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A FORTNIGHTLY REVIEW

OF THE

IMPERIAL DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE FOR THE WEST INDIES.

VOLUME IV.

JANUARY TO DECEMBER 19085.

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 Inp1a Commirrer, 15, Seething Lane, E.C.

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A FORTNIGHTLY REVIEW

OF THE

IMPERIAL DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE FOR THE WEST INDIES.

Vou. IV. No. 72.

BARBADOS, JANUARY 14, 1905.

Price ld.

CONTENTS.
PAGE. PAGE.
Antigua, Imported Stock 8 | Notes and Comments ... 8

Our Book Shelf :—

Bananas :— : elf
Barbados for Egypt g | Fishes of British
Hawaii ih A, | Guiana... eal

Sisal Hemp Culture in
Indian Tea Districts 11
Oranges, Picking and
Marketing... .... 4
Para Rubber in Malay
States teemeeeat) eel %-. Ul

Bermuda Biological
Shiatiwomy ea oa cpa 8!
Cacao, Pruning in
Martinique... ... ... 9
Congo Free State, Exports 10

Copra and Cocoa-nut Oil 6 Poultry Notes:— ... ... 6
Cotton Industry :-— Varieties of Domestic
Barbados Central Turkeys ... ... .. 6
Factory... ++) ++ 9 | Rubber in the German
Indian Cotton Seed Cake 5 Golonies i= 7
Prospects of Crop... ° | Sea-weed »s Manure 3

West Indian Cotton,
Introduction into
UE Sa eAta Soest a eeee eo,

Department Publications 15

Science Notes ;—
Plant Food, Effect of
Scarcity =co4 MAE eee a
Plant Stems, Shape of 11
Sugar Industry :—
g | British Guiana 5
Price ofjsnpam .;. -...
Trinidad, Manurial aspec
of Exports of Cacao... 9
| U.S. A. Imports of
Tropical Products ... 15
West Indian Agricultural
Conference, 1905 ... 1
West Indian Products iu
Canadigreera fi. Lo

Fruit Trees, Budding
ironically face cee 8s

Go co

Gleanings ice sat sco! so) be

Tnsect Notes :—
Crustaceans from
AbrsiiawilaK6l oq see noo Ata)
Lime Tree Bark Borer 10
Orange Restinn. c=. 6 2-0, 10
Market Reports ... ... 14
Milk Powder Factory ... 2

West Indian Agricultural

Conference, 1905.

Se HE Fifth West Indian Agricultural Confer-
i ence was opened in the Council Chamber
at the Princes’ Buildings, Port-of-Spain,
Trinidad, on Wednesday, January 4. His Excellency

\\

the Governor (Sir Henry M. Jackson, K.C.M.G.)
extended a hearty welcome to the Representatives in
behalf of the colony.

In opening the Conference, the President (Sir
Daniel Morris, K.C.M.G.) congratulated the Represent-
atives on being able to meet in so important and
progressive a colony as Trinidad, and expressed his
deep appreciation of the assistance rendered by the
Government the of the Trinidad
Agricultural Society. He expressed the belief that he
was justified in stating that they had gained the
confidence and support of all the prominent men who
represent the practical side of agriculture. As the latter
were working side by side in hearty co-operation with
the results of their labours could
not be otherwise than beneficial and of a_ lasting

and members

the scientific side,
character. The Representatives would observe that
there was a long list of subjects proposed to be dealt
with, but, as on former occasions, chief attention would
be devoted to those of immediate interest and such
as had a direct bearing on the improvement and
development of the staple industries of these colonies.
A prominent position was given to questions affecting
the sugar industry, and a review of the results obtained
in recent years in raising varieties of canes yielding
more sugar and less liable to disease would show that
an appreciable advance had been made in both
directions.

The prospects of the sugar industry were more
favourable than they had been for many years and it
was realized that the West Indies, after the strenuous
efforts made in their behalf, had at last obtained

2 THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.

January 14, 1905.

a position which should enable them to compete, in the
British market, on equal terms with all sugar-producing
countries,

Sir Daniel Morris then referred to some of the
results of the experiments with sugar-canes throughout
the West Indies. In British Guiana there were at the
present time 13,000 acres planted in canes other than
Bourbon, the results of experiments having indicated
an increased yield per acre of from 12 to 20 per cent.
over that of the Bourbon. At Barbados the general
results of the seedling experiments justified the opinion
that the raising of seedling canes afforded special
promise of increasing the yield and diminishing the
cost of production. ‘The area under seedling canes was
gradually extending. At Antigua where there were
about 8,000 acres under cane cultivation, the area
under Bourbon had been reduced to 204 acres.
Similarly at St. Kitt’s, seedling canes—especially
B. 147 and B. 208—occupied a much larger area than
the Bourbon, which was at one time so seriously
attacked by disease that fears were entertained that
some estates would have to abandon sugar-cane culti-
vation.

As Trinidad was the largest cacao-producing area
in the West Indies, it was proposed to devote special
attention to the circumstances of that industry.
A review of the cacao industry had recently been
published in the West Indian Bulletin (Vol. V, pp.
172-7), a short summary of which was to be found in
the Agricultural News (Vol. II, p. 305). From that
information it would be seen that cacao plantations
were being very considerably extended throughout the
West Indies.

The first of the recent experiments in cotton grow-
ing was started at St. Lucia in 1900. In the following
year these experiments were extended to Barbados and
the northern islands. The total area planted in all the
islands in 1902 was 500 acres. increased
in 1903 to 4,000 acres. During the year 1904 the area
planted in Sea Island cotton, and now coming into
bearing, was 7,243 acres, and in other varieties 4,438
acres, making a total of 11,681 acres. Valuable assist-
ance had been rendered by the British Cotton-growing
Association in making grants of money and machinery,
in finding the best market for shipments of cotton, and
more recently in arranging for the visit to the West
Indies of Mr. E. Lomas Oliver. The Imperial Depart-
ment of Agriculture had supplied 35,700 lb. of seed of
the best variety of Sea Island cotton at cost price.
‘There were at the present time in the West Indies

This was

fifteen well-equipped cotton ginneries in working order.
The prices obtained for West Indian Sea Island cotton
during the past season had ranged from 12d. to 18¢/.
per lb., the average price being 143d. per lb. It was
now recognized that West Indian Sea Island cotton is
an article in high demand, and the industry showed
every promise of being established on remunerative
lines. It was probable that the crop of Sea Island
cotton to be reaped from the present time to May next
would reach 5,000 bales of the value of £100,000.

The success that had attended the establishment
of the fruit trade at Jamaica had naturally suggested
similar efforts in the other islands. There were numer-
ous difficulties connected with the transport of fruit
from these colonies, and it would probably be some time
before shippers would be in a position to obtain all
their requirements. The first step that was necessary
was to grow the right kind of fruit and produce it in such
quantities and in such a condition as to meet the
requirements of the market. Afterwards, when the
trade had assumed large dimensions, the Royal Mail
Company might see its way to provide special steamers
fitted with cool chambers capable of delivering large
cargoes in good condition.

Sir Daniel Morris then proceeded to review the
situation as regards the lime, sisal hemp, rubber,
tobacco, and other industries. Reference was also made
to Agricultural Shows, to the progress made in
connexion with Agricultural Education, and to the
dissemination of agricultural knowledge by means of
official and other publications.

MILK-POWDER FACTORY IN FRANCE.

The U.S. Monthly Consular Reports for August
1904 contain the following note :—

One of the many opportunities for the investment of
American capital in this part of France has been seized upon
by certain American interests, combined with local French
enterprise, in the establishment of a factory for reducing milk
to powder. The company is known as the H. M. Mott-Smith
Company, or Société de Lait Solidifié Francaise. The factory
will be in operation in a few weeks and will employ the
Juste-Hatmaker process for evaporating and sifting milk.
The capacity of the factory is 2 tons of powdered milk a day,
which represents about 5,000 gallons of fresh milk. The
product is destined both for domestic and foreign con-
sumption. he factory is located in the midst of a very
important dairy district, and the chocolate manufacturers in
the neighbouring cities are preparing to profit by its presence.

According to the Experiment Station Record, it
is stated in the Rev. Gén. Lait that the powder
prepared from whole milk at the co-operative dairy at
Oostcamp contained 3°62 per cent. of water, 5°67 ash,
26°75 fat, 32°86 casein, and 31°10 lactose,

THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.

Ba

Seedling Canes in British Guiana.

Be epoullecs On p. 180 of volume
<a jad iA III of the Agricultural
g |2e {sl € | News information was
= s S15 E $ | published in regard to
ous | . g
Ss “ 15} | the experimental culti-
re ._ {25 4,2} = | vation of seedling canes
2 ool]n = c oy Sb
g aan |a| = at Diamond plantation,
a | BH 1S British Guiana, Through
seve the courtesy of the
ae as 2.) manager, Mr. John M.
NS S 5
== Sse 3 Fleming, we are now
: = ins ; abe
Z |ao || 4 | in a position to supple-
oO io} leper wD 5) . =
3 Bo jeis|ct} | | ment, this with the
= SS 7a following particulars for
rel sieaiiecs| <<. || the 1904¢erop-—
5 Ma | +} 4 oa ;
= OS Re Taken with the results
aa 1 for the three previous
Sa a eS years, this goes a long way
Ss laalaA to prove that in the
pws Ss A propagation of cane from
a i) SSS lS seed lies a ready means of
S al sei0) |S 5 obtaining varieties superior
= . Se |S\ & | to the Bourbon which is
5 Sepals the variety hitherto grown
Pl ~ 5 .
s a = S in Demerara.
oa + is fa
= Sea As the result of
ae ee |S experiments carried on
|\ag20 «| for four years (1901-4
i Bolecos | cs 2 |melusiveyeat wall be
S ES |oed|o| . |seen that seedling
o € )
a — | Se ]S| & | canesgrown 0n1,537°918
8 |"S || @ | acres as compared with
B mo joa)
a |oE |e Bourbon canes grown
aS | BIOS) ee
ote | od on 2,824°352 acres have
: proved better than the
3 Bourbon to the extent
Nn . Mm
go : && |of 24 per cent. The
5 = 38 | average crop reaped dur-
63 6 38 |ing the period under
Sm Hma

review was 10,560 tons.

Price of Sugar.
The following extract from he Times of Decem-

ber 3 gives the views of one of the leading firms of

refiners (Messrs. Henry Tate & Sons) as to the causes
that have led to the present rise in the price of sugar.
They also express the opinion that probably in a few
years prices will be appreciably lower owing to the
increased production both of cane and beet sugars :—-

It is true that the consumption on the ° Continent
showed a very large increase last year, owing to the reduction
of the excise duties, but it must be remembered that
4 considerable quantity must have gone to fill up the invisible
Supplies which are usually kept on hand by traders, and

which were practically nil in October last in anticipation of
lower prices. It is more than probable that consumption
abroad for the next twelve months will be apparently less.
Tf, however, the present beet-root crop had come up to the
expectations, there would have been sufficient sugar to meet
all requirements. We, just as much as the confectioners and
jam manufacturers, are wishful to have cheap sugar, and we:
have no doubt that the Brussels Convention will be
eventually the greatest factor in obtaining this result.

We go further and assert that, had there been no-
Convention, we should have been paying shillings per ewt.
more for sugar than at the present moment owing to the
fact that the cartels of Germany and Austria would have
been able to demand whatever prices they pleased. As it is,.
we are already seeing a large increase in the production of
cane sugars, which, in a few years, will bring us to as low, if
not lower, prices than we have hitherto been accustomed to..

The following extract from a letter from Mr. C.
Czarnikow, the well-known sugar authority, also from
The Times of December 3, discusses the point whether
the Brussels Convention was, in any way, concerned in
causing the recent rise in the price of sugar :—

The Convention had nothing to do with the shortage
{in sugar]. Germany and Austria had sown larger areas
than last year; it is wind and weather that have produced
800,000 tons less sugar on almost the same acreage, but the
Convention has procured for the world 400,000 tons more-
cane sugar this season, without which we should have seen
much higher prices. Therefore, it has distributed production:
more evenly over the world’s surface, including our owns
colonies, substituting natural for unnatural conditions, and
has changed a curse into a blessing by emancipating us from
the bondage of State subsidizing supplies, which would have-
led to a monopoly detrimental in the extreme to this country.

SEA-WEED AS MANURE.

The following note on the use of sea-weed as
a manure is taken from the Gardeners’ Chronicle of
December 3, 1904. For previous notes on this subject
see Agricultural News, (Vol. II, pp. 5 and 279) :—

Tn the Channel Islands sea-weed is regularly gathered in
large quantities and spread over the potato fields, and the
farmers there find it a most valuable manure. It is either
scattered on the ground fresh from the sea or burnt in kilns,
and the ash used instead of the raw material. At the
sea-side in this country sea-weed is often brought up from the
beach in carts and spread over the land, with very good
results as regards the corn, but no effort has hitherto been
made to burn it in a kiln. Surely this could be done
without much difficulty and with great advantage to the
public, for in this form iodine manure could be put upon the
market for the use of gardeners. Of course, the object of
burning the sea-weed is to get rid of the smell, and, to enable
it to be kept in a portable form, it could be put up in barrels.
for wholesale use, and in tins for selling in small quantities.
There are many places along the coast where the industry
could be started—anywhere, in fact, where sea-weed is
plentiful, and the expense of tinning would not be great.
We should thus gain an excellent fertilizer, which is, more-
over, said to be particularly good for roses.

In districts near the coast it is advisable to make
use of sea-weed as a litter or for mulching, rather
than to burn it, on account of its value as a humus-
producing material, humus being especially likely to
be deficient in tropical soils,

THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.

JaNuARY 14, 1905.

WEST INDIAN FROG

PICKING AND MARKETING ORANGES.

The following directions with regard to picking
oranges and preparing them for market are taken from
Bulletin No. 4 of the Porto Rico Agricultural Experi-
ment Station, to which reference was made in the

Agricultural News (Vol. ILI, p. 404):—

The fruit should never be pulled off, but should be
separated from the branch by clipping the stem about
1 inch above the fruit. The picked fruit should never
be dropped to the ground, but gathered in a sack or
cloth-lined basket carried by the picker, and should
then be emptied into shallow boxes or baskets. The fruit
should always be handled as carefully as possible, remember-
ing that every bruise may cause decay.

The appearance of the fruit when ready to pick will
vary with each variety. It may be said, however, always
pick before fully coloured up, but never so early that the
fruit will not ripen en route, as a green orange will never
sell well, regardless of other qualities.

Picking should never be done on a rainy day nor in the
morning before the dew has dried. The fruit should always
be ‘cured’ (that is, the surplus water in the rind shonld be
allowed to evaporate), which may be done by storing in
a well-ventilated house. The ideal way for this drying
would be to spread the fruit out on shelves or on the floor
so as to facilitate evaporation. That, however, is not
practicable, as it necessitates extra handling, which will
bruise the fruit more or less, as weli as increase the amount
of work. The boxes or baskets containing the fruit may be
removed from the field and stored in such a manner as to
leave ample room for ventilation. If the surrounding air is
fairly dry, two or three days will usually be sufticient for
curing ; otherwise, more time may be required.

Every variety of fruit should be kept separate. Seedling
trees should he graded according to the quality of fruit and
given a number or mark. All the trees bearing fruit of the
same quality should receive the same mark. The fruit from
trees with different marks should be kept separate through
the subsequent processes, and may then be packed like
distinct varieties.

Oranges should be packed in boxes of standard size.
The ones ised i in Florida are 124 by 12) by 27 inches, outside
measure, with a partition in the middle. The packer should
carefully examine every fruit and discard any that is in the
least bruised, discoloured, or deformed. The fruit should
then be wrapped in tissue paper, which is sold especially for
that purpose, and carefully packed in layers. The top layer
should project about 3 inch above the sides of the box, which

will make the packing solid after the cover is nailed on under
pressure. Every box should be stencilled on the end, stating
the number of fruit, the grade or variety, and, if possible, the
packer’s name and address.

BANANAS IN HAWAII.

A paper by Mr. J. E. Higgins, Horticulturist,
dealing with the banana in Hawai, is published
as Bulletin No. 7 of the Hawaii Agricultural Experi-
ment Station. The writer acknowledges assistance
obtained from the paper by the Hon. ‘Wm. Fawcett
(West Indian Bulletin, Vol. IIT, pp. 153-7) dealing
especially with methods of cultivation.

Mr. Higgins’ paper deals fully with the culture,
diseases, insect enemies, ete, of the banana, and
concludes with a botanical account of the banana
containing information drawn largely from an article
in the Wew Bulletin, 1894, pp. 229-314. The
following notes on varieties, more especially those
of a pecuhar habit of growth, are of interest :—

Jamaica Variety.—Introdaced [into Hawaii] early in
1903, by Mr. Philip Peck, of Hilo, and again by the
Board of Agriculture and Forestry at the close of the same
year. It has received many names from the places where it
has been grown. It is the chief banana of the American
trade ; excellent for shipping, fine in appearance, of fair
flavour, with fruits well placed on the bunch for convenient
handling. The plants are large. This is the banana for the
millions.

Bovabora banana. —This is Musa Feh?, which is common
in the forests of Tahiti, and was probably brought to Hawaii
from Borabora, an island of the same group. 1 he peculiarity
of this variety is that the seape or stem of the bunch stands
erect, holding the bunch straight up instead of hanging over

as most bananas. The fruit is oblong, nearly straight,
sessile, and of fair quality when cooked.
Hua Moa (Hen’s Egg).—The plant is of medium

height, the petioles long and slender. There are rather
more leaves in the rosette than most other varieties have.
The scape is very slender. The fruit is nearly as great in
diameter as in length. There are often only two or three
fruits per bunch. It is of very superior flavour.

Maia Hua Alua.—Sometimes called ‘ Mahoe. The
peculiarity of this variety is that it produces two bunches of
fruit from the same stem.

Maia Hapai.—This is one of the most curious forms in
the islands ; probably Subang or Eel plantain of Java. It
ripens its fruit within the stem.

Vou. IV. No. 72.

THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.

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 cropz-—

From Montserrat Mr. Jordan reports two pickings from
the plot at Grove Station since his last report. Picking was
general, and it was estimated that some 20,000 Ib. of seed
cotton had been picked to date. The cotton worm was
being kept in check, but the ‘black boll’ had shown signs of
spreading. : As

The cotton fields inspected by Mr. Shepherd in St. Kitt’s
were in a promising condition. There were signs of attacks
of pests, but as every attention was being given by the
planters, little damage was anticipated.

Mr. Sands reports that in St. Vincent 82,110 Ib. of seed
cotton had been picked, and that picking was in full swing.
The report of the Emergency Officer shows that the general
condition of the crop was good.

Indian Cotton Seed Cake.

The following notes are abstracted from a report
by Professor Douglas A. Gilchrist, M.Sc., Director of
the Northumberland County Demonstration Farm, on
‘Feeding Experiments with Indian Cotton cakes’ :—

Last autumn, Mr. James Mollison, Inspector General
of Agriculture in India, sent to Hull ten lots of about 1 ton
each of Indian cotton seed, which had been grown in
different parts of India. The objects were to ascertain the
comparative values of rough cotton cake from cotton seed
grown in different districts, and to compare the amounts of
refuse, oil, and cake produced from different lots of seed.
He also desired that a comparison should be made of the
feeding returns obtained in («) ordinary rough or undecorti-
cated cake, (6) delinted cake from which as much as possible
of the fuzz, or cotton which adheres to Indian cotton seed, has
been removed from the seed before crushing, and (c) decorti-
cated cake from which the husks or hulls and cotton have
been removed from the seeds before crushing. The cakes
produced from the different lots of Indian cotton seed were
placed at the disposal of the Cockle Park Committee by the
Indian Government.

Some of the practical results of the experiments were as
follows :— :

1. That Indian (Bombay) rough cotton cake, when of
good quality, gives satisfactory results with stock fed indoors
or on pasture, and that its high manurial value makes it
a desirable manurial agent, especially for improving poor
pasture. For this latter purpose it is giving good results
at Cockle Park.

2, It is most desirable that cake produced from Indian
cotton seed which has been damaged while being harvested,
or during storage or transit, should be branded as such, and
that damaged seed should not be mixed with good seed
before being crushed. The Indian Government and seed
crushers should combine to deal with this matter.
Meantime, purchasers of this cake should always have
samples examined by an expert before completing the
“purchase.

3. The cake produced from Indian cotton seed which

has been delinted has probably a considerably higher value
for feeding than ordinary Indian cotton cake. The pro-
duction of cake from delinted seed is well worth the
attention of seed crushers.

Barbados Cotton Central Factory.

The Committee appointed at a meeting of the
Agricultural Society on February 6, 1903, to co-operate
with the Imperial Department of Agriculture for the
West Indies in its endeavour to establish a cotton
industry in Barbados, has submitted the following
interim report :—

The report now submitted covers the period from
January 25, 1904, when the Cotton Central Factory was
re-opened by his Excellency the Governor, Sir Frederic M.
Hodgson, K.C.M.G., to November 31, 1904.

The building now used as the Cotton Central Factory
was originally built in Christ Church at a cost of
£283 10s. 6$d., for a small-pox hospital, but was never used.
This building was loaned by the Governor-in-Executive
Committee to the Imperial Department of Agriculture. The
Legislature then voted £370 for moving the building to the
Pier Head, building the foundation, and erecting the
machinery, ete. Of this sum £363 2s. 10d. was expended.
The balance £6 17s. 2d. lapsed into the Treasury at the end
of the financial year 1903-4. In addition, the British Cotton-
growing Association made a free grant to the Cotton
Committee of £100. They also loaned the Cotton Committee
six gins and a baling press for which the Association may
accept less than they originally cost. The British Cotton-
growing Association have also, at the request of Sir Daniel
Morris, recently lozned the Cotton Committee a disintegrator
outfit, of the estimated value of £100, for crushing the
cotton-seed.

The probable total cost of the Cotton Central Factory, it
is estimated, will be £966. From this, however, must be
deducted the £100 granted from the British Cotton-growing
Association, leaving the cost of the Factory as £866, which
in whole or part will eventually have to be repaid.

From the time the Factory was started in January, 1904,
to the end of October, 360,978 tb. of seed-cotton have been
ginned, yielding 104,925 tb. of lint and 251,383 Ib. of seed.
The lint obtained was 29-06 per cent. of the weight of seed-
cotton ginned. The loss incurred during the ginning, due to
the seed and lint drying and to the dust, ete., in the cotton
and lint, amounted to 4,672 tb., or 1:30 per cent. of the
weight of seed-cotton. The lint was made into 378 bales,
weighing on the average 277°6 tb. each, of which 362 were
shipped by the Factory and 16 delivered to the owners or
their agents. The receipts from ginning the 104,923 bb. of
lint at 3c. per tb. are £655 15s. 44d., the value of crushing the
94,361 Ib. of seed at 6c. per 100 tb. is £11 15s. 11d., making
together the total receipts of the Factory £667 11s. 34d.

The expenses to the end of November amounted
to £342 1s. 3d., leaving a balance at that date of
£325 10s. O}d. Of this it is proposed, in accordance with the
decision of the Cotton Committee, to divide pro rata among
the growers what was left after deducting all expenses for
ginning, ete., £218 11s. .9}d., or le. per tb. of lint. This
will leave on hand £106 18s. 3d.—sufficient to purchase new
rollers, new shafts, walrus hide, to pay for the erection of the
new baling press, to pay small sundry accounts which have
not yet been received, and generally to put the Cotton Central
Factory in as good a condition as it was at the beginning of
the last season, leaving a small balance on hand estimated
to be about £30,

6 THE AGRICULTURAL

NEWS. January 14, 1905.

POULTRY NOTES.

In the Agricultural News (Vol. III, p. 345)
mention was made under ‘Poultry Notes’ of what is
known as ‘Pip, which is due to the development of

a hard substance on the tongue. In reference to this
2 correspondent writes from Surinam to the effect
that the following treatment is adopted in that
country :-—

The hard substance is carefully torn off, and in a day or
two the fowls are eating grain again. ‘The fowl is laid on its
back and the tongue is firmly held between the thumb and
first finger of one hand ; with the other hand, by means of
a needle, the hard substance is loosened. After this it is
seized between the thumb and first finger and cautiously torn
away.

In reference to this subject, Mr. John Barclay,
Secretary of the Jamaica Agricultural Society,
writes :—

The treatment recommended in the Agricultural News,
viz., to touch the tongue with glycerine, is good. This
should be repeated twice a day. ‘The treatment mentioned
by your correspondent is also quite a common one here. It
is heroic and also painful to the fowl, but, if carefully done,
removes the growth without injuring the tongue.

Pip is caused by roup. When the nostrils are choked
and the fowl breathes through the mouth, then the tongue
gets hardened. If the fowl did not suffer from roup, there
would be no pip, and if a fowl with pip were cured of its
roup, the pip would disappear.

It may be mentioned that an identical treatment
to that adopted in Surinam is practised in Barbados.

Varieties of Domestic Turkeys.

The following note from Farmers’ Bulletin
No. 200 of the U. S. Department of Agriculture,
‘Turkeys: standard varicties and management,’ is
likely to be of interest to raisers of turkeys in the
West Indies :—

Six standard varieties of turkeys are grown in the
United States, viz., Bronze, Narragansett, Buff, Slate, White,
and Black. The main differences are in size and colour of
plumage. The Bronze and the Narragansett are the largest,
the Buff and the Slate are the medium, and the Black and
White the smallest. Of late so much improvement in size
has been made in the Whites that they have moved up to
contend for third position, some of them having passed the
30-Ib. mark. The same statement may soon be made of the
Blacks, as they have greatly improved during the last few
years.

In addition to the foregoing, there is a non-standard
variety known as the Bourbon Reds. They might well claim
the position now held by the Buff turkeys, being quite like
them and more often grown for market than are the Buffs.

MANUFACTURE OF COPRA AND
COCOA-NUT OIL.

The following note on copra and cocoa-nut oil, by
the Consul-General at Marseilles, appeared in the
U.S. Monthly Consular Reports for August 1904 :—

The merchandise known as copra is the meat of the
cocoa-nut, from which oil is extracted in all countries where
the cocoa-nut palm grows. ‘The same material is shipped in
large quantities to Marseilles. The nut is broken by hand,
the meat is extracted and either dried in kilns, as in the
Philippine Islands, or in the sun, as in Cochin China, The
oil is generally used for the manufacture of soap, but of late
years methods of refining it have been perfected, with the
result that a considerable proportion of the Marseilles oil is
now sold for alimentary purposes.

The inquiry as to the cost of working copra is difficult
to answer satisfactorily. The Marseilles manufacturers have
made very large profits during the last four or five years.
This has been true of manufacturers of all grades of
vegetable oils as well. In a period of general stagnation,
the best-equipped manufacturers have made handsome
fortunes in a single year. The present cost of copra in
Marseilles is: Ceylon, $85°16 a ton ; Manila and Singapore,
$8594 a ton.

Copra is not treated to a first and second pressing as
are most oil seeds. The raw material is first passed through
a cylinder press, very much as paper is fed from an endless
roll through the revolving cylinders of a printing press.
The pulpy mass issuing therefrom is then treated in a box
press, and no distinction is made between the oils resulting
from the two processes. The high-grade oils are obtained by
clarification and filtration, in regard to which little really
satisfactory information can be obtained. The method was
guarded as a secret by one firm for some time, but at present
several firms claim to be turning out equally good edible oil.

From 62 to 63 per cent. of oil is obtained from the raw
material. Two hundred pounds of copra properly handled
should produce approximately 124 tb. of oil and 74 tb. of
cake. The ordinary soap oil is now quoted at $12°82 for
220 tb. ; the best Cochin oil at $13°89 for 220 Ib. Copra oil
cake is very seldom treated by chemical process, as it finds
a ready sale for stock-feeding purposes. White copra cake
is now worth $3°04, and ordinary cake $2°31 for 220 tb.

A further note from the same publication on the
trade in cocoa-nut oil in the Netherlands is of
interest :—

Cocoa-nut oil, as far as I have been able to ascertain,
is not manufactured in the Netherlands, but comes princip-
ally from British India. The kernel of the cocoa-nut in
a dried state is also exported to Europe under the name of
‘copra.’ The oil is extracted probably by steam-heating or
cooking, and subsequent pressing. In Europe it is manufaec-
tured at Harburg, Germany.

The Netherlands’ imports and exports of cocoa-nuts,
copra, and cocoa-nut oil are not enumerated in Dutch official
statistics. I have been informed, however, that the arrivals
of copra in the Netherlands amounted to 800 tons in 1902,
while there seem to have been no arrivals in 1903.

Cocoa-nut oil prices ranged in 1902 between 515°60
and $12°80 for 100 kilograms (220 tb.), and in 1903 between
$13-70 and $11:40 for 100 kilograms, duty paid and inclus-
ive of barrels. The duty on cocoanut oil in the Nether-
lands is 22c. on 100 kilograms. Copra prices ranged in
1902 between $9-60 and $7°80 for 100 kilograms (200 Ib.),
Copra is free from import duty in the Netherlands,

Vou. IV. No. 72. THE

AGRICULTURAL NEWS.

BUDDING TROPICAL FRUIT TREES.

The following notes on the budding of mangos,
cacao, naseberries, avocado pears, and nutmegs are
taken from the Annual Report of the Director of Public
Gardens in Jamaica for 1903-4 :—

MANGOS.

Several years ago it became apparent that an enormous
export trade in mangos might be built up in Jamaica, if it
were possible to bud over the thousands of trees bearing
crops of inferior fruit on the dry southern plains. The tedious
method of grafting or inarching had been practised for
a considerable time past, resulting in the distribution of
a large number of young trees, but it was not until last July
that an absolutely reliable method of budding was discovered ;
though, previous to that, several of the buds put on during
the experiments had taken and grown.

One of the trees budded at Hope is a stump not less
than fifty years old; twenty-five buds were put on in July
last, and all grew, each resultant shoot being now between
4 and 5 feet long, with the usual side branches; if only
one had been put on it would have made just as much growth
as the whole twenty-five put together. Trees of all sizes were
budded, but it was found that, as a rule, the larger the trees
the more readily and rapidly the bud grew.

Without doubt the quickest way to establish a mango
orchard would be to transplant the stumps of trees, say, 6-8
inches in diameter previously cut down to within 3 feet of
the ground ; one was so treated at Hope and squeezed into
a tub where it has made, in a month or so, more growth than
a seedling would in two or three years ; the shoots that have
sprung out of this stump will be budded with several of the
best East Indian varieties and reserved for experiments in
hybridization.

CACAO.

The success achieved in the experiments on the budding
of cacao ought to have an enormous influence on the yield
and the quality of the bean. Trees yielding inferior varieties
and small returns may be budded with the best variety. It
is a remarkable fact that the most valuable variety, the
white criollo, has the most delicate roots, whilst the inferior
calabacillo has the strongest roots; I have seen trees of both
growing together-—the criollo nearly killed by the hurricane
shaking the roots and the calabacillo and a few trees of
forastero looking as though they had benefited by it. There
is every indication of the criollo proving weak only when on
its own roots; and the budding of it upon forastero and
calabacillo at Hope has, so far, proved this to be so.
Mr. T. J. Harris brought some bud-wood of eriollo from
Westmoreland and worked the buds on stocks of forastero
and calabacillo that had previously been prepared ; these are
growing out in the full sun and, three months after budding,
are 3 feet high and are beginning to branch at the top.

The method employed in budding is so reliable that out
of dozens put on by the apprentices and Industrial School
boys not a single one has failed to grow.

NASEBERRIES.

Tt is well known that throughout the island there
are isolated naseberry trees much prized by the owners on
account of the superior quality of their fruit ; these trees are
the result of accidental variation and, to a slight extent,
natural selection.

Hitherto it has been impossible to lay out a naseberry
orchard owing to the extreme uncertainty as to whether the
‘seedlings will bear fruit of the same quality as the parent, or,
in other words, it has been impossible to obtain a large
number of young trees of one good variety ; experiments

have therefore been conducted in the
valuable tree, resulting in complete success.

Trees bearing inferior fruit may be cut down and the
shoots that spring from the stem budded with buds from the
tree bearing superior fruits in the same way as mangos.

AVOCADO PEARS.

The one tree that survived the hurricane, budded two
years ago, is now 4 feet high and flowering freely.
Though the operation of budding is so very simple, nothing
has been done by the country-side in the way of establishing
a pear orchard of the one or two good shipping varieties.
Nothing would be easier or more remunerative than the
shipment of pears to America. The method employed in
budding citrus is the one to be employed in this case.

NUTMEGS.

Several years ago experiments were conducted with
a view to bringing the nutmeg plant under some control ;
it has been found that a variable percentage of seedling trees
prove, after many years’ waiting on the part of the planter,
to be male or non-bearing trees, and that the female or
bearing trees vary very considerably, some producing nuts that
require 110 or 120 to weigh a pound, and others yielding
nuts that weigh sixty to the pound; the latter, of course,
being the more valuable. A number of trees were success-
fully grafted, but the subsequent growth of the scions in
a somewhat horizontal direction indicated that they would
never make good trees; it afterwards became clear that, if
erect trees were to be obtained, the vertical shoots from the
main stem must be used as scions. To this end several trees
were cut down and others partially ring-barked to make
them push out vertical growths, which were afterwards
grafted ; though this method was successful, it proved to be
an extremely tedious and unprofitable one. Attention was
next turned to the possibility of budding, and the method
employed in budding cacao was applied to the nutmeg, with
immediate suecess ; it is now possible to get the nutmeg
completely under control.

budding of this

RUBBER IN THE GERMAN COLONIES.

The following extracts from the Consulur Report
on the trade of the German Colonies in 1902-3 indicate
the progress that has been made in the cultivation of
rubber-yielding trees :—

The native production of this article in German East
Africa was 463,045 lb., valued at £51,551 im 1901, and
561,810 tb., valued at £59,230 in 1902. The exports were
worth £59,229 in 1902 and £51,330 in 1901, or an
increase in value in 1902 of £7,899 worth.

In the Cameroons, it is stated that the production of
India-rubber is extending, but the methods of collecting are
destructive and require to be controlled. The value of the
exports in 1902 was £69,454, and in 1901 £85,476, or
a decrease in 1902 of £16,022.

The German East Africa Plantations Company at Lewa
continues to extend its plantations of rubber trees (J/anihot
Glazioviz), and at the end of 1902 they had reached 250,000
in number. The amount of rubber produced has hitherto
been small.

The value of the exports of India-rubber from Togoland
in 1902 were £17,967, and in 1991 £12,963, or an increase
in 1902 of £5,004.

The general position of the rubber plantations in the
Bismarck Archipelago and Kaiser Wilhelmsland on January 1,
1903, was 704 acres of Castilloa elastica planted, on which
1,170 trees were yielding rubber, and 425 acres of Ficus
elastica, on which 471 trees were yielding rubber,

3 THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.

January 14, 1905.

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 15 of this issue.

The Agricultural News :
post free 14d.
Zed.

Price 1d. per number,
Annual subscription payable to Agents,
Post free, 3s. 3d.

Agricultural stews

Von. IV.

SATURDAY, JANUARY 14, 1905. No.

NOTES AND COMMENTS.

Contents of Present Issue.

(2.

The editorial in the present issue contains a short
summary of Sir Daniel Morris’ presidential address at
the fifth West Indian Agricultural Conference.

The two short reviews on the sugar market (p. 3)
are worthy of careful consideration by planters. The
table showing the excellent results obtained with seed-
ling canes at Diamond plantation, British Guiana, is
of particular interest.

On p. 4 will be found an interesting note on
peculiar varieties of bananas found in Hawaii. The
directions for picking and packing oranges published
on the same page should receive the careful attention
of growers.

Several notes in regard to the cotton industry will
be found on p. 5. These include a report on the
Barbados Cotton Central Factory.

An account of useful work that has been carried
on at the Hope Experiment Station, Jamaica, in
connexion with the budding of tropical fruit trees is
published on p. 7. Reference is made to the experi-
ments elsewhere on this page.

Several interesting insect notes will be found on
p. 10. These include an account of the Lime-tree
Bark Borer.

A report by Mr. J. Russell Murray on West Indian
produce in the Canadian market will be found on p, 13.
On the same page isa table showing the amount and
value of the imports of tropical produce into the
United States.

Barbados Bananas for Egypt.

With reference to the note in the Agricultural
News, (Vol. III, p. 252,) to the effect that at the request
of his Highness the Khediye a consignment of bananas
had been shipped to Egypt from Barbados, it may be
mentioned that the safe arrival of these plants has
been reported.

The shipment consisted of three wardian cases
containing five varieties of bananas grown in Barbados,
viz., the Dwarf or Chinese, the Jamaica or Gros Michel,
the red banana, the fig, and the silk banana. ‘The
plants all arrived in good condition and were carefully
planted with the exception of two which were dead.

EE

Budding Tropical Fruit Trees.

It is desirable to draw attention to the extract on
p. 7 of this issue of the Agricultural News relating
to the useful work that has been done at the Hope
Experiment Station, Jamaica, in connexion with the
budding of tropical fruit trees.

It is shown that the process of budding can with
great advantage be applied te the propagation of
mangos, cacao, naseberries, avocado pears and nutmegs.
It would appear that the application of this method to
cacao promises to be particularly advantageous.
Reference has already been made to this in the Agri-
cultural News (Vol. II, p. 408), where mention was
made of the fact that the Criollo variety was the most
delicate and would only grow in very favourable
situations, and it was stated :—

‘As the superior value of Criollo cacao has
undoubtedly been proved, it is suggested that planters
will now be able to bud from Criollo trees on to the
Calabacillo and Forastero trees already growing. A
few Criollo trees can be grown on each estate, in
favourable situations, to supply the necessary material
for budding.’

SS

Imported Stock for Antigua.

While in England recently the Imperial Commis-
sioner of Agriculture obtained from the Royal Farms
at Windsor six high-class pedigree animals for the
Government Stock Farm at Antigua.

These animals arrived at Barbados on October 24
when they were inspected, before being trans-shipped for
Antigua, by the Veterinary Sargeon attached to the
Imperial Department of Agriculture, and found to be
in good condition.

The following is a statement as to the animals—
two bull calves and four Berkshire boars—signed by
the Steward of the Royal Farms :—

One

roan shorthorn bull calf ‘Montrose.’ Calved,
January 28, 1904. Bred by His Majesty the King at
Windsor. Sire, ‘ Lord of the Isies,’ no, 83,953 ; dam, ‘ Moss

tose,’ no 67,585. Price, £26 5s.

One red Devon bull calf ‘War King.’ Calved, February
14,1904. Bred by His Majesty the King at Windsor. Sire,
‘Ben Golsmeott, no, 4,543; dam, ‘Whitstone Lonely,’ no.
12,951, by ‘The Vicar,’ no. 2,156. Price, £26 5s.

Four pure-bred Berkshire boar pigs, about nine months

old. Price, £21.

“Vor. IV. No. 72.

THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.

‘Pruning Cacao in Martinique.

The West India Committee Circular contains
a translation of an interesting article on pruning
-eacao in Martinique, which appeared in the Journal
@ Agriculture Tropicale of November 30, 1904.

The writer deals first with the removal of suckers.
"his work should be going on all the year, the suckers
being removed as soon as possible after they appear,
while pruning proper is necessary only once a year.

All dead wood should be removed, also the tips
-of any branches which have dried up from exposure
to sun and wind. The crown of the trunk from which
the main branches fork out should be cleared of small
branches for some distance. Where squalls and hurri-
‘anes are of common occurrence, as in Martinique, it is
advised not to let the cacao run too high, also to allow
the trees to fork only once; the trees will then be
protected by the wind-breaks.

It is suggested that a severe pruning of the
branches might be accompanied by a partial pruning
of the roots. It seemed to the writer that on one
estate, in a rich soil, cutting the roots, as for
-example in making a ditch round the tree or turning
-over the soil with the spade, increased the production
very considerably. The tree should be pruned as soon
as it has finished bearing. Planters should avoid
pruning a tree while the sap is rising.

a

Bermuda Biological Station.

The U.S. Monthly Consular Reports for August
1904 contain an interesting account of the establish-
ment of a biological station at Bermuda. As the
result of two expeditions of American scientists—one
in 1893 and the second in 1897—organized by
Professor C. L. Bristol, of New York University, the
importance and feasibility of establishing such a station
was suggested. The expeditions found an unexpected
‘wealth of specimens and a climate in which work could
be carried on during the summer months without risk
‘of injury to health.

These expeditions have been continued year by
year, and Professor A. E. Verrill, of Yale, has twice
visited the islands and has published the first volume
of a yaluable work on the natural features of the
Bermuda Islands. The second volume is to deal
almost wholly with Zoology.

Asa result, largely of the efforts of the American
Consul, considerable progress has been made in the
establishment of the station. The Colonial Govern-
ment will purchase land and erect a building which
will also provide a public aquarium, The Royal
Society and the Carnegie Institution have made grants
towards the objects of the project, while the New York
and Harvard Universities are affording assistance by
organizing a temporary laboratory in connexion with
the Bermuda Natural History Society which has
-already commenced useful work. This Society was
formed by a number of influential citizens in 1901,

Manurial Aspect of the Exports of Cacao from
Trinidad.

The following is a short summary of an interesting
paper, read before a recent meeting of the Trinidad
Agricultural Society, by Professor P. Carmody, F.LC.,
F.C.S., on the ‘Manurial Aspect of our increasing
Exports of Cacao’:—

While it is most gratifying to record, from the
point of view of the colony’s progress and wealth, that
the exports of cacao have gone on increasing till they
now reach the large total of over 35,000,000 Ib. per
annum, it is necessary that cacao planters should not
lose sight of the fact that this large exportation means
a drain on the plant food of their estates. Cacao takes
large quantities of the three most important and the
most expensive ingredients in plant food, and a simple
calculation will show that the annual shipment of
phosphoric acid included in the cacao bean now
exceeds 230 tons per annum, or over 300 tons of
phosphate of lime. This can best be replaced by the
use of basic slag which is the cheapest form in which
phosphoric acid can be purchased at present.

The chief ingredients of plant food in 100 bags,
each weighing 1} ewt., are as follows: lime, 35 th.;
magnesia, 105 tb.; potash, 170 th.; and phosphoric acid,
212 tb. Of these, potash is almost as expensive as
phosphoric acid, and the necessity for replacing it
should not be forgotten. Its most suitable commercial
form is probably sulphate of potash. Magnesia is
usually present in sufficient quantities in our soils.

a +

Introduction of Cotton from the West Indies
to the United States.

In an article in the Demerara Argosy of November
12, 1904 on ‘Cotton in the Old Days: the past connexion
of the West Indies with cotton planting in North
America, the Hon. N. Darnell Davis, C.M.G., makes some
interesting observations on the early introduction of
cotton from these islands to the United States. As
early as 1641 the New Englanders shipped cotton
from Barbados, and spun it into clothes. Again, it is
reported that in 1675 cotton was obtained from the
West Indies in return for food-stutts.

Many of the early settlers in North America had
previously been in the West Indies and they took
with them a supply of seeds and plants as well as
a knowledge of cotton cultivation. But, though the
plant was cultivated in America, the colonists still
continued to import cotton from these islands.

In 1786 seed of ‘the best cotton in all the Indies’
was sent from the Bahamas to Georgia. The plant
adapted itself to the climate, and each year saw an
extension of the cultivation of long-staple cotton in
that state. The product of this plant, much improved
by careful selection and cultivation, is now known as
Sea Island cotton. his, too, is the cotton that has
now been brought back to these islands from the Sea
Islands of South Carolina by the Imperial Department
of Agriculture. The product of this seed has, in some
cases, been as fine as any cotton that has been placed
on the market.

10 THE AGRICULTURAL

NEWS. January 14, 1905.

INSECT NOTES.

Crustaceans from Trinidad.

Specimens of a stalk-eyed Crustacean received at this
Office from Mr. J. H. Hart, F.L.S., Superintendent of the
Royal Botanic Gardens, Trinidad, referred to in the Agrv-
cultural News, (Vol. IL, p. 380,) have been identified at the
Pritish Museum (Natural History) as /ippa emeritus, Linn.
Mr. Calmon, replying to the letter of the Imperial Commis-
sioner of Agriculture, states that the species ‘is widely
distributed on the coasts of North and South America.’

Mr. Hart in a letter accompanying the specimens wrote
that they were brought in by Mr. H. A. Nurse, Agricultural
Instructor, trom Cedros, and it is reported that the peasants
use them for food. They are about 1? inches long and
resemble the prawns and shrimps in the appearance of the
carapace (cephalothrar), and the crabs in the structure of
the tail (abdomen). The species live in the sand of the
shore. One American species is called the Sand bug, from
its habit of burrowing in the sand.

An Orange Pest.

It is reported that a serious attack of a scale insect
(Aspidiotus Timonis) has broken out in the orange orchards
of Seville, which at present imperils the very existence of
marmalade. This is a newspaper report and the real
condition of the orange orchards may nct be nearly so
unfavourable as the report would indicate. The scale insect
reported to be the cause of this injury (Aspidiotus limonis)
is probably the one that is now known as Aspidiotus hedevae,
the Oleander scale. This insect is reported from many parts
of the world and is known to have a great range of food
plants, and is therefore not so likely to become a serious
pest as one which had been known in a limited locality and
with only a few food plants. The great outbreaks of scale
insect attacks, as well as other insect attacks, have generally
oceurred when an insect with a limited geographical range
and very few food plants has been transported to a new
locality, away from its accustomed environment and the
natural enemies that had held it in check.

Lime-tree Bark Borer.

Dead or dying lime trees are frequently found to have
a borer under the dead bark, and sometimes several of the
same kind are in the stem and larger branches. The most
common of these is a slightly flattened, whitish grub with
small, brownish head, and a tapering body, the first body
segments being much larger than the head and larger also
than the succeeding body segments. This is the larva of
a long-horned beetle technically known as Leptostylus
praemorsus, Fab, All the long-horned beetles are borers in the
larval condition. They are called long-horned beetles because
the adult has very long antennae, always longer than the
body and sometimes two or three times as long as the body.
The bectles of this family lay the eggs on the bark of trees
and woody plants, and the young larvae eat their way through
the bark to the cambium and young sap wood beneath.

A long time is required for the growth of the larva, sometimes-
two or three years. “This is followed by a short pupal stage,
after which the adult emerges to provide for another
generation.

The adult beetle is greyish brown with slender antennae
about twice as long as the body which measures about 4’5
inch in length. On the back there are several small
dark spots. When the wing-covers are closed together there-
is seen an imperfect W formed by the angular dark mark on
each wing-cover coming together. Farther back are two-
irregular light bands edged behind with dark, while the-
posterior part of the wing-covers is pale brown. The legs are:
slender except the femora which are swollen.

While some of the long-horned borers attack healthy,
living wood, many attack only such trees as are dead or
dying, or at least have spots of dead wood or bark where-
the tree has been injured. The habits of the lime-tree bark
borer are not well known, nor are the details of its life-history,
but it is likely that the egg is deposited on dead bark or
exposed wood, from which the borer may penetrate living
wood and increase the injury and hasten the death of the tree.

The larval stage occupies more than a year, and
the presence of the larva can often be detected by the
chips, ete., thrown out through an opening in the bark.

These habits suggest as remedies the careful pruning
away of all. dead branches, scraping away dead bark from
any wound, and covering all exposed wood with tar or other
substance for preserving the wood and preventing decay.

If the tunnels of the larva are discovered, they may be
probed with a wire to kill the larva, and the bark of the tree
may be covered with some material to prevent the laying of
the egg or the emergence of the adalt. For this purpose the
following is recommended: 2 Ib. of whale oil soap dissolved
in 1 gallon hot water, to which 1] pint of crude carbolic acid is
added, and thoroughly stirred in. Add 10 gallons of
water and stir in enough clay to make a thick paste.
This is smeared or painted on the trunk and when
dry makes a hard erust which the adult female cannot
penetrate for the purpose of depositing eggs, and which the
newly emerged adult will not be able to break through and
escape. The girdle paint made of linseed oil, resin and tobacco
tea, the recipe for which was given in the Agricultural News,
(Vol. III, p. 282,) would be a useful substitute for tar, and
may perhaps be used for coating the trunks instead of the
mixture of whale oil soap, carbolic acid and clay given above.

EXPORTS OF THE CONGO FREE STATE.

Among exports, increases in coffee and rice indicate new
progress in agriculture and colonization. Rubber is by far
the most important article of export, though its predominance
has fallen slightly in the last two or three years, the deficit
being compensated for, however, by an increase in the export
of other vegetable products. The sales of ivory decreased by
64,353 kilogramwes. Ground nuts are diminishing similarly,
the efforts made to develop the cultivation of this product not
producing the results expected; it should be added, however,
that the exports of ground nuts increased considerably last
year, and that, compared with 1901, there was an appreciable
increase in the value of the exports. The following are the
quantities and values of the principal exports of Congo
produce: Ground nuts, 328,463 kg, £2,627; coffee,
136,148 kg., £5,173; rubber, 5,117,983 kg., £1,893, 754 ;
palm oil, 1,647,434 kg. £38,879; ivory, 184,954 kg.,.
£151,662; palm nuts, 4,957,635 kg. £59,491; cacao,
89,365 kg., £5,004 ; rice, 33,654 kg., £673. (Chamber of
Commerce Journal.)

‘Vou. IV.

THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS. 12

THE INDIAN

HEMP CULTURE IN
By H. M. Mann, M.Se., and James
Published by the Indian Vea Association, 1904.
It is suggested that a large part of the lands now lying
waste throughout the Indian tea districts might be utilized

SISAL
TEA DISTRICTS:
Hunter.

for the growth of sisal hemp. This pamphlet has therefore
been prepared to give information as to the equipment
required and the commercial prospects of a venture in this
«direction.

The authors deal at some length with the botany and
agricultural requirements of the sisal plant. Full informa-
tion is given as to planting and the care of the plantation.
Dealing with the preparation of the fibre, illustrated
-descriptions are given of the different fibre-extracting
machines in use, from the original Mexican ‘ Raspador’ to
the automatic machines, such as Todd’s.

After discussing somewhat fully the prospects of a sisal
industry, the authors state that it will be a number of years
before there is likely to be any such slackening in the
annual demand as to lead to serious over-production and
-a reduction in price below a remunerative fignre.

FISHES OF BRITISH GUIANA: By T. Sidney
Hargreaves, F.G.8., Demerara: Uhe Argosy Co., Ltd., 1904.

The author states that the intention of these ‘Notes’ is
to try to interest people in the work of the Fisheries
Committee, ‘so that those who are in a position to supply
information will . . . so help on the work of arriving at
some definite conception of the value of the fishes of the
-colony as a food supply, and the extent to which that supply
ean be increased.’

It is mentioned that a sixty-days’ inspection of the
market fish stalls showed that thirty-one distinct species had
been exposed for sale.

Among the fish on which notes are given are: snook,
tarpon, queriman, mullet, flounder, porgy—all peculiar to the
coasts, estuaries, and rivers—snapper, grouper, cavally,
herring, bashaw, ete , among the deep-sea fish. Interesting
notes are given on angling and the habits of different fish.

Dealing with the subject of imported fish, the author
states that during the last fifteen years the salt-fish bill of the
colony has been $4,732,917. ‘It is encouraging to hear that
a venture is on foot to initiate a salt-fish industry, even
though on a small seale.’

SCIENCE NOTES.

Shape of Plant Stems.
The following note, in reference to a meeting of
‘the Linnean Society on November 17, 1904, is taken
from the Gardeners’ Chronicle -—
Lord Avebury gave a summary, illustrated by lantern-
slides, of a paper eutitled ‘Note on the Shape of the Stems

of Plants.’ It pointed out that while most plants had round
stems, in some they were triangular, some quadrangular, ete.,
but that so far as he knew no attempt had been made to
explain these differences. He thought they could, however,
be accounted for on mechanical principles.

In building, when the main object was to meet a strain
in one direction, the well-known girder was the most
economical disposition of material. In a tree-stem it was
necessary to resist strains coming from all directions, and
the woody tissues acted as a circular series of girders. In
herbs with opposite leaves the strains were mainly in two
directions, and were met by two opposite girders, thus
giving the quadrangular stem.

Taking our native flora, he showed that all herbs with
quadrangular stems had opposite leaves, and as a rule herbs
with opposite leaves had quadrangular stems. Sedges had
triangular stems and grasses round stems, and while sedges
had the leaves in threes, those of grasses were distichous.
Pentagonal stems might be accounted for ina similar way,
and incidentally this threw light on the petals of so many
flowers. Thus plants had adopted, millions of years ago,
principles of construction which have gradually been worked
out by the skill and science of our architects and engineers.

Effect of Scarcity of Plant Food.

The following is a short summary of an article, by
Professors H. Wilfarth and G. Wimmer, on the action of
the scarcity of nitrogen, phosphoric acid, and potash
on plants. The article originally appeared in the
Journal fiir Landwirthschaft for 1903 :—

A deficiency of nitrogen, phosphoric acid, and potash
produces characteristic alterations on the leaves of plants by
means of which, especially in sand or water cultures, one can
determine without further investigation which constituent is
deficient.

With a deficiency of nitrogen the leaves lose their
normal sad-green colour and take on a clear-green to
yellowish one ; finally they dry with a clear, brownish-yellow
colour.

When phosphoric acid is deficient-the leaves take on
a deep, clear-green, almost blue-green, colour. With a greater
scarcity there appear on the leaves, first at the margin but
later over the whole leaf, dark spots. In the end, the leaf
dies with a dark-brown to black-green colour.

The results of a scarcity of potash are specially detailed.
Characteristic of this are spots appearing in the neighbour-
hood of the leaf margin which become distributed over the
whole leaf: the stalk, mid-rib, veins, and the parts of the
leaf bordering these, however, retain their green colour.
Moreover, the leaf curves, with its convex side above. The
leaves finally dry up. The symptoms of potash scarcity are
specially well studied with beet, tobacco and buckwheat.

Para Rubber in the Malay States. So far as
I am able to judge from press reports and from personal
interviews with experienced persons, the growing of Para
rubber in the Malay States is not only proving successful,
but in the very near future is likely to command the world’s
attention. The growth is continuous and when the trees
are cared for, is amazingly rapid, as heat is perpetual and
rains frequent. As the Philippine Islands are in the same
latitude and have vastly superior soil, I feel that everything
should be done to encourage the development of rubber
plantations in those islands. (U. 8. Monthly Consular
Reports, August 1904.)

THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.

January 14, 1905-.

= se

GLEANINGS.
The report of the British Guiana Board of Agriculture
for the year 1903-4 has recently been issued. A review of
this report will appear in the next issue of the Agricultural

News.

Mr. Sands reports from St. Vincent: ‘It is estimated
that there is sufficient seed-cotton picked and sorted to give
100 bales, and as practically all the fields are being picked
over, large and increasing supplies are coming forward.’

On December 19, 1904, the new Central Sugar Factory
at Gunthorp’s, Antigua, was opened in the presence of
a large company. The machinery was set in motion by
Lady Knollys, and Mrs. Watts fed the mill with the first
cane.

At a meeting of the Roseau (Dominica) Town Board on
September 27 it was agreed to adopt the proposal to plant
palms round Church Savannah on Arbor Day. The Board
also expressed its willmgness to provide the necessary guards
for the protection of the young plants.

We have an inquiry from Liverpool for mangrove bark.
The value depends upon the condition of the bark and the
strength of the tannin contained in it. The price would be
between £2 and £4 per ton. (Journal of the Jamaica
Agricultural Socicty.)

At a recent meeting of the Agricultural Society of
British Guiana, the President suggested that growers of
cocoanuts should make copra. ‘The value of the sample
shown was about £19 10s. per ton, which would give
a better return than exporting cocoa-nuts at $8, $10, and
$12 per 1,000.’

Dr. W. C. Stubbs has resigned his appointment as
Director of the Louisiana Experiment Stations and is to be
succeeded by Professor W. R. Dodson, a former professor in
the State University and lately Resident Director of the
Baton Rouge Experiment Station.

A summary of the results of the experiments with
seedling and other varieties of sugar-cane carried on at
Barbados in 1903-4, under the direction of the Imperial
Department of Agriculture, has been issued as Pamphlet
No. 32. It may be obtained of all agents, price 4d., post
free, 5d.

Regarding agricultural instruction for teachers in charge
of schools in rural districts of England, Dr. Wm. Somerville
reports to the Secretary of the Board of Agriculture: ‘For
him special courses at the Agricultural Colleges are of
peculiar importance, and it is satisfactory to note that several
of the institutions aided by the Board are taking active part
in such work.’

One particular requirement that must be observed in all’
poultry rearing is the avoidance of inbreeding. New blood
every year is quite an important factor. (Journal of the-
Jamaica Agricultural Society.)

Owing to the stock of Paris green held by the merchants
of Barbados being exhausted, a notice was published in the
daily papers to the effect that Paris green could be obtained
from the Agricultural Department out of the emergency stock
of the Imperial Department of Agriculture.

It is stated in Schimmel & Co.’s Semi-annual Report
that a German medical paper recommends, as a protection
against gnats, the application on the uncovered parts of the
body (hands, neck, and face) of a solution of thymol in 50°
per cent. alcohol (2 in 100) by means of a tuft of cotton wool.

teference is made in the Cape of Good Hope Agri-
cultural Journal to the prevalent belief that sulphur admin-
istered internally causes ticks to drop off an infested animal.
Experiments recently conducted by the Veterinary Surgeon
and the Entomologist appeared to show that this remedy
has no such ettect.

According to the Agricultural Gazette of New South
Wales there has been a steady increase in the quantity of
eggs placed in the Government Cold Stores since the
inauguration of the system in 1898. In that year the
number of eggs received was 11,000 dozen; in 1903-4 this
had increased to 151,128 dozen.

According to the Consular Report on the trade of
Panama, the agricultural and mineral resources have still to
be developed. The forests abound with valuable woods, and
there are open savannabs with miles of splendid grazing
ground. About 300,000 bunches of bananas are exported
monthly.

The Journal of the Society of Arts for November 11
contains an interesting article on the Barbados banana
industry. A short historical account is given, and also
a brief description of the procedure adopted. This article
will be reproduced in the West Indian Bulletin (Vol. V, no. 3).

According to the Demerara Daily Chronicle, an
important concession has been granted by the Government of
British Honduras to an American capitalist for the exploita-
tion of the colony’s pine products. The concession was
secured primarily for the purpose of making turpentine and
exporting the timber. The holder has the privilege of
tapping 12,500,000 pine trees.

A scientific experiment station in connexion with the
German Colonial Society is to be established in the German
colony of New-Wirtemberg in Southern Brazil, about 250
acres of land having been secured for the purpose. It is
hoped that this will help the colonists to secure better
returns in the way of crops. (U.S. Monthly Consular
Reports.)

The United States Department of Agriculture has now
two co-operating gardens established especially for the study
of the date palm, one at Tempe, Arizona, and one at Mecea,.
California. In all probability a third garden may be
established near Yuma. The thorough studies under way on
the life-history of this plant in connexion with its introdue-
tion into practical culture promise to yield results of interest
both to botanists and to horticulturists. (Botanical Gazette.)

‘Vou, IV, No. 72.

THE AGRICULTURAL

NEWS. 15

“WEST INDIAN PRODUCTS IN CANADA.

The following is Mr. of Russell Murray’s monthly
report, dated December 9, 1904, on West Indian
produce in Canada :—

General Business.—The closing of the year calls usually
for some resumé of the year’s work, but the following state-
ment of Mr. Clouston, the General Manager of the Bank of
Montreal, the largest banking institution in Canada, at the
annual meeting held on the 6th. instant, is worthy of repro-
duction as indicating the spirit of trade :—‘ Taking a broad
view of Canadian commerce, the future is bright with promise.
Our population is fed now by an immigration of upwards of
100,000 people annually, and the stream appears to be well
turned towards Canada. Production in the North-west
grows apace, the railways are prosperous, a second trans—
continental line is on the eve of construction ; ; the reports from
the mining districts of British Columbia are more encourag-
ing; a spirit of abiding confidence in Canada pervades our
people, and despite temporary checks in the progress of
material development, there is increasing belief that this
country has entered upon an era of great and enduring
prosperity.’

Steamship Communication.—The Canadian and West
India steamship contract, which terminates six months hence,
continues to draw the interest of shipping companies.
There are now four companies in the field; representatives
from two companies were in Montreal recently on the subject.
It is generally recognized that the existing service falls very
far short of trade requirements. ‘The entire South American
and a large proportion of West Indian business passes
through United States ports, and the want of a faster service
with good transfer arrangements, through the islands and to
Caribbean and South American ports, accounts for much of
the trade from and to Canada passing via the United States.
T again draw the attention of all West India shippers to the
value of Montreal as the terminal port during open naviga-
tion, as reaching the greatest centres of population and thus
siving 836 miles of railway transit besides avoiding double
handling of freight. With suitable transfer arrangements,
a large amount of South American business could be secured,
thereby enabling a larger and faster class of steamers to be
employed than could possibly be expected for West India
trade alone. During the next few months if is incumbent
upon the Chambers of Commerce and Agricultural Boards to
draw the attention of their respective Governments to the
opportunity now afforded for improving Canadian trade
through Canadian ports; and especially in securing to
Trinidad an increase of transit trade to and from the Spanish
Main that is meantime done direct via United States ports.

Sugar.—The market continues strong and _ active,
Europe continuing to be the source of the fluctuations. The
month—November 8 to December 8—shows an advance for
88° Beets of 1s. 7Tdd. per cwt. The local advance for
refined sugar is 1s. 3d. per 100 Ib. The arrivals of Demerara
‘sugars in Montreal during the month for refining are 29,000
bags, per s.s. ‘ Vernetta,’ via New York. Local quotations are
nominal, the only importing business reported being 2,500
tons at 3} ¢. & f. New York for the refiners, and now
loading at Demerara. It is estimated that fully three-fourths
-of the preference goes to the growers in this quotation.

JMolasses.—Business is quiet and recent local fluctuations
have ceased, and no developments are anticipated until after
‘the opening of the New Year. Prices remain very firm. It
is reported that one factory is utilizing molasses for re-boiling
for further sugar extraction. Reports to hand to-day show
-an advance of 2c. to 3c, for molasses in second hands.

Cocoa-nuts.—Prices have remained very steady and
demand has been good. New York prices have weakened
considerably for all grades. Approaching cold weather will,
however, curtail. consumption.

Spices.—Pepper continues to maintain the advance.
Pimento is very quiet and sales difticult, last sales made by
us were at 6c. duty paid, which is better than New York
parity. Nutmegs and ginger continue very slow, and prices
of both rule iets

Lrwit.— Dominica oranges to hand again arrived in bad
order, but quality was excellent. A Jamaica shipment to
hand ten days ago also arrived with 30 per cent. damage;
prices remain very low. Valentia fruit now arriving is
a strong factor in competition, and shipments should now be
reduced. Prices at $3°75 per barrel cannot be advanced.

IMPORTS OF TROPICAL PRODUCTS
INTO THE UNITED STATES.

The U.S. Monthly Summary of Commerce for
July, 1904, has tables showing the principal articles of
tropical and subtropical production imported into the
United States at intervals since 1870, and the growth
in consumption of this class of articles.

We extract from these tables particulars as to the
importation, during the years 1895 and 1904, of
a number of articles that are produced in the West
Indies, showing, in a very striking manner, the growth
in consumption during the last ten years :—

Article. 1895. 1904.
Cacao quantity Ib. 29,307,048} 72,277,600
value $ 3,853,148 9,600,604
Coffee quantity Ib. } 652,208,975) 998,831,392
value $ 96,130,717 70, 000, 499
Cotton quantity Ib. 49,332,022] 69 822.7 701
value $ 4,714,375 9,402,932
Fibres quantity Ib.| 477,422,000 599,902,000
value 3 10,340,029} 34,403,151

India-rubber and gutta
percha quantity Ib.
value $ 18,475,38:
Sugar and molasses

59,446,644
42,214,219

quantity 1b, | 3,168,781,436| 4,675,627,813

value 5 69,131,658) 105,734,475
Tobacco (leaf) quantity Ib. 26,668,261 33,548,134

value $ 16,888,612) 21,803,606
Dyewoods and extracts

value $ 1,853,996 1,522,283
Fruits and nuts ,, $ ee 24,990,800
Spices 5 $ 2,640,235 4,366,008
Vanilla beans _ $ 495,273 1,424,647

The reliance of the United States upon the tropics for
large supplies of its foodstuffs and materials for use in
manufacturing is again shown by the import figures for the
fiscal year 1904, in which the total value of tropical and
subtropical products brought into the United States
amounted to $430,556,775, including those brought from the
Hawaiian Islands, Porto Rico , and the Philippines. In nearly
all of the tropical and subtropical products the impertations
of the fiscal year 1904 are materially larger than in earlier
years, while in quantity the increase is even greater than
that. in value, because of the declining prices of many of
these articles.

THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.

January 14, 1905.

MARKET REPORTS.

London,— December 20, 1904. Messrs. J. Hates Carp &

Co., Messrs. Kearron, Piper & Co., Messrs. E. A.
DE Pass & Co., ‘THE West Inpra Commirrer Crr-
cuLaR’; ‘THE Liverroon Corron ASssociaTION
Weekty Circunar, December 16; and ‘THE
Pusric Lepcer,’ December 17, 1904.

Arors—Barbados, 15/- to 35/- ; Curagoa, 15/- to 37/6 per ewt.

Arrowroot—St. Vincent, 1d. per th.

Batata—Demerara sheet, 1/10; Venezuela block, 1/4
per Ib.

BegEs’-wax—£7 to £7 10s. per ewt.

Cacao—tTrinidad, 55/- to 59/- per ewt. ; Grenada, 52/-
to 55/- per ewt.; Dominica, 50/- to 53/- per cwt. ;
Jamaica, 46/- to 53/6 per ewt.

Carpamoms—Mysore, 74d. to 2/- per Ib.

Corrrr—Jamaica, good ordinary, 39/- to 40/- per ewt.

Corron—West Indian Sea Island, medium fine, 123d. ; fine,
133d. ; extra fine, 15}. per th,

Fruir—

Bananas—No quotations.

Graprr Frurr—6/- to 7/- per case.
OrancEs—8/- to 11/- per box of 150-176.
Pive-arpLes—-No quotations.

Fustic—£3 10s. to £4 per ton.

Giycer—Jamaica, fair bright, 37/-; ordinary to good
ordinary, 27/- to 30/- per ewt.

Honty—Jamaica, 17/- to 22/- per ewt.

Isryerass—West Indian lump, 2/5 to 2/8; cake, 1/3 per tb.

Kota Nurs—4d. to 6d. per tb.

Lime Jurce—-Raw, 9d. to 1/- per gallon; concentrated,
£13 15s. per cask of 108 gallons.

Line O1r—Distilled, 1/3 per tb. ; hand-pressed, 2/6 to 2/9
yer Ih.

Te a6 3. BA Qs. Gd. to £5; Roots, £4 to £4 10s. per ton.

Macr—Bold pale, 16; red, 1/1 to 1/2; broken, 1/-
to 1/1 per tb.

Nirrate or Sopa—Agriculiural, £11 per ton.

Nourmecs—67’s, 1/8; 86's, 10d. ; 143s, 5d. per tb.

Pinentro— 23d. per tb.

Rum—Demerara, 103d. to 1s. per proof gallon; Jamaica,
1s. 10d. per proof gallon.

SansapaRi~nLa—73d. to 1/2 per tb.

Svcar—Yellow crystals, 21/ to 23/- per ewt. ; Muscovado,
Barbados, 18/- per ecwt.; Molasses, 15/- to 18/-
per cwt.

SunpHare or AmmMonta—£13 7s. 6d. per ton.

Montreal,—December 9, 1904.—Mr. J. Russert Murray.
(In bond quotations, c. & f.)

Bananas—No quotations.

Cepar—No quotations.

Cocoa-nuts— Jamaica, $26-00 to $2800 ; Trinidad, $22-00

to $2400 per M.

Corrre—Jamaica, medium, 9c. to 9}¢. per Th.

Griycer—Jamaica, unbleached, 63c. to 7c. per th.

Motascurr—Demerara, $1°32 per 100 tb.

Mo.asses—Barbados, 27c. to 29c.; Antigua, 2c. per

Imperial gallon.

Nurmecs—Grenada, 110’s, 19c. per tb.

Orancres—Jamaica, $3°60 per barrel; Dominica, $3°75

per barrel : $1°75 per box (duty paid).

Pinento—Jamaica, 5$c. to Ge. per th.

Prye-arrpLes—No quotations.

Sucar—Grey Crystals, 96°, $340 to $3°54 per 100 Tb.
—Muscovados, 89°, $3°10 to $3:20 per 100 tb.
—Molasses, 89°, $2°75 to $2°85 per 100 tb.
—Barbados, 89°, $2°85 to $2°95 per 100 tb.

New York,—December 23, 1904.—Messrs. GILLESPIE

Bros, & Co.
Cacao—Caracas, 12c. to 13c.; Dominica. 1le. to 11bc. ;
Grenada, l1}c. to 11je.; Trinidad, 12c, to 13}c. per th.

Cocoa-nuts—Trinidads, $25-00 to $26-00 per M., selected ;:
Jamaicas, $26-00 to $28-00 per M.

CorreE—Fair to good ordinary, 8c. to 92c. per tb.

Goat Skins—Jamaicas, 59c. to 60c. per tb.

Grape Frurtr—Jamaicas, $1°50 per barrel.

Orances—Jamaica, $3°00 to $3°50 per barrel (stem cut).

Pimento—4jc. per tb.

Sucar—Centrifugals, 96°, 4%c.; Muscovados, 89°, 42c.;:
Molasses, 89°, 44c. per tb.

INTER-COLONIAL MARKETS.

Barbados,—December 31, 1904.—Messrs. T. 8. Garra-

way & Co., and Messrs. James A. Lyncn & Co.

Arrowroot—St. Vincent, $3°40 to $3°75 per 100 tb.

Cacao—Dominica, $11°25 per 100 tb.

Cocoa-Nurs—$9°00 per M. for husked nuts.

CorrEE—$10°00 to $12°00 per 100 tb.

Hay—90c. 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.

Onxtons—Madeira (stringed), $3:00 to $5°50 per 100 Tb.
(retail).

Poratos, ENGLIsH—$2°25 per 160 th. (retail).

Rice—Ballam, $4780 to $4°85 per bag (190 tb.) ; Patna,
$3°25 per 100 th.

British Guiana,—December 29, 1904.—Messrs. WiETING

& JUcCHTER.

Arrowroot—St. Vincent, $7°50 to $8-00 per barrel.

Batara—Venezuela block, 25c.; Demerara sheet, 35c-
per tb.

Cacao—Native, 12c. to 13e. per tb.

Cassava SrarcH—$5°d0 to $6°00 per barrel.

Cocoa-Nuts—$10°00 to $12°00 per M.

Corree— Rio and Jamaica, 14c. per tb. (retail).

—Creole, lle. per th.

Duar— $4°30 to $4°40 per bag of 168 tb.

Eppors—$1°56 per barrel.

Morassres—Vacuum Pan yellow, 17c. to 18c. per gallon
(casks included).

Ontons—Madeira, $4°00 per 100 tb.

Pea Novs—American, 6c. to 6$e. per tb. (retail).

Prantarys—?20e. to 40c. per bunch.

Poraros, ENGLisH—$2°25 to $2°40 per barrel.

Rice—Ballam, $4°35 to $4°40; Creole, $4:25 per 177 tb.,
(ex store).

Sweer Poraros—Barbados, $144 per bag, $1°68 per
barrel.

Tannras—$2-00 to $2°40 per barrel.

Yams—White, $2°16 per bag.

Sucar—Dark Crystals, $3°25 to $3°30; Yellow, $3-75 to
$4:10 ; White, $4°50 to $5°00; Molasses, $2°75 to
$3°00 per 100 tb. (retail).

Trmiser—Greenheart, 32c. to 55c. per cubic foot.

WALLABA SHiInGLES—$3'00, $3°75, and $5°50 per M.

Trinidad,—December 29, 1904.—Messrs. Gorpon, GRANT

& Co. ; and Messrs. Epcar Tripp & Co.

Cacao—Ordinary $11°70 to $11°75; Estates, $11°85 to
$12:25; Venezuelan, $12°25 to $12°‘75 per fanega
(110 ib.).

Cocoa-nuts—§$20:00 per M., f.o.b.

Cocoa-Nur Or—72e. per Imperial gallon (casks included).

Corrre—Venezuelan, 9c. per Tb.

Copra—-$3°15 to $3°25 per 100 tb.

Ontons—Stringed Madeira, $3°50 to $400 per 1€0 tb.
(retail).

Mo.assrs—6c. to 16c. per gallon.

Poraros, EncrisH—$1°25 to $1°30 per 100 tb.

Rice—Yellow, $4°25 to $440; White Table, $5°50 to-
$5°75 per bag.

Sucar—$2-75 to $4:00 per 100 Ib.

Vou. IV. No. 72. THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS. 1D

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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PAMPHLET SERIES.

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adapted to West Indian conditions. They contain, amongst other subjects, summaries of the results of the experiment work
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cof 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, 44d.
(6) Recipes for cooking Sweet Potatos. Price 2d. Post free, 24d.

(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, 23d.

(13) Seedling and other Canes at Barbados, in 1901. Price 4d. Post free, 5d.

(14) Serew Worm in Cattle at St. Lucia. Price 2d. Post free, 23d.

(15) Plain Talk to Small Owners. Price 2¢. Post free, 24d.

(16) Hints on Onion Cultivation. Price 2d. Post free, 2d.

(17) General Treatment of Fungoid Pests. Price 4d. Post free, 5d.

(18) Recipes for cooking West Indian Yams. Price 2d. Post free, 24d.

(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, 24d.

(22) Scale Insects of the Lesser Antilles, Part II. Price 4d. Post free, 5d.

(23) Notes on Poultry in the West Indies. Price 4d. Post free, 5d.

(24) Dominica, Hints to Settlers. Price 2d. Post free, 2hd.

(25) Ground Nuts in the West Indies. Price 2d. Post tree, 24d.

(26) Seedling and other Canes at Barbados, in 1903. Price 47. Post free, 5d.

(27) Seedling and other Canes in the Leeward Islands, 1902-1903. Price 2d. Post free, 24d.
(28) Barbados and Porto Rico Molasses. Price 3d. Post free, 34d.

(29) Lectures on the Diseases of the Sugar-cane. Price 4d. Post free, 5d.

(30) Manurial Experiments with Sugar-cane in the Leeward Islands, 1902-3. Price 4d. Post free, 5d.
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(32) Seedling and other Canes at Barbados, in 1904. Price 4d. Post free, 5d.

‘NATURE TEACHING.’

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16 THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS. January 14, 1905..

THE BEST MANURES FOR COLONIAL USE

ESS A Soe ale

Ghlendorff’s Dissolved Peruvian Guano—For Sugar-cane and general use
Ohlendorff’s Spacial 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 DIAGRICULTURE TROPICALE. | | DEPARTMENT PUBLIGATIONS.
A Monthly Illustrated Review, published in French,

dealing with all matters connected with
Tropical Agriculture.
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Ap Wa

Le DIR

aul V7

eS le ee eee

A FORTNIGHTLY REVIEW

OF THE

IMPERIAL DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE FOR THE WEST INDIES.

Vou. IV. No. 73.

BARBADOS, JANUARY 28, 1905.

Prick ld.

CONTENTS.

PaGE.

Barbados Banana Industry 23
Bee Keeping, Output of

Honey from the U.S. 23

Exhibitions :-—
Royal Horticultural
Society # aeemeres| ) vO

British Honduras, Fruit :-—
Development of we DA | Colonial, Show of... ... 20
Cacao land, Drainage of — 27 | Lecture on West Indian 20

GleanincGs ems Geenntess) bee cO
Insect Notes :—
Moth-borer of the
Sugar-cane oot oo EAD
Poison Caterpillar... 26
Market Reports... ... 30
Notes and Comments ... 24

Carriacou Land Settlement
SCHEMEGue Jictm tate steele
Cotton Industry :-—
Barbados Rem ess ayes ok
Sea Island Market po we
Sea Island Seed ... ... 21
Seed for 1905 eh 240

West Indies... ... ... 21.| Pine-apples, Porto Rico ... 20
Department Publications 31 | Rice Experiments in
Department Reports :— British Guiana... ... £5

British Guiana, Agri- | Stock Notes :—

cultural work, etc., ... 27 Milch Cow, A good .., 19

Small Settlers’ Cows ... 19
Sugar Industry :—
ISERVANN wecet tooo ood mopar alts)
Mantiniquie ners eral
West Indian Agricultural
Conference, 1905, 17, 22
West Indian Products in
ond OMe nen oo

British Guiana, Board
of Agriculture ... ... 27
Educational :—
Jamaica, Agricultural
Instruction for
Yeachers .., ... «.. 26
Exhibitions :—
Barbados Local ... ... 25

West Indian Agricultural
Conference, 1905.

ye BRIEF account of the West Indian Agri-
cultural held at Trinidad
* appears in the Agricultural News of
A fuller report including the addresses at the

Conference

to-day.
opening and closing of the Conference and at the
Conference dinner, together with an abstract of the

proceedings, is published in the ‘Conference Number’ of
the West Indiun Bulletin also published to-day, The
latter conveys in a summarized form a good general
idea of the work carried on at the Conference, and we
commend it to the attention of our It is
obtainable from the London and all agents of the
Department. In the meantime, active steps are being
taken to publish in the West Indian Bulletin (Vol. V,
no. 4, and Vol. VI, no. 1,) the numerous and valuable
papers read at the Conference and the discussions that
followed in as complete a form as possible.

readers.

It is hoped by these means to present for the
information of those interested a fairly comprehensive
review of the efforts that are being made by the Imperial
Department of Agriculture, with the aid of the Agri-
cultural Boards and Agricultural Societies and the
leading members of the planting community, in improv-
ing the agricultural interests of the West Indies.

It is believed that, as the result of the Trinidad
Conference, the efforts of the agencies above referred to
will enter upon a wider and an increasingly appreciated
field of usefulness and that a good many of the
hindrances and petty jealousies that have appeared in
some quarters in regard to the work of the Imperial
Department of Agriculture will now disappear. It is
gratifying to observe that, wherever the efforts of
the Department have been misunderstood, a fuller
knowledge of the objects in view has invariably been
followed by the hearty co-operation of those whose
interests it was intended to serve. This is particularly
true in the case of Local Agricultural Shows, the

18 . THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.

JANUARY 28, 1905.

establishment of school gardens, and the practical
training of the older pupils in elementary schools in
garden work,

It is no less true, also, in the case of practical
agriculturists whose previous training had led them to
regard scientific methods and new ideas with suspicion,
but who are now not only convinced of the value of
science as a means of increasing the returns from the
soil and of successfully treating plant diseases, but take
an active share in experiments by the
Department with sugar-cane, cacac, cotton, lime, and
other crops, and keenly watch the results.

initiated

Another aspect of the Trinidad Conference that
may be referred to is the growth of appreciation in
the value of these gatherings as a means of drawing
together in a bond of common interest the various
people of these colonies. As mentioned by his Excel-
lency the Governor of Trinidad, an expression of
opinion from such a body, whether in suggesting the
removal of any disabilities that might exist or in the

provision of better systems, would command attention

which it would be impossible for any single colony to
expect. In proposing a vote of thanks to Sir Daniel
Morris for his Presidential the Hon. B.
Howell Jones, of British Guiana, spoke of the Imperial
Department of Agriculture as an extremely useful

Address,

—an almost essential—part of the work of organization
in connexion with the government of the West Indies.
The principle of Imperialism had long existed, he
said, in the hearts of our colonists. It
however, only an

was not,
Imperialism of politics that was

wanted, but also an Imperialism of Agriculture.

In replying to the toast of ‘Success to the
Imperial Department of Agriculture, Sir Daniel Morris
spoke of the common object in which the Representa-
tives had come together, viz., the advancement of the
whole industrial interests of the West Indies, and
trusted that the Conference of 1905 would still further
weld together the practical and scientific
nected with agriculture in these colonies.

forces con-

The Imperial idea was further given expression to
by the Hon. Hugh Clifford (Colonial Secretary) who
spoke of a possibilty of these Conferences as follows :
‘Tt was my privilege the other day to be present in the
Princes’ Buildings when his Excellency the Governor
made a contribution to the debate on the subject of
cane-farming, and while I sat... I felt dreamy, and
I went away wondering whether, when the future
historian comes to write the history of the West Indies,
he would say that Sir Daniel Morris . . . had planted

a sced which eventually is to come to great growth in
the West India Islands.’ Whether the Conference that
I was looking at, which was attended by members from
all the West India Islands, and which represented the
best talent and the best agricultural knowledge of all
those islands, was perhaps the foreshadowing of
a greater Parliament which might possibly represent,
and adequately represent, all the interests of these
islands in one great federation.’

SUGAR INDUSTRY.

Sugar in Hawaii.

The Hawaiian Sugar Planters’ Association has
recently published a number of reports from its special
committees which are appointed annually to investi-
gate matters relating to the condition of the sugar

industry. The following brief summary of these
reports is likely to be of interest to sugar planters :—

The Committee on Fertilization addressed a circular
letter to each manager in the islands with the object of
attaining as complete data on the subject of manures as
possible. The opinions expressed naturally varied con-
siderably, and the plan has been adopted by the Committee
of tabulating the replies under the various headings. The
value of a larger amount of potash than has been usual is
insisted on in many of these replies. Nearly all the
plantations use a mixed chemical fertilizer containing
nitrogen, potash, and phosphates. Nitrate of soda is also
usually applied separately. Green manuring with leguminous
erops is not practised on most estates with much success.
The amount of humus present in the soil would appear on
many estates to be very low, largely, no doubt, owing to the
usual practice of burning all trash.

The report of the Committee on Utilization of
By-products deals mainly with the use of waste molasses.
This is strongly recommended as a feed for mules and stock.
Experiments and figures are given which support this
recommendation, The next most economical way of using
waste molasses is said to be to burn it in the furnaces. This
committee also reports that enough attention is not given on
most plantations to the proper preservation and curing of
stable manure and its application to soils sadly in need of
organic matter or humus. It is also said that in some soils
the chemical fertilizer is practically inert or lost owing to the
poor physical condition of the soil on account of the lack of
humus. The burning of trash is said to be necessary in order
to destroy boring insects.

The report of the Committee on Handling and
Transportation of cane states that each district has about
settled to its satisfaction the system or combination of
systems best suited to its needs. Of the thirty-two planta-
tions that replied, eighteen use railroods, seven fiumes, and
seven use combinations of systems—fiumes, railroads, trolleys,
traction engines, wagons. Two loading machines are
described, namely, the ‘ Wilson-Webster’ and the ‘Gregg.’
Both these machines are favourably reported on and reduce

Vor. IV. No. 73.

THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS. 19

the cost of loading ; the Wilson-Webster seems to be rather
the better. The machine, however, has yet to be invented
which will pick the cane from the field and place it on cars.

The report of the Committee on Manufacture is stated
to have for its object to discover the true standing of the art
of making sugar in the Hawaiian Islands. The processes of
milling and extraction have been taken up by the Committee
on Machinery. The present report deals with such subjects
as extraction, clarification, evaporation, sugar house control,
etc.

The Goiniittce on Labour-saving Devices also deals in
this report with cane-loading machines. Importance is
attached to a new invention, used in Louisiana. No cane-
cutting machine which is altogether satisfactory is described,
though etforts have been made to induce machinery manufac-
turers to take the matter up. New ploughs and other
cultivators are also shortly mentioned.

Martinique.

The following extracts from the Consular Report
on Martinique for 1903 deal with the position of the
sugar industry in that island :—

The exports of sugar from Martinique in 1903 show
a decrease of 5,906 tons in quantity and of £61,679 in value
as compared with the shipments during the preceding year.

The decrease in the quantity of sugar manufactured is
due to a variety of causes, the chief being the low price of
sugar. Among other causes may be mentioned the tempo-
rary suspension of cultivation on the plantations in the north
of the island in consequence of the voleanic eruptions of
1902, the destruction of one of the sugar factories at that
time, and lastly, the reluctance of the planters to extend
cultivation until the benefits of the Sugar Convention are
felt here.

The crop of 1903-4 promises to be still smaller owing
to the damage done to the young cane plants by the cyclone
of August 1903, a loss of 25 per cent. being anticipated
from this cause.

Instead of the bounty of 13 fr. 50 c. per 100 kilos.
hitherto allowed him, the Martinique planter will now
receive only 2 fr. 25c. per 100 kilos. ‘détaxe de distance,’
and about 1 fr. 15c. per 100 kilos. ‘ boni de tare.’

This ‘détaxe de distance’ is claimed by the French
colonial planter to be inadequate, the sum actually paid for
freight and other charges to place his sugar on the French
market amounting, it is stated, to fully 4 fr. 55c. per 100
kilos.

Under the circumstances, the outlook for the sugar
factories is far from bright. Two only of the factories
worked by companies paid a dividend during the current
year, and two factories, it is reported, are to close after the
crop of 1903-4.

In 1903, 53,982 gallons less rum were exported than
in the previous year. Better prices, however, prevailing,
£26,518 more were realized than in 1902.

STOCK NOTES.

A Good Milch Cow.

The following notes on milch cows are taken from
the Agricultural World of December 31, 1904 :-—

A good milker shows it in her general appearance. She
should be clean, clear fleshed, and with nostrils which do
not show fast breathing ; keen eyes, but with no symptom of

a wild look; well-shaped, pointed ears ; thin, rather long:
neck ; straight, even back, which does not sink in the
middle, nor rise or fall at top of tail ; clean, well-shaped legs ;.
udder dark yellow, with evenly formed teats ; six teats are
rather a.recommendation, but more than four should never
be brought into use. It is a good practice to handle and
speak to the cow when tending her, so that when she is
to be milked she will become quite docile.

The power of the cow to take and digest large quanti-

ties- of tood regulates to a considerable degree her value
as a milker. The sina!] eater is of little value, as it is

impossible for her to make milk out of food that contains too
little of the elements for foree or milk making.

In all cases a large eater is wanted. The large eater
will have a depth of body not seen in the small eaters. The
breadth of the body will also be more than that of cows that
are small producers of milk. In the same connexion we:
may say that the body must also be long. It is not enough
that the cow have a deep and wide paunch if it is short.
With these go the strong jaws, which must be strong to
masticate the amount of food the animals require to fill the:
large cavity of the stomach. The greatest number of good
feeders have marked depth of body, and the ribs are
what we call well sprung. This means that the ribs are not
bent down in such a way as to decrease the size of the
abdominal cavity. No matter what the temperament of the
cow may be, if she has not the power to digest easily
a great quantity of food, she will be of little use asa milk
producer.

Small Settlers’ Cows.

Mr. Wm. Cradwick, Travelling Instructor, writes.
as follows in the December issue of the Jowrnal of
the Jamaica Agricultural Society on the subject of
suitable cows for small settlers. his 1s a subject to-
which special attention should be paid. One of the
principal duties of the Travelling Instructors in
Jamaica is the encouragement of stock-keeping, even.
in a very small way, among peasant proprietors:—

Small settlers should endeavour to select their heifers.
for breeding on the following points :—
(1) Tameness; (2) healthiness; (5) size, especially

Jength and breadth and depth as opposed to legginess ; (4)
large yield of milk.

The bull should be on the same lines. Never use a bull
whose only recommendation is cheapness: take a little trouble
if necessary, and if necessary also spend an extra pound for
a good bull.

See that he is also: (1) tame; (2) healthy; (3) of
a good build, short on the legs, long and low. Try
to find out if his mother is still alive, and if so, if she breeds
regularly, raises her calves well, and gives plenty of good
milk. If she does that her son is a good bull to breed with.

It is a mistake to suppose that a cow cannot give
a good quantity of good milk, and yet keep in good condition,
give good lusty calves, and weigh well herself when fat.

I have seen at Mr. Young’s a cow give 10 quarts and
a pint before the calf sucked at all, and that cow moderately
fat would weigh 550 to 600 tb. I know a small settler who
has a cow which gives 7 quarts in the morning and raises
fine calves, is always in good condition herself, and would
if fat weigh a good 600 Ib. Chance? Yes, perhaps so! but
careful selection comes to the same thing. A strain of milch
cows is not made in a day or a year, but in many years. We
have the basis of a good strain, but if careful selection is not
carried on we shall never get beyond that basis,

20 THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.

January 28, 1905.

PORTO RICO PINE-APPLES.

Mr. J. Jones, Curator of the Botanic Station,
Dominica, writes as follows in reference to three
varieties of pine-apples received from the Porto Rico
Agricultural Experiment Station in August 1903 :—

A few plants of each variety have now fruited and I am
able to place them as follows :—

Cabezona.—This is the well-known Bull Head of these
islands,

Pan de Azucar.—This is the Black Antigua pine-apple.

Caraquena.—A form of pine-apple known here as the
White Dominica. It is inferior to our local variety.

SECOND SHOW OF COLONIAL FRUIT.

For the information of fruit growers in the West
Indies we have pleasure in reproducing the following
paragraph from the West India Committee Circular:-—

The Council of the Royal Horticultural Society have
decided to hold a second Show of Colonial Fruits on
Thursday and Friday, March 30 and 31 next, with a view to
the exhibition of such fruits as could not be looked for in
perfection on December 13 and 14 last. As the first Show
was so successful, many of the colonies which did not avail
themselves of it will doubtless be glad of this opportunity
of displaying their produce, and the West India Committee
will be very glad to make the necessary arrangements for
such colonies as may decide to exhibit. The fruit will have
to be despatched by the mail leaving Barbados on March 11,
and arriving at Southampton on March 23, and should be
consigned to the Secretary, The West India Committee, at
the Royal Horticultural Hall, Vincent Square, Westminster.

In a letter to the Imperial Commissioner of
Agriculture, the Secretary of the West India Committee
makes the suggestion that in all the West India
Islands permanent exhibition committees should be
appointed, with a view to securing adequate representa-
tion at all exhibitions in Great Britain.

LECTURE ON WEST INDIAN FRUIT.

At the General Meeting of the Royal Horticultural
Society, held on December 13, in connexion with the
show of Colonial-grown Fruit, Mr. W. G. Freeman,
BSce., F.LS., Superintendent of the Colonial Economic
Collections at the Imperial Institute, and formerly
Scientific Assistant to the Imperial Department of
Agriculture, gave a lecture on ‘The Fruits of the West
Indies. The lecture was illustrated by means of

specimens of the more important fruits, whilst a fine
series of water-colour drawings of Jamaica fruits, from
the collections of the Imperial Institute, was exhibited.

We extract the following from a report of the
lecture published in the West India Committee
Circular of December 20, 1904 :—

The measures necessary to improve the West Indian
fruit trade were next discussed, and the work being carried
on in the West Indies in disseminating information, and
above all in practically demonstrating the best methods of
grading, handling and packing fruit, dwelt upon. As an
instance of the thoroughly practical nature of the efforts made
to improve the quality of the fruits cultivated, the system of
Botanic Stations under the control of the Imperial Department
of Agriculture was described. It was shown how, to take one
instance, the Dominica Botanic Station, during a single year,
distributed to planters in the island over 57,000 plants,
including large numbers of budded oranges and other high-
class fruit trees. Similar work was being carried on in other
islands. In Jamaica experiments were in progress to improve
the pine-apple, and some 2,000 seedlings were now under
cultivation. By means of budding and grafting, the stock of
mangos was being bettered, whilst it had recently been
ascertained that the avocado pear could be successfully
budded, and attention was now being directed to the
production of a variety better adapted to transport.

The history of the production of spineless limes in
Dominica was given, and it was shown that in addition
to being spineless the plant yielded fruits of very high quality
as regards citrie acid content. Plants of the spineless
variety were now being distributed from the Botanic Station,
the demand being greater than the supply. Trinidad had
contributed its share to recent progress, in the form of
a seedless lime, which was being perpetuated by budding. In
addition, new fruits or improved varieties of fruit already
cultivated were continually being introduced, many through
the Royal Botanie Gardens, Kew, which had done, and
continued to do, so much to disseminate valuable plants
throughout the Empire.

The fruit industry of the West Indies depended for its
continued progress and success on the cultivation of good
varieties of fruit plants, on the careful picking, grading,
and packing of the produce. The agricultural workers in the
West Indies were devoting earnest attention to securing the
ideals, and in spite of many disappointments had achieved
a tangible measure of success. These efforts, however, would
not suftice unless they were supplemented by proper shipping
facilities, that is to say, the regular calls at frequent intervals
of vessels properly fitted for fruit transport.

Vou. IV. No. 73.

THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS. 21

Sea Island Cotton Seed.

The following is an extract from a letter from
Mr. Carter Rey, of Anguilla, to Dr. Watts on the
subject of the Sea Island cotton seed imported by the
Imperial Department of Agriculture :—

With reference to what has been said about the Rivers’
seed being mixed, it might interest you to hear that now
my cotton is in full bloom I have not been able to discover
a single mixed variety in the fields planted with Rivers’ seed.
[t is also notable all over the island that this cotton is more
vigorous than the local variety, and where it has been
properly planted with ample room, the bolling is much
heavier.

Profits of Cotton Growing in Barbados.

The following is an abstract of a statement of

expenditure and receipts in connexion with the
cultivation of cotton upon 22 acres on an estate in
Barbados :—

The land was planted in cotton and corn. The
expenditure on planting and cultivating the two crops,
including digging cane holes, weeding, supplying, ete., was
65:74; the cost of reaping the corn (254 bushels) picking,
ginning and baling the cotton was $456:20, making a
total of $521°94.

The receipts were: sale of 6,925 tb. of lint, netting
$1,957-21; estimated sale of 162 Ib., at 1s. 4d. per hb.,
$45°36; value of seed crushed, $266:07 ; value of corn,
$203-20, bringing the total receipts to $2,471.

The profits from the 22 acres were therefore $1,949°90.

Sea Island Cotton Market.

The following is extracted from the latest report,
dated January 7, 1905, received fron: Messrs. H. W.
Frost & Co., of Charleston and Savannah, in regard to
the state of the Sea Island cotton market in the
United States ;—

There has been a moderate demand for odd _ bags,
classing fully fine at 24c. to 25c. ; extra fine at 27c. resulting
in the above sales. Some small crop lots were also disposed
of, and the Robt. Bee crop was sold for France at 3lec.

Factors are generally refusing to sell under a basis of
fully fine at 25c., and some smaller lots are held higher.

The Planters Crop lots are seeking sale, and with orders
in hand we can buy at some concessions.

We quote: Fine to fully fine, 24c. to 25c. ; fully fine to
extra fine, 26c. to 27c. ; extra fine crop lots, 28ce. to 30c. ;
extra-extra fine crop lots, 40c. to 55c.

In their report for December 31, 1904, Messrs.
Frost state in regard to the present Sea Island crop :—
The Ginner’s Report, issued by the United States
Bureau to-day makes the quantity ginned to December 13 to
be 85,728 bales. This was larger than was expected by the

trade generally and will cause crop estimates to be increased
to 95,000 bales.

West Indies.

A sixty-page supplement to the Manchester
Guardian of December 31, 1904, which contains
a review of the year’s trade, agriculture, and finance,
devotes about two-thirds of its space to the cotton
industry. Dealing with the subject of cotton cultiva-
tion in the Empire, the following reference is made to
the West Indies :—

It is almost an irony of fate that England should again
turn for cotton to the West Indies, once her principal
source of supply. It is not generally known that in the
early years of the nineteenth century we obtained 40,000
bales, or about half our total requirements, from our West
Indian possessions. It was not until 1802 that our imports
from the United States for the first time exceeded those
from the West Indies. In 1902 our total imports of cotton
from our old sources of supply had dwindled down to less
than 1,000 bales.

Luckily the West Indian Department of Agriculture
was under the supervision of a practical agriculturist with
a scientific training. Sir Daniel Morris, with his assistant,
Dr. Francis Watts, took up the cause of cotton growing with
the greatest zeal, and the efforts of these two gentlemen were
largely assisted by the enthusiasm of Sir Gerald Strickland,
the Governor of the Leeward Islands.

Sir Daniel Morris paid a special visit to the United
States to study the conditions of cotton cultivation in
Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina. This was followed
by the publication of two most useful pamphlets —‘Sea
Island Cotton in the United States and the West Indies’
and ‘A.B.C. of Cotton Cultivation.’ Lectures were given in
various islands with instructions to the planters what to do
and when to doit. There is no doubt that cotton growing
would to-day be in a very much more advanced stage in
other parts of the British Empire if we had a few more
ofticials of the stamp of Sir Daniel Morris and Dr. Francis
Watts. In no other part of the Empire has cotton growing
advanced so rapidly or so nearly approached a commercial
basis. Acting on Sir Daniel Morris’ advice, the Council
[of the British Cotton-growing Association] decided to send
out a representative to complete all the necessary arrange-
ments for buying, financing, and ginning. Mr. Lomas Oliver,
a member of the Council and an expert spinner of the very
finest counts of cotton, very kindly placed his services at the
disposal of the Council, and went out to the West Indies last
October. One of the principal objects of his visit was to
point out to the planters the quality of cotton they should
aim at producing, and to draw attention to faults in last
year’s crop with a view to their elimination in the future.

By this means the planter and the spinner will be
brought into the closest touch, the planter will be able to
obtain the best possible price, and the Association will have
established a sound business which will in future years be
remunerative to themselves and of advantage to both
producer and consumer. Fortunately it has been proved
beyond all possible doubt that the West India Islands can
grow Sea Island cotton of the best quality, and that the
planter can make money out of it. There are some who
think that cotton may in some islands take the place of sugar.
If it does come to a question of competition, the conditions
are so much more favourable in the West Indies that the
planters there can produce Sea Island cotton more economi-
cally than can be done in the United States.

This is a marvellous result to have obtained in so short
a time, and if the Association had attained no other result
than this, they would have fully justified its existence.

22 THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.

JANUARY 28, 1905.

WEST INDIAN AGRICULTURAL
CONFERENCE, 1905.

As stated in our last issue, the fifth West Indian Agri-
cultural Conference was formally opened on January 4,
when a hearty welcome was extended to the Representa-
tives by his Excellency the Governor (Sir Henry M.
Jackson, K.C.M.G.), and the President of the Conference
delivered his opening address.

In the proceedings of the Conference a prominent
position was assigned to the sugar-cane industry, the first
subject on the agenda being the ‘Results of recent
experiments with Seedling Canes and Manurial Experiments
in the West Indies.’ A valuable paper on the sugar-cane
experiments in British Guiana, which had been prepared by
Professor J. B. Harrison, was read by Mr. E. W. F. English.
Tt was stated that 14,000 acres were occupied in British
Guiana with varieties other than the Bourbon; of these
about 12,000 acres were being cultivated in new seedling
varieties, the favourites being D. 109, B. 147, D. 145,
D. 625, and B. 208. In late years nearly one third of
a million tiny canes had been raised, from which a few
showed promise of being of actual value agriculturally.
Professor J. P. d’Albuquerque then presented some of the
results of the experimental work in Barbados. These have
already been published in Pamphlet No. 32, Seedling and
other Canes at Barbados, 1904. He was followed by
Dr. Watts, who dealt with the experiments in the Leeward
Islands, a full report on which is already in the press and
will shortly be issued. An interesting paper showing the
favourable results that had been obtained with the White
Transparent and D, 95 on the large area of 1,762 acres on
a group of estates in Trinidad was presented by Dr. Urich.
D. 95 had given an average return of 23°65 tons per acre as
against an average of 21°23 tons for the White Transparent,
and 16°43 tons per acre for the Bourbon.

The next subject brought up for discussion was the
Cane-farming Industry. The discussion was opened by the
Hon. B. Howell Jones (British Guiana) and Professor P.
Carmody (Trinidad). An interesting discussion followed the
reading of these papers in which his Excellency the Governor,
the Hon. 8. Henderson and others took part. Sir Henry
Jackson described the very successful system of ‘company’ cane
farming in vogue in Fiji. Other papers that were presented
to the Conference in connexion with the sugar industry
included reviews of the principal insect and fungoid pests
of the sugar-cane, the field treatment of cane ‘tops’ for
planting, and the polarimetric determination of sucrose.

Trinidad being the foremost cacao-producing colony in
the West Indies, considerable interest attached to the
discussion of important subjects relating to that industry.
Mr. Hart read a short paper dealing with experiments that
were being carried on with the view of improving the health
and productiveness of cacao trees. This was followed by
a short paper, prepared by Mr. J. G. de Gannes, one of the
leading cacao planters in Trinidad. The discussion which
followed was taken part in by a large number of the Repre-
sentatives, and some valuable information was elicited.
Among the points raised, and which received considerable
attention, was that of shade for the cacao trees. It was
apparent from the discussion that widely divergent views
were held in this connexion in the various islands: in
Trinidad it was considered that shade trees were indispen-
sible; in Grenada cacao trees did not appear to require
shade, while in other islands cacao was grown both with and
without shade. It was suggested by the President that an
extensive series of experiments might be carried out in

Trinidad by the Agricultural Society with a view to obtaining
definite information on this point.

The attention of the Conference was next turned to the
Fruit Industry. Mr. J. R. Bovell (Barbados) read a short
paper upon the efforts to establish a fruit industry in
Barbados, with special reference to bananas.

The subject of the recently established cotton industry
was next brought forward. Brief statements were made by
Mr. J. R. Bovell (Barbados), Dr. Watts (Leeward Islands),
and Mr. W. N. Sands (St. Vincent).

Under the heading of ‘General Subjects’ several
interesting papers were read by Representatives. These
included ‘Agricultural Banks’ by the Hon. Wim. Faweeit
(Jamaica), ‘Experiments in establishing Rubber Plantations,
‘Anthrax,’ and others.

Attention was also devoted to matters connected with
agricultural education. The results of the efforts that have
been made to introduce the teaching of the principles of
agricultural science into Colleges and Secondary Schools
were reviewed by Mr. Horace Deighton and Professor
d’ Albuquerque (Barbados) and Professor Carmody (Trinidad).
Mr. J. H. Collens, Inspector of Schools, read a paper on
‘School Gardens and School Shows in Trinidad,’ while
Mr. J. R. Williams dealt with ‘Popular Agricultural
Education in Janiaica.’

Through the kindness of the Trinidad Agricultural
Society several interesting excursions were organized. The
first of these was a visit to the Usine St. Madeleine on
Saturday, January 7, the Representatives being shown over
the factory by Mr. Peter Abel. After leaving the Usine the
Representatives were taken to Princes’ Town for lunch. On
Tuesday, January 10, they left Port-of-Spain at 9 a.m. by
special steamer for La Brea to see the celebrated Pitch Lake.
On Thursday, January 12, a visit was paid to the Caroni
estate where the Naudet diffusion-process plant was in course
of being installed. An opportunity was also given of seeing
the steam ploughs at work on this estate. The Representa-
tives then proceeded to La Horqueta estate, the property of
Messrs. Borde Bros., and inspected the cacao cultivation.
Further opportunities of seeing cacao cultivations were
obtained at Sangre Grande.

Other excursions were arranged as
January 4 a visit was made by the Representatives to the
Botanic Gardens, and on the following day to the
St. Clair Experiment Station when Mr. J. H. Hart, the
Superintendent, kindly pointed out the objects of interest.

On Monday, January 9, an afternoon visit was paid to
Mr. Hoadley’s cacao estate at Chaguanas to inspect a new
steam-drying plant for cacao, and also a factory for preparing
concentrated lime juice and distilled oil.

The Annual Sale of Stock at the Government Farm
taking place on Wednesday, January 11, a number of the
Representatives took the opportunity of attending.

The Representatives were thus enabled to obtain a good
idea of methods of cultivation adopted by Trinidad planters.

On Friday, January 13, the proceedings terminated.
A yote of thanks was passed to his Excellency the
President and Members of the Trinidad Agricultural Society
for the assistance that had been rendered in connexion with
the Conference. A vote of thanks was also proposed to the
President for the manner in which he had conducted the
business of the Conference. In replying to this vote,
Sir Daniel Morris thanked the members of the Conference
for the cordial manner in which they had co-operated with
him and expressed the hope that great good would accrue
from the Conference, not only to Trinidad but also: to the
whole of the West Indies.

?

follows :—On

Vout. IV. No. 73

THE AGRICULTURAL

NEWS. 23

BARBADOS BANANA INDUSTRY.

The following is an extract from a_ report
presented by a Committee of the Barbados Agri-
cultural Society at a meeting of the Society on
December 30, 1904, in reference to the shipment of
bananas :—

The Committee, after carefully considering all the
information supplied by Sir Daniel Morris, Captain Owen, of
the Royal Mail Steam Packet Co., Messrs. H. E. Thorne,
J. R. Bovell, and other members of the Committee who are
shipping bananas, are of the opinicn that for nine months of
the year, with thorough ventilation on board the R.M.S.P. Co’s.
ships, the fruit can be carried in good condition. In support
of this, they may mention that from the beginning of January
to June 4 the bananas shipped by the Department of Agri-
culture arrived in England in excellent condition ; only 32
bunches, out of a total of 2,690 shipped, arrived in England
rotten, and the average price paid to the planters for that
period for single bunches was 3s. 10-4d., and for bunches
sent in double crates 3s. 4°7d. per bunch. During the
summer months, however, it is found that the fruit has in
many instances arrived in England in a very unsatisfactory
condition ; not only was a certain number of bunches rotten,
but a very large proportion of the others was over-ripe,
necessitating a forced sale.

Standing out conspicuously during the summer months,
was the shipment made by the 8.8. ‘Tagus’ on July 30, in
the hold in which Hall’s cold-storage system is installed, and
in which the fruit was carried. This shipment arrived in
England in excellent condition, there being not a single
bunch bad out of the whole consignment. Messrs. W.
Pink & Sons, to whom they were sent, reported that it was
one of the best consignments they had eyer received, and the
bananas netted to the planters 3s. Sid. for single bunches
and for bunches in double crates 2s. 10d. per bunch. In
spite, however, of this shipment arriving in good condition,
and so keeping up the average, the bananas from June 18,
to the end of August only netted for single bunches
2s. 2-4d., and for doubles 1s. 103d. per bunch. From
the beginning of September to the end of October
the average net price per bunch was ls. for singles, and
1s. 74d. per bunch for doubles. Thus it will be seen that,
from the beginning of September to the end of October, the
amount received for the bananas hardly paid for the crates
and the cost of packing. From information, however,
recently received the bananas are again arriving in England
in good condition.

Although the loss on recent shipments has, no doubt,
been very disappointing, for those who only commenced to
ship when the hot weather began, it may be stated that the
average net amount paid to the shippers from the beginning
of January to the end of October is 2s. 6°9d. for single
bunches, and for bunches sent in double crates 2s. 3°9d. per
bunch. Assuming that the cost of the crate, packing, and
delivery in Bridgetown is on the average Is. 6d. for single
bunches, and 1s. 3d. per bunch for bunches in double crates,
the net amount to the planter would be 1s. 0°9d. for singles,
and 1s. 0-9d. per bunch for doubles.

Whether the ventilation on board the ships during the
hot months has been sufficient is, your Committee believe,
doubtful. They have, however, been informed by Sir Daniel
Morris that when he was in England he inspected the fruit
holds of the ‘ Orinoco’ and ‘ LaPlata,’ and arranged with the
Royal Mail Steam Packet Co. to make better provision for
carrying the fruit, and this, your Committee are informed by

the Sub-Committee, is now in course of being carried out, but
that the arrangements are not yet quite satisfactory.

The question whether during the hot months, when the
wind is blowing from the same direction in which the vessel
is going, and the ship, so to speak, enveloped in a cloud of hot
air, the ordinary ventilation will suffice, is, the Committee
think, very doubtful. The question therefore arises whether
it is desirable to pay an extra rate during the hot months,
and get the fruit carried in the Hall’s cold-storage holds
instead of the ordinary ventilated holds, or whether shippers
would be prepared to run the risk of a certain proportion of
their fruit arriving in England during the hot months in bad
condition. Another solution of the difficulty, if it could be
arranged, would be for the bananas to be planted so as to
cause the principal supply of fruit to come into bearing
during the cool season, i.e., say, from the beginning of
November to the end of May.

The Committee would, however, point out that in their
opinion, it would be very detrimental to the interests of the
banana industry, if there was an entire cessation of
shipments during any month of the year.

The Committee would recommended that the Royal Mail
Company be approached, in order that the fruit chambers on
board the S.S. ‘Tagus’ and ‘Trent’ may be available for
Barbados fruit at the present rates of freight until suitable
accommodation be provided elsewhere.

BEE KEEPING.

Output of Honey from the United States.

As showing the immense proportions of the bee-
keeping industry in the United States, the following
note is taken from Gleanings in Bee Culture for
December 15, 1904 :—

It is perhaps well that the bee keepers of the country
should know something of the immensity of the bee-keeping
industry, including not only the production of honey itself,
but the manufacture of supplies for the same. Some time
ago I made an estimate, based on the exact knowledge of the
number of sections that are made annually, that the amount
of honey produced, both comb and extracted, would make
a total aggregrate of from 100 to 125 millions of pounds,
worth from 8 to 10 millions of dollars. Very recently the editor
of one of our bee papers figured out from some Government
statistics that had then just been issued that 6,667 car-loads
of honey were annually produced in the United States. It
is a little significant that my own figures, arrived at from an
entirely different source, and in a different manner, should
show that, on a conservative estimate, there were 7,000
car-loads produced, or almost the same as represented by the
Government statistics. But it is reasonably certain that the
above estimates are, at the present time, away below the
actual mark, and that we should be safe in figuring on
a total output of 10,000 car-loads. If we estimate 40 feet
between the bumpers of the cars, this would make one.
continuous train 753 miles long; bat for fear the average
public would not believe these figures we have put the
estimate at the very conservative figure of 50 miles. The
mere fact that apiculture is making rapid strides in foreign
countries—even more rapid than it is in the United States—
goes to show that the little bee, in spite of its insignificant
size, is making its influence felt in the world. It thrives in
every climate except where there are arctic snows to cut off ,
all sources of nectar.

24 THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.

JANUARY 28, 1905.

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 31 of this issue.

The Agricultural News: Price 1d. per number,
post free 13d. Annual subscription payable to Agents,
2s, 2d. Post free, 3s. 3d.

Agricultural dlews

S&S
SATURDAY, JANUARY 28, 1905.

Vou. IV. No. 73.

NOTES AND COMMENTS.

Contents of Present Issue.

The editorial in this issue deals with certain
general aspects of the West Indian Agricultural Con-
ference of 1905. A brief summary of the proceedings
of the Conference is given on p. 22.

In connexion with the sugar industry a note is
published in reference to the position of the industry
in the island of Martinique, also a summary of recent
reports of special Committees of the Hawaian Sugar
Planters’ Association relative to cultivationand manu-
facture (p. 18-9).

A summary of an interesting lecture by Mr. W. G.
Freeman on West Indian fruits is published on p. 20;
also an announcement relating to a second show of
colonial fruit to be held in London,

Notes in regard to the cotton industry (p. 21)
deal with the Sea Island cotton market and Sea Island
cotton seed in the West Indies; extracts are also
published from an account in the Manchester
Guardian of the great: progress already made by this
industry in the West Indies.

A valuable report on the shipment of bananas
from Barbados on p. 28 will be read with interest,

The ‘Insect Notes’ in the present issue refer to
the identification of the new sugar-cane pest of British
Guiana, while an interesting experience with a stinging
caterpillar in Trinidad is related.

Mr. J. R. Jackson’s monthly report on the London
spice and drug market will be found on p. 29,

Cotton Seed for 1905.

In conuexion with cotton planting during the
coming season it is announced that the Imperial
Department of Agriculture has made arrangements to
procure a further supply of selected Rivers’ Sea Island
cotton seed to be delivered early this year. ‘Those
who desire a supply of this seed, which will be charged
at cost price, are desired to communicate, without
delay, with the officers of the Agricultural Departments
in the colonies in which they reside.

i

West Indian Agricultural Conference, 1905.

A special conference number of the West Indian
Bulletin has been issued and is being distributed by
this mail. It contains a full report of the opening of
the Conference, with the President’s address, of the
proceedings at the Conference dinner, and an abstract
of the general proceedings of the Conference.

The full text of the papers read by the Representa-
tives, together with a summary of the discussion
following each paper, will be published in the West
Indian Bulletin, Vol. V, no. 4, and Vol. VI, no. 1, as
soon as possible.

Elsewhere in this issue will be found a_ brief
account of the proceedings of the Conference and of
the excursions to sugar and cacao estates and other
places of interest which were organized in connexion
with the Conference.

OS ————
Development of British Honduras.

In a recent report on the colony of British
Honduras Mr. Dale discusses at some length the
general principles which should govern the measures
to be undertaken for developing the resources of the
colony.

The mineral resources are practically an unknown
quantity and must be left out of account: the colony’s
prosperity must be sought in its forests and its agri-
cultural resources. Of the latter it is sufficient to say
that for practical purposes they are inexhaustible, if
properly worked. The soil of one part of the colony
or another is capable of growing almost any kind of
tropical produce. There are found at present vanilla,
the cohune palm, rubber, cassava, tobacco, sugar-cane,
cotton, and ginger, some of them growing wild in the
forest, some under cultivation at the Botanic Station
or elsewhere.

At present the prosperity of the colony depends
upon logwood and mahogany. All its finance rests upon
this one industry. When these woods fetch a good price,
all goes well: when prices are low, trade and revenue
alike fall. The timber trade, moreover, becomes
more difficult and less remunerative every year, on
account of the increasing difficulty of getting the wood
down to the coast asthe forests near the rivers are cut
out.

The main efforts of the Government should
therefore be devoted to the encouragement of other
industries. With the exception of bananas no such
industries have at present reached any considerable
development.

Yor. IV. No. 73.

THE AGRICULTURAL

NEWS. 25

Experiments with Rice in British Guiana.

The recently issued ‘Report on the Agricultural
Work’ in British Gaiana contains an account of
interesting experiments with varieties of rice.

Several carefully selected varieties of rice were
imported from Ceylon with which the experiments
were carried out on an area of about 3 acres. Certain
of these varieties show promise of being of high value
for cultivation in the drier districts of the colony.

A further experiment was commenced in March
1904. The varieties grew with much vigour, the
imported varieties maturing in four months, while the
‘Creole’ took five. In the majority of the cases the
proportion of straw to paddy was excessively high;
further experiments are to be undertaken to discover
an explanation of this. The yields of paddy per acre
obtained from most of the imported varieties were
from 20 to 30 ewt.; from the ‘Creole’ 146 cwt.

oe
Barbados Banana Industry.

We publish on p. 23 an important report by
a Committee of the Barbados Agricultural Society in
reference to the shipment of bananas. ‘The present
position of the industry is briefly as follows :—

Till July of last year everything had gone well,
and growers had obtained good prices for their fruit.
But from that time, owing to the warmer weather
encountered by the steamers and also the exceptionally
large crop of English fruit available during the
summer months, many of the bananas arrived in poor
condition and low prices were obtained, which scarcely
paid for the crates and cost of packing.

The point has been established that if the bananas
are carefully selected and well packed, and shipped in
cold-storage chambers, there is little risk about their
arrival in good condition. So far, only the ‘Tagus’
and the ‘Trent’ are fitted with Hall’s system of cold
storage, and it is suggested that the fruit should be
shipped by these steamers.

Another suggestion is that bananas should. as far
as possible, be so planted as to cause the principal
supply of fruit to come in during the cool season
(November to May). But itis not thought desirable
that there should be any entire cessation of shipments.

The Committee report that the fruit 1s now
again arriving in England in good condition.

It may be mentioned that from January to
‘October 31, 1904, 8,012 single bunches of bananas
were shipped and 3,656 bunches in double crates.

re

‘Local Exhibition at Barbados.

The annual Local Agricultural Exhibition for
Peasant Proprietors took place under the auspices of
the Imperial Department of Agriculture, and by per-
mission of the Hon. Forster Alleyne, at Dunscombe
plantation, St. Thomas, on Tuesday, January 24. In
spite of the showery weather the attendance was above
the average.

The exhibits were of particularly good quality,
especially in the classes for fruit, vegetables, and small
stock. In some of the sections, however, the exhibits

were rather fewer, but still showing greater care and
attention in their production. The Elementary School
children’s exhibits were very numerous and showed
a distinct improvement on former years. In this
section special interest attached to the exhibits of
inarched and budded mangos and avocado pears,
for which a Diploma of Merit was given to the master
and children of Good Intent School.

The following additional Diplomas of Merit were
awarded: Blowers estate, for yams, sweet potatos, and
guinea corn; Dunscombe estate, for stool of B. 208
canes and crate of bananas packed for shipment:
Whim estate, for un-ginned Sea Island cotton:
Grazettes estate, for ginned Sea Island cotton.

Great interest was taken in the keen competition
for the prizes offered by Mrs. Dickson and another
lady for the best-kept working donkey. These were
offered with the view of enlisting a wider sympathy
with these hard-working little animals.

His Excellency the Governor, in distributing the
prizes, expressed the pleasure it had given him to
attend the Show and congratulated Sir Daniel Morris
and his co-workers on the success of the exhibition.

Sir Daniel Morris said that he was very pleased
with the fifth Local Exhibition; the articles were
better than on previous occasions and the attendance
was much larger. He noticed a general improvement
in the quality of all the produce shown.

D> ae
Royal Horticultural Society’s Fruit Exhibition.

A brief notice appeared in the Agricultural News
(Vol. ILI, p. 404) with reference to the list of awards
secured by the West Indies at the Royal Horticultural
Society's Exhibition of Colonial-grown Fruit, held on
December 14 and 15, 1904. From the papers received
by last mail we learn fuller particulars with regard to
the West Indian exhibits which may be of interest to
our readers. A catalogue of the exhibits has also been
issued by the West India Committee.

The West Indian Section was organized by the
West India Committee and included official exhibits
from Barbados and Dominica. The latter was a large
and representative exhibit collected by the Agri-
cultural Society. The Royal Mail Company’s exhibit
from ‘Trinidad, Jamaica, and Barbados drew forth
considerable admiration for the manner in which it
was staged as well as for its remarkable varicty.
Messrs. James Philip & Co. displayed various West
Indian fruits, preserves, honey, and pickles. Messrs.
L. Rose & Co.’s exhibit from Dominica included limes,
lime juice, etc.

As has been announced, gold medals were
awarded to Dominica and Barbados. The Jamaica
fruit which received a gold medal was that exhibited
by Mr. A. W. Gardner, of Kingston.

The Gardeners’ Chronicle of December 17, 1904,
in an article on this Exhibition, says: ‘Another
Colonial Exhibition will be held im March next,
which will, no doubt, be more complete and more
fully representative than the present one, wherein the
pine-apples in particular were by no means good
examples of what the West Indies can produce.’

26 THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.

JANUARY 28, 1905.

=a

s WARS.
TERY aS

Larger Moth-borer of the Sugar-cane.

This moth-borer of the Sugar-cane, to which reference
was made in the Agricultural News (Vol. Ill, p. 426) as
being a pest at plantation Enmore, British Guiana, has been
identified hy Entomologists in the United States as Castnia
licus, and it is stated that ‘this moth has been collected in
Brazil, Ecuador, Demerara, Surinam, Trinidad, Upper
Orinoco, Nicaragua, and Costa Rico.’

A note regarding its occurrence in Trinidad appeared in
Insect Life, Vol. V, p. 268, quoted from the Journal of the
Trinidad Field Naturalist’s Club, February 1893. It was
then recorded as a pest in banana plants, laying its eggs near
the base of the plant in the dead leaves, and burrowing into
the stem and up through the centre toward the crown or
growing point. Dr. C. J. van Hall, Director of Agriculture
for the Dutch West Indian Colonies, in reply to inquiries,
states that a similar pest occured some five or six years ago
at Mariénburg, Surinam, where it was abundant for two or
three years and then disappeared.

This would appear to indicate that Castaza licus is not
a new pest to canes and bananas, and that it probably will not
endure over a long period of years. It seems probable that
parasitic and predacious forms of life soon learn to accept it
as a host and as a source of food, and overcome it to such an
extent that it disappears. It is believed that the butterfly
migrates long distances, and fresh attacks of the larvae in
canes or bananas probably result from these migrations.

A Poison Caterpillar.

During the recent Agricultural Conference at
Trinidad one of the delegates made the acquaintance
of a caterpillar that possesses an efficient defence in its
poison hairs. His experience is given as follows :—

Tt was at the Pitch Lake that I found a large caterpillar
feeding on the leaves of Clusia rosea. It was fairly common,
several specimens being taken in a few minutes. It was
a milk-white caterpillar with long, silky, reddish-brown hairs
arranged in tufts in two rows down the back and two rows
along each side. At the base of these long hairs are short,
stiff spines. These are the poison hairs. <A gentleman from
Demerara said that the poison from this insect caused
extreme pain and resulted in a swelling of the glands of the
axils of the arms. I chanced to touch these poison hairs with
the back of the right thumb and the back of two fingers of
the left hand. The irritation from the stings was severe and was
noticed at once. No swelling of the thumb or fingers was seen,
and there was very little sign of inflammation. In about ten
minutes pains were felt under the arm and in twenty minutes
this pain was very severe. The pectoral muscles seemed
drawn up, breathing caused sharp pains, and a feeling of
general depression accompanied the other symptoms. In
about an hour the pains began to subside, and in an hour
and a half from the time of touching the caterpillars nothing
was felt except the irritation on the thumb and finger. This
continued till the time of retiring for the night some ten or

twelve hours from the time of the sting. On the following
morning, however, the irritation had all passed away, and
there were no marks to show that there had been any sting
or inflammation. The latest sensation from this poison was
that of a severe burn with steam or hot water just at the
places on the thumb and fingers which had come in contact
with the caterpillar. It is interesting to note that no pain
was felt in the wrists and arms, and that the axils of the
arms should have felt the influence of the poison so soon
after its introduction into the thumb and fingers.

EDUCATIONAL.

Agricultural Instruction for Teachers in
Jamaica.

The Board of Agriculture in Jamaica has issued
a pamphlet dealing with the “Annual Meeting of
Elementary School Teachers for Agricultural Instruc-
tion at the Mico Training College and Hope Gardens,’
January 1905.

The general arrangements are as follows :—

The Teachers will assemble on Monday, January 2, at
4.30 p.m., at the Mico Training College, when they will be
addressed by the Hon. H. C. Bourne, Chairman of the Board
of Agriculture.

7-9.30 a.m. Practical work and Demonstrations at the
Mico Training College on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and
Saturdays; and at Hope Gardens on Mondays,
Wednesdays and Fridays by Messrs. W. Cradwick,
W. J. Thompson and W. M. Cunningham.

11.30-2.30 Agricultural Science Course by Mr. Tever-
sham.

Afternoon—On three afternoons each week (Tuesdays,
Thursdays and Fridays) addresses on special
subjects will be given at the Mico Training College.
These addresses will commence at 4.50 p.m., and
will be open to the public.

Eyening—Messrs. Peet and Skyers will hold classes in
Manual Work as prescribed by the Code.

The syllabus of practical work and demonstrations
includes: the use of the line, the fork, and spade, trenching;
the preparation of a seed bed; demonstrations on the chief
crops of the island and the principles involved in their
cultivation (cacao, coffee, sugar-cane, pine-apples, vanilla,
bananas, citrus fruits, tobacco, ete.); tillage, drainage,
manuring; and knife work (budding, grafting, ete.).

Special attention was to be paid to the laying out of
school gardens. It is suggested that a systematic method
should be followed, anda plan is given for a suitable }—acre
garden.

The Agricultural Science course is divided into two
parts: (i) Elementary Science (Physics and Chemistry), and
(ii) Agricultural Science. The latter includes a study of
the plant (seed, root, stem, leaf, flower, and fruit) ; the
feeding of plants; the soil; manures and manuring ;
propagation of plants ; diseases and insect pests ; foods and
feeding of animals.

The lecturers at the afternoon meetings include his Grace
the Archbishop, the Hon. Lt. Col. Pinnock, the Hon. Henry
Cork, Mr. H. H. Cousins, Mr. Geo. Hicks, and others.

From reports received by last mail we learn that:
the teachers had entered upon their work with con-
siderable enthusiasm, and the course is likely to be
a very successful one.

Vou. IV. No. 73.

THE AGRICULTURAL

NEWS. 27

BRITISH GUIANA:
OF AGRICULTURE, 1905-4.
Deputy Chairman.

REPORT OF THE BOARD
By J. B. Harrison, C.M.G.,

An account is given of the principal subjects which have
been discussed at the general meetings, as also of the subjects
discussed by the Standing Committees of the Board.

The Standing Committees are as follows : (i) Finance
and Executive, (ii) Stock, (iii) Library, (iv) Exhibitions,
(v) Agricultural Education, (vi) Sugar-cane Ixperiments,
and (vii) Subsidiary Products.

In accordance with the recommendations of the Stock
Committee, a pure-bred Shorthorn bull and three Holstein
cows were imported from Canada, and a Tamworth boar and
two sows from Trinidad. Two thorough-bred stallions were
imported from England in February 1904.

Exhibitions were held at Buxton, East Coast, and at
Georgetown. Farmers’ Competitions took place in the
Victoria-Belfield district, in the Georgetown district, and in
the island of Wakenaam.

Returns are published showing the number of acres
under cultivation with the more important subsidiary
products in British Guiana in 1903-4, and also the area
under rice cultivation. These are as follows: rice, 16,670
acres; cocoanuts, 3,766; cacao, 901; coffee, 718; corn
(maize), 746 ; cotton 39 ; plantains, bananas, and grouud
provisions, ie 240 acres

BRITISH GUIANA: REPORT ON THE AGRI-
CULTURAL WORKIN THE EXPERIMENT FIELDS
AND THE GOVERNMENT LABORATORY, 1905-4.
By J. B. Harrison, C.M.G., Government Analyst and Deputy
Chairman, Board of Agriculture.

This report deals mainly with experiments with the
sugar-cane. Out of 2,825 seedlings obtained from the
selected varieties, 1,420 were planted in the experimental
fields. Tables are published showing the yields from the
various seedlings.

General deductions from the manurial experiments are
published. It is stated that these appear to be applicable
not only to the Bourbon variety but also to the majority of
the varieties submitted to experiment.

About 3 acres of land were devoted to experiments with
a large number of varieties of rice. The imported varieties
matured more rapidly than did the so-called ‘ Creole’ variety,
taking four months while the latter took nearly five. The
results of the experiments are reported to be ‘interesting and
encouraging.’

The manurial experiments with cacao have not as yet
given very satisfactory results ; it is evident that they will
have to be carried on for a longer period before satisfactory
deductions can be made.

The details of the useful work carried on so successfully
by Professor Harrison and his staff are likely to be of
considerable value to members of the planting community.

DRAINAGE OF CACAO LAND.

The following is extracted from a report by the
Hon. F. Watts, C.M.G., D.Se., on a visit to Dominica
in July and August 1904. The question of subsoil
drainage is an important one for cacao planters in
Dominica and doubtless is of importance also in
connexion with the occurrence of the die-back disease
caused by Diplodia cacaoicola :—

Upon my visit in December 1903 my attention was
called to a large area planted in young cacao which was
several years old and now should be in good bearing, instead
of which the trees presented a very poor appearance and in
most cases appeared to be slowly dying; the crop from them
was negligible. My own impression was that the trees were
suffering from want of drainage, though on the face of it this
appeared improbable, for in places there was a steep cutting
down to the river, and even at a little distance from this the
trees presented a poor appearance. It was on a portion of
this defective cacao field that I recommended the establish-
ment of an Experiment Station. The first point was to drain
the experiment plot very thoroughly, after which various
manurial and cultural experiments were laid out. This work
was done early in this year (January-February). Upon
visiting the plot I found the most striking change in the
appearance of the trees within the treated area. The trees
presented a healthy, flourishing appearance ; new growth was
abundant and vigorous, the new foliage healthy and there
was an abundance of blossom. I could not see any
difference between the various plots to lead me to suppose
that any of the manures applied had contributed to
this result; it would appear that efficient drainage had
caused the improvement. I have on more than one occasion
drawn attention to the red soils of Dominica which contain
but relatively small proportion of gravel and sand; these,
when first taken up as virgin soils covered with a soft layer
of forest mould, are usually in good condition and cacao
and other trees grow well in them; this growth may be
maintained if the cultivation and aeration of the soil can be
kept up, but under the conditions of a cacao field there is
danger of these soils becoming compact and unsuitable for
cacao from the presence of excess of water in the subsoil
(for cacao is a deep-rooting tree) even when situated on
a good slope.

In a letter to the Imperial Commissioner dated
December 20, 1904, Dr. Watts again refers to this
point as follows :—

In my report on my visit to Dominica in July and
August 1904 I drew particular attention to this point and
instanced the cases of defective drainage and its disastrous
effect on cacao at Melville Hall and South Chiltern: I also
described the remarkable effects produced by draining the
Melville Hall plots, the improvement being greater than
I could have hoped for. Iam informed that the work of
draining is being extended and always with the same very
marked improvement. Similar cases are under my observa-
tion at Blenheim.

I have repeatedly observed that on the somewhat close
soils of Dominica, particularly upon the red soils, the surface
soil may appear in good condition and the land may have
a good slope leading one to suppose that drainage is perfect,
yet on digging into the subsoil one finds the roots of the
trees water-logged and‘often unhealthy. This condition is so
unexpected as frequently to escape notice. It is, in my
opinion, one of ‘the greatest dangers threatening the
Dominica cacao planter, for the cacao tree is deep-rooting and
soon sends its roots below the well-drained surface soil.

28 THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.

January 28, 1905.

=

fe =F 3 TS

Aj

GLEANINGS.

The Grenada Government Gazette for January 3 contains
a list of plants for sale at the Botanic Station during the
year 1905. These include fruit and economic plants, climbing
plants, foliage and flowering plants, aquatic plants, palms, ete.

The Journal d Agriculture Tropicale for December
1904 gives an account of the artificial drying of cacao. The
article is based on the account given in the West Indian
Bulletin (Vol. Il, p. 171) together with other notes since
published in the Agricultural News.

The stock of cotton at the ports of Great Britain to-day
amounts to 847,550 bales, against 527,900 bales at the close
of 1903, and consists of 765,080 American, 2,370 Brazilian,
44,010 Egyptian, 15,670 Peruvian, ete., and 20,420 East
Indian. (Liverpool Cotton Association ‘Annual Circular,’
December 29, 1904.)

In the annual report on the villages under the control
of the Central Board of Health, British Guiana, the Inspector
states : ‘Complaints about preedial larceny still continue as
bitter as ever. I know of cases where industrious farmers
have abandoned some of their lands rather than plant them
for the benefit of thieves.’

Specimens have been received from the Secretary of the
West India Committee of six sets of the picture post-cards
already referred to in the Agricultural News (Vol. IL, p. 364).
The sets are as follows: (1) West Indian Views, (2) West
Indian Life, (3) Barbados, (4) British Guiana, (5) Jamaica,
and (6) Trinidad. These are sold, in packets of six, price 6d.

The highest point of the market for American cotton
during the year was on February 2, when middling American
was quoted 896d. per Ib. and the lowest point on
December 29, when it was quoted at 3°63d. per Ib. The
average value for middling American for the year is 6-6d.
per Ib. (Liverpool Cotton Association ‘Annual Circular.’)

Mr. C. A. Barber, Government Botanist, Madras, has
recently proved to sugar-cane growers in Godayery that
Ris. 80 an acre can be saved in the cost of cultivation by
adopting the West Indian practice of tying the canes
themseives together, with only an outer support of bamboos,
instead of bamboo supports all through. (Jndian Planting
and Gardening.)

The movement for the extermination of mosquitos at
Antigua, started by the Governor, is progressing. The
object is primarily to disseminate knowledge concerning the
relation of mosquitos to tropical diseases and to induce
people to take active steps towards destroying mosquitos.
Lectures, with magic lantern views, bearing on the subject
are to be given. (West India Committee Circular.)

In the Annual Report on Jamaica for 1903-4 it is
stated as a result of the hurricane of August 1903, there was
more forking and trenching done than there would otherwise
have been, whilst there was a larger planting for the next
spring’s crop than in any previous cee

The new buildings of the East Java Experiment Station
were opened on October 8, 1904, by Mr. V. C. Coster van
Voorhout, President of the directors of the Experiment
Station. A full account of the proceedings, together with
a photograph and plan of the new buildings, is given in
a recent publication of the station.

A recent issue of Jndian Planting and Gardening
contains an article by Mr. H. Maxwell-Lefroy, Entomologist
to the Government of India, on the subject of the danger of
introducing insect pests. He suggests the fumigation of
living plants with hydrocyanic gas, and gives directions for
the use of benzine, carbon bisulphide, ete., by those who have
not facilities for using hydrocyanic gas.

His Majesty’s Consul at Batoum has recently addressed
a letter to the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs relating
to the position of some 50,000 families of Turkish Armenian
tobacco planters who have been ordered to leave the country.
It is suggested that as these people are familiar with all
labour connected with tobacco growing, they might be
a desirable acquisition in colonies requiring skilled labour for
agricultural purposes.

In answer to the question : ‘ What are the advantages of
the shook swarm?’ Mr. W. Z. Hutchinson, a prominent bee
keeper in America, stated at the recent Chicago-Northwestern
Bee Keepers’ Convention that there was no advantage, except
that it put the swarming at a time when the bee keeper
could take care of it. He urged that the colonies be shaken
only when the bees were making preparations to swarm,
(Gleanings in Bee Culture, December 15, 1904.)

The progress and present prospect of Para and Castilloa
rubber should justify the establishment of large Government
plantations in suitable centres, which, in course of time,.
would be a valuable source of seed for general distribution
throughout the protectorate. This would make a provision
for Uganda in the future as a rubber-producing country.
(Report of Director, Scientific and Forestry Department,.
Uganda.)

