crop (1904), which,
My. Frampton informed 10e, promised at that time to be the
largest in recent years. On one lot (No. 12) Mr. Frampton
pointed out several trees that had set large numbers of fruits
which had dropped while still quite small, leaving only very
few to develop. The cause of this was not apparent, and in
view of the large crop being harvested, it would not seem
that much loss had resulted from the dropping of the fruits,
but in another year when the crop was lighter its effects
might be much more noticeable. The trees on which this
condition was observed were all old and slightly infested
with scale insects (JV/yti/aspis citricola), and in some cases
the tips of the branches from which the limes had fallen,
were infested, but without further investigation it could not
he asserted that they caused the young fruit to drop.
Antigua.
In his report on his recent visit to Antigua,
Mr. Ballou makes the following interesting observa-
tions :—
At the time of my visit Antigua was suffering from an
unusually prolonged and severe drought, the effects of which
were plainly to be seen in the condition of the plants at the
3otanic Station, of the crops on the estates, and in the
appearance of vegetation generally.
In the nursery I discovered a red bug very similar to
the cotton stainer of the Southern Islands (Dysdercus andrcae).
This insect was feeding on the seeds, seedlings, leaves, and
stems of the Balloon vine (Cardiospermum Halicacabum) in
much the same way that the cotton stainers feed on the
cotton. It proves to be quite a distinct species from the
cotton stainers. It had not been previously noticed, and as
syraying was at once resorted to, it is hoped to prevent its
spread.
At Scott’s Hill the seedling limes were quite free
They had recently been sprayed. The lime
from scales.
hedge, however, was attacked by scales and a plot of cotton
which was still standing was attacked, but this latter had
yielded its crop and was about to be taken out and burned.
At Bendall’s the canes which were at the factory were
seen to be infested by the cane scale (Aspidiotus sacchari).
It seems likely that this scale would have been much less
conspicuous, perhaps not noticeable, had the canes been
harvested at the usual time, but the harvesting of the crop
had been delayed on account of the changes being made in
the factory.
In some parts of the island the gold tick (Hyalomma
aegypticus) was abundant, and there were a few cases of skin
disease of cattle reported. At Skerrett’s one animal was seen
with skin disease, but no ticks were to be found. This animal
(a young bull) has had the skin disease since last year, and
though not getting better does not apparently get any worse,
Most of the disease among cattle seemed to be due more to
poor water and scarcity of feed and pasturage than to the
skin disease. There seems to he a difference of opinion as
to the relation of the ticks to this disease.
Another serious problem is the disease of Antigua pine-
apples. This disease has already had a very bad effect on
the trade in pines, as many pines are lost in shipment ; pines
which appear perfectly sound from without are found to have
black hearts when eut.
The cotton worm which has no other recorded food plant
than cotton is said in Antigua to feed on the wiid tamarind
(Pithecolobium filicifolium). In Antigna also it is reported
that the gaulding feeds on the cotton worm.
IMPERIAL DIRECT WEST INDIA MAIL
SERVICE.
Prior to the departure of the 8.8. ‘ Port Kingston,’
the latest addition to the Imperial Direct West India
line of steamers, a luncheon was given on board by
Sir Alfred Jones, which was attended by a representa-
tive company of merchants, shippers, and others,
Responding to the toast, ‘Suecess to Jamaica and the
West Indies, Sir Daniel Morris said :-—
He was of opinion that the West Indies, as a whole,
were beginning to improve, after having had a long spell of
bad times due to circumstances beyond their control. Now
that the sugar bounties had been removed there was a better
chance for that industry, and he believed that with fair play
the sugar industry of the West Indies had as good a chance
of being a success as that in any part of the world. He paid
a tribute to the splendid work which Sir Alfred Jones had
done for the West Indies in many directions outside the
contract in connexion with the West Indian line. The
Imperial Direct Company had done its best in the interests
of Jamaica, and he believed it was possible for it to do still
more by conference with the people of Jamaica, and by
meeting their reasonable wishes as regards the shipment of
fruit and produce. He was, he said, in full sympathy with
anything calenlated to improve the service between this
country and the West Indies. The company had already
carried upwards of one anda half million bunches of bananas
and had brought to this country about 35 million oranges
besides other products. At his own expense Sir Alfred Jones
had carried on the vessels a large quantity of live stock, he
had sent out men to inquire as to the tea industry, and he
had sent out mining experts, whilst in other ways steps were
being taken to develop the resources of Jamaica. He rejoiced
at the evidence to-day of the coming prosperity of the West
Indies.
Re me
VoL.
Ill, No. 64.
THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS. 31:
ot
DOMINICA AND SHIPPING FACILITIES.
Dr. H. A. A. Nicholls, C.M.G., has forwarded
a copy of a letter addressed by him, as Vice-President
of the Dominica Agricultural Society, to the Quebec
Steamship Company relative to the present arrange-
ment ‘whereby some of your company’s vessels pass
by Dominica on the outward voyage. It is also
complained that cargo destined for Dominica is kept
over by the agents in New York until there is
‘a sufficient accumulation to warrant, in their opinion,
the stoppage of one of the steamers at the island.’
That this practice is detrimental to the trade of the
island is manifest from the following extracts :—
As acase in point, I may cite the following facts :—
During the season a very considerable quantity of fruit, such
as oranges and limes, is shipped from this island by your
steamers. The trade is a growing one and naturally it needs
fostering, if its capabilities are to be realized to their fullest
extent. On June 22 last, a shipment of orange boxes was
sent to your New York wharf for a firm in this island, and
the boxes were detained until July 20, by which time
your New York agents decided to take freight for Dominica.
This occasioned a month’s delay in the receipt of the boxes,
and it caused, moreover, the suspension of fruit shipments by
the firm in question, the stoppage of further orders for fruit
boxes, and the consequent loss of the trade to the island and
to your company.
It may be that in the opinion of your New York agents
the trade between that city and Dominica is not now
sutticiently large to warrant the calling at the island of all
the outward-bound West Indian steamers, but Dominica is
becoming prosperous and its exports and imports are
increasing yearly, and the system adopted by Messrs. Outer-
bridge & Co. is calenlated to retard the augmentation of
trade relations with New York, and with Canada through
New York, for in order to save time on the journey it is
necessary for fresh frnit shipped to Montreal and Toronto to
go via New York, as the route by St. John, N.B., is
long and circuitous.
IT would ask that the above facts may meet with the
serious and sympathetic consideration of yourself and the
Board of Directors of your company, and I trust you will be
able before long to authorize me to inform the Agricultural
Society that all your outward-bound steamers to the West
Indies will call at Dominica, which is on their route to the
south, so that the arrangement will involve very little extra
expenditure and not much delay.
THE PRODUCTION OF FISH MANURE
AND FISH OIL.
The Journal of the Society of Arts contains an
interesting article on the production of fish manure
and oil in Saghalien. It is stated that a great demand
exists in Japan for fish manure, and oil obtained by
pressure from the fish used for manure is employed, when
properly refined, as a lubricant and for other purposes.
After describing the fishing operations, the following
description is given of the extraction of the oil, which,
in view of the attempts that have been made to work
up a trade in fish oils in Dominica, is likely to be of
interest :—
On arrival at the beach, the bag net is emptied, and the
fish thrown into an enclosure fenced in by laths, some 6
feet high. On one side of the enclosure are a number of
round iron boilers, 4 or 5 feet in diameter, erected on
built-up fireplaces. The fish are taken from the enclosure by
removing the laths, and are thrown into the boilers. After
cooking, they are put into wooden presses, 2 feet 6 inches
square by 2 feet in depth, the sides and bottom of which are
composed of slates, with interstices a quarter of an inch wide
between them. A lid is then placed on the top, and pressure
exerted in a downward direction by means of levers. The oil
and water pressed from the fish escape through the interstices
in the side and bottom of the press on to a wooden flooring
from which a conduit leads to a tank. The tank is divided
by a partition, two-thirds its height, into two compartments.
The conduit leading from the press discharges its contents
into the first compartment, and as that fills, the oil rising to
the surface flows over into the second compartment, leaving
the water and other heavier substances in the first. The
oil is then put into cans and is ready for shipment.
Such-has been the process hitherto followed, but in the
coming season it is intended partially to refine the oil by
straining it through coarse Japanese paper previous to
canning. he fish after being pressed, form a compact
rectangular mass; this is broken into small pieces, which
are laid out on straw mats to dry in the sun. When dried,
the fish or, as it now is, fish manure, is packed in straw bales
for transport, and is ready for use,
From the foregoing brief description an idea will be
obtained of the primitive methods employed in this industry,
and also of the amount of valuable commercial product
which must necessarily be wasted in consequence of the
adoption of these methods. By the use of modern machinery
a far larger output of fish manure and oil could be obtained
from the same weight of fish.
DEPARTMENT NEWS.
It is probable that Sir Daniel Morris will return
to the West Indies in R.M.S. ‘Trent, leaving South-
ampton on October 12.
Mr. H. A. Ballou, B.Sc., Entomologist on the statf
of the Imperial Department of Agriculture, left
Barbados in §. 8. ‘Sibun’ on Tuesday, September 13,
for St. Lucia. Mr. Ballou will spend some time in
St. Lucia for the purpose of inspecting cotton experi-
ment plots and advising planters generally as to the
cultivation of cotton and the treatment of pests.
Mr. John Belling, B.Sc., Agricultural and Science
Master at St. Kitt’s, has been granted six weeks’
vacation leave of absence from September 12.
Dr. R. A. Stoute, D.V.S., Veterinary Surgeon to
the Imperial Department of Agriculture, has been
granted eight weeks’ leave of absence from September
16. During his absence, his duties will be performed
by Dr. Perey Stoute, D.V.S.
Bee Farming in Australia. During the year
1902-5, there were 4,402 bee keepers with 32,126 hives in
the State of Victoria, Australia. They produced 1,199,331 tb.
of honey and 23,061 tb. of wax.
316
THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.
SepreMBer 24, 1904.
GLEANINGS.
It is notified that the first of a series of lectures on
Agricultural Science in Berbice will be delivered at All Saints’
School, New Amsterdam, on December 7, 1904.
The orange crop of Barcelona was very abundant in
1903, and the farmers obtained good prices. From Valencia
and Denia 564,434 cases were exported. (Consular Report,
1905.)
The fifth annual Agricultural Show under the auspices
cf the Imperial Department of Agriculture will be held at
Montserrat during the month of February.
The rainfall at Antigua during the year 1903-4
amounted to 63°04 inches. This is 7°80 inches more than
in the preceding year, and 16°33 inches more than the
average for the past thirty years.
The Agricultural Instructor at Dominica reports that at
St. Sauveur Father Francois has been successful in the
cultivation of asparagus in his kitchen garden. The crop
was ready for reaping in thirteen months.
Among the exports of St. Lucia during 1905 the
following items are of interest: Cassia Fistula, 16 packages
(value, £20); musk seeds, 25 barrels (value, £85 10s.) ;
pimento sticks (value, £554 10s.).
Mr. H. Millen, Curator of the Tobago Botanic
Station, writes: ‘Bamboos are found growing on almost
all the hillsides where cacao is being planted. As they gr Ww
rapidly and are not easily uprooted, they are being retained
as wind-breaks.’
Mr. J. R. Bovell, Agricultural Superintendent at
Barbados, has received an order from a firm in England for
5 barrels of sweet potatos and 1 barrel of yams each month.
Any one desiring to ship these vegetables should communi-
cate with Mr. Bovell.
A company has been floated in Jamaica for providing
a system of cold storage. It is proposed to supply fresh meat
to ships. The company is also desirous of working up
a connexion with other West Indian Islands for the supply of
beef and mutton.
During the fortnight ended August 25, 47 bales of West
Tndian cotton were imported in the United Kingdom. Sales
have been effected at the following prices : West Indian, 4.
to 6°34d.; West Indian Sea Island, medium fine, 157: fine,
l4d.: extra fine, 1607. (West India Committee Circular.)
The rubber industry should be of far greater importance
than it is at present. There are in Guatemala large tracts
of land suitable for growing rubber; but owing to the
impossibility of sufticiently policing the country, the rubber
is frequently stolen from the trees. (Consular Report,
1902-3.)
An Agricultural Show will be held at the Agricultural
School, St. Vincent, under the auspices of the Imperial
Department of Agriculture and a local committee, in March
1905. It is hoped that intending competitors will avail
themselves of this early notification in the preparation of
exhibits.
At a recent meeting of the Trinidad Agricultuval
Society, Mr. J. H. Hart exhibited specimens of the Mexican
melocoton grown in the colony. This vegetable is used like
a vegetable marrow. The melocoton has also been grown
successfully at the Botanic Station at St. Lucia.
There has been an increase in the export of oranges
from Jaffa during the last few years. According to the
Consular Report on the trade of Palestine, the exports of
oranges in 1903 were valued at £93,435 as against an
average value of £83,535 for 1899-1903. Further planting
is in progress.
The Maritime Merchant of August 11 contains an
account of an interview with Mr. C. 8. Pickford, of the firm
of Pickford & Black, who has recently paid an extended visit
to these islands. Mr. Pickford speaks encouragingly of the
hnproyed industrial conditions of the West Indies, making
special mention of the sugar industry and of cotton growing.
We are informed by a successful grower of onions in
Barbados that he has experienced no trouble from ants when
the seed has been sown, as recommended in the last issue of
the Agricultural News, in drills. Where, however, the seed
was merely scattered over the surface of the bed, a consider-
able proportion was lost.
In the course of a discussion at a meeting of the British
Guiana Board of Agriculture on the advisability of importing
cocoa-nuts for cultivation, Professor Harrison stated that
he had obtained nuts from Singapore and Trinidad, and
had come to the conclusion that nuts grown in the colony
compared very favourably with those imported. What was
required was selection, both for planting and for shipping.
In the Natal Ayricultural Journal tor July 22,
considerable space is devoted to notes on cotton cultivation,
which include a number of extracts from the West Indian
Bulletin. (nan editorial note it is stated that copies of the
West Indian Bulletin, Vol. IV, no. 4, have been obtained
by the Natal Agricultural Department, which may be
obtained on application, price Is.
During the quarter ended June 50, 1904, 1,438 bales
and 12 bags of cotton were exported from the British West
Indies. The total weight was 415,209 tb., and the estimated
value £15,514 14s. The shipments were all to the United
Kingdom. Particulars of the cotton exports for the previous
quarter will be found in the Agriew/tura? News (Vol. IL,
p. 204).
¥
wore LIE No: - 64.
THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.
317
THE IMPERIAL DEPARTMENT OF AGRI-
CULTURE FOR THE WEST INDIES.
The following appreciative review of the work
of the Imperial Department of Agriculture appeared
in The Times of August 27, 1904 :—
In the midst of other and larger colonial preoccupations
the West Indies have of late attracted little public attention
in this country. In some respects that is a goed sign, since
prosperity is generally very well content to be let alone, and
as such we may fairly take it in the light of the speech
delivered at Avonmouth the other day by Sir Daniel Morris,
the Imperial Commissioner of Agriculture for the West
Indies. No man is better qualified to speak with authority
on this subject than Sir Daniel Morris. He has known the
West Indies as few men know them for over a quarter of
acentury. He has known them in the days of their deepest
depression, as was shown by the report on their economic
condition which he prepared for the Royal Commission of
1896. He has seen those days pass away and he has himself
been largely, we might say mainly, instrumental in bringing
about a better state of things It would hardly be possible
to exaggerate the benefits, actual and prospective, which
have been conferred on the West Indies by the Imperial
Department of Agriculture, established by Mr. Chamberlain,
and organized with admirable skill and energy by Sir Daniel
Morris. Established at a very critical time, when the sugar
industry, once the mainstay of West Indian prosperity, was
being slowly bled to death by the desolating rivalry of the
sugar bounties, when the planters were discouraged and
impoverished, when some of the islands depending solely on
sugar were on the verge of ruin, when, except in Jamaica,
which had secured a large market in the United States,
other agricultural industries were very imperfectly developed,
the Department has in a few years done more than any other
single agency to save and restore the whole situation. For
the abolition of the sugar bounties it is not, of course,
directly responsible, but by its systematic researches and
experiments on the cultivation of the sugar-cane it has done
a, very great deal to enable the West Indian planters to reap
the full benefit of that most salutary measure. It has
organized and encouraged the development of such alternative
agricultural industries as are best suited to the climatic con-
ditions of the several islands ; and, above all, it has promoted
the cultivation by the best methods, and with the most
approved appliances, of Sea Island cotton, a measure which,
though it may have no very conspicuous effect on the cotton
market in this country, and no commanding share in the
industrial economy of the Empire, is undoubtedly one of real
Imperial import, and of large promise for the future of the
West Indies themselves.
This is a very different picture from that which Sir
Daniel Morris was compelled to draw for the Royal Commis-
sion of 1896. Nor is it the only proof we have that the
West Indies are about to see better days. The occasion on
which Sir Daniel Morris spoke is another. His speech was
delivered at Avonmouth on board the ‘Port Kingston,’ the
largest and best appointed steamer that has ever been
devoted to the West Indian trade. Five years ago scarcely
any one had ever seen a Jamaica banana in this country.
Now it is to be bought in all parts of the country at a price
which brings it within the reach of all but the very poorest.
‘This is due to the establishment of the Imperial Direct Line
-of steamers to Jamaica—another of the measures undertaken
by Mr. Chamberlain on the recommendation of the Royal
Commission. A large market for Jamaica bananas has been
-ereated in this country, such as must result, in the long run,
in a large development of the banana industry in Jamaica
and a corresponding increase in the cultivation of other
fruits, especially the orange; and, though the supply was
interrupted for a time in consequence of the hurricane of last
year, yet the putting of a new steamer on the line, which
ean carry 40,000 bunches of bananas and 15,000 cases of
other fruits, is a proof that Messrs. Elder, Dempster & Co.,
the owners and founders of the line, are as fully convinced
as Sir Daniel Morris is that the prosperity of the West Indies,
and of Jamaica in particular, is returning.
EDUCATIONAL.
Teaching of Agriculture in Trinidad.
The annual report of the Inspector of Schools in
Trinidad for 1903-4 contains the following account of
the efforts that are being made to introduce the teach-
ing of agriculture in elementary schools :—
The methods adopted for fostering and maintaining
a love of ‘ Nature study’ are :—
(1) Making practical agriculture and ‘ Nature teaching’
a part of the curriculum in all rural primary boys or mixed
schools.
(2) Establishment of school gardens wherever practic-
able.
(3) Free distribution to teachers of agriculture literature,
such as the Agricultural News, the Bulletin of the Botanical
Department, and the Proceedings of the Agricultural Society
of Trinidad.
(4) Periodical visits to schoois by the Agricultural
Instructors to give advice and instruction.
(5) Bi-weekly lectures on chemistry to the male students
of Port-of-Spain Training Schools by one of the Government
Laboratory Assistants.
(6) Weekly lectures on practical agriculture to the
male students of the Port-of-Spain and San Fernando
Training Schools by an Agricultural Instructor.
(7) Annual School Vegetable Shows at four agricultural
centres of the colony.
With a view to stimulating teachers in their efforts to
carry into effect the first and second of the above measures,
the Board of Education has adopted two methods :—
(1) By a re-adjustment of the scale of bonuses an award
for agriculture is given to the teacher by the Inspector on the
results at the annual examination.
(2) By obtaining the highest award (‘very good’) in the
subject of practical agriculture for three successive years,
a third-class head teacher of ten years standing, may be
promoted to the second class. In this way five teachers have
gained promotion to the second class during the past year.
The advantages gained by thoroughly grounding our
teachers in a knowledge of the elementary principles of
agriculture can hardly be over-estimated. I hope that it
may be found possible in the future to send the Agricultural
Instructors more frequently to the country schools.
Nearly 200 of our primary schools now have gardens, and
however successful these may be in the production of
vegetables, if the experimental (and more purely educational)
part of the work is to be of any practical utility, the advice
of the expert will be constantly needed. I am glad to be
able to report that in a few of the schools of the southern
district, exceptionally good work of this character is in
progress, and some interesting notes with reference to it are
given in the report of the Senior Assistant Inspector.
THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.
SrerremBer 24, 1904.
MARKET REPORTS.
London,— August 30, 1904. Messrs. J. Hanes Camp & Co.,
Messrs. Krarton, Preer & Co., Messrs. E. A.
pE Pass & Co., ‘THE West [npr Committee Crr-
cuLar; ‘Tae Lrverroon Corron Assocration
WeEEKLY Crrcutar, August 26 ; and ‘THE PuBLic
Lepcer,’ August 27, 1904.
Arors—Barbados, 13/- to 35/- ; Curacoa, 14/- to 38/- per ewt.
Arrowroot—St. Vincent, 1fd. per Tb.
Baxara—Block, 1/3 per Tb.
BEES’-WAxX—£7 5s. to £7 15s. per ewt.
Cacao—Trinidad, 58/- to 62/- per ewt. ; Grenada, 54/-
to 58 - per ewt. ; Dominica, 49/- to 57/- per ewt. ;
Jamaica, 51/- to 57/6 per ewt.
Carpamoms—Mysore, 73d. to 2/- per Ib.
CorrEE—Jamaica, good ordinary, 38/- per ewt.
Corron—West Indian Sea Island, medium fine, 138d. ; fine,
147. ; extra fine, 16d. per tb.
Frvuir—
Bananas—Jamaica, 4/- to 8/- per bunch.
Grape Freir—Jamaica, 10/- to 11/- per case.
OrancEes—Jamaica, 8/6 to 11/- per case.
Prye-arpLes—Antigua, 14/- per barrel.
Fusric—£3 10s. to £4 per ton.
Gincer—Fair to good bright, 426 to 47/6; common to
middling, 29/- to 37/6 per ewt.
Honex—15, - to 24/- per ewt.
Istyatass—West Indian lump, 2/5 to 2/10; cake, 1/1 to 13
per th.
Konia Nuts—4d. to 7d. per th.
Lime Jurce—Raw, 1/3 to 1/5 per gallon; concentrated,
£14 per cask of 108 gallons.
Line O1—Distilled, 1/6 to 1/7 per th. ; handpressed, 2/9
to 3,- per th
Locwoon —£4 2s. 6d. to £5; Roots, £4 to £4 10s. per ton.
Macre—Fine pale, 1/8; Fair red to good pale, 1/2 to 1/5;
per tb.
Nirrate or Sopa—Agricultural, £10 5s. per ton.
Nutmecs-—59’s, 2/4; 76's, 1/2; 100’s, 9d.; 150's, Sd.
per th.
Pimento—2}d. per th.
Rum—Demerara, Td. per proof gallon; Jamaica, Is. o%/.
tols 94d. per proof gallon.
SarsaparmtLa—Jamaica, 7d. to 1/1 per Th.
Sucar—Crystallized, 16/9 to 17/3 per ewt. ; Muscovado,
Barbados, 13/6 to 14/- per ewt.; Molasses, 11,6 to
15/- per ewt.
SutpHare or AmMontaA—£11 17s. 6d. per ton.
Montreal,—August 8, 190!.—Myr. J. Russert Murray.
(In bond quotations.)
Bananas—Jamaica, 8dce. to $100 per bunch of 8 hands ;
$115 to $125 per bunch firsts ; $1°50 per bunch
Jumbos, c. & f.
Cepar—Trinidad, 40c. per cubic foot, c. & f.
Cocoa-Nurs— Jamaica, $25:00 to $27:00 ; Trinidad, $21-00
to $24:00 per M., c. & f.
Correr—Jamaica, medium, 8c. to 9c. per th., c. & f.
Gincer—Jamaica, unbleached, 64c. to 8c. per th., c. & f.
Limes—Jamaica, $4°00 per barrel, c. & f.
Mo rascvir—Demerara, $1°32 per 100 th., ¢. & f.
Motasses—Barbados, 24c. to 26e.; Antigua, 20c. to 21e.
per Imperial gallon.
Nurmecs—Grenada, 110's, 17¢. to 18e. per th., c. & f.
Pimento—Jamaica, 7j}c. to The. per th., c. & f.
Pine-arpLteEs—Cubans, crates 36’s to 18’s, $3°75 to $4:10.
Sucar—Grey Crystals, 96°, $2°55 to $2°60 per 100 Th., c. &f.
—Centrifugals, 89°, $2°25 to $2°30 per 100 tb., c. & £.
—Molasses, 89°, $2:10 per 100 tb., c. &f.
—FParbados, 89°, $2°35 per 100 tb., c. &. f.
- ~—
New York,—August 19, 1904.—Messrs. GILLESPIE:
Bros. & Co.
Cacao—Caracas, 12{¢. to13c.; Jamaica, Mfc. to 11}c.;
Grenada, 12c. to 124¢.; Trinidad, 12c. to 13c. per th.
Cocoa-Nurs—Trinidads, $25 to $27 per M., selected ;
Jamaicas—$30-00 per M.
CorrrE—Jamaica, fair to good ordinary, 8$c. per tb.
Gixcer—Jamaica, Te. to 8e. per th.
Goat Skixs—Jamaicas, 52c. to 544c. per tb.
Pimento—4Ze. per tb., spot quotation.
Sucar—Centrifugals, 96°, 4}c. ; Muscovados, 89°, 31}c. to
3c. ; Molasses, 89°, 3,%;¢. to 3$c. per Tb.
INTER-COLONIAL MARKETS.
Barbados,—September 10, 1904.—Messrs. T. S. Garra-
way & Co., and Messrs. James A. Lyncn & Co.
Arrowroor—St. Vincent, $3°50 to $3°60 per 100 th.
Cacao—Dominica, $13°50 per 100 tb.
Cocoa-Nurs—$13°50 per M. for husked nuts.
Corree—Jamaica, $10°00 to $11-00 ; ordinary Rio, $12-00
per 100. tb,
Hay —9de. to $1°00 per 100 th.
Manvures—- Nitrate of soda, $60-00 ; Ohlendorff’s dissolved
guano, $60°00; Sulphate of ammonia, $72°00 to $75°00;
Sulphate of potash, $67-00.
Morasses— Market closed.
Oxtons—Madeira (stringed), $1°75 per 100 tb.
Poraros, ENGLtisH—$2°88 to $3°00; Nova Scotia, $3-0%
per 160 th.
Rice—Ballam, $4°50 to $4°60 per bag (190 tb.); Patna,
$3°40 per 100 tb.
Sucar—Market closed.
British Guiana,—September 8, 1904.—Messrs. W1EtTinG
& Ricwrer.
Arrowroor—St. Vincent, $7°50 per barrel.
Batara—Venezuela block, 25c.; Demerara sheet, 35c.
per tb.
Cacao—Native, 12c. to 13c. per tb.
Cassava SrarcH—$¢6°50 per barrel.
Cocoa-Nurs—8 ‘00 to $10°00 per M.
Corrre—Rio and Jamaica, 13c. to 13hc. per th. (retail).
—Creole, lle. per tb.
Duat— $4:25 to $4:40 per bag of 168 tb.
Eppors—Sd4e. per barrel.
Morasses—Vacuum Pan yellow, 15}c. per gallon (casks.
included).
Oxtons—Madeira, $1°80 to $1-90 per 100 tb. ; Teneriffe,
$1°50 to $1°75 per 100 Ib.
Pea Nurs—American, 7e. per tb. (retail).
Prayrars—20e. to 36c. per bunch.
Poravos, Enxoenisa—Lisbon and Madeira, $1°50 per
100 th. (retail).
Rrce—Ballam, $4°40 to $450; Creole, $4°50 per 177 tb.,
ex store.
Sweer Poratros—Barbados, 7T2c. per bag.
Tannras—$1°68 per barrel.
Yamus—White, $2°64 per bag.
Sccar—Dark Crystals, $2°50 to $2°60; Yellow, $2°50 to
‘80; White, $3°50 to $3°75; Molasses, $2°00 to
5 per 100 th.
:—Greenheart, 32c. to 55c. per cubie foot.
WaALLABA SHINGLES—$3'00, $3°75 and $5°50 per M.
Trinidad, —September 8, 1904.—Messrs. Gorpon, GRANT
& Co. ; and Messrs. Epcar Trier & Co,
Cacao—Ordinary, $1220 to $12°35; Estates, $12°40 to
$12-60; Venezuelan, $1250 to $1275 per fanega
(110 tb.).
Cocoa-Nuts—$19°00 per M., f.0.b.
Cocoa-Nuv Or.—73e. per Imperial gallon (casks included).
Corrre—Venezuelan, Te. to Tfe. per th.
Corra—$2°85 per 100 tb.
Ox1ons—$1-20 to $1:25 per 100 tb.
Poraros, ExcrisH—$1°40 to $1°50 per 100 tb.
t1ce—Yellow, $4°10 to $4°50; White Table, $4°80 to
$5°50 per bag.
Vou. Il. No. 64. THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS. 319
Publications on sale of the Imperial Department of Agriculture
FOR THE WEST INDIES.
The ‘WEST INDIAN BULLETIN.’ A Quarterly Scientific Journal.
Volume I. Complete in the original paper covers as issued, post free, 5s.
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No. +. Sea Island Cotton in the United States and the West Indies. Price 6d. each
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PAMPHLET SERIES.
The Pamphlets are written in a simple and popular manner and the information contained in them is especially
adapted to West Indian conditions. They contain, amongst other subjects, summaries of the results of the experiment work
on sugar-cane and manures, the full official reports of which have only a limited circulation. The following list gives particulars
of all the pamphlets which are still available. The missing numbers are out of print and can no longer be supplied :—
(3) Seedling and other Canes at Barbados, in 1900. Price 2d. Post free, 2hd.
(5) General Treatment of Insect Pests, 2nd. Edition Revised. Price 4d. Post free, 44d.
(6) Recipes for cooking Sweet Potatos. Price 2¢. Post free, 24d. 5
(7) Seale Insects of the Lesser Antilles, Part I. Price 4d. Post free, 5d.
(9) Bee-keeping in the West Indies. Price 4d. Post free, 5d.
(12) Séedling and other Canes in the Leeward Islands, 1900-1901. Price 2d. Post free, 24d.
(13) Seedling and other Canes at Barbados, in 1901. Price 4d. Post free, 5d. a
(14) Screw Worm in Cattle at St. Lucia. Price 2d. Post free, 24d.
(15) Plain Talk to Small Owners. Price 2d. Post free, 24d.
(16) Hints on Onion Cultivation. Price 2d. Post free, 23d.
(17) General Treatment of Fungoid Pests. Price 4d. Post free, 5d.
(18) Recipes for cooking West Indian Yams. Price 2d. Post free, 23d.
) Seedling and other Canes at Barbados, in 1902. Price 4d. Post free, 5d.
(20) Seedling and other Canes in the Leeward Islands, 1901-1902. Price 2d. Post free, 241.
21) Cotton and Onion Industries in the West Indies. Price 2d. Post free, 24d. i
22) Scale Insects of the Lesser Antilles, Part II. Price 4d. Post free, 5d. “
Notes on Poultry in the West Indies. Price 4d. Post free, 5d.
Dominica, Hints to Settlers. Price 2. Post free, 24d.
Ground Nuts in the West Indies. Price 2d. Post free, 24d.
Seedling and other Canes at Barbados, in 1903. Price 4d. Post free, 5d.
Seedling and other Canes in the Leeward Islands, 1902-1903. Price 2d. Post free, 23d.
Barbados and Porto Rico Molasses. Price 3d. Post free, . 32d. =
Lectures on the Diseases of the Sugar-cane. Price 4d. Post free, 5d.
Manurial Experiments with Sugar-cane in the Leeward Islands, 1902-3. Price 4d. Post free, 5d.
A. B. C. of Cotton Planting. Price 4d. Post free, 5d.
‘NATURE TEACHING.’
A text-book based upon the general principles of Agriculture for the use of schools, prepared by the Honourable
Francis Watts and others. (Pages XII and 199). Price, limp cloth 2s., or in a superior style of binding 2. 6d. Postage
in either binding, 34d. extra.
L
b
ee ee eee
WwW wld wl
= OO Waa Ul >
~~ (SSS SS SS OSE
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 on in each colony and the progress made in
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, 13d. The subscription price, including postage,
is ls. 74d. per half-year, or 3s. 3d. per annum. Vols. I and II complete with title page and index as issued.—Price 4s. Post
free, 5s. Only a few copies available. AUl applications for copies are to be addressed to the Agents, not to the Department.
Agents.
The following have been appointed agents for the sale of the publications of the Department :—
London: Messrs. Dutau & Co., 37, Soho Square, W. City Agents: THe Wes Inp1a Committers, 15, Seething
Lane, London, E.C. Sarbados: Messrs. Bownn & Sons, Bridgetown. Jamaica: Tae Epucarronan Suppry
Company, 16, King St., Kingston. British Guiana: ‘Daily Chronicle’ Office, Georgetown, Zrinidad: Messrs. Morr,
MarsHatt & Co., Port-of-Spain. Zobago: Mr. C. L. PLAGEMANN, Scarborough. Grenada: Messrs. F. Marrasr & Co.,
‘The Stores,’ St. George. St. Vincent: Mr. W. C. D. Prouproor, Kingstown. St. Lucia: Mrs. Borman, Bridge Street,
Castries. Dominica : Messrs. C. F. Duverney & Co., Market St., Roseau. Montserrat : Mr. W. LunwELiyn WALL, Plymouth.
Antigua: Mr. 8. D. Msnons, St. John’s. St. Avtt’s: Messrs. 8. L. Horsrorp & Co., Basseterre. Nevis: Mr. 8. D. MAtoNng,
Charlestown. Lahamas : Wesleyan Methodist Book Concern, Nassau.
320 THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.
SepreMBerR 24, 1904.
THE BEST MANURES FOR COLONIAL USE
st PASE Ey
Ohlendorff’s Dissolved Peruvian Guano—For Sugar-cane and general use
Ohlendorff’s Special Sugar-cane Manure
Ohlendorff’s Special Cocoa Manure
Ohlendorff’s Special Cotton Manure
Sulphate of Ammonia, Nitrate of Soda, Superphosphates, high grades,
Potash Salts, Basic Slag and all other high-class Fertilizers.
APPLY TO LOCAL AGENTS OR DIRECT TO
THE ANGLO-CONTINENTAL (LATE OHLENDORFF’S) GUANO WORKS,
London Agency: 15, Leadenhall Street,
London, E.C.
Barbados Agents: Messrs. James A. Lynch & Co., Bridgetown.
ESTATE FOR SALE OR TO LET.
An excellent property situate between the Wood- |
ford Hill and Brookdale Estates in the parish
of St. Andrew’s, Dominica. |
zs SPECIAL TERMS FOR CASH.
For full particulars apply to the proprietor,
NATHL. POWELL, |
Wesley, Dominica.
¢
CA CEO.
By J. H. HART, F.LS.
NEW EDITION.
A treatise on the cultivation, curing and chemistry of
’ c «
COMMERCIAL CACAO.
DAVIDSON & TODD, Trinidad.
Wm.WESLEY & Co., 28, Essex St., London.
Price 3s. per copy.
DEPARTMENT PUBLICATIONS.
FOR COTTON GROWERS :
A. B. G.
OF
COTTON PLANTING
FOR PEASANT PROPRIETORS,
Containing full directions for the coming
season. Price 4d. Post free, 5d.
6
WEST
(VOL. IV, NO. 4.),
Containing full report by Sir Daniel Morris,
K.C.M.G., D.Sc., and Mr. J. R. Bovell, F.LS., F.C.S.,
on visit to the Cotton-growing districts of U.S.A.
Printed at Office of Agricultural Reporter. 4, High Street, Bridgetown, Barbados,
INDIAN BULLETIN’ |
Andia Rubber in Bahia... 324
A FORTNIGHTLY REVIEW NEW OBE
OF
IMPERIAL DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE FOR THE WEST INDI “
=O fa
aA",
Fi
f 7 a
THE
Wor. Ill. No. 65.
BARBADOS, OCTOBER 8, 1904.
Price 1d.
CONTENTS.
PAGE.
Insect Notes :—
Ants on Fruit trees ... 350
Cotton Worm ... ... 330
IMontsernaieeaameeeie ess
Manila Hemp, Cultiva-
tion of Ronee aoe
Banana Industry :-—
Barbados
Costa Rica ...
Bees’-wax, Indian ...
Belgian Hares
w- O28
we O24
. 329
. 383
Citrus trade in Sicily ... 324
Cotton Industry :— M arket Reports
Raaicn 32g | Notes and Comments
Manuring in Egypt ... 325 Orchard Culture, Experi-
Gi. WAS 295 ments in... ... ... 326
Sveum Ibarra 399 | Plant Fibres, Principal
€ eee eee Ve a] Gace 292
lnited! States. Gea Commercial wes O20
a Poultry Notes... ... .. ddl
Island Crop ... ... 32
West Indian Cotton ... 32:
Department News... ... 33
Department Reports :—
Science Notes :---
Bamboo, Flowering of 526
Essential Oils in Plants 526
Sugar Industry :—
Pea ey ea=) a2 5-= SDS Cubs . Sipe, Shei g20
Grenada... w.- 338 Mauritius, Varieties in 328
Educational :— Trinidad, Cane farming
Nature Teaching ... 331 i jon! oo ag oon
St. Lucia... ... ... 331 | Sweet Potatos as Stock
Gleanings ah 332 food ... 33
The Sisal Hemp Industry
and the West Indies 521
West Africa, Develop-
men OLweee ese ee O29
West Indian Products ... 334
Ground Nuts in Gambia 323
Hawaiian Islands, Agri-
culture in . 329
The Sisal Hemp Industry and the
West Indies.
N regard to soil requirements the sisal
hemp plant is not exacting, and there are,
= 3 in different parts of the West Indies,
considerable tracts of land which might be utilized for
the cultivation of sisal hemp—land, too, which, on
account of its dry and rocky nature, is not suitable for
Moreover, there appears to be’
a considerable demand for this fibre, especially in the
United States, and at present, at any rate, the price
of sisal fibre is sufficiently high to enable it to be grown
growing other crops.
very profitably.
As the Imperial Department of Agriculture is
anxious to encourage the planting of sisal hemp, full
information as to its cultivation and preparation for
market has been published in the current issue of the
West Indian Bulletin (Vol. 5, no 2). In the same
article a brief sketch is given of the progress of the
industry in the Bahamas and the Caicos Islands.
The cultivation of this plant on a commercial scale
is carried on principally in Yucatan, the Bahamas, the
Caicos Islands, and Hawaii. The total exports of sisal
from Mexico (known there as henequen) in 1902 were
88,087 tons. From the Bahamas, in the same year, 1,042
tons, of the value of £37,574, were exported, while the
Caicos Islands exported 222 tons, of the value of
£7,100. In the same year 89,583 tons of sisal hemp
were imported into the United States.
The sisal industry in the Bahamas has increased
in importance during the last eight or nine years to
a very considerable extent. At first, as is usual in the
initial stages in the establishment of such an industry,
more or less serious difficulties had to be met, and
doubts were entertained as to the ultimate success of the
322
THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.
Octoper 8, 1904.
ventures: now, however, the industry is well established
and appears to be of a decidedly remunerative character.
The progress of the sisal industry in the Caicos
Islands, where excellent fibre is produced, is particu-
larly interesting. The commencement of the industry
dates from about 1889, when Captain Jackson, then
Commissioner of the islands, drew attention to the
existence of the plant. Through Captain Jackson's
efforts a government nursery was established from
which a large number of plants were distributed. The
export of sisal hemp began in 1894 with £419 worth:
from that time the exports have gradually increased
till, as already stated, they reached the value of £7,100
in 1902,
The price of this fibre in the London market has
been subject to somewhat violent fluctuations. The
highest price reached during the past twenty-five years
was £56 10s. in March 1889: from that date, owing to
the operations of the Cordage Trust, the price fell
continually, until in 1895, it reached the lowest price
it had ever reached, viz., £13 per ton, or a little less
than 13d. per tb. During the past nine years, however,
the prices have shown an upward tendency, reaching
£43 in 1902; last year the average price was £36 per
ton, or about 4. per Ib.
In the United States there have been similar
fluctuations: during the past ten years the price has
varied from 2$c. to 10c. per tb.
Next, with regard to the yield of fibre. In Yucatan
the average yield from the fifth to the seventh year is
75 tb. of fibre to 1,000 leaves. It was estimated by
Sir Daniel (then Dr.) Morris in 1896, that in the
Bahamas the yield of fibre per acre would not be likely
to fall below half a ton. If the cost of production be
placed at 1d. per tb., there would be a profit of 37. per
tb., or over £2 per acre, even at the lowest price (13d.
per tb.) that sisal fibre has ever reached. It is obvious,
therefore, that, with the price as at present, satisfac-
tory profits should be obtained.
In sisal hemp, then, we have a crop which can
be grown in the poor and rocky lands unsuited to other
forms of cultivation, its cultivation is a simple matter,
and reliable machines can be obtained for preparing the
fibre. It will be necessary for planters to direct
attention to the uniform production of a first-class fibre
to meet the requirements of the best markets, and an
endeavour would have to be made to prevent the
export of short or immature fibre in order to make
a good name for West Indian sisal in the markets,
SUGAR
Cane Farming in Trinidad.
INDUSTRY.
The returns of the Trinidad cane farmers’ crop for
1904 are published in the Proceedings of the Agri-
cultural Society (Paper no. 222). The following table
is an abstract showing the returns for the last seven
years :—-
| Se , x
3 let Mh ee) a No. of Farmers.
Fs =o o 2 = = = ee
= ae! iS n> = os
5) | 22 Sale cee ees g|8)4
ee Se a Ons oe Es fon l= :
a nee n? mu Br sey =5 =|
13/5 See ie | ous 5 E So), Olle
la |S am = a <= oe
'1904/50,744| 1,669 '385,015 171,947 $360,046 4,646 4,685 9,331
1903). 1,783 [337,632 166,590 $348, 445/4,443 4,440/8,883
11902} 2 4,379 (337,911 184,867 $327 ,183/4,506 4,850/9,356
11901} 5 3,652 434,003 169,918 $369, 482/3,819 4,737 /8,556
1900) 2 1,286 (364,355) 105,996 $227 .865/2,826 3,591]6,417
1899| = 1,571 eae 106,741/$219,011 2,826 3,870)6,696
l1s98| = -— |105.753!$202,901/2,326 3,82416, 150
The Cuban Sugar Industry.
The Sugar Planters Journal contains an
x
interesting review, by Dr. C. A. Kern, of the sugar
industry in the West Indies, from which we take the
following extracts relating to the possibilities of Cuba
as a sugar-producing country :—
The recent passage of the Cuban reciprocity treaty has
called the attention of the American sugar world to the
resources and history not only of the island of Cuba, but also
of the other West Indian Islancs, especially Hayti and Santo
Domingo.
The increase of the sugar product, and also the lessening
of the cost of its production, as reported by the United States
Consul-General in Havana, are remarkable, and show what
might be accomplished in this line in the other islands.
The cost of cultivation, planting, etc., is $1,201 per
caballeria (33°16 acres) ; this produces, at a fair average, 614
tons of cane ; virgin soil yields as high as 1,000 tons of cane,
but the afore-mentioned quantity is the average taken from
statistical figures. The average yield in sugar is from 195 to
235 Ib. per ton, according to the more or less improved
machinery employed. The percentage derived by the use of
modern machinery is from 10°5 to 11 per cent. of sugar,
while that derived by old machinery amounts to from’8°5 to
9 per cent.
The possibilities of enlarging the output of sugar in
Cuba are enormous. Of all the available land for cultivation
of cane, only one-quarter is cultivated, viz., 12,784 caballerias
of the suitable 51,344 caballerias. With proper cultivation
and with improved modern machinery Cuba alone is in the
position to produce annually about 5,000,000 to 6,000,000
tons of sugar, or about half of the present production of the
world.
‘
Vou. III. No. 65.
THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS. 323
Sugar-cane Varieties in Mauritius.
In an article in the International Sugar Journal
on the sugar industry of Mauritius, Mr. Noel Deerr
makes the following observations on varieties of canes
and seedlings :—
A very large number of varieties of canes are grown:
formerly the Louzier, a cane very similar to, if not identical
with, the West Indian Bourbon, was the great sugar
producer, but its proclivity towards disease has led to its
gradual abandonment. The canes most in favour now are
the White and Striped Tanna. The latter is the Cheribon
cane of Java, a purple and yellow striped cane of great girth
and length, fungus-resistant, but inclined to form short
joints: the White Tanna is a bud sport from the Striped and
is now held in great favour; it reproduces the best points of
the parent cane, at the same time not being so inclined to
form short joints ; from clinical field observation the writer
does not think it is so fungus-resistant as the Striped. The
Black Tanna, also a bud sport and much resembling the
parent cane in habit, is not extensively grown. All these
three varieties are gross feeders and do best when grown on
rich soils,* or when liberally manured and watered ; they
give the best comparative results as plant canes, their
superiority over the Louzier being less pronounced in the
ratoon crops ; over a four-crop rotation the writer has no
hesitation in putting their superiority over the Louzier at
25 per cent. at least.
Other canes extensively grown are the Port Mackay,
a claret cane with inconspicuous, but well-defined, bronze-
green stripe, and of average height and girth ; this cane is
characterized by frequently forming variegated or quite white
leaves ; the Iscambine, a red cane, and the Striped Iscambine,
a yellow and green cane, are also frequently seen; both of
these are non-resistant to fungus. ‘he classical Horne cane
is also sometimes seen on the estate scale.
The history of seedlings in Mauritius is very peculiar ;
shortly after the discovery by Soltwedel in Java, and by
Harrison and Boyell in Barbados, of the fertility of cane
seed, seedlings were successfully raised in Mauritius by
Mr. George Perromat: a large number of these were
distributed to estates and raised to separate varieties, but the
careful systematic work which has characterized the West
Indian development of the subject has been entirely absent
from Mauritius; each estate which received seedlings
numbered them as it thought proper, and as estate
managers frequently started seedling nurseries, chaos soon
resulted : to cap all a seedling mania arose, and whole fields
were put under seedlings, of the properties of which nothing
was known ; provided a new seedling was well advertised,
its fortunate proprietor could sell cuttings at fancy prices, to
his own great benefit, and frequently to the detriment of the
purchaser. Out of chaos something like order has at last
resulted as the outcome of the survival of the fittest, and the
following Mauritius seedlings may be mentioned as recog-
nized sugar producers :—
No. 33; a green cane of recumbent habit often forming
peculiar abortive joints.
Nos. 53 and 65; both purplish canes of average girth
and height.
No. 131; a deep purple cane of slender habit but extra-
ordinarily prolific in the number of canes in a stool.
No. 134 ; a brown cane at maturity of rather less than
average girth.
* ‘Tanna’ is the native Javanese term for ‘rich earth,’
GROUND NUTS IN GAMBIA.
The principal article of export from Gambia is
ground nuts. In 1903, the value exported was
£275,394, or over 80 per cent. of the total value of the
colony’s exports for the year. This is the largest
output ever known. As this is the principal industry
in the colony, the following note, from the Annual
Report, on its cultivation, is of interest:—
The ground nut which originally came from Brazil is
the breath and life of the Gambia. It may be of interest to
mention that the nuts are usually planted after the first
rains in June and mature in about five months. They are
reaped towards the end of October or beginning of
November and placed in large heaps in the fields. Early in
Jannary the nuts are ‘beaten,’ as it is termed, in order to
separate them from the vines, and from the soil which has
clung to them. ‘The clouds of dust raised from this beating
can be seen for miles distant. The nuts are then collected and
brought to the factories from whence they are shipped direct
to Marseilles, where they are crushed in mills and the oil
extracted. The oil of the ground nut, which is said to be
as much as 40 to 50 per cent. of the weight of the shelled
nut, is pleasant to taste and smell, and very closely resembles
the best olive oil, for which it is largely sold. The lower
grades of oil are used for lubricating purposes and also in
the manufacture of soap. After the oil is extracted the
refuse is converted into cake or meal for feeding cattle, ete.
The best or picked nuts, which command about double the
price of the ordinary nuts, are usually shipped to England
for confectionery purposes.
The average yield of ground nuts per acre is between
60 and 80 bushels, for which the natives were paid this year,
on the average, 1s, per bushel. In the previous year the price
averaged between 2s. to 3s. the bushel. In former years
nuts were sold by the measure, the price for which was 2s.
The price never altered ; but the measure, which contained
anything between 52 to 68 Ib. of nuts, often did. With the
introduction of the cash trade, however, the measure has
gradually disappeared, the natives now selling by weight,
a system they much prefer.
PRINCIPAL COMMERCIAL PLANT FIBRES.
In an interesting articleon the subject of commer-
cial plant fibres, in the Yearbook of the United States
Department of Agriculture, the writer classifies fibres
as follows :—
Vegetable fibres used in textile manufactures in this
country may be readily divided into three rather distinct
classes, either from the standpoint of the manufacturer, who
regards the kind of machinery or process of treating the fibre
and the character of the goods produced, or from the view-
point of the botanist, who regards the character of the plant
and the manner in which the fibre is borne. These three
classes are :
(1) The cottons, with soft, lint-like fibre, 3 inch to
2 inches long, composed of single cells, borne on the seeds of
different species of cotton plants.
(2) The soft fibres, or bast fibres, including flax, hemp,
and jute ; flexible fibres of soft texture, 10 to 100 inches in
length, composed of many overlapping cells, and borne in the
inner bark of the plants.
(3) The hard, or leaf, fibres, including Manila, sisal,
Mauritius, New Zealand fibres, and ixtle, all having rather
stiff, woody fibres, 1 to 10 feet long, composed of numerous
cells in bundles, borne in the tissues of the leaf or leaf-stem.
THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.
Ocroper 8, 1904.
AN
WEST INDIAN FRUIT.
CITRUS TRADE IN SICILY.
The following extracts from the Consular Report
on Sicily for 1903 indicate the extent of the citrus
fruit industry in the island. The items of export
under this head include oranges and lemons, pickled
fruit and peels, concentrated lernon juice, citric acid,
citrate of lime, and essential oils :—
ORANGES AND LEMONS.
Messina.—The oranges and Jemons exported in boxes
from Messina during the years 1901, 1902, and 1903
amounted to 53,155, 53,815, and 19,342 tons respectively.
The considerable decrease in the export is undoubtedly due
to the fact that all the produce of the province of Catania
which was formerly forwarded to Messina for shipment is
now shipped direct from Catania. Moreover, several fruit
merchants who were established at Messina are now
transacting their business from Catania. In 1903, 7,076
tons were shipped from Messina to various ports in the
United Kingdom. The total shipments of oranges and lemons
in 1903 were 19,342 tons, as against 53,815 tons in 1902.
Palermo.—Ot the total of over 100,000 tons of oranges
and lemons exported, there were 84,436 tons of fresh lemons,
15,237 tons of fresh oranges, and 390 tons of pickled lemons.
Catania.—Exports of oranges and lemons: 1903,
83,953 tons valued at £430,530; 1902, 93,655 tons valued
at £536,603.
Syracuse.—The number of boxes of lemons and oranges
exported during the year was 70,928 for the United Kingdom
and 242,091 for Austria-Hungary.
CITRIC ACID AND CITRATE OF LIME.
The production of citric acid in Sicily was estimated to
be about 48 tons, caleulated to be worth about £6,150.
Messina.—The quantity of citrie acid exported in 1903
amounted to 45 tons, all of which was shipped to the United
Kingdom.
-alermo.—Half the exports of citrate of lime went to
the United Kingdom; 253 tons went to the United States.
PICKLED FRUIT AND PEEL.
Messina.—The export of citrons (halved) in brine
amounted in 1903 to 2,160 tons, the quantity shipped to the
United Kingdom being 1,065 tons.
Syracuse.—The total number of casks of pickled orange
and lemon peel exported in 1903 was 8,258, of which 7,467
went to the United Kingdom and 791 to the United States
of America.
The total quantity of bitter orange and lemon peel
exported in 1903 was 7,582 tons.
BANANA INDUSTRY OF COSTA RICA.
The Consular Report on the trade of Costa Rica
contains the following reference to the position of the
banana industry :—
The total area under bananas is returned as 24,317
manzanas, or 42,060 acres, and this area is rapidly being
extended under the stimulus of the increased price, 3le. gold
for each bunch of ‘firsts’ all the year round, paid to the
growers for their produce by the United Fruit Company,
and of the excellent transport facilities afforded by the Costa
Rica and Northern railways. The fruit from Costa Rica
enjoys the highest reputation, and throughout 1903 has been
shipped to Manchester fortnightly, some 650,000 bunches
in all having been sold there, with very satisfactory results.
The number of bunches exported in 1903 shows an increase
of 23:11 per cent. on that in 1902. The following shows
the growth of this trade during the past five years :—
1899, 2,962,771 bunches ; 1900, 3,420,166 bunches ;
1901, 3,870,156 bunches ; 1902, 4,174,199 bunches; 1903,
5,139,063 bunches.
The United Fruit Company employs in this trade 4,000
Jamaicans, and during the past three anda half years has,
with its associated companies, planted 16,303 acres of land
with bananas. During 1905, 206 steamers have cleared for
the United States ports with this fruit and twenty-five for
the United Kingdom (Manchester).
INDIA RUBBER IN BAHIA.
The following reference to the collection of rnbber
is made in the Consular Report on the trade of
Bahia :—
India rubber improved greatly during the past year.
An increasing and steady demand from Europe caused the
discovery of new sources of supply in the interior of this
State.
Vast forests of Manicoba, the existence of which was
never suspected, were exploited and a grade of rubber
supplied far superior to anything hitherto seen on the
Bahia market. Prices appear to have been satisfactory to
collectors, and had it not been for the scarcity of labour and
the absence of proper roads and insufticient water supply for
the pack mules, the arrivals would have been far greater.
I have seen samples of some specially well-cleaned and
prepared Manicoba which recently reached the market from
one of the new districts, and this fetched from 3s. to 4s.
per tb.
Vou. Ill. No. 65.
THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS. 325
COTTON INDUSTRY.
West Indian Cotton.
The Textile Mercury of September 10, in a report
ofa meeting of the Executive Committee of the British
Cotton-growing Association, has the following reference
to the prospects of the industry in the West Indies :—
Sir Daniel Morris, the Imperial Commissioner of Agricul-
ture for the West Indies, gave a short account of the prospects
of cotton cultivation in the West Indies, expressing the opinion
that the outlook was very bright, and the industry was now
firmly established. He expressed great appreciation of the
assistance which the Association had given. On the motion
of the Chairman, the thanks of the Association were given to
Sir Daniel Morris and his staff for their invaluable work in
the establishment of cotton cultivation in the West Indies.
The following note is taken from the Manchester
Guardian of August 27 :—
Sir Daniel Morris, addressing the Burnley Chamber of
Commerce last night, spoke hopefully of the prospects of
substantially increasing the production of cotton in the West
Indies. The fibre produced was of the best quality, and
though it was impossible to rush the cultivation of new areas,
the aereage was being greatly extended. He thought cotton
would eventually be produced on such a scale there that
Lancashire would be able to look to the West Indies for an
appreciable amount of the cotton she required.
Prospects of Cotton Cultivation in St. Vincent.
Mr. W. N. Sands, Agricultural Superintendent at
St. Vincent, has forwarded the following brief report
on the prospects of the industry in that island :—
The prospects of the cotton industry at St. Vincent look
very well at present.
During the last three weeks I have seen a good deal of
the cotton cultivations along the windward and leeward
coasts. The cotton is being well cultivated, and the plants
look strong and healthy. No disease of any importance has
so far made its appearance.
The approximate area planted is 1,600 acres. The total
will probably be higher when all the planting is completed,
but I do not estimate that it will reach 2,000 acres as at first
thought.
Several planters would have put in large cultivations
had there been more labour available.
The total quantity of selected seed distributed by the
Department amounted to 10,214 tb., sufficient to plant 1,702
acres. The quantity of other seed sown was small, not more,
I should estimate, than 500 tb.
On the whole, should the weather be favourable, there
is at this time every prospect of a good crop.
The last few days have been very wet, and one or two
large fields I saw yesterday looked as if a few bright days
would be of great benefit to the plants.
The Sea Island Cotton Crop of the United
States.
In a review of the Sea Island cotton crop of 1904, the
Cotton Trade Journal states that in many respects the crop
was one of the most unsatisfactory for all middle-men in
recent years. The planters, on the other hand, secured good
prices,
The crop was 75,683 bales, against 105,955 last year,
and 83,674 two years ago. ‘The season opened with Fancy
Georgias at 20c. Sea Island cotton advanced till about
Christmas when Fancy Georgias were 30c. The next step
was the selling in August at heavy losses. The close of the
season finds Fancy Georgias offered at 20hc.
As to the new crop, reports vary. It appears that in
South Georgia and Florida the acreage has been reduced.
It is reported that the yield in South Carolina will probably
be slightly more than 10,000 bags. Damage has been done
to the crop by rains and insect and fungoid pests. The
cotton worm is reported as troublesome on the Carolina
islands.
‘We conclude that the new crop will not exceed, if it
even equals, the old crop of Sea Island cotton.’
Manuring Cotton in Egypt.
In the bulletin entitled ‘Notes on Egyptian
Agriculture, reviewed in the Agricultural News, Vol.
IIL, p. 299, Mr. Foaden deals fully with the subject of
the manuring of cotton. The following is a summary
of his observations :—
(1) The cotton crop is almost invariably manured and
responds freely to the application of manures.
(2) Barnyard manure, or some manure of a similar nature,
should form the basis of manuring in Egypt.
(3) Leguininous forage crops form an excellent prepara-
tion for a good cotton crop, but to obtain the best results the
soil should be ploughed up some time before cotton planting
takes place.
(4) The fullest advantage of the use of these manures,
as well as of any chemical fertilizer that may be employed,
can only be obtained when the soil is well prepared, deeply
cultivated, and the crop judiciously watered during growth.
Frequent hoeings also keep the crop in a_ gradually
progressive condition.
(5) In addition to the use of bamyard manure at the
rate of 10 or 15 tons per acre, applications of chemical
fertilizers are attended with profit.
(6) Phosphoric acid, at the rate of 400 lb. per acre,
applied in the form of soluble phosphate, gives excellent
results. It tends to check excessive growth, increases the
yield, improves the staple, and hastens maturity.
(7) A subsequent dressing of soluble nitrogenous manure
is attended with excellent results. A good mixture in Egypt
consists of about 125 Ib. of nitrate of soda and about 50 Ib.
of sulphate of ammonia. Where larger quantities of
barnyard manure are employed, it may be advisable to omit
the latter. The soluble nitrogenous manure is best employed
in two applications,
(8) Potash manures in Egypt have not given any
increase in yield and their value is problematical. Their
effect on the quality of the fibre has not been accurately
determined.
Scale Insects and Fungi. The Victoria Depart-
ment of Agriculture has recently issued a bulletin (No. 41)
entitled ‘Two New Fungi parasitic on Scale Insects.’ Both
new fungi belong to the genus Microcera, one being found on
scale insects on Eucalypts in Tasmania, the other on the
mussel scale on scrub boxwood in Victoria. Both fungi are
first noticed when their bright pink fruits break through the
scale. A very similar reddish fungus is frequently seen in
the West Indies. On a rose tree in the Botanic Station,
St. Lucia, hundreds of scale insects were recently noticed to
be attacked.
AGRICULTURAL NEWS.
OctoBer 8, 1904.
SCIENCE NOTES.
Distribution of Essential Oils in Plants.
for The Pharmaceutical Journal of August 6 has the
following extract on the above subject :—
Continuing their investigations on the history of essen-
tial oils in plants, Charabot and Herbert state that after its
formation in the green organs, chiefly the leaf, the essential
oil is partly dissolved by the water which circulates in the
plant. The chemical transformations which the terpene
compounds undergo are such that the essential oil contained
in the stem becomes less soluble than that contained in the
leaf. The deduction is drawn that a portion of the odorous
compounds migrates from the leaf towards the stem under
the influence of the laws of diffusion. An examination of
orange flowers and buds at different stages of growth leads
the authors to think that the petals of the plant contain the
greater portion of the essential oil of the flower, and contain
also the greatest percentage proportion of oil. During the
development of the flower, the essential oil becomes richer in
esters of turpene alcohols, in methyl anthranilate, and in total
aleohol. The ratio of the quality of combined alcohol to
that of total alcohol increases ; in other words, esterification is
continued in the flower, but at a slow rate. The proportion
of geraniol increases, and that of linalool decreases, so that
the alcoholic mixture becomes richer in geraniol. (Dudletin of
Rouse-Bertrand Fils, 1, 9, 13.)
The Flowering of the Bamboo.
The bamboos form an interesting and important group
of grasses, differing from other ordinary grasses in many
ways. They are the giants among grasses, the erect
sub-aerial stems of some species reaching a height of 120
feet, anda thickness of 12 inches. The floral structure also
differs from that of ordinary grasses, the number of stamens in
most species being six or more, while in other grasses
(including the sugar-cane) it is usually three. Again, the
fruit of some bamboos is a fleshy berry, while that of other
grasses is a hard, dry grain or ‘caryopsis.’ The economic uses
of bamboos in the East are too numerous to mention.
An interesting biological peculiarity of many larger
bamboos is seen in their flowering. For several years the
plants grow vegetatively without flowering, and then in one year
the whole of them, at least all those in a district, will flower
together: Bambusa arundinacea, for example, is said to
flower every thirty-two years. A correspondent in Vature of
September 1 gives some particulars with regard to this point,
which is also dealt with at some length by Dr. (now Sir
George) Watt in his Dictionary of the Economic Products of
India. The curious point about it is that plants raised
from cuttings always flower in the same year as the parent
plant even though they may be only one year old. After
flowering the bamboos usually die down.
It is still doubtful whether this gregarious flowering is
really widespread or only local. It usually takes place in
a dry season when other crops are poor, and the large quantity
of bamboo seeds are used by the natives as food. As stated by
Mr. Gamble in Vature, ‘information on the subject is being
gradually collected in India ; the dates of flowering of the
different species are, when observed by forest officers,
recorded in their journal, the Indian Forester, and the
behaviour of the clumps is being carefully watched, especially
as the dying off of the clumps of a species over large areas
may mean a serious dearth for several years of the most
useful material for the construction of native houses and of
many articles of common domestic use.’
Another point of discussion is as to whether the bamboo
Howers when it attains a certain definite age (reckoned from
the seed, so that cuttings are of the same age as the parent
plant), or only at any period after it is mature when
conditions are favourable. With regard to this point
Dr. Watt says: ‘Both may be true, and this is probably the
wiser solution of the difficulty, that is to say, a bamboo may
not flower before it has attained a certain age, but its
flowering is not fixed so arbitrarily that it cannot be retarded
or accelerated by climatic influences.’
Reference will be found in the Agricultural Mews
(Vol. I, p. 39) to the flowering of a clump of bamboos in
Grenada.
EXPERIMENTS IN ORCHARD CULTURE.
A series of experiments in orchard culture has
been conducted at the Agricultural Experiment Station
of Nebraska, of which an account is given in Bulletin
No. 79. The following summary of conclusions is
published for its general interest: but it must be
clearly understood that the existence of winter is an
all-important factor in these experiments which is
absent in similar experiments in the West Indies:—
We may fairly say that the tests reported in this
bulletin indicate the best all-round method of culture for
young orchards to be thorough cultivation in early summer,
followed by a cover crop in fall, so far as tests covering only
a few years can prove any method best.
A mulch of straw is known to keep the soil moist during
summer and it also protects tender roots in winter, but its
use will surely increase winter injury to tender tops of trees
by prolonging fall growth. Besides, a mulch induces shallow
root development, which may result disastrously in later years,
and its use is out of the question in large orchards.
Thorough cultivation protects trees against drought as well
as mulching, and keeps the roots from forming near the surface
of the ground. When cultivation is given in early summer, all
that is necessary in order to furnish winter protection is to stop
cultivating in midsummer, grow a cover crop (weeds being
better than nothing) which will dry the ground in fall,
causing the new wood growth to ripen early in preparation
for winter and which will, by holding the snow or by matting
down to form a mulch, protect tender roots during winter.
Good cultivation in early summer can often be given young
trees by growing some cultivated crop in the orchard.