Jamaica products occupy an important position in the
Christmas fruit trade this season. The famous thin-skinned
oranges from that colony sold for from 10s. to 15s. per case.
Jamaica mandarins are also excellent. In cases of sixty
fruits they have sold for from 10s. to 14s. a case. These:
prices are a good gauge of the estimate placed upon their
quality by trade buyers. It is a pity that more of them are
not to be had for the festive season. No daintier fruit enters.
our ports. (Zhe 7'imes, December 23, 1904.)

The exports of sugar from British Guiana to America
and Canada for the year 1904 were eis bags ; and for
the same period to Europe 161,698 bags, 2, 289° hogsheads,
11,931 puncheons of molasses, and 1,357 barrels of rum.
The crop for the year 1904 is about 24,000 tons short of
that of the previous year, but the better prices obtained, as-
the sugar season advanced, have more than outweighed this.
deficiency. (Messrs. Wieting & Richter’s ‘Market Report,”
January 12, 1905.)

Won. IV. No. 73. THE

AGRICULTURAL NEWS. 29

WEST INDIAN PRODUCTS.

Drugs and Spices in the London Market.

The following report, dated December 8, 1904, on
the position of drugs and spices on the London market,
has been furnished by Mr. J. R. Jackson, A.L.S. :—

The dullness of the drug sales that has prevailed so long
‘appears to have become chronic, and there seems at present
very little prospect of any change for the better. Indeed,
with the Christmas season close upon us, we can scarcely
expect much attention to be given to drugs until trade
settles down again into its normal channels after the holidays.
For the moment, at the approach of Christmas, more business
would naturally be expected in the spice trade, but at these
sales nothing worthy of comment has occurred. In short,
the Mincing Lane trade generally during the month has been
very inactive; the chief point of interest indeed was the
rise in the price of sugar which has entirely taken possession
of the minds, not only of those immediately connected with
the trade, but also of the consumer generally. For the
moment sugar is the all-absorbing topic which, when the
British taxpayer has had his grumble, will subside and the
extra $d. per tb. which is now being charged in the retail
trade, will be paid as cheerfully as the lower figure has
been hitherto. Considering the spice trade first, we record
the following figures connected with it.

GINGER.

The month of November opened with the sale on the
2nd. with the offering of about 200 packages of Jamaica and
about 700 packages of Cochin and Calicut. Of the former,
61 parcels of Jamaica were sold at prices from 29s, to
31s. 6d. per ewt. for common to good common; and the
whole of the other offerings were bought in. A week later,
the supplies offered were very small, no Jamaica being
amongst them, and 17 bags only of Cochin meeting with
purchasers at 20s. for small and medium washed-rough.
On the 16th. a quiet tone still prevailed and still no
Jamaica was offered; privately it was stated that fine
qualities were scarce, notwithstanding that there were large
stocks, which consisted chiefly of middling qualities com-
manding prices from 31s. 6d. to 32s. Of 690 bags of
Cochin offered 150 sold, including fair brown Calicut, 21s. ;
and wormy washed, 17s.; good native cut being bought in
at 40s. On the 23rd., again no Jamaica was offered, but
a small quantity of unassorted cut Cochin sold at 46s. On
the 30th., being of course the last sale of the month, out of
156 barrels of Jamaica offered, 86 were disposed of at the
following rates :—Fair bright, 37s. ; fair common, 30s. ; and
common, 27s. to 29s. The small quantities of Cochin and
Calicut offered did not meet with purchasers.

SARSAPARILLA.

At the drug auction on November 10, 19 bales of
grey Jamaica were offered and sold for 1s. 2d. per tb.
without consideration of quality; 11 packages of native
Jamaica were shown, but no public sale was effected; 9d.
per lb. was the price asked for fair medium native red, and
103d. was obtained for 8 bales of coarse lean and chumpy
Lima Jamaica. On the 24th. grey Jamaica sold at about 1d.
per tb. cheaper; 24 bales of Lima Jamaica were offered and 10
were sold, for medium coarse and part chumpy 103d. being
realized; 7 bales of native Jamaica were also offered, but
were bought in at 8/. to 84d. for ordinary dull red. At the
same sale 11d, per th. was realized for one seron of Honduras.

ARROWROOT,

On November 4, at the spice auction, 0 barrels of good
manufacturing St. Vincent were disposed of at 14d. per bb.
On the 16th., a very large number of packages of St. Vincent
were offered only 10 of which, ‘Rex’ brand, sold at 3d., while
at the same auction 8 kegs of Bermuda were disposed of at
1s. 5d. per Ib. On the 23rd., fair manufacturing realized 14d.
per tb. and sold to the extent of 20 barrels, while at the last
auction, on the 30th., all the offerings were bought in.

KOLA NUTS.

Throughout the month kola nuts have maintained
a steady price. In the middle of the month West Indian
were quoted at 3d. to 3$d., and at the same sale some extra
bold, bright washed sold at 43¢., some rather darker in
colour at 4d., and some slightly mouldy 3d. per Ib. On the
23rd., some small lots of West Indian were sold at the same
rates as those quoted above, viz., 3d. to 3}d., and 6 packages
of small to bold bright West Indian were disposed of at 33d.,
and dullish at 3d. to 34d. Two bags of good small West
African from St. Thomé were also sold at 5d. per hb.

PIMENTO, NUTMEGS, MACE, ETC.

Of pimento there was a good supply throughout
the month and only a quiet demand, prices being
fairly steady at 23d. to 24d. for fair ; 23d. for greyish, and
21d. for ordinary mixed. On the last day of the month
a slightly firmer tone prevailed, the quantity disposed of
being 270 bags.

Nutmegs and mace had both a quiet steady sale through
the month, the former commanding somewhat lower rates than
in the previous month. At the last auction about 500
packages of West Indian were sold at from about $d. to 1d.
per Ib. less than previous rates, owing to the condition being
wormy, and a large proportion consisting of long nuts.

At the commencement of the month there was only
a steady demand for mace, at the sale on the 16th., however,
a good supply of West Indian was disposed of at fair prices,
including Is. 9d. for fine pale. On the 30th., the following
were the quotations for 70 packages of West Indian: good
bold pale, 1s. 6d. ; fair, 1s. 3d. to 1s. 4d. ; ordinary, ls. 2¢.,
and 113d. to 1s. 1d. for pickings.

Of other products of West Indian origin, 3 cases of
distilled lime oil were offered and sold at 1s. 3d. per tb. and
2 tins of good quality papaw juice from Montserrat were
bought in at 10s. per Ib., 5s. being refused.

CARRIACOU LAND SETTLEMENT SCHEME.

The following note on the Land Settlement Scheme
at Carriacou appeared in the Bourd of Trade Journal
of December 22, 1904 :—

Adverting to the notice published in the Board of Trade
Journal of January 29, 1903, respecting a scheme for the
establishment of peasant proprietors in Carriacou, the report
on Grenada for the year 1903 states that so far, at all events,
it may be claimed that the scheme has been a complete
success, and with it a new era has opened for Carriacou. On
October 1, 1904, an Ordinance came into operation which
constitutes Carriacou and the adjacent islets (the largest of
which, Petit Martinique, has a thriving community of about
900 souls) a district of the colony, and vests its local
administration in a Resident Commissioner. The first holder
of this office, Mr. G. Whitfield Smith, besides possessing
considerable practical experience in the West Indies, has the
advantage of special training in the Imperial Department of
Agriculture, of which he was for some years the Travelling
Superintendent.

THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.

JanuaRy 28, 1905.

MARKET REPORTS.

London,— January 3, 1905. Messrs. J. Haves Cairp «&

Co., Messrs. Knarron, Preer & Co., Messrs. E. A.
pE Pass & Co., ‘THe West Iyp1a ComMirree Crr-
cutar’; ‘Tue Liverroot Corron Association
WeexLy Crrcunar,’ December 29, 1904; and
‘Toe Puptic LepcEr, December 31, 1904.

Ators—Barbados, 15/- to 35/- ; Curagoa, 15/- to 87/6 per ewt.

Arrowroot—St. Vincent, 1jd. per tb.

Batara—Demerara sheet, 1/10; Venezuela block, 1/4
per Tb.

BreEs’-wax—£7 to £7 10s. per ewt.

Cacao—Trinidad, 55/- to 63/- per ewt. ; Grenada, 52
to 55/- per cwt.; Dominica, 50,- to 53/- per ewt. ;
Jamaica, 48/- to 53/6 per ewt.

Carpamoms—Mysore, 7}d. to 2/- per Ib.

Corree—Jamaica, good ordinary, 40/- to 41/- per ewt.

Corron—West Indian Sea Island, inedium fine, 123d. ; fine,
133d. ; extra fine, 15hd. per th.

Fruir—

Bananas—4/- to 5/6 per barrel.
Grave Fruir—6/- per case.
OrancEes—6/- to 7/6 per case.
PINE-APPLES—-Jamaica, 4. to Gd. cach.

Fusric—£3 10s. to £4 per ton.
Gixcer—Jamaica, fair bright, 37 - ;
ordinary, 27/- to 30/- per cwt.
Honey—Jamaica, 17/- to 22/- per ewt.
Isryerass—West Indian lump, 2/5 to 2/8; cake, 1/3 per th.

Koia Nuts—4d. to 6d. per th.

Lime Jurce—-Raw, 9d. to 1/- per gallon; concentrated,
£13 15s. per cask of 108 gallons.

Live Or—Distilled, 1/3 per tb. ; hand-pressed, 2/6 to 2/9
per lb.

Loawoon —£4 2s. 6d. to £5; Roots, £4 to £4 10s. per ton.

Mace—Bold pale, 1/6; red, 1/1 to 1/2; broken, 1/-
to 1/1 per th.

Nirravre or Sopa—Agricultural, £11 per ton.

Nurmecs-—67’s, 1/8; 86's, 10d. ; 143’s, dd. per th.

Pimento—2hd. per tb.

Rum—Demerara, 114d. to 1s. 1d. per proof gallon ; Jamaica,
1s. 10d. per proof gallon.

Sarsaparttta—74d. to 1/2 per tb.

Sucar—Yellow crystals, 21/ to 23/- per ewt. ; Muscovado,
Barbados, 18/- to 18/6 per ewt. ; Molasses, 15/- to 18/-
per cwt.

SunpHate or AMMoNIA—£13 7s. 6d. per ton.

}

ordinary to go vl

Montreal,—December 9, 1904.—Mr. J. Russert Murray.

(In bond quotations, c. & f.)

Bananas—No quotations.

Crepar—No quotations.

Cocoa-nurs— Jamaica, $26-00 to $28:00 ; Trinidad, $2200

to $2400 per M.

Correr—Jamaica, medium, 9c. to 9}c. per Th.

Giycer—Jamaica, unbleached, 6}c. to 7$c. per Ib.

Mo.ascurr—Demerara, $1°32 per 100 tb.

Motasses—Barbados, 27ce. to 29e.; Antigua, 28c. per

Imperial gallon.

MNurmecs—Grenada, 110’s, 19¢. per tb.

Ornances—Jamaica, $3°60 per barrel ; Dominica, $375

per barrel : $1°75 per box (duty paid).

Prirento—Jamaica, 5c. to 6c. per th.

Pixe-appLes—No quotations.

Svucar—Grey Crystals, 96°, $3°40 to $3°54 per 100 tb.
—Muscovados, 89°, $3°10 to $320 per 100 tb.
—Molasses, 89°, $2°‘75 to $2°85 per 100 th.
—Barbados, 89°, $2°85 to $2°95 per 100 tb.

New York,—December 23, 1904.—Messrs. GILLESPIE

Bros. & Co.

Cacao—Caracas, 12c. to 13c. ; Dominica. lle. to 114ec. ;
Grenada, 114c. to 11}c.; Trinidad, 12c. to 13$c. per tb.
(ex store).

Cocoa-Nuts—Trinidads, $25-00 to $26-00 per M., selected 5.
Jamaicas, $26°00 to $28°00 per M.

CorreE—Fair to good ordinary, 8c. to 93c. per tb.

Goat Skixs—Jamaicas, 59e. to 60c. per Tb.

Grave Frurr—Jamaicas, 1°50 per barrel.

Orances—Jamaica, $3°00 to $3°50 per barrel (stem cut).

Pimento—4je. per th.

Sucar—Centrifugals, 96°, 4%c.; Muscovados, 89°, 4c. ;.
Molasses, 89°, 44c. per Tb.

INTER-COLONIAL MARKETS.

Barbados,—January 14, 1905.—Messrs. T. S. Garra-

way & Co., and Messrs. James A. Lyneu & Co.

Arrowroor—St. Vincent, $3°40 to $3°75 per 100 th.

Cacao—Dominica, $11°00 per 100 tb.

Cocoa-Nurs—$9:00 per M. for husked nuts.

CorreE—$10:00 to $12°00 per 100 tb.

Hayv—0e. to 95e. per 100 th.

Manunes— 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), $400 per 100 fb. (retail).

Poraros, ENGiisH-- $2°40 per 160 tb. (retail).

Rice—Ballam, $4°80 to $4°85 per bag (190 tb.) ; Patna,
$3°25 per 100 th.

British Guiana,—January 12, 1905.—Messrs. Wrerine

& RicHTER.

Arrowroor—St. Vincent, $7°50 to $8-00 per barrel.

3anaraA—Venezuela block, 25c.; Demerara sheet, 35c.
per th.

Cacao—Native, 12c. to 13c. per tb.

Cassava SrarcH—$5'75 per barrel.

Cocoa-Nuts—$10°00 to $12°00 per M.

CorreE—Rio and Jamaica, 14c. per tb. (retail).

—Creole, lle. per th.

Duat— $4°30 to $4°40 per bag of 168 th.

Eppors—$1°68 per barrel.

Morasses—Vacuum Pan yellow, 17e. to 18c. per gallon
(casks included).

Ontons—Lisbon, $4°50 per 100 tb. (ex store).

Pea Nors—American, 6c. to 64c. per th. (retail).

PrLanrarys—28c. to 40c. per bunch.

Botanos, ee to $2°40; picked, $2°50 per
yALVel.

Rice—Ballam, $4°35 to $4:40 per 177 Tb. ; Creole, $5-00
per white bag.

Sweer Poraros—Barbados, $1°20 per bag.

TANNIAS—$1°68 per barrel.

Yams—White, $2°04 per bag.

Sucar—Dark Crystals, $3°125 to $3:16; Yellow, $3°75 to
$4:10 ; White, $4°50 to $5°00; Molasses, $2°75 to
$300 per 100 tb. (retail).

Timper—Greenheart, 32c. to 55c. per cubic foot.

Watiana Sumcies—$3'00, $3°75, and $5°00 per M.

Trinidad,—January 12, 1905.—Messrs. Gorpon, Grant

& Co. ; and Messrs. Epcar Tripp & Co,
Cacao—Ordinary $11°70 to $12°00; Estates, $12:10 te-
$12-°25; Venezuelan, $12:25 to $1260 per fanega
(110 th.). ¥
Cocoa-Nuts—$20-00 per M., f.o.b.
Cocoa-Nuv O1.—75e. per Imperial gallon (casks included).
Correr—Venezuelan, 8c. to 9c. per tb.
Corra— $3°15 to $3°25 per 100 tb.
Ontons—Stringed Madeira, $4:00 per 100 tb. (retail).
Poratos, ENGLisH—$1°30 to $1°35 per 100 tb.
Rice—Yellow, $4°25 to $4:40; White Table, $4°60 to.
$5°50 per bag.
Svcar—No., 38, $2:25 to $2°75 per 100 ib.

Vou. IV. No. 73. THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS. 3Y

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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PAMPHLET SERIES.

The Pamphlets are written in a simple and popular manner and the information contained in them is especially
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(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, 4hd.

(6) Recipes for cooking Sweet Potatos. Price 2d, Post free, 23d.

(7) Scale Insects of the Lesser Antilles, Part I. Price 4d. Post free,
(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, 24d.

(15) Plain Talk to Small Owners. Price 2d. Post free, 24d.

(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, 24d.

(19) Seedling and other Canes at B arbados, 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, 24d.

22) Scale Insects of the Lesser Antilles, Part II. Price 4d. Post free, 5d.

=)
Ss
NN

(23) Notes on Poultry in the West Indies. Price 4d. Post free, 5d.

(24) Dominica, Hints to Settlers. Price 2d. Post free, 23d.

(25) Ground Nuts in the West Indies. Price 2d. Post free, 24d.

(26) Seedling and other Canes at Barbados, in 1903. Price 4d. Post free, 5d.

(27) Seedling and other Canes in the Leeward Islands, 1902-1903. Price 2d. Post free, 23d.

(28) Barbados and Porto Rico Molasses. Price 3d. Post free, 34d.

(29) Lectures on the Diseases of the Sngar-cane. Price 4d. Post free, 5d.

(30) Manurial Experiments with Sugar-cane in the Leeward Islands, 1902-3. Price 4d, Post free, 5d.
(31) A. B. C. of Cotton Planting. Price 4d. Post free, 5d.

(32) Seedling and other Canes at Barbados, in 1904. : 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
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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 ‘ Agricult ural 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. he subscription price, including postage,
is ls. 7}d. 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. A// 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 Wust Inpra Commitrer, 15, Seething
Lane, London, E.C. Barbados: Messrs. Bowen & Sons, Bridgetown. Jamaica: Tur Epucarionsn Suppiy
‘Company, 16, King St., Kingston. British Guiana: ‘Daily Chronicle’ Office, Georgetown. Trinidad: Messrs. Mutr,
Marswatn & 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. Lucia: Mrs. Borman, Bridge Street,
Castries. Dominica - Messrs. C. F. Duverney & Co., Market St., Roseau. Montserrat : Mr. W. LLEWELLYN Watt, Plymouth.
Antigua: Mr. 8. D. MAtons, St. John’s. St. Kitt’s: Messrs. 8. L. Horsrorp & Co., Basseterre. Vevis: Mr. 8. D. MALONE,
Charlestown. Bahamas : Wesleyan Methodist Book Concern, Nassau,

32 THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.

JANUARY 28, 1905..

THE BEST MANURES FOR COLONIAL USE

ee ACE

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:
[85. ] Barbados Agents :

15, Leadenhall Street, London, E.C.
Messrs. James A. Lynch & Co., Bridgetown.

JOURNAL [JOURNAL D'AGRIGULTURE TROPICALE. | TROPICALE.

A Monthly Illustr: ed Review, published in French,
de: ding with all matters connected with
Tropical Agriculture.

PARIS: M. Vilbouchevitch,

10, rue Delambre.

Subscription price: 20 francs per annwn.

Agents : London, W. Dawson & Sons, Ltd., Bream’s
Building x8, EC, : New York, G. E. Stehert, 9, East 16th.
Street : Trinidad, D:. A. Majani ; Cuba, Solloso ; Hayti,
J Louis Coicou, Port-au-Prince Coicou, Port-au-Prince.

Le ee
By J. H. HART, FLS.
NEW EDITION.

A treatise on the cultivation, curing and chemistry of

COMMERCIAL CACAO.

DAVIDSON & TODD, Trinidad.
Wm. WESLEY & Co., 28, Essex St:,; London.

Price 3s. ‘per copy.

THE

INDIA COMMITTEE CIRCULAR

(Published fortnightly).

THE OFFICIAL ORGAN

THE WEST INDIA COMMITTEE

(Estab: cirea 1760. Incorporated by
Royal Charter August 4, 1904.)

Edited by the Secretary.

WEST

Containing a Review of the Work of the West India Com-
mittee, Notes on West Indian Affairs, Statistics as to
Cacao, Sugar, Molasses and Rum, Coffee, Cotton,
gies . Mace, Pimento, Ginger, Arrowroot, Lime
Juice, cae etc., Home Arrivals and Departures by
the Mail Steamers, ete.

To Members Free of charge.
To others, Subscription £1 1s, per annum.
Single Copies 1s.

Published at—

~ THE WEST INDIA COMMITTEE ROOMS,

15, Seething Lane,
London, E.C. |

Gentes a Office a peren et Te orter, 4, Hig “A Street, Bridgetown, Barbados,

-

GENS

A FORTNIGHTLY REVIEW

OF

THE

IMPERIAL DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE FOR THE WEST INDIES.

Vou. IV. No. 74.

CONTENTS.
PAGE. PAGE.
Agricultural Education Insect Notes :—
ateBarbados <2. :.-. o9 Coffee Scale Insect ... 42
Agricultural Shows, Forth- Gall material, Directions
coming : .. 40 for preserving ... ... 42

Hardbacks ... ... ... 42
Lectures in Economic
Cine ’ Botany boa, MGSCmEeEe 42

Disease ot . hee Limes, Seedless Sai SKS 36

German Colonies .... ... 3 vara GL UES Eee

Tosquitos and Malaria ... 41
Mosquitos in St. Lucia ... ¢
tion. 1905. Nitrogen-fixing Organisms 41
Goins Telercevet a Notes and Comments ... 40

Barbados... ... .. ... 87 | Oar a oe

Cai as We a, House, Garden and -

Exhibits of Colonial- [URES 2:

STOW) ses 20) Geeenoll eum Pictures of the

Prospects of Crop... ... 37 | pps es one en rs

Sea Island Market 37 | re ee Brie 45

Siaomeueeonm Wea 1e Book of Trinidad... 45

Perel ek ae ern 40)]| uD bemaee ;
Goiton,Sead for 1905) 3. 33 | | ovaee ae... 43
Cuba, Agriculture in.. 40 Road-side Planting of ... 39

ae tg Sa iae ee Spraying, Importance of... 35
Sugar Industry :—

sarbados Molasses Crop 34

Tanufacture of Molas-

Arbor Day for Barbados ... 38
Arrowroot, St. Vincent ... 45

SWULMGSENI oo) edo bon oon Oi
Colonial and Indian Exhibi-

iY)
o9 ¢

Date Palms in Jamaica ... 3
Department News sae
Dominica Botanic Station,

Supply of Budded CULty Comte Gace, gnc. 30
Plants from .. .. 39 Surinam, Exportsof ... 41

Vanilla Cultivation... ... 3

West Indian Bulletin ... 41

West Indian Products :—
Canadatawemeerg) src. <<
Tondonteeeeset ees § 2-646

Fungoid Diseases :—
Coral-spot Disease
Tomatos, Bacterial

Disease of ... ... ... 43

Gleanings ... ... ... ... 44

Cotton Seed for 1905.

AST year arrangements were made by the
Imperial Department of Agriculture to

obtain cotton seed of good quality from one

BARBADOS, FEBRUARY 11, 1905.

Price ld.

of the best plantations in the Sea Islands for distribu-
tion to planters in the West Indies at cost price.

The total quantity of seed imported was 35,700 tb.
In order to prevent the possibility of insect or fungoid
pests being introduced, all the seed was carefully dis-
infected beforehand and it was distributed under such
conditions as were likely to yield the best results.

The average cost of seed sufficient to plant one
acre (6 tb.) was about 15d. ‘In the Island
cotton districts the cost of selected seed for sowing is
placed at 54c. to 58c. (or at the rate of 2s. 3d. to
2s, 5d.) per acre. In Egypt it is placed at50e. (2s. 1d.)
per acre. Hence for an estate of 50 acres, seed of the
best Sea Island cotton was placed at the disposal of
planters in the West Indies for a little over £3, as
against £5 12s. in the Sea Islands and £5 4s, in Egypt.

Sea

In one or two localities we understand the opinion
has been expressed that the seed was ‘ mixed’ and that
it had not the appearance of Sea Island cotton seed of
‘good crop’ quality. Apparently this misconception
arose from the fact that some of the seeds presented
appearance and approached, on
a cursory glance, some of the characteristics of
‘Upland’ cotton seed. As against the possibility of
the seed being ‘mixed’ or having been tampered with
in any way, we have in the first place to consider the
high character of the proprietor of the plantation
on which the seed was produced, and the assurance that
the seed was true Rivers’ Seed, and _ identical
with what he planted himself. We have next the
expert opinion expressed by Mr, E. Lomas Oliver that
all the samples raised from Rivers’ seed examined by

a slightly ‘fuzzy’

34 THE

AGRICULTURAL NEWS.

Fresruary 11, 1905.

him exhibited the characteristics of true Rivers’
cotton which had been purchased by his firm for the
last fifty years and was well known to him, Further,
we may refer to the experience of Mr. Carter Rey, of
Anguilla, (quoted in the last issue of the Agricultural
News, p. 21) who states: ‘I have not been able to
discover a single mixed variety in the fields planted
with Rivers’ seed ; it is also notable that this cotton is
more vigorous than the local variety.’ Similar informa-
tion has been received from other sources; whereas in
no case has any planter shown that lint obtained from
Rivers’ seed, when carefully dealt with, has failed to
reach the standard of good commercial Sea Island
cotton.

In order to afford a still further and what should
be regarded as a conclusive test of the merits of
Rivers’ seed distributed last year, all the slightly
‘fuzzy’ seeds were, in one instance, removed and sown
by themselves. The plants raised from these supposed
inferior seeds have since matured and they have
produced a crop of cotton with the characteristics both
in lint and seeds of true Rivers’ cotton.

The final test will be the prices which will be
obtained for cotton raised from Rivers’ seed as
compared with cotton raised from other seeds, We
hope to refer to these later. In the meantime, the
important point to settle is what kind of cotton seed is
desirable to plant in these colonies for the crop of next
season.

There can be no doubt that it must be Sea Island
cotton seed, either imported or grown locally. The
present position of the cotton market, where Upland
cotton is quoted at less than 4d. per th., leaves the
planter no alternative but to continue to plant Sea
Island cotton. The price of this has also fallen to
some extent, but if, as is possible, good Sea Island
cotton is likely to obtain about 1s. per tb.—more or
less, according to the quality of the fibre—the profit to
the planter should not be less than 5d. to 6d. per
pound. In addition, the seed used for feeding purposes
on the spot would be worth at the rate of about £2 an
acre. The details on which these returns are based
are given in A.B.C. of Cotton Planting, p. 14.

What kind of seed

next

To return to the question:
should be planted during the season. In
localities where Rivers’ seed only has been planted, and
the bushes have been maintained in good health and
have yielded satisfactory crops, those who are prepared
to undertake the risk might plant entirely with the
local seed; but those who are desirous of keeping up

their reputation for first-class cotton are advised to retain
a sufficient quantity of local seed for planting, say, one
half of the area proposed to be placed under cotton
next season and to obtain a fresh supply of Rivers’ seed
for the other half. This would be the safest course to
the loss, if any, from the use of the
local seed would be counterbalanced by the probable
gain from the new seed. It would also carry out the
idea of gradually acclimatizing Sea Island cotton so as
to produce a variety exactly suited to the conditions
existing in the West Indies.

adopt, as

In all localities where more than one kind of seed
been used, and where cross-fertilization has
probably taken place, or where the results have not
been entirely satisfactory, it is recommended that all
the seed planted in 1905 should be imported seed.

has

As announced in the last issue of the <Agri-
cultural News (p. 24), the Imperial Department of
Agriculture is prepared to assist the cotton industry
by making arrangements to procure a fresh supply of
Rivers’ Sea Island cotton seed to be delivered early this
year, Those who desire a supply of this seed, which
will be charged at cost price (5c. or 23d. per tb.),
are desired to communicate, without delay, with the
officers of the Department in the colonies in which
they reside.

In each case payment will be required before-

hand. The seed will be disinfected on arrival
and delivered in quantities to suit applicants.
It is proposed to receive applications for new

Rivers’ seed up to March 18 next. After that date no
applications for new Rivers’ seed can be entertained by
the Department.

SUGAR

Barbados Molasses Crop.

We reproduce from the Barbados Globe of January
25 the following review of the report of a Committee
appointed by the Barbados Agricultural Society for
the purpose of obtaining an estimate of the molasses
crop :—

At the meeting of the Barbados Agricultural Society on
October 28, Professor d’Albuquerque expressed the opinion
that the fall in prices of molasses last season was due to the
erroneous estimate made owing to the lack of statistics, and
he strongly recommended that the Society should take steps
to form a fairly correct estimate this year. The suggestion

Vou. IV. No. 74.

THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS. 35

was adopted, and a Committee was appointed for the purpose,
and also to fix an opening price for molasses. On Friday
last the Committee handed in its estimate which places the
crop of sugar at 45,000 hhds., and of molasses at 30,000
puns. The opening price of molasses the Committee fixed
at l7c., package included. This is not a final price. The
Committee does not pretend to determine absolutely the
market, nor does it represent any combine for that purpose.
The opening price merely represents the figure below which,
looking to ordinary conditions of demand and_ supply,
molasses, in the opinion of the Committee, should not go. In
other words, it is a valuable indication to the planter of what
may be regarded as the legitimate price of his product, and
has no bearing on any rise which might be brought about by
speculation or later crop developments, or on any depression
of the market which a.combination of buyers may be able to
effect.

Manufacture of Molascuit.

The following is extracted from an article in the
Demerara Argosy of January 14 :—

There can be no doubt that the manufacture of molascuit
is making very satisfactory progress in British Guiana. The
average price paid in England during the past six months
was £4 per ton. In order to produce 1 ton of molascuit
ahout 130 gallons of molasses, of a density of 44° to 46°
Beaumé, are required, in addition to the megass meal, which
is obtained by sifting the megass as it passes from the rollers,
which have crushed the canes, to the furnace. The average
cost of manufacture, including packages, local freight,
lighterage, and other incidental charges, is $4°50 per ton.
To this must be added the cost of home freight, royalties,
commission, ete., which averages about $7 per ton. This
leaves net proceeds to the manufacturer of $7-70 [£1 12s. ]
per ton, equal to very nearly 6c. per gallon for the molasses
used.

There are at the present time forty-five estates in this
colony making sugar, but only a few of the larger estates are
equipped with a plant for the manufacture of molascuit. It
is a peculiar feature of this product that it can be made
entirely by hand labour without the aid of machinery ; but,
whereas the average cost of hand manufacture is 10s. per
ton, with a special plant of machinery the cost can be reduced
to 60c. per ton. Molascuit as made here consists of about
75 per cent. by weight of molasses and about 25 per cent. by
weight of megass meal. The mixed product contains from
50 to 55 per cent. of sugar and about 13 per cent. of
moisture.

BOTANIC STATION, DOMINICA.

Supply of Budded Plants.

The following notice, dated January 14, 1905, has
been inserted in the Dominica Official Gazette :-—

Owing to the length of time required to bud and
grow orange plants for sale, it is necessary that the Botanical
Department should know early what number of budded
plants are required for the coming season. terse yest

Planters requiring supplies of budded citrus stocks for
delivery during the latter half of the present year are
requested to send their orders to the Botanic Station not
later than February 10.

No orders for budded plants for delivery during 1905
will be received after the date mentioned.

THE IMPORTANCE OF SPRAYING.

The following directions with regard to spraying

diseased plants with insecticides and fungicides
are extracted from a recent bulletin of the Cornell
University :—

It should be remembered that in all cases success is
dependent on the exercise of proper judgement in making
applications. Prevention in the case of fungous diseases
should be the watchword. Plant diseases are rarely cured,
but they can frequently be prevented. Know the enemy to
be destroyed, know the remedies that are most effective, and
apply at the proper season. Be prompt, thorough, and
persistent. Knowledge and good judgement are more
necessary to success than any definite rules.

Spraying is an insurance. Spraying is no longer an
experiment. It is an accepted practice, as tillage, pruning,
and fertilizing are. It may not be necessary to spray every
year, but the farmer should be prepared to spray every year.
In case of doubt spray. See that pumps and rigs are in
working order before ploughing time comes. Order your
materials. ‘ Be ready.’

There is no one best pump or nozzle. There are best
devices for particular kinds of work, depending on the size of
the plants to be sprayed, the kind of spray to be used, and the
extent of the operations. Get a good pump, one that works
easily and smoothly, and is strong enough to make a fine
spray when two lines of hose and four nozzles are used, if it
is designed for field work ; it is economy in the end. Look
over the horticultural papers for advertisements of spraying
outfits, and write for circulars. Power pumps are bccoming
more popular each year.

MOSQUITOS IN ST. LUCIA.

The following extract from a report by .Dr. St.
George Gray, Colonial Assistant Surgeon in St. Lucia,
on the conveyance of disease by mosquitos, is instruc-
tive as indicating that an effort is being made in that
island towards the extermination of these pests :—

Another dangerous place is the drain running into the
northern end of the Botanic Gardens. I believe that this
drain is the source of most of the malaria occurring at
Barnardville and along the Darling Road. Morne Fortune
abounds in anopheles pools which keep the Military Hospital
well supplied with cases of malarial fever. There is a drain
at the back of the village of Anse-la-Raye, which, at times,
swarms with the larvae of anopheles. I have already
mentioned this drain in my report.

Another notoriously unhealthy place was the Union
estate at the beginning of the year, when work on the new
buildings of the Agricultural School was commenced. At
that time not a week passed without from two to four or
more of the workmen being down with malignant malarial
fever. Towards the end of April I visited the works with
Mr. Mountjoy, the Architect, and found that the old estate
canal was a typical breeding-place for anopheles. This and
similar places were at once drained, and other pools filled in.
Since then there has not been a single case of malarial fever
originating on the estate. Just before the school opened, I
went over the grounds with Mr. J. C. Moore, the Agricultural
Superintendent, who has continued the work of draining and
filling in of ail useless collections of water, and I could not
find a single mosquito larva. On the Choe estate, only
a short distance away, and where there is still a great deal
of malarial fever, I found numerous anopheles larvae, as well
as those of other mosquitos,

36 THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.

Fesruary 11, 1905.

ivVESF INDIAN FRUIT:
SEEDLESS LIMES.

The Hon. W. H. Porter writes from Dominica as
follows in reference to seedless limes :—

I observed in the Agricultural News (Vol. IL, p. 412)
a paragraph to the effect that the Superintendent of the

Royal Botanic Gardens at Trinidad will supply Botanic
Stations with plants of the seedless variety of lime as soon
as stock is available.

It may interest readers of the Agricultural News to learn
that seedless lime plants are being propagated at the Botanic
Station here from budwood supphed from my _ property,
where a vigorous tree of this description has recently been
discovered, and should a demand for plants arise it will
doubtless be possible in a year or two to supply them in
large numbers, here as well as at Trinidad.

DATE PALMS IN JAMAICA.

The following note from the Annual Report of the
Director of Public Gardens and Plantations in Jamaica
refers to the collection of Algerian date palms at Hope
Gardens, of which mention was made in the West
Indian Bulletin, Vol. V, pp. 147-8 :—

The collection of date palms is in excellent condition.
The plants have been regularly irrigated, and they have been
constantly sprayed with Bordeaux mixture to stamp out the
date fungus disease (Graphiola phoenicis).

The following numbers flowered from March to August
1908, all being females:—Nos. 182, 186, 187, 189, 191,
194, 195.

The following numbers flowered during February 1904,
all being male plants:—Nos. 193, 196—(3_ specimens).
The flower clusters of the male plants have been saved to
enable us to pollinate any female flowers that may appear
later in the year.

A DISEASE OF CACAO.

The following note on a disease of cacao trees

(Diplodia cacaoicola) appeared in the Bulletin of

Miscellaneous Information, Trinidad, for January :—

This name has been given to a destructive fungus which
attacks the pods of Zheobroma cacao and destroys them. It
was found some years since in some of the Windward Islands,
but, up to a recent date, it had not actually been detected in
Trinidad. A few weeks since, however, a pod was sent to
this office infected with a fungus, which, on reference to
authorities, has been provisionally determined as Diplodia
cacaoicola. So far, however, the disease has not appeared to

be prevalent or likely to do any considerable amount of
damage ; but it will be wise to take steps to prevent its
spread wherever it appears.

The measures laid down in various papers for the
control of the more common Phytophthora omnivora are also
effective for this disease, viz., the collecting and destroying
of all diseased pods, and the burying or burning of the
empty ‘shells’ when the beans are extracted. This process
of control is, I am pleased to record, now being carried out on
many of the best Trinidad estates with successful results.
In one case a prominent planter who has adopted it for some
time past has stated it to be highly successful, and that it
has resulted in saving a very large proportion of his crop for

1904.

CACAO INDUSTRY OF SURINAM.

The following extract from the Consular Report
on the trade of Dutch Guiana for the year 1903 refers
to the unsatisfactory condition of the cacao industry in
consequence of the serious character of the ‘ Witch
Broom’ disease :—

The cacao industry which was the most important in
the colony, showed no improvement during the year, the
total crop being 2,020 tons, against 2,187 tons in the
previous year and 3,004 tons in 1901. The prospects of the
industry are very far from bright; many of the proprietors
were unable to provide work for their indentured labourers,
and had not the Government been able to employ a large
number of them on the railway construction, the state of
things would have proved disastrous to many of the
proprietors and to the colony generally. In the meanwhile,
of course, the cacao on these plantations suffers, and unless
the disease dies out of itself the prospects are most dismal,
as these under-cultivated estates act as nurseries for the
disease and spread infection to their more fortunate
neighbours.

The exports of this article from Surinam during the
last few years have been as follows: 1901, 3,163 tons,
valued at £192,445; 1902, 2,355 tons, £135,423; 1903,
2,224 tons, £116,795.

It may be mentioned that at the recent Con-
ference at Trinidad Dr. van Hall, the Director of
Agriculture for the Dutch West Indian Colonies, gave
the results of his experience with the ‘Witch Broom’
disease, confirming the great loss caused by it to
planters. Spraying experiments had been commenced,
but he could not as yet record any definite results.

Vou. IV. No. 74.

THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS. 37

COTTON INDUSTRY.

Profits of Cotton Growing in Barbados.

In reference to the note on the above subject in
the last issue of the Agricultural News (p. 21), the
following summary of the expenditure and receipts is

likely to be useful in showing clearly the profits

obtained :—

Corn and Cotton.— 2 wel
Cost of cultivation .., zo go O2104 — 108) 14 9
Total receipts Eels .. 2471:84 = 514 19 4
Net profit (22 acres) ... 1,949°90 = 406 4 7
Profit per acre c Soiose selon Ole

Cotton only.—

Profit per acre (9:825— 16 2) 7

Sea Island Cotton Market.

The following is extracted from the latest report,
dated January 21, received from Messrs. H. W. Frost
& Co., of Charleston and Savannah, in regard to the
Sea Isiand cotton market :—

The sales for the week consisted very largely of odd
bags on a basis of fully fine, 23c. ; fine, 21c. ; tinged and
stained, 20c. and 17c., the buying being principally from
England. ‘The unsold stock of about 3,000 bales is composed
chiefly of planters’ crop lots held at 28c. to 30c., for which
there is at present a very limited inquiry. Factors are
very anxious to sell, but are refusing to accept any lower
prices at present. The character of the odd bags coming to
market is tinged and stained, showing the last of the crop,
and very little really sound cotton can be selected. The
Beaufort cotton has been marketed only in a very limited
way, and the owners are very desirous of selling before
shipping.

We quote: stained and tinged, 17c. to 20c.; fine, 21c. ;
fully fine, 23c. to 24c. ; extra fine, 27c. to 28c.; extra-fine
crop lots, 28c. to 30c. ; and extra-extra-fine crop lots at 35c.
to 50c. per tb.

Cuba.

The Consular Report on the trade of Cuba for
1903, dated, Havana, November 5, 1904, contains the
following reference to the prospects of cotton growing
in that island :—

The numerous experiments which have been made down
to the present time, some of them on quite an extensive
scale, have clearly shown that a superior class of cotton can
be raised in Cuba.

The only question which remains to be decided is
whether there is sufficient labour available at reasonable
prices for picking the cotton if planted in considerable
quantity. Should no serious difficulty be experienced in this
direction, there is every reason to expect that the industry
will soon come to be of great importance, and that large
shipments will be made to the United Kingdom, thus
increasing the commercial movement between the two
countries and greatly benefiting the direct carrying trade in
British bottoms.

I should mention that the variety of cotton found to
grow best in Cuba is that known as ‘Sea Island,’ which
is of fine quality and long staple.

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 :—

From St. Vincent, Mr. Sands reports: ‘Favourable
weather having been experienced, picking operations have

“not been kept back, and constant supplies of seed-cotton have

come forward. The Central Cotton Factory has been
continuously at work, and 49 bales of cotton have been
delivered for shipment. The cotton ginned has been well
prepared and appears to be of excellent quality.’

Mr. Shepherd writes from St. Kitt’s that picking was
going on rapidly all over the island, and that on some of the
estates all the cotton had been gathered. Caterpillars had
not been troublesome, and the cotton was too far advanced
for much damage to be done by the leaf-blister mite.
Ginning was going on at Spooner’s Factory and would soon
begin at Stone Fort and Pump Bay Factories.

Mr. Hollings reports that the weather in Nevis had been
abnormally dry since October, but the cotton crop did not
seem to have been adversely affected by the drought, and
picking was at its height.

Mr. Fishlock writes from the Virgin Islands, under date
January 23, that cotton was coming in from Virgin Gorda,
1,666 Ib. of seed-cotton having been delivered in the previous
week. The gin had been running satisfactorily, but the
aermotor worked rather fitfully. In the five days during
which it had worked, 400 tb. of lint had been ginned.

As the result of his visits of inspection to cotton fields
in Antigua, Mr. Patterson reports the prevalence of fungoid
diseases in most of the fields, but that, on the whole, the
plants were giving fair returns.

In Montserrat, also, diseased bolls were to be seen.
Picking was being pressed on, Mr. Jordan states, and
75,000 tb. of seed-cotton had been harvested up to January
16. Satisfaction was being expressed on all sides at the
appearance of the staple obtained from the Rivers’ seed
imported by the Imperial Department of Agriculture. Six
bales (of 400 tb. each) had been shipped from one estate.

Exhibits of Colonial-grown Cotton.

Among the exhibits at the Colonial Produce
Exhibition, opened in Liverpool on January 10, was
a display of colonial-grown cotton provided by the
British Cotton-growing Association, under the super-
vision of Mr. C. M. Wolstenholme. The Teztile
Mercury quotes the descriptions accompanying twelve
specimens, from which we extract the following :—

9.—Grown from native West Indian seed, sold at 63d. ;
value of fair Peruvian at same date, 63d.

10.—Grown from Egyptian seed in Barbados (West
Indies), sold at 63d., August 17, 1904; value of good fair
brown Egyptian at same date, 73d.

11.—Grown from American seed in St. Vincent (West
Indies) sold at 6°54d. ; middling American, same date, 6°54d.

12.—Grown from Sea Island seed in Barbados, sold at
17d. on June 11 last ; value of Sea Island at same date, 17d.

It is also stated :—

The best results in colonial cotton growing have been
obtained in the West Indies. The sample shown at the
Colonial Exhibition from Sea Island seed has a soft and
lustrous appearance, a long and regular staple, is as silky to
the touch as Sea Island, and under the microscope strong and
well-knitted cellular walls are shown, while the natural twist
is perfect.

38 THE AGRICULTURAL

NEWS. Fresruary 11, 1905.

VANILLA INDUSTRY.

The following interesting article on vanilla, by
Mr. J. R. Jackson, A.L.S., appeared in the Gardeners’
Chronicle of December 24, 1904 :—

Some curious facts have recently come to hand regarding
the vanilla cultivation in Tahiti and Mauritius. The exports
from Tahiti to the United States have been declining, appar-
ently from the inferiority of the product. The small trade
that now exists seems to be generally in the hands of
Chinamen, who encourage trade with the natives by accepting
options on the vanilla output, and ultimately receive the
beans in the crudest form and proceed to cure them. The
name Tahiti, as applied to vanilla, is said to be sufficient to
condemn the exports from the colony, and the American
Consul has endeavoured to enlist the interest of the officials
in a plan for compulsory inspection and grading under the
control of the Government. The matter, however, has not
been looked upon favourably by the officials, though it has
by many planters and merchants. The Consul therefore
warns importers of vanilla from Tahiti carefully to examine
any beans that they have reason to suspect of being cured by
Chinese, as these traders are accustomed to pick up beans
that have been rejected by others as totally unfit for market,
soak them in salt water or let them remain for a time in
cocoa-nut oil, and then pack them in the bottoms of tins
containing better grades. Chinamen will buy even mouldy
vanilla pods and mix them with sound ones. It is stated,
however, that there are a few companies of native planters
who are trying to put a high-grade vanilla on the market.

With regard to Mauritius, a better tone accompanies the
information on the cultivation of the plant in that island,
where, it is stated, a Committee was recently appointed to
make recommendations for amending the laws relating to
vanilla. The following notes are gathered from the report of
this Committee: That vanilla grows luxuriantly in Mauritius
and constitutes an important source of revenue. There is
practically no disease on fully-grown plants, and the failures
in certain plantations are mostly due to bad cultivation,
There are some 3,000 vanilla planters in the island, but the
majority of these are small proprietors who have a few plants
in their gardens or orchards. The exports of prepared
vanilla in 1902 amounted to 7,712 tb., and the cultivation is
capable of considerable extension. In spite of care taken to
save the pods, they are subject to the depredations of thieves,
whom, owing to the nature of the product, it is very difficult
to detect. With the view, therefore, of protecting the
planters, it is recommended that stringent regulations be
made for the licensing of all sellers and purchasers of vanilla,
the affixing of a special mark by growers on their green pods,
and the giving of notice to the authorities before vanilla is
gathered. It was also recommended that a special inspector
be appointed for the purpose of reporting on all vanilla
plantations, preparing houses, ete.

In the Seychelles, the vanilla cultivation has for some
time been very successful, and large quantities have been
offered for sale in the London market, mostly realizing good
prices. At the first auction of the year, on January 13, the
quantity of vanilla offered was so large that the sale was not
completed till late on the following day (the 14th.). As
many as 2,860 tins were put up for sale, the total weight of
which was about 15? tons, and constituted a record bulk, the
chief portion being from the Seychelles. Nearly the whole

of this quantity was sold during the two days at fairly good
prices, fine quality realizing from 12s. to 15s. 6d. per Ib.

It is worthy of note, in connexion with the foregoing
remarks, that the fear expressed some years back that the
synthetic production of vanillin would ruin the vanilla
culture, has not yet been fulfilled. The numerous and
increasing uses of vanilla for flavouring purposes in chocolates
and other kinds of confectionery are accountable to a large
extent for the present very large consumption of vanilla.

ARBOR DAY FOR BARBADOS.

The Hon. Forster M. Alleyne, the senior delegate
of the Barbados Agricultural Society at the fifth West
Indian Agricultural Conference, presented a report on
the Conference to the Society at its meeting on
January 27. The following is an extract from the
report in which Mr. Forster Alleyne suggests that
the Agricultural Society should take steps to procure
the observation of Arbor Day in Barbados as has been
done in the other islands :-—

In response to the President, Dr. Watts described how
Arbor Day had been kept in Antigua during the last three
years. The President explained that he did not attach so
much importance to the planting of trees on this day in
connexion with re-afforestation, but he thought it most
valuable to place an object-lesson before the people, and
especially before children, how a tree ought to be
planted and cared for. We have no Arbor Day in Barbados,
and it is worth consideration whether this Society might not
take steps to procure the observance of one. We have many
bare spaces around Bridgetown which would be all the better
for some trees, while if some of our glaring roads could be
transformed into avenues, travelling would become much more
pleasant. ‘Trees might also be planted near the schools in
the country, so that the children might watch and take an
interest in their growth.

CACAO IN THE GERMAN COLONIES.
The following extracts are taken from the

Consular Report on the German Colonies for 1902-3:—

Cacao plantations exist in the Cameroons and in Samoa.
The former show a considerable increase in production, the
latter are not yet sufficiently advanced to allow of export.

The exports from the Cameroons were valued at
£33,907 in 1902 and £27,657 in 1901, or an increase in
1902 of £6,250 worth.

Togoland.—The cultivation of cacao also appears to
prosper, and is extending among the natives in the districts
of Misahéhe and Atakpame. The German Togoland Company
are also devoting attention to cacao cultivation on their
plantations, and seem to have good prospects of success.

The general position of the cacao plantations in the
Bismarck Archipelago and Kaiser Wilhelmsland on January
1, 1903, is 12 productive acres.

Samoa.—The area planted with cacao was almost
doubled within the year and amounted in 1903 to about
2,000 acres, of which, however, only about 124 acres were
sufticiently advanced to yield a crop. Whether cacao planting
will prove a success in Samao is still doubtful. In any case
it requires capital and great perseverance, and the report of
Dr. Wohltmann, the cacao expert who was sent out by the
Colonial Economie Committee, was not altogether encouraging.
The value of the exports was £564 in 1902-3 and £534 in
1901-2, or an increase of £30 worth.

Vout. IV. No. 74.

THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.

39

THE COLONIAL AND INDIAN EXHIBITION,

The plan given below and the explanatory text
appeared in the West India Committee Circular of
October 25, 1904. We are indebted to the courtesy of
the Secretary of the West India Committee for the
privilege of reproducing this :—

The plan below is given to show the space which has
been provisionally allotted to the West India Committee for
the West Indian Court at the Colonial and Indian Exhibition
to be held at the Crystal Palace in 1905. It will be seen
that the space allotted is in a most advantageous position
immediately in front of the central entrance to the Palace

DINING ROOM

:
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:
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2
f
5
E

1905.

Court, occupying an aggregate space of 2,500 square feet.
The co-operation of Rhodesia and British Central Africa has
also been secured.

The issue of the Circular for January 17, 1905,
has the following further note in connexion with this
exhibition :—

A meeting of the General Exhibition Sub-Committee
was held on Wednesday 11.

Correspondence with the various colonies was read, and
hope expressed that some definite decision might soon be

line, Ile

Pian or Prorosep ConontaL AND InpIAN Exutpition, 1905.

[From the West India Committee Circular.]

and adjacent to the centre transept. It is understood that
the corresponding space on the opposite side of the transept
will be allotted to Canada, which will, it is expected, take
a space of no less than 25,000 square feet. India is to be
represented, and the Australian colonies are taking separate
action. Victoria has contracted for 1,500 square feet, and
New South Wales and New Zealand are each arranging to
have 2,500 square feet, and the promoters have also had
hearty encouragement from Australia and Fiji. The West
African colonies will be immediately behind the West Indian

ROAD-SIDE PLANTING OF RUBBER

TREES.

The following is an extract from a letter from the
Administrator, Dominica, to the Imperial Commissioner
of Agricullure, dated December 21, 1904 :-—

I have just been reading the last number of the Ag7v-
cultural News. What an excellent paper it is. It seems to
improve with every number. In connexion with the article
on Road-side planting of Fruit Trees (Vol. III, p. 413) it may
interest you to know that we have followed out that idea
here for some time past. About fifteen months ago I caused
rubber plants of two varieties (Castilloa and Puntumia) to
be set out for a distance of nine miles all along one side of
the Imperial road. The two varieties alternate the whole
way and number about 2,500. They start at an altitude of
1,500 feet, and as the road goes up to 1,800 feet and then
gradually down to 450 feet, we hope to have, in a few years,
a very clear illustration showing at what elevation and under
what conditions, as regards soil and exposure, rubber thrives
best in Dominica. Most of the plants are, already, of good
size and appear to be flourishing. Generally speaking,
Castilloa seems to be best, as the Yuntumia, though very
vigorous does not stand wind well. In nine or ten years time,
these trees will give the Imperial road a very handsome
appearance, and ought to yield sufficient rubber to pay for
its up-keep. The cost of cultivating the plants is very small,
and in another two years, they will take care of themselves.

arrived at in the participating islands as to the size and
nature of the respective exhibits, in order that there might
be no delay, which so often mars the effects of these displays.
A sub-committee was appointed to proceed with the allotment
of space, and will get to work immediately. Meanwhile, it
is very desirable that the colonies should hasten on the
arrangements, as the sugar-canes, etc., for decorative purposes
must reach us not later than the third week in March, and
the exhibits themselves at the end of the second week in
April.

AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION AT
BARBADOS.

The following note has been forwarded by the
Rey. J. E. Reece, M.A., Inspector of Schools, Barbados:—

The lectures delivered by Dr. Longfield Smith at tour
centres were attended by a large number of teachers and
assistants who were much interested and benefited, and were
thereby better equipped for giving lessons in their schools,
A grant has been made for the purpose of purchasing simple
apparatus so that during this year some of the teachers will
be able to give simple experiments and make their lessons
more interesting and instructive. At the beginning of
1904 the Education Board increased the premium grant
for a pass in the teaching of Agriculture so that now
a pass in this subject, if practical work is shown, is of
equal value with the pass in Reading, Dictation, and
Arithmetic, and at many schools on the day of the Premium
Examination we have seen a fair show of ornamental and
economic plants grown in boxes and pots. The difficulty of
obtaining land has been a great obstacle in providing school
gardens, but in the few that exist it is pleasing to see the
care and attention bestowed upon the plants, and how much is
done with the small quantity of land available for this purpose.

At the Show held at Lower Estate in January 1904
fewer exhibits were made than on former occasions, possibly
from local disadvantages, but the exhibits were distinctly
better than those shown at any previous Exhibition.

40 THE

AGRICULTURAL NEWS.

Frsruary 11, 1905.

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 31 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 dlews

Vou. IV.

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 1905. No. 74.

NOTES AND COMMENTS.

Contents of Present Issue.

The editorial in the present issue deals with the
question of cotton seed for planting in the West Indies
during 1905. Planters are advised to plant half the
area proposed to be placed under cotton with local seed
from the best of the present Sea Island crop and the
other half with new Rivers’ seed to be imported for
planters by this Department.

An estimate of the Barbados sugar and molasses
crop, prepared by a Committee of the Agricultural
Society, is published on pp. 34-5. Following this is
an interesting note on the cost of manufacturing
molascuit.

Under the heading ‘ West Indian Fruit’ on p. 36
will be found notes on Seedless Limes, Date Palms in
Jamaica’ and on Cacao.

The extracts from reports of local officers published
on p. 87 will show that the prospects of the cotton crop
are still bright. In most of the islands the ginneries
are at full work.

An interesting article on the vanilla industry,
written by Mr. J. R. Jackson for the Gardeners’
Chronicle is reproduced on p. 38.

The plan of the proposed Colonial and Indian
Exhbition to be held at the Crystal Palace in 1905
shows the excellent position that has been allotted to
the West Indies (p. 39).

Several interesting insect notes appear on p, 42.
On the following page are notes on some fungoid
diseases.

=

Shipment of Cotton from the West Indies.

We desire to impress upon cotton growers in the
West Indies the desirability of avoiding the shipment
of odd lots of cotton, Not only is it difficult for the
brokers to effect the sale of these, but low prices are
likely to be the result.

In reference to this matter, Mr. C. M. Wolsten-
holme, of Liverpool, writes to the In:perial Commis-
sioner of Agriculture as follows:—

‘You do not inform me whether my proposed
method for account sales would be acceptable to
planters. I really cannot treat 5,000 bales in separate
units; I notice they are beginning to ship odd bales
already from some of the islands.’

Ce
Forthcoming Agricultural Shows.

During the next few weeks a number of Agri-
cultural Shows will be held in the West Indies. A list,
with dates, of those that are being held under the
auspices of the Imperial Department of Agriculture
has already been published in the Agricultural News
(Vol. III, p. 422). The first of these will be the shows
in the Leeward Islands, viz., at Dominica on Thursday,
February 23; at Montserrat on the following day, and
at Nevis on Tuesday, February 28.

The arrangements for the show to be held at
St. Vincent are now well advanced, and March 9 has
been fixed as the date of the show. The Agricultural
Show at Grenada will be held on March 16 and 17.

It may also be mentioned that a large and
important show will be held under the auspices of the
Trinidad Agricultural Society at Port-of-Spain on
February 14, 15, 16,17, and 18. At the conclusion of
this show an auction sale of live stock, produce, and
other exhibits will take place.

eee

Agriculture in Cuba.

According to the Consular Report on Cuba for
1903, the sugar planters have been extending their
plantations. The number of tons produced during the
last few years has been as follows: 1900-1, 635,856
tons; 1901-2, 850,181 tons; and in 1902-3, 998,878,
while the estimated crop for 1903-4 was 1,050,000
tons,

In regard to the tobacco industry it is stated that
the crop of 1903, though not unusually large, was of
excellent quality, aftording a good proportion of
wrappers. Opinions differ as to the advisability of
growing tobacco under shade: although the texture of
the leaf is improved, complaints are made that shade-
grown tobacco is deficient in flavour. The value of the
exports of tobacco and its products in 1903 amounted
to £5,208,464, as against £5,080,835 in the previous
year.

Among minor products the exportation of fruit has
made great strides, the exports increasing in value
from £71,116 in 1899 to £442,700 in 1903. The
exports of cacao showed an increase of 5,162 cwt. over
those of the preceding year, and the export of cabinet
woods was largely increased on account of the opening
up of new forests by the railway.

Vou. IV. No. 74. THE

AGRICULTURAL

NEWS. 41

Exports of Surinam.

From the Consular Report on the trade of Dutch
Guiana for the year 1903 we extract the following
particulars with regard to the exports of agricultural
produce from the colony :— ;

The most important industry is the cultivation of
cacao. Mr. Consul Pigott’s remarks in this connexion
are published elsewhere in this issue (p. 36).

The sugar crop was somewhat below the average,
but the yield was, on the whole, satisfactory. The
exports were 7,492 tons of sugar and 105,935 gallons
of rum, the total value being £90,987.

The amount of balata (370 tons) brought to the
coast was again in excess of that of the previous year.
The value of this was £61,795.

The coffee exports amounted to 238 tons of the
value of £6,964. This was Liberian; a small quantity
of the Arabian variety is also grown.

It may also be mentioned that there was a con-
siderable increase in the amount of rice produced, 442
tons against 304 tons in the previous year. It is
stated that, considering the large area of land suitable
and available for this crop, it is to be regretted that
so little attention has been given to it; practically all
that is produced is grown by the British Indian settlers,
who, as a rule, cultivate only small patches.

West Indian Bulletin.

The third number of Volume V of the West
Indian Bulletin is issued to-day. It contains
a number of interesting articles on general subjects.
The first of these is a memorandum, prepared by his
Honour the Administrator of St. Kitt’s-Nevis, on the
‘Muscovado Sugar Industry in Barbados and the
Leeward Islands.’ Mr. Bromley discusses in detail the
cost of producing sugar by the muscovado process in
comparison with the cost by the Central Factory
system. ‘The comparison is in favour of the factory
system,

The next article contains full information, compiled
from most recent publications, upon the subject of the
* Extraction and Preparation of Rubber. Reference is
made to the results of the experimental cultivation of
rubber trees in the West Indies.

Cotton growers in these islands will find useful
information in the article on the ‘Fertilizing and
Feeding value of Sea Island Cotton Seed.’ Com-
parisons with Upland seed show that the Sea Island
seed has a higher fertilizing value and is also superior as
a food-stuff, being richer in protein and nitrogen-free
extract. In this issue of the Bulletin full information is
supplied in reference to the methods of soil inoculation
for leguminous plants devised by the U. S. Department
of Agriculture.

Another useful article is the account of the
‘Sugar-cane Industry in Hawaii. Full particulars,
extracted from official reports, are given in relation to
cultivation, manuring, irrigation, and yields of sugar.

This number also contains several shorter articles
of an interesting character. It can, as usual, be
obtained of all agents of the Department, price 6d.,
post free 8d.

Mosquitos and Malaria.

In this issue of the Agricultural News (p. 35)
we publish a note from a Colonial Office Report
(Miscellaneous, No. 27), ‘Selections from Colonial
Medical Reports, in relation to efforts being made in
St. Lucia towards the extermination of mosquitos,
Special mention is made of the good results following
drainage and filling up of pools.

In this connexion it is of interest to record the
success that has accompanied the employment of
stringent measures in the direction of sanitary
precautions among the American troops serving on the
Isthmus of Panama. So successful have these measures
been that the Brigadier-General in command has
recently reported that the health of the troops was
remarkably good. ‘The compulsory employment of
mosquito nets prevented, to a large extent, inoculation
by mosquitos. ‘The proportionate number of cases of
fever was remarkably small, having in view the records
of previous commands in Panama, and the cases that
did exist responded quickly to treatment. There were
no deaths in the command.

It is also reported that ‘in this considerable
detachment of officers and men, encamped on the
Isthmus since January 1904, the total percentage of
sickness reported was but 405, of which 3:10 was
chargeable to malaria, Not a single case of yellow
fever occurred.’

t+ aa
Nitrogen-fixing Organisms.

The Agricultural World of January 7 contains
interesting correspondence, which appeared recently in
an Irish newspaper, with reference to bacterial cultures
used for the inoculation of the soil. The reply to
a letter addressed to the U. S. Department of Agri-
culture by the Department of Agriculture for Ireland
contains information which may briefly be summarized
as follows :—

The organisms for the common legumes, such as
alfalfa, peas, beans, clovers, vetches, etc., will be
distributed to applicants desirous of aiding in testing
the efficiency of these organisms in different parts of
the United States. As a general rule, the quantity
sent will be sufficient to inoculate about 2 bushels of
seed. Full directions for use are supplied with each
package. he bacteria are beneficial only in connexion
with leguminous plants, and with them only where the
proper nodule-forming organisms are lacking in the
soil,

Reference is made to this subject in a note in the
Agricultural News, Vol. III, p. 51; while a full
account of the work that has been carried on in the
Laboratory of Plant Industry, of the U. S. Department
of Agriculture, in connexion with the preparation of
cultures of nodule-forming organisms, will be found in
the West Indian Bulletin, Vol. V, no. 3, issued to-day.

Cultures have been obtained from Washington by
the Imperial Department of Agriculture and will be
used in connexion with alfalfa. As alfalfa has rarely
been grown with good results in the West Indies, this
experiment will be watched with interest. The results
will be published in due course,

42 THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.

Frsruary 11, 1905.

Sv Wr |
= ey

INSECT NOTES.

Coffee Scale Insect.

Dr. H. A. Alford Nicholls, C.M.G., of Dominica,
recently sent to the Head Office of the Imperial Department
of Agriculture some leaves of Liberian coffee attacked by
a scale insect which he says is new to his experience.

Examination shows it to be Lecanium viride, known in
Ceylon as the Green Bug of coffee. Mrs. Fernald, in her
Coccidae of the World, records this insect from Ceylon,
Mauritius, and Brazil, and it has been sent to this office
from Egypt. Its native country is not, however, known.
Mr. E. E. Green, Government Entomologist of Ceylon,
considers that it has been introduced into that country.

Dr. Nicholls reports that ‘it appeared some months ago
on abandoned Liberian coffee trees at St. Aroment and it
spread to lime trees in the vicinity. I have kept it in check
by spraying with kerosene oil emulsion which is fatal to the
insect in its younger and more tender stages.’

A sharp watch should be kept on this insect and vigor-
ous measures taken to suppress it on its first appearance
on lime, cacao, or coffee estates.

Directions for Preserving Gall Material.

Dr. A. Nalepa, of Vienna, who is an authority on
the eriophyoid mites, writes that dried gall material is
generally unfit for careful study, as is also alcoholic
material. The following directions for the preservation
of gall material and mites, are taken from Dr, Nalepa’s
letter :—

A portion of each kind of infested plant should be
preserved in weak spirit and a portion dried for the gall
herbarium. The mites for careful study are got out of the
galls in this manner :—The mite-infested material is cut into
small pieces, 1 mm. to 3 mm. wide, and placed in a_ tall
glass cylinder, wrapped with paper to keep out the light,
and left to dry. The mites will crawl out of the galls, and
after eight to twelve hours acid alcohol (3-5 drops of
hydrochloric acid to 100 c.c. of 50 per cent. alcohol) is
poured in, and the whole well shaken. The alcohol is poured
through a sieve into a beaker, and the gall material returned
to the cylinder for a second washing. Fresh alcohol should
be used each time. The alcohol is allowed to stand till all
the sediment is at the bottom of the beaker ; the alcohol is
poured off, and the sediment containing the gall mites is
gaved ina small vial in about 60 per cent. spirit, and care-
fully labelled.

Hardbacks.

The following notes on the strength of the common
hardbacks (Ligyrus tumulosus) may be of interest. This
common insect is a ground beetle, the larva lies under
ground feeding on roots and other vegetable matter.
After emerging from the pupa case, it is supposed that the
adult beetle forces its way to the surface. To do this
considerable strength is required. The three experiments
given here show that the hardback possesses great strength,

although it is by no means certain that these figures repre-
sent the limit of its strength.

(1) A hardback was harnessed with a piece of thread to
a small card. The thread passed over the thorax between
first and second pairs of legs and under the body. The
beetle and its card drag were placed on coarse card board.
Weights were placed on the drag to the amount of 4:09
grammes. The beetle weighed *265 grammes.

(2) A hardback was placed under an inverted glass dish
54 min. in diameter, and 13 mm. deep. In this case the
beetle crowded against the side of the dish and getting
firmly braced raised head and prothorax to start the load,
then walked along pushing the dish. Weights were placed
on the dish amounting to 20 grammes which with the
weight of dish, 17-4 grammes, made a load of 37-4 grammes.
This beetle weighed -265 grammes, and the test was made
on fine blotting paper.

(3) The same beetle was used under a small metal box
with a glass top. The box was 39 mm. in diameter and
6 mm. deep. ‘The beetle’s body was 7 mm. thick so that
the top of the box rested on its back and only a portion of
the edge of the box rested on the blotter on which the test
was made. The weight of the box was 6°25 grammes, and
100 grammes weight was placed on it, making a weight of
106°25 grammes.

In the first experiment the proportion of weight of insect
to weight of load was ‘265 gr. to 4°09 gr., or 1 to 15°43. In
the second, °265 gr. to 37-4 gr., or 1 to 141°1. In the third,
3°65 gr. to 106° 25 gr., or 1 to 400.

The extraordinary strength of these little animals will
be better realized when it is stated that, under similar
conditions to those existing in the first two experiments,
a man would be able to draw only 86 per cent. of his total
weight and a horse 67 per cent. It should be mentioned
that in the third experiment a part of the weight is carried
and a part pushed,

LECTURES IN ECONOMIC BOTANY.

The following.is the syllabus of a course of lectures
‘On recent investigations in Economic Botany’ which
were to be delivered, under the auspices of the Univer-
sity of London, at the Chelsea Physic Garden on
Fridays, during the Michaelmas ‘Term, 1904, by
Mr. W. G. Freeman, B.Se., A.R.C.S., Superintendent of
the Colonial Collections of the Imperial Institute :-—

Lecture I. (November 11, 4.50 p.m.).

General.—Scope of Economic Botany. Working
organization. Past results. Present-day questions.
Sugar-producing plants.—Sugar-cane. Cultivation

and manufacture of sugar.

Lecture IT. (November 18, 4.30 p.m.).
Sugar-cane. Improvement. Bud variation. Chem-
ical selection. Seminal variation.

Lecture III. (November 25, 4.30 p.m.).
Sugar-cane. Importance of factors other than
sugar content. Disease resistance.

Lecture IV. (December 2, 4.30 p.m.).
Sugar-beet.—Summary of past work.
ment effected by seed selection.
affected by environment.
sugar production.

Lecture V. (December 9, 4.30 p.m.).
Cotton.—Source. Other vegetable cottons. Improve-
ment of cotton.

Lecture VI. (December 16, 4.30 p.m.).
Improvement of cereals, especially of Indian corn.

Improve-
Composition as
General summary of

Vou. IV. No. 74.

THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS. 43

FUNGOID DISEASES.

Coral-spot Disease.

The following note is extracted from Leaflet
No. 115, published by the British Board of Agriculture
and Fisheries, on Coral-spot disease caused by Nectria
cinnabarina. It will be remembered that cacao
canker is caused by a similar and closely allied fungus,
so that the preventive measures given for the British
disease can also be made use of in the case of the
West Indian one :—

One of the most common and most generally distributed
of British fungi is that to which the name of Coral-spot
disease has been given. The first stage of the disease takes
the form of bright, coral-red warts, which are about the size
of millet seed, and are thickly scattered over the surface of
dead or dying branches of the tree attacked. These red
warts are very conspicuous, and at one time this condition of
the fungus was considered to be an independent plant, and
called Zubercularia vulgaris. At this stage numerous and
exceedingly minute spores are produced, and readily scattered
by the wind or by insects. At a later stage the coral-red
changes to a rusty-brown colour. The surface becomes rough
with projecting points and a second form of fruit is produced.

PREVENTIVE MEASURES.

1. Whenever diseased branches are observed they
should be removed and burned without delay, as after
infection recovery is impossible, and any delay in removal
permits the formation of spores and probable infection of
neighbouring plants.

2. Fallen branches, ete., are often literally covered
with the bright, coral-pink warts of the Mectria, and should
then at once be destroyed.

3. When pruning, it is a wise precaution to protect
every cut or damaged surface with a coat of gas-tar, and also
to remove and trim the ends of branches broken by the wind,
or by other agency.

Bacterial Disease of Tomatos.

The following is the report of the Mycologist
on a bacterial disease of tomatos that made its
appearance last year at the St. Lucia Agricultural
School :—

Microscopic examination of the diseased tissues points
to the disease being of bacterial origin. Such a disease,
caused by Bacillus solanacearum, has been reported from
several localities in the United States.

The first prominent indication of the disease is the
sudden wilting of the foliage, which may oceur first on
a single shoot, but finally affects the whole plant.

Subsequently, if the plant is young and not very woody,
the stem shrivels, changing to a yellowish-green and finally
to brown or black. The vascular bundles become brown
before the shrivelling takes place. The organism attacks the
parenchyma of the pith and bark, converting nearly the
whole interior of soft stems into a mass of broken-down cells
mixed with bacteria. The host plants are tomato, potato,
and egg-plant, possibly also other solanaceous plants. Insects
are largely responsible for the spread of the disease.

As preventive measures, the destruction of all leaf-
eating and leaf-puncturing insects is the first thing to be
considered. Early and complete removal of diseased plants,
rotation of crops and selection of seed from plants grown
where the disease is not prevalent are other suggestions of
possible value in preventing the spread of the disease.

DEPARTMENT NEWS.

The Imperial Commissioner of Agriculture is due
to arrive at St. Lucia on February 22 where he will
attend a meeting of the Agricultural Society and
confer with members in regard to the prospects of
cotton and other industries.

The Imperial Commissioner will be present at the
opening of the Agricultural Show at Dominica on
February 23; at the Agricultural Show at Montserrat
on February 24; and at the Agricultural Show at
Nevis on February 28. Sir Daniel Morris will return to
Barbados on March 3 next.

It is probable that the Imperial Commissioner of
Agriculture will be present at the opening of the
Agricultural Show to be held at St. Vincent on March
9; and, if his engagements permit, he may be present
at the Agricultural Show to be held at Grenada on
March 16 and 17.

Mr. L. Lewton-Brain, B.A., F.LS., Mycologist on
the staff of the Imperial Department of Agriculture,
will proceed by next mail (February 13) to Antigua to
undertake an investigation of the ‘ Black boll’ in cotton.
Mr. Lewton-Brain will probably also visit Montserrat
for the same purpose, returning to Barbados on March
3 next.

Consequent on the departure for Fiji of Mr. C. H.
Knowles, B.Sc, Mr. W. H. Patterson, Curator of the
Botanic Station at Antigua, has been provisionally
transferred to the post of Resident Master of the
Agricultural School at St. Vincent. Mr. Patterson
arrived at St. Vincent on January 31.

Mr. A. J. Jordan, Curator of the Botanic Station
at Montserrat, has been transferred to the Curatorship
of the Botanic Station at Antigua in succession to
Mr. W. H. Patterson, Mr. Jordan arrived at Antigua
on February 1.

RUBBER TREES IN JAVA.

The following note on the cultivation of rubber
trees in Java appeared in the U.S. Monthly Consular
Reports for June last :—

Hevea brasiliensis (Para rubber) is not yet under proper
cultivation in the Netherlands India, and the Director of the
Botanical Institute at Buitenzoig informs me that it is
barely beyond the experimental stage at the present time.
It is expected that it will be successfully cultivated after
some time. Of this rubber plant there were 2,325 under
cultivation in the Netherlands India in 1903.

Ficus elastica is largely cultivated, and yields a product
of first-class quality. This rubber plant is cultivated and
thrives well from sea-level to 3,000 feet altitude and on any
kind of soil. Of this plant there were 164,376 under
cultivation in the Netherlands India in 1903.

The Castilloa elastica plant is also cultivated in the
Netherlands India, but without any satisfactory results, and
it is, therefore, of little importance here. In 1903 there
were 4,176 plants of this species under cultivation in the
Netherlands India.

44 THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.

GLEANINGS.

Mr. H. Millen, Curator of the Botanic Station at
Tobago, writes that scrap rubber, obtained from trees of
Castilloa elastica, was recently valued at 3s. 6d. per bb.

As a result of three visits to the island of Bequia,
Mr. Sands has come to the conclusion that lands planted
there in Sea Island cotton must be manured as they have for
a long time been worked in provisions.

It is notified that the lectures on agricultural science for
teachers in British Guiana are to be resumed. The lectures
will be given at three centres, in Essequebo, Berbice, and
Demerara, respectively.

Arrangements have been made for holding a course of
demonstration lessons for teachers at the Government
Laboratory, British Guiana, and also for a course in practical
agricultural work in the Government School Garden at
Bourda.

According to the Agricultural World, an important and
successful experiment has been made at the Kidderminster
Infirmary with a new serum for the treatment of anthrax,
discovered by Professor Sclavo, of the Royal University of
Siena, Italy.

Mr. John Belling, B.Sc., writes from St. Kitt’s as
follows: ‘An old specimen of the Traveller’s Tree (Ravenrala
madagascariensis) is fruiting at Buckley’s estate in this

island. Fertile seed has previously been produced in
St. Kitt’s.

It is desirable to mention that in all cases where dollars
and cents are referred to in connexion with notes in the
Agricultural News on cost and profits of cultivation, etc., the
dollar may be taken at its par value, that is, $4°80 to the
pound sterling. One cent is equivalent to }d.; hence 100c.
equal 4s. 2d. (1 dollar).

Dr. J. Boeke, who was in Barbados during the past
fortnight, is the delegate of the Dutch Government for the
investigation of the marine resources of the Dutch West
Indian Colonies. Dr. Boeke will proceed to Curagao where
he will spend four or five months before visiting the other
Dutch islands.

In reference to the note in the Agricultural News,
Vol. IV, p. 12, with regard to a concession granted by the
Government of British Honduras for the exploitation of pine
products, the following extract from the Chamber of Com-
merce Journal is of interest: ‘ Perhaps one-third of the area
of British Honduras is pine ridge, and, though the trees are
not of great size, the wood is very heavy and rich in sap.’

Fesruary 11, 1905.

During the past fortnight 6 bales of West Indian cotton
have been imported. Medium fine is quoted 4°6d. per bb.;
and Sea Island, medium fine, 12d. per tb.; fine, 13d. per b.;
and extra fine, 15d. per tb. (West India Committee
Circular.)

The new American Breeders’ Association which meets
this month at Champaign, Ill., promises to deal effectively
with the improvement of plants and animals by scientific
methods. Its watchwords are ‘ Biologists study living
things and breeders improve living things.’

At a meeting of the Trinidad Agricultural Society on
January 31, a discussion took place on the subject of the
cane-farming industry. A resolution was proposed asking
the society to make every effort to place the industry on
a ‘firm, satisfactory, and permanent footing.’ The discussion
was adjourned till February 7.

According to Farmers’ Bulletin No. 12 of the Philippine
Bureau of Agriculture, the production of Manila hemp has
been for more than half a century the most important
industry of the Philippine Islands. The exports for the
year 1903 were valued at $21,701,575, or 66 per cent. of
the total exports. The present position and future prospects
of the industry are very encouraging.

‘Weare very glad that the fruit exhibited by Barbados and
Dominica gained the gold medal. Weare told that the judges
were very fayourably impressed by the excellence of the
bananas. The fruit from Dominica was sent to us for
repacking. The grape fruit was some of the best we have
seen.’ (Extract from a letter from Messrs. Wm. Pink & Sons,
Portsmouth.)

The ‘artificial honey’ which is being foisted on the
British market is described in the British Bee Journal as
‘nothing more than glucose flavoured with real honey, and
to some people is even preferable to the genuine article.’ It
is, however, a fraud on the consumer to charge him the price
of real honey for glucose (prepared by means of sulphuric
acid and starch) which is not a food in the ordinary use of
the term.

A leaflet (No. 121) has recently been issued by the
Board of Agriculture on the ‘Construction of Pigsties.’
The following points are urged : (1) the sloping floor should be
made of concrete, (2) the walls of brick rather than of wood
—in case wood has to be used, sheets of zine should be
screwed on the inside to preserve the walls from damp and
destruction by the pigs, (5) for the roof, tiles, slates, or
thatch could be employed, (4) careful provision must be
made for drainage.

The following is quoted from a circular issued by Messrs.
James Philip & Co. in respect to their exhibit at the Royal
Horticultural Society’s recent exhibition: ‘Fruits of the
orange family were largely in evidence, comprising the huge
shaddock, the better-known ‘ pomeloes” grape fruit (often
called ‘ forbidden fruit,” for nearly every one bears what may
be likened to three finger-prints on its surface).’ It would
be interesting to know whether any of our readers have
noticed these markings and have attached any importance to-
them. Possibly they are only the result of contact with
neighbouring fruits.

Vou. XIV. No. 74. THE

AGRICULTURAL NEWS. 45

[3

HELF.

atl i

3 NOTES ard REVIEWS

THE BOOK OF TRINIDAD: Edited by T. B.
Jackson. Trinidad: Muir, Marshal & Co., Port-of-Spain.
1904.

This volume consists of a series of articles by various
writers on subjects connected with the ‘Pearl of the Antilles.’
Considerable attention is paid to the agricultural side, for
not only are two exceilent articles—‘The Industrial Resour-
ces of Trinidad,’ by Professor Carmody, and ‘Forest Resources
of Trinidad’ by Mr. C. F. Rogers—reproduced from Indus-
trial Trinidad, issued by the Board of Management of the
Victoria Institute, but there are also included an article on
“A day at the Usine St. Madeleine’ and another on ‘The
Cacao Industry of Trinidad.’

The descriptions of the various trips and excursions
appear to be good and the book is copiously and well
illustrated throughout. In fact we consider the editor is to
be congratulated not only upon his choice of illustrations
but also upon their excellent quality, some of the pictures of
plants and crops being distinctly superior to those usually
met with in books of this kind.

SUN PICTURES OF THE ANTILLES AND
BRITISH GUIANA. By Algernon E. Aspinall, B. A,
Secretary, West India Committee. London: Vhe West
India Committee Rooms, 15, Seething Lane. Price 2s. 6d.

This book, which is dedicated by special permission to
Mr. Joseph Chamberlain, has been published with the object
of popularizing the West Indies, and making them better
known to the Mother Country. It contains many reproduc-
tions of photographs of West Indian life and scenery, which
were taken by Mr. Aspinall on his visit to these islands in
1899-1900, and which have been for some time appearing in
the West India Committee Circular.

A feature of this book is the general information, in
a brief and popular form, as to the general aspects of the
colonies, the hotels, means of conveyance, sports, social
clubs, and principal sights of the various colonies, which
should make it an interesting and useful guide for tourists.

Sun Pictures of the Antilles is bound in stout board
covers and is excellently got up in every way. As readers
of the West India Comittee Circular will be aware,
Mr. Aspinall’s photographs not only make very good pictures
but are distinctly typical of West Indian life and scenery.

HOUSE, GARDEN, AND FIELD: By Professor

L. C. Miall, F.R.S., London: Edwin Arnold, Maddox Street,
W., 1904. Price, 6s.

The sub-title of this book describes it as a collection of
short nature studies. It is intended as a guide to the observa-
tion of live plants and animals, and deals with the
ae and habits of a number of the commonest forms of

ife. :

The high scientific standing of the author, who is
Professor of Biology in the University of Leeds, and the
‘quality of his previous works on nature study, ensure that

this book possesses thorough scientific accuracy and also that
it is so written that it can be used by anyone interested
in nature study, with or without a technical scientific training.
The points upon which the author lays most stress are,
firstly, the encouragement of observation, and secondly, the
development of reasoning powers.

The book, as has been pointed out above, deals with
the commonest forms of life. This, of course, refers to
conditions in England, and, so far, the work is less well
adapted for naturalists in the West Indies. Some of the
lessons, however, such as those on ‘The Human Hand,’
‘Tnvisible domestic Servants,’ ‘ House-flies,’ ‘ Bananas,’ etc.,
can equally well be used anywhere in these islands. Other
chapters can easily be adapted to tropical plants and animals.

The book is well illustrated by many figures, drawn by
Mr. A. R. Hammond, in most cases direct from nature.

ST. VINCENT ARROWROOT.

In reference to the note in the Agricultural
News (Vol. III, p. 217), in which mention is made of
the suggestion of the Grocers’ Monthly to secure
a judicious advertising of St. Vincent arrowroot, the
following extract from the St. Vincent Sentry is likely
to be of interest :—

Thanks to the enterprise of Messrs. D. K. Porter & Co.,
(the local arrowroot growers whose exhibit at the Agri-
cultural Show, held in March 1904 under the auspices of the
Imperial Department of Agriculture for the West Indies,
winning the first prize, secured for them the Department’s
Diploma of Merit) the old custom is now giving place to
better and more business-like methods. This firm is now
advertising the celebrated ‘Three River's Brand’ of pure
arrowroot in leading papers in Scotland, and widely dis-
tributing advertising matter throughout the country in
general in a laudable attempt to introduce this wholesome
West Indian food in the homes of all.

The progress of pure St. Vincent arrowroot in the
British markets has hitherto been somewhat checked by the
high prices asked for this article by retailers, and the
prevalence of the opinion that it was only used as an
invalid’s diet. It is hoped that the publication of the
recipes of delicious dishes which arrowroot is capable of
making will modify this opinion. It is desired to impress
upon readers that arrowroot is invaluable as a food and
makes excellent blanc-mange, puddings, and many other
domestic dishes ; and it only needs a trial to convince the
general public of this fact.

Under the arrangements now happily adopted by
Messrs. D. K. Porter & Co. in regard to packing and
shipping from St. Vincent, ready prepared for the retailer,
buyers are now afforded the advantage of obtaining an
original packet of arrowroot at a very reasonable price.

Shipment of Minor Products from Barbados.
By the R. M.S. ‘Trent’ which sailed for Southampton
on Saturday last, the Imperial Department of Agriculture
shipped 719 bunches of bananas, 35 bales cotton, 2 barrels
potatos, and 1 barrel of yams, against 623. bunches bananas,
24 bales cotton, 7 barrels potatos and 1 barrel of yams, the
quantity shipped on the 14th. instant. Messrs. H. E. Thorne
& Son, Ltd., also shipped by the same steamer 132 crates
containing 150 bunches bananas, and 12 bales cotton, as
against 10 bales cotton and 124 crates bananas, the amount
of their previous shipment. (Agricultural Reporter, Jan-
uary 30.)

46

THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.

Frsruary 11, 1905.

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
December :—

The dullness, amounting almost to depression, in the
drug market, which is proverbial during the month of
December and particularly so on the near approach of
Christmas and during the succeeding holidays, was no
exception to the rule in the closing days of 1904, and
a similar quietness was felt, though not quite so severely, in
the spice markets. A very small proportion of the articles
offered during the month came from the West Indies,
consequently our record will be somewhat meagre.

GINGER,

In the matter of ginger, in which the Jamaica product
has for sometime past shown an upward tendency, little or
none has appeared in competition with that from other
sources. At the first spice sale, on December 7, 850 packages
of Cochin and Calicut were offered, only 100 of which were
disposed of at lower rates than prevailed in the preceding
month, including small and medium washed rough mouldy
Cochin, 16s. to 17s. A week later the market was still dull,
though some 1,050 packages of Cochin and Calicut were
offered and only a small portion sold at easy prices including
ordinary small wormy Cochin at 15s., while small to bold
Calicut was bought in at 25s.

NUTMEGS AND MACE.

With regard to nutmegs and mace there was very little
demand for either at the beginning of the month, the prices
being somewhat easier than in November; at the second sale,
on December 14, a still easier tone prevailed, fair reddish
West Indian mace selling at ls. ld. to 1s. 2d., and pickings
at 10d. to 11d. per tb.

SARSAPARILLA, KOLA, TAMARINDS, ETC.

The only offerings of sarsaparilla were made on the 8th.,
when 21 bales of Lima Jamaica were placed on sale, and
5 sold at 103d. per tb. for coarse and part chumpy. Dull to
fair red native Jamaica was bought in at from 8d. to 11d.
There was no grey Jamaica offered. At the same sale 1 bag
of good West Indian kola nuts was disposed of at 4d.
per Ib ; also 5 casks of dry Barbados tamarinds at 5s.
per ewt., and 3 casks of fair West Indian unworked lime
juice at 9d. per gallon. Annatto showed a slight advance,
3 bags of good bright Madras selling at 7d., and 4 bags of
dullish fair at 6d.

Canada.

The following is Mr. J. Russell Murray’s monthly
report, dated January 14, on West Indian produce in
Canada :—

The opening of the year brings with it a strong spirit of
hopefulness. Financial and trading reports show that for
the close of the year settlements were good; the retail trade
was very active and stocks depleted, indicating that the
wholesale houses will be able to buy heavily for spring trade.
The winter has thus far proved very moderate, and in great
contrast to the severity of last year.

STEAMSHIP COMMUNICATION.
The West Indian contract is now occupying the
attention of the commercial corpcrations and the Dominion

Government. The Corn Exchange and the Board of Trade-
of Montreal, and the Manufacturers’ Association at Toronto-
have unanimously passed resolutions which have been duly
forwarded to Ottawa, supporting the proposal that Montreal
be the summer terminal port of the West India steamship-
line. The St. John, N.B., Board of Trade has passed
a resolution asking that in the new contract the speed be
increased from 10 knots to 13 knots, and that the size of the
steamers be at least double that of those at present in use. The
Royal Mail Steam Packet Company, Messrs. Elder Dempster
& Co., and Messrs. Pickford & Black are the firms who are
reported to be the principal competitors. The opinion is
general that the new contract must afford a much greater’
outlet for Canadian produce. The entire question, however,
is under most careful consideration at- Ottawa, and a much
improved service between Canada and the West Indies wilk
be the outcome.
SUGAR AND MOLASSES.

The market continues in the same unsettled condition.
The European beet market, after a few days’ steady advance,
declined 5d. this week, but recovered on the following day,.
and further sharp advance took place closing to-day at
16s. 14d. Several cargoes are due to arrive via New York
from Demerara, Fiji, and Trinidad. Local purchasers are
reported of 6,000 tons 96° centrifugals, Trinidads and
Demeraras, at 33°31 and $3-43 respectively, c. & f. New
York; 69° muscovados at 43-01, duty paid, were offered, but
obtained no buyers, being considered too high. During the
past month prices of refined granulated have been advanced, in
sympathy with New York, 57dc. per 100 Ib. The market
remains very firm and a steady advance is anticipated, owing
to the reports of short crops from al] sugar-producing centres,
and the increase of consumption in Europe.

A good, firm market for molasses is general, and prices
remain very firm ; about 1,400 puncheons changed hands for
refiners’ interests, and the grocery firms report a steady
trade. Prices locally have advanced from 28c. to 30c.
for Barbados in second hands, and Antigua is quoted
at 27c., but of the latter there is really no stock.
There is every probability of good prices for early shipments.
The last shipment from Antigua, to our care, continues to be
referred to as one of the best that has arrived here.

COCOA-NUTS, SPICES, FRUIT, ETC.

The market for cocoa-nuts is fairly supplied, and as

business in this line is usually quiet in the early months of

the year, no change of prices can be looked for. Trinidad
nuts are a little lower in New York.
Nutmegs remain steady at last month’s rates. Jamaica

pimento is without inquiry, and offers of ordinary at 53c.
were declined. A small parcel of fair, bold berry was
closed at 54c¢., duty paid.

The consumption of West Indian fruit is at its lowest >
only a few pine-apples and bananas are on the market, and
quotations are nominal.

The market for coffee remains steady at advanced
prices, but little business is being done.

New Cacao Experiment Plot at Tobago-
Mr. Henry Millen, Curator of the Botanic Station at
Tobago, writes: ‘Two acres of land have recently been takem
over from Mr. H. Smith, of Caledonia estate, for a cacao
experiment plot. This estate is situated in a good cacao-
growing district, where small proprietors have purchased
Crown Lands and also estate land. The establishment of
such a plot is likely to be instructive to all interested im
cacao cultivation.’

Wot. IV. No. 74.

THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS. 47

Montreal,

MARKET REPORTS.

London,—January 17, 1905. Messrs. J. Hates Carrp &

Co., Messrs. Kearton, Piper & Co., Messrs. E. A.
DE Pass & Co., ‘THE West InprIA CoMMITTEE Crr-
cuLAR’; ‘THE Liverroon Corron AssoclaTION
WerEKLY CircuLar,’ January 13, 1905; and
‘THE Pupiic LepcGer,’ January 14, 1905.

A1ors—Barbados, 15/- to 35/- ; Curacoa, 15/- to 37/6 per cwt.
Arrowroc:—St. Vincent, 13d. per tb.
Batata—Demerara sheet, 1/10; Venezuela block, 1/4

per th.

Bees’-wax—£7 to £7 10s. per cwt.

Cacao—Trinidad, 56/- to 65/- per ewt. ; Grenada, 52/-
to 54/6 per ewt.; Dominica, 50/- to 53/- per cwt. ;
Jamaica, 48/- to 54/- per cwt.

CarpamMoms—Mysore, 74d. to 2/- per tb.

CorFEE—Jamaica, good ordinary, 40/- to 41/- per ewt.

Corron—West Indian Sea Island, medium fine, 12d. ; fine,
13d. ; extra fine, 14d. per tb.

FrRuir—

Bananas—4/- to 5/6 per bunch.

Grape Fruir—5/- to 6/- per case.
ORANGES—5/- to 7/- per case.
Prne-appLtes—-St. Michael’s, 1/9 to 3/- each.

Fusric—£3 10s. to £4 per ton.

Gincer—Jamaica, fair bright, 37/-; ordinary to good
ordinary, 27/- to 30/- per cwt.

HonEy—Jamaica, 17/- to 22/- per cwt.

Istneuass—West Indian lump, 2/5 to 2/8; cake, 1/3 per th.

Kora Nurs—4d. to 6d. per ib.

Lime Jurce—-Raw, 9/. to 1/- per gallon; concentrated,
£13 15s. per cask of 108 gallons ; hand-pressed, 2/6
per 1b. ; Distilled Oil, 1/25 per tb.

Locwoon —£4 2s. 6d. to £5; Roots, £4 to £4 10s. per ton.

Mace—Pale, 1/3 to 1/6; red, 1/2 to 1/3; broken, 1/-
to 1/1 per tb.

Nirravte or Sopsa—Agriculiural, £11 2s. 6d. per ton.

Nurmecs-—62’s, 1/6; 80’s, 11d. ; 120’s, 5}d. per th.

Pimento—23d. per tb.

Rum—Demerara, 1s. to 1s. 2d. per proof gallon; Jamaica,
1s. 10d. per proof gallon.

SarsiPaRILLA—73d. to 1/2 per th.

Sucar—Yellow crystals, 24/6 to 26/- per ewt. ; Muscovado,
Barbados, 19/- per cwt. ; Molasses, 16/- to 19/- per cwt.

SuLpHATE oF AmMonrsa—£138 Ys. 6d. per ton.

January 14, 1905.—Mr. J. Russert Murray.
(In bond guotations, c. & f.)

Bananas—No quotations.

Cepar—No quotations.

Cocoa-Nuts— Jamaica, $26°00 to $28-00; Trinidad, $21-00

to $23:00 per M.

CorrerE—Jamaica, medium, 19c. to 11e. per tb.

Gixncer—Jamaica, unbleached, 63c. to 7dc. per th.

Mo xascurr—Demerara, $1°32 per 100 tb.

Motasses—Barbados, 28¢.; Antigua, 23c. per Imperial

gallon.

Nurmecs—Grenada, 110’s, 19c. per th.

Ornances—No quotations.

Pimento—Jamaica, 5c. to 5}c. per tb.

Pine-aprLes—No quotations.

Sucar—Grey Crystals, 96°, $3°95 to $4:00 per 100 th.
—Muscovados, 89°, $3°45 to $355 per 100 tb.
—Molasses, 89°, $3:05 to $3:15 per 100 tb.
—Barbados, 89°, $3°20 to $3°30 per 100 th.

INew York,—January 20, 1905.—Messrs. Grniusriz

Bros. & Co.

Cacso—Caracas, 12c. to 13c. ; Dominica, lle. to 11ke. ;
Grenada, I1}c. to 11}c.; Trinidad, 12c. to 124c. per th.

Cocoa-Nuts—Trinidads, $24:00 to $25-00 per M., selected ;
Jamaicas, $26°00 to $28°00 per M.

CorrEE—Jamaicas, 9}c. per th. (ex store).

Goar Sxrns—Jamaicas, 59e. to 60c. per Th.

Grape Frurr—Jamaicas, $2°50 to $3:00 per barrel.

ORANGES—Jamaica, $3°25 to $3°75 per barrel (stem cut).

Pinvento—4ée. per th.

Sucar—Centrifugals, 96°, 5jc.; Muscovados, 89°, 43c.;
Molasses, 89°, 44c. per tb.

INTER-COLONIAL MARKETS.

Barbados,—January 28, 1905.—Messrs. T. S. Garra-

way & Co., and Messrs. James A. Lyncn & Co.

ARrrowroot—St. Vincent, $3°40 to $3°75 per 100 tb.

Cacao—Dominica, $10°50 per 100 tb.

Cocoa-Nuts—$14:00 per M. for husked nuts.

CorrEE—$10°00 to $12-00 per 100 tb.

Hayv—90ce. to 95c. per 100 tb.

Manures—Nitrate of soda, $60°00 ; Ohlendorft’s dissolved
guano, $60°00 ; Sulphate of ammonia, $72-00 to $7500;
Sulphate of potash, $6700.

Mo asses.—18c. per gallon.

Oxtons—Madeira (stringed), $4:00 to $4:50 per 100 fb.
(retail).

Poratos, ENGLIsH---$2°40 per 160 tb. (retail).

Rice—Ballam, $4°80 to $4°85 per bag (190 tb.) ; Patna,
$3°25 per 100 th.

Sucar.—Muscovados, 89°, $3:00 to $3°10; Dark crystals,
96° $350 per 100 tb.

British Guiana,—January 26, 1905,—Messrs. WiEtING

& Ricurer.

ArRrowkoot—St. Vincent, $7°50 to $8-00 per barrel.

Batara—Venezuela block, 25c.; Demerara sheet, 35c.
per tb.

Cacao—Native, 13c. to 14e. per tb.

Cassava SrarcH—§6°10 per barrel.

Cocoa-Nuts—$10°00 to $12°00 per M.

CorreE—Rio and Jamaica, 14e. to lc. per tb. (retail).

—Creole, 12c. to 14c. per th.

Duat— $440 per bag of 168 fb.

Eppors—$1°68 per barrel.

Morasses—Vacuum Pan yellow, 17¢. to 18e. per gallon
(casks included).

Ontons—Lisbon, $4:50 per 100 tb. (ex store).

Pea Nurs—American, 6c. per tb. (retail).

PLantTAaIns—3?2e. to 48c. per bunch.

Poratos, EncrisH——Picked, $2750 to $2°75 per barrel.

Rice—Ballam, $4°35 to $440 per 177 tb. ; Creole, $4:15
per white bag.

Sweer Poraros—Barbados, $1:20 per bag; $1:44 per
barrel.

Tannras—$2°04 per barrel.

Yams—White, $1°80 per bag.

Sucar—Dark Crystals, $3175 to $3°30; Yellow, $4:00 to
$425 ; White, $4°75 to $5°00; Molasses, $3-00 to
$3°25 per 100 tb. (retail).

Trmeer—Greenheart, 32c. to 55c. per cubic foot.

WALLABA SHINGLES—$3'00, $3°75, and $5°50 per M.

Trinidad,—January 26, 1905.—Messrs. Gorpon, Grant

& Co. ; and Messrs. Epcar Tripp & Co.
Cacao—Ordinary $12°00; Estates, $12°10 to $1225;
Venezuelan, $12'10 to $12°25 per fanega (110 fb.).
Cocoa-Nuts —$20°00 per M., f.0.b.
Cocoa-Nut O1r—7de. per Imperial gallon (casks included).
Corree—Venezuelan, 8c. to 9c. per th.
Copra—-$3'15 to $3°25 per 100 th.
Ontons—Stringed Madeira, $3°50 to $400 per 100 tb.
(retail).
Poraros, ENGLish—$1°20 to $1:25 per 100 tb.
Rice—Yellow, $4:30 to $440; White Table, $460 to
$5°75 per bag.
Suear—Yellow crystals, $4:00; bright molasses sugars,

$3:00 per 100 th.

48 THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.

Fresruary 11, 1905..

THE BEST MANURES FOR COLONIAL USE

oo /RS vast

Ohlendorff’s Dissolved Peruvian Guano—For Sugar-cane and general use

Ohlendorff’s Special Sugar-cane Manure
Ohlendorff’s Special Cocoa Manure
Ohlendorfi’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:
[85. ] Barbados Agents :

15, Leadenhall Street, London, E.C.
Messrs. James A. Lynch & Co., Bridgetown.

JOURNAL D'AGRICULTURE TROPICALE.

A Monthly Illustrated Review, published in French,
dealing with all matters connected with
Tropical Agriculture.

PARIS: M. Vilbouchevitch,
10, rue Delambre.

Subscription price : 20 francs per annum.

Agents : London, W. Dawson & Sons, Ltd., Bream’s
Buildings, E.C.
Street ; Trinidad, D. A. Majani; Cuba, Solloso ; Hayt:,
Louis Coicou, Port-au-Prince.

: New York, G. E. Stehert, 9, East 16th.

e,
CA GAO,

By J. H. HART, F.LS.
NEW EDITION.

A treatise on the cultivation, curing and chemistry of
COMMERCIAL CACAO.

DAVIDSON & TODD, Trinidad.

Wm.WESLEY & Co., 28, Essex St., London.

Price 3s. per copy.

THE

INDIA COMMITTEE CIRCULAR

(Published f fortnightly).
wilalls OFFICIAL ORGAN

THE WEST INDIA COMMITTEE

(Estab: cirea 1760. Incorporated by
Royal Charter August 4, 1904.)

Edited by the Secretary.

Containing a Review of the W an of the West India Com-
mittee, Notes on West Indian Affairs, Statistics as to
Cacao, Sugar, Molasses and Rum, Coffee, Cotton,
Nutmeg 8, Mace, Pimento, Ginger, Arrowroot, Lime
Juice, ete., etc., Home Arrivals and Departures by
the Mail Steamers, etc.

WEST

To Members Free of charge.
To others, Subscription £1 1s. per annum.
Single Copies 1s.

Published at—

THE WEST INDIA COMMITTEE ROOMS,

15, Seething Lane,
London, E.C.

Ponte at Office of Agricultural Reporter, 4, ack igueen Bridgetown, Barbados,

SS Loe

: ye

wen
N

c2 \
Yh,
AE Y

A FORRNIGHPLY REVIEW

OF

THE

IMPERIAL DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE FOR THE WES! INDIES.

Vou. IV. No. 75.

BARBADOS, FEBRUARY 25, 1905.

Price ld.

CONTENTS.

PAGE.
Agricultural Banks ... ... 49
Agriculture and Fisheries 56
Banana Industry, Barbados 52
Carriacou Land Settlement

Our Book Shelf =
Dominica pee Cas wee, OL
Leeward Islands,
Information for... ... 61

Scheme aaeg Vatgen nak’) Ol: Para Rubber, Cultiva-
Cotton Industry :—- tion and Preparation... 61
Barbados... .. DO | Para Rubber, Extraction
Hayti om Nopoun cane) sciccat 2) Oesi osc con seo epee bal
Prospects of Crop... ... 53 | Rats and Mice, Destruc-

Sea Island Market a DO
Department News ... ... 61
Department Publications... 63
Eggs, Weight and Value of 54
Exhibition Committees ... 57
Reo ——

Sterilized Jeet eae, Meee OR

West Indian Trade wee D2
Gleanings... ss vs ae 60
Insect Notes :—

Hardbacks ... ... «..-58

Moths and Butterflies ... 58 Development... ... 59
Market Reports... ... 62 | Travellers’ Tree, Fruiting
Montserrat Experiment of aC) =: G80» COR Opa:

Stations ... ... ... 61 | Trinidad, Trade of ... ... 56
Notes and Comments... 56 | Water Buffalos... ... ... 5D
Onion Seed see eee «ee 56 ! West Indian Fisheries ... 54

tion of Bee ase) shir DO
Rubber in West Africa ... 5
Science Notes :—
Seed Infection ... ... 55
Sugar Plant, Anew ... 55
Thorn Apple Seeds,
Alkaloids in... ... 55
Sugar Industry :—
Hawail Meyers. vasy vv 50
MexicoRmee) s+ «.. DL
Teachers and Agricultural

Agricultural Banks.

the recent West Indian Agricultural
Conference at Trinidad the Hon. Wm.
¢ Fawcett, Director of Public Gardens in
Jamaica, read a valuable paper on Agricultural Banks
in which he advocated the establishment of co-opera-

tive loan banks on the plan of the ‘ Raiffeisen’ system
which has given such satisfactory results within recent
years in Germany and Central Europe.

For some time past—but more especially since
the hurricane of 1903—the establishment of agri-
cultural banks of some kind has been advocated in
Jamaica. As mentioned by Mr. Olivier in his Annual
Report on Jamaica for 1903-4, the condition of the
peasant proprietors whose land had been devastated
by the hurricane brought into prominence the neces-
sity of some provision being made to meet further
emergencies. ‘The situation that arose through the
destruction of the banana crop gave rise to a suggestion,
communicated through the Secretary of State, that
a scheme for insuring the banana crop might possibly
be established under the direction of the Government.
This suggestion was referred to a committee of the
Board of Agriculture, and submitted for the opinion
of the planting community, and having been reported
upon as not feasible, proposals were put forward for
the establishment of Agricultural Loan Banks. It was
submitted that the experience gained by the Govern-
ment in connexion with the organization of Government
loans under the ‘Hurricane Loans Law, 1903,’ seemed
to encourage a trial of such a scheme.

As the success of the working of the law above
referred to has been mainly responsible for the urgent
advocacy of the establishment of Loan Banks, it may
be of interest to review briefly its principal provisions,
It authorized the Government to make loans to persons
in possession of land the cultivation on which had

50 THE

AGRICULTURAL NEWS.

Fepruary 25, 1905.

sustained damage by the hurricane, the borrower
granting to the Government a preferential claim upon
the crops, a claim upon the land, and a power to sell
the borrower's interest in the land if default should be
made in the final repayment of the loan with interest.
The borrower undertook: (@) to use the Joan solely to
restore, preserve, and maintain the cultivation of the
land; (b) to repay the loan with 6 per cent. interest
and all expenses incurred ; and (c) to produce accounts
showing how the loan had been expended. The
borrower also had to allow inspection of the land by the
Government agents, to uphold the cultivation of the
land and see that the security did not deteriorate in
value, and to furnish full information as to the sales of
produce and to give an order on the purchaser for
purchase money to be applied to repayment.

The Colonial Secretary, the Auditor General, and
the Secretary of the Board of Supervision of Poor
Relief were appointed loan officers: they received
valuable assistance from local whose
personal knowledge of the applicants for loans enabled
the expenditure of the loans to be kept under

committees

observation.

Among the conditions under which loans were
granted were: (1) no loans were to be granted where
the area actually under cultivation was below 3 acres
in extent unless the applicant was compelled to obtain
assistance in working his Jand; (2) no more than £3 an
acre was to be lent in any case; (3) the loans to be
advanced in seven monthly instalments; (4) the rate
of interest to be 6 per cent. per annum: (5) the Joans
to be repaid in definite instalments by certain dates
during the year 1905. There were 2,983 applications
for loans, the total number granted being 1,477.
Practically the whole of the applications were for
money to reinstate banana cultivation.

In expressing a strong opinion in favour of the
suggestion that a permanent scheme of a similar
character deserved the careful consideration of the
Government, Mr. Olivier states: ‘A government ofticer,
personally well qualified to direct and supervise its
development, would not find it an impossible task to
build up an agricultural banking organization on
a sound basis. The small holdings of the peasantry
are generally good security for loans, but great vigilance
and continual pressure would, no doubt, be required to
collect the income of the bank, and the success or
failure of such an enterprise would depend largely upon
the acumen and energy of the manager.’ He goes on
to refer to the Raiffeisen system of mutual credit
banks and to point out that the safeguard of invest-

ment is the honesty and industry of the borrowers
and the vigilance and interest of their neighbours. To
establish a similar system in Jamaica would require
‘a large amount of persistent missionary effort.’

We propose in the next issue of the Agricultural
News to give a brief account of the Raiffeisen system.
Mr. Fawcett’s paper will be published in due course in
the proceedings of the Conference in the West Indian
Bulletin, but with the view to placing full information
on the subject of Agricultural Banks, generally, in the
hands of all classes of the community at an early date,
it has been decided to publish it, together with other
available information, in one of the pamphlet series
issued by the Imperial Department of Agricuiture.

INDUSTRY.

Hawaii.

SUGAR

An article in the latest issue of the West Indian
Bulletin contains detailed information in relation to the
Sugar Industry in Hawai. In view of the somewhat
extravagant statements that are made as to the profits
of sugar-cane cultivation in the Hawaiian Islands, the
following brief summary is likely to be of interest :—

The cultivation of sugar-eane and the manufacture of
sugar are without doubt more carefully studied and carried
out in a more systematic manner in the Hawaiian Islands
than in any other part of the world. The irrigated lowlands
produce the largest crops, for the simple reason that by the
regularity of the application of water the growth of the cane
is a sturdy one and never suffers from dry spells. The mean
average yield of all plantations since 1895 has been 4:23
short tons per acre. It must be borne in mind that from
eighteen to twenty-four months elapse from the time the land
is broken until tbe harvesting is concluded. Moreover, the
fields cannot be continuously cropped, but must be allowed
to lie fallow from time to time, and about three times the
area is needed to maintain continuous yields than is required
to produce an annual crop. The cost of labour is high. The
average cost of production of sugar on sixteen representative
plantations for the crop 1901-2 was found to be $49:00 per
ton of sugar at the mill; marketing expenses were from
$11°50 to $15-00 per ton, according to location.

In the whole territory there were 65,687 acres of land
planted in sugar-cane in 1899, and from this land there were
produced 2,259,376 tons of sugar-cane, or a shade over 3£
tons per acre. ‘lo produce this there were expended 60c.
per ton of cane produced for fertilizers. The cost of raising
sugar-cane and délivering it to the factory is placed at
$4°30 per ton.

The methods of tilling the soil are varied. On some
islands steam-ploughs are chiefly used. The capacity of
steam-ploughs ranges from 10 to 15 acres per day, ploughing
a depth of 1 foot to 2 feet according to requirements. In
districts with light soils where animals are used for ploughing,
the old style of hand-ploughs is fast being replaced by the
latest designs of ‘ Sulky’ or ‘Disc’ ploughs. Several designs
of harrow are now in use for the tilth of the soils before
furrowing, but the ‘Spike’ or ‘Drag’ harrow is more

Vou. IV. No. 75.

THE AGRICULTURAL

NEWS. 51

generally used than any other. The land is furrowed, on an
average, about 5 feet apart. j

The general method of planting is to place the seed in
the furrow by hand, butt to butt, and covered to a depth of
from 2 to 3 inches. It is considered that, wherever it is
practicable, cultivation between the rows should be done
with cultivators drawn by mules. In the matter of ‘hilling
up’ there appears to be considerable difference of practice : no
doubt this is due largely to difference in climatic conditions.

Very careful attention appears to be paid to the
manurial requirements. On some plantations a most
commendable system is followel of modifying the com-
position of fertilizers to snit the requirements — of
different fields. Oue planter states: ‘Our regular plant
cane mixture is composed of superphosphate, sulphate of
potash, nitrate of soda, and sulphate of ammonia. We have
each field we plant analysed, and vary the proportions of the
above ingredients to suit the analysis, so that, as a rule,
every field has a different fertilizer to suit its requirements,

Sugar can be produced at a profit in Hawaii only when
cultivated and manufactured on a large scale. More than
two-thirds of the cane grown in Hawaii is produced by
artificial irrigation, and the water for this purpose can be
obtained only from surface streams or by pumping from
subterranean sources. Owing to the nature of the formation
of the islands, ditches of many miles in length are required,
as well as dams and reservoirs to impound the water. This
entails enormous expense. Undoubtedly, however, the soil
is productive, and the yield is comparatively large on most
of the plantations.

Mexico.

According to a correspondent of the Louisiana
Planter, Mr. Parsons the American Consul-General in
the City of Mexico is undertaking an investigation of
agriculture in tropical Mexico. This trip is stated to
be the direct result of a report furnished to Washington
more than a year ago in which the condition of agri-
cultural industries was adversely reported upon. The
following is an extract from the letter referred to :—

It is a fact that the sugar industry in southern Mexico
is in a flourishing condition, and the sugar growers intend
to make this fact plain to Mr. Parsons. Cane in tropical
Mexico reaches full maturity, having an entire year’s growth,
and requires no fertilizing and no cultivating to produce
at least 25 tons to the acre. It has been demonstrated
that by cultivation alone an average of 40 tons per acre
can be easily produced. The soil and climatic conditions of
tropical Mexico are ideal for sugar growing, and given
energetic and capable management, adequate transportation
facilities, and a modern sugar house, preserving the by-
products by the aid of improved economical devices, few
safer investments can be found than sugar in that section of
Mexico. It is believed that Mr. Parsons’ report will bring
these facts to general public notice in the United States, and
result in the investment of much additional American capital
in sugar lands in the tropics.

The sugar situation in Mexico at the present time is
brighter than for some time past, and the sugar planters, in
expectation of steadily increasing demand and good prices,
‘are planning many improvements and additions to sugar
plants.

The most improved sugar machinery in Mexico is to be
found in the little state of Morelos, where the greater part of
the sugar manufactured is produced in accordance with
scientific principles.

EXTRACTION OF PARA RUBBER.
In the Agricultural News (Vol. II, p. 265) brief

mention was made of a new tool for extracting Para
rubber which had given good results in Ceylon:
Mr. W. H. Johnson in his new work, The Cultivation
and Preparation of Para Rubber, which is reviewed on

of this issue of the Agricultural News, quotes
the following specification of the patent taken out for
this instrument, and as this gives a detailed descrip-
tien it 1s reproduced here fur general interest :—

Tt is well known that India rubber is the exudation of
a tree, and is usually obtained by ‘tapping’ or ‘ bleeding’
the tree by making slits, grooves, or cuts in the bark,
generally ina slanting condition. As the gum exudes from
the tree and flows down to the lower end of each incision, it
is received into a small can or other vessel attached to the
tree for that purpose.

It is most important that the ‘tapping’ or ‘bleeding’
operation should be carefully and properly performed, or the
health and producing properties of the tree might be affected,
or the tree might be killed. For example, the depth of the
slits, grooves, or cuts should not be excessive, and the lower
ends of two adjacent incisions should not meet or intersect,
but should be stopped short before forming a complete V at
the point of attachment of the collecting can or other vessel.

The implement forming the subject of this present
invention enables the ‘tapping’ or ‘bleeding’ operation to be
performed with facility and expedition without endangering
the life or health of the tree.

?

Tool for incising Rubber Tree.

In the accompanying drawing Fig. 2 illustrates the
implement in side elevation ; @ is a wooden or other handle
of suitable size and shape, preferably farnished at one end
with a stabbing or piercing point 4* for the purpose of
making an initial incision in the bark of the tree before
employing the cutting device which is mounted in the other
end of the handle a, and consists of a haft or stem c¢ prefer-
ably of a curved shape, its cutting end standing at an angle
to the haft orstem ec. The cutting device proper is of
a hollow wedge or triangular shape as shown, the cutting
edge being at d and e.

It has been found that this implement may be placed
in the hands of natives and unskilled labourers with much
less danger of the trees being damaged or killed than when
knives or cutters of other known shapes are employed.

It is obvious that the above-described implement is also
applicable for ‘tapping’ or ‘bleeding’ other trees than those
yielding India-rubber.

It may be mentioned that this instrument has
been proved at the Botanic Station at Dominica to be
well suited also to the tapping of the Central American
rubber tree (Castilloa elastica).

For a detailed account of the extraction and
preparation of rubber readers are referred to an article
in the West Indian Bulletin, Vol. V, pp. 210-23.

* The above figure does not show this piercing point, but
its position is indicated at b. [Ed. A.N.]

52 THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.

Fepruary 25, 1905.

WEST INDIAN

FRUGE:

STERILIZED FRUIT.

At the meeting of the Board of Agriculture held on
Tuesday, December 13, the Director of Public Gardens
submitted eight jars of fruit preserved by a simple process of
sterilizing. This process is as follows :—Water is sterilized
by heating to 150° F., allowed to cool and next day the fruit
is put into the bottles, the caps and clips are fixed on, and
the bottles with the sterilized water are heated to 150° or
155° for four hours.

The total cost of the small apparatus by which this
experiment was done, including freight, is £2 5s. 5d.

The bottles supplied with covers and rubber rings cost
as follows :—

29 oz. size, 4s. 6d. per dozen, 48s. per gross.
20 oz. size, 4s, per dozen, 42s. per gross.

Fruits are put up in exactly the same manner in Great
Britain and sold at the following prices: blackberries, 11s.
per doz. ; red currants, 12s. per doz. ; plunis, 10s. per doz.
The best dessert fruits put up the same way, such as apricots,
sell at 15s. ; pears at 13s.; pine-apples, lls. 6d. The fruits
put up are as follows: varieties of mango, pine-apples,
banana, and akee, and one of the jars being opened three
months after being put up, the fruit was found to be in
perfect condition. This bottled fruit is now on show at the
rooms of the Agricultural Society, and we shall be glad to
have anyone interested call and see it. The whole apparatus
together with bottles may be had from Messrs. Fowler E.
Lee & Co., Maidstone, Kent, England. (Journal of the
Jamaica Agricultural Society, January 1905.)

WEST INDIAN FRUIT TRADE.

In an interesting article in the Journal of the
Society of Arts on the ‘ Foreign Fruit Industry’ it is
shown that Great Britain’s fruit demands are largely
supplied by foreigners. Much more might be done in
this connexion, it is argued, by the colonies—especially
Australia, Canada, and the West Indies. ‘A brave
attempt is being made to create a large fruit trade
between the United Kingdom and the West Indies... .
yet the fruit exports increase very slowly, if Jamaica is
excepted. And even in Jamaica the industry does not
rest on a solid basis... the planters do not concern
themselves with the taste of the market, they neglect
grading, and are careless as to the condition in which
the fruit reaches the consumer,’

The writer urges that with both bananas and
oranges Jamaica might learn much by studying the

methods of the Canaries and Spain, whose fruit
usually obtains a much higher price, and states :—

And what is true of Jamaica is equally true of other
West India Islands. The pine-apple, for example, flourishes
everywhere, and some of the pines, the Montserrat for
instance, are of very delicate flavour. But this pine is
unsightly and not suitable for the English market. The
best for this trade is the Smooth Cayenne, grown so largely
in the Azores, and now beginning to be grown in the West
Indies. It has, too, to be remembered that the pine is grown
for ornament as well as quality. The crown of the pine is
the glory of it, and it is found that the wind and weather
to which it is subject in the West Indies injure its appear-
ance, a drawback that might easily be overcome by the
erection of some sort of inexpensive sheltering. But nothing
is done. Just as the English farmer thinks all that is
necessary, to make a paying orchard, is to plant a certain
number of apple trees without mnch regard to adaptation of
kind to soil, and to pack thei when ripe, and send them
anyhow to market, so the West Indian grower pays little
attention to quality. But it is quality, as Mr. Monro, of
King Street, Covent Garden, is never tired of insisting—and
he is one of the biggest fruit-brokers in the kingdom—that
is the one thing indispensable in fruits that are to secure any
hold on public consumption.

BARBADOS BANANA INDUSTRY.

The following notes on the banana industry of
Barbados are extracted from an article in the Western
Morning News of January 19 :—

But if the Canary banana so far has surpassed the
Jamaica fruit in appearance, it has now a competitor to face
which is more than equal to it in quality. The Barbados
banana can now be put upon the English markets in perfect
condition. It has taken time to market the Barbados banana

in perfect condition in this country. The loss sustained
does not exceed 1 per cent., so that the shipping
arrangements must be considered admirable.

The planters in the colony are wise in their

rejection of the larger-growing variety raised in Jamaica.
It is known as the Gros Michel. It deserves the prefix
Gros on account of the size of its bunches, but is
a coarse kind, and not to be compared to the delicate but
fine fruiting kind shipped from Barbados. But though the
latter is the same sort as that raised in the Canaries, yet the
fruits produced are far richer and better flavoured than those
of the Canaries. At present the Barbados is the finest fruit
of its class imported into the United Kingdom,

Vou. IV. No. 75.

COTTON INDUSTRY.

Sea Island Cotton Market.

The following is extracted from the latest report,
dated January 28, received from Messrs. H. W. Frost
& Co., of Charleston and Savannah, in regard to the
Sea Island cotton market :-—

The demand this week was limited to old bags classing
fine and fully fine at 21le. to 23c., and tinged islands 20c.,
the buying being principally for England. The factors are
unwilling sellers at the decline quoted, and consequently
the sales were small. The unsold stock of 3,395 bags
consists very largely of planters’ crop lots classing fully fine
to extra fine for which there is no inquiry at present, with
the exception of 40 bags Lofton, sold for France at 28c.

Factors are still refusing to entertain any bid for the
crop lots below 28c. to 30c., but should no demand spring
up they will have to modify their views in time.

We quote : stained and tinged, 17c. to 20e. ; fine, 21e. ;
fully fine, 23c. to 24e.; extra fine, 27c. to 28c. ; extra-fine
crop lots, 28c. to 30c. ; extra-extra-fine crop lots at 48c.

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:—-

Mr. F. R. Shepherd (St. Kitt’s) writes: ‘The bulk of
the cotton has now been picked, only the late-planted fields
remaining. Spooner’s Ginning Factory has ginned some
26,000 Ib. of lint, and the Stone Fort Factory is also making
a good start. Pump Bay Factory has been tried and will,
I hope, soon be in working order. At one estate the 16
acres, planted entirely with Rivers’ seed, are giving a splendid
return, and the cotton is remarkably clean and well picked.
The leaf-blister mite is not as troublesome as it was at this
time last year, but I have strongly urged all growers to pull
up the old trees and burn them at once.’

From St. Vincent Mr. Sands reports: ‘At the factory
83 bales of seed-cotton have been ginned up to February 8,
and by the day the mail leaves there will have been delivered
for shipment 95 to 98 bales, each containing 360 tb. of lint.
The disintegrator for grinding cotton seed has arrived and
will be erected at an early date. The cotton so far dealt with
appears to be well prepared and of good quality,’

Barbados.

The following report on the cotton industry in
Barbados for the fortnight ended February 22, has
been forwarded by Mr. J. R. Bovell, F.LS., F.C.S.:—

I am glad to be able again to report that the cotton all
over the island is, with few exceptions, practically free
from insect pests.

A large quantity of the cotton has already been picked,
some of which has been sent to the Cotton Central Factory,
the remainder being sent to Mr. H. E. Thorne’s Factory.

Owing to the long drought that occurred during
November and December, the yield of the cotton planted
late will, I regret to say, be not as much as was hoped.
Some of the planters of the early cotton got as much as
1,000 tb. of seed-cotton per acre; those who planted in
September and October are getting practically only half
that quantity.

Up to the 21st. inst. the Cotton Factory had ginned

THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS. 53

196,872 tb. of seed-cotton, yielding 54,483 tb. of lint. This
lint has been made into 142 bales, of which 59 have been
shipped, as follows: 24 bales by the S.S. ‘Orinoco’ on
January 14, and 35 bales by the 8.8. ‘Trent’ on January 28,
and 75 bales are being shipped by the 8.8. ‘ Rosetti’ to day.

I may mention that I had intended sending 55 of these
bales by the 8.8. ‘LaPlata’ which left here on Saturday
February 11, but at the last minute it was found that there
was no room for them. As the ‘ Rosetti’ is the first available
opportunity, I am sending them by this ship, along with
20 bales of cotton ginned during last week and this week.

Hayti.

The Yextile Mercury of January 21 has the
following note on cotton in Hayti :—

In a report on cotton growing in Hayti, the United
States Consu! at Port-au-Prince writes that the high prices
obtained for cotton last year offered great inducement to the
planters to cultivate this product on a more extensive scale.
No doubt cotton would have become a great factor in the
exports, and would have greatly added to the revenue of
this country, but for the great disturbance in Haytian finances,
which caused a rapid increase of all expenses and thus com-
pelled the planters to reduce their planting. While there has
been considerable increase over former crops, the improvement
will not be as great as was expected. This country is very
suitable for the growing of cotton, and a large quantity could,
no doubt, be produced at a larger profit than in the United
States. Haytian cotton once planted continues to produce for
twenty years without replanting, and requires but little care or
cultivation. The only expense is the gathering, ginning, and
baling. The staple is of good quality. Sea Island cotton
has to some extent been introduced with success, and the
planting is increasing, as it has proved to be very profitable.
This cotton, once planted, will produce four crops before the
plant dies out.

DESTRUCTION OF RATS AND MICE.

Reference was made in the Agricultural News
(Vol. III, p. 299) to the successful use in France of
cultures of pathogenic bacteria for destroying rats and
mice in districts where great losses had resulted from
their depredations on vines and growing crops.

Messrs. Evans, Sons, Lescher, and Webb, Ltd., of
Liverpool, advertise in the Pharmaceutical Jowrnal
as the sole agents for the ‘Liverpool’ virus, for the
destruction of rats and mice, prepared by the Incorpora-
ted Liverpool Institute of Comparative Pathology
(Serum Department). The following information is
supplied :-—

The virus is not a poison, but is destructive to rats and
mice, amongst which it causes in a few days a contagious
disease. Rats, when infected with the disease, come out of
their holes seeking air and light. Others leave their haunts
immediately on the outbreak of the disease.

It is suggested that this virus might be usefully
employed in the West Indies where rats and mice are
particularly destructive to growing crops and stored
produce. With a view to testing its efficiency,
a supply of these cultures is being obtained by the
Imperial Department of Agriculture for experimental
purposes.

54 THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.

Frepruary 25, 1905.

WEST INDIAN FISHERIES.

The following are extracts from the Annual
Reports on the West Indian Colonies for 1903 in
which references are made to the fisheries :—

BAHAMAS.

The marine industries include the catching of turtle,
both of the edible species and of the species which affords
the turtle, or tortoise, shell of commerce.

An interesting venture in hatching turtle eggs and
breeding young turtle is now being carried on at Inagua,
concerning which the Resident Justice reports as follows :—

‘The turtle industry is ina flourishing condition. The
mouth of the creek has been fenced across, and nurseries
made for young turtle. Large quantities of turtle eggs have
been gathered and stored in barrels of sand for hatching.
The hatching process takes six weeks. _ Several hundreds of
young turtle have thus far been hatched and placed in
nurseries where they are fed on conchs for a week or two
until old enough to search for food on their own account.’

Some alarm has been felt at the condition of this and
the sponge industry, and a Board has been constituted to
investigate the present condition of the sponge beds and
turtle fisheries and recommend to the Government such
measures as may appear necessary and feasible for the
prevention of the exhaustion of the sponge beds and for
keeping up the stock of turtle.

BARBADOS,

Another industry which has been fostered by the
Imperial Department of Agriculture is the curing for export
of flying fish, albacore, and the various other fish that
abound in these waters. The experiments made have gone
to show that the fish, both pickled and dry-salted, can be
exported and sold at a fair profit in the neighbouring
colonies, and there is no reason to doubt that it will also
find a sale here at times when the fresh fish is not obtainable.

BRITISH GUIANA,

There is an abundance of fish in the waters of the colony,
but as an industrial pursuit fishing is comparatively neglected,
though several small fish-curing enterprises have lately been
taken up. The deep-sea fishing, established some years ago
for the supply of the local market, has been maintained, and
Georgetown is well supplied with grouper, dolphin, red
snapper, ete. The Fisheries Commission, appointed by the
Royal Agricultural and Commercial Society in 1901, is still
collecting information with regard to the habits, breeding
seasons, ete., of the fishes of the colony. *

GRENADA,

Fish is caught only on the coasts for daily consumption.
Whales and turtle abound in their seasons, and Carriacou is

* In reference to the fisheries of British Guiana we may
mention that a little book on the Fishes of British Guiana has
recently been published containing interesting and useful
notes on river and sea fish in that colony. It is written by
Mr. T. Sidney Hargreaves, F.G.S., and is published by the
Argosy Co., Ltd. A brief review of it will be found in the
Agricultural News, Vol. IV, p. 11. [Ed. A.N.]

noted for a fine oyster which grows on the mangroves in
a large, land-locked harbour there.
ST. LUCIA.

A fairly large number of boats is engaged in fishing

around the coast of the island, but solely for the purpose of

supplying the local market, and no attempt is made at
preserving for export purposes.

WEIGHT AND VALUE OF EGGS.

A correspondent writes in the Barbados Advocate
of February 11 as follows :—

It is most extraordinary that the variety in the weight
and value of eggs as an article of merchandise should have
been so universally overlooked. So far as is known, it has
always been the custom everywhere to sell eggs by number,
without respect to size, weight, or peculiar quality, yet no
absurdity can be greater. It has been ascertained by careful
experiments recently made, that the fair average weight for
a dozen eggs is 224 oz. It appears that the largest eggs
weigh 24 oz. per dozen, and the smallest only 143 0z. In
the one case a fraction over eleven eggs would equal the
average weight of a dozen, and in the other it would require
over eighteen eggs to reach the proper weight; thus the
difference in weight between the two kinds is about one-half,
while the price is the same.

It may be mentioned that the way to improve
the size and quality of eggs is to select carefully the
best stock for breeding purposes, and also to give
special attention to the feeding of poultry. Full
information in this connexion will be found in
Pamphlet No. 23, Notes on Poultry in the West
Indies. A feature of this pamphlet is that preference
is given to native food-stufts.

A note on this subject in the Natal Agricultural
Journal has the following :—

Primitive simplicity characterizes colonial dealings in
poultry and eggs.. A fowl is a fowl with many colonists, and
so is an egg an egg. A correspondent writes :—

‘T recently bought from a leading Maritzburg grocer
a dozen of eggs, for which I paid 2s. On returning home
I weighed them against a dozen of eggs, laid by my
Orpington fowls. These eggs weighed just twice as much as
my shop ones. Still I do not think people will buy them at
4s. per dozen.’

Most probably not. A considerable member of the town
burgers are thrifty housewives, who find small eggs fried
or boiled serve as well as large ones. In general cooking,
however—and eggs come into nearly every good recipe—
a big egg, such as that of the Orpington, may be counted as
two, and this immense superiority in quantity should meet
with proper recognition.

Grenada’s Motto.—‘Clarior e tenebris.’ This motto
faithfully describes the fortunes of the colony, which after
much suffering entailed by the decadence of the sugar
industry, has emerged from her troubles more prosperous
than ever before. The high tide of prosperity still continues,
but, with a rapidly increasing population, and with the
greater portion of the land of the island absorbed by
permanent cultivation of products, which are bound to be
subject in the future to some Vicissitudes, it cannot be
said that the sky is free from clouds. (Annual Report for
1903.)

Vou. IV. No. 75.

THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS. 55

SCIENCE NOTES.

Seed Infection.

The following note, from Science for February 12,
1904, on a fungoid disease of beans is of interest as
showing the danger of disseminating diseases by means
of infected seed :—

The bean crop in the vicinity of St. Louis was severely
injured this year in many instances by Rhizoctonia sp.,
which not only attacked the stems and larger roots of the
plants, but also produced brown, sunken areas on the surface
of the pods, penetrating the latter and discolouring the seeds.
An examination of a number of seeds whose surface was
discoloured disclosed the fact that the mycelium of the fungus
had established itself in the seed-coat and in many
instances had formed minute sclerotia there without rotting
the seed or even penetrating the cotyledons, Pure cultures
of Rhizoctonia were easily obtained from a number of
mature discoloured beans which had been carefully removed
from diseased pods. The presence of the fungus does not
prevent the germination of the seed, as was proved by a test.
From this it follows that a very common means of dis-
seminating Rhizoctonia on the bean is through diseased
seed, and that seedsmen should be careful not to send out
discoloured beans.

It is well known that several fungoid diseases are
disseminated by spores attached to the seeds of their
hosts. The smut and bunt of cereals (wheat, oats,
etc.,) are classical examples of this; these diseases are
now dealt with by treating seed for planting with
formalin, copper sulphate, corrosive sublimate, or hot
water, to kill the fungus spores. ‘Seed’ potatos
affected with scab are treated with formalin or corrosive
sublimate. The cotton seed imported by the Imperial
Department of Agriculture from America was treated
with corrosive sublimate solution with the object of
preventing the introduction of fungus spores that
might be attached to the seed.

A New Sugar Plant.

Some four years ago, Dr. Bertoni, Director of the
Agricultural College at Ascuncion, Paraguay, dis-
covered a new sugar-yielding plant, locally known as
Cad-éhé (meaning ‘sweet herb’) whose secret had for
a long time been known to, and jealously guarded by,
the Indians of that district. Leaves of this plant were
forwarded by H. B. M. Consul at Ascuncion to the
Royal Gardens, Kew, and a description of the plant
was subsequently published in the Kew Bulletin (1901,
pp. 173-4).

At the request of the Imperial Commissioner of
Agriculture, H. B. M. Consul at Ascuncion was asked
to obtain seeds and leaves of this plant for shipment
to Barbados. The following is the Consul’s reply,
dated November 22, 1904, to the Secretary of State
for Foreign Affairs :—

I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt your
Lordship’s despatch, No. 6, Commercial, of the 7th. ultimo,
enclosing a despatch from His Majesty’s Minister at Rio,
relative to the Hupatorium Rebandianum.

This plant was discovered by Dr. Bertoni near the
Brazilian frontier some 250 miles from here and not, as the

official journal of Rio states, near Ascuncion. Its local
Guarani name is Cad-éhé, which means sweet herb.

On learning of its existence in 1901, I managed with
some difficulty to procure and press a specimen which
I forwarded to the Director of the Royal Gardens at
Kew, and a description of the plant was then published in
the Kew Bulletin.

The Cad-éhé is said to grow freely in certain parts of
Paraguay and also, I am informed, in the interior of the
Brazilian State of Matto Grosso, but owing to the inaccessi-
bility of these regions, specimens are not easily obtained.

I will, however, endeavour to carry out your Lordship’s
instructions and forward some pressed leaves and seeds to
the Imperial Commissioner of Agriculture at Barbados.

Alkaloids in Thorn Apple Seeds.

In connexion with the note in the Agricultural News
(Vol. II], p. 358) on the thorn apple (Datura Stramonium),
it may be of interest to mention that the seeds of this plant
have recently been the subject of an investigation in the
Scientific and Technical Department of the Imperial Institute,
an account of which is given in the Bulletin of the Imperial
Institute (Vol. II, no. 4).

‘A sample of Datura Stramonium grown in Egypt was
also found to contain hyoscyamine {the principal alkaloid in
the belladona plant and also the henbane (Hyoseyamus niger) |
with only a trace of other alkaloid, and it was therefore
desired to ascertain whether the plant obtained from India
would give a similar result, and what proportion of alkaloid
would be present in this case.’

The investigation of a sample of seed obtained from
India showed that these seeds resembled the Egyptian seeds
in the fact that practically the whole of the alkaloid is
present as hyoscyamine, but the Indian seeds contained
a smaller proportion of alkaloid.

‘The nature of the alkaloid present in the seeds of
Datura Stramonium appears, therefore, to be quite constant,
whatever the country of origin may be, but whereas the
Egyptian seeds were found to contain as much alkaloid as
European seeds, the sample from India yielded a lower
proportion.’

WATER BUFFALOS.

The Jamaica Board of Agriculture is endeavouring
to obtain information on the subject of Water Buffalos.
The following is an extract from the official report of
a meeting of the Board on November 15, 1904 :—

The Secretary read replies to his inquiries regarding the
Water Buffalos—(1) from the U. 8. Department of Agri-
culture, with the information that the water buffalos were
not in use in the United States, but were being used in the
Hawaiian Islands on account of their value for work in wet
and mud, in the cultivation of the rice fields; (2) from
Mr. Meaden, Manager of the Government Stock Farm,
Trinidad, giving particulars as to their use in Trinidad and
their cost, and giving reference to the Hon. S. Henderson,
Chaquanas, Trinidad, and Mr. L. Bert de Lamarre, Orange
Grove, Trinidad, who had herds of buffalos. The Secretary was
instructed to write these gentlemen for full information as to
these animals and as to whether they could be procured in
Trinidad, and their cost.

It may be mentioned that the Representatives at
the recent Agricultural Conference in Trinidad were
afforded an opportunity of seeing the water buffalos
belonging to the Hon. S. Henderson, at Chaquanas, and
were much interested in them.

56 THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.

Fepruary 25, 1905.

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, EC. A complete list of
Agents will be found at foot of page 63 of this issue.

The Agricultural News: Price 1d. per number,
post free 1}d. Annual subscription payable to Agents,
2s, 2d. Post free, 3s, 3d.

Agricultural ews

Vout. IV. SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 1905. No. 75.

NOTES AND COMMENTS.

Contents of Present Issue.

In the editorial on Agricultural Banks on pp.
49-50 of this issue an account is given of the working
of the Jamaica Hurricane Loans Law, 1903, the success
of which has been mainly responsible for the advocacy
of the establishment of Loan Banks.

The notes on the sugar industry deal with cane
cultivation in Hawaii andin Mexico. The former note
is a brief summary of information collected for an
article in the West Indian Bulletin, Vol. V, no. 3.

On p. 51 there will also be found a detailed
description of a tool for incising rubber trees to which
reference has previously been made in the publications
of this Department.

Interesting articles on the prospects of the West
Indian fruit trade will be found on p. 52; also a note
on sterilizing fruit which contains useful information.

Notes on the Sea Island cotton market and on
the prospects of the present crop in the West Indies
are published on p. 53.

Under ‘Insect Notes’ further information is given
as to the strength of hardbacks: also a note on the
classification of moths and butterflies.

Objections have been made, from time to time, to
the prominence that is being given to agricultural
teaching in elementary schools. As a reply to such
objections, we publish the report of a recent address
by the Archbishop of the West Indies on this subject
(see p. 59).

Agriculture and Fisheries.

On p. 54 of this issue there will be found extracts
from Colonial Office Reports on the fisheries of the
West Indies. It may be mentioned that the organiza-
tion of fisheries is now regarded as coming within the
scope of the work of Agricultural Departments. This
principle is recognized in Great Britain, in Ireland,
and at the Cape of Good Hope, where the Agricultural
Departments conduct investigations in connexion with,
and otherwise render assistance to, the development of
the marine resources.

As was remarked by the Rt. Hon. the Earl of
Onslow, President of the Board of Agriculture and
Fisheries, at the last annual dinner of the Kew Guild,
‘Agriculture is a noun of multitude, for it not only
includes Horticulture but Fisheries.’

EE
Onion Seed.

It is proposed to obtain from Teneriffe a further
supply of onion seed (red and white) for planting in the
West Indies, Planters who are desirous of obtaining
seed are requested to inform the local officers of the
Department tmmediately what quantity of seed of
each variety they require.

Planters are strongly advised to sow the seed in
beds and afterwards transplant the young plants to the
fields. Not only is this method more economical of
seed, but the young plants can be better looked after.
Further it gives bigger yields than sowing directly in
the fields.

This last advantage is very clearly brought
out by some experiments recently conducted at the
Oregon Experiment Station in the United States. The
average yield of five different varieties when sown in
the field was 389 bushels; when transplanted the
average yield was 655 bushels, or an average increase
of 266 bushels (68 per cent.) due to transplanting.

r+

Trade of Trinidad.

In the Annual Report on Trinidad for 1903-4 it
is stated that the exports of produce from the colony
show an increase of £41,940 over those of last year,
‘and that in spite of the fact that one picking of cacao
failed almost entirely during the year under review.’

The exports of sugar, which were 7,000 tons less
than during 1902-3, were the smallest output for many
years, but, owing to the recovery in prices, gave an
increased value of £25,900 as compared with those of
the previous year.

For the reason already given in the exports of cacao
there was a deficit of 15,778 ewt. This would have
been much greater had it not been that the later
picking was so good. ‘The exports of asphalt amounted
to 192,220 tons, being 33,120 tons in excess of the
output for the previous year. The value was £204,126.

We notice that this report does not contain
a section for agriculture, as is to be found in most of
the other reports of this series. Consequently, no
reference 1s made to the useful work carried on by the
Botanical Department.

Vou. IV. No. 75.

THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS. 57

Permanent Exhibition Committees.

In the Agricultural News, Vol. IV, p. 20, brief
mention was made of the suggestion of the Secretary
of the West India Committee that in all the West
India Islands permanent exhibition committees should
be appointed with the view to securing adequate
representation at all exhibitions in Great Britain. In
the West India Committee Circular of January 3,
this suggestion is referred to as follows :—

‘That each island should appoint a permanent
Exhibition Committee, consisting of, say, six members,
and comprising representatives of the local West
India Committees, the Agricultural and Commercial
bodies, and the Government, who might undertake the
arrangements for all the exhibitions and thus obviate
the necessity of appointing a fresh committee to deal
with each case as it arises.’

A correspondent commenting on this in the
West India Committee Circular, makes the further
suggestion that, following the example of Canada
which has a permanent court at the Crystal Palace,
arrangements might be made for some permanent
exhibit from which supplies could be drawn for
provincial shows.

We consider that these suggestions are worthy of
careful consideration in the various islands; possibly
the Agricultural Societies might discuss them with
a view of carrying them out if they are considered
feasible.

Fruiting of the Travellers’ Tree.

In a note in the Agricultural News (Vol. II,
p. 412) it was mentioned that a specimen of the
Travellers’ Tree (Ravenala madagascariensis) had
fruited in Borneo and that this was the only record of
the fruiting of this plant in the East. In response to
a suggestion that records of its fruiting in the West
Indies would be of interest, several correspondents
forwarded notes which have been published from time
to time in the Agricultural News. It may be of
interest to bring together these records.

Mr. Dopwell wrote that one of these trees fruited
at the St. Vincent Botanic Station in 1901, a few
plants being raised from the seeds produced. The
same tree fruited again in the following year, and a few
plants were again raised from seed. (See Vol. III,
p. 12.) A further note, by Mr. Henry Powell, formerly
Curator of the Botanic Station at St. Vincent, in
relation to this tree will be found in Vol. III, p. 342.

From Jamaica Mr. Fawcett wrote that a tree at
Castleton Gardens had fruited regularly for over twenty
years, seeds having been gathered for propagation
purposes and for distribution. (See Vol. TIL, p. 60.)

Mr, Hart was not aware of any plants having
fruited in the Botanic Gardens at ‘Trinidad. He
mentioned, however, several instances of the flowering
-of plants that had been raised in the Gardens, (See
p. 40.)

In the last issue of the Agricultural News (p. 44)
we recorded that an old specimen of this tree was
fruiting in St. Kitt’s, where fertile seed had previously
-been produced.

Carriacou Land Settlement Scheme.

In reference to the note in the Agricultural News
(Vol. IV, p. 29) relative to the Land Settlement
Scheme in Carriacou, the following particulars contained
in the recently issued Annual Report on Grenada for
1903 may be of interest :—

Two estates had, so far, been purchased and cut
up into allotments, giving 244 saleable agricultural lots
and fifty-one building lots for the extension of the
town. Of the former all but twenty-five had been sold.

It is considered that this scheme is likely to cause
an appreciable increase in the quantity of cotton
exported from the island.

It is stated that, apart from the benefit derived
from the settlement of a valuable class of proprietors
on land hitherto unprofitable, important property had
accrued to the Government from the acquisition of the
estates. ‘It may, therefore, be claimed that, so far at
all events, the scheme has been a complete success, and
with it a new era has opened for Carriacou.’

eee

Rubber in West Africa.

A Report on ‘Rubber in the Gold Coast and Sierra
Leone’ by Mr. W. H. Johnson, F.L.S., Director of
Agriculture, Gold Coast, has been issued as a Colonial
Office Report (Miscellaneous, no, 28, 1904). The
special object of this publication is to disseminate
information as to the rubber plants best adapted to
cultivation in those colonies with a view to preventing
the extermination of the rubber industry.

It is obvious that some measures must be taken
if this is to be prevented, for it is undoubtedly in
consequence of destructive methods of tapping that
the value of the exports of rubber from the Gold
Coast has declined in five years from £555,731 in 1899
to £196,500 in 1903.

In this report, then, Mr. Johnson discusses the
merits and demerits of six rubber plants which are
generally accepted as the most valuable, viz, Para
(Hevea brasiliensis), West frican (Funtumia
elastica), Central American (Castilloa elastica), Ceara
(Manihot Glaziovii), Assam (Ficus elastica), and
West African (Landolphia owariensis). The last
named having a climbing habit and being difficult
to tap, it is not considered suitable for cultivation
on a large scale. The yield from the Ceara and
Assam trees, although the trees have made good
growth, has not been sufficient to cover cost of
collection. Custilloa elasticu has proved particularly
susceptible to insect attacks and does not appear to
thrive in the Gold Coast.

There remain, therefore, two rubber plants which
may be selected for planting. These are FPuntwmia
elastica and Hevea brasiliensis, both of which have
given satisfaction at the Botanic Gardens at Aburi.
An interesting account is given of the experimental
cultivation of these two plants. The latter has proved
a quicker grower and appears to give a larger yield of
rubber, and it is concluded that the Para rubber is the
most satisfactory rubber tree to cultivate in West
Africa. z

58 THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.

Frpruary 25, 1905.

INSECT NOTES.

Strength of Hardbacks.

In order to contrast more clearly the strength of these
insects with the strength of larger animals, the following
figures are given, based on the results of experiments
(1), (2), and (3) recorded in the Agricultural News (Vol, II,
p. 42).

In (1) the beetle dragged a load 15-43 times its own
weight, in (2) it pushed a weight 141-1 times its own weight,
and in (3) it carried and dragged a load 400 times its own
weight. If a man weighing 150 Ib. were as strong in
proportion he would be able, under conditions similar to
those of (1), to drag a load of over 1 ton. Similarly, with
(2) he would be able to push a load of over 9 tons, and in
the case of (3) to carry and drag a Joad of over 27 tons.
If a horse weighing 1,200 Ib. were as strong in proportion
as the hardback, it would be able to draw in (1) 8 tons; in
(2) 75 tons ; and in (3) it would have to move a lead, partly
on the ground, of 214 tons.

Physiologists estimate that a man can draw ‘86 per cent.
of his own weight and a horse only “67 per cent. of its
weight. Therefore, a man weighing 150 Ib. can draw 129 Ib,
and a horse of 1,200 tb. can draw 804 Ib, Comparing these
figures with the figures given in experiment (2), it will be seen
that the beetle is about 164 times stronger than a man and
about 211 times stronger than a horse, in proportion to its
weight.

Moths and Butterflies.

Moths and butterflies belong to the order of insects to
which has been given the name of Lepidoptera, which is
derived from two Greek words meaning scale and wing, and
refers to the scales with which the wings of most lepidop-
terous insects are covered. These scales are flattened and of
many colours, giving rise to some of the most striking colour
patterns and colour effects to be found in the insect world.

The metamorphosis is complete and abrupt. The larva
is a caterpillar, with an elongate, more or less eylindrical,
segmented body, It is provided with stout mandibles and
feeds, generally, on vegetable matter. There are usually three
pairs of thoracic legs and five pairs of abdominal legs.
Variations occur both in the shape of the larvae and in
the number of abdominal legs, and in some species the
thoracic legs of the larvae are so reduced as to be scarcely
distinguishable and very rarely are entirely wanting.

The division of Lepidoptera into two great series,
Rhopalocera, the Butterflies, and Heterocera, the Moths, is
the most commonly used. The word Rhopalocera is derived
from two Greek words meaning c/uh and horn, and refers to
the clubbed antennae of the butterflies, while the word
Heterocera comes from the Greek words meaning other and
horn referring to various forms of antennae of the moths.
Sharp * gives this classification of the Lepidoptera :—

‘Series I, Rhopalocera or Buttertlies. Antennae knobbed
at the tip or thickened a little before the tip, without

* Cambridge Natural History, Insects II, p. 340.

pectinatious, projecting processes, or conspicuous arrangements
of cilia. Hind wings without a frenulum, but with costal
nervures strongly curved at the base.

‘Series Il, Heterocera or Moths. Antennae various in
form, only rarely knobbed at the tip, and in such cases
a frenulum present. In the large majority a frenulum is
present, and the costal nervure of the hind wing is either but
little arched at the base, or it has a large area between it
and the front margin; but in certain families the hind
wing is formed much as in the Rhopalocera.

‘It may be inferred from these definitions that the
distinction between the two sub-orders is neither sharply
defined nor of great importance. The club of the antenna
of the Rhopalocera exhibits considerable variety in form.
Butterflies are as a rule diurnal in their activity and moths
nocturnal ; but in the tropics there are numerous Heterocera
that are diurnal and many of these resemble butterflies not
only in colour but even in the shape of their wings.’

Carpenter * says: ‘The popular division of Lepidoptera
into Butterflies (Rhopalocera) and Moths (Heterocera) is
quite unscientific, the butterflies being more nearly related
to the higher moths than these to the lower moths.’ Smith +
says: ‘Rhopalocera are those in which the antennae or
feelers terminate in a more or less distinct knob or club at
the tip, and in which at least the front pair of wings is
elevated or vertical when at rest so that the upper surfaces
touch when at rest. The Heterocera, on the other hand,
have feelers, or antennae, of many different kinds, but never
in our fauna distinetly clubbed.’ Comstock { makes three
divisions of Lepidoptera—the moths, the skippers, and the
butterflies. Most of the skippers are generally included in
the butterfly series, while a few which Comstock places in this
sub-order are classified among the moths by other authors.

The genus Megathymus, which Comstock makes the
basis for the family Megathymidae of the skippers, is
included by Sharp in the family Castniidae of the moths, of
which family Sharp says: ‘The insects of this family
combine to a large extent the characters of butterflies and
moths. The antennae are knobbed or hooked at the tip,
there is a large precostal area to the hind wing. The
nervules of the front wings are complex and anastomose so
as to form one or more accessory cells.’

It will be seen from what has been said that the
division of Lepidoptera into two great series or sub-orders is
merely a matter of convenience, not scientific, and presents no
hard and fast line of division, and there is also a question
whether, if any sub-orders or series are designated, there
ought not to be three divisions. Sharp says: ‘The division
of all Lepidoptera into two series is merely a temporary
device necessitated by imperfect acquaintance with morphol-
ogy’; and Carpenter says: ‘On the whole, it is better not to
adopt any division of the Lepidoptera between the order and
the family.’

The use of the terms butterfly and moth has, however,
become firmly established and will probably continue in use
for some time to come, because they are so convenient in
their ordinary use and application.

Fire-flies in Jamaica. The Daily Telegraph,
February 6, 1905, has an interesting account of the Jamaica
fire-tlies. They are beetles (Coleoptora) of the families
Elateridae and Lampyridae. The writer has proved that
fire-flies do not eat mosquitos, as they have been supposed to:
do.

Insects: Their Structure and Life.
Eeonomic Entomology.
Manual for the Study of Insects.

++ + Ok

THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS. 59

THE RELATION OF TEACHERS TO
AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT.

The following is a report, taken from the Gleaner
of January 18, of an address delivered to the teachers
attending the recent agricultural course at Jamaica by
his Grace the Archbishop of the West Indies :—

The Archbishop said the subject he was asked to speak
on was the relation of teachers to the general agricultural
development of the island. They would observe that he had
several times before addressed the teachers attending the
agricultural course on the same subject, and he supposed the
reason for that was because he had so much to do with the
work of the teachers in all parts of the island, and that he
was able to advise on the subject in a general way. He
wanted them to realize that there was nothing technical in
what he was about to say. They had had a variety of
subjects dealt with by teachers who were competent to deal
with tbe technical part of the subject. What he had to do in
the time at his disposal was to try and stimulate them in
what they had to do in their work as teachers towards the
general agricultural development of the island.

There was some misunderstanding as to the work they
were trying to carry out, even hostility ; but he asked them
to believe that the work they were called upon to do was
a great work, to remember that they came into daily contact
with the boys and girls who within the next fifteen years
would be the working people of the island, and pointed out
that theirs was the opportunity of turning the children’s
attention—of implanting in their minds what would be
required of them—in such a way as to have a profound effect
on the working folks of Jamaica. He wanted them to get it
into their minds as a settled thing that the more a workman
knows the better workman he becomes, as well as a more
efticient labourer of the soil. He knew a number of teachers
who were setting such an example to the youths in their
midst. He knew that many of the best elementary school
teachers had the best grounds in their districts before these
efforts were being attempted, and he hoped that this example
would now be general in spite of the rules. He urged on
them to remember that it was their privilege to show the
community in which they dwelt what was true industry and
the value that was to be put on the methods of the things of
life.

He had heard the question put: Why should we trouble
ourselves to introduce agriculture in our schools whilst it is
not done in other countries? It was true that in England, in
some of the agricultural districts, there had been little
agricultural education ; but it was also true that the English
farmer was getting behind the rest of the world—was missing
his chances of competing with other people of the world. In
certain parts of France, particularly in Normandy, and in
Denmark, the small farmers had learnt to apply a great many
things that were taught in agriculture but which were ignored
by other people, and which resulted in their being able in
some things to compete with the world. Let them think
what a great pity it was to have to import such a large
quantity of Blue-nose and of Danish butter into this country
—an agricultural country. But Jamaica people had not
learnt farming yet. Jamaica people had learnt to make
sugar and rum and to handle coffee, and in even that they
still had something to learn. Some of their leading men

were even slow to acknowledge that there were things new
to them or to learn to adopt scientific methods. And so
from generation to generation the Jamaica people were
ignorant of the things that go to make up the farmer. That
was not their fault, and so they had still to be taught to
become farmers in Jamaica. That, he thought, answered the
question whether agricultural education should be taught in
this country. They did not want to wait for a generation or
two to learn agriculture. They wanted to go ahead and be
able to compete with the rest of the world.

His Grace related a story illustrating the carelessness in
the methods of grading coffee here. The practical endeavours
to do agricultural work, his Grace went on, were of the
highest importance, and he asked them to let no one dissuade
them from the usefulness of disseminating this knowledge
among the children in the schools, as the more general
knowledge our people had, the more they would be able to
apply it to specific subjects,

The speaker gave two apt illustrations of what was
being done to injure the reputation of Jamaica fruit abroad.
Travelling along any of the roads any day, it was no
uncommon sight to see a cart laden with bananas, and on top
of the fruit were three or four persons along with their loads.
The cart driver had, either through civility or through what
he believed to be christian kindness, given them a lift. The
result was that when that fruit got to England the dealer
who bought them would find to his cost that they were
rotting, and the result was loss to him, and loss to the
reputation of our fruit, as it was only natural that he would
prefer to buy bananas shipped in crates. With oranges the
method was to place a cart ready to receive the fruit at the
side of a bank, and then the people came out one by one
and, standing on the edge, dumped the fruit into the cart.
The effect of such treatment was not seen until some time
after the fruit arrived in England, and the effect was of
course disastrous. If he (the speaker) had the money he
would send a few of his hearers to see what was done abroad
in the way of packing and handling fruit for the market.
Only that day at the Board of Agriculture the matter was
discussed, and it was suggested to have a chart and
on that chart should be written in the shortest crispest
way what people should do and what they should not
do. For example, he would like to see among them
this: ‘Don’t sit on the bananas.’ A chart like that in
every school read once a week would do an immense amount
of good within five or six years.

In concluding an admirable address his Grace expressed
the wish that the teachers would be encouraged to go on
most heartily in the course they were pursuing, that they
would be stimulated to go ahead in spite of adverse criticism
and so leave their mark on the youth of their district who
would bless them, and their country would also bless them.

White Sorrel. Mr. C. J. Hering, of Surinam
writes, in reference to the note in the Agricultural News
(Vol. ILI, p. 167) on the Red Sorrel (4ibiscus Sabdariffa),
asking to be informed if the white (yellowish) sorrel is found
in the British West Indies. He says: ‘The plant resembles
in all respects, except in colour of stem, leaves, and fruits,
the red sorrel. The flower is the same as the red sorrel,
while the jelly, marmaJade, or wine made from it has
a greenish-yellow colour, but the same flavour as the red
one.’ We are of opinion that the red variety is preferred in
the West Indies and that the white, though well known, is
not used to any extent. Possibly some of our readers can
supply information on this point.

60 THE AGRICULTURAL

NEWS. FEBRUARY 25, 1905.

————. — —— ai,
GLEANINGS.
The Sea Island cotton farmers are continually looking

for better seed, and considerable new seed will be sold this
season. (Cotton Trade Journal of Savannah, Ga., U.S.A.)

Mr. Elias Buckmire, Foreman of the Botanic Station at
St. Lucia, has taken temporary charge of the Montserrat
Stations in consequence of the transfer of Mr. Jordan to
Antigua.

It may not be generally known that the root bark of
the cotton plant is used medicinally. Directions for
preparing extracts and decoctions of cotton root bark are
included in the ‘Indian and Colonial Addendum’ of the
British Pharmacopoeia.

The West India Committee Circular of January 31
contains a report of Mr. W. G. Freeman’s lecture on the
‘West Indian Fruit Industry.’ The chair was occupied by
Sir Wm. Thiselton Dyer. <A portrait of Mr. Freeman
accompanies the report.

The Governor of Jamaica has approved different rates
being charged for the conveyance of bananas on the Jamaica
railway at different periods of the year: a higher rate at the
period when prices of fruit are higher, and a lower rate
when prices are less.

Quite a large number of trees have been planted by the
King. It is now always expected that whenever he stops at
a country house a tree will be planted in commemoration of
the visit. Many he planted as Prince of Wales have now
assumed goodly proportions. (Barbados Daily News.)

Professor Harrison writes to the Imperial Commissioner
of Agriculture: ‘The results of this year’s manurial experi-
ments with the varieties [in British Guiana] are most striking
and supply overwhelming proof that the new varieties are
very similar to the Bourbon in their manurial requirements.’

The Imperial Commissioner of Agriculture will attend
the Agricultural Show to be held at Grenada on March 16
and 17. A meeting of the Experiment Committee of the
Agricultural and Commercial Society has been arranged for
March 15, at which the Commissioner will attend for the
purpose of conferring with the members.

An account is given in the Wineteenth Century and
After of what is described as ‘the world’s greatest discovery
in horticulture ’—the production of a coreless apple. When
grown by itself, and therefore not subject to cross pollination,
the tree is incapable of bearing fruits with seeds in it. It
is stated: ‘The coreless apple will produce as_ great
a sensation when brought before the public as the seedless
orange did a few years ago.’

We are informed that Dr. Carl Otto Weber, the well
known chemical authority on india-rubber, died suddenly on

January 14 at his residence in Massachusetts, U.S.A.
(Nature.)

The measures taken by the Government for ensuring the
purity of French Guinea rubber have been completely
successful, and that product has now an assured position on
the markets of Europe. (Consular Report on French Guinea.)

During the past fortnight 5 bales of West Indian
cotton have been imported. Medium fine is quoted in
Liverpool at 4°5d. per tb.; and West Indian Sea Island,
medium fine, 113d. per Ib.; fine, 124d. per Ib.; extra fine,
144d. per th. (West India Committee Circular.)

In the Governor’s address at the opening of the
Combined Court at British Guiana it was stated that it was
proposed to amalgamate the Board of Agriculture, the
Government Laboratory, and the Botanic Gardens in the
Department of Science and Agriculture under the guidance
of Professor Harrison.

The annual meeting of the British Honduras Society of
Agriculture and Commerce was held on January 13. last.
A letter was read in which his Excellency the Governor made
the suggestion that a Bill should be prepared for giving
a legal status to the society with the view of securing
permanency of its operations and so ensuring the life of
the society. The suggestion was referred to a committee for
consideration.

In a letter to the Demerara Argosy the Hon. B. Howell
Jones makes the following sporting offer to the Editor of the
Chronicle in connexion with a discusssion on cane farming :
‘Tf he will get one of the Agricultural Instructors to visit
Pin. La Bonne Mere, and the Instructor reports favourably
upon the farmers’ cane cultivation, I shall be most pleased to
hand over the sum of $10 to the Rescue House of the
Salvation Army.’

Mr. A. J. Brooks writes from Dominica that Emilia
Détouches was awarded the Banksian medal and a special
prize of £1 by the council of the Royal Horticultural Society
for exhibits of meals and starches at the recent exhibition of
colonial fruit. This exhibitor obtamed a Diploma of Merit,
as well as nine special prizes and one first prize, for similar
exhibits at the Agricultural Show held at Dominica on
February 24 and 25, 1904.

In reference to the note in the Agricultural News (Vol.
II, p. 328) to the effect that in the Malay States an Inspector
had been appointed under the ‘ Cocoanut Trees Preservation
Enactment’ to ensure united and systematic action against
the enemies of the cocoanut palm, it may be mentioned that,
according to the Annual Report for 1903, ‘the plantations
are still remunerative, and the damage caused by beetles is
now insignificant.’

According to a note in the Pharmaceutical Journal, the
seeds of the baobab tree (Adansonia digitata), a native of
tropical Africa, which is to be found in some of these islands,
contain an oil which might advantageously be used in the
place of cocoa-nut oil in the manufacture of vegetable lards,
and also for high-priced toilet soaps and unguents. Seeds
examined by Balland yielded 63:3 per cent. of kernels which
contained 63°20 per cent. of a whitish, solid fat.

Vout. IV. No. 75. THE

AGRICULTURAL NEWS. OL

a RECS of
aul as

for Boar = 4 & i ER cap

to

PRECIS OF INFORMATION FOR THE LEE-

WARD ISLANDS, 1904.

This work, which is dedicated by permission to his
Excellency Sir Gerald Strickland, K.C.M.G., ‘was originally
intended to be a hand-book for 1904. Difficulties in printing
and revision have, however, made this object impossible.’

A large amount of useful information is contained in
this publication which might well be embodied in an annual
hhand-book such as that issued in Jamaica.

A list is given of the plants of the Leeward Islands as
well as of the useful trees, birds, ete. ‘This book also
contains general information on agricultural subjects that is
likely to be useful to planters and small settlers.

DOMINICA: By H. A.
M.D., F.LS. Antigua -

This is a little descriptive guide to Dominica, ‘the
loveliest and grandest island of the Caribbean Archipelago,’
copiously illustrated with views of typical scenery and places
of interest.

A good brief account of the physical features and the
history of the island is given. The advantages of Dominica’s
mountains as a site for a West Indian sanatorium are urged ;
in those districts there are no malarial mosquitos, the nights
are cool, the air bracing, and the scenery magnificent. The
chief requirement, in order to attract visitors to the island,
is a small, but good-class, hotel where visitors could be made
thoroughly comfortable at a moderate cost.

Dr. Nicholls also gives a brief account of the agri-
cultural industries of the island—both former and present.

Alford
José A njo.

Nicholls, C.M.G.,

CULTIVATION AND PREPARATION OF PARA
RUBBER: By W.H. Johnson, F.L.S., F.R.H.S., Director
of Agriculture, Gold Coast Colony. London: Crosby, Lock-
wood & Son, Ludgate Hill, 1904.

This treatise has been written with the object of afford-
ing practical advice to the continually increasing number of
persons taking up rubber cultivation. It is mainly a result
of information gained during an official visit paid to Ceylon
by the author in 1902 for the purpose of studying the
methods employed there in the cultivation of the Para
rubber tree and the preparation of its product for the market.

As a result of the introduction of this tree into our
Eastern tropical possessions in 1876, through the agency of
the Royal Botanie Gardens, Kew, an important industry has
developed in the Malay Peninsular and Ceylon, and it is
suggested that the planting of areas with it is worthy of the
consideration of the Governments of other colonies.

Mr. Johnson therefore supplies full information as to
the requirements of Hevea brasiliensis, its planting and
eultivation, the collection of its latex, and the preparation of
commercial rubber from the latex. In regard to tapping
instruments, the author favours the Ceylon one, a full
description of which is given on p. 51 of this issue of the
Agricultural News. Aluminium collecting vessels are recom-

mended which can be fixed into position by pressing the
edge into the bark of the tree.

A method of preparing the rubber is suggested, and the
author points out some of the causes of poor results that
have been obtained by some methods.

The chapter on the ‘ Establishment and Maintenance of
a Para Rubber Plantation’ gives useful information in regard
to expenses and probable profits.

This work, which is nicely got up and contains several
good illustrations, is likely to prove of considerable value to
rubber planters.

MONTSERRAT.

Experiment Stations.

In connexion with the departure from Montserrat
of Mr. A. J. Jordan, the Herald has the following
review of agricultural efforts in that island during the
last five years :—

The Agricultural Department is part of the Imperial
Department for the West Indies, and was started as the out-
come of the Royal Commission. The work was commenced
in February 1900. The organization was entrusted by the
Secretary of State for the Colonies to Sir Daniel Morris and
bears the stamp of his genius.

Tsolated efforts had been made before by individual
planters, but the futility of such isolated efforts has been
clearly demonstrated by the complete disappearance of all
traces of them.

About £2,500 have been spent from Imperial funds,
and this amount has been almost entirely circulated in the
island.

In return we have three stations in full work, and from
these have been distributed during the past five years :—
67,000 plants, 130,000 cuttings, 96,000 seedlings, besides
several tons of seed.

One most important part of the work is the training
of youths in modern agriculture. The boys have gone forth
with certificates, one for two years’ and the other three years’
training. The foreman and two sub-foremen were trained at
the stations. There are some six boys now in training.

The experiments have been, as far as possible, carried
out on field lines and the cost of cultivation given. These
should be of the greatest value and have made many points
clear, and a considerable amount of information has been
collected and recorded in an accessible manner.

Like the work of the school and the church, much good
is done by example and influence that cannot be represented
on paper or computed by figures.

DEPARTMENT NEWS.

The Imperial Commissioner of Agriculture left
Barbados in S.S. ‘ Dahome’ on Tuesday, February 21 on
a visit to the Northern Islands. As already mentioned
Sir Daniel Morris will attend the Agricultural Shows
at Dominica, Montserrat, and Nevis, returning to
Barbados on March 3.

Mr. L. Lewton-Brain, B.A., F.L.S., Mycologist on
the statf of the Imperial Department ‘of Agriculture,
left Barbados in R.MLS. ‘Eden’ on Monday, February
13, for Antigua. Mr. Lewton-Brain is expected to
return to Barbados on March 3 next,

Montreal,

THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.

Frpruary 11, 1905..

MARKET REPORTS.

London,—January 31, 1905. Messrs. J. Hates Carrp &

Co., Messrs. Kearton, Prrer & Co., Messrs. E. A.
pE Pass & Co., ‘Tue West Inpra Commirree Crr-
cunar’; ‘Tue Liverroon Corron AssocraTIon
Weekty Crrcunar, January 27, 1905; and
‘Tue Pupvic Lepcer,’ January 21, 1905.

Ators—Barbados, 15/- to 35/- ; Curagoa, 15/6 to 45/- per ewt.

Arrowroor—St. Vincent, 1{d. per tb.

Batara—Demerara sheet, 1/10; Venezuela block, 1/4
per tb.

Bees’-wax—£7 to £7 Ts. 6d. per ewt.

Cacao—Trinidad, 56/- to 60/- per ewt. ; Grenada, 52
to 54/- per cwt.; Dominica, 48/- to 54/- per ewt. ;
Jamaica, 48/- to 52/- per ewt.

Carpamoms—Mysore, 73d. to 2/- per Ib.

Correr—Jamaica, good ordinary, 39/- to 40/- per ewt.

Corron—West Indian Sea Island, medium fine, 113d. ; fine,
123d. ; extra fine, 143d. per tb.

Frouir—

Bananas—4/- to 6/- per bunch.
OraNnGES—6/- to 8/- per case.
Prne-appLes—-St. Michael's, 1/9 to 2/3 each.

Fusric—£3 10s. to £4 per ton.

Grxcer—Jamaica, fair bright, 37/-; ordinary to good
ordinary, 27/- to 30/- per ewt.

Honey—Jamaica, 16/- to 22/6 per cwt.

Istyet.ass—West Indian lump, 2/3 to 2/9; cake, 1/3 per th.

Konia Nuts—4d. to 6d. per tb.

Lime Jurce—-Raw, 9/. to 1/- per gallon; concentrated,
£13 15s. per cask of 108 gallons ; hand-pressed, 2/6
to 29 per 1b. ; Distilled Oil, 1/25 per tb.

Logwoon—£4 2s. 6d. to £5; Roots, £4 to £4 10s. per ton.

Mace—Good pale, 1/5; red, 1/3: broken, 1/- per th.

Nirrate or Sopa—Agricultural, £11 5s. per ton.

Nurmecs—62’s, 1/6; 80's, 11d. ; 120’s, 54d. per tb.

Pimento— 23d. per tb.

Rum—Demerara, 1s. tols. 8d. per proof gallon; Jamaica,
2s. per proof gallon.

Sarsaparitna—T4d. to 1/2 per Ib.

Sucar—Yellow crystals, 24/- to 25/6 per ewt. ; Muscovado,
19/- per cwt. ; Molasses, 16/- to 19/- per ewt.

SutpHare oF AMMONIA—£13 Js. 6d. per ton.

1

January 14, 1905.—Mr. J. Russert Murray.
(In bond quotations, e. & f.)

Bananas—No quotations.

CepaR—No quotations.

Cocoa-nuts— Jamaica, $26-00 to $28°00 ; Trinidad, $21-00
to $23-00 per M.

Correse—Jamaica, medium, 19e. to Ie. per th.

Giuycer—Jamaica, unbleached, 64c. to 74c. per Ib.

Moxascurr—Demerara, $1°32 per 100 th.

Motassrs—Barbados, 28¢c.; Antigua, 2c. per Imperial
gallon.

Nurmecs—Grenada, 110’s, 19. per Ib.
OrancEes—No quotations.
Piento—Jamaica, 5c. to 5}c. per Tb.
PIne-APpLes—No quotations.
Sucar—Grey Crystals, 96°, $3:95 to $4°00 per 100 Ib.
—Muscovados, 89°, $3°45 to $3°55 per 100 tb.
—Molasses, 89°, $3°05 to $3:15 per 100 tb.
—Barbados, 89°, $3°20 to $3°30 per 100 tb.

New York,—February 3, 1905.—Messrs. GILLEsPre

Bros. & Co.

Cacao—Caracas, 12c. to 13c.; Grenada, 11}c. to 114c.;
Trinidad, 12c. to 12}c. Jamaica, 9}c. to 10c. per Th.
Cocoa-NutTs—Trinidads, $28:00 to $30-00 per M., selected ;

Jamaicas, $20°00 to $32°00 per M.

Correr—Jamaicas, 9c. to 9c. per tb. (ex store).

Goat Skrys—Jamaicas, 57¢c. per tb.

Grave Frurr—Jamaicas, $300 to $4°00 per barrel.

Orances—Jamaica, $3°25 to $3°75 per barrel (stem cut).

Pinenro—4i{e. per tb.

Sucar—Centrifugals, 96°, 5}c.; Muscovados, 89°, 43c.;
Molasses, 89°, 4$c. per Ib

INTER-COLONIAL MARKETS.

Barbados,—February 11, 1905.—Messrs. T. 8. Garra-

way & Co., and Messrs. JamMEs A. Lyncn & Co.

Arrowroot—St. Vincent, $3°40 to $3°75 per 100 th.
Cacao—Dominica, $10°00 to $10°50 per 100 tb.
Cocoa-Nurs—$14°00 per M. for husked nuts.
Corree—$10°00 to $12-00 per 100 tb.

Hay—0c. to 95c. per 100 tb.

Manvres—- Nitrate of soda, $60-00 ; Ohlendorff’s dissolved
guano, $60°00; Sulphate of ammonia, $72°00 to $75-00;
Sulphate of potash, $67-00.

Motasses.—20c. per gallon.

Ontons—Lisbon (stringed), $377 to $450 per 100 tb.
(retail).

Poraros, ExciisH— $2°50 to $3 00 per 160 th. (retail).

Rice—Ballam, $4°75 to $4°85 per bag (190 th.) ; Patna,
$3-25 per 100 tb.

Sucar.—Muscoyados, 89°, $2°75 ; Dark crystals, 96°, $350
per 100 tb.

British Guiana,—February 9, 1905.—Messrs. Wirtine

& Ricwrer,

Arrowroor—sSt. Vincent, $7°50 to $8-00 per barrel.

Batara—Venezuela block, 25c.; Demerara sheet, 3dc.
per tb.

Cacao—Native, 18c. to 14c. per tb.

Cassava Srarcu—§6-00 per barrel.

Cocoa-NuTs—$10-00 to $12°00 per M.

Corrre—Rio and Jamaica, 14$c. to 15c. per th. (retail).

—Creole, 12c. to 14e. per tb.

Duar— $4:50 per bag of 168 th.

Eppors—$1°56 per barrel.

Motasses—Vacuum Pan yellow, 17c. to 18c. per gallon
(casks included).

Ontons—Lisbon, $4°00 per 100 tb. (ex store).

Pea Nurs—<American, 6c. per tb. (retail).

Prantarys— 24c. to 48c. per bunch.

Poraros, EncuisH—Picked, $2°50 to $2-75 per barrel.

Rice—Ballam, $4°35 to $4°40 per 177 tb. ; Creole, $4°15
per bag.

Sweer Poraros—Barbados, $1°44 per bag; $1°56 per
barrel.

Tannias—$1°80 per barrel.

Yams—White, $1°80 per bag.

Sucar—Dark Crystals, $3°60 ; Yellow, $4:25 to $4:30 ;
White, $4:°90 to $3°00; Molasses, $3:°00 to $3:25
per 100 tb. (retail).

TimbeR—Greenheart, 32c. to 55c. per cubic foot.

WALLABA SHINGLES—$3'00, $3°75, and $5°50 per M.

Trinidad,— February 9, 1905.—Messrs. Gorpoy, Grant

& Co. ;and Messrs. Epcar Tripr & Co.

Cacao—Ordinary $11°85 to $12°00; Estates, $1210 to
$12°25; Venezuelan, $12°10 to $12°50 per fanega
(110 tb).

Cocoa-nuts—$20°00 per M., f.o.b.

Cocoa-Nur O1.—7de. per Imperial gallon (casks included).

Corree—Venezuelan, 8c. to 8c. per tb.

Corra—-$3'10 to $3°20 per 100 tb.

Motasses.—l7e. to 18e. per gallon.

Oxtons—Stringed Madeira, $5°50 per 100 Ib. (retail).

Poraros, Encuish—$1°20 to $1°25 per 100 tb.

Rice—Yellow, $4°25 to $440; White Table, $4:60 to
$5°75 per bag.

Sucar—Yellow crystals, $4°00; bright molasses sugars,
$3-00 per 100 th.

Vou. IV. No. 75. THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS. 63

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.

Volumes If and III. Price in original paper covers as issued 2s. each. Post free, 2s. 87.

Volume IV. Nos. 1 and 2. Papers on general subjects. No. 3. Papers on Cotton Cultivation (out of print),
No. 4. Sea Island Cotton in the United States and the West Indies. Price 6d. each
number. Post free, 8d.

Volume V. Nos. 1 and 2. Papers on general subjects. No, 3. Muscovado Sugar Industry ; Extraction of Rubber;
Sea Island Cotton Seed; Bacteria and the Nitrogen Problem; ete., etc. 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, 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, 25d.

(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, 23d.

(13) Seedling and other Canes at Barbados, in 1901. Price 4d. Post free, 5d.

(14) Serew 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, 23d.

(17) General Treatment of Fungoid Pests. Price 4d. Post free, 5d.

(18) Recipes for cooking West Indian Yams. Price 2¢. Post free, 24d.

(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, 23 J.

1) Cotton and Onion Industries in the West Indies. Price 2d. Post free, 24d.

2) Scale Insects of the Lesser Antilles, Part II. 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, 24d.

5) Ground Nuts in the West Indies. Price 2d. Post free, 23d.

6) 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, 23d.
8) Barbados and Porto Rico Molasses. Price 3d. Post free, 34d.

9) Lectures on the Diseases of the Sugar-cane. Price 4d. Post free, 5d.

0) Manurial Experiments with Sugar-cane in the Leeward Islands, 1902-3. Price 4d. Post free, 5d,
1) A. B. C. of Cotton Planting. Price 4d. Post free, 5d.

2) Seedling and other Canes at Barbados, in 1904. 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, 34d. extra.

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 1s. 73d. 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. A// applications for copies are to be addressed to the Agents, not to the Departinent.

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: Tae West Iyp1a Comrrres, 15, Seething
Lane, London, E.C. Barbados: Messrs. Bown & Sons, Bridgetown. Jamaica: Tue EpucarionaL SuPpLy
Company, 16, King St., Kingston. British Guiana: ‘Daily Chronicle’ Office, Georgetown, Trinidad: Messrs. Mutr,
MarsHatt & Co., Port-of Spain. Zobago: Mr. C. L. Puacemann, Scarborough. frenada: Messrs. F. Marrast & 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. LLEWELLYN WALL, Plymouth.
Antigua: Mr. 8. D. Manone, St. John’s. St. Kitts: Messrs. S. L. Horsrorp & Co., Basseterre. Wevis: Mr. 5. D. Mitone,
Charlestown, Bahamas : Wesleyan Methodist Book Concern, Nassau,

64 THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.

FEBRUARY ail 1905..

THE BEST MANURES FOR COLONIAL USE

BASEN Et 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:
(85. ] Barbados Agents :

15, Leadenhall Street, London, E.C.
Messrs. James A. Lynch & Co., Bridgetown.

MACHINERY FOR SALE.

A ‘Thomson’ Dynamo for 50-16 CP. lights with
high speed Engine for belt driving.

A Blakely Dynamo for 60-16 C.P. lights without
Engine.

A 3-Roller Sugav Mill 24 inches diameter x 60 inches
long, side gap checks, cane and megass carriers complete,
and a spare interchangeable mill roller, all in good work-
ing order, by Mirrlees Watson & Co.

Three Mulb. Boilers, steel plates, 7} feet diameter
x 12 feet long with 100 tubes 4 inches diameter of the
remoyeable type, all fittings complete in good working
order, by Mirrlees Watson & Co.

For further information apply to,
PEET,
Palmiste Usine, Trinidad.

6
CACAO,
By J. H. HART, F.LS.
NEW EDITION.

A treatise on the cultivation, curing and chemistry of
COMMERCIAL CACAO.

DAVIDSON & TODD, Trinidad.
Wm.WESLEY & Co., 28, Essex St., London.

PRICES ose a PelumcOpy;:

THE

INDIA COMMITTEE CIRCULAR

(Published fortnightly).

THE OFFICIAL ORGAN

OF

THE WEST INDIA COMMITTEE

(Estab: cirea 1760. Incorporated by
Royal Charter August 4, 1904.)

Edited by th the Secretary.

Containing a Review of the V Ww an of the West India Com-
mittee, Notes on West Indian Affairs, Statistics as to

WEST

Cacao, Sugar, Molasses and Rum, Coffee, Cotton,
Nutmegs, Mace, Pimento, Ginger, Arrowroot, Lime
Juice, etc., etc., Home Arrivals and Departures by
the Mail Steamers, ete.

To Members Free of charge.
To others, Subscription £1 1s. per annum,
Single Copies 1s.
Published at— ess
THE WEST INDIA COMMITTEE ROOMS,

15, Seething Lane,
London, E.C.

Printed at Office of Agricultural Reporter, 4, High Street, Bridgetown, Barbados.

IMPERIAL

A FORTNIGHTLY REVIEW

OF THE

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE FOR THE WEST INDIES.

Wor, Ve No: 76:

BARBADOS, MARCH 11, 1905.

Price ld.

CONTENTS.
Pace. BAGH
Agricultural Banks, | Grenada, Agricultural
Raiffeisen ... 4 73 Industries of 73
ST Show :— -- | Insect Notes -—
SAUTE coc ge) | The Arrowroot Worm 74
es Keeping as : | Jamaica Tobaceo Industry 77
igeon Pea as a Honey Toth han oct EeeOG 7
inllowwaxe 68 uymphangitis, Epizootic 74
Market Reports 5 AM)
Calcium Cyanamide ... 70 | Notes and Comments G2
Cotton Industry :— Our Book Shelf :—
DTN, Gee Gem sod 69 The Journal of Avri-
Prospects of Crop... ... 69 | cultural Seience tik
Rivers’ Sea Island Seed 72 | Papaw in the Tra:svaal ... 68
Sales of St. Vincent 72 | Pine-apples, Canning in
Sale of West Indian 69 | Hawaii 68
Sea Island Market 69 | Praedial Larceny (2
Cotton Prospects ... 65 | Science Notes :—
Department Publications... 73 | Cocoa-nut, Structure
Dise Ploughs 75 and Germination 71
Educational :—. Senegal, Agriculture in ... 73
Dominica Agricultural Sugar Industry :—
School.. 7 Seedling Canes in the
St. Lucia... pac 70 Leeward Islands 67
School Gardens in West Indian Products :—
Jamaica ste -cuosmenoa 70) CORWTEKSEW Soo ooo te | ooo fits
Fruit, Show of Colonial ... 68 London Drug and Spice

Gleanings ...

Marketyeeeeen ire

attention

a considerable fall in prices had been the result.

Cotton Prospects.

25 N the Agricultural News (Vol. III, p. 417)
was drawn to the fact that

This

fall specially affected the ordinary or Upland cotton.

During the early part of 1904 the prices of Upland
cotton reached about 9d. per tb. Quite lately prices
have fallen to less than 4d. per th. As stated by
Mr. C. M. Wolstenholme, this sudden break in prices
in Upland cotton should prove to planters in the
West Indies the folly of suggesting the planting of
any other than long-staple cotton. he soil, climate,
and labour conditions existing at Barbados, St. Vincent,
Montserrat, Antigua, and St. Kitt’s-Nevis have shown
that with care in cultivation and in picking at exactly
the right stage, and free from all extraneous matter,
these islands are capable of growing Sea Island cotton
of the highest quality and at a lower cost than in any
other part of the world.

It is true that the prices of Sea Island cotton
have also declined in sympathy the fall
Upland cotton, but, so far, the Sea Island cotton
shipped from the West Indies (thanks to the efforts
of the British Cotton-growing Association) has met
with a very favourable reception, and the prices of the
best qualities are only a little below those of last year.
For instance, of 24 baies of Sea Island cotton shipped
from Barbados in R.MLS. ‘ Orinoco’ on January 15 last,
14 bales sold at 164. per tb, 6 bales at 16d., and
4 bales at 15d. per tb. The best qualities were
described as ‘clean, very bright and _ extra-fine
long staple;’ the poorer qualities ‘ bright and fine but
little stained and wanting in preparation. The
difference of 14d. per tb. between the best and lowest
qualities in this instance was due to the method
adopted in the cultivation and, in one case, to careless-
ness in picking, A further lot of 10 bales of West

with in

66 THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.

Marcu 11, 1905.

Indian Sea Island cotton, shipped from Barbados by
Messrs. H. E. Thorne & Son, was also sold at 163d.
per tb. A small lot of 3 bags of very fine cotton shipped
from St. Kitt’s obtained similar prices.

As shown in a recent letter received from the
British Cotton-growing Association, published in
another column, the above are regarded as splendid
prices, but it will be impossible to obtain them ‘unless
the cotton has been exceptionally well cultivated and
well harvested.’

From another source the Imperial Commissioner
of Agriculture was informed that the first consignment
of Barbados Sea Island cotton ‘leaves little to be
desired;’ also that in brightness and lustre, the best
cotton shipped during this season from the West Indies
‘far excels the Carolina cotton, though the latter has
the advantage in hardness [strength] of staple.’

While it must be a source of great satisfaction to
cotton growers in these colonies to receive such glowing
reports on their first shipments this year, especially in
view of the drop in prices, it is only right that they
should realize that these reports apply only to cotton
of the highest quality raised from Rivers’ seed and
where the most careful attention has been devoted to it
during growth, as well as in ginning and baling.

In cases where inferior seed has been used, or
where the land is poor and the cotton worm has not
been kept in check, it will be impossible to realize the
prices above referred to. It is hoped, therefore, that
the publication of these figures will not lead to false
expectations. There is, probably, no crop where skill
and unremitting attention receive so large a reward as
in growing and marketing Sea Island cotton.

Anxiety has been expressed in some quarters
whether the high prices at present ruling for sugar
may not lead the planters to devote less attention to
cotton and thus result in the undoubtedly favourable
position obtained for West Indian Sea Island cotton
during the last two years being abandoned in favour of
sugar. It is, however, to be borne in mind that the
present prices for sugar are not likely to continue, and
that cotton of the finest quality will grow in soils and
under conditions that will not yield large crops of
eanes. There is also to be considered the possibility
in some islands, as at St. Kitt’s, of growing cotton as
a catch crop on cane lands. If the land, already
prepared and manured for sugar-cane, is planted with
cotton, say in June or July, the cotton will be ripe for
picking from the beginning of November to the end of

January. The cotton plants could then be removed,
and the growing canes (planted in November or
December) left in undisturbed possession of the land.
It remains to be proved whether this plan is capable of
being fully carried out ona large scale. In any case
the land, if required to bear a double crop, must receive

high cultivation and be well manured.

The preferable arrangement would be to grow the
canes in the best soils with a good rainfall and plant
the cotton by itself in the lighter lands under drier
conditions, It has been shown that cotton will flourish
with a much lower rainfall than the sugar-cane. In
fact, during the present exceptionally dry season at
St. Kitt’s, Nevis, Antigua, and Montserrat cotton has
yielded fairly large crops in districts where the sugar
canes are stunted and poor. Under such circumstances
cotton would pay better than sugar.

Just now, when the first pickings of cotton are
over, it 1s desirable that the cotton plaats, if still
vigorous and healthy, should be retained for the second
pickings which should come on about the end of March
and the beginning of April. In cases where the old
shoots are dry and withered these might be cut out to
allow the new growths around the base to develop and
bear crops. If, however, the leaf-blister mite is preva-
lent, this latter plan would have to be abandoned and
the plants removed at once in order not to encourage
the mite and other pests.

It is strongly recommended that all the cotton
fields in the Windward and Leeward Islands be cleared,
and the refuse burnt, by the end of May, or at all events
before the new crop appears above ground. It is only
by such means that the mite, rust, mildew, and other
pests can be kept in check and the cotton plants
generally maintained in a healthy condition. The
soundness of this advice has been abundantly proved
during the last year. Wherever an attempt has been
made to ratoon cotton, that is to carry it over from one
season to another, the result has been uniformly
The plants have been weak and sickly,
This
was specially dwelt upon by Mr. E. L. Oliver during
his recent visit to the West Indies.

unsatisfactory.
and the quality of the fibre has been impaired.

It would appear,
from the experience of recent years, that the finest sorts
of Sea Island cotton can only be produced in these
islands by annual sowings in fresh soil.

The most favourable months for planting in the
Windward and Leeward Islands are now shown
to be from June to September, depending on
the rains. The Jand should be well prepared and

Vout. IV. No. 76.

THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS. 67

manured beforehand. The best seed only should be

sown. During crop time all the cotton seed should be
retained, crushed by means of a disintegrator, and fed
to animals. Where this is not practicable, the whole
(or crushed) seed may be used as manure. If the
cotton seed produced in these colonies be exported, it
will be impossible to retain the fertility of the soil and
the quality of the cotton will rapidly deteriorate. Later
it may be found desirable to establish oil mills in the
West Indies and thus utilize all the available products
of the cotton plant.

SUGAR INDUSTRY.

Seedling Canes in the Leeward Islands.

Pamphlet No. 33, issued to-day, contains a summary
of the results of the cultivation of seedling and other
canes in the Leeward Islands during the season
1903-4. The following extracts from this pamphlet
will indicate the nature of the results obtained :—

The canes that gave the best results as plant canes at
Antigua last year were: Sealy Seedling, B. 156, B. 306,
and B. 208. The same four, but in a different order, head
the table of means for three years, and are, therefore,
together with B. 109 and D. 95, mentioned as promising
canes for Antigua. Judged as ratoon canes, B, 109, Sealy
Seedling, B. 306, and D. 95 gave good results. It will be
seen that Sealy Seedling and B. 306 have distinguished
themselves in Antigua both as plant canes and as ratoons.

At St. Kitt’s the first place among plant canes last
season was obtained by B. 393, closely followed by B. 208.
The latter cane heads the table of means for four years.
Among ratoon cares the best were D. 115, B. 306, and
B. 208, the same three occupying the head of the table of
means for three years, though in different order.

ANTIGUA.—PLANT CANES,

If we take the first seven canes occurring at each station
as being above the average, or worthy of attention, and see
how far there is agreement between the lists, we obtain
useful information. We find that at the eight stations
twelve in all have come within the limit of the first seven
canes ; of these,

B. 306 ... has come within the first 7 on 8 stations.
B. ie oom fy) ” ” ” BOO ” 8 ”
i
Sealy e
: eee , ’ ” ’ 5
Seedling J ” ; p BS as ”
B. 208 er 9 30. oe Oo eC be
4 yy .
D. 95 ies 99 ” ” ” ” i ” 6 »
De. iA wees i Fe cn s
Gi lod
D. 102 ee ” ” ”7 bb) ” a ” 4 ”
D. 116 pa ” +b) ” ” ” ‘ ” 3 ”
ted ©
D. 115 LN)! ” ”? ” ” ” ‘ ” 2 ”
y lod
Mont Blane... 5 - mayan Sag 2
D. 78 eto sy Pe on ay OES tatrone
D. 130 Rie Ag 5 io cel

” ” ” ?

This is a remarkably close agreement and indicates’ that
Sealy Seedling, B. 306, B. 156, B. 208, D. 95, and D. 74
are calculated to give good returns in all the districts
covered by these experiments. That these six canes come
out so compact a group affords a sense of security to those
who wish to plant them.

ANTIGUA.—RATOONS.

We may classify the ratoon canes, as we have already
classified the plant canes, by ascertaining which rank
amongst the first seven at each of the six stations. We find
that these (7 x 6) forty-two places are occupied by fifteen
canes ; of these,

me ... has come within the first 7 on 5 stations.
B. 306 sep Poss Ms a) 6 a DE
B. 109 Ba Ae 8 Noe 5 $y, Stal
I. 102 500 SV i ee
Mout Blane... ., ” » 3 sae ds ”
B. 208 seas op * 5 ECL ome
Rh se AS) A
D. 130 o is o Rie, eo eh gy

The rainfall for the season under review was so badly
distributed as to handicap severely many of the promising
varieties. The bad distribution, however, affords a means of
ascertaining which canes are calculated to stand adverse
circumstances. In this respect Sealy Seedling and B. 306
appear to have distinguished themselves this season in
Antigua, when both plant canes and ratoon canes are
considered.

ST. KITT’S.—PLANT CANES.

Taking the average results for this season, B. 393
occupies first place, followed closely by B. 208. The order
for this season is very different from that of last: it is
possible that the unusual character of the rainfall accounts
tor this. The rainfall at the several stations has varied
greatly both in quantity and the manner in which it fell;
this may have influenced the various canes in different ways.

If we examine the first seven canes at each station, we
find that they embrace a greater number than was the case
in Antigua, seventeen canes occuring amongst the first
seven at eight stations ; of these,

B. 395 ... has come within the first 7 on & stations.
B. 208 ee Sn 56 by ap ow »
1D), 7 ee ss - be et aed) i
White \ ee
Transparent/“" ” 32 22 MME Pa ?

B. 109 Se ae Bs fs | alee bck =
B. 306 tatty 5 ST clea e A
Mont Blane ... ,, 5 _ Flame al loam ri ‘i

The foregoing seven canes thus appear to be generally
suitable over a wide range of soil and climate. This is
particularly the case with B. 393, which has suddenly come
into prominence in these experiments in St. Kitt’s, for it
occurs amongst the first seven at all the eight stations,
while B. 208 similarly appears at six.

ST. KITT’S.—RATOONS.

>. 376 ... has come within the first 7 on 5 stations,
B. 208 ie 5 5 feeap Come. &

B. 306 Res 3 7 5 he PUTED ge Ate
White i: = 4
Transparentiims ?? * ” : eS a zi 2
Naga B. cs. 35 ” ” ” ” w ” 4 ”

D. 115 See SELON G5 eee eh a
1D). 74 eee ogy ” ” ” ” 7 ” 4 ”

B. 109 OD) i) ” ” ” ” 7 ” 4 ”

These canes therefore appear suitable for ratooning over
the range of soil and climate covered by these experiments.
D. 74, White Transparent, and Naga B. possess drought-
resisting qualities, while B. 109 and B. 306 require a good
rainfall.

THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.

Marcu 11, 1905.

WS
WEST INDIAN

FRUIG:

SHOW OF COLONIAL FRUIT.

In reference to a note in the Agricultural News
(Vol. IV, p. 20) to the effect that a second show of
colonial fruit was to be held by the Royal Horticultural
Society on Thursday and Friday, March 30 and 31, it
may be mentioned that the prize list shows that
provision has been made for, among others, the follow-
ing exhibits with which fruit growers in the West
Indies are more particularly interested :—

DIVISION I.

COLONIAL-GROWN FRUIT.

Class 5,—Pine-apples.
» 6.—Bananas.
» @.—Mangos.
» %.—Grapes.
; 9-—Oranges.

,, 10.—Limes and Lemons,

., 11.—Shaddocks, Pomelos, and other like fruit.
,, 17.—Any other colonial-grown fruit.

DIVISION II.—-COLONIAL-GROWN VEGETABLES,

Class 18.—-Yams, Sweet Potatos, and other tubers.

DIVISION TI.—PRESERVED FRUITS, JAMS, ETC.

This division includes exhibits of colonial-grown and
colonial-prepared fruits—bottled, tinned, or dried; colonial-
grown and colonial-preserved vegetables; and colonial-grown
fruits made into jam, jelly, syrup, ete., in the colony.

CANNING PINE-APPLES IN HAWAII.

In the Agricultural News (Vol. III, p. 340) an
extract appeared with regard to canning pine-apples
in Hawau. Writing on the subject of pine-apple
cultivation in those islands in the Hawaiian Forester
and Agriculturist, Mr. J. Kidwell states :—

Perhaps the most important thing in connexion with
this industry is to have an efficient canning plant, for as has
been said before, the shipping of fresh pines has many
drawbacks ; but given enough growers in one neighbourhood
to support a well-equipped cannery, then, with reasonable
effort, success ought to be assured. Without any desire to
advertise any particular system of canning plant, it may not
be amiss to say that the ‘ Baker Process’ is a very convenient
one, so far as cooking the fruit is concerned, and there may
be others quite as good.

This is the one that was installed by the Hawaiian
Fruit and Packing Coimpany, Ltd., of which the writer was
manager. IJt had a capacity of 10,000 cans per day, and as

the process could be regulated to a nicety, the output was
entirely uniform. Much testimony was received by us that
no pines had ever been put on the American market that
could come near ours in quality. The last shipment made by
us brought $2°35 per dozen cans, of 25 1b. each, ex ship at
San Francisco.

THE PAPAW IN THE TRANSVAAL.

In an article on ‘Some Tropical Fruits’ in the
Transvaal Agricultural Journal the following mention
is made of the papaw :—

The papaw is largely grown in the warmer districts of
the Transvaal. It would be too much to say that it has
received any encouragement in the way of careful cultivation,
but, notwithstanding this, it has grown and flourished to
a very considerable extent. In some parts it has attained
luxuriant proportions when growing in an absolutely wild
condition. The fruit is offered for sale on many of our
markets, but prices obtained have not been such to
encourage propagation commercially.

Latterly, a new use has been found for this fruit which
may possibly change its history in this country, as it has
already done in some of the islands of the West Indies.

Owing to its medicinal qualities, certain manufacturing
chemists in America have been utilizing the juice for the
purpose of preparing a medicine, haying many similar
qualities to pepsin. The demand has been such as to have
caused inquiries to be made as to the availability of the
resources of this colony as a further source of supply.

BEE KEEPING.

Pigeon Pea as a Honey Flower.
Mr. A. J. Brooks writes from Dominica with
regard to the value of the pigeon pea as a honey flower
as follows :—

as

It does not appear to be generally known that the
pigeon pea (Cajanus indicus) is a fairly valuable bee plant.

Honey produced from this flower is of an excellent
standard, being of a clear light-arnber colour, free from that
rankness which new honey often possesses, and of a good
thickness. This flower has an additional advantage in that
it flowers in the fall of the year when bee flowers are very
searce. This honey is preferable to the ‘lime’ honey owing
to its more delicate flavour and thickness. In my opinion, it
is only surpassed by the noted ‘logwood’ honey.

Vou IV. No. 76.

THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS. 69

COTTON INDUSTRY.

Sea Island Cotton Market.

We extract the following from the report, dated
Charleston, February 4, of Messrs. Henry W. Frost
& Co..—

The demand this week was limited to the odd bags of
fully fine to be had at 23c. and a crop lot, J.E.F. 20 bales at
27c. There continues to be a very limited demand for the
crop lots and no demand for ‘Tinged Stained,’ of which there
are now in stock about 600 bales and for which, in the
absence of demand, factors are continuing to hold for our
previous quotations, but would make concessions to effect
sales.

We quote [on February 18]: stained and tinged, 13c. to
18c,; fine, 20c.; fully fine, 23c. to 24c.; extra fine 25c. to 26c.;
extra-fine crop lots 26c. to 28c.; extra-extra-fine crop lots at 48c.

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:—

Mr. Shepherd reports that in St. Kitt’s picking of
cotton is now nearly finished and ginning is being pushed on
as rapidly as possible. ‘Applications for Rivers’ seed for
planting next season are coming in, and the amount applied
for shows what a high opinion planters have of this seed.’

Mr. Sands reports that during the past fortnight he
had visited several of the cultivations along the windward
coast in St. Vincent, and found that there was very little
cotton remaining to be picked. he earlier cotton had done
best, the later plantings having been more or less of
a failure. ‘The poor yield is attributed to the persistent
attacks of anthracnose of the bolls.’ A few orders have
been received for seed for planting next season. Many
planters are expected to select seed from the present crop,
as they hope by so doing to obtain a hardier plant.

Sale of West Indian Cotton.

The following is an extract from a letter addressed
to the Imperial Commissioner of Agriculture by the
Vice-Chairman of the British Cotton-growing Associa-
tion, dated Manchester, February 14, 1905 :—

We haye been talking over the arrangements for selling
the cotton, and we have finally decided that the best plan
will be for us to charge 1 per cent. commission, which will
include the usual selling charges in Liverpool ; and, of course,
out of pocket expenses such as warehousing, handling,
insurance, ete., will be charged in addition. As we are
paying out of the 1 per cent. the brokers’ selling charges, it
will only leave us a small margin, but this will be quite
sufficient. Our great object is to make the cotton growing
a satisfactory industry for the planters, so that they will
continue it.

It would, perhaps, be as well if you were to make
a public announcement that we are prepared to sell any
cotton sent to us on the above terms, so that there may be
no misunderstanding. We did propose before to charge
2 per cent., which would have included some of the handling
charges in Liverpool, but we find that these vary so much
with each shipment that it is quite impossible to fix
a covering rate which would be fair to both sides. In some

cases we might clear perhaps 1 to 14 per cent., and in other
cases we should possibly lose money, so I think that the new
proposal of | per cent. will be the fairest to all sides.

I have already written you to tell you that we have been
able to make very good arrangements for the sale of the cotton,
and to prevent the price being broken, but it very much depends
on whether the planters consign their cotton to us for sale.
If they do this, I think we can almost guarantee to be able
to keep the price up to, at the very lowest, 1s. per lb., but if
the cotton is sent to London or elsewhere, there will be
a great danger of it being offered all over the market, with
a consequent breaking of the price. It is, therefore, to the
planters’ interests to send their cotton to us, and I think you
will agree with me that 1 per cent. commission is not an
unreasonable amount for them to pay.

As regards the price, I do not think there will be any
fear, if the bulk of the cotton comes to us, of the price
dropping below Is., and I hope that the better lots of cotton
will fetch very much higher prices than this. We have just
sold one of the first consignments at 16d. per tb., and a few
bales fetched 16$d. This is a splendid price, and I am very
pleased with it, but I hope that it will not lead to any false
expectations, because we certainly shall not-be able to get
so high a price for cotton unless it has been exceptionally
well cultivated and well harvested. The particular cotton
was one of the best samples I have ever seen—silky and
gathered when it was just in the pink of condition. You
will realize this better when I tell you that some of the best
qualities of American ‘Island’ cotton are selling to-day at
very little over 14d. per tb.

Jamaica.

The Annual Report on Jamaica for the year
1903-4 has the following reference to the prospects of
cotton growing in that island :—

The attention which has been given to the revival of
cotton growing in the West Indies was participated in by
Jamaica. Cotton figured for the first time for many years
among the exports. In this year’s statistics it should show
an important advance as there has been considerable planting.
There are thousands of acres of land in Jamaica, including
some irrigable lands, which it has been demonstrated are
admirably suited for the easy cultivation of cotton. The
reason why the planting of cotton has not been taken up in
Jamaica, as it has been in Barbados and some of the other
Lesser Antilles, is simply because banana planting and other
investments here offer a still more promising return.
Investments of capital in cotton growing, however, offer at
least as good a promise in Jamaica as anywhere else in the
West Indies, and I should expect that there will be very
shortly a considerable development of cotton planting on
such lands as I have referred to, which are not suitable for
banana, chocolate, or other established staples.

I may observe that if cotton ginneries should be
established in suitable neighbourhoods, it is probable that
a large supply of cotton might, in a few years’ time, be
obtainable from small cultivators. An experiment is being
made by the Board of Agriculture in this direction by placing
one of the cotton gins presented to this island by the British
Cotton-growing Association under the control of one of the
local agricultural societies. A power gin, also presented
by the Association, is being worked by Mr. Fursden,
a member of the Board of Agriculture, under the arrange-
ment that he shall gin at a fixed rate all the cotton sent to
him.

70 THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.

Marcu 11, 1905.

EDUCATIONAL.

St. Lucia.

The following note on agricultural education in
St. Lucia appeared in the Annual Report on the
colony for 1903 :—

In July 1903 twenty-five teachers went into residence
at the Union Agricultural School and passed a fortnight
there, receiving lectures and practical demonstrations in
agricultural subjects from the Curator and the Agricultural
Instructor. The experiment proved very successful, and
cannot fail to be of benefit both to the teachers themselves
and to their pupils, as demonstrations and object-lessons on
agricultural subjects now form a regular part of the ordinary
school work. It is perhaps not too much to say that there
has been a real awakening of interest in this direction among
both teachers and scholars.

School Gardens in Jamaica.

The following is extracted from the Journal of
the Jamaica Agricultural Society for January :—

The Travelling Instructors and Local Instructors have
been visiting the various school gardens in the island, and
reporting upon them. Some of the teachers have done
wonders, more especially those who have been through the
course of instruction at Hope, and who appear to have
benefited greatly by their experience there. Mr. W. J.
Thompson has visited twenty-three school gardens in
St. Andrew, St. Thomas, and Portland, and in his report
says: ‘I was pleased to tind that the teachers | came across
are falling in with the idea of these school gardens. Some
of them take a great interest in the work and in teaching
the children, too, apart from the financial part of it. Also,
some of the gardens are a long way in front of the others.
I find that very few of the teachers know much about the
use of improved implements, even a fork. We must not,
however, expect them to become past masters in the
technique of garden tools in a short time; it will be long
before they can use thei as well as they can use a pen.’

The tools recommended for school gardens are as
follows :-—
1 digging fork 1 water pot; 1 cutlass;
(four prongs) ; 1 draw hoe ; 1 dutch hoe ;
1 pruning saw ; 1 spade ; 1 garden trowel.

Dominica Agricultural School.

The following is the report of the examiner
(Mr. L. Lewton-Brain, B.A., F.LS.) on the recent half-
yearly examination of the pupils of the Agricultural
School at Dominica :—

None of the boys have been at the school fora year, and
twelve of them have been admitted since the last half-yearly
examination. Consequently, they have all taken junior
papers in the present examination, and for the present year,
at least, all the boys had better continue with the junior
work. Out of twenty boys, twelve have obtained more than
50 per cent. of the total marks, and, of these, five have been
admitted during the last six months.

Roudette and Cuffy have done very well in all subjects
and have also obtained the highest marks for the science
papers ; Augustine and Prosper have also done fairly well.
These four boys also did well at the last examination.
Morancie is at the head of the new admissions. G. N.
Pinard has again done poorly.

The Agricultural papers are among the best and they
are fairly uniform; there are some very good papers in
Arithmetic and also some very poor ones. The Botany and
Geography are, on the whole, fair, though there are no very
good papers. The Chemistry papers are the weakest, very
few boys have obtained more than half the marks in this
subject.

As much allowance as possible has been made for the
evident difficulty some of the boys have in expressing their
knowledge in English. Few of them, probably, before being
admitted to the Agricultural School, habitually spoke
anything but patocs.

CALCIUM CYANAMIDE.

In-connexion with the subject of the fixation of
atmospheric nitrogen, mention has been made in the
Agricultural News (Vol. III, pp. 279 and 343) of
ealeium cyanamide. In the first issue of the Journal
of Agricultural Science there is an account by
Mr. A. D. Hall, M.A, Director of the Rothamsted
Experimental Station, of the preparation and properties
of this substance, from which we take the following :—

Calcium cyanamide represents the first attempt on
a commercial scale to bring atmospheric nitrogen into
a state of combination, to manufacture, in fact, an artificial

manure containing nitrogen derived from the air. The
starting-point for the manufacture is the well-known

substance calcium carbide, which is produced by heating in
the electric furnace a mixture of chalk and coke or some
other form of carbon. ‘The calcium carbide, now so generally
employed for generating acetylene for lighting purposes, is
almost wholly made where cheap power to produce electricity
can be obtained from a waterfall, and the manufacture of
calcium cyanamide must naturally take place alongside, so as
to secure a cheap supply of carbide. The remaining process
is simple enough. The calcium carbide is reduced to a coarse
powder, placed in a vessel resembling a gas retort and brought
to a temperature approaching white heat, when a current
of nitrogen gas is led over it until combination ceases.
The result is a compound containing nearly 20 per cent.
of nitrogen, crude calcium cyanamide, the formula of whic)
when pure would be represented by CaCN,. The nitrogen
required in the manufacture is obtained from the air in the
simplest way by passing air through a heated cylinder
packed with copper turnings ; the oxygen combines with the
copper, and the nitrogen passes forward into a gasholder until
required. The copper is regenerated by passing a current of
coal-gas through the heated cylinder. The resulting crude
calcium cyanamide is a fine black powder, which decomposes
rapidly when heated with water under pressure, and slowly
with water at ordinary temperatures, into calcium carbonate
and ammonia, in accordance with the equation :—
CaCN, + 3H,O=CaCO, + 2NHs.

The manufacture of crude calcium cyanamide has not
yet been taken up on a large scale. A model plant is in
operation in Berlin capable of turning out quantities of
about 1 ton per diem, and arrangements are being made
with other firms to develop the process commercially.

As a manure it should be applied to the soil some little
time before the seed is sown and should be lightly ploughed
in, lest any loss of ammonia take place. It cannot well be
mixed with other manures; with superphosphates, for example,
the reaction is somewhat intense, and the whole mass
becomes very hot.

Vou. IV. No. 76.

THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS. 7

SCIENCE NOTES.

Structure and Germination of the Cocoa-nut.

In the accompanying illustrations fig. 3 shows the
structure of the ripe cocoanut. S. is the lower part of the
axis forming the stem, and A. is the upper end of the axis
with scars of male flowers.

The fruit of the cocoanut palm (Cocos nucifera) 1s
a large, one-seeded drupe. The outer shell, made up
of the epicarp (Epi.) and mesocarp (Mes.), is of a fibrous
texture and yields the fibre or coir of commerce. The
next layer is the hard, bony ‘shell.’ This is the endocarp
(End.). It has three marks or ‘eyes’ (K.), which correspond
to the three loculi of the ovary. ‘Through one of these
the young plant pushes its way when the seed germinates.

The cavity of this inner shell is occupied by the seed,
which consists of a seed-coat or testa (T.), the thin, brown
membrane between the ‘meat’ and the inner shell, covering
a large, hollow layer of solid albumen (Alb.) termed endo-
sperm. ‘The hollow space is partly filled with an unsolidified
substance commonly known as ‘milk.’ In the endosperm,
beneath one of the marks (the softest) at the base of the nut,
is situated the embryo.

Fie. 3.

STRUCTURE OF THE Cocoa-NurT. x 4
[From Bulletin Torrey Botanical Club.}

Messrs. J. E. Kirkwood and
in their paper on ‘Chemical studies of, the Cocoa-nut,’
published in the Bulletin Torrey Botanical Club, from
which the accompanying illustrations are taken: ‘The
thick husk is remarkably adapted to the preservation of the
seed whilst the nut is tossed about by the waves until it
reaches some shore, it may be, far distant from that on
which it grew. While immature the nut is without the solid
endosperm, but is filled with a milky fluid. As it ripens,
however, the endosperm, gradually develops and the milky
juice diminishes in quantity.’

In planting the nuts should be placed on their sides
in trenches in well-prepared nursery beds.. ‘When germina-
tion begins, the embryo elongates and, having pushed through
its thin coverings, begins to enlarge at both ends. From
the outer end arise the plumule and the roots ; the inner end
is an extension of the true cotyledon and is developed into
a special absorbing organ.’

Wm. J. Gies state,

The shoots burst through the outer shell as shown in fig. 4.
This figure shows the germinating cocoa-nut at the end of

Fic. 4.
[From Bulletin Torrey Botanical Club.)

Cocoa-NUT SEEDLING.

one year; the husk is little altered except where it was in
contact with the earth.

KOLA IN WEST AFRICA.

The Tropical Agricultwrist for January contains
information on kola growing in West Africa, published
in Der Tropenpflanzer by Dr. Gruner, who was
deputed by the German Colonial Economic Committee
to investigate the cacao and kola industries of West
Africa. The following extracts are likely to be of
interest :—

The tree begins to bear in its sixth or seventh year, and
its yield gradually increases to an average of forty to fifty
fruits per annum. There are two kola seasons, the less
important in the July rains and the principal at the
beginning of the dry season in November. The price in the
producing districts varies from 3d. to 1s. per 100 nuts

The export from the Gold Coast in 1900 was valued at
£43,133, and in 1901 at £35,024. Attention is also being
devoted to kola in the Botanic Gardens at Aburi,

In Lagos, at the Oloke-Meji Experiment Station,
a nursery of 60,000 kola plants is at present maintained, and
large kola plantations are being formed in the colony.

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Marcu 11, 1905.

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, EC. A complete list of
Agents will be found at foot of page 63 of this volume.

The Agricultural News :
post free 14d.
2s 2d.

Price 1d. per number,
Annual subscription payable to Agents,
Post free, 3s. 3d.

Agricultural dlews

Vou. IV. SATURDAY, MARCH 11, 1905. No. 76.

NOTES AND COMMENTS.

Contents of Present Issue.

The prospects of cotton-growing in the West
Indies are fully discussed in the editorial in this issue
of the Agricultural News. Reference is made to the
prices that are likely to be obtained for West Indian
Sea Island cotton this season. This matter is further
discussed in the letter from the Vice-Chairman of the
British Cotton-growing Association published on p. 69.

On p. 67 extracts are reproduced from the

ies ODN Sos e Rue: :

pamphlet (No. 33), issued to-day, containing a summary

of the results of experiments with seedling and other
canes in the Leeward Islands.

Notes on the progress of efforts to introduce the
teaching of agriculture into West Indian schools will
be found on p. 70.

An illustrated article on the structure of the
cocoa-nut and the changes that take place during
germination is likely to be of interest to readers of the
Agricultural News. (See p. 71.)

It is desired to draw special attention to the
announcement made on this page that the Imperial
Department of Agriculture is unable to obtain a supply
of Sea Island cotton seed from the United States
during the coming season.

An aceount of the Arrowroot or Canna Worm is
given on p. 74, as also of a disease of stock known as
Epizootic Lymphangitis.

In view of the efforts that are being made to
develop the tobacco industry of Jamaica, the corres-
pondence published on p. 77 is likely to be of interest.

Praedial Larceny.

It is proposed to bring together a ‘Precis of
Information’ in regard to the present position of
praedial larceny in the West Indies. With this in
view the Governments of the various West Indian
Colonies have been asked to assist the Department
with copies of any laws now in force or with any
documents that may be available, such as Regulations
or Instructions recently issued, recent official corres-
pondence on the subject, reports of Commissions or
Special Committees appointed within the last ten
years, and, also, returns showing the number of
convictions for praedial larceny and the nuniber of cases
of flogging during the last ten years.

ae WE

Sales of St. Vincent Cotton in 1904.

The following information is contained in an
abstract, supplied by Mr. W. N. Sands, of the account
sales of 134 bales of St. Vincent cotton shipped to and
sold by the British Cotton-growing Association during
1904 :-—

Of Sea Island cotton, first quality, 59 bales sold at
14d. to 153d, and 1 bale at 113d. : 11 bales of Sea Island
cotton, second quality, stained, badly prepared, and
mixed, tetched 9d. to 93d., and 17 sold for 5d. to Sd.
The price obtained for 20 bales of Marie Galante was
4d. to T2d. per tbh. Upland cotton sold as follows: 18
bales at 654d. to 6-64d., and 8 bales at 4d. to 5d.

Rivers’ Sea Island Cotton Seed.

In reference to the announcement made in the
Agricultural News of January 28 last (p. 24) in
which the Imperial Department of Agriculture offered
to obtain a further supply of selected Rivers’ Sea
Island cotton seed for the use of planters in the West
Indies, the following information has been received
from the Dill Ball Company, dated Charleston,
February 23, 1905 :—

We beg to state that we can no longer offer any of the
Rivers’ or J. 'T. Dill seed, as both of these parties have with-
drawn their seed from the market and it is no longer in our
hands for sale.

Under these cireumstances, it will not be possible
for the Department to undertake to supply any
selected Sea Island cotton seed from the United States
during the coming season. The planters in the West
Indies will, therefore, have to depend on the seed now
being harvested, and a eareful selection of this will
have to be made for continuing the industry on present
lines.

In localities where Rivers’ seed only was planted
last year and where the bushes were maintained in
good health and have yielded satisfactory crops, it is
recommended that the largest and finest seeds be se
aside for planting purposes. Those who are in
a position to do so might offer such selected seed for
sale to planters in other localities where the conditions
have not been so favourable. Special efforts will
require to be made to keep the best Sea Island cotton
seed pure and free from any admixture of seed of
inferior quality.

Vou. IV. No. 76.

THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS. 73

It is hoped to offer further suggestions in regard
to this matter of the selection of pure seed later. In
the meantime the utmost care should be taken at the
ginneries to keep the best seed entirely separate from
the other seed and mark the bags in such a manner as
to prevent any mistake being made as to what is
‘selected’ seed and what is to be passed through the
disintegrators for feeding purposes.

$e eee _
Department Publications.

Two pamphlets (nos. 33 and 34) are issued to-day.
No. 33 is entitled Seedling and other Canes in the
Leeward Islands, 1903-4, and contains a summary of
the results obtained at the experiment stations at
Antigua and St. Kitt’s last season. Extracts from this
pamphlet are published elsewhere in this issue. The
large official report (part 1) on which this summary is
based will also be issued in the course of the next few
weeks.

Pamphlet 34 is entitied Notes on Rabbit Keeping
in the West Indices. As has already been mentioned,
it contains the notes previously published in the
Agricultural News, which were specially written by
Mr. John Barclay, the Secretary of the Jamaica
Agricultural Society.

These pamphlets can be obtained of all Agents of
the Department; No. 33, price 4d/., post free 5c., and
No. 34 at 2d., post free 24d.

It may also be mentioned that the concluding
number of the West Indian Bulletin, Vol. VY, will
probably be issued in time for distribution by next
mail. It contains the first instalment of the papers
read at the recent West Indian Agricultural Conference.

$< ee
Raiffeisen Agricultural Banks.

Reference was made in the editorial in the last
issue of the Agricultural News to the paper read
at the recent Conference by the Hon, Wm. Fawcett
on ‘ Raiffeisen Agricultural Banks.’

Mr. Fawcett showed that the all-important feature
of this system was the unlimited lability of each and
all the members of the bank. ‘This secures, first and
foremost, careful selection of all the members, limiting
the membership to persons absolutely trustworthy. It
also secures good administration—ensuring that the
most competent men shall be elected as officers.
Without unlimited liability, furthermore, there could
not possibly be all that watchfulness and control which
keep everything safe.

The whole fabric is built up upon a system of
mutual checking, the borrowers being checked by the
committee, the committee by the council, the council
by the mass of the members—all without offensiveness.
The smallness of the district assigned to every bank
ensures that knowledge and that vigilance of one
another which constitute a sie qua non of success,

The organization of the bank is entirely
democratic ; no office bearer, with the sole exception of
the cashier, receives any remuneration. The rules are
simple and absolutely intelligible, and the utmost
confidence is felt in the security of the bank.

Agriculture in Senegal.

According to the Consulur Report on Senegal
for 1903 recently issued, ‘the Agricultural Department
has been re-organized and centralized. An Inspector
of Agriculture for~ French West Africa has been
appointed, who directs the various experimental
gardens in the different colonies, and studies and
co-ordinates the results obtained by them.’ ‘The
cultivation of cotton and rubber is receiving special
attention.

The staple of the native varieties of cotton is too
short for the European market, and efforts are being
made to find long-staple varieties that will thrive in
West Africa. Experiments have shown that in certain
districts of Senegal good varieties of American cotton
will, if properly looked after, give good results.

Excellent rubber exists in many parts of West
Africa, but the industry is suffering from overtapping
on the part of the natives. LEtforts are being made to
instruct the natives in proper methods and to cause
fresh plantations to be made.

The chief export from Senegal is ground nuts, the
total value of the shipments in 1903 being £1,382,983.

The Government is considering the possibility of
establishing a regular irrigation system and is also
devoting attention to the matter of re-aftorestation,
Efforts are also being made towards the extermination of
mosquitos.

Eo ——————_—_—_

Agricultural Industries of Grenada.

The cacao industry of Grenada continues to make
satisfactory progress. The Annual Report on the
colony for 1903 gives the following statistics in
proof of this: the average annvalcrop for the five years
(1897-1901) was 53,379 bags (of 180 tb.): the crop for
the year ending September 30, 1902, was 61,285 bags,
and for the following year, 63,019 bags.

‘A feature of the year’s transactions was the
attention paid by purchasers to the finer grades of
cacao, which indicates that the greater care necessarily
bestowed on preparation in such cases meets with
appreciation. Grenada cacao has in the past sutfered
much in consequence of the absence of such care in
the case of cacao grown by small proprietors, and it is
hoped that the lesson is gradually being borne in upon
them that in this, as in all other business details,
success, in these days of competition, can be secured
only by painstaking labour.” ‘The fact that the con-
sumption of cacao is rapidly increasing should be
encouraging to the cacao-growing islands of the West
Indies. It is estimated that the world’s consumption
of cacao has increased 25 per cent. between 1899 and
1903. In the same period the consumption in the
United States has increased from about 315,000 ewt.
to 504,000 ewt.

The nutmeg and spice crop shows the same
tendency to increase in quantity. The quantity of
spices exported during the year was 7,959 cwt. (as
against 6,839 ewt. in the previous year), of the value
of £31,583, nutmegs forming the bulk of this. Steady
increase is shown also in the cultivation of cotton
which is the staple product of the island of Carriacou.

74 THE AGRICULTURAL

NEWS. Marcu 11, 1905.

INSECT NOTES.

The Arrowroot Worm,

This insect has been known for some time as a pest of
arrowroot, cannas, and tous-les-mois. It occurs in most of
the British West India Islands, and in St. Vincent, at least,
it has been a serious menace to the success of the arrowroot
crop in certain seasons, and in other places it is one of the
worst of the pests attacking the canna.

In 1900, a serious attack of caterpillars on arrowroot in
St. Vincent was reported, and Mr. Maxwell-Lefroy made
investigations and suggested methods to be employed against
the pest. In 1901, there was another severe attack, but since
that time no reports have been received by the Imperial
Department of Agriculture of serious outbreaks.

In Barbados the canna is infested at all times of the
year by the same insect, and at certain seasons the leaves
present a very ragged appearance wherever seen, which
is due to the feeding of this caterpillar. The adult of
the arrowroot or canna worm (Calpodes ethlius) is one of the
skippers (family Hesperiidae), that group of the Lepidoptera
that comes between the butterflies and moths and possesses
some of the characteristics of each. It is, however, usually
known asa butterfly. Calpodes ethlius is brown in colour,
with angular white spots on the upper and under sides of the
wings. The antennae are slender, situated wide apart on the
head, each has a thick knob near the end, and is tipped
with a very fine point which is bent or curved to the side.
The long hairs on the body and near the base of the wings
are reddish brown. The colour is much lighter below than
above. The head is broad; the body is stout; the eyes
are prominent, hemispherical, dark-brown in colour. The
skippers take their name from their quick, darting flight, and
this insect flies in the same way, usually keeping near the
ground. It feeds on the sweets of many different flowers by
means of its proboscis, which is coiled under the head and is
hardly noticeable when not in use.

The eggs are laid singly, fastened to the leaves of the
food plant. They are greenish-white, s4; inch in diameter.
These eggs hatch, producing minute caterpillars which feed
on the tissues of the leaf. After a few days’ growth the
caterpillar bends over the edge of the leaf, and fastens it
with threads of silk and then lives within the fold thus
formed. ‘The larva is greenish in colour, with a transparent
skin. The head is reddish, and the segments just behind the
head are much smaller in diameter, giving the caterpillar the
appearance of having a large head and small neck. The
full-grown larva sometimes measures 2 inches in length. The
pupa is formed within the fold of the leaf and is enclosed in
a thin cocoon made of a few pale silk hairs which also help to
hold it in place. After a few days in the pupa stage the
adult emerges and flies away. The butterfly is a day-flyer
and may frequently be seen flitting about and visiting flowers.

Several remedies have been proposed from time to time,
but the use of poisons, such as Paris green and London
purple, seems likely to give the best results. These could be
used in the same way as in dealing with the cotton worm.

It is likely that the natural enemies of the arrowroot

insect have a great deal to do with keeping it in check, and
it is only when for any reason it gets ahead of the
predaceous and parasitic enemies that there is a serious
outbreak. In St. Vincent the tick bird (Crotophaga anz) is
believed to feed on the larvae, and in Barbados the common
blackbird (Quzscalus fortirostris) has often been observed
picking out the larvae from the rolled up or folded leaf.

For several months it has been noticed in Barbados that
although plenty of eggs of Calpodes ethlius have been
conspicuous on leaves of canna, it has been very difficult,
sometimes impossible, to find even one caterpillar. This led
to the discovery that the eggs are parasitized by a minute
insect which eats out the interior, leaving only the empty
shell. Sometimes nearly every egg on a plant or in a bed of
plants is attacked in this way. It is hoped to publish further
notes on this parasite in a future number of the Agricultural
News.

EPIZOOTIC LYMPHANGITIS.

The Transvaal Agricultural Journal @Wolie
p. 52) contains an article on Epizootic Lymphangitis
among horses and mules in that colony, of which
a brief summary is given here :—

Epizootic Lymphangitis has appeared in the Transvaal
since the war. It has long been known in several countries,
viz., France, Southern Italy, Algeria, Dutch Indies, Japan,
and India.

There are a number of forms of lymphangitis, but the
one under discussion is caused by the presence of a yeast
fungus, The disease first
appears in an old wound; then there appears a morbid area
in which the original wound may still persist. Some time
after this the first appearance of lymphangitis is seen in
the swollen lymphatic vessels and tumours, or buds, as they
are called, which usually develop into ulcers. The disease
appears first on the legs, but may be transferred to the head
when the animal rubs the affected parts. Horses and mules
are most often affected in the Transvaal, but it is reported
in other places in the donkey and the ox.

The disease is communicated by direct contact of
healthy with infected animals or through the medium of
harness, saddles, brushes, ete., and the first appearance may
not be noticed for perhaps two months after the infection
occurs. There is no doubt that, when taken early in the
course of the disease, cases may be curable, but when the
disease is far advanced treatment is rarely successful.

Badly infected animals should be destroyed as they are
a source of constant infection. Sick animals should under
all circumstances be separated. No articles used in con-
nexion with lymphangitie horses should be used on healthy
horses. Stables, etc., should be disinfected as in the case
of glanders.

Saccharomyces fureinimosus.

A disease among mules and donkeys, bearing the
same name, is known in Barbados, Antigua, Martinique,
and Guadeloupe. The Barbados disease, however,
presents many points of difference from the description
of the Transvaal disease and it may prove to be
a different form of lymphangitis.

It is recommended in Barbados that, when pens
and stables in which diseased animals have been kept
are cleaned out and the manure removed, all animals
should be kept out and should not be put back until
all the manure is taken out, and the ground and floors
sprinkled with lime and covered to a depth of about
1 foot with fresh soil or mould.

Vout. IV. No. 76.

THE AGRICULTURAL

NEWS. 75

AGRICULTURAL

Antigua.

The Annual Agricultural Show was held in the grounds
of Buxton Grove on Thursday, February 23.

In the absence of his Excellency Sir C..C. Knollys, the
show was opened at noon by Lady Knollys amid a large and
representative gathering.

The most striking feature of the exhibition was the
uniform excellence of the exhibits sent in, both in the
character of the products themselves, and in the manner in
which they were shown, in this respect indicating a marked
advance on all previous years.

As was the case last year there was a very gratifying
display of minor products, notably of garden vegetables,
which, considering the serious drought that has prevailed
during the past year, were quite remarkable, pointing to
careful and intelligent cultivation on the part of the
exhibitors, who, it might be added, were largely drawn from
the peasant class.

The fruit exhibits, on the other hand, were somewhat
below the average, probably on account of the recent drought,
for, though careful cultivation and watering might be able to
avert the worst effects of drought on vegetables, yet these
methods are not applicable to fruit trees.

This year, again, the exhibits of cotton were a feature
of the show, a large number of which were sent in, all of
exceptional quality ; the first prize for seed-cotton was
taken by the Hon. R. Warneford, and that for lint by
Thibou Jarvis’ estate.

In the classes for peasant-grown cotton the number of
exhibits was somewhat small, though all that was shown
was of excellent quality, and carefully prepared for
exhibition, being commendably free from dirt and leaf.

In this connexion an interesting exhibit was shown by
the Hon. R. Warneford of tastefully mounted bolls of
different varieties of cotton grown by him on Yepton’s
estate, viz., Upland, Native West Indian, Rivers’ Sea
Island, Seabrook Sea Island, and Sea Island grown from
seed of last year’s crop in Antigua, showing well the manner
of bolling of each variety.

This year, again, a large variety of meals and starches
was shown, a proof of continued interest in what should
prove a remunerative industry, if developed.

The school garden exhibit, inaugurated at last year’s
show, displayed this year a very marked advance both in the
number of entries and in the quality of exhibits shown. The
exhibits of vegetables under this head were particularly
noticeable. Five schools entered for the class, and in every
case the plants grown showed discrimination and appreciation
of their educational value, and also careful and intelligent
cultivation. The first prize in this class was won by the
Cathedral school with an admirable exhibit, including Indian
corn, beans, ochros, tomatos, squashes, etc. Perhaps the
exhibits of school-grown plants in pots and boxes were not
quite up to the level of the vegetable exhibits; still, on the
whole, they were very fair, and appeared to show that the
school teachers had, at any rate in most cases, grasped the
value of a growing plant as an object-lesson to a class of
children. Possibly there was rather a tendency to grow only
those particular plants which require but little care and
attention, yet this is natural, considering the newness of the
subject. In this class also, the Cathedral school took the
first prize, indicating a very good grasp of the requirements
of a school garden on the part of the teacher, and an
intelligent interest and care in the scholars.

SHOW.

The exhibits in Class 185, for budded and grafted plants
from schools, were poor. Among the minor exhibits a good
deal of interest and comment was evoked by three large
bunches of native-grown celery, a novel departure in agriculture
in Antigua, which if persevered in should prove profitable.

Of the live stock exhibits, Mr. H. Goodwin, Government
Veterinary Surgeon at Antigua, remarks in a letter to
Dr. Watts: ‘Particular attention was directed to the
presence of a number of fine young mules from different
parts of the island. They were as satisfactory a lot as one
could desire to see, and with the promise shown compare
favourably with recent importations from America.” Of the
horses Mr. Goodwin remarks : ‘Mr. R. Goodwin’s dark-brown
gelding and Mr. Cranstoun’s chestnut call for special praise.’
The exhibits of cattle were, however, not as numerous as
in former years.

The Departmental exhibits this year included one
demonstrating the purity of the Rivers’ Sea Island cotton
seed imported by the Imperial Department of Agriculture,
in which the original seed had been sorted into grades of
different degrees of ‘fuzziness’ ; these grades sown separately,
and the lint and seed resulting from each sowing ginned and
exhibited. The lint from all the grades was of fine quality,
conclusively demonstrating the purity of the seed. Other
Departmental exhibits included an illuminating lamp burning
alcohol instead of kerosene, which was exhibited in view of
the recent suggestion to use alcohol instead of kerosene as
an illuminant in the West Indies. The Botanic and Experi-
ment Stations were represented by a number of varieties of
yams, sweet potatos, corn, and cotton. Specimens of the
large slug, known in Dominica as the Paloute, which had
recently been found in Antigua, were also shown, and
remedies were suggested.

On the whole, the show this year marks a distinct
advance on previous exhibitions; the total number of
exhibits, 568, was somewhat smaller than last year, but the
general standard of the articles was distinctly higher.
The show appears to be having the desired effect in raising
the quality of the island produce and in fostering minor
industries.

DISC PLOUGHS.

An interesting article in the Transvaal Agri-
cultural Journal on the ‘Evolution of the Plough’
has the following reference to the dise plough which
has now come into general use all over the world :—

The dise plough, introduced in quite recent years, 1s an
adoption of the principle of the revolving dise already proved
in the dise harrow and dise cultivator, to the work of
turning as well as pulverizing the sod. Its ease of draught
over the mould-board plough is evident by its rotary motion
as against the sliding action, and its peculiar construction,
allowing the use of a wheel to take the side thrust, in place
of the land side necessary with the mould-board type, which,
with the benefits conferred by its fewer parts, and the
thorough loosening given to the crown of the sod in turning,
probably more than compensate for the narrowness and
limited depth of the furrow cut. The width is governed by
the diameter of the disc, and the fact of the greater the
diameter the greater the resistance experienced to entering
the ground, makes a dise of much more than 24 inches with
a cut of 6 to 10 inches, unworkable on any but very loose
ground. The disc plough of to-day will probably be very
much improved in future years, but at the present time it is
doubtful if its work has the thoroughness of the mould-board

type.

76 THE

AGRICULTURAL

NEWS. Marcu 11, 1905.

GLEANINGS.

During the past fortnight 114 bales of West Indian

cotton have been imported into Great Britain.
Committee Circular.)

(West India

The mean rainfall for the three districts of Montserrat
during 1904 was as follows :— Northern and Leeward, 55-24
inches ; South, 39°70 inches; and Windward, 33:99 inches.

According to the half-yearly report of the Secretary of
the Jamaica Agricultural Society, 4,672 tb. of cotton seed
were despatched from the office to 215 persons for planting
purposes.

The West India Committee Circular of February 14
contains a portrait of the Hon. Francis Watts, C.M.G., D.Sc.,
and also a reproduction of the photograph of the members of
the West Indian Agricultural Conference of 1905.

At the recent Agricultural Show at Trinidad an exhibit
of cacao from River estate (under the control of the
Botanical Department) obtained the first place in open
competition.

Mr. J. H. Hart writes from Trinidad that the applica-
tions for seed of the Para rubber tree (//evea brasiliensis)
during the past two years have represented ten times the
quantity produced in the gardens.

The much-talked-of Agricultural Show which was held
at Brown’s Town, Jamaica, on February 9, exceeded by
a hundredfold in most directions the most sanguine
prognostications. (G7eaner, February 20.)

At the half-yearly meeting of the Jamaica Agricultural
Society a member spoke as follows of the Journal of the
Society : ‘He believed it had a great influence throughout
the country and he did not see how that influence could be
attained in any other way.’

In concluding his report to the Jamaica Agricultural
Society on the West Indian Agricultural Conference,
Mr. J. R. Williams said: ‘I have returned with greatly
increased appreciation of the value of such a meeting and of
the value and importance of the Imperial Department of
Agriculture.’

Mr. J. C. Lewis, of San Fernando, is the possessor of an
‘orange tree from which was recently picked a most
remarkable looking fruit, certainly more like a cross between
a lemon and a shaddock than the small ordinary orange that
was at the same time plucked from an adjoining twig. The
large fruit weighs 27 oz., is 144 inches in circumference, and
8} inches from stem to top. (DPort-of-Spain Gazette.)

Mr. Wm. Clark has been appointed Honorary Corres-
ponding Secretary of the Royal Colonial Institute for the
island of Grenada.

It is desirable to announce that it will not be possible
to receive further orders for Teneriffe onion seed after to-day,
the list having been definitely closed.

The value of the exports of locally grown balata from
British Guiana inereased from £40,636 in 1902-3 to £45,187
in 1903-4, and of cacao from £2,319 to £3,078. (Annual
Report, 1903-4.)

At a recent meeting of the Council of the Dominica
Agricultural Society, Mr. W. R. Buttenshaw, M.A., B.Sc.,
Scientific Assistant on the staff of the Imperial Department
of Agriculture, was elected an Honorary Member of the Society.

The London price of Trinidad cacao during 1903-4
varied from 58s. to 69s. per ewt. The price in the previous
year was from 58s. to 67s., while the average prices for the
last seven years were from 66s. to 72s. per ewt. (Annual
Report on Trinidad for 1903-4.)

At a meeting of the British Guiana Agricaltural and
Commercial Society, the President (the Hon. B. Howell
Jones), who represented the colony at the recent Agricultural
Conference, exhibited specimens of cacao, coffee, lime oil,
etc., obtained by him while in Trinidad.

The average output of cotton from Carriacou for the
five years 1897-1901 was: raw cotton, 2,095 ewt.; cotton
seed, 4,537 ewt. In 1903 the output was 2,688 ewt. of raw
cotton and 6,757 ewt. of cotton seed. (Annual Report on
Grenada for 1903.)

According to the British Pharmacopara, ground nut oil
may be employed in making the official liniments, oitments,
and plasters, for which olive oil is directed to be used, in
India, the African Colonies, Eastern Colonies, and Australasia.
The oil used is that obtained, without the aid of heat, from
the seeds of Arachis hypogaea.

It is desired to correct an error which appeared in the
note on the ‘Strength of Hardbacks’ in the Agricultural
News, Vol. IV, p. 58. It was stated: ‘ Physiologists

estimate that a man can draw °86 per cent. of bis own weight

and a horse only “67 per cent. of its weight.’ These figures
should be 86 per cent. and 67 per cent. respectively.

Hermann Wilfarth, Director of the Agricultural Experi-
ment Station at Bernberg, Germany, died on November 27,
1904. He was associated with Professor H. Hellriegel in
the classic investigations on the nitrogen feeding of Gramzn-
eae and Leguminosae in which the assimilation of the free
nitrogen of the air by leguminous plants in symbiosis with
root-tubercle bacteria was first clearly demonstrated and
explained. (Zaperiment Station Record.)

It is notified for general information that slips of
Columbian varieties of cassava will shortly be available for
distribution in Barbados, An account of these cassavas is
given in the Wrest Indian Bulletin, Vol. IV, pp. 74-8, in
which Mr. H. H. Cousins states : ‘These Columbian varieties
are marked by a very high starch content and are practically
free from prussic acid.’ Applications for cuttings should be
made to Mr. J. R. Bovell, Agricultural Superintendent,
Barbados.

Vou. XIV. No. 76. THE

AGRICULTURAL NEWS. 17

all!

OT REVIEN

THE JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL SCIENCE,
VOL. I, PARTI; Edited by R. H. Biffen, M.A., A. D.
Hall, M.A., T. H. Middleton, M.A., and T. B. Wood, M.A.
Cambridge: the University Press. Price 5s,

This is the first issue of a new journal devoted to
Agricultural Science. It is explained in the editorial that,
in consequence of the establishment of a large number of
agricultural colleges in Great Britain and of the employment
of experts by the County Councils, there are now a large
number of men engaged in scientific work of an agricultural
nature—not only in Great Britain, but also in India and the
Colonies—who possess no common outlet for the publication
of the results of their investigations.

‘The journal is thus mainly intended to circulate among
agricultural teachers and experts, farmers and land agents
having an interest in the scientific side of their profession,
agricultural analysts, seedsmen, millers, manure manufac-
turers, ete., in this and other English-speaking countries.’

The high scientific standing of the members of the
editorial staff is in itself an assurance that this journal will
contain material of a valuable character and of great interest
to workers in agricultural science. We notice that it is
proposed to include in its contents ‘articles from Indian and
Colonial workers descriptive of soil, climate, and other
conditions under which agricultural operations are carried on
in tropical and semi-tropical countries.’

Among the contents of the first part are ‘ The influence
of Pollination on the development of the Hop,’ by Albert
Howard ; ‘ Mendel’s laws of Inheritance and Wheat Breed-
ing,’ by KR. H. Biffen; and ‘The analysis of the Soil by
means of the Plant,’ by A. D. Hall.

JAMAICA TOBACCO INDUSTRY.

The following correspondence relating to the
development of the tobacco industry of Jamaica is
published for general information. It arises out of the
report by Mr. F. V. Chalmers which was published in
the Agricultural News (Vol. IL, p. 379) :—

Lxtract from a letter from Professor W. R. Dunstan,
Director of the Imperial Institute-—to the Under-
Secretary of State for the Colonies,
dated December 20, 1904.

The trade report made by Mr. Chalmers on the tobacco
ot Jamaica is of considerable interest.

The fact is already appreciated in this country that

Jamaica is able to produce cigars of excellent quality. The
quality does not, however, appear to be uniform. The

subject is so important that no effort should be spared to
take whatever steps are needed for the development of the
industry. If the recommendations made by Mr. Chalmers
in his report are to be followed, it would seem highly
desirable to obtain expert advice with reference to the
cultivation, picking, fermentation, and curing of tobacco
suitable for the manufacture of cigars. This assistance

could best be obtained from Cuba, or from Sumatra or
Florida, where suitable varieties of tobacco are successfully
produced.

This step has been recently taken in connexion with
the development of the tobacco industry in South Africa
and also im Ireland.

Extract from a letter from the Board of Trade Commercial
Department (Intelligence Branch)—to the Colonial
Secretary, Jamaica, dated December 7, 1904.

In the report from the expert, referred to above,
interesting information is (as you are aware) given, embody-
ing the results of his inquiries and investigations into the
growing of tobacco in your colony, and the possibility of the
establishment of a very lucrative industry in connexion
therewith, and there is no doubt that the particulars
contained in this report would be of considerable interest to
the representatives of the tobacco trade in this country.
The value, however, of the information given would be
materially enhanced if the report itself were accompanied
by samples of the various grades of tobacco produced,
and such samples (if procured) could be exhibited at the
Offices of this Branch in illustration of Mr. Chalmers’
report, and could be retained here for examination by
tobacco importers in this country, and afterwards sent to
the Imperial Institute, or otherwise disposed of as might be
directed.

I should be glad, therefore, if arrangements could be
made for samples of such tobacco to be forwarded to this
Branch for the purpose indicated.

Extract from Minute from the Director of Public Gardens
and Plantations—to the Colonial Secretary, Jamaica.

Professor Dunstan states that Jamaica cigars are not of
uniform quality. This fact is due to the trade being at
present of only small dimensions, and there is no doubt that
the quality will gradually become uniform as larger stocks of
tobacco are used for an increased trade.

Expert advice would be of great assistance, as Professor
Dunstan suggests, especially as to Sumatra tobacco, when it
is possible for the Government to spare the necessary money.

The Department has, however, studied the problems of
cultivation and curing with the help of trained Cubans, and
has a practical school at Hope Gardens where any one is
welcome to come and learn, and where the apprentices are
taught during their time of service. The attached leaflets
are reprinted from the ulletin, and may perhaps interest
Professor Dunstan.

I have sent samples of tobaceo to Mr. Worthington
[of the Intelligence Branch of the Board of Trade], but
J do not think that it is possible to do much at present
in an export trade of leaf tobacco. The samples should
not, therefore, be put forward as soliciting orders, but only
as indicating what Jamaica can produce. All that is now
grown is required for the cigar business, which is gradually
growing, but large orders might lead again to a catastrophe in
our trade. We should aim rather at quality than quantity.

Cotton Exports from the West Indies. During
the quarter ended December 31, 1904, 31 bales of cotton
were exported from the British West Indies. The total
weight was 7,938 Ib., and the estimated value £391. The
exports comprised 27 bales of Sea Island cotton and 4 bales
of Marie Galante. The shipments were all to the United
Kingdom. Particulars as to the exports of cotton for the
previous quarter were given in the Agricultural News,
Vol. If, p. 428.

-t
io)

THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.

Marcu 11, 1905.

WEST INDIAN PRODUCTS.

Canada.

Mr. J. Russell Murray has forwarded the following
report, dated Montreal, February 10, on West Indian
produce in Canada:—

The opening month of the year was not marked by any
special business features, the annual stock-taking .and
balances caused a general holding over of new business, and
the January record indicates a quiet but steady business.
The winter, thus far, has been a normal one, and with the
elections all over it is expected that considerable business
growth will follow, stimulated also by the large immigration
advised from British sources, to take place during the spring.

STEAMSHIP

The tenders for the West India steamship contract are
still under the consideration of the steamship companies.
The Board of Trade of Toronto and the Corn Exchange of
Montreal are in close consultation on the extension of the
limits of the contract and the inclusion of Montreal as
a terminal port. The Dominion Government is, I understand,
seriously reconsidering this latter question, and there is every
likelihood of a further declaration being made on the subject
at an early date.

COMMUNICATION,

SUGAR.

A quiet market exists, and very little business is “being
transacted. Buyers are holding off and ‘bearing’ the
market, full advantage being taken of the depression of
prices on the Beet market. Offers of 3£c. for muscovado,
duty paid, have been declined, as well as 54:40 for 96
centrifugals, duty paid. Yesterday’s renewed drop of 3d. in
cane sugars in London made buyeis firmer in low bids. The
cable news to-day, however, of a steadier and firmer 1arket
has been most welcome in the interests of West Indian
growers. Fifty-five thousand bags of 96° Demeraras are now
landing, and a small lot of Argentina is also expected in
a few days. . Refined sugars, both here and in New York,
were marked down 10c. per 100 tb. on the 9th. inst. In the
absence of general transactions, quotations must be
considered nominal.

MOLASSES.

Our market is bare of all old stock, about 5,000
puncheons having been used up by the refineries during the
last month. Offerings haye been made from Barbados at
32c. landed, but no sales have as yet been made. Buyers
anticipate lower prices and are holding off. Business is
normal, and no urgency for buying is apparent, grocery
stocks being ample for present requirements.

COCOA-NUTS.

Business continues very quiet and is likely to continue
so for another month at least. Prices are easier, with no
disposition on the part of buyers to anticipate their wants ;
future deliveries can barely sustain prices.

COFFEE AND SPICES.

A general weakening of the New York market for
futures, thongh a steady market has been maintained for
spot. Buyers at New York bought freely at the decline,
and towards the close of yesterday’s sales the downward
tendency was checked. Locally, prices remain unchanged.

A general slight decline is noticeable in prices in cloves
and nutmegs. This, however, may be only temporary and
consequent on quiet business. Prices may be considered
unchanged,

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
January :—

After some months of uniform dullness, the drug
auctions started the new year on January 19, after an
interval of six weeks, with a better tone, which was fairly
maintained to the end of the month. The weekly price
auctions were resuined on January 4.

GINGER.

At this sale no Jamaica was offered, but good bold
Calicut was sold in small quantities at 25s. in baskets.
Unassorted Cochin, native cut, was bought in at 35s. to 36s.
A week later the same easy tone prevailed. Small to bold
native-cut Cochin was bought in at 32s. to 37s. per ewt.,
while dark wormy rough Malabar sold at 15s. to 15s. 6d
Only small quantities were offered. Jamaica was again
absent. On the 17th. 500 packages of Cochin were offered
and all were bought in. The prices asked were 22s. for fatr
medium and plump washed, and 45s. for medium cut and
scraped. At the last auction of the month some 1,070 bags
of Cochin and Calicut were offered, but only four were
disposed of ; the prices at which the bulk was bought in were
as follows :—unsorted native-cut Cochin 357s. 6d.; Calicut
rough 22s., and bold 25s, It will be observed that ne
Jamaica was offered throughout the month.

ARROWROOT,

Of this article, which is also offered at the spice sales.
some 65 barrels of good manufacturing St. Vincent were
disposed of at the first auction, on January 4, at 1?d. per tb.
A week later, 100 boxes of Natal were offered and bought in
at 3d. per lb., while St. Vincent was sold privately at the
previous rates. On the 17th. no St. Vincent was offered,
and Natal was bought im at the higher rate of 54d. At the
close of the month 1d. was still obtained for St. Vincent, at
which rate 387 barrels were sold.

NUTMEGS AND MACE,

Of the former somewhat lower rates were quoted for
West Indian than had prevailed at the close of last year, and
little or no change took place throughout the month. Mace
at the commencement showed an upward tendency, ordinary
to fair West Indian selling at 1s. 2d. to 1s. 4d. per tb. and
good at Is. 4d., which rates were continued to the close of the
month. No interest seems to have been shown in pimento,
22d. being the price quoted for ordinary grey.

SARSAPARILLA,

There is but little to report on this drug. About the
middle of the month it was stated that holders of genuine
grey Jamaica were asking Is. 2d. per tb. and for Lima-
Jamaica lld. and lljd. A little later the following
quotations were given, Jamaica being in small supply sola
readily at ls. to ls. 1d. per Ib. Native sold at from 7d. to
9d. for medium dull mixed, and 6d. for sea-damaged. At the
end of the month grey Jamaica still commanded 1s, 2d. per Ib.,
but Lima-Jamaica had dropped to 103d.

KOLA, MUSK SEED, TAMARINDS, ETC.

Amongst other West Indian products may be mentioned
a number of packages of kola nuts, of which eight were sold
as follows :—One bag of fair Jamaica at 3d. per Ib.; one of
dull Ceylon at 4d., and six other packages at 4d. to 49d.
These were offered at the auction on January 18, as was also
a barrel of musk seed from St. Lucia, which realized 33d.
per Ib. Six barrels of fair palish Barbados tamarinds sold at
from 8s. 3d. to 8s. 6d. per cwt., and a quantity of West
Indian distilled lime oil fetched 1s. 3d. per th,

“WoL. IV. No. 76. THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS, 79

MARKET REPORTS.

London,—January 31, 1905. Messrs. J. Hates Carrp &

Co., Messrs. KEARTON, PIPER & Co. ; February 14,
Messrs. E. A. DE Pass & Co., ‘THE WEST Inpra
Comarree Crecunar’; ‘THE LIvERPOoL Corton
Association WEEKLY Crrcunar,’ February 10,
1905; and ‘THE Pusric Lepcer,’ February 4,
1905.

Ators—Barbados, 15/- to 40/- ; Curacoa, 15/- to 41/- per cwt.

‘ARrowRoot—St. Vincent, 1}d. per tb.

Bavara—Demerara sheet, 1/10; Venezuela block, 1/4
per Ib.

Bres’-wax—£7 2s. 6d. to £7 10s. per cwt.
Cacao—Trinidad, 56/- to 60/- per cwt, 5 Grenada, 51/-
to 55/- per ewt. ; Jamaica, 47 /- to 52/- per cwt.

Carpamoms—Mysore, 73d. to 2/- per th.

CorreE—Jamaica, good ordinary, 38/- to 39/- per cwt.

Corrox—West Indian Sea Island, medium fine, 114d. ; fine,
124d. ; extra fine, 143d. per th.

FRvIT
Bananas—4/- to 6/- per bunch.

Orances—6/- to 8/- per case.
Prxe-apeLes—-St. Michael's, 1/9 to 2/3 each.

Fusric—£3 10s. to £4 per ton.

Gixcer—Jamaica, ordinary to good ordinary, 29/- to 30/-5
low middling to middling, 35/- to 37/- per ewt.

Honry—Jamaica, 14/6 to 23/- per cwt.

Istvetass—West Indian lump, 2/3 to 2/9; cake, 1/3 per Ib.

Kota Nuts—4d. to 6d. per tb.

Lime Jurce—-Raw, 10d. per gallon; concentrated, £13 15s.
per cask of 108 gallons ; hand-pressed, 2/6 to 2/9
per Ib. ; Distilled Oi, 1/3 per tb.

Locwoon —£4 2s. 6d. to £5; Roots, £4 to £4 10s. per ton.

Mace—Fair to good pale, 1/4 to 1/5; reddish, 1/3 ; per th.

Nirrare oF Sopa—Agriculiural, £11 5s. per ton.

Nourmecs-—88’s, 9$d. ; 104’s, Ghd. to Td. ; 116’s, 6d. per Tb.

Pimento— 23d. per ib.

Rus—Demerara, Is. 2d. to 1s. 4d. per proof gallon;
Jamaica, 2s. per proof gallon.

SarsaPaRILLA—74d. to 1/2 per th.

Sucar—Yellow erystals, 23/- per ewt. ; Muscovado, 18/- to
19/- per ewt. ; Molasses, 16/- to 19/- per ewt.

SuLPpHATE OF AMMONIA—£13 10s. per ton.

Montreal,—February 10, 1905.—Mr. J. RussELL Murray.

(In bond quotations, c. & f.)

Bananas—No quotations.
Gepar—No quotations.
Cocoa-Nuts— Jamaica, $25°00 to $27-00 ; Trinidad, $21:00
to $23°00 per M.
Corren—Jamaica, medium, 9c. to'9}¢. per th.
Gaxcer—Jamaica, unbleached, 6c. to 73e. per tb.
Monascurr—Demerara, $1°32 per 1C0 tb.
Motasses—Barbados, 25c. to 39c. ; Antigua, 25e. to 25c. per
Imperial gallon.
Murmecs—Grenada, 110’s, 19¢. per tb.
Orances—No quotations.
Prvento—Jamaica, 5}c. to 5}e. per th.
Prve-appLes— No quotations.
Sucar—Grey Crystals, 96°, $3°65 to $3-75 per 100 th.
— Muscovados, 89°, $2°90 to $3:00 per 100 tb.
—Molasses,. 89°, $2°65 to $3°75 per 100 tb.
— Barbados, 89°. No Quotations.

New York,—February 17, 1905.—Messrs. GILLESPIE

Bros. & Co.

Cacao—Caracas, 12c. to lc. ; Grenada, lle. to 11be.;
Trinidad, 12c. to 124. Jamaica, 9$c. per Tb.

Gocos-NutTs—Trinidads, $30°00 to $32°00 per M., selected ;
Jamaicas, $32°00 to $34:00 per M.

Trinidad,—February

Corree—Jamaicas, 8}e. per tb. (ex store).

Gincer—Jamaica, 5$c. to 5fe. per th.

Goar Sxixs—Jamaicas, 57c. per Ib.

Grare Froir—Jamaicas, $4:00 to $5:00 per barrel.

OrancEs—Jamaica, $3°00 to $4:00 per barrel (stem cut).

Prento—4 fe. to 4Zc. per tb.

Sucar—Centrifugals, 96°, 443c.; Muscovados, 89°, 455Ce$
Molasses, 89°, 4,%;c. per tb.

INTER-COLONIAL MARKETS.

Barbados,—February 25, 1905,—Messrs. T. 5, Garra-

s. James A. Lyncu & Co.

Arrowroot—St. Vincent, $3:40 to $3°75 per 100 th.
Cacao—Dominica, $10-00 to $10°50 per 100 tb.
Cocoa-Nuts—$14°00 per M. for husked nuts.
CorrEE—$10-50 to $12°00 per 100 tb.

Hay—90e. to 95e. per 100 tb.

Manvnres—-Nitrate of soda, $62°00 ; Ohlendorft’s dissolved
guano, $60-00; Sulphate of ammonia, $75°00; Sulphate
of potash, $67:00.

Motasses—20e. per gallon.

Oxroxs—Lisbon (stringed), $3°75 per 100 fb.

Poraros—ENGLIsH, $2°30 to $2 40 per 160 th. (retail).

Rice—Ballam, $4:75 per bag (190 tb.) ; Patna, $3°25
per 100 tb.

Scear.—Muscovados, 89°, $2:90; Dark crystals, 96°, $340
per 100 tb.

way & Co., and Mes

British Guiana,—February 23, 1905.—Messrs. WIETING

& RICHTER.

ARRoWRooT—St. Vincent, $7°50 to $8-00 per barrel.

Barara—Venezuela block, 25c.; Demerara sheet, 35e.
per ib.

Cacao—Native, 13c. to 14c. per tb.

Cassava SrarcH—$6°50 per barrel.

Cocoa-NutTs—$10-00 to $12°00 per M.
Correre—Rio and Jamaica, 144c. to 15e. per ib. (retail).

—Creole, 12c. to 14c. per tb.

Duat— $4°50 per bag of 168 tb.

Eppors—$1°68 per barrel.

Morasses—Vacuum Pan yellow, 17c. to 18c. per gallon
(casks included).

Oxtons—Madeira, 3$c. to 4c. ; Lisbon, 4c. ; Garlic 6s. to
ise. per Ib.

—American, 6e. per tb. (retail).

Pranrars—24e. to 48c. per bunch.

Poraros—Enerisu, Picked, $2°50 to $2°75 per barrel.

Rice—Ballam, $4°30 to $4°35 per 177 tb. ; Creole, $415
per bag.

Sweer Porsaros—Barbados, $144 per bag; $1°56 per
barrel.

Tannras—$2°16 per barrel.

Yamus—White, $1°68 per bag.

Sucar—Dark ‘crystals, $3°70 to $375; Yellow, $4:203
White, $4:90 to $300; Molasses, $2:°90 to $3:CO
per 100 ib. (retail).

Trrper—Greenheart, 32c. to 55¢. per cubic foot.

Watbabsa SHINcLes—$3'00, €3°75, and $550 per M.

23, 1905.—Messrs. GorpoNn, GRANT
& Co. ; and Messrs. Encar Trirr & Co.

Cacao—Ordinary, $12°00; Estates, $12°10 to $12-25 5
Venezuelan, $1225 to $1250 per fanega (110 tb.).

Cocoa-Nuts —$20-00 per M., f.o.b.

Cocos-Nut O1n—75e. per Imperial gallon (casks included).

Corrre—Venezuelan, 8}c. to 83e. per tb.

Copra—-$3°10 per 100 tb.

Mozasses—20e. per gallon.

Oxtoxs—Lisbon, $3°50 per 100 Tb. (retail).

Porstos—ENGLISH, $1°25 to $1°30 per 100 tb.

Rice—Yellow, $4°30 to $440; White Table, $4°75 to
€5-75 per bag.

Scaan—Yellow crystals, $400; bright molasses sugars,

, $3°00 to $325 per 100 th.

80 THE ee NEWS. Maren 11, 1905..

THE BEST MANURES FOR COLONIAL USE

aes ICIS IST

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.
[85.] Barbados Agents: Messrs. James A. Lynch & Co., Bridgetown.

4
MACHINERY FOR SALE. THE
A ‘Thomson’ Dynamo for 50-16 CP, lights with

high speed aoe for belt driving. ee WEST INDIA COMMITTEE CIRCULAR
A Blakely Dynamo for 60 1G C.P. lights without : ;
Engine. ps: (Published fortnightly).
A 3-Roller Sugar Mill 24 inches diameter x 60 inches | | re
long metic gap checks, cane and megass carriers complete, THE Os Rici A L ORGAN
aie a spare interchangeable mull 1% iller, all in good work-
ing order, by Mirrlees Watson & Co

Thiee Mab. Boilers, steel pli ee: 74 feet diameter |
x 12 feet long with 100 tubes 4 inches diameter of the THE WEST INDIA COMMITTEE

removeable type, all fittings complete in good working

OF

order, by Mirrlees Watson & Co. (Estab: circa 1760. Incorporated by
For further information apply to, Royal Charter August 4, 1904.)
J. PEET,
Palmiste Usine, Trinidad. Edited by the Secr etary.

Containing a Review of the Wonk of the West India Com-
mittee, Notes on West Indian Affairs, Statistics as to
| | Cacao, Sugar, Molasses and Rum, Coffee, Cotton,

: Cc A (& A O 2 Nutmegs, Mace, Pimento, Ginger, Arrowroot, Lime
y | Juice, ete., , Rae 5 ;

ete., Home Arrivals and Departures by

By i H HART FLS the Mail Steamers, ete.
5 ‘ ; LS. af:
NEW EDITION. To Members Free of ch: arge,
; ; ; To others, Subscription £1 Is. per annum.
A treatise on the cultivation, curing and chemistry of | |

Single Copies 1s}

COMMERCIAL CACAO. red

Published at—
on eee a na THE WEST INDIA COMMITTEE ROOMS,
Wm.WESLEY & Co., 28, Essex St., London. | tee sestnine ane
Price 3s. per copy. London, E.C. |

_——E nnn

—
ee — —SSS — — —4 ——

Printed at Office of Agricultural Reporter, 4, High Street, Bridgetown, Barbados.

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A FORTNIGHTLY REVIEW

OF

THE

IMPERIAL DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE FOR THE WEST INDIES.

BARBADOS,

CONTENTS.
PAGE. PAGE,

Agricultural Shows, Gleanings 92

1904-5 Tae aes ee 2 =
z M | Insect Notes :—

Barbados Bananas 84; Corn Ear Worm 90

Bee Keeping :— | . > 7 2
Adulteration of Honey 93 Jamaica Prison HaxD. eo

BMOEAUG tir Seay Market Reports 94

Botanic Stations : Natesuamine: ait 88
Bye uniea 91 Ne! SAL. omients

St. Kitt’s 9 eo ee =
x pes ; : Bacterial Rot 87
St. Lucia ee 91 > ‘ ,

Pe : | Prospects of Crop... 89

British Guiana, Agri- | aA >

: ae 5 ; Ovange and Citron Peels,
culture in ... . 89 ao : ¢
. Trade im a0 93

Camnas, How to grow . OL | Pimento in Jamaica ... 84

Colonial Fruit Exhibitions 84 , Rabbit Keeping :—

‘Cotton Industry :— Movable Hutch ... 83
Black Boll ... 89 | Rainfall Returns :—
Ordinance in St. Kitt’s 85 | Antigua ... . 86
Prospects of Crop... ... 85 St. Lucia 20 0006, cppeReL
Sale of West Indian . 85 | Rice Industry in the United
Sea Island Market Sere) PSUEMIESS osc von ono. een tel)
Shipment of Cotton . 85 | St. Lucia, Agriculture in... 87

Department News . 93 | Soil Inoculation . 89

Department Publica- Sugar Industry :—

tions 89, 95 Seedling Canes in
Edueational :— Jamaica 83

West Indian Seedling
Canesieen ast
Tobaeco in Hawaii

Harrison College, Bar-
bados, ies

ee . 86
Forestry in Barbados

“88

Agricultural Shows, 1904-5.

1 series of Agricultural Shows held in the
West Indies for the season 1904-5 has

{ come toa close with the interesting show
that took place at Grenada on March 16 and 17 last.

MARCH 25, 1905. Price ld.

The highest position in regard to Agricultural
Shows in this part of the world is undoubtedly held by
Jamaica, where the shows are not only well organized
and uniformly successful, but where the results bear
directly on the requirements and circumstances of the
people. During the year 1904 seven Agricultural
Shows were held in Jamaica as follows: Savanna-la-
Mar, January 1; Mount James, June 30; Port Royal
Mountains, July 6; Hanover, July 26; St. Ann’s,
August 1; New-market (St. Elizabeth), August 1, and
Kendal, November 23. The grants-in-aid made by the
Agricultural Society, amounting to £260, were largely
supplemented by local contributions, and valuable
assistance was afforded by the Agricultural Instructors
other officers with the agricultural

services in the island.

and connected

At British Guiana exhibitions were held during
the official year 1903-4 by the Farming Association
at Buxton, East Coast, and at Georgetown for the
county of Demerara. The prizes offered from the
grants made by the Board of Agriculture ‘were only
for articles exhibited in fair quantity and which are
either of actual or potential commercial value.’ Farmer
Competitions took place in the Victoria Belfield district,
the Georgetown district (for market gardeners and
farmers) and in the island of Wakenaam.

In the colony of Trinidad very successful School
Vegetable Shows in connexion with school gardens
were held at Couva on November 25, at Tunapuna on
November 28, and at Princes’ Town on December 2,
1904, The funds for prizes were provided by the

(oa
bo

THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.

Marcu 25, 1905.

Education Department. Additional prizes offered for
geveral competition were contributed by the Agri-
cultural Society and from private sources. Mr. J. H.
Collens, the Inspector of Schools, and Professor Carmody

took an active part in organizing these shows. The
fourth large Agricultural Show held in Princes’

3uilding, Port-of-Spain, since 1895 was opened by the
Governor (Sir Henry M. Jackson, K.C.M.G.) on
February 15, 1905. This was described as ‘one of the
finest and most satisfactory all-round exhibitions of the
series yet seen there. It lasted for four days and at
the close it was arranged to hold a sale of the exhibits.

At Barbados and in the Windward and Leeward
Islands successful Agricultural Shows have also been
held. The Annual Industrial Exhibition and Show of
Stock held at Harrison College under the auspices of
the Barbados General Agricultural Society took place
on December 20, 1904. The Local Agricultural
Exhibition for peasant proprietors and tenants on
sugar estates organized by the Imperial Department
of Agriculture was opened by the Governor (Sir Gilbert
Carter, K.C.M.G.) at Dunscombe Plantation on January
24, 1905.
been held” The exhibits sent from the Elementary
Schools constituted a prominent feature of this show.
Another interesting event was the distribution of

This was regarded as ‘the best that has yet

prizes among the best-cared-for donkeys belonging to
§ gin
peasants.

In the Leeward Islands Agricultural Shows have
been taken up with considerable energy, The first of
the series in 1905 held at Dominica was opened by the
Administrator (Mr. H. Hesketh Bell,C.M.G.) on February
23 and 24 in the Botanic Gardens at Roseau. This was
not so large as former shows: but the exhibits were of
an interesting character and afforded striking evidence
of the variety and value of the products of this fertile
island.

The Montserrat Show was held on February 24.
The Governor (Sir Courtenay Knollys, K.C.M.G.) was
present ‘and expressed himself delighted with the
exhibits.’

A full account of the Agricultural Show opened at
Antigua by Lady Knollys on February 23 has already
appeared in the Agricultural News (Vol. IV, p. 75).
‘There was a distinct advance on previous shows and
the general standard of the exhibits was higher.’

The first Agricultural Show held at Nevis for
many years was opened in that island by the Adminis-

—

trator (Mr. Robert Bromley) on February 28. Very
successful arrangements for the show were made by
the local Agricultural Society under the direction of
Mr. C. A. Shand, the Resident Magistrate.

The second Agricultural Show at St. Vincent was
opened by the Administrator (Mr. E. J. Cameron) on
March 9. The entries of stock (115) were specially
good: coffee and cacao were well represented; and
eighteen samples of Sea Island cotton were entered for
competition.

An Agricultural, Industrial, and Horticultural
Exhibition, held-at. the Queen’s Park, St. George's,
Grenada, on March 16 and 17, was opened by the
Governor (Sir Robert Llewelyn, K.C.M.G.). The total
amount oftered in Prizes was £122, with a silver cup
and £5 for special prizes by the Governor. The stock
exhibited by peasant proprietors was of special merif.
In other respects the Grenada Show was regarded as

not quite so successful as some of its predecessors,

As the Agricultural Shows held at Barbados,
Dominica, Montserrat, Nevis, St. Vincent, and Grenada
were held under the auspices of, and received assist-
ance from, the Imperial Department of Agriculture,
Sir Daniel Morris was present and distributed the
‘Diplomas of Merit’ awarded by the Department. He
also gave addresses advocating the educational in-
fluence of the

among

and
large

shows recommending hearty
and cultivators

especially in districts not hitherto represented.

co-operation small

Sir Daniel
interesting show held at

was unable to be present at the
Antigua (also under the
auspices of the Imperial Department of Agriculture)
owing to the date clashing with those in the other
islands. ‘lhe general impression left on the mind of the
Imperial Commissioner, after visiting the several shows .
above referred to, is that they are capable of being
rendered a valuable means of infusing new interest
and energy into the agricultural life of the people in
these colonies and that they deserve the warm support
of all classes of the community.

It is hoped that exhibits from Elementary Schools
will increase year by year. It is also hoped that the

judges at these shows will endeavour to raise the
Juag

standard of excellence and award prizes in such
a manner as to afford special encouragement to those
who devote attention to growing commercial produce
of good quality and are successful in presenting it in
a skilful and attractive manner,

Vou. IV. No. 77.

THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS. 83

, x) 3 aM
ae oe

Tes =

SUGAR INDUSTRY.

Seedling Canes in Jamaica.

In an account of the proposed extension of the
sugar-cane experimental work in Jamaica the Gleaner
has the following reference to the cultivation of
seedling canes :—

The Sugar Department has charge of the seedling canes
which are grown at Hope for experimental purposes, and
Mr. Cousins informed our representative that the best
seedling cane grown there this year was B, 208. Over an acre
has been planted in this variety. This cane has done
splendidly in the dry districts of St. James and Trelawny,
and Mr. Cousins was of opinion that that variety was the
best for Jamaica as far as he had been able to judge.

Over 30,000 selected tops have been sent out from the
experimental plots, and Mr. Cousins hopes that planters will
put a considerable acreage under cultivation of seedling
canes and so increase their yields.

West Indian Seedling Canes.

The following article on seedling sugar-canes
appeared in the Louisiuna Planter of February 18 :—

At the recent West Indian Agricultural Conference it
was brought out in debate by Sir Daniel Morris, the Imperial
Commissioner of Agriculture, that our British cousins in the
West Indies, in their desire to improve their cane culture,
were rapidly utilizing the improved seedling sugar-canes
until it is now found that in British Guiana alone there are
some 13,000 acres planted in the newer varieties, and in the
island of Antigua 8,000, with considerable quantities in the
other islands. It is well for us to consider this in connexion
with our own experiments here in Louisiana with Demerara
seedlings Nos. 74 and 95, which promise so much success in
this state as new varieties. Our Sugar Experiment Station
has already demonstrated the value of these canes from
experiments carried on during a series of years, and at the
next meeting of the Louisiana Sugar Planters’ Association
the industrial side of the question will be brought up and
carefully considered. Many of our planters have produced
large fields of these canes and the reported results are
generally very satisfactory. Prof. Blouin, at Audubon Park
is now collating all the data that he can secure, and all the
sugar planters of the state who have been experimenting
with these canes are urgently asked to send in to Prof-
essor Blouin such data as they may have, so that from the
data such general information may be secured as will be
advantageous for every one connected with the sugar
industry.

We are sometimes disposed to think that our British
West Indian confréres are a little slow in their sugar
methods, and yet investigations have always shown that for
decades the sugar planters of Barbados led the world, so far
as excellence in cane culture was concerned; and the sugar
planters of British Guiana led the world so far as excellence
in the manufacture of sugar was concerned. If we are to
maintain our Jeadership in the cane sugar industry, so far as
its advancement along scientific lines is concerned, we shall
need to be especially enterprising in the matter of our

experimentation and ascertainment of the merits of seedling
canes. :
If D. 74 and D. 95 eanes are better than our standard
purple or striped canes, we should ascertain the facts, and if
good judgement indicates such a line of action, we should go
into the new canes and let the old varieties become
obsolete.

RABBIT KEEPING.

The Movable Hutch.

The following description of the movable hutch,
known as the Morant system, is extracted from the
Senior Cowntry Reader, IIL, * This system is recom-
mended as likely to give the best results :—

If you have a piece of grass that is doing next to
nothing, the herbage of which is a bit coarse, place on it
movable rabbit hutches.

These movable hutches have a small closed-in sleeping
or breeding compartment at one end, and a hole through the
partition of the sleeping place leads into a larger run. The
run has small-meshed wire fixed along the bottom, small
enough to prevent the rabbit getting its legs through it, but

MovasLe Huren.
Yountry Reader, ILI.]

Pie, 45);

[From Senior

large enough to allow the herbage to come through the
meshes of the wire.

The hutch opens with a lid at the top. It has two
handles, one at either end, so that to move it you lift up one
end of the hutch by the handle and place the wire bottom on
a fresh piece of grass, and having done this lift the other end
by the handle till the whole hutch is placed upon a fresh
piece of ground.

The hutches are very light so that a small child can
move them about. They should be moved three times a day.

Further details as to the management of rabbits
upon this system will be found in the Agricultural
News (Vol. III, p. 118).

It will be remembered that this system is cordially
commended to rabbit keepers in the West Indies by
Mr. John Barclay in the pamphlet (no. 34) recently
issued by this Department, entitled Notes on Rabbit
Keeping in the West Indies.

Senior Country Reader, III: by H. B. M. Buchanan, B.A.,
London: Macmillan & Co., Ltd. 1904.

84 THE AGRICULTURAL

NEWS.

Marcu 25, 1905.

WEST INDIAN FRUIG:

BARBADOS BANANAS.

The following is an extract from a letter addressed
to the Imperial Commissioner of Agriculture by
Messrs. W. Pink & Sons relative to Barbados bananas:—

Sales are much better now, and the account sales which
are going out by this mail show an increase in net remittance
of just over 1d. per bunch.

I have just received a cable from Barbados to the effect
that 1,250 crates are on the way to us. This increase in
quantity is most satisfactory. You will be glad to know that
we have not had a single bunch chilled at Plymouth this
winter, but a few which came through Southampton to
Portsmouth were chilled. I think that this shows that the
method of landing in large decked lighters is satisfactory.
The two boats which we are now using will land 3,000
crates under decks.

COLONIAL FRUIT EXHIBITIONS.

The following note is extracted from the report of

the Royal Horticultural Society read at the 10Ist.
annual meeting on February 14 last :—

One new departure in regard to the exhibits has already
been made, and that is the exhibition of colonial fruit. The
exhibition we had during the winter was organized at very
short notice, and we hope in future that we shall have
a much more complete and more interesting exhibition than
on that occasion. The next show of colonial fruits will take
place on March 30 and 31, and we have every reason to
believe that the colonies will make a very considerable show,
as they can do. Not only is the matter of interest to fruit-
growers, but it is a very important element in the food
supply of the people. Through our colonies we can get,
almost throughout the year, fruit and vegetables which
conduce so much to the health of the people without having
to wait for the seasons to come round.

PIMENTO IN JAMAICA.