Tender crops are best since they can not be sown so early as
to dry the ground seriously in spring and are killed by fall
frosts, thus preventing very late drying. Cropping with
corn, for instance, insures fairly thorough early cultivation,
and corn is a fair substitute for a cover crop in fall and
winter.
Vou. III. No. 65.
THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.
CULTIVATION OF MANILA HEMP.
The following notes on the cultivation of Manila
hemp are extracted from Farmer's Bulletin No. 4 of
the Philippine Bureau of Agriculture, ‘Preliminary
Report on the commercial fibres of the Philippines ’:—
Unlike many of the edible bananas, J/usa textilis
produces sced-bearing fruits. These seeds may be planted
for the reproduction of new plants; but except where very
extensive plantings are wanted, a better method is to plant
the small suckers which spring from the root of the parent
plant. After the plantation has reached its maturity and
harvesting is in process, the old plants are cut near the roots,
and the suckers are left to grow up. After the plants reach
maturity, the crop is constantly renewing itself so that
harvesting can go on almost continuously. The plant is in
the best condition for producing fibre about the time the
flower-bud reaches the top of the plant. The stalk is then
eut as near the root as possible and the leaf-sheaths are
stripped off. The fibre is the so-called fibro-vascular bundles
which make up part of the structural substance of the leaf-
sheath surrounding the flower-stem from the ground to the
expansion of the leaves. The length of the leaf-sheath
determines to some extent the length of the fibre. This leaf-
sheath is thicker along the centre than it is at the sides, and
in order to facilitate the stripping of the fibre it is split
longitudinally into strips 2 to 3 inches wide. ‘The strips
from the thicker portion of the sheath are then torn tangen-
tially, inasmuch as the fibre is contained mainly in the
outer part of the sheath, and the inner portion of the thick
' strips which are torn off consist mainly of the valueless pulp.
EXTRACTION OF FIBRE.
For stripping the fibre the method almost universally in
use is to draw these prepared strips between the edge of
a knife or ‘bolo’ and ahard, smooth block. The apparatus can
be set up at frequent intervals in the vicinity of the plants to
be cut. A nipa shed is constructed, though sometimes the
protection and shade of a large tree is chosen. To two
uprights set in the ground, a horizontal pole is attached with
‘bejucos’ or rattan canes. A short, strong knife or ‘bolo’ with
a wooden handle is firmly attached on a pivot or fulcrum
upon the upper surface of the horizontal pole. The handle
is attached by a rattan cane to a bamboo spring arranged in
the roof of the shed, or to a branch of the tree, while another
rattan cane runs from the handle to a treadle on the ground,
which can be worked by the foot of the operator. The
spring in the roof above holds the knife upon the pole or, in
some cases, a block, with a uniform pressure, while the strip
of the leaf sheath is being drawn between its edge and the
pole or block. By placing the foot upon the treadle the
pressure is released and the fibre may be redrawn or a new
strip inserted.
When it is not the desire of the operator to produce
a fibre of fine texture and white colour, a knife with finely
serrated edge may be used. By using a knife of this kind
there is less waste of the fibre, but at the same time more of
the undesirable pulp and, consequently, fresh juice is left
with the fibre. This residue of pulp and juice drying upon
the fibre gives it an undesirable colour, and if too much is
left on, the strength of the fibre is injured and the
market value is much reduced. The whitest fibre is
drawn under a knife with a smooth edge and immediately
after the plant is cut. If the stalks and strips are
allowed to lie in the sun for any length of time before
the fibre is drawn, the fibre will be coloured more or
less yellow. As a means of increasing the fineness
a
and whiteness of the fibre the strips may be drawn several
times when they are fresh. Of course, the greater the
number of times the fibre is drawn and the greater the
pressure upon the knife, the more is the waste; but the
increased value of white fibre will compensate for a certain
amount of waste.
In yield Musa teaxtilis varies considerably. In Albay,
Sorsogon, and Masbate, where the rainfall is heavy and the
humidity of the atmosphere is high, the yield ranges from
12 to 16 piculs of dry fibre per hectare each year (687°5 to
967°6 tb. per acre). In other provinces where the climate is
drier the yield may not exceed 6 piculs per hectare. In
some localities the quality of the fibre is injured by the work
of borers. Wherever these insects work the fibre is either
eut entirely or it is injured in colour and strength.
Several attempts have been made to perfect machines
for extracting this fibre economically, but these machines
have either fallen far short of their requirements or have not
met with favour among the natives who have had occasion
to use them. The most essential feature at the present time
of a machine for this work is that it be light and portable.
The greater part of Manila hemp is produced on the
mountain or volcano sides or ou very rough ground, and as
the plant stalks are quite heavy, all planters have found it
most economical to transport their apparatus rather than the
material. It is hoped, however, that some apparatus can be
devised to avoid the great waste which renders the present
method objectionable. It is variously estimated that from
20 to 30 per cent. of the fibre is wasted by this crude process
of drawing, and this fibre, too, is fine and of good quality.
The thought is at once suggested that this waste fibre might
be used as a paper stock if it is not too much injured by
-the juice and pulp with which it is mixed, and if it can be
economically separated from them. This is .a line of
investigations which will be subsequently taken up.
CLASSIFICATION AND USES.
For commercial purposes the fibre is classified into
several groups according to colour, texture, and strength.
Length plays a less important part in the commercial grades.
The great lightness, combined with strength, is the character-
istic of this fibre which gives it its great value. The
qualities usually recognized are the superior, current, second,
and red. Then there are numerous gradations in each of
these groups. The fibre for export is usually tied in small
wisps or hanks, and these are put up in bales weighing
2 piculs (275 tb.).
In all countries to which this fibre is exported the
greater part of it is used for cordage and ropes. In the
United States immense quantities are made into binder
twine, and because of its lightness, strength, and compara-
tive durability, it is very serviceable for ship’s ropes and
cables. From old and disintegrated ropes our valuable
Manila paper is made. In the Philippines the finer qualities
are used in the manufacture of textile fabrics. Throughout
the entire archipelago these weavings are worn extensively by
both men and women, and when the fibre is mixed with cotton
a durable fabric is produced which is well adapted to the
climatic conditions of the islands, It is believed that the
demand for the better qualities of these fabrics will increase
in the United States and Europe. A small use is made of
the fibre in upholstery, packing, and brush making.
For observations on the prospect of establishing
an industry in Manila hemp outside the Philippines
readers are referred to the Agricultural News (Vol.
III, p. 201).
THE
AGRICULTURAL NEWS.
Octoper 8, 1904.
EDITORIAL NOTICES.
Letters and matter for publication, as well
as all specimens for naming, should be addressed
to the Commissioner, Imperial Department of
Agriculture, Barbados.
All applications for copies of the ‘Agri-
cultural News’ should be addressed to the
Agents, and not to the Department. A com-
plete list of the London and Local agents will
be found at foot of page 319 of this volume.
The ‘Agricultural News’: Price 1d. per
number, post free 14d. Annual subscription
payable to Agents 2s. 2d. Post free, 3s. 3d.
Agricultural slows
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 8, 1904. No. 65.
Vou. III.
NOTES AND COMMENTS.
Contents of Present Issue.
The editorial of this issue deals with the sisal
hemp industry. There has been marked progress in
this industry in the Bahamas and the Caicos Islands
during recent years.
On p. 322 we publish information relating to the
Trinidad cane-farming industry.
experiments with varieties of
Mauritius is also of interest.
the sugar-cane in
Our cotton notes include a brief review of the
prospects of the cotton industry in St. Vincent, and
a note on the Sea Island cotton crop of the United
States. The summary of conclusions as to manurial
experiments with cotton in Egypt is hkely to be of
interest as serving as a basis for similar experiments in
the West Indies.
An article on the cultivation of Manila hemp in
the Philippines is published on p. 327.
In our ‘Insect Notes’ a warning with reference to
the cotton worm is inserted, to which we desire to
draw the attention of all cotton growers.
From the extracts from the report of the Inspector
of Schools at St. Lucia, it will be seen that considerable
progress is being made in agricultural education, more
especially in connexion with school gardens.
Under the heading ‘Department Reports’ on
p. 282, will be found short reviews of two reports
recently published by this Department. With the
issue of these two reports the publication of the
annual reports on the Botanic Stations in the West
Indies is completed.
The account of
Shipment of Bananas from Barbados.
Ata meeting of the Barbados Agricultural Society,
held on September 30, a discussion took place on the
subject of the shipment of bananas. On the motion of
the Hon. F. M. Alleyne, the following resolution was
passed :—
‘That the Hall system of cold storage having been
instituted on the “Trent” and “ 'Tagus,” and having
so far proved entirely satisfactory for the safe carriage
of bananas, the Barbados Agricultural Society trust
that the Royal Mail Steam Packet Company will see
their way to establish the same system of cold storage
on their other ships.’
In the course of the discussion if was mentioned
that, while hardly a single bunch had been lost when
shipments had been made by the ships in which the
system had been installed, shipments by the other
steamers of the company had not proved satisfactory
during the recent hot season. It was understood that
the company had fitted up the steamers mentioned by
way of experiment and that the system would be
extended to the other ships as soon as it had proved
successful. The society therefore desired to urge the
company to do this with as little delay as possible,
rr me
Cotton Growing in Jamaica.
From newspapers to hand by last mail it is
apparent that in Jamaica considerable interest is being
taken in cotton growing. The Board of Agriculture
and the Agricultural Society are giving every
encouragement and much assistance. Several meet-
ings have recently been held at which useful addresses
on cotton growing have been given.
Special encouragement is being given to this
cultivation in the dry district of Vere. Here several
planters have conducted experiments with such
a measure of success that they have decided to carry
on the cultivation upon a fairly large scale. At one of
the meetings referred to the Hon, H. 'T. Ronaldson
gave his experiences in a l-acre experiment plot.
The result was eminently satisfactory: he sold the
seed-cotton for £7 and succeeded in netting £5 from
the acre within six months.
In another dry district of the island, where new
crops to take the place, to some extent, of cane were
urgently required, viz., St. James, Mr. Shore, a member
of the Board of Agriculture, has, it is reported,
succeeded in obtaining 400 Ib. of lint cotton from 7% acre.
Messrs. Elder Dempster & Co., anxious to do all
in their power to make cotton growing a success, haye
agreed to carry cotton freight-free until further notice.
The Hon. T. H. Sharp has announced that he will
purchase, locally, ginned or unginned cotton, while
Mr. J. H. Levy is prepared to deal similarly with
cotton grown in St. Ann, and Mr. C. G. Farquharson
will buy cotton at Black River.
The Jamaica Daily Telegraph closes a leading
article en the subject of cotton growing with the
following remarks: ‘The conditions are all favourable
and it would be a pity if this splendid opportunity
were lost.’
|
|
a piece of coarse cloth.
4,000 to 5,000 ewt.
Vou. III. No. 65.
THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS. 329
Cotton and other Crops in Sierra Leone.
The recently issued Colonial Report on Sierra
Leone devotes considerable attenticn to the subject
of cotton growing. An indigenous variety grows
freely without any attempt at cultivation, the product
being spun into excellent cloths. Every encourage-
ment is being given by the Government to those
who are interesting themselves in the growing of
cotton, At first experiments were made to introduce
exotic varieties, but it is apparently considered that
native varieties, if improved by selection, will prove more
successful on account of the difficulties of acclimatization.
Experimental farms have been started by experts from
the Southern States of America. There is a large
area, within easy reach of rail and water, in which
cotton might with advantage be cultivated.
The principal staples of the colony are palm oil
and palm kernels, kola nuts, and rubber.
The exports of rubber have declined very consid-
erably during the past eight years. The Government
is encouraging the efforts at present being made by
individuals to produce rubber, especially by experi-
mental plantations. Sierra Leone rubber (from
Landolphia owariensis) realized, in October 1903,
3s. 8d. per tb, which is Ils. more than at the corres-
ponding period of the previous year.
————_— En a ____
Indian Bees-wax.
A recent issue of the Agricultural Ledger (1904,
no. 7) is devoted to ‘an account of the sources,
preparation, trade, and composition of the bees’-wax of
British India.’
Indian bees’-wax is derived from three species of
the genus Apis, the waxes prepared from the three
species being practically identical in composition. The
wax is seldom adulterated for fraudulent purposes. Its
preparation is a very simple operation, as it is usually
collected by almost wild tribes from trees and rocks.
‘The honey is squeezed by the hand from the wax,
which is then washed in cold water before being heated
in water over an open fire. The melting wax rises to
the surface and the impurities sink to the bottom of
the vessel. If necessary the wax is strained through
In some districts peculiar
methods are adopted for purifying and clarifying the
wax, cow-dung, tamarind leaves, aud salt beimg among
the agents employed.
The annual exports of bees’-wax from the whole of
India during the last few years have amounted to
The trade has remained almost
stationary for the past twenty years, but is undoubtedly
capable of great expansion.
In concluding his paper the writer refers to the
successful results that have followed the attention given
to apiculture in the West Indies. ‘During the ten
years 1888-98 the value of bees’-wax exported has
increased from £4,823 to £10,389. Some share of this
increase is no doubt due to the intelligent action of
the Jamaica Agricultural Society. .. Another feature
.of success is the high-class quality of the wax sent to
the London market and the consequently good prices
realized.’
Agriculture in the Hawaiian Islands.
The Consular Report on the Trade of Hawaii
states that the export of raw sugar during the year
ended June 30, 1903, amounted to 387,412 tons, valued
at £5,220,187, all of which went to the United States.
In comparison with this the other items of export
(consisting of coffee, fresh fruits, hides and skins, honey,
rice, etc.) were insignificant. The production of sugar
has steadily increased during the last three years.
For some time past the price of sugar has been low,
but the recent improvement in prices has been a source
of satisfaction to growers and merchants. The new
pest, known as the ‘leaf hopper, has proved very
destructive.
In consequence of the recommendation of a pro-
tective duty, to enable coffee planters to compete with
Brazilian imports into the United States, the larger
coffee plantations have continued cultivation. But
smaller growers have been discouraged by the poor
prices. There was a considerable increase in the
output.
The cultivation of sisal hemp has received an
impetus owing to the satisfactory prices obtainable at
San Francisco, Hitherto, the difficulty has been to
obtain a market for this product.
The exports of honey were valued at £3,121, and
those of fresh fruit at £13,690.
— ————————
The Development of West Africa.
A series of interesting articles on the above
subject has recently been published in the Syren and
Shipping. Reference is made to the need of encourag-
ing agricultural industries and more especially that of
cotton growing. Of the British Cotton-growing
Association it is stated: ‘So far the work of the Associa-
tion has progressed, the most ample and conclusive
evidence has been forthcoming that, in the development
of West Africa, cotton growing is destined to rank as
the foremost industry. The Association is encouraged,
from the samples already received, to believe that the
most suitable cotton for Lancashire may ultimately be
obtained from native seed or from a cross between
native and American.
In Lagos an Agricultural Society has been formed,
which already has 400 members. The British Cotton-
growing Association is to conduct a model farm for
the purpose of demonstrating to the natives approved
methods of cultivation.
In Sierra Leone, too, encouragement is being
given to the natives to take up the cultivation of
cotton. An expert who recently visited the colony has
advised a large scale of operations, and this is being
established.
With regard to Liberia, it is stated that it seems
destined to rival, if not to surpass, the Congo Free State
in the extent and value of its rubber resources. There
is every prospect, also, of great progress in the cacao
industry. Cotton growing is also receiving attention.
In Southern Nigeria ‘the cultivation of cotton
gives the greatest promise of any of the local industries.’
The forest resources of the colony are also being
exploited.
530 THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.
OctoperR 8, 1904.
INSECT NOTES.
The Cotton Worm.
Keports have been received that the cotton worm
has made its appearance in fields of young cotton. We
have repeatedly urged in the Agricultural News the
need for a careful look-out being kept for this pest. We
would further urge planters to communicate with the
local officers of the Department immediately on the
appearance of the worm if they are in any doubts as to
the methods of treatment to be employed. It is
absolutely necessary that prompt action be taken if
this pest is to be successfully dealt with.
Ants on Fruit Trees.
A planter in Dominica has experienced trouble from
ants infesting blossoming orange trees. He states that in
some cases they swarm the blossoms and ultimately destroy
the young fruits.
The most effective treatment in such cases would be
to treat the nests with carbon bisulphide if they can be
located. An alternative treatment is to band the trees with
any sticky mixture which would prevent the ants from
climbing the trunks, especially if it contained kerosene oil or
other substance which ants will not Kerosene
emulsion (stock solution) applied with a brush over 2 or 3
feet of the trunk should serve the purpose.
cross.
Montserrat.
The following extracts are taken from a report by
Mr. H. A. Ballou, B.Sc., Entomologist on the staff of
the Imperial Department of Agriculture, upon a visit
paid by him to Montserrat in July last :—
The plants at Grove Station were inspected and were
found in excellent condition as far as pests were concerned.
A wild cotton tree, a few citrus plants in the nursery, and
a Tabernaemontana were more or less infested with scales,
These were taken out and burned.
On account of the dry weather that had prevailed but
few crops were being grown. Land was being prepared for
cotton and a small amount of seed had already been put in.
The cotton worm is not much dreaded as a pest, as the
supply of Paris green on hand in the island is believed to be
sufficient to meet the needs of this year’s crop.
The experiments tried at Dagenham with various
insecticides indicate that the leaf-blister mite can be
controlled by the use of sulphur. Sulphur and water seem
to give the best results, without harm to the plants. The
application of dry sulphur and lime is much cheaper, however,
and giyes very good results, although it is likely to cause
a slight scorching of the leaves. It seems probable that the
use of sulphur and dry air-slaked lime will check the develop-
ment of the leaf-blister mite sufficiently to allow the
production of good crops of cotton.
The most serious menace to the cotton crop at present
is the black boll or boll rot. This is probably a vegetable
organism and attacks the bolls in all situations, under the
greatest variety of conditions of location, soil, growth, and
season.
I visited several of the lime plantations of the
Montserrat Lime Co., and found that spraying had been
practised to some extent, in some cases with good results. In
other cases, however, the trees sprayed were old, and rather
badly infested; the improvement in such cases was not
marked. I suggested the desirability of spraying young
trees and attempting to keep them from serious infestation,
and this will be tried on a fairly large scale. It would seem
that this would be both practicable and effective.
I saw several fields in which Bengal beans had been
planted and allowed to climb over the lime trees. These
beans grow so vigorously as to cover the tree completely,
and yet trees which had been so covered were vigorous
and comparatively free from scales, while I was informed
that previous to the planting of the Bengal beans they
had been badly infested. If this practice is always
successful, it would seem to be a good one to follow, as the
growth of such a vigorous leguminous crop must result in the
fixation of a large amount of nitrogen, and the roots and vines
thus furnish a large amount of valuable manure.
SWEET POTATOS AS A STOCK FOOD.
The New South Wales Agricultural Journal
for August has an article on the cultivation of sweet
potatos, which, it is stated, are not cultivated in that
State as extensively as they deserve to be. In New
South Wales the sweet potato has proved a splendid
drought resister. The following note on its use as
a stock food is of interest :—
In addition to the value of the roots as a vegetable, they
are also a valuable stock food, and the vines make an
excellent cattle food. The roots have a slightly higher
feeding value than common potatos, but like them are fat,
heat, and energy producing rather than flesh forming. Pigs
are very fond of the succulent roots and can harvest them
without ditticulty or assistance. It is said that they keep
the kidneys and bowels in good order and so ward off
disease. Pig farmers who have poor sandy land would do
well to consider the advisability of raising this crop exten-
sively in place of maize for fattening. It is estimated that
it requires 44 bushels of sweet potatos to equal 1 bushel of
maize grain in feeding value. But much sandy soil which
does not produce 1 ton of maize could be made, with little
trouble, to produce 5 or 6 tons of sweet potatos.
Duggar, in the United States Department of
Agriculture Farmers Bulletin no. 26, ‘Sweet Potatos:
Culture and Uses, gives the average percentage
composition of the roots as follows, and discusses the
relative food values of corn and sweet potatos :—
Water a oe we) OOS BtOmmemial
Ash Js aoe ae 109 elo
Protein abs ois ate E38) 55) 2a
Fibre wee aa ae 0:86) .. e23
Starch, ete ... — ae 220 ae oeeo
Fat eh re a. 0°43) 5. 80-85
Three pounds of sweet potatos afford almost as much
dry matter, quite as much carbonaceous material, but less
than half as much protein, as is contained in 1 Ib. of corn.
By using } Ib. of cotton seed meal or 1 tb. of cow peas (seed)
for every 10 tb. of sweet potatos, this deficiency in protein is
fully supplied.
Vou. IDI. No. 65. THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS. 331
EDUCATIONAL any teaching; these are the qualities constituting the
St. Lucia.
In the annual report of the Inspector of Schools
at St. Lucia considerable space is devoted to the
subject of agricultural instruction and school gardens.
Mr. Bundy reports as follows :—
The formation of School Gardens in 1903 was taken up
with great zeal and success by teachers in most parts of the
island. The district of Anse-la-Raye and Canaries is now the
only one in which no school garden is to be found, each of the
other districts having at least two.
During the year the Government made special grants
out of the grant-in-aid to primary schools for tools for school
gardens. Sixteen complete sets, including spades, forks, hoes,
sieves, watering pots, trowels, pruning knives, lines, etc., were
purchased in Barbados and England and _ distributed.
Unfortunately, the vote becoming exhausted, no further
assistance was possible.
In July 1903, twenty-five teachers went into residence
at the Union Agricultural School and passed a fortnight
there receiving lectures and practical illustrations on agri-
cultural subjects from the Curator and Agricultural
Instructor. The experiment proved to be a great success.
The teachers were boarded and lodged at the expense of the
local Government, the Imperial Department of Agriculture
affording the instruction and all assistance.
A grant of seed to the various schools was also made by
the Imperial Department, and I was greatly indebted to the
Curator for the assistance afforded by him in making out lists
of various tools suitable for school gardens.
Altogether a very satisfactory beginning has been made
in the direction of practical agricultural teaching in our
schools. The agricultural work done, is not only, nor
principally, confined to work in the school gardens.
Demonstrations and object-lessons on agricultural subjects
form a regular part of the ordinary school work, and there has
been a real awakening of interest both among teachers and
scholars.
In an appendix Mr. Bundy reports fully on school
gardens in the island. From this it appears that only
six schools are now without gardens. Notes are given
on twenty-three gardens. In most cases the work done
is reported as very satisfactory, the gardens being well
kept and serving as useful object-lessons to the
neighbouring peasantry.
Nature Teaching.
At the present time many of the teachers in the
West Indies have attended lectures on some of
the elementary scientific principles underlying local
agriculture and have passed the examinations on those
lectures. All this is of course a beginning and has
always been intended as a mental stimulus to the
teacher and not in any degree as the end of the
matter. Only those teachers who are continually
improving themselves and their teaching can hope to
attain any great measure of success in nature teaching
in the schools. On this subject we reproduce the
following paragraph from The Teaching Botanist,
by Professor W. F. Ganong, (pp. 51-2) :—
Many of the qualities essential to good botanical
steaching are, of course, the same as are needed for success in
teaching temperament. This consists in a deep-seated
pleasure in the exercise of guiding minds from ignorance to
knowledge and in seeing the light dawn throug’: darkness ;
in a power of positive self-reliant leadership ; in ability to
project one’s self into the student’s mental position ; and in
a personality that can win respect and affection. Of all
these characteristics, sympathy is one of the most important ;
for the good teacher is, first of all, a mental physician of the
truest sort, diagnosing each individual case, and fitting its
proper treatment to it. He is a leader and not a driver.
He is always an uncompromising though genial critic, using
sarcasm only for otherwise incorrigible cases. He diplomati-
cally makes use of all devices for arousing interest and
holding attention. Especially is he ever investigating,
experimenting and improving in his teaching, reading newer
books upon it, and keeping in touch with educational
progress as shown in the educational journals. It is, indeed,
only by constant advance that he can escape that mental
drying up, which is the greatest danger, and too often the
most obvious badge, of the teaching profession. And he has
a deep respect for his profession, views it as his life work,
and upon every possible occasion champions its interests.
POULTRY NOTES.
The Journal of the Jamaica Agricultural Society
for September 1904 publishes some interesting notes
on preparing poultry for the table, from which we
make the following extracts :—
No fowl should appear on the table until it has gone
through a process of fattening. Even this is not understood,
A few fowls are crammed in a dark, dirty coop, or a cage
exposed to all weathers, sun or rain, a handful of corn is
flung in twice a day, water is forgotten, and the fowls are
thinner and bonier, if not diseased, when the putting up
process is over and they are taken out to be killed. A
well-fed, properly-fatted fowl, fasted for twenty-four hours
with plenty of water given the while, killed and hung for
twelve hours in a cool place or as long as the climate allows,
is one that will make a good and delicate meal for four or
five people.
Every fowl which is intended for killing should be kept
twenty-four hours without food before being killed, but it
may have water. Thirty-six hours fasting will not hurt
them, if they have plenty of water to drink. This may
appear cruel to some people, but we do not think it is in the
least so. Animals, birds, and even human beings, can go
without food much better than they can drinking water, at
any time. When a hen is made to fast in this way before
being killed the flesh is so much nicer, and the owner is able
to keep the bird much longer before cooking it. If an
animal is kept without food in the same way before being
killed, the meat is always better.
There is more flavour in a hen when she is eighteen
months old than there is in a chicken three months old, and
a hen four years of age is as good as one eighteen months
old if it is cooked properly. If meant for breakfast an old
fowl should be killed over-night if possible ; if for dinner, it
should be killed in the early morning and hung in the safe
wrapped in the leaves of the papaw. There will be no taint
in twelve hours if the safe is in a cool place, as all safes
ought to be. They always require boiling a little longer in
very hot weather, as they cannot be kept long enough, but
when they are killed between October and January they may
be kept easily for two or three days. Old hens, when they
are cooked properly, are a great luxury.
wo
wo
lo
THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.
Ocroser 8, 1904.
GLEANINGS.
The exports of divi-divi from Maracaibo in 1905 were
valued at £7,500. (Consular Report on Caracas.)
Sir Robert Llewelyn will be asked on his next visit to
acquire more land under the Land Settlement Scheme for
the settlement of smallholders. (St. Vincent Z%mes.)
Mr. A. J. Jordan reports that at Montserrat the cotton
sown during the first two weeks of September has made good
growth and that the earlier-sown cotton is flowering freely.
According to the Montserrat Herald, there are prospects
ota trade being worked up in sulphur from the local Soufriére.
It is reported that the sulphur will be partially refined
before exportation.
The St. Vincent Government Gazette publishes the terms
of an Ordinance ‘to interdict the sale of cotton without
a certificate, and for more effectually preventing the purchase
and exportation of stolen cotton.’
The committee appointed by the Texas Legislature to
investigate methods for the extermination of the boll weevil
and pay a reward of £10,000 to the discoverer of any such
method, has decided, says Scvence, that no one has earned
this reward. (Nature.)
The Journal of the Jamaica Agricultural Society urges
the need for greater care in the picking and packing of fruits.
Although there has been a notable improvement of late years,
there is still room for further advancement in this direction.
It has been shown that the citrus industry can be made
to pay in Jamaica, but before shippers can hope to participate
in the success, slip-shod methods must be abandoned.
Last year Mr. Dunn, Superintendent of the Botanical
Department, Hongkong, visited Weihaiwei to report on its
agricultural possibilities. He is of opinion that Weihaiwei
would make an excellent centre for the cultivation of silk, the
growing of fruit, the establishment of vineyards, and the
establishment of a trade in bean cake and white wax.
(Colonial Report on Weihaiwei, 1903.)
Egyptian cotton, grown by settlers on the Pedro Plains
and ginned by Mr. Fursdon at Hartlands, resulted as fol-
lows :—Gross weight, 428 Ib.; lint, 158 tb.; seed, 263 Ib.; loss
in ginning, 7 Ib. Some of this cotton looked to haye been
picked before it was fit and had not been kept clean, and
thus there may be a loss in value. Carefulness in picking and
keeping cotton clean is everything. (Journal of the Jamaica
Agricultural Society.)
During the fortnight ended September 8, 202 bales of
West Indian cotton were imported into the United Kingdom.
Sales have been effected in Liverpool at the following prices :
West Indian, 4°25d. to 8d.; West Indian Sea Island, medium
fine, 13d.; fine, 14d.; extra fine, 16d. per tb, (West India
Committee Circular.)
According to the Chamber of Commerce Journal, the
cultivation of peppers has extended rapidly in French
Indo-China during the last few years, and has now become an
important and prosperous industry. The exports amounted
to 3,423 tons in 1902. The industry is largely in the hands
of natives.
In forwarding a report by the Agricultural Superin-
tendent on the lectures recently given in St. Vincent in
connexion with the cotton industry, the Acting Administrator
has written that the lectures have been a distinct success, and
has expressed the wish that a second series shall be delivered
at the approach of the next bearing and picking season,
In his annual report the Magistrate of the Second and
Third Districts of St. Lucia states that the cacao crop was
abundant—due largely to a satisfactory season. My. Palmer
reports that this is also partly to be attributed to improved
methods of cultivation which have been adopted by the
planters, and which have been to some extent copied by:
neighbouring peasants.
Reporting upon a sample of tamarinds sent to the
Imperial Institute from Northern Nigeria, Professor
Dunstan states: ‘The demand for tamarinds in this country
is at present supplied almost entirely by the West Indies,
whence they are exported whole, preserved in syrup. The
present value of West Indian tamarinds varies from 7s. 6d.
to lls. 6d. per ewt., according to quality.’
The St. Croix Avis, in reproducing our recent editorial
on wind-breaks (Agrieu/tural News, Vol. II, p. 273), refers
to galba thus: ‘We have never heard it called ‘“‘galba” here,
but we believe it is known as “ bastard mahogany.”’ Accord-
ing to Baron Eggers (Zora of St. Croix and the Virgin
Islands), galba is known as ‘Santa Maria,’ while ‘bastard
mahogany’ is the local name for Andira inermis, a legumin-
ous tree known as the ‘cabbage-bark tree.’
Mr. J. H. Hart, F.L.S., writes: ‘In view of the note on
date palms in India in the Agricultural News (Vol. III, p.
295), it may be interesting to state that all our trees in
Trinidad ripened all the fruit set, and this actually during
the wet season (August). I find it best to cut the fruit when
“full” and allow it to ripen under coyer, as birds carry them
off as fast as they ripen if left upen the trees. A heavy
shower readily detaches and destroys any ripe fruit’
The Botanisches Centralblatt of September 6, gives an
abstract of a paper by Professor E. Laurent on a new
type of plant disease which he calls fatty degeneration
(dégénérescence graisseuse). The disease appeared on the
leaves of palms in greenhouses as yellowish spots which later
turned brown in the centre. In the parenchyma cells there
were found spherical refractive bodies of various size, which
were darkened by osmic acid. These oily bodies are
supposed to be degeneration products of the chloroplasts.
The disease is apparently due to physiological causes, chiefly
too much moisture and a low temperature.
Vou. III. No. 65. THE
AGRICULTURAL NEWS.
333
ANTIGUA: REPORTS ON THE BOTANIC
STATION, ECONOMIC EXPERIMENTS, A ND
AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION, 1908-4.
+
Botanic Station.—In the absence on leave of Mr. W. N.
Sands during part of the year and after his removal to
St. Vincent, the duties of the curatorship were discharged
by Mr. A. H. Kirby, B.A., Agricultural and Science Master.
‘There was a slight increase in the number of economic
plants distributed from the station. The work of raising
seedling canes was continued. A supply of plants was
furnished for planting in connexion with the Arbor Day
celebrations.
The season appears to have been an unusually favourable
one, the rainfall for the year being 7°80 inches greater than
in the previous year and 16°33 inches greater than the
average for the past thirty years.
Economie Experiments.—Experiments were carried on
at Scott’s Hill and Skerrett’s with a large variety of economic
plants. In the case of the experiments with sweet potatos,
largely increased yields were obtained. The experiments
with new varieties of corn were continued.
This report contains an interesting and comprehensive
review of the cotton experiments. In all, nearly 600 acres
were planted. Insect pests, especially the cotton worm,
proved very troublesome. Mr. Sands rendered valuable
assistance to planters in advising them as to methods of
suppression. The Central Factory, opened in December last,
has three gins and a baling press: already 150 bales, of
180 tb. cach, have been sent out.
Agricultural Education.—Fyrom the report of the Agri-
cultural and Science Master it appears that full advantage
is being taken of Mr. Kirby’s services.
In addition to his work at the Grammar School, he has
given instruction at the Girls’ High School and at the
Female Training College. Mr. Kirby also gave a series of
lectures to elementary school teachers.
GRENADA: REPORTS ON THE BOTANIC
STATION AND° EXPERIMENT PLOTS, 1905-4.
Botanic Station—The expenditure for the year was
£570 18s. The proceeds of the sale of plants, fruit, ete.,
amounted to £44 19s. 9d.
The rainfall for the year was 82°40 inches.
There was a falling off in the number of plants
distributed from the station. Satisfactory results appear to
have been obtained in the experiment plots attached to the
station, especially in the case of onions.
Experiment Plots.—Experiments with cacao were
earried on at four plots, while a plot each was devoted to
pineapples and grape vines. The report of the Acting
Agricultural Instructor deals with the working of these four
plots. On the whole, good results were obtained from the
cacao plots, especially those at Vendome and Colombier.
In the manurial plots basic slag and sulphate of potash
have given the best returns.
BELGIAN HARES.
The following note on Belgian hares is taken
from the Journal of the Jamaica Agricultural
Society for September. In view of Mr. Barclay’s
recommendation of this breed for the West Indies in
his notes on rabbit keeping, this description is of
interest. Further particulars as to Belgian hares,
their characteristics, cost, ete., will be found in the
Agricultural News (Vol. IL, p. 280):—
A good many who write us about rabbits are very hazy
as to what the animal called Belgian hare is. It has no
connexion whatever with the hare of the fields of Great
Britain or true hares anywhere. It is a large breed of rabbit,
simply that, and it is a large and fine breed because it has
been taken up by skilful breeders, more than any other breed,
and carefully bred; and then it became the subject of
a particular fad in the United States when fabulous prices
were paid for pairs corresponding to the best type laid down
at shows. It is of a medium size and active and suits our
conditions here, and with those who have kept it the Belgian
hare is a great favourite. It will be as well to give the
standard points of the breed :—
Colour.—Rich rufus-red, carried well down sides and
hind quarters, and as little white under jaws as possible—
20 points.
Shape.—Body long, thin, well tucked-up flank, and well
ribbed-up back, slightly arched, loins well rounded, head
rather lengthy, muscular chest ; tail straight, not screwed ;
altogether of a racy appearance and free from white bars,
feet well coloured—20 points.
Ticking.—Of a rather wavy appearance and plentiful—
10 points.
Ears.—About 4 inches, well-laced tips—10 points.
Eye.—Hazel colour, large, round, bright, and bold—
10 points.
Legs and Feet.—¥ore feet and legs long, straight and
slender, well coloured—10 points.
Size.—About 8 tb.—5 points.
The breed is perfectly hardy, well suited for being kept
here either on the hutch system or on the Morant system.
The does are prolific and good nurses, and those with plenty
of green food on hand may do far worse than go in for
breeding a few of these animals for their table.
To breed them one of the largest, good-sized hutches
must be used to enable the occupant to take plenty of
exercise, but according to their size they are perhaps the
smallest eaters of any kind of rabbit.
DEPARTMENT NEWS.
Mr. H. A. Ballou, B.Sc., Entomologist on the statf
of the Imperial Department of Agriculture, returned to
Barbados in the §.S. ‘Oruro’ on Thursday, September
29. While in St. Lucia, Mr. Ballou visited all parts of
the island in connexion with the advancement of the
cotton industry and addressed a meeting of the
St. Lucia Agricultural Society on Monday, September
26. Mr. Bailou also took part in two of the lantern
lectures on cotton growing.
Mr. George 8. Hudson, Agricultural Instructor at
St, Lucia, returned from leave of absence by the R.M.S.
‘Atrato, and resumed the duties of his office on
Tuesday, September 27.
B34 THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.
Ocroper 8, 1904.
WEST INDIAN PRODUCTS.
Drugs and Spices in the London Market.
Mr. J. R. Jackson, A.L.S., has forwarded the
following report on the London drug and spice markets
for the month of August :—
Considering that we are still in the midst of the
holiday season, it is satisfactory to note that in the produce
markets generally a fair trade has been done during
the month of August. Neither in drugs nor spices were
any markets held in the first week of the month, the
August bank holiday falling in that week.
GINGER,
At the first dealing in this spice about 550 packages of
Jamaica sold at steady rates ; good washed realizing 43s. 6d.
to 47s. 6d.; middling to fair washed, 37s. to 40s. ; ordinary
dullish, 34s. to 35s., ordinary small and ordinary, 29s. to 31s.
per ewt. Cochin was bought in, bold native cut at 40s. and
Bengal at 19s. A week later there was a moderate supply
of Jamaica offered, part of which sold at steady prices, good
fetching 43s. to 45s. 6d., fair washed, 39s.; middling, 35s. ;
ordinary to ordinary dullish, 30s. to 33s.: and common, 27s.
Cochin was again mostly bought in at the following rates :—
tood bold selected, 65s.; medium and bold, 49s.; and small
medium and bold, 38s. In the following week, viz., on
August 24, the large quantity of over 1,000 packages of
Jamaica were offered and 200 disposed of at auction,
further sales being afterwards made privately: the prices
quoted were as follows :—Good washed, 46s. to 47s. 6d. ;
fair washed, 37s. 6d.; ordinary to middling dullish, 33s,
to 36s. Sixty-nine cases of Cochin were also offered at this
sale, 57 being sold, including small medium cut, mouldy, at
28s. 6d. From these figures it will be seen that the Jamaica
product is still to the fore in quantity and price.
NUTMEGS, MACE AND PIMENTO,
At the first sale West Indian nutmegs were in good
supply, 486 packages being offered and sold at steady prices,
but at a slight increase on those of the previous month.
But little or no change took place at the remaining sales.
The same may be said of West Indian mace, which at
the last sale, on the 24th., fetched 1s. 8d. for fine pale,
1s. 4d. to 1s. 5d. for fair, and 1s 2d. to 1s, 3d. for ordinary ;
53 packages of West Indian being disposed of.
Of pimento, 558 packages were offered at the first
auction and bought in at rates from 2?d. to 24d. For the
remainder of the month little or no change occurred in prices
and there continued a fair demand.
ARROW ROOT.
Arrowroot, which is always offered at the spice sales,
began with the offering of 100 tins of St. Vincent, which
were bought in at 3d. per tb. On the 24th. some 500
barrels of St. Vincent were offered and again bought in.
In connexion with the imports and deliveries of arrowroot,
the following note has been published, giving the quantities
in the first seven months of 1904 and the stocks on
July 31 :—
Imported, 11,485 barrels, 807 boxes and tins ; delivered,
2,905 barrels and 714 tins; stocks, 11,216 barrels, 1,159
boxes and tins.
Our well-informed contemporary, the Chemist and
Druggist, gives the following note on Bermuda arrowroot :-—
‘The export of arrowroot from Bermuda during 1903
amounted to 9 tons 9 ewt., valued at £1,300, against 11 tons
12 ewt. exported in 1902, valued at £1,347. This return:
points to a rise in the price of the Bermuda variety. There-
is One arrowroot factory in the island, which is equipped with
modern plant and is capable of producing a large quantity of
this valuable article. The arrowroot manufactured in the
colony is being placed on the markets at the present date in
attractive packages and in small quantities, with distinctive
labels as to origin, and it is expected that the demand for
this product will materially increase.’
SARSAPARILLA,
With regard to this drug, the same paper from which we
have quoted the above paragraph had the following note in
its issue for August 6: ‘There is a good inquiry for grey
Jamaica but very little is obtainable. The exports of
sarsaparilla from Guatemala during 1903 amounted in value
to £417 compared with £430 for 1902. The British Vice-
Consul at Livingston (Guatemala) states that the gathering
of sarsaparilla and the bleeding of rubber trees decreased in
proportion with the imerease of the banana industry. The
cause is not difficult to see ; the ‘““Nuwero” and the ‘“Sarsero”
gave up their former toilsome occupation and turned their
attention to the ore profitable banana planting. The total
amount of sarsaparilla shipped from Livingston during the
last four months of 1903 amounted to 61 bales weighing
11,032 tb.’
At the drug sale on the 18th. it was reported that there
was an absence of good quality sarsaparilla of any deserip-
tion; rather course Lima Jamaica fetched 10d. Twelve
bales of fair grey Jamaica sold at from 1s. to 1s. 1d., and
a bale of medium native red was disposed of at 9d.
TAMARINDS, KOLA NUTS, CASSIA FISTULA, ETC.
Of other products it may be noted that at the first spice
sale, 60 barrels of Barbados tamarinds were offered and
bought in at 8s. 6d. per ewt.
Two bags of fair bold West Indian kola nuts were
offered on the 18th. for which 53d. was asked, while
at the same sale, 12 barrels of ordinary mouldy and
partly shrivelled African were disposed of, at from 2}d-
to 3d. per Ib. On the 24th., 11 packages of West Indian,
including green, were sold at from 6d. to 10d., dry at
from 3d. to 34d. and common at 2d. per Ib.
On the 18th., 28 packages of Cassia I’istula were offered
and 5 sold. Good bold, part rattly Dominica fetched 25s.,
and 4 bags of part mouldy were sold at 10s. per ewt.
Twelve bags of fair Madras but more or less sea-damaged
annato seed, were sold at 1?d. to 34d. No West Indian
has been offered.
The quotations for good raw West Indian lime juice
have been Is, 2d. per gallon and refined ls. 3d,
White Wax. Mr. 8. T. Dunn, Superintendent of
the Botanical Department, Hongkong, in a report on the
agricultural possibilities of Weihaiwei, states that Mraxinus
chinensis, the tree upon which insect wax is produced, is
common around Weihaiwei, and the valuable white wax is-
sparingly cultivated upon it by the Chinese. Although the
insect deposits its wax upon the ash it breeds upon a species.
of privet (Ligustrum lucidum), and either the inseet must be
imported from a district where this tree grows or else the tree
must be introduced, for it has not been observed in
Shantung. The price of white wax has fallen and the
supply has diminished of late years, but if a regular
outturm were secured and exported, the industry might be
carried on profitably by the farmers in their spare time.
(Consular Report on Weihaiwei, 1908.)
Vou. II. No. 65. THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS. 335
New York,—September 16, 1904.—Messrs. GILLESPIE
MARKET REPORTS.
London,— September 13, 1904. Messrs. J. Hates Carp &
Co., Messrs. Kearton, Prrrr & Co., Messrs. E. A.
DE Pass & Co., ‘THE West INDIA CoMMITTEE CiR-
cuLAR’; ‘THE LiveRPooL Corron AssocraTION
WEEKLY CIRCULAR, September 9; and ‘THe Pubic
LepDGER,’ September 10, 1904.
Ators—Barbados, 13/- to 35/- ; Curacoa, 14/- to 38/- per ewt.
ARRowrRooT—St. Vincent, 1fd. per th.
Batata—Block, 1/3 per tb.
Begs’-wax—&£7 10s. to £7 12s. 6d. per cwt.
Cacao—Trinidad, 58/- to 62/- per ewt. ; Grenada, 54/-
to 58/- per ewt.; Dominica, 51/- to 56/- per ewt. ;
Jamaica, 53/6 to 57/- per ewt.
Carpamoms—Mysore, 73d. to 2/- per th.
CorreE—Jamaica, good ordinary, 38/- per ewt.
Corron—West Indian Sea Island, medium fine, 13d. ; fine,
14d. ; extra fine, 16d. per tb.
Froir—
Bananas—Jamaica, 2/- to 4/- per bunch.
Grare Frurr—Jamaica, 10/- per case.
Orances—Jamaica, 8/- to 9/- per ease.
Fustic—£3 10s. to £4 per ton.
GinceR—-Fair to good bright, 42/6 to 47/6; common to
middling, 29/- to 37/6 per ewt.
Honrty—16/- to 19/6 per ewt.
Isinctass—West Indian lump, 2/5 to 2/10; cake, 1/1 to 1/5
per th.
Kota Nurs—4d. to 7d. per tb.
Lime Jurcr—Raw, 1/4 per gallon; concentrated, £14 per
cask of 108 gallons.
Lime O1r—Distilled, 1/6 per th. ; hand-pressed, 2/6 to 2/9
per th.
Locwoop—£4 2s. 6d. to £5; Roots, £4 to £4 10s. per ton.
Mace—Fair to good pale, 1/6 to 1/11; red 1/3 to 1/5;
broken, 1/- to 1/1 per th.
Nirrare or Sopa—Agricultural, £10 5s. per ton.
Nurmecs-—54’s, 2/3; 102’s, 9d. ; 158’s, O$d. ; shell, 43d.
to 5d. per tb.
Prento—-22d. per tb.
Rum—Demerara, 7d. per proof gallon; Jamaica, 1s. 9d.
to ls. 9$d. per proof gallon.
SaRSAPARILLA—Jamaica, 84d. to 94d. per th.
Sucar—Crystallized, 17/6 to 18/6 per ewt. ; Muscovado,
Barbados, 13/6 to 14/- per ewt.; Molasses, 11/6 to
15/6 per ewt.
SuLpHATE oF AmMoNnIA—£12 per ton.
Montreal,—September 9, 1904.—Mr. J. Russptn Murray.
(In bond quotations.)
Bananas—Jamaica, 75c. to 95e. per bunch of § hands ;
$105 to $1°15 per bunch firsts ; $1°40 to $1°50 per
bunch Jumbos, c. & f.
Srpar—Trinidad, 40c. per cubic foot, c. & f.
Cocoa-Nuts— Jamaica, $25°00 to $27:00; Trinidad, $21-00
to $23°00 per M., c. & f.
CorrreE—Jamaica, medium, 9c. to 10c. per th., c. & f.
GincerR—Jamaica, unbleached, 6}c. to 8c. per th., c. &f.
Limes—Jamaica—No quotations.
Mo.ascurr—Demerara, $1°32 per 100 tb., c. & f.
Motasses—Barbados, 24c. to 26c.; Antigua, 20c. per
Imperial gallon.
Nurmres—Grenada, 110’s, 18¢. to 19$c. per th., c. & f.
Pimento—Jamaica, 6}c. to 7c. per th., c. & f.
Prne-APPLES—Cubans, crates 36’s to 10’s, $3:00 to $4:10.
Svucar—Grey Crystals, 96°, $2°60 to $2-70 per 100 th., c. GE.
—Muscovados, 89°, $2°30 to $2°60 per 100 th., c. & f.
—Molasses, 89°, $2°15 to $2°30 per 100 th., c. &f.
—Barbados, 89°, $2°40 to $2°45 per 100 th., c. &. f.
Bros. & Co.
Cacao—Caracas, 12}¢c. to13c.; Jamaica—No quotations 5
Grenada, 12c. to 12}c.; Trinidad, 12c. to 13c. per fb.
Cocoa-Nuts—Trinidads, $28 to $30 per M., selected ;
Jamaicas—$32‘00 per M.
CorreE—Jamaica, good ordinary, 8}c. per tb.
GincER—Jamaica, good grinding, 7c. to 8c. ; bold root,
S}c. to 8he. per th.
Goat Skrns—Jamaicas, 54$c. per tb.
Pimento—ie. per tb., spot quotation.
Sucar—Centrifugals, 96°, 44¢. to 4,5;¢.; Muscovados, 89°,
3}c. ; Molasses, 89°, 3c. per
INTER-COLONIAL MARKETS.
Barbados,—September 24, 1904.—Messrs. T. S. Garra-
way & Co., and Messrs. James A. Lyncnw & Co.
Arrowroot—St. Vincent, $3°50 to $3°60 per 100 tb.
Cacao—Dominica, $13°50 per 100 tb.
Cocoa-Nuts—$13°50 per M. for husked nuts.
Corrre—Jamaica, $10-00 to $11-00 ; ordinary Rio, $12-00
per 100 tb.
Hay—95ce. to $1°00 per 100 tb.
Manvures—-Nitrate of soda, $60-00 ; Ohlendorff’s dissolved
guano, $60°00; Sulphate of ammonia, $72-00 to $7500;
Sulphate of potash, $67-00.
Motasses— Market closed.
Oxtons—Madeira (stringed), $1°75 to $200 per 100 tb.
Poraros, ENGLtisH—$2°88; Nova Scotia, $2°16 to $3:09
per 160 tb.
Rice—Ballam, $4°60 to
$3°40 per 100 tb.
Suear—Market closed.
$472 per bag (190 tb.) ; Patna,
British Guiana,—September 22, 1904.—Messrs. WirTINe@
& RIcHTer.
ARRowrRooT—St. Vincent, $7°50 per barrel.
Batara—Venezuela block, 25c.; Demerara sheet, 35c.
per tb.
Cacao—Native, 12c. to 13c. per tb.
Cassava Strarcu—6:00 per barrel.
Cocoa-NutTS—$8 ‘00 to $10°00 per M.
CorreE—Rio and Jamaica, 15$¢. to 14c. per tb. (retail).
— Creole, llc. per tb.
Duat— $4°25 to $4°30 per bag of 168 tb.
Eppors—S84e. per barrel.
Morassrs—Vacuum Pan yellow, 153c. per gallon (casks
included).
Ontons—Madeira, $1°90 to $2-00 per 100 tb. ; Teneriffe,
$1°50 to $1°75 per 100 th.
Pea Nurs—American, 7c. per tb. (retail).
PLANTAINS—16c. to 36c. per bunch.
Poraros, EnerisH—Lisbon and Madeira,
100 tb. (retail).
Rice—Ballam, $440 to $4:45; Creole, $4°50 per 177 tb.,
ex store.
Sweet Poratos—Barbados, 72c. to 84c. per bag.
Tannras—$1°80 per barrel.
Yams—White, $2°64 per bag.
Sucar—Dark Crystals, $2°50 to $2°60; Yellow, $2:90 to
$3:00 ; White, $5°50 to $3°75; Molasses, $2:00 to
2°25 per 100 tb.
Timper—Greenheart, 32c. to 55¢. per cubic foot.
Wa tabs SHINGLES—$3'00, $3°75 and $5°50 per M.
$150 per
Trinidad,—September 21, 1904.—Messrs. Gorpon, GRANT
& Co. ; and Messrs. Epcar Tripp & Co.
Cacao—Ordinary, $12°35 ; Estates, $12°40 to $12°60;
Venezuelan, $12°45 to $12°65 per fanega (110 tb.).
Cocoa-Nuts —$19-00 per M., f.o0.b.
Cocoa-NutT O1r—77c. per Imperial gallon (casks included).
CorrEeE—Venezuelan, 7}c. per tb.
Copra—$2°80 per 100 tb.
Ontons—$1°20 to $1°25 per 100 tb.
Poratos, EncrisH—$1°40 to $1°65 per 100 tb.
Rice—Yellow, $410 to $440; White Table, $5:25 to
$5°50 per bag.
336 THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.
OcroperR 8, 1904..
THE BEST MANURES FOR COLONIAL USE
oes AS Eee eee |
Ohlendorff’s Dissolved Peruvian Guano—For Sugar-cane and general use
Ohlendorff’s Special Sugar-cane Manure
Ohlendorff’s Special Cocoa Manure
Ohlendorff’s Special Cotton Manure
Sulphate of Ammonia, Nitrate of Soda, Superphosphates, high grades,
Potash Salts, Basic Slag and all ‘other high-class Fertilizers.
APPLY TO LOCAL AGENTS OR DIRECT TO
THE ANGLO-CONTINENTAL (LATE OHLENDORFF’S) GUANO WORKS,
London Agency: 15, Leadenhall Street, London, E.C.
[72.] Barbados Agents: Messrs. James A. Lynch & Co., Bridgetown.
ESTATE FOR SALE OR TO LET. DEPARTMENT PUBLICATIONS.
An excellent property situate between the Wood-
ford Hill and Brookdale Estates in the parish
of St. Andrew’s, Dominica. FOR COTTON GROWERS :
as SPECIAL TERMS FOR CASH. | A. B. S.
For full particulars apply to the proprietor,
NATHL. POWELL, |
Wesley, Dominica. | C 0 A T 0 N p L A N T | N C
FOR PEASANT PROPRIETORS,
OF
Containing full directions for the coming
; CAG © : 4 | season. Price 4d. Post free, 5d.
By J. H. BART, ELS.
NEW EDITION. |
A treatise on the cultiveleaet curing and chemistry of | bes WEST INDIAN BULLETIN 2
COMMERCIAL CACAO.
DAVIDSON & TODD, Trinidad. | (Ob. es
Wm.WESLEY & Co., 28, Essex St., London. | Containing full report by Sir Daniel Morris,
: K.C.M.G., D.Se., and Mr. J. R. Bovell, F.L.S., F.C.S.,
Price. 38 “per . copy. on visit to the Cotton-growing districts of U.S.A.
Printed at Office of Agricultural Reporter. 4, High Street, Bridgetown, Barbados.
eas Ss, es
‘ SS ih A
Se AE
\ \ A\ | ei
A FORTNIGHTLY REVIEW
OF
THE
IMPERIAL DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE FOR THE WEST INDIES.
Vou. III. No. 66.
BARBADOS, OCTOBER 22,
Prick ld.
1904.
CONTENTS.
PAGE. Pacer.
Arrowrovt, St. Vincent... 345 Insect Notes :—
d ; aC usects of ... 046
Bee-keeping Industry in Cac 10, Iuse ake Sit
mae Sot: Cocoa-nuts, Scale
CIETONEIKE, Sag Gon. Goo Gi Tasccreton 346
Brazil, Agriculture 10 345 ; ep ta
Cotton Boll Weevil,
Enemy of the... ... 346
Job’s Tears as Poultry
HOOdmEemErE- ri ss. O4e
Market Reports... ... dd1
Notes and Comments ... 344
Oranges, Cultivation in
Cacao manurial Experi-
ments at Grenada ... 547
Cassava in Jamaica ... 049
Coffee, Quality of ... ... 845
Cotton Industry :—
Emergency Grants... 544
Gambia Sop 000 cca oH Dominica... ... ... 340
~ Montserrat... ... ... 341 | Pine-applesin Hawaii ... 340
SHINES o.. gies Eeeoal: Poultry Notes... ... ... 343
MODaC Omens ess) wesc as Ook Breeding Turkeys... 343
West Indies... ... ... 344
Virgin Islands... ... 341
Fixation of ... ... 843
SN ea aa 347 Sisal Hemp in the Caicos
ca « Sp fe a ee ele 342
Department News... ... 349 | «. bia Ai ea ag
Bi esiicueiRepories— Spices in Zanzibar... ... 340
: Sugar Industry :—
PAW AM ele che deder Lees (O49 F
BartocRica 349 Experiments at Bar-
Science Notes :---
Atmospherie Nitrogen,
bados eR ts. GOO
East Africa, Notes from... 342 | Uganda, Resources of
Educational :— Western ... ... ... 345
Nature Teaching... 3550 | West Indian Products ... 350
West Indies and Crystal
Palace Exhibition ... 350
Fruit Imports of the U.S. 340
Gleanings ban neo) coo BEES
Bee-keeping Industry in Jamaica.
F all the British West India
Jamaica is the only one in which the
Islands
bee-keeping industry has attained a really
important position. It is probably not generally
realized that the annual exports of honey from Jamaica
are worth about £10,000, and those of wax over £6,000.
Of recent years much progress has been made in this
industry, and Jamaica has won a good name in the
markets for both honey and wax.
The following figures, giving the amount and
value of the exports of honey during the past
six years, are of particular interest in indicating the
material progress that has been made:—1897, 2,440
ewt. (£1,891); 1898, 4,934 ewt. (£2,124); 1899, 5,037
ewt. (£3,673) ; 1900, 8,174 ewt. (£6,539): 1901, 13,423
ewt. (£10,738): 1902, 16,804 cwt. (£9,241). These
figures are obtained from the annual report of the
Collector General for the year 1901, who states: ‘The
improvement in the exports of honey bears witness to
the combined intelligence and patience which are
being brought to bear on the production of minor
products. adopted centrifugal
apparatus for expelling the honey from the comb, and
the comb itself, instead of being melted down as
heretofore, is returned uninjured to the hive, thus
considerably increasing the output of the more
valuable product, honey, whilst reducing that of wax.
Bee keepers have
In that way, then, can we account for the decline
of recent years in the export of wax from the island.
In 1898, 1.590 cwt. were exported, of the value of
£10,388: in 1902, the amount was 992 ewt., and the
value £6,020.
There is no doubt that the progress of the
Jamaica bee-keeping industry is mainly due to the
efforts of the Jamaica Bee Keepers’ Association. This
338 THE AGRICULTURAL
NEWS. Ocroper 22, 1904.
is a commercial undertaking, working along co-opera-
tive lines, which has set itself steadily to improve the
quality and the appearance of the honey shipped.
With this object in view a board of examiners was
appointed, which inspects every package sent by
members to the for shipment. The
product is graded by the examiners, and if it is found
to come up to the required standard, the package is
branded with the Association’s stamp. In the market
reports Jamaica honey has, during the last few months,
been quoted at from 15s, tu 30s. per ewt.
Association
In regard to Jamaica bees’-wax, it has already
been mentioned that the exports have of late declined
somewhat. It is interesting to note, however, that,
according to a writer in the Journal of the Jumaica
Agricultural Society (Vol. VII, p. 186), Jamaica wax
always finds a ready sale in the market on account of
its undoubted purity. It fetches from £7 10s. to
£8 15s. per ewt., as against £6 10s. to £7 7s. 6d. for
French, Italian and Spanish wax, and £6 10s. to
£6 15s. for wax from Madagascar. It is principally
used in the manufacture of boot and furniture polishes,
for tailors’ wax, photographic compositions, ete. Of
late years there has been an increase in the exports
to the United States and a decrease in the shipments
to the United Kingdom. This product is now quoted
in the London market reports at £7 10s. to £7 12s. 6d.
per ewt.
The Imperial Department of Agriculture has
given considerable encouragement to the bee-keeping
industry in the West Indies, and there are indications
that the business is being taken up with a certain
amount of enthusiasm in some of the islands. In
St. Lucia, especially, distinct progress has been made in
recent years, and there are now a fairly large number of
colonies kept in modern hives. So far, the exports from
St. Lucia and the other islands in which bee keeping
has been taken up have been in very small quantities,
but there is every indication that in the course of
a few years, when there will be less necessity for
thinning colonies for purposes of increase, a large
honey yield will be obtained. Of course, it must be
understood that much of the success that has attended
the establishment of this industry in Jamaica is due
to an abundance of honey flowers, especially logwood,
In Barbados, for example, there is not much prospect
of bee keeping being carried on successfully on a large
seale on account of the scarcity of honey-yielding
flowers.
We have given the above short sketch of the
progress in this industry in Jamaica that bee keepers
in the West Indies may realize the possibilities of
this profitable undertaking. At the same time we
desire, by mentioning the efforts of the Jamaica Bee
Keepers’ Association, to give prominence to the
necessity of taking steps to secure that only a good
grade of honey and wax shall be shipped.
SUGAR
INDUSTRY.
Sugar-cane Experiments at Barbados.
At a meeting of the Barbados Agricultural Society
held on October 14,a paper was read by Professor J. P.
d’ Albuquerque and Mr. J. R. Boveil on the results of
the sugar-cane experiments carried on at Barbados
under the direction of the Imperial Department of
Agriculture.
results with seedling canes :—
In the first place, we invite your attention to the compar-
ative results of a few of the best seedling varieties for the
past five years, together with those obtained with the White
Transparent variety.
As you are aware, these canes have been grown on
duplicate plots in several estates situated in representative
parts of the island. The plots usually contain 100 stools of
canes each ; they are cultivated under the ordinary conditions
of the estate where they are grown, and care is taken to
eliminate any error that might be due to the growth of one
variety interfering with that of a neighbouring one. Now,
while the plots are small, there are several of each kind and
an average is taken of each variety, and there is distinct
evidence, wherever these results can be brought into
comparison with those of the canes grown on the ordinary
estate scale, to show that the results of the plots agree very
well with the results on the estates.
In black soils, an average of five years’ experiments shows
that plots of White Transparent plant canes yielded about
21 tons of sugar per acre. This, we think, agrees fairly well
with estate results when it is remembered that the iand of all
the fields upon which these canes were grown was good land.
The plots of White Transparent ratoon canes in black soils
yielded about 1 ton of sugar per acre.
In red soils White Transparent plant canes gave a little
less than 2 tons of sugar per acre, and the ratoons gave
about 14 tons of sugar per acre. These results again agree,
we think, very well with those on a large scale on similarly
situated estates.
The black soil districts are not generally regarded as
favourable to ratooning. In black soils, therefore, the
results of plant canes are looked upon as allimportant.
Looking at the results for the five years, only two seedling
varieties, viz., B. 208, and B. 147, have exceeded in their
yields those of the White Transparent variety.
On the average of five years’ experiments, the differences
in favour of B. 208 and B. 147, as compared with the
standard variety, are small, amounting to 5 per cent. in the
case of B. 208, and 4 per cent. in the case of B, 147.
The following is a short summary of the
in
Vou. Ill. No. 66. THE
AGRICULTURAL NEWS.
339
Five per cent. increase on a long average is not to be
despised, but at the same time it is not such as to satisfy the
aspirations either of the planters or those engaged in sugar-
cane experiments. Certainly much more than that is hoped
for from the raising of scedling canes, when the large
numbers that have been annually raised for the past five
years come to be thoroughly tested.
The juice of B. 208, both with the plot-samples and
samples grown on trial areas of an acre and upwards, and
sent from the estate mills, is uniformly very rich and very
pure: and on this account the cane merits some attention
from muscovado plantations.
B. 147, on the other hand, yields a juice which, on the
average, is less pure than that of the White Transparent, and
in many cases, especially in unfavourable years, would give
trouble in the muscovado factory.
These results have been calculated as an average of
plots in St. Michael, Christ Church, St. Philip, and St. Lucy,
but it should be pointed out that B. 147 has given uniformly
high comparative resuits, year after year, at Dodds,
St. Philip, and in St. Lucy, and that there is no doubt in
our minds that in certain thin and well-drained black soils
B. 147 does give a yield which is a substantial increase on
the White Transparent. We can testify that the results of
the estates of a large company that grow this cane upon
a large scale, show that this variety in St. Philip parish can
be made to give both as plants and ratoons higher
results than the White Transparent, and evidence is
forthcoming from other cane-growing countries of the excel-
lence of this variety. Still, it is evident that, for general
cultivation in other parts of Barbados, this variety cannot be
recommended.
In black soils, the ratoon yields of sugar were as
follows :—White Transparent, 2,400 tb.; B. 208, 2,900 hb. ;
B. 147, 2,800 tb.
The results in red soils are more encouraging
experimenters than those in the black soils.
The yields of muscovado sugar of the White Trans-
parent variety were:—plant canes, 4,300 ; ratoons, 3,500 Ib. ;
average, 3,900 Tb.
B. 208—plants, 5,650 Ib. ; ratoons, 3,800 tb. ; average,
4,700 th. Increase over White Transparent, 20 per cent.
D. 95—plants, 4,550 tb.: ratoons, 4,480 Ib. ; average,
4,520 tb. Increase over White Transparent, 16 per cent.
B. 147—plants 4,070 tb. ; ratoons, 2,290 tb. ; average,
3,180 tb.
These red soil results, we think, should lead planters
to give to B. 208 a careful and universal trial on a small
estate scale. B. 208 owes its yield partly to the extreme
richness and purity of its juice, and it often happens that,
although the yield of canes, and therefore their field
appearance, is not equal to that of White Transparent, the
results when it comes to the factory eclipse those of White
Transparent. We urge a general trial of B. 208 on a small
scale in red soils.
Evidently the ratoon results on red soils of B. 147 put
it entirely out of the question as a variety for those districts.
Turning now to the year 1904, taken alone, the results
are chiefly of interest as introducing, for the first time as
selected seedlings, a few of the newer seedling varieties.