The following note on pimento is taken from the
Annual Report on Jamaica for 1903-4. Interesting

remarks are made on the fluctuations of the price of

this product on the market :-—

Pimento is an article for which there is a limited
demand. Jamaica is the source of supply. The
average output is large enough to depress continuously the
market. It will be observed that last year’s short crop is
estimated to haye been very nearly as valuable as the

sole

previous year’s crop, which exceeded it by more than 60 per
cent. in quantity. The price was unduly inflated after the
eyclone by exaggerated reports of the destruction of the
pimento walks. As was the case in regard to cocoa-nut
plantations, many large pimento properties, especially in
St. Ann’s, where the edge of the limestone tableland caught
the full force of the hurricane, showed extraordinary devasta-
tion, but the impression I received from travelling through
the island during the autumn was that there was a very
imposing number of pimento trees left standing in St. Ann’s,
and that outside St. Ann’s the reduction was not at all
serious, in short that there were probably, on the whole,
quite enough bearing pimento trees left in the island
to yield as large an average crop as it is economically
advantageous should come on the market. The hurri-
cane appeared to me to have done what the Dutch
used to do for their spice crop when they controlled the
market for cloves, pepper, and cinnamon, and what has been
done for the diamond market.

IRISH POTATOS IN JAMAICA.

We extract the following from the Journal of the
Jamaica Agricultural Society —

We have ordered 50 barrels of seed potatos to the order
of members for the spring planting in March. Never at any
time have there been more seed potatos brought to this islanc
than this last season, and local markets should be well
supplied during the period when there are no foreign potatos,
between May and October. This is what we should aim at,
because between October and May Halifax potatos can be
landed here more cheaply than we can grow them, because
the return, when planted here at that time, is not usually
large enough at high elevations where it is cold, where
potatos do best in summer. Successful crops may be raised
in the lowlands where seasons are favourable by planting in
November. What growers have to watch well is the careful
marketing of the crop. The small people, as a rule, dig alk
their potatos and take them to market at once, and for
a month there may be a glut in the local markets, and then
for many months no potatos at all. Large crops will likely
be ready in June and July, and good profits may be made
by the careful manipulation of the markets through
a combination of growers, to place only so many potatos in
the market each week, and so keep up the demand and the
price. We shall soon be able to collect good reliable data
from actual experience as to the best methods of treatment
of seed and soil in different districts,

Vou. IV. No. 77.

THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS. 85

COTTON INDUSTRY.

Shipment of Cotton.

The following is an extract from a letter addressed
to the Imperial Commissioner of Agriculture by the
Chairman of the Royal Mail Steam Packet Co. :—

In view of the fall in the price of cotton, and with
a view to assist the industry in its initial stages, T have
decided to reduce the freight on cotton from the British West
Indies to Southampton, London, Liverpool, or Manchester,
including charges to destination, from 17s. 6d. per ton
measurement to 15s. per ton measurement ; reduction to take
place at once :

[ trust this may be of some little help to the growers in
the West Indies.

Sea Island Cotton Market.

We extract the following from the Sea Island
report, dated Charleston, March 4, of Messrs. Henry
W. Frost & Co.:—

There has been a good demand for export for the
limited offerings of ‘Tinged Stains’ which factors would
consent to sell at 12c. to 15c., resulting in sales of about
100 bales; besides, two Planter’s Crop Lots have been sold
for France at 28c.

Otherwise the market is quiet, with some demand for
crop lots at 23c. to 24c., which factors are refusing to sell
under 25c.

We quote stained and tinged, 12c. to 17«.; fine, 20c. ;
fully fine, 23c. to 24e.; extra fine, 25c. to 26c.; extra-fine crop
lots, 26c. to 28e. ; extra-extra-fine crop lots at 48c.

Cotton Traffic Ordinance in St. Kitt’s-Nevis.

An Ordinance has been passed by the Legislative
Council of St. Kitt’s-Nevis which is designed to
regulate the local sale and purchase of cotton. Among
its provisions are the following :—

No person shall sell any cotton in the presidency
without having first obtained a license to do so in accordance
with the provisions of the Ordinance. The applicant for
a ‘License to sell’ must state the acreage planted and the
situation of the land from which the cotton is to be gathered
and give a fair estimate of the weight of seed-cotton to be
gathered.

No person shall purchase any cotton in the presidency
without having first obtained a license to do so. Every
person who has obtained a ‘ License to purchase’ must keep
a book in which he shall enter particulars of each purchase.
The holder of such a license must afford the Inspector of
Police every assistance in detecting any larceny or illicit
trading in cotton.

All persons selling or purchasing cotton without having
first obtained a license, or selling to or purchasing from
persons not licensed under this Ordinance, or holders of
licenses failing to comply with the provisions of the
Ordinance, shall be liable on conviction to a penalty not
exceeding £50, or six months’ imprisonment with or without
hard labour.

Reference was made in the Agricultural News
(Vol. III, p. 332) to a similar Ordinance in force in
St. Vincent; another is in force at Barbados.

Sales of West Indian Cotton.

The following extract from a recent speech of
Mr. J. A. Hutton, Vice-Chairman of the British
Cotton-growing Association, indicates that West
Indian Sea Island cotton is establishing for itself
a satisfactory position on the English market :—

What the Association had done in the West Indies
alone had fully justified its existence. They received
from that source 5,000 bags of 360 lb. each. Cotton had
recently been shipped from Barbados which had sold at
something like 2d. per tb. over the best price of similar
cotton grown in America. So far as Sea Island cotton
was concerned, therefore, they could hold their own with
America, for the growing of Sea Island cotton in the West
Indies was now established.

The West India Committee Circular says :—

We learn that in Manchester the feeling in favour of
West Indian Sea Island cotton is becoming more and more
marked, and it is thought that it will beat American Sea
Island out of the market.

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 :—

Seventy-five bales of Sea Island cotton were shipped
from the Central Cotton Factory at Antigua on March 8 to
the British Cotton-growing Association.

Mr. Fishlock states that in the Virgin Islands the
prospects of the crop are favourable m spite of the dry
season which has caused the plants to be somewhat stunted.

In St. Kitt’s the cotton is now practically all reaped.
In that island most of the cotton has been planted on land
intended for planting cane this season. As stated by
Mr. Shepherd: ‘This is an experiment in planting cotton
early as a catch crop, and it will be interesting to note the
effect on the cane crop following it. The land was prepared
as for cane, and the cotton planted at a distance of 5 feet by
4 feet.’

In further reference to the prospects of cotton
growing in St. Kitt’s-Nevis we may quote from
a letter addressed to the Imperial Commissioner of
Agriculture by the Administrator :—

From all I have heard the cotton crop here seems to
have come up to expectations. There has, I regret to say,
been a great deal of cotton stealing, especially in Nevis, but
an Act was passed through the Council last Tuesday which,
T hope, will put a stop to it.

RICE INDUSTRY IN THE UNITED
STATES.

In a recently issued Consular Report on the above
subject (Miscellaneous, No. 625) it is stated:—

Rice cultivation in the United States has become an
important industry. During the fiscal year 1898-9 the
production of rice in this country was 250,280,221 tb.,
the land under cultivation was 342,218 acres. This year it
is calculated that the yield will be about 470,000,000 tb.,
the land planted with rice being 643,400 acres.

Notwithstanding this large increase, it is still insufficient
to meet the home demand. The quantity of rice of all sorts
imported during the fiscal year amounted to 154,221,772 tb.,
chiefly through San Francisco and New York.

86 THE

AGRICULTURAL NEWS.

Marcu 25, 1905.

EDUCATIONAL.

Harrison College, Barbados.

The following is the report of the examiner
appointed by the Cambridge Syndicate to examine the
science classes at Harrison College, Barbados :—

Three papers were set on schedules supplied by the
College, namely, in Physics, Agricultural Chemistry, and
Practical Chemistry.

Physics.—The subjects in the Physics schedule included
Heat, Light, and Meteorology, and questions were set on
each of these subjects. The answers were, on the whole,
excellent, and only one boy has failed to get a grip of the
work.

All the questions were well answered with one exception,
an easy and straight-forward question on the measurement of
quantities of heat, which was practically not touched by any
candidate.

Agricultural Chemistry.—No papers were received from
two candidates who sent up papers in the other two subjects.
The work of the seven boys who sent in papers was strikingly
uniform and good. Two parts of questions were generally
badly answered, one relating to the conversion of nitrate
nitrogen iuto ammonia, the other to the common impurities
in commercial nitrate of soda.

Practical Chemistry.—The schedule (for one year’s
work only) in this subject was restricted to the preparation
of a few substances of agricultural interest, and the qualita-
tive examination of simple salts for specified acids and bases.

Three simple salts were set for the examination, as it is
impracticable to convey preparations from Barbados for
inspection by the examiner. The three salts were identified
by every one, though a few of the candidates did not describe
their experiments quite satisfactorily.

On the whole, the results of the examination are most
satisfactory and give evidence of careful and thorough
teaching.

Agricultural Science at Harrison College.

The following is the report of the examiner
(Dr. H. H. Cousins, Government Analytical and
Agricultural Chemist, Jamaica) on the results of the
examination in Agricultural Science at Harrison
College :—

Papers were received from seven candidates upon each
of three subjects: (2) Cane Planting, (2) Sugar Manufacture,
(c) Practical Sugar Chemistry. The work was remarkably
even throughout, and there was very little difference in the
work presented by the first six candidates. The questions on
the ideal sugar-cane, the moth borer, and the fungoid diseases
of cane were well treated; and the latest results of the
Imperial Department of Agriculture had evidently been clearly
impressed. A high standard was attained in this paper by six
candidates.

The answers to the paper on sugar manufacture were of
unequal merit. The subject had evidently been efficiently
taught, since every question was well treated by some of the
candidates. The practical details of the hydraulic mill
attachment and of the triple effect were confused by some,
while clearly explained by others. I consider the results
shown on this paper to be very creditable. The practical
paper was marked upon a strictly technical basis, no credit
being given for results involving errors beyond the limits of

ordinary technical laboratory work. On the whole, very
good work with the polariscope was obtained.

The alcohol determination was not correctly made by
a single candidate. This may have been due to the use of
an uncorrected Tralles hydrometer. I have found it
desirable with my students to employ the specific gravity
bottle instead of the hydrometer for this purpose. I am
satisfied that these candidates have not only been taught
well, but have had enough practice in practical sugar
chemistry to make them reliable workers capable of carrying
out ordinary chemical control in sugar works.

RAINFALL RETURNS.

Antigua.

The Hon. F. Watts, Government Chemist and
Superintendent of Agriculture for the Leeward Islands
has forwarded rainfall returns for Antigua for 1904,
from which we extract the following :—

The average monthly rainfall for 1904 (mean of seventy
stations) was as follows :—

January 3°29 inches.
February 1:83 3
March 1:52 4
April 2-14 a
May 0-92 5
dune 1-12 3
July 1°55 y
August 6°38 .
September ... 534 53
October 5:16 2
November ... 5°50 -
December ... 1°68 3
Total ... 3701

"6 oh as

The average annual rainfall for thirty-one years
(1874-1904) was 46°03, so that the rainfall for 1904 was
9°02 inches below the average.

St. Lucia.

From the St. Lucia Official Gazette we extract

the following information with regard to the rainfail
for 1904 :—

The monthly rainfall at the Botanic Station (height

above sea-level, 10 feet) was as follows =

January S54 inches.
February 4:83 53
March 35D ee
April 2-09 -
May 6°35 .
June saa 6°59 .
July 8°32 5
August SPUG) 35
September ... 8°35 a
October 9°83 és
November ... 6°10 3
December ... ee 3°98 5
Total .4 5 17-72

= tee Pr
In the previous year the rainfall at the Botanic Station
was 86°84 inches, and in 1902, 91°43 inches.

The total rainfall for the year at other observation
stations was: Agricultural School, 75°52; Riviére Dorée,
57°09 ; Errard, 74°86 ; and Soufriere, 95-03.

Vout. IV. No.. 77.

THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS. 87

BOTANIC STATIONS.

Dominica.

As showing the superiority of budded over seedling
citrus trees it may be mentioned that at the Dominica
Botanic Station in 1899 a number of sour orange stocks were
budded into the triumph grape fruit. Five of these were
planted in the gardens as specimen trees and all were in
bearing in three years. This season the best tree gave
a crop of 300 fine grape fruits, and another gave over 200.
A seedling grape fruit would not have commenced to bear in
this time, and the quality of the fruit would be uncertain.

The number of budded plants on order at the Botanic
Station, Dominica, is over 4,000. These, at 6d. per plant,
represent a value of over £100.

St. Kitt’s.

Efforts are being made, and so far with some success, to
establish a number of rockeries in the Botanic Station at
St. Kitt’s with succulent plants. The plants chiefly used
for this purpose are ‘Turk’s Cap’ (AZelocactus communis),
Alve vulgaris, and others obtained from the hillsides in some
of the drier parts of the island.

The Agricultural Superintendent (Mr. Shepherd) would
be glad to receive succulent plants other than those
mentioned above from the other Botanic Stations. He would
exchange with ‘ Turk’s Cap’ and other St. Kitt’s plants.

A number of plants of Saccharwin ciliare, raised from
seed received through the Imperial Department of Agri-
culture from India in May last, are growing at the Botanic
Station, St. Kitt’s. These plants, which are now arrowing,
appear to withstand drought well, and trials are being made
to test their usefulness for fodder purposes. This species may
also be suitable for forming ornamental clumps on lawns,
similar to Pampas grass.

St. Lucia.

The following extracts are taken from the Annual
Report on St. Lucia for 1903 :—

Most of the experimental work formerly carried on at
the Botanic Station has been transferred to the Agricultural
School at Union, which was opened in 1901. The station,
however, still provides a pleasant place of resort for the
people of Castries and visitors to the colony, and its usefui
features in a practical direction have not been entirely super-
seded by the institution at Union, as evidenced by the fact
that during 1903 economic plants to a number over 10,000
were either sold at, exchanged, or issued free of charge from,
the station, as were over 2,000 decorative plants and cuttings.

Cacao, cotton, and other experiment stations are situated
at Riviere Dorée; La Perle estate, Soufriére; St. Joseph
estate, Dennery; Bellair estate, Roseau; and Entrepét
estate, Castries. The cultivation consists of cotton, limes,
pine-apples, etc., on the first-named plot, and of cacao on the
remainder.

The Agricultural Instructor reports that the cultural
and manurial methods employed in these plots are being
largely followed by both large and small proprietors, with
increasingly satisfactory results, and while three years ago
only one or two planters ventured to disturb their cacao roots
with a fork, now thorough and deep tilth has become
a recognized operation ; while artificial manures are known,
used, and thoroughly appreciated, and pruning and draining
‘are constantly practised, not in the former ignorant fashion,
but on intelligent lines.

HOW TO GROW CANNAS.

Mr. John Belling, B.Se., Agricultural and Science
Master at St. Kitt’s, has forwarded the following notes
on the growing of cannas :—

The Crozy cannas and the new large-flowered cannas
lately obtained by crossing the American C. flaccida with the
dwarf Crozy cannas are perhaps the most popular plants in
the United States for ornamental purposes. The canna is
quite at home in the West Indies, several members of the
genus being native. Here it grows right on throughout
the year, and we are saved the trouble of preserving pieces of
the rhizome during the winter. Yet comparatively few
gardens have a good display of this flower. Canna ‘ roots’
or rhizomes may be obtained from the American florists at
from 10c. to 15c. for choice varieties, and travel very well
if sufficient air is allowed in the package to keep off mould.
The best time to get them is November. Good varieties are :
(Red) Duke of Marlboro, President McKinley, Pennsyl-
vania, Black Prince; (Yellowish red) America ; (Pink)
Martha Washington ; (Red or striped) Governor Roosevelt ;
(Red and Yellow) Mrs. Kate Grey, Alemannia, Souvenir
d@ Antoine Crozy, Queen Charlotte; (Yellow) Buttercup ;
(White) Alsace, Mont Blanc.

When the parcel is received the pieces should be well
washed, and rotten portions cut out, to remove mould, and
planted in sandy soil in boxes or pots. The canna is
a surface feeder and requires abundance of food, so that
plenty of pen-manure, wood-ashes, or other manures should
be worked into the top soil of the bed where the cannas are
to grow. As they flower best in a sunny place, a thick
mulch of leaves, old megass, or pen-manure should be kept
upon the surface. Shelter from the wind is imperative for
good blossoms. When the pieces of rhizome have grown
leaves about 6 inches high, they should be set out leaving
a depression around each (like a cane-hole) to hold water, if
the soil is porous. Plenty of water should be supplied, in
fact, some of them will grow as semi-aquatics in the wet soil
at the edge of a pond.

When a spray has finished flowering it should be cut
off so that the plant may not waste its nutrient sap in
forming seed-vessels and seeds. Also, when a stem has
opened all its blossoms it should be cut out with a// its
leaves. This lets in light to the other stems, removes rusty
leaves (a source of infection), and helps to keep down cater-
pillars. If the canna worm attacks the plant, as in St. Kitt’s,
the white eggs should be picked from the young plants every
other day till they are large and the caterpillars removed
regularly from the older plants. The moths themselves can
be caught while egg-laying.

About Christmas the cannas should be dug up, the
stems removed, and the mass of rhizomes divided. The bed
should be re-manured and re-planted. A spider frequents the
plants here and feeds on the small caterpillars so that it
should not be destroyed.

If anyone in the West Indies were desirous of following
the example of the tuberose growers of the S. E. States,
or the lily growers of Bermuda, he would find the canna
a most promising plant. Roots obtained from the States
in May gave each thirty or forty times as many plants at
Christmas. If choice varieties were planted, fresh roots
could be sent to New York in April and would be far
superior to those which had been stored for five months
and are wholly or in part dry or rotten.

An account of the canna worm, to which Mr. Bell-
ing refers will be found on p. 74 of this volume of the
Agricultural News.

io)
io)

Marcu 25, 190o.

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.

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 95 of this issue.

The Agricultural News:
post free 1}d.
2s, 2d.

Price 1d. per number,
Annual subscription payable to Agents,
Post free, 3s. 3d.

Agricultural Jews

Vou. IV. SATURDAY, MARCH 25, 1905. No. 77.

NOTES AND COMMENTS.

Contents of Present Issue.

The editorial in this issue of the Agricultural
News deals with some ofthe aspects of the Agricultural
Shows that have recently been held throughout the
West Indies.

Notes on the sugar industry relate tio the
cultivation of seedling canes in Jamaica, and to the
raising of seedling canes in the West Indies.

Several interesting notes with regard to the cotton
industry will be found on p. 85; of special interest to
planters is the note on the sales of West Indian cotton
in England.

Reports on the examination of the science and
agricultural classes at Harrison College, Barbados, are
published on p. 86. It will be seen that the examiners
are very favourably impressed with the character of the
work presented by the boys.

A summary of an address delivered by Sir Daniel
Morris before the St. Lucia Agricultural Society is
published on p. 87.

An illustrated article on the Corn Ear Worm,
a common pest in the West Indies, will be found on
p. 90.

An interesting trade report on orange and citron
peels, which has been prepared by Mr, J. R. Jackson at
the request of the Imperial Commissioner of Agriculture,
appears on p. 93. Mr, Jackson discusses the possibility
of the English market being supplied with this product
by the West Indies.

= = <

Jamaica Prison Farm.

In further reference to the successful establishment
of a farm at the Spanish Town prison in Jamaica, of
which mention was made in the Agricultural News,
Vol. III, p. 20, the following information may be
of interest :—

During the year ended March 31, 1904, the
amount expended on the farm, exclusive of prison
labour, was £342 2s. 7d.: the actual value of the crops
reaped was £608 17s, 4d.

The principal crops were : potatos, 64,053 Ib.; yams,
13,424 tb.; pumpkins, 7,755 tb., and miscellaneous
vegetables in varying quantities. he grass cut
realized £123, and the wood £199.

———— Eee

Forestry in Barbados.

It may not be generally known that in Barbados
special inducements are offered to owners of land, which
is practically useless for other purposes, to plant trees.
A bounty of 20s. for each acre for seven years is given

to the owner who covers his land in that way. Also,
Jand exceeding 1 acre in extent, planted with
mahogany trees in the manner specified in the

Preservation of Trees Act, No. 1 of 1875, is exempt
from all taxation.

Inspectors for the various parishes are appointed
under this Act whose duty it is to report annually upon
the condition of the plots for which bounties are paid.
The reports of five of these inspectors are published in
the Official Gazette of February 27, 1905, and these
show that in the five parishes inspected there are some
400 acres of land planted, eared for, and protected as
required by the Act.

The trees planted are chiefly mahogany, but white
wood, fiddle wood, manchineel, and several others are
also extensively planted.

EEE —EEe

Tobacco in Hawaii.

An experiment in growing tobacco under shade
was commenced in Hawaii in August 1903. Mr. Jared
G. Smith, the Officer-in-Charge of the Agricultural
Experiment Station, describes the experiment in the
Hawaiian Forester and Agriculturist tor December
1904.

As there was a fall of 20°17 inches of rain between
April 8 and 13, a week after the seedlings were trans-
planted, the loss of transplanted tobacco was very high,
and replanting had to be done continuously until
June 1. The leaf from the first crop and the ratoon
crop was harvested as it ripened in July, August, and
September. The picking during the three months
amounted to about 1,000 tb. of cured leaf of very
variable quality. The varieties tried were Del, Florida-
Sumatra, and Java-Sumatra.

Mr. Smith considers the outlook for tobacco
cultivation in Hawaii good, provided suitable land can
be placed at the disposal of those who have sufficient
capital to engage in the industry. There are, perhaps,
some 25,000 acres on the islands of the group that
possess the necessary physical texture,

“Vout. IV. No. 77.

THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS. 89

Agriculture in British Guiana.

According to the Annual Report on British
“Guiana for 1903-4, the sugar crop entered for export
amounted to 125,949 tons, as against 120,127 tons for
the previous year; the larger shipment is in great part
due to extension of cultivation, the extension being
_almost entirely occupied by new varieties of sugar-cane.
The acreage in cultivation by cane farmers may be
-estimated at 2,500 acres. It is mentioned that the
-eultivation of new varieties of cane on the estates of
the colony continued to attract much attention on the
part of the planters generally.

Eee
Prospects of the Onion Crop.

From the reports of local officers of the Imperial
Department of Agriculture, it would appear that the
xesults of experiments in growing onions in these islands
during the present season are not as satisfactory as
they have been in previous seasons. The yield has
been rather poor and the bulbs of small size. In all
eases this result is attributed to the abnormally dry
weather since the onions were planted. In most cases
the seed germinated well.

The seed was distributed in small quantities, so
that it is difficult to obtain an accurate estimate of the
acreage planted or of the yield of onions, Generally
speaking, it is not considered likely that the quality
reaped will exceed the local demand in each island.
It may be mentioned that in Trimdad, where onions
failed entirely last year, the experiments have been
very successful, the weather being quite favourable, viz.,
showers during growth and dry weather for ripening.

EE Oo

Department Publications.

The concluding part of Volume V of the West
Indian Bulletin is issued to-day. This number
contains a report of the proceedings at the Agricultural
Conference and an instalment of the papers read.
These deal with the ‘Results of recent Experiments
with Seedling Canes and Manurial Experiments in
the West Indies. The papers are those prepared
by Professor Harrison (British Guiana), Professor
d’ Albuquerque (Barbados), Dr. Francis Watts (Leeward
Islands), and Dr. Urich (Trinidad). As the papers
cover the work done during three years, interesting
results are recorded. This publication is obtainable
of all agents for the sale of the Department’s publica-
tions, price 6d., post free 8d.

The first part of the large ofticial report of the
Sugar-cane Experiments in the Leeward Islands during
the season 1903-4 is also issued to-day. Part I deals
with experiments with varieties of the sugar-cane, and
also contains appendices on the chemical selection
experiments, the experiments in raising seedling canes,
and the experimental treatment of cane tops and cut-
tings with germicides before planting. The price of this
report (part I) is ls. Part IH, which is devoted to the
experiments with manures, will be issued shortly.

It is expected that the title page and index to the
third volume of the Agricultural News will be issued
as a supplement to the next issue. _

Black Boll of Cotton.

As was briefly mentioned in a former issue of the
Agricultural News (Vol. IV, p. 43), Mr. L. Lewton-
Brain, B.A. F.L.S., recently visited Antigua and
Montserrat for the purpose of investigating the ‘ Black
Boll’ disease in cotton.

In reporting on his investigation, Mr. Lewton-
Brain states that this is undoubtedly a distinct disease,
though sometimes confused with anthracnose and
physiological drying up of the bolls. The boll becomes
curiously deformed, while internally it is rotten and
the lint discoloured. In time the lint becomes a dark
slimy mass. But even up to this time there is little
external sign of unhealthiness, yet the bolls drop off
instead of opening in the usual way.

The disease does not seem to be due to climatic
conditions, nor to any particular soil formation, since
it occurs in wet and dry seasons, in clay soils as
well as limestone ; nor is it possible to connect it with
any insect attack. Until the point is definitely settled
by inoculation experiments, a short, rod-shaped, non-
motile bacillus, which is present in diseased bolls, must
be regarded as the primary cause of ‘ black boll.’

It would appear that the spread of the disease is
favoured by rich virgin soiland by the excessive use of
nitrogenous manures. When the bolls are drying up,
the plant should be cut back and the diseased material
destroyed ; also, after picking the plant remains should
be destroyed, while badly infested fields should not be
replanted in cotton the following season.

Soil Inoculation.

Several references have recently been made in the
Agricultural News to the work of the U.S. Depart-
ment of Agriculture in connexion with soil inoculation
for leguminous crops. The September issue of the
Journal of the Board of Agriculture, Great Britain,
contains an account of investigations in the same direc-
tion that have been made by Dr. Hiltner, of Munich.
The results of some 400 experiments carried out in
different parts of Germany appear to have been, on the
whole, exceedingly favourable. Early in last year the
new nitragin was offered free of cost to members of the
German Agricultural Society on the condition that 16
was used according to the directions. The demand
was so great that the free offer had to be withdrawn,
and arrangements were made to sell the substance in
quantities sufficient to treat the seed of } acre for Is.

The February issue of the same journal notifies
British farmers that they can obtain this new inoculat-
ing material from Dr. Hiltner at the price of 2s. per
tube (sufficient for 2 to } acre). The principal crops
for which cultures are available are peas, horse-beans,
cloyers, lucerne, and vetches.

The cultures prepared at Munich differ from those
sent out by the U.S. Department of Agriculture in that
the bacteria are not put up in the dry form, Each
tube is accompanied by a nutrient substance in the
form of a powder consisting of a mixture of pepton and
grape sugar which must be dissolved in the water or
milk, into which the contents of the tube is turned out,
about half an hour before the bacilli are introduced.

90 THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.

Marcu 25, 1905.

INSECT NOTES.

The Corn Ear Worm.

The Corn Ear Worm and the effects of its feeding are

well known to planters in the West Indies. In every crop
of corn there are ears in which the grain has been eaten
from the tips, the ears sometimes being totally destroyed.

The leaves also of the corn plant suffer from the
depredations of this insect. Down in the crown of the
young plant one or more of the larvae eat into the tender
leaves, which, when extended and spread out, show the
results in their ragged and perforated appearance. It is
likely, however, that the appearance of the adult is not so
well known, nor, possibly, are the habits and life history.
Specimens from St. Vincent and Barbados sent for identifica-
tion to the Bureau of Entomology, U. 8. Department of
Agriculture, were determined to be Laphygma frugiperda,
and the following account is largely taken from Bulletin 29
issued by that Bureau.

The moth which produces the Fall Army Worm, as it is
known in the United States, is a member of the family
Noctuidae. It is quite variable, there being two distinct
forms, in one of which (fig. 6 a.) the forewings are rather
dull greyish-brown above; in the other the colour and pattern
are more like that shown at /. (fig. 6). The hind wings are
glistening white with
rosy reflections, having
a slightly smokey area,
with an inner dark
line along the posterior
borders, where the veins

are, also dark and
distinct.

The egg, very
much enlarged, is

shown at a. (fig. 7),
the upper figure show-
ing the side view and
the lower the top view.

The diameter of the
egg is about {4 inch.

The eggs are laid in
clusters of fifty to sixty
or more and covered

inne, (i.

Laphygma
moth, plain gray form ; b, forewing
of more ornamental form ; c, larva

frugiperda. —tt,

extended ; d, abdominal segment of with — mouse-coloured

larva, lateral view ; , pupa, lateral down from the body

view.—d, twice natural size; others of the parent (fig. 7 6.).

enlarged one-fourth. The larva when
See : <

[From Bulletin 29, Bureau of Entomo- first hatched (fig. 7 c.)

logy, U. S. Department of is nearly black in

Agriculture. ] general appearance,

with large black

head, and hairy body. After feeding for a few days the
larva becomes greenish from the food it has eaten. The
same variability in colour seen in the mature insects is to be
seen in the caterpillars. When full-grown they measure
about 1} inches in length. The body is striped on a ground
colour which varies from pale yellowish-brown to black,
more or less strongly streaked with dull yellow. Three thin

stripes of pale yellow extend along the dorsal surface, the
middle one is nearly straight, the two side ones slightly
sinuate with the prominence of
each segment. On each — side
there is a broad yellow undulating
line, somewhat mottied with red.
The under surface is pale, varying
from dull yellow to greenish,
sometimes mixed with red.

The pupa is about 2 inch in
length, mahogany-brown in colour,
blunt and rounded at the anterior
end, pointed, and tipped with two
small spines at the posterior end.
In the United States grasses are perda.—a, egg from side
the favourite food of this insect, Ins Upper figure, from
with corn perhaps next in favour. above te jeter temas
It 1S ee bowers pee hatched arvan=aieeeeren
ing a great number of other plants, acaihed peace
when it occurs in large Aber Leh ‘be
and its favourite foods become i
scarce.

In the bulletin from which the preceding statements are
taken it is stated that the larva goes into the ground to
pupate. In the West Indies the pupa is very frequently
found in the ear of corn. There are two or three generations
each year in America, but it is not known how many occur
in these islands. The length of time required for the life-
cycle is, however, short and probably there are several broods.
The caterpillars are cannibals and when several are together
only one or two reach maturity, the others having fallen
victims to their companions. This may account for the fact
that only a few larvae are to be found in the crown of any
corn plant or in a single ear.

Bulletin 48 of the Florida Agricultural Experiment
Station gives the following method of dealing with this pest
in corn, which would probably be efficient and easy of
application in the West Indies :— :

‘When the caterpillars are feeding in the crown of the
plant they may be poisoned by a mixture consisting of half
a teaspoonful of Paris green thoroughly stirred with 1 quart
of corn weal. This may be applied by means of a sprinkler
made by punching a large number of fine holes in the bottom
of a tobacco tin and shaking the poisoned meal from it into
the crown of the plant. This would probably prevent serious
injury to the leaves, and by reducing the number of moths in
the succeeding brood protect the ears, to a large extent.’

References to the oceurrence of this pest in corn in the
West Indies will be found in the Agricultural News (Vol. I,
p. 184; Vol. II, p. 216 ; and Vol. IIT, p. 410). It has once
been recorded as attacking cotton bolls in Barbados in the
same way as the cotton boll worm (see Agiicultural News,
Vol. III, p. 426).

InCE 4, Laphygma Srugi-

Mungoose and ‘Bull Frogs.’ Mr. A. J. Jordan
writes from Antigua that he had observed a mungoose
with a ‘bull frog’ in its mouth and mentions that he was not
aware that the ‘bull frog’ was among the creatures eaten by
the mungoose. In Barbados it is well known that the
mungoose eats the ‘bull frog.” Heaps of bones and débris
of this animal are to be observed outside the holes frequented
by the mungoose. As the ‘bull frog,’ which is really a toad,
destroys insects and slugs, it deserves to be encouraged
everywhere in these islands. An account of the usefulness
of the toad will be found in the Agricultural News, Vol. III,.
p. 362.

Vor. IV. No. 77.

THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS. 91

AGRICULTURE IN ST. LUCIA.

The following is a summary of an address
delivered by the Imperial Commissioner of Agriculture
before the St. Lucia Agricultural Society on February
22 last, for a report of which we are indebted to the
Voice of St. Lucia :—

Sir Daniel said that it was time that St. Lucia roused
herself to a consciousness of her agricultural necessities. Her
planters must organize, as those of other colonies had done,
to promote the cultivation of the various products for which
her soil was suited. He was always willing to give as much
of his time and attention to St. Lucia as to any other colony,
and the Imperial Department had been as generous to the

island as, if not more so than, to her neighbours. But he
could not say that the response was encouraging. Com-

mittees for special purposes had been formed ; experiments

for definite objects had been started: but the results
had not come up to expectation. But he was not
deterred by setbacks, and he would propose to the

Agricultural Society of St. Lucia to name a Committee
representative of the agricultural industries of the island, as
had been done in other colonies, who would command the
confidence of planters and of the population generally, and
who could confer with him, whenever he visited the island, on
agricultural matters. Sir Daniel instanced the Cotton
and Banana Committees of Barbados, the Committee of the
Agricultural Society of Grenada, and the Committee in
Antigua of leading planters which was always in touch with
Dr. Watts, and, through him, with the Imperial Department,
He would like such a Committee appointed at St. Lucia.

Mr. McHugh moved that the Hon. E. DuBoulay, the
Hon. G. Graf, the Hon. G. Ponsonby, Messrs. Hugh Hunter,

CG. R. Kennaway, George Barnard, R. G. McHugh,
E. G. Bennett, 8. D. Melville, with the Agricultural

Superintendent and the Agricultural Instructor, be invited to
form a Committee to meet and discuss with the Commissioner
of Agriculture on all subjects of agricultural interest to the
people of St. Lucia, and that the Secretary of the Agricultural
Society be asked to act as Secretary to the Committee.

Sir Daniel said he thought that it was most desirable
that sugar-cane experimental plots should be established in
St. Lucia, as had been done in some of the neighbouring
islands, and that cane farming should be promoted in
connexion with the Central Sugar Factories ; the canes to
be paid for on a sliding scale regulated by the price of sugar
on the New York and London markets.

Though the cultivation of cotton had not been taken up
with enthusiasm in St. Lucia, Sir Daniel thought that the
experiments at the Agricultural School demonstrated that,
under favourable conditions, this industry could be taken up
with every prospect of success. There Sea Island cotton
planted in June last was now being picked and was yielding
at the rate of 300 tb. of lint to theacre. Another lot planted
in September was expécted to do well but not to give as high
a yield. That plot at Union could not be the only place in the
island favourable for the growth of Sea Island cotton. But
the plants required high cultivation, constant looking after,
and took kindly to manure. The actual condition of the
cotton market justified his repeated assurance to the West
Indies that, whatever the fluctuations in the price of Upland
cotton, Sea Island would not be seriously affected. The
price of the former had gone down to 4d. per tb., while
‘Sea Island was quoted at ls. 13d. per tb., and the first
‘shipments from Barbados had realized Is. 43d. per b.,
netting, on the best lands, about £17 an acre.

Then there was fruit, in which several of the islands

were building up a trade. From Barbados they were shipping

2,300 bunches of bananas to England every fortnight. The
fruit was arriving in fairly good condition, and was

establishing a reputation. The banana was the Chinese
variety, a small tree that bore large bunches. The best
time to cut them was just when the fingers began to round,
not while they were angular. In Barbados the best results
were obtained by packing single bunches in ¢rates, with
cotton-wool and paper. The crates, wool, and paper cost
about Is. 2d. The freight was ls. to 2s. a bunch by the
ocean steamer; say, an average of 1s. 6d. per crate. Take the
value of the bunch at 10d. in the colony, this, with the
charges, would work out at 3s. 6d. in England, where,
if it arrived in good condition, the bunch would sell at
5s. to 7s., according to the market. A country which
was growing cacao on an expanding scale was very
advantageously situated for starting the banana business.
Bananas had to be planted for the protection of the young
plants. Why not grow a quality of banana which was sure
of a good market instead of planting inferior qualities which
could obtain only a lesser price? He was convinced that
if the Chinese banana were grown in St. Lucia in
quantities to supply, say, 5,000 bunches a month, it
would be worth while for steamers, properly fitted with
cool chambers, to call at Castries to take them. He was not
free to make any definite promise, but he had no hesitation in
saying that, if the fruit were forthcoming, the means of
carriage would be found, so there need be no fear of not
finding the means of conveying the fruit to market.

To make a start, Sir Daniel said he was _ prepared,
later on, if the matter were taken up, to arrange to ship by
each Royal Mail steamer, 20 bunches of Chinese bananas,
delivered in Castries, cut at the right stage, and of not less
than 8 hands to the bunch.

Sir Daniel Morris mentioned that there were plants of
the Chinese banana growing at the Botanic Station and
at the Agricultural School at Union, and, probably, more
or less all over the country.

Mr. McHugh suggested that the Agricultural Society
might procure a supply of suckers of the Chinese banana for
sale to cultivators throughout the island.

A BACTERIAL ROT OF ONIONS.

The following note by Mr. A. J. Brooks, of the
Agricultural School, Dominica, is likely to be of
interest to onion growers. Mention has been made of
the Bacterial Rot of Onions in the Agricultural News
(Vol. III, p. 245), a fuller account being published in
the West Indian Bulletin (Vol. V, pp. 184-9) :—

The results of experiments in connexion with onion
growing at Dominica tend to prove that the bacterial rot
is largely due to excessive moisture at the ripening stage.

Last season the crop germinated and grew well, and
splendid bulbs were formed. Rains, however, set in during
the ripening season (December and January) with the result
that nearly the whole of the crop was lost by this disease.

This season another trial was made. The crop was
grown on the same plot of land and received the same
cultivationas on the former occasion. In this instance, however,
the ripening period was characterized by splendid dry
weather with the result that absolutely no loss was
experienced from the ‘ rot.’

The yield was an excellent one, viz., 4,000 tb. to the
acre. The bulbs found a ready sale locally, realizing a net
profit of $164:24 to the acre.

Je)
bo

THE AGRICULTURAL

NEWS. Marcu 25, 1905..

During the past fortnight 137 bales of West Indian
cotton have been imported into Great Britain. (West India
Committee Circular.)

The value of bananas imported into the United
Kingdom during January was £73,923 as against £55,799
in the previous January. Similarly, oranges show an increase

of £34,174.

The opening price for Antigua molasses is 20c. per
Imperial gallon, package included, at which a cargo lot has
been bought. (Bennett Bryson & Co.’s ‘Market Report,’
March 8.)

The degree of Doctor of Science (DSc.) has been
conferred by the University of Oxford upon Mr. H. H.
Cousins, M.A., F.C.S., the Government Analytical and
Agricultural Chemist for Jamaica.

For some time experiments have been in progress in
Trinidad with a view to the use of bamboo pulp for paper
making. A syndicate proposes to ship to England the
bleached pulp prepared in cakes. (Port-of-Spain Gazette.)

In his opening speech to the Legislative Council of
Jamaica his Excellency the Governor stated: ‘I am
informed that there is in England a good market for all
properly cured tobacco, and that the supply is unequal to the
demand.’

A barrel containing pumpkins, papaws, eddoes, beans,
ete., was shipped by the Imperial Department of Agriculture
from Barbados by the R.M.S. ‘Atrato’ on March 11, for the
Royal Horticultural Society’s second exhibition of colonial
fruit.

By the R.M.S. ‘Atrato,’ which left on March 11, 2,327
bunches of bananas were shipped from Barbados. This is
the largest shipment ever made by one mail. There were
also shipped 8 barrels of sweet potatos and 2 barrels of
yams,

The Manchester Correspondent of the Cotton Trade
Journal, of Savannah, Georgia, writes: ‘The new crop of
West Indian cotton now beginning to arrive will seriously
compete with Carolinas. Some 5,000 bales of West Indian
will be marketed this season.’

Mr. W. M. Smith writes from Grenada: ‘So-called
“male” cacao trees are to be found in several places in
Grenada. They flower in profusion almost throughout the
year. Occasionally a pod may be seen on them, which
consists solely of shell and core, there being no beans and no
cayity,’

A young ram goat, six months old (the offspring of the-
Department's stud goat ‘ Bruce’,) is for sale in Barbados.
Further particulars may be obtained at the Head Office of
the Imperial Department of Agriculture.

In regard to the exports of honey and bees’-wax from.
Jamaica in the year 1905-4, it is stated in the Annual
Report : ‘ Bees’-wax holds its own. Honey shows an advance.
The value of these two products together was £20,852,
against £19,617 in the previous year.’

At the regular monthly meeting of the Trinidad Agri-
cultural Society held on March 14, the discussion on the
cane-farming industry was resumed. Finally, Mr. Wyatt's
motion urging the necessity for placing the industry ‘on
a firm, satisfactory, and permanent footing’ was agreed to.

According to the Board of Trade Journal, it is
understood that the plant for the Hinton-Naudet process,
which was made in Glasgow for Trinidad, is now experi-
mentally at work on this year’s crop in that island. The
Port-of-Spain Gazette of March 14 contains a description of
this system and of the plant which is in operation at
Caroni estate.

With reference to the note in the last issue of the
Agricultural News on epizootic lymphangitis, it may be
mentioned that the Board of Health at Barbados notifies that
no animals suffering from this disease will be allowed to be
landed ; also that the landing of cattle from Antigua is
prohibited so long as the skin disease, supposed to be
caused by tick bites, exists in that island.

Mr. W. M. Smith writes from Grenada that at Nian-
ganfoix estate 2,000 fruits were picked from one orange tree
during the last crop. The tree is 30 feet high and spreads
its branches about 25 feet. The large yield is attributed to
the application of basic slag and sulphate of ammonia to the
cacao field in which the tree is growing. The fruits were
of good size and flavour.

With reference to a note im a recent issue of the
Agricultural News (Vol. IV, p. 53) on the destruction of
rats and mice by means of cultures of pathogenic bacteria, it
may be mentioned that the suggestion has been made to deal
with the mungoose in a_ similar way. It would be
interesting to know if anything of the kind has ever been
attempted with the mungoose.

In the report for 1904 of the Police Magistrate for the
western district of St. Lucia it is stated: ‘During the last
season the cacao crop was good generally. This season, on
the lower Jands, the crop is good and promises well; on the
higher lands it is decidedly poor, and fears are entertained
that there will be no improvement later. It seems that an

excess of rain benefits the lowlands and injures the
highlands,’

The Gardeners’ Chronicle, referring to a method of
seasoning wood by impregnating it with a solution of sugar,
suggests the utilization of sugared wood for such objects as
mangle-rollers, stool legs, and for any other purpose where
stability is the principal consideration. Sugared wood, it is
stated, is not susceptible to attacks of fungi, while the
addition of poisons to the sugar solution will prevent its
destruction by insect pests.

THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS. 93

TRADE IN ORANGE AND CITRON PEELS.

At the request of the Imperial Commissioner of
Agriculture Mr. J. R. Jackson, A.LS., has made
inquiries into the matter of the trade in England in
orange and citron peels. The following is his report :—-

The English trade in orange and citron peels is one of
a varied character. In the first place, there are the fresh
peels that are so largely used for culinary purposes under the
name of candied peels in which the fresh rind is first placed
in brine to soak and then treated with sugar or syrup; but
orange peel, both in the fresh and dried states, is used in
medicinal preparations and in the last-named condition
appears regularly at the London drug sales. It is from the
Seville orange that this rind is obtained, and Malta supplies
a considerable portion. ‘Tincture of orange is made by
macerating the fresh peel in alcohol, while infusion of orange
is prepared from the dry peel ; both of these are important
ingredients in the composition of many well-known medicines,
though apart from the bitter property of orange peel its use
may be said to be that of a flavouring agent rather than as
a medicine. In the course of inquiries as to the possible
future of any of the West India Islands supplying the London
market with orange or citron pecl, the following replies
have been received :

Messrs. Jenkin & Phillips, the well-known produce
brokers of 14, Mincing Lane, write: ‘As far as we can
find ont no orange or citron peel comes to London from
the West Indies, as it would not be able to compete
with the prices obtained fer goods from Messina
which are; oranges, 29s. per pipe of 7 ewt; and citrons,
25s. per pipe of 7 ewt. ‘The competition in these articles
is very keen indeed, which accounts for the very low prices.
It is not possible for us to say if the quality would be
different in any way, but if we have samples we could then
give full details.’

Messrs. Sparks, White «& Co., of 62, St. John
Street, E.C., say: ‘The country supplying Great Britain
with brined orange and lemon peels is Sicily (as well
as Italy), but the majority of the citron peel is shipped from
the Adriatic. The demand for candied peels is a decreasing
one, and whereas a few years ago the majority of the candied
peels produced in England, with the exception of citron, were
all prepared in England from the fresh fruit, it has since
been found that an equally good article—and by some
considered better—is produced from the peels brined where
they are grown. As to the West Indies supplying the
brined orange and lemon peels, it is no doubt simply
a matter of price. The freightage from the Mediterranean is
exceedingly cheap and there are boats to all points in England
practically every week.’

The small quantities of dried orange peels which have
been sent to the United Kingdom from the West Indies do
not show the quality of the pee!s (from the bitter fruit) to be
equal to that produced in the South of Europe and North
Africa ; furthermore the prices of them are higher, and as
a result there is now practically no dried orange peel reaching
England from the West Indies. There is only one exception,
and that is a hybrid peel produced at St. Kitt’s, which is
known in the trade as ‘Curacoa.’ Messrs. Sparks, White
& Co. express their willingness to supply any further
information that may be required by the Imperial
Department of Agriculture, if direct communication is made
to them on the subject. It may perhaps be of some further
interest to say that, while writing thus early in February,
tincture of orange peel and the peel itself from Seville
oranges are being advertised by a well-known wholesale

druggist in one of the trade journals with the following
note on the season 1905: ‘Seville oranges are coming over
in good quantity and in excellent condition. We can now
offer the fresh-cut peel and we shall have the new dried peel
and the new tincture towards the end of the month.’ The
fresh peel is described as being in spirals, wrapped in
parchment in quantities of 5 Ib., 10 tb., and 50 lb., at the
rate of 9d. per Ib. for the smaller quantity, 8d. per tb. for the
next, and 7d. per tb. for the largest. The following are the
Mincing Lane quotations for orange peel for the month of
January: New Crop Maltese, darkish, 10d. per tb., and for
fine bright 1s. 3d. is asked. On the 19th. orange peel was in
plentiful supply ; for several cases of fair bright thin machine-
cut Tripoli strip LOd. per Ib. was paid.

BEE KEEPING,

The Adulteration of Honey.
Reporting on the work of the Chemical Branch of
the Department of Agriculture, Victoria, for 1903-4,
Dr. F. J. Howell makes the following remarks on the
adulteration of honey:—

The most common adulterants of honey are glucose, cane
sugar syrup, and the inverted cane sugar. The presence of
glucose is a matter of easy detection. The detection of cane
sugar presents also very little difficulty ; but the question of
an intentional addition as an adulteration is complicated by
the absence of definite knowledge as to how much a genuine
article should contain. The particular flora, and the artificial
feeding of the bee are responsible for large variations in this
direction, as is evident in the composition of some of the
Californian honeys. As invert sugar enters largely into the
composition of a pure honey, the known limits of the
quantities, naturally present in unadulterated samples, are
the only sure guide to the expressions of opinions as to the
genuineness or otherwise of a sample in this direction. With
respect to cane sugar, according to Wiley, it is a rare thing
to find a genuine honey containing more than 4 per cent. of
sucrose, but there are undoubted instances of pure honeys
very considerably exceeding these figures.

It is a usual practice, I believe, to feed bees at a certain
time of the year with a partly inverted sugar syrup; although,
it is stated not for sale purposes. The production of the bee
from such a food cannot be regarded as a pure honey. This
practice and certain unique conditions of flora and climate
may explain, to a degree, certain characteristics of some of
the samples sent in as pure.

DEPARTMENT NEWS.

The Imperial Commissioner of Agriculture left
Barbados in the R.MLS. ‘ Esk’ on March 13 for Grenada
for the purpose of attending the Agricultural Show
held in that island on March 16 and 17. Sir Daniel
Morris, after spending a day en route at St. Vincent in
inspecting the Centrai Cotton Factory in that island,
returned to Barbados on March 19 by S.S. ‘Orinoco.’

Mr. Bertram Mason, who has held the post of
Junior Clerk at the Head Office of the Imperial
Department of Agriculture for the past six years, leaves
Barbados to-day in R.M.S. ‘Trent’ for England, haying
been offered the post of Treasury Clerk in the British
Central African Protectorate,

THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.

Marcu 25, 1905.

MARKET REPORTS.

London,— February 28, 1905. Messrs. Kearron, Prerr &

Co.; Messrs. E. A. DE Pass & Co.; ‘THE West INDIA
Comirrer Crrcuntar’; ‘THE LiverrooL Corron
AssocraTION WEEKLY CrircuLar,’ February 24,
1905; and ‘THe Pusnic LepcEr,’ February 25,
1905.

Ators—Barbados, 15/- to 40/- ; Curagoa, 15/- to 41/- per ewt.

Arrowroot—St. Vincent, 1fd to 1{d. per tb.

Batata—Demerara sheet, 1/10; Venezuela block, 1/4
per tb.

Bees’-wax—£7 5s. to £7 15s. per ewt.
Cacao—tTrinidad, 55/- to 60/- per ewt. ; Grenada, 51/-
to 55/- per ewt.; Jamaica, 48/- to 53/6 per cwt.

Carpamoms—Mysore, 74d. to 2/- per th.

CorrrE—Jamaica, good ordinary, 38/- per cwt.

Corron—West Indian Sea Island, medium fine, 113d. ; fine,
123d. ; extra fine, 143d. per th.

Frvuir—

Bananas—4/- to 6/- per bunch.

Grape Fruir—12/- to i4/- per box.
ORANGES—6/- to 12/- per case.
Pine-appLes—-St. Michael's, 1/9 to 4/- each.

Fustic—£3 5s. to £4 per ton.

Gincer—Jamaica, good ordinary, 34/-; bright small 37/-
per cwt.

Honey—Jamaica, 16/- to 22/- per ewt.

Istycuass—West Indian lump, 2/3 to 2/9; cake, 1/2 to 1/5
per th.

Kora Netrs—4d. to 6d. per tb.

Lime Jvice—-Raw, 10d. per gallon; concentrated, £14
per cask of 108 gallons; hand-pressed, 2/6 to 2/9
per ib. ; Distilled Oil, 1/4 per th.

Loawoon—£4 io £4 15s.; Roots, £3 10s. to £4 per ton.

Mace—Fair to good pale, 1/4 to 1/5; reddish, 1/3 per th.

Nirrare or Sopa—Agriculiural, £11 2s. 6d. per ton.

Nourmecs-—71’s to 72's, 1s. to 1s. 2d. ; 80’s, 103d.; 120’s,
6d. per th.

Pimento—-22d. to 24d. per th.

Rum—Demerara, 1s. 2d. to Is. 4d. per proof gallon;
Jamaica, 2s. per proof gallon.

Sucar—Yellow crystals, 22/- to 24/- per ewt. ; Muscovado,
18/- to 19/- per ewt. ; Molasses, 16/- to 19/- per ewt.

SULPHATE OF AMMONTA—£13 10s. per ton.

Montreal,—February 10, 1905.—Mr. J. Russert Murray.

(In bond quotations, c. & f.)

Bananas—No quotations.

CeparR—No quotations.

Cocoa-Nuts— Jamaica, $25:00 to $27-00; Trinidad, $21:00

to $23-00 per M.

Corrrr—Jamaica, medium, 9e. to 9jc. per th.

Gixcer—Jamaica, unbleached, 6c. to 7c. per tb.

Motascurr—Demerara, $1°32 per 100 th.

Motasses—Barbados, 28e. to 39e. ; Antigua, 23e. to 25c. per

Imperial gallon.

Nurmecs—Grenada, 110’s, 19e. per tb.

Ornances—No quotations.

Prrento—Jamaica, 5}c. to 5ye. per th.

Pine-apeLes—No quotations.

Sucar—Grey Crystals, 96°, $3°65 to $3°75 per 100 Ib.
—Muscovados, 89°, $2°90 to $3:00 per 100 th.
—Molasses, 89°, $2°65 to $3°75 per 100 tb.
—Barbados, 89°. No quotations.

New York,—March 3, 1905.—Messrs. GituesprE Bros.

& Co.
Cacao—Caracas, 12c. to 13ce.; Grenada, 11}c. to 11fe.;
Trinidad, 12c. to 124c¢. per th.
Cocoa-nuts—No quotations.

CorreE—Jamaicas, 8c. per tb. (ex store).

Gixcer—Jamaica, d$e. to 53c. per th.

Goat Sxkins—Jamaicas, 57c. per th.

Grave Frurr—Jamaicas, $3:00 to $4°50 per barrel.

Orances—Jamaica, $3°00 to $3°50 per barrel (stem cut).

Pinento—4sec. per tb.

Sucar—Centrifugals, 96°, 4ie.; Muscovados, 89°, 42c.;
Molasses, 89°, 42c. per tb.

INTER-COLONIAL MARKETS.

Barbados,—March 11, 1905.—Messrs. T. 8. Garraway

& Co., and Messrs. James A. Lynco & Co.

Arrowroot—St. Vincent, $5°40 to $3-75 per 100 th.
Cacao—Dominica, $10°00 to $10°50 per 100 tb.
Cocoa-Nuts—$14°00 per M. for husked nuts.
CorrEr—$10°50 to $12°00 per 100 tb.

Hay— 90c. to $1°V0 per 100 tb.

Manvnes—- Nitrate of soda, $62:00 ; Ohlendorffs dissolved
guano, $60°00; Sulphate of ammonia, $75°00; Sulphate
of potash, $6700.

Morasses—20c. per gallon.

Oxtons—Lisbon (stringed), $3-75 per 100 tb.

Poratos— ENGLISH, $192 to $2°04 per 160 tb. (retail).

Rice—Ballam, $4°75 per bag (190 tb.) ; Patna, $5°25
per 100 tb.

Sucar.—Muscovados, 89°, $2°95 ; Dark crystals, 96°, $3°50
per 100 th.

British Guiana,—March 9, 1905.—Messrs. Wrerrne

& RICHTER.

Arrowroor—st. Vincent, $7°75 to $8-00 per barrel.

Batara—Venezuela block, 25c.; Demerara sheet, 35c.
per tb.

Cacao—Native, 13e. to l4e. per tb.

Cassava Starcu—$6-00 per barrel.

Cocoa-Nuts—S$10°00 to $12-00 per M.

CorreE—Rio and Jamaica, 14$c. to 1dc. per th. (retail).

— Creole, 12c. to 14c. per th.

Duat— $4°25 to $4°50 per bag of 168 th.

Eppors—$1°44 to $1-68 per barrel.

Motrasses—Vacuum Pan yellow, 17c. to 18c. per gallon
(casks included).

Ontoxs—Madeira, 3he. to 4c ; Lisbon, 4c. ; Garlic, 5$c. to
Gse. per th.

Pea Nurs—Ameriecan, 5}c. per tb. (retail).

Prantats— 24c. to 6G0e. per bunch.

Poraros—EneutsH, Picked, $2°50 to $3-00 per barrel.

Rice—Ballam, $4°35 to $440 per 177 th. ; Creole, $4:00
to $415 per bag.

Sweer Poraros—Barbados, $1:20 per bag; $1°52 per
barrel.

Tannras—$2-40 per barrel.

Yamus—White, $1-92 per bag.

Sucar—Dark crystals, $3°50 to $3°40; Yellow, $4°25
to $4°30; White, $4°90 to $5-00; Molasses, $2°90 to
$3-00 per 100 th. (retail).

Timper—Greenheart, 32c. to 55c. per cubie foot.

WaLtaba SHINGLES—$3°00, $3°75, and $5°50 per M.

Trinidad,—March 9, 1905.—Messrs. Gorpoy, Grant

& Co. ;and Messrs. EpGar Triee & Co.

Cacao—Ordinary, $11 80 to $11°90 ; Estates, $12-00 to
$12°25 per fanega (110 tb.); Venezuelan.—No
quotations.

Cocoa-Nuts—$20:00 per M., f.0.b.

Cocoa-NutT Orr—80e. per Imperial gallon (casks included).

Corrrr—Venezuelan, 83e per tb.

Copra—$2-90 to $3°00 per 100 tb.

Mo rassres—20c. per gallon.

Oxtons—Lisbon, $3°00 per 100 tb. (retail).

Poratos—Eneuisu, $1°50 per 100 th.

Rice—Ballam, $4 40; Patna $5°50 per bag.

Sucar—White crystals, €4°50; yellow crystals, $3°75 to
$4-00 : molasses sugars, $2°75 to $3°50 per 100 th.

Vou. IV. No. 77. THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS. 95

Publications on sale of the Imperial Department of Agriculture
FOR THE WEST INDIES.

The ‘WEST INDIAN BULLETIN.’ A Quarterly Scientific Journal.
Volume J. Complete in the original paper coyers as issued, post free, 5s.
Volumes If and III. Price in original paper covers as issued 2s. each. Post free, 2s. 8d.
Volume IV. Nos. 1 and 2. Papers on general subjects. No. 3. (out of print) No. 4. Sea Island Cotton
in the United States and the West Indies. Price 6/7. each number. Post free, 8d.
Volume V. Nos. 1, 2, and 3. Papers on general subjects. No. 4. Report of Agricultural Conference, 1905,
Price 6d. each number. Post free, 8d.

PAMPHLET SERIBS.

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, 44d.
(6) Recipes for cooking Sweet Potatos. Price 2d. Post free, 24d.
7) Scale Insects of the Lesser Antilles, Part I. Price 4d. Post free, 5d.
Bee-keeping in the West Indies. Price 4d. Post free, 5d.
Seedling and other Canes in the Leeward Islands, 1900-1901. Price 2d. Post free, 24d.
Seedling and other Canes at Barbados, in 1901. Price 4d. Post free, 5d.
Screw Worm in Cattle at St. Lucia. Price 2d. Post free, 23d.
Plain Talk to Small Owners. Price 2d. Post free, 24d. ‘
Hints on Onion Cultivation. Price 2d. Post free, 23d.
General Treatment of Fungoid Pests. Price 4/7. Post free, 5d.
Recipes for cooking West Indian Yams. Price 2d. Post free, 24d.
Seedling and other Canes at Barbados, in 1902. Price 4d. Post free, 5d.
Seedling and other Canes in the Leeward Islands, 1901-1902. Price 2d. Post free, 24d.
Cotton and Onion Industries in the West Indies. Price 2d. Post free, 24d.
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 4¢. 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, 34d.
Lectures on the Diseases of the Sugarcane. 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.
Seedling and other Canes at Barbados, in 1904. Price 4d. Post free, 5d.
Seedling and other Canes in the Leeward Islands, 1903-4. Price 4d. Post free, 5d.
Notes on Rabbit Keeping in the West Indies. Price 2d. Post free, 24d.

‘NATURE TEACHING,
A text-book based upon the general principles of Agriculture for the use of schools, prepared by the Hon. Francis
Watts and others. Price, limp cloth 2s., or in a superior style of binding 2s. 6d. Postage in either binding, 34d. extra.

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. 73d. 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. A// applications for copies are to be addressed to the Agents, not to the Department.

oo Oo 09 Go OS LD be LO bo bo be bo te
BWW OCOOMMIGOUPPWWHOUSCATAG UF WL OO
SS SS SS SSeS NS SSO SS SSO SOS SS SO OOS NS SS SSNS SS OOS

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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 [npr Commirres, 15, Seething
Lane, London, E.C. Barbados: Messrs. Bowen & Sons, Bridgetown. Jamaica: Tun Epucarionan Suppry
Company, 16, King St., Kingston. British Guiana: ‘Daily Chronicle’ Office, Georgetown. Vrinidad: Messrs. Murr,
Marsnatt & Co., Port-of-Spain. Zobago: Mr. C. L. Pracemann, Scarborough. Grenada: Messrs. F. Marrasr & Co.,
“The Stores,’ St. George. St. Vincent: Mr. W. C. D. Prouproot, Kingstown. St. Lucia: Mrs. Borman, Bridge Street,
Castries. Dominica : Messrs. C. F, Duvernuy & Co., Market St., Roseau. Montserrat : Mr. W. LLEWELLYN WALL, Plymouth.
Antigua: Mr. 8. D. Manone, St. John’s. St. Kitt’s: Messrs. 8. L. Horsrorp & Co., Basseterre. Wevis: Mr. 8. D. Manons,
Charlestown. Bahamas : Wesleyan Methodist Book Concern, Nassau.

96 THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS. Marcon 25, 1905.

THE BEST MANURES. FOR COLONIAL USE

ARE

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.
[85.] Barbados Agents: Messrs. James A. Lynch & Co., Bridgetown.

MACHINERY FOR SALE. THE
A ‘Thomson’ Dynamo for 50-16 C.P. lights with |

high speed Brine for belt driving spe | WEST INDIA COMMITTEE CIRCULAR

Blakely Dynamo for 60 6 C.P. lights without

Engine | (Published fortnightly).
A 3-Roller Sugav Mill 24 inches diameter x 60 inches | | = -
long, side gap checks, cane and megass carriers complete, | | THE OFFICIAL ORGAN

and a spare interchangeable mill roller, all in good work- ait
ing order, by Mirrlees Watson & Co.

Three Mulb. Boilers, steel plates, 73} feet diameter |
x 12 feet long with 100 tubes 4 inches diameter of the | | THE WEST INDIA COMMITTEE

removeable type, all fittings complete in good working

order, by Mirrlees Watson & Co. (Estab: cirea 1760. Incorporated by
For further information apply to, | Royal Charter August 4, 1904.)
J. PEET, | F Hy
Palmiste Usine, Trinidad. | | Edited by the Secr etary.

Containing a Review of the Work of the West India Com-
mittee, Notes on West Indian Affairs, Statistics as to
Cacao, Sugar, Molasses and Rum, Coffee, Cotton,

‘ A C A O ’ Nutmegs, Mace, Pimento, Ginger, Arrowroot, Lime
€ ’ Juice, ete., etc., Home Arrivals and Departures by
By ie ist HART, F.LS. the Mail Steamers, ea,
NEW EDITION. To Members Free of charge,
To others, Subscription £1 1s. per annum.
Single Copies 1s.
Published at—

THE WEST INDIA COMMITTEE ROOMS,

15, Seething Lane,
Price 3s. per copy. London, E.C.

A treatise on the cultivation, curing and chemistry of
COMMERCIAL CACAO.

DAVIDSON & TODD, Trinidad.

Wm.WESLEY & Co., 28, Essex St., London.

ae

Pana at t Office of Ag pon a Pe ter, 4, High ‘gues Bridbetow: n, pane,

ra TY at

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‘SATURDAY, APRIL 8, 1905.

REGULAR FORTNIGHTLY SAILINGS

cod Xan

Ww INDIES, GUIANA, RAZIL & THE RIVER PLATE,
& SPANISH MAIN. vid Spain & Portugal.
Central America & Pacific Ports. Madeira & Teneriffe.

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18, MOORGATE STREET,
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a

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UNRIVALLED

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BARBADOS. OFFICES:
Kingston, 264, Reconquista,
JAMAICA. B. AYRES.
Fort of Spain, 31, R. des Capellistas,
TRINIDAD. LISBON. 4
And COLON. 4, Rue Halévy,
PARIS.

THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.

IMPERIAL DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

FOR THE WEST INDIES.

SPECIALLY SELECTED AND DISINFECTED

Sea Island Cotton Seed

GROWN IN THE WEST INDIES

—AND—

Recommended for sowing during the coming season
(JUNE TO AUGUST)
WILL BE SUPPLIED BY

The Department at the rate of five cents (24d.) per Th.

(See Agricultural News, Vol. 1v, p. 97.)

Address orders, with remittances for the full amount, until the end of May to—

Dr. FRANCIS WATTS, Antigua, for the Leeward Islands ;
Mr. JOHN R. BOVELL, for Barbados ;
Mr. W. N. SANDS, for St. Vincent ;

Applications from other Colonies may be forwarded direct to—
THE IMPERIAL COMMISSIONER OF AGRICULTURE,

Heap Orrick: Bareapbos.

Ll M

wM_ZZZZA
: +4 SN —
Potent \a SS
hehe ‘

A FORTNIGHTLY REVIEW

OF THE

IMPERIAL DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE FOR THE WEST INDIES.

BARBADOS, APRIL 8, 1905.

Price ld,

CONTENTS.
PAGE. PAGE.
Agricultural Shows :— Insect Notes :—
Nevis sd . 109 Popular Names ... ... 106
St. Vincent... con 20) Market Reports 112

Cacao, Witch Broon Nevis, Minor Industries

Disease ... ... ... 105 EN tam, coo co cao. Ly
Cassava Poisoning... ... 104 | Notes and Comments .. 104
Ceylon Agricultural

Society pe lOD) | Papaunigy oct cae 103
Wotton Industry Pigeon Peas, White 110

Cotton as a Catch Crop Rabbit Keeping :—
at St. Kitt’s . 102 Belgium Hares 108
Disinfecting Seed - 101 Rabbits Wanted ... 111
Prospects of the Crop 101 | Rubber Planting as an
Rivers’ Sea Island Seed 106 adjunct to Cacao
Sales of St. Vincent Cultivation... 105
Cotton p00 . 104
Science Notes :—
Department Publica- Papal eee esse OS
tions .. ... 104 | Selected Cotton Seed for
1905 ... noo non Yh
Sugar Industry :-—

Edueational :—

Agricultural Schools ... 110
Teaching Agriculture in

Muscovado Sugar... 98
Prices of Sugar and
Molasses at Barbados 100

Elementary Schools 105
Trinidad =... a, we 110 | West Indian Products :—
London Drug and Spice
Gleanings 108 ERE Gon pon one, HUET

Selected Cotton Seed for 1905.

) S announced in the Agricultural News
(Vol. IV, p. 72), it will not be possible to
obtain reliable cotton seed from the United

resolved not to sell their seed ‘to communities outside
of South Carolina.’

This means that in order to carry on the cotton
industry in the West Indies the planters will have to
depend on seed to be obtained locally.

Although the situation, at first sight, might be
regarded as discouraging, there are good grounds for
believing that the promising cotton industry started in
these colonies will not materially suffer from the
action taken by the planters in the Sea Islands,
Thanks to the etforts made last year by the Imperial
Department of Agriculture, there is already existing in
the West Indies a supply of Sea Island cotton seed as
good as, if not better than, the crop lots produced in
the United States. All that is necessary is to make
a rigorous selection of the best seed and, after having it
carefully disinfected, to place it within reach of the
planters in such quantity and at such a price that in
no instance will it be necessary to plant inferior or
doubtful seed.

Last year the Imperial Department of Agriculture
imported and supplied to planters 35,700 th. of Rivers’
selected Sea Island cotton seed and the results from
this seed, in good soils and with suitable cultivation,
have been uniformly satisfactory. In some instances
Mr. Oliver reports that the cotton produced this
year from Rivers’ seed in the West Indies ‘is
better than Rivers’ own cotton ;’ so that, so far from
haying deteriorated, it would appear that the
soil and climate, in some localities at all events,

THE

oS
ow

AGRICULTURAL NEWS.

Aprit 8, 1905.

in the West Indies are capable of producing
a higher quality of cotton than the Sea Islands
themselves. This is confirmed by the fact that the
shipments of 62 bales from Messrs. Simmons & Hazell
of St. Vincent ‘are quite the best cotton grown under
the auspices of the British Cotton-growing Association
and have been sold at an all-round price of 17d.
per tb.” If this cotton had been ‘in the market in
October and November last,’ it is stated, ‘it might easily
have been sold for 21(/. per Ib.) Again we are informed:
‘West Indian cotton is to-day fetching 2d. to 3d. per tb.
over similar qualities of American cotton.’

It is reasonable to suppose that, if the seed from
the high-priced cotton, above referred to, were carefully
selected and grown under suitable conditions, the
crop to be reaped next year should be as good as, if
not better than, this year’s crop.

The advantage is all in favour of the West Indies,
for this is the original home of Sea Island cotton, and
the conditions, on that account, should be
congenial to it here than in South Carolina.

more

Coming now to practical measures, it is proposed,
in order to safeguard the prospects of the cotton
industry, that the Imperial Department of Agriculture
should undertake to acquire all that can be spared of
the best seed and have it carefully hand-picked and
disinfected and supplied to the planters at cost price,

The Department will purchase the seed in the
condition in which it leaves the gins, mixed with
bits of lint, immature seeds, trash, etc. It will have
this carefully picked over by hand so as to retain
only about one half to consist of the largest and
finest seed for planting purposes. The residue will
be returned to the grower to be crushed for feeding
purposes. The selected seed will then be disinfected in
order to protect it from fungoid and insect pests and
16 will be offered to planters for sowing purposes
at the rate of 5c. (24d.) per tb. This, as already shown,
(p. 35) is at a lower rate than is charged for long-staple
cotton seed either in the Sea Islands or in Egypt.

It is strongly urged that no cotton seed be planted
this year unless it has been disinfected beforehand.
Otherwise, in the case of seed shipped from one island
to another, there would be the probability of intro-
ducing either the cotton worm, the leaf-blister mite,
the cotton stainer, black boll, anthracnose or other

diseases into localities where, hitherto, they have been
unknown. For instance, the cotton worm is not
prevalent in St. Vincent, the leaf-blister mite and the
cotton stainer are not present at Barbados, and few, if
any, of the diseases familiar in the lesser Antilles are
to be found in Jamaica.

A general and indiscriminate interchange of
untreated cotton seed between the several islands
would result in such a wide-spread distribution of
cotton diseases as would probably kill the industry,

It is desirable, therefore, under the special cireum-
stances now existing, that the distribution of seed for
planting purposes should be placed in the hands of
a central authority, having no pecuniary interest in
the matter, possessing the confidence of the community,
and provided with the necessary staff and appliances
for carrying on the work solely in the interest of those
concerned.

Cotton growers who desire a supply of the
‘selected and disinfected cotton seed’ offered by the
Imperial Department of Agriculture for planting
during the coming season are advised to communicate,
without delay, with the officers of the Department in
the colonies in which they reside. A remittance for
the full amount must accompany the order, or it cannot
be entertained. Orders will be received, for the
Leeward Islands, by Dr. Francis Watts, Antigua; for
Barbados, by Mr. John R, Bovell; for St. Vincent, by
Mr. W. N. Sands. Applications from Jamaica, British
Guiana, Trinidad, and other colonies, not mentioned
above, may be forwarded direct to the Imperial
Commissioner of Agriculture, Head Office, Barbados.
Applications will be dealt with in the order in which
they are received.

SUGAR

INDUSTRY.

Observations on Muscovado Sugar.

The Hon. Francis Watts, C.M.G., D.Sc, Govern-
ment Analytical and Agricultural Chemist for the
Leeward Islands, has forwarded ‘Some observations on
Muscovado Sugar’ which deal with matters of special
interest to sugar planters. The following is the first
part, dealing with :—

Vou. IV. No. 78.

SOME CHANGES OCCURRING IN COMMERCIAL SUGARS.

Of recent years two facts of importance to sugar
planters in these islands have been observed (a) that sugar
is sometimes met with which gives a much lower polariscopic
test than experience would lead one to expect, and (6) that
some samples of sugar are found to be undergoing changes
-in polariscopic test. Observation suggests that there may
probably be some connexion between these facts.

It is well known to muscovado sugar boilers that at
times the syrup, towards the final stages of boiling, will foam
and boil with difficulty, this being more frequently the case
with juice obtained from canes grown upon dry places, such
as hillsides, with a thin coating of soil and more particularly
in dry seasons. Certain fields on many estates are known
by those in charge of them to be liable to produce juice
which will ‘scorch’ in the process of manufacture. I believe
it is the sugar produced from juice of this nature which is
liable to yield sugar testing polariscopically considerably
below what one would expect,

With normal sugar an experienced observer can estimate
the polariscopic test with a fair degree of accuracy. These
abnormal sugars, therefore, are a source of disappointment
to the producer who, not infrequently, and perhaps not
unnaturally, inclines to and expresses the view that the
abnormal test is due to errors on the part of the chemist.
I have myself examined samples of sugar which have given
results from 2° to 3° below what experience in handling
sugars led me to expect. One concrete example will suftice.

A sample of massecuite from juice of the kind referred
to above was kindly forwarded by the manager of a sugar
estate in Antigua. The sugar was cured in an efficient
laboratory centrifugal: muscovado sugars so cured usually
have a polariscopic test of about 92° and under ordinary
circumstances one would have expected the sugar in question
to have tested about 92°. It actually tested 88°8 or over
3° below reasonable and skilled expectation. From a monetary
point of view this would mean that the sugar would sell for
some 8s. per ton less than a skilled manager would have
reason to expect. One cannot wonder at disappointment.

This peculiarity appears to be due to the presence in the
juice of some unknown constituent which we can only
describe as ‘gum.’ These abnormal sugars will therefore be
referred to as ‘gummy ’ in what follows.

Fermentive changes are frequently observed in samples
of muscovado sugar ; a peculiar and easily recognized aroma
is produced and considerable quantities of gas are given off.
When these changes take place in tightly packed, pasty sugar
the evolution of gas causes the mass to become spongy and to
rise like dough, so that the samples not infrequently expand
beyond the confines of the tins or bottles in which they are
placed. Experiments to demonstrate this expansion have
been made repeatedly in the laboratory by packing the sugar
in glass cylinders; in the course of a few hours considerable
expansion is often observed, while in some cases the sugar
has been forced far beyond the top of the containing cylinder.
In most cases, however, when the sugar is loosely packed or
where, as in the bags and hogsheads in which it is stored,
there are numerous air spaces whence the molasses have
drained, the gas escapes without difficulty and no visible
change takes place. Repeated polariscopic testing has brought
to light an unexpected feature of these fermentive changes.
In the early stages of the process the polariscopic test of
the sugar steadily rises: this takes place when the sugar is
kept in glass vessels and is not due to the draining away of
molasses. After a time the process is reversed and a steady
fall in test takes place. Some examples will show the nature
and extent of these changes,

THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS. 99

POLARIZATIONS AT VARIOUS DATES.

Yo) Ge) S Hs wees a oO
ec a oO re Cal a 7 |
= e Te > > > >
5 a, 5 a x 2 6
< < <j a a P= =
1 86-1 87:1 86:9 | 86:8 | 86:4 86:5 | 86:7
2 88-0 | 885 88:2 | 884 | 88:2 88°3 88°5
3 86:9 | 87:9 | 87:7 | 87-4 | 87:0 | 87-2 | 87:0
5 # 2 Fao |S co) |
5 5 ts 5 5 4 fo)
l. | 86°7 | 86:4 | 86:1 | 86:3 | 86°83 | 84:9 | 83:5
2.) 88:4 | 88:2] 88:0 | 87:6] 87°4 = =
3. | 87:2 | 86:9 | 86-7 | 86:4 | 86:3 | 85:4 | 83-0

The changes in polariscopic test in the sugars under
examination have not been uniformly regular: this is
probably due to disturbances resulting from the removal of
the sugars from the bottles and their thorough stirring in
a mortar before each test was made. Speaking generally,
there is a period of rise followed by a period of fall. In the
case of No 1. the rise is from 86°1° to 86°9°, that is 0°8°,
subsequently falling to 83°5°, or 34° below the maximum, the
observation extending over 171 days.

In No 2. the rise is from 88:0° to 88°5°, or 0°5°, the
minimum observed was 87°4°, or 1:1° below the maximum,
the observations extending over 85 days.

In No. 3 the observed rise is from 86°9° to 87°9°, falling
subsequently to 83°0°, or 4°9° below the maximum.

These three cases were those of commercial samples
which were received in a fermenting condition; it is only
reasonable, therefore, to infer that the examination began
during the period of rise, and that the rise in test observed is
only a portion of that which actually took place so that its
full extent is not shown; the probability is that it is much
greater. 5
The changes observed in the case of the sugar prepared
by means of the centrifugals were as follows :—

Re eae Sater Sate
See Wor cen =r Ser for)
Ce OM Om ea)
PIE(ZIZ/E/E( 2) 2/2] =
2alaealialalsels ss {sa 46 5

4, 88-8 88-9) 91:0] 91:3) 91-6] 91-3] 91-1| 91-0} 91-2! 91-0

This sugar was much freer from molasses than an
ordinary sample of muscovado sugar: the original polaris-
copie test, 88°8°, was far below what the appearance of the
sugar would lead an experienced observer to expect. The
test steadily rose to 91°6°, a rise of 2°80°: a rapid fall to
91°3 followed, succeeded by a slow decline to 91:0°.*

In another instance the following changes
observed :—

were

March 10.|March 13.|March 17, March 21.|March 25.

5. 86°6 87:3

87-9 | 881

* Complete analyses of this sugar were made at the time
when each polariscopic test was ascertained. The discussion of
the changes indicated is reserved for the present; the chemical
nature of the changes will be dealt with ina subsequent paper.

100

THE AGRICULTURAL

NEWS. ‘ Aprin 8, 1905.

fj

NCE
\!

Observations on Muscovado Sugar. (Contd.)

In other parts of the world it has been observed that
cargoes of sugar, even of vacuum pan sugars which suffer no
loss from drainage, undergo changes, but these changes have
usually been in the direction of small lowerings of the test.
Where a rise in test has been observed it has usually been
attributed solely to the effect produced by the draining away
of molasses.

The discovery that samples of sugar, even when kept
under conditions which preclude the loss of molasses, may
increase in polariscopic test is, I believe, new and of some
practical importance. Of late years it has frequently been
observed that there is deterioration in the polariscopic test of
both crystal and muscovado sugar, and this deterioration has
been investigated by several workers, including Shorey in
Hawaii, Grieg Smith in New South Wales, Dodson and
Browne in Louisiana. The facts now recorded are of
a somewhat different nature from those hitherto reported.

The facts here observed have important bearings in
several directions. In the first place they are a source of
trouble to the practising analyst, for samples of sugar of fair
appearance are found to test appreciably lower
experience would lead one to expect. Should a sample of
such a sugar be placed in a bottle and be referred to another
analyst, who, under colonial conditions may not receive it
for a week or ten days, it will possibly be found to test
a degree or two higher, and confidence in analytical accuracy
is shaken. Again, the same sample tested once more after
a lapse of some days may now reveal a different, and perhaps
lower, polariscopic test, when further confusion results.

That at least some sample of muscovado sugar is liable
to these changes is important alike to buyer and seller and
tends to explain those discrepancies which have sometimes
been observed by commercial men.

Tt is not clear to what degree muscovado sugar is
subject to these changes, that is to say, whether they are
common or whether they are confined to a few instances.
So far I incline to the opinion that only ‘gummy’ sugars
are liable to these changes to any appreciable extent and
that they do not operate in a serious degree in the case of
the bulk of good, dry, muscovado sugar.

A considerable amount of work has already been done
in an effort directed towards ascertaining the chemical nature
of the changes observed and accounting for them. Reference
to this side of the question is purposely avoided in this
article, which is written with a view to directing the attention
of those commercially interested in sugar to a series of
changes to which the sugar they deal in is liable: the
scientific aspect is reserved for separate treatment.

than

Prices of Sugar and Molasses at Barbados.

Mr. J. R. Boveil, F.LS., F.C.S., has forwarded the
following memorandum showing the price of sugar and
molasses at Barbados for ten years, 1895 to 1904
inclusive. The crop season is from the beginning of
February to the end of June in each year :-—

VAveeuee price Serge _price/Value of 1 ton
Wiese at San Soa at which of sugar and
corde 100 tb. molasses sold} 100 gallons of
per gallon, molasses,
Cents. oats
1895 $ 1:60 13 LOSS ao
1896 1-974 124 11 16 5
1897 1:58 64 Smlomayy
1898 1:66 9 le) 7 53
1899 2-07 13 ley aes
1900 il 16} 13 OMeon
1901 1:70 103 LOO)
1902 1-06 73 6 11 oe
1903 1-294 163 9 10) 8m
1904 1-441 gt 818 44
Total. $16°494 $1142 £101 3 7h
Average.| $ 1:64? | l1de £10 2 44

For nine years, 1895 to 1904, sugar was sold for its
value per 100 Ib., plus 35°00 tor the hogshead, and molasses
at its value per gallon, plus $4:00 for the puncheon.

Last year, however, the price for sugar and molasses
included the price of the hogshead and the puncheon. The
actual price of the sugar, therefore, was $1°69}, minus the
value of the hogshead, equal to 25c. per 100 tb., and for
molasses 13tc., minus the value of the puncheon, equal to
3c. per gallon, The puncheon netting about 110 gallons,
the net value of the sugar therefore was $1-444, and of the
molasses 9he.

The average value for the ten years 1895 to 1904 was
fOr sugar (100 tb.) as stated above 51-643, and for molasses
11$c. per gallon.

During the current year (1905) prices have been
exceptionally good, reaching in some cases as high as
£15 14s. 4d. per ton of sugar and 100 gallons of molasses.
This is equivalent to an increase at the rate of £2 83, 8d.
per ton on the ayerage price in 1900,

Vou. IV. No. 78. THE

COTTON INDUSTRY.

Prospects of the Crop.

Fortnightly reports have been received from the
local officers of the Imperial Department of Agriculture
upon the prospects of the cotton industry as follows:—

TOBAGO.

By the number of applications for seed of Sea Island
cotton it is apparent that the cultivation will be extended
during the coming planting season.

At the present time cotton is only grown in quantity at
one estate, viz., Golden Grove, and it is the short-staple
variety, Marie Galante, and is inferior to Sea Island cotton.

Recently a visit was paid there and 18 bales of 500 hb.
each were ready for shipment.

BARBADOS.

Since I last reported nearly all the first picking of the
cotton has been gathered, but I regret to say that owing to
the drought the yield has come much shorter than was
anticipated. Most of the cotton plants that have finished
bearing their first lot of cotton have been pruned and in some
instances the plants are flowering already. Owing to the
drought, however, the bolls are not as large as they were last
year. .

Up to March 10 the Cotton Factory had ginned
353,716 tb. of seed-cotton yielding 98,557 tb. of lint. Of
this lint 267 bales containing 95,442 Ib. of lint have been
made and shipped, and the remaining lint, viz., 5,115 tb. is
at the Factory to be baled when sufficient is received for
each grower, it being found best to ship, as far as possible,
each grower’s cotton lint by itself.

Of the 24 bales shipped by the R.M.S. ‘Orinoco’ on
January 14, 14 sold at 163d. per Ib., 6 at 16d., and 4 at 15d.
per lb., 3 of these 4 bales being ratoon cotton and one stained
cotton. This first consignment was reported upon by the
British Cotton-growing Association as ‘leaving little to be
desired’ as regards its preparation, ginning, ete.

With regard to the 35 bales shipped by the R.M.S.
‘Trent’? on January 28, I have been informed by the
Secretary of the British Cotton-growing Association that
34 have sold at 163d. per tb. He has not yet informed me
at what price the other bale, which was of ratoon cotton, has
been sold.

Since I last reported the shipment of the 75 bales by
the 8.S. ‘Rosetti’ I have shipped 40 bales by the R.M.S.
‘Tagus ’ on February 25, and 93 bales by the R.M.S. ‘Atrato?
on March 11 last, and I also hope to make a further
shipment by next mail.

ST, KITI’s.

There is little to report for this period, except that the
three ginneries are all doing good work and that shipments
of cotton are being made by every steamer.

At Spooner’s Factory an improvement has been made in
feeding the cotton to the gins by means of ‘shoots’ which
bring the seed-cotton from the upper floor direct to the
feeding board. These gins are doing excellent work and
averaged 55 Ib. lint each per hour over a period of six days.

Account sales were received by last mail of cotton from
St. Kitt’s at the rate of 1s. 43d. (33c.) per tb. for well-
prepared cotton ; some of the same lot that had not been
repicked before ginning only fetched 1s. 1d. (26c.) per tb,
making a difference of 7c. per tb.

The quality and length of staple were highly spoken of.

AGRICULTURAL NEWS.

101

The news that the Department was unable to obtain
selected Rivers’ cotton seed for planting next season has
caused much regret among the planters, who had sent in
requisitions for large quantities. Steps, however, are being
taken to secure the best seed from the growers who planted
only Rivers’ seed last season, of which there is a sufficient
quantity to satisfy all demands.

Disinfecting Cotton Seed.

The most-pressing question affecting the cotton
industry which now requires to be solved is the careful
selection and treatment of the cotton seed proposed
to be planted during the coming season. The value
of the next year’s crop will largely depend on whether
the best and healthiest seed is selected or the planters
take any seed within their reach and rely on this to
produce cotton of the highest quality.

As stated elsewhere, the Imperial Department
of Agriculture offers to supply selected West Indian
seed from plants that have produced cotton worth
164d. to 17d. per Ib. and to have such seed carefully
disinfected beforehand. By such means the planters
will have a reasonable guarantee that they are sowing
the best seed available, and can look forward with some
degree of confidence to favourable returns.

It is recommended that no cotton seed be planted
this year that has not been carefully disinfected. This
is in accordance with the best practice in other
countries and is the only means of maintaining the
present stock of plants in the West Indies in a healthy
condition.

The following notes may be of interest as showing
the desirability of disinfecting cotton seed.

Mr. L. Lewton-Brain, the Mycologist, writes :—

One of the most important ways in which fungoid
diseases of plants spread from one locality to another is by
means of the spores of the fungi attached to the seeds of
their host plants. To meet this, the use of fungicidal steeps
is gradually becoming more general among agriculturists.

Fungicidal steeps have been worked out mainly in
connexion with ‘smut’ of wheat, oats, and other cereals.
The spores of smut are carried on the seeds of their host
which is infected immediately after germination. To destroy
these spores different fungicides are widely used, among
them being formalin, copper sulphate, and hot water. For
potato ‘scab,’ again, the ‘seed’ tubers are steeped in formalin
or corrosive sublimate. Mention may also be made of the
successful treatment of cuttings with Bordeaux mixture for
preventing the pine-apple disease of sugar-cane.

The steep used last year by the Imperial Department of
Agriculture for cotton seed was a 1 to 1,000 solution of
corrosive sublimate (mercuric chloride) ; this is about equiva-
lent to 1 tb. of corrosive sublimate in 125 gallons (100 wine
gallons) of water. The seeds are soaked in this steep for an
hour, care being taken that they are thoroughly wetted.
They are then taken out of the solution and spread in a thin
layer to dry. When thoroughly dry the seeds can be put
into bags and kept for some time. It has been definitely
proved that this treatment has no injurious effect on germina-
tion: the seeds may be planted either immediately on being
taken from the steep, or, after thorough drying, at any time
for weeks afterwards. An account of the experiments on
this point will be found in the Agricultural News, Vol. II,
pp. 117 and 149,

102

THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.

Aprin 8, 1905.

Disinfecting Cotton Seed. (Contd.)
Mr. H. A. Ballou, the Entomologist, writes:—

There are three pests, it seems to me, that could be
transported with the seed, viz. the leaf-blister mite, the
cotton worm, and the cotton stainer.

The cotton worm is not likely to be transported in this
way for several reasons. So far as is known, the eggs of the
cotton worm are always laid on some green part of the cotton
plant. There would be no inducement to caterpillars to
visit ginneries to infest cotton seed ; it is very likely that
if, by any chance, caterpillars were carried from the field
in the picked cotton, they would soon leave in search of more
suitable food.

The leaf-blister mite would probably not infest the seed
or be carried with it, bat as it is a very serious pest, precau-
tions should be taken to prevent its introduction into
localities where it does not occur.

The cotton stainers, on the other hand, feed on the
cotton seed, and might be carried from one place to another
in or on the bags of seed. In the process of hand-picking,
however, it ought to be possible to get the seed quite free
from stainers.

Dysdercus andreae occurs in Jamaica, St. Kitt’s-Nevis,
Antigua, and Montserrat. Dysdercus annuliger occurs in
Dominica, St. Lucia, Barbados, St. Vincent, Grenada and
the Grenadines, and a third species in Trinidad and Grenada.
It is important that none of these species should be intro-
duced into islands where they do not now occur. Although
Dysdercus annuliger does occur in Barbados it is very rarely
found there and is not, at present, a pest.

As a precautionary measure, I would suggest the
fumigation of all seed, imported to Barbados and St. Vincent
for planting, with carbon bisulphide at the rate of 1 Mb.
carbon bisulphide to every 1,000 cubic feet of space in the
box or bin.

This would prevent the introduction of any of the pests
mentioned and should be used without fail in Barbados to
guard against the leaf-blister mite, and in St. Vincent to
guard against the cotton worm, and in other islands when
any danger exists of introducing any species of cotton
stainer to a new locality.

The treatment with corrosive sublimate, 1 in 1,000,
would serve as a protection against those insects that attack
stored seeds ; corrosive sublimate is a violent poison and
sufficient is left upon the seeds after the steeping and drying
to prove fatal to insects eating their way through the seed-
coats. But it could not, however, be depended on to safe-
guard against the three kinds of pests mentioned above. For
these fumigation would be necessary as already suggested.

Cotton as a Catch Crop in St. Eitt’s.

To the Editor of the Agricultural News.—

Sir.—The figures and facts detailed below will, I trust,
prove of interest to your readers.

For the season of 1904-5 about 70 acres of well-tilled
sandy loam with free draining subsoil, belonging to two
estates with which I am connected situated on the leeward
side of the island of St. Kitt’s, were planted with Sea Island
cotton. The sowing took place from May to July and the
reaping from October to February following. The previous
cane crop having been removed, the fields were ploughed and
cross-holed, but the cost of these processes is not charged
against the cotton as they were necessary for the subsequent
cane crop.

The cotton reaped amounted to a little over 200 tb. lint
per acre. The actual charges per acre are given below, but

the clearance is to some extent a matter of estimate, though
I submit that a selling price of 1s. per Ib., having regard
to the high character of the cotton, is a moderate

assumption. ‘Ginning’ includes pressing, baling, and
material. ‘Paris green’ was applied pure, as its use

without lime was found cheaper and more effective. *
Cartage in the field and the supervision of the estate staff
are not charged, as the expense as against the estate was not
thereby practically increased. Half the cost of manure
(cattle and sheep dung) for the next cane crop is charged
against the cotton, which is also charged with a final weeding
and re-crossholing for the same purpose. The land, if kept
for cane alone, would have been green-dressed or otherwise
manured ; the turning in of the cotton bush will partly
perform the function of a green dressing. The fields were
heavily attacked by the caterpillar but practically free from
leaf-blister mite and black boll: the few plants with the leaf-
blister mite were pulled and burnt. The cotton seed was
crushed at the ginnery at the local rate and returned to
planters. ‘Sorting’ may in future cost rather more than

stated.
Cost of One Acre of Cotton and Estimated Clearance.
£ Ss. dE
Cost of seed (Rivers’ Sea Island imported) 103
Planting ao 369 ae 2
Weedings (six) ee Bee ado 8)
Paris green (pure)* ... aoe 556 5) 0
Applying above 500 $0 500 10
Reaping san oa S50 300 160 RES
Drying, etc. ... poe 300 Soc 8
Sorting oe So: O08 ae By tl
Cartage to ginnery.... 900 500 2
Pulling and burying cotton bush and re-crossholing 2 6
Final weeding Gace ade 08 ih
Manuring for cane crop (half cost) eas is) (0)
Ginning, ete. (200 tb. lint) BAS Jodo ye 10)
Cartage to port boc es 2
Porterage : 3 3
Lighterage ... = 506 ae 4}
Freight ; oC 505 509 5 ee
Charges in U.K. (Commission, discount, ete,
Say) eens So 500 apni hy OG
Sy Gee
Deduct value of 575 tb. cotton seed for
cattle food at le. per Ib... ios el A
£4 eee
Value of 200 tb. lint at 1s. 30 2) LO ORG
Estimated clearance per acre £75 ire

I desire to emphasize the point that cotton is treated
here solely as a catch crop interposed between the principal
cane crops, that is, the cotton must be planted after the
removal of the cane and _ subsequent tillage—the
earlier the better—and be reaped before the following
cane replant is sufficiently advanced to suffer from the
competition of the cotton. Some other land, higher
and poorer with clay soil, was cropped with cotton
with wretched results: the experiment will not be repeated.
T would also observe that our good results were obviously
due, to a large extent, to careful cultivation. Some seem

_ * The use of Paris green without lime is referred to in the
West Tnidian Bulletin (Vol. III, p. 328) and the Agricultural
News (V ol. IU, Pp. 281). [Ed. AN.)

Vor. IV. No. 78.

THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.

103

to regard cotton as a botanical ‘pariah’ for which anything
is good enough. Our season was abnormally dry. I am
quite aware that cotton can thrive on a lesser rainfall than
sugar-cane, but estates in the same island more favoured
with rain seem to indicate that with more moisture we should
have done better.

T will not theorize about the effect of cotton on the
subsequent cane crop. We at Jeast did not consciously rob
Peter to pay Paul, and I would observe that the balance of
evidence available to me seems to indicate that, under such
conditions as detailed above, the following cane crop is not
likely to suffer.

I am, ete.,
(Sgd.) ARTHUR M. LEE.
Bendal’s, Antigua, March 27, 1905.

RABBIT KEEPING

Belgian Hares.

In the accompanying illustration (fig. 9) two
Belgian hares are shown. The Senior Country Reader,
ITI, from which the illustration is taken, contains the
following reference to this breed of rabbits :—

It is now stated by competent authorities that the
‘Belgian hare is the best for table use, and the most profitable
to rear and market.

The Belgian hare rabbits are large and handsome
animals, weighing from 7 tb. to 11 Ib. They have prick ears
and are of much the same colour and appearance as the hare.
They do well in confinement, and do not eat so much in
proportion to their size as some of the smaller breeds. Wild
rabbits may be greatly improved by turning out amongst
them some Belgian hare bucks.

Beteran Hares.
[From Senior Cowitry Reader, ITI.)

Hic. 9.

Further information as to the characters of the
breed will be found in the Agricultural News, Vol. II,
. 333. With regard to the choice of breeds for the
Vest Indies, Mr. Barclay strongly recommends the
Belgian hare. He says, in pamphlet No. 34, Rabbit
Keeping in the West Indies:
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 grey colour deepening to
a rich reddish-brown on the back. I have had does weighing
10 tb., but find such not so successful as breeders as those
weighing 7 tb. to 8 tb. Bucks I have had to 12 bb. but such
size and weight do not fit them for breeding successfully.
Bucks from 8 tb. to 10 tb. are as heavy as is desirable.

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 well-
grown buck or doe should secure well-bred stock.

In the preface to the same pamphlet it is stated:—

The Imperial Department of Agriculture has imported
a number of these animals, which have been kept with
considerable success at the Agricultural Schools at
St. Vincent, St. Lucia, and Dominica, as well as at the
Experiment Station at Montserrat. The officers in charge of
these institutions report that Belgian hares have done well,
and that the demand for the young animals is usually in
excess of the supply.

SCIENCE NOTES.

Papain.

We extract the following from the Pharmaceutical
Journal of March 11 last, which, in view of the efforts
to establish a papain industry in Montserrat, is likely
to be of interest in the West Indies :-—

Several interesting experiments on the action of papain
have been made by Professor Vines, and the results are
quoted in the Lancet. The samples of commercial papain
tested were obtained respectively from Messrs. Christy,
Finkler, and Merck. The action on fibrin of these different
samples of papain was not uniform, Christy’s proving to be
the most active. All the samples of papain tested, however,
proved capable of effecting complete proteolysis or, at any
rate, peptolysis in various degrees. The action was more
vigorous in the presence of hydrocyanie acid than in the
presence of toluol, and it was, on the whole, stronger in the
alkaline than in the acid liquids, though the difference was
not great. The most striking tryptophane reaction was given
by Finkler’s papain, on account, probably, of its containing
the largest amount of readily proteolysable proteid. With
respect to the reaction of the liquid, Christy’s and Merck’s
samples gave better results in acid than in alkaline liquids,
whilst Finkler’s was more active in an alkaline than in an
acid medium. Experiments were made also in which the
result could be compared between the fibrin-digesting and the
peptolysing activity of the papain in each case. The results
go to show that the various samples of papain experimented
upon differ widely in their general proteolytic activity and in
their relation to acid and alkali, as well as to the various
antiseptics employed. ‘The last word as to the properties
of papain will not have been pronounced until a series of
careful observations shall have been made with perfectly fresh
materials.’ The interesting conclusion is suggested that
papain contains a fibrin-digesting but not peptolytic protease
of the nature of pepsin as well as a peptolytic but not
fibrin-digesting protease of the nature of an erepsin. If this
be so it will be the first clear demonstration of the existence
of a pepsin in the vegetable kingdom.

104

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.
Agents will be found at foot of page 3 of the cover.

The Agricultural News: Price 1d. per number,
post free 1Jd. Annual subscription payable to Agents,
2s. 2d. Post free, 3s. 3d.

Agricultural slows

SATURDAY, APRIL 8, 1905. No. 78.

Vou. IV.

NOTES AND COMMENTS.

Contents of Present Issue.

The editorial in this issue of the Agricultural
News deals with the arrangements that the Imperial
Department of Agriculture proposes to make for
supplying selected cotton seed for planting inthe West
Indies in 1905. In connexion with this subject we
would draw the attention of readers also to the article
on Disinfecting Cotton Seed on pp. 101-2.

An interesting contribution by Dr. Francis Watts
on muscovado sugar will be found on pp. 98-100. It
deals with some of the changes occurring in commercial
sugars.

In connexion with the Cotton Industry there are
published, in addition to the articles already mentioned,
reports on the prospects of the West Indian crop
(p. 101) and a letter from a correspondent in St. Kitt’s
on cotton as a catch crop (p. 102). On pp. 106-7 will
be found a detailed account of interesting experiments
carried out by Dr. Watts with Rivers’ Sea Island
Cotton Seed to ascertain the effect, if any, of the fuzzi-
ness of some of this seed on the quality of the lint
produced from it.

The Insect Note in this issue deals with the use
of popular names for insects. Attention is drawn to
the confusion that is likely to occur in this connexion.

Reports on the successful Agricultural Shows
recently held at Nevis and St. Vincent are published
on p. 109; on the next page are reports on the half-
yearly examinations at the Agricultural Schools at
St. Lucia and St. Vincent.

THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.

A complete list of

Aprit 8, 1905.

Department Publications.

With this issue the Agricultural News appears
with a cover. It has been pointed out that under the
old arrangement the outside pages often got soiled and
showed signs of travel, which had the effect of spoiling
the appearance of the volume when bound. The cover
in which it is now proposed to send out the Agri-
cultural News will atford the necessary protection.

The index and title page for binding Volume III
is issued as a supplement to the present number.

Pamphlet No. 385, Information in regard to
Agricultural Banks, is also issued to-day. This
pamphlet was referred to on p. 50 of this volume.
A paper on Rural Agricultural Banks for British
Guiana has also been included.

re
Cassava Poisoning.

At Belmont in the Parish of St. Patrick, Grenada,
four children, all of one family, recently died from
cassava poisoning. It appears that the father, mother,
and four children partook of cassava cakes, prepared at
home, at 4 o’clock in the afternoon. During the night
the children were taken ill and a Doctor was sent for,
one child died before the Doctor arrived at 1 a.m.; two
died after the Doctor arrived between 2 and 5 am.,
while the fourth died at 6.30 a.m.

The cause of death in all cases was eating ‘badly
prepared cassava cakes.’ No particulars are available
as to the kind of cassava, or the method adopted in the
preparation of the cakes.

Cassava poisoning has occupied a good deal of
attention on the part of the Imperial Department of
Agriculture. A leaflet has been prepared for general
distribution on the subject. The most recent informa-
tion is contained in an article that appeared in the
Agricultural News, Vol. II, p. 428.

oO

Sales of St. Vincent Cotton.

As mentioned elsewhere the first sale of St. Vincent
cotton for this year is exceptionally good. The Vice-
Chairman of the British Cotton-growing Association
writes as follows :—

‘The shipments from Messrs, Hazell & Simmons of
St. Vincent are quite the best cotton grown under the
auspices of this Association, and have been sold at an
all-reund price of 17d. per tb.

Further it is stated: ‘The West Indies have so
outpaced the Americans in the cultivation of Sea
Island cotton that I am sure every day it will be more
difficult to get supplies of good seed from there. West
Indian cotton is to-day fetching 2d. to 38d. per th. over
similar qualities of American cotton, and I see from the
papers that the American planters are very much
alarmed at this, and have had a meeting at which they
bound themselves down not to ship any seed to the
West Indies.’

Again it is added: ‘Judging from the cotton that
has been received this year from the West Indies
T should say that you have some of the best cultivators
in the world. Everybody who comes into these rooms
and sees the samples of cotton recently received goes
into ecstasies over them.’

Wor, ID Ios iss

THE AGRICULTURAL

NEWS. 105

Witch Broom Disease of Cacao.

A writer in the Montserrat Herald of March 18
gives some account of the dangerous witch broom
disease and the causes which have led to its prevalence
in Surinam. He states that cacao cultivation is carried
on there in lands bordering on some of the great rivers
which run through the low, flat country lying between
the mountains of the interior and the sea. A great
part of this land is below sea-level and is also of
a heavy clayey nature.

In consequence of these conditions the soil around
the roots of the trees becomes completely water-logged
during the most rainy months—May, June, and July—
thus preventing the roots carrying on their functions
properly. Moreover, a good part of the surface soil is
washed away every year into the drains. The rainiall
is over 100 inches annually.

The writer also states that the trees on many
estates are more than thirty-five years old. This,
together with the soil conditions, renders them an easy
prey to the fungus causing the witch brooms. The
appearance of the disease is described m an article
which has already appeared in the Agricultural News
(WoL WE jo, Iul)y tne flowers of attacked trees are
said to fall off, if any fruit is formed it dries up and
falls before reaching maturity. As a result of the
disease, the writer says, estates which formerly produced
800 to 1,000 bags (of 200 tb.) per year, now scarcely
produce 100 to 200 bags.

<< SO

Ceylon Agricultural Society.

Mainly through the efforts of his Excellency the
Governor (Sir Henry A. Blake, G.C.M.G.) an Agri-
cultural Society has been formed in Ceylon. To
a considerable extent the Agricultural Society of
Jamaica has been taken as a model in establishing this
new Society.

The business of the Agricultural Society of Ceylon
is conducted through the Board of Agriculture which
meets regularly once a month. The Board consists
of certain ex officio members, including the Director of
the Royal Botanic Gardens, the Director of Irrigation,
the Conservator of Forests, the Controller of the
Experiment Station, and the Superintendent of School
Gardens, together with such members of the. Society
as may be appointed by the President, who is the
Governor. As in Jamaica an important feature will
be the local societies whose members will receive all
publications of the Society on payment of an individual
-subscription.

It may be mentioned, also, that the Tropical
Agriculturist, started twenty-four years ago, which
has long been well known in all tropical countries, is
now to enter upon anew existence. It is to undergo
amalgamation and will henceforward be the official
publication of the Society with the title Tropical
Agriculturist and Magazine of the Ceylon Agri-
cultural Society, edited by Dr. J. C. Willis, the
Director of the Royal Botanic Gardens. The Society
will then have a ‘representative organ to justify its
existence and to afford necessary information to its
members.’

Rubber Planting as an Adjunct to Cacao
Cultivation.

In view of the doubts that were expressed by
certain members of the recent Agricultural Conference
as to the advisability of planting rubber trees among
cacao, it may be of interest to give the following
summary of an article in the Zropical Agriculturist
descriptive of cacao cultivation in Venezuela in so far
as it has bearing on this point :—

The plantations visited by the writer are among
those producing the cacao known as ‘Caracas’ in the
Ocumare valley. Most of these plantations are owned
by General Fonseca ‘who was among the first to realize
the value of giving as shade to cacao... . such a tree as
Castilloa elasticu.

In 1895-6 about 8,000 plants were put out in
places where shade was wanted for the cacao. These
trees are now some 36 to 45 feet high and have
a circumference of 33 inches.

‘The experiment is specially remarkable as it
shows that the Castilloa can be grown among cacao trees
without in any way harming their production. Indeed
at Ocumare they have noticed no diminution in the
number of pods carried by the trees shaded by Castilloa,
nor any change in the quality of the bean.’

Se __
Teaching Agriculture in Elementary Schools.

An address on ‘Some Principles of Teaching as
applied to Lessons in Agriculture’ by Colonel Hicks,
Senior Inspector of Schools in Jamaica, to the teachers
attending the last annual course of agricultural
instruction, has been reprinted, in pamphlet form, from
the Jamaica Journal of Education. It is mentioned
that the Education Department has ordered 1,000
copies with the following prefatory note :—

‘This address of Colonel Hicks’ is printed and
sent out to managers and teachers as being of special
interest and value at the present time, when the whole
subject of Nature study and agricultural instruction in
schools is receiving so much attention.’

Colonel Hicks briefly sketched the rise of what he
described as ‘the new education,’ which ‘devotes itself
to the arousing of the power of thinking and independ-
ent judgement.’ He referred to the provision of
abundant material for every scholar to handle and
observe the things for himself, and the advisability of
allowing the children to perform experiments.

Jamaica was well forward in the school garden
movement. Its teachers must justify the expectations
that the agricultural instruction given in these schools
should be of marked utility. The subject must
therefore be made instructive and educative. This
could be done by experiment; by the verification of
facts by observing; and by direct instruction. They
did not aim at sending ont their scholars finished
agriculturists, but by no means ignorant of agriculture.

In conclusion Colonel Hicks hoped that what had
been predicted of Germany would be true of Jamaica :
‘The hour must and will come when the eyes, until
now struck with blindness, shall be opened and see
that the institution of school gardens has been the
greatest blessing of the people.’

106 THE

AGRICULTURAL

NEWS. Aprizt 8, 1905.

INSECT NOTES.

Popular Names.

In dealing with insects, as well as with other animals
and with plants, two kinds of names are used, viz., the
popular or common name and the technical or scientific
name. Scientific names are usually of Latin and Greek
derivation and are alike in all countries. That is to say,
although an insect may have a different common name in
each country or locality where it occurs, the same scientific
name holds good in all places. Thus the canna worm of
Barbados is the arrowroot worm of St. Vincent, and the same
insect is known as the Brazilian ‘skipper’ in many other
places, but entomologists in all parts of the world recognize
it under its scientific name Calpodes ethlius. The insect
which is known in the West Indies as the corn ear worm
and in the United States as the fall army worm is Laphygia
frugiperda. The sweet potato pest, known in the Northern
Tslands as ‘Jacobs,’ is known in Barbados as the ‘Scaribee,’
and its technical name is Cryptorhynchus batatae.

On the other hand, the same common name may, in
different localities, be applied to different insects. The moth
borer of canes in the West Indies is Diatraea saccharalis, but
in other countries other moths are moth borers. The same is
true of the cotton worm, In America and the West Indies
the cotton worm is Aletia argillacea, but in Egypt and India
other caterpillars eat the leaves of cotton and are known as
cotton worms.

It does not often happen, however, that insects of
entirely different habits are given the same name. An
example of this is to be noticed in the West Indian use of
the name ‘Lady-bird.’ In England, America, Australia,
South Africa, and other countries where English is the
principal language, the term lady-bird is applied to a large
family of beetles (Coccinellidae) which, almost without
exception, ure beneficial in their habits. Lady-birds feed
upon other insects such as plant lice and scale insects and
only a few of the large number of species in the family have
the habit of eating plant food. In the West Indies, however,
the name lady-bird is applied to a few members of a large
group of beetles (Rhyncophora) which are very different in
structure and habit from the Coccinellidae. They are the
snout beetles, bill-bugs, and weevils, all having the front of
the head prolonged to form a snout or beak with the mouth
at the end of it. They are all injurious, feeding on plants,
some in fruits, some at the roots, and some in stored seeds,
grains, ete. Common examples of this group are the weevil
borer of canes and the root borer of canes, the fiddler beetle
of Jamaica, the weevil that attacks the roots of orange trees
in Porto Rico, the grain weevil, and the rice weevil. It is
unfortunate that people should understand this name to
refer to such widely different insects, as it will be difficult for
those who think of the weevils and borers as lady-birds, to
understand the advantage to be reaped from the protection
of the highly beneficial insects of the family Coccinellidae, the
true lady-birds, which, at considerable trouble and expense,
are being introduced into various countries to assist in
controlling scale insects.

RIVERS’ SEA ISLAND COTTON SEED.

The Hon. Francis Watts, C.M.G., D.Se, has
forwarded for publication the following account of
experiments undertaken with a view of ascertaining
the reason for the lack of uniformity in the appearance
of this imported seed :—

Upon the arrival of the Rivers’ Sea Island cotton seed,
which, in order to secure the production of the best kind of
Sea Island cotton, had been procured by the Imperial
Department of Agriculture, it was observed that the seed was
not perfectly uniform in character, some seeds were black and
free from fuzz, others had a small tuft of fuzz at one, or both,
extremities, others again had patches of fuzz on the body of
the seeds, while some were fairly covered with fuzz, and,
finally, some seeds were completely covered.

This condition gave rise to some inquiry as to the purity
of the seed. Sir Daniel Morris was, however, in a position to
allay any anxiety by his statement as to the care he had
taken to select this seed personally while on a visit to the
Sea Islands of South Carolina, the seed being from one of the
best-known cotton plantations, well known for its production
of fine cotton and for supplying seed which is eagerly sought
after by Sea Island cotton planters. The suggestion that the
fuzz on some of the seeds indicated an admixture with
Upland cotton was negatived by the fact that no Upland
cotton is produced in the district from which the seed was
obtained.

In order to investigate the character of these various
types of seed a quantity of seed was graded into the following
classes :—

Grade i. Quite free from fuzz.

7 ii. Nearly free from fuzz.
» ii. Slight amount of fuzz.
,. iv. Partially covered with fuzz.

i v. Completely covered with fuzz.

The seed so obtained was planted out on plots numbered
i to v, corresponding with the similarly numbered grades of
seeds. In addition a plot of 15 acre was planted with seed
completely covered with fuzz.

The cotton from these plots has now been reaped and
the following facts observed :—

The lints of the five grades
differences.
opinion.

The seed from each grade has been regarded in the
following manner. A carefully selected sample of 500 seeds,
taken with care so as to represent the bulk, was obtained.
These 500 seeds were graded into classes as described above
with the addition of a sixth grade for defective or abortive

present no marked
They will, however, be submitted to experts for

seeds. The results are given in percentages in the following
table :—
eas = abe :

Sat at fae
at See S\Es
Seed reaped in 1905 from) 5) = 5| 2 3|Total

Se ai

| Plot i sown with seed of
| Grade i gave... ...|33°8/47° 2, 4:2/100-2
Plot ii sown with seed of |

Grade ii gave =. eal L274176 6) 3°2|100°0
| Plot iii sown with seed of

Grade iii gave... ...| 4:0) 87° 6) 1°8)100°0
Plot iv sown with seed of

Grade iv gave... ...| 4°4/85° 1-2) 4-0)101-4
| Plot v sown with seed of

Grade v gave ... ...| 6°4/73°01 9:0) 2-2! 3-6) 5:0)

Vout. IV. No. 78. THE

AGRICULTURAL

NEWS. 107

It is interesting to note that the seed imported gave the

following results upon grading :— ;
Grade i. Quite free from fuzz.
ii. Nearly free from fuzz. 6

Slight amount of fuzz. 2
Partially covered with fuzz.
cs y. Completely covered with fuzz.
Abortive seeds

It is important to note that the seeds from all the five
plots consist largely of grade ii, that is, of seeds having
a slight amount of fuzz on one or both ends of the seed and
this may be taken as the typical character of Rivers’ seed.

Considering, first of all, grade v, sown upon plot v, that is,
with seed completely covered with fuzz, it is remarkable to
note that the product of this plot contains only 3°6 per cent.
of seed of the type sown and 73 per cent. of seed having only
a very small amount of fuzz. On the other hand, grade i,
sown upon plot i, has produced ‘2 per cent. of fuzzy seed
of grade v and 33°8 per cent. of seed without any trace of
fuzz : this is a percentage of fuzz-free seed far greater than is
found in the product of any of the other grades.

The intermediate grades require little comment, they
fall between grades, i and v, and the results speak for
themselves. The results obtained on plot i, indicate that,
if circumstances warranted the effort, it would probably be
a matter of little difficulty to select Rivers’ seed in such
a manner as to produce a clean black seed absolutely free
from fuzz.

Subject to special expert opinion on the lint from the
five various plots, the following conclusions appear to be
readily arrived at :—

That in the selection of Rivers’ seed care has been taken
to select for the character of the lint; that small variations
in the character of the seed have received less attention,
hence the seed is toa certain extent variable in character ;
that the characters of the seed are not fixed, so that extreme
types, such as fuzzy seeds, on the one hand, and absolutely
clean seeds, on the other, both tend to produce average seed
of the Rivers’ type, i.e., having a small amount of fuzz ; and,
finally, that the character of the lint is fixed and does not
vary with the variations in the character of the seed.

As bearing out the foregoing, it may be of interest
to reproduce the following letter from Mr. W. A. Orton,
the Pathologist, U. S. Department of Agriculture, to
the Imperial Commissioner of Agriculture, dated
Washington, February 28, 1905 :—

I beg to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of
February 17 relative to the quality of Sea Island cotton seed.
IT have examined the fuzzy seeds enclosed which have been
selected from Rivers’ Sea Island. This is not an indication
of any inferiority, but is, on the other hand, quite character-
istic of the Rivers’ and some other varieties of Sea Island
cotton, which have naturally a small tuft at one end and
occasionally produce more fuzzy seeds without having been
crossed with other varieties.

The Seabrook cotton, grown by Mr. F. P. Seabrook, of
James Island, §.C., one of the best and most productive
strains of Sea Island cotton, is especially noted for this fuzzy
character of its seeds, though there is no trace of any other
Upland characteristics in the plant, and the lint is of fine
quality. These fuzzy seeds are slightly objectionable from
the ginner’s standpoint, as they do not fall through the

grating as freely as the smooth, black seeds, and on this
account somewhat retard the process of ginning. On the
other hand, many Sea Island planters believe that this green
fuzz is correlated with greater productiveness and hardiness
of the plant than are possessed by seeds entirely destitute of
fuzz. .

Further evidence that the smooth, black seed is not
necessarily correlated with fine qualities of fibre is found in
the fact that several varieties of short-staple Upland cotton
have a perfectly smooth, black seed, and, second, in the point
that is well known to the workers in this Department who
have been hybridizing Upland and Sea Island cotton, that
among the resulting hybrids the plants with the longest and
finest lint have in a majority of cases a fuzzy seed, which
must be bred out by selection in order to produce a variety
capable of being ginned on the roller-gin.

I may add that I am personally very familiar with
My. Rivers’ fields, and that I have never seen a hybrid stalk
in them.

MINOR INDUSTRIES AT NEVIS.

The Agricultural Instructor at Nevis has recently
reported to the Imperial Commissioner of Agriculture
on the progress of the efforts made to establish minor
industries in that island. From his report and the
letters of correspondents in reply to a circular letter
sent out by Mr. Hollings we gather the following
information :—

The district immediately around Madden’s has had
a serious and long-protracted drought, the rainfall at
Madden’s having been only 31 inches, compared with 41 on
Round Hill, only about 3 miles off. The rainfall generally
has been about 15 inches below the average, which has
greatly reduced the cane crops for the present season, but
seems rather to have helped the cotton and to have kept it
free of various pests which the neighbouring island of
Montserrat, with a heavier rainfall, has had to combat.

Hitherto, very few of the planters or peasants have
grown anything but sugar-cane and sweet potatos. Efforts
are now being made to grow cotton, on a large scale, and
cacao, limes, tangerines, onions, and other crops in a smaller
way.

The onion crop has been a very good one.
has about } acre.

The cacao at Madden’s has not yet reached the bearing
stage, but the trees are in a healthy and promising condition.

A correspondent points out that there is apparently
a need of attention being paid to the sweet potato. The
quality of the produce is stated to be poor and liable to rot.
A trial might be made of some of the varieties that have
recently been experimented with in Barbados.

Attempts to grow English potatos have not been
successful, the crop having suffered severely from pests.

With regard to the efforts of the Imperial Department
of Agriculture to improve the breeds of poultry, one
correspondent writes: ‘The breed of poultry is being
gradually improved and the introductions will, I think, in
time show good results.’ Another says : ‘ Poultry, descendants
of the Agricultural Department’s Buff Orpingtons, have
thriven well with me. This breed has become scattered all
over the island, and there is no mistake as to the improve-
ment of the breed of fowls in Nevis.’

It is suggested that the peasants might keep bees and
plant sunflowers to help the bees; but more care and
attention to the cultivation will be necessary.

One planter

THE

AGRICULTURAL NEWS.

Aprit 8, 1905.

GLEANINGS.

The Jamaica Cotton Co. advertises that it will buy all
the Sea Island cotton that is produced in the island, and
offers 3d. per tb. for good-quality seed-cotton.

According to the Cyprus Journal, the Director of
Agriculture supplies cotton seed (imported direct from
America) on payment or on condition that double the
quantity of the seed issued is returned.

According to the Jamaica Gleaner there appears to be
a likelihood of two factories being established in the parish
of St. Elizabeth for the extraction of dye from logwood.
St. Elizabeth is essentially a logwood parish.

A local standard for milk will probably be instituted for
Jamaica, and the following has been recommended by the
Chemist: Total solids, 12 per cent.; solids not fats, 8} per
cent.; fat, 31 per cent. (Journal of the Jamaica Agri-
cultural Society.)

With reference to the note in the last issue of the
Agricultural News (Vol. IV, p. 92) on the use of bamboo
pulp for paper making, it may be mentioned that it is
proposed to forward samples of the ‘cakes’ to the forthcoming
Indian and Colonial Exhibition.

At arecent meeting of the Grenada Agricultural and
Commercial Society there was a discussion on ‘shoes’ for
eart-wheels. A memorandum, with a sketch of a cast-iron
‘shoe, had been drawn up by the Superintendent of Public
Works ; it described the best shape of ‘shoes’ and the
correct method of adjusting them.

A former Resident Magistrate of Jamaica (Mr. Justice
Thornton) has written from Singapore that a local veterinary
surgeon has discovered a drug, which, he believes, will
exterminate ticks. ‘All I personally know of its efficacy is
that it was tried on a dog which was being killed by ticks,
and its effect was wonderful.’

As an article of food the chestnut is much more used in
Tuscany, where it is made into a cheap kind of cake, than
in the south, where the fruit is merely-roasted at the street
corners in the usual way. ‘he trees grow high up on the
mountains, so that the gathering alone is a considerable
source of employment to the peasants. (Consular Report
on South Italy, 1904.)

The first of a series of leaflets, issued by the Department
of Agriculture of British East Africa, contains a list cf the
principal East African cultivated crops with their English
and native names. ‘Literature on East African agriculture
scarcely exists, and it is now proposed to issue occasional
leaflets dealing exclusively with facts interesting to the
agricultural and general community of this country.’

The first Agricultural Show held in Essequebo (British
Guiana) was opened by his Excellency the Governor
on March 15. The attendance was large and the show
appears to have been a great success.

My. J. H. Hart, F.L.S., Superintendent of the Royal
Botanic Gardens, Trinidad, has left for England in order to
assist with the arrangements for the Trinidad Court at the
Colonial and Indian Exhibition to be opened in London in
May next.

The West India Committee Circular welcomes a new
West Indian produet—‘Barbalene—a natural mineral product
which is now being used in the London hospitals, and
recommended by skin specialists as a cure for eczema and
kindred complaints.’ It is said to be prepared from Barbados
mineral oil.

The Anglo-Nubian stud goat ‘Black Rock’ presented
to the Department by Lady Burdett Coutts has been sent on
loan to Grenada. He was exhibited at the recent Agricultural
Show at St. George’s, and created a good deal of interest.
‘Black Rock’ is under the care of Mr. E, M. DeFreitas at
Woodlands, about two miles from St. George’s.

A conference of cotton growers is proposed to be held
under the auspices of the Barbados Agricultural Society, at
the Planters’ Hall on Friday, April 14, at 2.30 p.m.
Sir Daniel Morris has promised to attend and deliver an
address on the selection of cotton seed and the best time for
planting during the coming season.

Messrs. H. W. Frost & Co. quote Sea Island cotton at
Charleston as follows: Extra fine, 25c. per tb.; extra-
fine crop lots at 26c. to 28e. per Ib, From this it will be seen
that cotton from the West Indies has been fetching 2d. to
3d. per Ib. more than similiar grades of cotton from the Sea
Islands.

His Excellency the Governor, Sir Gilbert T. Carter,
K.C.M.G., on the invitation of the Cotton Committee,
visited the Central Cotton Factory at Barbados yesterday
in order to witness it in full operation. Latterly, a Christy
& Norris disintegrator and a Sea Island cotton press have
been added to complete the equipment of the factory which is
now one of the best in the West Indies.

Mr. A. J. Brooks writes from the Agricultural School,
Dominica: ‘I have often seen the yam bean (Pachyrhizus
tuberosus) described as having white flowers and red seed,
but I have never seen any description of the variety
commonly grown in this island. Its flowers are dark-blue,
and the seed a dark-brown. Jam inclined to think that the
blue variety is the more prolific. Experiments are now being
carried out here to ascertain if this is so. A small quantity
of seed of the blue variety could be supplied for distribution,’

The Imperial Commissioner of Agriculture has received
from the Hon. H. Hesketh Bell, C.M.G., some beans of
a wild vanilla, found growing in the forest near ‘Silvania,’
Dominica, with a request to be informed if they possessed
any commercial value. They are probably produced by
Vanilla anaromatica, Gr., a species found in Dominica and
many of the other West India Islands. This plant is
described by Griesbach as having ‘capsules 8 inches long,
the latter devoid of aroma.’ The pods do not appear to
contain any seed, only dried, unfertilized ovules. They are
of no commercial value.

Vol. IV. No. 78.

THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.

109

a

“AGRIC

St. Vincent.

The Agricultural Show under the auspices of the
Imperial Department of Agriculture and a local Committee
was held at the Agricultural School on Thursday, March 9.

There was no formal opening of the show, but his
Honour the Administrator, and the Imperial Commissioner
of Agriculture visited the exhibition soon after it was
opened, and inspected the exhibits.

The exhibits of stock were quite up to the usual
standard ; the entries were more numerous than last year,
reaching the satisfactory number of 115. The half-bred
Hereford calves, the progeny of the pure-bred Hereford bull
belonging to the Imperial Department of Agriculture, were
a fine lot, no less than twelve being shown.

As at the last show there was a large number of exhibits
of estate produce, such as sugar, arrowroot, cacao, and
coffee. The number of exhibits of cured cacao and cacao in
pod clearly showed that cacao of good marketable quality
can be produced, provided that care is paid to the selection
of suitable localities and to cultivation. Messrs. D. K.
Porter & Co. obtained the first prizes for muscovado
sugar, arrowroot starch, and cured cacao, the prize exhibits
in each case being especially good. Taken altogether the
display of staple products was very instructive, and did credit
to the exhibitors.

As was anticipated, the exhibits of ginned Sea Island
cotton were very numerous and quite a feature of the
exhibition. Mr. J. 8. Richards was awarded the first prize
in this section for a very fine sample grown on his estate,
Petit Bordel. In all cases, the cotton shown was grown from
the selected Rivers’ Sea Island cotton seed imported by the
Imperial Department of Agriculture, and the Judges experi-
enced some difficulty, owing to the fairly uniform character
of the splendid lot of exhibits, in arriving at their decisions.

The school exhibits were not as good as last year, the
plants grown in pots being rather poor, but the collection of
vegetables from Troumaka and Buccament schools were
a very creditable lot, considering that the weather had been
dry during the month previous to the show.

In the Lecture Room there were three new features.
The first was a collection of the fruits, cacao, and coffee
varieties, spices, etc., from the Botanic Station, and also an
assortment of some of the economic plants as grown, and
available for distribution, such as grafted mango plants, cacao,
coffee, nutmegs, eucalypti, kola, guavas, ete.

The second feature was a typical exhibit of fruit and
vegetables purchased in the local market, and put up by the
Show Committee with a view of educating intending
exhibitors at future shows, in the methods of preparing and
showing produce to the best advantage.

The third feature was an educational exhibit of ‘English
Vegetables’ by Mr. H. C. Saville showing the right stage to
pick bush beans, pull kohl rabi, cut lettuce, ete., and for
contrast there were also exhibited samples of these vegetables
that had been allowed to grow too old for table purposes.
For this exhibit Mr. Sayille was awarded a Diploma of Merit.

The show was certainly very successful, as far as
the number and quality of exhibits were concerned, and
had the weather been fine a larger number of visitors
would have been able to put in an appearance.

Nevis.

The prizes won by the exhibitors at the Agri-
cultural Show held at Nevis on February 28 last were
distributed by the Acting Commissioner of St. Kitt’s-
Nevis on March 20. The following is a summary of
the remarks which were made on this occasion by the
Chairman of the Agricultural Society (the Hon C. A.
Shand):—

The mentbers of the Agricultural and Commercial
Society decided that the show this year should be taken in
hand by the society under the auspices of the Imperial
Department of Agriculture. Sir Daniel Morris met the
society in a most generous spirit and made a very liberal
grant towards the prize funds. His Honour the Adminis-
trator, Mr. Bromley, also gave a handsome donation
and the Government authorized a grant-in-aid so that from
a financial point of view the success of the show was at once
assured; but it was not until a much later hour that the show
itself gave signs of having excited popular interest. J am
thankful to say that the result surprised even the most
sanguine, as no less than 711 exhibits were entered, 100 of
which were in Class I, Live stock, and 134 in Class IV,
Vegetables. Considering the fact that for some time
prior to the show the weather had been unpropitious
and that misconceptions had arisen as to the real object
of the show, I can only congratulate all concerned upon
the result achieved which was eminently satisfactory, and
I trust that in future years the entries may continue to
improve as they should do now that the advantages to be
derived by such an institution have been generally recognized.
An Agricultural Show is a means of inciting the growers of
produce towards a healthy spirit of competition with one
another as to who shall be able to grow the best of its kind,
and this leads to a further step, that is to say, the ascertaining’
of the best means by which such prize products can be raised.
We have alla great deal to learn as to the most approved
processes of agriculture and manufacture, and if we can be
roused to the necessity of adopting a more up-to-date system
by shows such as the one just held, then a great benefit will
have been derived by the community as a whole.

Special Prizes were given by the Administrator, as
follows :—

Peasant proprietor winning the greatest number of
prizes in the various classes: £2, Henry Moore.

Peasant proprietor winning the next greatest number
of prizes in the various classes: £1, divided between James
Rogers and Mrs. J. Hutson.

Prizes offered by the Education Department :—

Collection of Plants in pots: Ist., St. Paul’s School;
2nd., Wesleyan Chapel, Charlestown; 3rd., St. George’s
School.

Single Plant in pot: 1st., Wesleyan Chapel, Chavles-
town; 2nd., St. Paul’s School; 3rd., Brown Hill School.

Collection of Vegetables from School Garden: Ist., St.
George’s School; 2nd., St. Thomas School.

‘Diplomas of Merit’ of the Imperial Department of
Agriculture were awarded to the following exhibitors :—

John Hanley and Joseph Ward, native stallion under
three years; George Small, native jack; Fred. Boddie,
native jenny; J. E. Jacobs, native tanned leather; H. C.
Huggins, pen of sheep and goats; John Evelyn (Maddens),
cross-bred poultry; St. Paul’s School, plants grown in pots;
J. A. Croney, Indian corn; the Rey. W. Cowley, Guinea
corn; W. 8. Maynard, young mule.

110

THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.

Aprint 8, 1905,

EDUCATIONAL.

Agricultural Schools.

The following are the reports of the examiner
(Mi. L. Lewton-Brain) on the half-yearly examination
atthe St. Lucia and St. Vincent Agricultural Schools:—

ST. LUCIA.

During the greater part of the time between the last
examination and the present one, the Officer-in-charge,
Mr. J. C. Moore, was absent on leave. The work, however,
is of about the same standard as at the last examination.
The chief fault is a lack of powers of observation: these
should be cultivated. Two of the seniors have left the
School since the last examination; there are no other changes
in the senior or junior classes.

In the senior class one boy has obtained 75 per cent. of
the total marks and two others have obtained more than
60 per cent., the others, except Lake, are between 50 and 60
per cent. The Arithmetic papers are very good; those in
Agriculture and Geography are also good. The Chemistry
papers are only moderate, while those in Botany are
distinctly poor. I drew attention to this weakness in Botany
in my report on the last examination and wish now to
emphasize my remarks made then. ‘

Flavien has done better than at the last examination
and now comes at the head of the class; Goring is second, he
is slightly better in the Chemistry and Botany papers than
Flayien, but not so good in Agriculture, Arithmetic, and
Geography. Edgar has improved since the last examination.
Lake, who was last in June, did not take two of the papers
this time, his other papers are still weak.

In the junior class, Raveneau has done worse than at
the last examination ; the other three boys have done fairly
well and there is not much difference between them.

The seven ‘new boys’ have taken junior papers in
Dictation, Arithmetic, Geography, and Composition. Their
work in Dictation and Arithmetic compares fairly favourably
with that of the junior class; in the other two subjects they
are not so good. There is not much to choose between them,
but Regis seems slightly better than the others.

ST. VINCENT.

Since the examination in June last, seven of the nine
senior boys have left the school; the present senior class
consists of the two remaining boys of the old class and six
promoted from the junior. In the junior class only two boys
took papers at the last examination. Between the two
examinations, also, the late Resident Master, Mr. C. H.
Knowles, B.Se., left the school, and his place was temporarily
filled by Mr. A. J. Clarke. Under these circumstances it was
not to be expected that the same standard of results would
be reached as at previous examinations.

In the senior class the results are distinctly satisfactory,
all the boys having obtained over 50 per cent. of the total
marks, though only one has obtained 75 per cent. The
papers in Agriculture are the best among the more important
subjects, the Arithmetic and Geography papers are also good;
the worst papers are in Chemistry and Botany, showing
a distinct falling off from the standard of the last examina-
tion. One fault is a tendency to verbosity, by which some
of the boys (in both classes) have lost marks both directly
and also indirectly by not giving themselves time to answer
the whole of the questions. Trotman, although he has not
done quite so well as at the last examination, still maintains
his position at the head of the class. Yorke, who has been

promoted since the June examination is second and has sent
in some good papers. Ollivierre is at the bottom of the class,
having obtained only just over 50 per cent. of the total marks,

The results in the junior class are not so good as in the
senior ; this class requires more attention. Considering the
length of time the boys have been at the school, however,
the results may be considered satisfactory. Henderson is the
best with 60 per cent. of the possible marks, and Byron, one
of the new admissions, comes next. The papers have been
marked leniently.

Trinidad.

The following note on the progress of agricultural
education in Trinidad is extracted from the Annual
Report on the colony for 1903-4:—

During the year under review 180 schools were examined
in agriculture, as against 152 in 1902-3. Of the former
number thirty schools obtained the highest award ‘very
good,’ and 104 were classified as ‘good.’ It has been widely
recognized by those responsible for elementary education in the
colony, not only in connexion with the Government, but also
in the assisted schools, that the object of the instruction
afforded, apart from the widening of the mind and the
strengthening of the character of the pupils, should be to fit
the children for the practical work of life. Trinidad is, and
must remain, primarily an agricultural colony, and it would
be deplorable if the effect of an improved system of education
were to be to inspire in the rising generation a certain
disgust with the agricultural pursuits in which the children’s
parents have been engaged, and a desire to earn a living only
by means of clerical employment. That this is a danger
cannot be denied, and already the ranks of those seeking
work as clerks and the like are much overcrowded.

Great importance, therefore, is to be attached to the efforts.
which are being made in educational circles in this colony to
afford sound, practical instruction to the pupils of the schools on
subjects relating to agriculture ; to impress upon the children
the dignity and the value of agricultural pursuits; and to
instil into them the fact that it requires trained intelligence,
and that of no mean order, if a man is nowadays to become
a really successful tiller of the soil. This is the object of
the prizes offered for the exhibitions of agricultural products
grown in the gardens attached to the schools; while the
frequent lectures given all over the colony by the staff of
agricultural instructors attached to the Botanical Depart-
ment, the bi-weekly lectures on agricultural chemistry
delivered at the Port-of-Spain Training School by the
Government Laboratory Assistants, the periodical visits of
the Assistants of the Botanical Department to the various
schools to afford advice and instruction in matters agri-
cultural, and the prominence which is now given to this
subject in the school life of a large number of pupils are
tending, it is hoped, toward the desired end.

White Pigeon Peas. Reporting on the recent
Agricultural Show at St. Vincent, Mr. W. N. Sands writes :
“Of especial interest were the two exhibits of dried White
Pigeon Peas, shown by Mr. J. E. 8. Richards and Miss
Huggins. These peas, which come true from seed, and have
the appearance of dried English garden peas, are a desirable
acquisition, as when cooked they still retain their clear
white character, and are a decided improyement on the
ordinary variety. This pea is well worthy of extended
cultivation, and efforts will be made by the Agricultural
Department to make it more generally known,’

Vou. IV. No. 78.

THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.

111

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 :—

It will have been noticed that for some time past our
reports on the London drug markets have indicated a con-
dition of inactivity that has scarcely been relieved by the
ordinary fluctuations due to the'exigencies of supply and
demand, let alone by the recurrence of those unusual
features which have been known to produce excitement in
special products. The writer of a very important article
that appeared in the Pharmaceutical Journal for February
25 last, under the head of ‘London’s position as a Drug
Market,’ suggests that this dullness of the auctions is
an indication of a change in the character and nature of the
markets that is likely to become permanent. The writer
attributes the decline to the fact that other ports are now
receiving direct shipments of drugs which fifteen years ago
all came to London and states that there is every indication
that such shipments to foreign ports will increase rather
than diminish.

Looking back only a matter of fifteen years or so
we find that, as far as the drug trade is concerned, the best
part of the world’s drugs came to London in the first place.
Little by little this is changing, and we now find that direct
shipments are going to other ports. For instance, it is only
in recent years that opium has been shipped direct from
Turkey to the United States of America, that ipecacuanha
has reached Hamburg and Paris direct without touching
London, that Japan and China produce has gone to
Hamburgh before coming to London. Marseilles has only
recently become the chief market for gum arabic, run close by
Trieste. These are only a few examples which illustrate
only too well the direction things are taking. These changes
are easily explained: shipping facilities are infinitely
greater than jthey used to be and are still increasing ;
continental banks support and influence industries to a much
greater extent than English banks; the travellers for
continental manufacturers are found all over the world and
the goods are paid for in produce which is shipped direct to
continental ports. The conclusion arrived at by the writer
is that drugs will continue to reach these shores direct in
smaller quantities, but that in the face of twentieth century
competition, coliectors and shippers will, sooner or later,
realize that by shipping direct to the consumer and avoiding
the middleman they reap a larger profit, the difference being
the amount of the London charges for handling these goods.

With regard to West Indian produce in the London
market during February, the following is a summary :—

GINGER.

Throughout the month this article was in very small
demand and prices ruled low. On the first of the month at
the spice sales, 11 cases of medium and bold native-cut
Cochin realized 43s. to 46s. per ewt. Fair limed Japanese
was sold at 17s., at which rate 20 bags were disposed of.
A week later new crop rough Calicut was bought in at 22s.,
washed rough and cuttings at 20s. At this auction small
sales of Jamaica were made at the following rates: Low to
middling 32s. to 37s., and small dull 29s. On the 15th.
prices had somewhat declined; brown Calicut was quoted at
28s. for small and medium native-cut, and 32s. for medium;
wormy and washed rough Cochin and Calicut were sold
without reserve at 13s. to 14s.; common small Jamaica

fetched 28s. 6d. and middling washed 37s. to 38s.; for limed
Japan 16s. was the price quoted. At the concluding sale of
the month, ginger had a dull tone generally; Calicut and
Cochin were rather lower in price while a few packages of
good ordinary Jamaica were disposed of at 34s. and good
bright small at 37s.

AND ARROWROOT

NUTMEGS, MACE, PIMENTO,

At the first sale nutmegs were quoted at somewhat
lower rates than in the previous month. The prices for
mace being for fair palish West Indian 1s. 3d. to 1s. 4d,
per lb.; fair reddish partly broken 1s. 2d. and pickings 1s,
Little or no change in these prices took place during the
remainder of the month.

A few bags of pimento were disposed of at the first sale
at 23d. per Ib. and this price remained steady through the
month. Arrowroot attracted little or no interest and when
offered was mostly bought in.

SARSAPARILLA,

At the first drug auction on the 2nd. Jamaica realized
1d. per tb. in advance over last month’s quotations, ls. 2d.
being paid for sound roughish and ls. ld. for sea-damaged ;
two bales of grey Jamaica were also disposed of at the latter
price, while for ordinary dull mixed and sea-damaged native
6d. to 64d. was obtained. At the second sale on the 16th.
no grey Jamaica was offered, but of rough Lima-Jamaica
11 bales were sold at 91d. to 104d. per tb. Towards the
close of the month it was reported that there was no grey
Jamaica to be had first-hand and second-hand holders were
asking ls. 3d. per tb. The latest quotation of Lima-
Jamaica was 11d.

LIME JUICE, ANNATTO, MUSK SEED, ETC,

Of other West Indian products the following may be
noted as occurring during the month, in the early part of
which a hogshead of concentrated West Indian lime juice
was offered and sold at £13 10s. per pipe. Fair bright
Maltese strip orange peel was also offered and disposed of at
from 9d. to 10d. per tb.

Of 55 parcels of annatto seed offered in the early part
of the month none were sold, the highest bids being 4d. per tb.
for good bright red Madras slightly damp. A few lots of
these were, however, sold a week later at 5d. per hh.

Some fine bold musk seed, from Martinique, said to
have been of fine aroma were also offered and 3s. 2d. per tb.
asked. On the 16th. of the month 3 bags of bold dark washed
West Indian kola nuts realized 43d. per tb.

Fair palish unworked Dominica lime juice in hogsheads
was sold at 103d. per gallon and 1 hogshead of concentrated
lime juice also from Dominica was limited at £13 10s. per
pipe. Tamarinds were offered to the extent of some 67
packages ; a small quantity of fine bold dry from barbados
being disposed of without reserve at 8s. 9d. to 9s. per ewt.
in bond.

Rabbits Wanted. A correspondent in British
Guiana desires to obtain from some reliable rabbit keeper in
Barbados the undermentioned animals :—

Two pure-bred Belgian hare bucks;
One 5 pa » doe;
One pair pure-bred Flemish Giant.

Rabbit keepers willing to supply these rabbits should
communicate with the Imperial Commissioner of Agriculture,
stating the cost put up in secured and addressed boxes and
placed on board one of the schooners sailing for British
Guiana.

THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.

Aprit 8, 1905,

New York,—March 3, 1905.—Messrs.

MARKET “REPORTS.

London,— March 14, 1905. Messrs. Kearton, Prrrr &

s. E. A. DE Pass & Co.; ‘THE West INDIA
Comairree Crrcunar; ‘THE Lrvrrroon Corton
Association WEEKLY CrrcunaAr,’ March 10,
1905; and ‘THe Pusric Lepcer,’ March 11,
1905.

Ators—Barbados, 15/- to 40/- ; Curacoa, 15/- to 45/- per ewt.

Arrowroor—St. Vincent, 12d to 1fd. per th.

Batata—sheet, 1/1 to 1/11 ; block, 1/6 per th.

Bres’-wax—£7 10s. to £7 17s. 6d. per cwt.

Cacao—Trinidad, 55/- to 60/- per ewt. ; Grenada, 51/-
to 54/- per ewt.; Jamaica, 48/- to 53/6 per ewt.

Carpamoms—Mysore, 7d. to 2/- per tb.

CorrrE—Jamaica, good ordinary, 37/- to 38/- per ewt.

Corrox—West Indian Sea Island, medium fine, 124d. ; fine,
133d. ; extra fine, 153d. per tb.

Frvuir—
3ANANAS—4/6 per bunch.

Grare Frurr—12/- to 14/- per box.
OranGES—9/- to 11/- per case.
Pryz-appLes—-St. Michael’s, 1/9 to 4/- each.

Fustic—£3 5s. to £4 per ton.

Gincer— Jamaica, bright small, 35/6 ; mouldy, 31/6 per ewt.

Honey—Jamaica, 16/- to 17/- per ewt.

Isryctass—West Indian lump, 2,5 to 2/9; cake, 1/- to 1/1
per tb.

Kora Ners—4d. to 6d. per tb.

Live Jurce—-Raw, 9d. to 10d. per gallon; concentrated,
£14 5s. to £14 10s. per cask of 108 gallons ; hand-
pressed, 2/6 to 2/9 per ib. ; Distilled Oil, 1/4 to 1/5
per tb.

Locwoon—£4 to £4 15s.; Roots, £3 10s. to £4 per ton.

Macre—Fair red to pale, 1/2 to 1/4; broken 1/1 per th.

Nirrare oF Sopa—Agricultural, £11 per ton.

Nurmrcs-——67’s, 1s. 2d. ; 80’s, 10d.; 128’s, 53d. per tb.

Pimento—-23d. to 25d. per tb.

Rum—Demerara, 1s. 24d. to 1s. 43d. per proof gallon;
Jamaica, 2s. per proof gallon.

Svcar—Yellow crystals, 21/- to 23/- per ewt. ; Muscovado,
18/- to 19/- per ewt. ; Molasses, 15/- to 19/- per ewt.

SuLPHATE OF AMMONIA—£13 2s. 6d. per ton.

Co. 3 Mc

- Montreal,—February 10, 1905.—Mr. J. Russert Murray.

(In bond quotations, ec. & f.)

Bananas—No quotations.

Crepar—No quotations.

Cocoa-Nuts— Jamaica, $2500 to $2700 ; Trinidad, $21:00

to $23-00 per M.

CorrrE—Jamaica, medium, 9c. to 9}c. per Tb.

Gincer—Jamaica, unbleached, 6c. to 7c. per tb.

Morascurr—Demerara, $1°32 per 100 tb.

Moxasses—Barbados, 28c. to 59e. ; Antigua, 25c. to 25c. per

Imperial gallon.

Nurmrcs—Grenada, 110’s, 19¢. per th.

Ornances—No quotations.

Prvento—Jamaica, 5jc. to 5$c. per th.

PINE-sPPLES—No quotations.

Sucar—Grey Crystals, 96°, $3°65 to $3-75 per 100 Tb.
—Muscovados, 89°, $2°90 to $3-00 per 100 th.
—Molasses, 89°, $2°65 to $3°75 per 100 th.
—Barbados, 89°. No quotations.

XILLESPIE Bros.

& Co.
Cacao—Caracas, 12c. to 13c.; Grenada, I14c. to 11}c.;
Trinidad, 12c. to 123¢. per th.

Cocoa-nuts—No quotations.

CorrrE—Jamiaicas, 8c. per th. (ex store).

Gincer— Jamaica, 53c. to 5fe. per th.

Goat Sxins—Jamaicas, 57c. per tb.

Grave Fruir—Jamaicas, $300 to $4°50 per barrel.

Orances—Jamaica, $3°00 to $3°50 per barrel (stem cut).

Pimento—43c. per tb.
Sucar—Centrifugals, 96°, 4ic.; Muscoyados, 89°, 42c.;
Molasses, 89°, 42c. per th.

INTER-COLONIAL MARKETS.

Antigua,—March 22, 1905.—Messrs. Gzo. W. Benner:

Bryson & Co., Lip.
Morasses—2le. per gallon, package included.
Sucar—$2°80 per 100 tb. 89°

Barbados,—March 25, 1905.—Messrs. T. S. Garraway

& Co., and Messrs. James A. Lyncu & Co.

Arrowroort—St. Vincent, $3°40 to $3-75 per 100 th.
Cacao—Dominica, $10-00 to $10°50 per 100 tb.
Cocoa-Nuts—$14°00 per M. for husked nuts.
CorreE—$11-50 to $12°00 per 100 tb.

Hay— 96c. to $1°00 per 100 th.

Manvures—- Nitrate of soda, $62°00 ; Ohlendorff’s dissolved
guano, $60-00; Sulphate of ammonia, $75:00; Sulphate
of potash, $67-00.

Morasses—21e. per gallon.

Ontons—Tenerifte, $3°15 per 100 Tb.

Poraros—ENGLIsH, $1°68 to $2°16 per 160 tb. (retail).

Rice—Ballam, $440 to $4°75 per bag (190 tb.) ; Patna,
$3°25 per 100 tb.

Sucar.—Muscovados, 89°, $2°55 ; Dark crystals, 96°, $2:95
per 100 th.

British Guiana,—March 23, 1905.—Messrs. Wrerrne

& RIcHTER.

Arrowroot—-St. Vincent, $7°50 to $800 per barrel.

Baxratra—Venezuela block, 25c.; Demerara sheet, 35c.
ver Th.

Giese Nate 13c. to 14e. per tb.

Cassava SrarcH—§5°‘00 per barrel.

Cocoa-nuts—$10°00 to $12°00 per M.

Corree—Rio and Jamaica, 14$c. to 15c. per Ib. (retail).

—Creole, 12c. to 14e. per th.

Duat— $4°25 to $4:50 per bag of 168 th.

Eppors—$2'16 per barrel.

Mo.asses—Vacuum Pan yellow, 17c. to 18c. per gallon

(casks included).
Ontons—Madeira, 55c. to 4c. ; Lisbon, 4c. ; Garlic, 53c. to
6c. per th. ‘a

Pea Nurs—American, 53c. per tb. (retail).

Prantatns—24c. to 60c. per bunch.

Poratos—Encuisu, Picked, $2°60 to $2-75 per barrel.

Rice—Ballam, $4°30 to $4°35 per 177 tb. ; Creole, $4:00
yer bag.

Swat ForsT0s bas $1:20 per bag; $1:20 per
yATTeL,

Tannias—$2'40 per barrel.

Yams—White, $1°92 per bag.

Sucar—Dark crystals, $3°273; Yellow, $4:25 to $4:30;
White, $4:90 to $5°00; Molasses, $2:90 to $3-00
per 100 tb. (retail).

Timper—Greenheart, 32c. to 55c. per cubic foot.

WatLaba SHiINGLES—$3°00, $3-75, and $5°50 per M.

Trinidad,—March 23, 1905.—Messrs. Gorpon, Grant

& Co. ; and Messrs. Epcar Tripp & Co.

Cacao—Ordinary, $1190 to $12°00; estates, $12-25 ;
superior plantation, $12°50 to $13-25 per fanega
(110 tb.); Venezuelan $12°25 to $12°60 per fanega,

Cocoa-nuts—$20-00 per M., f.o.b.

Cocoa-Nur Or.—75e. per Imperial gallon (casks included).

Correr—Venezuelan, 9c. to 93c. per tb.

Corra—-$2°90 to $3-00 per 100 tb.

Mo rasses—20c. per gallon.

Ontons—Teneritte, $1°75 to $2°25 per 100 tb. (retail).

Poraros—Encuisn, $1:25 to $1°35 per 100 tb.

Bee tellin $425 to $4 40; white $4°75 to $5-75 per
bas.

StGar—White crystals, $450; yellow crystals, $3°75 to
$4°00 ; molasses sugars, $2°75 to $3°75 per 100 tb.

“=

el Ne Se

—

THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.

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.

Volumes IT and III. Price in original paper covers as issued 2s. each. Post free, 2s. 8d.

Volume IV. Nos. 1 and 2. Papers on general subjects. No. 3. (out of print). No. 4. Sea Island Cotton
in the United States and the West Indies. Price 6d. each number. Post free, 8d.

Volume V. Nos. 1, 2, and 3. Papers on general subjects. No. 4. Report of Agricultural Conference, 1905.
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 w hich 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, 44d.
(6) Recipes for cooking Sweet Potatos. Price 2d. Post free, 23d.

(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) Seedling and other Canes in the Leeward Islands, 1900-1901. Price 2d. Post free, 24d.

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(14) Screw Worm in Cattle at St. Lucia. Price 2d. Post free, 24d.

(15) Plain Talk to Small Owners. Price 2d. Post free, 2)d.

(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.

(19) Seedling and other Canes at Barbados, in 1902. Price 4d. Post freé, 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, 24d.

) 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 2d.

) Ground Nuts in the West Indies. Price 2d. Post free, 2)d.

) Seedling and other Canes at Barbados, in 1903. Price 4¢. 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, 34d.
) Lectures on the Diseases of the Sugar-cane. Price 4d. Post free, 5d.

DTH OF Oo bo

¢

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1) A. B. C. of Cotton Planting. Price 4d. Post free, 5d.

32) Seedling and other Canes at Barbados, in 1904. Price 4d. Post free, 5d.

33) Seedling and other Canes in the Leeward Islands, 1903-4. Price 4d. Post free, 5d.
34) Notes on Rabbit Keeping in the West Indies. Price 2d. Post free, 23d.

NN RN aoe
wuwwwwWWwhl bow Wb wek

‘NATURE TEACHING.’
A text-book based upon the general principles of Agr iculture for the use of schools, prepared by the Hon. Francis
Watts and others. Price, limp cloth 2s., or in a superior style of bi of binding 2s. 6d. Postage in either binding, 34d. extra.

The ‘AGRICULTURAL NEWS. A Fortnightly Review.

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THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.

THE BEST MANURES FOR COLONIAL USE

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Ohlendorff’s Special Sugar-cane Manure
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[85.]

JOURNAL D'AGRICULTURE TROPICALE. |.

A Monthly Illustrated Review, published in French,
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Tropical Agriculture.

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‘
GACAO,’
By J... BART, F.LS.
NEW EDITION. |

A treatise on the cultivation, curing and chemistry of
COMMERCIAL CACAO.

DAVIDSON & TODD, Trinidad.

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Printed at Office of Agricultural Reporter, 4, High Street, Bridgetown, Barbados.

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Edited by the Secretary.

WEST

Containing a Review of the Work of the West India Com-
mittee, Notes on West Indian Affairs, Statistics as to
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Vol. IV. No.79] SATURDAY, APRIL 22, 1905.

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THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.

IMPERIAL DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

FOR THE WEST INDIES.

SPECIALLY SELECTED AND DISINFECTED

Sea Island Cotton Seed

GROWN IN THE WEST INDIES

—AND—

Recommended for sowing during the coming season

fom]

(JUNE TO AUGUST)

WILL BE SUPPLIED (FREIGHT FREE) BY

The Department at the rate of five cents (24d.) per fb.

(See Agricultural News, Vol. Iv. p. 97.)

Address orders, with remittances for the full amount, until the end of May to—

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Applications from other Colonies may be forwarded direct to—
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A FORTNIGHTLY REVIEW

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Vion JVe5 Now 79:

BARBADOS, APRIL 22, 1905.

Prick ld.

CONTENTS.
PAGE. PAGE,
Attractive Shade Plants 120 | Malaria, Lnmunity of

ZarbaclOs LO memeemeees La.

Be hose v 116 Market Reports , 128

Breparaiion of Honey Notes and Comments ... 120
fen fa rkeet yon | Orange and Citron Peels,

Pi wipe SS eso Trade in . 119

Our Book Shelf :
Destruction of
Mosquitos Meee 120
Manual of Forestry ... 123
Rainfall Returns :—

‘Cacao, Thread Disease of 117
Carriacou, Agriculture in 121
‘Cocoa-nuts, Disease of ... 121
Cotton Industry :—
Conference of Cotton

Growers at Barbados 118 Grenada Moh woe 123
Egyptian Cotton Seed Ratooning Sea Island
for the West Indies 120 Cotton 113
= . | Science Note :—
Department News... ... 12¢ m1. 7 ™ -
partmentsNews Io The Trumpet Tree 127

Dominica, Hints to
ae Sugar Industry :—

‘ ca Da
EDN eee ces Eee Ul Experiments in the
Educational :— Leeward Islands... 120
Barbados @-. i.. =-. 126 Muscovado Sugar 114
St. Lucia, School Science and Sugar

Gardens in... 126

000 Production
Trinidad, Agricultural

Tobacco Seed, Selected 121

Instructors in... ... 126 | Tobago Stock Farm 117
‘Gleanings ve 124 | Vanilla, Yield of . 116
Insect Notes :— West Indian Agricultural

Coftee Leaf Miner 122 Conference 125

| West Indian Onion Trade 121
| West Indies, Vegetable
Produets of

Injurious Insects,
Report on commie.» fl 22
Locusts, Destruction of 122

. 115

Ratooning Sea Island Cotton.

~'T a Conference of cotton growers held at
Barbados on April 14 last, an interesting
& discussion took place in regard to the
desirability or non-desirability of ratooning Sea Island
cotton.

To ‘ratoon’ is well known in the West Indies,
For instance, sugar-canes are ratooned when the ripe
stems are cut, and the stools left in the ground are
allowed to throw out fresh stems to be reaped at the
end of the following season. The yield from ratooned
canes is not nearly so large as from the plant canes,
but planters in certain districts are compelled to adopt
the system in spite of the drawbacks attached to it.

With
di ferent.

Sea Island
This special variety,

cotton the case is entirely
by careful

selection and cultivation, has, for a long period, been

evolved

treated as an annual, and the plant has apparently
The best
results are therefore to be looked for when it is dealt
with in accordance with its accustomed habit,

become generally adapted to that routine.

There is also a further point to be considered, and
that is the susceptibility of so highly cultivated a plant
to the attacks of insect and fungoid pests. The longer
the period during which the plant is exposed to its
enemies the more severely it is likely to suffer from
them.

As the result of the experience acquired during
the last three years, and following also the practice of
cotton growers in these islands more than 100 years
ago, it has been found that the best time to plant Sea
Island cotton is soon after the rains, expected about the
end of May or beginning of June. When, as sometimes
happens, these rains are light or are followed by spells
of dry weather, the cotton plants are likely to suffer,
and, under exceptional circumstances, it may become
necessary to replant in July or August, But, taking

114

THE AGRICULTURAL

NEWS. Aprit 22, 1905.

the average of years, it is probable that cotton planted
between the beginning of June and the end of August
is likely to obtain favourable conditions, and the
planter, each in his own district, must determine the
right time to sow.

Cotton planted, say, in June to August should
yield the first pickings of seed-cotton from October to
December and the second pickings from February to
March or April. Thus the cotton crop may occupy the
land from June to the end of January under one set of
conditions or from August to the end of April under
other conditions, depending on the time of sowing and
the character of the season,

The point that it is desirable to impress upon all
planters of Sea Island cotton is that whether the
second pickings come to an end in January or
in April, it is important that the fields should then be
cleared of all cotton plants, which should be burnt or
buried, whichever is more convenient. In some cases
the cultivation is merely abandoned and stock turned
into the fields. Where the leaf-blister mite, black boll,
and other diseases are prevalent, this is not sufficient,
as the cotton plants still left, and diseased, may infect
all newly planted areas in the neighbourhood. This
subject is discussed in the following extract from
a report by Mr. Ballou after a visit to Montserrat
in 1903 :-—

I have carefully discussed the matter of ratoons and
believe that every effort should be made to persuade all
cotton growers to cut and to burn carefully all cotton plants
I talked also with
several peasant proprietors and they all expressed their
willingness to follow the advice of the ofticers of the Imperial
Department of Agriculture and the example of the managers
of the estates in the island.

as soon as the present crop is harvested.

There are several points in favour of entirely replanting
fresh areas, which should be prominently brought forward in
a discussion on the matter of ratoons :—

(a) Some time will elapse between the end of the
If all cultivated
cotton be carefully destroyed as soon as the crop is harvested,
the leaf-blister mite will be deprived of its lodgement in the
fields and probably be greatly reduced in numbers on the next
crop.
other pests.

present crop and the next planting season.

Xatoons are also breeding places for scale insects and

(4) Planting is not expensive, and good seed can be
obtained at a very low cost.

(c) Mr. Watson is of opinion that the fibre produced by

_ =-_

ratoons is less in quantity than, and of inferior quality to,
that produced by plant cotton.

(d) All cotton seed used in planting the next crop
should be treated with carbon bisulphide. This will prevent
the introduction of new pests with imported seed, and
destroy any which may be harbouring in the seed raised in
the island.

In clearing the present cotton fields great care should be
exercised to remove every plant and all pieces should be
I noticed that labourers

are often careless, and unless continually watched, will leave

picked off the ground and burned.

In the case of
very extreme infection, the land might be scorched over by
This would
produce sufficient heat to destroy the weeds, and a very
large proportion of the mites, and would probably not seriously
reduce the amount of humus in the soil.

a great deal of infested material lying about.

covering it with cane trash and burning.

In closing, it may be useful to reproduce what was
stated upon the same subject in the Agricultural
News, Vol. IV, p. 66 :-—

It is strongly recommended that all the cotton fields in
the Windward and Leeward Islands be cleared, and the
refuse [buried or] burnt, by the end of May, or at all events
before the new crop appears above ground. It is only by such
means that the mite, rust, mildew, and other pests can be
kept in check and the cotton plants generally maintained in
a healthy condition, The soundness of this advice has been
abundantly proved during the last two years. Wherever an
attempt has been made to ratoon cotton, that is to carry it
result has been
The plants have been weak and
sickly, and the quality of the fibre has been impaired. This
was specially dwelt upon by Mr. E. L. Oliver during his
recent visit to the West Indies.

over from one season to another, the

uniformly unsatisfactory.

It would appear, from the
eaperience of recent years, that the finest sorts of Sea Island
cotton can only be produced in these islands by annual

sowings in fresh sort.

SUGAR INDUSTRY.

Observations on Muscovado Sugar.

The following is the second part of ‘Some
observations on Muscovado Sugar’ by the Hon. Francis:
Watts, C.M.G., D.Se. Government Analytical and
Agricultural Chemist for the Leeward Islands. The
first part was published in the last issue of the Agri-
cultural News. Part IL deals with :—

You. IV. No. 79.

THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.

115

THE SAMPLING OF MUSCOVADO SUGAR.

Muscovado sugar is frequently ‘potted’ directly into
bags, that is, the massecuite is placed in the bags and
allowed to drain there, the sugar being shipped in the bags in
the condition in which they remain after the molasses have
drained away. It therefore follows that the sugar at the top
of the bags is dry and free from molasses, while that at the
bottom is wet and almost saturated.

It appeared of interest to ascertain the polariscopic test
of the sugar at various points in the bag and to ascertain also
the true average test after carefully mixing the whole of the
contents.

A bag of sugar was therefore selected and examined in
the following way. By means of sampling irons or tryers, of
the official pattern prescribed by the United States
Government, samples were taken at a distance of every
3 inches from top to bottom of the bag. The bag was
standing upright, and the tryer was driven horizontally right
through the bag from side to side so as to pass through the
middle line in each case. In this manner eleven samples
were drawn, but only ten successfully, the awkward position
from which the eleventh sample was taken caused some loss
and the sample was rejected. A sample, No. 14, was then
taken by driving the long tryer from bottom to top of the bag
in the middle line (to effect this the bag was placed on its
side); another similar sample, No. 15, was taken in the reverse
direction, namely, from the top to the bottom. A sample,
No. 1, was taken from the extreme top, and another, No. 13,
from the extreme bottom. After the samples had been taken,
the sugar was all removed from the bag and carefully mixed
by turning over with spades, the heap was then quartered,
the alternate quarters rejected, and the remainder mixed and

quartered, the operations being repeated until a small
laboratory sample (No. 16) was secured. The results

obtained on testing the samples are given below:—

No. Description of Sample. Polariscopic test.
1 |Sample taken from actual top of bag. 87:7
2 |Sample taken 3 ins. from top of bag. 873
3 ” ” 6 ” 2? ” ” bh} 87:3
4 ” ” 9 ” ” ”? ” ” 87-0
5 ” ” 12 ? ” ” ” ” 86°6
6 ” ”? 15 ” bP ” ”? ” 86:3
7 ” ” 18 ” ” ESE) ee) 86:1
8 ” ” 21 ” ” i) ’ 85'8
9 ” ” 24 ” ” 2) 9) Oh) 85°6
10 ” ” 27 ” ” ye) 8) 85:5
11 ” ” 30 ” ” De) eg) 85:3
12 ” ” 33 ” ” oh) SEI) (2) ze
13 |Sample taken from actual bottom
of bag. 83°6

14 |Sample taken from end to end,
starting from bottom. 85°5

15 |Sample taken from end to end,
starting from top. 86°3
16 | Average sample of bag. 86°6

The bag of sugar selected proved to contain ‘gummy’
:sugar of the kind described in the former part of this paper :
the average test was rather low, and possibly drainage had
not been very perfect. In this case the average test was

* This was imperfectly sampled owing to position ; as the
sampling iron was withdrawn a portion dropped. A second
‘sample was taken with little better success, the sample was
- therefore rejected.

afforded by the sample taken 12 inches from the top of the
bag. It is possible that in a drier and less ‘gummy’ sugar
the average test would be given by a sample taken somewhat
lower.

The ditference in test between the sample No. 13, taken
from top to bottom, and No. 14, taken from bottom to top,
is instructive as showing that when taking a long sample there
is a tendency for sugar to fall from the distant end of the
tryer as it is withdrawn so that the resulting sample errs by
falling somewhat closer to the condition of the bulk at the
point where the tryer is inserted rather than representing
a true average, a point to be kept in mind when sampling
a bulk which varies greatly and progressively along the line
in which the sample is to be taken.

Science and Sugar Production.

The U.S. Consul-General in Berlin reports in the
Louisiana Planter the opening of a new Beet Sugar
Institute in that city on May 8. After giving figures
to show the extraordinary rise of the beet sugar
industry, he says :—

It is recognized here, above all, that the abolition of
export bounties by the Brussels Conference ended definitely
a long and important chapter in the history of beet sugar
production and that the industry, deprived of that form
of artificial stimulus, must henceforth work out its own
future upon new and independent lines. It is to be
a battle in which scientific methods, profoundly studied
and skilfully applied, alone can win. To concentrate all
the light which science can give upon the task of
producing most economically from a given area of land
the largest weight of beets with the highest percentage
of saccharine element, to harvest the crop, extract, cleanse,
and evaporate the juice, and to conduct each step of the
process down to the marketing of the refined sugar with the
utmost skill and avoidance of waste—this is the lesson
wich the new institute is designed and equipped to teach.
The day of hit-or-miss fertilizing of beet lands—if, indeed, it
ever existed in Germany—is definitely past. ~The successful
sugar grower and manufacturer of the future must have at
their command and utilize constantly, patiently, and skilfully
all that science and experience can teach of correct methods
and consummate management.

VEGETABLE PRODUCTS OF THE
WEST INDIES.

We extract the following from the ‘ Proceedings
of the Scientific Committee’ published in the Journal
of the Royal Horticultural Society for December
1904 :—

On June 28, 1904, Sir Daniel Morris, K.C.M.G., gave
an interesting account of the cultivation and introduction
into the English markets of new fruits now being raised.
Thus, the Litchi has been brought fresh from Trinidad ; its
cultivation requires alternations of bright sunshine and water,
so that its success depends upon artificial irrigation in the
dry season. Mangos can now be also imported fresh, as well
as much-improved Smooth Cayenne pine-apples, of the type
grown in St. Michael’s, the average price being 4s. Bananas,
usually imported from Jamaica and Costa Rica, are now
received from Barbados. The fruit is of the dwarf species,
Musa Cavendishii. They realize 5s. in England, the price
at home [in Barbados] of a bunch being 1s. They are packed
in paper and cotton-wool, with the soft part of the leaves.

THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.

Apri 22, 1905.

WEST INDIAN FRUIT.

BARBADOS BANANAS.

Through the coyrtesy of Messrs. W. Pink & Sons
we are enabled to reproduce in the Agricultural News

a series of photographs illustrating the growth of

bananas in Barbados and the method of shipping them
to England.

Fic. 10.

BarRBADOS BANANAS.

The above illustration (fig. 10) shows a growing
plant of this variety. As has been mentioned before,
it is the variety known as the Chinese banana (Musa
Cavendishii) and is the same as that grown in the
Canary Islands.

The number of bunches shipped from Barbados
by the Imperial Department of Agriculture during the

last three years has been as follows: 1902, 18: 19038
6,691; 1904, 15,326. By R.M.S. ‘Trent’ on March 25,
1,922 bunches were shipped.

It may be of interest in this connexion to publish
the following letter to the local press of March 28 from
Mr. J. R. Bovell, Agricultural Superintendent at
Barbados :—

I should be much obliged if you would be so good as to
allow me to state for the information of banana shippers that
I received a telegram this morning irom Messrs. W. Pink &
Sons informing me that the bananas shipped by the R.M.S.
‘Atrato’ on March 11 last had arrived in England in perfect
condition, and advising me to ship as many bunches as I can,

YIELD OF VANILLA.

A press bulletin of the Agricultural Experiment
Station on vanilla cultivation in Hawai gives the
following estimate of the probable yield of this product
and the profits that are likely to be obtained :—

This has never been properly ascertained in Hawaii.
The wild vanilla plant of Mexico bears one, two, and rarely
five pods, all of superior quality. Two cultivated and hand-
pollinated plants at Moanalua, Oahu, produced 300 pods in
1902, and 150 pods in 1903, about one-fourth being of good
size and quality. This only indicates what may be accom-
plished by cultivation, but is neither practicable nor advisable
on a large plantation. Plants yielding a very heavy crop:
may become exhausted. The root, and sometimes the stalk,
rots away, or the vines turn yellowish green, the leaves
become soft and white, the tendrils dry, and the whole plant
dies.

A yield of ten pods for ordinary, and twenty or even
twenty-five pods for strong, healthy plants, should be a safe-
limit. Ona basis of ten pods per plant, two plants to each
support, and 680 supports per acre, a yield of 13,600 pods
would be secured. One thousand average good pods weigh
15 Ib., and dry to half their volume and about one-fifth their
weight during the curing process ; 13,000 pods weigh 585 h.,
and the finished article about 120 tb. At least one-half of
this should be of superior quality and sell for from 36 to $9"
per tb., f.o.b. Honolulu. The balance would bring from
$125 to $4 per Ib. This would give a return of not less-
than $435 per acre. This, however, can be accomplished only
when a fair portion of the finished article is of superior
quality.

Vou. IV. No. 79.

THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.

117

THREAD DISEASE OF CACAO.

In a previous issue of the Agricultural News (Vol. III,
p- 281) mention was made of a new disease then recently
reported on cacao on one estate in St. Lucia. Information
was asked from readers of this journal as to whether the
disease occurred in any other localities and as to what
(if any) wild trees or bushes it attacked. The agricultural
officers in the different cacao-growing islands were also asked
to obtain information on these two points.

It was mentioned that there were two forms of the
disease, namely, the ‘thread’ and the ‘horse hair.’ It is
possible, though not likely, that the two forms are two
distinct diseases. The thread blight is the more destructive
of the two forms.

At the Agricultural Conference held at Trinidad in
January, a short note was read by Mr. L. Lewton-Brain,
B.A., F.L.S., Mycologist on the statf of the Imperial Depart-
ment of Agriculture, dealing mainly with the thread disease ;
the full note will be published, together with other Conference
papers, in the West Indian Bulletin. Great interest appeared
to be taken by delegates in the presence of a hitherto
unrecorded disease of cacao in the West Indies. Specimens
were exhibited by Mr. Lewton-Brain and by Mr. G. 58.
Hudson, the Agricultural Instructor at St. Lucia. Subse-
quently, the disease has been reported from a cacao estate
near Sangre Grande, in Trinidad ; it is now known also on
another estate in St. Lucia. Quite recently Mr. A. W.
Bartlett, Superintendent of the Botanic Gardens in British
Guiana, has reported the discovery of this disease on
a neglected estate on the Demerara river.

In St. Lucia the manager of the estate where the disease
was first noticed states that the damage done was very
considerable, and both he and Mr. Hudson report that the
fungus quickly kills every young twig and every leaf it
touches. In Trinidad the damage is said not to be very
severe.

The fungus of the thread blight appears as dark-brown,
branching strands running along the twigs, so closely
attached to the bark that they cannot be removed without
tearing this away. The young threads are white and more
delicate. A thread will pass along the short leaf-stalk and
when it reaches the blade, will branch out into fine threads,
which at first follow the main ribs of the leaf.

The threads are composed of numerous closely woven,
but for the most part parallel, hyphae of a fungus. From
the under side of the threads are given off numerons single
hyphae which grow into the crevices of the bark. These
hyphae seem unable to pierce a well-formed cork layer, but
can enter a very young twig; when they do so the cortex is
destroyed. The tissues of buds and leaves are also entered
and destroyed.

Mr. Hudson reports that in St. Lucia the fungus appears
on a great variety of forest trees, including ‘pois doux’
(Inga laurina), ‘bois de basse’ (Calyptranthes sericea), and
‘bois creole.’ In Trinidad the fungus attacks the ‘immortel’
tree used for shade.

The fungus probably spreads mainly by means of its
mycelium, attached to bits of dead twigs, leaves, ete. Birds
may carry the strands from one locality to another.

In St. Lucia the disease, where it has been noticed, has
been stamped out by prompt and thorough pruning. So
much so, that in January it was not possible to get specimens
of diseased cacao twigs for exhibition. The specimens
exhibited by Mr. Hudson at the Agricultural Conference
were taken from the wild host plants. It is to be hoped
that similar prompt measures will be taken wherever the

disease is noticed, as there can be little doubt that, when
neglected, great damage may be done very quickly.

It is of importance that the distribution of the disease
in the West Indies should be known as accurately and fully as
possible. If any of our readers should notice it either on
cacao or on any of its wild host plants, it is requested that
they will cominunicate immediately with the local ofticers of
the Imperial Department, giving all the information possible
as to damage done, external conditions, affected locality, ete.
Dried specimens of diseased twigs and leaves should also be
sent for examination at the Head Office.

Though pruning, so far, has proved an efficient treatment
for this disease, there may be cases where this would have to
be too severe for the health of the trees; fungicidal treatment
might prove successful and is recommended for trial.
A similar disease of tea in India, known also as ‘thread
blight’ has been shown to yield to treatment with a lime-
sulphur wash ; full particulars of this wash can be obtained
on application to the Head Office, Barbados.

DOMINICA.

Hints to Intending Settlers.

The following circular, signed by the Secretary
of the West India Committee, has been sent to the
heads of some 200 schools and colleges in England.
The publication referred to was issued as No. 24 of
the pamphlet series of this Department :-—

I beg to send you herewith a copy of a pamphlet
entitled ‘Dominica: Notes and Hints to Intending Settlers,’
compiled by his Honour H. Hesketh Bell, C.M.G., Adminis-
trator, which deals very fully with the advantages offered by
that island to young and active men with a moderate
amount of capital at their command.

May I ask you to be good enough to bring this small
book before the notice of such of those with whom you are
in contact, who are considering the career upon which they
will enter after the termination of their studies ?

Already, during the past few years, a large number of
settlers of the best class have devoted themselves to the
cultivation of cacao, limes, and rubber in this beautiful
island, and it is with a view to increase this number that
I venture to trouble you, and I shall be glad to know if the
action we are taking meets with your approval.

I need hardly add that I shall be most happy to
answer any inquiries which you may wish to make
regarding this fertile colony.

TOBAGO STOCK FARM.

The Government Stock Farm at Tobago contains.
the following stud animals :—

1. Government stallion (thoroughbred), ‘ Serpa Pinto.’

2. Government sire donkey, imported from Spain, 14
hands high. This donkey is introduced for the production
of mules for which there is an excellent demand at remunera-
tive prices.

3. Bulls of the following breeds :—Imported Hereford,
pure-bred Zebu, cross-bred Red Poll, and Guernsey.

4, Imported Shropshire ram sheep.

5. Imported Berkshire boars.

Imported heifers for breeding can be purchased at
ordinary market prices, also young thoroughbred Berkshire
pigs. Eggs from imported Plymouth Rock fowls can be
purchased at 2s. per dozen.

THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.

1905.

Apri 22,

COTTON INDUSTRY.

Conference of Cotton Growers at Barbados.

A Conference of cotton growers under the auspices
of the Agricultural Society was held at the Commercial
Hall, Barbados, on Friday, April 14. Sir Daniel Morris,
in addressing the meeting, said :—

Those who see the Agricultural News are pretty well
informed with regard to matters connected with cotton
growing and the position of West Indian cotton in the
English market. It is a matter of very great interest to the
people not only of Barbados but of the other parts of the West
Indies to find that West Indian cotton has won its way by
its own merits and good qualities into the foremost place in
the English market. As you know, at the present time
West Indian cotton stands at the top of all, superior
even to the cotton produced in the Sea Islands whence we
obtained the seed. Our cotton at the present moment is
selling at from 2d. to 3d. per Ib. over similar qualities of Sea
Island cotton, and the latest information on that point is
contained in a letter received from Mr. Wolstenholme who,
under date March 28, wrote as follows :—

‘Carolina Island cotton is selling rather more freely, but
very good crop lots are offering at 13d. to 14d. per Ib.
St. Vincent and Barbados are not only superior in fineness
and length but are much brighter and more lustrous, and
this I think accounts in a large measure for the higher prices
we have obtained. In fine yarn lustre is a great qualification,
and I have never seen brighter cotton than this season’s
West Indian shipments.’

The cotton industry has now reached an important
stage. It is recognized that it may be possible for the
West Indies to supply practically all the fine long-staple
cotton likely to be required in Lancashire. It would be
rather singular if England should again have to turn for
her best cotton to the West Indies, once her principal source
of supply. Whether these colonies will rise to the occasion will
depend on themselves. They are in a position in which
they may realize the expectations of their friends or gradually
let slip the advantageous position they now occupy. The
West Indies, within a comparatively short time, have con-
elusively proved that they are as capable of producing
the finest commercial cottons as they were more than
100 years ago. This is a convincing proof that they are not
played out, but, when occasion arises, they can compete in
their own particular line with any part of the world.

My object to-day is to place before the cotton planters
in Barbados information whereby they might extend and
improve the important industry already started, and utilize
it for increasing the general prosperity of the people.
Perhaps the most pressing matter with which we have to
deal at present is the selection of suitable seed for planting
during the coming season. We have been informed that we
cannot hope to obtain any further seed from the Sea Islands
of South Carolina. Fortunately, we have already existing in
these islands a supply of Sea Island cotton seed, as good as, if
not better than, the crop lots produced in the United States.
What we have to do is to make a rigorous selection of the
best seed and have it carefully disinfected so as to prevent
the possibility of any disease being carried with it into the
new fields. I would specially urge that no seed be introduced
from one island to the other except through the Imperial
Department of Agriculture, otherwise diseases are likely to
be intreduced which must add to the difficulties of the
planters and possibly cripple the industry. If we are to grow

the best class of cotton, we must make it an annual crop and
plant in new land which should be well tilled and well
manured. This is the secret of large crops. About thirty
years ago, the average yield of lint in the Sea Islands was
only 103 ib. per acre. Since then, by better cultivation and
judicious mannring, they have raised the average yield to
200 Ib. of lint per aere. Now, while in this island we are
able to produce cotton of the highest quality, the yield
is not so satisfactory as could be wished. This year the
drought has no doubt had something to do with it, but
I understand on good authority that the cotton worm was
allowed to devastate large areas in some districts of the
island, and practically destroy the prospects of the crop. It
has been suggested that one way of ascertaining whether the
worm is present or not, is to pay a small reward to the
weeders or others who first discover it. Another point is to
realize that the worm generally makes its appearance in the
middle of a field and not necessarily on the outskirts. The
treatment of the worm by the use of Paris green is now so
well understood, and it can be so easily controlled if taken in
time, that no reasonable excuse can be offered by those who
suffer severely from it.

An attempt has been made to ascertain what is the
cost of producing 1 Ib. of the best Sea Island cotton
lint and placing it on the market. Several statements
have been communicated to me varying according to
the local circumstances, but I believe we may safely
assume that under normal conditions, with selected and
disinfected seed planted in good soil and well cultivated,
the cost will not appreciably exceed 5d. per tb. In the
case of an estate yielding, say, 700 Ib. of seed-cotton (equal
to 200 Ib. of lint) and sold at 164d. per Ib., this would mean
a profit at the rate of 113d. per Ib. of lint, or, say, $46-00
(£9 11s. 8d.) per acre. If, on the other hand, the estate
only produces 500 tb, of seed-cotton (equivalent to 140 Ib. of
lint selling at 163d. per Ib.), the net profit would be 114d.
per lb., or $32°20 (£6 14s. 2d.) per acre. In the Agricultural
News (April 8) there is given an interesting statement based
on the results of growing cotton as a catch crop on 70 acres
of cane land at St. Kitt’s, in which the estimated clearance
per acre is $28-22 (£5 17s. Td.). The net profit in this
instance would be 7d. per tb. ‘The value of the lint was
placed at Is. per Ib. only. It would be interesting to
determine whether it is possible to grow cotton as
a catch crop with canes in this island. I suggest this as
a subject that might be usefully taken up and discussed at
a future meeting of the Society. In returns recently
prepared of the yield of seed-cotton on estates at Barbados it
would appear that on thirty-three estates the yield was between
500 tb. and 900 Ib. per acre, and on twenty-six estates it was
below 500 Ib. per acre. On nineteen estates the yield was
700 Ib. aud up to 900 Ib. per acre, and on fourteen between
500 Ib. and 700 lb. per acre. The best time for planting is
a matter of great importance. The generai opinion is now
in favour of early planting, that is, during the months of
June, July, and August, depending on the rains. Early
planting has so many advocates that it deserves careful
trial on a large scale during the coming season,

: In reference to cotton matters generally, the planters
in the West Indies may be regarded as haying every
advantage placed within their reach. The British Cotton-
growing Association has done everything that it possibly
could, in the erection of ginneries, sending out experts,
and in finding a good market for the produce. The
Imperial Department of Agriculture has obtained a supply of
the best seed, and furnished information by means of its
officers and its publications touching every detail; and I may

Vou. IV. No. 79.

THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.

119

add, it will continue to take the deepest possible interest in
the industry. All that is now required is careful organiza-
tion on the part of the planters, and a determination to
regard cotton growing not merely as a temporary expedient
but as an industry caleulated to be of the greatest possible
benefit to this colony. On lands too light, or in localities
where the rainfall is not suitable for growing sugar, cotton,
as an annual crop, would yield returns, possibly exceeding

those from sugar. I am not yet convinced that all the
leading planters in this island have fully studied the

subject of cotton growing, or are prepared to deal with it
entirely on its merits. The high price now ruling for
sugar may, to some degree, justify such action, but
if we take the average price for, say, 1 ton of sugar and
100 gallons of molasses at Barbados during the last ten
years at £10 2s. 43d. and accept this as the probable price
for the next ten years, I believe that under such circum-
stances, cotton, as an annual crop, occupying the land only
for seven or eight months, would, in some districts, be found
to pay betterthan sugar.

In any case, in view of the possibilities that are offered
in connexion with the cotton and banana industries, the
planters of Barbados cannot any longer complain that there
is nothing to which they can turn their attention for
a livelihood, except the cultivation of the sugar-cane. The
cotton industry, equally with the cane industry, employs
a large amount of labour, but no expensive buildings
and machinery are required for preparing cotton for
the market: while the waste product in the form of
cotton seed may be utilized for the extraction of cotton
seed oil, and for affording a valuable food for stock and,
eventually, for fertilizing the land. In conclusion, I would
mention that, as already announced, the Imperial Depart-
ment of Agriculture is prepared, in order to safeguard the
prospects of the cotton industry, to take charge of all the
best seed produced in this island and to have it carefully
hand-picked and disinfected, and supplied to the planters
at cost price calculated at the rate of 5c. (2hd.) per tb.
It is strongly urged that no cotton seed be planted this
year until it has been carefully disinfected. It is also
strongly recommended that there should be no general
and indiscriminate interchange of untreated cotton seed
between the several colonies as by such means there would be
a wide-spread distribution of cotton diseases which would
seriously injure the industry. The Department has no wish
to interfere with private enterprise, but under the special
circumstances which have arisen (owing to no fresh seed
being available from the Sea Islands) it is important that
the distribution of seed for planting purposes should be
placed in the hands of a central authority having no
pecuniary interests in the matter, and provided with
a necessary staff and appliances for carrying on the work
solely in the interests of those concerned.

Mr. H. E. Thorne said his experience as a cotton grower
had taught him that the land must be thoroughly cultivated
and properly manured. The present short crop was, no doubt,
largely due to the drought, but probably also to want of
cultivation. He urged most strongly on planters that they
should go in for cotton cultivation on as large a scale as they
possibly could, as the results were better than from cane
cultivation. He had every hope that the industry would
continue to grow and that its further development would be
of permanent benefit to the colony.

Mr. H. A. Pilgrim, another large cotton grower, said he
agreed with Sir Daniel Morris that cotton required the land
to be cultivated as for cane. He had obtained excellent
results from 12 acres on his own property in St. George’s,

and he attributed these to good cultivation and the judicious
application of farmyard manures, phosphates, and potash.
Farmyard manure alone gave large bushes with a small
return in lint. He recommended a moderate amount of
farmyard manure with a judicious addition of phosphates and
potash.

A cordial vote of thanks to Sir Daniel Morris, brought
a very interesting Conference to a close.

TRADE IN ORANGE AND CITRON PEELS.

A report by Mr. J. R. Jackson, A.L.S., on the
trade in England in orange and citron peels was
published on p. 93 of this volume of the Agricultural
News. In connexion therewith the following extract
from a letter addressed to the Imperial Commissioner
of Agriculture by Messrs. Sparks, White & Co., dated
London, March 23, 1905, is likely to be of interest :—

We have examined the sample of bitter orange peel from
Anguilla you sent us: it is very similar to peel which is
shipped from the island of St. Kitt’s, and what is known in
the trade as ‘Jacmel’s’ peels ; although the sample you sent
us is better than many of the shipments we have seen from
that island. The consumption of this class of peel is
a declining one, and it is worth about 1d. or 24. per tb. here.

There is a class of peel, however, which is exported from
the island of St. Kitt’s, and which, we believe, is really the
peel from a hybrid orange, and which is principally used by
distillers or liqueur makers for the manufacture of the
so-called Curagoa liqueur, but the consumption is a declining
one. If your planters could produce a peel from the
thoroughly ripe, red, bitter fruit it would fetch a better price,
not only in the condition of ‘ quarters’ peel, that is, a quarter
of the whole peel of the fruit, but also in the form of what is
known as the machine-cut peel.

We import large quantities of bitter orange peel in the
quarters condition from Spain, Sicily, and Italy, and have sent
you under separate cover a sample of that particular peel, and
we shall be pleased to receive counter samples to match it with
direct offers. We have also sent you sample of machine-cut
dried bitter peel of which we import large quantities, principally
from North Africa, coming to us via Malta, and for this we
shall be pleased to receive a counter sample to match, with
offers. Then again we purchase what is known as hand-cut,
dried ribbons from the bitter oranges, which is principally
produced in the South of France and in Sicily, and, if you
like, we would send you samples of that peel as well.

We are rather afraid, from the letters which we have
received from Mr. J. R. Jackson, that you may think that
these peels are used for producing what is known in the
confectionary trade as candied peels, but they are not.
Candied peels are made in one of two ways, viz., either from
the fresh fruit or from the peel which has been boiled in
brine and shipped to this country in that liquid, principally
from Sicily, and it entirely depends upon price which is used.

What is known as citron peel in the candied condition
is, we believe, a fruit of a hybrid and closely allied to the
shaddock fruit, or what is known as Citrus decumana, which
is shipped to this country in brine from, principally, the
Adriatic, but as well as that there is the Cvtrus medica,
which is also shipped to this country in brine from Calabria.

We think that your growers would get better prices for
their peel if they took it from the ripe, red fruit and not
from the immature: the demand for the immature peel, such
as you sent us, is small and not an increasing one.

120 THE

AGRICULTURAL NEWS.

Aprit 22, 1905.

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 3 of the cover.

The Agricultural News:
post free 13d.
2s, 2d.

Price 1d. per number,
Annual subscription payable to Agents,
Post free, 3s. 3d.

Agricultural stews

Vou. IV.

SATURDAY, APRIL 22, 1905. No. 79.

NOTES AND COMMENTS.

Contents of Present Issue.

The important subject of ratooning cotton is fully
dealt with in the editorial of the present issue. Cotton
growers are strongly advised not to carry over their
cotton plants from one season to another.

A further contribution by Dr. Watts on Musco-

vado sugar appears on pp. 114-5. The sampling of

muscovado sugar is discussed. The table shows that
there is considerable variation in the polariscopic test
of the various samples which were taken from different
parts of the same bag.

An account is given on p. 117 of a new disease of

cacao, known as the ‘thread’ disease, which has appeared
in the West Indies. It was first noticed in St. Lucia,
but has since been found in Trinidad and_ British
Guiana. It will probably best be controlled by means
of pruning and the use of a lime-sulphur wash.

In connexion with the cotton industry we publish

on p. 118 a brief report ef an interesting Conference of

Cotton Growers recently held at Barbados,

The first part of an article on the Preparation of

Honey for the Market will be found on p. 125. This
article, which appeared in the Journal of the Board of
Agriculture, is likely to be of interest to bee keepers
in these islands.

On p. 187 we publish a summary and review of

interesting correspondence which has been appearing
in the West India Committee Circular on the cause
of the immunity enjoyed by Barbados from malaria.

Attractive Shade Plants.

A correspondent writes as follows :—An attractive
climbing plant of slender habit suitable for growing as
light shade for fowl runs, ete., was observed a short time
ago at Government House, Grenada. The leaves are
small and the flowers, produced in little panicles, are rosy
or pale purple. It 1s probably a species of Heteropteris.
Sir Robert Liewelyn has promised to supply some ripe
seed lateron. In the meantime it would be useful if
readers of the Agricultural News would give their
experience in regard to fast growing and attractive
plants that are suitable to provide shade for verandahs,
ete., without shutting out too much light and air,

ED ee

Egyptian Cotton Seed for the West Indies.

During his visit to the West Indies, Mr. E. Lomas
Oliver suggested that it would be desirable to carry
out experiments, in certain localities, in the cultivation
of the best varieties of Egyptian cotton. Mr. Oliver
specified the following varieties as likely to give good
results in the West Indies: Janovitch, Abbassi, and
MitAfifi.

With the view of assisting cotton planters to carry
out experiments to test the suitability of Egyptian
cotton for these islands, the Imperial Department of
Agriculture has obtained, with the assistance of his
Majesty’s Consul-General in Egypt, 500 tb. of each of
the above-mentioned varieties.

Those desirous of obtaining a supply of this seed
should communicate with the Imperial Commissioner
of Agriculture at an early date.

Sr A

Sugar-cane Experiments in the Leeward Islands.

The second part of the large official report on the
experiments with sugar-cane conducted at Antigua and
St. Kitt’s during the season 1905-4 is issued to-day.
Part II deals with the manurial experiments.

The bulk of the report is considerably lessened this
year owing to the change in the method of making the
comparisons in these experiments. Instead of analysing
the canes from each plot, comparisons are made upou
the tonnage of canes, since 1t has been shown that
manures ‘exert their influence chiefly in altering the
weight of the cane per acre without profoundly altering
the weight of sucrose to the ton of cane.’

The results of the experiments appear to show
that it is not necessary to use artificial manures for
plant canes in the Leeward Islands, provided an
adequate amount of good pen manure is used. With
ratoon canes, however, the pen manure must be
supplemented with nitrate of soda or sulphate of
ammonia, The quantities of these manures found to
give the best results are at the rate of 24 ewt. to
33 cwt. of nitrate of soda, or 2 cwt. to 3 ewt. of
sulphate of ammonia per acre. The experiments bring
out clearly the fact that better results are obtained
when the nitrogen is given all in one dose than when
it is divided into two doses.

Vou. IV. No. 79.

THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS. 121

Selected Tobacco Seed.

A supply of tobacco seed of the following kinds

has been obtained by the Imperial Department of

Agriculture from the United States, viz., ‘Havana seed
leaf” ‘First-crop Vuelta de Abajo, and ‘Connecticut
seed leaf” A supply of this seed can be obtained, on
application to the Imperial Commissioner of Agri-
culture, free by post, at the rate of 32c. (1s. 4d.) per oz.

SEE

West Indian Onion Trade.

Samples of onions grown at the Experiment
Station, Tortola, Virgin Islands, were submitted by the
Imperial Commissioner of Agriculture to merchants 11
Barbados for a report and valuation.

It is reported that onions of the description

submitted would be worth from $2:00 to 42°50 per

100 tbh. The reports agreed that they were too large for
the purposes of the small retail shopkeeper, It appears
that in selling small quantities of onions smaller bulbs
are more convenient, since they render division unneces-
sary. On this account onions of the size submitted
would not find a ready sale. The consumer requires
a small onion, say, of 1} inches in diameter; also
a strong flavoured onion, as they are used rather for
seasoning food than as a vegetable.

Another point which is regarded by the merchants
as of importance is that the onions should be shipped
on strings, it being stated that when shipped in that
manner, the value would be enhanced Ile. per thb., or
perhaps more. ‘This is explained by the well-known
perishable nature of onions, which makes it absolutely
necessary to keep them hung up and aired as much as
possible whilst in store.’

OO

Diseases of Cocoa-nuts.

Considerable attention has been paid in Jamaica to
diseases of the cocoa-nut palm, many trees having been
lost from one cause or another. Investigation by
officers of the Department of Agriculture has shown
that, while the immediate cause of death has been
some insect or fungoid pest, the trees have been
rendered liable to such attacks by unfavourable external
conditions, such as when the trees have been planted
in very poor or stiff clay soils, when the soil has been
too dry or saturated with standing water.

It has also been proved, however, that there is
a specific disease ‘which attacks the flower parts and
young nuts, sometimes spreading along the softer
tissue, and at length reaching the terminal bud or the
feeding roots. Directions for treating this disease are
given in the March issue of the Bulletin of the
Department of Agriculture, Jamaica.

Experiments during the last two years have shown
the ‘most effectual remedy is to spray with Bordeaux
mixture at intervals of six to nine months until there
is no trace of the disease.’ With a spray pump and
along hose, the nozzle of which is carried up the tree
by a boy, there is no difficulty in spraying even high
trees,

Conference of Cotton Growers at Earbados.

As stated elsewhere in this issue, a very successiful
Conference of cotton growers was held at Barbados on
April 14. The address given by Sir Daniel Morris on
this occasion will be found on p. 118. In the discussion
which followed some interesting facts were put before
the meeting by various cotton growers. ‘There
appeared to be a general feeling that the prospects of
the industry were good, and that, where efforts had
been made to keep the cotton worm in check, and the
soil had been well cultivated, the results had been
satisfactory. In many cases the yield of seed-cotton
had not come up to expectation, but this was, for the
most part, attributed to the drought.

Efforts are being made to obtain a careful estimate
of the average cost of growing 1 tb. cotton and placing
it on the English market. Information on this point
will be published later when further figures are
available.

It was suggested by Sir Daniel Morris that
a special meeting of the Society should be held later
to discuss the question whether cotton could be grown
as a catch crop with cane in Barbados on the lines
suggested for St. Kitt’s in a letter to the editor of the
Agricultural News published in the last issue. This
is an important point which deserves careful con-
sideration on the part of the planters.

oO

Agriculture in Carriacou.

The annual report on the Carriacou district tor
the year ending December 31, 1904, is published in
the Grenada Official Gazette. The Commissioner
reports that the value of the foreign exports for the
year was £10,635. ‘In addition there is a considerable
trade between Carriacou and Grenada in poultry and
stock which is not included in the above return,’

Referring to the necessity for reatforestation,
Mr. Whitfield Smith says ‘steps are being taken to
plant belts of shade trees on the pasture reserves and,
by the free distribution of seeds and _ plants, to
encourage allottees to protect their lands in a similar
manner.’

During the year 5 acres of land at Beausejou
estate have been laid out with economic plants as an
experiment station. The plots include 2 acres in Sea
Island cotton. Efforts are being made to demonstrate
to the peasantry the advantage of cultural operations,
Pure-bred fowls have been imported and distributed
among the peasant cultivators to improve the local
breeds of poultry. In a few remarks on the general
agricultural possibilities of Carmiacou, Mr. Whitfield
Smith advocates the cultivation of limes as specially
adapted to the circumstances of the island. Black
blight, so prevalent in Grenada and St. Vincent, is
practically unknown in the Grenadines, and its intro-
duction should be avoided by the fumigation of all
imported plants.

The oyster beds having of late shown unmistak-
able signs of exhaustion, it has been decided to close
the industry for at least two years, as the only means
of saving the beds from total extinction.

THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.

Aprin 22, 1905.

Report on Injurious Insects.

A report by Mr. W. E. Collinge, M.Sc., of the University
of Birmingham, on the ‘Injurious Insects and other Animals
observed in the Midland Counties during 1804,’ deals with
a large number of pests and gives many remedies. It
includes, besides insects, the mites, slugs, snails, and eelworms,
all of which, together with many insect pests, have been
forwarded by correspondents. Five species of eriophycid
mites are dealt with. In the West Indies three new species
haye been described quite recently, viz., Eriophyes gossypr',
Banks (the leaf-blister mite of cotton) ; Eriophyes Moriisi,
Nalepa (the mite of the Acacia); and Eriophyes bucidar,
Nalepa (the mite of Bucida burseras).

The Coffee Leaf Miner.

A report in the Experiment Station Record on
the seventeenth annual meeting of the Association of
Economic Entomologists, held at Philadelphia on
December 29 and 30 last, contains the following
reference to the coffee leaf miner, Leucoptera (Cemios-
tomum) cofvella, a common pest in the West Indies :—

This is one of the most injurious coffee pests in the
West Indies, causing great losses in Cuba and Porto Rico,
On some coffee estates 56 per cent. of the leaves were
affected. The life-history of the pest was described by
M. T. Cook with special reference to methods of treatment.
Spraying against the larvae in the leaf is of little avail. It
is found possible, however, to control the insect quite
thoroughly by repeated spraying against the pupa by means
of kerosene emulsion, containing one part kerosene, one part
whale oil soap, and eight parts of water. When numerous
applications of this remedy were made, slight injury to the
leaves occurred, but this injury was not of great importance.
On the grounds of the Cuban Experiment Station spraying
experiments were begun on August 18 and continued till
November 5 at frequent intervals. The results of this
experiment indicate that the treatment is quite effective.

Destruction of Locusts.

In the Agricultural Journal of the Cape of Good
Hope for March 1905 there appears an interesting
article on the destruction of locusts, by Mr. C. W.
Mally, M.Sc., Acting Entomotogist, of which the follow-
ing is a brief summary :—

The best time to attack the locusts is when the young
are about two-thirds grown, when their only mode of
locomotion is hopping and when they have the habit of
camping at night in compact masses, and travelling in swarms
in the day time. These habits are taken advantage of in the
work of destruction, as they are all favourable to the work,
whereas it would be very difficult to do anything in the way
ef controlling the swarms after the insects had become adult
and developed wings.

= ——~

The essential points are embodied in the five con-
clusions as follows :—

(1) No one method will enable us to control the
situation. An intelligent combination of the different
methods systematically carried out is most likely to give
satisfactory: results.

(2) The newly hatched swarms should be destroyed by
spraying (a) their food-supply with poisoned bait, or (6) the
locusts themselves with Gossage’s national blue-mottled
soap, 1 Ib. to 5 gallons of water.

(3) The land should be protected by means of a locust
fence.

(4) The swarms of trekking locusts should be trapped
and dried for poultry and stock food. They are thus not
only prevented from coming to maturity and laying eggs for
the next season, but are made to yield a substantial return
for their damage to the veld and the time and money
invested in destroying them.

(5) Natural enemies (especially birds) are already doing
their best and should be protected whenever possible.

The spraying with poisoned bait is done when the
young locusts are in compact swarms. All the grass and
herbage in the vicinity are sprayed and as the locusts move
along they feed on the sprayed vegetation. The mixture

which has been found satisfactory is made as follows:
arsenic, 1 Tb. ; washing soda, } tb. ; treacle or sugar, 5 Ib. ;

water, 10 gallons. The arsenic and soda are boiled together
till dissolved and then added to the 10 gallons of sweetened
water.

A soap solution has been successfully used as a contact
poison, sprayed on the young locusts, but most time and
energy seem to have been devoted to the development of
a suitable trap.

The locusts have a value as a stock food. Poultry and
ostriches are especially fond of them, while they are eaten
by horses, sheep, and pigs. Jt seems likely that a good
market may be developed for dried locusts, if any consider-
able supply ever becomes available.

The method of trapping recommended is this: The
trap consists of two fences of cloth, 18 inches high, extending
at broad angles from an inclined plane or chute ; this is
placed in front of a moving swarm, and as the insects come
into contact with the fences they are directed toward the
chute, up which they travel and when they reach the top
they fall into a sack; in these sacks they are killed by
means of either carbon bisulphide or hot water. The dead
Jocusts are then dried in the sun and kept for feeding
purposes. The trap should be of strong, light material, so
that it will be easily portable. Small areas of valuable lands
may be protected from the young by fences of zine or iron
LS inches high, similar to the wings of the trap.

The locust of South Africa is closely related to
the common grasshopper of the West Indies, and
although they differ somewhat in habits, some of the
remedies found useful in Cape Colony may prove of
value in case of an outbreak in the West Indies.
Nearly every year grasshoppers become a nuisance,
sometimes almost a pest, in St. Kitt’s and Nevis.
The poison spray found successful in South Africa
might with advantage be applied to the lands where
these grasshoppers breed. Trapping and spraying with
contact poisons are not likely to be of advantage here,
but the natural enemies should be encouraged and
protected. F

Wor. IV. No. 79. THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS. 123
ee RAINFALL RETURNS.
em: J Te Grenada.
Ae: BS i The following meteorological returns are extracted

MANUAL OF FORESTRY: Vol. III. Forest Manage-
ment. By W. Schlich, Ph.D. CIE, F.RS., F.LS.
London : Bradbury, Agnew & Co., Ltd. 10, Bouverie St,
1905.

This is a revised edition in which many changes and
alterations have been introduced. It is stated in the preface
that the object of this ‘Manual,’ which was intended in the
first place as a text-book for candidates for the Indian
Forestry Department, was to give a clear picture of economic
forestry.

This volume on forest management deals with (i) forest
mensuration, (ii) forest valuation, (iii) the foundations of
forest management, (iv) the prepartion of forest working plans.

The appendices contain tables of useful information for
foresters, and the fifty-eight plans and illustrations are of
assistance in following the operations.

THE DESTRUCTION OF MOSQUITOS: By
Major W. M. Hodder, R.E. Chatham: Royal Engineers’
Institute, 1904.

The sub-title to this little publication states that it is
‘an account of the drainage and other works carried out with
this object [the destruction of mosquitos] during 1902 and
1903 at St. Lucia, West Indies.’

Major Hodder has not, however, confined himself to
a bare statement of the works executed, but gives, also, his
views and experience on this subject.

The first chapter deais with the outbreaks of fever at
St. Lucia. Towards the end of 1901 yellow fever appeared
on the Morne Fortuné: as a consequence troops were moved
to Vigie, and here malaria fever broke out, necessitating
a second move, this time to Pigeon Island, with satisfactory
results. Observations during these outbreaks, rendered it
possible to plot out the infected areas at Vigie and to draw
general deductions from the facts that became apparent later.
The drainage of swamps, concreting beds of water courses,
filling holes, ete., were put m hand.

In Chapter IJ, Major Hodder relates ‘How yellow fever
was stamped out in Havana,’ stating, also, briefly the manner
in which the various types of malarial fevers are carried from
animal to animal by mosquitos. This is followed by
a chapter cn the habits of mosquitos.

After dealing in detail with the works at St. Lucia, the
author discusses the precautions to be observed in building
barracks, and in household arrangements. The great drop
in the cases of malaria is evidence sufficiently good to show
that some great change has taken place in the conditions
which produce the disease.

This little book, which contains several plans and illus-
trations, might be read by all dwellers in tropical countries
with much profit. The subject of the destruction of
mosquitos js dealt with in a clear and practical manner, and
a large amount of useful information on the habits of
mosquitos and their relationship to tropical diseases is
brought together.

from the Official Gazette:—

1904. 1903.
Inches. Inches.
St. George’s.
Richmond Hill... 69°41 78:89
Annandale ».. 160715 150°20
Grand Etang . 176-49 153-84
St. David's.
Les Avocats ar} poo UIE 24 126:19
St. Andrew’s.
Dunfermline 81:70 82°13
Bellevue 94°55 90°13
St. Patricks.
Springbank ane 10522 96°10
St. Maris.
Mt. Edgecumbe ... «. LOS 34 86°35 *
St. John’s.
Dougaldston eels . 110°05 107-12
Belvidere ... : 167°65 168:20

The rainfall at the Meteorological Station in the south
of the island was 94 inches less than in the preceding year
and below the average for the previous twelve years. In the
centre and north of the island, however, and in Carriacou
the record of 1903 was exceeded.

CARRIACOU.

The following remarks on the meteorology of
Carriacou are taken from the report of the Com-
missioner for the Carriacou district, for the year ended
December 31, 1904.

The rainfall for the year was 56°67 inches, or 5 inches in
excess of that recorded for 1903. These figures, when
compared with the average annual rainfall of other colonies,
for example, Barbados, 63 inches, Trinidad, 66 inches,
Antigua, 50 inches, Virgin Islands, 57 inches, indicate that,
after making all allowance for decreased humidity due to
indiscriminate forest eutting in past years, Carriacou is not
so far behind in the matter of rainfall as to account for the
severe droughts to which the island is periodically subject.
The question, therefore, resolves itself into one of conser-
vation of soil moisture, and one naturally asks: Is it possible
to do anything to save crops from such periodic droughts?

A very short experience of Carriacou during the rainy
season will convince any observer that quite three-fourths of
the rainfall passes off by surface drainage. This not only
occasions great loss so far as immediate plant growth is
concerned, but such washings also carry away with them
much of the soluble plant food from the surface soil.

It is therefore of the greatest importance that the
people shoald be brought to at least a rudimentary under-
standing of the conditions under which water exists in
a soil and the part it plays in the operations of plant growth,
and also be persuaded that the first step towards the
conservation of soil moisture must be tillage, so that the
rainfall, which is now lost, will sink down and not be carried
off by surface drainage.

Until this is realized and carried into practice, little or
no amelioration in regard to the occurrence of droughts can
be expected.

* For ten months only.

124 THE

AGRICULTURAL NEWS.

Apri 22,

GLEANINGS.

Shippers of bananas in Barbados are notified by
Mr. J. R. Bovell that bananas will not be received later than
12 noon on the day of the departure of the mail.

Trinidad’s exhibits for the Indian and Colonial
Exhibition have been shipped to England in 123 cases
(besides about thirty bundles of canes) by the last two mails,

Four crates of grape fruit have been shipped to Covent
Garden market from the Dominica Botanic Station. Messrs.
Pink & Sons say that they are the best grape fruit they
have handled.

It is announced that a Stock Breeders’ Association has
been formed in Jamaica. Its objects are to encourage horse
and stock raising in Jamaica, and to act as an exchange for
buyers and sellers both at home and abroad.

Offers are invited for a 12} Brake horse-power patent
Hornsby-Akroyd horizontal fixed Oil Engine, No. 7,925,
complete with fittings and spares, the property of the
St. Vincent Government. Applications to be addressed to
the Agricultural Superintendent, Kingstown.

The Government Entomologists of the Cape of Good
Hope and Natal have been commissioned by their respective
Governments to visit Brazil to investigate and, if possible, to
obtain the parasitic and predaceous enemies of, the fruit fly
(Ceratitis capitate), which Compere reports in that country.

The Committee appointed by the Government of
Barbados to make arrangements for a representative exhibit
of the island’s products at the Colonial and Indian Exhibition
1905, has issued a ‘ Handbook comprising historical, agri-
cultural, and general information concerning the colony.’ It
also contains a catalogue of the exhibits.

A new, shallow-draught, twin-screw steamer ‘Naparima’
was launched on March 7 from the ship-building yards of
Messrs. John I. Thornyeroft & Co., Ltd. It is intended for
the passenger and cargo service in connexion with the
Trinidad Government Railway in the gulf of Paria, between
San Fernando and Cedros.

Low-growing trees which do not shed their bark should
be selected for supports for vanilla. According to a recent
bulletin of the Experiment Station, the following trees are to
be recommended for this purpose in Hawaii: The hog plum
(Spondias lutea), coral tree (Brythrina lithosperma), calabash
(Crescentia Cujete), and St. Thomas tree (Bauhinia tomentosa)
The tree most commonly used as a support for vanilla
elsewhere is the physic nut (Jatropha Curcas).

On Tuesday, the Annual General Meeting ef the
St. Lucia Agricultural Society was held in the Council
Chamber, Castries, under the Presidency of Sir George
Melville. A sum was voted for establishing a nursery of
Chinese banana plants in view of encouraging an export
trade in that fruit.

The last issue of the Journal @Agriculture Tropicale
contains a review of recent reports on Andropogons and their
essential oils. Special reference is made to the writings of
the late Mr. Charles J. Sawer on citronella and lemon grass.
An account is also given of the cultivation of these grasses
in Java, where Jemon grass is commonly grown on the banks
between the rice fields.

Returns placed before the Board of Agriculture of
British Guiana in connexion with rice cultivation in the
colony, show that in 1904-5 the area under rice was 21,916
acres, the crop being 22,597 tons of paddy, and 16,600 tons
of clean rice. This is an increase, compared with the
previous year, of 5,247 acres, and an increase in yield
amounting to 3,660 tons of clean rice.

Writing to the Imperial Commissioner of Agriculture in
regard to the prospects of onion growing in the Virgin
Islands, Mr. Fishlock says that better results are being
obtained this year, the onions ripening more satisfactorily.
‘Experience has shown that the best way to grow onions here
is to plant the seed in drills in well-prepared seed beds, and
then dibble the seedlings out into rows in well-prepared land
during showery weather.’

The Proclamation issued by the Government of Trinidad
on June 13, 1902, prohibiting the importation into the
colony, from any part of the mainland of South America, of
cacao plants, or of any portions of such plants, other than the
cured beans thereof from Veneznela or Colombia, recently
revoked, has now been re-issued. <A further exception is
made in the case of fresh beans from places in the two above
countries proved to be free from all disease, any such beans.
to be thoroughly disinfected before distribution in Trinidad.

At a meeting of the British Guiana Board of Agriculture
held on Mareh 31, Mr. Bartlett spoke at some length on the
diseases to which the cacao plant is liable. He had
recently paid a visit to the cacao estate up the Demerara
river, and he illustrated his remarks with specimens of
diseased foliage and pods which he had obtained. On one
estate he found a plant with what is known as_ the
‘witch broom’ disease, which had caused so much damage to:
the cacao estates in Surinam. (Demerara Daily Chronicle.)

The following is extracted from a review in the West
India Committee Cireular on the last half-yearly report of
the Colonial Bank: ‘The weather generally throughout the
West Indies has been too dry for the sugar crop, which will
be short, but the prices now being obtained for both sugar
and rum should leave planters a fair margin for profit.
According to Sir Daniel Morris, “ considerable progress has.
been made with cotton growing, and he estimates that the
crop of Sea Island cotton to be reaped by the end of May
will reach some 5,000 bales (of 360 Tb. each), of the value
of about £100,000.”* The banana crop in Jamaica promises
well, but that colony is still suffering from the effects of the
hurricane of 1903,

* Owing to severe drought and other causes, the cotton crop-
will be less than anticipated, and may not reach 3,000 bales.

Vol. IV. No. 79.

GN eran th

BEE KEEPING.

The Preparation of Honey for the Market.

Mr. T. J. Weston writes in the Journal of the
Board of Agriculture (Great Britain) on this subject.
In view of its importance to bee keepers in the West
Indies, this article is reproduced for the benefit of
readers of the Agricultural News :—

The bee and honey classes of the shows now held during
each season, both in London and the country, have taught
the consumer what to require in a first-class honey, Comb-
honey (in section cases) should be translucent, showing the
clarity and light colour of the contained honey, evenly and
delicately worked out to the sides and bottom of the section,
and with a scrupulously clean surface. The finest liquid
extracted-honey should be bright and clear, of a light straw
colour, and delicate in flavour and aroma. Granulated
extracted-honey should be of fine, even grain, creamy white
in colour, and of good flavour. here are many grades of
medium and dark-coloured honeys below this first-class
standard, but the latter is what the bee keeper must strive
to attain, in order to command a ready sale for his produce.

In regard to comb-honey, the preparation commences
with the fitting of the wax foundation in the section boxes.
To ensure a well-worked-out section this should be cut so as
Just to clear the sides of the box and hang to within 51, inch
of the bottom, thus allowing for a slight stretching of the
foundation caused by the heat of the bees clustering on its
surface. The fitted boxes must next be placed in the section
rack, with separators between the rows, reaching to within
g inch of the top and bottom, and wedged up perfectly
square and tight; this is important, for the bees will place
propolis over every crack or small space, causing disfigure-
ment and extra work in cleaning; also sections ‘out of
square’ are much more liable to breakage when packed
for travelling, owing to the unavoidable spaces between
them. The rack must be placed perfectly level on
a hive containing a strong colony of bees, it will then
be filled with good, straight, and even combs. Removing
filled racks from the hives should be done with as little
disturbance to the bees as possible: the best method is
to place a ‘super-clearer’ on a stool or box by the side of the
hive, raise up the bottom edge of the rack and insert
a small wedge ; puff a little smoke between the rack and
tops of the frames, then remove the rack steadily with
a screwing motion, and put it down gently on the ‘super-
clearer; place a cloth, on which a few drops of carbolic acid
have been sprinkled, over the top of the frames, and in
about ten seconds remove it, the bees will have been driven
down, leaving the tops clear ; then immediately take up the
rack with the ‘super-clearer’ and place them on the frames.
If this operation is carried out in the afternoon, by next
morning every bee will have found its way down to the body
of the hive through the bee-escape in the centre of the
“super-clearer,’ and the rack can be removed with comfort
to the bee keeper and without disturbance to the apiary.
When sections are taken out of the racks while the latter are

THE AGRICULTURAL

NEWS. 125

still on the hives or full of bees, the disturbed bees will
frequently pierce the cappings in many places to gorge
themselves with honey, and wherever this happens ‘ weeping’
will be caused when the sections are kept for any length of
time in store.

The full racks should be carried into a bee-proof room,
the wedges and back-board removed, and the centre section
of the exposed row taken out. Do not attempt to lift it
straight out, the results would probably be a damaged
section, but tilt it backward on its bottom edge, and
when loosened it will come away easily, as also will the
two side ones. Sort the sections as they are taken
out, putting all well-filled clear ones as the first grade ;
those not well worked to bottom and sides, and therefore
not fit for travelling, make a second grade, and any
only partially filled must be given back to the bees to finish,
unless the ‘honey-flow’ has ceased, and in that event they
must be emptied by the extractor. Carefully scrape all
propolis from the edges of the sections, and, if not already
sold, store them in a dry, warm cupboard, protecting them
from dust by tying in packages of four or six in clean
paper ; be very careful not to place anything having a strong
odour near the honey-comb, or it will spoil the flavour.

If the sections are sold to wholesale dealers for re-sale
to traders, no further preparation is needed. To pack them so
as to travel safely, not more than from four to six dozen
should be put into one package, preferably the smaller
quantity. Procure a strong wooden box, bore two holes in
each end, about one-third down, and knot firmly into them
rope handles, by which the box can be safely and easily
lifted ; put into the bottom of the box a bed of coarse hay,
and on this place, quite close together, a layer of the
wrapped-up packages of sections, leaving at least 2 inches
between the sides of the box and the sections: this space
must be filled with hay, tightly pressed in, and, to prevent
possible damage to the comb, the ends of the packages may
be protected by pieces of straw-board or thin wood ; continue
with layers of packages, filling in round the sides as before,
until within 2 inches of top, then fill up tightly with hay,
and sevew on the lid. Label the package plainly : ‘ Comb-
honey, with care.’ Retailers of honey-comb prefer to have
the sections sent them glazed, it preserves the comb from
injury by careless handling, and, what is still more impor-
tant, it is kept free from the dusty impurities unavoidably
present in shops.

(To be concluded.)

WEST INDIAN AGRICULTURAL
CONFERENCE, 1905.

The following despatch from the Secretary of
State for the Colonies to his Excellency the Governor
of Trinidad, dated Downing Street, February 25, 1905,
is published for general information :—

Sir,—The Imperial Commissioner of Agriculture for the
West Indies has sent me a report of a very successful Agri-
cultural Conference recently held at Port-of-Spain, and has
brought to my notice the share which the efforts of you and
your officers and the unofficial community of the colony had
in promoting its success.

I have much pleasure in expressing my appreciation
of the cordial reception extended to the delegates, and the
active participation of the Government and people of the
colony in the proceedings.

I have, etc.,
(Sgd.) ALFRED LYTTELTON,

THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.

Aprit 22, 1905.

Barbados.

The following is an extract from the Annual
Report of the Inspector of Schools in Barbados for the
year 1904 :-—

The Zropical Readers and Nature Teaching are now
read in almost every boys’ school and also in a few girls’
schools. Questions on the text are set to the upper classes
on the day of examination and the teachers are required to
give object-lessons in the presence of the examiner. The
number of passes gained in this subject by standards from
III to VII amounted, in 51 boys’ and 3 girls’ schools, to 820.
In some of the schools, attention is given to the cultivation of
plants in pots, boxes, tubs, ete. The show of cabbages,
parsley, English peas, ete., in the school childrens’ section of
the exhibition at Dunscombe in January of this year was
evidence of the progress that has been made in this respect.
In a very few instances it has heen possible to establish
a small school garden, and from these, also, the vegetables
were a testimony that the training of the hand in practical
work is not neglected in our system. Good Intent,
St. Matthew’s, Holy Innocents’, Southborough, and Mount
Tabor schools were the principal prize-winners this year.

It is not easy to obtain land around the schools for
gardens, nor are funds available for the purchase of agvi-
cultural tools, ete. The limited legislative grant is hardly
sufficient to supply the necessary reading books, slates, and
other apparatus which are the first requisites in an elementary
school. Again, many of our teachers are not resident at
their schools, and to cultivate plants in a school garden,
where no responsible person is on the spot, would in such
eases offer further temptation to idlers who are already too
much given to praedial larceny.

Agricultural Instructors in Trinidad.

The annual report on the Trinidad Botanical
Department for the year ended March 31, 1904,
contained the following remarks on agricultural
instruction which are reproduced from the current
issue of the Bulletin of Miscellaneous Information :—

The share taken by this Department in agricultural
education consists in supplying two trained men, under the
title of Agricultural Instructors, who are detailed to visit
every district in the island for the purpose of (1st.) affording
theoretical and practical agricultural instruction in schools,
(2nd.) holding public meetings for the discussion of
agricultural topics, (3rd.) visiting the lands of the people to
afford practical instruction in tillage, pruning, and other
operations, and (4th.) holding lectures in public places at
which agricultural operations can be discussed and advice
afforded to all inquirers. This work has been very popular,
and the demand for the services of the Instructors has
been such that it has been found impossible to meet all
requisitions with the number of officers already appointed,
and the limited provision allowed as a start. For the coming
year increased provision for travelling has been made, so as
to allow the Instructors to make more frequent visits to each
district. As the effort is quite new to the Department, it was

found impossible to arrange the work of the Instructors in
any regular or systematic manner, but it is hoped that in
the coming year it will be possible to provide for more
frequent visits to each district. A demand has been made in
more than one place for resident Instructors. With the
present staff, this has been found impossible and could only
be carried out by the appointment of more officers.

One hundred and three schools were examined, and
hints on proper formation and management of school gardens
were given.

Three courses of lectures in agriculture were given at
the Government Training School in Port-of-Spain, and one
course at the Naparima Training School, San Fernando. The
second course at the former school was attended by eight
students from the Roman Catholic Training School in
Port-of-Spain.

School Gardens in St. Lucia.

We extract the following from the Voice of
St. Lucia -—

Mr. G. T. Cumberbatch, who has been examining the
primary schools, having consented to adjudge the prizes
offered by the Agricultural Society for the best school garden,
recommended that the £5 voted with this object by the
Society should be divided in the following proportions :—

To the Castries Anglican Juvenile School ... Be eye iCOK,
To the Saltibus R.C. Mixed Combined ant Os 1 10s.
To the Vieuxfort R.C. Boys Spbigeriod 1

But, he added, if the Society saw its way to increasing
its vote, three prizes of greater value should be awarded to
the three schools in the proportion suggested.

The Society awarded prizes of £5, £4, and £3
respectively, to the three schools, comformably with the
suggestion of Mr. Cumberbatch, whose willing service in this
connexion is very highly appreciated.

DEPARTMENT NEWS.

The Imperial Commissioner of Agriculture will
probably proceed on May 22 next to Tobago, to meet
his Excellency Sir Henry M. Jackson, K.C.M.G., who
will then be on a visit to that island.

The Secretary of State for the Colonies has
appointed Mr, William Robson, formerly of the Royal
Gardens, Kew, to be Curator of the Experiment
Stations at Montserrat from April 11 last. Mr. Robson

holds certificates for Theoretical and Practical
Chemistry (Board of Education) and for Land
Surveying (County Council Examination).

Abnormal Growth of Corypha elata. Refer-

ence was made in the Agricultural News (Vol. II, p. 77) to
the unusual behaviour of a plant of Corypha elata growing
in the Botanie Gardens in British Guiana. In a recent issue
of the Argosy, Mr. Waby writes that this tree was cut down
on April 3, and an opportunity was thus given for making
further observations as to this abnormality. Instead of
producing a flowering panicle, this tree started into fresh
growth at the beginning of 1903, producing at the top, as
it were, a young plant about the size of one six or seven
years old, with no sign whatever of the panicle. In the
following July flowers appeared. It was found that the
fruit of this plant weighed 1,100 fb. and contained over
51,000 seeds.

Vou. IV. No. 79. THER

AGRICULTURAL NEWS. 12%

IMMUNITY OF BARBADOS FROM
MALARIA.

An interesting and profitable discussion has been
taking place in the columns of the West India Com-
mittee Circular on the subject of the distribution of
mosquitos, more particularly in relation to the
absence of Anopheles in Barbados. A reference to this
fact in a review of Major Hodder’s Destruction of
Mosquitos, prompted Mr. Gibbons to put forward the
suggestion mentioned below. The following is a review
of the correspondence by the Editor of the Circular :—

The correspondence which is proceeding in our columns
regarding the destruction of the Anopheles mosquito, which is
admittedly the communicating agent of malaria, and the
complete immunity from this pest, which Barbados alone of
all the West India Islands appears to enjoy, is of more than
usual interest to those connected with the West Indies.
Major W. M. Hodder, who was recently engaged in drainage
and other works in St. Lucia with the object of stamping out
malaria, laid stress on the fact that if the reason why
Barbados, although it has swamps and the mosquitos might
easily be imported, has no Anopheles and consequently no
malaria could be discovered, a much more simple means of
destroying the insect would be at hand than by the costly
method of drainage and clearing at present employed.

Mr. C. Kenrick Gibbons, who has resided for many years
in Barbados, then propounded the interesting theory that this
might be due to the presence in the swamps and ponds of
Barbados of a tiny fish which exists in such teeming numbers
as to earn the name of ‘millions,’ whose staple diet is the
larvae of mosquitos.

Major Hoddér, in an instructive letter, tabulated the
supposed reasons for the immunity of Barbados, namely,
physical and meteorological conditions unfavourable to
the Anopheles ; a microbe enemy or poison to which these
mosquitos fall victims; the existence of the voracious
‘millions;’ or the possibility that the Anopheles had never
been imported. Of these.four suggested reasons only the
second and third could be put to a practical test, and already
Major Hodder had proposed to take water from two or three
swamps in Barbados and watch its effects in St. Lucia when
he was recalled from foreign service.

No less an authority than Sir Patrick Manson has
now contributed his views to the discussion, and in
a letter which we give in another column he reminds
us that a case of local immunity from malaria analogous
to that of Barbados is found in the Pacific Islands,
where elephantiasis and filarial diseases are very prevalent,
while malaria in many of the islands is unknown. With
regard to the Pacific Islands it is possible, of course,
that the Anopheles has never been imported, but this is
inconceivable in the case of Barbados, and Sir Patrick Manson
admits the possibility of the correctness of Mr. Gibbons’
suggestion, though he naturally declines to accept it without
further proof. He points out that there is another and an
even more important point bearing on the relation of the
Anopheles to malaria which demands study, and might carry
with it useful and practical suggestions. ‘This is, that in
certain malarial regions, notably in India, Italy, and
Mauritius, there exist circumscribed areas in which, although
the Anopheles abound, malaria is absent, and we agree in
thinking that every conceivable effort should. be made to
ascertain the reasons for this apparent anomaly. Many
explanations have been put forward, but they are of little
value unless substantiated on the spot.

There is one weak point in Mr. Gibbons’ theory
that appears to have escaped notice. There are two
species of mosquitos quite common in Barbados,
namely, Culex fautigans and Stegomyia fasciata.

The question arises, then, as to why these have
not been exterminated with the Anopheles. It is not
that the small fish mentioned by Mr. Gibbons do not
eat the larvae of one or both of these species, as he
himself says that he has seen them doing so. The
evidence for the theory as to the extermination of
Anopheles is that Mr. Gibbons has seen these fish eat
the larvae of either Culex or Stegomyia (or both),
neither of which is at all approaching extermination ;
also there seems nothing in the habits of these
mosquitos or their larvae which would render them
less hable to attack.

From a later issue of the West India Committee
Circular we learn that steps are being taken to put
Mr. Gibbons’ theory to a practical test. Quantities of
the fish have been taken to Colon and British Guiana
for the purpose.

SCIENCE NOTE.

The Trumpet Tree.

This tree which is quite common throughout the West
Indies is known to botanists as Cecropia peltata. It belongs
to the natural order U7ticaceae which contains also the
bread-fruit, jack-fruit, the Assam rubber tree (cus edastica),
and other useful plants. The genus Cecropia embraces
a number of species indigenous to Tropical America and the
West Indies. It receives its common name from the fact
that pieces of its hollow stem or branches have been used for
making musical instruments. While the trumpet tree does
not yield timber as do many other trees of this order, it is
of use as a shade tree. Its straight, bare trunk, with large
and spreading head, renders it particularly suitable for this
purpose. In Jamaica it is very common throughout the
island wherever the virgin forest has béen cleared for
cultivation. As a shade tree it is employed more particularly
in the coffee plantations in the central districts.

The tree has a somewhat striking appearance, growing to
a height of upwards of 50 feet. Its trunk is whitish, about
1 foot in diameter. The leaves are large and deeply lobed
being covered on the under side with a snow-white down.

The extremely light wood of this tree is used for making
floats for fishing nets, and also razor strops.

An interesting feature of the trumpet tree is the curious
relationship with ants which, in some countries, inhabit the
hollow stems. This is described by Willis in his lowering
Plants and Ferns as follows :-—

“The hollows are inhabited by fierce ants (Azteca sp.),
which rush out if the tree be shaken and attack the intruder.
Schimper has made a thorough investigation of this symbiosis
(or living together for mutual benefit) of plant and animal.
These ants protect the Cecropia from the formidable leaf-
cutter ants.’

A drug is obtained from the trumpet tree. A related
species, Cecropia obtusa, has recently been subjected to
minute histological and chemical examination by E. Perrot
and E. Choay, whose results are summarized in the
Pharmaceutical Journal. Chemical examination of the leaves
revealed the presence of small quantities of an alkaloid
known as cecropine.

THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS. Aprit 22, 1905.

MARKET REPORTS.

London,— March 28, 1905. Messrs. Kearton, Piper &
».; Messrs. E. A. bE Pass & Co.; ‘THE West INDIA

ComMiItrEE CrrcuLar; ‘THE LiverrooL Corron
ASSOCIATION WEEKLY CrrcunaR,’ March 24,
1905; and ‘THe Pupnic Lepcerr,’ March 25,
1905.
ALors—Barbados, 15/- to 40/- ; Curagoa, 15/- to 45/- per ewt.
Arrowroor—St. Vincent, 12d. to 1}d. per th.
Ban Se ea 1/6 to 1/11 ; block, 1/7 to 1/8 per th.
Bess’-wax—£7 10s. to £7 12s. 6d. per ewt.
Cacao—Trinidad, 55/- to 60/- per ewt. ;
to 54/6 per ewt.
Carpamoms—Mysore, 73d. to 2/- per th.
Corrre—Jamaica, good ordinary, 37/- to 38/- per ewt.
Corron—West Indian Sea Island, inedium fine, 125d. ; tine,
33d. ; extra fine, 153d. per th.
Frvuir—
Bananas—4/6 per bunch.
Grape Frorr—14/- to 16/- per box
Orances—10/- to 13/- per case.
PInr-AppLEs—-St. Michael’s, boxes of 8, 2/2 to 3/ ;
boxes of 10, 1/4 to 2/- per pine.
Fustic—£3 5s. to £4 per ton.
GinceR—Jamaica, bright small, 30/6 to 31/6 per ewt.
Honey—16/6 to 22/6 per ewt.
Istycuass—West Indian lump, 2/5 to 2/9; cake, 1/- to 1/L

Grenada, 52/-

uts—4d. to 6d. per tb.

Linz Jurce—Raw, %/. to 1/- per gallon; concentrated,
£15 per cask of 108 gallons ; hand-pressed, 2/6 to
2/9 per 1b. ; Distilled Oil, 1/4 to 1/5 per th.

Locwoon —£4 to £4 15s.; roots, £3 10s. to £4 per ton.

Mace—Pale West Indian, 1/7 ; broken 1/- to 1/1 per th.

Nrrrate or Sopa—Agricultural, £11 per ton.

Nurmercs-—74’s, Is. ; 101’s , 74d. per th.

Pimento—2}d. to 23d. per tb.

Rum—Demerara, 1s. 2}d. to Is. 43d. per proof gallon;
Jamaica, 2s. per proof gallon.

Sucar—Yellow crystals, 20/6 to 22/- per ewt. ; Muscovado,
18/- to 19/- per cwt. ; Molasses, 14/6 to 18/6 per cewt.

SuLpHATe oF AMMONIA—£13 17s. Gd. per ton.

Montreal,— February 10, 1905.—Mr. J. Russern Murray,
(In bond quotations, c. & f.)

Bananas—No quotations.

CreparR—No quotations.

Coc es Nuts— Jamaica, $25°00 to $27°00 ; Trinidad, $21-00
0 $23-00 per M.

Gasece Tanta medium, Ye. to Ife. per Tb.

GincpR—Jamaica, unbleached, 63c. to 7c. per th.

Mo.ascu r—Demerata, $1°32 per 100 th.

Morasses—Barbados, 28c. to 39c. ; Antigua, 25c. to 25c. per

Imperial gallon.

Nurmecs—Grenada, 110’s, 19¢. per th.

OrancEes—No quotations.

Prvento—Jamaica, 5je. to 5$e. per tb.

Pine-appLes—No quotations.

Sucar—Grey Crystals, 96°, $3°65 to $3°75 per 100 Ib.
—Muscovados, 89°, $2°90 to $3:00 per 100 th.
—Molasses, 89°, $2°65 to $3°75 per 100 tb.
—Barbados, 89°. No quotations.

New York,—March 31, 1905.—Messrs. Gitiespre Bros.

& Co.
Cacao—Caracas, 12c. to 13ce.; Grenada, Ile. to 11ic.;
Trinidad, 12c. to 124¢. per tb.
Cocoa-nuts—No quotations.
Correr—Jamaicas, 8}c. to 84c. per th. (ex store).
GINGER— Jamaica, bie. to 5c. per th.
Goat Skrxs—Jamaicas, 59c. to 60c. per tb.
Grape Frurr—Jamaicas, $3:00 to $4°50 per barrel.
Orancks—Jamaica, $4:00 to $4°50 per barrel (stem cut).

Pivento—4te. per th.
Sucar—Centrifugals, 96°, 5c.; Muscovados, 89°, 42c.;
Molasses, 89°, 44¢. per th.

INTER-COLONIAL MARKETS.

Antigua,—April 5, 1905.—Messrs. Gro, W. Brenner

Bryson & Co., Lyrp.
Morasses—24e. per gallon, package included.
Sucar—§2 75 per 100 tb. 89

Barbados,—April 8, 1905.—Messrs. T. 8. Garraway

& Co., and Messrs. James A. Lyncn & Co,
Arrowroot—St. Vincent, $3°40 to $3°75 per 100 th.
Cacao—Dominica, $11-00 per 100 tb.

Cocoa-Nuts—No quotations.

Corren—$11-00 to $12°00 per 100 tb.

Hay— 6c. to $1°10 per 100 th.

Manures—- Nitrate of soda, $62°00 ; Ohlendorft’s dissolved
guano, $60°00 ; Sulphate of ammonia, $75:00; Sulphate
of potash, $67-00.

Morassps— 24e. per gallon.

Oxrons—Teneriffe, $3°00 to $3°15 per 100 tb.

Poraros, ENGLISH—$1°68 to $193 per 160 tb. (retail).

Sree ee $4:40 to $4°75 per bag (190 tb.) ; Patna,

3°25 per 100 th.

Sue ea —Muscovados, 89°, $2°60 ; Dark crystals, 96°, $3-10
per 100 tb.

British Guiana,—April 6, 1905.—Messrs. Wirtrne

& RIcHTER.

Arrowroot—St. Vincent, $7°50 to $8-00 per barrel.

3aLata—Venezuela block, 25c.; Demerara sheet, 35c.
per tb.

Cacao—Native, 15c. to 14e. per th.

Cassava SrarcH—$6:00 per barrel.

Cocoa-Nuts—$10°00 to $12°00 per M.

Correr—Rio and Jamaica, 144c. to 15e. per th. (retail).

—Creole, 12¢. to 14c. per tb.

Duat— $4:00 to $4°25 per bag of 168 th.

Eppors—$1°08 to $1°56 per barrel.

Motasses—Vacuum Pan _ yellow, 17c.
(casks included).

Ontons—Madeira, 3hc. to 4c. ; Lisbon, 4c.; Garlic, dc.
per tb. ‘

Pea Nurs—Ameriecan, 5$c. per tb. (retail).

Prantarns— 24c. to GOc. per bunch.

Poratros, ENGrisH—Picked, $2°50 to $2-75

ticE—Ballam, $4°30 to $4°35 per 177 tb. ;
per bag.

Sweer Poraros—Barbados, $1:20 per bag; $1°20 per
barrel.

Tannias— $2°40 per barrel.

Yams—White, $1°92 per bag.

Sucar—Dark crystals, $3°305 to $3°35; Yellow, $4-00 to
$4:10; White, $4:°90 to $5:00; Molasses, $2:90 to
$3-00 per 100 th. (retail).

Timber—Greenheart, 32c. to 55¢e. per cubie foot.

WALLABA SHINGLES—$3'00, $3°75, and $5°50 per M.

to 18c. per gallon

per barrel.
Creole, $4:00

Trinidad,—April 6, 1905.—Messrs. Gorpon, Grant

& Co. ; and Messrs. Epcar Trree & Co.
Cacao—Ordinary, $12 00 to $1225; estates, $12°50 ;
superior plantation, $12°75 to $13: 25 per fanega
(110 th.); Venezuelan $12°35 to $12°60 per fanega.
Cocoa-nuts—$20:00 per M., f.o.b.
Cocoa-Nur O1r—75e. per Imperial ¢ gallon (casks included).
Corre a enezuelan, 9}c. per th.
Corra—-$2°90 to $3-00 per 100 tb.
Ontons—Teneritte, $2°00 to $2°25 ) per 100 tb. (retail).
Poraros, EnciisH—$1° 12 to $1°25 per 100 tb.
cba $425 to $4°40; white $4°75 to $5°75 per
ag
Sugan— White crystals, $4°50 ; 7 yellow crystals, $3°50 to
$3°75 : molasses sugars, $2°75 to $3-75 per 100 th.

THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.

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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Volume IV. Nos. 1 and 2. Papers on general subjects. No. 3. (out of print) No. 4. Sea Island Cotton
in the United States and the West Indies. Price 6d. each number. Post free, 8d.

Volume V. Nos. 1, 2, and 3. Papers on general subjects. No. 4. Report of Agricultural Conference, 1905.
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 stil] 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, 23d.

(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 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, 2d.

(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, 23d.

(21) Cotton and Onion Industries in the West Indies. Price 2d. Post free, 23d.

(22) Scale Insects of the Lesser Antilles, Part Il. Price 4d. Post free, 5d.

(23) Notes on Poultry in the West Indies. Price 4d. Post free, 5d.

(24) Dominica, Hints to Settlers. Price 2d. Post free 24d.

(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.

(27) Seedling and other Canes in the Leeward Islands, 1902-1903. Price 2d. Post free, 23d.

(28) Barbados and Porto Rico Molasses. Price 3d. Post free, 33d.

(29) Lectures on the Diseases of the Sugar-cane. Price 4d. Post free, 5d.

(30) Manurial Experiments with Sugar-cane in the Leeward Islands, 1902-3. Price 4d. Post free, 5d.

(31) A. B. C. of Cotton Planting. Price 4d. Post free, 5d.

(32) Seedling and other Canes at Barbados, in 1904. Price 4d. Post free, 5d.

(33) Seedling and other Canes in the Leeward Islands, 1903-4. Price 4d. Post free, 5d.

(34) Notes on Rabbit Keeping in the West Indies. Price 2d. Post free, 23d.

(35) Information in regard to Agricultural Banks. 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 Hon. Francis
Watts and others. Price, limp cloth 2s., or in a superior style of binding 2s. 6d. Postage in either binding, 33d. extra.

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
Is. 74d. per half-year, or 3s. 3d. per annum. Vols. I, If and III complete with title page and index as issued.—Price 4s. Post
free, 5s. Only a few copies available. A// applications for copies are to be addressed to the Agents, not to the Department.

ents.

The following have been appointed Agents for ote of the publications of the Department :—

London: Messrs. Dutau & Co., 37, Soho Square, W. City Agents: THE West Inpra Commirres, 15, Seething
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MarsHatt & 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. S$¢. Lucia: Mrs. Borman, Bridge Street,
Castries. Dominica : Messrs. C. F, Duverney & Co., Market St., Roseau. Montserrat : Mr. W. LLEWELLYN WALL, Plymouth.
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THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.

THE BEST MANURES FOR COLONIAL USE

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CACAO.
By J. H. HART, F.LS.
NEW EDITION.

A treatise on the cultivation, curing and chemistry of
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DAVIDSON & TODD, Trinidad.
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Printed at Office of Agricultural Reporter, 4, High Street, Bridgetown, Barbados,

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Edited by the Secretary.

WEST

Containing a Review of the Work of the West India Com-
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Cacao, Sugar, Molasses and Rum, Coffee, Cotton,
Nutinegs, Mace, Pimento, Ginger, Arrowroot, Lime
Juice, ete., etc., Home Arrivals and Departures by
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“Vol. IV., No. 80.]_ SATURDAY, MAY 6, 1905. [One penny. _

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CONTENTS.
PAGE. PAGE.
Banana Trade... ... ... 137 | Insect Note :—
Barbados Bananas, Pack- Termites or White Ants 158

mg ... «.. «.. «-. 132 | Malaria, Immunity of
Barbados Industrial Barbados from 138
School ... ... .. 141 | Market Reports 144

Notes and Comments ... 136
Leeward Islands, Agri-

Barbados versus Jamaica
Bananas ...

Bee Keeping :— culture in... ... 133
Preparation of Honey Our Book Shelf :—-

for Market ... ... 141 Diseases of Cattle 139
Cacao Diseases in British Me oe rane :

Gta ap ark 137 eee xardens im (eG
Cacao Soils, Trinidad 139 Poul oe eres =
Wacaovlrade.. =. .-- lod ? oe ee al
‘Cacao, Witch Broom Gmnny) ibe ims

r) Gardening mae. 142

Disease of Goce we lots)

Castilloa Planting in Leia esha

St. Kattis!... 25 &:. 143

British Honduras ... 134 | a ._ ete
“A ; Science Note :—
‘Colonial and Indian Mi ; 5)
Pa eae OG Mimusops Elengi... 142
Exhibition ~ 129 Sieur Tada
‘Cotton Industry :— Reooae a :
Ratooning tn ven LOoe arouse a a
: sia an British Guiana tee, LSI
Siwvancent... .. -.- leo Nader ibeccese 130
Bemoigon Seed se 24 186) | cea yaa genet
West Indies... . 134 oe Doe
Conference ,.. ... 131
Keonomic Plants for West Indian Products :—
Sale ... «» 135 London Drug and
Gleanings... . 140 Spice Market ... ... 143

Indian Exhibition,

1905.

Colonial and

EFERENCES have been made from time
to time in the Agricultural News to the

t—CS¢ preparations that have been made in the
various West Indian Colonies to secure representation

at the Colonial and Indian Exhibition to be held at
the Crystal Palace this year.

The exhibition, which will be officially opened by
the Lord Mayor of London and the Sheriffs on May 12
next, is certain to be visited by a large number of
persons interested in these colomes. It is, therefore, of
great importance that the West Indies should be
adequately represented. The West India Committee
has, from the beginning, taken a very active part in
connexion with the representation of these islands, and
it is largely due to its energetic action that the
preparations have been brought to so satisfactory
a position. The action of the West India Committee
has received hearty support in these islands where
local committees have been busy in getting together
representative exhibits for the West Indian court.

Reference to the plan of the Exhibition, which
was published in the Agricultural News, Vol. IV,
p. 39, will show that a most advantageous position has
been allotted for the West Indian Court, immediately
in front of the central entrance to the Palace and
adjacent to the central transept

The Court will occupy a space of about 7,000
square feet, of which each colony, and the Royal Mail
Steam Packet Co., will have its integral section, Every
effort has been made to render the Court attractive,
which will have, according to the West India Committee
Circular, ‘an open screen, running all round, of a rich,
buff colour, the mouldings relieved with lacquered
gold, and the facias ornamented with a blue ground,
and also relieved with gold; and an inner screen, which

130

THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.

May 6, 1905.

it is hoped to construct of sugar-canes, which the
colonies have been asked to contribute.’ It may also
be mentioned that the Department of Public Gardens
ead Plantations in Jamaica is supplying, for decorative
purposes, sixty tubs of growing plants in addition to
canes and bamboos.

It is generally recognized that the value of these
exhibitions lies in the promotion of trade, and it is
mainly with the view of promoting trade between the
West Indies and the Mother Country that exhibits
are being sent from the various colonies. Thus, the
large exhibit from Trinidad includes samples of the
principal industries of the colony, viz.. cacao, sugar,
and asphalt. In addition, there are exhibits of the
minor industries, such as honey and wax, walking sticks,
tobacco, local-made soaps, bay oil and bay rw, as well
as samples of the colony’s mineral products (manjak,
oils, etc.).

With a view, also, of making West Indian products
better known in the United Kingdom, a quantity of
literature dealing with the colonies has been supplied
for distribution. The Committee appointed by the
Goyernment of Barbados has issued a handbook (with
an ornamental cover designed by Lady Carter) com-
prising historical, agricultural, and general information
concerning the colony. It also contains a complete
catalogue of the exhibits from Barbados.

From several colonies representatives have been
sent to take charge of the exhibits. Mr. J. H. Hart,
F.LS., the Superintendent of the Royal Botanic
Gardens, is in charge of the Trinidad exhibits:
Mr. John Barclay, the Secretary of the Jamaica
Agricultural Society, and Mr. Frank Cundall, Secretary
of the Jamaica Institute, are acting in a similar
capacity for Jamaica, while the Hon. Forster M. Alleyne
will represent Barbados.

The hearty manner in which this matter has been
taken up in the various islands is an indication of the
desire to promote the agricultural resources of the
West Indies, and the efforts made should have the
sympathetic approval of all who have the interests of
these islands at heart.
that British Guiana is the only important colony not
adequately represented at this Exhibition.

Tt is a matter of general regret

The West Indies are to be congratulated upon the
interest that has been taken in their welfare by the
West India Committee, to whom the thanks of these
colonies are due for the time and energy that have
been spent in promoting the objects of the Exhibition,

In this connexion it is desirable to refer again to-
the suggestion of the Secretary of the West India
Committee, that in all the West India Islands and in
British Guiana permanent exhibition committees
should be appointed with the view of securing adequate
representation at all exhibitions in Great Britain.
There is also the further suggestion that it might be
possible to arrange for a special court at the Crystal
Palace where a permanent exhibit could be placed.
This would be useful, also, in connexion with provincial
exhibitions for which supplies could be drawn from
the permanent exhibit, This is a matter which might
usefully be taken up and discussed by the Chambers
of Commerce, the Agricultural Boards, and the
Agricultural Societies in these colonies. There can be
no doubt that it is greatly to the advantage of the
West Indies that their products should be brought to
the notice of commercial men abroad and that their
resources should become better known. This ean, to
a great measure, be secured by having selected exhibits
at all the principal exhibitions not only in the United
Kingdom but in the Dominion of Canada and elsewhere,

Limitations of the Naudet Process.

The following is extracted from a report in the
Demerara Daily Chronicle of an interview with the
Hon. R. G. Duncan who recently visited Trinidad:—

Speaking of the Naudet process, which he saw at work
at Caroni, Mr. Duncan was by no means enthusiastic as to
the superiority claimed for it over every other existing
method of sugar making. The plant at Caroni Usine is
understood to be the largest of the kind yet erected, and
Mr. Duncan admits that the process on full development
may proye highly successful. But the idea does not yet
appear to have been perfected. Asked whether the new
plant was capable of giving a 99 per cent. extraction from
the cane, Mr. Duncan replied that the statement was not
true. It gave no better results in this respect, he said, than
triple crushing in Demerara. Another difficulty he referred
to was the successful and satisfactory carrying out of the
diffusion process. For this purpose a large quantity of water
is required to pass through the megass, and the difficulty
consists in so preparing the megass that the water will come
into contact with all its cells. In the plant at Caroni, this
idea has not yet been developed to perfection.

Mr. Dunean also contends that the diffusion process to
Which the megass is subjected lessens the value of the latter
for fuelling purposes. At Careni, the megass does not
suffice for the furnaces, and some additional fuel is necessary.

Tn the case of the average Demerara sugar factory,
Mr. Duncan considers that the need for a complementary

Vor. IV. No. 80.

THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.

131

fuel supply would be even greater, because of the lower
saccharine richness of the canes in this colony compared with
those of Trinidad. On the whole, Mr. Duncan believes that
the Naudet process admits of very material development, and
that it may yet attain much popularity in these colonies.

Sugar-cane Experiments in British Guiana.

The following are extracts from a progress report
for the half-year ended December 31, 1904, on the
sugar-cane experiments that have been carried on in
the experimental fields attached to the Botanic Gardens,
British Guiana, under the control of Professor J. B.
Harrison, C.M.G., M.A., assisted by the advice of the
members of the Sugar-cane Experiments Committee of
the Board of Agriculture :—

The months of July, August, September, and October
were occupied by the agricultural operations proper to the
season. The canes made fair growth during this period.
During October and November examinations were made of
some thousands of new seedlings raised from seed in 1901
and 1902. The canes commenced to arrow late in July,
Brekeret and Kara-Kara-Wa flowering freely towards the end
of that month. These were followed by Nos. 322, 358, 359,
377, 382, 393, 54, 4,408, 95, 3,287, 74, and 130, and
by Kamba-Kamba, Vati, and Armstrong in August, while the
majority of varieties were flowering by the middle of
September.

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 very great scarcity of fertile seeds
produced this year. Two hundred and twenty-three sowings
were made and only 292 seeds of five varieties germinated,
the lowest rate for many years. About 170 young seedlings
have been secured. The most prolific variety was No. 115,
followed by No. 1,087, and by No. 130.

The average yield of the second ratoon canes in the
North field was at the rate of 23 tons of canes per acre, that
of the first ratoons 22°2 tons. The average yield of the
varieties reaped from South field as first ratoons, twelve
months old, was at the rate of 17:7 tons of canes per acre.

The experiments with nitrogenous manures have
produced singularly clear proofs of the dependence of the
yield of the sugar-cane on the proportion of available nitrogen
added in the 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.

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, these
results confirm the opinion expressed in January 1904 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 commensurately increased
yields of sugar-cane.

The above conclusion, based on the results of thirteen
years’ field experiments, is an important one for the guidance
of planters in this colony. At present large quantities of
slag-phosphates are yearly imported at an approximate cost
ou the field of, say, $20 per ton, and are applied to the soil
at the rate 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 thus be guided as to the
advisability of applying phosphates. In my _ opinion
considerable economy would ensue from the adoption of
this course.

The high yield of B. 147 in these experiments is worthy
of note. As it did in the earlier Barbados experiments under
similar conditions of plot-growth, it has appeared to be a cane
of exceptionally high potential value, while, as it is reported to
have been in Barbados, in this colony on the large scale it
has been a comparative failure.*

Two hundred and thirty mule-cart loads of canes were
distributed during the last fortnight of December to the
various plantations which 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, such as D. 109,
D. 145, and D. 625, with confidence to cane farmers and
I hope in the near future to receive applications from them.

WEST INDIAN AGRICULTURAL
CONFERENCE, 1906.

The following is an extract from a letter from the
Acting Colonial Secretary, Jamaica, to the Imperial
Commissioner of Agriculture for the West Indies,
dated March 24, 1905, in which reference is made to
the proposal to hold the next West Indian Agricultural
Conference in Jamaica :—

T am desired by the Governor to inform you that both
the Board of Agriculture and the Agricultural Society
consider that it would be highly desirable in the interests of
this cclony that the next West Indian Agricultural Con-
ference should be held in Jamaica.

I am to say that this Government is in entire agreement
with these societies in the matter and that it would be
a source of much gratification not only to the Government,
but also, his Excellency is sure, to the people of the colony
as a whole if you could find it convenient to arrange for
holding the Conference next year in this island. His
Excellency need hardly assure you that this Government
would heartily co-operate with you to make the Conference
a success in every way.

Selling Bananas. ‘The importations of bananas at
Boston during last year amounted to 2,906,449 bunches.
They were received from Jamaica, Costa Rica, Cuba, and
San Domingo. The United Fruit Co. is now selling the
bananas at a fixed rate per lb. By this method one buyer
does not get a load of heavy fruit, while another, paying the
same price for the same grade of fruit, receives a load of
light-weight bunches. W. W. & C. R. Noyes are selling their
cargoes according to the old system of a fixed price per
bunch. The Atlantic Fruit Company, which has recently
entered the Boston banana market, has introduced the
auction system, which is used in New York by several
banana importers. In general, it is said that the history of
the auction system has been lower prices than under the
other methods. (The Journal of Commerce.)

* Tt should, however, be mentioned that on some estates in
Barbados, B. 147 has given good results on a comparatively large
scale. [Ed. A. N.]

THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.

WEST INDIAN

PACKING BARBADOS BANANAS.

In the accompanying figure (for permission to
publish which we are indebted to the courtesy of
Messrs. W. Pink & Sons), crates of bananas are shown
ready for shipment frou Barbados. ‘The method of
packing bananas that has been recommended at
Barbados by the Imperial Department of Agriculture
was thus described by Mr. J. R. Bovell in a paper on
the Fruit Industry at Barbados, read at the recent
Agricultural Conference :—

In packing the bananas great care should be taken that
the fruits have not even the slightest bruise. Bunches
containing fruit that is bruised, however slightly, should not
@ Each bunch should be wrapped first in cotton

be shipped.
Strings of shag (the sheaf of

wadding and then in paper.

FRUIT.

midrib) to form a bed about 1 inch thick when pressed by
the weight of the bunch. This will prevent the under side
of the bunch from coming into contact with the crate.

Having placed the bunch in the crate, gradually stuff
the dried leaves round it, until sufficient have been put in to
prevent the paper from unwrapping. Now cut the ‘shag’
string and draw it out, and continue packing until the bunch
is firmly fixed in the crate. The remainder of the slats
should be nailed on as they are needed te keep the packing
in its place.

JAMAICA V. BARBADOS BANANAS.
The following is a letter addressed by Mr. J. RB.
Jackson, A.LS., to the editor of the Western Morning

News —
Sir,—In an extremely interesting article

Nils FOR

Fic. BARBADOS BANANAS READY
the banana leaf) should be lightly wrapped round the
sheets of paper to keep them in position while the bunch is
being put into the crate. Having wrapped the bunch of
bananas, put into a crate, on which only half of the slats
have been nailed, a sufficient quantity of dried banana leaves
(the blades or thin portions of the leaf on each side of the

SHIPMENT.

in your issue of January 19 last on the above
subject, where comparisons are drawn between
the qualities of the Jamaica and the Barba-
dos fruits, and much valuable information is
given on the subject generally, which cannot
fail to be of interest to everyone who wishes
well to our West Indian Colonies, there is one
passage to which I may, perhaps, be allowed
to take exception. It occurs in the paragraph’
on the advantages of packing, as is done with
the Barbados fruit, over the ‘naked’ system
under which the Jamaica fruit is shipped. The
writer says :—‘We have before now. pointed
out the erroneous nature of the views held by
Sir Daniel Morris, the Imperial Commissioner
of Agriculture in the West Indies, in respect
to banana packing. It is a mistake to advise
the marketing of bananas in a state of nature,
so to speak. We are told that the Jamaica
banana can be shipped naked, and arrives In
_ England in good condition. But to this.
system, which was most unfortunately adopted
from the start, the low estimate of value put
upon the Jamaica banana in the English
markets is due.’

From what I know of Sir Daniel Morris’
views on the subject—a knowledge confirmed hy the reports
of his speeches and by his writings in the official publications
of the Imperial Department of Agriculture—these views:
appeared to me distinctly contradictory to those with which
he is credited, and this is confirmed in a letter just to hand
from him in which he says: ‘As you can easily understand,.

i

———-

>
¢
4

Vou. IV. No. 80.

THE AGRICULTURAL

NEWS. 133

T hold no such erroneous views as are attributed to me in
the Western Morning News. The shipment of the Jamaica
bananas to New York began in a small way about thirty
years ago, i.e., before I came to the West Indies. As it was
found that the fruit carried very well to New York without
being packed in crates, that plan was generally adopted and
has been continued to the present time. When the question
came up for Jamaica fruit to be brought to England, I was the
first to urge on Sir Alfred Jones the desirability of packing the
Jamaica bananas in exactly the same way as the Canary
bananas, but I was assured that, owing to the enormous
quantity shipped at one time, it would be impossible to find
crates enough for the purpose. Further, I was informed
that the price likely to be obtained for Jamaica bananas
would not justify placing them in crates as they are intrin-
sically not so good as the Canary and Barbados sorts. It is
singular how this misapprehension of my views has come
about. I suppose it is because I have accepted the position
taken up by the exporters of Jamaica bananas as inevitable.’

I think it is only right, considering the excellent work
that has been, and is still being, done in the West Indies by
the Imperial Department of Agriculture that Sir Daniel
Morris’ correct views on this important subject should be
known.

(Sgd.) JOHN R. JACKSON,

AGRICULTURE IN THE LEEWARD
ISLANDS.

The following interesting summary of agricultural
operations in the Leeward Islands is extracted from the
Annual Report on the colony for 1903-4 :—

The estimated acreage of cultivated Jand in Antigua is
16,481 acres out of 52,794 acres, in St. Kitt’s-Nevis
(exclusive of Anguilla) 18,268 out of 75,520 acres. In
Dominica there are about 177,549 acres of uncultivated land,
of which about 80,000 are Crown lands suitable for
cultivation.

Sugar constitutes the chief agricultural industry of
Antigua, St. Kitt’s-Nevis, and Montserrat ; the production of
lime juice, essential oil of limes, and cacao forms the main
industries of Dominica, while considerable quantities of lime
juice are exported from Montserrat.

In Antigua there are established ten, and in St. Kitt’s
nine, local sugar experiment stations, where experiments are
being carried on, in order to select and introduce into local
cultivation the most productive varieties of sugar-cane, and
also to ascertain the manurial requirements of the sugar-cane
under the special conditions prevailing in various localities.
The work at these stations is carried on jointly by officers
working in connexion with the Imperial Department of
Agriculture and by the planters. The experiments are
fcllowed with great interest ; reports of the work done are
published annually and have had an important bearing on
the work of the sugar plantations. The cultivation of new
varieties of sugar-cane continues to make progress throughout
the colony ; as a consequence diseases of sugar-cane have
occasioned comparatively little loss of late years. The
manurial experiments have also afforded results of importance
calculated to lead to economies and precision in working, and
thereby to afford substantial monetary savings.

In Antigua there has been maintained in connexion
with the Botanic Station a small station for the experimental
cultivation of various economic plants other than sugar-cane ;
here experiments have been conducted with yams, sweet
potatos, eddos, guinea corn, corn (maize), beans, cotton, and

a variety of other products of interest. Similar work has
also been done in connexion with the Experiment Stations in
Montserrat, and a small station of a like nature has been
started in St. Kitt’s.

The cultivation of cotton has attracted much attention
during the year. The British Cotton-growing Association
has given valuable assistance in the way of money,
machinery, and advice, the energies of the association being

largely directed through the Imperial Department of
Agriculiure. A ginnery, with a steam engine, an oil engine,

three gins, and a baling press, has been erected in Antigua.
A ginnery has been erected in Nevis by private enrerprise,
assisted by the British Cotton-growing Association. In
St. Kitt’s the operation of the privately-owned ginnery has
been continued. In Montserrat one privately-owned ginnery
and two ginneries assisted by the British Cotton-growing
Association have been steadily worked. The cultivation of
Sea Island cotton has been widely extended, a considerable
acreage being placed under this crop in each island, except
Dominica, which is not thought so suitable for the industry.
The cultivation promises to be successful, though obviously
those embarking in it will have to acquire skill by experience,
and some years must elapse before the best results are
realized. The industry is likely to be of great importance
to Montserrat, Nevis, and Anguilla, where the sugar
industry is carried on under difficulties.

The lime industry of Montserrat appears to be fairly
and substantially re-established. In Dominica this industry
has been making steady progress, though adverse circumstan-
ces seriously reduced the output in 1903.

The cultivation of cacao has been steadily extended in
Dominica, and is of growing importance to that presidency.

Onions continue to be successfully shipped, chiefly from
Antigua, though the cultivation of this crop is now being
taken up in Montserrat, St. Kitt’s-Nevis, and the Virgin
Islands.

The pine-apple industry of Antigua continues to be
energetically carried on, considerable shipments being made.

Botanic Stations or their equivalents, are established in
every presidency, and herein are conducted experiments
with, and experimental cultivations of, various plants adapted
to local conditions, either with the object of improving the
cultivation of established kinds, or of introducing improved
varieties, or of introducing entirely new plants with the hope
of establishing new industries. These stations serve as
centres from which economic plants are distributed to local
cultivators, who readily avail themselves of the facilities
thus offered.

The cultivation of tobacco on an experimental scale has
been continued in Antigua and St. Kitt’s. From results
obtained at the latter island, there appears to be reasonable
ground to hope for the establishment of a _cigar-tobacco
industry there in the course of time, as the soil appears very
suitable for the cultivation of tobacco of that grade,

Agricultural Shows have been held each year in Antigua
and Dominica at the instance, and under the direction, of
the Imperial Department of Agriculture. At these shows
prizes are awarded by the Department and the local Goyern-
ments for the best exhibits in each class of a widely
comprehensive list, and thus much is done to further the
economic industries of the islands.

The West Indian Bulletin, or journal of the Imperial
Department of Agriculture (quarterly), affords much informa-
tion concerning the work of the Department in the Leeward
Islands and elsewhere. A fortnightly publication of the
Department, the Agricultural News, affords information
on current events of agricultural interest.

134

THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.

May 6, 1905.

Fille Or<,
= Sri oe

COTTON INDUSTRY.

Ratooning Cotton.

In view of the very strong recommendations
already made by this Department against ratooning
Sea Island cotton, it is hoped that planters will not
adopt so injurious a practice anywhere in these
colonies. If further evidence were necessary in
support of the policy advocated by the Department, it
would be found in the following extract from a letter
received from Mr. Charles M. Wolstenholme, the
well-known Cotton Broker of Liverpool, dated April 11
last :—

I hope you will be able to stamp out the ratooning of
Barbados and St. Vincent cotton. The planters may find it
to pay for one season, but it spells ruin for the industry.

When once West Indian cotton proves inferior to
‘Carolina it will be relegated to the category of Florida and
‘Georgia, and will be looked at with suspicion.

Dowt Ratoon.

The moral is:

West Indies.

The following note on the cotton industry
appeared in the West Jidia Committee Circular tor
April 11, 1905 :—

It will be remembered that in April last year, when
a conference took place between representatives of the British
Cotton-growing Association and the West India Committee,
we suggested the advisability of cotton experts being sent out
to the colonies. An effort was made to induce the
‘Government to provide funds for this purpose but they did
not see their way to do so.* The British Cotton-growing
Association then generously decided to make a grant to
strengthen the hands of the Imperial Department of Agri-
eulture in this direction. This has enabled Sir Daniel Morris,
the Commissioner of Agriculture, to secure the services of
Mr. T. Thornton, who has been appointed cotton inspector in
the West Indies. His work will consist of visiting the
various plantations and giving advice where necessary. At
present, he is specially engaged in making a_ careful
microscopical examination and testing the strength of the
fibre. He will also make careful note of whatever pests
appear, and make provision for their extermination. It is
unnecessary to add that this action of the British Cotton-

_ * This is not so, On the recommendation of the Imperial
Counnissioner of Agriculture the Treasury approved of a grant
of £200 for this purpose. [Ed. A. N.]

growing Association is very warmly appreciated in the West
Indies.

Cotton is now coming forward very freely from the West
Indies and the quality seems to be well maintained. During
the past fortnight 403 bales were imported into the United
Kingdom. Medium fine is quoted 5-05d. per tb.; and West
Indian Sea Island, medium fine, 124d. per tb.; fine, 133d.
per Ib.; and extra fine, 153d. per Ib.

THE CACAO TRADE.

Figures given in the Grocer and statistics from the:
Board of Trade show that the importations and stock in the
United Kingdom and London alone for 1904 exhibited
a great increase over those in 1903, and the quantities of
cacao exported, on the contrary, showed a very material
decrease as compared with those in the previous year ; the
total quantity of cacao duty paid in this country during 1904
is equal to 45,313,072 1b. or 4,125,721 Ib. more than in
1903. Trinidad supplies, as will be seen, have been excessive,
and after such stiff rates as 72s. to 76s. were current for
ordinary to good red, as little as 56s. to 64s. was accepted
later in the year now closed. Grenada cacao, nearly always
preferred by the trade, at first fetched the extreme market
value of from 50s. to 60s. 6d., but in sympathy with the
depreciation of other sorts the final quotations last year fell
back to 52s, to 57s. for fair to good quality. Amongst other
British West India sorts as regards weight of supply and
excellence of quality, Dominica at the best periods was taken
at from 50s. to 6ls. 6d., and at the worst times as low as
48s. 6d. to 54s. per ewt. African cacao increases in extent
and influence each year, often controlling the tendency of the
market as a whole, more especially at the chief entrepot of
Liverpool, where the heaviest importations are received and
disposed of at such very reasonable rates as seldom fail to
induce free purchases for both home and export purposes.

Castilloa Planting in British Honduras.

Mr. Eugene Campbell, Curator of the Botanic Station at
Belize, British Honduras, writes: ‘We are now taking up
the planting of Castilloa trees on crown lands. This I
consider a very important move, as there is, probably, no
better place for the Central American rubber tree than
British Honduras, and every effort should be made to
demonstrate its value and the most suitable methods of
cultivation. A few days ago I met Mr. O. F. Cook, of the
U. S. Department of Agriculture (Author of Zhe Culture
of the Central American Rubber Tree), who has been
travelling in Guatemala and Mexico. He informs me that
he has discovered that there are at least four distinct species
of Castilloa, but he is not yet in a position to say which of
them is likely to be the most profitable one to grow,

Won, LV. "No. S80:

THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.

135

WITCH BROOM DISEASE OF CACAO.

The following article containing hints for the
treatment of the ‘witch broom’ disease cf cacao appeared
in the Demerara Daily Chronicle of April 19 :—

Since it has become known to the public that ‘witch
broom’ has been found by the Government Botanist and the
Instructors in Agriculture on an estate up the Demerara
river, it behoves all cacao planters to keep a sharp look-out
for this destructive fungoid disease, which has done so much
damage to the cacao industry in Surinam. As far as is
known, the disease is only on one estate in the colony, and
it is with the idea of preventing it from spreading to other
estates, that these notes are written.

THE SYMPTOMS OF THE DISEASE,

‘Witch broom’ consists of curiously swollen, gouty and
abnormal twigs, bunched together and growing in tufted
masses from the normal stems of the tree. The trees, when
attacked, very soon give up bearing healthy pods, as the
pods of a tree attacked by ‘witch broom’ are themselves
attacked by a fungus which makes them become hard and
woody and absolutely useless. The productiveness of the
tree is so seriously impaired that it is found most advisable
to cut down any tree that may be attacked and to burn it,
with the hope of checking the spread of the disease.

The disease seems to have been first noted in 1898
when, it is understood, specimens were forwarded to Professor
Ritzema Bos, of Amsterdam, who discovered fruiting organs
of the Bxroaseus type, on the underside of some of the
rudimentary leaves borne on the tufts of ‘witches’ broom.’

Professor Ritzema Bos considered that the disease was
due to a new fungus. The disease has been studied by
Professor F. C. Went, of the University of Utrecht, who
came out to Surinam, so as to be able to study it on the spot.
The conclusion that he came to was that the disease was due
to a fungus, but he was unable to say, with any degree of
certainty, what that fungus was—owing to the fact that he
had been unable to observe any formation of spores.

REMEDIAL MEASURES.

Although little scientifically may be known of the
disease, planters know that an estate overrun with this
fungus is practically worthless. As the fungus that produces
this disease is so little known as to be not yet named, no
spores having been observed, it is difficult to suggest any
remedial measures beyond the ‘axe and fire-stick.’ But
planters can adopt preventive methods, and we would
strongly advise every cacao grower, on the Demerara river
especially, to adopt some methods of a preventive nature.
The following measures should be adopted to keep trees in
as healthy and as sound a condition as possible. Healthy
and vigorous growing trees are the least likely to be attacked
by any prevailing disease.

PREVENTIVE MEASURES.

1. Attend more carefully to your pruning. Follow your
pruners and insist on their making clean, smooth cuts, close
to the stem, and well rounded, so that the bark has every
chance of healing over the scar.

2. Tar all wounds and cuts.

3. Remove all diseased pods and branches and burn
them. All old shells and pods should be buried, with
a little lime. and not allowed to remain in the fields—hot-
beds for any fungoid diseases. If burning the pods be too
expensiye or inconvenient, break them at the factory and
throw them (if your estate is on the river's bank) into the
river, to be taken away with the tide.

4. Improve the health of your trees by careful forking:
and by keeping your estate well draine/. Bad drainage is-
at the bottom of many more diseases than you would think
possible.

5. Do not overshade your trees.

6. Have a daily watch kept for the first signs of this-
disease, and should it appear on any tree, cut it out and
burn it at once.

A MODEL CACAO ESTATE,

One of the best-drained cacao estates in the colony is-
plantation Coverden on the Demerara river, and although
the area is large, consisting of nearly 340 acres, yet this.
estate is singularly healthy and almost free of any dangerous:
fungoid diseases. This is due to the good drainage of the
estate, and to thorough and good cultivation. Let all
cacao growers bear this in mind and give their trees the
best of drainage and the best of cultivation that their
means can afford.

SPECIMENS OF WITCH BROOM.

It is advisable for growers to pay a visit to the office of
the Government Botanist, for the purpose of seeing specimens-
of ‘witch broom’ so that, should it appear on their estates,
they would at once recognize the disease. It has to be seen
but once, when it will be readily recognized on any other
occasion.

ECONOMIC PLANTS FOR SALE.

The following is a list of economic plants in pots:
(and in beds) available for sale at the Botanic Station,
Grenada. Applications from other colonies should
be addressed to the Hon. the Colonial Secretary,
St. George’s, Grenada. The cost of the plants vary
from 1d. to 3d. each—packing and freight extra :—
Achras Sapota Cola acuminata (Kola)

(Sapodilla or naseberry) Enterolobium Timbouva
Acoumar (Timber) Eugenia caryophyllata (Clove)

Anona muricata (Sour sop) Funtumia elastica (African
s squamosa (Sweet sop Rubber tree)
or sugar-apple) Ficus Vogelii

Anona Cherimolia Hevea brasiliensis = (Para
(Cherimoyer) tubber)

Averrhoa Carambola Jatropha multifida
(Carambola) Mangifera indica (Mango)

Basella cordifolia (Grenada Ceylon)

Blighia sapida (Akee) Mangifera indica (Grafted),

Carica Papaya (Papaw) Ceylon, No. 2.

Castilloa elastica Mangifera indica (grafted.
(Central American Rubber) Peters)

Casuarina equisetifolia Mangifera indica (various

Catalpa longissima kinds)

Cedrela odorata (West Indian Melicocea bijuga —_ (Genip)-
Cedar) Myristica fragrans (Nutmeg)

Citrus Aurantium (Sweet Passiflora laurifolia (Water

Orange) lemon)

,, (var. Portugal) Pereskia aculeata (Barbados:
,, (var. Navel gooseberry)
budded) Persea gratissima
,, noblis (var. Mandarin) Pear)
(var. Tangerina) Psidium Guava (guava)
», Medica (var. acida) Sapindus inaequalis
Coffea liberica (Liberian Terminalia Catappa (Almond)
Coffee) Theobrom. Cacao (Cacao)
,, arabica (Arabian Coffee) Vanilla planifelia (Vanilla)
., Stenophylla

(Avocado-

” ”

THE

AGRICULTURAL NEWS.

May 6, 1905.

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 3 of the cover.

The Agricultural News: Price 1d. per number,
post free 14d. Annual subscription payable to Agents,
2s. 2d. Post free, 3s. 3d.

Agricultural dlews

Vox. IV.

NOTES AND COMMENTS.

SATURDAY, MAY 6, 1905. No. 80.

Contents of Present Issue.

The editorial in this issue of the Agricultural
News deals with the arrangements that have been
made for the representation of the West Indies at the
Colonial and Indian Exhibition to be held at the
Crystal Palace during the present year.

Sugar planters will find matters of interest on pp.
130-1 in reference to the Naudet process for extracting
sugar and the sugar-cane experiments that are being
carried on in British Guiana.

An illustrated article containing directions for
packing Barbados bananas will be found on p. 132: also
a letter written by Mr. J. R. Jackson in reference to the
general question of the advisability of shipping bananas
in crates.

The article on p. 135 deals with the treatment of
the witch broom disease. On the same page is a list
of economic plants on sale at the Botanic Station at
Grenada,

A further contribution to the discussion on the
subject of the immunity of Barbados from malaria will
be found on p. 138.

On p. 141 is the concluding portion of the article
on the preparation of honey for the market, commenced
in the last issue of the Agricultural News.

An interesting note en keeping poultry in
conjunction with gardening will be found on p. 143.

St. Vincent Cotton.

In the St. Vincent Sentry of April 14 last, consid-
erable space is devoted to the subject of cotton growing
in that island. Reference is made to the excellent
prices that have been obtained for the shipments of
cotton recently made froma that island, and_ to
the refusal of the Sea Island planters to sell seed for
planting in the West Indies. ‘We are glad to observe,
however, it is stated, ‘that the Imperial Department
of Agriculture has made excellent provision to meet
the emergency, and local growers need have no fear
that the industry can be materially hampered by the
action taken in South Carolina.’

We are glad to acknowledge the assistance that
has been afforded by the Sentry in connexion with the
establishment of the cotton industry. It is obvious
that its editor realizes the important part the industry
is likely to play in the improvement of the agricultural
condition of St. Vincent.

EE eee

Supply of Cotton Seed.