It is appropriate at this point briefly to view the
weather conditions of the season under report. As we all
clearly remember, the rainfall for the first nine months was
all that a planter could desire, and led to a good spring of
young canes and a luxuriant growth. Late in October and
in November, however, which is generally recognized as a
critical period in regard to the yield of the cane, a period of
to the
some weeks of severe drought set in, a drought that
completely checked the growth of the crop. ‘This was
followed by heavy rains that lasted till quite late into the
following reaping season. On the whole, the weather
conditions were highly fayourable to a large return, but at
the same time the November drought must have had the effect
of sensibly diminishing the crop.
The crop of 1904 is not what was expected from these
conditions. But, in the first place, the conditions were not
equal everywhere. To leeward, for example, the rainfall
could not be painted in the favourable colours used for the
rest of the island. Then again the crop is recorded in
estimated hogsheads, and the estimated hogshead this year
was above the average weight. Were the crop reckoned in
tons, the comparative yield of the year would show up more
favourably.
But over and above these reasons, it should be borne in
mind that owing to several estates being in recent years sold
out in small lots, there is less land under cane cultivation.
Then, land that used to be in plant canes is now in
ratoons ; upwards of 1,000 acres were under cotton, some
was under bananas, and lastly, the estates have adopted
a policy of self-support which involves a rotation of crops
and a proportion of land under provision and fodder crops.
Brietly put, the following are some of the most interest-
ing results in the black soils.
Yield of muscovado sugar per acre :—
White Transparent—plants, 5,560 tb. ; ratoons, 2,960 Ib. ;
average, 4,300 tb.
B. 208—plants, 5,660 tb.; ratoons, 3,800 tb.; average,
4,740 tb.
B. 147—plants, 5,320 Ib.; ratoons, 3,130 tb.; average,
4,230 Ib.
B. 1,529—plants, 7,470 Ib., i.e., 30 per cent. increase on
White Transparent plant canes of the same year.
This variety gave favourable yields on single plots in
the two. previous seasons, a result that led to its trial as
a selected seedling. The favourable results of this cane are
due to a combination of good tonnage and very rich and
pure juice. The cultivation of this variety will be extended
at once to as many experimental plots as possible. It is
premature to say whether the results of this year will be
confirmed in our subsequent trials.
The remaining seedlings grown in black soils call for ro
special comment. The results in muscovado yields are given
as follows :—
D. 842—plants, 5,480 Ib. D. 95—plants, 5,410 tb. ;
ratoons, 4,960 tb.: average, 5,190 Ib. D. 1,438—plants,
5,400 ib. B. 376—plants, 5,300 tb. ; ratoons, 3,032 bb. ;
average, 4,160 Ib.
The more interesting red soil results were as follows-—
yields calculated on muscovado sugar :-—
White Transparent—plants, 5,400 Ib. ; ratoons, 4,830 b.;
average, 5,120 tb.; B. 208—plants, 7,210 tb. ; ratoons,
4,260 tb. ; average, 5,740 tb.
B.1,529—plants, 6,650 tb.
B. 376—plants, 6,360 Ib.; ratoons, 5,290 tb. ; average,
5,830 tb.
B. 393—plauts, 5,980 fb.; ratoons, 1,950 tb. ; average,
3,960 Ib.
B. 379—plants, 5,480 tb.; ratoons, 5,272 tb. ; average,
5,370 tb.
D. 95—plants, 5,210 tb.; ratoons, 5,390 tb. ; average,
5,300 tb.
Three varieties, viz., B. 208, B. 1,529, and B. 376
have given yields which show an increase over the White
Transparent.
340 THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.
Ocroper 22, 1904.
AN
WEST INDIAN
FROIE:
PINE-APPLES IN HAWAII.
The following is a brief summary of interesting
observations made in the annual report on the
Agricultural Experiment Station in Hawaii on the
cultivation of pine-apples:—
There are two large pineapple canneries in successful
operation in the island of Oahu. Experiments in the cultiva-
tion of this crop have been carried on for fully twenty years.
Practically all the known varieties have been imported from
different parts of the world. It has been found that the
Smooth Cayenne is the best adapted to Hawaiian conditions.
The Hawaiian canned pine-apples are superior in
quality to any others now placed on the American market,
because they are allowed to ripen and attain their fullest
development in the field. The pines have not been affected
by any serious disease ; they are also comparatively free from
insect injury. There are many thousand acres of land suited
to the cultivation of pine-apples, and the industry is capable
of very great expansion. As long as the Hawaiian growers
maintain the high standard of excellence now existing, there
will be an almost unlimited market.
CULTIVATION OF ORANGES IN
DOMINICA.
The Hon. Francis Watts writes that while in
Dominica recently he visited ‘Corona, the orange
plantation belonging to Mr. Scully, in connexion with
which there is an experiment plot, under the direction
of the Imperial Department of Agriculture, for the
cultivation of varieties of oranges. Dr. Watts makes
the following remarks on this cultivation :—
Mr. Scully’s oranges look remarkably well, some of
them being about to come into bearing. Scale insects have
been controlled by the careful use of insecticides. Mr. Scully
remarked that the young plants received from the Dominica
Botanic Station are in much better condition than those
coming from Jamaica.
The system of cultivation adopted has much to commend
it. It agrees well with the general principles I have tried to
lay down. A circle, 10 feet in diameter, is kept clean round
each tree: no weeds are allowed to become established in
this space, which is weeded at frequent intervals, care being
taken not to scrape the soil away from the roots of the tree.
The intervening space between the clean circles is not forked
or dug up, the grass and weeds being cut down at intervals
and used as a surface mulch. The condition of the soil
appears to be all that can be desired.
FRUIT IMPORTS OF THE UNITED
STATES.
The following note on the importation of fruit,
especially bananas and lemons, into the United States
appeared in the Crop Reporter (published at Washing-
ton by the authority of the Secretary of Agriculture)
for September :—
The fruits imported into the United States in large
quantities are almost exclusively from tropical America, and
from Southern Europe, and from Turkey-in-Asia. As
estimated by value, over one-third of the imports consists of
bananas ; these are derived chiefly from Central America,
Cuba, and the British West Indies; they are imported in
quantities ranging from 25,000,000 to 30,000,000 bunches
annually, and their cost, laid down at ports of the producing
countries, ranges from 57,000,000 to $8,500,000 a year.
To these may be added annually about $25,000 worth of
plantains, a fruit closely resembling the banana and used for
cooking purposes in some of the Southern States.
Next in importance to bananas in the import fruit trade
are lemons, for which upwards of 53,000,000 are expended
abroad annually, Italy (Sicily) being the almost exclusive
source of supply. These two products, bananas and lemons,
regularly constitute in value over one-half the total annual
imports of fruit.
Pine-apples are imported from tropical America in
considerable quantities: the annuai imports amount in value
to $500,000 to $600,000.
SPICES IN ZANZIBAR.
The Consular Report on the trade of Zanzibar and
Pemba contains interesting references to the spice
industry :-—
The clove crop for 1903 was an exceptionally good one
for the island of Zanzibar, and an exceptionally bad one for
the island of Pemba. ‘The exports were of the value of
£186,399 and £88,592, respectively. Cloves represent about
80 per cent. of the value of the total exports from Pemba
year by year, copra and cocoa-nuts standing for 16 per cent.
The exports of chillies from Zanzibar amounted to
516,428 tb., valued at £7,116. It is to be regretted that
more attention is not paid to the cultivation of this crop, for
which the soil of these islands is especially suitable.
Thanks to local legislation, copra and chillies are being
brought into market in a much better condition than
heretofore. Cloves also are cleaner and drier, and more free
from khoker and stems.
341
Vou. Ill. No. 66. THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.
COTTON INDUSTRY. _ St. Kitt's.
Mr. F. R. Shepherd, Agricultural Superintendent
Virgin Islands at St. Kitt’s, has forwarded the following report on the
MEW) Fighioee Aer: fis ieee trict ; prospects of the cotton industry in that island :—
r. W. C. Fishlock, Agricultural Instructor at
Tortola, reports :—
I have very little reliable information with reference to
the amount of cotton planted in the Virgin Islands. The
weather during May, June, and July was very dry, and it
was impossible to plant, although much land was cleared.
I believe about 15 to 20 acres have been planted at
Norman Island, and I am informed that a considerable
amount has been planted at Virgin Gorda. I should say that
there is every prospect of 50 acres being planted in cotton in
this presidency.
In most cases people have saved and planted their own
seed. Some was obtained from St. Thomas, and 100 tb. from
the station.
Tobago.
Mr. H. Millen, Curator of the Botanic Station at
Tobago, reports as follows on the prospects of cotton
growing in the island :—
The approximate area planted is 120 acres, of which 80
acres are planted in Marie Galante cotton, and the remaining
40 acres in Sea Island.
It is probable that not more than 50 acres will be
planted this season. One reason why planting was not more
extensively carried on was on account of the want of
machinery for cleaning the cotton.
A cotton gin and a baling press have been received
from the British Cotton-growing Association. This is the
second lot of machinery imported into the island for this
purpose. Now that machinery has been received, planters
will be stimulated to plant, as they can now be certain of
getting their cotton cleaned for export.
From this station 53 tb. of Sea Island cotton seed have
been distributed ; several planters have also obtained seed
direct from Trinidad.
Montserrat.
Mr. A. J. Jordan, Curator of the Botanic Station,
has reported as follows on the prospects of the cotton
industry in Montserrat :—
During this season 2,730 lb. of Sea Island seed have been
distributed through the Department, and about 600 tb. of
planters’ own seed have been treated with corrosive sublimate
solution at Grove Station.
About 600 acres have been planted, and if proper care
is exercised to keep the leaf-blister mite in check, and
neither the ‘black boll’ nor any new disease attacks the
plants, an average yield of 200 Ib. of lint is expected to be
reaped.
Since the middle of July the weather has been excellent
for the growth of cotton, and seed sown at that time has
developed into plants about 4 feet in height, which are
already setting pods.
No attacks of the cotton worm have been reported, but
a large, black caterpillar was seen eating the stems of the
seedlings. The damage done by these was not, however,
considerable.
A greater space has been allowed to each plant than last
year, most planters having planted at 4 feet by 2 feet, some
at even 5 feet by 3 feet.
From information collected, I find that the area of cotton
already planted is 1,000 acres, and arrangements are being
made to plant 50 more during the month. This will make
a total area of 1,050 acres.
Of this area 500 acres have been planted with the
selected Sea Island seed imported by the Imperial
Department of Agriculture, and 550 acres with seed from
Sea Island cotton grown locally.
The cotton crop in the island is, on the whole, in a very
promising condition ; the earlier-planted cotton is already
bearing heavily.
The cotton worm has made its appearance in a few
localities, but has been at once kept in check by the
application of Paris green. The leaf-blister mite has also
attacked the plants in some places, and a mixture of sulphur
and lime has been used. Since the recent rains these pests
have not been so troublesome, and consequently there seems
to be a good prospect for the cotton.
The amount of imported Sea Island seed, sold and
planted in St. Kitt’s, was 2,295 tb.
Gambia.
Considerable space is devoted in the Annual
Report on Gambia for 1903 to an account of the efforts
that have been made in that colony to establish
a cotton-growing industry. The following brief sum-
mary is likely to be of interest :—
In the early part of 1902, 1,325 tb. of American, and
1,185 tb. of Egyptian, seed were distributed among the Chiefs
of the protectorate. The result cannot be said to have been
very satisfactory, as only 578 tb. of lint were shipped to
England. The failure of the crop was attributed by the
natives to the seed having been sown too early: it is
considered, however, that it is more probable that it was due
to intentional want of care on the part of the farmers, who
hoped that, in the event of the first crop proving a failure,
the experiment would be abandoned and they would be
allowed to continue their ground nut planting in peace.
The first shipment of 112 tb. of lint realized 6d. per 0b.;
probably the price would have been higher, had the
quantity been greater. The brokers reported that this
cotton was superior to the usual, rough West African
cottons, and were of opinion that, with careful cultivation and
proper picking and ginning, West African cotton might
obtain equal prices with American Upland.
As a result of the visit of an expert sent out under the
auspices of the British Cotton-growing Association early in
1903, special attention has been devoted to experiments in
the Upper River district where an experimental farm has
been established. It is estimated that in that district about
400 acres have been planted in cotton.
The crop for 1903, which was expected to be about
50 to 60 tons of seed-cotton, was being bought by the
Government at 2d. per tb.—a price which is readily
accepted by the natives but which has been fixed for the
purpose of encouraging the natives and cannot be regarded
as likely to make the experiment a profit-making one.
The yield may be said to be about 300 Ib. of seed-
cotton per acre. With this yield the crop is not likely to be
as profitable as ground nuts. On the other hand, there is no
reason why the yield should not be raised to 450 hb.
THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.
OcroBEeR 22, 1904.
NOTES FROM EAST AFRICA.
Mr. Henry Powell, formerly Curator of the Botanic
Station at St. Vincent, now Assistant in the Agri-
cultural Department of British East Africa, has
forwarded the following notes which are of interest to
agriculturists in the West Indies :—
Ravenala madagascariensis.—The fruiting ‘ Travellers’
palm’ at the Botanic Station, St. Vincent, was raised in 1890
from seed received from the Royal Gardens, Kew. Only one
other ‘Travellers’ palm,’ established at the station, was
raised from seed—the others being either imported from
Trinidad, or grown from suckers. p
Passiflora edulis.—This is very common at Nairobi and
in other parts of East Africa. It yields an abundant crop of
delicious fruit, and seed can readily be obtained here, for the
West Indies, if desired.
When in London recently the writer took notes at the
Natural History Museum on mungoose, agouti, and
manacou, these animals having been familiar to him at
St. Vincent.
Mungoose.—The mungoose so common in St. Vincent
appeared to be closely allied to one labelled East Africa or
dusty mungoose (L/erpestes pulverulentus).
Other similar mungoose were Ceylon mungoose (//erpes-
tes fulvescens) and Indian mungoose (Herpestes mungo).
The white-tailed Natal mungoose (erpestes albicauda)
is 3 feet in length and a foot high.
A label on the case stated that ‘all are deadly foes to
snakes but suecumb if bitten, their agility saving them.’
In the Nairobi district there are several species of
mungoose including one with a white tail. The * Puff Adder’
(Bitis Gabonica) and other deadly snakes are fairly common
around Nairobi, but as these usually make their homes in
holes in the ground, the mungoose has a more ditticult task
to kill them than in the West Indies.
Agouti.—The agouti (Dasyprocta agoutis, or agutis).—
These are labelled ‘Rodents’ and there are said to be ten
known species, all nocturnal.
Manacou.—This is classed with the opossums.
A specimen labelled Didelphys Marsupialis from Florida,
closely resembled the St. Vincent manacou, but the first-
named was somewhat larger and greyer in colour.
Palm Nut Cracking Machine—At the Imperial Insti-
tute the writer saw one of these machines tested, and was
convinced that by means of this machine the nuts of
the Gri-Gri palm of St. Vincent could be turned to account.
The makers are Adam Knox & Sons, Engineers, Glasgow.
It is known that the fibre obtained from the leaflets of
this palm is among the finest and strongest in the world,
but is difficult to extract.
Cotton Industry.—The writer is very pleased at the
success of the cotton industry in St. Vincent and trusts that
planters and others there are very largely increasing the area
under cotton this year. East Africa with its thousands of
acres of cotton land will be in the field in a year or two, and
it should be the aim of the St. Vincent community to grow
only the best possible kind, as recommended by the Imperial
Department of Agriculture.
JOBS TEARS AS A POULTRY FOOD.
On p. 275 of this volume of the Agricultural
News we published some information from the Agri-
cultural Ledger in regard to the use of ‘Job’s tears’
as a famine food. It appears that these seeds are used
in Jamaica for feeding poultry, and the following note
by Mr. H. H. Cousins, M.A., F.C.S., appears in the
Bulletin of the Department of Agriculture, Jamaica,
for September :—
The seeds of Cote Lacryma-Jobi, popularly known as
Job’s tears, are used as food for poultry, and two samples
have been submitted to the laboratory for analysis.
The outer husk is very hard and the seeds must be
crushed before being fed to the fowls. The digestible
portion is mainly starch, and this food cannot be recom-
mended for laying fowls. It should, however, prove a useful
material for feeding to poultry in process of fattening for
the table.
The analytical data as determined by Mr.
Hammond, F.C.8., are as follows :—
ss
Constituents. (1) (2)
Moisture 9°87 7°33
Fats ‘ ee 0-62 0-52
Nitrogenous matter* 744 6°56
Indigestible fibre ... 21-96 19°21
Carbohydrates 3°D2 51:02
Ash 16°59 15°36
Total 100-00 100-00
* Nitrogen 19 1:05
It would appear that the above figures are for
unhusked seeds, and this fact must be borne in mind
in comparing these results with those previously
published for Indian seeds, where the analyses of
kernels are given.
SISAL HEMP INDUSTRY IN THE CAICOS
ISLANDS.
In the West Indian Bulletin (Vol. Ne no. 2) an
account was given of the progress of the sisal hemp
industry in the Bahamas and the Caicos Islands,
On p. 151 a table was published giving the value
of the exports from the Caicos Islands since 1894,
At the time of preparing that article we were not in
possession of the necessary information as to the
amount of the exports to make the table complete.
We have since received from the Commissioner of the
Turks and Caicos Islands figures which enable the
table to be completed as follows :—
| | Exports oP Sine | Export |
| Year. | in Seer Year. in ae
| pounds. | | pounds. oes |
| — — = 2
1894 | 69,501 |£ 419 |) 1899 | 510,406 | £7,493
1895 | 95,788 620 1900 | 349,482 5,080
1896 | 167,592 1,047 |) 1901 | 461,183 6,551
| 1897 | 405,898 | 2.539 || 1902 | 498,334 7,100
| 1898 | 469,825 | 2,901- | Fee ee
Worse lhl No; 66;
THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.
343
POULTRY NOTES.
The following notes are taken from the Haim
Journal of Philadelphia :—
In killing lice on chicks, quick work can be done by
taking a machine-oil can filled with Iubricating oil and
putting a drop or two on each chick’s head.
For diarrhoea, or cholera, in hens, ducks, or turkeys,
give a weak solution of copperas, say a piece as large as
a pea to a tea-cupful of water. If they have real cholera
they will readily drink this, if given to them for drinking
water.
Canker in fowls can be successfully treated by washing
the head and eyes, and rinsing out the mouth and throat,
with a dilute solution of chlorate of potash and alum, equal
parts. Remove the ulcers with a quill and apply powdered
burnt alum to the places left bare. Repeat twice a day.
Tsolate the sick fowl.
Pip is not a disease: it is a condition. A hard
substance develops on the tongue, which interferes with the
partaking of food, especially hard grains. Anoint the
tongue with glycerine, repeating the treatment several times
in succession, and a cure is generally effected.
Breeding Turkeys.
In Furmers’ Bulletin No. 200, of the United
States Department of Agriculture, ‘Turkeys: Standard
varieties and Management,’ the following observations
are made on the selection and treatment of breeding
stock :—
There are some rules that must be followed in the
~ selection of turkeys for breeding, if it is hoped to succeed
Careless neglect has given no end of trouble to turkey raisers.
In some instances, which the writer has investigated, all
the turkeys owned in one locality have descended from the
one original pair purchased many years before. If this
foolish procedure had been continued, it would have resulted
in the destruction of the constitutional vigour of the turkeys.
A few plain rules which may be observed to advantage
are as follows :—
Always use as breeders turkey hens over one year old.
Be sure they are strong, healthy, and vigorous, and of good,
medium size. In no instance select the smaller ones. Do
not strive to have them unnaturally large.
The male may be a yearling or older. Do not imagine
that the large, overgrown males are the best. Strength,
health, and vigour, with well-proportioned size, are the main
points of excellence.
Avoid close breeding. New blood is of vital importance
to turkeys. Better send a thousand miles fora new male
than to risk the chances of inbreeding.
AFRICAN RUBBER.
The Lust African Quarterly (Vol. I, no. 2)
reproduces from the Anglo-African Argus the follow-
ing interesting note on African rubber :—
The question of making West African rubber more
marketable is now exercising the minds of merchants engaged
in that trade. The rubber that comes from Para (South
America) fetches on the English market double the price of
that product from West Africa. The only reason for this is
the different method of curing the rubber when taken from
the tree—a very simple process. The way to effect it is as
follows, writes a correspondent: ‘After the milk has been
collected and brought to the house, a smoke fire is made,
over which a funnel is placed, then a stick is cut, made to
the shape of a paddle, which is dipped in the milk and then
held over the top of the funnel in the smoke. When dry,
another dip is taken and again dried, and so on, until the
rubber round the paddle becomes an inch or so thick, or
eyen less. If too heavy to handle, then a knife is taken and
a cut made down the rubber into the wood, which enables
the product to be taken from the paddle. The rubber,
which is then put on one side, is ready for the market. The
same process is again repeated until all the rubber has been
cured. The process should be slow; by smoke on/y, not by
fire. The difference between Para and African rubber is
similar to that between a loaf of bread just made up into
dough and a loaf that has been through the oven and been
properly baked. In other words, while the substance is the
same the one is an imperfect article ; the other a finished
one, so far as the production of rubber is concerned.’
SCIENCE NOTES.
Fixation of Atmospheric Nitrogen.
On p. 279 of this volume of the Agricultural News we
dealt with the subject of the fixation of atmospheric nitrogen
by means of chemical agency, stating that experiments con-
ducted in Germany had demonstrated that a substance
known as calcium cyanamide could be prepared on a com-
mercial scale and used as a fertilizer.
In his address at the recent meeting of the British
Association, Dr. Wm. Somerville, Chairman of tle sub-section,
Agriculture, dealt at considerable length with this subject.
He stated that it had long been the dream of chemists to
discover a chemical process, capable of industrial application,
whereby the nitrogen of the atmosphere could be made
available to supplement the rather limited supplies of
nitrogenous manures. Sir Wm. Crookes looked hopefully to
electricity to solve the problem. He pointed out that with
current costing jd. per unit—a rate possible when large
natural sources of power, like Niagara, were available—the
cost of such artificial nitrate of soda need not be more than
£5 per ton. In Germany it had been estimated that the
cost of electric nitrate, as compared with Chili nitrate,
would be in the proportion of 24 to 39.
That good progress had also been made in another
direction in the commercial fixation of atmospheric nitrogen
viz., by the preparation of the substance calcium cyanamide,
already referred to, was shown by the results published by
Professor Gerlach, of Posen.
‘So far,’ said Dr. Somerville, ‘as one might judge from
the information available, it would appear that agriculture
would not have long to wait till it was placed in the
possession of new supplies of that most powerful agent of
production, nitrogen.’
Wrapping Fruit. Every year we are learning to
put up our fruit with more care. The improvement comes
both with the fruit grower and with the consumer. The
market is becoming more refined, and customers are willing
to pay more for a fancy article put up in a tasteful fashion.
The use of the box for shipping apples is a step in this
direction, and the wrapping of the individual fruits in paper
is another step. Experience this year has shown this last
step to be a very important one, for it materially increased
the prices realized. (Southern Planter.)
344 THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.
OcroBER 22, 1904.
EDITORIAL NOTICES.
Letters and matter for publication, as well
as all specimens for naming, should be addressed
to the Commissioner, Imperial Department of
Agriculture, Barbados.
All applications for copies of the ‘Agri-
cultural News’ should be addressed to the
Agents, and not to the Department. A com-
plete list of the London and Local agents will
be found at foot of page 319 of this volume.
The ‘Agricultural News’: Price 1d. per
number, post free 14d. Annual subscription
payable to Agents 2s. 2d. Post free, 3s. 3d.
Agricultural sews
\Wor, IU
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 22, 1904. No. 66.
NOTES AND COMMENTS.
Contents of Present Issue.
Our editorial deals with the progress that has
been made in the bee-keeping industry in Jamaica.
Honey and bees’-wax from Jamaica invariably find
a ready sale in the markets on account of their known
parity.
The paper on sugar-cane experiments at Barbados
(pp. 338-9) is briefly reviewed elsewhere on this page.
On p. 341 will be found brief reports on the
prospects of the cotton crop in several of the West
India Islands. A short note on the cotton industry in
Gambia is also published.
Mr. Henry Powell, formerly of St. Vincent, has
sent some interesting notes which are published on
p. 342.
Our insect notes deal chiefly with the present
position of the efforts to keep the Mexican cotton boll
weevil in check by means of the ‘kelep’ or Guatemalan
ant.
The report on cacao experiments at Grenada
published on p. 347 is likely to be of interest to cacao
planters in the West Indies.
Reviews of two interesting reports will be found
on p. 349. These relate to the working of the Agri-
cultural Experiment Stations in Hawaii and Porto
Rico.
Mr. J. Russell Murray’s report on West Indian
produce in Canada shows a satisfactory state of affairs
in regard to sugar, bananas, and cocoa-nuts. The
abnormally cold weather has spoiled the lime business.
Cotton Industry in the West Indies.
We commenced in the last issue of the Agri-
cultural News the publication of a series of brief
reports on the prospects of the cotton industry during
the present season in the several West India Islands,
In the last issue we published the report sent in by
Mr. Sands from St. Vincent. Reports from the Virgin
Islands, Tobago, Montserrat, and St. Kitts’ appear on
p- 341 of this number, and we hope to be able to
publish the remaining reports in the next issue.
It will be seen that the general tenor of these
reports is encouraging and that the local officers of the
Department throughout the West Indies are hopeful
as to the prospects of the crop.
EE ee
Emergency Grants for the Cotton Industry.
The British Cotton-growing Association has made
a further grant of £300 to meet expenses connected
with special emergencies arising during the growth of
the present cotton crop in the West Indies. This sum
will be supplemented from funds of the Imperial
Department of Agriculture.
The emergencies alluded to in particular are such
insect and fungoid diseases as may attack the crops,
and the object of the grant is to secure extra assistance
and instruction in order to meet such emergencies
promptly and effectively and to save the cotton crops
from the severe injuries that occurred last year.
Of the sum set apart for this purpose £50 have
been allotted to St. Vincent and £30 to St. Lucia, In
these cases the Agricultural Superintendents have
been directed to select and train thoroughly three or
four young men to be able to distinguish the common
diseases and to know the remedy to apply and the
best means of application.
Oe ___
Sugar-cane Experiments at Barbados.
The paper on the sugar-cane experiments at
Barbados, by Professor d’Albuquerque and Mr, Bovell,
which we publish on pp. 338-9 of this issue, contains
interesting observations on five years’ work with
seedling varieties.
Comparing seedlings B. 208 and B. 147 with the
standard variety—the White Transparent—it is found
that, as the result of five years’ experiments the
difference in the case of B. 208 is 5 per cent., and
4 per cent. in the case of B. 147. Although these
increases are not to be despised, they do not satisfy
the aspirations of the experimenters,
B. 208 has, however, given uniformly good yields,
which it owes to the richness and purity of its juice,
and a trial of this seedling on a small scale in red
soils is urged.
It is pointed out that the crop of 1904 did not
turn out as well as was expected of it from the fairly
favourable weather conditions during the season, It is
probable, however, that this was due to a smaller
acreage being now planted in cane on account of land
being devoted to other crops, such as cotton, bananas,
ground provisions, forage crops, ete.
—
Vou III. No. 66.
THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS. 345
St. Vincent Arrowroot.
In a leading article the St. Vincent Sentry deals
with the unsatisfactory condition of the arrowroot
industry and urges planters to combine with the object
of regulating the production and shipment of arrowroot.
About three years ago a combination was formed
and an agreement entered into to limit the output and
demand a minimum price of 2d. per tb. in the English
market. The result was that the price of arrow-
root advanced very satisfactorily. Unfortunately, the
agreement was signed for one year only, and at the end
of the year, the agreement not being renewed, the
prices fell back, until now this product is being sold
below the cost of production.
Reference might be made in this connexion to the
note in the Agricultural News (Vol. IL, p. 217) in
which it was stated that the advice of the Grocers’
Monthly was that St. Vincent arrowroot should be
judiciously advertised.
Re
The Resources of Western Uganda.
In a paper on Western Uganda, read at the Royal
Geographical Society by the Rev. A. B. Fisher,
reference 1s made to the natural resources of the
districts which are stated to be partially or entirely
undeveloped. Almost anything will grow, and the year
having only one season, a constant crop of fruit, vegeta-
bles, and flowers can be obtained. The coffee is of
exceptionally fine flavour, and in the Semliki plain
specimens of cotton were seen which were much
superior to other kinds produced in’ the protectorate.
‘The present hindrance,’ states Mr. Fisher, ‘ to aggres-
sive industries is the difficulty of transport.’
The rubber industry is absolutely untouched, and
in all the forests of these provinces there is a consider-
able quantity.
rn ae
The Quality of Coffee.
In his fourth annual report the Agricultural
Chemist for the Mysore State, India, makes some
interesting observations on the quality of coffee. The
old standard of quality was simply the appearance of
the bean: now the ‘liquoring’ of coffee is introduced.
Though neither of these methods is as accurate as
might be desired, no more reliable method of judging
quality is available.
It is not yet known upon what constituent or
constituents the quality of cottee depends; with a view,
therefore, of throwing some light on this matter,
analyses of a number of samples were made. The
price obtained for these in the London market was
taken as an indication of quality. From the table of
Specific gravities given it is seen that the heavier the
bean, the better the price paid for it. The same holds
good as regards the nitrogen contents of the sample,
and practically, also, in the case of the percentage of
potash and phosphoric acid.
‘So far as the results go, they are very satisfactory
indeed. But the number of analyses is much too
limited to warrant drawing any conclusions. The
work will be continued next year, if suitable samples
can be obtained.’
Tobacco Experiments in the West Indies.
Considerable interest is attached to the experi-
ments in tobacco culture that are being carried out in
the West Indies, especially in Cuba, Porto Rico, and
Jamaica. We have referred in the Agricultural
News (Vol. III, p. 268) to the experiments in growing
tobacco under shade in Porto Rico: similar experiments
are being conducted in Jamaica.
In the former island, we learn from the recently
issued report on the Experiment Station, the experi-
ments have shown that ‘under cheese-cloth tents
a wrapper of the finest quality can be produced.’
In regard to similar experiments in Jamaica,
it is stated in the Bulletin of the Department of
Agriculture that 4 acre of land was devoted to
growing tobacco under artificial shade at the Hope
Experiment Station. ‘The leaf developed in a very
favourable manner, and a crop of a promising quality
of Sumatra leaf was successfully grown.’ Owing to
rapid drying and the absence of special means of
controlling moisture in the drying house, the leaf was
not successfully cured: the experiment is therefore
being repeated.
A full account is given in the Bulletin of the
method of cultivating tobacco under cloth. It is
stated that in Cuba in 1903 there were about 1,000
acres of shade-grown tobacco, in Porto Rico about 250
acres, and in Florida about 2,500 acres. The plan is
also being tried in the East Indies.
EE aa ———
Agriculture in Brazil.
An illustrated pamphlet on the State of Sao
Paulo, Brazil, recently issued by the Department of
Agriculture, gives interesting information and statistics
relating to agriculture.
Suitable provision is made in the state for agri-
cultural education. A ‘School of practical Agriculture’
was established in 1900, which gives a three-year
course, There are in addition three other agricultural
schools with two-year courses.
Agriculture is the principal source of wealth in
the state, coffee holding the first place among the
cultivated plants; after it come sugar-cane, cotton,
grapes, tobacco, and cereals. Statistics collected by
the Department in 1901 show that there are 15,828
coffee estates, occupying over 10,000,000 acres.
The cultivation of sugar-cane is carried on princi-
pally for the distilling of ‘aquardente’ (cane whisky).
Cotton cultivation was at one time in a very
flourishing condition, especially between 1867 and
1876, when, besides supplying the home demand,
a considerable amount was exported. From that time
on, a decadence in cotton culture set in, until now the
production is not sufficient to supply the well-developed
weaving industry of the state. Lately, cotton culture
promises to take a new impetus,
Grape grewing for the manufacture of wine is the
newest agricultural industry of the state. Through
the energy of Dr. Barretto, the problem of grape culture
has been solved: he has succeeded in breeding a vine
especially adapted to the climatic conditions of Sao
Paulo, which resists all the vine diseases.
346 THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.
Octoprr 22, 1904.
INSECT NOTES.
Insects of the Cacao Tree.
Under the title of ‘A preliminary Bulletin on Insects of
the Cacao, the Department of the Interior for the Philippine
Islands publishes an account of the insects attacking cacao
in those islands.
The injuries to cacao in the Far East would seem to be
much the same as those of the West Indies, although in most
eases the insects causing the injury are not the same. This
being a preliminary report, the technical names are not given,
aud the insecticides recommended for dealing with the pests
are general and not the result of experience under the local
conditions. The illustrations, of which they are a large
number, are mostly from photographs and are very good.
Thrips, aphis, borer, leaf-eating caterpillars, ants, termites,
and scale insects are all dealt with, and several beneficial
insects are also mentioned or described.
This is, perhaps, the first publication on the economic
entomology of the Philippines, and will serve an excellent
purpose in helping the cacao planters to understand and deal
with the cacao pests.
An Enemy of the Mexican Cotton Boll Weevil.
Professor O. F. Cook, of the United States Depart-
ment of Agriculture, visiting Guatemala in April this
year, discovered an ant which destroyed the Mexican
cotton boll weevil. This was recognized at once as
a very important discovery, since the boll weevil is at
present the most serious pest of cotton known (see
Agricultural News, Vol. II, p. 298).
Reports of this ant and its work were published
in certain American newspapers at the time (see
Agricultural News, Vol. III, p. 204) which, though
based on fact, were yet without authentic details, and
many extravagant statements were made. Since that
time careful investigation has been made by the
United States Department of Agriculture and the
results have been published in a report on the habits of
the Kelep, or Guatemalan cotton boll weevil ant, by
O. F. Cook, (Bulletin No. 49, Bureau of Entomology).
The following notes are taken from this bulletin :-—
The kelep was discovered on cotton on April 20, 1904,
at Alta Vera Paz, Guatemala, and its efficiency as a destroyer
of the cotton boll weevil (Anthonomus grandis, Boh.) was
demonstrated the next day. Eighty-nine colonies numbering
together about 40,000 ants have been taken to Texas in
healthy vigorous condition. Although the journey with the
various delays oceupied more than a month, scarcely more
than a dozen ants died on the way. This indicates that the
ants are hardy, and argues well for their successful establish-
ment under new conditions.
The kelep, like many wasps, has the power of stinging
its prey and paralyzing it, thus making it easier for them to
carry it to the nest.
The introduction of any insect or other form of life to
a climate and locality where it is not known is always
attended with risk, and many objections are naturally raised.
The objections in the present case have been met and
disposed of :—
(a) The kelep is entirely carnivorous and predaceous
and does not attack plants. It feeds to some extent on the
secretions of the honey glands on the leaf of the cotton.
(b) The kelep does not excavate large chambers in the
ground to serve as pit falls for men and farm animals. The
chambers are deep and consist of narrow passages and
tunnels running to a depth of 5 feet. :
(c) The kelep never attempts to sting human beings
unless actually held or injured, and their sting is neither
powerful nor dangerous.
In addition to preying on the boll weevil, the kelep
attacks several other insects, the boll worm among them, but
so far does not attack the larvae of the lady-birds. It also
attacks and kills a large stinging ant which is a serious pest
in some parts of Texas.
The kelep is as yet the only ant known to attack and
destroy healthy, adult boll weevils, just as the cotton grown
with the protection of the ants is the only field culture
permanently maintained in the weevil-infested regions of
Central America.
The present status of the boll weevil ant investigation
may be summarized by saying that three of five crucial
questions have been met and answered and that the two
others are still to be reached, but with no insurmountable
obstacle in sight. :
(1) An ant has been discovered in Guatemala which
attacks and kills the adult boll weevil, and thus holds this
most injurious insect im check and permits the regular
harvesting of a crop of cotton, even under conditions
favourable to the weevil.
(2) This ant is carnivorous and predaceous; it injures no
form of vegetation, and takes nothing from the cotton plant
except the nectar secreted for it on the leaves and floral
enyelopes.
(3) The habits and temperament of the insect are such
that it is readily capable of domestication, transportation,
and colonization in the cotton fields of Texas.
The issues which remain to be determined are :—
(4) Whether the keleps will survive the winter climate
of Texas.
(5) Whether they can be obtained or propagated in
sufficient numbers to serve the practical purpose for which
they have been introduced.
Scale Insects on Cocoa-nuts.
In his report, referred toon p. 549 of this issue, on
plant diseases in Porto Rico, Mr. F. S. Earle makes the
following observations on cocoa-nuts -—
Cocoa-nuts are widely planted in Porto Rico. For the
most part they seem quite healthy. No trace of either of
the serious diseases found in Jamaica * was observed. In
the neighbourhood of Ponce many of the trees were yellow
and some were dying. Inspection showed that the trouble
was caused by scale insects. Fortunately a lepidopterous
larva was present in some numbers feediig on the scales-
Specimens were secured by Professor Barrett, and it is hoped
he will succeed in rearing them. Unless this or some other
enemy of the scale multiplies very rapidly, a number of trees
in the neighbourhood of Ponce will be lost, as they are
badly infested.
See West Indian Bulletin, Wol. IV, pp. 4-6.
Vou. Ill. No. 66.
THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS. 34
~I
DATE PALMS FOR ARBOR DAY
PLANTING.
It has been suggested that an excellent tree for
planting in connexion with Arbor Day celebrations in
the West Indies is the date palm (Phoenix dacty-
lifera). Anarticlein the Natal Agricultural Journal
on ‘Some ornamental and useful sub-tropical Trees’ has
the following reference to the date palm:—
Many specimens of this exist in and around Durban, one
well-known tree being that in the garden in front of the
Royal Hotel ; but though tropical in appearance, it is one of
the most hardy palms, fine specimens being in evidence in
Capetown, while one at Kat River, Cape Colony, occupies
a hot valley just below the Katberg, on which snow often
lies for weeks. The date palm Inxuriates in hot, dry, desert
country, where its roots can strike water—whether fresh or
brackish is of little importance. Egypt and Arabia are its
native habitat, and there it is said to fruit better in the hot,
dry interior than near the coast. Probably the same will be
found here, and it may prove more profitable in the hot
valleys of the Umkomaas, the Tugela, and the Umfolozi than
on the coast, though in growth at least it has thus far done
well on the coast. It is dioecious (i.e., the fertile flowers are
on separate trees from the male flowers), so several trees
should be grown together to ensure fertilization. It grows
easily from seeds taken from commercial dates, but the plants
grow slowly at first, and seedlings often fail to maintain the
reputation they have had in Australia and California of
fruiting while quite young. On the Mediterranean coast
many named varieties are cultivated haying different fruit-
forms and different seasons of bearing ; the fertile trees of
these are propagated and maintained as distinct varieties by
the use of suckers, but seedling male trees are satisfactory.
The date palm grows to a height of nearly 100 feet, and
will probably be an important article in the drier portions of
Zululand. None but seedlings are as yet grown here, but
the Government is making an endeavour to obtain suckers of
best fruiting kinds from Egypt.
It yet remains to be proved whether dates can
be produced on a commercial scale in the West Indies,
but there can be no doubt as to the desirability of
planting this tree for purposes of ornamentation.
CACAO MANURIAL EXPERIMENTS AT
GRENADA.
The following report and table, showing the
results of the working of the cacao experiment plot at
Nianganfoix estate, Grenada, have been forwarded by
the proprietor for publication :-—
This plot was handed over on September 30, 1903,
by the Department of Agriculture to the proprietor who still
carries on the experiments, in order to obtain the highest
possible yield from an acre of land by the use of fertilizers
and green soiling. *
During the period, extending over four crops, from
April 1, 1900, to September 30, 1904, two applications of
manures were made, as shown in the table, the first during
the first crop 1900-1; and the second application in the
Spring and summer of 1902 just before the third crop.
‘A’, the pen manure section, is the wettest section of the
plot, and it will be noticed that, notwithstanding the heavy
* The sections have been bedded twice yearly.
application of manure in May 1902, the yield fell below
the two preceding crops, and only recovered after several
rods of new drains had been added to those already existing
—and dug diagonally across the slope. This illustrates the
value of drains in a wet clay soil, without which manure is
at a discount.
The potash section ‘D’ has steadily advanced, and,
unlike sections ‘B’ and ‘C,’ which unaccountably fell off by
4 to { bag, held its own during the crop 1902-3. The cost of
production for the first two years averaged £1 per bag of
cacao, and for the second two years 12s. per bag, or an
allvound average of 16s. per bag for four years’ working.
When the results of the fifth year’s working are known,
the cost of production will be considerably reduced.
Crop
1900-1.
Crop
1901 2.
Crop
1905-4.
Crop
1902-3.
acre
Manuvres applied
(with dates).
ection.
(pounds).
(pounds).
(pounds).
(pounds).
Dry cacao per
sectional acre
Bags per acre.
Dry cacao per
sectional acre
Bags per acre.
Dry cacao per
sectional
Bags per acre.
Dry cacao per
sectional acre
Bags per acre.
A.|June 1900.—
Pen manure, 3
baskets per
tree, 15 tons
per acre.
May 1902.—
ditto.
[Extra
dug,
1902].
B.|August 1900.— |
Basic slag, 8)
ewt. per acre.
February 1901.—
Sulphate of}
ammonia, 14)
cwt. per acre. 1.112
May 1902. |? ~~
Basic slag, 8
cwt. per acre.) |
August 1902.— |
Sulphate — of
ammonia, 14
ewt. per acre. |
C./ August 1900.—
Basic slag, 8
| ewt. per acre.
‘February 1901.-
Nitrate of} Ie
soda, 14 cwt.
| per acre.
‘May 1902.—
Basic slag, 8
| cwt. per acre.
‘August 1902. —
| Nitrate of
soda, 14 cwt.
| per acre.
D./August 1900.— |
Basic slag, 8
cwt. per acre,
and sulphate
of potash, 1
cwt. per acre |
(mixed). |
|
\
1,036 868 | 42 1,184 | 64
or
cok
4}
drains |
August
|
6| 1,572 | 84] 1,512 | 8] 1,648] 9
|
1,324 |74|1,309| 7 1,492] 8
|
|
|
|
860 1,488 8|1,612| 83
May 1902.—
ditto.
ee |
oN]
ae
ioe
THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.
OctepER 22, 1904.
GLEANINGS.
The bee keeper who extracts green, raw honey for the
market isa foe no less to be dreaded than the adulterator.
(Jamaica Zimes.)
Mr. L. R. Mitchell announces that he will undertake to
gin and bale cotton for the sum of $d. per Ib. of lint at his
cotton-ginning factory, St. George, Grenada.
Of the exports of Madagascar, India rubber showed an
increase of £81,433 in 1903, and raftia fibre of £31,969.
The exports of bees’-wax and yanilla both declined in value.
Nitrate to the value of £9,480,507 left the Republic of
Chili during the year 1902, which, compared with 1901,
gives an increase of £565,998. (Consular Report for 1902.)
Complaints have again been made by Messrs. Pink
& Sons that some of the crates used for packing bananas at
Barbados are too large.
With reference to the note in the Agricultural News
(Vol. III, p. 296) stating that Hemingway’s ‘London Purple’
Co. wished to purchase cocoa-nuts, it is desirable to mention
that the address of the firm is 133, Front Street, New York.
The position of Assistant Instructor in Agriculture in
British Guiana, particulars of which were given in the Agr?
cultural News (Vol. III, p. 186), has been filled by the
appointment of Mr. A. L. Mansfield.
In the Consular Report on the trade of Vera Cruz,
Mexico, it is stated that growers of sisal hemp have become
enormously wealthy. ‘Roughly speaking, what costs $1 to
produce sells for 54.’
It is suggested by the Acting Superintendent of the
Royal Mail Steam Packet Co. that efforts be made to work
up a banana trade between Barbados and Paris. Mr. J. R.
Bovell announces that he will forward bananas by the R.M.S.
‘Catalina,’ if so desired by planters.
The total output of sugar and molasses from Barbados
during 1904, according to Messrs. James A. Lynch & Co.’s
report, amounted to 56,771 tons of sugar and 45,683
puncheons of molasses, as against 38,179 tons of sugar and
30,233 puncheons of molasses in 1903.
According to the Journal d’Agriculture Tropicale, all
the sisal hemp produced is absorbed by manufacturers in the
United States, who pay higher prices than are offered in
Europe. The latest quotations are 90 francs per 100 kilos.,
or about £37 6s. 8d. per ton.
At a meeting of the St. Vincent Cotton Growers’
Association, held on September 28, a letter was read from
Sir Daniel Morris advising that bales should be more tightly
packed in order to save freight charges.
We learn from the Jfrror that a consignment of new
stock was recently received from Halifax for the Government
Stock Farm in Trinidad. The consignment consists of two
bulls (Hereford and Guernsey), two Shropshire rams, two
Tamworth boars, and two lots of poultry (Plymouth Rocks
and Wyandottes).
A correspondent in the Jamaica Gleaner dealing with
the subject of the yield of coffee trees, states : ‘ My estimate
for a well-pruned, well-kept tree is an average of } Ib. of
cured coffee per tree. This, with 1,200 trees to the acre,
would give 900 Ib. of coffee, which should net 40s. per
100 tb. in London.’ j
The Hon. T. H. Sharp, discussing with a representative
of the Jamaica Gleaner the question of the use of locally-
grown cotton seed for planting, states that he has come to
the conclusion that it will not be necessary to continue
importing Sea Island seed provided care be taken to select
seed from the largest and best-shaped bolls.
A planter writes from Dominica: ‘You were kind
enough to supply me with a bushel of ‘woolly pyrol” seed
last April; as these have grown so well and are likely to
prove valuable as a green dressing in our cacao fields,
I should be glad if you could procure me a couple of bushels
of seed, or put me into communication with some party from
whom I could purchase it.’
Mr. H. Millen writes from the Botanic Station at
Tobago that a bunch of the ‘apple’ banana, weighing 100 b.,
has recently been produced at the station. The plant, which
was obtained from the Grenada Botanic Station, received no
special attention. The hands are eompact and resemble
those of the variety known as ‘Silk fig.’ The fruit is
smaller than the ‘Gros Michel’ but of good flavour.
In Messrs. Gordon, Grant & Co.’s market report for
October 5, it is stated that the exports of Trinidad cacao for
the year ended September 30 were 221,816 bags as compared
with 194,403 bags for the corresponding period in 1903,
showing an increase of 27,413 bags. It is also stated that
shipments during the year have been fairly well distributed
among the principal markets.
According to a bulletin (no. 28) recently issued by the
Bureau of Statistics of the U. 8. Department of Agriculture,
‘The commercial Cotton Crops,’ which gives the amounts of
cotton imported into Great Britain from all sources for 1895
to 1902, the imports from the British West Indies have been
as follows: 1895, 934 bales (of 500 tb.) ; 1896, 804; 1897,
474; 1898, 642; 1899, 568 ; 1900, 872; 1901, 700; 1902,
839.
Arrangements have been made with the Syndics of the
Cambridge University Press to begin the issue of a Journal
of Agricultural Science, under the editorship of Messrs. T. H.
Middleton, T. B. Wood, R. H. Bitfen, and A. D. Hall,
in consultation with other gentlemen. It is proposed to issue
the Journal as matter accumulates, aiming at quarterly parts
of about 100 royal 8vo. pages. The Journal will publish
only definitely scientific work in agricultural science.
Vou. III. No. 66. THE
AGRICULTURAL
NEWS. 349
HAWAIT: ANNUAL REPORT ON THE AGRI-
CULTURAL EXPERIMENY SVATION FOR 1903.
By Jared G. Smith, Special Agent-in-charge.
Besides the United States Treasury appropriation of
$12,000, $600 were derived from the sale of products.
Among the experiments carried on at this station during
the year may be mentioned those with corn, potatos, tannias,
tomatos, forage plants, tobacco, vanilla, sisal hemp, castor
beans, pine-apples, coffee, and cotton.
A number of new varieties of seed-corn were planted,
and experiments were conducted in methods of planting,
manuring, ete.
It is considered that the outlook for vanilla cultivation
is very bright, the plants not appearing to be affected by any
of the serious diseases which affect this crop in other
countries. An experiment was made in curing and fermenting
the pods, which was entirely satisfactory.
The castor oil plant is recommended as a suitable plant
for cultivation by small landholders ; there is a ready market
for the beans in Honolulu.
Pine-apples are grown very satisfactorily in Hawaii, and
there is a considerable trade in fresh pines with the Pacific
coast which is regarded as capable of extension.
It is evident that a great obstacle in the way of agri-
cultural operations is the injury to crops by insect pests.
The entomological work of the station has consequently
been of great service to planters.
PORTO RICO: ANNUAL REPORT ON THE
AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION LOk
1903. By F. D. Gardner, Special Agent-in-charge.
Tn addition to the United States Congress appropriation
of $15,000, the insular legislature passed a special vote of
$2,700 for special services. A considerable portion of the
latter sum was spent on repairs to buildings, fencing,
drainage, ete.
Considerable attention was paid to experiments with
leguminous plants for the purpose of securing a plant suitable
for enriching the soil and improving its physical condition,
and at the same time preventing the severe washing, which
takes place on the steep slopes. With alfalfa a good stand
was secured and the plants at first made good growth, but
afterwards ceased growing and barely managed to survive.
No tubercles were formed on the roots. Neither cow peas,
soja beans, nor beggar weed gave satisfactory results: the
velvet bean did best of all, and of all the leguminous plants
tried, this appears to be the most promising.
A large collection of vegetables from northern-grown
seed was planted. Most of these gave rather poor results.
The tomatos, ege-plants, and potatos were all affected in
a similar way by a bacterial or fungoid disease.
Tobacco investigations of a comprehensive character
have been carried out, and the services of an expert obtained.
A large collection of economic plants has been assembled
at the station. In addition to fruit plants, this includes
a number of fibre and rubber plants. Mr. Gardner
acknowledges the assistance he has received in this connexion
from the Imperial Commissioner of Agriculture and the
Superintendent of the Trinidad Botanic Gardens.
The report also contains notes by the Entomologist on
a large number of insect pests, while a report by Mr. F. 8.
Earle gives interesting information on the horticultural
possibilities of the island and on plant diseases.
It is apparent from this report that much work of an
extremely useful nature is being carried on in Porto Rico,
which should considerably increase our knowledge of
tropical agriculture.
CASSAVA INDUSTRY IN JAMAICA.
In the Bulletin of the Agricultural Department,
Jamaica, for September, Mr. H. H. Cousins deals fully
with the ‘Agricultural basis of the Cassava Industry,’
The following summary is of interest :—
Cassava should cost—for cultivation only—£3 13s. to
£5 2s. per acre, according to the locality and circumstances.
Rent, interest, and management are excluded from this
estimate.
The lower price represents the estimated cost under the
most favourable conditions of broad-scale implemental
culture; the higher, that of hand Iabour in rocky land by
small cultivators—cassava farming in short.
An average of £4 per acre represents the estimated cost
under favourable conditions of estate cultivation.
Yield per Acie.—The data from Longville showed that
yields of 6 to & tons of tubers were there obtained under
somewhat unfavourable conditions.
Mr. Shore gives 8 tons as an ayerage return from Little
liver lands, and states that he knows lands that give more.
On the other hand, Mr. Calder sounds a note of warning,
that he found when growing cassava in St. Elizabeth that
it took eighteen months to produce 5 tons per acre.
Only experience and local experience can settle this eruvial
point of the agricultural yield of cassava.
Tf we can maintain an 8-ton standard, cassava would be
a very profitable crop; if, on the other hand, the yield should
only be 4 tons per acre, the results would not be remarkable.
Profit. —This depends upon the yield and again upon the
price obtainable for the product. I have estimated that an
S-ton crop of cassava giving 5 tons dry meal for shipment to
England to glucose makers would yield a profit of £700 to
£900 upon a scale of 100 acres. Selling tubers to a starch
factory at £2 per ton would mean a profit of £8 to £10 per
acre on the same basis.
DEPARTMENT NEWS.
The Imperial Commissioner of Agriculture for the
West Indies left England for Barbados in the R.M.S.
«Trent? on Wednesday, October 12.
The Secretary of State for the Colonies has
appointed Mr. C. H. Knowles, B.Se., Resident Master
of the Agricultural School at St. Vincent, to the post
of Agricultural Superintendent at Fiji. Mr. Knowles
will probably leave St. Vincent for Halifax on October
29:
It is proposed that the next West Indian
Agricultural Conference will be held at Port-of-Spain,
Trinidad, early in January 1905.
THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.
Octoper 22, 1904.
WEST INDIAN PRODUCTS.
Canada.
The following is Mr. J. Russell Murray’s monthly
report for August on West Indian produce in Canada :—
Fall business has been fairly large. Grain crops are
expected to reach the estimate and reaping is now in full
operation. Fruit crops are proving ample, especially the
apple crop which is very abundant and of fine quality.
Under such conditions the autumn trade is likely to be good.
The summer has been unusually cool, there being only one
short period of warm weather in July: the result has been
ruinous to all lemon and lime business.
Sugarv.—The continued steady rise during last month
from 10s, 33d. for August beet deliveries to 10s. 9fd. for
September deliveries has been reflected locally by an
adyance of 10c. per 100 tb. for granulated. West Indian
sugars have moderate inquiry, but a better demand is
expected before the winter sets in, 8.8. ‘Degama’” has just
arrived from Demerara and ‘Antigua with 32,000 bags centri-
fugals and a small lot of molasses sugars, which, while about
1414 D. S., were sold at $2°70, duty paid. A small cargo by
schooner from Barbados arrived a fortnight ago.
Molasses,—Trade has been fairly active in the hands of
distributers, deliveries being made to outlying points freely,
bot importing orders have been few. A small shipment from
Barbados is to hand and also a small lot from Antigua, the
quality of which is much better than of some previous lots.
Cocoa-nuts.—The New York market has again recovered
prices and these are now equal to May quotations. Prices
here continue steady with an upward tendency.
Fruit.—Trade in bananas has been very active and
prices well maintained. A fair supply of oranges from
Jamaica has turned out well and sales are active. Limes
are a dead-letter with the present abnormally cold weather :
no sales can be made. Good, steady business has been done
in Cuban pine-apples.
Spices.—During the latter end of August there was
more inquiry, but general business was qmet. Pepper and
cloves have advanced.
INQUIRIES, NOTES, ETC.
Sugav.—I am open to receive firm offers of centrifugal
crystals 96°, basis cf 145 to 155 D.S., shipment direct to
Montreal, offers to be quoted ec. & f. I can also place yellow
crystals, and would be glaa to have offers of same. I can
place good bright grades of muscovados, offers need not be
confined to those under 16 D.S. Sugars must be dry and
free from footings. With regard to molasses sugars, in bags
of 14 D. 8. and upwards, offers are required c. & f. Montreal
for 1,000 bags. In all cases send postal sample to indicate
ayerage grade.
Cocoa-nuts.—Ofters wanted of up to 50,000 per month.
Size, minimum, 5} inches in diameter, and of not less than
130 tb. gross per bag of 100 nuts: shipment via Halifax.
Quote c. & f. per 1,000.
Oranges.—Consignments of these will receive every
attention.
THE WEST INDIES AND THE INTERNA-
TIONAL FOOD EXHIBITION AT THE
CRYSTAL PALACE.
The stand of Messrs. James Philip & Co. (Pure Cane
Sugar Co.) 4, Fenchurch Buildings, E.C., was unanimously
declared to be the most interesting in this Exhibition, being:
described by more than one old West Indian as the most
complete collection of West Indian produce they had ever
seen in England. The exhibit comprised sugar, sugar-canes,
syrup, turtle, guavas, guava jelly, cassava cakes, cassareepe,.
pickles, sauces, arrowroot, cigars, rum, fresh limes, yams,
sweet potatos, ete., ete., added to which were shown preserved
specimens of cacao pods, coffee, ete. The interest shown by
the public in the stand amply proves how keen an interest is.
taken in colonial produce, and how much good may be done
to colonial industries by well-organized efforts to put such
things directly before the consumer. It is worthy of note
that Messrs. Philip & Co. were the first to introduce the
system of packing ‘cance’ sugar in small bags for household
purposes. The Exhibition jury gave them the exceptional
award of two gold medals for their exhibit of cane sugar and
other West Indian produce.
At the great Colonial Exhibition to be held next year
in the Crystal Palace, Messrs. Philip & Co. are applying for
space, and they would be glad to try and make arrangements
by which they might undertake the exhibition or sale of an
West Indian produce entrusted to them. As this exhibition
will remain open five months, and will doubtless be visited
by great numbers of people, it should be a_ splendid
opportunity for bringing such goods directly before the
3ritish public, and creating a more widespread and general
demand for cane sugar and other things.
EDUCATIONAL.
Nature Teaching.
The Cyprus Journal for July, has the following
review of this Department’s publication, Nature
Teaching * :—
One of the most intelligible and instructive educational
manuals that we have yet come across is Mature Teaching,
by Francis Watts, F.L.C., F.C.S., Government Analytical and
Agricultural Chemist, Leeward Islands, a copy of which has
just reached us. It has been compiled especially for the use
of schools, and although the information is stated to be
specially suitable for the West Indies, it treats mostly of
those general elementary laws of nature which are of
world-wide application.
Each chapter is divided into two parts. No. 1, explana-
tory and descriptive, while No. 2 is in each case headed
‘Practical Work,’ and this is the distinctive feature of the
book, and from this it derives its chief utility.
The chapter on ‘ Plant food and Manures’ deals witle
this subject in an exceptionally clear and simple manner, and
explains the differences and the uses of the leading artificial
or chemical manures in a way that could be understood by
every average schoolchild.
There is added a useful glossary of technical words ite
common use, e.g., albumen, bacteria, capillary, nitrifieation,
pistil, and so forth ; and an appendix gives lists of tools and
appliances needed for school gardens.
We strongly recommend it to the attention of school-
masters and others desirous of instructing themselves or their
children in the elementary operations of nature.
* Issued under the authority of the Commissioner of
Agriculture for the West Indies. To be obtained of all agents
of the Department. Price, limp cloth, 2s., or in a superior style
of binding, 2s. Gd. Postage in either binding, 33¢. extra.
Wor. III. No. 66.
. London,— September 27, 1904. Mess
MARKET REPORTS.
. J. Hates Cairp &
Co., Messrs. Kearton, Prrer & Co., Messrs. E. A.
DE Pass & Co., ‘THE West InprA CoMMITTEE Crr-
cuLar’; ‘THE Liverroon Corron AssocraTIoN
WEEKLY CrrcuLar,’ September 23; and ‘THE
Pusric LEDGER,’ September 24, 1904.
Ators—Barbados, 13/- to 35/- ; Curacoa, 14/- to 38/- per ewt.
Arrowroor—St. Vincent, 1d. per th.
Batata—Block, 1/3 per Ib.
Bees’-wax—£7 10s. to £7 12s. 6d. per ewt.
Cacao—Trinidad, 57/- to 61/- per ewt. ; Grenada, 53/-
to 56/- per ewt.; Dominica, 48/6 to 54/- per ewt. ;
Jamaica, 53/6 to 57/- per ewt.
Carpamoms—Mysore, 74d. to 2/- per th.
CorrEE—Jamaica, good ordinary, 38/- per cwt.
Corron—West Indian Sea Island, inedium fine, 131. ; fine,
14d. ; extra fine, 16. per th.
FRrvuir—
Bananas—Jamaica, 2/- to 4/- per bunch.
Grape Frurr—12/- to 13/- per box of 150-200.
OrsancEs—Jamaica, 6/- to 8/- per case.
Fusric—£3 10s. to £4 per ton.
GinceR—-Fair bright, 37/6 ; common to middling, 29/- to
37/6 per cwt.
Honey—Jamaica, 16/- to 22/- per ewt..
Istvctass—West Indian lump, 2,5 to 2/10; cake, 1/2 per th.
Kora Nuts—4d. to 7d. per tb.
Live Jurce—Raw, 1/4 per gallon; concentrated, £15 15s.
per cask of 108 gallons.
Live Ort—Distilled, 1/6 per th. ; hand-pressed, 2/6 to 2/9
per 1b
Locwoop —£4 2s. 6d. to £5; Roots, £4 to £4 10s. per ton.
Macre—Good bold pale, 1/6; red 1/2 to 1/3; broken, 1/-
to 1/2 per tb.
Nirrate or Sopa—Agricultural, £10 7s. 67. per ton.
Nurmecs--71’s, 1/8; 90's, 11d. ; 155’s, 53d. ; shell, 53d.
per tb.
Pimento—22d. per tb.
Rum—Demerara, 7d. to 8/. per proof gallon; Jamaica,
1s. 9d. per proof gallon.
SarsaPpaRILLA—No quotations.
Sucar—Crystallized, 17/6 to 19/- per ewt. ; Muscovado,
Barbados, 14/- to 14/6 per ewt.; Molasses, 12,- to
16/- per ewt. (wanted).
SuLpHATe oF AmMMoNIs—£12 per ton.
Montreal,—September 9, 1904.—Mr. J. Russert Murray.
(In bond quotations, c. & f.)
Bananas—Jamaica, 75ce. to 95ce. per bunch of 8 hands ;
$1:05 to $1:15 per bunch firsts ; $1°40 to $150 per
buneh Jumbos.
Crepar—Trinidad, 40c. per cubic foot.
Cocos-Nurs— Jamaica, $25°00 to $27-00; Trinidad, $21-00
to $23-00 per M.
CorreE—Jamaica, medium, 9e. to 10c. per th.
GixceR—Jamaica, unbleached, 63c. to 8c. per tb.
Lives—Jamaica—No quotations.
Morascurr—Demerara, $132 per 100 tb.
Motasses—Barbados, 24c. to 26ce.; Antigua, 20c. per
Imperial gallon.
MNurmecs—Grenada, 110’s, 18c. to 19}e. per th.
Pimento—Jamaica, 6}c. to 7c. per Tb.
Prne-sppLes—Cubans, crates 36’s to 10’s, $3°00 to $4°10.
Sucar—Grey Crystals, 96°, $2°60 to $2:70 per 100 th.
—Muscoyados, 89°, $2°30 to $2°60 per 100 tb.
—Molasses, 89°, $2°15 to $2°30 per 100 tb.
—Barbados, 89°, $2°40 to $2°45 per 100 th.
THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS. 351
New York,—September 30, 1904—Messrs. GILLESPIE
Bros. & Co.
Cacao—Caracas, 12}¢. to13c.; Jamaica—No quotations ;
Grenada, 12c. to 12}c.; Trinidad, 12c. to 13c. per tb.
Cocoa-Nuts—Trinidads, $30 per M., selected ; Jamaicas,
$35-00 to $37:00 per M.
CorreE—Jamaica, good ordinary, 83c. to 9c. per Tb.
Gincer—Jamaica, good grinding, 7c. to 8}c. ; per tb.
Goat Sxkrys—Jamaicas, 54c. per
Pimento—4Ze. per th., spot quotation.
Sucar—Centrifugals, 96°, 4}c. to 4;;¢.; Muscovados, 89°,
3ze. to 31%; Molasses, 89°, 3hc. to 3;;c. per Th.
INTER-COLONIAL MARKETS.
Barbados,—October 8, 1904.—Messrs. T. S. Garra-
way & Co., and Messrs. James A. Lyncn & Co.
Arrowroor—St. Vincent, $3°50 to $3°60 per 100 tb.
Cacao—Dominica, $13°50 per 100 tb.
Cocoa-NutTS—$13'50 per M. for husked nuts.
Corree—Jamaica, $10°00 to $10°50 ; ordinary Rio, $12:00
per 100 tb.
Hay—95e. to $1°00 per 100 tb.
Manures— Nitrate of soda, $60°00 ; Ohlendorff’s dissolved
guano, $60°00; Sulphate of ammonia, $72°00 to $75-00;
Sulphate of potash, $67-00.
Oxtoxs—Madeira (stringed), $2°25 to $2-05 per 100 tb.
Poratos, ExetisH—Noya Scotia, $1°86 to $2°16 per 160 th.
Rice—Ballam, $475 per bag (190 tb.); Patna, $3°40
per 100 tb.