It is gratifying to learn that the arrangements:

proposed by the Imperial Department of Agriculture
for supplying ‘selected and disinfected cotton seed,’
grown in the West Indies, and guaranteed to be of the
highest quality, have received general support in
these colonies.

The principal supplies of such seed are obtained
from estates in St. Vincent, Barbados, and St. Kitt’s
that have obtained the best prices (163d. to 17d.
per Ib.) for their produce during the current season.
The seed will be selected by hand and disinfected and
delivered freight free to any part of the West Indies
at the rate of 5c. per Ib. In the event of any profit
arising from the transactions, this will be divided pro
rata (as was the case last year) amongst the persons
who purchased the seed.

In order to assist growers who desire to plant their
own seed for experiment purposes this will be ‘ hand-
picked and disintected’ by the Department on payment
of cost price.

It is particularly recommended that only the best
seed be planted this year and that no one will plant
(even his own) seed without having it carefully selected
and disintected beforehand.

The experience this year has shown that those
who planted the best disinfected seed obtained higher
prices (ranging from 4d. to 5d. per tb.) for their cotton
than those who planted inferior seed. The question of
carefully selecting the seed is a vital one as affecting
the future of the Sea Island cotton industry.

— ~ ———————

Preparation of Honey for the Market.

In view of the efforts that are being made in the
West Indies to establish a trade with the United
Kingdom in honey, the article on ‘The preparation of
Honey for the Market’ that is reproduced from the
Journal of the Bourd of Agriculture (Great Britain)
should be carefully read by all bee keepers in these
islands. Clear and explicit directions are given in
that article for preparing the first-class kinds of honey

Wor. IV. No. 80.

THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS. 13

~T

that are required in the British trade, and it is stated
that, to command a ready sale for his honey, the
bee keeper must strive to attain that standard.

Stress is laid on the necessity for grading the
sections and directions are given as to packing them.
Further, the desirability of rendering them as attrac-
tive as possible is urged.

The marketing of extracted or ‘run’ honey is also
dealt with. Here, again, it is particularly necessary
that the product should be carefully graded, since the
different grades are put to different purposes.

———— a

Dominica.

The following gentlemen have been appointed
members of an ‘ Agricultural Experiment Committee’
to confer with the Imperial Commissioner of Agri-
culture in regard to eftorts that are being made to
improve the lime, cacao, fruit, and other industries :—

Messrs. E. A. Agar, C. Blandy, P. F. Cox,
E. Downing, F. Everington, J. Cox Fillan, M. Fletcher,
H. A. Frampton, Joseph Jones, Dr. H. A. Alford
Nicholls, C.M.G., and Mr. A. C. Shillingford.

His Honour the Administrator has consented to
be the Chairman of the Agricultural Experiment
Committee.

0

Cacao Diseases in British Guiana.

Mr. A. W. Bartlett, B.A., B.Sc., F.L.S., Government
Botanist, British Guiana, recently visited the more
important cacao estates along the Demerara river in
order to investigate an alleged outbreak of cacao pod
disease.

Mr. Bartlett on his visit found one estate very
badly infected with the Surinam witch broom disease.
The estate was in a_ badly neglected condition,
consequently the disease had been allowed to spread
unchecked until it had gained a fair hold and is now
distributed, more or less, over the whole cultivation.
An account of the treatment to be adopted for dealing
with this disease will be found on p. 135.

As mentioned in the last issue of the <Agri-
cultural News, Mr. Bartlett also reports the presence
of the thread disease of cacao in British Guiana.
This was found on a few isolated trees on two estates.
Apparently on these estates the disease does not
spread rapidly.

On all the estates along the Demerara river
a certain number of diseased pods were found. ‘Their
abundance appeared to be in inverse ratio to the
quality of the drainage, cleanliness of the beds, and the
eare taken of the trees.

Most of the pod disease would appear to be due to
Phytophthora omnivora. In the middle of many of
the black diseased areas on the pods a delicate white
incrustation was seen, which on microscopic examina-
tion showed the conidia of this fungus. The fungus
causing ‘brown rot’ disease of the pods (Diplodia
cacaoicola) was present on decaying husks, ete., among
the trees: it could not, however, be recognized as
causing any of the diseases,

The Cacao Trade.

Several important facts are brought out in the
note on the cacao trade which is published on p. 134.
First of all, the importations and stock of cacao in the
United Kingdom during 1904 ‘exhibited a great
increase over those in 1903. On the other hand,
there was considerably less cacao exported from the
United Kingdom during the year than during 1903.

The range of prices obtained by West Indian
cacao is also of interest. It will be seen that the price
of the Trinidad product was as high as 72s. to 76s.
per cwt., the lowest prices being from 56s, to 64s.
Grenada cacao ranged from 50s. to 60s. 6d. down to
52s, to 57s., while that from Dominica ranged from
50s. to 61s. 6d., as top prices, down to 48s, Gd. to 54s,
at the worst times.

Finally, it is mentioned that the African cacao
trade is increasing every year. It will, therefore, be
well for West Indian cacao planters to realize that,
although the comsumption of this article is on the
increase, great care must be taken in curing and
preparation with a view to placing on the market
only a good-grade product which will sell well at
top prices.

a A

The Banana Trade.

Fruit trade journals received by last mail contain
references to the second show of colonial fruit held by
the Royal Horticultural Society, and also to a paper
by Mr. Frank Pink of the firm of Messrs. W. Pink &
Sons, read at a recent meeting of the society. This
paper dealt with ‘Bananas from a commercial point of
view. Mr. Pink referred to the establishment of the
Jamaica banana industry, and to the efforts that have
been made to ship bananas from the other West
Indian Colonies.

Referring to the Barbados banana, he said:
‘Unfortunately, though one of the easiest fruits to grow,
it is one of the most difficult to transport.’

In the reports of Mr. Pink’s paper we observe
several inaccuracies. As these are not likely to have
been made by Mr. Pink, it would be as well to correet
them here. It is stated that transit from Barbados
occupies six to eight days; this should, of course, be
ten to eleven. Again, it is stated that ‘in British
Guiana, Trinidad, and Barbados, the grower packs his
own fruits, and then hands them over to the Imperial
Department;’ so far, this has been done only in
Barbados.

It is stated that the bananas from Barbados
exhibited by Messrs. W. Pink & Sons, which were of
the same variety as grown in the Canary Islands, were
in splendid condition and colour. This variety will,
doubtless, find a ready sale amongst high-class
fruiterers for dessert fruit. That the coarse type of
fruit received from Jamaica will always meet with a sale
amongst the working class we do not for a moment
doubt, but the sale will be limited; whereas, if it
were of the same type as the Canary Islands produce,
the sale would be practically unlimited,

May 6, 1905.

5S THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.

INSECT NOTE.

Termites or White Ants.

the tropics do
property than the termites or, as they are more commonly
called, ‘wood ants,’ or ‘ white ants.’

In reality the termites are not ants, as the term is
usually applied, but are more closely related to the dragon-

Few insects in greater damage to

flies. They have, however, a social arrangement in their
colonies similar to that found among the true ants, and it is
probable that for this reason these insects were called: ants.

There are many instances of the destructiveness of the
termites, and probably every resident in the tropics has had

proof of the rapidity with which these insects work. They
are all miners in habit and carefully avoid the light. When

it becomes necessary to come to the surface of the ground or
to travel on the outside of tree trunks or timbers, they build
covered ways in which they travel. They live upon the fine
particles of the material in which they tunnel. In addition
to destroying timbers and other wood-work of houses,
bridges, posts, fences, furniture, picture-frames, books and
papers, they also attack living plants. In Florida, orange
and other trees have been damaged by termites girdling them
below the surface of the ground; in Georgia they have
injured potatos in the ground; and im Barbados, Ipomoea
plants have been destroyed by them.

Termites are very difficult to combat especially after
they are established. If the location of the nest is known,
the insects can be killed by the use of creosote or any
creosote mixture, kerosene, or carbon bisulphide. The
covered ways should be destroyed wherever seen.

Timbers for posts or for use in buildings should be
treated with tar, creosote, or some other preservative,
wherever they are to come in contact with the earth or
masonry walis. Chairs should not be allowed to lean up
against the walls of the houses, and books, picture-frames,
ete., should be frequently examined and exposed to light and
air, and when found infested with these pests, they should be
promptly treated as suggested above.

IMMUNITY OF BARBADOS FROM
MALARIA.
A note appeared in the last issue of the Agrv-
cultural News in which it was mentioned that
a theory had been propounded by Mr. C. Kendrick

Gibbons, of Collynns, Barbados, that the immunity of

Barbados from malaria was due to the presence
in the swamps and ponds of the island of large
numbers of tiny fish, known as ‘millions. The
Anopheles mosquito, the carrier of the malaria
parasite, is not present in Barbados; the common
mosquites found in that island are Culex faligans and
Stegumyia fasciaia. The following is a letter that has
been received on this subject from Mr. Gibbons:-
a]

In your April 22, you call attention to

a weak point in. my theory, which you say appears to

issue of

a

have escaped notice. The particular weak point alluded
to exists only because the writer assumes that the habits
of the Anopheles, the Culex fatigans and Stegomyia fasciata
are similar, which does not appear to be the case. I do
not attribute any selective action to the ‘millions,’ our ponds
and swamps are free from the larvae of the Cudlicidae
generally, if any variety deposit their eggs therein, no doubt
their larvae are destroyed by the fish as effectually as are the
larvae of the Anopheles; assuming the Anopheles is imported
here, which I think highly probable, there is nothing in my
idea, if it is not, and the immunity of Barbados from malaria
is due to something else. But while the Culex and Stegomyia
avail themselves of tanks and other receptacles for water, to
deposit their eggs in, where the ‘millions’ do not naturally
exist, and so perpetuate their species, the Anopheles do not
appear to do so. To quote Major W. M. Hodder, R.E—

by the by, whose phamphlet on the Destruction of

Mosquitos is reviewed in this very issue—who states
in his chapter on the habits of mosquitos, that the Cwlew
‘breed in gutters, water tanks, and filthy pools in back-yards
with equal facility. Their larvae can be found in the
gutters of high buildings or on the ground level. So
far as my observation goes, such is not the case with
the Anopheles; they do not deposit their eggs anywhere
except close to the ground level. I have examined
hundreds of tanks 4 or 5 feet above the ground, but in
not one single instance have their larvae been found therein,
although the tanks were actually standing on the ground
where these mosquitos lived.’

It is obvious if the habit of the Anopheles only permit
them to deposit their eggs in water on the ground level, and
that water abounds with fish which destroy their larvae, that
that variety of mosquitos must be exterminated in that
locality.

Mr. Gibbons is of the opinion that the note in the
Agricultural News, to which he refers, indicates that
the writer assumed that the habits of the various kinds
of mosquitos are similar, and goes on to prove that this
is not the case. Literature on this subject shows that
observations made in different parts of the world
indicate that Anopheles is very rarely found in vessels
of water, flower pots, and such receptacles in which
Culex is usually to be seen. This point of difference
appears to be generally recognized. The point of
citference upon which Mr. Gibbons lays special stress,
however, is that Anopheles is not found more than
a few feet above the ground-level. If Major Hodder’s
observations on this point are borne ont in other parts
of the world, the criticism would therefore be disposed of.

Mr. Gibbons’ argument is that Culex and
Steyomyia have not been exterminated in Barbados
because they breed in places in which the ‘millions’
are not likely to be fonad. That may certainly be the
ease. But the further argument that these fish are
more or less certain to be found in all places that the
Anopheles would be likely to select as breeding places
would appear to admit of considerable doubt. We are
of opinion that there are many pools and ponds in
Barbados in which Anopheles might breed—ponds in
which the ‘millions’ would not be found. Of the
natural breeding places of Anopheles, Howard states in
his Mosquitos of the United States: ‘ Anopheles will
always be found to breed most abundantly in fairly
permanent stagnant pools of water uninhabited by

Jish, but more or less covered with green scum.’

“

You.

IV. No. 80. THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS. 139
TRINIDAD CACAO SOILS.
Some geological notes on cacao soils by the

UG
UNDER CULTIVATION AT THE BOTANIC GAR-

ANDA PROTECTORATE: LIST OF PLANTS

DENS: Entebbe, 1904.

This list is issued by the Scientific and Forestry
Department of the Uganda Protectorate. It is stated that
this is the first list of its kind to be issued in Uganda ; it
applies, however, exclusively to the district of Entebbe. The
plants are all being grown in the Botanie Gardens, and are
either indigenous or have been introduced. In each case the
degree of success which has attended the culture is denoted.
Many plants, which otherwise do well, are attacked by
termites and frequently die a premature death in consequence.

The common names of foreign plants are given, as also,
where possible, the native names of indigenous plants.

There is no doubt that the value of this list would have
been greatly enhanced by the inclusion of information in
respect to the altitude, rainfall, temperature, ete., to which
each plant is suited, as is usually given in similar publications
in other tropical countries.

Uganda,

DISEASES OF CATTLE: A special report of the
Bureau of Animal Industry, U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Revised Edition. Washington: Government Printing Office,
1904.

This is a companion volume to the Report on Diseases of

the Horse, which was reviewed in the Agricultural News,
Vol. III, p. 27. The popularity of this report is shown from
the fact that s since it was first issued Congress has ordered
the publication of several new editions. It is a popular work
prepared in the first instance for farmers and stock owners
and contains much useful information of a practical character.
It has been prepared by a number of prominent members of
the veterinary profession in the United States, and may
therefore be regarded as a safe and reliable guide for stock
owners and farmers all the world over, to whom, on
account of its freedom from technical terms and expressions,
it should prove very welcome.

The volume contains no fewer than fifty-two excellent
full-page plates and twelve figures. It deals with the
administration of medicines, the diseases of the various

organs, accidents, infectious diseases of cattle, animal
parasites, ete., etc.
Barbados Blackbirds in St. Kitt’s. On his

visit to St. Kitt’s in February last the Imperial Commis-
sioner of Agriculture took with him fifteen Barbados black-
birds as a present to the Administrator with the idea of
again attempting to introduce these useful birds into that
island. They were kept for some weeks in a large cage and
then set at liberty in the grounds at Springfield, the
residence of the Administrator. This attempt to introduce
these birds into St. Kitt’s gives every promise of success.

Trinidad Government Geologist have recently been
issued as a Council Pape r (No. 5 of 1905). They have
been written to render the geological maps of greater
value to the agriculturist. The following is a short
summary of this interesting paper :—

In the opinion of planters the most favourable soil for
cacao is a ‘loose clay, or clay with an admixture of a fair
proportion of sand and lime.’ Very many rocks in Trinidad
are capable of yielding, under disintegration, soils coming
under this somewhat comprehensive description.

(1) The aluvium of rivers is made use of for planting
in cacao to a great extent. Alluvial soils vary considerably
in character and composition. They have the advantage
of being flat and easily worked ; the situation is usually
well sheltered, watered, and convenient for transport. On
the other hand, difficulties may arise in draining and
liability to floods.

(2) The clays of the Tertiary series afford soils, which,
though rich as regards chemical constituents, are seldom so
suitable for cacao cultivation as regards mechanical condition.
They are usually very stiff and impervious, requiring a great
deal of drainage when the land is level, and being liable to
landslips on hilly or undulating ground. Forking around
the trees and the addition of pen manure must evidently
have a favourable effect on these soils.

(3) The marls of the Tertiary series form the well-
known ‘black soils’ of the cane plantations. They form
excellent soils both from a chemical and a mechanical point of
view. They contain a considerable percentage of lime and
other bases, distinct porosity, and, on account of the undulat-
ing ground they form, are easily drained. Some of the best
cacao in Trinidad is grown on these marls. Liming and
forking are obviously unnecessary, but phosphatic and
nitrogenous manures may form valuable additions to the soil.

(4) The sandy clays of the Tertiary series form soils
which are admirable as regards mechanical conditions, being
neither too light nor too heavy, and draining readily,
Basic slag and farmyard manure will probably be beneficial.

(5) Tertiary sandstones yield soils which are usually
too light for good results. They rapidly become exhausted
unless manuring is resorted to.

(6) The Tertiary limestones form the best cacao land in
Trinidad. They form fairly porous soils with plenty of lime ;
they occur in well-marked ridges which drain easily ; they
disintegrate irregularly, leaving blocks and masses amid
a lighter friable soil, thus preserving the surface from being
washed away. Liming and forking will not be required, but
basic slag and pen manure might be used with effect.

(7) The shales and limestones of the Cretaceous
formation have not been planted in cacao to any extent. But
considerable areas in the high-woods are formed of these
rocks, and, as the land becomes opened up by roads, it will
probably be found that valuable cacao estates can be
established. The sandstones give light, barren soils upon
which cacao could not be grown profitably; the clays and
shales, on the other hand, ought to provide excellent soil.

Banana Trade. At a meeting of the Colonial Bank
on April 6, the Chairman said: ‘I think now the future of
bananas in this country is assured. We see an enormous
amount of bananas all over the place, being retailed at
a very low price indeed, and it appears to be becoming to
a certain extent, as it is to a very great extent in the United
States, a food of a considerable proportion of the people.’

140 THE AGRICULTURAL

NEWS. May 6, 1905.

GLEANINGS.

Dr. Watts writes :
flies have been observed in Nevis.
lhave made their appearance within the past year or two in
Antigua, Montserrat, and Nevis.’

‘It is interesting to note that fire-
Tt is curious that they

Two boys who have completed the course at the
St. Vincent Agricultural School are now available for
employment on estates. Applications should be made to the
Agricultural Superintendent, Kingstown.

A few people planted cotton in British Honduras last
season, but their efforts did not meet with success on account
of excessive rains which caused their fields to become
flooded.

The Government of Ecuador pays a bounty of 10c. for
each rubber tree planted in any part of the republic,
provided the number of trees planted be not less than 500,
and that these attain the age of five years.

The Board of Trade Journal announces that seven
samples of different varieties of tobacco grown in Jamaica
have been received and may be inspected at the oftices of the
Commercial Intelligence Branch.

Dr. H. H. Cousins writes from Jamaica: ‘I am referring
your circular on cotton disease to certain growers. The
industry promises well in Vere and other places where it is
too dry to grow bananas.’

An inquiry is being made for cuttings of the smgle and
double white variety of //iZiscus sinensis. Those ina position
to supply these are desired to communicate with the Editor
of the Agricultural News, Head Office, Barbados.

A return of the area in cultivation of canes other than
Bourbon in British Guiana (15,000 acres), shows a very
satisfactory increase in the cultivation of seedlings proper,
and an equally satisfactory decrease in the cultivation of the
White Transparent.

Specimens of a tiny fish known as ‘millions’ have been
received by the Zoological Society. To test the theory that
the presence of this fish in the local waters accounts for the
absence from Barbados of the malarial mosquito, careful
experiments will be made.

The Sea Island cotton farmers in the United States
have perfected their organization for the purpose of limiting
the sale of seed, and thus confining the growing of the
long-staple cotton to South Carolina. The organization is
to be called the Sea Island Cotton Seed Association.

According to the Gleaner, the fruit cargo which left
Jamaica by the ‘Port Kingston’ on April 13, was the largest
shipment ever taken to England by any of the Direct Line
vessels, the bananas alone amounting to over 37,000 bunches.

H.M. Consul at Palermo (Mr. 8. J. A. Churchill), in
a recent despatch, reports that arrangements are in progress
for the establishment at Palermo of a citric acid factory
under a system discovered by an Italian chemist. (Board
of Trade Journal.)

Messrs. W. Pink & Sons write: ‘We think you
will be pleased to know that we were awarded a silver
“Knightian” medal for Barbados bananas at the exhibition
of the Royal Horticultural Society. This will be useful for
advertising purposes, and has already been the cause of
a better demand for the fruit.’

According to the Antigua Standard, the notice that
lands on Clare Hill and Skerrett’s would be rented for
cultivation has been responded to with alacrity. This is
regarded as indicating that a canefarming industry in
connexion with the central factory at Gunthorpe’s is likely to
be developed in the near future.

Pamphlet No. 36, entitled Manurial Experiments with
Sugarcane in the Leeward Islands, in 1905-4, is issued
to-day. This contains a summary of the results already
published in the large official report reviewed in the last
issue of the Agricultural News. This pamphlet can be
obtained of all agents for the sale of the Department’s
publications—price 4d., post free, 5d.

Mr. Richard Stancliffe, who, it will be remembered,
accompanied Mr, Oliver on his visit to the West Indies last
year as a deputation from the British Cotton-growing
Association, has presented to each of the boys at the
Dominica Agricultural School a copy of a photograph of the
pupils, taken in front of the school buildings on Morne
druce.

Mr. Arthur M. Lee writes: ‘ Kindly permit me to correct
a clerical error in my letter of March 27 (published in the
Agricultural News, Vol. IV, p. 102). The amount charged
against the cotton for ‘‘manuring for cane crop (half cost)”
should have been £1 5s. instead of 15s.’ The estimated
clearance per acre should therefore read £5 7s. 7d. instead of
£p Wis. id.

At Foursquare the average yield of sugar reported is
slightly under 2 hogsheads to the acre: at Kirton in the
same district 1} hogsheads. These figures are better than we
expected, when we saw how the canes of that part of the
island suffered during the drought of last year. This
satisfactory yield is due to the large cultivation of the
No. B. 147 canes, which are giving as fine a return as ever.
(Barbados Agricultural Reporter.)

A joint report by the Government Analyst and the
Government Geologist of Trinidad (published as Council
Paper, No. 4 of 1905) discusses the possibility of establishing
a Portland cement factory in that colony. They conclude
that ‘the existing and possible future demand for cement
ought to be sufficient to lead to the investment of capital on
the establishment of a small factory capable of producing not

less than 200 tons a week, and capable also of extension to-

meet further possible requirements.’

Vol. IV. No. 80.

THE AGRICULTURAL

NEWS. 141

BEE KEEPING.

Preparation of Honey for the Market.

The following is the concluding portion of the
article on the Preparation of Honey for the Market,
commenced in the last issue of the Agricultural
News :—

For glazing sections, glass cut to the correct size may
be purchased of any dealer in bee appliances, together with
the strips of paper lace edging, which, when pasted around
the angle formed by the glass and wood, serve to fix the
glass on. In country towns the local glazier will gladly cut
up waste glass to the small size (viz, 4 ,% inches by
4 ,*, inches) required, and neatly printed bands of coloured

paper, 19 inches by 3 inches, can be used instead of the lace
edging: they cost about 7s. per 1,000. These bands are
more easily pasted on, and make inuch firmer and neater
work, besides giving an opportunity to place the names of
the apiary and retailer on each section. Neat cardboard
cases, plain or glazed on one or both sides, and glazed tin
boxes, are provided by appliance dealers for those who have
but a small number of sections to deal with; where larger
quantities have to be handled, the printed band holding on
the two squares of glass will be found the best and most
economical.

The modern method of obtaining ‘extracted’ or ‘run’
honey has greatly improved its quality, but the use of the
centrifugal extractor demands the abandonment of the skep
system of bee keeping, with its waste of bee life, waste of
combs, and taint of sulphur, and the adoption of the frame
hive which enables the gathered surplus to be stored in
frames apart irom the brood-nest and removable at will by
the bee keeper.

Honey improves in flavour and density while ripening
in the hive, therefore the super-frames should not be
removed until they are well sealed over. If the bees are
given all the storage room they can occupy, so long as there
is nectar to be gathered they will bring it home quite
irrespective of the quantity already in store. It is a mistake
to suppose that by extracting unripened honey and returning
the empty combs the bees are induced to work more
vigorously.
= Fermentation is the great enemy of extracted honey,
but it can only affect badly ripened honey or honey exposed
to moisture and warmth ; so, should it be necessary to extract
unripe honey, it should be returned to the bees for re-storing
and ripening. Extraction is done by means of a machine
consisting of a tinned-iron can, within which is a vertical

“spindle carrying a pair of cages to hold the frames of honey-
comb and made to revolve rapidly by means of a simple
hand gear. Before placing the frames of comb in the cages
they must be uncapped. To do this quickly, and without
waste, special uncapping knives are used. They should be
heated ina tin of water kept over a small spirit or oil lamp.
The full frame, held by one lug in the left hand, the other

“Ing resting on a large dish and with the top edge
overhanging, has its capping removed with the sharp, hot

knife by a gentle, slightly sawing, downward cut, passing
just beneath the surface and removing as little as possible of
the honey. If held with sufficient overhang, the detached
sheet of capping will fall clear of the frame. A pair of
frames having been uncapped, they are placed in the cages
of the extractor, and made to revolve rapidly with their
bottom bars leading ; the centrifugal force throws out the
honey, and when one side has been emptied, the frames are
reversed and the other side is treated in the same manner.

The full sealed frames of comb having been carried into
the store-room, should be sorted by holding up to the light,
and all those containing dark or second-quality honey
separated from the better ones.

Uneap and extract the contents of the best combs, and
then strain the honey through a bag made of cheese-cloth
which will remove all particles of wax. in cans, with
strainer and honey tap, made to contain 56 tb. or 112 %., can
be obtained, in which, if the honey is allowed to stand for
twenty-four hours after straining, it will be free from air
bubbles, and can then be drawn into whatever bottle, jar, ov
tin will best suit the local market. Best honey is usually
put inte 1 tb. or } tb. glass jars, with metal screw lids,
having a cork wad inside the lid. To prevent any leakage
the cork wad should be dipped in melted wax and placed on
the jar while still warm, the lid being screwed down upon it.
A neat label (of which a variety is always obtainable from
the appliance makers or of the secretaries of many of the
County Bee Keepers’ Associations) will set off the honey jar
and make it a desirable occupant of a place in any retailer’s
shop. The darker honey is more suitable for marketing in
its granulated state; when extracted and strained it should be
run into 14 Ib. (or 28 tb.) tins, the contents of these being
stirred gently, now and again, while granulating ; the stirring
tends to produce a more even and finer-grained honey. It
may also be run into wide-mouthed glass or earthenware
jars, covered down with parchment paper, and stored in
a cool, dry place. Dark and coarseflavoured varieties can
be sold for manufacturing and confectionery uses, also for
that now almost forgotten purpose, the making of mead.

BARBADOS.

Government Industrial School.

The following extracts from the annual report on
the above institution for 1904 are of agricultural
interest :—

At Summervale plantation the area planted in first crop
canes for 1905 is 28} acres, and that of ratoons is 20 acres.
The area for 1906 is 25} acres of first crop, and there will
be about 14 acres of ratoons. From 28 acres of first crop
canes and 224 acres of ratoons the crop for 1904 realized 69
tons of sugar, of which 47 tons were from the first crop and
22 tons from the ratoons. The 284 acres of first crop canes
for 1905 have just been reaped at Carrington plantation and
a little over 55} tons have been made. With the present
favourable prices for sugar, it is hoped that the revenue from
the crop will be very remunerative.

The cotton crop has been a very abundant one, 8} acres
at the present moment averaging 846 Ib. of seed-cotton per
acre as a first return. This average would have been higher,
about 976 Ib. per acre, if the anthracnose disease had not
attacked one of the fields. There are also 34 acres of cotton
not yet matured, which should give an average of over 800 b.,
as first return, per acre. There will be 14 acres planted in
cotton during 1905,

i42

May 6, 1905.

Combining Poultry Keeping and Gardening.

The following notes are extracted from the ‘ Farm
and Garden’ column of the Illustrated Mail ot
April 8 :-—

One has often heard the remark, ‘you cannot have
a good garden and keep poultry at the same time,’ but in
my opinion the statement is not accurate, and I assert that,
within certain limits, it is quite possible to combine the two
industries on a small or moderate scale, net only without loss
and inconvenience, but even advantageously. To do so,
however, there is one point that must be strictly carried out,
and that is each must be kept entirely and absolutely apart
from each other, the fowls, ete, being either securely
enclosed by means of a high fence or wire netting, or else the
garden being similarly enclosed from the poultry. No gardener
worth the name would tolerate the constant mischief and
damage caused by fowls scratching and picking, and it is
this point that has given rise to the remark quoted above.
However, when separated, as I have said, the advantages
gained by a gardener keeping poultry are several. For
instance, many of the waste products of the garden, which
would otherwise be thrown away as useless, can, when fowls
are kept, be profitably employed as food for poultry, while
the latter’s droppings in their turn are of the greatest benefit
to the garden. Among the products of the garden useful as
food for poultry, may be mentioned imperfect or over-grown
lettuces, cabbages, or the like, defective tomatos, or imperfect
fruit, while the spare potatos form a very nutritious and
fattening food if boiled and mixed with a little barley or
Indian meal. Too much of this mixture, however, should
not be given to laying fowls, but when the fattening time
comes it will be found most beneficial.

One of the chief advantages of the gardener keeping
poultry, however, is the valuable manure formed by the
droppings of the birds, for, when properly prepared and
applied, this manure is equal in effect to good guano; and
may be used in either solid or liquid form. How to use it is
not generally known, so I will explain. Where peat moss
litter is used on the floors of the fowls’ houses or runs, it
should, of course, be periodically removed and tresh put
down. Now, in this case, all that is necessary is to store up
the peat moss litter ina heap as taken from the pens, ete.,
and adda light sprinkling of lime to sweeten it. When it
has thus laid for two or three months it will be found of the
greatest value as a fertilizer for celery, peas, beans, tomatos,
ete. Where the moss litter is not employed the droppings
should be mixed with four or five times its bulk of light,
sandy soil, with a dusting of lime as before, and again be
Jaid up for some time to become mellow. Do not use it in
a fresh condition. To make liquid manure, put a peck or
so of the droppings into a 40-or 50-gallon cask, with
a spadeful of soot or a very little lime. Let it stand
a couple of days ; then stir up well. Let it settle again, aud
then ure the clear liquid only, diluted at first with twice its
bulk of water or more,

THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.

There are many other advantages to be gained by
keeping poultry in combination with a garden, but I will
not enter into them now. I will add, however, that if any
of my readers who combine poultry keeping with gardening
should have two plots of ground of about equal extent, one
devoted to each section, they would do well to change the
occupants aunnally, viz., put the poultry on, say, No. 1 plot
one year, then next year have the garden on No. 1, and
poultry on No, 2, and so on. _ By this method, the plots will
receive a goodly amount of useful manure they would
otherwise not get, and which would be wasted. It is
advisable, however, when digging up the ground after
poultry to put a little lime on it, so as to sweeten it.

SCIENCE NOTE.
Mimusops 1 Elengi.

Minusops Elengi, belonging to the family Supotaceae,
is a native of the East Indies. It is to be found growing in
several of the West Indian Botanic Stations, where trees
have been flowering for the first time during the last two
or three years.

In Ceylon its hard and durable wood is much used for
ordinary building purposes. Its fruits are edible. These
are small, yellow, of an ovoid shape, with one or two
From the seeds an oil can be obtained, which is used
for cooking and for burning, while the flowers yield an
essential oil from which a fragrant perfume is prepared. The
bark is used medicinally, yielding a tonic and febrifuge.

seeds.

Minmusors ELENGr.

1
[From Kew (uide.]

Fig. 12 shows a branch bearing flowers and fruits, also
a single fruit about natural size.

Another tree of this genus, viz., Wimusops globosa, is
a native of the West Indies, being better known as the
balata tree. It grows to a much greater size than Mimusops
Hlengi, but, like it, produces edible fruits. It is also closely
related to the sapodilla (Achras Sapota), the star apple
(Chrysophyllum Cainito), and other well-known West Indian
fruit trees,

Vou. IV. No. 80.

THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.

143

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
March :—

In considering the constantly recurring statement as to
the slackness of trade in the produce markets generally, it is
a matter of no surprise that a certain amount of inactivity
should prevail at the time of writing, when the accounts of
the nation’s expenditure for the past year, and the prospects
of the coming twelve months, are on the eve of being
presented to the taxpayers. Drugs and spices, however, are
usually but little affected directly by budget considerations;
though the principle of when one member of the commercial
body suffers, all the members suffer more or less with it, is
borne out in the world of trade.

GINGER.

At the auction on the Ist. of the month no Jamaica was
offered but Cochin sold without reserve at the following
prices: small and medium native-cut 31s. 6d. to 32s.,
a bolder form realizing 33s., while small medium fetched
26s. 6d. to 27s., and cut-tips 25s. Washed rough and brown
Calicut was bought in at 21s., while 15s. per ewt. was paid
for 20 bags of Japanese. A week later, ginger appeared at
the sale, only in small supplies, 3 barrels of Jamaica being
offered and sold at the following rates: small bright, 35s.
6d.; mouldy, 31s. 6d. Calicut was bought in at 18s., as was
also new-crop, limed Japanese at the same price, while small
and medium, rough Bengal was partly sold at 17s. On the
15th. of the month Jamaica again realized steady prices, 9
barrels of ordinary small being offered and disposed of at
35s., while some 700 bags of Cochin and Calicut were
bought in at prices of from 28s. to 36s. In the following
week a few bags only of ordinary common Jamaica were
disposed of at 30s. 6d. to 31s, 6d. At this sale about 400
bags of Calicut were sold at the following rates: fine bold
rough, slightly mouldy, 24s. to 24s. 6d.; fine brown rough
19s., unsorted native-cut was bought in at 37s. 6d., and fine
bold Calicut at 35s. At the last sale on March 29,
80 barrels of Jamaica were sold, fair washed fetching 38s. 6¢.,
good common 33s. 6d. to 36s., and common 30s. to 32s.,
while unsorted Cochin native-cut was bought in at 34s.

ARROWROOT.

At the spice auction on March 8, 454 barrels of fair to
good manufacturing St. Vincent were offered and sold at
13d. to 13d. per tb., 600 barrels being also disposed of
privately at the latter rate. A week later from 70 to 80 tins
of St. Vincent were sold at prices from 2{d. to 3d. per Ib.,
and again in the following week steady prices were obtained
for 84 packages out of 290 offered.

PIMENTO, NUTMEGS, AND MACE,

The quotations for pimento at the auction on March 8
were 22d. to 2$d., at which rates 78 bags were sold. On
the 22nd., as many as 900 bags were catalogued, and over
500 soll at from 24d. to 23d. per bb.

Nutmegs were in good demand at the first spice sale of
the month, realizing from 3d. to 1d. per Ib. oyer previous
prices for medium sizes, and a similar decline for the larger
sizes, from 80’s; little or no change occurred in these prices
throughout the month.

Mace was in steady demand with limited sales at prices
from ls. 3d. to ls. 4d. per tb. for ordinary to fair West

Indian, and 1s. 2d. for red. At the last sale, on the 29th.,
better prices were obtained, fine pale West Indian being
quoted at Is. Sd., fair 1s. 4d. to Ls. 5d., red 1s. 2d. to 1s. 3d.

SARSAPARILLA, KOLA, ETC,

The month opened with an absence of grey Jamaica.
Ten bales of Lima of barely fair quality fetched 11d. per b.,
while 6d. to 7d. were the prices obtained for ordinary dull
mixed pale-yellowish native. At the last auction 9 bales of
grey Jamaica were offered, 2 bales of ordinary sound fetched
ls. 5d. per lb., and 7 bales of badly sea-damaged Is. 2d. to
ls. 3d. per Ib. Middling Lima-Jamaica, of which 13 bales
were offered and sold, realized 10d. ; for 2 bales of sea-
damaged native Jamaica 6$d. was obtained, and dull-red
was bought in at 9d. to 94d. per th.

Of other West Indian products the following may be
mentioned as appearing during the month:—At the first sale:
a small parcel of Canellu alba bark, small to medium, palish
quills sold at 35s., while good quill was held at 50s. per ewt.
At the drug auction on the 16th., a case of hand-pressed
West Indian oil of lime sold at 2s. 9d. per tb., and a case of
fair distilled at 1s. 7d. In this connexion it was reported
that a large business had been recently done in West Indian
distilled oil at 1s. 6d. At the same sale, fair small West
Indian kola was quoted at 5d. per tb., and for good bright
Madras annatto seed 5h. to 53d. was paid. Musk seeds.
which appear in the market only occasionally, were repre-
sented by 3 boxes from Ceylon of fair quality, which sold at
4d. per Ib.

RAINFALL RETURNS.

St. Kitt’s.

Mr. F. R. Shepherd has forwarded the following
returns of the rainfall on six estates in St. Kitt’s for
the past five years (1900-4, inclusive). These estates
represent the entire circle of the island, and the
returns therefore give a fair average of the island’s
rainfall :-—

Rainfall in inches. Nee
Average
Name of estate. for
1900! 1901} 19021903) 1904|five years.
Canada ae 39-88 65:11) 59°57|31:13)/33°25) 45:78
Molineux Soe 59-69 104-04 116°85,74:01\74-19 85°75
Brotherson’s ...|52°60| 93°34) 78:55|58°36|/55-80) 67°73
Con. Phipp’s ...| 47-60] 82-27| 67-33/40-22/46-79| 56-84
West Farm 49-48 75°93) 55:17|32°92)38°95| 50°49
Douglas 40:05) 76°90} 65°60/38°75|38°60| 51-98

Barbados Supple Jack. This is a climbing shrub,
the stems of which were used as switches and riding whips.
Formerly, it was no doubt, common; but at present it is
confined to comparatively few localities, A specimen in frnit
was received a few days ago from Miss Burton, of Staple
Grove, Christ Church. This was loaded with dense clusters
of bright-red capsules, and presented a very attractive appear-
ance. We commend the Barbados supple jack (Paullinia
harbadensis) as an interesting ornamental climber for
verandahs and trellis work. It appears to be found nowhere
else except at Barbados.

THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.

May 6, 1905,

MARKET. REPORTS.

London,— April 11, 1905. Messrs. Kearron, Pirrr &

Co.; Messrs. E. A. DE PAss & Co.; ‘THE West INDIA
CoMMITTEE CrrcuLAr; ‘THe Liverroot Corron
AssocIaATION WEEKLY CrrcuLar,’ April 7,
1905; and ‘THe Pusiic Lepcer, April 8,
1905.
Arors—Barbados, 15/- to 45/- ; Curacoa, 15/- to 45/- per ewt.
Arrowroor—St. Vincent, 1d. per tb.
Batara—Sheet, 1/6 to 1/11 ; block, 1/6 to 1/7 per th.
Bres’-wax—£7 10s. to £7 12s. 6d. per ewt.
Cacao—Trinidad, 53/- to 60/- per ewt. ; Grenada, 52/-
to 54/6 per ewt.
Carpamoms—Mysore, 73d. to 2/- per tb.
CorrEE—Jamaica, good ordinary, 37/- to 38/- per ewt.
Corron—West Indian Sea Island, medium fine, 123d. ; fine,
133d. ; extra fine, 153d. per th.
Frouir—
Bananas—4/6 per bunch.
Grape Frvuir—12/- to 15/- per box.
ORANGES—8/- to 10/- per case.
PINE-AprLEs—-St. Michael’s, boxes of 8, 2/- to 3/;
boxes of 10, 1/4 to 2/3 per pine.
Fustic—£3 5s. to £4 per ton.
Gincer—Jamaica, middling to fair bright, 37/- to 39/- ;
common to good common, 33/- to 36/- per ewt.
Honey—16/- to 25/6 per ewt.
Istncuass—West Indian lump, 2/5 to 2/9; cake, 114d.
per th.
Koia Nors—4d. to 6d. per tb.
Live Jurce—Raw, 9/. to 1/- per gallon; concentrated,
£15 per cask of 108 gallons; hand-pressed, 2/6 to
2/9 per Ib. ; Distilled Oil, 1/5 to 1/6 per tb.
Locwoopn —£4 to £4 15s.; roots, £3 10s. to £4 per ton.
Mace—Pale West Indian; 1/4 to 1/6; red, 1/2 to 1/3;
broken, 113d. to 1/1 per th.
Nirrate or Sopa—Agricultural, £11 per ton.
Nurmrcs-—68’s, 1s. 2d. ; 81’s, 11d. ; 125’s, 6d. per th.
Pimento—-2}d. to 23d. per th.
Rum—Demerara, 1s. 3d. to 1s. 44d. per proof gallon;
Jamaica, 2s. per proof gallon.
Sucar—Yellow crystals, 20/6 to 22/- per ewt. ; Muscovado,
18/- to 19/- per ewt. ; Molasses, 14/6 to 18/6 per ewt.
SULPHATE OF AMMONTA—£12 13s. 9d. per ton.

Montreal,—February 10, 1905.—Mr. J. Russert Murray.
(In bond quotations, c. & f.)

Bananas—No quotations.

Crepar—No quotations.

Cocoa-nuts— Jamaica, $25°00 to $27:00 ; Trinidad, $21:00

to $25:00 per M.

Correr—Jamaica, medium, 9c. to 9c. per tb.

Gincer—Jamaica, unbleached, 63c. to 74c. per th.

Morascurr—Demerara, $1°32 per 100 tb.

Mo asses—Barbados, 28e. to 39e. ; Antigua, 25e. to 25c. per

Imperial gallon.

Nurmecs—Grenada, 110’s, 19¢. per tb.

OraNnGES—No quotations.

Pimento—Jamaica, 5jc. to 5$c. per th.

PrNe-sppLes—No quotations.

Sucar—Grey Crystals, 96°, $3°65 to $3°75 per 100 tb.
—Muscovados, 89°, $2°90 to $3:00 per 100 tb.
—Molasses, 89°, $2°65 to $3°75 per 100 th.
—Barbados, 89°. No quotations.

New York,—April 14, 1905.—Messrs. Gituespre Bros.

& Co.
Cacao—Caracas, 12c. to 13c.; Grenada, 112c. to 11éc.;
Trinidad, 12c. to 124c. per tb.
Cocoa-NuTS—No quotations.
CorrerE—Jamaicas, 8}c. to 83c. per tb. (ex store).
Gincer—Jamaica, 63c. to 6£c. per tb.
Goat Sxixs—Jamaicas, 583¢. to 60c. per th.

Antigua,—April 19,

Barbados,—April 22,

British Guiana,—April

Trinidad,—April 20,

Grave Frouir—Jamaicas, $3°50 to $4:00 per barrel.

OraNGES—No quotations.

Pinento—42c. per tb.

Sucar—Centrifugals, 96°, 4}#c.; Muscovados, 89°, 4,3,¢.;
Molasses, 89°, 4,4¢. per tb.

INTER-COLONIAL MARKETS.

1905.—Messrs. Gro. W.
Bryson & Co., Lip.

Mo rasses—27e. per gallon, package meluded.

Sucar—No quotations.

BENNETT

1905.—Messrs. T. 8S. Garraway
& Co., and Messrs. James A. Lyncn & Co.

Arrownoot—St. Vincent, $3°50 to $3°75 per 100 th.
Cacao—Dominiea, $12-00 to $12°50 per 100 ib.
Cocoa-Nuts—No quotations,

CorrFEE—$10°50 to $11°75 per 100 tb.

Hay—96ce. to $1:10 per 100 th.

Manvures—-Nitrate of soda, $62°00 ; Ohlendorft’s dissolved
guano, $60-00; Sulphate of ammonia, $75-00; Sulphate
of potash, 867-00 per ton.

Mo rasses— 22c. per gallon.

Ontons—Madeira, $3°09 to $4:00 per 100 tb.

Poratos, ENGLISH—$1°50 to $L°80 per 160 th. (retail).

Rice—Ballam, $4°65 per bag (190 tb.) ; Patna, $3-25
per 100 th.

Svucar.—Muscovados, 89°, $2-00; Dark crystals, 96°, $2-50
per 100 tb.

20, 1905.—Messrs. Wrerrne
& RICHTER.

Arrowroot—St. Vincent, $7°40 to $8-00 per barrel.

Batara—Venezuela block, 25c.; Demerara sheet, 35e.
per th.

Cacao—Native, 13e. to 14e. per tb.

Cassava StarncH—§$5°25 per barrel.

Cocoa-Nuts—$10-00 to $12°00 per M.

Corree—Rio and Jamaica, 14$c. per th. (retail).

—Creole, 12c. to 14c. per tb.

Duat— $4-00 to $4°25 per bag of 168 th.

Eppors—$1°00 to $1:20 per barrel.

Morasses—Vacuum Pan yellow, 17c. to 18e. per gallon
(casks included).

Ontoxs—Lisbon, 4c. ; Garlic, 5}c. per tb.

Pea Nurs—American, 5$c. to 53c. per tb. (retail).

PLaNtTains—16c. to 32e. per bunch.

Poraros, ENGLisH—$2‘00 to $2°40 per barrel.

Rice—Ballam, $4°25 to $4°30 per 177 th. ; Creole, $3-90
per bag.

Syser Poratos—Barbados, $1°32 per bag; $1°32 per
varrel.

Tannras—$1°68 per barrel.

Yams—White, $1°80 per bag.

Sucar—Dark crystals, $3°20 to $3°30; Yellow, $4:00 to
$4:10; White, $4:90 to $5:00; Molasses, $2-90 to
$300 per 100 th. (retail).

TivsER—Greenheart, 32c. to 55c. per cubic foot.

Wattaba SHINGLES—$3°00, $3°75, and $5:50 per M.

7 1905.—Messrs. Gorpon, Grant
& Co. ; and Messrs. Epcar Tripp & Co.

Cacao—Ordinary to good red, $12-00 to $12:25; estates,
$12°25 to $13°00 per fanega (110 tb.); Venezuelan
$12°50 to $13-00 per fanega

Cocos-Nuts—$20°00 per M., f.o.b.

Cocos-Nut Or—75e. per Imperial gallon (casks included).

Correr—Venezuelan, 9c. to 94¢. per tb.

Copra—$2°90 to $3:05 per 100 tb.

Onxtons—West Indian, $2-25 to $2°50 per 100 tb.

Poraros, EncrisH—80e. to 86c. per 100 tb.

Ricre—Yellow, $4°25 to $4:40; white $4:75 to $5-75 per
ag.

Sucar—White crystals, $450; yellow crystals, $3°50 to
£3°75 : molasses sugars, $2°75 to $3°75 per 100 tb. ¢

(retail).

CC Ser eee

reals

TEE a Gm,

* Agta a con

THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.

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.
Volumes II and III. Price in original paper covers as issued 2s. each. Post free, 2s. 8d.
Volume IV. Nos. 1 and 2. Papers on general subjects. No. 3. (out of print) No. 4. Sea Island Cotton
in the United States and the West Indies. Price 6¢. each number. Post free, 8d.
Volume V. Nos. 1, 2, and 3. Papers on general subjects. No. 4. Report of Agricultural Conference, 1905.
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, 23d.

(5) General Treatment of Insect Pests, 2nd. Edition Revised. Price 4d. Post free, 4$d.

(6) Recipes for cooking Sweet Potatos. Price 2d. Post free, 23d.

(7) Scale Insects of the Lesser Antilles, Part I. Price 4d. Post free, 5
(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, 2}d.

(13) Seedling and other Canes at Barbados, in 1901. Price 4d. Post free, 5d.

(14) Serew Worm in Cattle at St. Lucia. Price 2d. Post free, 2d.

(15) Plain Talk to Small Owners. Price 2d. Post free, 23d.

(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.

(19) Seedling and other Canes at Barbados, in 1902. Price 4d. Fost free, 5d.

) 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, 2d.
(22) Scale Insects of the Lesser Antilles, Part II. Price 4d. Post free, 5d.

1.

(23) Notes on Poultry in the West Indies. Price 4d. Post free, 5d.

(24) Dominica, Hints to Settlers. Price 2d. Post free 25d.

(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.

(27) Seedling and other Canes in the Leeward Islands, 1902-1903. Price 2d. Post free, 23d.

(28) Barbados and Porto Rico Molasses. Price 3d. Post free, 34d.

(29) Lectures on the Diseases of the Sugar-cane. Price 4d. Post free, 5d.

(30) Manurial Experiments with Sugar-cane in the Leeward Islands, 1902-3. Price 4d. Post free, 5d.
(31) A. B. C. of Cotton Planting. Price 4d.’ Post free, 5d.

(32) Seedling and other Canes at Barbados, in 1904. Price 4d. Post free, 5d.

(33) Seedling and other Canes in the Leeward Islands, 1903-4. Price 4d. Post free, 5d.

(34) Notes on Rabbit Keeping in the West Indies. Price 2d. Post free, 25d.

(35) Information in regard to Agricultural Banks. Price 4d. Post free, 5d.

(36) Manurial Experiments with Sugar-canes in the Leeward Islands, 1903-4. Price 4d. Post free, 5d.

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. Vols. I, IL and III complete with title page and index as issued.—Price 4s. Post
free, 5s. Only a few copies available. AI 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: Tae West INp1a Commirres, 15, Seething
Lane, London, E.C. Barbados: Messrs. Bowen & Sons, Bridgetown. Jamaica: Tae EpucationaL Supply
Company, 16, King St., Kingston. British Guiana: ‘Daily Chronicle’ Office, Georgetown. Trinidad: Messrs. Muir,
Marsuat & Co., Port-of-Spam. Tobago: Mr. C. L. PuaGemann, Scarborough. Grenada: Messrs. F. Marrast & Co.,
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THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.

THE BEST MANURES FOR COLONIAL USE

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Edited by the Secretary.

Containing a Review of the Work of the West India Com-
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’ Cacao, Sugar, Molasses and Rum, Coffee, Goebtton
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THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.

IMPERIAL DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

FOR THE WEST INDIES.

SPECIALLY SELECTED AND DISINFECTED

Sea Island Cotton Seed

GROWN IN THE WEST INDIES

—AND—

Recommended for sowing during the coming season

(JUNE TO AUGUST)

WILL BE SUPPLIED (FREIGHT FREE) BY

The Department at the rate of five cents (23d.) per Ib.

(See Agricultural News, Vol. Iv, p. 97.)

Address orders, with remittances for the full amount, until the end of May to—

Dr. FRANCIS WATTS, Antigua, for the Leeward Islands ;
Mr. JOHN R. BOVELL, for Barbados ;
Mr. W. N. SANDS, for St. Vincent ;

Applications from other Colonies may be forwarded direct to—

THE IMPERIAL COMMISSIONER OF AGRICULTURE,

HAD OFFICE: BARBADOS.

ane | BE POSES, N
SOA S OY

147

of preventing the
Ey vlants, upon the
id the condition

TEE
We
A

Ys IID g et

yuna
Re

A FOR@NIGHTLY REVIEW

THE

OF

IMPERIAL DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE FOR THE WEST INDIES.

MAY 20,

Price ld,

1905.

Vou. IV. No. 81. BARBADOS,
CONTENTS.
PAGE. PAGE.
Agricultural Banks for Gleanings ... . 156
Cyprus 5 aillsysy: | Grenada, Agricultural
Agricultural Organization Efforts at . 158
9 =
Apriculties im Guba 2. 153 | Insect Notes :—

See a Seg 1S Entomology at Cape of
Bananas, Bluefields —... 148 Good Hope . 154
Bananas in Great Britain 148 | Hercules Beetle 154
Cacao Varieties in Ceylon 153 | Lice on Hogs 154
Carriacou, Cottagers’ Jamaica Orange Industry 159

Show. Ret sn eee Mg : ;

2 arket Reports (

Cotton Notes Neer: sag 1ts{0)e Market, Reports 160
Cost of Baling, Gin | Notes and Comments 152
ning, and Shipping 150 | Onion Seed for 1905 152
Exports from West | Oranges, Packing ... . 158
Indies : 151 | Oranges, Shipping ... 148
Rivers’ Sea Island ‘Seed 151 Orange Wine)... 155

Pig Rearing i in Trinid: sd. . 157
Rainfall Returns,

Selecting and Disinfect-
ing Seed .

Selecting the. Be Be ‘Seed 150 | Leeward Islands 151
Cotton Oil Factory 145 | Sisal Hemp from the
Department News ... 158 | Caicos Islands ... 154
Dominica, Exports of 152 | Sugar Industry :—

Enzymes in Sugar-cane 147
Experiments at

Kdueational Systems in
the West Indies

155
Electric Ploughs ... ... 157 Barbados ... ... 146
English Potatos, Seed of 152 Experiments in Cuba... 146
Exports of Honduras 153 | West Indian Products
Fisheries of Antigua 149 in Canada ... 159

Cotton Oil Factory.

N view of the progress made in connexion
with the Sea Island cotton industry in the

: West Indies, it is proposed to erect a small
lint at Barbados for the purpose of expressing and
refining the oil to be cbtained from the seed. This
glad to learn, is receiving the

enterprise, we are

support of the British Cotton-growing Association, and
it is probable that the first Cotton Oil Factory to be
established in these ready to begin
operations during the early part of next year.

colon 1es will be

The opinion has already been expressed in these
pages that it is not desirable that the cotton seed
produced in the West Indies should be exported to
other countries, but that it should be retained, and
either crushed for the purpose of being used as cattle
food or disposed of to an oil factory on the spot, on
after the oil
cake is returned to the grower,

is extracted, the seed

or bought by him on

condition that,
advantageous terms for feeding purposes.

In the absence of an oil factory, the cotton seed
is at present being fed to stock in the crude state or
after it has been crushed in a disintegrator. In some
cases, it is being buried fairly deep in the soil to serve
as a manure. There is no doubt as to its value as
a fertilizer, but it is feed it to
stock, as in that case 80 per cent. of its manurial

more economical to

value is recovered in the dung.

An interesting article on the ‘Fertilizing and
feeding value of Sea Island cotton seed’ is contained
in the West Indian Bulletin, Vol. V, pp. 223-32.
This will well repay perusal to those who desire fuller
information on the subject. Sea Island cotton seed is
stated to have a higher fertilizing value than Upland
cotton seed. It is shown that 1,826 tb. of Sea Island
cotton seed is equal in fertilizing value to 1 ton of

Upland cotton seed. As regards feeding value, Sea

— el —— =

eed meal (i.e. after the oil is extracted)

ontain, on an average, in round numbers, in

-y condition, 28 per cent. of protein, 8 per cent.

16 per cent. of fibre, 5 per cent. of ash, 33 per

of nitrogen-free extract. It is added: ‘We are

_essed with the greater feeding value of Sea Island

meal when we reflect that nearly 40 per cent. or two-
fifths of the same consist of protein and fat.’

If 200 tb. of Sea Island cotton lint are obtained
per acre, there would also be produced about 700 Ib. of
cotton seed. This, if shipped abroad, would realize,
after payment of all expenses, about £4 to £4 10s. per
ton. If, on the other hand, it is retained for extracting
the oil and for feeding purposes on the spot, it is
estimated that it will be worth about £6 to £7 per ton.

It is probable that the total crop of Sea Island
eotton to be produced during the current season will
be about 3,000 bales of 360 tb. each, or 1,080,000. tb.
The weight of cotton seed will probably amount to
3.724,138 tb. or 1,663 tons. The yield of erude oil
amounts to about 45 gallons per ton of seed, so that if
all the seed were dealt with at an oil factory, the
total output in crude oil would be 74.835 gallons.

A common arrangement in the cotton-ginning
districts of the United States is for the oil mills to
offer 1 ton of meal for 2 tons of seed, including freight
both ways. It is claimed that this arrangement is
profitable to both parties the
substantially all the fertilizing ingredients of the seed,
and is in a form far more suitable for cattle food. For
these reasons it would appear to be an arrangement
which may be likely to suit the needs of the West
Indian cotton planters.

as meal contains

As to the actual terms that will be offered by the
Barbados Oil Factory, we are unable to state them at
_ present. We understand, however, that the members
of the Cotton Committee have been consulted in the
matter, and they have expressed themselves as quite
‘satisfied with them. As soon as the British Cotton-
growing Association have approved of the scheme that
has been submitted to them, it is hoped to enter more
fully into details. In the meantime, the proposal to
establish a cotton oil factory in these colonies is
a gratifying proof of the confidence that is being felt in
the future of the cotton industry. Such a factory will
not only extend the value of the industry amongst
members of the general community, but it will render
cotton growing, by improving the health and condition
of working cattle on estates, a valuable adjunct to the
sugar industry in districts specially adapted for it.

THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.

SUGAR INDUSTRY.

Sugar-cane Experiments in Cuba.

The results of experiments with new varieties of
canes at Central Soledad, Cuba, for 1903 and 1904
have already been published in the Agricultural News
(Vol. II, p. 179, and Vol. III, p. 179). Through the
kindness of Mr. Edwin F. Atkins, the proprietor, we
are able to publish similar information for last season.
The following is taken from a letter dated April 16,
1905 :—

I now send you the analyses of canes made during the
month of February, which may be of interest to you, as they
contain several of your seedlings which you so kindly sent
some time ago.

The samples were ground three times through our small
experimental mill, and the figures of extraction are only
valuable as comparative figures.

Of the various seedlings from your Department, the
B. 208 and D. 95 promise very well, also the Caledonia
Queen, and I have hopes that these will prove of value after
we get them planted out in a congenial soil and get them
thoroughly acclimated.

We are just finishing our crop here, which in quantity
has been a disappointment, owing to the long drought which
lasted from October until early in March, and I find our erop
about 8 per cent. below the early estimates. The same has
been the case all over the island, and Cuba this year will
probably not turn out more than 1,100,000 tons of sugar
against an early estimate of 1,400,000 tons.

| Weight

| i pamene Per cent. Quotient
| |of Gates ge oar = of
| epete, | ~~ Solids. | Sucrose. | Purity.
1B 109. ...) (Sag u)n i@icONel enlos 7a Neatinco 761
|B. 147 ...| 13 Ob RI T6:Ss 20s alee 87-4
|B. 156 ...| 3:25) 61-5 19-9 15-9 79:9

B. 208 ...| 5:50 50-0 23-2 21:8 93-6
|B. 208 ...| 3:00 66°7 Pale 2071 92-6
1B. 645 ...| 5:00 70:0 | 19:6 | 15:5 79:1
| B. 2,885 575 | 696 | 17-4 14:8 85:1
Bessel <.\ oa 60:0) 22:08) Sa9e5 88:7
| B. W. Tr’spt.| 2-25 66-7 | 216 19:8 91-7
Caledonia | | |

(Queen -+| 3°50 Goal eile? 19°7 92:9

\D. 95 ...| 450) 611 | 903 | 18:6 91-6
| Di 95 ....| Fogle 72:0 23-0 21-4 93:0

Sport, White] 5°50] 68-2 20-1 16:2 80°6
| Tr’spt.,White| 5-25 | 524 21:8 20:3 93-0

It will be observed that B. 208 is practically the
best cane on the list both in percentage of sucrose
and purity of the juice.

Sugar-cane Experiments at Barbados.

The following is a memorandum drawn up by
Professor J. P. d’Albuquerque, M.A., F.LC, F.CS.,
showing the scheme for sugar-cane experiments to be

Vou. IV. No. 81.

THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.

carried out at Barbados during the crop period
1904-6 :—
AREA AND NUMBER OF

The total area under experimental sugar-canes for this
period is estimated at 81 acres, and there are in all 9,994
varieties of seedling canes and experimental plots under
growth.

These experiments arrange
following heads :—

(1) The raising of improved varieties of sugar-cane
from seed and by chemical selection of the cane plants.

(2) The improvement of the yield of present varieties
by improvement in the methods of cultivation and manuring.
SEEDLING CANES.

These experiments are a continuation, with modificaticns,
of the work carried on since 1899, It consists in raising
large numbers of new varieties from seed and in subjecting
each to a careful and systematic study in the field and
laboratory.

This study divides itself into raising the varieties and
studying them in successive stages of cultivation, during
which the unfavourable varieties are eliminated and the
favourable varieties are propagated in yradually increasing
quantities, studying them first on an experimental and,
finally, on an estate scale in the various districts of the
island.

The first stage of seedling canes is now being grown for
the first time this season with limited irrigation, and it is
anticipated that the process of elimination and selection will
thereby be greatly accelerated.

For the first time also the artificial cross-fertilization of
known and highly favourable varieties of seedling canes has
been successfully accomplished by direct pollination of
emasculated flowers. It has only been possible in this first
attempt (carried out in October to December 1904) to save
four seedlingsy but it is hoped that means will be found to
carry out this process on a comparatively large scale in
October 1905. In this way, both parents of each seedling
will be known and will be selected with reference to their
specially favourable characters.

During 1904, 8,000 seedlings were raised from seed and
will be reaped and individually studied during the period
under record. In the second stage 1,166 seedling varieties
will be reaped and analysed ; 497 varieties will be similarly
studied in the third stage, and 221 plots of later stages of
selected seedlings grown in plots in all the typical districts
of the island will be reaped, and analysed.

These seedlings are distributed over twelve estates and
cover an area of about 40 acres.

CHEMICAL SELECTION.

There are two plots of chemical selection canes in ‘ Pear
Tree’ field at Waterford, where they are grown with irriga-
tion, covering an acre of ‘15 acres. The canes will be reaped
and a proportion individually analysed in continuation of the
attempt to improve the richness of the cane by repeated
replanting from the richest individuals.

MANURIAL EXPERIMENTS.

There are 111 small manurial plots of plant and ratoon
canes covering an area of 15 acres, and twenty-four large
manurial plots (1 acre each) covering an area of 24 acres.
These are distributed over seven typical estates.
EXPERIMENTS.

EXPERIMENTS.

themselves under the

OTHER

A series of experiments in the germicidal treatment of
cane plants will be reported upon during this period. The
object of the experiment is to ascertain the effect of such

treatment, carried out with the object of preventing the
access of fungoid diseases to the young plants, upon the
proportion of ‘seed-canes’ that germinate and the condition
of the resulting young plants.

SUMMARY

OF PLOTS AND AREAS.
111 with area of

Smaller manurial plots abe 14°7 acres.
Large manurial plots se 24) costes core). 44
Selected seedlings, plants 135: See core as
do. do. _ratoons ... 86. Seen osOe
New seedlings; etc:, plants. 411 9%), 3:5) 4,
do. ratoons a 86. eee ee oe
Chemical selections ai Pe, eS ee SULG)IE.
Seedlings of Ist. year 1.166 Sees: Ole
Seedlings in pots ..- 8,000 (in pots)
Total . 10,021 Total.... 79°35

Enzymes in Sugar-cane.

The following review of an article by C. A. Browne
in Sezence, on ‘The formation of toxie products by
vegetable enzymes, is taken from the Hxperiment
Station Record :—

In the course of experiments with sugar-cane the author:
reports having frequently observed that cane which had
been sterilized by steaming suffered a more rapid
deterioration through attacks of molds and bacteria than raw
cane. Further it has been observed that juice from the
upper green portion of the living cane is more resistant to
fermentation than juice from the riper joints further down.
The juice from the top of the cane undergoes a rapid
darkening after pressing, while that from the middle and
bottom exhibits such a change to a much less degree, and
the juice from steamed cane exhibits no change in coloraticn
whatever.

The change in colour is attributed to the action of the
oxidizing enzymes, and that such bodies do occur in the
sugar-cane is readily shown. From the association of the
coloration phenomena with resistance to fermentation, it is
coneluded that the dark-coloured oxidation products produced
by enzymes may have a toxic or germicidal action. That
they do possess this characteristic is shown by experiments
which are described at some length.

CARRIACOU.

A Cottagers’ Show.

According to the Grenada Chronicle, Mr. Whitfield:
Smith, the Commissioner of Carriacou, is organizing,
a Cottagers’ Show to be held in November next. It is.
stated :—

This move is deserving of all the support and encourage-
ment possible. We learn from a notice which is being
circulated in Carriacou that at the proposed show the
Government will offer money prizes for the best exhibits of
stock, vegetables, and fruit, and products manufactured in
the island, the prizes being intended only for the holders of
not more than 10 acres of land. His Excellency the
Governor has expressed his intention to be present to open
the show and distribute the prizes. We are informed that
great interest is being shown by the people of Carriacou in
this movement, ani the occasion already promises to be an
unqualified success.

THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.

May 20, 1905.

WEST INDIAN FRUIT.

BANANAS IN GREAT BRITAIN.

The United States Consul in Liverpool reports as
follows on the inereasing trade in bananas in the
United Kingdom :—

Attention has been drawn several times in these reports
to the growing taste of the British people for bananas.
A few years ago they were almost unknown in this market,
but now they are about as plentiful and cheap as in the
United States. This is a fact in which Liverpool takes
much pride, as the trade is owing altogether to the enter-
prise of a Liverpool shipper, and the trade is still distinctly
a Liverpool one. Last year the total value of the banana
importations was $5,984,445. The Canary Islands have by
far the biggest part of this trade, the value of last year’s
shipments being $4,544,570. Great endeavours have been
made to inerease the sale of Jamaica bananas, but the
amount imported is only one-sixth that of the fruit from the
Canaries. The latter fruit is smaller than the Jamaican
banana, but the flavour is much finer and the bananas get
here in better condition.

BLUEFIELDS BANANAS.

The Board of Commissioners of Agriculture of

Hawaii has been engaged in introducing the ‘ Blue-
fields’ banana into Hawai. ‘he following description
of this banana is given in a recent report :—

The Bluefields banana, so called by reason of Bluefields
being the principal port from which this particular kind of
banana was first shipped to the United States, has superseded
almost every other kind of banana consumed in the United
States, except the China variety produced in Hawaii and
consumed on the Pacifie Coast. It is not quite so delicately
flavoured as the China or the Jamaica red banana, but it
possesses several other qualities which make it by far the
best shipping banana that there is, viz. :—-

(1) The China banana has a delicate skin, easily bruised,
and tums black when bruised. It therefore has to be
wrapped in a thick sheathing of leaves and grass, adding
greatly to the expense of handling, and nearly doubling the
space occupied. The Bluefields banana has a tough skin, not
easily bruised and whieh does not easily discolour.
Consequently it does not have to be wrapped.

2) The China banana ripens quickly, becomes spotted
and softens at the stem and drops off the bunch, within
a few days after it is ripe The Bluefields ripens slowly,
maintains a clear golden-yellow colour, and merely dries at
the stem, so that it will last a week or more longer than
the China under like conditions.

(3) The China banana projects at right angles from the
bunch. The Blnefields slopes upward and backward, along
the stem, packing closer and being less liable to injury than
the China.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture despatched
a special agent to secure plants, and 325 banana stumps
were received in January 1904. Of these 110 survived and

grew. These have been propagated at the station producing
275 shoots; 130 of these have been sent to Hilo, and are

being used to propagate suckers.

SHIPPING ORANGES.

The following is an extract from a letter (published
in the Jamaica Gazette), addressed by a gentleman in
Chicago interested in the fruit trade, to his Excellency
the Governor of Jamaica. The letter was considered
by the Board of Agriculture, but the Board, whilst
fully aware of the danger that threatened the orange
industry through careless packing and the shipment of
immature fruit, was unable to suggest any practical
remedy to check the evil. As the Board pointed out,
this isa matter which rests largely with the shippers
themselves :—

I have noticed that oranges and grape fruit consigned to
the different English and American markets during the
season just closed have, in many cases, been very poorly
packed and graded, much to the detriment of the
fruit that is well put up and graded by responsible Jamaica
companies. It seems to the writer that this fault can be
ereatly remedied at the Jamaica end of the lize by a proper
system of inspection, under the control of the Government,
which system, if properly and continuously followed up,
would create a much larger demand for the beautiful, sweet,
thin-skinned Jamaica orange, and also much better prices.

You have a very fine orange and should be able to
market more of the fruit, and it can be done profitably if
certain necessary conditions are followed in the packing and
grading of the same.

The consumer demands certain qualifications and expects
them. If he cannot get them from the Jamaicans, he goes
for his fruits either to the Californians, Floridans, Mexicans,
or Mediterraneans.

This important subject is dealt with, also, on
p. 153, where the views of Mr. Stockley of Elders
Fyffes, Ltd., are noted. The progress of the orange
industry is certainly being retarded by the export of
unselected and carelessly packed fruit.

Vout. IV. No. 81. THER

AGRICULTURAL

NEWS. 149

THE FISHERIES OF ANTIGUA. -

The following report of a sub-committee appointed
last year by the Antigua Agricultural and Commercial
Society to investigate the subject of the fisheries of
that island has been communicated by the Government
to the Imperial Commissioner of Agriculture:—

A large quantity of immature fish is caught by seines,
which is not returned to the sea. Therefore, a law should
be passed, compelling the meshes of all seines to be of
a standard size, as is done in Jamaica.. We recommend the
Jamaica Act as a model to be followed.

In other British colonies, a close season for most fish
has been established, and such a law has been in force here
with regard to turtle until lately ; but owing to the want of
co-operation on the part of the neighbouring islands, belong-
ing to foreign powers, it has had to be abandoned. As the
fisheries are practically undeveloped, we do not think a close
season for fishing is, at present, necessary, but it may be
a subject for future consideration. It is interesting to note
the opinion of local fishermen that they do not catch fish so
readily in fish-pots since the eruptions in Martinique, as they
did before ; but we cannot find any evidence to this effect.

The bulk of the fishermen in Antigua are incompetent,
and ignorant of proper methods of catching fish, and need
instruction by literature and other recognized means. This
instruction might be provided by the lmperial Department
of Agriculture, aided by the efforts of the local Agricultural
Society. In this connexion we suggest that models of
modern appliances for catching fish, such as pots, trawls,
ete., be obtained and exhibited through the fishing villages
of Antigua. The value of fish as a cheap and nutritious
food for the labouring classes, leading to a healthy and
numerous population, is well known.

At present the tree oyster industry of Antigua is
entirely neglected. Possibilities exist of developing this
industry by exporting oysters in ice, or cool chambers to
neighbouring colonies. There is also complete ignorance as
to the care and propagation of this shell fish, which is
a staple article of diet among the people in the villages.

The Imperial Department of Agriculture has already
obtained some information as to the feasibility of establishing
a pearl fishery in the more suitable harbours of Antigua on
the lines of the prosperous fishery at the island of Margarita
off the coast of Venezuela. It is probable that in course of
time, a similar industry might be developed here, and we
suggest that the Agricultural Society should ask the
Imperial Department of Agriculture and the local Govern-
ment to take the necessary steps to assist in the establishment
of such an industry.

The sponge industry of Antigua is absolutely untouched,
and the possibilities are great, as sponges are very plentiful
around the coral beds, but nothing is known of the art of
curing them for market.

The sea-egg industry of Barbados is the mainstay of the
labouring population there; the same sea-eggs are to be
found around these shores, but, through ignorance of their
value, this branch of fishery is quite neglected. It should
be noted that the roe of the sea-egg is a most nutritious food.

The fish-oil and fish-manure industries are possible
developments of a plentiful supply of fish. Properly cured
shark skins and shark oil are also in demand in the English
market, but nothing is known as to their preparation,
though sharks abound here.

It is evident from the above that the fishing industry of
Antigua contains possibilities of great wealth, and could give
employment to a much larger population than at present.
Ignorance, want of co-operation, and the absence of a profitable
market have been the chief causes of its non-development.
We venture to think that a small local company, with
£1 shares, might be formed to make a practical beginning
of its development on the lines of the Grimsby Fishing
Company in England. A proper scheme of co-operation
so as to market the fish rapidly and market what is not
required will be the foundation of any future success in this
industry.

AGRICULTURAL ORGANIZATION
HAWAII.

The first report of the Board of Commissioners of Agri-
culture and Forestry of the Territory of Hawaii has recently
been issued. It covers the period from July 1, 1903, to
December 31, 1904.

Besides its general object the Board has charge of
inatters appertaining to forestry, entomology, and agriculture.
The Board maintains relations with the National Bureau of
Forestry at Washington, the Federal Agricultural Experiment
Station at Honolulu, and the Hawaiian Sugar Planters’
Association. The latter organization, although it has
established an elaborate entomological station of its own,
still pays half the salary of two of the three entomologists
in the employ of the Board. The Federal Experiment
Station is practically conducting the work of the agricultural
division of the Board. On the recommendation of the Board
proclamations have been issued prohibiting the importation
of cacao seeds or plants, banana fruits or plants, and other
fresh fruit from certain specified countries ; the importation
of sugar-cane, except for experimental work, is absolutely
prohibited.

Mr. R. $8. Hosmer has been appointed Superintendent
of Forestry, and is assisted by a large number of District
Foresters, serving without salary in the various islands of the
group. The work of the forestry division is in connexion
with the establishment and care of forest reserve, reforesting,
ete.

IN

The work of the entomological division has been mainly
(1) the inspection and quarantine, disinfection or destruction
wherever necessary, of fruit and plants entering the colony,
with a view to preventing the introduction of new
insect pests ; (2) seeking and disseminating parasites of the
leaf-hopper. This work is now carried on by the Sugar
Planters’ Association. (3) The introduction of insect enemies
of other destructive insect pests. Reports from the
entomological staff are included in the Report of the Board.

The two lines of work of the agricultural division, it is
said, which promise the most immediate beneficial results,
are in connexion with the introduction of a new variety of
banana—the Bluefields banana*—and the production of
a marketable tobacco. Work is also being carried on in
connexion with the mango, avocado pear, citrus fruits, cacao,
rubber, etc. The experiment station of the Sugar Planters’
Association deals with the whole of the work in connexion
with sugar-cane.

* A description of this banana will be found elsewhere in
this issue. [Ed. A. N.]

150 THE

AGRICULTURAL NEWS.

May 20, 1905.

Cs

@®

AHIMA We Oy

Sea Island Cotton Industry.

A correspondent writes :—

What is the object of our present efforts in regard
to cotton growing in the West Indies’ As well
expressed by a Consul-General of the United States,
it is ‘to produce a high quality of fibre for a special
class of the British textile trade.’

If we are proposing to grow cotton irrespective of
quality, that is cotton of the ordinary Upland sorts,
fetching 4d. to 6d. per tb. then it is not worth our
while to take further trouble in the matter. Other
countries are in a position to grow such cotton cheaper
than we can, and it would pay us better to turn our
attention to other crops.

Tf, however, we realize that our aim is to grow the
best class of Sea Island cotton, fetching 15d. to 17d.
per tb. (which these colonies have conclusively shown
they can produce), then the prospects of the industry
are as good as any in the West Indies. We have
special advantages in our soil and maritime climate
and can produce Sea Island cotton that is better than
anything grown elsewhere. What is necessary 1S :-—

(1) To obtain the best seed; this should be
selected and disinfected beforehand, and planted in
June, July, or August, according to the rains. Any one
who plants seed of inferior quality stands to lose 4d. to
6d. on every pound of cotton he produces.

(2) To select good land and have it well cultivated
and manured; good cotton in large quantity cannot be
grown on poor unmanured soils; pen manure in
moderate quantity in addition to the artificial manures
suggested on pp. 57-8 of ‘A.B.C. of Cotton Planting’
have given excellent results: the cost would be at the
rate of about $8 per acre.

(3) To keep a keen look-out for the cotton worm
and other pests; the moment these appear every
cotton planter should be ready to apply the necessary
remedies; they are simple and effective ; weeders and
others should be encouraged to watch and report the
first appearance of the cotton worm.

(4) To have the cotton regularly and carefully
picked as soon as the buds are fully open, and sent
clean and dry to the ginning factory; great improve-
ment is reported in the quality of the West Indian
cotton shipped this year, showing that the planters
have fully realized the importance of clean picking and
rejecting all immature and stained cotton.

(5) To complete the first and second pickings
(according to the locality) by the end of February,

March, April, or May, and then uproot everything so as
to allow no old and diseased plants to be carried over
into the following season.

(6) To avoid ratooning Sea Island cotton under
any circumstances; to ratoon Sea Island cotton (as
stated by Mr. Wolstenholme) ‘will spell ruin to the
industry.’

Cost of Ginning, Baling, and Shipping.

Mr. J. R. Bovell, F.LS., F.C.S., Agricultural
Superintendent at Barbados, has forwarded the
following statement showing the expenses incurred in
ginning, baling, and shipping a pound of Sea Island
cotton. The statement is prepared from the returns
obtained from the 40 bales (containing 13,947 th. of lint)
shipped by the R.M.S. ‘Tagus’ on February 25 last.
The ginning and baling have been charged at Ie.

per th.:—

Expenses at Barbados :— Cents.
Ginning, baling, ete. ... 580 1500
Marine insurance at £18 per bale 139
Cartage at 14d. per bale ‘009
Lighterage at 5d. per bale (029) dkGii
Expenses in England :—
Discount, at 14 per cent. “480
Dues Eas “O14
Quay porterage ... O17

Freight at 17s. 6d. per ton measurement 1°313
Attending ship, cartage, housing, mend-

ing, stowing, delivery, ete. 103
Warehouse rent... “009
Fire insurance a PA ae A022
Interest and bank commission on

freight, ete. 007

Brokerage at 1 per cent. °320 ©2285

Total expenses

The total expenses, it will be seen,
per tb. or, say in round numbers, 4c. or

are 3:°962c,
2d. per tb.

Selecting the best Seed.

As showing that the importance of selecting the
best cotton seed for planting purposes is fully
recognized in the cotton districts of the United States,
we extract the following from the Report of Messrs.
W. W. Gordon, dated Savannah, April 28, 1905 :—

Sea Island planters cannot be too careful in the seed
they plant. In some sections, where cotton of excellent

Vou. IV. No. 81.

THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.

151

staple was produced a few years ago, neglect to replenish
with fresh seed has resulted in cotton of weak and irregular
staple, which has been almost nnsaleable.

Deteriorated seed cannot produce strong staple. In view
of the above facts, and the further fact that strong-staple
Sea Island cotton is superior to any other kind of cotton and
will always be saleable, whereas weak-staple Sea Islands
are not so valuable and can be replaced by other cottons, the
necessity for using the best seed must be apparent to every
one.

Selecting and Disinfecting Seed.

Mr. W. N. Sands, the Agricultural Superintendent
at St. Vincent, reports as follows on the progress of the
work in connexion with selecting and disinfecting
cotton seed :—

The quantity so far received and selected for local
growers totals 10,166 Ib., about 4,000 tb. of which have been
treated with corrosive sublimate and carbon bisulphide and
delivered to the owners.

For export I have purchased, so far, 2,500 tb. of
unselected seed, and the work of selection is being proceeded
with. At the factory I have between thirty and forty
women employed under strict supervision, and they are
being paid at the rate of 40c. per 100 tb. of selected seed.
I find that a woman working well can select about 30 Ib.
per day, but the average would be much less.

So far, showery weather has retarded the operation of
disinfection, but in fine weather we can treat upwards of
1,000 tb. of seed daily.

Cotton Exports from the West Indies.

The following is a statement (furnished by the
Customs Department in each case) showing the amount
and estimated value of Sea Island cotton exported

from the various West Indian Colonies during the
quarter ended March 31, 1905 :—

1 ) |
Colony. Bales. | Weight in tb. |Estimated value.
— — | =
Barbados .. ...| 408 139,157 £6,957 17 0
St. Vincent 149 5J,209 2,560 0 0
INGE | Neo 236 47,008 2,350 0 O
St. Kitt’s 146 47,633 2,382 0 0
Montserrat ool) HSI 65,789 3.239 16 0
Anguilla ... ..| 86 17,200 860 0 0
Antigua ... ban a 13,140 657 O O
Virgin Islands... 6 1,200 50M 0) 0}
Grenada E
(Marie Galante)...). 100 | 30,100 357 15 0
British Guiana |
(Unknown) .| 2! 1,027 26 15 4
St. Lucia |
(Unknown) 32? 785 1218 8
Total .../1,3693 | 414,248 |£19,454 2 0

1 including 1 bag ; 2 bags; * including 33 bags.

In reference to the estimated values of the cotton
exported from the several colonies given above, it should
be pointed out that the cotton has been valued for statistical
purposes at ls. per tb., whereas a large proportion of that
shipped from St. Vincent has been sold at 17d., and similarly
cotton from Barbados has fetched 164d. per hb.

Rivers’ Sea Island Seed.

The experiments undertaken to ascertain the effect
on the lint, if any, of the fuzziness of some of the seed
obtained last year by the Imperial Department of
Agriculture from South Carolina, were fully described
on pp. 106-7 of this volume of the Agricultural News.

The following is an extract from a letter addressed
to the Imperial Commissioner of Agriculture by
Mr. E. Lomas Oliver. Mr. Oliver, it may be mentioned,
has recently examined samples of ginned and unginned
cotton grown from the fuzzy seeds in Antigua and

Barbados :—

These cottons are manifestly pure Sea Island and equal
to the other cotton grown in these islands. There is not the
faintest trace of anything of an Upland character. If any
one, not having any knowledge of pulling cotton, doubts
this report, you can convince him by showing him the cotton
in the seed. You will yourself, no doubt, have observed
that the seeds in the seed-cotton grown from fuzzy seed are
not fuzzy. If the fuzzy seeds were of Upland origin the
seeds would be fuzzy, but they are not. To my mind this
settles the matter once and for all that the seed you obtained
last year was pure Sea Island seed, and should give confi-
dence in your Department’s seed for the coming season.

RAINFALL RETURNS.

Leeward Islands.

The following information in regard to rainfall is
taken from the Annual Report on the Leeward Islands
for 1903-4 :—

The average rainfall on sixty-eight stations in Antigua
was 43°68 inches, as against 58°80 in the previous year.
The rainfall was 2°65 inches below the average rainfall for
the past thirty years.

No returns of the rainfall in St. Kitt’s have been
furnished this year.* The United States Weather Bureau,
from which source this information was obtained last year,
only kept its office open from July 9, to November 15, 1803,
viz., during the hurricane season.

In Dominica the rainfall is abundant; at two stations,
Melville Hall and Morne Park, the rainfall recorded was
251-56 inches in each case.

In Montserrat, the greatest rainfall was recorded at
Olveston Botanic Station, where the rainfall measured 70°57
inches.

Atmospheric Nitrogen. It has been computed
by scientists that there exist over every acre of the surface
of the globe 70,000,900 tb. of nitrogen in a free state, which,
it may be interesting to note, is worth at to-day’s cost of this
constitutent in nitrate of soda about £360,000 per acre.
It has long been the dream of scientists to extract a supply
of this valuable material from the atmosphere. It is there
in abundance, to be had free, without money, and without
price, just for the taking, but the problem is how to take it.
This problem seems, however, at last to have been solved.
(Agricultural World.)

* Returns of the rainfall on six estatesin St. Kitt’s were
published in the last issue of the Agricultural News (p. 143).
[Kd. A.N.]

a
or
bo

THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.

May 20, 1905.

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.
Agents will be found at foot of page 3 of the cover.

The Agricultural News: Price 1d. per number,
post free 13d. Annual subscription payable to Agents,
2s. 2d. Post free, 3s. 3d.

Agricultural alews

Warr, Jae

NOTES AND COMMENTS.

SATURDAY, MAY 20, 1905. No. 81.

Contents of Present Issue.

It is proposed shortly to erect a Cotton oil factory
at Barbados. The benefits likely to accrue from this
are discussed in the editorial.

Interesting notes in connexion with the sugar
industry will be found on pp. 146-7: these include
a statement of the results of experiments in Cuba with
seedling canes from Barbados and Demerara, and
also a report on experiments at Barbados.

On p. 149 is published a report on the fisheries of
Antigua, in which various suggestions for the improve-
ment of the fishing industry are made. The need for
instruction as to proper methods is urged.

Important information in regard to cotton will be
found ou pp. 150-1. The special requirements, in order
to make the industry a complete success, are clearly
set forth for the benefit of all growers. It will be
seen that the estimated value of the
cotton from the West Indies during the quarter ended
March 31 Jast was nearly £20,000.

The statement published on p. 157, with reference
to pig rearing in Trinidad, shows that pigs can be kept
very profitably in the West Indies when advantage is
taken of local-grown food.

A special article on ‘Agricultural Efforts at
Grenada’ appears on p. 158. Elsewhere in this issue
reference is made to the appointment of a Super-
intendent of Agriculture, and to the vacancy for an
Agricultural Instructor.

A complete list of

exports of

Onion Seed for 1905.

With reference to the note thet appeared on this
subject in the Agricultural News (Vol. IV, p. 56)
orders have been received for supplies of seed from
Tenerife amounting in all to 446 tb. This is sufficient
for planting about 100 acres. The largest quantity of
seed has been ordered for Antigua (225 tb.); Mont-
serrat comes next with 96 tb.: then Barbados and the
Windward Islands, 7034 th.; St. Kitt’s-Nevis, 25 th;
and Trinidad and Tobago, 15 1. It will soon be time
for the land to be selected and carefully prepared and
for the seed beds (which should be close to a good
supply of water) to be ready for planting. The seed
should arrive not later than the beginning of August
next.

Ai

Seed of English Potatos.

In order to continue the experiments started some
years ago in growing English potatos in the West
Indies, the Imperial Department of Agriculture is
making arrangements to import seed-potatos of the
‘Bliss ‘Triumph’ variety for planting early in Septem-
ber next. The potatos would then have time to grow
before the setting in of the dry season and they would
be the first new potatos to come into the market in
New York or London. There is also a fair local
demand for new English potatos.

Those who are desirous of obtaining seed-potatos
for delivery in September next are- requested to com-
municate as early as possible with the local officers of
the Department.

The cost of the seed-potatos (which are quite
distinct from ordinary potatos and command a higher
price) will range from $8 to $4 per barrel according to
the market value at the time of shipment.

Exports of Dominica.

An officiul statement of the exports of Dominica
during the year 1904 shows that the most valuable
product of the island is cacao, the exports of which
amounted to 9,880 ewt., of the value of £21,325. ‘The
total value of the lime products was £28,986, made up
as follows: concentrated lime juice (83,727 gallons),
£17,792; raw lime juice (234,972 gallons), £6.853;
fresh limes, £2,857; lime oil, £1,160; pickled limes,
£324.

Other fruit exports were: bananas, £189; cocoa-
nuts, £452; mangos, £218 ; oranges, £615; pine-apples,
£25. There were also exported small quantities of
tamarinds, orange oil, Cussia Fistula, divi-divi, ete.

Reference might also be made to the export of bay
leaves and bay oil. Of the former 246 bales were
exported, having a value of £1,107, while 24 gallons of
bay oil, valued at £60, were also exported. Whale oil
(in transit) was shipped to the extent of 63,474 gallons,
worth £5,290.

Refined sulphur also appears on the list of exports,
the shipments during 1904 amounting to 47 tons of
the value of £207. Large quantities of wood were also
shipped.

i

Vou. LV. No: 81.

THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.

Packing of Oranges.

A representative of the Jamaica Gleaner recently
had an interview with Mr. A. H. Stockley, of
Elders & Fyffes, Ltd., in regard to the fruit business.
Referring to the record banana shipment by the
‘Port Kingston, Mr. Stockley remarked that the trade
had developed wonderfully in the short space of four
years, and he thought Jamaica was to be congratulated
upon so valuable an addition to their export trade.

The export of citrus fruits had also increased to
a considerable extent, but Mr. Stockley regretted that
there had been but little improvement in the packing.
The majority of shippers did not seem to realize the
importance of packing their fruit in such a manner that
it would arrive in marketable condition; these people
were doing incalculable harm to the industry.

He had no doubt that if the growers in Jamaica

would select their fruit and pack it carefully, they

would find a splendid market.

Agriculture in Cuba.

The U.S. Monthly Consular Reports tor January
1905 contain a lengthy and interesting report on the
industries of Cuba in 1904. The principal crop of the
island is sugar, of which the production was 60,817
tons in excess of that for 1903. The production of
molasses during the first six months of the year,
amounted to 42,200,000 gallons.

The tobacco crop was good both in quantity and
in quality. The pine-apples obtained better prices
owing to large shipments being now made direct to
Chicago, instead of all being placed on the New York
market as heretofore. A decided increase in the
shipment of other fruits is noted in 1904, The Cuban
orange is said to be delicious, and limes and lemons of
good quality and abundant.

The value of the exports of lumber, dye-woods,
honey, and beeswax is constantly increasing. The
cattle industry, at one time one of the principal ones of
Cuba, is fast regaining its former prominence.

—

Exports of the Republic of Honduras.

From the annual Consular Report on this
vepublic for the year ended June 30, 1904, it is
noticeable that the banana trade is rapidly extending,
the exports for the year under review being of the
value of £188,763, as against £121,448 for the previous
twelve months. The cultivation of bananas appears to
be the principal agricultural industry. ‘Except for
the strip on the northern coast, which produces ever
increasing quantities of bananas, and a fair number of
cocoa-nuts, the agricultural districts increase their
production very gradually.’

Other products of vegetable origin, exported to any
extent, are cocoa-nuts, mahogany and cedar, sarsaparilla,
rubber, and coftee.

The exports of rubber increase slowly, but it is
expected that this should be an important industry
in the future. There is plenty of suitable land within
easy reach of the coast. Sarsaparilla is also exported
In increasing quantities.

Agricultural Banks for Cyprus.

Attempts are being made to introduce agricultural
banks into Cyprus. A pamphlet recently issued gives
an account of the Raiffeisen system, pointing out how
i¢ might be adapted to the condition in Cyprus. This
system has been fully described in pamphlet No. 35
of the Imperial Department of Agriculture.

After reviewing the conditions prevailing in other
countries where the Raiffeisen banking system has
been introduced and successfully worked, it is shown
that, at least, as promising a field is offered by Cyprus.
Against the proposal it is argued that the peasants are
so ignorant, so suspicious of one another, so unthrifty
by nature and habit, and, further, so unenlightened in
business habits, and so incapable of realizing the
advantages of a credit system, that any attempt to
introduce it would be foredoomed to failure, These
arguments, however, fail to recognize the fact that the
Raiffeisen system has, in other countries, been the
cause of the removal of those very evils.

There do not appear to be any insuperable obstacles
in the way of establishing agricultural banks in Cyprus.
What is needed is that the methods should be made
known and well understood: for this it 1s necessary to
organize. Then trials should be made on a stall scale
in one or two small villages.

EE OO

Varieties of Cacao in Ceylon.

In Circular No, 24 of the Royal Botanic Gardens,
Ceylon, Mr. R. H. Lock gives an account of the
varieties of cacao existing in Ceylon. The oldest cacao
trees in the Gardens belong to the ‘old red’ variety,
known as Criollo, Creole, and Caracas cacao. Previous
to the introduction of Forastero cacao, in 1878, it
appears to have been the only form known in the
island. Though formerly much grown in Trinidad, 16
is now a comparatively rare kind in the West Indies.
The trees of this variety are of a smaller and weaker
habit than those of the Forastero kinds.

Considerable attention is being paid to another
Criollo variety ‘Cacao del Pays’ of Nicaragua. Its
most characteristic feature is the very large size of
the seeds, which excel, in this respect, those of all other
varieties. The cured seeds are about twice the weight of
those of either the Old Red or the Forastero varieties.
‘There is every indication that on a good soil and
with careful cultivation this variety of cacao will prove
most valuable. In its natural country it has the
reputation of producing the highest quality of cacao
of all known kinds. It is fairly prolific, and the very
large beans should command high prices.’

The term Forastero is used to include all varieties
other than Criollo. It includes varieties of high
quality with pale-coloured, well-rounded beans, on the
one hand, and on the other, beans of poor quality, flat,
deep-purple in colour, and bitter in taste.

Efforts should be made to keep varieties separate
to avoid the mixed plantations now common. The
actual variety to be grown must depend, to some extent,
on soil and situation. Whatever variety is chosen, it is
important to select specially strong, healthy trees as
parents, and such as are known to yield a good crop.

THE AGRICULTURAL

NEWS. May 20, 1905.

Lice on Hogs.

A correspondent in Barbados has sent to the Head
Oftice of the Imperial Department of Agriculture specimens
of insects found on hogs, with the information that they are
very numerous and the hogs suffering considerably from the
attack.

Examination of the specimens shows this insect to be
the hog louse (Haematopinus urius). It is quite distinct from
the ticks, being a true insect of the natural order Hemiptera,
and related to the true bugs, plant lice (aphides), scale
insects, ete.

The hog louse like other true lice, has sucking mouth
parts and lives upon the blood of its host. This insect has
been known for along time and in many countries. When
its attack is very severe the pigs lose flesh and appear thin
and unhealthy.

The remedies recommended are contact insecticides
such as, tobacco water, dilute carbolic acid, kerosene emulsion,
etc., used washes or sprays. Fine dust, powdered
charcoal, or ashes applied to the necks and backs of the
animals, or, better, put where they can roll in them, are very
useful and will generally serve to keep the lice in check.
Cleanliness in the pens and sheds, also, will be a great aid in
keeping the hogs free from this insect.

as

Hercules Beetle and the Twig Girdler.

Much popular interest is usually attached to the larger
forms of insect life and to those forms that from their bright
colour, or the peculiar modifications of their appendages, are
out of the ordinary. One of the somewhat extraordinary
insects of the tropics, both from its great size and its
peculiar structure, is the Hercules beetle (Dynastes hercules)
common at Dominica. This beetle has an average total
length of about 7 inches, with a range from 4} to 93
inches. From the top of the thorax a long horn projects
forward curving slightly downward, while from the front
of the head a shorter horn, curving upward, reaches to
about its middle. It has long been a popular tradition
that the hercules beetle clasped these horns on a small
twig and then, by means of its wings, whirled round and
round till the twig was cut off. In the Agricultural News
(Vol. II, p. 264) this tradition was mentioned, and the
statement made that entomologists had long known that
it was impossible for the hercules beetle to cut off twigs in
this manner. It was further stated that specimens of the
beetle were at hand which does cut off the twigs of certain
trees. This insect has recently been identified as Oncideres
amputator. The members of this genus are all twig
girdlers. The female beetle lays an egg in the bark
of the twig, and then with her strong mandibles gnaws it
round and round until only a little wood is left in the
centre. The wind breaks off the twig at this place and
the egg is carried to the ground when it falls. The larva
hatching from the egg feeds on the substance of the twig as
it decays.

In this way the twigs of the ‘pois doux’ and ‘saronetta’

are cut off by the twig girdler, but not by the hercules
beetle.

It might be mentioned that a new species of Dynastes
(Dynastes vulcan) has recently been named and described by
Mr. A. H. Verrill, of Dominica. This is somewhat similar
in appearance to the hercules beetle, but is smaller, about
4 inches in length, and the shape of the horns is quite
different.

Entomology at the Cape of Good Hope.

The report of the Government Entomologist of the
Cape of Good Hope for the first half of 1904 gives a review
of the entomological work for that period and outlines
a plan for future efforts. The work on the relation of ticks
to diseases of animals is being carried on, and results are
given of experiments with African Coast fever of cattle and
the Brown tick and with heartwater and the ordinary Blue
tick. With regard to this latter, it bas been proved that
cattle and Persian sheep are subject to the disease, while
horses are not, and that the Persian sheep have it in a mild
form only.

The Assistant Entomologist (now Eastern Province
Entomologist) contributes a paper on ‘Insects affecting
Mealies’ (Zea Mays) the principal of which is the stalk borer
(Sesamia fusca). ‘The chief remedy recommended is the
clearing of the fields of stalks at once after the harvest and
ensilaging or shredding the stalks, to kill the hibernating
larvae.

Insects affecting fruit also receive attention.
of these is the Fruit Fly.

The chief
This is the insect, the parasites of
which have been found in Brazil and have been taken to
Australia. As was mentioned in the Agricultural News,
Vol. IV, p. 124, the Government Entomologists of the Cape
of Good Hope and Natal had started on a visit to Brazil for
the purpose of procuring some of these valuable insects for
their respective colonies.

The report concludes with a proclamation and schedule
regulating the importation of plants into Cape Colony.

SISAL HEMP FROM THE CAICOS
ISLANDS.

The Imperial Commissioner of Agriculture recently
forwarded to Messrs. Ide & Christie, the well-known
fibre brokers of Mark Lane, London, a sample of sisal
fibre from the Caicos Islands with the request to be
favoured with an opinion as to the quality and value of
this fibre as compared with similar fibre from Yucatan
and the Bahamas. The fibre had been sent by the
Commissioner of the Turks Islands, who wrote: ‘It is.
from the East Caicos Co.’s plantation and is cut from
plants only twenty-two months old. I think it would
be hard to beat the fibre anywhere at the age; it is
strong, of good length, and bright in colour,

The report, dated April 25, 1905, received by the
Imperial Commissioner of Agriculture from Messrs.
Ide & Christie, is as follows :—

Your favour of 4th. inst. and sample of Caicos Islands.
sisal hemp duly to hand. Shipments from time to time
have come to London and sold fairly well. We find the
type cf good preparation but the length somewhat shortish,.
and the colour yellow ; we have seen better and worse from
these parts, as also the Bahamas; compared, however, with
the Mexican, excepting in the iength, we consider the East
Caicos Co.’s production superior, and we value such here
to-day £34 per ton.

"

» Js

Wor, LV: No. Si.

THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.

EDUCATIONAL.

Educational Systems in the West Indies.

There has recently been issued by the Board of
Education volume 12 of the ‘Special Reports on Educational
Subjects, including Reports on the Training of Native Races’
(Cd. 2377), which deals with the educational systems in the
West Indies, Central America, St. Helena, and Gibraltar.
The history of education in each colony or possession is
given, together with a description of the present state of
education, and copies of various legislative enactments and
syllabuses of study. It should be mentioned that the majority
of these reports were written some three years ago. So far
as agricultural education is concerned, therefore, they scarcely
indicate the present position of affairs. It is well recognized
that considerable progress has been made in this direction in
the West Indies since 1902.

In Trinidad agriculture has been added to the
subjects of instruction in the elementary schools, and
school gardens are becoming the general rule. In Grenada
the Imperial Department of Agriculture for the West Indies
has practically taken the burden of agricultural education on
its shoulders; and under its guidance and direction, the
necessary steps for qualifying teachers to teach the subject,
for securing proper school plots contiguous to, or in the
neighbourhood of, the schools, have been taken, the
Department lending its Botanic Station for the work of
practical demonstration at all stages of teaching, and offering
the services of its Curator. The teaching of agriculture is
-provided for pupils in the higher standards. The teaching of
this subject is rather hampered by the lack of suitable plots.
St. Lucia possesses an agricultural school conducted on an
abandoned sugar estate. Candidates for admission must be not
less than thirteen years of age, of good character, physically
sound, and they must have passed the fourth standard.
They are lodged, fed, clothed, and educated entirely at the
expense of the Imperial Department of Agriculture, and
their parents must enter into contract to leave them at the
school for a term of years. But while their general educa-
tion is amply provided for, the chief aim of the school is to
fit them to become practical agriculturists in the full sense
of the words, not only by teaching them to handle hoe and
cutlass, and by putting them to such manual labour as their
strength allows, but also by giving them all the necessary
instruction in the sciences allied with agriculture. St. Vin-
cent possesses a similar school opened in October 1900.
There can be but little doubt as to the benefits which the
colony should derive in the near future as the result of the
establishment of such a highly useful institution.

This volume contains also an appendix written by the
Archbishop of the West Indies, dealing with ‘ Education in
Jamaica in its relation to skilled handicraft and agricultural
work.’ The following remarks on native agriculture are of
interest :-—

“As regards agriculture, in the days of slavery the black
people of Jamaica learnt and practised, under compulsion,
what their masters and teachers knew of eane and coffee and
other cultivation. That knowledge has been handed down
to their descendants, and so far as these products are
concerned, as well as the growing of what is called bread-
kind or ground provisions, (that is, yams, cocos, sweet
potatos, and the like) the black people of Jamaica may still
be considered expert, except in so far as modern scientific
knowledge requires to be applied to these cultivations. Butas
regards the numerous other products that need to be cultivated
in the place of the doubtful and failing industries, the black

people have everything to learn. All that concerns what
may be called farming (as distinct from cane and coffee
growing)—all the various things involved in the proper
production and preparation for the market of the numerous
fruits of the island, and the development of minor industries,
and all that concerns dairying on modern and_ profitable
methods—all these things require to be learnt from the
beginning. The people generally have no reliable knowledge
and experience in these things.’

An account is given of the efforts that have been
made, by various agencies, to promote a knowledge of the
principles of scientific agriculture. These include the teach-
ing of agriculture in elementary and secondary schools, the
establishment of farm schools, the work of the travelling
instructors, ete.

ORANGE WINE.
The following account of the preparation of orange
wine is taken from the U.S. Monthly Consular
Reports for October 1904 :—

Mr. Pairault, a pharmacist in the French colonies and
the author of a notable work on rum, has made a special
study of fermentation, particularly in Martinique. As
a result of this study he has published an interesting work
in which, among other things, the rational preparation of
orange wine is treated. He says :—

‘In the Antilles, orange wine has been made for some
time in the following manner. The oranges are peeled and
pressed by hand. To the juice thus obtained sugar is added,
and it is subjected immediately, in a vessel made of glass or
earthenware, to spontaneous fermentation, which in general
takes place easily because the ferment which determines it
is often found in the oranges themselves. This spontaneous
fermentation proceeds slowly because the sugared orange
juice is not a very nutritious medium for the yeast, and
consequently an acetic acid fermentation sets in that yields
a detestable product. For this reason it is very rare to meet
good orange wine. Many times the flavour differs with the
different producers. Doubtless nothing is easier than to
secure a satisfactory product and a constant type.

‘After the orange juice has been sterilized sufficiently
there should be added to every quart of the liquid
12°25 oz. to 14 oz. avoirdupois (350-400 grammes) of sugar,
0-175 oz. avoirdupois (5 c.c.) of brewer’s yeast, and 2 oz.
of a mixture made of the following proportions: ammonium
phosphate, 30; calicum phosphate, 40; potassium bitartrate,
40; magnesium sulphate, 3. When the mixture is cooled
fermentation proceeds, and in a few days there results an
excellent product. A sweet or dry wine may be made by
increasing or diminishing the amount of sugar added.’

APPOINTMENT VACANT.

The post of Agricultural Instructor under the
Imperial Department of Agriculture is vacant at
Grenada, Candidates should not be more than thirty
years of age, active, accustomed to ride, and with good
experience in practical agriculture, especially cacao
planting. Salary £150 per annum, with forage
allowance £45, and subsistence allowance at the rate of
6s, for each twenty-four hours (not exceeding 200
nights in the year) absent on duty. Applications to be
addressed _to:—The Imperial Commissioner of Agri-
culture, Head Office, Barbados.

THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.

May 20, 1905.

GLEANINGS.

Dr. Watts writes : ‘You will be pleased to learn that of
the first shipinent of 73 bales of cotton from Antigua, 5 bales
have been sold at 1s. 3d. per tb. and 44 at Is. 2d., the
remaining 24 bales had not been sold when the mail left.’

According to the St. Christopher Advertiser, it is
probable that Sir Robert Bromley, Bart., will be returning to
St. Kitt’s in October to resume the duties of Administrator
of St. Kitt’s-Nevis.

According to the Journal d Agriculture Tropical
a French translation of this Department’s pamphlet (No. 31)
-—‘A.B.C. of Cotton Planting —is shortly to be issued. Its
title will be ‘A.B.C. de la Culture du Coton.’

Prices for molasses are firm, and a very fair trade is
going on. Halifax prices are as follows :—-Choice Porto
Rico, 38c. to 40c. ; extra-choice Porto Rico, 40c. to 42c. ;
fancy Trinidad, 42c. to 44e.; choice Trinidad, 35c. to 36c. ;
Barbados, 40c. to 42c. (The Maritime Merchant.)

In Dutch Guiana the Surinam Government contemplates
the establishment of great central factories in that colony.
This information is furnished to the press by M. Havelaar,
Chief of the Department of Agriculture at Paramaribo.
(Louisiana Planter.)

The Pharmaceutical Jownal describes the preparation of
‘neutral cocoa-nut soap.’ This soap, which is made with
cocoanut oi], is useful for dermatological practice and
specially so for ophthalmic work. It is proposed to call it
‘Sapophthal.’

In Trinidad the average yield of cacas is placed at
12 bags (of 170 tb. each) per 1,000 trees planted 12 feet
apart. This is at the rate of about 620 Ib. per acre. In
Grenada the average yield is somewhat higher, viz., 784 tb.
per acre.

The exports of cacao from Dominica increased from
$51,334 tb. in 1894-5 to 1,309,577 tb. in 1902-3. The
following year, owing principally to the hurricane, there was
a slight decrease. It is expected that in a few years, when
the new settlers’ estates come into bearing, there will be
still further increase in the output.

There are several pupils at the St. Lucia Agricultural
School who will complete their term of training in the course
of a few months, and the Agricultural Superintendent is
desirous of securing suitable situations for them to enter
when they leave the school. Applications for their services
should be addressed to the Agricultural Superintendent.

The index and title-page to the fifth volume of the
West Indian Bulletin will be distributed by next mail with
the first number of Volume VI.

A somewhat remarkable feature of the table of exports
given in the Annual Report on the Leeward Islands, is that,
while the exports of molasses in 1903-4 were less in quantity
by 1,390 puncheons than in the previous twelve months,
their value was greater by £20,064.

The Secretary of the West India Committee writes :
‘Cotton prices are maintained, Sea Island is quoted at 14d. ;
medium fine, 123d.; fine, 13}d. ; extra fine, 154d. During
the past fortnight 370 bales have been imported into the
United Kingdom.’

If pimento berries are collected when nearly ripe they
become almost black in colour as they dry and are deficient
in aroma; in addition they become gradually covered with
a saccharine exudation, which gives them a very unattractive
appearance. Such pimento berries are often artificially
coloured by means of a ferruginous material, probably a bole
or brown ochre. (Pharmaceutical Journal.)

According to the public telegrams, the Lord Mayor of
London opened the Colonial and Indian Exhibition at the
Crystal Palace on the 12th. instant. ‘The West India Court
is an imposing structure decorated with sugar-canes. Some
growing exhibits from Barbados, Trinidad, Grenada, and
Jamaica are much admired and make the display more
comprehensive and varied than any previously seen.’

A correspondent of the India Rubber World mentions
that a process for the production of rubber from the banana
has been patented by Mr. Otto Zurcher, a German chemist
formerly in charge of the Hon. Evelyn Ellis’ tobacco estates
at Montpelier, Jamaica. He adds: ‘It would take a good
deal to convince me that banana rubber has any commercial
value.’

In a recent report, Mr. J. Spencer Hollings, Agricultural
Instructor for Nevis, remarks, with reference to the sugar
crop: ‘in low-lying land the sun is already affecting the
juice and making it boil “puffy.”’ This remark js of

interest in connexion with the allusion to ‘scorching’ in’

Dr. Watts’ paper on muscovado sugar in the Agricultural
News, Vol. IV, p. 99.

The Agricultural Superintendent, St. Vincent, is prepared
to receive written applications from parents or guardians,
especially those owning land, for admission of boys into the
Agricultural School. The boys must be at least thirteen
years of age, and of good character, and have passed the
fourth standard. It is desirable that candidates should
possess some natural taste for agricultural work. Candidates.
will be examined by the resident master as to their general
knowledge, and by the medical officer as to their physical
fitness.

By request we insert the following :—

The Secretary (W. N. Winn} of the Kew Guild, Royal
Botanic Gardens, Kew, has for sale a few copies of the
Kew Guild Journal for 1896 which contains an article full
of interest to colonists, by Dr. (now Sir Daniel) Morris,
on ‘Kew Men and Botanical Work in the Colonies.’ Price.
of Journal ls. Postage 14d. extra.

———

oe

-costing, at the start, $80-00.

-of which can be put to good account in rearing pigs.

Vol. IV. No. 81. THE

AGRICULTURAL

NEWS. 157

PIG REARING IN TRINIDAD.

The following statement on pig rearing at the
Government Farm, Trinidad, has been forwarded by
the Manager (Mr. C. W. Meaden) :—

The herd

with three sows and a_ boar

A new boar has since been
purchased, bringing the capital cost of the stock up to 5105-00.
From these the number of sows was increased to twelve, and
this season 112 young pigs were sold readily at $3:00 each

was started

-at between two to three months old, the demand for them

being much greater than could be met.
One of the most interesting features is that from this

-small commencement the stock has been increased to the

value of $260-00 and $779-00 deposited as the result of sales
within three years. The expenditure for food was 5146-00,
which is about $1:00 per month per head. But this money
was not spent, as all were fed on the produce grown on the
farm, supplemented by the waste from the general food store,

-so that the amount shown has only a relative value.

The food grown consisted of bananas, sugar-cane, corn,
Guinea and Para grass, Guinea corn, sweet potatos, ete., all
The
bananas and potatos are cooked with the waste, the other is
passed through a chaff cutter and given as ‘chop chop.’

To get the best results from feeding, comfortable styes
should be provided for the pigs. 1 prefer concrete flooring
with partitions of the same or of galvanized iron sheets
and wire netting above to protect against the attacks
of bats. It will be found to pay to make the pigs
comfortable and keep them clean, exercising and bathing
being also essential. This is how they are treated at the
farm; the pen can be entered at any time without one
becoming soiled or inhaling unpleasant odours.

The animals are of the breed known as Tamworths, red
in colour, with elongated snouts; they are prolific, good
mothers, easily and cheaply reared, and have proved them-
selves well adapted to the climate.

In connexion with the proposed banana industry, pig
keeping should play an important part; they would
profitably consume the waste fruit and provide a large
quantity of very useful manure. The two, combined on
a large scale, must, I think, lead to successful results.

Very few give a thought to the considerable sum of
money that Trinidad spends upon the importation: of pigs
and their products, and of course the amount expended is
practically lost to the colony.

Most of the pig meat provided for the market is
repugnant to the better class of consumers, and the inspec-
tion records relate how many pigs’ lungs are condemned.
This indicates the class of animal the market is supplied
with, for if the flesh is not unfit for consumption, it is
generally ancemic and necessarily deteriorated in value as
food.

Statement of Pig Account for Apri 1, 1904, to
: J é L ,
March 31, 1905.

46 pigs sold privately at 43-00 3138-00
PG 3:00 72-00
Ao) hae 15400 $364-00
1 boar and 2 sows sold at annual sale 5 67:00
2 sows sold by auction at agricultural
show Son 209 of 200 67-00
1 sow sold to butcher ... go cid 12-00 146:00
Total receipts a0 990 $510:00

Total receipts (brought
forward)
Cost of labour per annum
Cost of feed

4 96:00
% as 146-00

$242-00
Less value of manure, 60 tons at 48c. 28°80 215-20
Profit
Value of stock on hand:
1 boar and 7 sows

268 560 $260-00
136 young born; 112 sold; 24 died.

ELECTRIC PLOUGHS IN ITALY.

The following account of the use of electric
ploughs is taken from the U.S. Monthly Consular
Reports for January 1905 :—

The Societa Elettroteenica Italiana, of Turin, has
invented and constructed devices for the application of
electric power to ploughs and other farm machinery. The
experiment of ploughing by electric power was recently made
near this city in the presence of representative men from
different parts of Italy and, it is reported, with gratifying
success.

The device consists of two power cars, which are
stationed at each side of the field and between which are
stretched cables attached to the plough. The electric current
is taken from a trolley line; a current of about 500 volts is
said to be needed. Each car is said to communicate
25 horse-power, which can safely be increased to 40 horse-
power. The plough is pulled by the cables from one side of
the field to the other, and when it reaches the end of the
furrow it stops automatically, the current being cut off. It
can be run backward or forward with ease. One man
manages the plough, and each car is operated by one man.
Thus three men do all the work.

Of course, much depends on the condition of the soil,
but it is said that from 7 to 15 acres can be ploughed in
twelve hours. These power cars are said to be as easily
managed as traction engines, and their power can be applied
to thrashing machines, cornshellers, pumps, grain drills, ete.

THE TRUMPET TREE AS A FODDER
PLANT.

Mr. George F. Branch, Agricultural Instructor at
Dominica, writes as follows: In the last issue of the Agre-
cultural News (Vol. 1V, p. 127), I read an article on the
trumpet tree (Cecropia peltata). 1 should like to draw your
attention to the value of this tree as fodder for animals, as
no reference was made to its value in this line. Cattle are
very fond of it and will often eat the leaves in preference to
grass. In the forest lands of Dominica the trumpet tree is
very common, and whenever the land is cleared it generally
grows quite thick from seed scattered evidently by the wind,
in addition to the old stumps, which will stand cutting back
for along period. In such places where grass is generally
very scarce, and when a settler might be inclined to keep
a cow for supplying his milk, but on account of the scarcity
of grass is unable to do so, the end part of the branches,
about 12 inches from the tip of the stem, and the leaves
distributed on the harder parts of the stem will be found
very valuable as fodder.

158

AGRICULTURAL EFFORTS AT GRENADA.

The appointment of Mr. R. D. Anstead, B.A., as
Superintendent of Agriculture at Grenada will, it is
hoped, mark a new departure as regards agricultural
efforts in that colony.

Since the inauguration of the Imperial Depart-
ment of Agriculture, Grenada has been largely assisted
by funds in aid of its agricultural services, and the
officers on the staff of the Department have devoted
considerable attention to the treatment of insect and
fungoid pests affecting cacao. In addition three
courses of lectures on agricultural science have been
delivered to the teachers in charge of elementary
schools, and grants have been provided for prizes at the
Agricultural Shows.

Proposals for re-organizing agricultural efforts at
Grenada were made by the Imperial Commissioner of
Agriculture at a special meeting of the Grenada Agri-
cultural and Commercial Society (the Governor in the
chair), held on May 13, 1904.

The points that were specially dwelt upon as
essential to the success of a re-organized department
were as follows: (1) that two officers, viz., a capable
Superintendent of Agriculture with a sound knowledge
of soils and manures (as destred by the Agricultural
Society), and an active Agricultural Instructor, to give
his whole time to the improvement of cacao cultivation
amongst peasant proprietors, should be appointed
with as little delay as possible: (2) that the operations
of the agricultural department should be placed
under the entire control of the Imperial Commissioner
of Agriculture who would be assisted by an Agri-
cultural Experiment Committee appointed by the
Agricultural and Commercial Society.

The points above referred to having now been
definitely arranged, it is hoped that no further delay
will take place in starting such efforts at Grenada as
will fully meet the requirements of the planting
community.

The Botanic Station is propesed to be carried on
mainly on agricultural lines with the view of reducing
expenditure. Ornamental plants will not receive so
large attention as formerly, and such economic plants
as are actually required in the colony will only be
raised (in Jarge quantity) when orders are received,
beforehand, for them.

It is proposed to start a new series of cacao
and other plots, under the charge of the travelling
Agricultural Instructor, with the co-operation of the
Agricultural Experiment Committee. The new plots
will be established in districts where they will be of
special advantage to peasant proprietors, in the hope
that greater interest will thereby be created in
improving the cultivation, and the yield and quality of
produce in such districts. The former series of cacao
experiment plots were steadily carried on for four years,
and, as shown at the recent Agricultural Conference at
Trinidad, they had proved of service to both large and
small cultivators. On a typical plot, the increase of
crops due to better cultivation and the use of manures
was shown to be from 5} bags per acre in 1900 to
8 bags per acre in 1903.

THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.

May 20, 1905-

School Gardens will be encouraged by assistance
to be aftorded by the Agricultural Instructor and the
gift of seeds and plants from the Botanic Station.

In view of the large number of small proprietors
existing in the island (11,452 with holdings between
5 acres and 50 acres each), what Grenada appears
specially to require is a good Agricultural School where
youths could receive a sound practical training and thus
be fitted for taking charge of numerous properties that
are, at present, in danger of being abandoned owing to
careless and ineffective methods of cultivation. Accord-
ing toa statement made at the meeting in May 1904,
Grenada during the last ten years has apparently spent
less on agricultural education than any other colony
with similar resources, in the West Indies.

The following are the members of the Agricultural
Experiment Committee appointed by the Grenada
Agricultural and Commercial Society to co-operate
with the Imperial Department of Agriculture :—

The Hon. C. M. Browne, C.M.G., (President),
Hon. D. 8. deFreitas, Mr. P. J. Dean (Vice-Presidents),
Hon F. Gurney, Hon. G. $8. Seton-Browne, Hon. Joseph
T. de la Mothe, Mr. E. M. deFreitas, the Rev. G. W,
Branch, Mr. L. R. Mitchell, and Mr. R. L. Ferguson,

DEPARTMENT NEWS.

The Imperial Commissioner of Agriculture will
proceed to Tobago on May 22, to meet his Excellency
sir Henry Jackson who will then be on a visit to that
island. A public meeting of planters is to be held in
the Court House at Scarborough on Wednesday (noon)
in connexion with the cotton and other industries, It
is probable that Sir Daniel Morris will accompany the
Governor to Trinidad and return to Barbados in C.LS.
‘Oruro’ on the 28th. instant.

Mr. Lawrence Lewton-Brain, B.A., late Scholar
of St. John’s College, Cambridge, for the last three
years Mycologist and Lecturer in Agriculture on the
staff of the Imperial Department of Agriculture, has
been offered and has accepted the appointment of
Assistant Director of the Pathological Division of the
Experiment Station of the Hawaiian Sugar Planters’
Association. Mr. Lewton-Brain will probably vacate
his present appointment early in July next.

Mr. Rudolph David Anstead, B.A., of Christ’s
College, Cambridge, Assistant Chemist in connexion
with Sugar-cane and other Agricultural Experiments
at Barbados, has been appointed by the Secretary of
State for the Colonies to the post of Superintendent of
Agriculture in the colony of Grenada. Mr. Anstead will
probably embark for Grenada by the mail steamer on
June 6 next.

Mr. L. Lewton-Brain, who has recently returned
from a periodical visit of inspection of the Agricultural
School at St. Vincent, proceeded in the C.L.S. ‘ Orinoco’
on the 15th. instant on similar visits of inspection of
the Agricultural Schools at St. Lucia and Dominica.
Mr, Lewton-Brain is expected to return to Barbados
in the Royal Mail steamer due this morning,

Won LV. No. 81. THE

AGRICULTURAL NEWS.

JAMAIC A ORANGE INDUSTRY.

The following figures, extracted from the report of

the Collector General, show the present position of the
orange and grape fruit industry in Jamaica. It will
be seen that the industry is of considerable value to
the colony :—

EXPORTS OF ORANGES DURING TEN YEARS, 1895-1904.

Number. Value.

1895 29,978,895 £ 48,715

1896 97,025,398 169,794

1897 103,702,775 155,554

1898 88,013,091 134,673

1899 107,190,041 123,715

1900 107,444,200 145,049

1901 88,825,650 es 473

1902 79,061,650 02,780

1903 98,589,575 anes

1904 82,630,540 72,301

EXPORTS OF GRAPE FRUIT DURING FIVE YEARS, 1900-4.

Packages. Value.

1900 10,532 £4,067

1901 14,410 8,261

1902 17,315 7,671

1903 20,885 9,188

1904 20,557 8,698

The following references are made to the position
of the industry, especially in regard to the need for
greater care in selecting and packing the fruit, in the
Annual Reports tor 1901-2 and 1903-3:—

Tn the years 1899 and 1900, when great quantities were
shipped, much harm was done to the reputation of Jamaica
oranges by wholesale consignments of undersized and
immature fruit and of other stuff rendered worthless by
careless picking and bad packing. The trade can, I believe,
by careful handling be made more valuable to the island
than it has ever yet been, but this can be effected only by
repairing and fostering the good name of Jamaica fruit in
the markets of the United States and Great Britain.
A steadily increasing quantity of fine oranges of selected
varieties is now coming into the market froin planted groves,
the produce from which, even if not in all cases superior to
the native ‘ wild’ fruit, is less liable to be injured in picking,
and can be packed to greater advantage.

The export of grape fruit, which shows little recent
advance in value, may be expected to increase before long
in like manner.

Oranges showed an increase [in 1902-3] of nearly one-
fourth in amount and a decrease in value of £1,726, the
total value exported, however, being still of some considerable
amount, viz., £101,054. The decrease in value with an
increase in the volume of the trade bears out the remarks
made in last year’s report as to the need for greater care in
the handling of this trade and restraint in the matter of the
shipment of poor and immature fruit.

The other product of the citrus family, known as the
grape fruit, which finds much favour in the American
market, showed an increase in value of £1,517, or about
one-fifth.

WEST INDIAN PRODUCTS.

Canada.

Mr. J. Russell Murray has forwarded the following
report, dated April 13, 1905, on the position of West
Indian products on the ( Canadian market during the
month of March :-—

During the month of March a marked improvement for

import business took place, though not fulfilling the
anticipated demand. General business continues quiet,

mainly kept in check by lack of transport in the country
during the present thaw and advancing spring. Immigration
is again on an increased scale from Europe. The opening of
navigation will take place within a fortnight.

CANADIAN AND WEST INDIAN MAIL SERVICE.

The time for the sending in of tenders has already
passed ; only one tender has been submitted, but no decisicn
has yet been arrived at.

SUGAR,

An irregular and weakening market for beet sugar had
a lowering tendency for prices of cane grades, and March
saw lower quotations generally, though with very little
fluctuation. Muscovado sugars offered from the West
Indies had a poor field in Montreal. Consignments from
the islands to Halifax are the sole cause for the low counter
bids ; 2$c. to 2 22, being the most recent figures of buyers,
and some sales being actually made at these figures ; 96°
centrifugals were in a better position, there being very little
available on spot. MRefiners have secured supplies from
Mauritius, Argentine, and Belgium, Argentines now being
delivered. This is mainly owing to the high prices recently
asked by the West India growers. Two steamers, however,
are expected early in May with sugar and molasses from the
islands and Demerara.

MOLASSES.

The rapidity of the advance in price of molasses in the
British West Indies has had a deterring effect on business
here, especially with regard to Barbados ; buyers being of the
opinion that lower prices will be reached as socn as_
speculation has ceased. Holders here ask 38c. per imperial
gallon, ex wharf, which many buyers decline to pay.
New Orleans at 30c., Porto Rico at 38c¢., and Leeward
Islands at 28c. to 30c., last year’s crop, are being offered
and some parcels are changing hands. A large amount of
blended molasses is likely to be in evidence this year.

COCOA-NUTS.

The market is fairly supplied and prices are steady.
The New York market has fallen sharply at $2-00 to $5-00
according to the source of supply, but this has not affected
Canadien markets materially. Supplies from Caicos Islands
have not proved satisfactory, nor have recent Demerara
shipments.

SPICES.

remains very quiet. Pimento very
Ginger, quiet, 7$c. to 104e.

The spot market
dull and small lots sold at 5{e.
Nutmegs steady at late rates.

COFFEE,
General business very quiet. Jamaica grades steady at

10e. to 10$c. Similar grades Maracaibo, 1le.; Bucuramanga,
12c. to 13e.; and Guatemala, 11te.

MARKET REPORTS.

London,— April 25, 1905. Messrs. Kearroy, Piper &

Co.: Messrs. E. A. pE Pass & Co.; ‘THe West Iypra
Commirrer Crrcunar,’ April 20; ‘Tar Liverroon
Corron Association WEEKLY Crrcuar,’ April 19,
1905: and ‘Tne Pusric Leperr, April 22,
1905.

ALoes—Barbados, 15/- to 45/- ; Curacoa, 13/- to 45/- per ewt.

Arrowroot—St. Vincent, 1}d. per th.

Barara—Sheet, 1/6 to 1/11 ; block, 1/6 to 1/7 per tb.

Bees’-wax—£7 10s. to £7 15s. per ewt.

Cacao—tTrinidad, 56/- to 61/- per ewt. ; Grenada, 52/-
to 54,6 per ewt.

Carpamoms—Mysore, 73d. to 3/- per Tb.

Corrre—Jamaica, good ordinary, 37/- to 38,- per ewt.

Corrox—West Indian Sea Island, medium fine, 125d. ; fine,
134d. ; extra fine, 155d. per tb.

Froir—

Bananas—4/- to 5/- per bunch.
Grape Frurr—5/- to 6/- per case.
Orances—8/- to 10/- per case.
Prve-avretes—-1/8 to 3/9 each.

Fustic—£3 5s. to £4 per ton.

Guxcer—Jamaica, middling to fair bright, 36/- to 58.6 ;
ordinary to good ordinary, 30/- to 36/6 per ewt.

Honey—16,- to 28 - per ewt.

Isrveuass— West Indian lump, 2,5 to 2/9; cake, 1/- to ] i
per tb.

Kora Ners—4d. to 6d. per tb.

Lime Jurce--Raw, 9d. to 1/- per gallon; ec mncentrated,
£15 per cask of 108 gallons ; hand-pressed, 2/6 to
2/9 per Ib. ; Distilled Oil, 1/5 to 1/6 per tb.

Locwoon —£4 io £4 15s.; roots, £3 10s. to £4 per ton.

Mace—Pale West Indian, 1/4 to 1/5; red, 1/2 to 1/5;
broken, 1/2 per tb.

Nitrate or Sopa—Agriculiural, £11 7s. Gd. per ton.

WNursecs-—68’s, ls. 3d. to Is. 4d. ; 78's, $d. ; 125’s, Gd.
per tb.

Pimento—2hd. to 25d. per ib.

Rum—Demerara, Is. 3d. to Is. 44d. per proof gallon;
Jamaica, 2s. 1d. per proof gallon.

Svear—Yellow crystals, 19/6 to 21/- per ewt. ; Muscovado,
Barbados, 19/6 to 20/- per ewt. ; Molasses, 14/- to 18 -
per ewt.

ScuLeuHatEe or AMMONIA—£12 tds. 9d. per ton.

Montreal,—April 13, 1905.—Mr. J. Russern Murray.
(In bond quotations, c. & f.)

Bananas—No quotations.

SeEpar—No quotations.

Cocoa-nuts— Jamaica, $26-00 to $2800; Trinidad, $21:00

to $23-00 per M.

Correr—Jamaica, medium, 10c. to Le. per Ib.

Gixcer—Jamaica, unbleached, Te. to 10c. per th.

Morascurr—Demerara, $1.32 per 100 th.

Motassrs—Barbados, 37c.; Antigua, Sle. per Imperial

gallon.

Nurmecs—Grenada, 110’s, 19¢. per tb.

Orances—No quotations.

Pimenro—Jamaica, 5c. to 5je. per th.

Pine-appLes— No quotations.

Sucar—Grey crystals, 96°, $3°59 to $3°75 per 100 tb.
—Muscovados, 89°, $2°85 to $3:00 per 100 tb.
—Molasses, 89°, $2°60 to $2°80 per 100 tb.
—Barbados, 89°, $2°90 to $3-00 per 100 th.

New York,—April 28, 1905.—Messrs. GitLespre Bros.

& Co.
Cacao—Caracas, 12c. to 13c.; Grenada, lige. to lléc.;
Trinidad, 12c. to 12}c. per Ib.
Cocoa-Nuts—No quotations.
CoFFrEE— Ja Ry Sic. to Sie per th. (ex store).
GiIncer-- Jamaican, ofc. to Ge. per tb.

THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.

British Guiana,—May 4,

May 20, 1905,

Goar Skins—Jamaicas, 58$c. to GOc. per Tb.

Grave Frure—Jamaicas, $4.50 to $5:00 per barrel.

Mace—-West Indian, 30c. to 34c. per Tb.

Nurmecs—West Indian, 110’s, 14$c. to 1dc. ; 80's, 22c.
per tb.

Orances—Jamaica, $3°50 to $4 00 per barrel.

Pinentro—4éec. per tb.

Sucar—Centrifugals, 96°, 4%c.; Muscovados, 89°, -4cn8
Molasses, 89°, 3fc. per Tb.

INTER-COLONIAL MARKETS.

Antigua, —May 3, 1905.—Messrs. Gro. W. BENNETT

Bryson & Co., Lrp.
Morasses—27e. per gallon, package included,
Sucar—No quotations.

Barbados,—May 6, 1905.—Messrs. T. 8. Garraway

& Co., and Messrs. James A. Lyncu & Co,
Arrowroor—St. Vincent, $3°40 to $3°60 per 100 th.
Cacao—Dominica, $12°00 to $12°50. per 100 tb.
Cocoa-Nurs—$16:00 per M_ for husked nuts.
Correr—$10°50 to $12°00 per 100 tb.

Hay —$1-10 per 100 th.

Manures—- Nitrate of soda, $62°00 ; Ohlendorff’s dissolved
guano, $60°00; Sulphate of ammonia, $75°00; Sulphate
of potash, $67°00 per ton.

Moxasses—214c. to 22c. per gallon.

Oxtoxs—Madeira, $2°62 per 100 Tb.

Poraros, ENGuisH—$1-60 to $173 per 160 th. (retail).

Ricsa—Ballam, $440 per bag (190 tb.) ; Patna, $3°25
per LOO tb.

Sucar.—Muscovados, 89°, $215 ; Dark crystals, 96°, $2°70
per 100 th.

1905.—Messrs. WIerine

& LicHrer.

Arrowroor—St. Vincent, $8°00 per barrel.

Banata—Venezuela block, 25c.; Demerara sheet, 3dc.
per tb.

Cacao—Native, 13c. to 14c. per tb.

Cassava SrancH—5-00 per barrel.

Cocoa-Nuts—$10:00 to $12-00 per M.

Correr— Rio and Jamaica, 13}c. to l4c. per Th. (vetail).

— Creole, 12c. per tb.

Durat— $3°80 to $400 per bag of 168 Tb.

Kppors— $1°20 per barrel.

Morasses—Vacuum Pan yellow, 16c. per gallon (casks
included).

Ostons—Lisbon, 43c. per tb.

Pea Nurs—American, 5$c. per th. (retail).

Pranrarys— 20e. to 40c. per bunch.

Poraros, ExaiisH—$1°90 to $200 per barrel.

Rice—Ballam, $4°25 per 177 tb. ; Creole, $3°90 per bag-

Sweer Poraros—Barbados, $1°20 per bag; $144 per
barrel.

Tanntas— $144 per barrel.

Yams—White, $1°68 per bag.

Sucar—Dark erystals, $2°80 to $3:00; Yellow, $3°80 to
$4:00; White, $4:80 to $5°00; Molasses, $2°90 to
$3-00 per 100 tb. (vetail).

Timpen—Greenheart, 32c. to 55c. per cubic foot.

WALLABA SHINGLES—$3'00, $3°75, and $5°50 per M.

Trinidad,— May 4, 1905.—Messrs. Gorpon, Gran?

& Co, ;and Messrs. Epcar Tripe & Co.
Cacao—Ordinary to good red, $11-75 to $12°00; estates,
$12°15 to $1275 per fanega (110 tb.); Venezuelan,
$12°40 to $13-00 per fanega.
Cocoa-Nurs —No quotations.
Cocoa-Nuv Or—74e. per Imperial gallon (casks included).
Correr—Venezuelan, 9c. to 93c. per th.
Copra— $275 to $2°90 per 100 th.
Oxtoxs— West Indian, $1°80 to $200 per 100 Tb. (retail).
Poraros, Exerish—80c. to $1-00 per 100 tb.
Rice—Yellow, $4°25 to $440; white $4°75 to $574 per
bac.
Stasr White erystals, $450; Yellow crystals, $3°50 ;
Molasses sugars, $2°75 to $3 75 per 100 th. ;

=e THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.

Publications on sale of the Imperial Department of Agriculture
FOR THE WEST INDIES.

The ‘WEST INDIAN BULLETIN. A Quarterly Scientific Journal.

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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 stil] 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. (23) Notes on Poultry in the West Indies. Price 4d
(5) General Treatment of Insect Pests, 2nd. Edition Revised. (24) Dominica, Hints to Settlers. Price 2d.

Price 4d. (25) Ground Nuts in the West Indies Price 2d.
(6) Recipes for cooking Sweet Potatos. Price 2d. (26) Seedling and other Canes at Barbados, in 1903. Priee 4d.
(7) Scale Insects of the Lesser Antilles, Part I. Price 4d. (27) Seedling and other Canes in the Leeward Islands,
(9) Bee Keeping in the West Indies. Price 4d. 1902-1903. Price 2d.
(12) Seedling and other Canes in the Leeward Islands, (28) Barbados and Porto Rico Molasses. Price 3d.
1900-1901. Price 2d. (29) Lectures on the Diseases of the Sugar-cane. Price 4d.
13) Seedling and other Canes at Barbados, in 1901. Price 4d. (80) Manurial Experiments with Sugar-cane in the Leeward
fe Screw Worm in Cattle at St. Lucia. Price 2d. Islands, 1902-3. Price 4d.
(15) Plain Talk to Small Owners. Price 2d. (31) A. B. C. of Cotton Planting. Price 4d.
(16) Hints on Onion Cultivation. Price 2d. (32) Seedling and other Canes at Barbados, in 1904. Price 4d.
(17) General Treatment of Fungoid Pests. Price 4d. (33) Seedling and other Canes in the Leeward Islands, 1903-4.
(18) Recipes for cooking West Indian Yams. Price 2d. Price 4d.

(19) Seedling and other Canes at Barbados, in 1902. Price 4d. (84) Notes on Rabbit Keeping in the West Indies. Price 2d.

(20) Seedling and other Canes in the Leeward Islands, (35) Information in regard to Agricultural Banks. Price 4d.
1901-1902. Price 2d. (36) Manurial Experiments with Sugar-cane in the Leeward.

(21) Cotton and Onion Industries in the West Indies. Price 2d. Islands, 1903-4. Price 4d.

(22) Scale Insects of the Lesser Antilles, Part II. Price 4d.

The above will be supplied post free for an additional charge of $d. for the pamphlets marked 2d., and 1d. for the
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‘NATURE TEACHING.’

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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. Vols. I, II and III 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 :—

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Lane, London, E.C. Barbados: Messrs. Bowen & Sons, Bridgetown. Jamaica: THe EpucatTionaL SuPPLy
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Vox. IV. No: 8): THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS. May 20, 1905.

THE BEST MANURES FOR COLONIAL USE

oe ASE Bi) =

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 Ais ae

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.
[85. } Barbados Agents: Messrs. James A. Lynch & Co., Bridgetown.

JOURNAL D'AGRICULTURE TROPICALE. | 7 ae |
A Monthly Illustrated Review, published in French, WEST INDIA COMMITTEE CIRCULAR

dealing with all matters connected with P ; :
5 ° ublished fortnightly).
Tropical Agriculture. ( ghtly)

PARIS: M. Vilbouchevitch, | THE OFFICIAL ORGAN
10, rue Delambre. | | OF
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Street ; Zrinidad, D. A. Majani; Cuba, Solloso ; Haytz, Royal Charter August 4, 1904.)

Louis Coicou, Port-au-Prince.

| Edited by the Secretary.