British Guiana,—October 6, 1904.—Messrs. Wuretrne
& RicHrer.
Arrowroor—St. Vincent, $7°50 per barrel.
Batarsa—Venezuela block, 25c.; Demerara sheet, 35c.
per tb.
Cacao—Native, 12c. to 13c. per tb.
Cassava SrarcH—§&6°00 per barrel.
Cocos-Nuts—$8 ‘00 to $1000 per M.
CorrrE—Rio and Jamaica, 134c. to 14c. per tb. (retail).
—Creole, 1le. per tb.
Duat— $4°25 per bag of 168 ib.
Eppors—84e. to $1:00 per barrel.
Morasses—Vacuum Pan yellow, 15}c. per gallon (casks
included).
Oxtons—Madeira, $1°90 to $2:00 per 100 tb. ; Teneriffe,
$1-50 to $1°75 per 100 th.
Pea Nors—American, 7c. per tb. (retail).
PLaNTAINs—l6c. to 32c. per bunch.
Poratos, ENciisH——Noya Scotia, $1:00 per 100 th. (retail).
Rice—Ballam, $4°40 to $4°45; Creole, $4°50 per 177 tb.,
ex store.
Sweer Poraros—Barbados, $1°44 per bag; $1°68 per
barrel.
Tannras—$2°16 per barrel.
Yams—White, $2°40 per bag.
Sucar—Dark Crystals, $2°50 to $2°51; Yellow, $2-90 to
$3:00 ; White, $3°50 to $3°75; Molasses, $2:00 to
$2°25 per 100 tb.
TrweeER—Greenheart, 32c. to 55c. per cubic foot.
Waiasa SHrncLes—$3'00, $3°75 and $5°50 per M.
Trinidad,—October 6, 1904.—Messrs. Gorpon, Grant
& Co. ; and Messrs. Epcar Tripp & Co.
Cacso—Ordinary, $12°25 to $12°30; Estates, $12°40 to
$1260; Venezuelan, $12°30 to $12°80 per fanega
(110 tb.).
Cocos-Nuts—$19-00 per M., f.0.b.
Cocos-Nut Om—77e. per Imperial gallon (casks included).
Corrree—Venezuelan, 7c. per
Copra—-$3°00 per 100 ib.
Ontons—$1°25 to $1°30 per 100 tb.
Poratos, ENGLisH—§1°25 to $1°70 per 100 tb.
Rice—Yellow, $410 to $4:°40; White Table, $5:25 to
$5°50 per bag.
Motasses—Market closed.
THE BEST MANURES FOR COLONIAL USE
5 CASEU EES
352 THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS. OcroBer 22, 1904.
Ohlendorff’s Dissolved Peruvian Guano—Fer Sugar-cane and general use
Ohlendorff’s Special Sugar-cane Manure »
Ohlendorff’s Special Cocoa Manure :
Ohlendorff’s Special Cotton Manure
Sulphate of Ammonia, Nitrate of Soda, Superphosphates, high grades,
Potash Salts, Basic Slag and all other high-class Fertilizers.
APPLY: LTO LOCAL AGENTS OR DIRECT TO
THE ANGLO-CONTINENTAL (LATE OHLENDORFF'’S) GUANO WORKS,
London Agency: 15, Leadenhall Street, London, E.C.
(72. ] Barbados Agents: Messrs. James A. Lynch & Co., Bridgetown.
|
JOURNAL DAGRILULTURE TROPICALE.) | DEPARTMENT PUBLICATIONS.
4 MONTHLY ILLUSTRATED REVIEW DEALING WITH
ALL MATTERS CONNECTED WITH
TROPICAL AGRICULTURE. FOR Se OT CNS CHOME SE |
PARIS: M. Vilbouchevitch, A. B. 6. |
10, rue Delambre.
= OF
Subscription price : half year 10 franes, or 20 franes
re anita | COTTON PLANTING
FOR PEASANT PROPRIETORS,
Containing full directions for the coming
s ) | rj d e De
C Ane ACO : season. Price 47. Post free, 5d.
By J. H/@etAR i erriaS:
NEW EDITION.
A treatise on the cultivation, curing and chemistry of f WEST INDIAN BULLETIN ’
COMMERCIAL CACAO.
DAVIDSON & TODD, Trinidad. Ob iyaNes 2):
t
Wm.WESLEY & Co., 28, Essex St., London. Containing fall report by Sir Daniel Morris,
K.C.M.G., D.Sc. and Mr. J. lt. Bovell, F.L.S., F-C.s5
Price 3s. per copy. | | on visit to the Cotton-growing districts of U.S.A.
Printed at Office of Agricultural Reporter, 4, High Street, Bridgetown, Barbados,
A FORPNIGHTLY..REVIEW
OF
THE
IMPERIAL DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE FOR THE WEST INDIES.
Vou. III. No. 67.
BARBADOS, NOVEMBER 5, 1904.
Price ld.
CONTENTS.
PAGE. Pace
Bananas and Pine-apples Insect Notes :—
in Porto Rico ... 356 Ticks so oad) a6 GAY
British Cotton-growing Loads) | Aiieeemeiecsiiiae. (O02
Association Deputa- Lemon Grass Oil from
tion po -ps0 doo GAOL Montserrat —.... «.. 361
Cacao, Samples of... ... 356 | Mangrove Bark Industry 362
Market Reports
Notes and Comments... 360
Cotton Industry :—
PAO UU ar fees) ses) ose, OO
= o=~ | Pine-apples, Tobago... 356
Bar bados crt 887 Rubber in the Gold Coast
Production of Fine Colony 355
; ao op
oe Tee VE etd tl Bae Science Notes :—
Ooo. é a cee . Oo Wet or
Sea Island Crop... ... 357 Be coeaehe sikh" zee
oa a SRG 10orn Apple 398
West Indian Cotton .. 359 Sugar Industry :—
Department News... ... 363 Manurial Experiments
Department Publications 367 | at Barbados 3d4
Educational :— Naudet Process for
St Vincent ... 108 BS} | extracting Cane Juice 354
Tobago... ... ... ... 363 | Sunflowers asa Crop... 361
Exports and Rainfall ... 361 | West Indian Agricultural
Gambia, Exports of . o04 Conference mst sis LODO.
Gleanings + ae eee 364 | West Indian Products ... 365
Grenada, Exports of . 360 | Ylang-ylang Oil 363
West Indian Agricultural Con-
ference.
* S briefly aunounced in the last issue of the
Agricultural News, it is proposed to hold
% the next West Indian Agricultural Con-
ference in Trinidad from about January 4 to January
13, 1905.
Trinidad possesses special advantages asa meeting
place for the leading authorities connected with West
Indian agriculture, as those selected to attend would
have opportunities for obtaining information likely to
be of great benefit to their respective colonies. Not
only will Trinidad afford welcome opportunities for the
study of the cacao and sugar industries, but the colony
pessesses several institutions where important agri-
cultural work is being carried on.
The Royal Botanic Gardens are amongst the
oldest in this part of the world, and contain interesting
collections of trees and other economic plants.
A successful Experiment Station for sugar-cane,
rubber-yielding trees, coffee, cacao, ete. has been
established in recent years at St. Clair, while the
Government Stock Farm in the parish of St. Joseph
is also likely to prove of interest to the representatives.
It may be possible, too, for a visit to be paid to the
large Central Sugar Factory that is in full working at
St. Madeline, near San Fernando, several cacao planta-
tions whose produce obtains the highest prices in the
European markets, and the local cotton experiment
stations.
Taking into consideration all these advantages,
there is no doubt that the Conference of 1905
will be no less useful than former Conferences. It
would be of advantage if those who are likely to attend
would give careful consideration to such subjects as it
may be desirable to bring forward.
As mentioned in the Agricultural News (Vol.
354
THE AGRICULTURAL
NEWS. NoveMBEr 5, 1904.
II, p. 274), in discussing the possibility of holding
a Conference last year, there are a number of important
subjects that are likely to be brought before the
Conference for discussion. Since the last Conference—
that of 1902—the subject of cotton growing in the
West Indies has been brought prominently before
planters and must naturally oceupy an important place.
Another subject in which several of the colonies are
directly concerned is the onion industry. Then
again, considerable attention has been devoted to the
efforts to establish a fruit trade between several cf the
islands and the United Kingdom. The efforts of the
Symington Syndicate in Trinidad are in particular likely
to afford material for discussion, Other subjects desirable
to be ventilated are the cultivation of the best rubber
trees, the cultivation of cassava as a source of starch,
the improved cultivation of cacao, in view of the
increased production of African cacao, the cultivation
of ground nuts for the production of oil and ground
nut meal, the improvement of the bay oil industry, and
many others.
A further subject suggested to be dealt with is the
best means for checking ‘ Predial larceny,’ that is, the
theft of growing crops. A good deal has been written
in regard to this, but it would appear that we are as far
as ever from solving all the difficulties connected with
it. It might be of considerable advantage if we could
ascertain exactly what is the position in dealing with
predial larceny in the several colonies ; and a review of
the laws, as they now stand, and the extent to which
their provisions are enforced, might serve as a useful
basis for discussion,
If the question of dealing with predial larceny is
to be discussed at all at the forthcoming West Indian
Conference, it is hoped that those attending it will be
duly prepared beforehand and. that they will be in
a position to join in recommendations of a practical
character for getting rid of one of the most retarding
influences associated with agricultural development in
the West Indies.
Exports of Gambia. As stated in the last issue
of the Agricultural News, the principal item of export from
Gambia is ground nuts. In 1903 the export of these showed
an increased value of £81,909. Over 90 per cent. of the nuts
were shipped to France. The only other item under
exports showing an increase, according to the Annual
Report, is hides. There were decreases in the exports of
rubber (due to tappers having to go farther afield to
collect it and to their taking it to the French port of
Cassamance), and in the exports of palm kemels and
bees’-wax. The exports of bees’-wax were 38,640 Ib. of the
value of £1,589.
SUGAR INDUSTRY.
Naudet Process for Extracting Cane Juice.
The following reference is made in the Consular
Report on the trade of Madeira for 1903 to the sugar
industry and particularly to the patent Naudet process
for extracting and purifying cane juice, a complete
account of which was given in the West Indian
Bulletin, Vol. V, no I:—
The cane crop of 1903 was*exceptionally short, owing
to want of rain at the proper season, and also to a fungoid
disease which attacked all qualities of cane about one month
before reaching maturity. The only exception is the ‘ Yuba?
cane, which has up to the present resisted the disease, and
there is no doubt whatever that in two or three years’ time
this cane will be universally grown in the island.
The entire cane crop of Maderia was roughly estimated
at 19,000 tons, valued at £56,000, of which 6,000 tons were
converted into sugar and the remainder into cane spirit for
local consumption. It is early to say what the result will be
of the seedling canes imported from Barbados, but at present
they do not appear very flourishing.
All the cane turned into sugar was manufactured by
the Hinton-Naudet process, being an improvement on the
Naudet process, and the results were remarkable. During
the 1905 season all the juice or saccharime matter was
extracted from the cane with a loss of 36 per cent. of the
total sugar contained in the cane, and this juice was obtained
in nine-tenths of its original density. This process has made
quite a sensation in the sugar world, and during the 1904
season, which is just over, planters from Trinidad, Demerara,
and Réunion came to Madeira to inspect it. I am informed
that a large plant to treat 600 tons of cane per day is now
being made in Glasgow for Trinidad. Should the advantages
claimed for this process by the inventors be true—and I am
told they have been demonstrated by practical experience—
there is no doubt that it will revolutionize all over the world
the manufacture of sugar from cane.
Manurial Experiments at Barbados.
In the last issue of the Agricultural News
a summary was published of the results of experiments
with seedling canes at Barbados, as given by Professor
dV Albuquerque and Mr. Bovell in their paper read
before the Agricultural Society on October 14. In the
same paper the following summary of the results of
manurial experiments was given :—
The mannrial experiments were carried on at Dodds
plantation and Foursquare plantation, St. Philip, and
Hopewell plantation, St. Thomas. In addition to these,
fields of large manurial plots, of the approximate area of
1 acre each, were reaped at Hampton, Foursquare, and Ruby_
st. Philip, and Blowers, St. James.
it is estimated by one of us that in 1904 the average
price of a ton of muscoyado sugar and its molasses was $50°87,
that the cost of reaping and manufacture is $1°30 per ton of
cane, and that 134 tons of cane are required for the
manufacture of 1 ton of muscovado sugar. According to this
estimate, the value of a ton of cane in the field was $2°46—
Vou. III. No. 67.
THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS. 355
The experiments at Dodds were in continuation of those
carried out on similar lines since 1892. The field received
an application of 20 tons of farmyard manure per acre, and
the most favourable result was obtained on the plot that
received minerals (80 tb. phosphate as superphosphate, and
60 tb. potash as sulphate of potash) in January, and 60 Ib.
nitrogen as sulphate of ammonia in June. The increase over
the plot that received no chemical manure was 83 tons cane,
and at $2°46 per ton was worth $20-91. Deducting the cost
of manuring, $1548, leavesa profit, by manuring, of 35°43 per
acre. The experiments indicated a gain by manuring with
nitrogen and potash, but a loss by manuring with any form
of phosphates, and they also indicated that a further profit
would have accrued had phosphates been omitted.
At Foursquare the field received an application of 35
tons of farmyard manure per acre. This application is in
excess of that generally used except when the fields are
intended to be ratooned. It would be expected that, as
a result, the effects of chemical fertilizers would be minimized.
As a matter of fact the results indicate that 60 tb. nitrogen
as sulphate of ammonia gave an increase of 5 tons cane at
2-46, worth $12°30. The cost of the manure being $9 70,
the profit by the application of sulphate of ammonia was
89-70. 100 Ib. phosphate as superphosphate gave a further
increase of 2 tons cane, worth $4°92; cost of manure, say,
3-00; profit $1°92. 100 Ib. potash as sulphate of potash
gave an increase of 1‘7 tons cane over no potash, worth
$418; cost of potash, say, $5°80 ; loss, $1°62. Total profit
by manuring with, say, 250 tb. superphosphate in January,
and 300 tb. sulphate of ammonia in June and July, $4°62.
At Hopewell plantation an experimental field of plant
canes, and one of ratoons were reaped. Each field being
destined for ratoons received 40 tons per acre of farmyard
manure. The plots that received 40 tb. nitrogen as sulphate
of ammonia in June, and 50 tb. phosphate as superphosphate,
and 50 tb. potash as sulphate of potash in January, gave an
increase of 5 tons of cane over the no chemical manure plots.
This was worth $12°30; cost of manure, $10°80; profit by
manuring, $1°50 per acre.
The plots on Fletcher Field were reaped as plants in
1903 and ratoons in 1904. The plots that received each
year no phosphate, but 50 tb. potash as sulphate in 1902 and
1903 (total 100 tb. potash) and 60 Ib. nitrogen as sulphate of
ammonia in 1902 and 1903, gave in comparison with the no
chemical manure plots the following results :-—
1903. 1904.
No chemical manure 15°39 15:38
Chemical manure as above 17°63 32:16
Increase tons of canes =) 224 16-78
2:24 tons cane at 41°67 $374
16:78 =, M9) 246 41:28
Total per acre, two years 45-02
Cost of manure, $25-00 ; profit two years, $2002; average
annual profit, $10-01.
The results indicate also that the potash might have
been omitted during the first year, with at least equal, if not
more, favourable results leading to a slight additional profit.
LARGE PLOTS.
All the fields were heavily manured with farmyard
manure. At Hampton, on one field, 200 tb, sulphate of
ammonia gave an increase of 5 tons cane over no nitrogen,
worth $12°30; cost of sulphate of ammonia, say, 86°40 ;
profit, 35°90.
On another and more fertile field the no nitrogen plot
gave higher results, and in this case an application of 400 Ib,
of sulphate of ammonia gave an increase of 4 tons over the
no nitrogen plot, worth $9°84; cost of sulphate of
ammonia, say, $12°89; loss by manuring, $2°96. The increase
by manuring therefore on a very fertile field was much less
than on a less fertile field, both having been manured with
heavy applications of farmyard manure, and an ordinary
application of mineral manure.
Poursquare.
33°5 tons cane
35°00
568 SBE 1:50 tons cane
worth $3°69; cost of basic slag, say, $3°00; profit by
phosphatic manure, $0°69.
No phosphate plots
250 Ib. basic slag...
Increase
Blowers.
Phosphate plots.
of phosphatic manure.
These plots showed a loss by the use
Ruby.
Potash plots. No potash, average tons canes... 35°00
100 tb. sulphate of potash 37°50
Increase tons of canes 2°50
worth $6°15 ; cost of manure, say, $2°90 ; profit by manuring
with sulphate of potash, $3°20 per acre.
On the whole, the results confirm previous conclusions
that nitrogenous manures were the most important, and in
nearly all cases profitable; that sulphate of potash gave
increased returns which, however, were in one instance not
large enough to pay the cost of the manure. That in the
case of some soils, the application of phosphate led to increase
of yield and profit, in the case of other soils it led to no
increase or even diminution of yield, and loss of money.
The question of profit or loss by manuring depended
also upon the current price of sugar.
These results were obtained on land that received liberal
application of farmyard manure. Previous results indicate
that in the absence of farmyard manure and probably also
when farmyard manure is supplied in insufficent amounts,
all these forms of fertilizers would give larger increases.
In the case of ratoons, the results indicated that,
looking to the large application of farmyard manure,
nitrogen was alone necessary in the first year, and that the
most favourable applications to the ratoons were 100
sulphate of potash and 200 tb, sulphate of ammonia in June,
and 1 ewt. of nitrate of soda as soon as the stools began to
spring.
RUBBER IN THE GOLD COAST COLONY.
The following extracts from the Annual Report
on the Gold Coast for 1903 relating to rubber cultivation
are of interest :—
Samples of Para rubber (/Zevea brasiliensis) and African
rubber (untumia elastica), grown in the gardens at Aburi,
in comparatively poor, stony soil, were sent to the
Government Chemist at Lagos for analysis and produced
highly satisfactory results. The Para rubber was reported on
by English brokers and found to be quite as good as that
exported from Ceylon.
The Central American rubber (Castilloa clastica) has not
produced satisfactory results, the soil at Aburi not appearing
to suit it.
In the rich, low-lying hands at Tarkwa, better results
are likely to be obtained from all the species, and 6,000 Para
plants have already been raised there from seed sent from
Ceylon.
THE
AGRICULTURAL NEWS.
NoveMBER 5, 1904,
NN
WEST INDIAN FRUIT.
TOBAGO PINE-APPLES.
The Trinidad Bulletin of Miscellancous Infor-
mation contains the following notes on a collection of
local varieties of pine-apples sent from Tobago :—
No. 1. Local name —‘ Black Antigua.’ True to name.
This variety is also known in England as ‘Ripley Queen,’
and there is a Jighter-leaved variety, known as the ‘ White
Ripley,’ bearing fruit of the same class. When in good order
there are few pine-apples to beat this variety for flavour.
No. 2. No name. A pine resembling the Smooth
Cayenne by its smooth leaves only. The form and flavour
of the fruit differ. It is much nearer to a variety known in
Jamaica as ‘ Black Pine’ or ‘ Black Jamaica,’ but is not the
same. It is a desirable variety.
No. 3. Local name—‘Grass Pine.’ Resembles very
much, if not identical with, the Jamaica ‘Cowboy.’ It is
an excellent pine of good flavour.
No. 4. Local name—‘ Sugar Loaf.’ Not the ‘Sugar Loaf’
of Jamaica, but more like one called ‘ Bull Head,’ but better
in flavour. A pine well worth growing. It appears to
resemble very closely the pine known in Trinidad as the
‘La Brea,’ or Pitch Lake pine, but has not the form of
a sugar loaf.
BANANAS AND PINE-APPLES IN PORTO
RICO.
The following note on the prospects of the banana
and pine-apple industries in Porto Rico is taken from
the report by Professor F. S$. Earle appended to the
Annual Report on the Agricultaral Experiment
Station :—
The horticultural crops now attracting most attention
in Porto Rico are oranges and pine-apples. Bananas are
grown extensively, but mostly in the interior, where difficul-
ties of transportation would prevent their becoming an article
of export. Some of the lowlands near the coast are well
adapted to the culture of bananas, and there seems no reason
why they could not be grown there profitably for the United
States market. At present the subject seems to be receiving
no attention. To develop successfully this, or in fact any
other, branch of the fruit business, better transportation
facilities will be necessary. The present steamer service is
poorly adapted for the transportation of perishable fruits.
Pine-apples thrive in many parts of the island. The
finest ones seen were in the neighbourhood of Lajas, south-
east of Mayaguez. A number of acres are grown here for
the Mayaguez and Ponce markets. Some have been shipped
to the States, but usually with unsatisfactory results, and
the impression prevails that Porto Rican pines do not ship
well. This is not remarkable when we remember that they
are hauled in bulk often 15 miles in ox carts over a very
rough road before being packed for shipment. Under these
conditions it would be indeed astonishing if any arrived in
good condition. The completion of the railroad now building
between Mayaguez and Yauco will make it possible to deliver
these at the seaboard in good condition, when their shipping
qualities can be fairly tested. There is now a considerable
planting of pines in the neighbourhood of San Juan. Some
shipments from this region are reported as proving satisfac-
tory and as carrying well. I see no reason why the growing
of pines shonld not become a large and profitable industry.
A small canning factory has been established at Mayaguez,
which, if successful, will lead to a largely increased home
market. Pine-apples seem very healthy in Porto Rico. No
diseases or serious insect pests were observed.
SAMPLES OF CACAO.
Excellent samples of the following kinds of com-
mercial cacao have been received by the Imperial
Commissioner of Agriculture from Messrs. Rowntree
& Co., Ltd., of York -—
Common Unfermented Cacao :—
Acera. Jamaica.
Average Quality Fermented Cacao :—
Dominica, Grenada.
Jamaica. Bahia. Surinam.
African. Congo. Camaroon.
Trinidad :—
San Antonia.
Guayaquil :—
Superior Summer Arriba. Machala.
Para s——
Para Sertao.
Venezuela :——
Unelayed Caraeas.
Ceylon :—
Best Ceylon.
The samples of Dominica and Jamaica were prepared by
ourselves, and were valued by a London Broker at 57s. 6d.,
the market price of Fine Grenada being 58s.-59s, at the
time.
Finest Puerto Cabello.
It may be mentioned that on August 17 last the
Imperial Commissioner of Agriculture spent the day at
the works of Messrs. Rowntree and was kindly received
and shown every detail in the manufacture of cocoa.
tiinin
Vor. Ill. No. 67.
THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.
COTTON INDUSTRY.
Barbados.
Mr, J. R. Bovell, has reported as follows on the
prospects of the cotton crop at Barbados :—
I beg to inform you that 8,826 tb. of Sea Island cotton
seed have been distributed to date, of which 503 tb. are seed
selected from that obtained from cotton which realized the
highest prices in the Manchester market this year.
Of the total quantity, 814 tb. have been sent to the
other islands, ete., leaving 8,012 Ib. of seed as the quantity
purchased by local residents for planting.
In addition some of the planters have been planting
their own seed, and from all I can gather, I estimate that
about 1,600 acres of cotton will be planted this season.
I am glad to say that, so far, hardly any insect pests,
except plant lice (Ap/zdae), have been noticed, and in nearly
every instance where caterpillars have appeared the cotton
has been promptly dusted with Paris green and lime.
At the present time the young cotton crop is all that
can be desired, and with favourable weather, and the absence
of insect or fungoid pests, the crop next season is likely to
be a good one.
St. Lucia.
The Rey. L. Barlow, Acting Agricultural Superin-
tendent at St. Lucia, writes as follows on the prospects
of cotton growing in that island :—
After a most careful inspection of the entire cotton
cultivation of the island, in company with Mr. Ballou,
I estimate the area at from 60 to 70 acres. Of this area the
greater amount is ratoon cotton of the ‘degenerate Sea
Tsland’ type. Up to the present time 171 tb. of seed have
been sold ; we are expecting to have immediate orders for
seed for the new areas that are just being put under
cultivation.
Mr. Ballow’s visit has had the immediate effect of
awakening an interest in the industry, and I think that at
least 30 acres more are being put under cultivation for Sea
Island cotton for the present season.
«
Anguilla.
Mr, F. R. Shepherd, Acting Agricultural Superin-
tendent at St. Kitt’s, has furnished the following
information in regard to the prospects of the cotton
crop in Anguilla :—
The approximate area planted in cotton in Anguilla for
1904 is 250 acres. Of this area about 70 acres were planted
with selected Sea Island seed, and the remainder with other
Sea Island seed.
According to information received from Dr. J. N. Rat
and Mr. C. Rey, the cotton is looking well, but the young
plants have been damaged by attacks of beetles,* specimens
of which were forwarded to you on October 4.
Dr. J. N. Rat, Magistrate of Anguilla, writing on
the same subject, states that the Government has sold
520 th. of cotton seed to four persons in the island and
has distributed 300 tb. gratis. In addition sufficient
seed has been distributed by other persons to plant
between 100 and 200 acres.
* One of these was a black ground beetle, common
throughout the West Indies, technically known as Hopatrinus
gemellatus. The other is a small, greyish weevil, not yet
identified. [Ed. A,N.]
Sea Island Cotton Crop.
_ The following extract is taken from the ‘Annual
Sea Island Report’ issued by Messrs. W. W. Gordon &
Co., dated Savannah, Georgia, U.S.A., September 15 :—
The high price of Uplands in March and April induced
a considerable transfer of acreage in Georgia from Sea Island
to Upland cotton. This decreased acreage is conservatively
estimated at 20 per cent. In Florida and South Carolina
the acreage planted was about the same as in the previous
year. An early stand was obtained and the weather was
favourable until July. Since then there has been too much
rain, which has caused shedding and rust and has somewhat
delayed the maturing and marketing of the crop. In
Florida and some parts of Georgia caterpillars have been
more numerous and destructive than for the last ten years.
Very little Florida cotton has arrived ; the Georgia receipts
have been generally of excellent body and staple but not
brilliant in colour. Crop estimates are for a crop of 90,000
bales, if no killing frost occurs before the end of November :
but all crop estimates are merely guesses thus early in the
season. The average crop for the last ten seasons, 1894-1903
inclusive, was 85,650 bales.
World’s Production of Fine Cotton.
_ The following diagram has been prepared for use
mm connexion with addresses on cotton in the West
Indies :—
Fad eee scala) ae
ae EB oa 2 9 Se
: SMa S 22 chee, 2
© | "sp So = ge 2 | as
3 & E S o-Ata | “o>
> = ee = aie
Sea Island ! ,, 13d. to! Li j
(5S. Carolina) ou 32d. 10,000 |= 1,500 + £30,000)
|
Florida | ,5 5)
(S. L) 420 | 12d |
-| 80,000 |=2,500 +} £50,000
Georgia || ,o |
| 420
(S. L.) 420 1ld.
Egyptian | ~ .
S 0 500 {9-101 2 = 2
(Extra, Fine.)| 900 |9-104d.) 20,000 1,000 7} £20,000
Total | 110,000 | 5,000 |£100,000
Note—Production in West Indies to total production less
than 5 per cent.
+ No Florida, Georgia or Egyptian cotton has been
planted in any quantity in the West Indies. The above
figures are intended to represent only grades of quality
equivalent to the cotton from the countries named.
Sea Island v. Upland Cotton. A correspondent
in one of the Northern Islands, who has hitherto been in
favour of planting Upland cotton instead of Sea Island
now writes:—‘I am quite converted to the planting of
Sea Island cotton, so much so that I am planting 5 acres
myself this month and expect to increase to 50 acres next
year. There is money in it on the right soil and with good
cultivation. Our average crop of Sea Island cotton this
year will be between 200 tb. and 250 Ib. of clean lint per acre.’
358
= - ~ = —
THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.
NOVEMBER 5, 1904.
SCIENCE NOTES.
Thorn Apple.
The thorn apple or ‘Jimson weed,’ as it is called in
America, is a common weed in Barbados and in other West
India Islands. The botanical name of the plant is Datura
Stramonium, and it belongs to the same Natural Order
(Solanaceae) as the tobacco, tomato, English potato, Petunia,
ete.
Not only is the thorn apple a common weed in the West
Indies, but it occurs all over the world in warm, and even in
some temperate, regions. [
The plant is somewhat coarse-growing, reaching a height
of 2 to 3 feet ; it branches vigorously and the branches spread
Datura STRAMONIUM. BRANCHES
FLowers AND FRuIvT.
WITH
[From Dictionary of Garde ning. |
out widely, so that a single plant will cover quite a large area.
: : a a
The leaves are large and ovate with toothed margins (fig. 13).
The flowers also are large and distinctly ornamental. The
corolla is funnel-shaped, about 6 to 8 inches long, and
generally pure white in colour, Other species of the genus,
for example, Datura fastuosa, are often found in gardens as
ornamental plants. ay
The fruit (fig. 14) isa capsule which is covered with
t=}
Fig. 14. Marure Fruir or Datura Srramonium.
[From Dictionary of Gardening. }
the stout spines that give to the plant its common name of
thorn apple. It opens by four valves.
The plant is exceedingly poisonous, containing the
alkaloids known as atropin and hyoseyamin. These occur in
all parts of the plant, but the seeds are especially poisonous.
The effects of the poison are somewhat similar to those of
belladonna : small quantities are sometimes used medicinally
in cases of neuralgia, epilepsy, mania, etc. In India and
China the seeds of an allied species are used by poisoners.
The Peruvians are said also to prepare an intoxicating
beverage from the seeds which induces stupefaction and
furious delirium if partaken of in large quantities.
Nitragin.
In his address as President of the Sub-section
Agriculture of the recent Cambridge meeting of the
British Association, Dr. Somerville made the following
remarks regarding the artificial inoculation of soils
with organisms from the nodules of leguminous
plants :—
A few years ago much interest was excited in this and
other countries by the announcement that the scientific
discoveries of Hellriegel and Wilfarth had received com-
mercial application, and that the organisms of the nodules of
the roots of Leguminosae could be purchased in a form
convenient for artificial inoculation. The specific cultures
placed upon the market were largely tested practically and
experimentally, but the results were such as to convince
even the patentees, Nobbe and Hiltner, that the problem
which promised so much for agriculture had not been
satisfactorily solved. Since that time, however, investigators
had not been idle, and the present position of the subject
was to be found in a recent report by Hiltner and Stormer.
The nitragin put on the market a few years ago was used in
two ways, being either applied directly to the fields, or
mixed with water and brought into contact with the seed
before sowing. Under the former method of procedure, an
Increase of crop was obtained only when the nitragin was
used on land containing much humus. The explanation
given for failure under other conditions was that the bacteria
artificially introduced perished for want of food before the
leguminous seed germinated and produced plants. Failure of
the nitragin to effect an improvement in the crop when it
was sprinkled on the seed was now believed to be due to the
action of secretions produced by the seed in the early stages
of germination. This difficulty was found to be got over by
moistening the seed and allowing it to sprout before the
nitragin was applied ; but manifestly such a procedure would
always be difficult, and often impossible, to carry out in
practice. The object, however, would appear to have been
gained in another way, namely, by cultivating the bacteria
in a medium that imparted to them the necessary power of
resistance. Such nourishment might take various forms,
but that which gave the best results consisted of a mixture
of skim-milk, grape sugar, and peptone, and it was in this
medium that the organisms of the nitragin now distributed
were cultivated.
Ram Goat Wanted. A correspondent in Barbados
writes: ‘I have an inquiry from Demerara for a young
ram goat of good milk strain.’ Any person having for
sale a ram goat of good breed, preferably one of the offspring
of this Department’s ‘Black Rock’ or ‘Bruce,’ should com-
municate full praticulars to the Imperial Commissioner of
Agriculture.
Vou. III. No. 67. THE
AGRICULTURAL NEWS.
WEST INDIAN COTTON.
The following is a short summary of an address
delivered at Barbados by Mr. E. Lomas Oliver, one
of the Deputation from the British Cotton-growing
Association ‘—
It is always an advantage for the producer and consumer
to keep in close touch with one another. You are cotton
growers: I am a cotton spinner. If I can do no good, it can
at any rate do no harm for us to explain to one another
the difficulties we have to contend with in our relative
industries. I intend to be perfectly candid with you
and to tell you the faults as well as the merits of the cotton
you have so far sent us.
One of the characteristics of the West Indian cotton
shipped during the last two years has been the large
proportion of fibres which contain little or no natural
twist, the cotton not being round with a spiral twist
but flat like a tape. This natural twist is very desirable
because, if it is not in the fibres naturally, the spinner is
obliged to put in extra twist to hold the fibres together. The
more twist a spinner has to put in, the more his cost of
production is increased. Even when the extra twist is
put on, the yarn is not so good, because the twist being
artificial and not natural, the yarn is rendered more brittle
and less elastic and snaps more easily under any strain. At
the close of my remarks, I shall show you samples of these
fine yarns and I think you will then understand the great
advantage of the presence of natural twist. I understand
from Sir Daniel Morris that one of the chief causes of this
absence of natural twist in West Indian cotton was the
presence of immature fibre caused indirectly by the attacks of
the cotton worm, and by picking the cotton before it was
properly ripe. More care will therefore have to be taken by
the pickers, if you are to send us perfect cotton.
Another important point is most carefully to avoid mixing
the seed of long-staple and short-staple cotton, and, if through
any cause whatever after carefully selecting your seed-cotton,
that grown on one patch should be inferior to that grown on
another patch, then keep them separate, for, if you mix them,
you will only obtain a price equal to the worst cotton in each
bag, and, even then, a spinner will avoid buying mixed cotton,
if there isa plentiful supply of perfect cotton on the market.
Just as the strength of a chain is its weakest link, so is
cotton only worth the value of the poorest cotton in the bag.
Tf necessary, divide your crop into three grades, and, if you
do this, you will be able to obtain the full market prices for
each grade. Remember you are aiming at supplying a trade
in which quality is all important.
Those planters who intend producing a really good
quality of cotton should put their names, or the name of
their estate, upon the bags containing their first grade of
cotton, and some other distinguishing mark on their
second grade. In our trade, if a cotton of a certain mark
has been found to yield satisfactory results, the spinner will
look out with interest for the same mark of cotton again, and
in two or three years that planter, if he keeps up a regular
standard quality, will have established a reputation which
will prove a very valuable trade asset.
A third point, which it is very desirable you should
observe, is to use a good covering for the bags and to
press them to about 200 cubic feet to the ton weight, and
to let the bags be between 300 and 400 lb. weight each.
Of course, if you have 100 or 200 tb. over, you will have
to send a smaller bag to finish off the crop of that grade;
but do not be tempted to make up a bag of full weight by
mixing two grades, for it is almost certain the spinner
will find you out and your reputation as a grower will
in consequence suffer. It will be well for you not to ship
smaller lots than 5 or 6 bags of one grade at a time.
Odd bags are not easily saleable and less than 100 fb.
is not a merchantable quantity. The British Cotton-growing
Association will, however, buy odd bags of ginned cotton
which are not stained, but which are clean, at 8d. per tb.
Stained cotton should nof be shipped unless the owner
is prepared to see it sold for 5d. per tb. when it reaches
England.
It would also be as well for a standard weight and
size of canvas to be adopted for the whole of the West Indies,
and be sure to choose a fairly good quality so that when the
cotton arrives at the mill in England there is no cotton
protruding through holes in the bag. This may not be as
important as the first points I have touched upon, but you
will be well advised if you bale your cotton so that it will
arrive in the best possible condition. Some of your cotton
is sent out in bales bound round with iron bands like Florida
and Georgia Sea Island cotton, but I understand in some
cases presses have been obtained for making up the cotton
in bags without bands, which will give the bales the same
appearance as the cotton from Edisto and James Island.
The very finest and highest-priced cotton never has iron
bands round the bales. I do not think a single planter in
Edisto or James Island puts bands round his cotton, and to see
bales with iron bands round them might lead some spinners
to be suspicious lest they were buying Florida and Georgia
Sea Island and not real Sea Island grown upon islands.
You have had a considerable advantage over every
other British cotton-growing area in that you have had the
benefit of Sir Daniel Morris’ presence and his unrivalled agri-
cultural knowledge. Most of us have to buy our experience
very dearly and learn by the mistakes we make how
not to do it. The progress which you have so far made
in cotton growing is simply phenomenal; and if your
industry has made such strides, you have Sir Daniel Morris
and his staff to thank for obtaining such an accumulation of
knowledge of detail as you could not perhaps otherwise have
gained in less than a generation of failures and mistakes. It
is a great pleasure to me, I can assure you, to come here and
second the efforts of so devoted a public official, and, if my
experience as a spinner of cotton is of any use to you, I shall
be only too happy to explain what the requirements of
a spinner as regards his raw material are. Remember that
the class of cotton you are growing does not go into coarse
goods where defects are not readily detected. It is used,
amongst other things, in the manufacture of Brussels and
other lace, embroidery, curtains, muslins, gloves, and the best
sewing cotton. If you will follow the advise of Sir Daniel
Morris and the members of his staff on matters on which you
are not quite sure, you will be well advised. The great
regret often expressed at the British Cotton-growing
Association meetings is that they are unable to find five or
six other agricultural authorities with the same energy as
Sir Daniel, because they see that the state of progress arrived
at in the West Indies surpasses by far the progress made in
other places where we are trying to grow cotton. The cotton
you have already sent possesses some most important and
satisfactory features. It is not yet quite so good as the
cotton we get from Edisto and James Island, but, with the
hints which have been given you from time to time, there
is no reason why, if you follow them, you should fear, in the
case of very fine cotton, the competition of the whole world,
and you will be able to take that place to which your soil and.
your climate entitle you in this important industry.
360
EDITORIAL NOTICES.
Letters and matter for publication, as well
as all specimens for naming, should be addressed
to the Commissioner, Imperial Department of
Agriculture, Barbados.
All applications for copies of the ‘Agri-
cultural News’ should be addressed to the
Agents, and not to the Department.
Local Agents: Messrs. Bowen & Sons, Bridge-
town, Barbados. London Agents: Messrs. Dulau &
Co., 37, Soho Square, W., and The West India Com-
mittee, 15, Seething Lane, E.C. A complete list of
agents will be found at foot of page 367 of this issue.
The Agricultural News: Price 1d. per number,
post free 1}¢. Annual subscription payable to Agents
Qs. 2d. Post free, 3s. 3d.
Agricultural slows
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 1904. No. 67.
Vou. III.
NOTES AND COMMENTS.
Contents of Present Issue.
The editorial in the present issue deals with the
proposed arrangements for holding the next Agri-
cultural Conference at Trinidad.
In connexion with the sugar industry a note on
the Naudet process of sugar extraction and a summary
of results of manurial experiments at Barbados are
published on pp. 354-5.
Further reports on the prospects of the cotton
crop in the West Indies are likely to be of interest.
Other notes relating to the cotton industry contain
important information with regard to the production
of long-staple cotton. (p. 357.)
Extracts from the address delivered at Barbados
by Mr. E. Lomas Oliver, of the Deputation from the
British Cotton-growing Association, contain hints of
importance to West Indian cotton growers. (p. 359.)
Under the heading ‘Insect Notes’ will be found
a brief account of the usefulness of the toad as
a destroyer of insects. (p. 562.)
Two extracts relating to agricultural education
indicate that satisfactory progress is being made in
this connexion at Tobago and St. Vincent. (p. 363.)
The report by Mr. J. R. Jackson on West Indian
products in the London market for the month of
September is published on p. 365,
THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.
NovemBer 5, 1904.
Sugar-cane Experiments at Barbados.
The summary of the results obtained in the
manurial experiments with the sugar-cane, carried on
at Barbados during the past year, which is published
on pp. 354-5, shows that, on the whole, previous
conclusions are confirmed. Nitrogenous manures were
found to be the most important, and their application
was nearly always profitable. Phosphatic manures led
to profits in some cases and to losses in others. In most
cases a profit accrued from the use of potash as sulphate
of potash,
$a
Exports of Grenada.
The following summary of the principal items of
export from the island of Grenada during the year
1903 may be of interest :—-
Cacao, 58,490 bags, valued at £229,463 6s. 2d.;
nutmegs anc spices, 7,959 cwt., of the value of
£31,583 1s. Sd.: raw cotton, 2,687 ewt., valued at
£4205: cotton seed, 6,757 ewt., of the value of
£1,140. 5s. 8d.
Comparison with the exports for 1902 shows
a falling off in the output of cacao, the crop in 1902
being 61,258 bags. In the case of nutmegs and spices,
there was an increase of more than 1,000 ewt. over
the export in the previous year, which was 6,839 ewt. —
As regards cotton, in 1902 the exports were 2,212 ewt.
of raw cotton and 4,556 cwt. of cotton seed.
In regard to ‘Agricultural Improvements’ it is
stated: ‘The application of manure to cacao cultiva-
tion is on the increase throughout the island, and the
drying of that product by artificial means, instead of
relying upon sunlight, is being gradually adopted.’
EE Oe
West Indian Cotton.
In his address to the members of the Barbados
Agricultural Society on West Indian cotton (see p. 359)
Mr, Oliver dealt with some of the faults of cotton that
has been sent from these islands, It is hoped that
cotton growers will give careful consideration to the
points raised in this address.
One of the most serious faults has been the absence
of the spiral twist on the fibre so much desired by fine
spinners. This is due to much of the cotton having
been picked before 1t was thoroughly ripe. The absence
of this twist materially increases the cost of production
to the spinner. Next, care must be taken to avoid
the mixing of long-staple and short-staple cotton.
The cotton must be carefully graded, for the spinner
does not want mixed cotton: moreover, for mixed
cotton the shipper will obtain only the price of
the worst cotton in the lot. Mr. Oliver advises
growers to brand the packages with the name of
their estate and to have a distinguishing mark for
each grade. In this manner growers of really good-
quality cotton will be able to establish a reputation for
their product.
Finally, Mr. Oliver advised shippers to adopt
astandard weight and size of canvas for the whole of the
West Indies, and to avoid the use of iron bands which
are not used for the very best grades of Sea Island
cotton but only for Florida and Georgia cottons.
|
Vou. III. No. 67.
THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS. 361
British Cotton-growing Association Deputation.
Messrs. E. Lomas Oliver and Richard Stanclitfe,
forming a Deputation from the British Cotton-growing
Association, arrived at Barbados on October 24.
During their stay in Barbados they have visited
a number of estates on which cotton is beimg grown,
and on October 28 were present at a meeting of the
Barbados Agricultural Society. At this meeting
Mr. Oliver delivered an address, a summary of which
is published on p. 359.
On November 1 the Deputation left Barbados, in
company with Sir Daniel Morris, on a tour of the
Northern Islands, visiting St. Lucia, Dominica,
Montserrat, Antigua, and St. Kitt’s. Later, a visit will
be paid to St. Vincent (November 12), and if steamer
movements permit, probably Grenada and Tobago will
also be visited. Messrs. Oliver and Stanclitte will leave
Trinidad for Jamaica on November 22.
Mr. Oliver is possessed of wide experience in
regard to cotton matters. He is a Director of the
Fine Spinners’ Cotton Association, and from the first
has taken a deep interest in the West Indian cotton
industry. He is desirous of obtaining samples of
cotton (5 th. to 50 tbh. each) produced from the early
plantings this year, in order that he may have an
opportunity of expressing an opinion upon them for
the information of growers, and of pointing out their
merits or detects, as the case may be.
OD + a
Exports and Rainfall.
During last year there was a considerable decline
in the export trade of Lagos—a decline which is due
entirely to unfavourable meteorological conditions.
In dealing with this matter in his Annual Report on
the colony for 1903, the Governor states that variations
in exports are purely a matter of rainfall. This is
particularly the case with the products of the palm oil
tree (Llaeis guineensis) which form over 50 per cent.
(in value) of the colony’s exports.
By means of figures dealing with the last fifteen
years, the unmistakable correlation between rainfall
and the exports of palm produce is demonstrated. Thus,
in 1901 the rainfall armounted to 11259 inches (the
unprecedented fall of 31 inches being recorded for
September and October); the effects of this are seen
in the record crop of 5,240,137 gallons of palm oil and
75,416 tons of palm kernels in the following year. On
the other hand, the exports in the following year were
3,174,060 gallons of oil and 63,568 tons of kernels:
this decline might have been predicted by an intelligent
observer from the fact that the rainfall for the previous
year (1902) had been only 47°82 inches. The figures
show that the exports of palm oil are even more
sensitive than those of kernels,
Normally, the oil palm flowers every five or six
weeks and bears eight or nine mature bunches of fruit
in the year; if, however, the rainfall is scanty, the tree
flowers only every ninth or tenth week, and the
number of fruit bunches is reduced to about. five.
Insufficient rainfall also has the effect of reducing the
proportion of oil in the fruits.
Lemon Grass Oil from Montserrat.
The Bulletin of the Imperial Institute (Vol. II,
no. 3) contains a report on a sample of lemon grass oil
from Montserrat forwarded by the Hon. F. Watts.
An herbarium specimen forwarded subsequently was
identified by the Director of the Royal Gardens, Kew,
as Andropogon nardus, lL, var. genuinus, Hack.,
which is commonly known as the true lemon grass.
Results are given of analyses obtained with the
Montserrat oil both at the Imperial Institute and at
the Government Laboratory for the Leeward Islands,
as well as corresponding figures for commercial lemon
grass oil distilled in India from Andropogon citratus.
Lemon grass oil is now principally employed as
a source of citral, and the amount of this constituent
practically regulates the commercial value of the oil.
It is therefore interesting to learn that the Montserrat
oil contains as large a proportion of this valuable
constituent as the Kast Indian oil. The Montserrat
oil, however, differs from the latter in being incompletely
soluble in 70 per cent. alcohol. It was found that this
fact caused the dealers to whom specimens were sent
to quote a low price (44d. per oz.). It was considered,
however, that 5d. to 6d. per oz—the present price
of good-quality East Indian oil—might be obtained, if
regular shipments were made in fair quantities.
“These results indicate that Montserrat lemon
grass oil, in spite of its peculiar partial insolubility in
alcohol, would probably find a ready sale at remuner-
ative prices in this country and on the Continent.’
rr ee
Sunflowers as a Crop.
The Agricultural World of October 1 has an
interesting article on the culture, uses, and value of sun-
flowers as a crop. In Western Europe and America
the sunflower is chiefly grown for ornamental purposes
and has hardly, except in recent years, risen to the
dignity of a crop. In Russia, however, sunflower seeds
have come into general use as a staple article of human
food and for the production of oil which closely
resembles olive oil. The ‘oil cake’ left after the oil
has been extracted is rich in protein and oil and well
relished by stock, being equal, if not superior, to
linseed cake for feeding purposes.
Sunflower seeds contain from four to five times
as much fat as corn and more protein than any of the
cereal grains, comparing well in proteid content with
peas and beans. Hitherto they have been used chiefly
as a poultry food.
To obtain the largest crops fertile land rich in
humus is necessary. In producing the large amount of
protein contained in the seed, the crop exhausts the
soil of its nitrogen. The seed is planted in rows 3 to 34
feet apart, and 3 to 4 inches apart in the rows. Later,
the plants should be thinned to 12 to 18 inches apart
in the row; in other respects the crop should be
cultivated in the same manner as corn.
The heads should be harvested before the seeds
are fully ripe, and then cured for a week or so before
shelling. As a rule, the seeds are shelled by hand,
but doubtless cheaper and more rapid methods could
be devised.
362
THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.
NoveMBer 5, 1904,
INSEG
Ticks.
The following note on ticks is taken from the
Cyprus Journal :—
Many owners of dogs as well as other animals are
doubtless troubled at finding how constantly their four-footed
friends become coyered with ticks. With a view to checking
the multiplication of these objectionable insects, the following
points may be worth noting.
The tick does not travel, nor will it reproduce until it
has sucked blood. The female is usually found in the folds
of an animal’s ears, neck, or other concealed part, gorged
with blood, and with the male, a smaller parasite, close to
it. As soon as the fertilized female falls from her prey, she
produces her young, commonly known as grass lice. When
she drops them they climb up a grass or other stalk, and
cluster at the top like bees, where they lie in wait to fall
upon any passing living creature. Should none approach
within reach, they simply die. It is, therefore, of importance
that, when the ticks are removed from the animals, they
should be immediately destroyed, so that they may be
prevented from propagating their species.
In some parts of the world, notably in the West Indies,
ticks have been’ at times a great scourge, and elaborate means
have had to be taken to pen the animals, and after removing
the ticks, collect them into some vessel and then destroy
them by fire.
Care in promptly killing the ticks at once after removal
will do much to check their increase.
The daily brushing and examining of dogs is a useful
and effective precaution.
NOTES.
Toads.
Throughout the West Indies, and extending south to
Brazil and Argentine and north to Bermuda, the toad or
crapaud is quite common. It is known as the great
Surinam toad and Agua toad, and its scientific name is Bufo
ugua. It is considered the largest existing toad, and is
supposed to have been introduced from the mainland of
South America to the West Indies. It is of interest to
agriculturists on account of the nature of its diet, which
consists chiefly of insects. Professor A. E. Verrill in his
book, The Bermuda Islands, says: ‘In Barbados and Jamaica
it is valued because of its habit of catching field rats and
insects.’ Cockroaches, and ground beetles have been com-
monly found in the stomachs of toads, and it is well known
that the common hard-back, the larva of which is the root-
borer of canes, is eaten by them. They breed in stagnant
water, each female laying a large number of eggs.
The only objectionable quality attributed to this animal
is the ‘venom’ secreted by the parotid and dorsal glands.
Dogs that bite or attack toads invariably become extremely
ill and sometimes die in a very short time. According to
Professor Verrill, the secretions of the glands, when injected
into the circulation of dogs, birds, and other animals, cause
convulsions and death even when in small doses. He also
records that a member of his party in Bermuda on one
occasion saw the venom ejected as a fine spray from the
parotid glands of a large toad when it was much irritated.
Persons, however, handle these toads without injury or
noticeable effect from this secretion. ,
The American toad (Bufo Jentiginosus) is similar in
appearance to the crapaud but smaller. In an excellent
paper, entitled ‘Usefulness of the American Toad,’ published
as Larmers’ Bulletin No. 149 of the United States Depart-
ment of Agriculture, Mr. A. H. Kirkland discusses the habits
and food of this interesting animal. In 149 stomachs he
found that 62 per cent. of the food consisted of injurious
species exclusive of ants, and if these were counted as injurious,
the total of injurious species amounted to 81 per cent. This
total includes, beetles (hard-backs), caterpillars and cutworms,
wireworms, millipeds, sow bugs (wood lice), and grasshoppers.
Poisonous secretions are found in this species also, but
Mr. Kirkland mentions them as secretions of the skin, and
they are less violent in their effect.
Toads are voracious feeders and from the nature of
their food are of benefit in an agricultural community. They
live in holes under stones or other protection, and it is
a common thing to find several in an old cane trash heap.
They could probably be easily established in any locality if
they were introduced and provided with shelter, and might
be efficient in cases of infestation by mole crickets (‘ Cochon
terre’) or other insect of similar habits.
The toad, however, is different from the crapaud or
‘mountain chicken’ of some of these islands. The mountain
chicken is a frog, and though it, too, feeds on insects, its
habit of living in the mountains and forests probably makes
it less useful from an agricultural point of view.
MANGROVE BARK INDUSTRY.
The exports of mangrove bark from the island of
Pemba amounted in 1903 to 95 tons, valued at £380,
The Consular Report on the Trade of Zanzibar and
Pemba has the following note on this industry :—
The item mangrove bark, which appears for the first
time in 1903 amongst the customs returns, is a product of
high value for tanning purposes. It grows in great abund-
ance in the numerous tidal creeks throughout the island, and
it appears to be of excellent quality from a commercial point
of view. I believe that the Pemba bark would fetch £5 or
£6 per ton in the European markets. The Zanzibar Govern-
ment has lately prohibited the collecting of mangrove bark
in Pemba, save under licence. I understand that up to the
present one firm only, a French firm in Zanzibar, has
applied for and obtained such licence.
According to the British Honduras Clarion,
mangrove bark is fast becoming an important article
of export from that colony. The demand is said to
be practically unlimited. In the West Indian Colonies
there is an almost inexhaustible supply.
Nut-Cracking Machine. Experiments were tried
during the year with a patent machine for cracking palm
nuts, as large quantities of the kernels are wasted by the
natives in the primitive methods adopted; but though the
reduction in the cost of labour in passing 2,050 tb. through
the machine worked out at 41 per cent., it was found that
19 per cent. of the nuts remained unbroken, and a more
effective machine is required. (Annwal Report on Gold Coast
for 1903.)
Won. U0: No: 67.
THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.
363
EDUCATIONAL.
School Gardens at Tobago.
Mr. H. Millen, Curator of the Botanic Station
at Tobago, has forwarded the following note on school
gardens in the island :—
Most schools have attached to them a plot of land
devoted to the growing of tropical and temperate economic
plants. There exist twenty-three gardens in the island.
Recently these have been inspected by the Curator and
Agricultural Instructor, and some of the gardens are very
creditable ; the gardens are worked entirely by the boys
attending the schools. It was noticeable that the gardens in
Country Districts are generally kept in a better condition
and more interest is taken in them than those in or near
a town. At the next School Garden Show to be held in
November some good exhibits are expected ; the Botanic
Station has assisted in distributing seeds and plants; but to
secure a regular supply of European vegetables seeds should
be imported at intervals.
Agricultural Education at St. Vincent.
The following extracts relating to the teaching
of Agriculture are taken from the report of the
Inspector of Schools for the Windward Islands on the
examination of the elementary schools of the colony of
St. Vincent held between May 20 and July 27, 1904 :—
This was the first occasion on which this subject also
formed part of the school curriculum. With the exception
of the examination at Chateaubelair Wesleyan School, the
whole lot of examinations was conducted on _ purely
theoretical lines. School gardens have been laid out at the
following schools :—Chateaubelair, Troumaca, Buccament,
Chauncey, Camden Park, and Brighton, but only those at
Chateaubelair, Chauncey, and Camden Park have been
cultivated, the others probably having been allowed to await
the incoming of the rainy season. The pupils of Kingstown
Anglican, Roman Catholic, and Wesleyan Schools which have
no plots attached to them, pursued their studies during the
year at the Agricultural School in Kingstown on certain
regular days appointed for the purpose. ‘There are, in addition
to these school gardens, plots under Government control
available for primary school work at Belair and at
Georgetown, adjoining the schools there; while at Stubbs
and Marriaqua, there is ample frontage for making good
gardens.
The teaching has been confined as a rule to a very
elementary course of study: but Chateaubelair, Kingstown
Anglican, and Brighton did rather more advanced work than
the others. The first mentioned was by far the best in the
colony. The pupils gave practical demonstration of their
knowledge of the theory taught them, by the ease and
familiarity with. which they dissected and removed the
several parts of bean seeds, showed and handled separately
the different parts of the hibiscus flower, unpotted plants
and understood their re-potting, and answered questions
particularly relating to soils and drainage, together with
various other tests undergone by them. Their garden was in
excellent order notwithstanding the fact that the dry season
had scarcely then passed. On the whole, first principles
were well and carefully taught in all schools offering this
subject. Blackie’s 7vopical Readers have been supplied in
all the schools and are made use of by the pupils, the
teachers supplementing the information therein given, when
found necessary, from the notes taken at the lectures
attended by them. There was hardly any cultivation of
plants in pots or tubs. Those schools which possess no
garden might advantageously make an effort in that
direction, especially as the Imperial Department of
Agriculture awarded Diplomas of Merit to several schools for
the excellence of their exhibits in pots and tubs at the
Agricultural Show held in the month of March of this year.
From the very satisfactory results obtained at the
Chateaubelair Wesleyan School, I strongly recommend and
advise teachers to teach ‘object-lessons’ as frequently as
opportunity will permit, from plant life and agricultural
subjects. The subject should be taught in the lower
standards with the view, among others, to becoming the
handmaid eventually, by means of lessons on plant life, etc.,
of the more advanced study of agriculture. As taught at
present, this latter is not unfrequently looked upon by junior
men as being merely an overgrown parasitic off-shoot of the
former and nothing more. Managers, by co-operation with
such teachers, can readily disabuse their minds of this fallacy
and, as time goes on, the harmonious relationship of the two
subjects will naturally be brought into full play, almost
unconsciously, with all the advantages derivable therefrom.
YLANG-YLANG OIL.
The Board of Trade Journal for September 8
has the following extract from the ‘Monthly Summary’
of commerce of the Philippine Islands:
Among the other products of economic value in the
Philippines, ylang-ylang oil as an export amounted to
$123,182, or about 50 per cent. increase over the trade in
1902, the shipments to France advancing in about the same
proportion. Some consider the oil as equal in perfume to
attar of roses, and by the greater yield of essence furnishing
a less expensive base, it becomes a strong competitor of the
latter, the perfumers of the United States to whom exporting
houses in Manila shipped nearly $10,000 worth last year,
making it the base of some of their most expensive extracts.
‘he ylang-ylang tree grows best in the Philippines and it
takes about 75 Ib. of the flowers, worth from 8e. to 15c. gold
per tb. to yield 1 tb. of oil. The cost of manufacture -is
about $4, and it sells readily for from $40 to $50 in open
market, with the supply unequal to the demand.
DEPARTMENT NEWS.
The Imperial Commissioner of Agriculture return-
ed to Barbados on Monday, October 24, and resumed
the duties of his office the same day.
The Imperial Commissioner of Agriculture, accom-
panied by Messrs. E. Lomas Oliver and Richard
Stanclitte, the Deputation from the British Cotton-
growing Association, left Barbados on S.S. ‘Dahome’
on November 1, for the Northern Islands. It is
expected that Sir Daniel Morris will return to Barbados
in SS. ‘Orinoco’ on November 11. He will leave
soon afterwards with the members of the Deputation
for the Southern Islands.
Consequent on the departure from St. Vincent of
Mr. C. H. Knowles, B.Sc, and pending the arrival of
his successor, Mr. A. J. Clarke, of Barbados, has been
temporarily appointed to carry on the duties of Resi-
dent Master at the Agricultural School.
THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.
NovempBer 5, 1904.
GLEANINGS.
An Order-in-Council, dated August 13, 1904, provides
for the free importation into St. Lucia of ‘ insecticide
ingredients and apparatus for the application thereof.’
Arbor day will be celebrated at Nevis on the Kings’
birthday, November 9. Everything is being done to bring
it to a successful issue.
Regulations and prize lists of an Agricultural Show to be
held in Trinidad from February 13 to February 18, 1905,
have been issued as an Agricultural Society paper (no. 215),
The principal exports from Trinidad during 1903-4
were :—Crude asphalt, 1902-3, £145,712; 1903-4, £178,984 ;
cacao, 1902-3, £907,531; 1903-4, £897,033 ; sugar, 1902-3,
£410,000 ; 1903-4, £435,931. (Board of Trade Journal.)
The Gardeners’ Chronicle, referring to the increasing
demand for bananas, states that during the past eight months
2,492,702 bunches were imported as against 2,041,835 in
the same period last year, and some 1,650,992 bunches for
the same period of 1902.
The exports of cotton from Peru in 1903 amounted ta
7,530 tons, an increase of 1,050 on the previous year’s
exports. Cotton seed, to the extent of 5,264 tons was also
exported, as well as 2,212 tons of cotton seed oil cakes.
(Consular Report.)
We congratulate the Rev. N. B. Watson, B.A., of
St. Martin’s Vicarage, Barbados, on being elected a Fellow
of the Entomological Society of London. Mr. Watson
contributed a valuable paper on ‘The Root Borer of Sugar-
cane’ to the West Indian Bulletin (Vol. IV, pp. 37-47).
It has been decided by the Exhibition Committee of
the Jamaica Agricultural Society that a representative
exhibit shall be sent from the colony to the Colonial and
Indian Exhibition to be held at the Crystal Palace in 1905.
The exhibit will include specimens of economic plants and
products, and a special representation is likely to be made of
honéy and preserves.
With reference to the paragraph in the Agricultural
News (Vol. III, p. 348) in which it was stated that at
Grenada Mr. L. R. Mitchell was prepared to gin and bale
cotton at ¢d. per tb., it is desirable to mention that this is
for Upland cotton for which a saw gin can be used.
Sea Island cotton, which fetches about three times as much,
requires a roller gin, and the ginning is naturally more
costly.
Messrs. Picktord & Black have written to the Imperial
Commissioner of Agriculture regretfully informing him that
the West Indian exhibits left over from previous Canadian
Exhibitions were totally destroyed by the fire at their
premises on September 19 last.
With reference to cotton planting in Trinidad, Mr. J. H.
Hart writes as follows: ‘We have no means of correctly
ascertaining what the area under cotton is. One planter is
under orders to plant 50 acres, and in small lots probably
some 100 acres will be grown, including the four experiment
plots supported by the Government.’
During the fortnight ended October 6, 46 bales of West
Indian cotton were imported into the United Kingdom.
Sales have been effected in Liverpool at the following prices :
West Indian, 4:00d. to 6°75d.; West Indian Sea Island,
medium fine, 15d.; fine, 14d.; extra fine, 16d. per ib.
(West India Committee Circular.)
Dr. Watts writes from Antigua: ‘Will you please draw
attention to an omission, due to an imperfect copy being
supplied to you, in the list of cotton experiments published
in the Ayrieultural News (Vol. ILI, p. 237). Plot 16 should
receive 30 tb. of nitrogen in addition to the phosphate and
potash.’
Among the articles, the free importation of which into
Montserrat is allowed by an Ordinance which came into
force in July 4 last, may be mentioned ; chemicals for agri-
cultural purposes, insecticides and fungicides, multiple-etfect
machinery for manufacturing sugar, and other machinery to:
be used for the preparation of agricultural produce.
The exports of cotton from Alexandria amounted im
value, in 1903, to £15,873,514, the quantity being
545,852,342 Ib., about one-half of which went to the United
Kingdom. This value represents an increase of over
£1,700,000 on the exports of the previous year. (Consular
Report.)
Raw rubber was by far the most important article of
import into Belgium from the Congo Free State in 1903 and
showed an increased volume of 321 tons, and an increased
value of £515,640. The total value of the rubber, which
amounted in volume to 5,917 tons, was £1,656,800.
(Consular Report on trade of Belgium.)
According to the Consular Report on the trade of
Madeira, the whole of the onion crop (1,161 tons in 1903)
was exported to the West Indies and Demerara. The West
Indies also received a share of the potato exports. In exchange
Madeira imported from the West Indies and Demerara
molasses and sugar.
Many of the pictures which have appeared in the West
India Committee Circular are being reproduced as picture
post-cards, and will shortly be published by the well-known
firm of Raphael Tuck & Sons.
With the object of popularizing the West Indies a series
of the photographs taken by the Secretary of the West India
Committee will shortly be published under the title ‘Sun
Pictures of the Antilles and British Guiana.’ Full particu-
lars can be obtained from Messrs, H. & W. Grant, 18-19,
Whitefriars Street, E.C.
Vou. III. No. 67. THE
AGRICULTURAL
NEWS. 365
WEST INDIAN PRODUCTS.
Drugs and Spices in the London Market.
The following report on West Indian products,
more especially drugs and spices, in the London
market, has been furnished by Mr. J. R. Jackson,
A\ GIS)
< BANANA TRADE,
Though drugs and spices, generaily, continue to have
but a normal existence in the London sale rooms, other
West Indian products have been well to the fore during the
month of September, particularly the banana, which has of
late taken a firm and increasing hold on the popular taste.
‘The daily press has drawn particular attention to the value
of the banana, not only as a delicious fruit, but also to its
importance as a food, and has further pointed out that at the
rate of three and, sometimes, even four a penny, at which
prices they have been sold in London and some of the large
provincial towns, no cheaper or more wholesome fruit can
be obtained, and this in a season when English home-grown
fruits of nearly all kinds are most plentiful. It is satisfac-
tory to note that Jamaica stands prominently forward as the
principal colonial source of supply and that the new steamer
“Port Kingston ’—the latest addition to the Direct Line
between Bristol and Jamaica—arrived on September 28,
making the voyage in ten days, and bringing 24,000 bunches
of bananas, besides oranges and other fruits, and further,
that samples of Jamaica cotton had been brought by the
same vessel, for the purpose of submitting them to experts
of the British Cotton-growing Association. Though fruit
and cotton have only an indirect bearing on the subject of
drugs, allusion is here made to them as showing that the
interest in all West Indian products is being keenly main-
tained in the mother country.
GINGER,
Reverting to the spice and drug markets, and taking
ginger for our first consideration, the month did not open
very bright ; only small sales were effected in all the kinds,
Jamaica fetching 40s. for bold and 35s. for middling, while
for bold cut Cochin, 60s. was asked, and small medium, 40s.
A week later 191 barrels of Jamaica were offered for which
there was no demand, and inferior qualities of Cochin sold at
low prices. A better tone prevailed at the spice sales on the
2Ist., when about 200 bags of Jamaica were offered and
sold chiefly at 37s. 6d. for middling washed, 30s. 6d. to
32s. 6d. for ordinary to good ordinary, and 26s. to 29s. for
ordinary small to dark lean. A moderate supply of Cochin
and Calicut was also offered at this auction, fair washed
rough Cochin being sold at 18s., wormy ditto at 16s, ; brown
Calicut, wormy, realized 14s. 6d. and small, rough wormy 14s.
to 14s. 6d. Bold, bright Calicut, slightly wormy, fetched
26s., as did also bold bright rough. At the last sale of the
month, on the 28th., the market was dull and prices
remained about the same,
As bearing on the supply of ginger generally, it may be
interesting to quote from a paragraph that has appeared on
the exports of ginger from Sierra Leone during the year 1903,
which amounted to 17,567 ecwt., realizing £15,898 as
against 15,512 ewt., of the value of £17,358 in the previous
year. It is thus evident that, although there was a larger
export than in 1902, there was a decrease in value, due
mainly to the fall in the market price which was as low as
Iid. per hb.
SARSAPARILLA,
At the drug sale on September 1, sarsaparilla stood
thus :—A bale of fair red native J amaica realized 94d., and
another bale, less bright, 84d. No grey Jamaica was offered,
but 1s. 2d. was mentioned as about its value. On the 15th.
there was again an absence of grey Jamaica and there was no
demand for native, of which 11 bales were offered and
bought in. Seven bales of rather coarse, sound, Lima-Jamaica
were disposed of at from 10d. to 1l}d., and 6 bales of
Tampico, without chumps, were held at Is. per tb. At the
last sale, on the 29th., genuine grey Jamaica was reported as
still scarce, only 10 bales being offered ; 1s. 2d. was refused
for fair, the buying-in price being 1s. 67. Two bales of sea-
damaged realized 1s, 1d., while of native Jamaica, 5 bales
were sold at 74d. to 8d. for medium dull yellowish.
KOLA NUTS,
On September 1, 57 packages were offered and 21 sold
mostly at steady prices. Of these, 13 packages of fair to
good bold bright West Indian halves were disposed of at from
4d. to 5d. per tb., 47d. being also paid for 4 cases of good
bold Ceylon. Twenty-eight packages of African were offered
and bought in at 4d. per tb. On the 15th., the markets had
but very slightly changed, good bold bright Jamaica fetching
4d. to 44d., ordinary mouldy West Indian 32d., and mouldy
fresh 1d. per tb. These prices varied but little at the end of
the month. From Hamburgh a report comes that there has
been a brisk demand during the month, and no important
supplies have entered the market, in consequence of which
prices are tending higher, A Sierra Leone report on the
trade in kola nuts during the year 1903. states, that the
exports in that year were 15,176 ewt., of the value of £76,355
as compared with 14,707 ewt., of the value of £60,517 in
1902. The export is chiefly to the Gambia and the French
West African Colonies of Senegal, namely, Rufisque, Dakar,
and Goree, whence it is carried to the interior where there is
an insatiable demand for it. The supply is obtained largely
from the Protectorate whither a large number of traders
from the colony resort during the last quarter of the year,
which is regarded as the kola Season, and make purchases
partly by cash payments and partly by a system of barter.
ARROWROOT,
The market in this article has been quiet throughout
the month. At the spice sale on the ith., 135 packages of
St. Vincent were bought in at 2d. to 3d. per lb. ; and on the
21st., 250 bags were offered, of which 100 of good manufae-
turing were sold at 12d. per Ib., which had slightly declined
at the sale on the 29th.
LIME JUICE, NUTMEGS, MACE, AND PIMENTO.
Lime juice at the beginning of the month was reported
as both plentiful and cheap, good raw West Indian being
offered at 1s. to ls. 1d. per gallon, while fair West Indian
distilled oil of lime sold at 1s. 5d, per Ib. at the close of the
month.
Of nutmegs, in the early part of the month, West
Indian were realizing rather higher rates than had ruled in
August.
Mace was also steady, West Indian selling at ls. to
Is. 3d. for red; 1s. 4d. to Is. 5d. for ordinary to fair ;
ls. 7d. to 1s. 8d. for pale; and Is. 1d. to ls. 2d. for
pickings.
On the 7th., 238 bags of pimento were offered, 34 being
sold without reserve at 25d. for greyish, this price being
maintained at the closing sale of the month, when 247 bags
were offered and 120 found purchasers,
THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.
November 5, 1904.
MARKET REPORTS.
London,— October 11, 1904. Messrs. J. Hanes Carrp &
Co., Messrs. Kearton, Piper & Co., Messrs. E. A.
pE Pass & Co., ‘THe West InprA ComMirree Crr-
cuLtar’; ‘THe Lrverroon Corron Association
Weekty Crecuar, October 7; and ‘THE
Pusnic Lepcer,’ October 8, 1904.
Arors—Barbados, 15/- to 35/- ; Curagoa, 14/- to 38/- per ewt.
Arrowroot—St. Vincent, 13d. to 3}d. per th.
Batata—Block, 1/3 to 1/3} per Tb.
Bees’-wax—&7 5s. per cwt.
Cacao—Trinidad, 56/- to 67/- per ewt. ; Grenada, 51/-
to 57/- per ewt. ; Dominica, and Jamaica, 49/- to 56/-
per cwt.
Carpamoms—Mysore, 7d. to 2/- per Ib.
CorreE—Jamaica, good ordinary, 38/- per ewt.
Corrox—West Indian Sea Island, medium fine, 13d. ; fine,
14d. ; extra fine, 16d. per tb.
FRrvir—
Bananas—Jamaica, 5/3 to 7/- per bunch.
Grare Freurr—7/- to 9/- per box of 150-200.
OraNcES—Jamaica, 6/- to 8/- per case.
Fustic—£3 10s. to £4 per ton.
Giycer—-Fair bright, 37/6 ; common to middling, 29/- to
37 6 per ewt.
Hoxey—Jamaica, 15/- to 28/- per ewt.
Tsryeiass—West Indian lump, 2/5 to 2/10; cake, 1/2 per th.
Koia Nurs—sd. to 43d. per tb.
Lrre Jurce—Raw, 10d. to 1/2 per gallon; concentrated,
£14 per cask of 108 gallons.
Lime Or—Distilled, 1/53 per tb. ; hand-pressed, 2/6 to 2.9
per 1b.
Locwoop—£4 2s. 6d. to £5; Roots, £4 to £4 10s. per ton.
Mace—Good bold pale, 1/6 to 1/11; red, 1/2 to 1/5;
broken, 10. to 1/2 per th.
Nirrate or Sopa—Agricultural, £10 7s. 6d. per ton.
Nourmecs—59's, 2'7; 88's, 1/1; 146’s, 63d. ; shell, 43d.
to 43d. per th.
Pimento— 22d. per tb.
Rum—Demerara, 7d. per proof gallon; Jamaica, 1s. %.
per proof gallon.
SarsaparmLa—9d. to 1/6 per tb.
Svcar—Crystallized, 18/3 to 19/3 per ewt. ; Muscoyado,
Barbados, 14/- to 14/6 per ewt.; Molasses, 126 to
16,- per cwt.
ScreHate or AmMmonta—£12 per ton.
Montreal,—October 9, 1904.—Mr. J. Russert Murray,
(In bond quotations, c. & f.)
Bayavnas—Jamaica, 50c. to 75c. per bunch of 8 hands ;
$1-00 to $105 per bunch ‘firsts’; $1°30 to $140 per
bunch ‘jumbos.’
Cepar—Trinidad, 40c. per cubic foot.
Cocoa-Nuts— Jamaica, $27-00 to $29°00 ; Trinidad, $29-00
to $25°00 per M.
Correr—Jamaica, medium, 9e. to 10c. per Th.
Gixcer—Jamaica, unbleached, 6}c. to 8c. per tb.
Lines—Jamaica—No quotations.
Morascuir—Demerara, $1°32 per 100 tb.
Motasses—Barbados, 25c. to 27c.; Antigua, 2Ic. per
Imperial gallon.
Nurmecs—Grenada, 110’s, 19¢. to 19$¢. per th.
Orances—Jamaica, $4:°00 per barrel, $2°00 per box;
Dominica, $2°20 per box.
Prrento—Jamaica, 5}e. to 6fe. per th.
Prxe-apeteEs—Cubans, crates 36’s to 10's, $3°00 to $4°10,
Svcar—Grey Crystals, 96°, $2°70 to $2°75per 100 Tb,
—Muscovados, 89°, $2°50 to $2°65 per 100 Ib.
—Molasses, 89°, $2°25 to $2°35 per 100 th.
—Barbados, 89°, $2°45 to $2°50 per 100 Ih.
New York,—October 13, 1904.—Messrs. GrtLespre:
Bros. & Co.
Cacao—Caracas, 12fc. to 13c. ; Jamaica—No quotations ;
Grenada, 12c. to 12}c.; Trinidad, 12c. to 18c. per th.
Cocoa-Nuts—Trinidads, $33 to $34 per M., selected ;
Jamaicas, $34°00 to $35-00 per M.
CorrrE—Jamaica, good ordinary, 8}c. to 9c. per th.
Goat Skrys—Jamaicas, 54¢e. per tf
Orances—Jamiuca, stem cut, $4°00 to $4°50 per barrel.
Prento—4 ic. per tb., spot quotation.
Sccar—Centrifugals, 96°, 4}c.; Muscovados, 89°, 3}c.5
Molasses, 89°, 3)ce. per Th.
INTER-COLONIAL MARKETS.
Barbados,—October 22, 1904.—Messrs. T. S. Garra-
way & Co., and Messrs. James A. Lyncx & Co.
Arrowroor—St. Vincent, $3°50 to $3°60 per 100 th.
Cacao—Dominica, $12°00 to $12°50 per 100 tb.
Cocoa-Nuts—$15°50 per M. for husked nuts.
CorreE—$10-00 to $12°00 per 100 th.
Haxy—9dc. per 100 th.
Manvcres—- Nitrate of soda, $60-00 ; Ohlendorft’s dissolved
guano, $60°00; Sulphate of ammonia, $72°00 to $75:00=
Sulphate of potash, 367-00.
Oxtoxs—Madeira (stringed), $1°51 per 100 fb.
Poratos, ENGLIsH— Nova Scotia, $1°60 to $2715 per 160 tbh.
Rice—Ballam, $4°80 to $4:95 per bag (190 tb.) ; Patna,
$3°40 per 100 th.
British Guiana,—October 20, 1904.—Messrs. Wrerine
& RicHrer,
Arrowroor—St. Vincent, $7°50 per barrel.
Barara—Venezuela block, 25c.; Demerara sheet, 35c.
per th.
Cacao—Natire, 12c¢. to 13e. per tb.
Cassava Srarca—$6'00 per barrel.
Cocoa-NutTs—$8 ‘00 to $10°00 per M.
Corree— Rio and Jamaica, 134c. per tb. (retail).
—Creole, Ile. per th.
Duat— $4°20 to $4°25 per bag of 168 tb.
Eppors—80c. to $108 per barrel.
Morasses—Vacuum Pan yellow, 16c. per gallon (casks.
included).
Ganens MMos: $2°00 per 100 tb. ; Teneriffe, $1°75 per
100 Th.
Pea Ncvs—
Molasses, 89°, 3}}c. per th.
INTER-COLONIAL MARKETS.
Barbados,—November 19, 1904.—Messrs. T. S. Garra-
way & Co., and Messrs. James A. Lyncu & Co.
Ankrowroor—St. Vincent, $3°60 to $3-75 per 100 tb.
Cacao—Dominica, $11°75 to $12°00 per 100 tb.
Cocoa-Nurs—$17°00 to $19-°00 per M. for husked nuts.
Corree—$10-00 to $12-00 per 100 th.
Hay—0c. to 95c. per 100 th.
Manvres—- Nitrate of soda, $60-00 ; Ohlendorft’s dissolved
guano, $60°00 ; Sulphate of ammonia, $72-00 to $75-00;
Sulphate of potash, $67-00.
Oxtons—Madeira (stringed), $2-25 per 100 tb.
Poraros, ENGLisH— $2°04 to $2°30 per 160 tb.
t1ce—Ballam, $4°75 to $4:90 per bag (190 tb.) ; Patna,
$5°25 to $3°40 per 100 tb.
British Guiana,—November 17, 1904.—Messrs. Wintine
& Ricurer.
Arrowroor—St. Vincent, $7°50 per barrel.
Batara—Venezuela block, 25c.; Demerara sheet, 3dc.
per th.
Cacao—Native, 12c. to 18e. per th.
Cassava SrarcH—$6°50 per barrel.
Cocoa-Nuts—$8°00 to $10°00 per M.
Corree—Rio and Jamaica, 13$c. per th. (retail).
— Creole, Ile. per th.
Drar— $4°20 to $4°25 per bag of 168 th.
Eppors—96e. per barrel.
Motassrs—Vacuum Pan yellow, 16c. per gallon (casks
included).
Oxtoxs—Madeira, $3:00 to $3°50 per 100 tb.
Pea Nurs—American, 7c. per tb. (retail).
Prantains— 24c. to 40c. per bunch.
Poraros, ExcrisH—$3°50 per barrel.
Rice—Ballam, $4:40; Creole, $4°40 per 177 tb., ex store.
Sweer Poraros—Barbados, 96c. per bag, $1-08 per
barrel.
TanniAs—$2°16 per barrel.
Yams—White, $2°28 per bag.
Scucar—Dark Crystals, $2°65 to $2°90; Yellow, $3-00 te
$3°10 ; White, $3°60 to $3°90; Molasses, $2:25 to
$2:40 per 100 tb.
TimbeR—Greenheart, 32c. to 55c. per cubic foot.
WALLABA SHINGLES—$3°00, $3°75, and $5°50 per M.
Trinidad,—November 17, 1904.—Messrs. Gorpoy, Grant
& Co, ; and Messrs. Epcar Tripp & Co.
Cacao—Ordinary, $12:00 to $12°10; Estates, $12-25 to
$12°50; Venezuelan, $1225 to $1250 per fanega
(110 ib.).
Cocoa-Nurs—$19-00 per M., f.o.b.
Cocoa-Nur Om—71le. per Imperial gallon (casks included).
Corree—Venezuelan—No quotations.
Corra—-$3-00 to $3°20 per 100 tb.
ONTONS—$1°60 to $1°80 per 100 th.
Poraros, ENGLisH—75e. to $1°10 per 100 tb.
Rice—Yellow, $425 to $440; White Table, $4°50 to-
$550 per bag.
Vou. III. No. 69. THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS. 399
Publications on sale of the Imperial Department of Agriculture
FOR THE WEST INDIES.
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No. 4. Sea Island Cotton in the United States and the West Indies. Price 6d. each
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PAMPHLET SERIES.
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adapted to West Indian conditions. They contain, amongst other subjects, summaries of the results of the experiment work
-on sugar-cane and manures, the full official reports of which have only a limited circulation. The following list gives particulars
-of all the pamphlets which are still ave aan Be cee anbeaare out of print and can no longer be supplied :—
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a General Treatment of Insect Pests, 2nd. Edition Revised. Price 4d. Post free, 4ld,
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—
Sg SS)
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The ‘AGRICULTURAL NEWS. A Fortnightly Review.
The ‘Agricultural News’ contains extracts from official correspondence and from progress and
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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 ls. 74d. per half-year, or 3s. 3d. per annum. Vols. I and II complete with title page and index as issued.—Price 4s. Post
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Agents.
The following have been appointed agents for the sale of the publications of the Department :—
London: Messrs. Dutau & Co., 37, Soho Square, W. City Agents: THe West Inpra Committers, 15, Seething
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400 THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS. December 3, 1904.
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A FORTNIGHTLY REVIEW
OF THE
IMPERIAL DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE FOR THE WEST INDIES.
Vou. IIT. No. 70.
CONTENTS.
Pace. PAGE.
Agricultural Shows :— Jamaica :—
Forthcoming... ... 413 Exports of ... ... ... 409
Minor Industries in ... 414
Market Reports ... ... 415
Martinique, Exports of 408
Melo-coton see so! Adsl!
Notes and Comments ... 408
Oranges in Porto Rico ... 404
Petroleum Resources of
West Indies ... ... 409
Royal Horticultural
Society’s Exhibition ... 404
Sheep, African Hairy ... 407
Sugar Industry :—
Jamaica Sy ose. eee 41D
Tobago, School ... ... 418
Trinidad, School
Garden ... ... ... 413
Arbor Day :—
Dominica ... ... ... 403
Montserrat ... ... ... 403
Bread-fruit Meal ... ... 404
Citronella Grass in
Ceylon’ W225 a +s. 410
Colonial and Indian
Exhibition ae ee 09.
Cotton Industry :—
Consumption ant Germany ... ... ... 402
Supply... ... ... 405 Jamaica oto. “Boommaceme 0B)
Jamaica sta oto ao SU ‘Male’ Sugar-canes ... 402
Lectures at Antigua ... 408 | Tropical Hygiene,
IRickin ge marscieters een AO) Lectureson ... ... 411
Prospects of Crop... 405 | Vanilla :—
Sea Island Market ... 405 In the Seychelles... 408
Department News... ... 407 Supports for con bog ZED)
West Indian Agricultural
Conference, 1905 :— 401
List of Representatives 406
Programme of Pro-
ceedings ... |... 406
Department Reports,
aMUICAaes ce) oa ALL
Dominica Fruit for
London Exhibitions 404
Fruit Trees, Road-side
planting of =... ... 418 Visits and Excursions 407
Gleanings 412 | West Indian Products in
hondont@iresescs 260 414
Con-
Insect Notes, St. Vincent 410
West Indian Agricultural
ference, 1905.
6 a ae) ‘ P
[SS HE arrangements for the forthcoming Con-
R ference are in course of being completed,
: and there is every prospect that it
will be even more successful than any of its pre-
decessors, As already announced, the Conference will
BARBADOS, DECEMBER 17, 1904.
Price ld.
be opened in the Council Chamber at the Prince’s
Buildings, Port-of-Spain, Trinidad, on Wednesday,
January 4, and it will probably close on Wednesday or
Thursday in the following week, viz. on January
11 or 12.
The Conference will thus extend over several
days. At previous Conferences, owing to the difficulty
with regard to steamer services, two days only were
available. This, therefore, is the first occasion on
which it will be possible for the Representatives to
deal fully and exhaustively with the numerous and
important subjects brought before them. Hitherto,
owing to the limited time at their disposal, some
subjects on the programme of proceedings had to be
omitted altogether, while the discussion on others had
to be compressed within such narrow limits as to
greatly lessen its value.
The Representatives will consist, as heretofore, of
the principal officers connected with the Chemical,
Botanical and Educational services, and the scientific
officers on the staff of the Imperial Department of
Agriculture. The Representatives of the Agricultural
Boards and of the chief Agricultural Societies in the
West Indies have in many cases already been appointed,
and there is little doubt that in this respect the
forthcoming Conference will be reinforeed by members
of the planting community whose recommendations
and opinions will be listened to with due attention.
The total number of Representatives will probably
be less than on previous occasions, no doubt owing
to the longer time they will be required to be
absent from their homes. On the other hand, those
402
THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.
DrEceMBER 17, 1904.
appointed are men of wide experience and knowledge,
and with their assistance the results of the Conference
cannot fail to advance the interests of these colonies,
A glance at the provisional programme of proceed-
ings published in another column will show the
importance of the subjects likely to be brought forward
and discussed. As usual, the condition and prospects of
the sugar industry are the first topics for discussion.
Taking into consideration the very extensive series of
experiments that have been carried on for several years
with the view of raising new and richer varieties of
canes and improving the commercial yield of sugar by
means of artificial and other manures, the results to
be submitted at this Conference should prove of
special interest. The cacao industry, it 1s evident,
would well repay any efforts that are made to keep the
trees in good health and increase their productiveness.
Experiments in this direction have already been
started on successful lines. The use of cacao driers for
drying the crops by artificial heat in unfavourable
seasons is gradually extending. It would be useful to
have the results so far attained clearly placed before
the Conference.
The very successful cultivation of fruit in Jamaica
has stimulated other colonies to endeavour to establish
a fruit industry. Efforts at Barbados and Trinidad
are full of promise and are likely to be prominently
brought before the Conference. ‘The cotton industry,
on the lines now carried on, is comparatively new.
The prospects of the present crop are so encouraging—
that is, in localities suited to the requirements of the
cotton plant—that everything of practical value
connected with the industry would be a welcome
addition to our knowledge of the subject. Amongst
subjects of a general character papers on Agricultural
Banks, on Rubber Plantations, on the occurrence of
Anthrax, on the Hairy or Woolless Sheep of the West
Indies, and on the local manufacture of Cocoa-nut oil
may be cited as indicating the wide range of topics to
be submitted for discussion outside the staple indus-
tries of these colonies.
It would be impossible to omit the consideration
of the valuable work that is being carried on, every-
where, with the view of introducing the teaching of
the principles of Agriculture into the Primary and
Secondary Schools in the West Indies. In some
colonies this work has received considerable attention
and striking results such as those that have arisen in
connexion with School Gardens and School Shows at
Trinidad deserve to be prominently brought before the
Conference.
The question whether or not Praedial Larceny is
to be discussed in its general bearing on agricultural
progress will probably be submitted for decision by
the Representatives after their arrival at Trinidad.
It only remains to express the hope that all who
are appointed to take part in the coming Conference
will carefully study the provisional programme of
proceedings and that they will do all that is possible
to obtain such facts and figures as appertain to their
respective colonies before they leave for the Conference.
It may be added that it would greatly contribute to
the interest and success of the Conference if specimens
and samples were brought for exhibition, as well as to
illustrate the remarks of the speakers
AR INDU
‘Male’ - Sugar-canes.
In a previous issue of the Agricultural News (Vol. I,
p- 325), mention was made of the occurrence of so-called ‘male’
or ‘man’ sugar-canes in Antigua. Dr. Watts, who examined
these specimens, stated that they were simply canes in which
the side buds (‘eyes’) were slightly, or not at all, developed.
Mr. J. R. Bovell, Agricultural Superintendent at Barbados,
recently found some of these ‘male’ canes in the fields at
Dodds Experiment Station. An examination of these
specimens shows that the degree of suppression of the buds
varies. In some cases these are normal at one or two nodes
of a cane, and suppressed at all the others. In other cases
a few of the buds can just be made out on very careful
examination, while at the other nodes not the least trace of
a bud is to be discovered. The variety of sugar-cane in this
instance is B. 3,661. So far as is known, no explanation has
been offered of this phenomenon.
Germany.
The Consular Report on the trade of Germany
for the first half-year of 1904 has the following
reference to the sugar industry :—
The sugar industry is seriously affected by the Brussels
Sugar Convention, which, as was anticipated, checks the
export of the formerly bounty-fed beet root sugar. The
imports and exports for the last three years were as
follows :—
Imports in
metric tons.
Exports in
metric tons.
1904/1903'1902
131) 108} 88
| Raw sugar
Refined and
| other kinds) 696
452 309,755
584,395
462|| 213,191
296,547
| Total | 827] 5601 550 444,719
Vou. III. No. 70. THK
AGRICULTURAL
NEWS. 403
The total production of sugar in Germany (calculated as
raw sugar) was from
Sept. 1, 1903, to June 30, 1904, 1,896,644 metric tons.
Aug. 1, 1902, to June 30, 1903, 1,733,660 ,, -
Aug. 1, 1901, to June 30, 1902, 2,269,896 _,, 45
The reduction of home prices, consequent upon the
considerable abatement of the inland tax and the import
duty, has increased the consumption nearly 50 per cent.
Jamaica.
In the last issue of the Agricultural News we
published a short note on the prospects of the sugar
industry of Jamaica. That there is a more hopeful
outlook for this industry in that island appears to be
confirmed by the following extract from the Annual
Report of the Collector General. Special reference is
made to the progress of cane farming :—
The injury caused by the storm to this industry was
comparatively slight, owing to the fact that the main sugar
districts were out of the area visited by the storm, but
this crop has nevertheless suffered much by drought, and
a shrinkage has to be recorded in the year’s transactions.
This is unfortunate, especially when it is remembered what
a struggling industry this has been, but much is hoped from
the abolition of the bounties in restoring the value of this
industry, an industry that once placed Jamaica on the
list of wealthy places. Possessing a soil suitable to
the growing of the sugar-cane, Jamaica should be able to
hold her own in the sugar markets of the world. The old
troublesome problem of sufficient labour is one, however,
still to be solved. Possibly the difficulty will be overcome
in the near future by the peasantry taking seriously to cane
farming, and in this connexion it may be interesting to
note, that in Westmoreland the peasantry are planting canes
for the purpose of supplying estates wherever land is ayail-
able, and the canes so grown find a ready sale at 8s. per ton.
One estate bought during the year 2,400 tons of small-
settlers’ canes, while in another instance, 50 tons were
purchased. There is also promise in St. Elizabeth and
Clarendon of an increasing trade between the peasant cane
farmer and the estate.
The question of finding new markets for our sugar
is also one that must be faced sooner or later, in view
of the reciprocity treaty recently entered into between
the United States of America and Cuba. Canada offers
special advantages to British cane sugar entering the
Canadian markets, and the preference amounting to about
£1 a ton allowed by that country on British cane sugar
should draw this product to the Canadian markets ; the sugar
planters to secure this advantage would, however, be required
to make such arrangements in obtaining a direct entrance
into that market that would prevent the Canadian refiners
from uniting to secure the preference to themselves.
The effect of the removal of the beet bounties is already
showing itself in the increase in the consumptive capacity of
Europe and America, and it is estimated that the world’s con-
sumption of sugar during the current year will show an increase
of as much as 700,000 tons. This growing demand for
a larger supply of sugar promises a ready market at better
prices and may be taken as the silver lining to the cloud of
depression that has long hung over this industry. These
changed circumstances should puta check to the abandon-
ment of sugar estates which has been going on year after
year, and induce proprietors to replace antiquated plants by
modern machinery and thus enable our sugar to be produced
ata price that will not hamper competition,
ARBOR DAY.
Montserrat.
Mr. A. J. Jordan, Curator of the Botanic Station,
has forwarded the following brief report on Arbor Day
celebrations in Montserrat :—
Owing to local circumstances, it was found advisable to
celebrate Arbor Day on different dates in the different
districts. In Plymouth, November 7 was observed, and the
children from the three schools assembled at the Court
House at 10 a.m., and after addresses by his Honour the
Commissioner and the Inspector of Schools on the objects of
the observance of Arbor Day, they marched to the
Windward Road leading from the town, and there planted
young trees of locust and Acacia arabica. They then
marched to ‘The Hill’ and planted mangos, seeded bread
fruits (Artocarpus incisa, var. seminifera), and avocado
pears.
On November 18 trees were planted at Harris Village
by the children of St. George’s school. Addresses were given
by his Honour the Commissioner and the Inspector of
Schools, and the trees were planted on a plot of Jand used as
a playground for the school. The trees planted were Casua-
rina, mahogany, locust, Acacia arabica, and Spanish oak.
A label, with the names of the children who planted it, and
the date of planting, is being placed by the Manager of the
school, before each tree to retain the interest of the children.
On November 21, Arbor Day was celebrated at Kinsale
and St Patrick’s. The children from Kinsale school marched
to Fairfield Road and planted locust, Acacia arabica,
Casuarina, and galba. At St. Patrick’s the trees were
planted on a piece of land adjoining the school. Addresses
were given as on previous occasions. The trees used were
date palms, mahogany, locust, Gliricidia maculata, Lagos
silk rubber, Sesbania, Acacia arabica, and Casuarina. The
Curator and staff of the Agricultural Department assisted in
each district.
Trees were also planted at Cavalla Hill and Bethel
schools, and also by several of the adult inhabitants upon
their own land. Altogether 220 trees were distributed from
Grove Station for the purpose of Arbor Day celebration.
Dominica.
The following is a brief account, forwarded by
Mr. A. J. Brooks, Acting Curator of the Botanic
Station, of celebrations in the country districts of
Dominica. The celebrations in Roseau were referred
to in our last issue (p. 390) :—
Arbor Day was celebrated in the country districts on
December 1. Every school in the island took part in the
movement. The planters in each district co-operated with
the schools on this occasion.
In some cases the planters provided the plants for their
own district. This was the case at Belvedere where Mr. P.
Cox supplied plants of Castilloa clastica for planting along
the public road.
The following plants were used on this occasion and
distributed by the Botanic Station :—
Castilloa elastica and Funtumia elastica, mahogany
(Swietenia Mahagoni), Eucalyptus punctata, saman (Pithe-
colobium Saman), locust (Hymenaea Courbaril), Cassia
Fistula, Cassia siamea, almonds (Terminalia Catappa),
and palms (Areca Catechu),
404 THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.
Decemper 17, 1904.
Weot INDIAN FRUIT.
DOMINICA FRUIT FOR LONDON
EXHIBITIONS.
Mr. A. J. Brooks, Acting Curator of the Botanic
Station, Dominica, writes as follows :—
The Dominica Agricultural Society forwarded by the
mail leaving Dominica on November 11, 20 cases of fruits,
ete., for the Royal Horticultural Society’s Colonial Fruit
Exhibition to be held in London on December 13 and 14.
The cases contained :—
Mangosteens, carambolas, bananas (16 hands each
bunch), limes, oranges (Washington navels, sweet and Seville),
shaddocks, grape fruit, citrons, papaws, etc. Also samples of
all citrus oils and juices, besides a splendid exhibit of various
flours and meals, including banana flour, ginger powder,
corn flour, clove powder, tumeric powder, pumpkin flour,
cinnamon powder, tannia starch, arrowroot, etc.
ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY'S
FRUIT EXHIBITION AWARDS.
We extract from the Public
December 13, the following list of awards secured by
the West Indies at the above exhibition :—
The following awards have been made in connexion
with the exhibition of Colonial fruit at the Royal Horti-
cultural Hall. The Royal Horticultural Society’s gold medal
for Dominica and Barbados fruit, and Jamaica garden oranges
shown by the West India Committee. A gold medal for
preserves and a silver gilt medal for fruit to James Philip
& Co., and a silver gilt medal to the Royal Mail Steam Packet
Company for their display of West Indian fruits.
ORANGES IN PORTO RICO.
dulletin No. 4 of the Porto Rico Agricultural Experi-
ment Station deals with the propagation and marketing of
oranges. It is stated that the cultivation of oranges in Porto
tico on a commercial scale has commenced since the
American occupation and has not yet gone beyond the
experimental stage. It is estimated that fully 6,000 acres
have already been planted in budded trees secured either
from Florida or local nurseries.
The orange having been grown for many years from
seed, the fruits exhibit a great variation in quality. While
some of the fruits are quite worthless, a few are as fine as
«an be found in California or Florida. It is recommended
Telegrams of
that growers should rather propagate from such trees as
these than plant Jarge areas with trees budded from
varieties that are new to the island.
The bulletin has therefore been prepared with the view
of instructing small growers throughout the island.
Detailed instructions are given as to the propagation of
oranges by budding, and the formation of a grove. The
writer also devotes some attention to working over old trees.
The methods suggested in this connexion are crown grafting,
top grafting, top budding, dormant budding, inarching, and
bridge grafting. It is stated that, although it may seem
wasteful to cut down a large tree bearing a comparatively
good grade of fruit, it is astonishing how soon after working
over the same tree will bear as large a crop of much finer
fruit.
The directions are accompanied throughout with
excellent illustrations which greatly enhance the value of the
bulletin. This also applies to the instructions as to picking,
grading, and marketing. Growers are warned not to ship
inferior fruit: ‘No fruit should be shipped out of Porto
Rico unless it is of the very best quality and has been
carefully graded and packed. A box of fruit generally sells
in the market on the merit of the poorest specimens contained
in it.’
BREAD-FRUIT MEAL.
The following is the result of an analysis by Prof-
essor J. P. d’Albuquerque of a sample of bread-fruit
meal from St. Lucia :—
Moisture ane ag one Se 12°13
Oil = Bs Jes tee j19833
Albuminoids* ... 308 aae as 35]
Mucilage, starch, ete. t me aa 77-00
Indigestible fibre che ane mee 3°98
Ash + so a ae oe 2-05
100-00
* Containing nitrogen ... vs ao) SNA
ai . Starchesnes fs -.. 68°81
aT es phosphoric anhydride... -21
7 - potash... sed =» 00
T ‘s insoluble siliceous matter 34
Value in units ane are 89
1 to 22-09
Professor d’Albuquerque remarks: ‘This is a well
prepared specimen of bread-fruit meal.’
Albuminoid ratio
Vou. III. No. 70.
THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.
COTTON INDUSTRY.
Prospects of the Crop.
Arrangements have been made for fortnightly
reports to be sent in by the agricultural officer in each
of the West India Islands in which cotton is being
grown briefly reviewing the condition of the crop. The
following is a short summary of the reports received by
last mail :—
In Barbados, Mr. Bovell reports that the four inspectors
who have been visiting and assisting the peasant proprietors
have found that about 100 acres of cotton are being grown
by peasants. The cotton, all over the island, appears to be in
a healthy condition, and only in a very few instances have
caterpillars been seen.
Mr. Jordan’s report from Montserrat shows that pests—
the cotton worm and the leaf-blister mite—have attacked the
cotton, but that they have been kept in check and have not
done serious damage. The black boll is present.
Similarly we learn from Mr. Shepherd that in St. Kitt’s
the plants are bearing well and ripening up rapidly ; they are,
on the whole, free from disease and insects.
In St. Vincent, Mr. Alexander Fraser has been appointed
special emergency officer in connexion with the cotton
industry. He has been actively engaged, with experiments
that are being carried on at Rutland Vale for checking the
attacks of the leaf-blister mite.
Jamaica.
Mr. John Barclay has submitted the following
report on the prospects of cotton growing in Jamaica
in continuation of the report published in the Agri-
cultural News, Vol. III, p. 373 :—
I have been making up statistics for Messrs. Oliver and
Stancliffe and I find there is not much to add to what
I reported before. Everybody has been waiting to see how
the spring crops turn out and to hear the reports as to
quality and price. Our cotton experiments have not had
a fair chance as we took up the matter too late to catch the
best planting time. Still a good many estates have
done exceedingly well, but this lateness in planting and
waiting for results made few people plant in the fall, and
those who have planted, I am afraid, planted late again.
But if the reports as to the quality by the cotton experts are
satisfactory, it is very likely that there will be extensive
plantings in March and April.
I have sent out enough seed to plant 778 acres, but
many of the experiments have been abortive and many
people did not plant all the seed. I do not think there are
more than 50 acres altogether of Egyptian, and probably
400 to 500 in Sea Island at the present time, and some of
that forms the first ratoon crop of what was planted last
season. Mr. Oliver has reported against growing a ratoon
crop, as it does not produce a good quality of cotton.
There will therefore be very little Jamaica cotton
exported before the month of April next. I hope, however,
that in the proper season, March and April, there will
be extensive plantings.
I have already submitted some samples to Mr. Oliver.
He tested them yesterday [November 27] when he declared
that three samples from Dr. Pringle’s estates in St. Mary,
where cotton was grown as a catch-crop among young
bananas, were exceedingly fine, the value running from
ls. 2d. to 1s. 4d. per tb. The other samples submitted
varied, but some of them were also very good.
Consumption and Supply of Cotton.
The Journal of the Khedivial Agricultural
Society (Vol. VI, no. 4) contains the following note
by Mr. G. P. Foaden relative to the consumption and
supply of cotton —-
During the last twenty years the consumption of cotton
in the Southern United States has increased 1,607,000 hales,
or 509 per cent.; the consumption in the North increased by
762,000 bales or 59 per cent.; and in the whole country,
2,369,000 bales, or nearly 148 per cent.
During this period the United States increased its
cotton crop nearly 54 miliion bales, or about 96 per cent.;
India’s crop increased 14 million bales (of 400 tb. each), or
73 per cent.; the Egyptian crop by 570,000 bales (of 500 tb.
each), or 75 per cent.; Russia, which formerly drew so largely
on America tor raw cotton, is now supplying her own mills
with 200,000 to 300,000 bales grown in her Trans-Caspian
provinces.
The consumption of cotton in Europe has been increased
by 23 million bales, or about 200 per cent. Japan has
erected mills consuming 600,000 to 700,000 bales annually,
of which nearly 25 per cent. is American. The world’s
consumption of cotton has increased nearly 7 million bales,
or about 94 per cent., and the United States, which is the
largest producer, has become also the largest consumer of
cotton.
Picking Cotton.
The following remarks on the picking of cotton,
made by Mr. E. Lomas Oliver, of the Deputation from
the British Cotton-growing Association, deserve careful
consideration by all growers of cotton :—
This point is probably the one which will require
greater devotion to detail and more constant supervision on
the part of planters than any other.
Good cotton may easily be depreciated 2d. or 3d. per lb.
by careless and slovenly picking. The man who follows
his pickers while at their work, until they are thoroughly
educated as to what is required, is the man who will earn the
highest reputation as a cotton grower.
The pickers must pick the cotton dry, clean, and free
from leaf and trash : they must pick the cotton ripe, as no
spinner likes to spin unripe cotton. When the cotton is
perfectly ripe, the bolls will be fully open, and the cotton can
be extracted from the boll without the employment of any
force. If a planter will open a green pod and examine the
fibre while the seeds are white, he will find that he can rub
the fibres into a paste: in exactly the same manner the
cotton-spinning machinery rubs the soft, unripe cotton into
a spongy mass which is called ‘nep.’ It was this soft,
spongy fibre which was so prominent a feature of West
Indian cotton last year. Growers must learn to distinguish
between cotton which is soft and cotton which is fine; the
former is a defect, the latter is very desirable.
Sea Island Cotton Market. The following note
is from the Sea Island Cotton Report of Messrs. H. W.
Frost & Co., dated, Charleston, S. C., December 3:—‘The
market remains steady and unchanged with a continued
demand for all of the receipts of odd bags at 27c. and
28c. to 285c. We quote: fine to fully fine, 27c. ; fully fine
to extra fine, 28c. to 284c. ; extra fine crop lots, 3le. to 32c. ;
extra extra-fine crop lots at 40c. to 55c.’ In comparison
with this, it should be noted that Upland cotton was quoted
on December 13 in the Liverpool market at 44d. per tb.
406
THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.
DerceMBER 17, 1904.
WEST INDIAN AGRICULTURAL CONFERENCE
1905.
The following is a provisional list of the Repre-
sentatives likely to be present at the Agricultural
Conference to be held at Trinidad from January 4 to
January 12 next. his list will be revised in accord-
ance with the further information to be received by
the mails to-day :—
President.
Sir Daniel Morris, K.C.M.G., M.A., D.C.L., D.Sce.,
F.L.S., Imperial Commissioner of Agriculture for the West
Indies.
Representatives.
JAMAICA.
The Director of Public Gardens and Plantations (the
Hon. William Fawcett, B.Sc., F.L.S.). The Representative
of the Board of Agriculture (the Hon. Henry Cork).
BRITISH GUIANA.
The Representative of the Board of Agriculture (the
Hon. B. Howell Jones). The Superintendent of the Botanic
Gardens (A. W. Bartlett Esq., B.A. B.Sc., F.L.S.).
The Lecturer in Agriculture (E. W. F. English Esq., B.A.).
The Assistant Instructor in Agriculture (J. E. Beckett Esq.).
TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO.
Representatives of the Trinidad Agricultural Society :—
Peter Abel Esq. (Usine St. Madeleine), J. G. de Gannes
Esq., and Edgar Tripp Esq., Secretary. The Government
Analyst and Professor of Chemistry (Professor P. Carmody,
F.1.C., F.C.S.). The Superintendent of the Royal Botanic
Gardens (J. H. Hart Esq., F.L.S.). The Principal of Queen’s
Royal College (W. Burslem Esq., M.A.). The Principal of
the College of the Immaculate Conception (the Rev.
Father Neville).
Additional Representatives for Trinidad :—The Hon. G.
Townsend Fenwick, C.M.G., and the Rey. Dr. Morton.
Representatives for Tobago :—The Hon. H. L. Thornton,
Tm i. "M. Orde Esq., J.P:, and the Curator of the
Botanic Station, Tobago (Henry Millen Esq.).
WINDWARD ISLANDS.
Representative of the Grenada Agricultural Society
(the Hon. D. S. De Freitas). The Inspector of Schools,
Grenada (J. A. Harbin Esq.}.
Representative of the St. Vincent Cotton Growers’
Association (the Hon. Conrad J. Simmons). The Agri-
cultural Superintendent, St. Vincent (W. N. Sands Esq.).
Representatives of the St. Lucia Agricultural Society :—
The Hon. E. Du Boulay and C. R. Kennaway Esq. ‘The
Agricultural Instructor, St. Lucia (George 8. Hudson Esq.).
BARBADOS,
Representatives of the Barbados Agricultural Society :—
The Hon. Forster M. Alleyne, Vice-President, and
The Island Professor of Chemistry in chemical charge of
Sugarcane Experiments (Professor J. P. d’Albuquerque,
M.A., F.LC., F.C.S.). The Agricultural Superintendent of
Sugar-cane Experiments (J. R. Bovell Esq., F.L.S., F.C.8.).
The Head Master of Harrison College (Horace Deighton Esq.,
M.A., F.R.A.S.).
LEEWARD ISLANDS.
The Government Analytical Chemist and Superintendent
of Agriculture (the Hon. Francis Watts, C.M.G.,
D.Se., F.I.C., F.C.S.). Dr. H. A. Alford Nicholls, C.M.G.,
M.D., F.L.S., ete, Author of ‘Tropical Agriculture,’
Dominica. The Officer-in-charge of the Agricultural School,
Dominica (Archibald Brooks Esq.). His Honour the
Commissioner, Montserrat (F.H. Watkins Esq., I.8.0.). The
Resident Magistrate and President of the Agricultural Society,
Nevis (the Hon. C. A. Shand). The Agricultural
Superintendent, St. Kitt’s-Nevis (F. R. Shepherd Esq.).
OFFICERS OF THE IMPERIAL DEPARTMENT OF
FOR THE WEST INDIES.
Imperial Commissioner of Agriculture for the West
Indies (Sir Daniel Morris, K.C.M.G., M.A., D.C.L., D.Se.,
F.L.8.). Scientific Assistant (W. KR. Buttenshaw Esq.,
M.A.,B.Sce.). Mycologist and Agricultural Lecturer (LL. Lewton-
Brain Esq., B.A., F.L.S.). Entomologist (Henry A. Ballou
Esq., B.Sc.).
Honorary Secretaries to the Conference—W. R. Butten-
shaw Esq., M.A., B.Se., and Alleyne Graham Howell Esq.
AGRICULTURE
Programme of Proceedings.
The following is a preliminary programme of the
subjects likely to be brought forward and discussed at
the Conference :—
The Representatives appointed to attend this Conference
will be received in the Council Chamber, Princes’ Buildings,
Port-of-Spain, Trinidad, by his Excellency the Governor
(Sir Henry M. Jackson, K.C. M.G.) at 12 noon on
Wednesday, January 4, 1905.
SUGAR INDUSTRY.
if Results of recent experiments with Seedling
Canes and Manurial Experiments in the West Indies.
(Brief papers with discussion.)
I. Review of the principal Fungoid Diseases
affecting the Sugar-cane. (Mr. L. Lewton-Brain, B.A., F.L.S.)
III. review of the treatment of Insect Pests affect-
ing the Sugar-cane. (Mr. Henry A. Ballou, B.Sc.).
Vie Field treatment of cane tops for planting
purposes.
: Cane farming at British Guiana and Trinidad.
(The Hon. B. Howell Jones and Professor P. Carmody.)
Wile On the polarometric determination of Sucrose.
(The Hon. Francis Watts, C.M.G., ete., and Mr. Harold A.
Tempany, B.Sc., A.I.C.)
WUE On the Central Sugar Factory in course of being
erected at Antigua. (The Hon. Francis Watts, C.M.G., ete.)
CACAO INDUSTRY.
VIIL. Experiments in improving the health and _pro-
ductiveness of Cacao trees in the West Indies.
IX. Cacao-drying houses and the results so far
attained.
X. Cacao cultivation and green dressing.
FRUIT INDUSTRY.
dle The Fruit Industries of Jamaica, Barbados,
Trinidad, and other parts of the West Indies.
(Brief papers and discussion.)
COTTON INDUSTRY.
XI. Results of experiments in the cultivation of
cotton at Barbados, St. Vincent, the Leeward Islands, and
other colonies. (Brief statements and discussion.)
XII. = The principal Diseases of Cotton, and the best
means of controlling them. (Mr. Henry A. Ballou, B.Se.,
and Mr. L. Lewton-Brain, B.A., F.L.S.)
GENERAL SUBJECTS.
XIV. Agricultural Banks. (The Hon. William Faw-
cett, B.Se., F.L.S.)
XV. Review of efforts to establish plantations of
rubber-yielding trees in the West Indies.
407
Vou. III. No. 70. THE “AGRICULTURAL NEWS.
XVI. The manufacture of Cocoa-nut oil in the West AFRICAN HAIRY SHEEP.
Indies. (Mr. W. Greig.)
XVII. The occurrence of Anthrax and the best means
of controlling it. (Dr. C. W. Branch and Mr. H. A. Ballou.)
XVIII. The Hairy or Woolless Sheep of the West
Indies. (Mr. W. R. Buttenshaw, M.A., B.Sc.)
XIX. The Present Position of Rice Cultivation in
the West Indies.
XX. The influence of the soil on the special qualities
of Agricultural Produce. (Mr. J. H. Hart, F.L.S.)
XXI. Are the special qualities possessed by individual
plants sufficiently regarded! (Mr. J. H. Hart, F.L.S.)
XXII. Butter-making at Trinidad—with exhibits.
(Mr. C. W. Meaden.)
EDUCATIONAL SUBJECTS.
XXIII. The Results of efforts to introduce the teach-
ing of the principles of Agricultural Science into the Colleges
and Schools in the West Indies. (Brief statements and
discussion.)
XXIV. School Gardens and School Shows in Trinidad.
(Mr. J. H. Collens, Inspector of Schools.)
XXY. Higher Agricultural Education at Trinidad.
(Professor P. Carmody, F.I.C., F.C.S.)
Visits and Excursions.
The members of the Trinidad Agricultural Society
are arranging for excursions to places of interest. The
following are amongst the probable arrangements in
regard to visits and excursions :—
Wednesday, January 4, 4.30 p.m.—Reception by Lady
Jackson at Government House and visit to the Royal
Botanic Gardens.
Thursday, January 5, 4.30 to 6 p.m.—Visit to the
St. Clair Experiment Station; Mr. J. H. Hart, F.L.S., will
meet visitors and show the various objects of interest.
Saturday, January 7.—A day’s excursion to the Usine
St. Madeleine, via San Fernando, proceeding afterwards to
Princes’ Town to lunch.
Monday, January 9.-—Afternoon visit to Mr. Hoadley’s
cacao estate at Chaguanas to inspect a new steam-drying
plant for cacao: also a factory for preparing concentrated
lime juice and distilled oil.
Tuesday, January 10.—Probable all-day excursion by
steamer to the Pitch Lake at La Brea.
Wednesday, January i11.—Afternoon visit to the
Government Stock Farm at Valsayn. The annual sale of
stock is fixed for this date. Catalogues of the sale may be
obtained on application to the Secretaries of the Conference.
Thursday, January 12.—Afternoon visit to the fine
cacao estate of Messrs. Borde Bros. at La Horqueta, and, if
time permits, on to the newly opened district of Sangre
Grande. The members of the Agricultural Society have
kindly undertaken all arrangements for the entertainment of
Representatives at the excursions on January 7, 10 and 12.
Bee Keeping in Bosnia. His Majesty’s Consul-
General at Serajevo reports : ‘Great attention is being paid to
the keeping of bees in this country, which promises to be
very lucrative. Under the auspices of the Government an
association, which already numbers 2,500 members, has been
formed for the promotion of this industry, to which the
Government contributes 4,000 kr. (£167) annually.
There are already 6,000 hives on the most approved modern
principles, and the honey produced is excellent.’
The following interesting note on African hairy
sheep, also known as Barbados woolless sheep, by
Mr. R. Lydekker, F.R.S., appeared in The Field of
October 8 :—
Those interested in the origin of our domesticated
breeds of sheep should pay a visit to the Natural History
Museum to inspect a very remarkable type which has just
been added to the collection in the North Hall. The
specimen in question is a ram of the red, hairy breed of
sheep native to the West Coast of Africa, whence it has been
exported to Barbados, the birthplace of the present example.
Although an adult ram, the museum specimen has no signs
of horns, but I believe these appendages are developed, in
some instances at any rate, in the original African breed.
The most striking features of the Barbados ram (which by
the way, was presented to the museum by the Commissioner
of Agriculture for the West Indies) are, firstly, the uniformly
foxy-red colour of the coat, and, secondly, the short and
hairy nature of the latter, which displays no tendency to
woolliness, and is almost exactly similar to the summer coat
of the wild mufflon or oorial. The head is, in fact, almost
identical in form and general appearence with that of
a female of one of those two species, and thus quite different
from the long and slender head of the African wild sheep or
oodad, which has been regarded by some as the ancestral
stock of the domesticated breeds. The tail, too, is much
shorter than in European domesticated sheep, not reaching
to within a considerable distance of the hocks. From the
uniform colour of the coat if would seem probable that the
breed is more nearly related to the oorial than to the mufflon,
and if the former were originally domesticated in Persia, it
might well have been introduced into Africa by way of Syria.
Be that as it may, it seems most likely that in the West
African breed we have the earlier stock of the more specialized
woolly breeds of Europe. An instructive case has just
been arranged in the museum to exhibit some of the most
extreme types of domesticated sheep. The exhibits include
the above-mentioned hairy breed, the fatrumped Hedjaz
sheep, the four-horned African, the spiral-horned Wallachian,
the Scotch mountain, the Leicester, and the Shropshire
breeds.
It may be mentioned that at the request of the
Chief of the Bureau of Animal Industry, a number of
these sheep were procured by the Imperial Commis-
sioner of Agriculture for the United States Department
of Agriculture and shipped from Barbados to New York
in July last. The animals arrived in excellent con-
dition and have since been reported to be doing well
in Tennessee. As mentioned elsewhere in this issue,
this breed of sheep will form the subject of a discussion
at the forthcoming West Indian Agricultural Con-
ference at Trinidad.
DEPARTMENT NEWS.
Mr. Joseph Jones, Curator of the Botanic Station
at Dominica, who has been on leave of absence since
June 2, returned to the West Indies in R. M.S.
‘Atrato’ and resumed his duties on December 6.
Mr. J. C. Moore, Agricultural Superintendent at
St. Lucia, also returned in the same steamer and
resumed his duties on December 6.
408 THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.
December 17, 1904.
EDITORIAL NOTICES.
Letters and matter for publication, as well
as all specimens for naming, should be addressed
to the Commissioner, Imperial Department of
Agriculture, Barbados.
All applications for copies of the ‘Agri-
cultural News’ should be addressed to the
Agents, and not to the Department.
Local Agents: Messrs. Bowen & Sons, Bridge-
town, Barbados. London Agents : Messrs. Dulau &
Co., 37, Soho Square, W., and The West India Com-
mittee, 15, Seething Lane, E.C. A complete list of
Agents will be found at foot of page 399 of this volume.
The Agricultural News: Price 1d. per number,
post free 13d. Annual subscription payable to Agents,
s. 2d. Post free, 3s. 3d.
Agricultural News
wes
Vou. Ill. SATURDAY, DECEMBER 17, 1904. No. 70.
NOTES AND COMMENTS.
Contents of Present Issue.
In the editorial to the present issue further infor-
mation is given as to the arrangements that are in
course of being made for the fifth West Indian
Agricultural Conference. The provisional list of
representatives and programme of proceedings will be
found on pp. 406-7, as well as a list of excursions and
visits that are being arranged.
The present position of the sugar trade in
Germany is reviewed on p. 402. There has been
a considerable increase ia the consumption of sugar.
A further note on the improved prospects of the
industry in Jamaica will be found on p. 403.
Further notes on Arbor Day celebrations appear
on p. 403. These relate to Dominica and Montserrat.
The prospects of the cotton crop in the West
Indies are briefly reviewed on p. 405; also the prospects
in Jamaica. A note on the consumption of cotton and
directions by Mr. Oliver as to how cotton should be
picked will also be found on this page.
On p. 407 will be found an interesting note
from The Field on the Barbados breed of Woolless or
Hairy Sheep.
Notes on several recent Agricultural and School
Garden Shows are published on p. 413; also a list of
shows to be keld early next year under the auspices of
the Imperial Department of Agriculture.
Mr. J. R. Jackson’s usnal monthly report on the
London Drug and Spice Markets will be found on
p. 414.
Lectures on Cotton in Antigua.
The Hon. F. Watts has reported upon the series
of illustrated lectures on cotton cultivation in Antigua.
Altogether twelve lectures have been delivered in that
island; two by Mr. W. H. Patterson, Curator of the
Botanic Station, and the others by clergymen of the
various denominations in their respective schoolrooms.
These gentlemen based their remarks largely upon the
information contained in the pamphlet, A. B. C. of
Cotton Planting. ‘The lantern slides provided by the
Imperial Department of Agriculture were used to
illustrate all the lectures.
On the whole, considerable interest was taken by
cotton growers in these lectures, and it is likely that
they will bear fruit as cotton cultivation extends in
Antigua.
$$ +
Vanilla in the Seychelles.
In the Annual Report on the Seychelles consider-
able attention is devoted to the position of the trade in
vanilla, which is still, im value, the most important
article of cultivation for export. A table is published
giving figures as to the exports and prices of this
article, ‘with a special view of illustrating the risks
Which attend the cultivation of tropical products for
which there is only a limited market. From 1898-
1900 prices were very high (30-33 rupees per kilo.)
owing to the expansion in demand; there followed
a decline to 8} rupees in 1903, owing to the reaction
when manufacturers found the price too high and had
recourse to substitutes, Now planters have to face the
possible use of the substitute ‘vanillin, of which an
account has been given in the Agricultural News
(Vol. IIL, p. 103). As a result, planters are turning
their attention to the cultivation of other tropical
products.
oe
Exports of Martinique.
The Consular Report ou the trade of Martinique
for 1903 has recently been issued. The value of the
exports shows a decrease of £65,231 compared with
that of the previous year.
The exports of sugar show a decrease of 5,906
tons in quantity, and of £61,679 in value. This
decrease is stated to be due to a variety of causes, the
chief being the low price of sugar. The crop of 1903-4
promises to be still smaller owing to the damage done
to the young plants by the cyclone of August 1903, In
1903, 53,982 gallons less rum were exported; better
prices, however, prevailing, £26,518 more were realized
than in 1902.
The cacao plantations suffered much from the
volcanic eruptions of 1902 and the cyclone of 1903.
The exports of this product were 6,339 cwt., or
1,934 ewt. less than in 1902. Furthermore, as the
plantations are situated within the zone of possible
devastation from voleanic eruptions, it is not likely
that the cultivation of cacao will be extended for the
present. It is interesting to observe that the northern
parts of the island, which were not devastated, but
were evacuated as a measure of precaution, have been
gradually re-occupied.
-_ =
Vou. III. No. 70.
THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS. 409
Arbor Day Celebrations.
In the last issue of the Agricultural News
we published brief accounts of the celebration of
Arbor Day in several of the West India Islands on
the King’s birthday, November 9. In the present
issue are two further notes, one upon the celebrations
in Montserrat where tree planting was carried out in
several districts, and the other in reference to tree
planting in the country districts of Dominica.
From these accounts it will be seen that this
matter has been taken up in these islands with consid-
erable enthusiasm. In all cases suitable addresses
were given with the object of explaining clearly the
purpose of the Arbor Day movement.
a + or
Exports of Jamaica.
The Annual Report of the Collector General, which
appears as a supplement to the Jamaica Gazette of
November 17, contains interesting information as to
the exports of the island’s products during the year
ended March 31 last. As was only to be expected,
the returns show the disastrous effect of the hurricane
of August 1903.
Cocoa-nuts show a decrease in value from £67,902
in 1903 to £49,899 in 1904; bananas, from £1,134,750
to £585,243; citrus fruits, from £110,742 to £81,269 ;
pimento, £91,997 to £88,847 ; sugar and rum, £324,242
to £218,750 ; coffee, £130,775 to £112,085 ; and cacao,
£65,284 to £41,540.
On the other hand, an improvement is to be
noticed in the following articles: kola nuts, from £243
in 1903 to £781 in 1904; walking sticks, from £222 to
£1,111 ; logwood, from £97,106 to £110,928 ; logwood
extract, from £33,363 to £47,609 ; tobacco leaf, from
£157 to £582 (although cigars and cigarettes show
a decrease); and lime juice, from £2,549 to £3,546.
Honey shows an increase in value of £1,473, but
a decrease in quantity of 1,348 ewt.; lime juice,
a decrease of 7,430 gallons, but an increase in value of
£996. bial
As the Collector General states, this is a gloomy
record, but the island is recovering from the damage
sustained by the hurricane and drought; with the
extension in the production of minor products, the
removal of the sugar bounties, the extension of irriga-
tion, and the better education of the people in agri-
cultural matters, there is ground for hope that
prosperity will not be long in returning.
quo +a
Petroleum Resources of the West Indies.
A series of articles has appeared in the Bulletin
of the Imperial Institute on the ‘Petroleum Resources
of the British Empire. ‘he third article, in the issue
of September 29, is devoted to West Indian supplies.
Petroleum and allied substances are met with in Cuba,
San Domingo, Barbados, and Trinidad.
The commonest form of bitumen in Trinidad is
asphaltum, known locally as pitch. It is found in and
near the Pitch Lake close to the village of La Brea, as
well as in several other localities. The purer varieties
of bitumen are known as glance-pitch, asphalt-glance,
or manjak, This form occurs in much less amount
than asphalt. Liquid asphalt and petroleum occur in
Guayaguayare Bay. The total value of the exports of
asphalt and allied products from Trinidad in 1902-8
was £170,563.
In Barbados bitumen and petroleum are associated
with the Scotland formation consisting, for the most
part, of red, shaly, incoherent sandstones. Asphalt
does not appear to be present, but manjak has been
found at several points. Manjak was first worked in
January 1896, and the new industry has met with
considerable success, but recently the export has
diminished, though the price has advanced. The
largest output was in 1897 when 1,880 tons were
exported: in 1903, 651 tons were exported, the price
per ton being £10. It is exported mainly to the
United States for use in the manufacture of Brunswick
black and as an insulating material for electric cables.
Petroleum is found in the valleys of the streams that
flow by Turner's Hall Wood, Haggatt’s and Baxter.
It is also met with at Springfield and at Lloyd’s Wells.
In 1901-2 the total output was about 7,200 gallons. It
is now used locally as a fuel and a lubricant, and sells
at from 2d. to 6d. per gallon.
Colonial and Indian Exhibition, 1905.
In most of the West Indian Colonies preparations
are being made for representation at the forthcoming
Colonial and Indian Exhibition to be held at the
Crystal Palace in 1905.
It is hoped that we shall be in a position to insert
in the next issue of the Agricultural News a plan of
the exhibition. From this it will be seen that the
space allotted to the West Indies is in a most
advantageous position.
A strong and influential committee has been
appointed in Trinidad, with Professor Carmody as
Chairman and Mr. J. H. Hart as Secretary. A vote
of £1,500 has been approved of for the purpose of
securing an adequate representation of the colony’s
products. The colony is to have 1,500 square feet of
space.
As regards Jamaica, £1,000 is likely to be voted
to meet the necessary expenses, and a space of 2,500
square feet has been applied for.
The Barbados House of Assembly unanimously
voted on October 25 the sum of £400 to defray the
expenses of the representation of the island at this
exhibition. Preparations by a local committee, of
which his Honour F. J; Clarke is Chairman, are in
a forward state.
A committee has been appointed in Grenada to
take charge of the arrangements for an exhibit, and the
Government has been approached for the purpose of
a grant to defray expenses. ;
We understand that Dominica has also decided to
be represented.
At arecent meeting of the Royal Agricultural and
Commercial] Society of British Guiana it was intimated
by the Chairman that the state of the funds of the
society prevented it from assisting in the exhibition. It
was, however, suggested that the society should
forward exhibits collected by members and others.
410 THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.
December 17, 1904.
INSECT NOTES.
St. Vincent.
The following are extracts from Mr. Ballou’s
report on his recent visit to St. Vincent :—
BOTANIC STATION.
A careful inspection of the nurseries and gardens at the
Botanic Station was made and they were found to be in
excellent condition. Several of the more common scale
insects were seen, but with very few exceptions these were
in small numbers and not causing any appreciable injury.
The Liberian coffee trees, mentioned in my last report,
are much improved, though there are a few live scales still
to be seen on them, and the cinnamon trees also are very
much improved, though a few live scales (Protopulvinaria
pyriformis) are still to be seen. The fiddle wood trees
(Citharexylum quadrangulare) were attacked by a web worm.
This insect could probably be best controlled by spraying
with arsenate of lead, or the trees might be removed
altogether except one specimen for the species.
Oranges do not thrive in the Botanic Station; a few
specimens are to be seen, but they have made very poor
growth, and it would seem that the conditions are not right
for them. A few live scales were to be found on each of
them, and on a few many dead ones.
There were a number of trees on which black blight
(Capnodium sp.) was to be seen, but the scale insects do not
seem to do much harm. The mango trees and the Indian
teak seemed to be most affected, especially the row of teaks at
the upper entrance to the gardens. These are outside, but
possibly an arrangement might be made to have them lopped
and sprayed by the labourers from the garden.
There were but few plants in the nurseries at the time
of my visit. Of these by far the greater number were
cacao seedlings and they appeared to be healthy and free
from scale or other insect pests. A few Bois Immortel
plants were infested with white scale (Diaspis amygdalt).
These were to be taken out and destroyed.
AGRICULTURAL SCHOOL,
The cotton at the Agricultural School had made excel-
lent growth. It was slightly attacked by the leaf-blister mite
anda few cotton stainers were to be seen. A field of corn was
badly attacked by the moth borer of the cane (Diatraea
saccharalis) and the corn ear worm (? LHeliothis armigera).
This latter is probably the same insect that in years past has
done much damage to cotton in the United States by boring
into the cotton bolls, from which habit it has received the
common name of ‘cotton boll worm.’ The corn ear worm was
found only in the ears of the corn, but the moth borer of the
cane was found in the stalk and the ear. The corn, when its
condition was discovered, was at once cut and will be fed
out as fast as possible. The yams in the plots above the
school building had been attacked, and nearly all the leaves
of some yarieties were eaten. This was probably the work
of the slug (Veronicella oceidentalts), as no insects could be
found and many slugs were hidden in the soil under the
vines. This is said to be the season of greatest abundance
of these animals. Paris green and lime dusted on the leaves
would probably be an efficient remedy. The hedges and
ornamental plants were found to be in good condition, also
the cacao.
ry Y? lod
On Thursday, November 17, I gave a lecture to the
boys at the agricultural school on insects and ways of
combating them. It seemed necessary to make this lecture
an elementary talk on account of the junior boys, some of
whom had just been admitted to the school.
SUPPORTS FOR VANILLA.