Containing a Review of the Work of the West India Com-
mittee, Notes on West Indian Affairs, Statistics as to
Cacao, Sugar, Molasses and Rum, Coffee, Cotton,

$ C A © A O ’ Nutmegs, Mace, Pimento, Ginger, Arrowroot, Lime
’ Juice, ete., ete., Home Arrivals and Departures by
By J... .8.,, HART, F.LS. the Mail Steamers, ete.

NEW EDITION. To Members Free of charge.

To others, Subscription £1 1s, per annum.
Single Copies 1s. i

A treatise on the cultivation, curing and chemistry of
COMMERCIAL CACAO.

DAVIDSON & TODD, Trinidad.

Wm.WESLEY & Co., 28, Essex St., London.

Published at—

THE WEST INDIA COMMITTEE ROOMS,
| 15, Seething Lane,

Price 3s. per copy. | London, E.C.
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(ar ee ect

THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.

IMPERIAL DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

FOR THE WEST INDIES.

SPECIALLY SELECTED AND DISINFECTED

Sea Island Cotton Seed

GROWN IN THE WEST INDIES

Recommended for sowing during the coming season

(JUNE TO AUGUST)

WILL BE SUPPLIED (FREIGHT FREE) BY

The Department at the rate of five cents (23d.) per Ib.

(See Agricultural News, Vol. Iv. p. 97.)

Address orders, with remittances for the full amount, to—

Dr. FRANCIS WATTS, Antigua, for the Leeward Islands ;
Mr. JOHN R. BOVELL, for Barbados ;
Mr. W. N. SANDS, for St. Vincent ;

Applications from other Colonies may be forwarded direct to—
THE IMPERIAL COMMISSIONER OF AGRICULTURE,

HkAD OFFICE: BARBADOS.

MNGi L) t
S *.

2D

=, = ae
Ss tee age AN Sa A
on”? SAY Oe A IL
LA 'b OK BS
~ RS Yi &
Mi Silda ly el Be

A FORTNIGHTLY REVIEW

OF THE

IMPERIAL DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE FOR THE WEST INDIES.

Vout. IV. No. 82.

BARBADOS, JUNE 3, 1905.

Price ld.

CONTENTS.

PAGE.

Broom Corn inthe West
Indies Shey oieees poset

Cacao Cultivation in the

West Indies ..... 161
Cacao Drier in Trinidad 174
Cottee, Liberian Boo JlyA0)
Colombia, Agriculture in 169
Colonial Agriculture,

International Assem-

WoW OR tos cen aoa 13
Coprain Spain... ... 164
Cotton Notes :—

Cotton Seed Disinte-

PaGE.
Market Reports ... ... 176

Nitrogenous Fertilizers,
Supply of ... ... ... 169
Notes and Comments ... 168

Oranges, Shipping... ... 164
Our Book Shelf :-—

Cotton Seed Products... 165
Rainfall Returns... ... 171
Rat Virus, Experiments

WMA Deo cos ond. ono Ala)
St. Lucia Agricultural
Experiments Com-

ae MUGbCe eee.) LOS
afte eae ne St. Lucia, Imported stock
St. Berk aia als tal

Sea Islands Market ... 166
West Indies... ... ... 166
Department News... ... 171
Educational :—
St. Vincent Agri-
cultural School
School Gardens ...

St. Vincent, Exports of... 169
Science Note :—
The meaning of
Spines on Plants... 165
Shipping Oranges ... ... 164
167, 173 Sugar Industry :—
2 167 Hawaii, Demerara
Canesten. Oo
Jamaica oag ooo menue hes
Leeward Islands... ... 163
Molasses in Canada ... 163
Surinam, Agriculturein 171
West Indian Bulletin ... 168
170 West Indian Fisheries ... 167
West Indian Products :
London Drug and Spice
MEWEKEG on aoq con La)
New York Imports... 175

Gleanings. se. --- --- 172

Grape Fruit from
Dominica... .., ... 168

Ground Nuts... ... ... 163

Insect Notes :—
Bees’ Nests... 12.0 oe
Sheep nasal Fly... ... 170
Weevils, Destruction of 170

Mangosteen ... ... ... 164

Cacao Cultivation in the West
Indies.

\ pa r

ass U the West Indian Agricultural Conference
% at Trinidad in January last, an interesting

and useful discussion took place in

connexion with the cacao industry. The general
opinion of those present appeared to be that consider-
able improvement had been shown during the last few
years in the methods adopted in cultivating this crop,
and that the planters were realizing the necessity for
higher cultivation.

In several of the West India Islands
experiment plots have been in operation for some years
under the direction of the Imperial Department of
Agriculture, and the experience gained from these
experiment plots, as well as the personal experience of
such planters as have themselves been in the habit of

Cacao

conducting experiments and making observations, has
indicated very clearly that more scientific methods of
treating the soil and the trees have resulted in an
increased yield: good results have been obtained from
the use of pen manure and of sheep manure; other
planters have satisfied themselves of the economy of
using chemical manures, principally basic slag; others,
again, have learned the advantage of paying close
attention to approved methods of pruning and the
prevention of disease.

The best results are not to be obtained by
attending merely to manuring or merely to pruning.
The cacao tree is very susceptible to unfavourable
conditions of the soil. Experiments throughout the
West Indies have clearly demonstrated that little
improvement can be brought about by the use of
manures—natural or artificial—unless the soil is well
drained. Without subsoil drains in a wet clay soil
manure is useless. The question of deep drainage has
also an important bearing upon the occurrence of
fungoid diseases. Since healthy vigorous trees are

162

THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.

JuNE 3, 1905.

rarely attacked by these diseases, every effort should
be made to attend to the health of the trees.

In the case of fungoid diseases cacao planters are
strongly urged to adopt preventive measures. Neglec-
ted trees are sure to develop these diseases: once
developed, much money and trouble will have to be
expended to eradicate them. The preventive methods
are extremely simple. They consist in proper methods
of pruning: branches cut close to the stem, wounds
tarred over, diseased parts burned, and pods and shells
buried. It was stated at the Conference that, as the
result of the adoption of these measures, one planter
in Trinidad expected to reap about 25 per cent. more
cacao than he would otherwise have done.

Considerable interest attached to the discussion
It may be that this
depends entirely upon local
conditions. At any rate, the facts remain that Trinidad
planters are firmly that
are absolutely necessary and indispensable in that

on the subject of shade for cacao.

is a matter which

convinced shade trees
island; that in Grenada no shade is used, although
obtained ;

trees are

a higher yield is
though no

while in Dominica,
present, wind-breaks,
usually of the ‘pois doux’ (Jiga dulcis), are planted
across the plantations to protect them from the wind.
Although it may be, as has been suggested, that this
difference of methods is due to difference in climatic

shade

conditions, it is possible that further experiments will
cause some modification of the somewhat strongly-held
convictions on this point. It is quite evident that no
hard and fast rules can be laid down for the guidance
of planters in matters of this kind; each planter will
have to decide for himself the line of action
likely to suit his special conditions.

most

Another point upon which it is hoped to have
further information later on as the result of experi-
ments is in the matter of the most suitable variety for
these islands. Up to the present the Forastero has
been almost exclusively planted. This is the hardiest
of all the varieties, but its product is not of the highest
quality. The Criollo variety produces the best quality
of cacao. It is, however, unfortunately, somewhat
delicate, and though several attempts have been made to
establish regular plantations of it in the West Indies,
these have, in many cases, been abandoned. It was
suggested by the Hon. William Fawcett that the
Criollo might be budded on to Forastero stocks,
experiments in Jamaica having shown that this can
successfully be done.

The growing importance of the cacao industry in
the West Indies has already been referred to in the

Agricultural News (Vol. ILI, p. 305). In order that
the progress may be maintained, cacao planters are
urged to do all in their power to bring about an
improvement in the health and productiveness of their
trees.

Jamaica.

The following is a letter from the special corres-
pondent in Jamaica of the Louisiana Planter, in
which reference is made to the revival of the sugar
industry :-—

The firmness of the sugar market and the relatively
high prices now being obtained for cane sugar are having
a healthy effect in stimulating planters to extend the area of
their cultivation. Coincident with this revival of the
industry, certain scheines are on foot for the establishment of
central factories, one in Vere, and the other in St. Elizabeth.
The one in Vere has already taken shape, the firm of De Pass
& Co., of London, in which Mr. C. E. deMereado is
interested, having bought Moreélands estate in Vere. Plans
for the buildings and machinery have been submitted, and it
is probable that the work of erecting the necessary buildings
will start within the next couple of months.

In the meantime several estates, notably Denbigh and
Cornwall, are practically working on the central factory
system, and the small cultivators are being induced to
cultivate canes, and, to enable them to do so, the larger
planters are making them cash advances.

Mr. R. E. Melhado, who has recently taken over the
Lodge estate, near Old Harbour, on lease from Col. Kitchener,
is about to erect new buildings and instal new machinery
with a larger capacity. Mr. John Hudson, of Retrieve, in
Westmoreland, has ordered a new and powerful five-roller
rill of a similar pattern to the one erected at Denbigh, and
has also extended his acreage. Mr. Walter Farquharson has
ordered a triple-effect plant for Retreat, in the same parish.
There are also new developments at Phoenix, Mr. Arnold
Clodd’s Hanover estate, where cane cultivation will be
carried out on an extensive basis. Mr. 8. Clarke is planting
out 100 acres of canes at Sweet River, Westmoreland, while
it is reported that the acreage on Fairfield is likely to
increase.

These extensions of existing cane cultivation and the
developments of improved methods in manufacture are of
great significance, and augur well for the future of the sugar
industry in this island. The crop now being taken ott
promises to be a very good one, and in quantity is likely to
overtop considerably the record of the last three seasons,
while in value it will easily exceed all years since 1899-1900.
Up to last reports, 10,774 puncheons of rum had been
exported, which is 100 puncheons better than last year’s crop,
while sugar exports are 1,200 tons less; but this will easily
be made up between now and crop-over.

Another remarkable feature of the sugar situation is the
demand for small cane mills, and one dealer reports having
sold more of these to small settlers in the month of February
than he had done in the six months prior to that date.

q

Vor. IV. No. 82.

THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.

163

Leeward Islands.
The Leeward Islands Blue Book for 1903-4 has the

following reference to the state of the sugar industry
in the colony, under the head of ‘ agricultural improve-
ments ’:—

Energetic steps were taken to secure for Antigua the
residue of the parliamentary grant for the assistance of the
sugar industry in the West Indies. ‘These efforts were
successful, and the grants were applied to encouraging the
introduction of improved sugar-making machinery by offering
monetary grants on condition that the sums granted were
spent on improved machinery, together with proportionate
and specified amounts on the part of private persons. As
a result, the Bendals’ sugar works have been equipped with
new machinery by way of improvement on, or acldition to,
existing plant ; a new and improved mill and engine, a triple-
effect evaporator (the first imtroduced into Antigua), and
various other appliances being installed. A still more
important result was obtained by the aid of this grant in that
all the arrangements were completed for the erection of
a new, modern sugar factory to deal with the sugar produced
on eight estates ; this factory is in course of erection. By
this means the much-discussed central factory question will
be solved, so far as Antigua is concerned.

The cultivation of new varieties of sugar-cane continues
to make progress throughout the colony ; as a consequence
diseases of sugar-cane have occasioned comparatively little
loss of late years. The experiments conducted with varieties
of sugar-cane by the Imperial Department of Agriculture are
still followed with great interest.

The manurial experiments, also conducted by the
Imperial Department of Agriculture, have afforded results of
importance calculated to lead to economies and precision in
working, and to substantial monetary savings.

Demerara Canes in Hawaii.

A bulletin on ‘Comparative analyses of varieties of cane’
recently issued by the Hawaiian Sugar Planters’ Association
gives interesting information as to the quality of the juices,
the tonnage of canes, and the yields of sugar of seventeen
varieties of cane harvested in April 1904.

Among the seventeen canes under experimental culti-
vation were three Demerara seedlings—Nos. 74, 95, and 117.

In regard to tonnage of cane per acre, the first place
among the seventeen varieties is taken by D. 117 with
88 tons; D. 74 came eighth on the list with 67 tons, and
D, 95, fifteenth with 48 tons.

The largest yield of sugar per acre was also given by

The other two Demerara canes
74 (9th.), 8:6 tons ;

D, 117, viz., nearly 12 tons.
come somewhat low on the list: D.
D, 95 (14th.), 6-7 tons.

In regard to quality of the juice the Demerara canes do
not appear to take quite as high a position. The analyses for
these three seedlings are as follows :—

Density SUH ea Glucose

Variety. Brix meio) ee Per
y ( ). Per cent.| juice BF eee
ess | 43, ||) is-7 | gon) aoa
D. 117 sod = WAG 15-2 83°5 ? “459
D. 74 eel 16°47 14:2 86:2 ° “404

1 Fourth on list. 2 Sixth on list. 3 Twelfth on list.

It should be mentioned that the figures are based on the
chemical analyses of varieties grown under identical

conditions, as far as they could be obtained, with regard to-
climate, soil, cultivation, irrigation, and fertilization,

Molasses in Canada.

The Maritime Merchunt of May 4 has the
following note on the molasses market in Canada :—

Since our last issue a report of 2c. a gallon reduction
came from Barbados, but this has had absolutely no effect
upon the prices here ; and the chances are that it will not.
Newfoundland has taken all her requirements, and it is said
there are less than 6,000 gallons left in the island, while
Montreal, which requires 12,000 gallons, has not yet taken
any to speak of. No doubt the downward tendency of the
sugar market has had something to do with the situation,
together with the holding off of Montreal buyers, who were
determined not to buy at the high prices. Prices had really
gone up too quickly. However, they are likely to continue
high. The very fact that remaining supplies are low, and
that existing legislation is against American molasses, seems
to promise that. Besides, the supplies of other British
Islands molasses are very small. There is practically no
Trinidad left, and sugar-making has ceased in the island for
the season, and what little molasses is left is held for
reboiling and distilling. The crop is over 30 per cent. short
and not only that, but the percentage of molasses is smaller
than usual. There is no change in Porto Rico, where things
are quiet with a high and firm market. Nearly 50 per cent.
of the molasses imported at Halifax so far this season has
been of the last-named grade. The total importations of all
grades this season to the end of April amounted to 4,500
puncheons as against 2,500 puncheons in the same period in
1904 and 1903. The excess of imports so early is explained
by the early crop. In all likelihood the bulk of the twelve
or thirteen thousand puncheons, which now measures our
requirements, will be imported during the months of April,
May, and June this year, instead of June, July, and August
as ordinarily.

Halifax prices are as follows :—

Choice Porto Rico............38¢. to 40c.
Extra-choice Porto Rico...... 40c. to 42c.
Fancy Trinidad
Choice Trinidad #
Banbad osmeraasecnctacess tse. 40c.

GROUND NUTS.

The Queensland Agricultural Jowrnal has the
following note on pea nuts or ground nuts, to the
cultivation of which the West Indies are well adapted :—

One of the easiest crops to grow, whether by itself or
between the rows of some crop which takes from one to
three years to mature, such as pine-apples, sisal hemp, ete., is
the earth or pea nut. In the United States they are grown
by almost every farmer. The nuts always command a ready
sale for oil making. In America they are considered the
best pig food, and thousands of bushels are used for human
consumption.. An American farmer in Florida sums up the
advantages of growing pea nuts as follows:—They have no
insect enemies ; you are always sure of the crop; they will
withstand more dry weather than any other crop; poor,
sandy land that will not grow any other crop to pay will
give a fine crop of pea nuts ; such lands will yield 50 bushels
per acre of nuts without any further fertilizer when they
would not yield 8 bushels of corn. The vines make the
finest of hay when properly cured.

164 THE AGRICULTURAL

NEWS. JuNE 3, 1905.

WEST INDIAN FRUIT.

SHIPPING ORANGES.

Experiments conducted by the U. S. Department of
Agriculture in connexion with the shipment of oranges have
shown that failure has, in most cases, been due to careless
handling in California rather than to the effects of transporta-
tion. Fruit that is sound when packed reaches New York
in good condition.

It appears that the principal source of decay is injury to
the skin of the orange by the sharp-pointed clippers that are
often used in gathering the fruit. Again, too long a stem
may be left on an orange: when packed this stem is liable to
injure the fruit next to it.

As a result of these tests the conclusion arrived at was
that carelessness in handling was the chief cause of decay,
and that there is likely to be very little decay when the outer
skin of the orange is entirely free from all injuries.

These are points that should be carefully considered by
all shippers of oranges. Attention has already been drawn
in the Agricultural News to the damage that has been
sustained by the Jamaica orange industry through the
shipment of badly selected or carelessly packed fruit.

THE MANGOSTEEN.

The following information is extracted from an
interesting article on the mangosteen (Garcinia
Mangostana) in the Hawaiian Forester and Agri-
culturist -— ‘

This genus of tropical trees comprises about forty species,
and belongs to the order of Guttiferae. It isa native of
the Malay Peninsula, and grows well in Ceylon and Trinidad,
and in the Botanic Gardens at Jamaica—but not so
successfully in India. Numberless efforts are said to have
been made to naturalize this tree in the tropics, but without
marked success. It needs a moist and fairly equable
climate, with the temperature of 72° to 76° F. and with
a rainfall of about 100 to 150 inches yearly. It does
not thrive so well on the open plains as it does in the
sheltered valleys, with light shade.

The fruit is round, about 2 inches in diameter, and has
a tough rind ; it is first green, then gradually changes to
pink, then finally to a rich, deep purple when ripe ; inside
the fruit is divided into edible segments, white in colour,
and in shape and arrangements like those of the orange.
These segments contain the seeds, which are dark-brown and
about the size of a small Lima bean.

The flavour of the fruit is said to suggest something
between the grape and a peach, and the successful ripening

under glass of this luscious fruit is considered a consummate
achievement in the art of gardening.

The mangosteen is of very slow growth, but comes true
to the seed, and it is said that ripened cuttings can be made
to root and grow, if started under glass with strong bottom
heat,

COPRA IN SPAIN.

In view of the efforts that are being made in
Trinidad to establish an export trade in copra, the
following note on the trade in this product in Spain,
from the U.S. Monthly Consular Reports, is likely
to be of interest :—

During recent years the cost of copra has been rather
above the average, and this fact has militated against its
importation into Spain. If the price were to drop again to
between $65 and $75, at which copra was obtainable eight
or ten years ago, the consumption in this country would
probably increase by 30 per cent. The higher the cost of
copra the smaller the consumption of the oil in Spain, as it
is more advantageous to use olive oil for the manufacture
of soap than an expensive copra oil.

The average annual imports of copra are 10,000 to
12,000 tons at Barcelona and 18,000 to 20,000 tons in the
whole of Spain. These direct shipments come chiefly from
the Straits Settlements, Philippine Islands, and Celebes,

though copra from other places is occasionally bought. |

Copra oil is extracted in this country by the ordinary
pressure system, The benzine system is practically unknown
here. The estimated outturn of oil is from 60 to 64 per
cent., according to the quality of the material and the
process used for drying. Most of the mills in Spain have
been furnished by an English firm.

The waste product is sold in cakes for fodder, and
hitherto most of it has been sent abroad, though the
consumption in the interior districts of Spain is steadily
increasing. This year, owing to the scarcity and dearness
of fodder, more than half the product has been sold in Spain.

The oil extracted from the copra is principally used in
the manufacture of soap, of which there are more than thirty
different varieties made here. The soap-naking industry in
Spain is capable ot being largely developed on modern lines,
because, with a few notable exceptions, the processes used in
the making of soap are very antiquated.

A paper by Mr, W, Greig on the ‘Cocoa-nut Oil
Industry, which will be published in the next issue of
the West Indian Bulletin, contains practical informa-
tion in regard to the manufacture of copra at Trinidad.

Vor. IV. No. 82.

COTTON SEED PRODUCTS: By Ueebert Lloyd
Lamborn, B.S. Wew York: D. van Nostrand Co. London:
_ Archibald Constable & Co.

This book is one of a very comprehensive character,
supplying, as the author states in the preface, a treatise on
the subject of cotton seed which should deal not only with
the extraction of the oil from the seed, but with the utiliza-
tion of the products of the seed itself.

The first part of the work treats in great detail the
subject of oil extraction from the cotton seed. An interesting
historical account is given, informing us that the first seed
for oil extraction was sent to England from the West Indies
in 1783. All the processes of oil extraction and refining are
clearly given ; great interest is attached to the refining, and
every detail, which will enable the finest oil to be placed on
the market, will be found in this volume.

No less attention is given to the other products of the
seed; every part is shown to be of value. The preparation of
cotton seed oil cake and meal, the treatment and uses of the
hulls, and the utilization of the waste products obtained
during the oil-refining process are dealt with.

A chapter is devoted to the preparation of oleomargarine
and lard compounds, and another to the manufacturing of
soap and soap powder, giving details of the use of the refined
oil and the waste from the refining room in the preparation of
these substances. The value of cotton seed and cotton seed
meal for food and fertilizing purposes is clearly brought out.
The last chapter is one giving rules for governing market
transactions in cotton seed products.

One interesting feature of this book is the classification
of the different products ; all the characters which determine
the qualities of the different substances are given, thus
enabling the manufacturer to know what he should aim at
and what he should avoid when producing for the market.
Another feature which will make the book a valuable one
is the information given on the defects of the different
products, pointing out the probable causes and remedies.

Although it may be questioned whether the author is
justified in bringing such a mass of information together in
one volume, for the detailed character of the work is such
that only portions can be of interest to any particular
individual, yet this is certainly a book which will be most
valuable to those interested in the extraction of cotton seed
oil, and in the preparation of cotton seed cake and meal.

Plant Nurseries in St. Vincent. Nurseries for
the raising of cacao seedlings have been started on some of
the estates acquired in St. Vincent for the Land Settlement
Scheme. Large numbers of cacao and other permanent
economic seedlings have been planted out on the allotments,
since the estates were acquired. Up to the present the
seedlings been have supplied from the Botanic Station. The
present arrangement will avoid the difficulties and dangers
of transport, which, in some cases, are considerable. The
first nursery was started in February on the Cumberland
Valley estate.

THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.

165

SCIENCE NOTE.

The Meaning of Spines on Plants.

A recent issue of the New Phytologist (Vol. IV,
p. 79) contains a paper by Dr. L. Cceckayne on the
‘Significance of spines in Discaria Toumatou. In this
paper, the author describes experiments bearing on the
biological meaning of the spines. It is well known
that many desert (xerophytic) plants are characterized
by possessing hard, sharp spines or prickles, which are
usually regarded as adaptations for protection against
grazing animals. The following are extracts from this
paper :—

Discaria Toumatou, the ‘Wild Irishman’ of the
Colonists, is a common New Zealand xerophytic shrub, or
occasionally a small tree, chiefly remarkable for being
abundantly furnished with rather long and very pungent
spines, which are in fact shoots of limited growth capable of
assimilating carbon dioxide. The characteristic stations of
this plant are: stable sand-dunes; stony plains, river-beds,
and terraces ; dry, frequently clayey hill-sides, and slopes of
stony debris, or even rock-faces. In some places, the plants
are isolated ; in others they form dense thickets, unpleasant
to penetrate. The terete spines are arranged decussately at
distances of about 2 cm. and measure 2 cm. to 3 cm. in
length and 1 mm. to 1°5 mm. in diameter.

The early seedling form is quite without spines, being
an erect, leafy plant. After attaining a height of several
centimetres, probably varying considerably according to
environment, spines commence to be developed from the
axils of the leaves as in the adult, and the plant thenceforth
becomes by degrees comparatively leafless and very spinous.
The juvenile leaves are very similar to those of the adult,
but are thinner and the earliest leaves are toothed. :

Two such seedlings artificially raised from seed in
a greenhouse, after developing one or two spines, were
placed by me more than three years ago in a glass case, so
constructed as to keep the inside atmosphere constantly
saturated with moisture, in order to see if the plants would
continue to produce spines; iLe., if this artificial environment
would inhibit the formation of spines. The conditions
provided would not only expose the plants to most air, but
the light would be considerably more feeble than that of the
normal stations of the Discaria. Such conditions, indeed,
would be those of a rain-forest interior rather than of a plain
or hill-side in the open, however wet the climate.

After being placed in the moist chamber, the plants
developed no more spines and are now seedling plants in all
respects except for the few spines, which were developed
prior to the culture in moist air. Moreover, it seems evident.
that such plants would remain in the seedling form so long
as they were kept in an atmosphere constantly moist and
exposed to a feeble light.

That spines on xerophytic plants are an adaptation
against the attacks of grazing animals is a matter of such
general belief as to be admitted into certain botanical text-
books as a proved fact.

It seems, however, to me that my experiment, detailed
above, is a fairly crucial case, and that in Discaria Toumatou,
at any rate, the spines are a direct response to conditions of
dryness, and function as a special contrivance for checking
transpiration. If so, then they have nothing to do primarily
with attacks of grazing animals, especially when it is borne
in mind that New Zealand never contained such, excepting
the various species of Joa.

166

THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.

JUNE 3, 1905.

Sy

a)
"Wie

SEU: = =, —_—_

St. Vincent.

Mr. W. N. Sands writes as follows, under date
May 19, 1905, with regard to the operations at the
St. Vincent cotton factory :

At the factory the total number of bales made so far
is 229, and contained 76,732 Tb. of lint. So far the price
of 1s. 5d. per tb. has been maintained for cotton shipped to
the British Cotton-growing Association. By to-day’s mail
about 70 bales are being forwarded.

The work of disinfection and selection of locally grown
seed has been continued, and the quantity dealt with for
local use and export since the work was commenced totals
15,389 tb. Of this amount 8,123 1b. of selected and
disinfected seed have been delivered.

Cotton Seed Disintegrators.

The Christy and Norris disintegrators, contributed
by the British Cotton-growing Association, in use for
crushing cotton seed at the central cotton factories at
Barbados and Antigua, are in regular working and they
give every satisfaction. The seed is crushed for the
use of planters, as required, at a moderate charge, and
is largely used for feeding cattle.

There are similar disintegrators installed at the
central cotton factories at St. Vincent, St. Kitt’s, and
Nevis. The first of these disintegrators was introduced
by Messrs. Sendall & Wade at Spooner estate, St. Kitt’s.
in 1904.

Sea Islands Market Report.

The market report of Messrs. Henry W. Frost & Co.,
Jated Charleston, $.C., May 6, 1905, has the follow-
ing :—

The sales consisted of about 1,000 bags of planters’ crop
lots, classing fully fine to extra fine on private terms, which
were reported in our last.

This leaves an unsold stock of about 900 bags, of which
400 bags class fine and fully fine, and 500 are tinged and
stained. Factors are disposed to sell on a basis of quotations.
We quote: stained and tinged, 12c. to 17c.; fine, 20c. ;
fully fine, 23c. ; extra fine, 24c.

With the exception of some complaints of too much rain,
the advices generally are fairly favourable as regards the
condition and offsetting of the crop.

St. Vincent.

The following reference to the establishment of
the cotton industry in St. Vincent is extracted from
the Annual Report on the island for 1903-4 :—

>

The great agricultural feature of the year has been the
inauguration of the Sea Island cotton industry under the
auspices and by the very active effort of the Imperial Depart-
ment of Agriculture, under Sir Daniel Morris, K.C.M.G.,
with whom I have had the pleasure of being associated in
this excellent work. The results are certainly encouraging.
One hundred and _ thirty-six bales of excellent cotton,
realizing from 4d. (this figure is for the Upland quality) to
ls 3hd. per tb. have been shipped from the colony since
April last, and the present area in cultivation, from which
the crop is being taken off at the time of writing [January
1905], is approximately 1,471 acres. With these prices, which,
moreover, leave a fair margin for a fall, the industry should
certainly pay and go some way in assisting to restore the
colony’s sorely shattered prosperity.

During the year a cotton factory of the most inodern
approved pattern, planned by the Imperial Commissioner of
Agriculture after a personal inspection of many cotton
estates in the Southern States of America, which he visited
specially in connexion with the desired revival of this
industry in the West Indies, was erected and equipped with
six single-action Macarthy gins supplied by three different
firms, with which the first experimental crop of Sea Island
cotton was effectively handled.

Cotton Industry in the West Indies.

The following note on the prospects of the cotton
industry in the West Indies appeared in the Barbados
Agricultural Reporter of May 20 :—

The disappointment which the present state of the sugar
market has caused to so many shows again the necessity
there is of our devoting attention to the other industries that
have recently been started in this island. The cotton fields
have been a considerable help to many of the black soil
estates during this season. Several planters have expressed
themselves as quite satisfied with the return they have
obtained, and are resolved to increase the acreage of their
cotton in the fall of this year. The Duke of Marlborough,
in a recent address to the Cotton Spinners’ Association of
Bolton, stated that there is every probability that within the
next ten years the demand for cotton will be greater than
the supply. He spoke in high terms of the work which
Sir Daniel Morris has accomplished in the West Indies, and
said that the Colonial Office now proposes to send out
a cotton officer to West Africa to do there what Sir Daniel
has done in these islands. We need not fear competition
from Nigeria. We have been repeatedly told that no part
of the world can produce Sea Island cotton superior to that,
which is being produced in the West Indies, and that
however great the supply of other kinds of cotton may be,
there is always a special market for this variety of long-
staple cotton.

_

Vot. IV. No. 82.

THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.

167

EDUCATIONAL.

St. Vincent Agricultural School.

The following is an extract taken from the Annual
Report on St. Vincent for the year 1903-4 :—

An agricultural school was established under the
auspices of the Imperial Department of Agriculture with
imperial money in 1900.

There was an average of twenty pupils during 1903-4.

The institution is progressing satisfactorily and several
of the lads trained there have recently, after completion of
their course, found employment in useful agricultural work
in St. Vincent and other adjacent colonies.

The total cost of the school’s upkeep during the year
was £655, of which £201 were spent on special work, such
as a thorough painting of the entire building and out-houses
to preserve the wood-work, and the installation of drains and
gutters.

A beginning was made in the laying out and preparation
of plots adjacent to the principal primary school buildings
in the island as school gardens, to afford an opportunity to
the young generation to acquire some knowledge of the
rudiments of skilled agriculture.

School Gardens.

The following article on ‘Garden schools in foreign
lands’ is clipped from the Daily Mail of October
18, 1904 :—

If foreign nations are taking the lead of us in agri-
culture now, what will be the state of affairs in a generation
or two? For many of them are teaching their children the
science and practice of agriculture with the same care that
they teach writing and arithmetic.

Sweden has had ‘school gardens’ for many years past,
and their number now amounts to several thousand. Belgium,
Switzerland, Austria, Germany, and France have all taken up
the idea. Wherever it has been carried out the results are
recognized as being most valuable, and people wonder that
they did not think of it before.

It has been found that the children take up this study
with great interest and with such success that they turn every
little bit of ground at home to account and provide the
family with vegetables. Taught the latest and best systems
of agriculture, they develop into really intelligent agri-
culturists, and are ready, which we are not, to discard old
and wasteful methods for the newest and best.

As an example of what is being done in this way, take
the case of Belgium. Here, in the country districts, many
schools have plots of ground varying in extent from an acre
upward, where a thorough grounding in agricultural science
is given. The younger children are taught the use of the
spade, hoe, rake, trowel, and watering pot, together with such
knowledge as suits their young minds regarding peas, beans,
cabbages, potatos, apples, pears, plums, strawberries, cherries,
carrots, onions, parsely, and tobacco. This is easy and
pleasant work compared with the sums, writing, and reading
of the indoor school. Such young children, five years old
and upwards, are also familiarized with the habits of a few of
the commoner animals, the swallow, titmouse, sparrow, lark,
finch, mole, hedgehog, caterpillar, butterfly, and May bug.

For older pupils the field is very extensive. They learn
about the germination of seeds, the anatomy of plants, with
the uses of their various parts—stem, roots, leaves, buds,

flowers, and fruit. They are shown how to plant slips, to plant
flowers in pots, to graft, and to transplant. They are taught
to lay out a small nursery, to prepare the ground, to sow
seeds, and to care for the plants during their growth. The
very important subject of fertilizers is fully explained, as
well as the dangers from insects and the remedies. Then
they learn how to gather seeds and how to keep them, and
how to recognize poisonous plants. Gradually the whole
science is unfolded. The pupils are taught the advantages
and disadvantages of the various kinds of soils; how to use
manure, and its virtues as compared with the various
fertilizers ; how to choose seeds, and the various methods of
sowing them by hand, with tools, etc. As the plants grow
they are practised in weeding, thinning, hoeing, hilling, etc.,
and the effects of the various operations are explained.
Ploughing, harrowing, and rolling ; harvesting hay, grain,
turnips, potatos, carrots ; preserving the harvest in stacks,
barns, and pits, are operations for the advanced student. At
the same time he is made acquainted with the best knowledge
concerning animals. The pupil learns all about drainage
and irrigation, as well as meteorological phenomena —rain,
mist, dew, ice, wind—from an agricultural point of view.
Obviously, a boy who goes through a complete scientific
training of this kind must make a better agriculturist than
if he got his knowledge in the haphazard way of our own
country. And this fact is proved by the great success of the
Scandinavian farmer in America.

Girls, as well as boys, go through systematic training
in the garden schools of foreign countries. They learn the
qualities of a good laying hen, how to care for their fowls,
how to treat milk, to skim it, churn it, and to make cheese,
and also the use of the various instruments for testing the
density of milk, the amount of its acidity, and the quantity
of cream.

WEST INDIAN FISHERIES.

The following are extracts from official reports
for 1903-4 relating to the subject of fisheries in the
West Indies :—

ST. VINCENT.

A whale fishery is carried on in the St. Vincent Grena-
dines, notably Bequia and Canouan, and is a very material
benefit to the inhabitants of those islands, whose condition
compares favourably with that of the labourers of St. Vincent
itself. The value of whale oil exported was £1,150 as
against £1,107 in 1902.

LEEWARD ISLANDS.

There is no organized fishing industry in the colony, but
an effort in this direction is being made by the government.
Fish are caught for Jocal consumption only, not for export,
except in the Virgin Islands, whence fish are exported in
considerable quantities to the neighbouring Danish island of
St. Thomas.

The principal fish caught are the king-fish, barracouta,
margate, mullet, snapper, cavally, lobsters, etc. Turtle are
largely exported.

168

THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.

JuNE 3, 1905.

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. Dulan &
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 3 of the cover.

The Agricultural News: Price 1d. per number,
post free 1}d. Annual subscription payable to Agents,
2s. 2d. Post free, 3s, 3d.

Agricultural stews

SATURDAY, JUNE 3, 1905.

No. 82.

Vou. IV.

NOTES AND COMMENTS.

Contents of Present Issue.

The editorial in the present issue discusses certain
points of practical interest to cacao planters, briefly
reviewing some of the efforts that have been made to
improve the health and productiveness of cacao trees.

In the notes on the sugar industry references are
made to signs of revival in Jamaica and the Leeward
Islands. Excellent results obtained with some Demerara
seedlings in Hawaii are recorded on p. 162.

The article on ‘Garden schools in foreign lands’ on
p. 167 is likely to be read with interest. Every effort
is being made throughout the West Indies to encourage
the establishment of school gardens in connexion with
elementary schools.

Interesting insect notes of local interest will be
found on p. 170; these include references to the
peculiar structure of some bees’ nests, and to the uses
of salt for the protection of grain against weevils.

On p. 173 there is published a detailed report by
Mr. Lewton-Brain on a visit to the St. Vincent Agri-
cultural School. Reference is made also on p. 167 to
the useful work that is accomplished at this school.

Interesting information in regard to the growth
and marketing of Broom Corn is published on p. 174.
It would appear that while, under normal conditions,
a profitable business is scarcely likely to be established
between the West Indies and the United States,
Canada offers a market for this product which might
prove profitable.

—

Grape Fruit from Dominica.

An interesting experiment has recently been
made in shipping grape fruit from the Botanic Station
at Dominica to the Covent Garden market. he four
boxes shipped were sold for £3 6s. The shipping
expenses and freight amounted to 10s, 4d, and the
sale charges to 6s. 10d. It will therefore be seen that
the experiment was very satisfactory from a financial
point of view.

It should further be stated that the four crates
were the produce of four trees. The latter were budded
in 1899 and bore fruits in 1902 and 1903, The profits
mentioned above are particularly satisfactory when it is
considered that the trees are less than six years old.

EE

St. Lucia Agricultural Experiments Committee.

As was announced in the Agricultural News
(Vol. IV, p. 91), at a meeting of the St. Lucia Agri-
cultural Society held on February 22 last, a committee
was, upon the suggestion of the Imperial Commissioner
of Agriculture, appointed to confer with him with the
object of promoting the sugar, cacao, fruit, and other
industries of the island.

The following is a list of the gentlemen who
have signified their willingness to serve on the
Agricultural Experiments Committee :—

The Hon. E. duBoulay, the Hon. Granville
Ponsonby, Messrs. 8. Melville, E. G. Bennett, K.C.,
Hugh Hunter, C. R. Kennaway, R. G. McHugh,
George Barnard, and the Agricultural Superintendent.
Mr. G. 8. Hudson, the Agricultural Instructor, is acting
as Secretary of this Committee.

rr +

West Indian Bulletin.

The first number of Volume VI of the West
Indian Bulletin, issued to-day, contains a_ further
instalment of the papers read at the West Indian
Agricultural Conference of 1905.

Useful information is given to show the present
position of the cane-farming industry in British
Guiana and Trinidad. This important subject was
dealt with at some length at the Conference, as it was
felt that some efforts were needed to put the industry
on a satisfactory footing, more especially in Trinidad.
Other papers in connexion with the sugar industry deal
with the principal fungoid and insect pests of the
sugar-cane, with the field treatment of cane tops for
planting purposes, and with the establishment of
a central factory at Antigua. Dr. Francis Watts also
contributes a paper of a technical character dealing
with the ‘ Polarimetric determination of sucrose.’

The remaining pages of the number are devoted
to the cacao industry. It was the general opinion
that a very useful discussion took place at the
Conference in this connexion, and it will be found that
a large amount of practical information in regard to
efforts to improve the health and productiveness of
cacao trees has been brought together.

__ It may also be mentioned that the index and
title page for binding Volume V of the West Indian
Bulletin is also issued to-day.

-..

Vor. IV. No. 82. THE

AGRICULTURAL

NEWS. 169

Agriculture in Colombia.

According to a recent Consular Report on the
trade and agriculture of the Santa Maria district of
Colombia, progress is being made in the district in
agriculture, but its full extension is being prevented
by a great scarcity of labour. Some attempt at
immigration from the West Indies has been made.

Scarcity of labour is solely responsible for the
non-extension of the coffee industry, excellent lands
being available for the cultivation of this crop. The
cultivation of bananas is steadily increasing. In 1902,
when the prices for molasses and muscovado sugar for
local consumption were high, the cultivation of sugar-
cane was more than doubled; since then, however, with
lower prices, the cost of cultivation remaining the
same, many estates have been either abandoned or
converted into banana cultivations.

The United Fruit Co. is conducting an experi-
mental farm of cotton on a small scale. Excellent
growth has been made, but the scarcity and high
price of suitable labour will probably prevent the
establishment of the industry on a large scale.

Cacao and tobacco are also grown, and attention
is paid to the breeding and fattening of cattle.
Irrigation being necessary in the cultivation of bananas,
sugar-cane, and cacao, six rivers are utilized for this
purpose. Some 10,000 acres of land are under irrigation
in this way, and the acreage is being gradually
extended.

a

The Supply of Nitrogenous Fertilizers.

The Agricultural World of May 6, 1905, deals
with the subject of the predicted exhaustion of the
supplies of artificial manures. At the present rate of
consumption, which amounts to something like
a million and a half tons a year, the vast deposits of
nitrate of soda will probably be worked out in another
twenty years. The problem of finding a way of
replacing this from another source has been exercising
scientists for some time. Five years ago Sir William
Crookes predicted that a dearth of nitrogen for
fertilizing purposes would be prevented by the
extraction of this element from the atmosphere.

As has already been mentioned in the Agri-
cultural News (Vol. III, pp. 279 and 343), the process
indicated by him has taken definite shape, and a new
fertilizer—calcium cyanamide—is now available.

According to recent information, it appears that
in addition to the existing plant for the manufacture of
cyanamide near Berlin, a large factory is to be erected
near Turin, capable of turning out each year 40,000
tons of another fertilizer prepared from the atmospheric
nitrogen, viz., nitrate of lime. Other factories are being
arranged for in South Germany where there are cheap
supplies of water.power. In France a material known
as ‘nitrated lime, containing 15 to 20 per cent. of
nitrogen, is being manufactured from the atmosphere.
When applied to the soil it is said to be transformed
mito ammonia and to have a high fertilizing value
closely approaching that of nitrate of soda or sulphate
of ammonia.

Exports of St. Vincent

According to the Annual Report on St. Vincent
for 1903-4, from which extracts are given elsewhere in
this issue of the Agricultural News, the general
condition of the island during the year has been one
of slow but gradual recovery after the experience of
the previous ten months. The total value of the
exports was £38,174 as against £44,094 in the previous
year.

Taking the principle exports individually, however,
it is seen that in nearly every case the value shows
some increase over that of the previous year’s export.
The exceptions are sugar, the value of which fell from
£6,034 to £2,819; rum, £1,150 to £28; and live stock,
£4,353 to £2,682. On the other hand, satisfactory
improvement is shown in connexion with several of
the minor industries. For example, cacao shows an

increase from £1,558 to £2,155; vegetables, £1,292 to

£1,329; whale oil, £1,107 to £1,150; cotton, £561 to
£900; cassava starch, £485 to £921.

The exports of arrowroot, which is the principal
article of export, were of the value of £21,686 as
against £21,817 in 1902.

eee

Experiments with Rat Virus.

In a previous issue of the Agricultural News
(Vol. IV, p. 53) mention was made of the ‘Liverpool’
virus for the destruction of rats and mice. It was
stated then that a supply of these cultures was being
obtained by the Imperial Department of Agriculture
for trial in the West Indies. A small supply of tubes
containing the cultures was received in April last and
distributed for experiment in Antigua, Dominica, and
Barbados.

In Antigua bread and corn were infected: part
of this was used at the Government Laboratory, part
at the Royal Mail Office, and part was sent to
Mr. H. Goodwin, M.R.C.V.S.

At the laboratory a dazed and lethargic rat was
observed, and in a few weeks it was noted that rats
were less numerous. At the Royal Mail Office, also,
rats have been less troublesome and appear to be less
numerous.

Mr. Goodwin has sent in a very complete report.
He distributed part of the inoculated material to three
estates: in each case it was reported that in a few
weeks rats appeared less numerous and that the
destruction due to them was greatly reduced.
Mr. Goodwin also experimented with rats in cap-
tivity. These experiments show clearly the strength
of the virus and the infectious nature of the
disease communicated by it. A mungoose and
chickens, fed on the flesh of rats killed by the disease,
showed no effects. Mr. Goodwin recommends that the
infected material be placed in different parts of an
estate or property, in order to reach the different
colonies of rats.

In Barbados the results also appear to be
favourable to the virus. Few dead rats are seen, but
their depredations are noticeably reduced.

A fresh supply of the virus has recently been
received and distributed for further experiment.

170

THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.

JUNE 3, 1905.

INSECT NOTES.

Destruction of Weevils.

The following note from the Queensland Agri-
cultural Journal of April 1905 may prove of interest
to readers of the Agricultural News. The directions
given appear to be worthy of trial :-—

Salt is a protective agent. This was accidentally
discovered by a farmer. He stacked up some grain in an
odd lot of sacks, some of which had contained salt.
the grain was marketed, that in the salt sacks was perfectly
free from weevils, that in the other sacks was riddled by
them. He always used salt after this in his barn. When
the unhusked corn was piled up in the barn, he dissolved
a quart of salt in 2 gallons of water, and sprinkled the corn
as it was thrown in. No weevils touched it, although the
barn was previously full of weevils.

The Nasal Fly of the Sheep.
In the Agricultural Gazette of New South Wales,
of April 3, 1905, Mr. W. W. Froggat, the Government
Entomologist, records the occurrence of this fly

(Estrus ovis) and gives the following brief outline of

its life-history :—

The fly, unlike the true bot-flies, is viviparous, deposit-
ing not eggs but maggots inside the nostril of the sheep,
which are furnished with segmental spines and hooks on the
head, admirably adapted for progression through the soft
tissue and along the mucous membrane. They make their way
up into the frontal sinuses of the head, where they develop
to the full size, and then crawl down into the nasal cavities,
and are sneezed out by the unfortunate host. The larvae
hide in the ground for about a month before the perfect fly
comes forth.

This insect is known to occur in the West Indies,
but is not frequently reported. It is possible that it
may be of more common occurrence than is generally
supposed. It would be useful to have collected
and sent to the Head Office specimens of flies found
about sheep, or of maggots from the heads of slaugh-
tered sheep or found on the ground where sheep are
feeding.

Some peculiar Bees’ Nests.

Among the Hymenoptera, that group of insects which
includes ants, bees, wasps, etc., are to be found many
habits of interest to every observer. Among these habits
nest building is one of the most prominent, as many of the
different bees’ and wasps’ nests occur in places where they
are easily seen. The mud daubers, or mason bees, as they
are called in the West Indies, furnish interesting examples
of mud nests, which are to be found in sheds and other
buildings, while the wild bees, Jack Spaniard and others,
build a variety of paper nests. These latter, builders and
inhabitants of paper nests, are the social wasps, while the

When,

former, builders of mud nests, are solitary wasps. Among
the true bees we tind both solitary and social habits; the
honey bee furnishing a good example of the social bee,
and the leaf-cutting bee a good example of the solitary bee.

Among the leaf-cutting bees there is to be found
a great variety of nests. One genus of this group, Jlegachile,
which is represented in the West Indies, has some species
that are true leaf-cutters and others that use mud in the
construction of their nests. It may be interesting to
refer to the nest-building habits of two common West
Indian species. Megachile flavitarsata makes its nests
of pieces of leaves neatly cut out and so fastened together
as to form a tubular nest in which several cells are
made by means of transverse partitions. The leaves of the
rose, the Cassia Mistula, and the silk cotton are used for the
purpose. JZegachile martindale makes its nest of mud,
generally inside some tubular cavity. The centre of a roll
of cloth in a store-room, the base of a corn leaf, the rubber
tubing and metal taps in laboratories, ete., are all used for
this purpose. A cavity about $ inch to inch in diameter
is usually chosen, and this is lined with a layer of mud, the
inside of this lining being covered with a delicate waxy
substance which makes the inside of the nest very smooth.
These nests are stored with the pollen of flowers on which
the larva of the bee probably feeds.

In distilleries, refineries, or sugar works, when any
tubing or any taps or faucets are to be left unused for any
length of time, much annoyance or even damage would be
avoided if each opening were lightly plugged with cotton or
fine straw, thus preventing the entrance of the bees.

LIBERIAN COFFEE.

The following note on Liberian coffee is extracted
from the U.S. Monthly Consular Reports :—

Liberian coffee is considered by experts to be one of the
best qualities of coffee. It is used in the great coffee
markets to strengthen and give flavour to the weaker kinds.
But for the Liberian coffee contained therein, many of the
popular brands would be without that delicious flavour which
commands for them such wide markets.

A few years ago, when the Hemileia vastatrix wrought
such hayoc among the coffee trees of Ceylon, India, Java,
and Brazil, Liberian plants, because of their ability to resist .
the attacks of the pest, were used to replace the old trees.

Until about 1896, Liberian coffee commanded from
18c. to 22c. per tb. in the markets of the world, and large and
flourishing coffee farms sprang up. But following the
simultaneous large-scale production of coffee in Ceylon, India,
Java, Brazil, and other places in West Africa, under the
latest improved methods ot cultivation, and with the best
machinery for hulling and the final grading, there came
a disastrous decline in the price. It commands now from
5e. to 8c. per th. Large coffee farms are often abandoned to:
woods. Yet, possibly, the price of Liberian coffee would
rise if the coffee farms were placed under scientific
cultivation ; if, through washing, or other processes, the
beans were made to lose a certain bitterness objectionable
to some; if the coffee were presented to market in better
condition by grading; and if there were substituted the best.
and most improved hulling machinery for the crude pestle
and mortar which break many beans. As it is, with better
and more general advertising in the United States, the real
and distinctive merits of the Liberian coffee would lead
many Americans to avail themselves of one of the best:
coffees of the world.

Vou. IV. No. 82.

THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.

171

RAINFALL RETURNS.

Jamaica.

The ‘annual summary for 1904’ of the Monthly
Weather Review of the U. S. Department of Agri-
culture Weather Bureau gives the following rainfall
returns for Jamaica, from about 129 average stations,

supplied by Dr. H. H. Cousins :—

Rainfall Divisions. Tl

> ge Se eee

Month. NE Me | WiC. S. Island.
January 5°88 | 2:60 217 | 3:42
February ... 8:45] 4:19 2°86 | 4:66
March 6:07} 3:18 6-74 | 6°84
April 4:11] 4:18 DalOghe 5911
May 6-91) 7:33 9-55) 6260) 7-5
June 18-27} 11°61 | 17-62} 13°31 | 15-20
July 571| 2°34 5°17 lemos2ilen 426
August 7:02} 3:25 7731 3:88 | DAT
September 5°66] 3°89 | 9:98] 6:42 | 6:49
October 19°38! 9-42 | 19°41] 18-12 | 16-58
November... 17°81] 8-60 3°16) eo 2S
December... 6°85] 3:13 3°41) 2°36 | 3-94
Total 112°12 | 63°72 |104°40 | 72-35 | 88-15

St. Vincent.

The following remarks are made upon the rainfall
for St. Vincent in the Annual Report for 1903-4 :—

The rainfall for the year 1903-4 was 100-45 inches, as
against 108°37 in 1902.

Rain fell on 261 days throughout the year.

The maximum fall in one day was 5°25 inches, on
December 19.

October was the wettest month with 19°84 inches, and
February the driest with only 2-97 inches.

DEPARTMENT NEWS.

The Imperial Commissioner of Agriculture
returned from an official visit to Tobago in C.LS.
“Oruro’ on May 28 last.

Mr. L. Lewton-Brain, B.A., F.L.S., returned from
an official visit of inspection of the Agricultural Schools
at St. Lucia and Dominica in R.M.S. ‘Eden’ on
Saturday, May 20.

Mr. Rudolph D. Anstead, B.A. the newly
appointed Agricultural Superintendent of Grenada,
embarks for that island on Monday, June 5.

AGRICULTURE IN SURINAM.

In his opening speech to the Legislative Assembly
of Dutch Guiana on May 9, the Governor spoke at
some length on the agricultural position of the colony.
After speaking of the serious decline in the output of
cacao on account of the ravages of the ‘witch broom’
disease, he said :—

We may reasonably look for better results in the current
year. his is encouraging, but we can hardly venture to
assume that the disease will be eradicated within a few years.
The Department of Agriculture is trying to combat the
disease. Under the most favourable conditions the results
of these experiments can only be known a few years hence.

The greater number of the plantations are already in
want of money. Unless the combating of the disease takes
a favourable turn, those plantations can only be saved if
means be found to increase their income within a short time.
The remedy, it appears to me, might lie in the calling into
existence of a banana culture for export. The sugar industry,
owing to fair prices, had a good chance in 1904. Work was
carried on profitably on all the plantations, in spite of the
damage to the canes by the prclonged drought, especially in
the Nickerie district.

As regards agriculture, we may mention as a cheering
sign the establishment of the enterprise for the growing of
fibre-yielding plants. At the end of 1904, the fibre-cleaning
plant was put up, and some 60 hectares planted with the
sisal agave. On some plantations a beginning was made
with the growing of Hevea, and rice planting, especially on
small farms, underwent a noticeable extension. The rice
production, which in 1903 amounted to about 450,000 kilos,
increased in 1904 to about 850,000 kilos. When we
consider, however, that the annual importation amounts to
5,000,000 kilos, it appears that rice culture can still
undergo a vast extension before the consumption will be
covered by the production.

IMPORTED STOCK AT ST. LUCIA.

The following extract is taken from the monthly
report of the Agricultural Instructor at St. Lucia,
dated May 22, 1905 :—

On May 14 I inspected the Arab stallion at ‘Cap’ estate,
imported by Mr. Charles Henderson from Lady Blount’s
Arab Stock, and was also shown the pedigree. Its height
is 14:2, and it seems a perfect animal in every respect.
Mr. Henderson is asking £5 as a stud fee from the general
public, but consented to take 510 on mares approved by the
Department’s officers or the Agricultural Society. I also
inspected a Shorthorn bull and cow, and an Ayrshire cow
imported from England, and some water-boring machinery,

Rabbits in the United Kingdom. One of the
most interesting items in connexion with the meat imports is
that of dead rabbits. In this country rabbits are an article
of food to a much greater extent than in the United States.
Rabbits are cheap and are considered to be both nutritious
and digestible. They area standard article of food among
the people. In 1903, 53,273,240 th. of rabbits, of a value
of $3,552,767, were imported into this country. Australia
alone sent last year rabbits to the value of $1,348,000. In
a lecture recently delivered by one of the commercial agents
of Australia it was stated that the great Australian pest of
rabbits has been alleviated, to some extent, owing to the fact
that it was possible to ship them to England. (U.S. Monthly
Consular Reports.)

GLEANINGS.

The shipment of cotton from Antigua by last mail
amounted to 41 bales. The total weight of cotton was
7,356 Ib.

It is proposed to hold an agricultural show under the
auspices of the Imperial Department of Agriculture at
Roadtown, Tortola, in the month of September next.

In the years 1902 and 1903 the numbers of pine-apples
exported from St. Michael’s, Azores, were 940,382 and
939,638, respectively. These were shared by London and
Hamburg.

It is requested that specimens of cotton (lint) forwarded
to the Head Oftice of the Imperial Department of Agri-
culture for examination and report should weigh not less than
4 oz., irrespective of the wrapping.

The stallion ‘Jamaica Lad’ lately attached to the
Dominica Agricultural School has been loaned to Montserrat
for atime. For the present his services will be available at
Paradise at the charge of 4s.

The Toffenburg goat ‘Pauline’ imported into Barbados
in 1903 by the Imperial Department of Agriculture has
recently given birth to three male kids. Since the kids were
weaned ‘Pauline’ has given an average of 7 pints of milk daily.

Of the thirty-eight candidates who sat at the examination
in agricultural science held throughout Berbice on March 25
last, fourteen obtained certificates, while twenty-four failed to
satisfy the examiner. (Demerara Argosy.)

Mr. Frank Cundall, Secretary of the Institute of
Jamaica, was expected to proceed to England by the
S.S. ‘Port Kingston’ on May 25, for the purpose of
representing the colony at the Colonial and Indian Exhibition
at the Crystal Palace.

It is announced in the Trinidad Royal Gazette that the
Goyernor directs that in future cacao shall be described in
shipping bills by reference toits place of origm. This step
has been taken with the view of preventing the exportation
of imported cacao as Trinidad cacao, thereby causing harm
to the industry.

Indian Planting and Gardening mentions that a new
use has been found for the Talipot palm (Corypha umbracu-
lifera). Buttons have been made from the seeds, which, in
their prepared form, resemble vegetable ivory. As the palm
bears a larger number of these seeds a good business might
be done.

THE AGRICULTURAL

NEWS. JuNE 3, 1905.

In view of the presence of fungoid diseases in pine-apples
in some districts of Antigua, the Imperial Commissioner of
Agriculture recommends that no suckers be imported from
that island for cultivation in other parts of the West Indies
until further notice.

In reference to the note in the Agricultural News (Vol.
IV, p. 121) on the West Indian onion trade, it may be
mentioned that the Agricultural Instructor at Tortola has
sold the onions raised at the Experiment Station to
a merchant in St. Thomas at lls. per 100 Ib.

According to the Port-of-Spain Gazette, the factories in
the southern district purchased 71,000 tons of farmers’ canes
this year at a cost of £49,700. The increased rates—Bs.
a ton—paid for canes this year over last season, placed the
appreciable sum of £17,750 more in the pockets of cane
farmers down south.

We are very glad to learn that the Government is able
at last to lay before the Council a bill dealing with praedial
larceny. This class of crime, which is rife in certain
districts, has checked planting enterprise, and all the
agriculturists of the island will rejoice at the prospect of the
evil being grappled with. (Dominica Guardian.)

According to the United States Consul-General at
Marseilles, the principal centre of the oil-nut trade, African
nuts, though richer in oil, are inferior to the American for
comestible purposes, The Virginia nut is said to be the
finest in the world, but it is not so advantageous as.
a producer of oil.

It may be mentioned that, with a view to preventing
the introduction of disease with cacao pods from one island
to another (as for example from Dominica to Nevis), the
Imperial Commissioner of Agriculture has given directions
that in all such cases the pods shall be steeped in Bordeaux
mixture previous to shipment. Further, the empty shells.
should afterwards be buried with lime.

According to the Consular Report on the trade of Texas
for the year 1904, there were exported during the year
210,114 tons of cotton seed cake and meal, valued at
£980,933, in addition to 1,902,745 bales of cotton of the
value of £21,402,736. Nearly half the exports of cotton
went to the United Kingdom, but most of the cotton seed
meal was shipped to Germany.

A supplement to the Jamaica (Gazette contains
a memorandum by the Island Chemist, summarizing the
operations during the year ended March 31, 1905, under
Law 45 of 1903—a Law to provide for the establishment and
maintenance of a Sugar Experiment Station. Twenty
qualified distillers have applied for permission to attend
a special course of instruction on distillation in August next.

A specimen of sugar-cane has been received at the:
Head Oftice from Dr. Watts showing interesting variation.
The lower joints (six) show well-marked purple stripes ; the
next three or four joints show traces of the purple stripes,
while the remaining upper joints are entirely devoid of
markings. A similar specimen haying already been received,
a drawing of it is on record.

Vol. IV. No, 82.

ST. VINCENT AGRICULTURAL SCHOOL.

The following is a report, dated May 12, 1905, by
Mr. L. Lewton-Brain, B.A., F.L.S., on a visit of inspec-
tion of the St. Vincent Agricultural School :—

T have the honour to submit, herewith, a report on my
visit to St. Vincent, from the 3rd. to the 5th. instant, for
the purpose of inspecting the Agricultural School in that
island.

BOOKS AND RECORDS.

I examined the books kept by the Resident Master,
including the Students’ field book (with record of marks),
Diary, Admission book, ete. These books all appear to be
kept well up to date and in good order.

I also examined the books kept by the pupils, with

records of their work in class and in the field. Generally
speaking, these books are satisfactory, though, naturally,

some of those belonging to the more junior pupils are not so
clean and neat as the others. Even these, however, show
distinct improvement in the later entries.

I inspected a series of weekly examination papers set
by the Resident Master. These are of interest as showing
a distinct and steady, though in some cases slow, improve-
ment in the work done by the pupils.

BUILDINGS.

I went through and inspected all the buildings,
including the dormitory, school room, class room, tool-shed,
store, and lecture room. Cleanliness and good order
appeared to be the rule everywhere.

LIBRARY.

The library appeared to be kept in good order, and it
is readily accessible to the pupils. Mr. Patterson however,
informed me that the boys do not make as much use of the
books as might be desired. The publications of the
Department were well in evidence. Bound volumes of the
pamphlets, from 1900 to 1903, would be desirable additions.

CLASS ROOM.

The supply of chemicals and apparatus is sufficient for
present requirements.

MODEL LESSONS,

According to your instructions, I requested the
Schoolmaster to prepare a geography lesson on the West

India Islands, their products, means of communication,
ete. The lesson was given on the following day.

The boys have a marked habit of answering simultaneously
which should be eradicated: it will be impossible other-
wise to detect and work up the more backward students.
The more individual the teaching the better. Again,
the master should not stand behind the class while
giving a lesson, as in this way, he would be very apt
to lose his grip on the attention of the pupils. The discipline
was good and the lesson fairly well arranged.

Mr. Patterson, the Resident Master, also gave a model
lesson in my presence; his subject was the form and
general external features of leaves. The lesson was in the
form of a practical demonstration: each pupil received
Specimens of the leaves and was made to draw them himself.
Lessons such as this are excellent for training the powers of

THE AGRICULTURAL

NEWS. 173

observation. The attention and discipline of the boys were
both good.
VIVA VOCE EXAMINATION.

I questioned the boys thoroughly on different subjects.
The older pupils answered intelligently and accurately. The
newer boys also answered brightly for the most part, and
should do well with further teaching; one of them,
McConney, is exceptionally bright, and is a very promising
pupil. The others are of more average abilities.

DISCIPLINE.

Generally, the tone of the school is very good, and
Mr. Patterson appears to have the boys well in hand. The
work, both outdoor and indoor, appears to be progressing m
a satisfactory manner.

There are, at present, nineteen boys at the school, of
whom two, Yorke and Longheed, will complete their term in
September of this year.

INTERNATIONAL ASSEMBLY FOR
COLONIAL AGRICULTURE.

A national exhibition of colonial agriculture will
be held in the Jardin Colonial at Nogent-sur-Marne,
near Paris, in June and July next, under the patronage
of the Minister for the Colonies and Agriculture,
at which all the French colonies will be represented.
It is suggested by the French Society for Colonial
Agriculture, which is organizing the exhibition, that
it might be made the occasion of an international
assembly devoted to the study of colonial products and
their culture, for the furtherance of which the society
claims to be the only European scientific society.

With the view of making the preposal to hold an
international assembly as widely known as_ possible,
the Imperial Commissioner of Agriculture has been
requested to give publicity to its aim and objects.
The programme of subjects to be dealt with corres-
ponds exactly with the programme of the exhibition,
which is as follows :—

Class I. Products of the soil.

Class II. Live stock ; animal

noxious insects.
Forest products.
Agricultural implements and machinery.

products ; useful and

Class IIT.
Class LV.

Class V. Products of colonial industries, including
sugars, spirits, starches, oils, gums,

rubber, ete., ete.
Human and veterinary hygiene, including
filters, mosquito protections, serums, etc.
Publications, statistics, ete.
Fine arts.
French and colonial horticulture.

Class VI.

Class. VII.
Class VIII.
Class IX.

Sisal Hemp in Mexico. The exports of fibre
consisted principally of henequen and manufactures thereof.
The amount of fibre exported in 1903 amounted to 95,700
tons, as compared with 85,691 tons in 1902. The
manufactures, consisting principally of hammocks and cordage,
amounted to 3,211 tons, while in 1902 their weight only
represented 2,395 tons. ‘Their total value was £3,037,137
as compared with £2,946,900 in 1902. Henequen is sent
to the United States and Cuba. The manufactures are also
exported to the United States, and a very small quantity to
tuatemala and Cuba. (Consular [Report on Mexico for
1903.)

174 THE

AGRICULTURAL

NEWS. JuUNE.3, 1905..

BROOM CORN IN THE WEST INDIES.

Experiments conducted at Antigua some two or
three years ago by Mr. W. N. Sands, then Curator of
the Botanic Station, showed that broom corn could be
successfully grown inthe West Indies. An interesting
paper was read by Mr. Sands at a meeting of the
Antigua Agricultural Society, a summary of which was
published in the Agricultural News (Vol. IL, p. 142).
This paper contains useful hints as to the cultivation
of the corn and the preparation of brushes. Broom
corn has since been grown at Montserrat.

With the view of ascertaining what demand exists
for broom corn in the United States and Canada,
inquiries were addressed by the Imperial Commissioner
of Agriculture to Messrs. Gillespie Bros, & Co., of New
York, and Mr. J. Russell Murray, of Montreal, samples
of broom corn, produced in Montserrat, being forwarded
at the same time. The report of Messrs. Gillespie Bros.
& Co. was to the effect that the United States produce
broom corn far beyond their own requirements and that
it is only in the event ofa shortage in the crop that
the United States need to become buyers. It is
further stated :-—

The most expensive and toughest kind of broom corn is
that grown in Illinois, which is worth from $90 to 5100 per
ton out there. The cheaper quality, grown in Oklahoma and
Kansas, can be bought at about $20 per ton on the spot, and
costs, laid down in New York, about 3c. per bb.

Broom corn is on the free list, and is therefore exempt
from duty on being imported into New York, but we fear
that the low price indicated . . . will make the business one
hardly likely to be profitable in the West Indies.

We may add that the broom corn used here is all dyed
of a bluish-green colour, which is regarded as necessary in
the trade.

The sample corn seems to be of good quality and fibre,
but we notice considerable stained or sweat corn, and the
seed would all have to be taken off at the time it was
harvested. It is worth about 3he. to 4c. per tb. in New
York. These prices would be in car-load lots.

From Canada, however, a rather more encouraging
report has been received. Mr. J. Russell Murray con-
siders that Canada offers a better market for this
product. His report is as follows :-—

The quality of the sample sent is considered very good.
The only feature that did not conform to what is required as
a commercial product was the quantity of seed that appeared
on several of the stems. For general commercial purposes it
is usually considered that 90 to 95 per cent. of the fibre
must be clear of seed; and the stalks were cut too short, it
being the usual practice of the trade to allow 6 to 8
inches of stalk to remain with the head.

As regards the trade itseif, there is ample room for
considerable shipments to Canada direct. Canada does not
produce any broom corn, and it is all supplied from the
western section of the United States, and is imported into
Canada free cf duty.

There are various grades of the product: The small
dwarf, which is used for hand brushes; a second grade which
is used for covering the brooms, and a third and coarser
grade which is used for making up the body of the brush.
The prices for these grades vary considerably. ‘The finest,
or dwarf brooms, obtain as high as 25c. per Ib. In well

selected dwarfs, a species of which is hereby sent by mail,,
please note the general fineness of the fibre, and you will
also note that fully 4 inches of stalk are allowed to-
remain; this might with advantage be extended to 5.
inches. The next grade is what is called ‘Self working.’
These are composed as per sample attached, and have stems.
of fully 5 to 6 inches remaining, and in the finer grades
7 inches are not a drawback. ‘This class can be divided
into two grades—the heavy, coarse piece being valued at
about 3$c. per Ib., while the smaller piece is worth from 5e.
to 7c. per Ib. But, taken as a whole, in what is contained in
the ‘Self working’ bales, prices run about 5c. per Ib. In
this class the entire lengths must be from 18 to 30 inches.
The bales are usually put up to weigh about 300 tb., and
are sold on the gross weight, wire bindings included.

The third three pieces enclosed are what we call ‘Red
tipped.’ This isa species of rust, the origin of which the
manufacturers are unable to give any information about.

You will notice that in this lot some of the stems are
considerably longer, but these are all of service in

manufacturing. The red rust or staining is a very great
drawback, and all classes of stain and weather damage
should be most carefully avoided. In connexion with
faulty stems, it was pointed out to me that frequently the
plant was blown down in the Western States, and it finally
raises its head, causing the bending of the fibre. This is.
a decided drawback, and all such should not be shipped, as
it detracts very considerably from the value of the bale in
which it is found. Tbe entire trade of the broom corn seed
is under the influence of a trust in the United States, and
it is stated here that this trust has complete control of the
supplies during the next two years. The consumption here
amounts in value to several hundred thousand dollars for
the raw product. I will endeavour to ascertain the actual
importation and forward the same to you by next mail.

Should there be any stock of this available for
shipment as a trial parcel, I shal] be exceedingly pleased to
look after its interest here, as I am assured that I shall
meet with prompt purchasers as soon as it comes forward,
There are no duties payable on this product.

A NEW CACAO DRIER IN TRINIDAD.

The followmg is a description of a patent cacao-
drying apparatus erected by Mr. Hoadley at Chaguanas,
Trinidad :— ‘

The cacao-drying apparatus consists of an ordinary room,
34 feet square, with 25 feet perforated cireular drying floor,
upon which cacao is placed direct from the fermenting box.
In the centre of the drying tray is a vertical axle from which
project four arms which are revolved once in ten minutes. To-
each arm are attached six ploughs, the operations of which
are equal to the work of twelve coolies in keeping the cacao
in constant motion. Hot air is generated by exhaust steam,
which is passed into 1,100 feet of piping enclosed in a box,
over which cold air is drawn by a powerful fan which makes
from 600 to 700 revolutions per minute. The air in its
passage becomes heated to any desired point up to 150° and
is forced up through the drying floor. The machine will dry
from 12 to 15 bags of cacao in thirty to thirty-six hours.
The cost of installing the system is said to be between £300:
and £400.

After drying, the cacao is passed through a machine

The cacao is fermented in cylindrical drums, which are partially
J

which clays and polishes, or merely polishes to suit the
markets, and thereby saves the costly process of dancing.

turned every night and morning for ten to eleven days,

.

a

"Vot. IV. No. 82.

THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.

175

WEST

Drugs and Spices in the London Market.

INDIAN PRODUCTS.

The following is Mr. J. R. Jackson’s report on the
London drug and spice markets for the month of
April :—

The occurrence of the Easter holidays in the month of
April has gone far towards the disorganization of the drug
and spice markets, though in the earlier part of the month,
in anticipation of the curtailment of the sales over the
holiday season, a somewhat greater interest was shown in
the offerings of both new and old goods.

The principal items of interest to West Indian readers
are as follows :—

GINGER.

At the spice sales on April 5, there was a fair com-
petition for Jamaica at somewhat increased rates, 270
barrels selling at 37s. to 39s. for middling to fair bright,
and 32s. to 38s. for good common. Cochin and Calicut
were offered to the extent of 400 packages, twenty only of
which were disposed of, common wormy rough being sold
without reserve at 15s. 6d. Bold selected cut Cochin was
bought in at SOs., very small cut at 27s., fair washed rough
at 22s., and good bold rough Calicut at 25s. A week later
193 barrels of Jamaica were offered and sold at the
following prices: fair washed, 37s. to 38s. 6d.; bold, 36s. ;
and common to good, 30s.; no Cochin or Calicut was
offered. On the 19th., there was a largely increased
demand for Jamaica at higher rates ; some 660 packages were
offered and about 420 sold at from Is. to 2s. per ewt.
advance on previous rates, and in some cases it was stated that
as much as 8s. increase was paid. The following are the
actual prices realized: good, 44s. to 48s. 6d.; good common,
33s. to 37s.; common to fair common, 29s. 6d. to 32s. 6d. At
the same auction the quotations for Calicut were as follows:
brown rough, 19s.; slightly wormy, 17s. ; brown tips, 18s. 6d.
to 19s.

ARROWROOT, MACE, NUTMEGS, AND PIMENTO.

Of arrowroot, at the first sale on April 5, no West
Indian was offered, and 60 cases of Natal were bought in.
On the 12th., 480 barrels of St. Vincent were offered, and
200 sold at 13d. per ib. for good manufacturing. Mace
began the month with lower quotations than those of the
preceding month, and but little or no change oceurred later.
West Indian nutmegs realized steady prices at the sale on the
5th., slightly declining a week later and remaining stationary
for the rest of the month. Pimento began at steady to
slightly lower rates, about 600 bags being offered, comprising
ordinary and fair mixed blacks at 24d. to 24d., and fair at
24d. to 23d. per ib. There were but very slight variations in
these rates for the remainder of the month.

SARSAPARILLA.

At the first drug auction on the 6th. the stock of true
grey Jamaica was reported as very low indeed, consisting, it
was said, of 4 bales only ; 1s. 7d. per tb. was the price asked,
and ls. ld. for Lima. Later in the month 16 bales of
genuine grey Jamaica were offered and disposed of at lower
rates, namely, ls. 2d. to ls. 4d. for fair sound, and 1s. 2d. for
‘seadamaged. Good bright Lima-Jamaica, of which i2
ales were disposed of, realized 11d. to 11}d., and for 1 bale
-of fine bright-red native Jamaica ]s. was asked, an offer of
10d. being refused. But little or no change occurred in

_ these prices at the end of the month.

-

TAMARINDS,

Of tamarinds the first arrival of the new crop of
Barbados was reported at the beginning of the month as
being held at the very high figure of 15s., and a few second-
hand parcels of fair Barbados were offered at 10s., while
white stony Antigua were quoted at 9s. At the last sale of
the month fair Barbados were quoted at 13s. 6d. per ewt.
duty paid.

ANNATTO, KOLA, MUSK SEED, ETC.

On the 15th., 9 bags of bright Jamaica annatto seed were
disposed of at 64d., while 3 bags of dull Ceylon fetched 1d.
per Ib. Dull West Indian kola was also disposed of at the
same sale at 44d., and 24 puncheons of common raw West
Indian lime juice were sold without reserve at 44d. to 5d.
per gallon. Four packages of West Indian musk seed,
described as of poor flavour, were disposed of at 2d. per tb.

New York Imports.
7 The following remarks upon the imports into New
York of certain tropical products grown in the West
Indies are extracted from the report of Sir Percy
Sanderson, Consul-General in New York, for the year
1904 :-—

CACAO.

There is an increase in both quantity and value in the
imports of cacao and cacao shells. The trade shows a steady
increase, and about 33 per cent. comes from the British West
India Islands. Suggestions are made that the cultivation
should be encouraged in Porto Rico.

COFFEE.

The increase in the quantity of coffee imported amounts
to about 15 per cent., while the value of the imports of this
article has risen by over 40 per cent. The principal supply
is derived from Brazil, and South and Central America,
a certain amount being also regularly imported from the
East and West Indies. During the year 1904 the imports
from most sources increased; those from France were larger
than they have been hitherto, representmg probably, in
a large measure, Brazilian coffee from Havre. It has lately
been suggested that a duty be imposed on coffee as
a revenue measure and also as an inducement to the Philip-
pine Islands and Porto Rico to turn their attention to the
production of this article in preference to tobacco and sugar,
in which they compete with American interests.

BANANAS. ;

There has been a decrease in the value of bananas
imported from the British West Indies, and an increase, but
to a somewhat less extent, in those brought from Cuba and
Central America.

SPICES.

The greater part of the trade in spices is with the
British East Indies which supply about 50 per cent., the
Netherlands furnishing about 124 per cent., the United
Kingdom and the British West Indies about 103 per cent.
in each case. The imports show a decrease in quantity,
more particularly in pepper, while prices have been slightly
lower.

SUGAR.

There was a large increase in the importation of cane
sugar, chiefly from Cuba and the East Indies. Imports from
Germany increased, while those from the British West
Indies diminished.

176

THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.

London,— May 9°,

Montreal,—May 9, 1905.—Mr. J.

MARKET REPORTS.

1905. Messrs. Kerarton, Pirrr &
Co.; Messrs. E. A. pg Pass & Co.; ‘THe West [NpDIA
Commitree Crrcunar,’ April 20; ‘THE LiverrooL
Corron AssoctaTion WEEKLY Crrcunar,’ May 5,
1905; and ‘THe Pusnic LepceEr, May 6,
1905.

AtoErs—Barbados, 15/- to 45/- ; Curagoa, 13/- to 45/- per cwt.

Arrowroor—St. Vincent, 1d. per Ib.

Batara—Sheet, 1/6 to 1/11 ; block, 1/6 per tb.

Bees’-wax—£7 10s. to £7 15s. per ewt.

Cacao—Trinidad, 56/- to 61/- per ewt. ; Grenada, 53/-
to 54/6 per ewt.

Carpamoms—Mysore, 73d. to 3/- per Ib.

Correr—Jamaica, good ordinary, 37/- to 38/- per ewt.

Corron—West Indian Sea Island, medium fine, 124d. ; fine,
133d. ; extra fine, 153d. per tb.

Fruit—

Bananas—4/- to 5/- per bunch.

Grave Frurr—5/- to 6/- per case.
Orances—8/- to 10/- per case.
Prye-appies—Antigua, 15/- to 17/- per barrel.

Fustic—£3 5s. to £4 per ton.

Gincer—Jamaica, middling to fair bright, 42/6 to 47,- ;
ordinary to good ordinary, 32/- to 37/- per ewt.

Honry—16/- to 28/- per ewt.

Istyciuass—West Indian lump, 2/5 to 2/9; cake, 1/- to 1/1
per th.

Kora Nurs—4d. to 6d. per tb.

Lime Jurce—Raw, 9d. to 1/- per gallon; concentrated,
£14 10s. to £15 per cask of 108 gallons; hand-
pressed, 2/6 to 2/9 per tb. ; Distilled Oil, 1/5 to 1/6
per Ib.

Loawoop—£4 io £4 15s.; roots, £3 10s. to £4 per ton.

Mace—Good pale, 1/6 to 1/8; fair pale, 1/3; red, 1/1 to
1/2 ; broken, 11}d. to 1/- per th.

Nirrare or Sopa—Agriculiural, £11 5s. per ton.

Nutrmecs—63’s to 64’s, 1/4 to 1/6; 76's, 1/-; 82's,
98's, 8d. to Bhd. ; 120’s. 54d. per tb.

Pivento—-2}d. to 23d. per tb.

Rum—Demerara, 1s. 25d. to 1s. 43d. per proof gallon;
Jamaica, 2s. 1d. per proof gallon.

Sucar—Yellow crystals, 18/- to 20/- per ewt. ; Muscovado,
Barbados, 19/- to 19/6 per ewt. ; Molasses, 13/- to 17/-
per ewt.

SuneHatre or AMmMonta—E£12 13s. 9d. to £12 15s. per ton.

Old. ;

RusseLL Murray.

(In bond quotations, c. & f.)

Cocoa-nuts— Jamaica, $25°00 to $27-00 ; Trinidad, $21-00
to $23°00 per M.
Correr—Jamaica, medium, 10c. to 1c. per Ib.
Gincer—Jamaica, unbleached, 7}e. to 10c. per Tb.
Motascurr—Demerara, $1°32 per 100 tb.
Motasses—Barbados, 35c.; Antigua, 30c. per Imperial
gallon.
Nurmecs—Grenada, 110’s, 19¢. per tb.
Orances—No quotations.
Pimento—Jamaica, 5c. to dye. per tb.
Pine-appLes— No quotations. ;
Sucar—Grey crystals, 96°, $3°10 to $3°35 per 100 Ib.
—Muscovados, 89°, $2°48 to $2°50 per 100 tb.
—Molasses, 89°, $2°00 to $2°25 per 100 tb.
—Barbados, 89°, $2°10 to $2°30 per 100 tb.

New York,—May 12, 1905.—Messrs. GiLLespie Bros.

& Co.

Cacao—Caracas, 12c. to 13c.; Grenada, Ile. to 11{c.;
Trinidad, 12c. to 124c. per tb.

Corree—Jamaicas, 8}c. to 9c. per tb. (ex store).

Gixcer—Jamaica, 6fc. to 6c. per th.

Goar Skrys—Jamaicas, 57c. to GO$c. per Ib.

Grave Fruir—Jamaicas, $5 00 to $6-00 per barrel.

Antigua,—May 17, 1905.—Messrs. Geo. W. BENNETT

Barbados,—May 20, 1905.—Messrs. T. S. Garraway

British Guiana,—May 18,

Trinidad,— May

JUNE 3, 1905.

HoneEy—39c. to 41e. per gallon.
Mace—-West Indian, 30c. to 34c. per th.
Nurmecs—West Indian, 110’s, 14c. 80’s, 2le. per tb.
Pimento—4%e. per tb.

PINE-APPLES—$1°50 to $2°50 per case.
Sucar—Centrifugals, 96°, 44c.; Muscovados,

89°, Shes
a bhai
Molasses, 89°, 38c. per tb.

INTER-COLONIAL MARKETS.

Bryson & Co., Lyrp.
Morasses—24e. per gallon, package included.
Sucar—89°, $2°20 per 100 tb.

& Co., and Messrs. JAMES A. Lynco & Co.

ArrowkootT—St. Vincent, $3°40 to $5°60 per 100 th.
Cacao—Dominica, $12°50 to $13°00 per 100 tb.
Cocoa-Nuts—$15°00 per M. for husked nuts.
Corree—$10°50 to $12°00 per 100 tb.

Hay— $1°05 per 100 tb.

Manures—-Nitrate of soda, $62°00 ; Ohlendorff’s dissolved
cuano, $60°00; Sulphate of ammonia, $75:00; Sulphate
of potash, $67-00 per ton.

Motasses— 22c. per gallon.

Oxtons—Madeira, $2°62 per 100 tb.

Poratos, ENGLisH—$1°75 per 160 tb. (retail).

Rice—Ballam, $4:40 per bag (190 tb.) ; Patna, $3-25
per 100 tb.

Sucar—Muscoyados, 89°, $1°90 ; Dark crystals, 96°, $270
per 100 tb.

1905.—Messrs. WieTine
& RIcHTEr.

Arrowroot—St. Vincent, $8°00 per barrel.

Batara—Venezuela block, 25c. ; Demerara
per tb.

Cacao—Native, 12c. per tb.

Cassava SrarcH—$5°00 per barrel.

Cocoa-NutsS—$10-°00 to $12°00 per M.

Corrrr—Rio and Jamaica, 13j}c. to 14e. per th. (retail).

—Creole, 12c. per tb.

Duat— $3°60 ver bag of 168 tb.

Eppors—72e. to 96c. per barrel.

Morasses—Vacuum pan yellow, 16c.
included).

Oxtons—Lisbon, 43c. per th.

Pea Nurs—American, 5$c. per tb. (retail).

Piantarys—-24c. to 44c. per bunch.

Poraros, ENGLisH—$1°90 to $2°00 per barrel.

RiceE—Ballam, $4°25 per 177 tb. ; Creole, $3-90 per bag.

Sweet Poraros—Barbados, $1°20 per bag; $1°52 per
barrel.

Tanntas—$1-44 to $2°04 per barrel.

Yams—White, $2°16 per bag.

Svucar—Dark crystals, $3°20 to $3:25; Yellow, $3°50 to
$3:70; White, $4:°50 to $4°75; Molasses, $2°60 to
$2-80 per 100 tb. (retail).

Timper—Greenheart, 32c. to 55c. per cubic foot.

WALLABA SHINGLES—$3'00, $3°75, and $5°50 per M.

18, 1905.—Messrs. Gorpon, Grant
& Co. ; and Messrs. Epcar Trirep & Co.

Cacao—Ordinary to good red, $11°80 to $12°00 ; estates,
$12°25 to $12°75 per fanega (110 tb.); Venezuelan,
$12°25 to $13:00 per fanega.

Cocoa-nuts—$20°00 per M.

Cocoa-Nut O1z—74e. per Imperial gallon (casks included).

Corree—Venezuelan, 9c. to 94c. per tb.

Copra—$2°70 to $2°80 per 100 ib.

Oxtons—West Indian, $1°85 per 100 tb. (retail):

Poratos, EncrisH—8dec. to $1-05 per 100 th.

Rice—Yellow, $4°30 to 34:40 ; white, $4°50 to $5°60 per
bag.

Sucar—White crystals, $450; Yellow crystals, $3:00
to $3°50 ; Molasses sugars, $2°50 to $3 50 per 100 th.

sheet, 35c.

per gallon (casks

THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.

Publications on sale of the Imperial Department of Agriculture

FOR

THE WEST

INDIES.

The ‘WEST INDIAN BULLETIN.’ A Quarterly Scientific Journal.

Volume I.
Volumes IT and III.
Volume IV. Nos. 1 and 2.
Volume V. Nos. 1, 2, and 3.
Price 6d. each number. Post free, 8d.
Volume VI. No. 1.

Complete in the original paper covers as issued, post free, 5s.
Price in original paper covers as issued 2s. each.
Papers on general subjects.
in the United States and the West Indies.

Papers on general subjects. No. 4. Report of Agricultural Conference, 1905.

Post free, 2s. 8d.
No. 3. (out of print), No. 4.
Price 6d. each number.

Sea Island Cotton
Post free, 8d.

Report of Agricultural Conference, 1905, (contd.).

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.
(5) General Treatment of Insect Pests, 2nd. Edition Revised.
Price 4d.
(6) Recipes for cooking Sweet Potatos.
(7) Scale Insects of the Lesser Antilles, Part I.
(9) Bee Keeping in the West Indies. Price 4d.
(12) Seedling and other Canes in the Leeward Islands,
1900-1901. Price 2d.
(18) Seedling and other Canes at Barbados, in 1901.
(14) Screw Worm in Cattle at St. Lucia. Price 2d.
(15) Plain Talk to Small Owners. Price 2¢.
(16) Hints on Onion Cultivation. Price 2d.
(17) General Treatment of Fungoid Pests.
(18) Recipes for cooking West Indian Yams. Price 2d.
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Price 4d.

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BARBADOS, JUNE 17, 1905.

PAGE.

CONTENTS.
PAGE.
Agricultural Banks . 186 ) Fungoid Diseases :—-

Agricultural Progress at

Mobaco, 2.3" s-- 177
entarax: es. ° ws. ese | ws 18S
Banana Cultivation . 180
Bananas, Shipments from

banbadostesse Gee elo
Barbados Local Exhibi-

ioe) “Goh cape abeek mane Gets)
Cacao and Dye-woods in

France usa
Citron Peel from

Dommica... van -- 164
Citrons, Cultivation of ... 180
Cloves in Pemba SD

Colonial and Indian

Exhibition ... 181, 185
Colonial Fruit Exhibi-
HIGMEPAgs Idee mabe memmectale}0)
Cotton Notes :—
Arayeqvtilll WER con roped ty
Barbados ee ce 82
Manuring of Cotton ... 182
Educational :—
Agricultural Education
in St. Lucia snot US)
Proposed Agricultural
School for Grenada... 191

Fungoid Diseases :—
Pod Diseases of Cacao... 189

Ripe-rot or Anthracnose
of Banana

Gleanings Pep) <comOER

Insect Notes :—
Auto-spray ... 2.. -.-
Fumigating Tent for

(Dominica. -aeeeee ees

Maple Sugar, Production

of PPemeoo! coo ben

Market Reports ... ...

Mungoose in St. Lucia...

Notes and Comments ...

Oranges, Cultivation of in

Dominica’-saeeeee eee

Potatos, Deterioration

of wee nae eee

Rubber in British

Guiana ocd

Sugar Industry :—
Hawaii ... doe Ese ~ ME
Manufacture of Rum in

Martinique 5

Tobago, Exports of...

Vanilla in Tahiti E

West Indian Products :—
Canada; ..... {eee

West Indian Whitebait,

iElaibits! Of) aanen omnes

Agricultural Progress at Tobago.

2
©

The notes chiefly related to the cultivation of cacao,
fruit trees, and yams, and were widley distributed in

N June 1900 the Imperial Department of
Agriculture issuel a Pamphlet (No. 2)
containing notes on ‘ Planting at Tobago,’

the island. The recent official visit of the Governor
(Sir Henry M. Jackson) to Tobago and the invitation
extended by him to the Imperial Commissioner of
Agriculture afforded a convenient opportunity for
making observations as to the progress reached in
establishing Botanic and Experiment Stations and in
estimating the general advance made in extending the
cultivation of the staple crops of the island.

Tobago has an area of 114 square miles (73,313
acres) or about four-fifths the size of Barbados. The
formation of the island is volcanic: its physical aspect
is irregular and picturesque with conical hills and
ridges and numerous fertile and well-watered valleys.
The population in 1901 was 18,751, or 164 to the
square mile. ‘The climate is described as ‘one of the
healthiest in the tropics.’

In the Appendix to the Report of the Royal
Commission of 1897 (p. 108) it was stated that ‘the
present condition of Tobago, in spite of its fertile soil,
healthy climate, and an industrious labouring popula-
tion, is a striking instance of what may happen to
other portions of the West Indies unless timely and
well-organized efforts are made to improve the sugar
industry, and (where suitable conditions exist) to start
new industries.’

The productions of Tobago are of a singularly
diversified character. In a table of the exports of
Tobago for the year 1896 the total value was given
as £10,340. Sugar and molasses were exported to the
value of £1,983; cacao, £1,125; cattle, £1,465; pigs,
£1,327; poultry and eggs, £1,184. All produce was

(tela =

178

THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.

JuNE 17, 1905.

shipped to Trinidad, There is practically no direct
export trade between Tobago and other countries.

In returns furnished by the Warden for the
official year 1904-5 the total value of the exports is
given as £26,162, or an increase at the rate of 154 per
cent. in eight years. Sugar and molasses were exported
to the value of £3,302; cacao (in spite of an unfavour-
able season), £3,984; cattle, £2,820; pigs, £1,488:
poultry and eggs, £1,631.

In order to illustrate still further the singularly
diversified character of the products of Tobago, a table
is published on the opposite page showing in detail the
value of the exports for the years 1896 and 1904-5
respectively.

Tobago became a ward of the colony of Trinidad
in January 1, 1899. Since that time, owing to the
establishment of a regular coastal service and the
systematic improvement that has taken place in the
means of communication by driving and nding roads,
and the erection of bridges, outside capital has been
attracted, and an appreciable number of resident
proprietors has settled in the island. It is now
proposed to establish a system of wireless telegraphy
between Tobago and Trinidad.

The site of a Botanic Station, to be carried on
under the auspices of the Imperial Department of
Agriculture, was selected in November 1898. The
situation is a convenient one, being close to the
landing wharf at Scarborough and approached either
from the public road adjoiming the wharf or from
a spot on the road to Government House. The station
is now fully equipped, is a popular place of resort, with
one of the most attractive collections of ornamental
plants in the West Indies. In addition, there are
maintained large collections of economic plants available
for distribution throughout the island. A_ travelling
Agricultural Instructor is employed to afford practical
information in regard to the cultivation and_ the
treatment of diseases of cacao and other crops.

On the occasion of the visit of the Governor and
the Imperial Commissioner of Agriculture, a public
meeting was held at the Court House, Scarborough,
on May 24, when the Commissioner delivered an
address reviewing the prospects of sugar, cacao, rubber,
cotton, the rearing of cattle and small stock, and the
requirements of a sisal hemp and fruit industry.

The sugar industry, as shown in the table of
exports, has been extended of late years, and there is
no reason why it should not eventually prove successful
on a still larger scale. The total export value of cane

products in 1904-5 was £5,302, as compared with
£1,983 in 1896.

The most promising industry of Tobago is cacao,
The area under cultivation has largely increased in
recent years; and when the young cacao lately planted
comes into bearing, it is not unlikely that the exports
will reach a value of £8,000 to £10,000. The cultiva-
tion of rubber trees is a new industry in the West
Indies, and Tobago is the only island that has hitherto
shipped rubber on a commercial sale. There are from
8,000 to 10,000 rubber trees (Custilloa) under cultiva-
tion on Richmond estate by Captain Short, and,
taking all ages, a still larger number on the estates of
the Rubber Syndicate at Louis d’Or.
the rubber trees are used as shade for cacao.

In many cases
Cotton
(Marie Galante variety) is cultivated on Golden Grove
estate by Dr. Latour. It is probable that 30 bales (of
360 tb. each) will be shipped this year. Another new
industry is the export of bay leaves and bay oil (£317).

Owing to the facilities offered by frequent
communication with Trinidad, Tobago contributes

largely to the requirements of Port-of-Spain in horses,
sheep, pigs, poultry, eggs, and vegetables.

Altogether, the prospects of Tobago are brighter
than they have been at any time during the last thirty
years. It is estimated that there are large stretches
of fertile and accessible lands still available for the
cultivation of cacao, rubber, cocoa-nuts, fruit, cotton,
limes, and tobacco. The absence of destructive
the equable rainfall (averaging
65 inches per annum), with the improved means of
communication by land and sea, as also the nearness of
a large and increasing market in Trinidad for all kinds
of preduce, render Tobago a promising field for intend-
ing settlers.

hurricanes, fairly

The amount of capital required would depend on
the industry in view. For cacao a capital of about
£5,000 to £4,000 would probably be necessary. For
cotton and fruit a capital of about £1,500 to £2,000
would probably be sufficient.

A Planters’ Association has lately been formed in
order to advance the Agricultural interests of the
island. A ‘Hand-book of Tobago’ containing a brief
historical, geographical and general account of the
island compiled by Mr. L. G. Hay (a former treasurer)
in 1884, and revised by him in 1898, was published in
1899 at the Daily Chronicle Office, Georgetown,
Demerara, (Price 2s. 6d., post free 2s. 74d.).

The Pamphlet (No. 2) on ‘Planting in Tobago’
referred to above is now out of print but it is proposed
to bring out a new edition later on.

Vout. IV. No. 83.

THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.

179

SUGAR INDUSTRY.

Hawaii.

The following note on the sugar industry in
Hawaii is extracted from the Consular Report on the
territory for the year 1903-4 :—

The sugar-producing islands of the group are, in the
order of their output, Hawaii, Oahu (on whieh Honolulu is
situated), Maui, and Kauai, with an acreage of 94,000 acres
planted with cane for the crop of 1904, and an acreage
under cultivation of some 220,000 acres altogether.

For the year ended December 31, 1904, the total crop
for the whole group reached 367,475 short tons (328,102
tons avoir.) compared with 437,991 short tons (391,063 tons
ayoir.) in the previous year, a fall of nearly 65,000 tons, but
a larger total than that of 1902 ; and, with the exception of
the crop of 1903, the highest that has yet been recorded.

Much damage has again been experienced from the
ravages of the ‘leaf-hopper’ (Perkinsiella saccharicida) and
other pests, whilst in some parts fungus diseases have also
been prevalent. It is, in fact, only by the employment of
the greatest skill and care, combined with the most progres-
sive methods of irrigation, fertilization and the like, that
plantations have been able successfully to fight against these
drawbacks and the handicap of dear labour and cheap sugar
prices.

The Manufacture of Rum in Martinique.

M. M. Colletas contributes to the Journal
d’Agriculture Tropicale an interesting article on the
manufacture of rum in the French West Indies.
Much of the information, it is stated, is taken from
a book by M. F. A. Pairault, entitled Le Rhum et sa
Fubrication. The following extracts are likely to be
of interest :—

In the West Indies the name ‘country’ rum (rhum
@habitant) is given to the product distilled from the fermenta-
tion of sugar-cane juice whether raw or boiled. This
liquor is little known outside the countries in which it is
produced. ‘Tafia’ or manufactured rum is obtained by the
fermentation of the residual molasses and scraps of sugar-
cane. This product, more or less adulterated, is known
exclusively in Europe under the name of rum.

The town of St. Pierre (Martinique) was the centre of
the most important rum industry of the world. The
countries, which, at the present time, produce the largest
quantities of manufactured rum at 55° are: Demerara,
3,500,000 gallons ; Jamaica, 2,510,000 gallons ; Guadeloupe,
638,000 gallons; Mauritius, 704,000 gallons. Before the
eruption of Mount Pelé, Martinique produced 4,620,475
gallons of rum at 55°. Then came Reunion with 352,000
gallons, and Trinidad with 119,000 gallons.

Rum is distinguished from other alcoholic liquors by
a special odour formed by a blending of ethers, ordinary
alcohol, higher alcohols, aldehyde, acetal, and other undeter-
mined compounds. This aroma depends on the raw material,
the yeast, on the ‘vinasse’ added to the unfermented sugar,
on the grade of rum, and lastly on the distiller’s apparatus.
M. Pairault has proved that the micro-organisms—bacteria
and moulds—which swarm in the fermenting vats, do not
contribute to the aroma of the rum.

EXPORTS OF TOBAGO.

The following is a table illustrating the value of
the productions of Tobago exported to Trinidad during
the years 1896 and 1904-5 :—

Produce. 1896. 1904-5.
£ Eg s.

Sugar a ae .{ 1,827 | 3,243 14
Molasses... we a6 hi 156 Bye
Rum De jee is we 2,000 17
Cocoa-nuts Sah aS aot 210 ait}
Cocoanut Oil ... san el 621 9,143 1
Cacao 1,125 3,984 0
Vegetables ot val L004 5,423 866
Fruit in packages ars ate 6 125 10
Poultry ... 871 | 1,463 6
Eggs As 8 ae vs 313 168 7
Cedar... fo as a 40 i ae
Turtles fac Ned ee 16 i833)
Asses... tee a on 15 is ©
Cattle aah Aon s-.| 1,465 25820 0
Dogs! 400 60 oA 8 63 15
Goats 432 364 4
Horses 650 637 10
Pigs 1,327 1,488 9
Sheep aa aS sae 254 92 0
Bay Leaf ae see aos ia i) ()
Bay Oil... ; ae Fas 309 —O
Coffee... sig an aoe 2am lily
Charcoal ie ban A ein 10
Confectionery ... oe Sh pb eG)
Copra 5 Bae fet im 409 2
Cottons =. aoc Ao cds ah 1S)
Cotton Seed PAS ae sia a 18 6
Farine ... Ate te ee a 16 «4
Fish age ae 58 Rs oan 54 4
Firewood As a et os AO
Ginger ... i ae ie. ae 4 0
Hides... ARE a ae aoc LO
Lime vee she ers Roc 13) IL
Lumber ... me ae eek wt 12 2
India-rubber eke See abc APS ai 1133
Nutmegs ste n0¢ as 106 34°77
Starch ... aa soz Ans asm 9 13
Tobacco ... re! Ne ond eS 84 od
Turtle Shells Ai3) 33

Motaliee. ..,£10,340 |£26,161 13

Bermuda Onions. The Bermuda-grown onions,
which the Dempster Steam Shipping Company has recently
been distributing among the restaurant keepers of London,
represent a small, serviceable, solid type of the brown
Spanish onion, which does not show the slightest tendency to
start into growth. The firmness and solidity of the flesh is
one of the principal features of the onion, but in reference to
its apparently good keeping qualities, it is requisite to know
when and under what conditions the onions were grown,
and what steps were taken to preserve them. The object
sought by the company is to create a demand for the onions,
which, so for as it is understood, will be grown in Bermuda,
but their distribution will be a monopoly of the company.
The onion is said to cook well and be both succulent and
tender to the palate. (R. D. in the Gardeners’ Chronicle.)

180

THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.

June 17, 1905.

<))

SAR

WEST INDIAN

FRU

SHIPMENTS OF BANANAS FROM
BARBADOS.

By the mail steamer which left Barbados on June 3,
1,214 bunches of bananas were shipped by the Imperial
Department of Agriculture. There were also shipped 25
bales of cotton, 5 crates of mangos, 1 barrel of yams, and
1 barrel of potatos.

Since the first mail in January of this year eleven
shipments of bananas have been made, consisting of 14,723
bunches. During the same period last year twelve shipments
were made, consisting of 2,290 bunches.

COLONIAL FRUIT EXHIBITIONS.

The following circular letter, signed by the
Secretary of the Royal Horticultural Society, has been
received by the Imperial Commissioner of <Agri-
culture :

The President and Council have decided to hold at their
new hall a show of colonial-grown fruit, on December 5 and
6, 1905, to be followed by others in Narch, May, and
December 1906.

Our object in fixing these dates is, if possible, to suit
the season which is most likely to find the produce of
Canada, British Cofombia, and the West Indies; of India,
and the Cape; and of Australia, Tasmania, and New
Zealand, in the greatest perfection in London.

The Council would be greatly obliged by any sugges-
tions you may be able to make, and trust to be favoured with
your co-operation—on the one hand, in their efforts to make
the excellence of colonial produce better known in Great
Britain ; and on the other hand, in making the fact of these
exhibitions well known beforehand throughout the length
and breadth of the Colonial Empire, and so in assisting to
gather up the finest and most varied examples of fruits, and
other vegetable productions, which each individual colony
can supply.

The actual dates in 1906 will be settled before the end
of the present year.

BANANA CULTIVATION.

The following note is taken from the Journal of
the Jamaica Agricultural Society :—

If our grade of fruit is not improved, and it is not kept
up to the very best, so that large handsome bunches are
exported, it is quite probable that we shall find ourselves
left a great deal more out of the markets than anyone will

relish. There are often bananas planted in most unfavourable
spots on chance, while rich little valleys are available on the
same owners land. Bananas should be planted in the
richest spots only, and every effort made to produce the best
bunches—or else we may soon have to retire from the trade.
In good seasons no crop brings in so much money to the
small settler as bananas, in districts where the soils grow
them well. Even where land requires to be penned or
manured, bananas are still a most profitable crop. It would
be all very satisfactory to grow them and urge their
cultivation, if it were not for that weakness of the people,
that great tendency to drop other things that take more
labour, the tendency also when money is coming in quickly
to rest upon their oars and let the future alone. By all
means cultivate bananas wherever they will produce good
bunches, but let them be always looked upon in the light of
a catch crop, like corn or provisions, and go on with the
staple crops just the same. Bananas should be an addition
to other things; it is seldom that circumstances should
allow them to be looked upon as the principal product and
dependency.

THE CULTIVATION OF CITRONS.

The Consular Reports on the Morea and the
Cyclades (Greece) for 1904 have the following notes on »
the cultivation and shipment of citrons :—

The cultivation of citrons is greatly on the increase in
this consular district. In localities where it is sheltered
from the wind and can be watered frequently, the tree thrives
luxuriously and gives very good results to growers.

For export the citron is cut in half and shipped in casks
containing specially prepared pickle. Very little has been
shipped to the United Kingdom up to the present, although
it is reported that the quality of the Greek product is
excellent ; the United States buy the greatest portion of the
Greek crop, the price of which varies, according to seasons,
from £17 to £24 per ton f.o.b. Shipments to New York
from Patras alone amounted last year to a value of £9,377.

The export trade in citrons in brine at Syra was also
satisfactory. The fruit mostly comes from Crete and is
carefully selected and packed in casks of brine at Syra.
America was again the best purchaser last year, taking
737 tons, valued at £14,519.

Reference to an experimental shipment of citron
peel in brine from Dominica will be found on p. 184 of
this issue of the Agricultural News.

a:

Vou. IV. No. 83.

THE AGRICULTURAL

COLONIAL AND INDIAN’ EXHIBITION.

The following description of the West Indian
Court at the Colonial and Indian Exhibition is repro-
duced from the West India Committee Circular :—

The Court, which stands back in a splendid position in
the north transept of the Crystal Palace, occupies a space
of 7,009 square feet, and is surrounded by a handsome screen
of architectural design, having facias of peacock-blue
supported on Georgian columns decorated in deep buff, and
relieved with mouldings forming rectangular panels. There
is an inner screen of lofty sugar-canes, which form a striking
feature, and which will, it is hoped, serve to remind the
British public that cane sugar comes from our colonies and
beet sugar from foreign countries, and induce them to ask
for and insist upon getting pure cane sugar, which is really
pure, sweet, and economical.

Entering through the wide arch nearest the centre
transept, the visitor finds himself in the Jamaica section.
Two large banners, bearing the coat of arms of the colony,
adorn the main entrance, and the passage to the adjacent
sections is under an arch surmounted by a large crocodile.
Among the preserves there is also a turtle surrounded by the
many succulent products with which its name and substance
are connected. To the right and left of the entrance are
large show cases for Jamaica cigars, cigarettes, and tobacco
belonging to the Montpelier Cigar Company and Messrs,
B. & J. B. Machado, both of Kingston, Jamaica. To the
left again is a very complete collection of samples of Jamaica
woods, arranged like books in a book-shelf, each sample
having its name on the back. A screen carries a number of
pictures of Jamaica life and scenery, among them being
several notable works of Mr. J. Kirkpatrick, and here, too, is
a table of literature and files of the newspapers of the island.
Portraits of the Governors of the island occupy another
screen on the right-hand side of the section, Seeds, seed
ornaments, lace-bark in many forms, hitter-wood cups, and
walking sticks of various woods are shown in great quantities,
and are already finding a quick sale. In glass cases adjoining,
the more valuable specimens of lace-work and Jippi-jappa hats
are displayed. Of consumable Jamaica produce, sugar, cacao,
coffee, cassava, arrowroot, tapioca, bread-fruit, pimento,
and almost every conceivable kind of tropical commodity
are to be found, so closely have the Exhibition Committee
in Jamaica and Mr. John Barclay, the Commissioner,
devoted themselves to the task which was set them.
Jamaica tea is a welcome novelty, the development of
which it will be very interesting to watch. Messrs. William
Alfred Jones & Co., of Liverpool, show Jamaica cigars
and bananine, a banana flour. A more comprehensive
exhibit than that in the Jamaica court it would not be
easy to find.

Passing under the archway, the Grenada section is
found on the left. The most striking object in this is the
gold mace of the colony, which was sent out to Grenada in
a ship called the ‘ Baillies’ in the year 1791, and now makes
its reappearance in England for the first time since that date.
This island being known as the ‘Spice Island of the West,’
it is natural that spices should form a prominent feature in
its display. Various stuffed animals, including a monkey
and several specimens of mungoose, will also prove an
attraction, while bottled fruits, preserves, and spices are
attractively shown in sample glasses. The exhibits are
clearly set out on an open show-stand painted buff colour
picked out with blue. This is flanked by two glass
cases in which the choicest articles are displayed. Below
are some fine samples of leather and the wonderful conch

NEWS. 181

shells so much run after by tourists. Coral, too, of most
fantastic shapes, bulks largely in this section. There is
also a fine collection of Carib implements, the only relics
now remaining of the former inhabitants of the island.
Mr. C. Falconer Anton is to be congratulated upon the
collection which he has got together; the more so as we
believe this to be his first experience of exhibition work.

To the left again is the Barbados section arranged
under the supervision of the Hon. Forster M. Alleyne, the
Commissioner for the island, in which sugar is very
naturally a prominent feature. This, with rums, coloured
and uncoloured, is shown in great variety in glass-stoppered
bottles, each bearing a distinctive label, with the arms of
the colony neatly printed upon it in blue. Liqueurs, arrow-
root, tous-les-mois, cassava products, candied shaddocks,
grape fruit, preserves, pickles, and hot sauces are shown on
a central stand, consisting of two columns with tiers of
shelves, the columns being connected by an arch bearing
the name of the colony in blue letters on a white ground.
Manjak, pottery, a statuette of coral rock, models of a flying-
fish boat and estate carts are set out on shelves about the
sugar-cane screen which surrounds the section, and below
are baskets of yams, eddoes, and Sea Island cotton. A won-
derful collection of Barbadian seeds, made by a gil of
thirteen years of age, has been found a space near the Royal
Mail Steam Packet Company’s exhibit referred to below.
Mr. H. Martin Sells has kindly lent for exhibition in this
court a large glass case containing coral and flying and other
fish of great interest.

To the immediate right of the crocodile arch are two
shelves of samples of manures, shown by the Anglo
Continental Guano Works. Near by is a comprehensive
display of limes and lime products by Messrs. L. Rose & Co.
A pyramid of bottles of lime juice supports a golden dome,
crowned by a basket of roses, which serves to remind visitors
of the name of this enterprising firm, Facing this is an
octagonal stall for the sale of West Indian produce. Messrs.
James Philip & Co., the Pure Cane Sugar Company, have
a large show-case beyond this stall, containing every kind of
West Indian produce imaginable; and across the gangway
Messrs. F. Everington & Co., of Melville Hall estate,
Dominica, exhibit limes, cassava, and other local produce.

Further to the right is the sectjon occupied by the
Royal Mail Steam Packet Company, who show, besides many
bottled fruits and preserves, a fine model of the West Indian
mail steamer ‘ Tagus.’

Passing again down the middle gangway, the visitor
then reaches the Trinidad section arranged personally by
Mr. J. H. Hart, the Commissioner, who, it is easy to see,
has had previous experience of exhibitions, in which the
products exhibited are extremely numerous. The section is
surrounded by red baize, which, though lessening the light
appearance of the sugar-cane screen, certainly shows off the
exhibits to very great advantage. On the left on entering is
a wide range of sugar samples in glass bottles, and near by
are asphalt and allied products, shown by the New Trinidad
Lake Asphalt Company. Manjak, petroleum, and kerosene
are appropriately situated near this exhibit, and mention
must be made of a dress model showing what Trinidad can
do in the way of dyeing. ‘Tobacco, cigars, and cigarettes are
shown under glass, and nutmegs, coffee, rice, and starches are
on a long table close by. Lace-bark d’oyleys and lace of great
value also find a place in a glass case, as also does a collection
of coolie jewellery made in Trinidad. To the right of the
entrance of this section is as fine a display of Trinidad cacao
as has ever been shown, we may venture to say. The
samples are in tall glass-stoppered bottles.

THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.

Junx 17, 1905.

ANGUILLA.

The St. Kitt’s Daily Express of May 29 has an
article on cotton cultivation at Anguilla, from which
we extract the following :—

We understand that Mr. D. J. van Romondt, of
St. Martin, who started a small ginnery in the island of
Anguilla in March last, has exported about 12,000 tb. of
Sea Island cotton, and that he is now making strenuous
efforts to get the cultivation of that product materially
inereased. He has cultivated in the last two years a large
area of his own plantation at St. Martin in this cotton, and
from his small ginnery there has turned out this season 150
bales. We feel persuaded that this industry is — the
sheet-anchor of that poor island. We are informed that
Mr. van Romondt has reaped as much as 1,000 Ib. seed-cotton
per acre from some of his fields.

BARBADOS.

The Manchester Guardian has the following
reference to the cotton industry in Barbados :—

The Agricultural News (Barbados), the official organ of
the Imperial Department of Agriculture of the West Indies,
publishes an account of the pre ceedings at a very successful
conference of cotton growers held at Barbados on April 14,
at which an address was given by Sir Daniel Morris.
In the discussion which followed some interesting facts were
put before the meeting by various cotton growers. There
appeared to be a general feeling that the prospects of the
industry were good, and that, where efforts had been made to
keep the cotton worm in check and the soil had been well
cultivated, the results had been satisfactory. In many cases
the yield of seed-cotton had not come up to expectation, but
this was, for the most part, attributed to the drought.
Efforts are being made to obtain a careful estimate of the
average cost of growing cotton and placing it on the English
market. It was suggested by Sir Daniel Morris that
a special meeting of the Agricultural Society should be
held later to discuss the question whether cotton could be
grown as a ‘catch crop’ with cane in Barbados. This,
says the Agricultural News, is an important point which
deserves careful consideration on the part of the planters.

THE MANURING OF COTTON.

The following article has been written for the
Agricultural News by the Hon. Francis Watts,
C.M.G., D.Se., Government Analyst and Agricultural
Chemist for the Leeward Islands :—

The yield of cotton is profoundly influenced by season
and by the condition of the soil: under the head of season
may perhaps be included not only rainfall but also exposure

Lita fy A AP
(hel Gla TN
TAT a

to wind; the cotton plant is very sensitive to wind and
grows much more vigorously when sheltered.

The condition of the soil has a most important bearing ;
for its best development Sea Island cotton requires rather
light soil and requires the soil to be in a good state of
tilth. Good tilth can be obtained by the application of
organie manures such as farm-yard mauure, compost, green-
dressings; therefere in preparing for planting cotton care
should be taken to see that the soil is in good condition, and,
if necessary, one of the organie manures mentioned should
be used. In experiments conducted in the Leeward Islands
during last season, 1t was found that, in eases where the soil
was in good condition, the yield of cotton was not increased by
the application of artificial manures, though doubtless, there
are cases where the use of artificial manures will prove of
However, in the earlier stages of the industry it will
be safer if cultivators of cotton take care to keep their land
in good general condition by the use of organic manures,
than if they trust to the use of artificial manures to make
good the defects of bad farming. Possibly, however, it may
be found, after cotton has been grown for some time on the
same land, that artificial manures can be usefully and
profitably employed to make good defects in the soil which
may not appear in the early stages of the industry.

use.

There is little room for doubt that cotton will require
careful attention in the matter of manuring. What is here
sought is to indicate what may be considered the natural
manures, the use of which the cultivator must not neglect
while seeking a short cut to suecess by means of artificial
There ave certain underlying, fundamental principles
which will serve to guide the cotton planter, and on which
he will be able to build up his practice, at the same time
extending his knowledge of the applicability of all the
yarious kinds of manures within his reach.

ones.

A sugar crop makes comparatively little demands upon
the soil because of the return to the soil of a large quantity
of waste products such as the trash and tops of the canes,
which either go back directly to the soil or find their way back
as pen manure. ‘The mud or scum of the clarifiers and filter-
presses carries back a large proportion of the nitrogen and
phosphate, while the ashes from the megass restore to the
soil a considerable part of the mineral matter contained in
the cane. The sugar itself carries away comparatively little
of the fertilizing constituents in the soil, thus, with the help
of comparatively little artificial manure, the sugar-cane has
been cultivated in some instances for some two hundred
years almost continuously on the same land.

A cotton crop makes some demands upon the soil if we
take both lint and seed into consideration; but the nitrogen,
phosphate and potash, the substances usually considered in
connexion with manurial questions, are nearly all contained
in the seed, there being but very small quantities in the

Vou. IV. No. 83. .

THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.

183

lint. This being so it appears evident that a cotton crop
will make but small demands upon the soil if the cotton
seed is returned as manure, or if equivalent quantities of
manure of other kinds are given. When, as is often advised,
the bush of the cotton plant is burned to destroy pests, there
will be some loss of nitrogen, but the mineral constituents
will be returned to the soil.

In the article in the West Indian Bulletin (Vol. V,
p- 223), it is estimated that a crop of 200 hb. of lint
per acre will be accompanied by 443 tb. of seed. This figure
is somewhat below that indicated by our experience in the
Leeward Islands, where I would estimate rather over 500 tb.
Taking the 443 Ib. mentioned, it is found that this contains
154 tb. of nitrogen, 74 tb. of phosphoric acid and 7 Ib. of
potash. The greatest demand on the soil will therefore be
in respect of nitrogen, particularly as some nitrogen will be
lost by burning the bush, and also as there is always
a natural tendency on the part of the soil to lose some of its
nitrogen. A dressing of about 500 tb. of cotton seed per
acre will thus restore the plant food removed by a moderate
crop of cotton, and if this is supplementary to the use of
a moderate amount of organic manure, it will probably be
all that is required.

It may, however, happen that cotton seed is not
available or only in limited amounts, or that the amount
of organic manure is limited ; under these circumstances
the use of artificial or chemical manures may be desirable.
For this purpose I would suggest a general manure
like that mentioned on p. 57 of the pamphlet 4. B. C.
of Cotton Planting, but with rather less phosphate: the
phosphate might, I think, be safely reduced to 40 tb., and
the proper manure would be prepared by mixing 300 Ib. of
good superphosphate, 40 Ib. of good sulphate of potash, and
100 th. of good sulphate of ammonia ; this mixture should be
applied at the rate of 440 Ib. per acre * or in proportionately
small quantities when used in conjunction with cotton seed
meal or the organic manures mentioned above. Thus, for
example, 250 tb. of cotton seed and 200 tb. of the above
mixture would probably be a good manuring for a field in
fairly good condition.

Manures for cotton should be given early. They may with
advantage be placed in the furrow or ‘hole’ where the
cotton seed is to be sown. Cotton seed so used should be
applied about a month before the seed is sown so as to allow
the cotton seed used as manure to decay and become
incorporated with the soil before the young plant springs up.
Chemical manures should be applied about a week before
seed sowing.

The oil which the cotton seed contains has no manurial
value: on the contrary, it rather retards the decay of the seed,
thus delaying the manurial action of the manure; it is not,
however, seriously detrimental. Cotton seed from which the
oil has been pressed is therefore somewhat more useful as
manure, as it is concentrated by the removal of the oil and is
rendered rather more rapid in its action.

In some cases, where animals are kept, it may be found
more profitable to feed the cotton seed to animals and to
use the resultant manure for the cotton fields. This is sound
farming, provided that the needs of the cotton fields are
honestly considered, that the manure from the animals is
properly conserved, and some allowance made for loss and
waste. It is in this connexion that the artificial manure
mixture mentioned above may be made to play a useful
part. The manure from the animals should be worked into

_ * With superphosphate costing $22, sulphate of potash
$65, and sulphate of ammonia $75 per ton, the above 440 tb.
of mixture will cost $7°46.

the soil during its early preparation, and then a week or two
before seed sowing a dressing of from 2 ewt. to 4 ewt. of the
mixture should be given according to cireumstances.

ANTHRAX.

Anthrax has long been known asa very fatal disease.
From its nature, however, very little can be done to cure an
animal affected with it. ‘he course of the disease is, in fact,
so short that frequently its presence is not suspected till the
first victims are found dead, and its spread is sometimes so
rapid that serious loss occurs before any measures can be
taken for its suppression. Preventive inoculation is being
practised in many places, and it has been found that the
annual loss in anthrax regions has been greatly reduced by
this means.

Inoculation for the prevention of any disease consists in
producing a mild form of the disease by means of a pure
culture of the organism causing the disease. In this way an
inoculation fluid is produced containing a large number of
anthrax bacilli, which have been so modified by heat until
much of their original virulence is lost, and the disease
produced by inoculation with this fluid is much milder than
when contracted from natural sources of infection.

In the case of anthrax inoculation, two fluids are used,
one—the weaker—for the first inoculation ; the other, used
for the second inoculation about twelve days after the first,
being considerably stronger. The fluids are injected by
means of a hypodermic syringe under the loose skin about tke
neck. These inoculation fluids are used for cattle and sheep,
and though there has been much controversy as to their
value, the experience in British Guiana and Trinidad, as well
as in other countries, indicates that a large degree of
immunity can be obtained by their use.

The anthrax vaccines used in Trinidad and British
Guiana are prepared by the Liverpool School of Tropical
Medicine, and it is believed that animals which have been
properly inoculated are not likely to be attacked in case of
subsequent outbreaks of the disease.

In addition to inoculation to prevent anthrax, other
preventive measures may be adopted.

If pools of stagnant water exist in localities where
anthrax is known to occur, they should be drained, or they
may be fenced off so that the animals may not have access to
them. Portions of a pasture known to be infested should be
fenced off, or the pasture abandoned for afew years. The
carcasses of animals that have died from anthrax should be
properly disposed of, since every portion of such animal
contains the anthrax organism, which, when exposed to the
air, forms spores. These spores are very resistant to heat or
cold, drying out or soaking, and are capable of growing in
suitable conditions, even though they may have experienced
years of unfavourable conditions. Anthrax carcasses should
be burned or buried. If buried they should be covered with
quick-lime. On no account should any such carcass be
opened. Stables where anthrax animals have been kept
should be thoroughly disinfected by means of strong solutions
of chloride of lime, as should also the spots in pastures where
such animals have died.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture recommends that
inoeulation should not be practised in localities where
anthrax has neyer occurred, as the disease germs are present
in the vaccine fluid, and there is a possibility that the
disease might be introduced into a new locality, if the fluid
happened to be carelessly used. It is also recommended that
none but trained veterinarians should perform the work of
inoculation,

184

THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.

June 17, 1905,

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 3 of the cover.

The Agricultural News: Price 1d. per number,
post free 13d. Annual subscription payable to Agents,
Qs, 2d. Post free, 3s. 3d.

Agricultural jews

—4

Vor. IV. No. 83.

NOTES AND COMMENTS.

SATURDAY, JUNE 17, 1905.

Contents of Present Issue.

Agricultural progress at Tobago is the subject of

the editorial in this issue. The exports of Tobago are
of a diversified character, and their value has increased
153 per cent. in eight years. Cacao is now the most
promising industry, the area under cultivation having
largely increased. In connexion with this subject
largely ; NEG
interest attaches to the table of exports on p. 179.

A detailed description is published on p. 181 of

the West Indian Court at the Colonial and Indian
Exhibition opened in London last month.

The notes on cotton (see pp. 182-3) include an
interesting communication from Dr. Watts on the
manuring of cotton.

On p. 186 will be found two illustrated articles
relating to the treatment of insect pests. One deals
with a useful machine known as the Auto-spray, and
the other with a fumigating tent recently made for
the Botanic Station at Dominica.

On p. 187 an interesting account of the West
Indian Whitebait or ‘ tri-tri’ is reproduced.

Ripe-rot of bananas is the subject of a note on
p. 189; this is followed by a brief review of the pod
diseases of cacao,

An interesting note of scientific interest, relating
to the deterioration of plants propagated vegetatively,
is published on p. 190. On p. 191 will be found
Mr. J. Russell Murray’s monthly report on West Indian
produce in Canada.

Barbados Local Exhibition.

It has been arranged that the Local Agricultural
Exhibition, for peasant proprietors and others at
Barbados, will be held by kind permission of
Mr. Alistair Cameron, the Attorney, at Bushy Park
estate, St. Philip, on Tuesday, December 6 next.

The preliminary announcement by means _ of
posters will be issued in the course of a few days. In
the meantime, vegetable and other seeds will be
obtained for distribution to cultivators and to teachers
in charge of school gardens, ete.

———————______

Citron Peel from Dominica.

As an experiment, a barrel of citron peel in brine
was recently shipped from the Botanic Station,
Dominica, to Messrs. Pink & Sons, Portsmouth. The
net weight of the peel was 1 ewt.

The report received from the consignees intimated
that the value of such peel was 19s.. and that it was
suitable for confectioners’ use. It was pointed out,
however, that the pulp should not have been extracted,
as this renders the peel lable to become damaged, also
that more salt should be used. The citron, it is stated,
should be merely cut in halves, from end to end, and
placed in the strongest brine (saturated solution).

Had the present shipment, which was fermenting
slightly on arrival on account of insufficiency of salt,
arrived in better condition, it would have been worth
1s. to 1s. 6d. more. The barrel was sold for 19s.; the
sale expenses amounted to 3s., packing, freight, and
shipping expenses to 9s,

Messrs. Pink & Sons suggest that if a net return of
15s. to 16s. would be considered satisfactory, further
shipments might be made, but preferably in small
quantities at a time at first.

rt

The Production of Maple Sugar.

According to an interesting article in the Sugar
Planters’ Journal, the largest producers of maple
sugar products are the States of Ohio, Vermont, and
New York. Of all the species of maple, the sugar
inaple and the black maple yield the most and the
best sap.

The old method of collecting the sap by making
a diagonal cut in the tree has long been abandoned in
favour of boring a hole, 1 inch deep and ¥ inch across,
into the sunny side of trees over 12 inches in diameter.
Usually only one hole is made in each tree.
Improvements have also been made in the methods of
handling the sap.

Although the output from maple trees has
decreased during the last twenty years, the demand
for both the sugar and the syrup has constantly
increased. This means that the trade has been
supplied by adulterated products and_ fabrications.
In fact, it is estimated that seven-eighths of what is
sold as maple is a spurious article. Consequently the
price of the pure article is kept down, and a forest of

maples is not as profitable to its owner as it might
otherwise be,

You. IV. No. 83.

Gacao and Dye-woods in France.

According to the Consular Report on the district
of Havre for 1904, the imports of cacao again showed
a falling off. The principal sources of supply were
Trinidad, the Spanish Main, Bahia, Para, Hayti and
San Domingo, Guayaquil, and Martinique and Guadel-
oupe. The prices were lower than ever. The Trinidad
product obtained higher prices than all others.

The Consul impresses on those who grow and
pack cacao and other products in British Colonies the
necessity of seeing that they are exported in perfect
condition and are up to the standard they profess.

Large quanties of dye-woods are also imported
into Havre, chiefly logwood and yellow woods from
Jamaica and Hayti.

Oe

Cloves in Pemba.

The exports of cloves from Pemba reached
a higher figure during 1904 than in any previous
year, viz, 14,447,586 1b. of the value of £206,394.
The actual output would probably have been even
greater, it is reported in the Consular Report for
1904, had it not been for unfavourable climatic
conditions. In spite of very gloomy predictions as to
the insufficiency of the labour supply, the extraordinarily
abundant crop was successfully harvested, and this
augurs well for the future prospects of the island;
the world wants cloves, and Pemba is the principal
source of the world’s supply. Of the total exports
from Pemba during 1904, representing a value of
£229174, cloves stand for 91 per cent.

—— rae

Colonial and Indian Exhibition.

Elsewhere in this issue a detailed description is
given of the West Indian Court at the Colonial and
Indian Exhibition that was opened at the Crystal
Palace on May 12.

It will be seen from that description that four of
the West India Islands, viz., Jamaica, Grenada,
Barbados, and Trinidad, have large and representative
collections of exhibits illustrating their resources and
products. Besides these, several firms doing business
‘with the West Indies have show-cases and_ stalls
containing various West Indian products.

The Barbados Exhibition Committee has received
from the Hon. Forster M. Alleyne, the Commissioner
for the island, an interesting report upon the section of
which he has charge. He mentions that the exhibits
had been so carefully packed that very little damage
was done to them in transit. A prominent place had
been given to Barbados bananas, six magnificent
bunches of which had been received from Messrs.
W. Pink & Son, who had promised to renew them
weekly.

It is evident from these reports and the press
notices that the West Indies are well represented at
this important exhibition, and that a considerable
amount of attention has been attracted to West Indian
produce, and this should certainly assist in promoting
trade relations between these colonies and Great Britain.

THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS. 185

Vanilla in Tahiti,

In an interesting article by Mr. J. R. Jackson,
published in the Agricultural News (Vol. IV, p. 38),
on the vanilla industry, mention was made of the
attempts that had been made by the American Consul
at Tahiti to bring into operation a scheme for com-
pulsory inspection of vanilla beans under the control
of the Government. It was stated that the industry
was likely to be ruined on account of the inferiority of
some of the vanilla that was being shipped.

More recent information, contained in a Consular
Report, announces that exporters who desire to do so
can now submit their produce fer inspection under
government auspices. Beans of the proper quality will
be sealed and packed in the presence of an inspector.
A nominal charge is made by the Government to
cover the necessary expenses. In spite of opposition,
chiefly from the Chinese, the authorities appear to be
determined to institute a policy of government
supervision with a view to ameliorating the present
unsatisfactory conditions.

rr
Cultivation of Oranges in Dominica.

A pamphlet (No. 37) is issued to-day by the
Imperial Department of Agriculture which is entitled
Cultivation of Oranges in Dominica. It contains
notes by his Honour H. Hesketh Bell, C.M.G,,
Administrator of Dominica, who has devoted much
time and attention with the view of arousing interest
in the establishment of new industries in the island.

Experiments on a small scale would appear to
indicate that the cultivation of oranges is an industry
particularly suited to local conditions, and this
pamphlet is issued with a view to assisting those who
have already embarked in the industry and also with
a view to directing attention to its possibilities in the
future. The pamphlet contains detailed directions as to
the operations that are necessary in establishing an
orange grove, particularly with the operation of
budding, for great stress is laid upon the superiority of
budded over seedling fruit. Reference is also made to
the necessity for systematic and regular spraying with
the view of keeping insect pests, especially scale
insects, in check.

In the preface to these notes the Imperial
Commissioner of Agriculture urges very strongly the
desirability of paying close attention to the picking and
shipping of the fruit, and suggests that steps might
be taken by the Government or the Agricultural
Society to initiate a system of inspection with the view
of preventing any but the most carefully selected and
best packed fruit from being shipped.

Taking 400 fruits as a fair estimate for a seven-
year-old tree, it is calculated that an acre of 100 trees
should yield 40,000 oranges equal to about 220 cases,
Experience has shown that a net profit of 4s. to 5s,
may reasonably be expected on shipments from
Dominica. At that rate the produce of an acre should
represent about £45. As the annual cost of bringing
an acre of oranges into bearing should not exceed £4,
very handsome profits may be expected from the
cultivation of oranges in Dominica.

186

THE AGRICULTURAL

NEWS. June 17, 1905.

a

<i
ANS

INSECT NOTES.

The Auto-spray.

In the Agricultural News, Vol. 11, p. 250, there appeared
a brief note on the auto-spray. The accompanying illustra-
tion (fig. 13) should serve to give a clearer idea of this
useful machine.

The auto-spray is an automatic, compressed-air spraying
machine, the essential features of which are the cylindrical
brass tank, an air pump,
a discharge hose and nozzle,
and a sling for carrying
the whole.

In this machine the
pumping is all for the
purpose of compressing the
air in the tank containing
the spray material, and the
expansion of the com-
pressed air forces the spray
through the hose and
nozzle. In using the auto-
spray not more than
4 gallons of the wash
should be put in, and care
must be taken not to
subject the tank to too
great an air pressure.

The nozzle sold with
this machine is a special
feature, as it combines the
Vermorel principle with an
automaticecut-off with which
also the needle for clearing
the nozzle is combined. The cost of the auto-spray complete
with hose and nozzle, in Barbados, is 510-00.

Fic.

13. Tur AvTo-spray.

Fumigating Tent for Dominica.

As stated in the Agricultural News (Vol. III, p. 138),
fumigating chambers were erected last year at the Dominica
Botanic Station for use in fumigating imported plants.
These have recently been supplemented by a fumigating
tent to be used in fumigating plants in the nursery beds.
The Curator of the Botanic Station states that the tent has
arrived and appears quite suitable. He finds that it
be fixed and taken down without any difficulty.

This should prove to be very useful as it will now be
possible to fumigate citrus and other plants when they are
attacked by insect pests instead of spraying them, and as
fumigation is more thorough than spraying, the scale insects
and other pests that attack young plants ought to be more
easily kept in check. Also plants to be shipped or planted
in orchards may be fumigated before being lifted from the
beds, and the time and labour of taking them to the fumi-
gating house will thus be saved, and the plants will not be
the means of distributing insect pests.

The tent is 10 feet long by 5 feet wide and 3} feet
The frame is of gas-pipe so made that it may be

can

high.

taken apart. — For ordmary purposes it will not be necessary
to take the top to pieces. The mode of fixing the
legs is clearly indicated in

the accompanying illustration
(fig. 14). The cover is made
of 8 oz duck and treated

with two coats of boiled linseed
oil. The ends and sides are
provided with flaps at the bottom
which are to be weighted down
with stones or soil to prevent

the escape of the gas. Hydro- b

eyanic gas will be used for

fumigating. This will be ais
generated from _ potassium

cyanide in a mixture of |
sulphuric acid and water. a

Experiments, will be needed,
however, to decide the exact
amount of materials and the
best length of time, as the
conditions in the nursery rows
will be somewhat different
from conditions in the fumi-
gating house, and the same
strength of gas may have
a tendency to injure the foliage.

Fic. 14. ATTACHMENT OF
Lecs to FRAME.

a, leg ; b, coupling ;¢, nipple ;

d, elbow ; e, side.

AGRICULTURAL BANKS.

In an article on ‘Agricultural Credit Banks’ in
the Journal of the Board of Agriculture (London,
May 1905) the following references are made to the
‘Raiffeisen’ system :—

The Labour Gazette for April last contains a note on
this subject, in which it is stated that, with few exceptions,
the societies at present in existence (in Ireland chiefly) are
organized upon what is known as the ‘ Raiffeisen ’ principle,
the main features of which are that no shares are issued,
the capital being raised by entrance fees, subscriptions, and
deposits and loans bearing a fixed rate of interest ; that the
liability of the members is unlimited, every member being
jointly and severally responsible for any losses that may be
incurred by the society; that the loans advanced by the
societies are for reproductive purposes only, the borrower
being required to satisfy the managing committee that the
object for which the loan is required is one that affords
a reasonable security for his being able to repay the loan at
the date fixed; and that the operations of a scciety are
confined to a small area in order that the personal character
and needs of applicants for loans may be known to the
members and committee.

The principles on which the agrarian banks known as
the ‘Raiffeisen’ Credit Associations, which date from about the
middle of the last century, are based have been mentioned
above, and it is claimed that they have effectually delivered
the German agriculturists out of the hands of the usurers.
Their number has increased very greatly, especially during
the past ten years, and similar institutions exist in Austria,
Switzerland, Belgium, France, and Italy. In Belgium the
number of these societies has increased from thirty-three
in 1895 to 313 in 1902 with over 15,000 members.

Co-operative banks have also taken a prominent place in
Italy. The Rural Loan Societies, which were considerable
in number in 1892, have since increased rapidly, and
at the end of 1903 amounted to 1,240. Raiffeisen Banks
also exist to the number of 730, but no marked progress im
their number appears to have taken place recently.

Vou. IV. No. 83.

THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.

187

HABITS OF WEST INDIAN WHITEBAIT.

Mr. Austin H. Clark has contributed to the
American Naturalist (May 1905) the | following
account of the West Indian whitebait.

The ‘tri-tri’ occurs also in Dominica. A few notes
on the habits of this fish in that island: would be
interesting :—

The ‘tri-tri? or West Indian whitebait (Sieydium
plumiert), although of small size, is one of the important
food fishes of these islands. It is an inhabitant of the
mountain streams, and occurs in the quiet pools and eddies
formed by the back-water from rapids, from the Jowlands
well up into the highlands. Its range is about the same in
St. Vincent as that of the ‘trout’ (Agonostomus monticola),
and, like that fish, it is absent from certain of the rivers.

The tritri reminds one strongly of the common darter
(Boleosoma nigrum olmstead:) in habits. They are usually
observed lying motionless on the sandy bottom of pools, head
up stream. They will lie in one position for a long while,
then, with a sudden jerk, move to another place. If
disturbed they dart quickly under the overhanging banks, or
under rocks or logs in the stream. When seen on a sandy
bottom, the colour of these fishes is a very light brownish
gray, with seven or eight transverse bands of darker. If over
dead leaves, or on darker masses of rock, they are a violet
brown, the transverse bands being nearly black. They
harmonize so well with their surroundings that they are
distinguishable by a careful examination only. ~ The adults
measure from 3} to 44 inches in length. In the waters
where this fish occurs there is a small slender crayfish, of the
same size and colour, which is very easily mistaken for it.
This crustacean has the same habit of lying for a long while
in one position, then suddenly moving to another, and, if
disturbed, takes refuge under the banks or under stones in
the same way. They may usually be distinguished by the
fact that they move tail first, and then occasionally crawl
slowly on the bottom; they also are much commoner near
the sources of the rivers, above the range of the tri-tri.