Messrs. Schimmel & Co.'s Semi-annual Report
has the following note on the above subject :—
De Cordemoy reports in the Journal d’Agriculture
Topicale (Vol. 4, 1904, p. 104) on the experiences of the
Réunion vanilla planters with regard to the supports used
for training the vanilla plant. According to the author,
wooden or metal poles have been entirely discarded there,
and in the course of time the planters have adopted the use
of trees as natural supports for the vanilla. The kinds which
come especially under consideration are Casuarina equiseti-
Jolia Forts., called ‘filao,’ and further physic-nut (Jatropha
Curcas) and the screw pine (Pandanus utilis). The ‘filao’
soon came out of use, as during the growth its bark peeled
off, and the vanilla shoots lost their support. The experience
with the Jatropha was favourable, but in the case of heavy
shoots it was found too feeble and had to be supported by
poles. The most satisfactory was the Pandanus, which
through its numerous adventitious roots offers a sufficient
resistance to the cyclones which occur so frequently in
Réunion. It is usual to plant the vanilla cuttings close to
the roots of a Pandanus, when the shoots very rapidly twine
themselves round the roots and trunk. This method appears
to be the one generally employed. Very remarkable is the
oecurrence of a microscopic fungus between the aerial root
and bark of the living support, whose mycelial filaments
penetrate not only the root-bark of the vanilla, but also the
bark of the supporting tree, and, according to de Cordemoy,
are important for the nutrition of the vanilla plant.
CITRONELLA GRASS IN CEYLON.
In a letter to the editor of the Tropical Agri-
culturist, dated October 1, commenting on the late
Mr. C. J. Sawer's article in the Chemist and Druggist
on ‘Citronella and Lemon Grass in Ceylon, India, and
the West Indies, Dr. John C. Willis, Director of the
Royal botanic Gardens in Ceylon, makes the following
observations with reference to citronella grass :— ‘
There are two cultivated forms in Ceylon, called ‘ Lena
Batu’ and ‘Maha Pangiri’ respectively. A good account
of them is given in Messrs. Schimmel & Co.’s Semi-annual
Report for October 1898. ‘Lena Batu’ is the form culti-
vated by the native growers, and furnishes practically all
the exported oil. ‘Maha Pangiri’ is the form cultivated by
Messrs. Winter & Son at Baddegama, and gives a much
finer oil, but needs more trouble in cultivation, having to be
frequently replanted. The native prefers the ‘Lena Batu,”
because he does not need to replant it. He frequently
abandons the cultivation when the grass is ten years old or
more. The wild Andropogon Nardus, one of our most
common grasses, is known to the Singhalese as ‘ Mana,’ and
is distinct from the cultivated forms; it yields a good oil,
but the quantity is smaller. Lemon grass is also cultivated
in Ceylon, and we have a considerable quantity of it at
the Experiment Station at Peradeniya.
Vou. III. No. 70.
THE AGRICULTURAL
NEWS. All
JAMAICA:
PUBLIC GARDENS AND PLANTATIONS, 1908-4.
By W. Fawcett, B.Se., F.L.S., Director.
This report isa record of the useful work done during the
ANNUAL REPORT ON THE
year in the various public gardens in Jamaica. It contains
many interesting notes on experiments of various kinds,
some of which it is proposed to publish in the Agricultural
News.
Much damage was done to the gardens by the hurricane
and this has entailed considerable extra work on the staff.
Besides the damage done to the fine shade trees at Hope,
the large and varied collection of orchids was sent flying in
all directions. The nursery stock also suffered considerably
and much time and care will have to be expended to work up
the collection again.
The record of plant distribution is as follows : economic
plants sold, 33,171 (cacao, 20,646) ; ornamental plants sold,
14,312; miscellaneous free grants (including cane tops and
cuttings), 62,817.
The educational work at the Hope Experiment Station
was continued ; this included lessons to (1) Industrial School
boys and apprentices, (2) students at Training Colleges,
(3) Laboratory pupils, and (4) elementary school teachers.
The work of the Travelling Instructors is also reported
upon.
MELO-COTON.
Seeds of a Mexican vegetable known as ‘ Melo-coton’
have been received from Mr. J. H. Hart, E.L.8., Superinten-
dent of the Trinidad Botanical Department. The following
note regarding this vegetable appeared in the ‘Trinidad
Bulletin of Miscellaneous Information (Vol. V, p. 573) :—
“Under the above name we have received a kird of
squash, pumpkin, or marrow which is reported by Mr. E. J.
Campbell, of the British Honduras Botanic Station, as
coming from Mexico. This is a trailing cucurbit which
gives long, smooth, green fruits, a foot in length and 4 to 5
inches in diameter. It is very prolific and makes an
excellent substitute for the well-known vegetable marrow,
which it much resembles when prepared for the table in its
immature state. When ripe the fruit turns a dark, reddish
brown. It is considered an acquisition to our list of table
vegetables. Mr. Campbell describes the fruit as a “rare
Mexican melon of handsome appearance and good flavour,”
and says “‘it is is eaten stewed with sugar and fresh.”’
With regard to the last point, we are inclined to agree
with Mr. Hart, who states in his last Annual Report: ‘We
have now seen and tasted the ripened fruit, which it was
-asserted could be used asa melon. It has a decided sweet
melon taste, but it is not sufticiently enticing, in our opinion,
to find favour as a desert fruit. As a vegetable, however, it
is very useful and yields abundant crops.’
We learn from Mr. Hart that the plant bearing these
fruits is reported by the Director of the Royal Botanic
Gardens, Kew, as being Stcana odorifera, Naud.
LECTURES ON TROPICAL HYGIENE.
The following is a report by Mr. Austin H. Kirby,
B, A., Agricultural and Science Master at Antigua, on
a series of lectures on Tropical Hygiene recently
delivered by him to teachers in elementary schools in
Antigua. Such lectures as these should have a useful
effect in spreading a knowledge of the causes of
tropical diseases and their prevention :—
I have to report that lectures were given on Tropical
Hygiene on the first Saturday in the months of March, April,
May, June, September, and October in the science lecture-room
at the Grammar School. Those which would otherwise have
been given in July and August were omitted, in the one case
on account of the Elementary School holidays, and in the other,
because of non-attendance of the teachers owing to unfavour-
able weather. The omission of these lectures, however,
did not cause any curtailment of the course, but merely
postponed its termination.
Invitations to the lectures were issued through Mr. J. E.
James, the Education Officer, to twenty-one teachers, and the
average attendance during the whole course was ten. The
small response was chiefly due to the difficulty which the
teachers in the outlying districts have in getting means of
transport to St. John’s, and suggests that some aid of the
nature of a grant toward this would be beneficial in the
future.
The subject of the course was Tropical Hygiene, having
especial regard to the following diseases : Malaria, Filariasis,
Yellow Fever, Ankylostomiasis, Typhoid Fever, Cholera, and
Dysentery. Preparatory to the more specialized work,
a description was given of the circulatory and alimentary
systems of the body. The lectures were chiefly illustrated by
means of diagrams, either printed or specially prepared, and
their subject-matter included information as to (a) the
geographical distribution of the disease, (b) the life-history
of the germ or parasite, if any, producing it, (c) the harmful
effects on the body, and (d) the preventive measures to be
taken, with the reasons for them. Very special attention
was drawn to part (d) of the subject, and there is no doubt
that interest in it was increased and the knowledge of it
rendered easier of acquisition in view of the information
gained in parts (b) and (c).
An intelligent interest was evinced by those who
appeared regularly, and they are now in a position to impart
very useful knowledge to the pupils under their charge. The
greatest advances in hygienic reform can undoubtedly be
made by the education of the rising generation in that
direction. This points to the advisability of affording its
teachers, as being those through whom it can be reached
most successfully, better facilities for attending centres where
they may gain the knowledge necessary to help such a plan
to its fruition.
‘Sun Pictures of the Antilles.’ A feature of
this book, which is to be published under the auspices of the
West India Committee at the close of the year with the
object of popularizing the West Indies, will be statistical
information in a brief and popular form regarding the West
Indies, which it is hoped will prove interesting to tourists
and useful for purposes of reference generally. As has been
mentioned in the Agricultural News (Vol. III, p. 304), this
book consists of a series of photographs taken by the
Secretary of the West India Committee, Full particulars
can be obtained from Messrs. H. & W. Grant, 18-19,
Whitefriars Street, E.C.
THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.
GLEANINGS.
The half-yearly examinations at the Agricultural Schools
in St. Vincent, Dominica, and St. Lucia have been held
during the past fortnight.
The exports of teak from Bangkok amounted in 1903 to
58,142 tons. First-class logs fetch £9 to £9 10s. per load ;
first-class planks from £10 to £12 10s. (Consular Report.)
It is interesting to observe in the Consular Report on
the trade of Goa for 1903, that the average annual value of
the exports of mangos from 1900-02 was 74,876 rupees
(£4,992).
The provisional prize list for the Exhibition of the
Agricultural and Commercial Society of Grenada, which is to
be held in that island in February next under the auspices of
the Imperial Department of Agriculture, has been issued.
Three additional prizes of $3 each are being offered by
the Imperial Commissioner of Agriculture at the Annual
Industrial Exhibition to be held at Barbados on December 20
for the best goats the progeny of the imported stud goats
‘Black Rock’ and ‘ Bruce.’
His Excellency Sir C. C. Knollys has formed the nucleus
of an army which is to wage war on mosquitos in the city of
St. John’s, Antigua. This is an example worthy of being
copied in all the West Indian Colonies. (West India
Committee Circular.)
From Jamaica papers to hand by the mail we learn that
Messrs. Oliver and Stancliffe, forming the Deputation from
the British Cotton-growing Association, arrived in that island
on November 25, and had paid a number of visits to estates
on which cotton was being grown.
As a supplement to the November issue of the Cape of
Good Hope Agricultural Jowrnal, there is issued a chart
(20 x 30 inches) to show at a glance what treatment should
be given to trees to avoid or check specific insects and
cliseases.
From a report by the Officiating Chemist of the Natal
Agricultural Department we learn that some sugar-canes
(White Transparent, B. 109, and D, 95) sent to Natal from
Antigua have made satisfactory growth and have proved
acceptable to cane growers.
According to the Cotton Trade Journal, a cotton-
picking machine is likely to be on the market for the coming
picking season in the United States. Such a machine is
among the great necessities of the age, and keen interest
will be taken in the trials,
DecemBer 17, 1904.
An intimation has been received by the Imperial Com-
missioner of Agriculture from the British Cotton-growing
Association that two cotton seed disintegrators have been
shipped for the Central Cotton Factories at Antigua and
Barbados. ae
Mr. J. H. Hart, F.L.S., has written to the Imperial
Commissioner of Agriculture, in response to a request for
a supply of plants of the Trinidad seedless lime, that he will
be happy to supply all the Botanic Stations
a stock is available.
as soon as
During the past fortnight 28 bales of West Indian
cotton were imported into the United Kingdom. Sales have
been effected in Liverpool at the following prices: West
India, 5d. to 625d. ; West India Sea Island, medium fine,
124d. ; fine, 134d.; extra fine, 15$d. (West India Committee
Circular, November 22.)
It is desired to make the following corrections in the
article on ornamental seeds in the last issue of the Agr?
cultural News (p. 395): the specific name of the Circassian
seed tree should read pavonina and that of the yellow ‘rattle
bush,’ retusa. In the case of the soap-berry plant it is the
covering of the seeds that is used as a substitute for soap.
At the Local Agricultural Exhibition to be held at
Dunscombe, Barbados, on January 24, 1905, two additional
prizes are being offered by ladies for the best working
donkey (the property of a peasant who works it himself).
This is with the view of obtaining better treatment for these
useful little animals.
A correspondent has written asking what style of
preparation for market is necessary in the case of kola nuts.
It may be mentioned that there is a regular demand for nuts
carefully cured and dried so that they may not become
mouldy on the voyage. They should be packed in bags
similar to those used for cacao. For recent prices for kola
nuts see p. 414.
The principal items of export from the Society Islands,
exclusive of mother-of-pearl, are copra and vanilla. According
to the Consular Report just issued, the values of these
during 1903 were £87,924 and £23,424, respectively. The
increase in the value of the copra exports, as compared with
1902, amounted to no less than £14,254.
A bag of fruits of Barringtonia speciosa has been
received from the Botanic Station, Antigua. Persons desiring
these fruits should apply to the Imperial Commissioner of
Agriculture. This handsome tree is a native of the Moluccas ;
from its seeds a lamp oil is obtained. Specimens already exist
at Barbados, St. Vincent, Grenada, and Trinidad.
Reporting on an examination of two samples of cassava
starch from St. Lucia, Professor J. P. d@’Albuquerque remarks
that, instead of being, as usual, slightly acid, they are
slightly alkaline, a result due probably to the use of alkaline
substances in the manufacture. Both samples were well
prepared.
The inaugural meeting of the Association of Economic
Biologists was held at Burlington House, London, on
November 8. The object of the association is to promote
the science of economic biology in its agricultural, horti-
cultural, medical, educational, and commercial aspects. The
Honorary Secretary is Mr. W. E. Collinge, M.Sc., the
University, Birmingham.
Vow. II. No. 70.
THE AGRICULTURAL
NEWS. 413
AGRICULTURAL SHOWS.
Forthcoming Shows.
Arrangements are being made by local committees
for the holding of the following Shows under the
auspices of the Imperial Department of Agriculture
early next year :—
Dominica.—February 23, 1905.
Montserrat.—The Fifth Annual Show will
in the Market Place on February 24, 1905.
Antigua.—February 25, 1905.
Jevis.—A show wili be held at Charlestown on February
28, 1905.
Barbados.—The Local Industrial Exhibition and Show
of Stock for Peasant Proprietors will be held at Dunscombe
plantation, St. Thomas, on January 24, 1905.
Grenada.— February 1905.
St. Vincent.—It is proposed to hold an Agricultural
Show in March next.
be held
Jamaica.
We take from the Gleaner of November 28 the
following notes on the annual show at Kendal :—
The exhibits in every class showed a marked improve-
ment on previous shows. The show was attended by a large
crowd, his Excellency the Governor being among those who
journeyed from Kingston. Unfortunately rain fell in the
afternoon, which rather interfered with the attendance.
The exhibits were well arranged and the judging was
carried on without a hitch. The cattle class was well
represented, and some fine animals were shown. In the
horsehind classes Kendal show always stands out above every
other, and the lot seen could not have been equalled any-
where. There was a good exhibit of sheep. The minor
products were limited in quantity but fine in quality, the
best class being the citrus fruit and the cured coffee.
Schools’ Show in Trinidad.
We learn from the Port-of-Spain Gazette that the third
Annual School’s Show was opened on November 29 at
Tunapuna by his Excellency the Governor in the presence
of a large and representative assemblage.
Sir Henry Jackson, in opening the show, stated that
there could be nothing more useful than this friendly
competition between the schools of the colony to produce the
best garden and the best products of the garden. He was
very glad to see that the young generation were being taught
to turn their hands to agriculture and to develop the natural
resources of the colony. He was very pleased at the
improvement that had been made and he hoped it would
continue year after year. He was sorry that Sir Daniel
Morris, who had expressed his great disappointment at not
being able to be present, had had to leave Trinidad that day.
Mr.- J. H. Collens, Inspector of Schools, stated that
much of the suecess of the show had been due to the
excellent section that had been opened this year, for the first
time, for the exhibits of outsiders, the prize money for which
had been found by the Agricultural Society and local sub-
seribers. Among those who had taken a specially active
part in opening up that section was Professor Carmody, to
whom and to the Agricultural Society their thanks were due.
The report continues: ‘The show was an unqualified
success, and the smoothness with which everything went off
reflects very creditably on the management of the officials of
the Education Office, .. The judges, Mr. J. H. Hart and
Mr. J. McInroy for the agricultural produce, and Mrs. Smart
and Mrs. Collens for the needlework, are unanimous in
declaring the exhibits to have been extremely good, especially
the. needlework.’
School Garden Show at Tobago.
Mr. H. Millen, Curator of the Botanic Station in
Tobago has forwarded the following note with refer-
ence to the second aunual School Garden Show held
on November 16 :—
Twenty-three schools competed ; the sections, classes, and
number of exhibits surpassed those of the previous year by
171 exhibits. Several new features were added, and the
exhibits were generally better than those of last year ;
besides vegetables, fruits, flowering plants, ete., good samples
of native-made rope, cotton, and herbarium specimens were
exhibited.
The Agricultural Society of Trinidad gave prizes to
small proprietors for vegetable products. Although the
above information was received late at Tobago and not much
time given to exhibitors to prepare exhibits, yet a very
creditable show in this section was made.
There were 40 exhibitors, 42 classes, and 143 exhibits.
Good exhibits of cacao pods, rice, and citrus fruits were
represented ; also samples of tobacco and cotton.
The officers of the Botanie Station gave assistance in
arranging and judging, and_several object-lessons prepared
by the students of the station were also exhibited.
ROAD-SIDE PLANTING OF FRUIT TREES.
The following note, from the Jowrnal of the
Board of Agriculture, on the custom of planting fruit
trees along the road-sides, which is quite a feature of
certain parts of France and Germany, is worthy of
consideration in connexion with the Arbor Day
movement :—
In some parts of the Continent itis the practice to plant
fruit trees in suitable positions along the road-side in place of
the ornamental or forest trees more usually employed. The
subject was discussed at the International Congress on
Arboriculture of 1900, and a resolution was passed to the
effect that in view of the injury, which is caused to adjoining
lands by the presence along the roads of Jarge trees with
their far-reaching roots, the planting of fruit trees in their
place should be encouraged. In France, during the past
fifteen years, pear and apple trees have been planted in
places along the national roads, and in 1901 it was stated
that there were half a million fruit trees planted along
French roads. As an example, it may be mentioned that in
the Department of l’Oise, a distance of 182? miles has been
planted with 57,795 trees, the total length suitable for fruit
trees being 2572 miles. The cost of planting and purchasing
the trees is about the same as that of ornamental trees, and
the sale of the fruit yields a small annual return. Apart,
however, from the return, it is contended that the fruit tree
serves equally well for shade, that its appearance when in
flower is picturesque, while it serves the subsidiary purpose
of interesting the population in the growth of fruit. The
employment of the less edible varieties of fruit is recom-
mended, and the cider apple is, perhaps, the most commonly
used. The practice prevails also in parts of Germany. In
Hanover there were in 1901, 189,586 trees planted on the
road-side by the Provincial Government, which produced
a revenue of £8,386, although a considerable proportion of
the trees were not in full bearing.
414 THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.
DecemBer 17, 1904.
WEST INDIAN PRODUCTS.
Drugs and Spices in the London Market.
The following report on West Indian products in
the London Per kee during the month of October has
been forwarded by Mr. John R. Jackson, A.L.S.:—
In the London drug markets the month of October
opened very quietly, slightly improving as the month went
on and ending with a generally better tone. No one product
was marked by any prominence with, perhaps, the exception
of quinine, which ‘dropped at the ae of the month to 11d.
per oz. for German makes. At the spice sales, prices for all
articles ruled at rates varying but slightly from those of the
previous month. The following are the chief items :—
GINGER.
At the first sale on October 5, Jamaica was in small
supply and partially sold at the following rates: middling
boldish, 38s. ; ordinary small dullish, 31s. ; ‘and common small,
25s. to 27s. About 130 packages of Cochin and Calicut were
sold at this sale at ordinary rates, including 35s. to 36s. for
fair unassorted native Cochin, and 26s. to 26s. 6d. for bright
rough Calicut, slightly wormy. A week later over 600
packages of Jamaica were offered and were chiefly disposed
of at previous rates; fair bright realizing 39s. to 40s. ;
middling dull, 35s. 6d, to 37s. 6d. ; and common to ordinary,
28s. 6d. to 33s. At this sale native-cnt Cochin was
bought in at 38s. to 40s. On the 19th., of 400 packages
of Jamaica offered, 36 were sold, fair bright fetching
45s.: ordinary to good ordinary, 28s. to 34s. ; and common
lean and dark ratoon, 25s. to 26s. Cochin and Calicut
were offered in very large quantities and about half
sold at firm prices, common small rough fetching 16s. 6d.
SARSAPARILLA.
At the first drug sale in the month 2 bales of genuine
grey Jamaica were submitted to auction and Is. 3d. per Ib.
accepted, 2 other bales having been sold privately. Three
bales of very common Lima-Jamaica realized 7d. per Tb., and
11d. was asked for a quantity of rather coarse, chumpy ; 74d.
was paid for a bale of medium yellow native Jamaica, and
9td. for medium red. At the last sale on the 27th., 46 bales
of Jamaica were offered, all of which were sold. In con-
sequence of its scarcity, grey Jamaica was readily disposed
of at ls. 2d. per hb. for good, and 113d. for coarse, badly
sea-damaged; for 15 bales of native Jamaica, 64. to 74d. was
paid for dull medium red to common mixed; for 3 bales of
dull lean Lima-Jamaica, 11d. per Ib. was obtained.
ARROWROOT.
At the first spice sale good manufacturing St. Vincent
sold at l}d. to 14d. per tb., and a week later 50 cases of
coarse Natal were offered, 10 of which sold at 44 ld. per tb.
On the 19th., 580 packages of St. Vincent were offered and
A9S sold at 1#d., and on the 26th. St. Vincent was again
offered and bought in at from 2d. to 3d., while 100 boxes of
Natal, slightly country-damaged were disposed of at from
24d. to 24d.
KOLA NUTS.
Kola nuts were offered at the first auction to the extent
of 8 bags of dry Grenada, which realized from 240. to 33d.
per lb. In the middle of the month the quotations were:
good washed Jamaica, 34d.; and sea-damaged, 2{d.; while for
good bright washed, rather dark, 5d. was ‘asked, a bid of 4d.
being refused.
NUTMEGS, MACE, PIMENTO, FC.
At the first sale nutmegs were in good supply and sold
at firm to dearer rates, while West Indian mace realized
higher prices than previously, the position of both remaining
about the same to the end of the month.
Pimento was steady throughout the month, the prices
ruling from 24d. for ordinary, and 23d. for fair. At these
rates some 130 bags were sold at the mid- monthly sale out
of 194 offered. At this sale 5 bags of dull West Indian
Cassia Fistula were sold without reserve at 18s. per ewt. ;
98 packages were offered.
In connexion with the subject of new drugs and other
vegetable products which not infrequently find their way to:
the produce brokers, we may draw attention to the appearance
during the month of a consignment of 35 bales of a wild or
false ipecacuanha, the produce of Asclepias curassavica.
The use of a technical museum attached to warehouses
and factories was proved by the identification of this sample
with one contained in the museum attached to the Crutched
Friars drug warehouse where the sample came originally from
Trinidad under the name of Trinidad ipecacuanha.
MINOR INDUSTRIES IN JAMAICA.
The Annual Report of the Collector General in
Jamaica contains the following reference to the
progress of minor industries in that island :—
Cassava.—The interest taken in cassava growing is
increasing, and 15 tons of starch manufactured from this
plant have been exported to England. J learn that in one
parish the manufacture of starch is to be undertaken on
a large scale by a company, and if this enterprise passes
through the experimental stage successfully, the manufacture
of starch should become one of our paying industries.
Cotton.—The interest taken in the cultivation of cotton
in this island is increasing steadily. Two small shipments
have been made, indicating the beginning of what may yet
prove to be a very important industry, and in this connexion
I may mention that a gin has been erected on one property
at which cotton from other places is prepared for market.
Rice.—Rice is grown in but few parishes, viz., Trelawny,
Westmoreland and St. Catherine. The cultivation in
Trelawny consists of 41 acres; in Westmoreland there are
100 acres under cultivation, and in St. Catherine 7 acres.
This smallness of cultivation is disappointing, in the face of
the fact that we send out of the country large sums of money
to purchase a commodity which could be produced to
a large extent at home.
Tea.—Tea is now grown in one parish, St. Ann, and
a measure of success has attended this industry, but the
cultivation has not yet been taken up by more than one
proprietor. The collector for St. Ann reports that the
undertaking is full of promise:—‘The Hon. H. E. Cox
(Custos) has been extending his tea cultivation, and it is
pleasing to the eye as one drives along the roads passing
the tea fields to see how beautifully they are kept ; besides
which he has imported machinery at an enormous cost for
curing the tea, and it is hoped that his reward is looming
ahead. The average expenditure per week is from £30 to
£40, which is a boon to the people living in the district.’
Hard-woods.—Reference has from time to time been
made to the hard-woods in the country, but there has
been no attempt ithere to show their value in money. The
Director of the Jamaica Railway who has become a large
purchaser of late years for the railway has, however,
forded some information from which it is gleaned that
during the past year 69,795 hard-wood sleepers were supplied
to the railway for which the sum of £13,587 was paid.
a ate)
Ill. No. 70. THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS. 415
MARKET REPORTS.
London,— November 22, 1904. Messrs. J. Hanes Catrp &
Co., Messrs. KEarton, Preer & Co., Messrs. E. A.
DE Pass & Co., ‘THE West INprA CoMMITTEE Cir-
cuLar’; ‘THe Liverroon Corron AssocraTion
WeekLty Crrcutar,’ November 18; and ‘THE
Pusric Lepcerr,’ November 19, 1904.
Ators—Barbados, 13/- to 35/- ; Curacva, 16/- to 38/- per ewt.
Arrowroot—St. Vincent, 1d. per Ib.
Batatra—Block, 1/5 to 1/35 per tb.
Bees’-wax—£7 2s. 6d. per ewt.
Cacao—Trinidad, 56/- to 65/- per ewt. ; Grenada, 54/-
to 57/- per ewt.; Dominica, 50/- to 52/- per ewt. ;
Jamaica, 49/- to 54/- per cwt.
Carpamoms—Mysore, 73d. to 2/- per Ib.
CorreE—Jamaica, good ordinary, 37/- to 38/- per cwt.
Corron—West Indian Sea Island, medium fine, 123d. ; fine,
13d. ; extra fine, 153d. per tb.
FrRoir—
Bananas—Jamaica, 4,6 to 7/- per bunch.
Grapr Frurr—6/- to 7/- per case.
OrancEes—10/- to 11/- per box of 150-176.
Prye-appLes—Jamaica 1/- to 1/6 each.
Fustric—£3 10s. to £4 per ton.
Gincer—-Fair bright, 45/-; Jamaica, common to good
common, 28/- to 31/6 per cwt.
Honrty—Jamaica, 17/6 to 22/- per cwt.
Istnctass—West Indian lump, 2/4 to 2/8; cake, 1/5 per tb.
Kora Nets—4d. to 6d. per tb.
Lue Jurce—-Raw, 9d. to 1/2 per gallon; concentrated,
£13 17s. Gd. to £14 per cask of 108 gallons.
Lure Orm—Distilled, 1/4 per tb. ; hand-pressed, 2/6 to 2/9
per lb.
Locwoop—£4 2s. 6d. to £5; Roots, £4 to £4 10s. per ton.
Mace—Fine pale, 1/9; red, 1/1 to 1/3; broken, 1/-
per tb.
Nirrare or Sopa—Agricultural, £10 17s. 6d. per ton.
Nurmercs-—70’s, 2/4; 85’s, 11d.; 140’s, 5d. per tb.
Pimenro—23d. per tb.
Rum—Demerara, 84d. per proof gallon; Jamaica, 1s. 9d.
per proof gallon.
SarsaparILLa—73d. to 1/2 per th.
Sucar—Yellow crystals, 22/ to 23/6 per ewt. ; Muscovado,
Barbados, 16/- to 17/- per cwt.; Molasses, 14/- to
17/- per cwt.
SunpHATE oF AmMMoNntA—£12 12s. Gd. per ton.
Montreal,—November 9, 1904.—Mr. J. Russert Murray.
(In bond quotations, c. & f.)
BaNnanas—Jamaica, 50c. to 75c. per bunch of 8 hands ;
$100 per bunch ‘firsts’; $1°30 to $1°40 per bunch
‘jumbos.’
OrparR—Trinidad, 40c. per cubic foot.
Cocoa-nuTs— Jamaica, $26:00 to $28:00 ; Trinidad, $22:00
to $24:00 per M.
Corrre—Jamaica, medium, 9c. to 10c. per th.
GincErR—Jamaica, unbleached, 6c. to 8c. per th.
Motascurr—Demerara, $1°32 per 100 tb.
Motasses—Barbados, 25c. to 27¢.; Antigua, 2le. per
Imperial gallon.
MNurmecs—Grenada, 110’s, 20c. to 203e. per th.
OraNncEsS—Jamaica, $3°60 per barrel; Dominica, $3-
per barrel : $1°75 per box (duty paid).
Prvento—Jamaica, 5c. to 6c. per th.
PineE-sPpLeES—No quotations.
Sucar—Grey Crystals, 96°, $2-90 to $3:09 per 100 th.
—Muscovados, 89°, $2°75 to $2°80 per 100 th.
—Molasses, 89°, $2°50 to $2°60 per 100 th.
—Barbados, 89°, $2°60 to $2°75 per 100 th.
New York,—November 25, 1904.—Messrs. Gitiespre
Bros. & Co.
Cacao—-Caracas, 12}c. to 13c. ; Grenada, 11}e. to 11}e.;
Trinidad, 12c. to 13¢. per tb.
Cocoa-Nuts—Trinidads, $25:00 to $27-00 per M., selected ;
Jamaicas, $28-00 to $30°00 per M.
CorrrrE—Jamaica, good ordinary, 8c. to 9c. per tb.
Goat Sxrins—Jamaicas, 52}c. to 54c. per tb.
Grave Fruir—Jamaicas, $2°00 to $4:00 per barrel.
OrancEs—Jamaica, $3°50 to $4°00 per barrel (stem cut).
Pimento—4b3ec. to 42c. per th.
Sucar—Centrifugals, 96°, 43c.; Muscovados, 89°, 4te.;
Molasses, 89°, 4c. per tb.
INTER-COLONIAL MARKETS.
Barbados,—December 3, 1904.—Messrs. T. S. Garra-
way & Co., and Messrs. James A. Lyncu & Co.
ARROWROOT—St. Vincent, $3°60 to $3°75 per 100 th.
Cacao—Dominica, $11°75 to $12:00 per 100 tb.
Cocoa-Nurs—$12:00 per M. for husked nuts.
CoFrrEE—$10-00 to $12-00 per 100 tb.
Hay—90e. to 95c. per 100 th.
Manuvres—-Nitrate of soda, $60°00 ; Ohlendorff’s dissolved
guano, $60°00; Sulphate of ammonia, $72°00 to $75-00;
Sulphate of potash, $67-00.
Oxtons—Madeira (stringed), $3:00 to $3:50 per 100 Th.
(retail).
Poratos, ENGLIsH—-$2°00 to $2°25 per 160 th.
Rice—Ballam, $4°85 per bag (190 tb.) ; Patna, $3-20
per 100 th.
British Guiana,—December 1, 1904.—Messrs. Winrina
& Ricwrer.
Arrowkoot—St. Vincent, $7°50 per barrel.
Barara—Venezuela block, 25c.; Demerara sheet, 35c.
per tb.
Cacao—Native, 12c. to 13c. per tb.
Cassava SrarcH—6:00 per barrel.
Cocoa-nuts—$10:00 to $12°00 per M.
CorrEE—Rio and Jamaica, 15}c. per th. (retail).
—Creole, lle. per tb.
Duat— $4'30 to $440 per bag of 168 th.
Eppors—80ec. to $1°20 per barrel.
Morasses—Vacuum Pan yellow, 16c. per gallon (casks
included).
Ontons—Madeira, $3:00 to $3°50 per 100 tb.
Pea Nurs—American, 7e. per tb. (retail).
Pranratns—20c. to 40c. per bunch.
Poratos, EnciisH—--$3°00 per barrel.
Rice—Ballam, $4°40; Creole, $4:40 per 177 tb., ex store.
Sweer Poraros—Barbados, $1:08 per bag, $1:20 per
barrel.
Tannras—$1°44 per barrel.
Yams—White, $2°16 per bag.
Suear—Dark Crystals, $3:00 to $3:10; Yellow, $3°25 to
$3°50; White, $4:°00 to $4°25; Molasses, $2°60 to
$3:00 per 100 tb.
Timper—Greenheart, 32c. to 55c. per cubie foot.
WattaBa SHINGLES—$3'00, $3°75, and $5°50 per M.
Trinidad,—December 1, 1904.—Messrs. Gorpon, Grant
& Co. ; and Messrs. Epcar Trrep & Co.
Cacao—Ordinary to good red, $11-90 to $12°25; Estates,
$12°20 to $12°50; Venezuelan, $12°35 to $12:70
per fanega (110 tb.).
Cocoa-NuTs—$19:00 per M., f.o.b.
Cocoa-Nut Orr—71e. per Imperial gallon (casks included).
CorrrE—Venezuelan—9ec. to 10c. per th.
Corra—$3°00 to $3°20 per 100 th.
Onrons—$1°60 to $1:80 per 100 tb.
Poraros, ENcLisH—$1°00 to $1°25 per 100 tb.
Rice—Yellow, $4:°25 to $4:40; White Table, $4°50 to
$5°50 per bag.
416 THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS. DrcemBER 17, 1904.
THE BEST MANURES FOR COLONIAL USE
i
eA TER ety
Ohlendorff’s Dissolved Peruvian Guano—For Sugar-cane and general use
Ohlendorff’s Special Sugar-cane Manure
Ohlendorff’s Special Cocoa Manure
Ohlendorff’s Special Cotton Manure
Sulphate of Ammonia, Nitrate of Soda, Superphosphates, high grades,
Potash Salts, Basic Slag and all other high-class Fertilizers,
APPLY TO LOCAL AGENTS OR DIRECT TO
THE ANGLO-CONTINENTAL (LATE OHLENDORFF’S) GUANO WORKS,
London Agency: 15, Leadenhall Street, London, E.C.
72.] Barbados Agents: Messrs. James A. Lynch & Co., Bridgetown.
JOURNAL D'AGRICULTURE TROPICALE. |; | DEPARTMENT PUBLICATIONS.
A MONTHLY ILLUSTRATED REVIEW DEALING WITH ——-
ALL MATTERS CONNECTED WITH
TROPICAL AGRICULTURE. | AOR Sian e woee ee
PARIS: M. Vilbouchevitch, A. B. C.
10, rue Delambre.
—— Or
| GOTTON PLANTING
| FOR PEASANT PROPRIETORS,
Subscription price : half-year 10 franes, or 20 franes
per annum.
Containing full directions for the coming
: CACAO : | season. Price 4d. Post free, 5d.
By J. H. HART, F.LS.
NEW EDITION. |
A treatise on the cultivation, curing and chemistry of ale WEST INDIAN BULLETIN ‘
COMMERCIAL CACAO. |
DAVIDSON & TODD, Trinidad. ee
Wm.WESLEY & Co., 28, Essex St., London. Containing full report by Sir Daniel Morris,
K.C.M.G., D.Se.j°and Mr. J. R. Bovell, F.LS., F.C.S.,
Price 3s. per copy. on visit to the Cotton-growing districts of U.S.A.
3% es = 3 ee ee eee —
Printed at Office of Agricultural Reporter, 4, High Street, Bridgetown, Barbados,
eric
Y is.
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A FORTNIGHTLY REVIEW
OF THE
IMPERIAL DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE FOR THE WEST INDIES.
Worse Nos ile
DECEMBER 31,
Pues a?
1904.
BARBADOS,
CONTENTS.
PAGE. Pac
Agricultural Shows :—— , Insect Notes :—
Barbados ... 422 | Cane Pest in British
A BeOS | pac ee B rae : wee - 426
nnatto 5 . 420 | otton Insects in
Banana Meal and Farine 497 | Barbados . Ns . 426
Bananas, Barbados... . 420 | Kayok and its U ses . 426
Cassava Poisoning ... . 423 | Market Reports . 450
Coco-de-Mer . 429 | Notes and Comments 424
Copra, Drying in ‘Samoa 420 | Orange Supply, Great
Cotton Industry Britain’s soc 45)
ue : pea ee ee apples, Wybridiza- ise
xperts in Jamaica » £24 10n © 3 .. 42
Prospects of Crop . 421 | Plants as Analy tical
West Indies .. a0 ba Heel | Agents . 425
Cotton Market, The ... 417 | Rubber Tree Planting it in
Department News... ... 427 | Para Saws » 425
Department Publications 431 | Science Note, Lotus
Educational :-— | Lily 427
London University | Sugar Industry :—
Science Degree . 419 Markets for West
Technical Education in Indian Sugar .. 418
Agriculture .. 429 | Seedling Canes in
Gleanings Pa 2oi| Jamaica . 419
Goat Raising in i Mexico. 421 | Tobacco in Jamaica 425
Ground Nuts as Green | West Indian Agricultural
Manure . 424 Conference, 1905 <.. 422
The Cotton Market.
g \
oe He American crop is colossal, and the
planters the folly of suggesting the plant-
ing of any other cotton than Sea Island’
Mr, C. M. Wolstenholme,
Thus wrote
the well-known Liverpool
Rf decline in prices should prove to your
cotton broker to the Imperial Commissioner of
Agriculture by the last mail.
The crop referred to is, of course, that of ordinary
or Upland cotton. The latest estimates place the
present crop in the United States at about 11,000,000
bales. This represents an increase of something like
2,000,000 last It is only
natural that this very large visible supply, in addition
to all the cotton of a similar grade that is being
produced in other countries, should have caused a con-
With the price of Upland
cotton as low as it is to-day (about 4d. per tb.), its
likely to be profitable in these
bales over years crop.
siderable drop in prices.
cultivation is scarcely
colonies.
The state of the market in Liverpool is indicated
by the following quotation from the Liverpool Cotton
Association Weelly Circular of November 25: ‘The
cotton market has been quiet throughout the week,
prices have been easier, and quotations generally show
a decline.’ the following week: ‘The cotton
market has been more active, but prices continue to
tor Ameri-
Again,
decline.’ The prices quoted on December 2
can cotton 477d : good middling,
4877. They have since fallen to 41d. per tb. If these
quotations be compared with quotations for the same
time last year (684d. and 6°92d., respectively), it will
be seen that the decline in prices has been consid-
erable—nearly 3d. per tb.
were: middling,
Turning now to Sea Island cotton, we see at
a glance that the market shows a different state of
quote again from the Liverpool Cotton
faa]
affairs.
418
THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.
DecemBErR 31, 1904.
Association Weekly Circulur: ‘Sea Island descrip-
tions have been neglected. The quotations for fancy
Georgia and Florida are reduced 4d. per th. Forwarded
this week 269 bales Sea Island.” And again a week
Jater: ‘Sea Island descriptions are in limited demand
-at unchanged rates. Forwarded this week 235 bales.’
Similarly with Egyptian, it was reported that a limited
business had been done and quotations had not
undergone much change, varying according to quality
from 73d. to 1ljd. A
a more hopeful, position exists in the American
Sea Island Messrs. Frost & Co. report
that at Charleston the market remains steady and
unchanged with a continued demand, and the last
report (dated November 25) from Messrs. W. W.
Gordon & Co. states that the ‘continued
quiet and steady, with a good demand at full
prices. The quotations, contained in Messrs. Frost’s
report for December 3, will be found on p. 405
of this volume of the Agricultural The
‘quotations the following week were unchanged except
for a decline of 3c. for fine to fully fine.
similar, but on the whole
markets :
market
News.
It will thus be seen that while the market for
‘ordinary Upland has been affected to a considerable
extent by the largely increased supplies, the Sea
Island market (and the Egyptian also to some extent)
has remained steady. The reason for this will readily
be seen if we look to the crop estimates of the Sea
Island sorts. The present crop is estimated at from
82,000 to 84,000 bales, as against 75,683 bales for the
last crop, and 105,955 bales for the year before. The
increase in production, therefore, is very slight, and
consequently there has been nothing, so far at all
events, to cause an appreciable fall in prices.
What it is desired upon cotton
growers in the West the fact that
the markets for Upland and Sea Island cotton are
entirely distinct. A decline in prices of Upland does
not necessarily cause a corresponding decline in Sea
Island. There is, therefore, no need for cotton planters
here to take alarm at the somewhat sensational notices
that appear from time to time with regard to
fluctuations in the cotton market. They have to
remember that, while the price of Upland cotton
may be attected by large supplies or speculation,
they have in Sea Island cotton a product for which
there is a special market and a limited supply. The
production is not likely to be increased to such
an extent as to cause prices to drop below a figure at
which its cultivation is remunerative. Provided that
reasonable care be taken in producing and marketing
to impress
Indies is
Sea Island cotton of the highest quality, there appears
to be no reason to doubt but that prices during the next
season will be such as to leave a good margin of profit.
In the opinion of those who are acquainted with all the
facts and circumstances of the case, the price of fine
Sea Island cotton is not likely to drop at any time
below 1s. per Ib.
Even in the event of an appreciable decline in
the price of Sea Island cotton, we are inclined to think
that this would ultimately have a beneficial effect. At
its present high price, Sea Island cotton is out of the
reach of many manufacturers who would be likely to
use it if the price fell. Once Sea Island cotton had
found a wider use, it is unlikely that, when the price
rose again as a natural consequence of this increased
demand, it would be discarded for a return to the
common grades.
It would appear, therefore, that from a general
review of the situation as existing to-day, the prospects
of the growers of Sea Island cotton are as satisfactory
as they can be; and no alarm need be felt at the
movements that are taking place on
cotton market.
the ordinary
They may have a temporary quieting
effect upon the demand for Sea Island cotton, but the
West Indies are aiming to supply an article which is
practically unattected by these movements.
SUGAR INDUSTRY.
Markets for West Indian Sugar.
The following is a memorandum, prepared by the
Vice-President of the Westmoreland (Jamaica) Planters’
Association, upon the situation with regard to the sugar
market, which was adopted by the association at
a meeting on December 7.
It would be well, however, to mention that
recently, Canada has been giving better prices to West
Indian growers :—
The price of centrifugals in New York to-day is 43e.
per Ib., the price of beet, f.o.b. Hamburg, is 14s. 6d. per
ewt., equal to 5-12c. in New York; that is to say, whereas
beet sugar would cost 5'12e. per Ib., duty paid delivered in
New York, centrifugals can be had there for 4c., a difference
of gc. per tb., or £1 15s. 9d. per ton against cane sugar.
The reason of this difference in price is obvious.
New York offers, and Cuba accepts, a price lower than
the parity of beet, because Cuban sugars go into New York
at a reduction on the United States import duties of 20 per
cent., or about 34s. per ton; that is to say, Cuban sugar being
bounty fed by the United States to the extent of 33s. per
ton, 4c. per Tb. is to Cuba as good as 5:°12c. per bb. to, say,
the British West Indies,
Vou. III. No. 71.
THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.
On the price paid Cuba the New York refiner bases his
price for all other centrifugal sugar. On the New York
prices the Halifax refiner bases his prices for British West
Indian sugar. Therefore Halifax is paying for British West
Indian sugar a figure much below the parity of beet, even
after allowing 10s. per ton for rebate on duties.
In consequence of the bounty paid by the United States
to Cuban sugars, New Yerk is no longer a profitable market
for the sugars of the British West Indies, nor can Canada be,
if her prices are based on New York prices.
Canada buying British West Indian sugar on the parity
of Cuban sugars in New York, instead of on the parity of
beet, is paying less for our sugars than their value to-day in
the United Kingdom.
Our muscovados are to-day quoted in Halifax at $3-30
per 100 tb. for 89°, but gauged by the price of beet they are
worth $3°69 per 100 ik.
In other words, because our sugars are sold in Canada at
a price based on bounty-fed Cuban sugar, instead of on the
price of beet, we are getting about 35s. per ton less for our
sugar than we should, or 25s. per ton less, if we deduct the
10s. per ton allowed us last year by the refiners as rebate on
duties.
Under these circumstances, before we ship our sugar
next season blindly to Halifax, it would be well for us to see
what the United Kingdom market will do for us, for the
price of our sugar in the United Kingdom is largely
governed by the price of free beet, whereas in Canada it is
entirely determined by the price of bounty-fed Cuban sugar.
In reference to the above, Mr. J. R. Bovell makes
the following interesting statement: ‘I hope soon to
be ina position to say definitely how the price of sugar
in Canada compares with New York and Great Britain,
as I expect to ship 125 bags of sugar and 4 hogsheads
of molasses for a planter to Toronto by the Pickford
and Black steamer scheduled to leave on December 27.
I may also add that from the pro forma sale received
from Messrs. W. H. Millman & Sons, to whom I am
sending the sugar, it would appear that the difference
in favour of sugar shipped to Canada over that sent to
New York is considerable.
Seedling Canes in Jamaica
The following reference to the work of raising
seedling canes in Jamaica is made in the Annual Report
of the Director of Public Gardens :—
A number of seeds were gathered at Hope and sown,
resulting in 594 plants being set out at a distance of
5 feet by 5 feet in April last. When fully grown and ripe,
ninety. were selected as to agricultural yield and the
remainder dug out and destroyed. Of these a final selection
of thirty was made, the sixty being cut down to ratoon for
another trial before finally discarding them. Twelve tops
(six holes) of each of the thirty have been planted for
chemical test next year.
The question of raising seedlings has now been taken
up by estates, and, in the case of Mr. Burgess, with great
success so far. Tops of D. 95, Po-a-ole, and White Trans-
parent were planted mixed together at Mt. Eagle estate, as
advised in the Bulletin for October 1900; these flowered
together and were presumably cross-fertilized. The seeds,
when ripe, were gathered by a former Hope apprentice, now
in Mr. Burgess’ employ, and forwarded to Hope, resulting in
a batch of over 2,000 vigorous seedlings.
41%
The following shows the varieties grown and _ the:
number of selections yielded by each :—
Parent. No. of No. Ist. No. 2nd.
seedlings raised. selection. selection.
De 5 340 38 at
B. 109 17 1 1
D. 115 34 9 3
D 80 51 1 2
D 95 34 9 4
D 37 34 2 1
D. 1,439 34 0 0
D 99 68 0 2
D. 102 85 0 4
Total ... 697 60 3
EDUCATIONAL.
University of London Degree in Science for
Colonial Candidates.
Revised regulations have recently been issued by
the University of London for the holding in the
colonies of its examinations for Matriculation and the
degrees of B.D., LL.B., and BSc. From these we
extract the following information with regard to the
degree of Bachelor of Science :-—
The first examination to be passed towards the
attainment of a degree is that for Matriculation. Two more
examinations must be passed after Matriculation before the
student can obtain a Bachelor's degree. The Intermediate
examination cannot be taken by a candidate unless he has.
matriculated not later than the preceding January, nor can
the first degree examination be taken less than three years
after matriculation.
In the Intermediate Examination in Science candidates
shall be examined for a pass in any four subjects from the
following : (1) Pure Mathematics, (2) Applied Mathematics,
(5) Experimental Physics, (4) Chemistry, (5) Botany, (6):
Zoology, (7) Geology. One at least of the four subjects
selected must be taken from among the first three.
In the final examination candidates for a pass degree
shall be examined in any three which may be selected from
eleven subjects —which comprise the seven mentioned for the-
Intermediate, and in addition, Astronomy, Physiology,
Psychology, and Logic and Methodology.
In the case of the examinations in science, the
University requires an assurance that the Colonial Govern-
ment will provide Assistant Examiners to supervise the
practical examinations in adequate laboratories and report
thereon to the University Examiners.
Applications are not received from individual candidates.
Any person desiring to be examined at a colonial centre
should apply, not to the University of London, but to the
Government of the colony wherein he resides, to ascertain
(a) whether any arrangement has already been made for
holding an examination in the colony, or, if not, (4) whether:
the Government will make the necessary application to the
Senate in order that such arrangement may be made.
Full information relating to degrees will be found in the-
University Calendar, which may be obtained (price, 5s. 10d.,
post free) on application to—The Financial Secretary,,
University of London, South Kensington, London, §.W..,.
England.
420
DrEcEMBER 31, 1904.
NSS
WEST. INDIAN FRU:
BARBADOS BANANAS.
The following is a copy of a letter which has been
addressed to the Superintendent of the Royal Mail
Steam Packet Company in reference to the temperature
to be observed for Barbados bananas when carried in
the fruit chambers on board the ‘Trent’ and ‘'Tagus’:—
Imperial Commissioner of Agriculture —to the Superintendent,
R.MS.P. Company, Barbados.
Barbados, December 17, 1904.
I believe that it would be desirable to place on record,
in a clear manner, exactly what we would wish in the way
of temperature when Barbados bananas in crates are shipped
in the cool chambers on board the ‘Trent’ and ‘Tagus.’
We should be satisfied if it would be possible to
maintain a temperature not below 60° F. and not
65° F. It is not necessary, however, that we should obtain
a temperature of 65° immediately the fruit is put into the
chamber at Barbados. If the temperature could start at
about 75° or even 80° at Barbados, then it might be
gradually reduced within a few days to 65° and, if possible,
a day or two later to 60°, but not lower.
Tf during the winter months when approaching England,
the temperature on deck falls below 60°, then the object of
the officers should be to maintain the temperature in the
fruit chamber from falling befow that. This might be done
by stopping the working of the fans for a brief period and
carefully watching the results. The fans might be re-started
directly the temperature rises above 65°.
As you are aware, this information is not of value to the
officers on board the other ships, as they are not, as yet, fitted
with cool chambers.
above
HYBRIDIZATION OF PINE-APPLES.
Reference has already been made in the Agii-
cultural News (Vol. II, p. 404) to the experiments
that are being carried out in the Botanic Gardens at
Hope, Jamaica, with a view of producing hybrid pine-
apples. The following extract on this subject is
taken from the Annual Report on the Public Gardens
and Plantations for the year ended March 31, 1904 :—
With a view of raising a variety of pine that would
combine the fine appearance and shipping qualities of the
Smooth Cayenne with the delicious flavour of the Ripley,
experiments in hybridization were instituted in the year
1904.
No Cayenne plants being in flower at Hope when the
Ripleys were ready for pollination, some flower heads were
very kindly contributed by the late Mr. Chas. E. Smith.
As a result of the initial experiment, sixty-four plants were
raised and planted out. The Ripley flowers were eross-ferti-
lized between April 25 and May 20, 1901, and the
fruits ripened in the middle of July; the seeds were
sown in clean sand the first week in August, the
seedlings potted into bamboo pots early in September
1901, and planted out at a distance of 2 feet apart
in Angust 1902. Several of the plants very quickly
took the lead and grew vigorously, whilst a number
of them exhibit a very feeble constitution: all differ from
each other in appearance —some are spineless like the male
parent, and some are spiny like the Ripley. The first fruit
was cut on November 18, 1903, and was fairly good; the
second one was stolen—it resembled very closely the ‘Red
Spanish.” The third to ripen was a curiosity, a rather poor
*Cayenne’ devoid of top. Others are now developing fruits.
During 1901 preparations were made for extending this
important work, and in the following year, 1902, Cayenne,
Ripley, and Queen were brought into flower at the same
time to permit of crossing and intercrossing ; resulting in the
following being raised : — j
Ripley x Cayenne 900 seedlings,
Cayenne Ripley 800 -
Queen x Cayenne 100 “
Queen x Ripley 25 a
Ripley x Queen 120 ss
Fertilized by natural means 250 os
otalaeeeeasmees 2195
These have been planted ont at a distance of 9 inches
apart in nursery beds, to be grown on to the sucker size and
treated as such when large enough, e.g., dug up, trimmed,
and planted ont in ‘ field’ beds.
The third batch, numbering 500, raised in 1903, is now
being nursed in 3-inch pots in the glass-house.
Drying Copra in Samoa. The copra driers in
Samoa all use the hot-air system. Air is heated in a fireplace
and conducted through iron pipes which cross and recross
the lower part of the building: the end of the pipe is
generally turned into a smoke-stack. The drying is caused
by a continuous current of air admitted through ventilators
in the side of the building at its base. This air is warmed
in passing the heated pipes, and then passes through and
dries the trays of copra, and is drawn out at the roof by
another set of latticed ventilators. (U.S. Monthly Consulai
Reports.)
Wore Ik .No., 1:
THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS. 421
COTTON INDUSTRY.
Prospects of the Crop.
From the fortnightly reports of local officers we
extract the following information with regard to the
condition and prospects of the cotton crop :—
In St. Vincent picking was being actively carried on,
and it was estimated that over 80,000 Ib. of seed-cotton had
been picked up to December 16. The leaf-blister mite was
present in several cultivations but not in alarming propor-
tions.
In St. Kitt’s, Mr. Shepherd reports, cotton was being
picked on several estates, and the product was clean and of
very good quality. On most of the other estates the plants
were well advanced and promising excellent yields. The
effect of the leaf-blister mite was to be seen on some of the
older trees, but these were too far advanced to be seriously
damaged. Some cotton planted at Bourkes in November
was likely to be a useful experiment in late planting, and the
results will be carefully watched.
Mr. Bovell reports that at Barbados ‘ the cotton all over
the island is, so far as I know, with a few exceptions, in
a healthy condition and practically free from insect pests.’
In two cultivations the red maggot has appeared ; in these
cases dead and dying branches are being carefully cut out.
West Indies.
Mr. CG. M. Wolstenholme, of the firm of Wolsten-
holme & Holland, Liverpool, writing to the Liverpooi
Mercury, makes the following reference to cotton
growing in the West Indies :—
In the West India Islands, which have been in a state
of lethargy since the decline in the value of cane sugar, I can
confidently say that we have established a most profitable
industry on a sound commercial basis. The planters are
enthusiastic, and a member of the association, who is
a practical spinner, is now in Barbados with Sir Daniel
Morris, the Imperial Commissioner of Agriculture, arranging
final details. The West Indian crop this season promises to
be 5,000 bales, worth £100,000, apart from a considerable
quantity of indigenous cotton. Last season we marketed
upwards of 2,000 bales of new growths, including the
product of Sea Island seed, which sold up to 18d. per hb.;
and Egyptian seed, which sold at the price of ‘good fair’
brown.
Cuba.
Mr. F. S. Earle, Director of the recently established
Agricultural Department, Cuba, writes as follows to the
Havana Post on cotton growing in that island :—
The planting of cotton is attracting considerable
attention in Cuba at this time. The present indications are
that the conditions here are all favourable for this crop
with one important exception. Intending planters should be
informed that the boll weevil exists in many parts of Cuba
and that it is likely to prove exceedingly troublesome. It is
not necessarily certain that the damage will be as great
here as it has been in Texas, for the boll weevil is supposed
to be a native of Cuba, and in many cases native insect pests
have natural enemies of one kind or another that hold them
more or Jess in check. It is when they migrate to other
-eountries and sueceed in leaving their enemies behind them
that insects become more destructiv:. While there is thus
reason to hope that natural enemies of the weevil exists here,
none have so far been observed, and we can only conjecture
what the effect on this insect will be of the rapid increase in
its food supply that is now taking place in some parts of the
island.
The best time for planting cotton in Cuba seems to be
in May and June, so that the crop will mature during the
dry season. It is almost impossible to harvest cotton
that ripens during a period of frequent rains. Another point
to be carefully considered by those intending to plant on
a large scale is the matter of an adequate supply of labour
for picking the crop. Cotton picking is a slow, laborious
process at best, and with a scanty supply of unskilled labour
it would be exceedingly difficult to harvest a large crop
properly. It is by no means intended to discourage the
planting of cotton in Cuba. The crop is on many accounts
a most attractive one, but it would seem wise not to invest
too heavily in it until its possibilities under our conditions
are more thoroughly understood. This year’s experience will
probably demonstrate whether or not it can be profitably
grown here.
GOAT RAISING IN MEXICO.
The following interesting account of goat raising
in Mexico is taken from the U.S. Monthly Consular
Reports for August :-—
The ordinary domestic goat, so well known in the
United States, is the species raised throughout Mexico, It
is valued for its pelt, its tallow, and its flesh, both fresh and
dried. As yet no use has been made of either horns or
hoofs. In the vicinity of San Luis Potosi the entrails have
been spun into long strings of so-called catgut, and the finer
and more delicate strings have been profitably exported by
mail, in small parcels, to Chicago and New York.
The Angora breed is not appreciated in Mexico, though
it finds favour in western Texas, near the Mexican border.
If of pure blood and if neglected during the season for
pulling, it is apt to leave iis hair scattered upon the scrub
and brush. Furthermore, whether pure or crossed, it is
more of a sheep than a goat, its skin being less than one
fourth as valuable as ordinary goatskins. This destroys the
value of the Angora in Mexico.
The ordinary goat, when slaughtered, yields 4 tb. of
dried meat and 6 Ib. of refined tallow, which, together with
the skin, are worth here in the home market, in Mexican
silver, $3:-46 (81:57 in gold)—the 4tb. of dried meat, at 20c.,
80c.; the 6 tb. of refined tallow, at 16c., 96c.; the cured
skin, 2 tb., at 85c., $1°70. The original cost of goats for
breeding purposes is, on an average, $2°50 a head in Mexican
silver ($1°10 in gold). The common goat, well cared for, is
hardy and well suited to the country. It breeds four times
in three years.
The Profits of Goat Keeping.—The idea that
a goat is an unprofitable and useless possession should be
dispelled. A good goat will yield on an average, for the first
three months she is in milk, 3 pints daily. During the
next three months she will yield 1} pints, and for
the remaining ninety days } pint daily. This brings
the return from milk to 240 quarts, which, at 4d. per
quart, is £4 from this source alone. Then there is
the new-comer to be considered. If it be of good pedigree,
healthy and well marked, it should fetch sufficient to pay all
the expenses of the parent’s keep, so that one goat may show
a profit of £4 within the space of eight months. (Agri-
cultural World.)
422 THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS. DeceMBER 31, 1904.
M.D., F.LS., ete, Author of ‘Tropical Agriculture,’
WEST INDIAN AGRICULTURAL CONFERENCE Dominica. The Offiter-inehepe cot the AcEenaT I eceiegt
1905. Dominica (Archibald Brooks Esq.). The Agricultural
The following is a Rona list of the Representa-
tives likely to be present at the Agricultural Conference
to be held at Trinidad from January + to January 12
next.
President.
Sir Daniel Morris, K.C.M.G., M.A., D.C.L., D.Se.,
F.L.S., Imperial Commissioner of Agriculture for the West
Indies.
Representatives.
JAMAICA,
The Director of Public Gardens and Plantations (the
Hon. William Faweett, B.Sc., F.L.S.). The Representative
of the Board of Agriculture (the Hon. Henry Cork). The
tepresentative of the Agricultural Society (J. R. Williams
Esq., M.A.).
BRITISH GUIANA.
The Representative of the Board of Agriculture (the
Hon. B. Howell Jones). The Superintendent of the Botanic
Gardens (A. W. Bartlett Esq., B.A., B.Sc. F.L.S.).
The Lecturer in Agriculture (E. W. F. English Esq., B.A.).
The Assistant Instructor in Agriculture (J. E. Beckett Esq.).
TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO,
Representatives of the Trinidad Agricultural Society :—
Peter Abel Esq. (Usine St. Madeleine), J. G. de Gannes
Esq., and Edgar Tripp Esq., Secretary. The Government
Analyst and Professor of Ghemister (Professor P. Carmody,
F.LC., F.C.8.). The Superintendent of the Royal Botanic
Gardens (J. H. Hart Hsq., F.L:S.). The Inspector of
Schools (Mr. J. H. Collens). The Principal of Queen’s
Royal College (W. Burslem Esq., M.A.). The Principal of
the College of the Immaculate Conception (the Rey.
Father Neville).
Additional Representatives for Trinidad :—The Hon. G.
Townsend Fenwick, C.M.G., and the Rev. Dr. Morton,
Representatives for Tobago :—The Hon. H. L. Thornton,
™ i. M. Orde Esq., J.P; and the Curator of the
Botanic Station, Tobago (Henry Millen Esq.).
WINDWARD ISLANDS.
Representative of
(E. M. De Freitas Esq.).
(J. A. Harbin Esq. }.
Representatives of the St.
Association (the Hon. Conrad J. Simmons and Edwin
Richards Esq.). The Agricultural Superintendent, St. Vincent
(W. N. Sands Esq.).
The Agricultural
Hudson Esq.).
the Grenada Agricultural Society
The Inspector of Schools, Grenada
Vineent Cotton Growers’
Instructor, St. Lucia (George §.
BARBADOS,
Representatives of the Barbados Agricultural Society :—
The Hon. Forster M. Alleyne, Vice-President, and G.
Sebert Evelyn Esq. The Island Professor of Chemistry in
chemical charge of Sugar-cane Experiments (Professor J. P.
dAlbuquerque, M.A., F.LC., F.CS.). The Agricultural
Superintendent of Sugar-cane Experiments (J. R. Bovell Esq.,
F.LS., F.C.8.). The Head Master of Harrison College (Horace
Deighton Esq., M.A., F.R.A.S.).
LEEWARD ISLANDS.
The Government Analytical Chemist and Superintendent
of Agriculture (the Hon. Francis Watts, O.M.G.,
D.8ce., F.LC., F.C.8.). Dr. H. A. Alford Nicholls, C.M.G.,
Superintendent, St. Kitt’s-Nevis (F. R. Shepherd Esq.).
OFFICERS OF THE IMPERIAL DEPARTMENT OF
FOR THE WEST INDIES.
Imperial Commissioner of Agriculture for the West
Indies (Sir Daniel Morris, K.C.M.G., M.A., D.C.L., D.Se.,
F.L.S.). Scientific Assistant (W. R. Buttenshaw Esq., M.A.,
B.Se.). Mycologist and Agricultural Lecturer (L. Lewton-
3rain Esq., B.A., F.L.8.). Entomologist (Henry A. Ballou
Esq., B.Se.).
Honorary Secretaries to the Conference—W. R. Butten-
shaw Esq., M.A., B.Se., and Alleyne Graham Howell Esq.
AGRICULTURAL SHOWS.
Forthcoming Shows.
Arrangements are being made by local committees
for the holding of the following Shows under the
auspices of the Imperial Department of Agriculture
early next year :—
Dominica.— February 23, 1905.
Montserrat.—The Fifth Annual Show
in the Market Place on February 24, 1905,
Antigua.—February 25, 1905.
Nevis.-—A show wili be held at Charlestown on February
28, 1905.
Barbados.—The Local Industrial Exhibition and Show
of Stock for Peasant Proprietors will be held at Dunscombe
plantation, St. Thomas, on January 24, 1905.
Grenada.— February 1905.
St. Vincent.—It is proposed to hold an Agricultural
Show in March next.
AGRICULTURE
will be held
Barbados.
The Annual Agricultural and Industrial Exhibition of
the Barbados Agricultural Society was held at Harrison
College on December 20. Though the exhibits in some
departments were not as numerous as in previous years,
they were on the whole, however, up to the standard quality,
The Imperial Department of Agriculture offered three
special prizes of 45 each, namely :—
For the best collection of fruit.
For the best collection of vegetables.
For the best exhibit of Sea Island cotton.
Also two prizes of $3 each, for kids the progeny of
either the Anglo-Nubian billy ‘Black Rock’ or of the
Toffenburg billy ‘ Bruce,’ namely :—
For the best billy under twelve months old.
For the best native she-goat with kids from either of the
above sires from two to six months old.
Diplomas of Merit of the Department were awarded for
the following exhibits :—
Fancy Pigeons ... 400 ... Mr. E. W. Williams.
Bunch Dwarf Bananas... ..- Mr. C. M. Austin.
Collection of Fruit ee ... Mrs. T. Clarke.
Sea Island Cotton 30 ... Mr. H. M. Sisnett.
She-goat and three kids ... Mrs. T. Manning.
The stud goats ‘Bruce’ and ‘Black Rock’ were on
show and attracted considerable attention.
As usual the good quality of the fruit, ground provisions,
and yegetables was a striking feature of the exhibition,
Vou. Ill. No. 71.
THE AGRICULTURAL
NEWS. 493
CASSAVA POISONING.
The following correspondence in reference to
cassava poisoning has been published in the Barbados
Official Gazette of December 19, 1904:—
The Governor directs the publication for general infor-
mation of the following correspondence with reference to
acase of cassava poisoning which recently occurred in
Barbados.
By command,
(Sged.) S. W. KNAGGS,
Colonial Secretary.
Colonial Secretary, Barbados—to the Imperial Commis-
sioner of Agriculture.
November 3, 1904.
Sir,
With reference to the previous correspondence on the
subject of cassava poisoning, and to your letter No. B. 1,045—
of March 27, 1903, I am directed by the Governor to forward
to you the enclosed copy of a minute made by the Coroner of
District ‘A’ on the proceedings at an inquiry into a recent
death from that cause.
His Excellency will be glad to be favoured with your
observations on the minute of Mr, Coroner Briggs.
I have, ete.,
(Sgd.) S. W. KNAGGS,
Colonial Secretary.
Note made by Mr. N. PF. Briggs, Coroner, District ‘ A,
on the proceedings of an inquest into the cause of death of
a boy, Theophilus Laylor—Verdict, ‘ Accidental Death’—
Cause of death, ‘Cassava Poisoning. October 21, 1904.
Nore:—It is frequently stated by witnesses when
deaths occur from eating roasting cassava (always when not
thoroughly cooked) that if roasting and poison cassava grow
closely side by side, the roasting cassava takes up some
of the poison from the poison cassava. Again, it is stated
that the roasting cassava gets a ‘spring in it’ and that
makes it poisonous. I notice in the Hints and Information
in regard to Cassava Poisoning, * issued by the Imperial
Department of Agriculture for the West Indies, that no
allusion is made to these probably mistaken notions, and
I would suggest that some authorized experiments might be
carried out to test the truth or falsehood of this.
(Intld.) N. F. B.
October 28, 1904.
Imperial Coninissioner of Agriculture—-to the Colonial
Secretary, Barbados.
December 12, 1904.
Sir,
I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your
letter No. 1,586 of November 3 last, in which you enclose
copy of a minute made by the Coroner of District ‘A’ on
the proceedings at an inquiry into a recent death from
cassava poisoning.
In reply to the reauest contained in the 2nd. paragraph
of your letter under reply, I may mention that I have given
*A copy of the Leaflet (No. 7) on Cassava Poisoning
published by the Imperial Department of Agriculture, which
also contains hints as to the immediate treatment of sufferers
until medical aid is available, may be obtained free on appli-
cation to the Imperial Commissioner of Agriculture, Head
Office, Barbados,
careful consideration to the minute made by Mr. Briggs.
There are apparently no grounds for the supposition ‘ that
if roasting and poison cassava grow closely side by side
the roasting cassava takes up some of the poison from the
poisonous cassava.’ There can be no direct connexion
between the two plants, and it is impossible that the poison
can pass through the soil from the poisonous cassava to the
sweet.
It is well known, as the result of actual experiment, that
if roasting cassava is planted under favourable conditions the
amount of prussic acid contained in the roots may be
increased. For instance, an experienced planter at Jamaica
states: ‘The soil has a great effect on cassava. I have seen
sweet cassava turn quite bitter in some lands, the variety
called “ Mexico” being especially apt to change in this way.’
The second point noticed by Mr. Briggs is that the
roasting cassava gets a ‘spring in it’ and that makes it
poisonous. If by the ‘spring in it’ is meant that the plant
starts into second growth after heavy rain, it is probable that
certain changes may take place inducing an increase of the
poisonous quality.
What probably happens when persons die from eating
sweet or roasting cassava is that it is either too old or it has
been removed from the fire before the whole of the acid has
been driven off; in consequence it produces symptoms of
poisoning more or less acute according to the amount of
cooking it has received. Usually those who die from cassava
poisoning in this island are ill fed and neglected children.
This class is most difficult to reach, and I can only suggest
that the sympathy and co-operation of all who are in
a position to bring the necessary information within reach
of those concerned may be fully enlisted. This was the
object of the Leaflet No. 7 recently published by this Depart-
ment. Several thousand copies of this leaflet were distributed
in Barbados and other parts of the West Indies.
The important point to dwell upon is that sweet or
roasting cassava is only really wholesome when the roots are
not too old and when they have been cooked until they are
quite soft. If the exterior portion only is soft and the
centre is hard, the probability is that the latter is more or
less poisonous and should not be eaten. Further, it is
important to bear in mind that cassava after it has become
cold, or is allowed to stand for some time after it is cooked,
may become unwholesome and not fit to eat unless it is
cooked a second time.
I suggest that it might be useful if a copy of your letter
and enclosure and also of this letter were published in the
Official Gazette and that slips be struck off and distributed
through the Educational Department to all the schools in
the colony.
I have, etc.,
(Sgd.) D. MORRIS,
Commissioner of Agriculture,
Copy of a minute by the Governor.
Hon. Colonial Secretary.
Correspondence to be published and my obligation
expressed to the Commissioner.
The great point to emphasize in this matter is thorough
cooking. This is well understood in West Africa where large
quantities are consumed and its poisonous properties under
certain conditions well understood.
(Intld.) G. T. C.
December 12, 1904.
494 THE
AGRICULTURAL NEWS.
DucemBer 31, 1904.
!
EDITORIAL NOTICES.
Letters and matter for publication, as well
as all specimens for naming, should be addressed
to the Commissioner, Imperial Department of
Agriculture, Barbados.
All applications for copies of the ‘Agri-
cultural News’ should be addressed to the
Agents, and not to the Department.
Local Agents: Messrs. Bowen & Sons, Bridge-
town, Barbados. London Agents: Messrs. Dulau &
Co., 87, Soho Square, W., and The West India Com-
mittee, 15, Seething Lane, E.C. A complete lst of
Agents will be found at foot of page 431 of this issue.
The Agricultural News: Price 1d. per number,
post free 1$¢. Annual subscription payable to Agents,
2s. 2d. Post free, 3s. 3d.
Vou. Il]. SATURDAY, DECEMBER 31, 1904. No. 71.
Contents of Present Issue.
The present state of the cotton market is briefly
reviewed in the editorial to the present issue. ‘The
position of Sea Island cotton has been but slightly, if
at all, affected by the considerable decline that has
recently been brought about in the price of Upland
cotton by the great increase in production.
The position of West Indian sugar in the New
York, Halifax, and London markets is clearly stated in
the memorandum published on p. 419.
On p. 420 will be found a note on the shipment
of bananas from Barbados, and also an interesting
extract from the Annual Report of the Director of
Public Gardens in Jamaica on the hybridization of
pine-apples.
Extracts from fortnightly reports on the condition
of the cotton cultivations in the various islands are to
be found on p. 421. A further note in reference to
this industry deals with experiments that are being
conducted in Cuba.
Official correspondence in regard to Cassava
Poisoning is published on p. 423.
The insect notes in this issue refer to cotton pests
at Barbados and a butterfly borer that has been doing
considerable damage to canes in British Guiana.
An interesting description of the Lotus Lily is
given on p. 427. On the same page will be found
a report on a Jamaica sample of banana meal.
West Indian Agricultural Conference.
We publish on p- 422 a revised list of the
Representatives who are likely to attend the Agri-
cultural Conference that is to be held at Trinidad
during the next fortnight.
Several additional Representatives have been
appointed since the publication of the provisional list
published in the last issue of the Agricultural News,
We regret that a number of gentlemen, who it was
hoped would be present, have found it impossible to
attend,
eae
Ground Nuts as a Green Manure.
In a recent lecture before the Kandy Planters
Association, Mr. Herbert Wright, Controller of the
Experiment Station at Gangaroowa, Ceylon, dealt with
the subject of green manures for tea, cacao, rubber,
and cocoa-nuts. Special reference was made to the
use of ground nuts for this purpose.
The varieties recommended by Mr. Wright—
known as the Tanjore and the Pondicherry—produce
minimum crops of nuts and a maximum of leafy
growth. The actual amount of woody tissue is very
small and practically confined to the roots. Within
five months 4,540 th. of fresh, green material can
be obtained, without allowing for the large amount of
ieaf falling to the ground. This plant has been culti-
vated as a green manure and for crop purposes on
young clearings of rubber and cocoa-nuts, the green
material being buried as soon as the nuts have been
picked. There seems to be every possibility of being
able to use this crop in this way, thereby clearing the
cost of upkeep of new clearings in certain districts,
OSE
Cotton Experts in Jamaica.
A very successful conference, arranged by the
Board of Agriculture to meet the Cotton Experts,
Messrs. Oliver and Stanclitfe, took place at Kingston,
Jamaica, on November 29. The Chairman of the Board
(the Hon. H. Clarence Bourne) presided, his Excellency
the Governor being also present.
In the course of his address Mr. Oiiver referred to
the cultivation of Egyptian cotton. There was, he
said, an unlimited demand for this class of cotton, but
whether it would pay them to grow it he did not know.
They would not receive for Egyptian cotton more than
half what they would receive for good cotton grown
from such seed as the Imperial Department of Agri-
culture secured from Mr. E. L. Rivers’ estate last
year, An important point he desired to bring home to
them was that if they grew Egyptian cotton they
should confine it to a certain area, as it was most
essential that different kinds of cotton should be kept
absolutely distinct. Mr. Oliver dealt also with the
subjects of picking, ginning, and baling.
It may be mentioned that Mr. Oliver has expressed
himself as being very pleased with some of the cotton
cultivations he has seen in Jamaica. He visited one
estate where 50 acres of cotton were being grown and
said he had seen no better cultivation since he had left
Barbados.
THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS. 49}
aii
Cassava Poisoning.
We publish on p. 423 interesting correspondence
on the subject of cassava poisoning. The correspond-
ence was the result of a note by the Coroner at
a recent inquest in Barbados where cassava poisoning
was the cause of death.
It would appear that there are various mistaken
notions regarding the cassava plant more or less
commonly held by the peasantry in Barbados, while
the same class of people is not fully impressed by
the precautions that are necessary in preparing cassava
for eating. The points of importance in this connexion
are clearly dealt with in the letter of the Imperial
Commissioner of Agriculture.
eS ee
Plants as Analytical Agents.
In a paper read before the recent British Associa-
tion meeting at Cambridge, Mr. A. D. Hall, M.A,
referred to the attempts that have been made from
time to time to use the living plant as an analytical
agent for discovering the manurial requirements of
asoil. ‘lo try the agreement between the method of
using plant ashes, to ascertain the needs of the soil, and
chemical analysis, experiments were begun in 1902
with oats grown in pots containing soils of very
different types. Although in certain cases both
methods agreed in their results, there was no strict
measure of consistency between the two sets of figures.
Experiments were also tried with root crops. The
results indicated that the analysis of the ash of the
Swede plant would often provide a better indication of
the phosphoric acid requirements of the soil than the
analysis of the soil itself, while, similarly, the mangel
plant will serve to test the state of the soil as to
potash. It will be necessary to obtain further data
before this method can be employed for practically
testing the soil.
Great Britain’s Orange Supply.
The Liverpool Courier of November 23 has an
interesting article on the orange supply of Great
Britain. It is stated that about 6,000,000 cases of
-oranges are landed every year; nearly four-fifths of
these are imported from Spain, the province of
Valencia being responsible for the greater part. In
return, Great Britain pays Valencia at least about
£6,000,000 a year. The thinness of the peel and the
richness of the flavour of Valencia oranges enable them
to vie successfully with those of Florida and even
‘California. Paris is Great Britain’s keenest competitor
for these oranges, where extravagant prices are paid.
The old method of crowding a large number of
oranges of all shapes and sizes in rough and clumsy-
looking packages has been abandoned, and the fruit now
undergoes systematic treatment through its long pil-
grimage. It is carefully picked, and conveyed in padded
‘carts to well-ventilated warehouses, where it is allowed
to sweat. The oranges are then carefully graded and
wrapped in tissue paper before being packed in
scientifically ventilated cases. The treatment on
‘board ship also ensures the best possible ventilation.
Shade-grown Tobacco in Jamaica.
Reference has several times been made in these
columns to the experiments that have been carried on
in Jamaica for the purpose of testing the possibility of
producing, locally, the expensive, imported wrapper
tobacco. It will be remembered that Mr. F. V.
Chalmers, who recently visited Jamaica in connexion
with the tobacco industry, reported: ‘fhe product has
every appearance when perfected of being a type of
tobacco which is hardly likely, for the purpose of cigar
manufacturing, principally from a Wrapper point of
view, to be excelled by any other tobacco of the world,
and from the estimate prepared by the Hon. Wm.
Fawcett of the cost of such production, in my opinion,
a very lucrative industry should arise in Jamaica.’
(See Agricultural News, Vol. III, p- 379.)
Further reference is made to these experiments in
the Bulletin of the Department of Agriculture,
Jamaica, for December, from which we learn that the
cost of production per pound of tobacco (calculating on
the wood-work to last for five years, and putting on
new cloth each year) is estimated to be about 2s. 1d.
This estimate assumes a yield (a low average) of
800 Ib, per acre.
It is stated that it appears to be ‘safe to advocate
the cultivation of this valuable crop only in such
districts as Upper Clarendon and Temple Hall.’
EEE
Rubber-tree Planting in Para.
The United States Monthly Consular Reports tor
June contains an interesting article on ‘Rubber-tree
planting in Para.’ It is stated that there can be little
doubt that the Para rubber trees (Hevea brasiliensis)
of the great Amazon Valley will ultimately be
exhausted. Experiments tried in various parts of the
world to see if artificial plantations could not be
established have been measurably successful. The
principal difficulty has always been that of transporting
the seeds, which very soon lose their power of germina-
tion.
The ideal place to try such experiments would
seem to be in the natural home of the tree, but little
has been done in this way. Considerable interest is
therefore attached to the experiments of a Mr. Martins,
who some years ago cleared a space and planted a large
number of Para rubber seeds on his estate, Da Fundo.
These sprang up and flourished in such a way that
Mr. Martins continued the experiment. his spring
he tapped, for the first time, some forty trees. His
success was complete and undoubted. There are now
several hundied trees that are beginning to yield latex.
There are between 2,000 and 3,000 young plants from
2 to 20 feet high. It is estimated that in a space of
5 acres ‘there will be, ten years from now, at least
1,000 full-bearing trees, and they will produce more
and better rubber than the trees on ten forest “runs ”
(the usual “run” being 2 miles long), for it will be
gathered more quickly, in a more cleanly manner, and
with greater care of the tree in tapping. Trees can
profitably be planted as close as 6 to 8 feet apart each
way, giving easily 800 trees to the acre.
426 THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.
December 31, 1904.
INSECT NOTES.
Cotton Insects in Barbados.
In November and December 1903 cotton in Barbados
was very seriously attacked by the cotton worm, and many
fields were completely defoliated. This year there has been
but little evidence of such attacks. A few estates have
reported the appearance of the worm, but the prompt
application of Paris green has been efficient in killing them
before any damage had been done. In a few instances,
managers have delayed the application of poisons for a day
or two, and in such cases some plants have been more or less
stripped of their leaves.
The cotton stainer has not been reported as doing any
damage, but the cotton aphis has been present in large
numbers in a few fields. The lady-birds, however, have
been very numerous and probably no damage has been done.
The red maggot has made its appearance but only in
a few places, and then only in small numbers. Attacked
stems and branches have been cut out and burned and no
serious damage is expected from this cause.
Tn one field a small number of bolls have been attacked
by a caterpillar that eats into the inside and destroys the
young seed and fibre in exactly the same way that the boll
worm attacks the cotton. This field is near the spot where
a small plot of corn was last year destroyed by a worm, and
it is likely that this is the same species, though it has not yet
been identified.
New Cane Pest in British Guiana.
In October last specimens of a butterfly borer
were received from Mr. G. N. Bethune, of Plantation
Enmore, British Guiana, which was reported to be
causing considerable damage to the canes. More
recently, the British Guiana Board of Agriculture
has sent additional specimens with reports by the
Executive Secretary and the Agricultural Assistant.
The following brief description of this pest and the
damage caused by it is likely to be of interest :—
The adult of the borer is a large butterfly, with a spread
of about 3 inches, dark brownish-grey above, light-grey
beneath. The head is large, with large, prominent, dark-
brown eyes. The antennae are about 3; inch in length,
slender, swollen towards the tip, the extreme tip being a fine,
slightly curved point. The colour of the antennae is dark-
brown, lighter at the tip. The fore wing is crossed by
a white band from within the middle of the front margin to
the hinder angle, with a shorter white band outside it and
nearly parallel to it. The hind wing has a white band,
which begins with two spots at the front margin and extends
back across the wing, increasing in width, so that it is widest
near the hind margin. The hind wing also has six pale-
orange spots along the margin.
The egg is about | inch in length, pointed at each end,
with five prominent ribs running from end to end. The
colour ranges from a light grey to a dark grey. In captivity
the eggs are laid singly, and not attached.
The full-grown larva is about 2) inches long and } inclv
in diameter at the widest point, which is just behind the
head. The colour is acream white, head light-brown with black
mandibles. The young larva enters the cane near the ground,
and tunnels a short distance up in the caneand then goes into
the underground portion of the stool. Mr. Robert Ward,
Agricultural Assistant, states that the cocoon is in the under-
ground portion of the canes. Larvae in captivity at the Head
Oftice of the Imperial Department of Agriculture tunnelled
through the ground and one at least built a cocoon or eartle
cell in the soil. It is supposed that the adult emerges by
means of the tunnels in the cane stumps, but it has not yet
been proved whether it has any other way of getting above
ground. This condition has suggested the plugging of the
holes in the cane stumps with wet clay, which is being tried
and some success has been reported. Mr. Bethune reported
that he was catching about 1,000 butterflies daily, with
nets, in the hands of children. ;
The damage to the cane by this pest is twofold; the
riper cane is severely injured by the large tunnel extending
through about 2 feet of the basal portion, and the stumps
are so thoroughly eaten out underground as to make it
impossible to ratoon them. It is hoped that a_ better
knowledge of the life-history and habits of this pest will
make it possible to apply remedies to prevent serious damage
to canes in British Guiana in future years. az
KAPOK AND ITS USES.
The following account of kapok and its uses is
taken from Chambers’ Journal :-—
Every year that busy centre of commerce, Amsterdam,
receives nearly 1,000 tb. of a curious and_ interesting
vegetable substance known in Java and in the trade as
kapok, which is found very useful for stuffing
L cheap:
mattresses and pillows, among other purposes.
It is a sort
of yellow wadding which nature uses as a covering for the
seeds of certain trees in the Malaceas. Its fibres being very
non-resisting, it has been found impossible to spin or weave
it, but it gives excellent results for bedding, making
a mattress delightfully soft if it 1s exposed to the sun before
being used. It is exceedingly light and buoyant, in this
respect greatly surpassing cork, as it will support in the
water thirty-five times its own weight. The tree whence it
is derived (Zriodendron) grows rapidly, and in the second
year is 12 to 15 feet high, but it does not fruit abundantly
until the fourth year. Like the cotton plant, it bestows two
gifts on man, the special wadding mentioned, which lines the
husk, and the oil extracted from the seeds, which is used
especially in the Chinese markets. The threads of the soft
fibre taken from the pods are light-yellow, rather silky, and
only about an inch in Jength. They are made into thin
rings. Kapok, it is said, never decays. Among the ever-
increasing uses to which this curious vegetable product is
put—causing the culture of the Eriodendron to make great
strides in the Dutch Indies, while efforts are being made
to cultivate it in similar climates—it has been suggested
that excellent life-saving apparatus might be made from it,
which should be in the form of mattresses and cushions,
easily obtainable in moments of danger. Three hundred
grammes of kapok (105 oz.) will support a man of 10 stone
5 Tb. (145 Ib.) in the water; and experiments by a French
society with articles made of this wadding, which had
previously been soaked im water for eighteen hours, gave
excellent results. One small mattress supported seyeral
men.
of kapok.
It is probable that soon all ships’ beds will be made:
Ne pe "= 2A
Re ee oe
Wor. III. No. 71. THE
AGRICULTURAL NEWS. 427
SCIENCE NOTE.
The Lotus Lily.
The sacred lotus of the ancient Egyptians is known
botanically as Velumbium speciosum ; the other species of this
genus (.V. Jutewm) is a native of North America and J amaica
and is shown in fig. 16. These plants are fairly common in
cultivation in the West Indies. They belong to the natural
order Vymphaeaceae, to which also belong the English water-
lilies and the giant water-lily of the Amazon (Victoria regia).
Both species of Nelumbium are water, or rather marsh,
plants ; the flowers and leaves project above the surface
of the water. The large leaves are peltate, that is, the leaf-
stalk is attached to the centre of the almost circular blade ;
the leaf-blade is covered by a fine microscopic down, which
by retaining a film of air over the upper surface prevents
this from being wetted ; when water is poured on it simply
rolls off in drops. As in many water and marsh plants the
leaf-stalks and the long flower-stalks contain large air spaces
which connect with the breathing pores and are useful in
respiration.
Fic. 16. NELUMBIUM LUTEUM.
[From Dictionary of Gardening.)
The petals and stamens are both numerous, they are
not arranged in whorls but form a close spiral. In the centre
of the flower is the curious pistil, shaped like an inverted
cone. It consists of a number of earpels which are embedded
separately in the top of the swollen receptacle. This recep-
facle becomes very dry and light, and the true fruits, which
are one-seeded, small and dry (achenes), separate from it as
they ripen. It breaks off bodily from the stalk and floats
about until decay sets in ; the fruits are in this way liberated
and settle down to the bottom of the pond, where germination
fakes place.
Nelumbiun speciosum is now found throughout India,
China, Japan, Persia, Australia, ete.; it no longer occurs on
the Nile. Sculptures of it are very frequent in Egyptian
temples, and it is still regarded as sacred in India, Tibet, and
China. The seeds of this species are used as food in
Cashmere and China.
‘A reference to the occurrence of J, speciosum in
Antigua, where it was establishing itself in a wild state, is
made in Volume I of the Agricultural News (p. 104)
BANANA MEAL AND FARINE.
In a report by the United States Consul-General
at Halifax, recently reproduced in the Agri-
cultural News (p. 397), it was mentioned that
inquiries had been made for banana flour. ‘The
November issue of the Jowrnal of the Jumaica
Agricultural Society contains an article by Mr. H. H.
Cousins on local products that might be used instead
of imported cornmeal. The following analysis and
report are given with regard to a locally prepared
sample of banana meal :—
Moisture 10°88 per cent.
Albuminoids * O71
Fats and oils 0-22 Pe
Sugar 348 5
Starch 60°42 5
Pectin 20°93 .
Fibre 0-72 5
Mineral matter Ae soo, ey! 5
* Containing nitrogen O1-14
From the chemical composition of this banana flour it is
clear that practically the whole of it is readily digestible.
The mineral matter contains soluble phosphates such as
occur in wheaten flour. This flour consists almost entirely
of carbohydrates of a readily digestible nature. The high
proportion of pectin imparts to it the mucilaginous properties
of a fruit extract. I consider it a well-prepared article of
high dietetic value.
In regard to the farine, Mr. Cousins states :—
Farine should be of high dietetic value when used in
conjunction with more nitrogenous foods like eggs, fish, peas
and beans. For production of work, and general main-
tenance, 11 Ib. of farine are equal to 10 tb. cornmeal.
There are also other products which can be made into
meal for storing, but the two mentioned, favine and banana
meal, will likely prove the most useful. We ought to have at
least some supplies of local cornmeal, and Mr. J. H. Levy, of
the Jamaican Products Company, Brown’s Town, has put in
machinery for the purpose of making cornmeal from Jamaica
grown corn, and is open to buf all the corn he can get at
a fair price. Sweet potato meal is also a most useful form
of storing farinaceous food.
DEPARTMENT NEWS.
The Imperial Commissioner of Agriculture and
the scientific staff of the Imperial Department of
Agriculture will be at Trinidad from January 3 to 13,
1905.
The Secretary of State for the Colonies has been
pleased to appoint Mr. Thomas Thornton, an Associate
of the Royal College of Science, to be a Travelling
Instructor in connexion with the cotton industry under
the Imperial Department of Agriculture in the West
Indies.
THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.
DecemBer 31, 1904.
GLEANINGS.
It has been decided to hold the annual Teachers’ Agri-
cultural Course in Jamaica from January 2 to 25, 1905.
It is a coincidence that the new Governor of Barbados
(Sir Gilbert Carter, K.C.M.G.), and the new Governor of
Martinique (M. Bonhoure) are both keen entomotogists.
St. Vincent honey can be obtained from Messrs. Leonard
Hall & Co., 132, Queen Victoria Street, London, E.C., in
cases of six 1-Ib. jars, carriage paid, for 5s. per case.
The Montserrat Agricultural Society is making arrange-
ments for holding an Agricultural Show at St. George’s
Schoolroom on Easter Monday, April 24, 1905.
As an indication of the confidence in the future
prospects of the sugar industry in Barbados, it may be
mentioned that on December 9, no less than six plantations
were sold at the Master-in-Chancery’s office.
Tt may be useful to mention that bags for baling Sea
Tsland cotton may be obtained from Messrs. Henry Knuck
& Co., Whitehall Works, Dundee. Their cost, c. 1. f. Barbados,
is 2s. 9d. each, less 24 per cent.
Mr. Henry Millen writes that there is at the Botanic
Station, Tobago, a mango tree in fruit for the second time
this season. he fruits are of average size and good flavour.
Tt is most unusual to have mangos in fruit in December.
No. 3 of the West Indian Bulletin (Vol. V) is now in
the press and will be issued shortly. The succeeding number
will contain the official report of the proceedings of the fifth
West Indian Agricultural Conference.
According to the Hawaiian Forester and Agriculturist,
the Hawaiian Sisal Co. estimates the future cost of producing
a ton of sisal hemp and delivering it in San Francisco at $74.
At the latest New York quotation of $165 per ton, it is
evident that there are prospects of excellent profits.
Tt is announced in the Journal of the Jamaica Agri-
cultural Society that a firm in Kingston is in want of
a consignment of 5 or 10 tons of bird peppers for which they
offer 21s. per cwt. This is a product that might easily be
raised by small settlers.
During the past fortnight 512 bales of West Indian
cotton were imported into the United Kingdom. Sales have
been effected in Liverpool at the following prices: West
India, 4°75d. to 5:20d. per tb.; West India Sea Island,
unchanged ; medium fine, 124d.; fine, 134/.; extra fine, 15d.
(West India Committee Circular, December 6.)
According to the Board of Trade Journal, the Syndi-
cate of Sugar Manufacturers, Java, offers prizes to the
inventors of the best apparatus for automatically registering
the weight of sugar-cane juice in lots of not less than 1,000
kilos.
The notes on ‘Rabbit Keeping in the West Indies’
by Mr. John Barclay, Secretary of the Jamaica Agricultural
Society, which recently appeared in the columns of the
Agricultural News, will shortly be published in pamphlet
form.
It is far more difficult to keep poultry in wet districts
than in dry districts: This refers especially to turkeys which
are very difficult to keep in wet districts. Guinea fowls also
thrive best in dry districts. Ducks are much easier kept in
wet districts. (Journal of the Jamaica Agricultural Society.)
The West India Committee’s Antigua correspondent
writes in reference to the visit of the Cotton Experts as
follows: ‘The general result has been to leave the planters
with much clearer and more definite ideas as to improving
the quality of cotton, and these should make themselves
felt when the next picking season comes round.’
His Majesty the King has thanked the Dominica Agri-
cultural Society for offering for the use of the hospitals,
the fruit which gained a gold medal at the recent Fruit
Exhibition of the Royal Horticultural Society, and suggested
that it should be sent to the Great Ormond Street Hospital
for Children.
During the quarter ended September 30, 1904, 393
bales and 2 bags of cotton were exported from the British
West Indies. The total weight was 119,052 tb., and the
estimated value £5,603. Particulars as to the exports of
cotton for the previous quarter were given in the Agri-
cultural News, Vol. 11, p. 316.
Under the power given by the Jamaica Rum
Protection Law, the Governor has appointed Mr. J.C. Nolan
to be the person who is empowered to institute proceedings
and undertake the prosecution in the United Kingdom and
Ireland and elsewhere of offences under the Merchandise
Marks Acts, so far as such Acts apply to Jamaica rum, and
to take all necessary steps for protecting Jamaica rums from
imitations and frauds. (Gleaner, December 7, 1904.)
A correspondent writes to Zhe Times that, having to
live in a town in Brazil where no mosquito nets were
procurable, he could get no rest on account of the assaults of
mosquitos until he hit on the simple expedient of anointing
the tace with kerosene oil and soap in the proportion of
about a teaspoonful of oil to a lather of soap and water,
which, when free from bubbles, would fill one-third of
a soap dish. No injury was done by this mixture to the skin.
According to the British Medical Journal, bananas are
in the best condition for eating when ‘they are so ripe that
the skins show dark spots.’ Usually in Europe, and to some
extent in the United States and Canada, bananas are eaten
when quite hard and the skin slightly tinged with yellow.
This is a mistake. In consequence the banana is not so
easily digested and is not so extensively used as it deserves
to be. In the West Indies, bananas as a dessert fruit are
only eaten when sweet and pulpy. They are then delicious
ant wholesome.
Vou: Ih. No: 71. THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.
ANNATTO.
The Agricultural Ledger, 1904—No. 12, is
‘devoted to a review of existing information »s to the
annatto plant and its dye. The following extracts are
likely to be of interest -—
Annatto or arnatto is a dye obtained from the coating
-of the seed of an American shrub or small tree known as
Bixa orellana. Tt is a plant easily cultivated, is not very
exacting in the matter of soil, and has been taken to nearly
every country of the tropics. The flowers are showy,
sometimes white, sometimes pink ; and often it is grown as
an ornamental plant in gardens. The plant grows to a height
of 12 to 15 feet. The leaves are heart-shaped, sharp at the
end. ‘The flowers are borne at the ends of the branches
in a loose bunch and are large, regular and showy. The
pods are rather urn-shaped in general outline, laterally
compressed and slightly beaked above; they are covered
with weak prickles. At full maturity they crack open
from the beak downwards, along the two edges and
expose the seeds. The annatto harvest begins when two or
three of the pods of a bunch are gaping slightly: then is the
time to cut off the whole and to take them to any suitable
place for shelling out the seeds. These seeds are either dried
carefully in the sun and sent into the market as they are, or
else the dye is prepared from them by one of the processes to
be described.
CULTIVATION,
The cultivation of Bixa is very simple, and the bush
has few enemies. ‘The first return comes in the second year,
Seeds from which the dye may have been washed are
sown at the beginning of the rains about 7 to 8 feet apart in
prepared soil. Two or three seeds may be put into each
hole, and ultimately the weaker seedings eliminated, or else
the seedlings may be grown in a nursery and planted out at
the distance named. On the fattest lands the intermediate
plants may ultimately have to be removed, so that the bushes
may stand 15 feet apart. As the young plants come up
a little shade is given either by placing large leaves over
them to protect them during the heat of the day, or by
“putting mats over them. When they area foot high they
may be considered to be established and need no further
shade. Weeding is necessary until by their own growth they
so cover the ground as to keep weeds down. Pruning is
desirable to make the plant bushy ; for the flowers are borne
on the ends of the branches.
Annatto plants make good hedges and may be used for
wind-breaks for other kinds of cultivation.
YIELD.
The yield per acre is set down at 65 to 7} maunds * of
seeds, and as 9 to 10 seers of seed will give one seer of the
prepared dye, it is 26 to 30 seers of dye. The first full crop
may be set down at 5 ewt. (4 mds.) of seed per acre ; the
subsequent crops increasing.
The markets for it now are chiefly in Europe and North
America, and the chief countries supplying it are Brazil,
French Guiana or Cayenne, the French West Indies, and, to
a less extent, the British West Indies. Ceylon and Madras
also send a small quantity of seed to Europe. The annatto
of Cayenne obtains the highest price, and in France it
may, sold in bulk, touch at times 200 franes per 100
kilos. The less valuable kinds sell at much lower prices,
down even to 30 franes per 100 kilos. An average price
* One maund = 40 seers = 9°8 gallons. (Ed. A. V.]
in Germany seems to be about 80 marks per 100 kilos.
[About £2 per ewt.]
PREPARATION,
' . : . : . :
The preparation of annatto in any form is quite
a sunple one. The better stuff is made in the following
Way :—
The seeds, taken out of the capsules, are placed in
a receptacle, and hot water is poured over them until they
are well covered: they are then stirred for a considerable
time until the colouring matter has been washed off. That
done, the liquor and seeds are separated by straining through
any suitable material. The former carries with it all that is
of value, and is set to stand so that the dye may fall to the
bottom ; the latter are thrown away. When all the dye has
settled, the supernatant water is poured off as far as possible,
and the fine residue placed in the shade where the rest of the
water may evaporate without the aid of artificial heat. As
soon as the mass is dry enough to be kneaded, it is moulded
by hand into rolls or cakes and these are put by until they
are perfectly hard. When moulded they are wrapped in
clean leaves, plantain or banana, and when dry they are
packed in layers in boxes.
COCO-DE-MER.
In his report on the Botanic Station in Seychelles
for 1903, Mr. R. Dupont, the Curator, makes the
following reference to the interesting double cocoa-nuts
known as ‘coco-de-mer’ (Lodoicea, sechellarum) :—
The exportation of double cocoa-nuts from Seychelles
reaches about 300 per annum. These curious fruits are
principally exported to. India. They should be made
known much more in Java, Malay Peninsula, China,
Philippines, Australia, Cuba, ete., where they could be
employed in sugar factories for the extraction of sugar from
the centrifugals. By cutting the two lobes lengthwise, a nut
can be made to produce two very large bowls, each capable
of containing 5 Ib. to 10 tb. of sugar. These bowls are
extensively used in Mauritius for this purpose and cannot be
replaced by metallic vessels which injure the copper wire of
the centrifugals or are soon oxidized. The coco-de-mer bowl
is besides extremely light and durable.
The nuts also contain a very hard kernel which has been
sent home for report as to the possibility of using it as are the
other vegetable ivory-like substances in different manufac-
tories. It is difficult to find a bigger mass of vegetable ivory
than the one which is contained in the coco-de-mer nut.
It might be mentioned that some of these nuts
were obtained from Seychelles for the Botanic Station
at Dominica. Mr. Jones stated in his report for 1903-4
that two of the four seeds were growing nicely.
Technical Education in Agriculture. In an
article in the U.S. Monthly Consular Reports on ‘ Technical
Edueation, the basis of German Industrial Progress,’ the
Consul-General at Berlin makes the following reference to
agricultural education: ‘The careful analyses of scils and the
skilful use of chemical and other fertilizers to meet exactly the
deficit in essential elements have revolutionized agriculture in
this country. It is due largely to the work of expert
chemists that the percentage of saccharine centent in sugar
beets has been raised from 5:72 per cent. in 1840, to 13 per
cent. in recent years, whereby the whole German sugar
industry was saved from collapse.’
THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.
December 31, 1904.
MARKET REPORTS.
London,— December 6, 1904. Messrs. J. Hanes Carrp &
Co., Messrs. KEarro, Pirer & Co., Messrs. E. A.
DE Pass & Co., ‘THe West Iyp1a Commirrer Crr-
cuLAR’; ‘THe Liverroon Corron AssocratTion
WEEKLY CrrcuLar,’ December 2; and ‘THE
Pusiic LepcGer,’ December 3, 1904.
Ators—Barbados, 15/- to 35/- ; Curacoa, 15/- to 37/6 per ewt.
Arrowroot—St. Vincent, 1}d. per tb.
Bartara—Block, as 3 to 1/35 per tb.
Burs-wax—£7 2s. 6d. to £7 7s. 6d. per ewt.
Choma 56/- to 65/- per ewt. ; Grenada, 55/-
to 57/- per ewt ; Dominica, 50/- to 52- per ewt. ;
Jamaica, 48/- to 65/- per cwt.
Carpamoms—Mysore, 74d. to 2/- per Ib.
CorrEE—Jamaica, good ordinary, 37/- to 38/- per cwt.
Corron—West Indian Sea Island, medium fine, 124d. ; fine,
13hd. ; extra fine, 153d. per tb.
Froir—
Bananas—No quotations,
Grare Frurr—6/- to 7/- per case.
ORANGES—8,- to aby) - per box of 150-176.
Prye-arpies—-No quotations.
Fusric—£3 10s. to £4 per ton.
GINGER— Jenne fair bright, 37/-; ordinary to good
ordinary, 27/- to 30,- Bee ewt.
Honey—Jamaica, 17/6 to 22/- per ewt.
Isryetass—West Indian lump, 2,5 to 2/8
Kora Nets—4d. to 6d. per tb.
Lime Jurce—-Raw, 9/. to 1,- per gallon; concentrated,
£13 15s. per cask of 108 gallons.
Lime Orr—Distilled, 1,5 per tb. ; hand-pressed, 2/6 to 2,9
per lb.
Locwoon—£4 2s. 6d. to £5; Roots, £4 to £4 10s. per ton.
Mace—Bold pale, 16; red, 1/1 to 1/2: broken, 1/-
to 1/1 per tb.
Nrrrate or Sopa—Agriculiural, £11 per ton.
Nurmecs-—55’s, 3/-; 61's, 1/9; 82°s, 1/-; 140's, 5d. per tb.
Pimento—-2$(/. per ib.
Rum—Demerara, 10d. per proof gallon; Jamaica, Is. 9d.
per proof gallon.
SarsaPaRILLa—7 3d. to 12 per th.
Sucar—Yellow crystals, 20, to 23/- per ewt.; Muscovado,
Barbados, 16,- to 17,/- per ewt.; Molasses, 14,6 to
17/- per cwt.
SULPHATE OF AmMONIA—£15 5s. per ton.
; cake, 1/3 per th.
Montreal,—November 9, 1904.—Mr. J. Russecn Murray.
(In bond quotations, c. & f.)
Bananas—Jamaica, 50c. to 75e. per bunch of 8 hands ;
$100 per bunch ‘firsts’: $1°50 to $140 per bunch
‘jumbos.’
Cepar—Trinidad, 40c. per cubic foot.
Cocoa-nuts— Jamaica, $26°00 to $28-00 ; Trinidad, $22°00
to $24:00 per M.
Corree—Jamaica, medium, 9c. to 10c. per th.
GincER—Jamaica, unbleached, 6c. to 8c. per th.
Mozascurr—Demerara, $1°32 per 100 tb.
Motasses—Barbados, 25c. to 27c¢.;
Imperial gallon.
Nurmecs—Grenada, 110’s, 20c. to 203e. per th.
Ornances—Jamaica, $3°60 per barrel; Dominica,
per barrel : $1°75 per box (duty paid).
Pimento—Jamaica, 53c. to Ge. per th.
PINE-APPLES— No quotations.
Sccar—Grey Crystals, 96°, $2°90 to $ $3 09 per 100 Tb.
—Muscovados, 89°, $2°75 to $ Aes 2°80 per 100 th.
—Molasses, 89°, $2°50 to & $2°60 per 100 th.
—Barbados, 89°, $2°60 to $2°75 per 100 th.
Antigua, 2le. per
“p
©
Col
of
Barbados,—December 17, 1904.—Messrs.
New York,—December 9, 1904.—Messrs. GILLEsPrie
Bros. & Co.
Cacao—Caracas, 12c. to 13c. ; Grenada, 11jc
Trinidad, 12e, to 13fc. per th.
Cocoa-Nuts—Trinidads, ‘go 5°00 to $27-00 per M., selected ;
Jamaicas, $27°00 to $28°00 per M.
CorrrE—Jamaica, good ordinary, 8c. to 9c. per th.
Goat Skrys—Jamaicas, 58e. to 60c. per th
Grave Frurr—Jamaicas, $2°50 to $300 per barrel.
Orances—Jamaica, $3°50 per barrel (stem cut).
Pimentro—4éec. per th.
Sucar—Centrifugals, 96°, 43c.; Muscovados, 89°,
Molasses, 89°, 4c. per tb.
to L1}e.;
leas
45
INTER-COLONIAL MARKETS.
T. S. Garra-
way & Co., and Messrs. James A. Lyncuo & Co,
Arrowroot—St. Vincent, $3°40 to $3°75 per 100 th.
Cacao—Dominica, $11°25 per 100 tb.
Cocoa-Nurs—$9'00 per M. for husked nuts.
CorrreE—$10-00 to $12°00 per 100 tb.
Hay—90e. to 95e. per 100 th. :
Manures—. Nitrate of soda, $60°00 ; Ohlendorff's dissolved
guano, $60°00; Sulphate of ammonia, $72°00 to $75:00;
Sulphate of potash, $67-00.
Oxtons—Madeira (stringed), $250 to $3°50 per 100 tb.
(retail).
Poraros, ENGLisH—$1°75 to $2°25 per 160 th.
Rice—Ballam, $480 to $4°85 per bag (190 tb.) ; Patna,
$3°25 per 100 th.
British Guiana,— December 15, 1904.—Messrs. Wretinc
& Ricwrer,
Arrowroor—St. Vincent, $7°50 to $8-00 per barrel.
Barara—Venezuela block, 25c.; Demerara sheet, 35e.
per tb.
Cacao—Native, 12c. to 18c. per Th.
Cassava SrarcH—$6-00 to $6°50 per barrel.
Cocoa-Nuts—$10-00 to $12°00 per M.
Corree—Rio and Jamaica, 14c. per th. (retail).
—Creole, llc. per th.
Duat— $4°30 to $4°40 per bag of 168 th.
Eppors—$1°68 per barrel.
Morasses—Vacuum Pan yellow, 16e. per gallon (casks
included).
Onxtons—Madeira, $3-00 to $4:00 per 100 tb.
Pea Nurs—American, 6c. to 65c. per tb. (retail).
Pranyvarys—20e. to 40c. per poe
Poraros, ENGLisH—$2°00 to $2°10 per barrel.
Rice—Ballam, $4°35 to $440; Creole, $4°25 per 177
ex store.
Sweer Poraros—Barbados, $168 per bag, $1°92 per
barrel.
Tannias— $2°64 per barrel.
Yams—White, $2°64 per bag.
Svuesar—Dark Crystals, $3:03 to $3-15 ; Yellow, $3-20 to
$3°30 ; White, $3°75 to $4°10; Molasses, $2°75 to
$300 per 100 th.
Timper—Greenheart, 32c. to 55c. per cubic foovt.
WALLABA SHINGLES—$3°00, $3°75, and $5°50 per M.
Trinidad,—December 15, 1904.—Messrs. Gorpon, GRANT
& Co. ; and Messrs. EpGar Tripp & Co.
Cacao—Ordinary to good red, $11°60 to $12°00 ; Estates,
$12:00 to $12°30; Venezuelan, $1230 to $1250
per fanega (110 tb.)
Cocoa-Nurs—$20-00 per ML. f.o.b.
Cocoa-Nuv Orn—Vle. per reaere ul gallon (casks included).
Corres—Venezuelan— 9c. per Tt
Corra—-$3'10 to $3-20 per 100 oh.
Oxtons—Stringed, Madeira, $3°50 to $400 per 100 tb.
(retail).
Poraros, Encrish—$1°‘15 to $1-25 per 100 tb.
Rice—Yellow, $4°25 to $440; White Table, $5°25 to
$5°50 per bag.
Vou. Ill. No. 71. THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS. 431
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432 THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS. December 31, 1904.
THE BEST MANURES FOR COLONIAL USE
2 ARE
Ohlendorff’s Dissolved Peruvian Guano—*or Sugar-cane and general use
Ohlendorff’s Special Sugar-cane Manure
Ohlendorff’s Special Cocoa Manure
Ohlendorff’s Special Cotton Manure
Sulphate of Ammonia, Nitrate of Soda, Superphosphates, high grades,
Potash Salts, Basic Slag and all other high-class Fertilizers.
APPLY TO LOCAL AGENTS OR DIRECT TO
THE ANGLO-CONTINENTAL (LATE OHLENDORFF’S) GUANO WORKS,
London Agency: 15, Leadenhall Street, London, E.C.
[72.] Barbados Agents: Messrs. James A. Lynch & Co., Bridgetown.
__ ee see
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DAVIDSON & TODD, Trinidad. CHO v; )
Wm.WESLEY & Co., 28, Essex St., London. Containing full report by Sir Daniel Morris, §
| | K.C.M.G., D.Sc., and Mr. J. R. Bovell, F.L.S., F.G:S., F
Price 3s, gpery (copy; | | on visit to the Cotton-growing districts of U.S.A. f
|
|
Printed at Office of Agricultural Reporter, 4, High Street, Bridgetown, Barbados.
9
43:
CGARDEA
INDEX.
A. Agriculture in British Guiana, 121. | Antigua, lectures to teachers, 108.
= — East Africa, 217. |—; — on tropical hygiene, 411.
Abrus precatorius, ue 2 3 == -— Falkland Islands, 249. —, mosquitos, destruction in, 412.
Acacia tortuosa, 156,
Adenanthera payonina, 395.
parca, East, agriculture 1 in, ZTE
Portuguese East, agriculture in, 278
—, West, fodder grasses for, 168.
Agave americana, fibre of, 24,
Agouti in East Africa, 342.
Agricultural Industries in the West,
Indies, 241.
Instructor for British Guiana, 186.
Scholarships, Barbados, 11.
. Leeward Islands, ice
—, Windward Islands,
School, Dominica, 27, Sie
= —, Geisenheim, Germany, 300.
— =, iin Uno, Bie
— —, st. Vincent, 27, 284.
— ‘Shows, 89, 9
— —, Antigua, 13, 91.
= =, Barbados, 13, 24, 45, 236,
429
= —, British Guiana, 44, 205,
268.
= —, circular to exhibitors, 254.
— Dominicans. oie
— —, fortheoming, 392, 413, 422.)
— —, dsamaica, 220, 252, 284, 413.
— = Montserratwe lia; esol, LOT
316, 428.
— —, Nevis, 188.
= —, poultry at 390:
— ee otavancenty lls, LOmjoll6;
— —, School, hints for exhibitors,
379.
—, —, Tobago, 413.
—, —, Trinidad, 413.
, Trinidad, 364.
Societies, Antigua, 37.
Barbados, 328.
British Honduras, 268.
, Dominica, 12, 108, :
—, Grenada, 178
—, Jamaica, 140.
|. sea moss from,
Nevis, 108, 204.
—, St. Lucia, 44, 262, 268.
riculture and geology, 3.
in Argentine, 151.
— Bahamas, 231,
— Bermuda, 297.
— Brazil, 345.
260.
— — Gold Coast, 281.
— Hawaiian Islands, 329.
— Lagos, 25.
— Northern Nigeria, 139.
= == Remy ey
— — Portuguese East Africa, 278.
as — Queensland, 301.
a — Sin (Ooi B75.
= — St. Lucia, 137, 308.
== — U.S.A., 140.
— — Virgin Islands, 265.
—s scientific, 118.
Albizzia Lebbek, 151, 395
Akees, gathering for market, 212.
Aletia argillacea, 26.
Aleurites moluccana, 236.
Alexandria, exports of cotton from, 124,
564.
Anguilla, cotton cultivation, 357, 380.
152
Alfalfa in Argentine, 151.
Algae, West Indian fresh-water,
Algarrobilla seed, 195.
Anacardium occidentale, 395.
Anastatiea hierochuntica, 155,
Andropogon Nardus at Antigua, 60.
Annatto, cultivation of, 429.
—, preparation, 429.
, West Tadion, value in London market,}
30, 94, 125, 173, 190, 238.
—, yield from, 429.
Anona reticulata, 6.
Anstead, R. D., agricultural assistant,|
sugar-eane experiments, Barbados, iT.
Anthonomus grandis, 298.
Antigua, agricultural show, 13, 91, 97.
—, arbor day celebration at, 390.
Barbados blackbirds in, 60.
Botaric Station, 333.
380.
Hes
—, cotton, 37, 300, 369, 373, 389.
—, — experiments in, 364.
— — experts in, 386, 428.
—, — ginnery, 66.
—, — lectures in, 408.
— pest at, 24.
—, fire- flies in, 108.
— ’ grammar school,
ships at, 188.
—, insect pests, report on, 314.
—, irrigation for, 300.
agricultural scholar-
—, onion cultivation, 104.
— onions in Demerara, 253.
—, rainfall at, 116, 316.
—, stock at, 28
—, sugar-cane central factory, 51.
— — seedlings in, 2
Ants and carbon bisulphide, TA.
— — onion cultivation, 289.
Aphis gossypii, food for lady-bird,
Arbor Day, 99.
— celebrations, 409.
== —, date palms for, 347.
— in Antigua, 390.
— — Dominica, 390, 403.
— — Grenada, 214, 25
Jamaica, 187, 284.
Montserrat, 70, 403.
Nevis, 196, 364, 390.
St. Kitt’s, 390.
— — Tobago, 204.
— — United States, 141.
— — Virgin Islands, 390.
—, road- side planting of fruit
nee 415
Argan nuts, oil from, 279.
tree of Morocco, 279.
Argania Sideroxylon, 279.
Argentine, agriculture in, 151.
Arrowroot, Fiji, analysis of, 268.
= in London market, 30, 61, 94, 125,
302, 334, 345,
90.
173, 190, 238, 269,
365, 414.
St. Vincent, 217.
=)
Artabotrys odoratissimus, Lol, 2318
Artocarpus incisa, var. seminifera,
300, 396.
Asclepias curassavica, 414.
Asparagus cultivation, 316.
— plumosus at Grenada, 172
Asphalt, exports from Trinidad, 364,
Association of Economic Biologists, 412.
Atkins, Edwin F., sugar-cane experi-
ments in Cuba, 179.
Australia, bee farming in, 315.
Avocado pear, budding, 311.
—, cultivation of, 311.
— foe wind-breaks and
purposes, 311.
— in Florida, 311.
picking and packing, 311.
263,
shade
a a?
434
B.
Bacteria and nitrogen, 51.
Bacterial rot of onions, 245.
Bahamas, agriculture in, ‘
—, Botanic Station, 300,
, curator for, 238.
—, exports of, 233.
—, sisal hemp industry, 321.
, Sponge fishery, 183.
Bahia India-rubber from, 324.
Baker, R.T., A research on the Eucalypts,
205.
Balata, 25.
— industry in British Guiana, 188.
— Surinam, 396.
— Trinidad, 28.
cotton leaf-blister mite, 53,
231, 260, 393.|
393.
Ballou, H.A.,
394.
—, cotton worm, 26.
—, insect pests, Antigua, 314.
_, — —, Dominica, 42, 314.
— — -, Grenada, 218, 234.
_, —- , Montserrat, 58, 330.
St. Kitt’s-Nevis, 282.
b ?
—, — —, St. Lucia, 42, 298.
-, — -, St Vincent, 202, 410.
—-, visit to Grenada, 171.
—, — — Montserrat, 11, 29.
—, — -—- Northern Islands, 221, 269.
— — — St. Lucia, 315, 333.
St. Vincent, 381.
Baltimore, Jamaica fruit imports, 188
Bamboos, as wind-breaks, 316.
—, flowering of, 326.
Bambusa arundinacea, 326.
Banana, ‘apple,’ at Tobago, 348.
Banana Industry : —
Barbados, 36, 86, 108, 113, 114, 140,
178, 242, 257, 328.
British Guiana, 380, 388.
Costa Rica, 60, eae 324,
Honduras, 220, 252, 396.
Jamaica, 100.
Porto Rico, 356.
Queensland, 372.
Bananas, Barbados, 181, 204, 220, 244.
-, —, carriage on aero 420)
-, —, crates for, 196, 257, 258.
_, —, packing, ne
_, —, picking, 258.
-, Chinese, at Barbados, 113.
= m=, — Jamaica, 260.
-, condition for eating, 428.
--, fertilizer for, analysis of, 388.
— gathering for market, 212.
in United Kingdom, 364.
— United States, 244, 308, 340.
; meal from, 427.
Musa Cavendishii from Trinidad,
Sierra Leone, value in London
market, 20.
_ suckers, importation into Trini-
dad, 76.
_ — from Barbados for Egypt,
252.
Banana trade at Halifax, 397.
— between Barbados and Paris,
348.
—, varieties at Trindad, 84.
— West Indian in London, 365.
| Barbados, agricultural education, 24.
— industrial exhibition, 13, 412,)
422.
_—, — local exhibition for peasant
proprietors, 24, 45, 236, 412.
—, — scholarships, 11.
—, banana industry at, 36, 113, rie 348,
bananas, 181, 204, 220, 24
—, crates for, 196.
—, shipment from, 257.
—, storage on boardship, 86, 328,
420.
— blackbirds at St. Kitt’s, 92.
—, cassava poisoning at, 423,
— cotton industry, 28, 86, 177, 182,
357, 389.
—, — cultivation in, 37, 405, 421.
-, — experts at, 385.
= — exports from, 124, 136.
— — factory, 40, 182, 186.
“= — ginnery, 8, 66.
— —, insects on, 426.
—, — lectures at, 216, 236.
ee
ip: Morris, 359.
— —, maloation of, 8, 76, 149, 152,
182, 284.
, English potato experiments in,
—, exports of, 136, 393.
, fish-curing factory, 43, 49, 104.
—, lectures to planters, 23.
manjak, 409.
, minor industries at, 86, 177
molasses, 17, 18.
—, mungoose, legislation against, 108.
, hature teaching in, 380.
onion cultivation at, 86, 178.
» — thrips, 10.
petreleum, 409.
——, report on Dodds
115,
teformatory, 189.
— Lodge School, 188.
—, school gardens in, 119.
—, sea moss from, 152.
, sugar-cane crop, 108.
= — diseases, 77.
— experiments, 115, 146,
162, 338, 344, 354.
—, sugar and molasses, exports of, 348.
—, thrips on sweet potatos, 284.
—, woods of, 40.
Barber, C. A., sugar-cane experiments in
India, 115.
Barbuda, cotton industry, 369, 373.
Barclay, J., cocoanut oil industry
Jamaica, 372.
—, cotton “cultivation in Jamaica, 293.
rabbit Hou in West Indies, 230,
246, 262, 278, 294.
Barlow, L., acting agricultural superin-
tendent, St. Lucia, 285.
—, report on cotton crop at St. Lucia,
357,
in
Oliver and Sir
Barrett, O. W., orange pest in Porto Rico,
394.
| Barringtonia speciosa, 412.
| Bartlett, A. W.,
report on British Guiana
Botanie Gardens, 285.
| Bay leaves from Bermuda, 220.
-— oil, 125.
Beckett, E, report on a visit to the
Pomeroon and Moruea districts in
British Guiana, 189.
Bee Keeping :—
3ee-paralysis and sulphur, 38.
Bees and sunflowers, 22.
Cho-cho as a bee plant, 155.
Colonies of bees in various countries,
236.
Honey, West Indian, in Canada, 22.
: on Royal Mail
premiers D4,
—, logwood, from Trinidad, 284.
—, raw, 348.
in Australia, 315.
Bosnia, 407.
Jamaica, 8, 337.
St. Lucia, 268, 338.
St. Vincent, 92, 428.
United States, 44.
Nuclei in queen rearing, 378.
Stingless bees, 237.
Water for bees, 236.
Worker comb, how
Bees’-wax, adulterated,
—, Jamaica, 337, 338.
—, Indian, 329.
— refining, 244.
Belgian hares, 230, 333.
-— at St. Vincent, 220.
Belling, John, vacation leave, 315.
3en oil, 150, 249.
Jermuda, 252.
agriculture in,
, bay leaves from, 220.
, importation of eggs,
, lectures to teachers,
rainfall, 300.
Bidens leueantha, 199%
Birds, economic relation of to fruit rais-
ing, 299.
— of St. Vincent,
3ixa Orellana, 429.
Blackbirds, Barbados, in Antigua, 60.
Book Reviews :
Chemistry of Plant and Animal Life,
The, 219.
Cotton Culture, 141.
Cyprus Journal, The, 75.
Die Kultur des Kakoabaumes
seine schidlinge, 11.
Diseases of the Horse, 27.
Dominica Agriculturist, 91, 381.
Eenige pathologische en physiologische
waarnemingen over Koftie, 205.
Evolution of Plant Life, The, 91.
Farmers’ Bulletins of the Philippine
Bureau of Agriculture, 141.
Flowering Plants and Ferns, 171.
Grasses, 220.
to get built, 198.
a2)
297,
266.
109.
216:
und
435
Book Reviews (Continued) :-
Guide to Castleton Gardens, Jamaica,
299.
Hawaiian Forester
106.
Hints on outfit for
tropical countries, 27.
How to make school gardens,
Jornal dos Agricultores, 106.
Meteorology of Jamaica, 219.
Natural History of Plants, The, 91.
Nature Teaching, 381.
Notes on Egyptian Agriculture,
and Agriculturist,|
travellers in
235
299:
Overzicht van de Culturgewassen en) -
Boschproducten in de Kolonie,
Suriname, 299.
Proceedings of the International Con-|-
ference on Plant
Hybridization, 381.
Research on the Eucalypts, A, 205.
Schoul gardens in Europe, 235.
Second Report on Economie Zoology,
141.
Senior Country
Soil, The, 11.
‘The Food of the gods,’
Treatise on Cacao, a 61.
Vegetables and flowers from seeds in
tropical, semi-tropical and temperate
climates, 171.
Botanical laboratory in Jamaica, 38.
Bovyell, J. R., Barbados and Porto Rico
molasses, 17.
—, report oncotton crop at Barbados, 357.
—, sugar-cane experiments at Barbados,
146, 162, 338, 354.
Bracken, leaf structure and environment,
215.
Brazil, agriculture in, 345.
—, cacao crop of, 279.
coffee, in 298.
cotton cultivation in, 345.
grape growing in, 345.
monazite sand from, 12.
Bead: fruit meal, analysis of, 40+.
—, seeded variety of, 263.
Bread-nut, 263.
British Cotton-growing Association and
Imperial Department of Agriculture,
391.
Breeding and)
teader, ILI., 251,
75.
?
, cotton seed dis-
Fae aia for Antigua and Barbados,
4] 2
British Guiana, cotton experiments in,
229.
— -, — gins in, 66.
— —, exports, 12, 121.
—, molascuit, exports of, 44.
—, peasant proprietors’ cultiva-)
tions, 84.
—, report on Botanic Gardens,|
= — the
Moruca districts, 189.
rice cultivation, 121, 131, 215
specimen cultivations in, 252.
stock show in, 92.
Pomeroon
- cultivation, 51, WZ.
aD)
= — - experiments, 66, 73,
Pela 290% 30%, Sill3:
a= —,; -, hew pest on, 426.
= — - seedling 208 in,
180.
= —-, trade and agriculture in, 121.
British Honduras agricultural society,
268.
—- —, cocoanut disease in, 88.
— —, cotton cultivation in, 69, 104.
— —, exports of, 265
= —, lectures to teachers, 76.
= —, rainfall at Belize, 300.
= -, report on Botanic Station, 253,
= —, rubber exports, 28
Britton, Dr. N. L., West Tndian Flora,
dsl.
Broadway, W. E., appointed authority on
diseased imported plants, 172.
Brosimum Alicastrum, 263.
Buchanan, H. B. M., Senior
Reader, IIT., 251.
Bufo agua, 362.
Bundy, F. E., report
education in St. Lucia,
Burns, remedies for, 117.
Bursera gummifera, resin from,
Buttenshaw, W. R.,
395.
—, visit to Northern Islands, 187, 221.
West Indian starches, 185.
Butter-nut tree, 284.
Butyrospermum Parkti, 168.
Country
on agricultural
331,
155.
ormamental seeds,|
Deputation,
361, 377, 385.
British Guiana, agricultural apprentices
in, 251.
— _, — education in, 172,
268, 316.
_— —, — instructor for, 186.
— —, — show, 44, 205, 268.
— , balata industry, 188.
— —, . banana shipments from, 380,
388.
—, cocoa-nut cultivation, 316.
—, cotton cultivation, 12, 133;
ics 197, 309, 389.
Sugar-cane crop, 28 |
C.
Cacao brown rot, 44, 108.
consumption in E urope, 92.
— United Kingdom, 387.
cevarion, 311.
, Brazil, 279
—, Dominica, £ 57.
—, yield of wet and dry in,
?
?
—, Dutch East Indies, 313.
Grenada, brown rot at, 44,
Cacao cultivation, Grenada, exports from,
57, 300, 305, 360.
= —, —, manurial experiments
at, 347.
= —, —, sheep manure for, 124.
Bes —, —, thripsattacking, 10, 218,
= —, Jamaica, 305.
— —, Lagos, 56.
Martinique, 408.
Nevis, 220.
Philippine
attacking in, 346.
—, St. Lucia, 305, 33
, anew disease at, 251.
Surinam, fungoid diseases in,
Islands, insects
’
—, Trinidad, 305, 348, 364.
—, Virgin Islands, 265.
—, West Africa, 76.
—, West Indies, 242, 305.
experiments with shade trees, 25.
Gliricidia maculata as shade for, 135,
importation into United States, 220.
in Canada, 13.
manuring of, 25.
samples from Messrs.
—, shelter-belts for, 273.
— soil, analysis of, 46.
—, thrips on, 90.
—, treatment of wounds, 195.
—, world’s production and consumption
137.
Caesaipinia Bonducella, 212, 395,
Caicos Islands, sisal hemp from,
322, 342.
Calabash fruit, 108.
Calcium cyanamide, 279, 343.
California, citrus fruit from, 252.
Calophyllum Calaba, 215, 274.
Campbell, E. J. F.,- report on Botanic
Station, British Honduras, 253.
Camphor, artificial, 108.
preparation of, 201.
Canada, sugar consumption, 35,
—, sugars, grocery, 50.
—, West Indian molasses, 55.
— products in, (see West
Tedhas Products in Canada).
— sugar in, 148, 201.
—, wheat cultivation in, 172.
Canary Islands, banana industry, 292.
—, tobacco culture in, 392.
—, tomatos from, 300.
Candleberry tree, 236.
Canna indica, 395.
Carbohydrates in green plants, 6.
Carbon bisulphide and land crabs, 139,
— parasol ants, 204.
— as an insecticide, 29.
Carludovica palmata, manufacture of hats
from, 310.
Carnauba wax, 284.
Carriacou, cotton cultivation, 44.
Carruthers, J. B., Director of Agriculture,
Federated Malay States, 380.
Caryocar nuciferum, 284.
Cashew tree, 52.
Rowntree, 356,
232,
;
436
Cassava cultivation,
150.
—, Jamaica, 150, 349,
—, India, 38.
—, for glucose manufacture, 148,
— meal from Jamaica, 148.
— poisoning in Barbados, 423.
— products from Jamaica, analysis of, 50.
—, trade in, 161.
, sliced, from St. Lucia, 12.
— starch, by-products, 150.
—, cost of manufacture, 150.
— factory in Florida, 156.
Jamaica, 162.
for laundry purposes, 137.
from Dominica, 152.
—— St. Lucia, 412:
— industry in Jamaica, 44, 105,
» lai
Cassia Fistula,
316.
—, in London market, 30, 61, 94,
173, 190, 269, 334.
Castilloa elastica, cultivation
Coast Colony, 355.
— seeds for distribution, 220.
Castor oil for soap manufacture, 172.
— plant, cultivation of, 203.
—, In Ceylon, 249.
Cayman Islands, cotton in, 396,
Cedar, exports from Columbia, 236.
Ceylon, agricultural progress, 120.
—, castor oi] plant in, 249.
—, citronella grass in, 410.
= — oil industry, 259.
—, cocoanut cultivation in, 248.
—, rubber cultivation in, 28, 250.
—, tea exports from, 156.
Chalmers, F.V., report on
bacco, 300, 379.”
Chestnuts and chestnut trees in Italy,
109.
Chicken hawk and mole crickets, 218.
Chili, Algarrobilla seed from, 195.
—, exports of nitrate from, 348.
Cho-cho, as a bee plant, 211.
agricultural yield,
414.
162.
exports from St. Lucia,
Gold
in
Jamaica to-
Citric acid and citrate of lime, exports,
from Sicily, 324.
Citrometer, 308.
Citronella grass in Ceylon, 410.
— oil, adulteration of, 259.
Citrus fruits, exports from
252.
California,
: Jamaica, 164.
- -, Sicily, 324.
—, gathering for market, 212.
— fruit and peel, pickled, exports from
Sicily, 324.
— seedlings versus grafts, 196.
— trees, Colletotrichum gloeosporioides
ll99:
—, manuring, 100,
Clark, Tks ol 8 hes birds of West I
Clarke, A. J, acting at
School, St. Vincent, 363.
5
228.
Indies, 44.
Agr icultural
|
’
| Goeoemer
Cocaine, manufacture in Peru, 236.
Coccinellidae, description of, 106.
Cocoanut, abnormal, 68.
- cultivation in British Guiana,
British Honduras,
Ceylon, 284.
— Federated Malay States,
284.
—- — — Jamaica, 3, 60. |
= == - Philippines, 132. | -
— —- Solomon Islands, 28.)
- = - West Indies, 36.
—, imports into U.S.A., 377.
— meal in Canada, 13.
— oil, 12
= , for toothache, 227.
— - industry in Jamaica, 372.
— —, use in margarine industry, 2 2
— plantations, fodder: plants in, 217.
— trees, planting, 44, 228, 378.
= -—, scale insects on, 346.
Cocoa-nuts, West Indian, in Canada, 13,
148, 206, 221, 286, 302, 350, 382, 397.
- New York, 296.
156, 429,
Coffee, annual production of, 108.
—, Brazilian, 298.
— cultivation and avocado pears, 236.
, Columbia, 89. |
= Jamaicans
—, Queensland, 9.
—, in Canada, 13.
—, quality of, 345.
— trees, shelter belts for, 273.
—, yield from, 348.
Coix Lachryma-Jobi, 275, 342, 595.
Cola vera, distribution from Royal Gar-
dens, Kew,
300.
Colletotrichum gloeosporioides of citrus,
trees, 199.
Collins, G. N., visit to Jamaica, 220.
Cotton,
316. | -
38.) —
to W. I. Botanic Stations,) -
Colombia, cacao se, ail
cedar, exports of, 236.
, coffee trade, 89.
Conference, West Indian Agricultural,|
(see West Indian Agric ultural ( ‘onfer-
ence).
Congo Free State, exports of raw rubber
to Belgium, 364.
Connell, M.B., Assistant Clerk, 203.
Cook, O. F., Mexican cotton boll weevil,
346.
Copaiba balsam, 311.
Copaifera officinalis, 311.
Copernicia cerifera, wax from, 234.
Copra, drying in Samoa, 420.
exports from Samoa, 153.
— Society Islands,
— Tahiti, 268.
insect-attacking fungi,
’
’
Cordy ceps Barber
135.
Corn oil, rubber from, 77.
— stalks for hay, 102.
Corypha umbraculifera at Dominica, 151.)
Costa Rica, banana cultivation, 60, 324.
vegetables of, 121.
412.)-
Cotton, Antigua, value of, 300.
— bales, 85, 359, 428.
Barbados, 8, 76, 149, 284.
consumption and supply, 405.
cultivation and Paris green, 16%.
— West Indian Bulletin,
88, 104, 130.
, conditions necessary for,
— in Anguilla, 380.
Antigua,
182, 28
)
133.
oc, at 37, 357, 364,
Sis:
- — — Barbados, 8, 28, 37,
86, 177, 182, 189, 357, 359, 360, 405,
EDIE
-—— Barbuda, 373.
= eBriazileot:
= -— British Central African
iprotes torate, 396.
| Fey Sie
—— Empire and
S|
Guiana, 12, 73,
169, 204, 2293093 3598
= = — Honduras, 10t.
= — Carriacou, 44.
- - — Cayman Islands, 396.
= — — Cuba, 12, 105, 421"
— -—— East Africa, 342,
- - — Egypt, 325.
= — Gambia, 341.
= — —— Gold Coast Colony, 509.
. = — Grenada, 178, 348,
364, 373,
— —— Hayti, 216:
== = — gaa Me) 140, 183,
188, 197, 261, 293, 328, 348, 373,
405, 414.
—- — — Lagos, 25.
— = — Leeward Tslands, man-
urial experiments, 237.
— Montserrat, 21, 72; 185
213, 332, 341, 405.
— Nevis, 60, 149, 373.
-— Northern Nigeria, 139.
— Paraguay, 309.
= Portor Rico} valae2o2.
261, 389.
— — — Portuguese East Africa,
278
a — St. Kitt’s, 5, 213, 341,
405, 421,
— — St. Lucia, $4, 156, 165,
172, 213, 245, 357
— St. Thomas, 300.
— — §$t. Vincent, 41,
325, 348, 405, 421.
Sea Islands, 525,
Sierra Leone, 329.
Tobago, 60, 541.
Trinidad, 8, 92, 20:
297, 364.
U.S., 136.
— — Virgin Islands,
341.
= -— West Africa, 329.
Indies, 81,
133, 165, 197, 242; 261, 277;
325, 344, 369, 389, 421.
—, Notes on, 133, 149, 375.
amphlet on, 185,
437
Cotton, Egyptian, in West Indies, 117,
332.
, emergency grants from B.C.G.A., 344.
— experiments, suggestions for, 133.
-— expertsand the West Indies, 300, 385,
-—, recommendations, 370.
—, exports from Alexandria, 124, 364.
— — Barbados, 124, 136, 152.
British Colonies, 24.
India, 380.
West Africa, 380.
Charleston, 60.
Cuba, 76.
Egypt, 188.
Grenada, 57,
Jamaica, 204.
Montserrat, 133.
Nevis, 204.
Peru, 364.
St. Vincent, 268.
— — West Indies, 204, 236,
245, 252, 268, 284, 300, 316, 3
348, 364, 380, 396, 412, 428.
— factory, Barbados, 40, 186.
—, Grenada. 165.
—, St. Vincent, 85, 117, 140, 184,
186.
—, freight rates on, 101.
— ginneries in the West as
—, ginning and picking,
—, grading, 359.
—, half-wild varieties, improvement. of,
102.
—, Indian, improvement of, 149.
360.
—, lectures, 72, 101, 184, 200.
—, —, Antigua, 408.
— —, Barbados, 216, 236, 359,)-
St. Vincent, 296, 332.
Tortola, 268.
417.
—, Charleston, 405.
—, New York, 254.
— quoseiions in public telegrams
, 60, 88, 104, 17
-; Nevis, value a 188
— pests at Antigua, 24.
— Barbados, 426.
—, boll weevil, Mexican, 12, 188,
204, 296, 298, 332, 346.
—, eradication of, 183.
—, leaf-blister mite, 264, 266.
- market,
— —, — — in Montserrat, 42,
53, 76, 154.
- ; St. Vincent, 394
= —, stainer, 218.
— —, worm, 26, 82, 130, 330.
, -— and Paris green, 281.
— in British Honduras, 69.
, St. Vincent, 101,
picking, 375, 405.
— by hand, Nevis, 28.
= machine, 108, 412.
—, St. Vincent, 284, 293.
—, sale of, legislation in St.
Baws
2
Vincent,
65, 153.| -
Cotton, Sea Island, 229.
130, 357.
—, —, conditions for planting,
101.
— in relation to
Lites of Upland, 418.
——, market price, 417, 418.
—, production in the West!
Sinaia: 2935
?
dos, 124.
t)
129, 149.
seed as manure, 393.
— by-products, 5.
cake, adulteration of, 21.
101,
Cotton
= — — and meal, 213.
= —, crushed, 108.
= —, disinfecting, 117, 149.
— disintegrator at St. Kitt’s,
—, distribution in Grenada,
Jamaica,
22
236.
44,
236,
St. Lucia,
Pel and molasses for
262.
stock,
oil industry in Austria,
a — India, 153.
; Sea its sland,
1904, 130.
—, selection of,
309, 3D9, 375.
—, supply of, 85.
, twist, natural in,
—, Upland variety in West Indies, 182.
market price, 417.
alive
3, 69, 117, 1:
359.
)
Ww est Indian in England, 29
309,
—, world’s production of fine grades,
Cousins, H. H., analysis of banana meal
and farine, 427.
—, cassava industry in Jamaica,
— starch, 150, 162.
)
349,
)
,;—, composition of pine-apples and man-|
gos, 4.
—, Jamaica soils, 5
— sugar for preserves, 506.
Job’s tears as a poultry food,
nitrification, 110.
, Teport on agricultural science at Har-
9
»
rison College, Is),
-—, seedling canes in Jamaica, 284.
—, sugar-cane experiments in Jamaica,
227.
—, thymol for horses, 157.
Cow pea as green dressing, 149.
Crabs, land, and carbon bisulphide, 139.
Crops, diversification in West Indies, 85.
Crotolaria retusa, 395, 412.
Croton, ‘ Princess of Waies,’ 211.
Crustacean from Trinidad, 380.
Cuba, cotton cultivation in, 421.
; — experiments, 12.
—, crops in, 105.
—, department of agriculture, 204.
76.
—, exports of cotton,
357.|
4%)!
—, compared with Upland,
market)
—, shipments from Barba-|
variety for West Indies, |
0.)
245.)
for planting in|
i
| Cuba, imports of rubber, 28.
-, Sugar industry in, 32 22,
—, sugar-cane experiments in, 179.
: — seedlings from, 194.
—, U.S. concession to, 131.
Cuscusta sp., destruction in Trinidad, 185,
Custard apple, 6.
Cutting, E. M., and Science Tripos, Cam-
bridge, 236.
Cycloneda sanguinea, 90.
Cyprus, introduction of machinery, 284.
-, scale insects, 122.
D.
Dacryodes hexandra, mountain gommier,
155.
'@Albuquerque, J. P., analysis of sweet
potato meal, 263.
—, report on cassava starch, 137, 152.
-, Sugar-cane experiments at Barbados,
146, 162, 338, 354.
| Danish West Indies,
in, 249.
| Date palms for arbor day planting, 347.
— fruit from Trinidad, 332.
— in India, 295.
| Tiree Stramonium, 358.
grasses and cattle
5)
Demonstration farm, value of, 200.
Department publications, 399.
Diaprepes spengleri, 394.
Dichopsis Gutta, gutta-percha tree, 25.
| Dictionary of Economic Products of
India, 380.
Diseases of plants, citrus trees, 199.
- — —, English potato, 199.
= = —, Gumea corm im
Madras, 201.
— == —, tobacco, 199.
— = —, treatment of, 209.
Divi-divi, demand for, 252.
— from Maracaibo, 332.
Dolichos Lablab, as green dressing, 153.
Dominica agricultural school, 27, 235,
247, 263.
= —sshowsnlas Olen oie
—~ — society, 12, 108, 227.
— and Royal Horticultural Society
Exhibition, 380.
—, arbor day at, 390, 403.
— Botanic Station, 44.
—, bread-fruit from, 396.
— —, reports on, 267.
— cacao, experiments with shade trees
and manures, 25.
—, yield of dry and wet,
cassava starch from, 152.
crop prospects, 57.
essential oils, export duties on,
exports of, 169.
246,
b]
by
156.
, fish oils from, 233, 294.
— fruit, Royal Horticultural Show,
— for London exhibitions,
428.
404.
Dominica, fumigating chambers at, 138.
’ t=} t=)
—, — imported plants, ordinance for,
297.
+ gommier resin from,
—, insect pests in, 314.
= , botanic station, 42.
—, ine trees, spraying, 312, 514.
—, orange cultivation in, 340.
— pine-apples in London, 244, 280.
+ report on, 24%.
rainfall at, 173.
shipping facilities at,
sulphur, 60, 396.
vanilla beans from, 172.
, woolly pyrol in, 348.
Downs Maltese, 119.
Drugs, 7.
Dysdercus andreae, 90.
Dysentery and diarrhcea, cause of, 139.
Duerden, J. E., study of living corals in
Hawaiian Islands, 300.
Dunstan, Professor W., artificial vanilla,
103.
—, cotton cultivation in the British Em-
pire and Egypt, 197.
—-, report on sea moss, 152.
Dutch India, exports of, 265.
Is¥y,
BJ
315,
E.
Earle, F. S., banana and
cultivation in Porto Nico, 356.
—, cotton industry in Cuba, 421.
. Porto Rico,
—, scale insects on cocoa-nuts, 346.
East Africa, cotton industry in, 342.
—, ground nuts in, 377.
—, notes from, 342.
East Indies, Dutch, cacao cultivation in,
313.
Ebony, Barbados, 151.
Editorials :— |
Agricultural Education in Trinidad,
1193: |
Agricultural Industries of
Indies, The, 141.
Agricultural Shows, 97.
Barbados and Porto Rico Molasses, 17.
Barbados Fruit Trade, 113.
Bee-keeping Industry in Jamaica, 337.
Cacao Industry in the West Indies, The,
305.
Cotton Ginneries
65.
Cotton Industry, 81.
Cotton Market, The, 417.
Fish-curing Industry at Barbados, 49.
Fumigation of Imported Plants, 225.
Minor Industries at Barbados, 177.
Onion Cultivation, 289.
Picking and Ginning Cotton, 1.
Prospects of the Cotton Crop in the
West Indies, 369.
eae of Bananas from Barbados,
95
in the West Indies,
pine-apple,
the West
Editorials (Continued) -—
|
Entomology in Hawaii, 234.
Sisal Hemp Industry and the West Epsom salts, remedy for scalds and burns,
Indies, The, 321.
Islands, 145.
Trade in Cassava Products, 161.
Treatment of Plant Diseases, 209.
Trinidad Fruit Trade,
Visit of Cotton Experts to the West
Indies, The, 385.
353, 401.
West Indian Cotton, 129.
Wind-breaks or Shelter-belts, 273.
Eelworms in tobacco, 86.
Education, Agricultural :-—
at, 188.
In Barbados, 24, 119, 188, 280.
— British Guiana, 172, 251, 268.
Dominica, agricultural school,
3h
Germany, 300.
Jamaica, 45, 187.
Sieluciawwaol:
—, agricultural school, 221.
St. Vincent,
235,
563.
—, Berbice, 316.
Bermuda, 109.
—, British Honduras}
76.
—, Jamaica, 45, 76.
Nature teaching, 331, 350.
School agricultural shows in Trinidad,
193.
gardens, 286.
and arbor day, U.S.,
at Barbados, 119.
— Grenada, 221, 23
D.
Antigua Grammar School, scholarships
= -, agricultural school, 187,|
263.
—— Drinidadeliiaosees4. ol 7.
|
|
|
West Indian Agricultural Conference, Exhibition,
9)
|
|—, international food,
117.
Sugar-cane Experiments in the Leeward Eriophyes gossypii, 53, 154, 594.
Erythrina Corallodendron, 395.
Essential oils,
—, export duties in Dominica,
156.
— in plants, 326.
‘Eugenia uniflora, Surinam cherry, 167.
3arbados industrial, 412
— local agricultural, 412.
156, 364, 409.
’
, Colonial and Indian,
-, Grenada local, 412.
at the Crystal
Palace, 350.
— horticultural in Edinburgh,
276.
, Liverpool, of colonial products, 76.
—, Royal Horticultural Society’s,
colonial fruit 276, 312, 388, 404.
Exochomus nitidulus 90.
Exophthalmus spengieri, 39+.
Exports and rainfall, 361.
of
EF:
Lectures to teachers, Antigua, 108, $11. Falkland Islands, agriculture in, 249.
Farm implements, care of, 41.
‘Fawcett, Wm., Guide to Castleton Gar-
dens, Jamaica, 299.
-, report on Jamaica Public Gardens
and Plantations, 411.
‘Federated Malay States, cocoanut culti-
vation, 284.
Feilden, H. W., Caribs in Tobago, 12.
WO ‘Ferns, West Indian,
— in relation to agricultural Fish-curing factory at Barbados,
os — — &, imei, Os, We
251, 268.
— — — Tobago, 363.
— — — Trinidad, 59.
shows, 98.
—, laying out, 187.
—, tools for, 187.
— nature study, 59.
Education,
Educational, University of London Degtee|
in science for Colonial Candidates,|
419.
|\Eggs, age of, 202.
—, condensed, 115.
‘Egypt, Barbados banana suckers for,
—, cotton cultivation in, 197.
— exports from, 188.
—, — manuring in, 325.
—, ground nuts in, 300.
—, lawn grasses in, 238.
—, onion cultivation, 295.
Elaeis guineensis, in Lagos, 361,
Electroculture, 156,
?
technical, in agriculture, +29.| Fishlocs Wes
|
|
|
|
Fer-de- lance: at St. Lucia, 163.
36.
Fibre plants, perc
— in Mauritius, 297.
— Mexico, 154.
vegetable, at Madagascar, 380.
Fibres,
|Fiji, pine-apple cultivation in, 292.
Fire-flies in Antigua, 108.
43, 49,
104.
— manure, production of, 315,
— oils from Dominica, 233, 294.
—, production of, 315.
cotton erop in Virgin
Tslands, d41.
Fleming, JM., sugar-cane seedling 5. 208
in British Guiana, 180.
Florida, avocado pear in, 311.
Foaden, G.P., consumption and supply
of cotton, 405.
—, improvement of cotton by seed selee-
tion, 69.
—, Notes on Egyptian agriculture, 299.
‘Fodder grasses for West Africa, 168.
- plants in cocoa-nut plantations, 217.
Forest reservations in Hawaii, 189.
— Tobago, 58.
— resources of Trinidad, 9,
439
Forestry in Hong-kong, 301.
— West Africa, 393.
Forests, utility of, 134.
France, destruction of rats and mice,
Fraxinus chinensis, white wax from,
Freeman, W.G., Nature Teaching,
French Guinea, exports of rubber, 204.
—, trade of, 88.
— Indo-China, pepper cultivation, 332.
299.
99
Oot.
— West Indies, sugar industry in, 291.
Fruit as food, 68.
—, carriage of, 84.
—, economic relation of birds to, 299.)
food value of, 4.
gathering for market, 212.
grading and packing, 52.
rowing in Jamaica, 100.
— Mexico, 116.
— Porto Rico 264.
handling and packing, 181.
imports into the U.S.A., 340.
Jamaica, in Baltimore, 188.
marketing, 308.
picking and packing, 3
selection for export, 132.
, temperate, in West Indies,
trade, Bahamas, 260.
—, Barbados, 86, 115.
—, Trinidad, 33.
trees, ants on, 330.
—, road-side planting of, 4153.
Trinidad for London exhibition, 388.
tropical, in England, 52.
o
fo)
29
v=.
—, West Indian in Canada, 286, 302,
350, 382, 397.
A London, 244.
United Kingdom,
268.
-, wrapping, 343,
Fungi and plant diseases, 209.
— scale insects, 325.
—, insect-attacking, 135.
Fungicides, 214.
—, preparation of, 210.
Fungoid pests, cacao, 281.
Fungus parasites, rendering plants im-
mune against, 56.
Funtumia elastica, in Gold Coast Colony,
Fusarium of English potato, 199.
— tobacco, 199.
G.
Galba tree, 215, 332.
—, as wind-break, 274.
Gambia, cotton cultivation in, 341.
—, exports of, 554.
—, ground nut cultivation in, 323.
Gardner, F.D., Annual report Porto Rico
Agricultural Experiment Station, 349.
—, cotton in Porto Rico, 389.
Garton, Hill & Co., cassava for glucose
manufacture, 148, 162.
|Germany, exports of sugar from, 402.
381.1-
Geology and agriculture, 3.
Gilzean, A.R., Agricuiture in Peru, 3.
finger, cultivation in Central African)
Protectorate, 28.
- in London market, 30, 61
jSmelI0! 238) 269; 3025 3:
414.
--, Jamaica, 8.
'Gliricidia maculata, shade for cacao, 135.|
Glucose manufacture, cassava for, 148.
—, preparation from cassava flour, 162.
Goa, exports of mangos from, 412.
Goat keeping, 77, 421.
Goats, in Mexico, 421.
— — Malta, 135.
Gold Coast, agriculture in, 281.
—, cotton cultivation in, 309.
—, rubber cultivation in, 355.
Gommier resin, 255.
Gossypium barbadense
Grapes, gathering for market, 212.
—, growing, in Brazil, 345.
—- Jamaica, 169.
. — §t. Kitt’s, 156.
Grasses, anatomy of the leaves of British,
374.
Great Britain’s orange supply, 42
Green dressing, woolly pyrol, 153.
Grenada, agricultural society, 178.
—, arbor day celebration, 214, 252
—, Asparagus plumosus at, 172.
—, black blight in, 234.
—, Botanic Station, yam
potato experiments at, 140.
—, bullet wood tree at, 156.
cacao brown rot in, 44.
exports of, 300, 305, 360.
manurial experiments, 12
2299
aeedid
y )
and sweet}
?
?
347.
cotton
389.
soil, analysis of, 46.
cultivation, 360, 369,
factory, 165.
— ginnery, 66, 548, 364.
exports from, 57, 360.
lavas, 158.
local exhibition, 412.
mangos in New York, 265.
Monodora tenuifolia, 124.
onion cultivation in, 124.
orange trade with Barbados, 60.
report on Botanic Station, etc.,
— insect pests, 218.
school gardens in, 221, 235.
stock sale in, 124, 157.
thrips on cacao, 10, 90.
Ground dove in Jamaica, 188.
— nuts as green manure, 424.
—, cultivation in East Africa,
id
(i.
3:
o
2
— — Egypt, 300.
— Gambia, 323:
—, planting, 140.
Guadeloupe Jaborandi, 94.
—, sugar industry in, 201.
Guatemala, rubber industry, 316,
Guava, as a weed, 229.
\Guinea corn, diseases of, 201.
- grass, machine for cutting, 21.
H.
Haematoxy]
plant, 2:
Halifax, banana trade at, 397,
—, imports of molasses, 92.
Hall, A.D., The Soil, 11.
Hall, Maxwell, Meteorolegy of Jamaica,
219.
Hard-woods, trade in Jamaica, 414.
Harford, C.F., Hints on outfit for travel-
lers in tropical countries, 27.
Harries, H., Argan nuts, 279.
Harris, T. J., superintendent of public
gardens, Bermuda, 188.
-, school gardens, 286.
Harrison, J. B., British Guiana board of
agriculture, 29.
—, cotton cultivation in British Guiana,
309, 389.
—, experiments in planting cocoa-nuts,
378.
on campechianun, as a hedge
2)
-, Grenada lavas, 158.
—, rum as an illuminant and source of
power, 226.
-, sugar-cane experiments in
Guiana, 66, 73, 82, 290, 307.
Hart, J.H., crustacean from Trinidad, 380.
—, date palm, fruiting of, 332.
~, report on Barbados and St. Vincent
cotton factories, 186.
= — — Trinidad botanical depart-
ment, 253.
Hawaiian Islands, agriculture in, 329.
entomology in, 234.
pine-apples in, 340.
plant diseases in, 154.
report on experiment station,
British
= —, sugar-cane cultivation, 152.
= =, — leaf hopper, 154,
170.
seedlings in, 386.
, D.117 in, 130.
7.
Hay, corn stalks as, 102.
Hayti, cotton cultivation in, 216.
—-, exports of, 313.
Head, Brandon, ‘ The food of the gods,’
Hedge plants, 233.
Hemenway, H.D., How to make school
gardens, 235.
Hemp trade in the Bahamas, 260.
Hering, C.J., Overizicht van de culturge-
wasssen en Boschproducten in de
kolonie Suriname, 299.
Hevea brasiliensis, 355, 425.
Hibiscus Abelmoschus, 93.
Guaiac wood, oil of, 7.
- Sabdariffa, 167.
440
Holaniara picescens, 154.
Honduras, banana cultivation, 220, 252,
396.
Hong-kong, forestry in, 301.
Horse breeding in Jamaica, 120.
— nicker seeds, 212.
— sickness and mosquitos, 124.
—, use of thymol for worms in, 157,
Hudson, G.S., leave of absence, 171.
—, resumption of duties, 333.
Hunt, G.W., and fish-curing industry at
Barbados, 49.
Hura crepitans, 82.
Hurricane, Jamaica, and exports, 108.
Hybridization, 73.
Hydrocyanic acid
74, 226.
Hyoscyamus niger, 75.
gas and fumigation,
Iboga, 76.
Iguanas from Montserrat,
Imperial Department of ed iculture and
British Cotton-growing | Association,
Bon
- — — — — cotton industry,
PMT
— — — —, review of work of,
317.
— Direct West Indian Mail Service, 314.
inported plants, fumigation of, 225, 297.
India,
380.
’
—, Columbian cassavas for,
—, date palms in, 295.
—, sugar-cane experiments in,
India-rubber, exports from Bahia,
Madagascar,
140.
cotton exports to Great Britain,
— seed oil industry, 153.
;
35.
115.
324.
348,
3
, substitute for,
Indian beeswax, 529.
Indigo, natural versus artificial, 57
Indo-China, production of rubber, 236.
Inga laurina, as a wind-break, 274.
Insecticides, carbon bisulphide, 29.
dry powder gun, 250.
the auto-spray, 250.
Insect pests :—
Ants and fruit trees, 350.
— —— onions, 289, 316.
Banana weevil in Madagascar,
Beetle borer in Java, 154.
Black blight in Grenada, 254.
— grub or cnt worm, 250.
Brown ant in Porto Rico, 282
Cacao tree, ak
’
0)
a4.
oy
Cockroaches, 122.
Cotton, boll ai 12, 188, 204, 296,
298, 332, 3406.
— leaf-blister mite, 42, 76, 154, 264,
266.
— stainer, 218.
— worm 24, 26, 281, 330,
J.
Jackson, J. R.,West Indian Products, 30,
61, 94, 102, 125, 173, 190, 238, 269,
Insect pests (Continued) :—
Dust spraying, 236.
Hel worms in St. Vincent, 283.
Fiddler beetle of the orange, 266. | -
Fumigation of imported plants, 74, 138,) —
DDD:
Antigua, 24, 314.
- Cyprus, 122.
— Dominica, 42, 514. |
Montserrat, 330.
Nevis, 282.
-—— St. Kitt’s, 282.
St. Lucia, 42, 298.
— St. Vincent, 202, 410.
Kelep and cotton boll weevil, 346.
Lady-birds, 90, 106,
Longicorn beetle on rubber trees, 42.
Mealie grub, 138,
Mole crickets and chicken hawk, 218.
Mosquitos and kerosene oil and soap,|
428
—— tropical diseases, 157, 166,!
183, 292.
172.
, destruction in Antigua, 412.
Orange pest in Porto Rico, 394.
Parasol ant and carbon bisulphide,
in Tobago, 124, 204.
Paris green and London purple, 170.
at St. Kitt’s-Nevis,
7TH.
Scale insects and fungi, 325.
— — in Dominica, 314.
— — — Montserrat, 220.
— — on cocoa-nuts, 346.
Sugar cane beetle-borer in Java, L154.
— borer in British Guiana, 426.
leaf-hopper in Hawaii, 154, 170.
Thrips on cacao, 10, 90, 218.
onions, 202.
10, 2
284.
Ticks, 28, 129, 247, 362.
Tsetse fly and sleeping sickness,
Toads and insects,
Insect structures, some peculiar, 10,
Insects and tropical diseases, 166,
—, useful, Grenada maribunta, 170.
parasitie and predaceous, 106.
Ipomoea Bona-Nox (Calonyction specio-
sum), 181.
Iquitos, rubber cultivation in, 188.
Ismailia, mosquitos and malaria in,
Italy, orange and lemon crops, 188,
Ivory nut palm, buttons manufactured
from fruits, 108.
2)
362.
292,
302, 334, 365, 414.
Jaffa, export of oranges from, 516.
— sweet potatos in Barbados,) —
Jamaica, agricultural shows,
284, 413.
— society, 140.
. -—— teaching, 45.
Albizzia Lebbek, 151.
— and Colonial and Indian exhibition,
364.
-, arbor day celebrations in,
bananas, Chinese, in, 260.
—, —, exports of, 108.
— hee keepers’ association, 357.
bee-keeping industry, 22, 337.
— bees’-wax, exports of, 337,
—, botanical laboratory, 38.
—, cacao, exports, 305.
— cassava industry, 349.
— meal, 148.
-— starch, 44, 105, 118, 137, 150,
161.
—, castor oil plants, cultivation of, 172.
187, 284:
|—, citrus fruit, 164
?
—, —— oil industry, 372.
—, cocoa-nut planting, 3, 60, 108.
— coffee, 153.
—, cold storage company, 316.
—, cotton cultivation, 140, 183, 158,
204, 26, 2935 328Ns485 369 amos
389, 405, 414.
—, —, distribution of seed, 172, 256.
—, -— experts in, 424.
—; — ginning, 66, 197.
—, — Egyptian from, 332
— — seed for, 44.
—, English fruit in, 396.
—, exports from, 8, 153, 380, 409.
fiddler beetle in orange plantations,
266.
— fruit industry, 100.
— picking and packing,
fumigation of imported plants,
government laboratory, 249.
= — reformatory, 252.
grape cultivation in, 169.
—, ground dove in, 188.
— honey, exports of, 337.
horse breeding in, 120.
hurricane and exports, LOS.
—, lectures to teachers, 45, 76.
—, mango in, 132.
—, minor industries in, 4,
—, nutmegs, grafted in, 124.
—, oil of ben from, 150.
—, onion cultivation, 253.
, pineapple cultivation, 164.
hybridization at Hope Gar-
dens, 420.
prize holdings’ scheme, 300.
prison farm, experiments at, 20, 124.
public gardens and plantations, 107,
411.
—, research laboratory at,
—, rubber cultivation in, 293.
-— rum, protection of, 428.
sheep industry, 172, 206.
soils, 57.
sugar and preserves, 306.
go
Jamaica, agricultural scholarships at, 187.
sugar-cane industry, 34, 284, 403.
441
Jamaica, sugar-cane experiments in, 211,
-, -— seedlings in, 284, 419.
— tea, 180.
— tobacco industry, 286, 300, 545, 376,
379, 392, 425.
—, travellers’ tree in, 60.
Jatropha Cureas, oil from, 376.
Java, exports of, 219.
sugar-cane beetle borer in, 154.
— — experiment stations, 71.
Jimson weed, 358.
Job’s Tears, analysis of seeds, 242.
as famine food, 275.
—, — poultry food, 342.
Jones, J., leave of absence, 203.
—, resumption of duties, 407.
Jordan, A.J., cotton cultivation in
serrat, 213, 341.
—, — leaf-blister mite, 42.
Juniper cedar, 232.
b]
?
Mont-
K.
Kaolin in St. Kitt’s, 245.
Kapok, 188, 426.
Kerner, The Natural History of Plants, 91.
Kindt, Ludwig, Die kultur des kakao-
baumes und seine shadlinge, 11.
Kirby, A.H., lectures on tropical hygiene,|
411. |
Knowles, C.H., agricultural superintend-
ent at Fiji, 349.
—, report on Georgetown district,
Vincent, 60.
Kobus, J.D., Improvement of the sugar-|
cane by chemical selection, 19.
Kola nuts, preparation for market, 412.
— —, West Indian in London mar-
ket, 30, 76, 94, 102, 125, 173, 190,
238, 302, 334, 365, 414.
St.
L.
Lagos, agriculture in, 25.
—, cacao cultivation, 56.
—, exports from, 377.
—, palm oil tree products from, 361.
Lavas, notes on Grenada, 158.
Lawn grasses in Egypt, 238.
— mowings, utilization of, 213.
Lecture experiments, 310.
Lectures to teachers, (see Education).
Leeward Islands, agricultural scholarships,
iil
— —, — improvements, 41,
—, cotton cultivation, acre-
age in, 389.
—, Paris green and cotton worm,
—
/—, unslacked, and Paris green,
197,
_—
, Sugar-cane experiments, 145.
Lemon crop in Italy, 188.
— Sicily, 396.
Lemon grass at Antigua, 60.
= oil %
- from Montserrat, 361.
— peel, pickling, 234.
— trade in Sicily, 4.
Lemons, composition of, 228.
—, exports from Sicily, 324.
—, imports into U.S.A., 340.
—, utilization of damaged in Sicily, 188.
Leucaena glauca, 374, 395.
Lewton Brain, L., anatomy of the leaves
of British grasses, 374.
—, lectures on diseases of the sugar-cane
2B), Title
—, visit to Dominiea, 301.
— St. Lucia, 301.
3 — — St. Vincent, 171, 285.
Liberia, vegetable products of, 201.
Lime juice in London market, 94, 125,
173, 190, 302, 365.
— industry in West Indies, 242.
— trees, Montserrat, scale insects on, 220.
—, shelter belts for, 273.
—, spraying in Dominica, 312,
?
314.
281.
Limes, seedless, 36.
—, West Indian in Canada, 125.
Lizards, exterminators of rats, 371.
Lloyd, F.E., Dominica botanic station, 44.
Loders & Nucoline, cocoa-nut planting in}
West Indies, 36.
Lodoicea sechellarum, 156, £29.
Logwood as a hedge plant, 233.
London purple and Paris green, 170.
— show of colonial fruit, 276.
Lotus lily, 427.
Louisiana, sugar-cane seedlings in,
259.
Love vine, destruction in Trinidad,
Lucerne in Argentine, 151.
Lucky beans, 388.
Lunt, Win., death of 29, 93.
92,|
Lydekker, R., African hairy sheep, 407.
M.
Mace, 30, 61, 94, 125, 173, 238, 269,
302, 334, 365, 414.
Madagascar, banana weevil in, 122.
—, exports of India-rubber from, 348.
—, — — ratftia fibre from, 348.
—, vegetable fibres in, 380.
Madeira onions, exports to West Indies,
364.
—,.Nandet process for extracting cane
juice, 354.
Madera shade tree, 135.
Mahogany in England, 105.
Malaria and mosquitos, 183, 292,
—, cause of, 139.
—, prevention of, 70,
Malay States, pine-apple cultivation, 116.
-, rubber cultivation in, 371.
Malta, goats at, 135.
Manacou in East Africa, 342,
Mango, budding, 283.
—, composition of, 4.
, crop in Trinidad, 204.
, exports from Goa, +12.
-—, gathering for market, 212.
—, Grenada in New York, 265.
—, history of in Jamaica, 132.
—— jam and Jamaican sugars, 307.
— tree, fruiting in December, 428.
Mangosteen, fruiting at Jamaica, 124.
Mangrove bark industry, 156,
—, Zanzibar and Pemba,
362.
Manila hemp, classification and uses, 327.
—, cultivation of, 327.
-—, extraction of fibre, 201, 327.
Manjak from Trinidad, 105.
Mansfield, A.L., Assistant Instructor in
Agriculture, British Guiana, 348.
Manson, Sir Patrick, disease problem in
the West Indies, 139, 157, 166, 198.
Manures, green, duration of effect, 252.
—, —, ground nuts for, 424.
—, pen, preserving of, 268.
Maple sugar, origin of, 163.
Maracaibo, divi-divi from, 332.
Market reports, 14, 31, 47, 62, 78, 95,
111, 126, 142) 1159; 174; 191, 2075
222) 239, 25d 2710; 287, a0dq oles
335, 351, 366, 383, 398, 415, 430.
Marr, J.E., Geology in relation to Agri-
culture, 3.
Marseilles, oil seed trade, 312.
Martinique, exports from, 408.
—, sugar industry in, 291.
Massee, G., The Evolution of Plant Life,
OT.
Mauritius, Curepipe Gardens, 140.
—-, exports from, 396.
—, fibre plants in, 297.
—, sugar-cane varieties in, 325,
Maxwell, W., Maceration and extraction
of sugar, 370.
Meaden, C.W., molaseuit as stock food,
387,
--, mule-breeding in Trinidad, 99.
Meat, preservation of, 114.
Medicinal plants, exhibit at Louisiana
exposition, 167.
Megilla maculata, 90.
Melo-coton, 316, 411.
Mesembryanthemum Tripolium, 135.
Metric system, 59, 124.
Mexico, fibre plants in, 154.
—, fruit growing in, 116.
goat raising in, 421.
—, sisal hemp exports from, 251.
Mice, destruction of, 299.
Milk flour, 92.
— in relation to temperature, 76.
—, variation in composition, 9.
Millen, H., bamboos as wind-breaks, 516,
cotton crop in Tobago, 341.
?
2
Millen, H., school gardens in Tobago, 363.
Mimosa pudica in cocoanut plantations,
217.
Mimusops globosa, balata, 25, 156.
Minor industries at Barbados, 86, 177.
— of West Indies, 9.
products, selection, ete. for agri-—
cultural shows, 254.
Mitchell, L.R., cotton gimnery in Gren-
ada, 564.
Molaseuit, 12.
and Trinidad stock farm, 387.
exports from British Guiana, 44.
in Canada, 13, 60.
, manufacture of, 131, 370.
, variations in, 268.
Molasses and cotton seed meal for stock,
387.
, Barbados and Porto Rico, 17,
—, exports from Barbados, 348.
imports into Halifax, 92.
industry in Porto Rico, 245.
, short supply in markets, 92.
West Indian in Canada, 13, 35, 125,
206; 22:1, 286; 202; 350, 382, 397.
Monazite a=
=—T
’ 149) 373.
— cultivation,
=, — ginnery, 66.
—, Insect pests, 282.
New Orleans, imports of sisal hemp, 307.
Nicaragua, ‘Madera’ shade tree at, 135.
Nicholls, H. A. A., Dominica Agricultur-,
ist, 381.
3.9%
:
— exports from, 1638.
)
BDS,
34.92 36034—
(Olivieri, F. E.,
Nitrate, exports from Chili, 348,
Nitrification, notes on, 110.
Nitrogen amd bacteria bile
— plants, 93, 151.
—, atmospheric REN of, 279, 343.
|Nutmegs, exports from Grenada, 57, 360.
grafted in Jamaica, 124.
West Indian in London market, 30,.
61, 94, 173, 238, 269, 302, 334, 365,
415
Nutmeg tree, 374.
Nutrition, principles of, 71.
Nuts as food, 68,
O.
‘Ocimum viride, 58.
‘Oliver, E. Lomas, cotton picking, 405,
—, — Teconmmendanione ré, 370.
—; — in West Indies, 360, 361,
371, 385, 391, 424, 428.
Professor F. W., T he Natural History
a Plants, 91.
A treatise on Cacao, 61.
Oil of ben, 150, 249.
— seed bade of Marseilles,
‘Onion gulbivation, 289.
Antigua, 104, 242.
Barbados, 86, 178, 189.
Egypt, 295.
Grenada, 124.
Jamaica, 253.
Madeira, eee
Montserrat,
— seed, 40, 56, 104, 480, 396.
—, germination of, 10,
12
I
3
‘Onions and ants, 316.
Antigua, in British Guiana, 253.
—, bacterial rot of, 245.
—, thrips attacking, 10, 202.
—, transplanting, 290.
Ontario, crop report, 24.
Orange, an abnormal, 55.
— crop in Italy, 188.
- cultivations, fiddler beetle attacking,
266.
— leaves, essence of, 204.
-— peel, pickling, 234.
Oranges, composition of,
-, cultivation in Cuba,
228.
540.
=; = Dominica, 105.
— — Porto Rico, 264, 372,
bod, 404.
|—, exports from Jaffa, ur
— —_— -— Sicily, 324
—, — = Weilleanth Baa Denia, 316,.
Great Britain’s supply, 425.
—, handling and packing, 20, 181, 260.
_, trade between Grenada and Barbados, ,
60.
Orchard, controlling soil moisture in, 295,
- culture, experiments in, 326.
Ormosia dasycarpa, 183, 395.
Oroxylon indicum at Barbados,
100.
Pe
Pachyrhizus tuberosus, 109.
Pahang, exports and imports, 284.
Paint, a cheap, 74.
Palm nut cracking machine, 362.
Panama hats, manufacture of, 310.
Pandanus, support for vanilla, 410.
Papain industry in Montserrat, 252.
Papaw, change of sex, 124.
Para, rubber cultivation in,
— rubber, 235, 371.
— seeds, utilization of, 73.
Paraguay, cotton cultivation in, 309.
Paris green and London purple, 170.
—, application of, 168, 281.
-— for Leeward Islands, 197.
—, supply of, 120.
Passiflora edulis, flowering and fruiting of,
146, 190, 342.
Paternoster peas, 183.
Patterson, W. H., curator
123.
Pear, Avocado, 187, 212, 236.
Pearl fishery, 109.
Peasant proprietors in Demerara, 84.
Pemba, mangrove bark industry of,
Peppers, bird, demand for, +28.
~—, cultivation in French Indo-China, 332.
Perfumes, manufacture of, 43.
Perkinsiella saccharicida, 154,
Persea gratissima, 187, 311.
Peru, agriculture in, 3.
—, cocaine manufacture in, 236.
—, exports of cotton, 364.
Petroleum from Trinidad, 89
—— resources of West Indies, 409.
Philippine Islands, cocoa-nut cultivation
in, 132.
—, insects of the cacao tree, 546.
—, manila hemp cultivation, 327.
—, Panama hats from, 60.
—, pine-apple fibre industry, 166.
—, ylang-ylang oil from, 364.
Phoenix dactylifera for arbor day planting,
347.
Physic-nut oil, 376.
Phytelephas macrocarpa, 108.
Pigs, Tamworth, in Trinidad, 19.
Pilocarpus microphyllus, 94.
Pimenta oil, 7
Pimento sticks,
316.
—, West Indian in London market,
94, 190, 238, 269, 302, 334, 365, 414.
Pine-apples, composition of, +4.
—, cultivation in Fiji, 292.
Hawaii, 340.
Jamaica, 164.
Malay States, 116.
Porto Rico, 359.
Queensland, 372.
St. Lucia, 300.
OYs
4
at Antigua,
362.
exports from St. Lucia,
; — — West Indies, 242
, Dominica, 248, 280.
, fibre from, 166.
—, gathering for market, 212, 244,
/Plant study, 375.
30, |-
‘Porto Rico, bananas in,
Pine-apples, hybridization, 420.
, imports into U.S.A., 340.
—, packing and shipping, 280.
, Ripley variety, 204.
-, Slices in syrups from Jamaica sugars,
307.
-, tinning, 164.
, Tobago, 156, 356.
West Indian in Canada,
Piheeelaneamn filicifolium,
— Saman in Trinidad, 151.
— Unguis-cati, 395. ~
Plantain fibre, 201.
Plant diseases, dégénérescence graisseuse,
332.
—, in Hawaii, 154.
—, marasmius, 23.
|
125:
374.
Plants and fungus parasites, 56. |
— nitrogen, 151.
— as analytical agents, 425.
diseased, 92.
essential oils in, 326.
fumigation of imported, 74, 138.
liqnid food for house, 75.
number to the acre, 68.
propagation by leaves, 123.
—, protection of native, 121.
Poe doux, as a wind-break, 274.
Pollination, 51.
Polybia occidentalis, 170.
Pomegranate, 167.
Pondicherry, exports of, 204.
, vanilla in, 169.
356.
brown ant in, 282.
—, cotton cultivation in, 37,
261, 389.
—, fruit growing in, 264.
—, molasses, 17, 18, 245.
—, orange industry, 372,
252
B94,
—, pines in, 356.
—, report on agricultural experi-
ment station, 349.
—, scale insects on cocoa-nuts,
346,
— —, sugar and molasses industries,
243.
— —, tobacco experiments in, 268,
345,
Potato starch, demand in Vienna, 396.
Potatos, English, disease of 199.
—, experiments in West Indies,
242.
, returns in Great Britain, 124.
-——, seed from, 120.
: —, selection for planting, 44.
ct
—, Sweet, analysis of, 330.
—, as stock food, 330.
experimentsin Dominica, 247.
‘4 Montserrat, 172
b)
Poultry, eggs in Bermuda, 266.
—, Job’s tears as food for, 342.
—, notes on, 214, 331, 343.
, pens for exhibiting at shows,
, turkeys, breeding, 343.
—, water supply,
Powell, H., in British East Africa, 134.
—, notes on British East Africa, 342.
Products, careful preparation of, 235.
Prosopis pallida, Algarrobilla, 195.
Pteris aquilina, leaf structure and envir-
onment, 215.
Punica granatum, the pomegranate, 167.
B95.
Q.
Queensland, agriculture in,
-, bananas in, 372.
—, coffee in, 9.
pine-apple in, 372.
—, sisal hemp in, 166.
West Indian seedling canes in,
259.
Quinine and rinderpest,
DOL.
180,
76.
R.
Rabbit pee in the West Indies,
246, 262, , 294.
Rabbits, Aaa 118, 392.
breeds for West Indies,
ses of, 203, 294.
230,
2
230.
—, dise:
—, feeding, 278.
honsing, 246.
-—, water for, 278.
Ratta fibre, 92.
—, exports from Madagascar, 348.
Rainfall and exports, 361.
Ramie, mantles for incandescent lamps, 12.
Rats, cleared from a garden by lizards,
371.
, destruction of, 299.
tavenala madagascariensis,
12, £0, 60, 342.
Red sorrel, 167.
tedding, R. J.,
Reports :—
Antigua Botanic Station, ete., 333.
Barbados and Porto Rico molasses, 29.
British Guiana Board of Agriculture,
29)
fruiting of,
Cotton Culture, 141.
285.
Moruca
— , Botanic Gardens,
—-, Pomeron and
districts, 189.
British Honduras, Botanic Station, 255.
Dominica Botanic Station, ete, 267.
Grenada Botanic Station, ete., 333,
Hawaii, 349.
Jamaica, Public Gardens and Planta-~
-, from Barbados, 316.
—, meal from, 263.
—, —, thrips in Barbados, 284.
99
wey
Poultry, 6, 428.
\— diseases, 28, 30, 122, 214, 342,
tions, 107, 411.
Leeward Islands sugar-cane
ments, 138,
Montserrat Botanic Station, ete., 267.
experi-
444
Reports (Continued) —
Porto Rico, 349.
St. Kitt’s-Nevis Botanic Station, ete.,
301.
St. Lucia Botanic Station, ete., 267.
‘Vincent Botanic Station, ete., 285.
Tin.ad wotanical Department, 253.
Virgin Islands, experiment station,
285.
Research Jaboratory, Jamaica, 92.
Resurrection plants, 135.
Rice, analysis of husk ash, 204.
—, cultivation in British Guiana, 121,
US; 215:
; — in Jamaica, 12, 414.
Ricinus communis, 203,
Rowntree & Co., samples of cacao from,
356.
Royal Horticultural Society, centenary,
124.
~~ Mail Steam Packet Company, 185,
Rubber, African, 543.
—, aluminium cups for tapping,
Castilloa in Dominica, 57.
—— Montserrat, 1
transplanting, 220.
cultivation, Ceylon, 28, 250.
Gold Coast colony, 555.
Guatemala, 316.
Tquitos, 188.
Jamaica 295,
Para, 425.
Samoa, 190.
—, Sierra Leone, 329.
— Exports from British Honduras,
, Congo Free State, 364.
, French Guinea, 204.
Baio aenbince, 281.
, from corn oil, 77
—, imports into Cuba
=, lame, Bal
—, preparation of, 255
production in Indo-China, 236.
124.
?
>
?
28,
?
?
— seeds, Central American, packing for
transport, 165,
= a a = for
220).
—, Para, utilization of, 73.
— treatment of gutta-percha for shoes,
220.
— trees, acclimatization in Ceylon, 28.
— , longicorn beetle attacking, 42
Rum, as an illuminant and source of
power, 226.
—, Jamaica, protection of, 428,
manufacture in Martinque, 291.
?
Ss.
St. Croix, agriculture in, 375.
—, cane farming in, i40.
central factories in, 188.
sugar industry in, 268.
St. Kitt’s, arbor day celebration,
Barbados blackbirds at, 92,
?
590.
28.}
distribution. |
St. Kitt’s, Botanic Station, rainfall at,284. St. Vincent, report on Georgetown:
—, cotton in, 5, 213, 341, 369, 389, 405,| district, 60.
421, | —, stock at, 108, 236.
— — experts in, 386. |—-, trade with Grenada, 76. .
—= — ginnery, 65, 236. /Saman in Trinidad and Jamaica, 151.
—, grape vines in, 156. /Samao, copra in, 153, 420.
kaolin in, 245. —, rubber cultivation in, 190,
—, mosquitos and tropical diseases, 172. Sand box juice and blindness, 82.
—, report on Botanic Station, etc., 301. Sands, W. N., and Antigua agricultural
~— — insect pests, 282. | society, 92.
Ist. Lucia, agriculture in, 137, 308. —, agricultural superintendent in St.
, agricultural education in, 351. Vincent, 77.
== — school, 27, 156, 172, 221, 298. ——, report on Antigua Botanic Station,
-- —- society, 262. | 333.
bee keeping in, 22, 268, 338. = — cotton cultivation in St.
bread-fruit meal from, 404 V incent, 32
;—, cacao crop, 332. | Sapindus Saponaria, 395.
— — diseases, 108, 281. Sarsaparilla in London market, 50, 61,
a — experiments, 25, 94, 125, 173, 190, 269, 302, 334, 365
—: — exports, 305. | 414.
—, cassava starch from, 412. ‘Scalds, remedies for, 117.
—, Cassia Fistula from, 316 Scale insects (see Insect Pests).
— cotton, 245. | School gardens (see Education).
--, — cultivation, 44, 165, 357, 369,! Science and weather, 131.
389. | Seabrook, W. B., 29, 155.
_ — emergency grant, 344. —, selection of cotton seed, 69.
—, —— experts in, 385. | —, visit to Jamaica, 204.
—, — ginnery, 65, 215. Sea Islands of South Carolina, 310.
Fer-deance at, 163. |= — — — —-, cotton crop in,
free importation of insecticide ingre- SBE BMG
dients, etc., 364. Sealing wax palm, carnauba wax from,
—, Insect pests at Botanic Station. 42.| IR4.
298. | Sealy, John, experiments with English
——, musk seed from, 516, | potatos at Barbados, 115.
—, pimento sticks from, 516, | Sea-moss, utilization of, 8, 152.
—, pineapple cultivation in, 300. | Sea-weed as manure, 9, 279,
—, report on Botanic Station, ete., 267.) Sechium edule as a bee plant, 155.
—, schooi gardens in, 108, 140, 251, 268. Seeds, germination of, 140.
300. —, ornamental, 395.
—, vitality of, 75.
St. Thomas, cotton cultivation in,
—, shipments of dried fruits from, 252.
St. Vincent, agricultural instruction in, Selaginella lepidophylla, 135.
363 Sensitive plant in cocoanut plantations,
263, 28
316.
4,4103)) ) 217
| Seychelles, vanilla in, 408.
Shea butter, 168.
| Sheep, African hairy, 407.
- school, 27, i87.
— show, 1399, 107,
arrowroot, 217, 345.
, bee-keeping in,
,
92
Ja.
, Belgian hares in, 220. | — industry in Jamaica, 172, 206.
—. birds’ of, 21.6: | —, shipment of Barbados to U.S.A., 407.
— Botanic Station, 43, 410. Shelter-belts or wind-breaks, 273.
| — cacao industry, 306. | Shepherd, F.R., agricultural superintend-
cotton, 284, 293. ent, St. Kitt’s, 93,
| —, — cultivation in, 41, 268, 325, —, cotton crop in Anguilla, 357.
De : = |
332, 369, 389, 405, 421. — Se Se Shy Ita BEI
= — emergency grant, 344. | Sicily, citrus trade in, 324.
—, — experts in, 386. | —, lemon crop in, 396.
— — factory, 101, 117, 140, 184,)—, —— trade of, 4.
186 Sierra Leone bananas in London market,
. 1 ~~ |
= ginnery, 66, 5). | 20.
— ‘Growers’ Association, 261,/— —, cotton and other crops in, 329.
O13, d48. Silk cotton for Canada, 173.
5 leat-blister mite in, 39+ | Sisal hemp cultivation in Bahamas, 231.
; lectures, 296, 352 - =) — — Gaicos islands je2e—
|—, eelworms on yams, 283. | tae
|
honey in London, 425. Queensland, 166.
—, insect pests, 202. (= — — = Turks Jslandseedes
— land settlement scheme, 532 = — — = Vera Crunches
|—, report on Botanic Station, 285. | — — — Yucatan, 382.
445
Sisal hemp exports from Caicos, Islands, |
re
ave.
— — — — Mexico, 251.
— — imports into New Orleans, 307|
~ USA, Bs
— —— industry and the West Indies,
321.
—, prices of, 172, 322, 348, 428.
—, yield from, 322.
Sleeping sickness and tsetse fly, 122.
Smith, G. Whitfield, Resident Magistrate,
Carriacou, 123,
Simiths He iG:
Euealypts, 205.
Smith, J. G., Report on
Station, Hawaii, 349. |
Smith, Longfield, lectures to teachers,|
Barbados, 158. |
: , Bermuda, 109, 171.;
Smith, W. M., manuring citrus trees, 228.)
Snyder, H., The Chemistry of Plant and,
Animal Life, 219.
Society Islands, exports of copra and)
vanila, +12.
Soil moisture, controlling in the orchard,|
295.
A Research on the
|
Experiment
Solenopsis geminata in Porto Rico, 282.
Solomon Islands, cocoa-nuts in, 28.
Souari fruit, 284.
Spanish ash, as a wind-break, 274.
Spanish needle, 199.
Spanish oak, as a wind-break, 274.
Spices in Grenada, 360.
= — Zanzibar, 340.
—, West Indian, in Canada, 206, 286,
350, 382, 397.
Sponge industry in the Bahamas, 188, 260
Stancliffe, R., in West Indies, 361, 363,
385, 391, 424.
Stock at Antigua, 28.
— St. Lucia, 262.
— St. Vincent, 108, 236.
—, Ceylon, in Trinidad, 220.
—, disposing of careases, 252.
—, eating bark of trees, 196.
—, grasses for, in Danish West Indies,
249.
—, Indian, in West Indies, 92.
molasses and cottonseed meal for, 387.
notes, 227.
sale at Grenada, 124, 157.
— Trinidad, 380.
show in British Guiana, 92.
—, sweet potatos for, 330.
—, treatment for mange, 76.
Stoute, R. A., leave of absence, 315.
—, resumption of duties, 381.
Street tree planting, 75.
Strickland, Sir Gerald, cotton growing
in West Indies, 261.
Strophanthus gratus, source of strophan-
thin, 188.
Sugar at Liverpool for refining purposes,
140.
—, consumption in Canada, 35.
—, cost of production on vacuum pan
estates, 156,
Sugar, countervailing duties and Brussels|
Conference, 3.
—, exports from Barbados, 348,
—, — — Germany, 402.
=; -—— — Trinidad, 364.
—, — — West Indies, 204.
—, grocery, in Canada, 50.
Jamaica, 306.
, Java, 220
, maceration and extraction, 370.
, Inuseovado, 56.
—— producing plant, a new, 131.
— production of the world, 226.
—, U.S. concession to Cuba, 131.
—, West Indian in Canada, 13, 34, 125,
148, 201, 206, 221, 286, 302, 350,
382, 397.
— —— —, markets for, 418.
Sugar-beet in U.S.A., 3.
Sugar-cane bagasse for cardboard, 140.
—, chemical selection of, 19.
cultivation in Antigua, 51.
— british Guiana, 51,
121.
| Sun Pictures of the Antilles
- Cuba, 322.
ae -— — French West Indies, 291.
= —=— — Hawaii, 1152:
= — — Jamaica, 354, 284, 386,
405.
Martinique, 408.
Nevis, 243.
Porto Rico, 243.
St. Croix, 140, 188, :
Trinidad, 152, 322.
West Indies, 274.
Virgin Islands, 275.
, deterioration of cut, 98.
—, diffusion process of extracting sugar
from, 99.
— estates, economical feeding on, 89.
— experiments in Barbados, 115, 146,
162, 338, 344, 354.
— British Guiana, 66, 7
62) 194, 211, 290, 307, 313.
— Cuba, 179.
— Iinel, W6}.
lo
3,
— Jamaica, 211, 227.
— Java, 71.
— Leeward Islands, 145.
— West Indies, 241.
—, growth variation of, 98.
—— juice, Naudet process for extracting,
354.
—, weighing, +28.
—, lectures on diseases of, 23, 77.
—, male, 402.
— manurial experiments, 242.
— pests, beetle borer in Java, 154
—, British Guiana, 426.
—, leaf-hopper in Hawaii, 154,
170.
—, root disease, 23.
— seedlings, B.147, 338, 339, 344, 387.
_- —, B. 208, 180, 338, 339,
344.
— —, cultivation in West Indies,
274,
— D, 95, 339.
Sugar-cane seedlings, D. 117, 130, 386.
- — in Antigua, 2.
— — British Guiana,
—— — Cuba, 194.
-~ -— Hawaii, 386.
- Jamaica, 284, 419.
— — Louisiana, 92.
Natal, 412.
— — Trinidad, 258.
—, West Indian, in
259.
180.
Louisiana,
b]
180, 259,
— varieties in Mauritius, 323.
— versus beet, 258.
Sulphur from Dominica, 396.
Sulphurie acid and chicken cholera, 30.
Sunflowers, 54, 361.
—- and bees, 22
a.
: - Queensland,
les, 411.
Surinam cherry, 167.
—, exports of balata, 396.
—-, cacao and fungoid diseases, 118.
Sweet cup, fruiting of, 146, 190.
Symington fruit syndicate in Trinidad,
33, 388.
ite
Talipot palm, 151.
Tamarinds in London market, 30, 190,
238, 269, 302, 332, 334, 374.
Tea, Ceylon, 156.
—, Jamaica, 180, 414.
Teak, exports from Bangkok, 412.
Terry, H. L., Notes on balata, 25.
Texas legislature and cotton boll weevil,
332.
Theobald, F. V., Second Report on Econ-
omic Zoology, 141.
Thevetia nereifolia, 388, 395.
Thompson, H. N., Forestry in West
Africa, 393.
Thorn apple, 358,
Thornton, Thomas, Travelling Inspector
in connexion with cotton industry, 427.
Thrips tabaci, 202.
Thymol, 157, 236.
Ticks, (see Insect Pests).
Times, The, and the cotton industry in
West Indies, 277.
-; » — — Imperial Department
of Agriculture, 317.
Tobacco, consumption in United King~-
dom, 396.
—, cross-fertilization of, 156.
— cultivation, Canaries, 392.
—, Jamaica, 286, 300, 376, 379:
25.
—, Porto Rico, 268.
—, West Indies, 345.
—, eel-worms in, 86.
—, fusarium on, 199.
392,
446
156.
369.
rainfall at,
60, 341,
204,
Tobago Botanic Station,
—, cotton cultivation in,
, Empire Day celebration,
—, exports from, 76.
forest reservations, 58.
—, parasol ants in, 124.
pine-apples, 156, 356.
—, school gardens in, 363, 413,
Tomatos, exports from Canaries, 300.
Toronto exhibition, 72, 184.
Travellers’ tree, 12, 40, 60, 342.
Trees, felling by electricity, 39.
—, pruning 378
ses agricultural education in,
193 , 284, 317.
— school show,
— show, 364.
, Albizzia Lebbek in,
, asphalt in, 364, 409.
, balata exports, 28,
, bananas in, 76, 84,
—, bee keeping in, 22.
, cacao in, 25, 30: 5, 348, 364.
., Ceylon cattle in, 220.
172;
413,
151.
220.
==, cotton in, 8, 66, 92; 252, 297, 364,
369, 389.
—, dates from, 332.
—, forest resources of, 9
-—, fruit trade, 33, 388,
—., logwood honey from, 2&4.
—-, love vine in, 185.
—, mango crop, 204.
—, manjak from, 105.
—, mule breeding in, 59.
, mMungoose in, 254, 380.
—, petroleum from, 89.
Tamworth, in, 19.
, products in Montreal, 76
, report on botanical Department
, School gardens in, 59.
+ sugar industry, 152, 258, 322, 364.
., stock sale, 380.
West Indian Conference in, 353,
Tropical diseases, 139, 166, 198.
hygiene, 411.
Tsetse fly (see Insect Pests).
Turkeys (see Poultry).
Tivks Island, sisal plantations in,
Turner's Hall woed, Barbados, 102.
—, pigs,
953:
396.
U.
United States, agricultural interests, 140.
—, bananas in, 244, 308.
—, bee keeping in, 44.
—, beet sugar in, 3, 204.
~, cacao in, 220.
—, concession to Cuba, 131.
—, cotton boll weevil in, 12.
— crop, 136.
, fruit in, 340.
United States, school gardens and arbor
day in, 141.
—, sisal hemp in. 395.
—, tropical experiment stations
|96
ear
in,
vanilla in, 103,
United Kingdom, cacao, consumption in,
387.
Uganda, economic plants in,
—, resources of, 345,
376.
V.
Wanilla, 925 1038 G24" 172, 408,
410, 412.
Vanillin, 7, 103.
Vegetable products of Costa Rica,
— Liberia, 201.
Vegetables, grading and packing,
Venezuela, agric ultural condition
RG
Ce.
169,
12
td)
LAS
of,
Vera Cruz, sisal hemp in, 548.
Virgin Islands, agriculture in,
. arbor day celebration,
. cotton in, G6, 268, 3
POD.
390,
— A B69:
. reafforestation in, 265,
—, report on experiment station,
Sugar-cane cultivation, 275.
eruptions, St. Vincent and
+4
Volcanic
Martinique,
W.
Ward, K., cotten experiments in British
Guiana, 229.
Water supplies,
Watering plants,
purification of, 215,
99
--.
Watson, N. B., fellow of Entomological
Society, 364.
Watts, Francis, cotton experiments in
Antigua, 364.
20
—, manurial,
—, Nature Teaching, 381.
—, oranges in Dominica, 340.
—, report on Virgin Islands, 265.
— sugar- nae experiments in|
hae ard Tslands, 138; 145.
The citrometer, 508.
Wax, white, 334,
Weather and science,
131.
Weather plant, 123.
Wethai-wei, agricultural possibilities of,
Bow
Went, F. A. F.C., Fungoid diseases of
cacao In Surinam, 118.
West Africa, cotton in Great Britain,
380.
— ~, development of, 329.
—, forestry in, 393.
West India Committee Charter,
Circular, 120.
Agricultural Conference,
354, 397, 401, 406, 407,
300.
West
BAY,
422,
Indian
— Botanic Stations and
industry, 306.
Bulletin, 88,
Uy 8318},
ane 148.
— cocoa-nuts in New York, 296.
—— cotton exports (see Cotton).
~— exhibits at Halifax, 364.
— flora, 381.
CACAO
= 130, 136, 140,
cassava for
glucose manufae-
= — fruit, 244, 248.
= — products in Canada, 13, 125,
148, 201, 206, 221, 286; 302; 350;
382, 397
a = London, 30, 61, 94,
125, 173; 190, 238, 269, 302, 334;
365, 414
— — —- New York, 254.
— — seedling canes in Louisiana
and Queensland, 259.
West Indies, agricultural
241.
industries of,
—— and British Cotton- growing
Association deputation, 377.
— International Food Exhib-
ition at Crystal Palace, 350.
— natural history, 116,
—, cacao industry in, 305.
— —, cocoanut cultivation in, 36.
— —, cotton experts in, 385, 391.
= = == industry, 101, 182, 19%,
260, 2, 298; 325 , 344, 369, 389 421.
= —-, — ginneries in, 65, 153
— —, —, history of in, 165.
diversification of crops in, 85.
—, fruit exports from, 268
, —~, temperate, in, 55.
—, fumigation of imported plants,.
Indian cattle in, 92.
lady-birds in, 90.
—, minor industries of, 9.
—, onion seed for, 280.
—, petroleum resources of, 409.
—, rabbit-keeping in, 278.
—, sisal hemp industry, 321,
—, sugar industry, 156, 204, 274
—, tobacco experiments in, 345.
— —, tropical diseases in, 198,
Wilber, D. F., Barbados cotton industry,.
389.
Willis, J. C., Flowering Plants and Ferns,
Nfl
Wind-breaks or shelter-belts, +
Windmills, 87.
Windward Islands, agricultural scholar
ships, 11.
Wheat cultivation in Canada, 172.
White bean in Dominica, 247.
Wolstenholme, C. M., cotton industry in|
West Indies, 421.
Woman’s tongue tree, 151.
Woods, Barbados, 40.
—, relationship to
supplies, 39, 41.
domestic
Wooly pyrol, 153, 348.
Yi
Yam bean, 109, 247.
| Yams, composition of dried tubers,
—, eel-worms in, 283.
—, from Barbados, 516.
\
|
|
|
water Yeast, 123.
| Yellow fever and mosquitos, 157.
380.
Ylang-ylang, 151, 210, 231, 563.
Yueatan, sisal hemp in, 382.
Z.
Zanzibar, mangrove bark industry, 562.
— spice trade, 340.
Zimmermann, A., Eenige Pathologische
en physiologische waarnemingen oyer
koftie, 205.
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