In the dry season, the adult tri-tri migrate down stream
to the sea, where they lay their eggs, probably near the
mouths of the rivers from which they descended, * and then
apparently die, as no adult fish are ever seen to return,

The young fry, when about ? inch to 14 inches in length,
ascend the rivers by thousands during the wet season
(August, September, and October), moving up stream in
a continuous line near or under the banks, as do the young
of eels (Anguilla). When in a stretch of comparatively quiet
water they move steadily onward; but in rapid water they
progress by jerks, resting on the bottom for a few seconds,
then making a fresh dash onwards and taking a fresh grip on
a pebble or rock with the ventral sucker, and after remaining
quiet for a few seconds, dashing on again. They even
ascend vertical or overhanging surfaces, over which a small
amount of water is running in this way, resting for a while,
then moving upward an inch or so, resting again, and moving
on. Sometimes during one of these ascents they are swept
off and into the eddy below ; but in a few minutes they are
ready to try it again. J have seen as many as a dozen
moving up the face of a rounded rock a foot in diameter,
yer which the flow of water was not enough to cover their

* The fact that certain rivers in these islands, apparently
‘suitable in every way for these fish, are not inhabited by them
seems to point toward the fact that the fish from the neighbour-
ing streams spawn in the vicinity of their mouths; otherwise

we should expect to find a few of the young straying into these -

uninhabited streams every year.

bodies. Aftera heavy rain the waters of the St. Vincent rivers
rise rapidly, and then fall again, leaving many little outlying
pools along the banks, which, under the influence of the
scorching tropical sun soon dry up, leaving dusty hollows.
Many of the fishes become cut off from the main stream at
such times, and, as the pools dry up may be seen jumping
about in the hollows, entirely covered with a thick coating of
dust. If these stranded individuals be placed again in the
main stream, they soon begin to ascend with the others as if
nothing had happened. The tenacity of life of the young
tri-tri is remarkable. They will live for several hours in
these dry situations, exposed to the full rays of the sun.

The journey of the fry up the rivers occurs at the time
when the migratory shore birds from the north are making their
brief stay in these islands, and certain species appear to
feed largely on these fishes. On the Richmond river in
St. Vincent, where, on account of the lack of vegetation,
consequent on the late eruptions of the Soufriére, birds
may be readily observed, I found the following species
feeding on the young tritri: Near the mouth were blue
herons (Llorida coerulea cwrulescens), golden plover (Chara-
drius dominicus), turnstones (Arenaria interpres), willet
(Symphemia semipalmata), greater yellowlegs (Zotanus
melanoleucus), lesser yellow-legs (7’. flavipes), solitary sand-
pipers (elodromas solitarius), spotted sandpipers (Actitis
macularia), green herons (Butorides virescens maculata),
and kingfishers (Ceryle alcyon). ‘The solitary sandpipers
followed the fish up into the lowlands at the base of the
hills, the green herons and kingfishers to the edge of, and
even just within, the forests, while the spotted sandpipers
are found well up into the mountains. About the mouth
of the river I also observed white herons (Garzetta can-
didissima), great blue herons (Ardea herodias), and fish
hawks (Pandion haliaétus carolinensis), probably attracted
by the larger fish which were following the young tri-tri in from
the sea, and which were abundant about the river’s mouth.

On reaching the pools at the higher altitudes the fish
select some suitable spot and there remain until maturity,
when they return to the sea to deposit their eggs. I was
unable to ascertain just how long this period was.

During their ascent of the streams, nuinbers of the
young are caught by the natives and eaten, either boiled
(whole) or fried into cakes. Although when cooked they
bear a strong resemblance to maggots, they are very good,
tasting something like whitebait.

These fish, or a closely allied species, are abundant
in certain streams in Grenada, but are not found on the
Grenadines. Their local name is a corruption of that
given them by the original Caribs.

MUNGOOSE IN ST. LUCIA.

The Registrar of Civil Status in St. Lucia states,
in his report for 1904, that no deaths had occurred
from snake-bite during the year, although the Fer-de-
lance had not been exterminated, but merely checked.
He proceeds to quote as follows from the report of the
Magistrate of Districts II and III for 1903 :—

The mungoose that has done such excellent work in
ridding the districts of serpents is being hunted down by
every one. The destruction of poultry and vegetables is the
cause of it. They are now in such numbers that it would
take a long time to exterminate them. Ido not think the
time has yet come to get rid of them ; they are troublesome
in the poultry-yard, but their use as a snake destroyer should
not be quickly overlooked.

188

THE AGRICULTURAL

?

NEWS. June 17, 1905,

GLEANINGS.

The Curator of the Botanic Station at Tobago announces
that seeds of Castilloa elastica are now available and will be
forwarded to those making application for them.

The average yield of rice (paddy) in British Guiana, on
lands properly irrigated and properly drained, is about
28 bags (of 120 Ib. each) to the acre. Such a yield is found
exceedingly remunerative to the grower.

In reference to the proposal to cultivate broom corn for
the Canadian market, it is of interest to note that, according
to the Statistical Yearbook of Canada, the value of the
imports of this product from the United States amounted in
1902 to $202,487.

The output of canned pine-apples from Hawaii in 1903
was about 8,000 cases (1 case contains twenty-four cans,
averaging 2 tb. each); that of 1904 was some 20,000 cases,
while the output for 1905 is estimated to reach 65,000 cases.
(Consular Report for 1903-4.)

Three Agricultural Banks have been started in the
parish of Manchester, Jamaica. These are not Raiffeisen
banks but are on the lines of Schulze’s Credit Associations
(see pp. 32-3 of Pamphlet No. 35) except that the liability is
limited to the amount of one share.

It was estimated that the local consumption of cocoa-
nut oil in Trinidad in 1902 was 700,000 gallons. In the
same year 16,000 gallons were exported, in addition to the
exports of copra (414 tons). This, with the exports of nuts,
represents a crop of about 50 millions of nuts.

The rainfall at the Experiment Station, Tortola, for the
year ended March 51 last, amounted to 47-74 inches. This
was 8°06 inches below the average of the last four years
(55°80 inches) and unevenly distributed; the station
suffered from drought, particularly in June and July 1904.

A steam factory for the extraction of albumen from
eggs has been established at Chinkiang, China, and this
product, to the value of £6,376, was exported to London
during 1904. Preserved egg yolk, valued at £4,176, also
figures in the exports, and nearly 4,500,000 eggs, fresh and
preserved, (Consular Report.)

The value of sugar, molasses, etc., sent to Canada, in
the year ended June 30, 1904, from British Guiana was
about £430,000; in 1900 it was as low as £8,000. The
imports into Canada have advanced from $878,617 in 1900
to $4,815,758 in 1904. Of the last figure, $4,352,117 is for
sugar, molasses, ete. (Our Western Empire.)

The Montserrat Herald of May 27 contains a letter from
a Surinam correspondent describing cacao cultivation in the
latter colony. A number of the estates now dry their produce
by artificial heat ; a few have also machinery for sorting the
beans according to size.

An experiment with a steam say-mill, to-demonstrate
the commercial value of the timber in the forests of the
interior, is in course of progress at Dominica. Now that the
building of the Imperial road has removed many of the
difficulties of transport, it is hoped to be able to transport
lumber to the coast to compete with imported material.

A meeting of East Indians, under the presidency of
Mr. Nadirally Khan, was recently held at Essequibo, British
Guiana, at which an interesting discussion took place on the —
subject of rice cultivation, particularly with regard to the
varieties best suited to the colony. It was decided to ask
the Board of Agriculture to import different varieties of
paddy from India.

According to the recently issued Consular Report on
Truxillo for the year 1904, the chief exports of this district
of the republic of Honduras are rubber, sarsaparilla, dried
hides, deer-skins, and mahogany. The exports of rubber
amounted to 20,661 tb. About 1,000 head of cattle were
exported to Belize, British Honduras, and 9,000 to the
island of Cuba.

The Trinidad cacao crop is short this year, the exports
being 16,816,485 tb., as against 25,469,570 in 1904. The
exports of cocoa-nuts are gradually increasing, the figures
being, 1905, 26,227; 1904, 3,796,725; 1905, 4,616,940.
Up to May 31, the amount of manjak shipped was 420 tons,
as compared with 167 tons for the corresponding period of
last year.

Considerable damage has been done to wind-breaks, on
some of the Land Settlement estates at St. Vincent, by the
careless use of fire. In consequence, a notice has been
issued forbidding allottees to use fire on their lands without
first obtaining written permission from the Agricultural
Instructor or other duly authorized officer of the Agricultural —
Department.

Messrs. Latham, Alexander & Co., of New York, have
issued an estimate of the cotton acreage of the United States
for 1905, which they consider as approximately correct as
could be secured by direct communication with parties
competent to judge. ‘The total estimated decrease of cotton
acreage is 11} per cent., or 3,558,870 acres less than last
year. The decrease for South Carolina is 9 per cent., or
231,570 acres.

é

An important meeting of ‘Trinidad sugar estates’

proprietors was held at the West India Committee Rooms on
Thursday, May 18, to consider various questions regarding
cane farming in Trinidad. Sir Nevile Lubbock presided,
and there were present: Mr. Norman Lamont, M.P.,
Mr. Lionel G. Arbuthnot, Mr. Gecrge Christal], and Mr, W. A.
Tennant. A provisional agreement was arrived at regarding
payment for canes, which it is hoped will prove acceptable
to proprietors and cane farmers alike, and copies of this have
been sent out to the colony. (West India Committee
Circular.)

ea

Vol. IV. No. 83.

THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.

189

FUNGOID DISEASES.

Ripe-rot or Anthracnose of Banana.

This disease is widely spread ; it was first recorded
from Australia and has since been noted in the United
States. A very similar, if not the same, disease has
recently been noted on bananas in the West Indies.
The disease is caused by a fungus, (Glocosporium
MuUsArUN.

The following description of the disease, by
Dr. N. A. Cobb, is taken from the Agricultural
Gazette of New South Wales (Vol. XIV, p. 638):—

As soon as the fruits reached a length of about 3 inches,
and sometimes earlier, they began to change colour and to
shrivel, passing through greenish-yellow, yellow, brown, or
French grey, to almost black. At the brown stage the
colour became pruinose, and the final blackening was
accompanied by a pink eruption of Glocosporium spores.

The spores occurred on all parts of the fruit, but in
some specimens they were most abundant on the basal half,
being particularly abundant at the very base of the stem.

The disease extended to the entire bunch, which in
consequence was rendered worthless.

No other disease-producing organism was to be seen on
the specimens sent, which included most of the middle part
-of a bunch.

The sender wrote that he felt certain that cold weather
had nothing to do with the matter. It was apparent that
the disease had attacked the fruit at an early stage of its
existence.

Later, the fungus fruited freely on the main stem of the
bunch of bananas. The facts observed seemed to establish
the ability of the fungus to prevent completely the fructifica-
tion of the banana.

A considerable number of fruits suffer from ripe-
rots, caused by different species of Glocosporium.
Among the fruits are apple, pear, quince, guava,
tomato, egg-plant, etc. Dr. Cobb made a special study
of these rots, and came to the conclusion that the
fungus causing them was really one and the same in
each case. He conducted a number of cross-infection
experiments with successful results. Jor instance, he
inoculated bananas, tomatos, mangos, etc., with spores
of the ripe-rot fungus of the apple, with the result that
these fruits were infected and became diseased.

Diseased fruits should be removed and destroyed
as soon as the rot is noticed, as otherwise the whole
bunch will soon be infected and destroyed.

Pod Diseases of Cacao.

Three cacao pod diseases are known in the West Indies,
but only two of them are of great practical importance.
These are the ‘Trinidad pod disease’ caused by the fungus
Phytophthora omnivora, and the ‘brown-rot’ caused by
Diplodia cacaoicolu, This latter is the same fungus that
causes the ‘die-back’ disease of the stem.

The Phytophthora, as its specific name implies, attacks
a large number of plants, mostly seedlings ; it is a marked
parasite. The Diplodia, on the other hand, is distinctly
a facultative saprophyte, and is capable of growing on
a large variety of dead substances, including dead cacao
twigs, the dead husks of the pods, ete.

Pods attacked by Phytophthora turn dark in colour, The

darkening generally starts at one end, and in a few days,
under favourable conditions, spreads over the whole pod.
A white mould makes its appearance, after a time, on the
surface of the pod. It generally appears first in the furrows.
Tlis white mould represents the reproductive organs of the
fungus. Numerous spores (conidia) are produced on this
mould, and these are carried by wind, ete., to other pods,
which in turn become infected. The conidia are large,
egg-shaped, colourless, and one-celled.

The fungus mycelium spreads through the whole of the
inner tissues of the pod, even attacking the seeds. Resting
spores, capable of retaining their vitality for a considerable
time, are produced in the diseased tissues. The conidia
produced externally are delicate and soon die unless they are
carried to a spot suited for their germination.

The brown-rot also starts as a small brown patch on the
pod, generally either at the insertion of the stalk or at the
free end. In from six or ten days later the pod is destroyed.
The mycelium of Diplodia also spreads to the interior of
the pods. It destroys the tissues both of the pod itself and
of the seeds.

So far the two diseases are very similar; the two fungi
differ, however, markedly in their methods of reproduction.
The spores of Diplodia are formed in small chambers under
the skin of the pod. Large numbers of them are produced
in each chamber, and finally the pressure on the skin becomes
so great that it is ruptured. The spores are expelled as
small heaps of black powder. On microscopic examination
they are seen to be elliptical in shape, dark-brown in colour,
and two-celled. The two fungi also differ in their vegetative
hyphae, those of Diplodia being septate, while those of
Phytophthora are without septa.

In dealing with both diseases, the most important
remedial measure is the burying of all dead husks or shells
instead of leaving them on the surface of the soil to decay.
In the case of Phytophthora, this measure destroys the
resting spores by which the fungus passes over from one season
to another. In the case of Diplodia, it destroys a convenient
breeding ground for the fungus. At the recent Agricultural
Conference, Mr. J. H. Hart, F.L.S., stated that on one
estate in Trinidad, this treatment, systematically carried out,
had resulted in an increased yield of 25 per cent.

Diseased pods, also, should be removed and buried or
burnt as soon as noticed. They will give no yield, and only
serve as a source of infection for other pods.

Severe local outbreaks of Phytophthora could be checked
by spraying the young pods in the affected locality with
Bordeaux mixture at intervals of, say, ten days.

In all probability, both diseases occur in all cacao-
producing colonies in the West Indies, The relative
abundance of the two appears to depend on local conditions,
In Trinidad and British Guiana, for instance, Phytophthora
is the more abundant and destructive. A very humid
atmosphere probably would favour Phytophthora more than
Diplodia. \t would be interesting to have accurate
observations on the relative abundance of the two diseases in
Grenada, where cacao is grown without shade, and where,
consequently, the atmosphere, round the pods, is less humid
than in Trinidad.

In Surinam, there is another serious pod disease, caused
by the same fungus as that causing the witch broom disease.
The disease is known to the Dutch planters as ‘ versteening’
(petrifaction). The fruits show first a discoloured patch,
which later becomes black. They are distinguished from
those attacked by other diseases by their hardness, which is
seen at once if they are cut.

190

THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.

JUNE 17, 1905.

DETERIORATION OF POTATOS.

The Scientific Committee of the Royal Horti-
culiural Society bas had under discussion the subject
of the deterioration of potatos. The following summary
of the discussion appeared in the Gardeners’ Chronicle
of May 20. Many of the points raised apply also, to
a greater or less extent, to all plants propagated by
buds, and the summary is therefore reproduced as
likely to be of interest to agriculturists in the West
Indies :-—

I. Do potatos deteriorate? It is important to note
that deterioration may take place from a commercial point
of view, or from actual degeneration of the plant itself.
(See II. below.)

1. In the broad sense they undoubtedly do deteriorate.

2. But deterioration, per se, also seems to occur.
E.g., ‘Butts’ and ‘Dons,’ previously good, suc-
cumbea to disease in 1845. ‘Victoria’ degenerated
in time both as a cropper and in disease-resisting
power. ‘Dunbar Regent,’ with its acknowledged
excellent qualities, can have disappeared for no
other reason than because it had deteriorated.
Varieties degenerate sooner or Jater both in
productiveness and resistance to disease, sometimes
in as short a period as six years from the raising
of the variety.

II. What are the evidences of deterioration ?

1. As shown by the plant itself.—(a) The leaves grow
curly and stunted. (6) The plant does not develop
properly, or (c) even fails to appear above ground
at all. (d) The plant offers less resistance to
disease (in eight years a reputed disease-proof
variety became much diseased).

2. From the growers’ point of view.—(a) The produce
is much lessened (in one ease cited by 50 per cent.
after two years) when grown on the same soil.
(4) The size of the tuber is reduced (‘in fifteen
years the potatos were no larger than marbles’).

Ilt. Why does deterioration occur !

1. It may be brought about by local conditions.

a. Treatment.—(1) Wintering tubers under conditions
causing premature sprouting. (2) Growing con-
tinuously on the same soil. (3) Unsuitable
manuring. (4) Possibly by selection of small tubers
(but this is by some regarded as unlikely).

b. Economic reasons.—(1) Supplanting by varieties of
greater productiveness or other desirable quality.
(2) Ease with which new varieties are raised. (3)
Novelty of later-raised varieties.

2. But it is also due to inherent causes.—(a) Old age
or disturbance in the balance between waste and
repair. (6) Possibly the tendency to form seed,
but there is a marked exception in the Ashleaf.
(c) The potato is an exotic, and is, therefore,
never grown under absolutely natural conditions.
It may be that even after 300 years’ cultivation it
has not become completely adapted to, or in
harmony with, its environment.

IV. How is the fact that certain varieties (e.g., Ash-
leaf, Early Rose, Magnum Bonum, Maincrop) do not appear
to have degenerated after long cultivation to be explained in
view or the foregoing facts? It is probable that newly-raised
varieties vary in vigour as well as in other characters, some
having sufficient vigour to carry them through only six years,
others through very many. a rule,

as

Cross-fertilization,

results in the production of longer-lived varieties than does.

self-fertilization.

V. Points of practical importance.
of a variety be prolonged ?

1. Greater care should be exercised by raisers in intro-

ducing new varieties. Only those with plenty of

initial vigour should be offered to the public.

2, Well-matured tubers should be chosen for ‘seed.
Size of seed is not so important, but uncut tubers of
medium size give, in the long run, the best results.

3. Selection of tubers in other directions can be expected
to give little result, but ‘sports’ do occasionally
occur, but are usually of no practical value.

4. Sets should be stored so that they do not exhaust
themselves by premature sprouting.

5. The seed should be frequently changed; the best
seems to come from Scotland, but even there
change of soil seems necessary. The second year’s.
crop is usually the best.

Probably excessive manuring with nitrogenous
manures may lead to more rapid degeneration.

VI. The main objections to the idea of degeneration
naturally occurrmg in asexually-produced varieties were (1).
the fact that some varieties persist apparently unchanged for
long periods-—this point is dealt with in paragraph IV.; and
(2) the idea that plants produced asexually are entirely new
individuals, and not merely parts of one individual; this.
question cannot be regarded as definitely settled.

VII. Other points. The discussion also brought out
a considerable body of facts regarding other plants of great
use and interest, and provided suggestions for a very large
amount of experimental research.

How may the life:

6.

RUBBER IN BRITISH GUIANA.

The Demerara Argosy of May 20 contains an
account of an expedition into the interior of the colony
under Dr. Bovallius, a rubber expert. Dr. Bovallius
spent some four months in the interior with the view of
making inquiries into the prospects of exploiting
rubber in the colony. He made the following statement
in reference to British Guiana rubber trees :--—

I found different species of trees yielding good quality
of rubber, but I regret to say that up to the present I have
not found enough, the trees being scattered over wide areas.
The rubber is undoubtedly good, and we may be able to
devise the right method of curing it for the market. It can-
not, however, be treated in the same way as the very same
rubber in Brazil, for the conditions are different. The land
between Ireng, Echilebar, Arnik, and Upper Potaro forms
the grant I applied for, but I have examined only
a comparatively small part of this tract, which covers
thousands of square miles. It is too early for me to speak
of the possibilities of a permanent exploitation in that part
of the interier, What I know is that the rubber is of
satisfactory quality, that the labour supply is there, and that.
the climate is good.

Sisal in Hawaii. The sisal plantation started by
the Hawaiian Fibre Company has now about 750 acres
planted in sisal. To quote a report of that company
recently published: When first started the company
represented an investment of about $37,000 (say, £7,400),.
but later, owing to the success of the enterprise, the
company increased its capital to $75,000 (say, £15,000).

It is expected that the area of the plantation will shortly be —

considerably increased, if not doubled.

J

:
:
:

Vou. IV. No. 83.

THE AGRICULTURAL

NEWS. Ut

WEST INDIAN PRODUCTS.

Canada.

The following report, dated Montreal, May 9, on
West Indian produce in the Canadian markets during
the month of April has been received from Mr. J.
Russell Murray :—

The opening of navigation on the St. Lawrence on the
3rd. inst. marks the beginning of the more active months of
business of this year. All lines of business indicate prospects
for a good year. Immigration is very heavy this year both
from Europe and from the Western States to the North-West
Territories. Inquiry is fair for the general commodities, and
wholesale houses are now very busy delivering the spring
orders.

SUGAR.

Since my last report, of April 9, the market for European
beets has undergone a collapse which completely stagnated
importing business. The beginning occurred about April 18,
and the oscillation continued for a week without any effect
on cane sugars, but the 15th. saw the break from 15s. 6d.
to 15s. 3d. for 96° centrifugals, and 15s. to 14s. 9d. for 89°
muscovados. No change was experienced here until the
19th., when buyers turned down the existing offers of British
West Indian sugars. The beet market then showed further
signs of weakening, and on the 20th. 13s. 6d. was recorded,
and a decline in 96° centrifugals of 3¢. was again experienced.
Buyers retired and refiners refused all bids. The Easter
holidays added to the stagnation, and the 26th. saw beets
down to 12s. 103d., and the 29th. to 12s. S3d., with 96°
centrifugals, 14s. 6d.; and 89° muscovados, 14s. A recovery
took place on May 1, to 12s. 10}d., and 13s. 02d. followed on
the 2nd., but on the 5th. a break again took place to
11s. 10$d., and 96° centrifugals broke to 14s. 3d., and
muscovados 89° to 13s. 6¢. At this date Barbados offerings
here at $2°50 for 89° muscovados were declined, as also all
offers made of 96° over 43°25, and no business seems likely
until the market settles. At date, beets have moved up to
12s. 3d., and if this holds business will be possible for British
West Indian sugars. Much business and money have been lost
to the British West Indies owing to inflated ideas on prices,
and it is not likely we shall see a return of the prices of
a month ago. Two steamers are due here shortly with sugar.

MOLASSES.

The wholesale trade of Montreal has bought very
little Barbados molasses this year, owing to the high prices
ruling, which placed them beyond the range of the buyers
who use them. The result has been that a fair quantity of
muscovado molasses has been sold at 26c. to 28c. per gallon.
The trade does not believe that the high prices have been
solely caused by scarcity, but by speculation, and the fall
in prices recently of 3c. per gallon is looked upon as
speculators selling out, and encourages the idea of still
jower prices. Again, the islands are losing ground by
creating an opportunity for others to come into the market.
New Orleans is reported as shipping 3,000 puncheons to
Halifax, and no doubt much of this will find its way into
markets under various names. The adulteration of Barbados
molasses has been discussed by the trade, who will loyally
support any action taken in the matter.

COCOA-NUTS.

This market remains steady, though the New York
market has seen a very heavy decline. Business continues

moderate, though the approach of the summer weather
may check consumption.

SPICES.

Demand for spot is good. Black and white pepper are in
moderate demand. Nutmegs are steady. Ginger, Jamaica
unbleached—we have several inquiries for new crop, prices
steady.

FRUIT.

Pine-apples and bananas are again in prominence and
business is active.

EDUCATIONAL.

Agricultural Education in St. Lucia.

The report of the Magistrate of Districts II and III
of St. Lucia, for 1904, has the following reference to
agricultural education :—

In my last report I referred to the yood that would be
done by regular instruction in agriculture in all the village
schools. I am now inclined to suggest that the juvenile
boys’ schools at Soufriére and Vieux-Fort should be from
first to last agricultural, industrial, and commercial; the
masters should be selected by the Government and should be
men of much higher standard than the present.

These schools need not be free. The infant schools
should bring boys up to the third standard free ; any higher
education would be obtained in the juvenile schools on the
payment of a small fee.

The boys should be taught from their earliest years that
their future welfare depends upon their knowledge of
agriculture and commerce, and their ability to develop the
natural resources of their country, and not upon that which
is being taught them by their parents, the digging of gold
in the back woods of other countries where, as a rule, they
will acquire but little gold and a considerable amount of
vicious, dissolute principles.

Proposed Agricultural School for Grenada.

In the Agricultural News (Vol. IV, p. 158), in
discussing agricultural efforts at Grenada, it was
stated :—

In view of the large number of small proprietors
existing in the island (11,452 with holdings between 5 acres
and 50 acres each) what Grenada appears specially to
require is a good Agricultural School where youths could
receive a sound practical traiming and thus be fitted for
taking charge of numerous properties that are, at present,
in danger of being abandoned owing to careless and
ineffective methods of cultivation.

In a letter addressed to the Governor by the
Secretary of State for the Colonies (Grenada, No, 28
of April 6, 1905, published in the Government
Gazette of May 10, 1905) the fifth paragraph reads as
follows :—

In my St. Vincent despatch No. 57 of November
8, 1904, I pressed upon you the desirability of establishing
an Agricultural School at Grenada. I hope that you will
have discussed the question with Sir Daniel Morris on the
occasion of his recent visit, and I should be glad to learn
that the Legislative Council had agreed to make the
necessary provision.

192 THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.

June 17, 1905.

re

MARKET REPORTS.

London,— May 23, 1905. Messrs. Kearron, Pirrr &
Co.; Messrs. E. A. pg Pass & Co.; ‘Tae West Inpra
Committee Crrcunar,’ May 23; ‘Tue Liverroon
Corron AssocratIon WEEKLY CircuLar,’ May 19,
1905; and ‘THe Pusric Lepexr, May 20,
1905.

A1ors—Barbados, 15/- to 45/- ; Curacoa, 13/- to 45/- per ewt.

Arrowroor—St. Vincent, 1fd. per tb.

Barata—Sheet, 1/6 to 1/11 ; block, 1/6 per th.

Begs’-wax—&£7 5s. to £7 12s. Gd. per cwt.

Cacao—Trinidad, 56/- to 61/- per ewt. ; Grenada, 53/-
to 54/6 per cwt.

Carpamoms—Mysore, 74d. to 3/- per Ib.

Corree—Jamaica, good ordinary, 38/- to 39/- per cwt.

Corron—West Indian Sea Island, medium fine, 12d. ; fine,
134d. ; extra fine, 153d. per Ib.

Fruir—

Bananas—5/- to 7/- per bunch.
Orances—8/- to 12/6 per case.
Prye-apeLes—Antigua, 14/- to 17/- per barrel.

Fustic—£3 5s. to £4 per ton.

Grycer—Jamaica, good to fine, 59/- to 67/6 ; low middling
to middling, 44/- to 55/-; ordinary to good ordinary,
35,6 to 43/- per ewt.

Honey—16/- to 29 - per ewt.

Isrygrass—West Indian lump, 2/5 to 2/9; cake, 1/- to 1/1
per th.

Kota Nets—4d. to 6d. per tb.

Live Jurce—Raw, 10d. to 1/2 per gallon; concentrated,
£15 per cask of 108 gallons; hand-pressed, 2/6 to
2/9 per Ib. ; Distilled Oil, 1/5 to 1/6 per tb.

Locwoon —£4 to £4 15s.; roots, £3 10s. to £4 per ton.

Macre—Fair to good pale, 1/3 to 1/5; red, 1/1 to 1/2
per tb.

Nirrate or Sopa—Agricultural, £11 5s. per ton.

Nurmecs—66’s 1/3 ; 70’s, 1/- ; 80's, 103d. ; 92’s, 9. ; 122’s,
54d. per tb.

Pinento—22d. per ib.

Rum—Demerara, 1s. 3/7. per proof gallon; Jamaica, 2s. 1d.
per proof gallon.

Scucar—Yellow crystals, 17/6 to 19/6 per ewt. ; Muscovado,
Barbados, 19/- to 19,6 per ewt. ; Molasses, 12/6 to 16,6
per cwt.

SutpHate or AMMontaA—£12 13s. 9d. to £12 15s. per ton.

Montreal,—May 9, 1905.—Mr. J. Russent Murray.
(In bond quotations, c. & f.)

Cocoa-NuTs— Jamaica, $25-00 to $27-00; Trinidad, $21-00
to $23-00 per M.

Corree—Jamaica, medium, 10c. to Lie. per th.

Gixcer—Jamaica, unbleached, 7$c. to L0c. per tb.

Moxascurr—Demerara, $1°32 per 100 tb.

Motasses—Barbados, 35c.; Antigua, 30c. per Imperial

gallon.

Nurmecs—Grenada, 110’s, 19c. per th.

OrAances—No quotations.

Pimentro—Jamaica, 5c. to 5jc. per tb.

Pixe-arrLes—No quotations.

Sucar—Grey crystals, 96°, $3°19 to $3°35 per 100 Ib.
—Muscovados, 89°, $2°43 to $2°50 per 100 tb.
—Molasses, 89°, $2°00 to $2°25 per 100 th.
—Barbados, 89°, $2°10 to $2°50 per 100 Ib.

New York,—May 12, 1905.—Messrs. Gituesrre Bros.
& Co.
Cacao—Caracas, 12c. to 13c.; Grenada, 11lc. to 11ic.;
Trinidad, 12c. to 124c. per tb. ;

Corrre—Jamaicas, 8je. to 9c. per tb. (ex store).

Gincer— Jamaica, 6}c. to 6$e. per th.

Goat Sxrxss—Jamaicas, 57c. to GOc. per tb.

Grape Frurr—Jamaicas, $5°00 to $6-00 per barrel.

Honety—3%ec. to 4c. per gallon.

Antigua,

Barbados,—June 3, 1905.—Messrs. T. S. Garraway

British Guiana,—June 1, 1905.—Messrs. Wuaerine

Trinidad,—June 1, 1905.—Messrs. Gorpon, Grant

Mace—-West Indian, 50c. to 34e. per th.
Nurmecs—West Indian, 110’s, i4c.; 80's, 2le. per tb.
Prrento—4ze. per tb. : ' ; qd
PINE-APPLES—$1°50) to $2°50 per case.
Sucar—Centrifugals, 96°, 45c.; Muscovados, 89°, 3Ze. 5
Molasses, 89°, 3c. per tb.

INTER-COLONIAL MARKBETS,

May 31, 1905.—Messrs. Gro. W. Bennerr
Bryson & Co., Lrp.

Morasses—2{e. per gallon, package included.

Sucar—89", $2°10 per 100 tb.

& Co., and Messrs. James A. Lyncu & Co.

Arrownoot—St. Vincent, $3°40 to $5°60 per 100 th.
Cacao—$12°50 to $13°11 per 100 tb.
Cocoa-Nurs—$11°50 per M. for husked nuts.
CorreE—$10-00 to $11°75 per 100 tb.

Hay—S$1:05 to $1°10 per 100 tb.

Manvures—- Nitrate of soda, $62°00 ; Ohlendorff’s dissolved —
guano, $55°00; Sulphate of ammonia, $75-00; Sulphate —
of potash, $67-00 per ton.

Motassps—22e. per gallon.

Ontons—Madeira, $2°25 per 100 fb.

Poraros, ENGLISH—$2°25 to 2 67 per 160 th. (retail).

Rice—Ballam, $440 per bag (190 tb.); Patna, $3-25
per 100 tb.

SuGar—Muscovados, 89°, $2:00 per 100 tb.

ab]

& RicHTer.
Arrowroor—St. Vincent, $8-00 per barrel. f
Batara—Venezuela block, 25c.; Demerara sheet, 35e.

per tb. 4
Cacao—Native, Ile. to 14c. per tb. 4)
Cassava SrarcH—$5-00 per barrel.
Cocoa-Nuts—$10-00 to $12°00 per M.

Corree—Rio and Jamaica, 15jc. to 14e. per th. (retail).
—Creole, 12c. per tb.

Duat— $330 per bag of 168 th.

Eppors—72e. to $1:00 per barrel. :

Morasses—Vacuum pin yellow, 16c. per gallon (casks

included).

Ontoys—Tenerife, 5}c. to 3hc. per tb.

Pea Nors—American, 53c. per tb. (retail).

Puantarys—-12ce. to 32¢c. per bunch.

Poratos, ENGLisH—$2°50 per barrel (retail).
tick—Ballam, $4°20 to $4°25 per 177 tb. ; Creole, $4:00 ©
per bag.
Sweer Poraros
barrel.

Tannras—$1°20 per barrel.
Yams—White, $2°00 per bag.
Sucar—Dark crystals, $3°20 to $3:25; Yellow, $3°50 to
$3°70; White, $450 to $4°75; Molasses, $2-60 to
$2-80 per 100 fb. (retail). Ps
TniseR—Greenheart, 32c. to 55c. per cubie foot. of
WaALLABA SHINGLES—$3°00, $3°75, and $5°50 per M.

i
Barbados, $1:20 per bag; $1°32 per

& Co. ; and Messrs. Epcar Trire & Co.

Cacao—Ordinary to good red, $11:60 to $11°75; estates,
$12°00 to $12°25 per fanega (110 tb.) ; Venezuelan,
$12°55 to $12°60 per fanega.

Cocoa-Nuts—No quotations.

Cocos-Nur Om—7 le. per Imperial gallon (casks included).

Corree—Venezuelan, 9c. to 9c. per Ib.

Corra—-$2-75 per 100 tb.

Ontons—West Indian, $1°85 per 100 tb. (vetail). at

Poratos, ExcrisH—S85de. to $1-05 per 100 tb. .

BIG $425 to $440 ; white, $4°60 to $560 p
bac. ‘

Sucar—White crystals, €4°50; Yellow crystals, $3
to $3°50 ; Molasses sugars, $2°50 to $3°50 per 100

THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.

Publications on sale of the Imperial Department of Agriculture
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PAMPHLET SERIES.

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(3) Seedling and other Canes at Barbados, in 1900. Price 2d. (23) Notes on Poultry in the West Indies. Price 4d.
(5) General Treatment of Insect Pests, 2nd. Edition Revised. (24) Dominica, Hints to Settlers. Price 2d.
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Price 2d.

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(7) Scale Insects of the Lesser Antilles, Part I.
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13) Seedling and other Canes at Barbados, in 1901. Price 4d.
14) Serew Worm in Cattle at St. Lucia. Price 2d.
15) Plain Talk to Small Owners. Price 2d.
tie) Hints on Onion Cultivation. Price 2d.
17) General Treatment of Fungoid Pests. Price 4d.
18) Recipes for cooking West Indian Yams. Price 2d.
(19) Seedling and other Canes at Barbados, in 1902. Price 4d.
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(26) Seedling and other Canes at Barbados, in 1993. Priee 4d.

(27) Seedling and other Canes in the Leeward Islands,
1902-1903. Price 2d.

(28) Barbados and Porto Rico Molasses. Price 3d.

(29) Lectures on the Diseases of the Sugar-cane. Price 4d.

(30) Manurial Experiments with Sugar-cane in the Leeward
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(31) A. B. C. of Cotton Planting. Price 4d.

(32) Seedling and other Canes at Barbados, in 1904. Price 4d.

(33) Seedling and other Canes in the Leeward Islands, 1903-4.
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(34) Notes on Rabbit Keeping in the West Indies. Price 2d.

(35) Information in regard to Agricultural Banks. Price 4d.

(36) Manurial Experiments with Sugar-cane in the Leeward

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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
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Vout. IV. No. 83. THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS. JuNE 17, 1905,

THE BEST MANURES FOR COLONIAL USE

a YS ys

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
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JOURNAL D AGRICULTURE TROPICALE. | THE
A Monthly Illustrated Review, published in French, | WEST INDIA COMMITTEE CIRCULAR |

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(Estab: circa 1760. Incorporated by
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Edited by the Secretary.

Containing a Review of the Work of the West India Com-
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, Cacao, Sugar, Molasses and Rum, Coffee, Cotton,
c A S A O ’ Nutmegs, Mace, Pimento, Ginger, Arrowroot, Lime
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THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.

IMPERIAL DEPARTMENT OF ‘AGRICULTURE

FOR THE WEST INDIES.

SPECIALLY SELECTED AND DISINFECTED

Sea Island Cotton Seed

GROWN IN THE WEST INDIES

—AND—

Recommended for sowing during the coming season
(JUNE TO AUGUST)
WILL BE SUPPLIED (FREIGHT FREE) BY

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Vou. IV. No. 84.

JULY

1, 1905. Price ld.

BARBADOS,
CONTENTS.
PAGE. PaGE.
Agricultural Education in Gleanings ; o.. 204
Jamaica ose . 207 | Insect Notes :-—
Anguilla Agricultural The Cotton Worm of
Society ... ... ... 200 Hoy pt: _ jeammeemmme es U2
Barbados at the Colonial The Fruit Fly ... '... 202
Exhibition ,.. 205 | Market Reports ... ... 208
Farbados Cotton and Montserrat, Cotton Lands
Banana Industries ... 197 ab, <;. 9 ene pres 200
Bermuda Onion Industry 200 | Nevis Bath Springs ... 206
Broom Corn in British Notes and Comments . 200
Guana . 201 | Pine-apples in the
Cacao in Samoa ... ... 203 Bahamas) s--maeeeeee hoO
Cacao Husks, Disposal of Porto Rico Industries ... 201
Diseased ... .., ... 203 | Roses in St. Kitt’s... . 197

Cotton Notes :— St. Lucia, Agriculture in 196

Conference of Cotton St. Vincent, Agricultural
Growers at Parbados 199 Prospects in . 196
Cost of Ginning, Baling, Sugar Industry :—
and Shipping ... ... 198 Cane Farming in
Manuring Cotton . 195 Trinidad ... . 194
St. Kitt’s no aca IY) Cuba ; . 195
Cows’ Milk in Jamaica, PortoyRicoue- eee . 195
Composition of . 206 Seedling Canes in
Department Reports :— St. Kitt’s ... ... 194
Cotton and other Indus- Trinidad, Exports of . 201
tries in Barbados ... 205 | Trinidad Fruit Industry 201
Government Laboratory, Trinidad Mangos .. ... 196
Jamaica ... 205 | Thymol for Worms in

, 202
207

Horses sligeeepelok
West Indian Fisheries ...

Fumigation of Imported
ilamts,) ... ... -0 93

Fumigation of Imported Plants.

ee N the Agricultural News, Vol. TIL, p. 74,
J the necessity for the adoption of a careful

and systematic scheme to prevent the
introduction of insect pests into the West Indies was
Strongly urged. It was shown 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.

In June 1904 a circular was prepared under the
direction of the Imperial Commissioner of Agriculture,
containing information with regard to the laws that
had already been passed in Jamaica, British Guiana,
and Dominica, for the purpose of preventing the
introduction of insect pests. This circular was sent to
the Governments of those islands throughout the West
Indies in which no definite action had, at that time,
been taken. Since then considerable progress has been
made in the matter of providing for the fumigation of
imported plants.

Dominica has repealed a law previously in force
and, on July 27, 1904, passed a very concise and
efficient Ordinance, based on that of Jamaica, requiring
all imported plants to be fumigated.

At St. Kitt’s-Nevis and Antigua it is proposed to
fumigate all plants imported by the Imperial Depart-
ment of Agriculture, as well as any plants that
importers may request to have fumigated, and later to
pass an Act to make such fumigation compulsory.

In St. Vincent an Ordinance has been passed
(April 8, 1905) repealing the Act of 1895 and giving
the Governor the power to require all imported plants
to be fumigated. <A site for the fumigation chamber
has been chosen, and as the requisite funds are

194

available, it is likely that the necessary buildings will
soon be erected.

In Barbados fumigating chambers have been
built. The Trade Act has been amended, giving the
Governor-in-Executive Committee power to preseribe
the which alone plants may be
imported into the colony. Rules
have been drafted to be submitted to the Governor-
in-Executive Committee, and these will probably soon

conditions under

and regulations

be in active operation.

Inquiries have been received at the Head Office
of the Imperial Department of Agriculture from
Grenada, St. Lucia, and Montserrat, and it is hoped
that definite action will soon be taken in the matter
in these colonies.

It will thus be seen that the importance of
legislation for preventing the introduction of insect
pests fully that the
fumigation of imported plants is now becoming general
the West Indies. There has been no
friction because public opinion had already been educa-
ted in its favour, and with the hearty co-operation of the
planting community there has now been established in
the West Indies an important piece of machinery for
the advancement of agricultural interests.

has been appreciated, and

throughout

The position at one time taken up in regard
to the definite with a view
to keeping out undesirable insects was that there was
already ,in some of these colonies, such an abundance of
insect pests that the introduction of a few more could
have little or no effect. The folly of holding to such
a position will be realized by any one who reads

necessity for action

Mr. H. Maxwell-Lefroy’s paper in the West
Indian Bulletin (Vol. III, pp. 140-51) containing
‘Suggestions for controlling the importation of

insect pests. It is shown, first of all, that a
proportion of the insect pests, especially scale insects,
known in the West Indies, have been introduced from

other parts of the world.

large

Then evidence is given of
the danger of insects spreading from one island to
another. The interesting table on p.
many of the 120 species of scale
occur in the West Indies, are to
island.

143 shows how
insects, known to
be found in each
Similarly with other pests, it is shown that
they are very unequally distributed, and the necessity
is urged for confining them within the closest possible
limits.

What it is especially desired to impress upon all
concerned in this matter is that each island may, at

THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.

JuLy 1; SOs

present, be said to rejoice in the absence of certain
undesirable insect pests known to occur in other parts
of the West Indies. It behoves such islands, therefore,
to do all in their power to keep out these insects,
which might, if introduced, prove a very serious
agriculturists. The probability is that
in new districts, and in the absence of
such natural enemies as have, to some extent, kept
them in check elsewhere, would find their new sur-

menace to
these pests,

roundings entirely congenial, and would therefore
increase rapidly, and be lable to do considerable
damage.

SUGAR

INDUSTRY.

Seedling Cancel in St. Kitt’s.

Mr. F. R. Shepherd, Agricultural Superintendent
at St. Kitt’s, has forwarded the following note on
seedling canes :—

The following facts with reference to the yield of a field
of canes planted in the variety known as D. 116 have been
furnished me by Mr. Shelford, who is in charge of Estridge’s
estate in this island :—

The field was 83 acres, part manured with pen manure,
and the remainder cattle staked.

The variety of cane planted was D. 116, at the end of
February 1904. The canes were reaped at the end of May
1905 and gave 48,500 gallons of juice, which yielded 264
tons of muscovado sugar.

The canes were tall, straight, and free from trash.
Mr. Shelford writes: ‘This cane grows so well here, that.
I think it suits this locality, and I intend to put in all
I can.’

I am also informed by Mr. J. 8. Somerville, the owner
of Cunningham’s estate in this: island, that 4 acres of —
canes planted in B. 208, gave a return of 15 tons of mus-
covado sugar.

Cane Farming in Trinidad.

Brief mention was made in the last issue of the —
Agricultural News (p. 188) of a meeting of proprietors
of sugar estates in ‘Trinidad held at the West India
Committee Rooms at which the subject of cane farm-
ing was discussed. The following summary of the

proceedings is extracted from the Port-of-Spaim
Gazette:—
Considerable discussion took place with regard to

farmers’ canes, and the price at which these should in
future be bought, so as to allow of farmers obtaining full
value for their canes whether markets fluctuate or not. It
was ultimately decided that the sliding scale should be
adopted and tried as from next crop. An agreement was
then and there drawn up and signed by the proprietors. :
Briefly its provisions are these :—

1. The agreement to be in force for one year, and then
renewed for another and subsequent year.

IV. No. 8&4.

VoL.

THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.

2. The following sliding scale to be the basis upon
which farmers’ canes are to be bought :—

Price in New York, Price to be paid

duty par. Sor Canes.
3£ cents $2-06 per ton.
L.A et MO
eres At 2a
Be ee a Sele; pa
4, ” 2-41 ” ”
vy ” 2-48 ” ”
Ais 55 Mesto)
Al 262 0,
455 ” 2°69 ” ”
4, 276
ate re SS
43 ” 2-90 ” ”
4th ” 2°97 ” ”
ae) ” 3°04 I 2
a sa ae
eens ; . 3-18 ee
4te 3°25 » oo»
5 3:32) ee

5 bs oe Bee

Maximum price to be paid, $3°32 ; minimum, $206.

3. The agreement does not apply to those who supply
more than 1,500 tons of cane in any one season; with such
“persons proprietors may make their own arrangement.

4. The average price each fortnight to be decided upon
by the following Committee who will be asked to act as
such, viz., his Excellency the Governor, the Hon. the
Colonial Secretary, the Hon. the Attorney General, and the
Hon. A. P. Marryat. The daily quotations in the public
-telegrams to be the basis, the previous fortnight’s average
-price of crystals in America being the guide.

5, A promissory note of the value of £1,000 sterling to
_be signed by the parties to the agreement, and handed to his
Excellency the Governor, before crop starts, it being con-
sidered security for any penalty imposed by the Committee
-for any breach of the agreement which has been proved.
Fines levied to be awarded by the Committee to the parties
injuriously affected.

6. Whether delivered at the factory or loading station,
the price of canes to be the same rate.

7. Any party wishing to withdraw from the agreement
to give six months’ notice in writing to the Committee, prior
to December 51 in such year.

Porto Rico.

It wili be seen from the following extracts from
the Consular Report on Porto Rico for 1904, that the
position of the sugar industry is entirely satisfactory :—

The sugar crop of 1903-4 yielded 116,000 tons, the
heaviest ever recorded in Porto Rico. It is the result of the
great development of the sugar centrals in the last few years
now arriving at their proper condition of efficiency. he
value of the crop was £786,245 more than that of the
previous year. ‘T'wo new centrals came into work during the
year, one at Juncos and the other at Naguabo, while a third
is planned for next year at Fajarde. Nearly all the old
factories of any importance have improved their plants and
systems, and great activity is shown all round in opening up
new cane areas to supply the growing capacities of the mills.

According to the annual report of the Central Aguirre
the result was satisfactory, and although the average price
at which the crop was sold was only 13s. 9d. per 100 tb,
a net earning of £51,800 was obtained, giving a dividend of

£26,700, or about 6°67 per cent. on a capital of £400,000.
The crop of this factory was taken off in 131 working days,
at an average run per day of twenty and a half hours; the
average amount of cane per day was 1,216 tons; average
extraction of juice was 80°43 per cent. of the total weight of
cane. They have under cultivation for next year about 7,500
acres of cane, and expect a yield of about 20,000 tons.

A French company under the name of ‘Compagnie des
Sucreries de Porto Rico,’ with headquarters in Paris, has
been incorporated with a capital of about £180,000. They
have bought five plantations in this district, in all about
2,500 acres, and have built up a central factory which they
call ‘Central Fortuna.’ The factory is situated about 5 miles
from Ponce. The capacity of the mills is about 600 tons of
cane per twenty-four hours. The novelty about this factory is
that they are putting up a new system of diffusion of bagasse,
which, it is asserted, will increase the extraction from canes
fully 2 per cent. This is the first time that this system of
diffusion has been undertaken on a large scale, the inventor
himself, a French chemist by name H. Manoury, being the
general director of the central factory and of the Compagnie
des Sucreries de Porto Rico in this city. The first crop
under this new system will be taken off next year.

Cuba.

The Demerara Argosy of June 10 contains an
interesting account of a visit paid to Cuba by
Mr. John Wilson, of plantation Uitvlugt, from which
the following brief extracts are taken :—

The United Fruit Co.’s estate, Banes, makes a crop of
25,000 tons. The factory was built five years ago at a cost
of $800,000, the total outlay on the estate being $4,000,000.
The land under cultivation consisted of 14,000 acres in cane,
and 4,000 acres in bananas. This estate has 50,000 acres
of land, ail good cane land.

The canes grown are mostly what are known as the
‘Crystallina’ cane ; a small nursery of seedling canes has been
established; B. 208 seemed the most promising in the
nursery. The cane rows on this estate are planted 6 feet
by 6 feet and give good results. Canes ratoon in a remark-
able manner, the shoots hardly ever failing to spring after
cutting.

The soil in Cuba is so rich that little or no cultivating
is required to grow canes to make from 2 to 3 tons of sugar
per acre, but an attempt is being made to cultivate more
highly and raise the returns. Motors to work cultivators are
being introduced, and re-planting is to be gone in for on
amore systematic scale. Some tields on Isabel estate were
pointed out as having been in cane for fifty years without
re-planting or cultivating in any way beyond cleaning. No
artificial manure is applied in the east end of the island, but
on the older estates in the Cienfuegos district some artificial
mannre is being applied

Cane farming is largely carried on, and canes are
purchased at a fixed rate per ton. The land generally
belongs to the estate and is given out to contractors in plots
of 50 acres and upwards, who grow and cut the canes and
deliver to the factory. Day labour is dear and costs $1-00
per day for an able-bodied man

Sugar in Cuba can be produced on all well-equipped
estates at 1}c. per tb.

For Demerara to keep pace with Cuba everything
possible must be done in labour-saving appliances, such as
the introduction of mechanical cane transporters and cane
hoists. The vertical cane hoist in use in Cuba looks to me
feasible for adoption in Demerara.

196 THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS. Jury 1, 1905,
~)

WEST INDIAN FRUIT.

TRINIDAD MANGOS.

Mr. Algernon E. Aspinall, Secretary of the West
India Committee, has written to the Iinperial
Commissioner of Agriculture that he recently sent
a large case of mangos from the Trinidad Court of the

Colonial and Indian Exhibition to the King and
received the following very gratifying reply :—
3uckingham Palace,
June 5, 1905.

Dear Mr. Aspinall,

Your mangos have arrived, and the King desires me to
return to you his thanks, especially so to Mr. J. H. Hart.
Yours very faithfully,

(Sgd.) FARQUHAR.

PINE-APPLES IN THE BAHAMAS.

The following note appeared in the Maritime
Merchant of Montreal for June 1 :—

There has been a revival in trade and the pine-apple
and orange industries are very prosperous. The island of
Eleuthera, situated about 70 miles north of Nassau, is
particularly noted for its pine-apple exports, having shipped
250,000 dozen last year. One plantation alone this year
had 100,000 dozen for export. ‘The larger portion of the
product of Pleuthera is marketed in Baltimore, but it is
said the trade relations between the Bahamas planters and
the Baltimore buyers are unsatisfactory. A point worth
considering is: To what extent could Canada handle the
pine-apple crop of these islands? The orange exports of the
Bahamas have increased, this improvement being due to the
failure of the Florida groves, which enabled British West
India oranges to get into the American markets freely in the
face of the high duty.

Converting Cacao Pods into Manure. A
paper by Professor Carmody on a ‘Compost made from cacao
pods and lime’ is published in the Proceedings of the Trinidad
Agricultural Society (Paper No. 232). The process of
making the compost is described as follows: ‘The shells as
soon as possible after breaking are put into enclosures, and
a thin layer of lime is scattered on them, and then covered
over with banana leaves.’ The sample of compost examined
was found to contain 0°37 per cent. of total nitrogen, 1°55
per cent. of potash, and 0°15 per cent. of phosphoric
anhydride. Its value is about 6d. per ton
considerably above that of local pen manure.

CEE

and

AGRICULTURE IN ST. LUCIA.

The following is extracted from the report in the
Voice of St. Lucia of the proceedings at a meeting of
the St. Lucia Agricultural Society held on May 29 :—

A report was read from the Agricultural Instructor on
the condition of the Hereford bull inspected by him on
April 10 at ‘La Dauphine’ estate, Soufriére. He found the
animal in first-class condition and fit for immediate service,
although it was noticeable by the condition of its hide that
in the near past it had been allowed to fall off a little m
health. The animal was now with Mr. William Low and
was reported to be in excellent health. The Committee
agreed that it might now be sent to Mr. Hunter at ‘Dennery,’
and the acting Secretary promised to superintend its transfer.

It was further resolved to remove the Berkshire boar
from Soutriére to the Agricultural School.

The Agricultural Instructor presented a statement of
expenditure of £12 as prizes for school gardens. He had
personally distributed this money to teachers and pupils,
inspected the gardens, and bought and forwarded such
implements and materials as were most needed.

AGRICULTURAL PROSPECTS IN
ST. VINCENT.

In an editorial on the agricultural prospects of
St. Vincent, the Sentry of June 16 makes the following
reference to the prospects of the cotton industry and
minor products :—

The cotton planters are now taking the most favourable
advantages which the copious showers of the past month
afford for putting in seed, and increasing the area of cultiva-
tion, and it is confidently hoped that the present yield of
78,000 Ib. of lint, besides selected seed which is also very
valuable, 4,000 Ib. of which were shipped by last mail to
various islands, will again be more than double in the next
crop. In addition to the prospects ef the cotton industry
which is in the hands of the large proprietors, we are also
able to report favourably as to the prospects of minor
products. Whilst there are already large areas of growing
cacao, coffee, and spice trees in suitable localities in the
possession of peasant and other middle-class landowners,
the officers at the Botanic Station are feeding new applicants
all the time with seed and plants. The latest returns
show that 30,000 economie plants were sent out from
the nurseries last year, which, we understand, is a record
for the garden, and which reflects credit on the Agricultural
Superintendent and his foreman.

Vou. IV. No. 84.

THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.

197

Zu

ROSES IN ST. KITT’S.

The following notes on growing Roses in St. Kitt’s
have been forwarded by Mr. John Belling, B.Se, Agri-
cultural and Science Master, St. Kitt’s :—

The tea, monthly, or ever-blooming Roses grow and
flower well in the West Indies. ‘They are evergreen and
truly ever-blooming here, though at Christmas the flowers
of some varieties become smaller and less double.

Roses are grown altogether for cut flowers. These
should be cut in the open bud before the inner petals have
turned back ; otherwise the hot sun will (in many varieties)
ewl up the petals and spoil the outline of the full-blown
flower.

The tea rose is the only florist’s flower extensively
grown in the West Indies. It should be kept in mind that
for hundreds of years it has been tended by gardeners, and
that such attention has now become indispensable to it, and
that its roots cannot compete with those of the many sturdy
semi-wild plants cultivated in West Indian gardens, which
still retain much of their native vigour. Hence the part of
the garden for a rose bed should be chosen as far as possible
from all other trees or shrubs; for, if on digging up the
ground for the roses, roots of adjacent trees are found there,
it is certain that they will grow im again and starve out any
roses planted there.

Also a site should be chosen where there is free sunlight
all day and all the year round; for, if shade comes on the rose
bed throughout the winter, as will happen if it is situated to
the north of a house or wall, the rose trees will be starved
and attacked in their weakened state by mildew and _ scale,
which will prevent them from flourishing next summer.

Rose plants can be obtained from American florists for
about 10c. each. The best and cheapest I have seen are
from the Good & Reese Co., Springfield, Ohio, at sixteen for
$1:00, with choice of varieties. I have brought them in
a well-ventilated basket without losing a leat after nine
days at sea; but if they are packed in nearly air-tight
boxes, the leaves usually become rotten. But so long as
one joint of the stem is still green, the plant may be saved
by cutting off all rotten parts, washing, and potting in
sandy soil, putting it in a fairly sunny spot, and not watering
too much.

When the rose is 6 inches high it may be planted out.
For each rose a hole may be dug 4 feet square and 2
feet deep. This should be filled up with the top soil mixed
with pen manure and the ashes from the kitchen. A hole
the size of the flower pot is made in the middle. The rose
in the pot is well watered, and the earth turned out
into the bed and pressed around with the feet. A thick
mulch of pen manure or old megass is put on the surface
and renewed as it gradually decays.

It is better to soak the soil thoroughly once or twice
a week than to water slightly every day.

The chief pruning required is to cut all the flowers and
to cut them with long stems. The best roses come on the
green suckers from below, so that when sufficient of these
have grown the old stems may be cut out. Thin, wiry stems
should also be removed. After a year or two most varieties
do not give such an abundance of fine flowers as at first.
They should then be removed, the soil re-dug aud re-manured,
and new cuttings planted. Florists who grow for flowers
treat the tea rose as an annual.

Rose cuttings grow readily if cut long, and plunged in
fresh, clean sand which is kept moist and in the sun. The
following varieties, out of many, grow well in St. Kitt’s :—

White, Cornelia Cook. Znged, Golden Gate (scented
and floriforous), White Maman Cochet. Kaiserin Augusta
Victoria. Light Pink, Maman Cochet. (Souvenir de Mal-
maison). each, La France (scented). Dark Pink, Balduin
(a rapid grower). Crimson, American Beauty (scented).
Yellow, Perle des Jardins (scented), Maréchal Niel.

BARBADOS.

Cotton and Banana Industries.

The following is an extract from an address
delivered by Mr. J. W. C. Catford on the occasion of
his election as member for the city of Bridgetown in
the House of Assembly, Barbados, on June 26 :—

There was also another pleasurable feature in the case,
and that was that through the assistance of the Imperial
Department of Agriculture they had two more strings to
their bow than they formerly had, which he believed would
be of very great advantage to the island. The first of
these was cotton. They could grow in the West Indies
a class of cotton which could not be grown all over the
world. That was the Sea Island cotton, which was the best
grown and commanded the highest price. Some people said
that, although they gota fairly good price for cotton at
present, in a few years more it would not pay. The Barba-
dian planter was as a rule conservative where any new industry
was concerned, but he was at the same time a very level-
headed fellow, and when he had succeeded in putting in two
or three successful crops of cotton at remunerative prices, he
would believe in it just as he now did in sugar. He did
not believe there was any fear for the future of the new
industry, because Sea Island cotton which was in very great
demand could only be grown in limited areas—he believed the
only places were the Sea Islands off the coast of South Carolina
and a few miles inland in Florida and Georgia. He thought
those planters who had land suitable for the purpose should
extend their cotton cultivation and ina short time they would
find that it was to theiradyantage to do so. There was another
very strong reason why he advocated the extension of cotton
growing. There could be no doubt that, at the present time,
sugar was of little importance to England, and therefore
the colonies producing it were not thought very much of as
sugar was being grown all over the world. But if they
could supply the manufacturers of Lancashire with cotton,
they would be of great importance in the eyes of the
English people. Trade, as they knew, was the backbone of
England, and if the British colonies produced cotton for the
English market, great influences would be enlisted in behalf
of these colonies and their interests would be brought a great
deal more into prominence than at present.

The second string which they had to their bow was the
banana industry. He looked upon that industry as one
capable of being made a very valuable addition to the indus-
tries of the colony, but it seemed that it had not been taken
up to the extent that it might have been. They found the
consignee in England continually saying that he had got
engagements far beyond the supply received and urging the
planters to send more fruit. That should not be. So
long as the industry was paying, he thought the agricultural
gentlemen of the island should make every effort to meet the
market and extend the growing of bananas so as to have
some means of keeping their heads above water whenever the
prices of sugar became unremunerative.

198

THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.

JuLty 1, 1905:

COST OF GINNING, BALING, AND

SHIPPING.

Dr. Francis Watts, C.M.G., has forwarded the
following statement showing the expenses incurred in
ginning, baling, and shipping a pound of Sea Island
cotton at Antigua. The statement is prepared from
the returns obtained from the shipment by the
R.MS. ‘Esk’ on March 8, 1905, of 59 bales (containing
10,735 tb. of lint). ‘The ginning and baling have been
charged at 3c. per Ib. A similar statement for Barba-
dos will be found in the Agricultwral News, Vol. IV,
p- 150 :—

Expenses in England :— Cents.
Discount at 1} per cent. “402
Dues se 015
Quay porterage ‘019
Freight vi ie Se 1-146
Housing and delivery aor 50 198
Rent ‘O17
Insurance se ae “O24
Interest and bank commission ‘006
Brokerage at 1 per cent. 268 2:095
Local expenses :—
Ginning and baling ... 3-000
Lighterage 066 3-066

Total expenses 5161 cents.

MANURING COTTON FIELDS.
In A.B.C. of Cotton Planting, pp. 57-8, there is
a recommendation in regard to chemical manures for
cotton as follows :—

In America it is found best to use a general manure
containing 20 tb. of nitrogen, 20 tb. of potash, and 60 Ib. of
soluble phosphoric acid per acre. This may require
modification for the West Indies. This could be obtained by
mixing 440 tb. of good superphosphate, 40 Ib. of good
sulphate of potash, and 100 %. of good sulphate of ammonia.
This mixture should be applied at the rate of 580 Ib. per acre.

It is best to apply it all in one application at the time
of planting the seed. It should be drilled in at a depth of
not more than 3 inches and well mixed with the soil.

In cases where it is not possible to afford the
cost of the whole of the manure above referred to, it is
suggested that one-half the quantity may be applied
in each case, namely, 220 th. of good superphosphate,
20 tb. of good sulphate of potash, and 50 th. of good
sulphate of ammonia. This mixture to be applied at
the rate of 290 tb. per acre. The total cost of the half

NOTES.

Pt

(Anion

Zeer

Va
due)
quantities would be about $4 per acre, while the cost
of the full quantities would be about $8.

As supporting the recommendations made in the
A.B.C. of Cotton Planting, the following may be
quoted as embodying the result of manuring cotton in
Egypt :—

Phosphoric acid, at the rate of 400 tb. 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.

MANURING OF COTTON.

The Hon. Francis Watts has forwarded the
following additional note on the manuring of cotton.
It should be read in connexion more especially with
the second paragraph of Dr. Watts’ article published
in the Agricultural News, Vol. LV, p. 182 :—

While it is essential for successful cotton growing that
the soil should be in good tilth and furnished with the
necessary plant food supply, it is, on the other hand, necessary
to avoid overmanuring, particularly with nitrogenous
manures, such as sulphate of ammonia or nitrate of soda, or
with farmyard manure. <A few instances of this kind have
been observed during the past season where the result has
been a very vigorous growth of stem and leaf accompanied
by a disproportionately small crop of flower, and consequently
few bolls and little lint. The lint, too, appears to have
suffered in quality, for a crop of cotton grown from Rivers’
seed thus overmanured was described as ‘clean, bright but
coarse staple’ and sold at 1s. per lb., while other cotton from
the same seed, but not overmanured, was selling at 1s. 2d. At
the same time I would point out that overmanuring is not
a common fault. I fear, on the contrary, that, as stated by
Mr. Lee, cotton is too frequently regarded as a ‘botanical
“pariah”? (Agricultural News, Vol. IV, p. 103).

With regard to the application of organic manures, such
as farmyard manure, sea-weed compcst, or crushed cotton
seed, it should be observed that, as cotton is a rapidly growing
crop coming to maturity ina few months, manures of this
description must be applied sufficiently early to permit of their
thorough rotting and incorporation with the soil at an early
stage of the growth of the cotton plant, they should therefore be
worked into the soil some time before the cotton seed is sown.
Farmyard and similar manures should be used in a well
rotted and mellow condition. Planters accustomed to sugar-
cane, a crop having a long growing period, and one in
which the manurial effect of farmyard manure is expected —
to extend over some two to three years on account of
ratooning, are liable to overlook the necessity for the
thorough and rapid incorporation with the soil of organic
manures in the case of a short-period crop like cotton.

Vol. IV. No. 84.

THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.

199

CONFERENCE OF COTTON GROWERS
AT ST. PHILIP, BARBADOS.

On June 24, a conference of cotton growers was held
at Holy Trinity Schoolroom, St. Philip, at which Sir Daniel
Morris, K.C.M.G., Imperial Commissioner of Agriculture,
was present. His Honour F. J. Clarke presided over
a large and representative gathering of the leading planters
of the district, including also many small proprietors who
evinced great interest in the proceedings.

Sir Daniel Morris expressed his pleasure in meeting the
cotton growers of St. Philip, as that parish, a hundred years
ago, was an important centre of cotton cultivation, and, he
understood, it had already a larger area under Sea Island
cotton than any other part of the island.

Since the new industry had been started, a good deal
was being learnt as to what was necessary to make it
a success. For instance, the land required to be cultivated
and manured as for sugar-cane, and Paris green, as a remedy
for the cotton worm, was to be at hand to be applied at
a moment’s notice. Other pests could not be so easily
controlled. They had to be dealt with in the general scheme
of cultivation ; that is, by keeping the plants in vigorous
health, and by destroying all old cotton plants as soon as the
crop was over. This could be done either by burning or
burying them. He was strongly opposed to ‘ ratooning’ Sea
Island cotton.

As regards the best time for planting, it was stated that
they must adopt the ‘old time’ practice of planting immedi-
ately after ‘good’ rains in June. If it was not possible to
do this in every case, then the earlier the planting was done
after June the better. It was desirable that the cotton planters
should agree to adopt a general cotton season, and not, under
any circumstances, plant ‘out of season’ cotton. The season
suggested was from June of one year until May of the
following year. For instance, cotton planted in June or
July would give the first pickings in October and November.
Second pickings (depending on the rains) should be available
late in December and in January, and third pickings in
March. If, as is probable, the cotton plants are dried up in
April and May, they should then be removed and burnt or
buried. Jt was important that no old cotton plants should
be left in the land or carried over after the end of May. Any
cotton produced after that time would be of comparatively
poor quality ; and any diseases present would rapidly spread
to the new fields. ;

In reply to the Chairman, Sir Daniel Morris mentioned
that by ‘ratoon’ cotton he meant cotton planted, say, in 1905
that was carried over and allowed to bear at any time after
the end of May 1906. If the cotton was planted in June
1905, then by May 1906, it would have been on the land for
nearly twelve months. If planted in October 1905, it would
have been on the land for eight months. The length of time
the cotton was on the land did not therefore determine whether
it was ‘ratoon’ cotton or not. The essential point is that it
is not left on the land after June 1 of the following year
when the new planting begins. The Sea Island cotton plant
apparently yields the best results as an ‘annual;’ and any
departure from this practice was likely to be injurious to the
industry.

In summing up, Sir Daniel Morris stated that the planters
who were now ratooning Sea Island cotton were incurring
a grave responsibility. The cotton to be reaped from such
ratoon plants will be inferior in quality and will injure the
reputation of theisland. The plants, in most cases, would be
badly attacked by disease, so that the yield per acre would be

reduced, and finally by retaining these diseased plants on the
land the young cotton plants in the district would be
attacked, with the result that the main crop to be reaped
in 1906 woald be reduced both in quality and quantity.
Barbados had already lost prestige in regard to prices, and
if great care were not taken now at a crucial point in the
industry, by exporting a large proportion of ‘ratoon’ cotton,
the island would lose the high position it had hitherto
occupied among the cotton-producing islands in the West
Indies.

An interesting discussion took place in which the
Hon. Dr. John Sealy, Dr. Charles E. Gooding, Mr. W. D.
Shepherd, and others took part. The opinion of the speakers
appeared to be in general agreement with the views put forth
by Sir Daniel Morris.

Mr. H. A. Ballou, Entomologist on the staff of the
Imperial Department of Agriculture, exhibited specimens and
drew attention to the prevalence of the snow scale
(Chionaspis citr?) on ratoon cotton plants in the district.
This circumstance, he mentioned, was strongly in favour of
getting rid of the old cotton plants with the view of
preventing the spread of the disease amongst the young
cotton now being planted.

Sir Daniel Morris then made a brief statement in
regard to the formation of a Limited Liability Company of
cotton growers to take over the Central Cotton Factory in
this island. The terms offered by the Government and the
British Cotton-growing Association for their interests in the
Factory were regarded as favourable; a general meeting
of cotton growers was proposed to be held in July next.

Reference was also made to the existence of cotton
stealing as having an injurious effect on the progress of the
industry. The general opinion was that the selling of cotton
without the production of a certificate by the grower should
be made prohibitive; and the buyer of cotton, who did not
obtain and file the grower’s certificate in each case, should
be liable to a heavy penalty.

On the motion of the Hon. Dr. John Sealy, M. L. C.,
seconded by Dr. Charles E. Gooding, M. C. P., a cordial vote
of thanks was tendered to Sir Daniel Morris for his valuable
address. A similar compliment was paid to his Honour
F. J. Clarke, who, it was stated, had rendered signal service
as Chairmain of the Cotton Committee; also to the

tey. G. A. J. Frederick (for the use of the schoolroom), and
to Mr. J. R. Bovell. The meeting then terminated.

ST. KITTS.

Sir Robert Bromley, Bart., writes to the St. Kitt’s
Daily Express on the cotton industry. The following
are extracts from Sir Robert’s letter :-—

I recently had the opportunity of meeting some of the
leading people interested in the cotton trade. These gentle-
men impressed on me the necessity for great care in the
selection of seed. They said that this was a point to which
the greatest attention should be paid in cotton cultivation,
and strongly urged that inquiries should be set on foot
every season to ascertain where the best seed could be
obtained and every effort made to procure it. All the buyers
of West Indian cotton that I have met have assured me that
if proper care is taken there is no reason why West Indian
Sea Island cotton should not have a sure footing in the
Lancashire market and even cut out the American Sea Island
cotton. The fact that some St. Vincent cotton this
year has been better than the American Sea Island cotton
proves what the West Indies can do if pains are taken.

200 THE

AGRICULTURAL

NEWS.

Juny |; 19058

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 5 of the cover.
Price 1d. per number,

dlews

1905. No. 84.

Contents of Present Issue.

The editorial in the present issue revlewWs briefly
the progress that has been made in connexion with the
fumigation of imported plants.

Particulars will be found on pp. 194-5 of a shding
scale of payment which it is proposed to adopt for
buying farmers’ canes in Trinidad. Notes are also
published in connexion with the sugar industry in
Porto Rico and Cuba.

An interesting and practical article by Mr. Belling
F 12 emer e; ag
on growing roses in St. Kitt’s appears on p. 197.
Notes of particular interest to cotton growers will
be found on pp. 198-9. A useful conference of cotton
growers Was held at Barbados on June 24.

The injurious insects discussed in this issue (see
p. 202) are the Egyptian cotton worm (a ditferent
insect from that known to West Indian cotton growers)
and the fruit fly. In regard to the latter, efforts are
being made in various parts of the world to make use
of its natural enemies as a means of control.

Cacao planters in the West Indies are likely to be
interested in the account on p. 203 of the cultivation
of cacao in Samoa; also in the discussion on the
disposal of diseased cacao husks.

An interesting account of the Bath Springs at
Nevis is reproduced on p. 206. The extracts on p. 207
from the annual report of the Inspector of Schools in
Jamaica would appear to indicate that progress is
being made in connexion with introducing the teaching
of agriculture into the elementary schools in Jamaica,

Cotton Lands at Montserrat.

In view of the extension of cotton growing in the
Leeward Islands it may be mentioned that there are
areas of land near the town of Plymouth in the island
of Montserrat offered for sale, or, if preferred, on lease
on advantageous terms to any one undertaking the
enltivation of cotton.

The Imperial Commissioner of Agriculture (Head
Office, Barbados) will be happy to afford information
on the subject.

Anguilla Agricultural Society.

An Agricultural Society has been formed at
Anguilla with Mr. C. Rey as Honorary Secretary. At
the first meeting, held on June 9, it was proposed by
Mr. C. Rey, seconded by the Rev. W. D. Edwards, and
carried unanimously: ‘ that the Honorary Secretary be
instructed to communicate with the Imperial Depart-
ment of Agriculture for information with reference to
the preparation of farine from bitter cassava.’ During
the discussion on this subject it was pointed out that,
while the bitter cassava yielded most abundantly in
Anguilla and was highly valued as a food, nothing was
known in the island of the preparation of farine.

The island of Anguilla is to be congratulated on
the formation of an Agricultural Society which is to be
wished every success in its endeavours to improve the
agricultural interests of the dependency. The society
will receive the hearty co-operation of the Imperial
Department of Agriculture.

Bermuda Onion Industry.

According to the Annual Report recently issued,
the onion crop of 1904 was an exceptionally large one,
the exports amounting to 887,839 crates and 186
barrels of the value of £74,162. ‘The value of the 1903
crop was £55,620, The average price per crate in 1904
was 3s. 10¢d., as compared with 4s. 4d. in 1903.

The colony has realized the desirability of securing
other markets than those of the United States for its
onions, and a Committee of the Board of Agriculture
was appointed to superintend the shipment of onions
to the principal cities of Canada, the Legislature having
voted £1,000 for this purpose. ‘The shipments—
2.500 crates of onions—were so made at a cost of £520.
The sales and all expenses connected therewith showed
an actual loss of £230 on the venture... The
Committee in their report state that, in their opinion,
the loss was again due to circumstances of a very
unusual character, and they suggest that another
effort should be made during the crop season of 1905,

Reference was made in the last issue of the
Agricultural News (p. 179) to an attempt to introduce
the Bermuda onion into the London market.

The Superintendent of the Public Garden 1s
carrying out experiments that would appear to be of
considerable importance to the colony in the production —
of onion seed, Mr. Harris’ object is to obviate, if
possible, the dependence of Bermuda on the Tenerife
crop. During 1904, 5 tons 8 cwt. of seed were
imported from Tenerife, at a declared value of £2,007.

Vou. IV. No. 84.

THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS. 201

Porto Rico Industries.

An account is given elsewhere in this issue of the
sugar industry of Porto Rico. The Consular Report
for 1904 also records satisfactory improvement in other
industries.

The total value of the tobacco industry has
greatly increased: it is said that special improvement
is noticeable in quality. The exports of oranges
continue to increase: their cultivation along the line
of railway proceeds with every prospect of success.

The interest in the revival of cotton growing does
not appear to have been sustained. This is stated to
be due to the superior value of unoccupied lands for
cane cultivation, and to the scarcity and unreliable
nature of the labour supply. The crop was estimated
at 231,554 tb., and its value at £8,786.

The coffee industry is experiencing a serious
crisis: the crop was the worst since the cyclone of
1899. he value of this industry has declined from
£1,642,710 in 1896 to £250,000 in 1904.

Broom Corn in British Guiana.

The Demerara Argosy of June 3 contains an
account of an experiment carried on at the Orphan
Asylum in growing broom corn and in manufacturing
brooms. ‘The experiment has shown that broom corn
grows well in British Guiana and is apparently not
attacked by insects. The Superintendent of the
Asylum suggests that this industry might well be
taken up by the small farmers, who, with their families,
could do all the necessary work. The brooms should
find a ready sale locally at 25c. to 28c¢. each, The cost
of materials for a dozen brooms is estimated as follows:
twelve handies, 18c.; 1 tb. of galvanized wire, 6c: $ th.
of sole leather, 15c.; and tacks, 2c.; total, 41e.

It would appear that the article produced in
British Guiana is quite different from that made in
Antigua. The former is evidently a broom such as
might be employed for sweeping carpets and work of
that sort; at Antigua small clothes’ brushes were made.
Brushes of this class are in common use in the United
States and Canada.

The Imperial Department of Agriculture has
given considerable attention to this matter, and a note
suggesting the cultivation of broom corn in the West
Indies was published in the Agricultural News (Vol. I,
p- 263). During 1902 trials were made at the
Antigua Botanic Station to ascertain whether broom
corn of good quality could be raised under local
conditions. Mr. Sands gave an interesting account of
these experiments at a meeting of the Agricultural
Society on February 6, 1903 (a summary of which was
published in the Agricultural News, Vol. II, p. 142)
when excellent samples of brushes made locally were
exhibited.

More recently, attention has been directed
towards the possibility of securing a market for these
brushes in the United States and Canada. The
results of inquiries made were published at length in
a recent issue of the Agricultural News (Vol. IV,
p. 174), from which it would appear that Canada offers
a market for this product which might prove profitable,

The Trinidad Fruit Industry.

At a meeting of the Trinidad Agricultural Society
held on June 13, a discussion took place on the
prospects of the fruit industry. His Excellency the
Governor made a statement as to the position of the
negotiations with the Symington Fruit Syndicate.
The Secretary of State for the Colonies had been in
communication with the Syndicate, but it had not been
found possible to come to terms. In response to
a telegram, he (the Governor) had urged on the
Secretary of State that it was most important that
there should be no disappointment to fruit growers,
who were engaged in producing a large quantity of
fruit for shipment. He had endeavoured to get the
Royal Mail Company to make arrangements to under-
take the carnage of the fruit to England, but no
definite information had up to that time been received
as to the company’s intentions. He had also consulted
Sir Daniel Morris as to the best means of securing
a market for their fruit. He promised to communicate
to the society any further information he might
obtain.

His Excellency was thanked for the practical
interest he was taking in the matter.

Se

Exports of Trinidad.

The Annual Report of the Collector of Customs
on the trade statistics of Trinidad for the year 1904-5,
recently issued, contains interesting information in
regard to the exports of the colony,

The output of sugar shows an increase of
144,000 ewt. in quantity, while a marked improvement
in prices added £286,000 to the value. On account of
a serious drought, however, the exports did not come
up to expectations. The prospects of the industry
were, at the time of writing (April 28, 1905), considered
bright, and the system of cane farming was receiving
an impetus. Molasses show an increase of £5,500.

The cacao crop of 1904-5 was by far the largest
ever collected, exceeding the average of the four
previous years by 64,000 ewt., or 21 per cent. Prices,
however, were comparatively low, and the total value
of the exports was £10,400 below that of the previous
year. The average prices of cacao, f.o.b. Trinidad,
have been for the past three years: 1902-3, 58s.;
1903-4, 55s.; 1904-5, 52s, 6d.

The cocoa-nut industry experienced a favourable
year, prices being good. Nuts, copra, and oil are
exported: there is also a considerable local trade in oil.
It is estimated that 1 ton of copra represents 6,500
average nuts, and 20 gallons of oil, 1,000 nuts. On
this basis the exports during the past three years
would haye been, respectively: 15:4, 186, and 17:2
millions of nuts.

A heavy fall of £55,000 occurred on asphalt; the
exports of manjak reached 3,428 tons. ‘There was an
increase of £2,800 on fish: this was due to shortage in
adjacent British islands.

‘The fruit trade appears for the first time as
promising, but it has had vicissitudes, and its immediate
future is uncertain,’

INSECT NOTES.

The Cotton Worm of Egypt.

The cotton worin is the subject of a small pamphlet by
Mr. George P. Foaden, published by the Khedivial Agri-
cultural Society. From this it appears that the cotton worm
of Egypt is quite different from that of the West Indies.
Its name is Prodenia littoralis.

The female moth lays the eggs on the lower leaves of

the plant, one or two leaves receiving all the eggs laid by an
individual moth, sometimes as many as 200 to 300 eggs
being found on a single leaf. The pupa is formed in the
ground,
' In these points the cotton worm of Egypt differs
greatly from that of the United States and the West Indies,
the eggs of the latter being deposited singly on the leaves,
while the pupa is to be found in a fold of the cotton leaf.

In considering means of combating the cotton worm,
Mr. Foaden says: ‘The method of picking the leaves and
burning them is the best at our disposal.’ The height of the
Egyptian cotton plant makes it impossible to apply Paris
green in the same way that it is applied to the Sea Island
and Upland cottons.

In localities where irrigation is practised, the Egyptian
cotton worm may be destroyed by flooding the land during
the pupal stage, taking advantage of the habit of pupating
in the ground.

The Egyptian cotton worm (Prodenia littoralis) is very
closely related to the West Indian corn ear worm (Laphygma
Frugiperda) which is described and figured in the Ayricu/tural
News, Vol. IV, p. 90.

The Fruit Fly.

The fruit fly (Ceratit’s capitata) has for many years
been a serious pest in various places, notably in Australia and
Southern Africa. A short time ago Mr. Geo. Compere, as
agent for the Department of Agriculture of Western
Australia, after much travel and careful search, discovered
the original home of this destructive pest in Brazil. Here
the fruit fly was of so little importance that fruit growers
hardly knew of its existence, and Mr. Compere concluded
that the reason for this was that the natural enemies of the
fly held it thoroughly in check. Accordingly, he took
back with him a supply of two of these enemies which
seemed to be most influential in the work. These were
a species of Ichneumon fly and a species of Staphylinid
beetle.

Since that time the Governments of Cape Colony and
Natal have sent their Entomologists, Messrs. Lounsbury and
Fuller, to Brazil to collect the enemies of the fruit fly for
the purpose of introducing them into South Africa.

The fruit fly is known as a pest in Bermuda where the
natural enemies do not occur, while in Jamaica it is not
a serious pest, being supposed to be kept in check by the
Ichneumon fly and Staphylinid beetle, enemies which are said
to be the same as the Brazilian species or nearly allied to
them.

THE AGRICULTURAL

NEWS. Juny 1; 1905s

— _

The Government of Bermuda is making efforts, with the
aid of the Director of Public Gardens and Plantations in
Jamaica, to introduce and establish the natural enemies of the
fruit fly foundin Jamaica. The fruit fly has not been reported
at Barbados, and evidently is not a serious pest in the
Lesser Antilles. Its occurrence, however, in Brazil and in
Jamaica and Bermuda would make it seem probable that it
occurs also in the other West India Islands, but the fact
that it is not a pest would indicate that it is held in cheek
by natural enemies.

' The fruit fly attacks a great variety of fruits, among
others, the orange, lemon, and fig.

The adult fly lays its eggs just underneath the skin

of the fruit. They hatch in a few days, and maggots at once
commence to feed on the pulp or flesh of the fruit, which
generally fall from the tree before they are fully grown,
When the maggots are fully grown, they leave the fruit and
pupate in the ground, from which the adult fly emerges
later. The adult fly feeds on the juice of injured fruit. The
maggot attains a length of about ~ inch; the fly is about
} inch long.

Many methods of control have been tried, including the
gathering at least once daily of all fallen fruit, and covering
the trees with fine mesh to prevent the female from
depositing eggs in the fruit. Poisoned baits have also been
tried and have been attended with some success.

The results of the efforts of the Australian and South
African Governments to introduce the natural enemies of
this serious pest will be watched with great interest as well
as the efforts in the same direction by the Government of
Bermuda.

THYMOL FOR WORMS IN HORSES.

In reference to previous notes in the Agricultural
News (Vol. IIL, pp. 157 and 236) on the subject of the
use of thymol for the treatment of vermiceous diseases
of horses, the following extract from Dr. Cousins’
report on the Government Laboratory in Jamaica for
the year 1904-5 is likely to be of interest.

It will be remembered that Dr. Cousins made
arrangements for supplying thymol from the laboratory
at the small charge of 2d. per dose :—

The sale of thymol powders for the treatment of worma

horses amounted to 2,304 doses. Highly satisfactory
results have been recorded by horse owners in all parts
of the island. This remedy is undoubtedly of great benefit
to all horse-kind, and experience indicates that every
horse and mule in the island would be benefited by a dose
every three months.

It is not a specific for bots and will only eliminate them
when they have left the stomach, but it is of great benefit for
worms of all sorts, and has besides a remarkable effect on
the general condition of an animal. A horse with a hard,
staring coat and in poor condition will frequently develop
gloss and rapidly improve in condition after a dose
of thymol powder even when no worms are passed. This.
service, having passed the experimental stage, has now
ceased, and arrangements have been made with Messrs.
Kinkead, of Kingston, to supply the publie with the prepara-
tion at a reasonable price.

in

It may be mentioned that thymol may be obtained
from Messrs. Knight & Co., Druggists, Bridgetown,
Barbados, at 9d. per oz. It would be interesting to
have the results of the use of thymol in other islands.

bead

Vou. IV. No. 84.

THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS. 203

CACAO IN SAMOA.

The following interesting account of the cultiva-
tion of cacao in Samoa is extracted from the Consular
Report tor 1904 :—

Samoa generally is now proved to be altogether suitable
in every respect for cacao growth.

Cacao plantations, small and large, are all doing well.
This product, although it will live here with the most
unfavourable surroundings, requires, where a good crop is
expected in five years from the time of planting, much care
and attention ; for unless the trees are carefully weeded and
freed from all scrub and grasses the crop will be much
delayed. On this account plantations owned by companies
enjoy a great advantage over those started by small
proprietors, who, in many instances, are not only unable to
procure labour as easily as do the large plantations, but often
find it difficult to raise money to pay for labour when they
get it. Consequently, in their case trees which would
produce heavy crops in five years’ growth on the larger
holdings bring little return to them for seven or eight years.
For this reason, as stated in previous reports, cacao is not
a good or even a safe investment for the small capitalist
unless he uses it merely as a subsidiary to other less
uncertain enterprises. Dr. Wohltmann (the Government
‘Auskunft’ states) considers that not less than £2,500 are
requisite to start a cacao plantation. The managing director
of the Upola cacao plantation, placed the cost per acre, from
clearing the land to the gathering in of the first crop, at £25
to £50 per acre.

Other drawbacks exist besides the difficulty of obtaining
labour. Various diseases, especially where the ground is not
kept thoroughly clean, infest the trees, and in Samoa, as in
other tropical countries, the rat is a standing menace, for it
has been known to eat or damage half the crop on some
plantations. However, as the rat is kept down by some
planters by means of poison, and also as it does not much
frequent places where water is scarce, there is good hope for
believing that in time it will be got rid of. The introduction
of the mungoose was recommended, but as it appears that
eventually he ceases to destroy rats and substitutes for them
as his food poultry, sugar-cane, and even cacao pods, this
idea has been given up.

A small plantation 20 miles from Apia, to the west-ward,
started four years ago, yielded its proprietor at the end of
1904, 6,000 tb. of cacao from 8 acres, worth in Apia
6d. per. Ib. The export of cacao in 1904 was about 20 tons.

The following is extracted from information furnished
by Mr. F. Harman, managing director of the Upola Cacao

Company, Limited, of Birmingham, and should prove
interesting to British capitalists concerned in planting
investments :—

“Generally speaking 1904 has been a year of continuous
progress, and weather and other conditions have been
favourable. We had a rainfall of 157 inches, the maximum
(January) being 38 inches and the minimum (July) 4 inches.
The trees in all stages of growth have cousequently shown
a marked advance. We have gathered about 1,000 pods
from trees three years old, and we expect a fair crop this
year. Experience shows that with adequate labour the
current expenses of a cacao plantation can be considerably
reduced in the third year, owing to the gradual extermina-
tion of the rank weeds and grasses which are so troublesome
at first, and, accidents excepted, it is fair to assume, as
I mentioned last year, that a plantation of 500 acres can be
brought into bearing for £12,500, or £25 per acre, including
Management, buildings, and all incidentals.’

DISPOSAL OF DISEASED CACAO HUSKS.

A correspondent in Grenada, interested in cacao,
writes in regard to this matter as follows:—

Much has been written on the desirability of burning or
burying with lime all husks of cacao pods opened in the
field. In practice on a large estate this is often extremely
difficult to carry out regularly.

If these pods were collected and broken in an open
field-pen and allowed to rot there, being periodically covered
over with grass and trash and trodden in by the cattle,
would any germs of disease exist under such conditions and
be transmitted again to the soil when the manure was
thrown out ? .

The question is one that interests many planters in
Grenada, and I shall be pleased to send your reply to the
Grenada Agricultural Society.

The following is a memorandum by the Mycologist

(Mr. L. Lewton-Brain, B.A., F.L.S.) on the above :—

Tf all the pods or husks were perfectly healthy and free
from Diplodia, there would be no objection to disposing
of them as suggested, namely, carrying them to a field-pen
where they would be converted into compost. This, I
should judge, is not often the case.

If Diplodia were present in any of the husks, it would
continue to grow and reproduce on the decaying vegetable
material. In this case, the fungus would be distributed
throughout the cacao when the manure is applied.

The procedure suggested cannot, therefore, be regarded
as safe, at least in the majority of cases.

If there would be little difficulty in carrying the husks
to a field-pen, I cannot see why there should be much more
in carrying them to trenches or pits, where they could be
buried with lime and covered over. This is especially so, as
the number and positions of the trenches or pits could be
regulated according to convenience, while the position of
the field-pen would depend upon other circumstances.

The view that I have expressed above is very similar to
that expressed by my predecessor in dealing with rind
disease of the sugar-cane (V’richosphaeria) at the Agricultural
Conference of 1901 (West Indian Bulletin, Vol. TI, p. 52).
I quote from his paper as follows :—

“The practice of placing rotten canes in stock pens
cannot be too strongly condemned. It is very probable that
some of the spores will retain their vitality till the manure is
applied to the land, and that many of the spores will be
distributed by the animals themselves.’

Dr. J. E. Duerden. The friends of Dr. J. E.
Duerden, who was formerly Curator of the Museum of the
Institute of Jamaica (and who latterly has been engaged
in original research in connexion with the marine fauna
of the United States) will be glad to learn that he has
been appointed Professor of Zoology at the newly organized
Rhodes University College, Grahamstown, Cape Colony.
The post is an important one and seems to offer many
facilities for good work particularly in connexion with the
Fisheries Department. It will be within the recollection
of readers of the Agricultural News that Dr. Duerden
prepared a valuable paper on ‘The Marine Resources of
the British West Indies’ presented at the Agricultural
Conference held at Barbados in 1901. It is a source of
regret that Dr. Duerden’s useful services in connexion
with fishery matters could not have been retained in the
interest of the West Indian Colonies.

204

THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.

Jury 1, 1905;

GLEANINGS.

The rainfall at Prospect Camp, Bermuda, for the year

This was 7°82 inches less
Rain fell on 254

1904 amounted to 55°65 inches.
than the average of the past nine years.
days during the year.

Many small settlers in Jamaica appear still to plant by
the moon. ‘This is superstitious. Plant in regular seasons
and when your soil is in good condition, and never mind the
moon. (Jamaica 7'mes.)

The number of bales of cotton imported into the United
Kingdom during the seventeen weeks ended April 27, 1905,
was 1,480,924. This number included 1,343 bales of
British West Indian and 814 bales of British West African.

It is stated in the Maritime Merchant that trade
conditions in Jamaica have been very bright during the
past four months owing to the steady increase of the tourist
trade. The season is spoken of as a record one, there never
having been such a large number of visitors in any previous
season.

Mr. J. Jones writes that the ‘Poui’ (Z'ecoma spectabilis)
flowered at the Dominica Botanic Station this year for the
first time. Another tree of this family, Zabeluea pentaphylla,
yaised from seeds obtained from British Honduras, which
flowered at the station for the first time last year, is said to
rival the ‘Poni’ in showiness.

Seeds of the Talipot palm (Corypha umbraculifera) can
be obtained on application to the Curator of the Botanic
Station, Dominica. A note on the flowering of a specimen
of this palm at the Dominica Botanic Station will be found
in the Agricultural News (Vol. ILI, p. 151), where references
are also made to other notes in this journal on the Talipot
palm.

Sugar is made at the Experiment Station at Tortola for
tenants and for persons owning land outside the station.
Some 22 barrels were made in this way during the year
1904-5. he station repays itself by retaining one-third
of the sugar and molasses. The people are eager to bring
their canes to the station, as they get better results from the
superior crushing and boiling.

At a meeting of the Royal Agricultural and Commercial
Society of British Guiana, held on June 15, Mr. A. W. Bart-
lett, B.A., B.Sc., F.L.S., Government Botanist, read a paper
on ‘Diseases of the Cacao Plant” After giving a general
account of fungoid diseases, Mr. Bartlett dealt with the
cacao ped disease, the brown rot of cacao pods, the ‘ thread’
disease, and the ‘ witch broom’ disease.

As only a few copies of the first edition of this Depart-
ment’s publication Nature Teaching now remain, it may be
mentioned that an English edition has been published by
Messrs. Macmillan & Co. (see Agricultural News, Vol. I,
p. 381), price 3s. 6d. It is not yet decided whether
a second edition will be published by the Department.

Under the auspices of the League of the Empire,
Mr. John Barclay inaugurated on Empire Day a series of
lectures on the West Indian exhibits at the Colonial and
Indian Exhibition. This was followed by Mr. J. H. Hart,
who lectured on the Trinidad exhibits on May 26. Mr. Hart
has undertaken to give similar lectures weekly. (Il’est India
Committee Circular.)

We learn on good authority that the New Trinidad
Lake Asphalt Company have made a start in cultivating
pine-apples for the export trade; 10 acres of land have been —
cleared and prepared for 100,000 pine-apple plants which,
we understand, if proved to be a financial success, will be
extended. Other persons in the Guapo and La Brea districts
are already cultivating pine-apples. (Port-of-Spain Gazette.)

In his annual report the Superintendent of the Govern-
Reformatory in Jamaica states that the permanent
coffee, cacao, and bananas, were much longer in
recovering from the effects of the hwricane than was
anticipated. The value of the produce reaped in the year
1904-5 was £206 3s. 7d.; in 1903-4 it was £185 18s. 6d. ;
and in the year before, £364 18s. 9d.

ment
crops,

In his Jast annual report the Island Chemist says: The
Fermentation Chemist has been engaged in work in
connexion with the Sugar Experiment Station during the
year. In the course of his visits to estates, a large number
of samples of the various materials and products from the
distilleries were obtained, and on his return to the
laboratory the Fermentation Chemist was occupied in their
study and analysis. (The Jamaica Gleaner, June 12, 1905.)

Dr. Cousins mentions in his annual report that no
samples of adultered bees’-wax were received at the Govern-
ment Laboratory, Jamaica, during the year 1904-5. He
adds: ‘It is hoped that the high reputation of Jamaica —
Wax may not again be imperilled by the gross adulteration —
that was prevalent two years ago.’ The adulteration of —
Jamaica bees’-wax with wheaten flour and corn meal was
referred to in the Agricultural News (Vol. II, p. 268).

According to the Consular Report on Japan for 1904,
the exports of camphor showed a decline in quantity of
21 per cent., owing to a shortage in Formosa. The natural
product is not seriously threatened by its artificial competitor
in its present form, The disappointing output from Japan
proper is due to the too early cutting of the branches in the
past. Experiments in distilling the product from the leaves:
only are now in progress.

It is stated in the Consular Report on the trade of
Bordeaux for 1904, that the total imports of sulphate of
copper into France reached 29,657 tons. About nine-tenths
of this was used for: agricultural and viticultural purposes.
The increase over the imports of 1903 was due to the
precocious development of the vines caused by a warm, wet
spring, which encouraged the attacks of cryptogamic disease,
against which sulphate of copper acts as a remedy and
preservative.

Vou. IV. No. 84. THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS. 205
BARBADOS AT THE COLONIAL
| £2
AMEN. 4 FEPORTS, EXHIBITION.

Kaz

JAMAICA: REPORT ON THE GOVERNMENT
LABORATORY, 1904-5: By H. H. Cousins, M A., D.Sc.,
F.C.S., Government Analytical and Agricultural Chemist.

The report states that there was a marked increase in
the number of samples dealt with at the laboratory. This
increase is due to the development of the work along agri-
cultural lines. During the year the police commenced to
check the milk supply of Kingston, and samples were
forwarded under the Adulteration of Food and Drugs Law.

A large number of samples of soils were received.
A special feature of this branch of the work of the laboratory
has been the examination of typical soils of the parish of
St. Mary in connexion with the banana manurial experiments.

Some 578 samples of sugar products were dealt with in
connexion with the Sugar Experiment Station scheme.
‘Arrangements were made to enable any sugar estate,
desiring to do so, to submit weekly composite samples of
juices and sugar so that the working might be placed under
simple chemical control.’

Fifteen agricultural students attended the special
educational course at the laboratory during the year. Six
students entered for the diploma examination based upon
a two-year course of study. The examination was conducted
by Professor @’Albuquerque, of Barbados, assisted by members
of the staff of the Imperial Department of Agriculture.
Three candidates obtained first-class certificates, and three
second-class certificates. The results are reported as being
considered very encouraging when all the difficulties of the
case are considered.

CULTIVATION OF COTTON AND OTHEL
SUBSIDIARY INDUSTRIES IN BARBADOS. By
Edgar Beckett, Agricultural Instructor, British Guiana.
Georgetown, 1905,

This is a report by Mr. Beckett ona visit to Barbados
in January last, for the purpose of studying the cotton and
other subsidiary industries.

Visits were paid to the Government Cotton Factory,
Messrs. Thorne’s factory, and to a number of estates where
cotton is being grown. Mr. Beckett goes thoroughly into
all details connected with growing cotton on the estates
visited and its preparation for the market.

In regard to the possibility of reviving the cultivation
of cotton in British Guiana, he states that good Sea Island
cotton can undoubtedly be grown in certain districts of the
colony, but whether it can be produced at a profit will
depend upon the availability of cheap labour and upon the
¢ontinuance of high prices for cotton. The scarcity of labour
would probably prevent the planters from embarking on the
cultivation of cotton ; but there should be nothing to prevent
small farmers who had suitable soil, provided they were
prepared to give constant attention to it.

Mr. Beckett also reports briefly on the banana and
onion industries.

Acknowledgement is made of the assistance received
from the staff of the Imperial Department of Agriculture.

The West India Committee Circular is to publish
a series of articles by Mr. W. G. Freeman, Superin-
tendent of the Colonial Economic Collections at the
Imperial Institute, on the several exhibits in the West
Indian court at the Colonial and Indian Exhibition. The
following is a summary of Mr. Freeman’s article on the
Barbados exhibit :—

Barbados has sent over a wealth of exhibits, and the
products of the colony would have made a much more
effective display could the specimens sent have been
distributed over a court three or four times the area of that
which they now occupy. The Exhibition Committee in
Barbados and the Commissioner, the Hon. Forster M. Alleyne,
have undoubtedly accomplished their task very satisfactorily,
almost all the chief products of the colony being represented
by specimens which have evidently been carefully selected,
labelled, and packed. Nearly one-half of the total
number of specimens exhibited are sugar products, and
there is no cause for the complaint, too often to be
made against exhibitions of this kind, that everything
is shown but the important product of the country. The
various grades of crystal sugars, syrup, sugar, and muscovado,
the subsidiary specimens of clarified cane juice, massecuite
and megass, together with the fresh canes and the photo-
graphs of estates, the models of plantation carts with their
loads of hogsheads and puncheons bring home to one the
local conditions and the main features of the industry, and
indicate very clearly its possibilities and limitations.

Tangible expression of the success which has attended
the revival of the important cotton industry is afforded by
the samples of seed-cotton, lint, and cotton seed from seven
estates in the island, and a good summary of the recent
activity in this direction is givenin the Barbados hand-book.

The new and developing banana industry was worthily
represented on the opening day by three magnificent bunches
of Barbados bananas, shown by Messrs. William Pink
& Sons, of Portsmouth, which afforded irrefutable evidence
of the fact that Barbados can produce bananas of first-class
quality, and that they can be so packed and transported as
to reach this country in the best possible condition.

Pickles and preserves are well represented by a con-
siderable number of specimens.

The flying fish industry is much to the fore with
spirit specimens of the fish, models of a fishing boat,
nets, and pickled fish from the factory recently opened at
Bridgetown. The nature and importance of the flying fish
industry of Barbados has never fully been realized in this
country, and the specimens form a very interesting exhibit.

The court is also supplied with the current issues of
the West Indian Bulletin, Agricultural News, and other
publications of the Imperial Department of Agriculture,
which are available to visitors in search of further informa-
tion regarding recent agricultural work in the colony.

Taken as a whole, the Barbados court aftords a good
idea of the natural capabilities of the colony. Sugar, on
which the fortunes of Barbados have been dependent for the
last hundred years or so, appropriately occupies the
predominant place and gives the distinguishing character to
the whole court. At the same time the more important of
the minor industries—cotton and fruit——are well represented,
whilst the products of local importance, but which are not
likely immediately to figure in the export returns are also
shown.

206

THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.

Juty 1, 1905.

THE BATH SPRINGS AT NEVIS.

The following extract from the Stump Collectors’
Magazine, January 1867, on ‘The Nevis Stamps and
their Designs, by I. B. Brown, Esq., Postmaster of
Nevis, contains an interesting account of the celebrated
Bath Springs at Nevis, with special reference to their
valuable medicinal properties :—

The device on the Nevis postage stamps is a fac-simile
of the great seal of the colony, and represents issuing out of
the side of a hill a stream of water which, falling to the
ground, forms a pool wherein a sick female is reclining
supported with one hand by a companion who extends the
other to the presiding genius or nymph of the stream for
a bowl which the latter is filling from a pitcher of water
drawn from the stream.

There are, about 4 mile from the principal town
(Charlestown), certain mineral springs called the ‘Bath
Springs.’ Many years ago the proprietors of the Jand where
some of these springs are situated opened two of tepid and
one of hot water: over the latter and one of the former rooms
were erected and fitted up for the convenience of invalids,
while to the other tepid spring a pipe was aftixed for drink-
ing purposes. An hotel of almost palatial dimensions and
of very imposing appearance, called the ‘Bath House,’ with
several out-buildings, ete., was erected, and the surrounding
grounds were laid out in gardens. There are numerous
other small springs in the vicinity and scattered over the
leeward parts of the island, but just below the drinking
spring of the bath house, a spring (the most considerable of
that nature in the island), issuing from the side of the hill,
forms a large pool and runs in a continuous stream called the
bath stream, deepening and widening as it flows till it
expands into a large pond on the sea-shore about 500 yards
from its source.

This spring is not enclosed nor covered and is used
by those who cannot pay the fee of 6d. charged at the
bath house, and also serves as a washing place. Although
the spring is extremely hot, the stream varies in heat and
in some places is cold. The baths have been of high repute,
and the island was much resorted to by invalids when the
hotel was properly kept. The extraordinary powers and
unfailing eflicacy of the Nevis baths have been long well
known in the medical world, and have been celebrated in
every treatise descriptive of the colonies. Mr. Osborne in
his Guide to the Madeiras, West Indies, etc., says: ‘Nevis
is celebrated for its mineral springs. The principal hotel is
the Bath House which is situated on a rising ground and
commands a view of the town, the adjacent country, and the

sea. It may be considered as one of the most salubrious
localities in the island. The house is distant from the
landing place about } mile. Appertaining to this

establishment are hot and tepid baths possessing most
valuable medicinal properties. Sir Hans Sloane says he
mastered a severe cough by bathing in, and drinking, the
waters during a few days’ stay on the island. At one part
of the stream which supplies the baths there are two springs,
one so intensely cold as to produce a chill through the whole
frame, and the other too hot to be borne by the naked foot.
*‘An invalid,” writes Mr. Coleridge, ‘with a good servant may
take up his quarters here with more comfort than any other
house of public reception in the West Indies.” ’

It will be seen from these extracts that the baths have
always been the great institution of the colony; hence the
device on the great seal. I have been informed by the
Hon. Webb, F.R.A.S., Treasurer, ete. an old
inhabitant anda gentleman who for many years was Chief

George

Justice, and who three times administered the Government, and
by the Hon. John A. Iles, Colonial Secretary, also an old publie
officer, that the great seal of the colony was made between
thirty and forty years ago after a design by Mr. Colquhoun,
the agent for the island in England, who submitted this
device for the approval of the Government, intimating that
it was meant to represent the healing virtues of its celebrated
baths.

COMPOSITION OF COWS’ MILK IN

JAMAICA.

The following extract from the annual report of
the Government Analytical and Agricultural Chemist
in Jamaica is of interest. Dr. Cousins gives the result
of analyses of milk from a large number of cows and
refers to the proposal to establish a legal standard for
the island :-—

To obtain data as to the composition of cow’s milk in
Jamaica the Assistant Chemist has personally sampled and
analysed the 1ilk of ninety-two cows from seven dairies in
Kingston and St. Andrew with the following results :—

MILK ANALYSIS.
| Total | j.,, | Solids | Specific
Solids.|*“""|not Fat. Gravity.
| Average milk from 7
Kingston dairies 13°39 |4-7 | 873 *| 1:028
2 Average of milk from
92 individual cows in
above dairies . . s--| 13°83) |57L || 78569 1-028
3 Mean of 200,000 Eng-
lish analyses by H. D.}
Richmond ay Sol ERS) oie) | SEO) 1:033

LEGAL STANDARDS FOR MILK.
| : | Pro posed
Constante United | United
aes “ Kingdom.) States. oe
Jamaica.
| Fat in ec 3:25 | 35
| Solids not Fat _ at 8:5 8:5 8°25

The milk of the Jamaica cow compares favourably with
that of imported animals. The fat of milk is naturally
higher here than in the temperate climates, provided the
cows arein good health. ‘The effect of the imported Holstein
cross is that of a serious reduction in the nitrogenous and
mineral constituents of the milk. Careful selection of the
local cows and the introduction of dairy shorthorn bulls should
give us an excellent treed of milch cows for local purposes.

Harrison’s report on the working of the Food and Drugs
Ordinance in British Guiana, there has been a steady
increase in the proportion of the samples of milk purchased
in Georgetown, which, upon analysis, have been returned as
adulterated. ‘This increase has been from 15-7 per cent. in
1902 to 59 per cent. during the half-year under report. This
is a most unsatisfactory condition with regard to the milk
supply of the city, the proportion being higher than has
been recorded for many years back.

pa

ee

AY

Po cae Ee Ee

Vou. IV. No. 84.

THE AGRICULTURAL

NEWS. 207

EDUCATIONAL.

Agricultural Education in Jamaica.

From the following extracts from the recently
issued report on the Education Department of Jamaica
for 1903-4 it will be seen that progress is certainly
being made in the attempts to introduce the teaching
of agriculture in the elementary schools of the colony.

In regard to the practical teaching in agriculture
and horticulture Mr. Capper says:—

There is a continued increase in the number of attempts
at practical field work, and the work shown is, in my estima-
tion, exceedingly creditable. The advance is not to be
measured by the amount of grants given, as the standard
was at first for obvious reasons a very low one and has had
of necessity to be raised. The following are the total
amounts of grants for the past four years :—i900-1,
fot 19s.; 1901-2, £47 12s.; 1902-3, £77 12s.; 1903-4,

£105 12s. 1d.

The fourth course of lectures on agriculture was held in
January 1904 at the Mico College by Mr.T. F. Teversham.
Sixty teachers were present, and afternoon addresses and
lectures were delivered, as on former occasions, by the
Archbishop and others, whilst a course of evening lessons in
manual. occupation was again conducted by Mr. Peet and
Mr. Skyers. The benefit of these courses is being increas-
ingly felt.

The following are extracts from the remarks of
the Inspectors on the subject of elementary science :-—

‘About one-third of the teachers in my district have
had the advantage of the special course at Hope of
instruction in agricultural science, but I have not, since the
beginning of this year, when the last course was given,
inspected the schools of those who took that course. So far
as my inspections have tested the matter, there have been in
those schools whose teachers have taken such a special
course, an increased interest manifested by the scholars and
an increased value in the lessons in agricultural science
given in those schools. The wisdom of giving this special
course to our teachers is manifest. While only two teachers
in my district have presented their practical work in the
field as entitled to the special grant, several had little garden
plots, some of which had been made very useful in illustrating
agricultural teaching and some of them are to be enlarged
and made more perfect, so as to merit the special grant this
current year.’

‘This subject is, in many of the schools, intelligently
taught, and the scholars give practical evidence of their
interest in the lessons, which are mainly devoted to the
principles of agriculture. The lessons are very frequentiy
illustrated by diagrams, black-board drawings, and clay
models.’

‘Some acquaintance, probably a slightly increased
acquaintance, with some of the elementary principles of
agriculture, is usually shown by some scholars. That is the
most favourable statement that can with safety be made. So
far as one can judge at inspection, not much is done in most
schools by way of teaching this subject experimentally, and
the tendency is to emphasize the rules rather than the
reasons. The question “why?” should be a favourite
«question. Several teachers have, with varying degrees of
success and failure, made at least some use of box

cultivation, ete., to illustrate certain facts to which
they wished to draw the attention of the children, and there
are some schoo] gardens, a few of which are well kept ; but it
is a very rare thing to find a genuine attempt to teach by
way of contrast, by setting the right way and the wrong side
by side for the scholars to see.’

‘The number of small gardens is increasing rapidly and
now that the size required for a grant under Article 112 is to
be only 1 square chain, there will probably be a larger
number of applications, but unless there is greater evidence
of scientific methods and experimental work than the majority
show at present, there will not be any great increase in
grants under this article.’

“Most of the school gardens in the eastern district were
ruined in the hurricane, but the teachers haye, as a rule, done
all that can be expected to repair the damage. Only one of
the schools TI have visited has claimed the grant under
Article 112: in this case very good work has been done.’

FISHERIES.
Bermuda.

The following note in regard to the fisheries in
Bermuda is extracted from the Annual Report for
1904:—

I have in previous reports stated that there would
appear to be a good opening for such an industry in these
islands if worked on organized principles. Not only is no
fish exported, but there is no regular fish market in the
colony. Fish is purchased by butchers, by weight, and an
incentive is thereby given to fishermen to catch the heaviest
and coarsest kind ef fish, and the ordinary households are
forced to eat that or none. The only alternative is to keep
one’s own fish-pot or to subsidize a fisherman.

Tarpon Fishing in Jamaica.

The Fishing Gazette of May 13 has an interesting
letter from Major Hutton, R.E., on ‘ Tarpon Fishing in
Jamaica,’ Major Hutton gives an account of some of
his experiences with tiie tarpon—or trapon, as it is
ealled locally—and a number of other game fish,
including jack, snook, barracouta, bony fish, and others.

The Editor of the Fishing Gazette writes :—

Major Hutton, R.E., called on me the other day to say
that statements to the effect that the fishing in Jamaica
was very poor were the reverse of correct, and gave me some
accounts of excellent sport which he had had with small
tarpon on the fly, and larger fish on bait. He says he would
not recommend any one to go there for sport as the want of
[convenient ?] hotels makes it necessary to know some
planter in most cases. The fact is, hardly anything is
known in Jamaica about the [tarpon] fishing.

THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.

Suny 1, US@as

New York,—May 26, 1905.

MARKET REPORTS.

London,— June 6, 1905. Messrs. KEARTON, Pirer «&

Co.; Messrs. E. A. pE Pass & Co.; ‘Tue West Lypra
Comirrer Crrcutar,’ ‘THe LiverrooL Corron
AssocraTioN WEEKLY CircuLar,’ June 2, 1905 ;
and ‘THe Pusric Lepcerr,’ June 3, 1905.

Azors—Barbados, 15/- to 45/- ; Curagoa, 13/- to 45/- per cwt.

Arrowroot—St. Vincent, 1d. per tb.

Bartata—Sheet, 1/6 to 1/11; block, 1/6 per tb.

Bees’-wax—£7 5s. to £7 17s. 6d. per ewt.

Cacao—Trinidad, 56/- to 62/- per ewt. ; Grenada, 53/-
to 546 per ewt.

Carpamoms—Mysore, Thd. to 3/- per Ib.

CorreE—Jamaica, good ordinary, 38/- to 39/- per ewt.

Corron—West Indian Sea Island, medium fine, 13d.; fine,
14d. ; extra fine, 15$d. per tb.

Froir—

Bananas—)/- to 7/- per bunch.
OrancEs—10,- to 12/- per case.
Prve-arpies—-Antigua, 14/- to 17/- per barrel.

Fustic—£3 5s. to £4 per ton.

Gixcen—Jamaica, good to fine, 59/- to 67/6; low middling
to middling, 44/- to 55/-; ordinary to good ordinary,
35,6 to 43/- per cwt.

Honry—17/- to 26,6 per ewt.

Tsrxctass—West Indian lump, 2/3 to 2/8; cake, 1/1 per Ib.

Kora Ners—4d. to 6d. per tb.

Lue Jurce—Raw, 10d. to 1/2 per gallon; concentrated,
£14 10s. per cask of 108 gallons ; hand-pressed, 2/6 to
2/9 per ib. ; Distilled Oil, 1/5 to 1/6 per tb.

Locwoon—£4 to £4 15s.; roots, £3 10s. to £4 per ton.

Mace—Fair to good pale, 1/3 to 1/5; red, 1/1 to 1/2;
broken, 11d. per tb.

Nirrate or Sopa—Agriculiural, £11 5s. per ton.

Nomimcs Co's tovGgeS 76's, lid; 92's, 9d..; 126's,
dhd. per tb.

Pimento—-2jd. per tb.

Rum—Demerara, Is. 3d. per proof gallon; Jamaica, 2s. 1d.
per proof gallon.

Sucan—Yellow crystals, 17/6 to 19/6 per ewt. ; Muscovado,
Barbados, 17/6 per ewt.; Molasses, 12/6 to 16/6 per ewt.

Suntrnare or AmMoNIA—£12 15s. per ton.

Montreal,—May 9, 1903.—Mr. J. Russert Murray.
(In bond quotations, c. & f.)

Cocoa-nuts— Jamaica, $25°00 to $27-00 ; Trinidad, $21:00
to $23°00 per M.

Correr—Jamaica, medium, 10c. to Le. per Ib.

Gixcer—Jamaica, unbleached, 7}c. to L0c. per tb.

Morascvir—Demerara, $1°32 per 100 tb.

Motassrs—Barbados, 3dc.; Antigua, SOc. per Imperial

gallon.

Nurmecs—Grenada, 110’s, 19¢. per Ib.

Orad —No quotations.

Pimenro—Jamaica, 5c. to 5jc. per Tb.

Prixe-aprLes—No quotations.

Sucar—Grey crystals, 96°, $3°10 to $3°35 per 100 Tb.
—Muscovados, 89°, $2°43 to $2°50 per 100 tb.
—Molasses, 89°, $2°00 to $2°25 per 100 th.
—Barbados, 89°, $2°10 to $2°30 per 100 Tb.

Messrs. GILLesrre Bros.

& Co.
Cacao—Caracas, 12e. to 15c.; Grenada, 1ljc. to 11fc.;
Trinidad, 12c. to 124c. per lb.
Cocoa-Nuts—Jamaica, $22°00 to $25:00 ; Trini lad, $20°00
to $21°00 per M.
Correr—Jamaicas, 8c. to 8fe. per th. (ex store).
Gixcer—Jamaica, 6c. to 8c. per Tb.
Goar Skixs—Jamaicas, 60$c. per Th.
Grave Frourr—Jamaicas, $5:00 to $7:00 per barrel.
Nutmecs—No quotations.
OraNGES— $2°50 per box.

Barbados,

Pimento—4se. per tb.

Prve-appLes—$2:00 per crate.

Sucar—Centrifugals. 96°, 42c.; Muscovados, 89°, de. 3
Molasses, 89°, 34c. per tb.

INTER-COLONIAL MARKBTS.

Antigua,—June 14, 1905.— Messrs. Guo. W. BENNETT

Bryson & Co., Lrp.
Morasses—2de. per gallon, package included.
Sucar—89°, $200 per 100 tb.

June 17, 1905.—Messrs. T. 8. Garraway
& Co., and Messrs. James A. Lyncn & Co,

Arrowroot—St. Vincent, $3°40 to $3°60 per 100 th.

Cacao—$12°00 to $12°50 per 100 tb.

GCocoa-Nurs—$13°00 per M. for husked nuts.

Corres —$10:00 to $11°75 per 100 th.

Hay—$1:05 to $110 per 100 th.

Manures—- Nitrate of soda, $62°00 ; Ohlendorft’s dissolved
guano, $5500; Sulphate of ammonia, $75°00; Sulphate
of potash, $65°00 per ton.

Moxasses— 20c. per gallon.

Ontoxs—Madeira, $2°25 per 100 th.

Poratros, ENGLisu—$2°25 to 2 56 per 160 th. (retail).

Rice—Ballam, $4°45 per bag (190 tb.) ; Patna, $3°10
per LOO th.

Sucar—Muscovados, 89°, $1:°90 per 100 th.

British Guiana,—June 15, 1905.—Messrs. WIETING

& LucHrer.

Arrowrnoor—St. Vincent, $8°C0 per barrel.

Bauatra—Venezuela block, 25c.; Demerara sheet, 3de.
per Ib.

Cacaso—Native, 12c. per tb.

Cassaya SrarcH—§od'00 per barrel.

Cocoa-Nuts—$10°00 to $12°00 per M.

Correr—Rio and Jamaica, 13fc. to 14e. per tb. (retail).

— Creole, 12c. per tb.

Duat— $3°30 to $3°75 per bag of 168 th.

Eppors—$1°00 to $1°82 per barrel.

Morasses—Vacuum pan yellow, 16c. per gallon (casks
included).

Oxtons—Tenerife, 3c. to 5$c. per tb.

Pea Nurs—Ameriean, 5c. per tb. (retail).

Prantrains—-}2e. to 32c. per bunch.

Poraros, Exerisa—Bermuda, $2°75 to $3°00 per barrel
(retail).

Poraros, Sweet—Barbados, $1°68 per bag; $1°68 per
barrel.

Rick—Ballam, $4°20 to $4:25 per 177 tb. ; Creole, $400
per bag.

Tannras—$1-44 per barrel.

Yams—White, $2°00 per bag.

Sucar—Dark erystals, $3-00 to $3°40; Yellow, $3:50 to
$3:°75; White, $4°50 to $4:°75; Molasses, $2°60 to
$2°80 per 100 tb. (retail).

Timber—Greenheart, 32c. to 55c. per cubic foot.

WaLtaba Sumncres—$3'00, $3°75, and $5°50 per M.

Trinidad,— June 15, 1905.—Messrs. Gorpon, GRant

& Co. ; and Messrs. Epcar Tripp & Co,

Cacao—Ordinary to good red, $11°50 to $11°75 ; estates,
$1190 to $12-10 per fanega (110 tb.) ; Venezuelan,
$12°25 to $12°60 per fanega-

Cocoa-Nuts—No quotations.

Cocoa-Nuv Om—67e. per Imperial gallon (casks included),

Corres—Venezuelan, 9tc. per th.

Corra— $2-75 per 100 tb.

Oxtoxs—Stringed, $350 ; loose, $2°50 per 100 tb. (retail).

Poraros, ExGuisH—$1°25 to $1:40 per 100 Tb.

pce Yellow, $425 to $4:40; white, $4°75 to $5°75 per
vue.

Sucsr—White crystals, $400: Yellow crystals, $3 00;
Molasses sugars, $2°50 to $3 00 per 100 Tb.

THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.

Publications on sale of the Imperial Department of Agriculture
FOR THE WEST INDIES.

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Volume V. Nos. 1, 2, and 3. Papers on general subjects. No. 4. Report of Agricultural Conference, 1905.
Recent experiments with Sugar-cane in the West Indies. Price 6d. each number. Post free, 8d.

Volume VI. No. 1. Report of Agricultural Conference, 1905 (contd.). Cane Farming, Cacao Cultivation, ete. ete.

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 stil] 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. (23) Notes on Poultry in the West Indies. Price 4d
(5) General Treatment of Insect Pests, 2nd. Edition Revised. (24) Dominica, Hints to Settlers. Price 2d.

Price 4d. (25) Ground Nuts in the West Indies Price 2d.
(6) Recipes for cooking Sweet Potatos. Price 2d. (26) Seedling and other Canes at Barbados, in 1903. Priee 4d.
7) Scale Insects of the Lesser Antilles, Part I. Price 4d. (27) Seedling and other Canes in the Leeward Islands,
9) Bee Keeping in the West Indies. Price 4d. 1902-1905. Price 2d.
(12) Seedling and other Canes in the Leeward Islands, (28) Barbados and Porto Rico Molasses. Price 3d.
1900-1901. Price 2d. (29) Lectures on the Diseases of the Sugar-cane. Price 4d.
13) Seedling and other Canes at Barbados, in 1901. Price 4d. (30) Manurial Experiments with Sugar-cane in the Leeward
14) Screw Worm in Cattle at St. Lucia. Price 2d. Islands, 1902-3. Price 4d.
15) Plain Talk to Small Owners. Price 2d. (31) A. B.C. of Cotton Planting. Price 4d
16) Hints on Mnion Cultivation. Price 2d. (32) Seedling and other Canes at Barbados, in 1904. Price 4d
17) General Treatment of Fungoid Pests. Price 4d. (33) Seedling and other Canes in the Leeward Islands, 1903-4.
(18) Recipes for cooking West Indian Yams. Price 2d. Price 4d.

(19) Seedling and other Canes at Barbados, in 1902. Price 4d. (34) Notes on Rabbit Keeping in the West Indies. Price 2d.
(20) Seedling and other Canes in the Leeward Islands, (35) Information in regard to Agricultural Banks. Price 4d.

1901-1902. Price 2d. (36) Manurial Experiments with Sugar-cane in the Leeward
(21) Cotton and Onion Industries in the West Indies. Price 2d. Islands, 1903-4. Price 4d.
(22) Scale Insects of the Lesser Antilles, Part II. Price 4d. (37) Cultivation of Oranges in Dominica. Price 4d.

The above will be supplied post free for an additional charge of $d. for the pamphlets marked 2d., and 1d. for the
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‘NATURE TEACHING.’

A text-book based upon the general principles of Agriculture for the use of schools, prepared by the Hon. Francis
Watts and others. Price, limp cloth, 2s., or in a superior style of binding, 2s. 6d. Postage in either binding 33d. extra.

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. Vols. I, Il and III 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 sale of the publications of the Department :—

London: Messrs. Dutau & Co., 37, Soho Square, W. City Agents: Tae West Inp1a Commirreg, 15, Seething
Lane, London, E.C. Barbados: Messrs. Bowen & Sons, Bridgetown. Jamaica: Tue Epucationan Suppiy
Company, 16, King St., Kingston. British Guiana - ‘Daily Chronicle’ Office, Georgetown. Trinidad: Messrs. Murr,
Marsnatt «& 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. Lucia: Mrs. Borman, Bridge Street,
Castries. Dominica : Messrs. C. F, Duvernry & Co., Market St., Roseau. Montserrat : Mr. W. LuEWELLYN WALL, Plymouth.
Antigua: Mr. 8. D. Matong, St. John’s. St. Kitt’s: Messrs. S. L. Horsrorp & Co., Basseterre. MWevis: Mr. 8. D. Manone,
Charlestown. Bahamas : Wesleyan Methodist Book Concern, Nassau.

a

Vor. IV. No. 84. THE nen ie UE wURSS NEWS. sane I, 1905,
THE BEST ‘MANURES FOR COLONIAL USE

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.
(85. ] Barbados Agents: Messrs. James A. Lynch & Co., Bridgetown.

eee

JOURNAL D’AGRIGULTURE TROPICALE. | | THE
A Monthly Illustrated Review, published in French, | WEST INDIA COMMITTEE CIRCULAR

dealing with all matters connected with i |

Published fortnightly).
Tropical Agriculture. eo easier Se)

PARIS: M. Vilbouchevitch, | THE OFFICIAL ORGAN
10, rue Delambre. | | OF
Subscription price : 20 franes per annum.
Agents : Loken, W. Dawson & Sons, Ltd., Bream’s j | THE WEST INDIA COMMITTEE
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Street ; “Trinidad, De A. Majani ; Cuba, Solloso : Hayti, Royal Charter August 4, 1904.)
Louis Coieou, Portat-Prinee. Edited by the Secretary.

Containing a Review of the Work of the West India Com-
mittee, Notes on West Indian Affairs, Statistics as to
Cacao, Sugar, Molasses and Rum, "Coffee; Cotton,

: G A G A O ? Nutmegs, Mace, Pimento, Ginger, ” Arrewroot, Lime
’ Juice, ete., etc., Home Arrivals and Departures by

By J. HH, HART, F.L.S. the Mail Steamers, etc.
NEW EDITION.

To Members Free of charge,
To others, Subscription £1 1s. per annum. .
Single Copies 1s.

A treatise on the cultivation, curing and chemistry of
COMMERCIAL CACAO.
DAVIDSON & TODD, Trinidad.

Published at—

Wm.WESLEY & Co., 28, Essex St., London. THE WEST INDIA COMMITTEE ROOMS,
15, Seething Lane,
Price 5s. per copy. London, E.G.

Printed at Office of Agricultural Reporter, 4, High Street, Bridgetown, Barbados,

Z

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A

Toy No. eS)

- SATURDAY, JULY 15, 1905.

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THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.

IMPERIAL DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

FOR THE WEST INDIES.

SPECIALLY SELECTED AND DISINFECTED

Sea Island Cotton Seed

GROWN IN THE WEST INDIES

—AND—

Recommended for sowing during the coming season

(JUNE TO AUGUST)

WILL BE SUPPLIED (FREIGHT FREE) BY

The Department at the rate of five cents (24d.) per Ih.

Address orders, with remittances for the full amount, to—

Dr. FRANCIS WATTS, Antigua, for the Leeward Islands ;
Mr. JOHN R. BOVELL, for Barbados ;
Mr. W. N. SANDS, for St. Vincent ;

Applications from other Colonies may be forwarded direct to—
THE IMPERIAL COMMISSIONER OF AGRICULTURE,

Heap OFFICE: BARBADOS.

Complete information in regard to the cultivation of Cotton will be found in ‘A.B.C.

of Cotton Planting’ to be obtained of all agents of the Department, price 4d.,
post free Od.

A FORTNIGHTLY REVIEW

OF THE

IMPERIAL

BARBADOS, JULY 15, 1905.

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE FOR THE WES! INDIES.

Price ld,

CONTENTS.
PAGE. PAGE.
Barbados, Agricultural Insect Notes :—

Prospects at .. 218
Barbados Banana Industry 212
Bermuda, Agricultural

Industries of ... ... 217
Cacao in Jamaica, Criollo 218

Red Maggot of Cotton 218
West Indian Orthoptera 218
Kola in Samoa rae ale,
Line Trees, Planting ... 215
Market Reports ... ... 224

Castilloa as shade for Milk, Adulteration of ... 219
Cacao ... 219 | Notes and Comments 216
Cotton Notes :— Oranges, Cultivation in
Exports from West Dominica eee eee 21
Indies wes eee 214 | Rubber Trees in Dominica 217
St. Vincent... ... ... 214 | Sugar Industry :—
Sea Islands Market Danish West Indies ... 211
Report aaa elle Seedling Canes in
West Indies , 214 fe) euch CO) ee eek)
Department News... ... 213 | Tarpon 3

Department Reports :— Toffenberg Goats at

British Guiana ... ... 221 | Barbados eee LO
Trinidad See eee ee 22 | Trinidad at the Colonial
Warcin Islands i255... 22/1 Exhibition 211
Educational :—- West Indian Botanic
Agricultural Schools ... 222 Stations 216

West Indian Products :—-
Austria-Hungary 5 223
Drugs and Spices in the

Ensilage, Stack ... ... 221
Forest Trees, Manuring...
Formation of a Cotton

Growers’ Company at London Market 223

iBanbados)<.. %-. |... 209 United States 2.2 223
Gleanings --» «:- «». 220 | West Indies and Canada,
Goats for Sale... ... ... 212 Steamship Communi-
Insect and Fungoid Pests cation q none on. ZOU

in British Guiana ... 217 | West Indies, Trade in ... 222

Formation of a Cotton Growers’
Company at Barbados.

Via LARGELY attended meeting of cotton
growers was held at Barbados on Friday,

July 7, for the purpose of considering the
advisability of forming a limited liability company

to take over the Central Cotton Factory and carry on
operations on co-operative lines.

The Imperial Commissioner of Agriculture placed
the facts at some length before the meeting. He
recapitulated the history of the establishment of the
cotton industry in Barbados and pointed out that the
quality of the cotton, the yield, and the returns, which
were being derived from its cultivation, were sufficient-
ly promising to justify the planters in carrying on the
In fact, the cotton industry at Barbados
might now be regarded as established on most promis-

industry.
ing lines. As a consequence they had arrived at
a stage when it was desirable for the cotton growers
to take into consideration whether they could not
adopt action with the view of taking over the central
cotton factory and working it in the interest of the
cotton growers of the island.

The factory, so far, had been worked by a com-
mittee appointed by the Agricultural Society in
co-operation with the Imperial Department of Agri-
culture. It was first opened in July 1903, when only
one gin was available. Six months later the number
had increased to six. A baling press was next added,
and soon after, a Christy & Norris disintegrator, for
reducing the cotton seed to meal. At the present
time, the factory was as fully equipped as any Sea
Island cotton factory in any part of the world.

The Cotton Committee had worked the factory for
nearly three years with the Imperial Department of
Agriculture, and it had been shown that the factory
was capable of doing excellent work, and that cotton

210

THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.

Juny 15, 1905,

could be ginned and baled at a cost not exceeding 2c.
(1d.) per tb. It was felt that it would be for the good,
not only of the industry generally, but also of the
cotton growers, if the factory were taken over and run
on co-operative lines. ‘The growers would thus obtain
not only the profits arising from the cultivation of the
cotton but also the profits of the working of the
factory.

The total cost of erecting the factory and bringing
it into its present efficient condition was £1,159 12s. 6d:
of this amount the Government of Barbados had
contributed £649 9s. 6d., and the British Cotton-
growing Association, in gins, baling _ press, and
disintegrator, £246 6s. 10d. and a free grant of £100.
A further sum of £166 16s. 2d. had been provided from
the income of the factory.

Sir Daniel Morris mentioned that the Governor-
in-Executive Committee would be prepared, in the
event of a company of cotton growers being formed, to
recommend to the Legislature that the interest of the
Government in the factory might be transferred to the
company for first-mortgage debenture bonds of the
value of £600, bearing interest at the rate of 3 per
cent. per annum, and also that a lease might be

ranted of the present site to the company at

a nominal rent, provided the Jand was not required
for public purposes. Under similar
the British Cotton-growing Association was willing to
accept £150 for its interest in the machinery. They
therefore required about £600 to meet the payment
of £150 and to carry on operations during the coming
season.

circumstances

The agreement of sale would include an under-
taking that the factory would not charge more than
2c. (1d.) per tb. for ginning and baling cotton for
cotton growers in Barbados ; also that the factory would
buy cotton from small growers or make advances to
them to the extent of 75 per cent. of the value of their
cotton. Further, in the event of a new law being
passed to prevent cotton stealing, the company would
become the principal buyers of cotton, in order to
prevent its purchase by unauthorized persons.

On the motion of Dr. C. E. Gooding, M.C.P.,
seconded by Mr. H. E. Pilgrim, the following resolution
was unanimously passed :—

‘That the cotton growers present at this meeting
hereby agree to form themselves into a limited liability
company in order to take over the Central Cotton Factory
and work it on co-operative lines on the terms set forth in

the letters laid before them from the Colonial Secretary and
the Secretary of the British Cotton-growing Association,’

Resolutions were also passed authorizing Sir Daniel
Morris to communicate to the Governor-in-Executive
Committee and the British Cotton-growing Association
the decision contained in the above resolution.

Upon the suggestion of Sir Daniel Morris the
following were appointed a provisional board of
directors, the Hon. F: J. Clarke, Dr: (CARR
Gooding, Mr. Samuel Browne, Mr. 'T. B. Evelyn, jnr,,
Mr. G. Sebert Evelyn, Mr. H. E. Pilgrim, Mr. W. D.
Shepherd, and Mr. J. R. Bovell, with power to take all
necessary steps to start the company.

vizZ.,

In answer to a cotton grower, Mr. J. R. Bovell said
that the number of shares already taken was 1,216,
equal to £608.

Very hearty and sincere votes of thanks were then
accorded both Sir Daniel Morris and Mr. Bovell for
their substantial services in connexion with the cotton
industry and especially with the establishment of the
factory, the control of which it was hoped would soon
be in the hands of the cotton growers working on
co-operative lines.

Seedling Canes in Jamaica.

In his report on the Sugar Experiment Station in
Jamaica for the year 1904-5, Dr. Cousins makes the
following references to the work in connexion with
seedling canes :-—

Experiments to test ten selected yarieties of canes in”
100-hole plots have been established at eleven estates in five
parishes.

Selected seedling canes, from which trials on an estate
seale are to be started in the coming season, have been
supplied to twenty-two estates ; for this purpose 35,500 cane
tops and cuttings have been distributed from the Hope canes
under my direction, of which it is estimated that 28,000 are
actually growing.

Seven acres of land at Hope are reserved for the purposes
of this scheme as a nursery for cane varieties. The
reservoir was made available for irrigating the canes by the
construction of a conduit, so that while the reservoir could
store water all night, it could be drawn upon at the same
time as the ordinary supply in the day time. The canes
have made good growth; a breadth of Barbados seedling,

No. 208, yielded 76°9 tons of cane per acre. Some 100
selected seedlings, besides thirty-five selected seedlings

raised in Jamaica in 1903, will be ready for first selection im
June next.

<a

Vol. IV. No. 85.

THE AGRICULTURAL

NEWS. 211

Danish West Indies.

The Louisiana Planter of June 24 contains the
following note on progress in sugar manufacture in the
Danish West Indies :—

The Breitfeld-Danek Engineering Co., of Prague,
Austria-Bohemia, have undertaken the construction of a new
central sugar factory on the Lower Bethlehem estate in the
Danish island of Santa Cruz, or Saint Croix. This factory is
being built for a capacity of 500 to 600 tons of sugar-cane
per twenty-four hours and is now nearly completed. The
whole building is very neat, tasteful and of simple construc-
tion in iron and steel. ‘The structural metal and the sugar
machinery have all been supplied by the Breitfeld-Danek Co.,
and their promptness in the construction of the buildings and
in the erection of the machinery and the excellence of the
work done make a record for such sugar factories as these
in the West Indies. In this present case, within four months
from the time the contract was taken all parts of the iron
building and every machine were made and delivered.

It is encouraging to those interested in the cane sugar
industry to see this spirit of progress and improvement
manifested more generally in the West Indies, and it is quite
a point for the little island of St. Croix to become one of
the leaders in that improvement in cane sugar manufacture,
which has become an absolute essential everywhere where
sugar is made from cane, if cane sugar is to hold its own in
the sugar-making world and regain the controlling position
that it had a generation ago.

TRINIDAD AT THE COLONIAL
EXHIBITION.

The following is a summary of an article by
Mr. W. G. Freeman in the West India Committee
Circular on the Trinidad exhibit at the Colonial and
Indian Exhibition :—

The importance of the cacao industry to Trinidad is
brought home to the visitor by the wealth of material by
which it is illustrated at the Crystal Palace Colonia! Exhibi-
tion. There are flowers and pods, excellently preserved in
formalin, and some of the latter are cut open, displaying the
seeds, so that it is possible at a glance to note the dis-
tinguishing features of Criollo, Forastero, and Calabacillo
varieties. The commercial staple is well illustrated by some
sixty to seventy large samples of cacao beans. The samples,
lent by Mr. J. Hoadley, illustrative of the results obtained
from his new cacao drier, will be of considerable value to all
practically interested in this product. Those unfamiliar with
the mode of cultivation and manufacture of cacao, will
certainly be able to learn much if they carefully look over
the photographs with which the exhibit is so plentifully
furnished.

Sugar with its by-products is well represented. There
are abundant fresh canes, ete., and the chief grades of sugar
produced in the colony are shown, including white, yellow
and grey crystals and molasses sugar, and also molasses and
rum. ‘Molascuit’ affords an instance of the practical
utilization of a previous waste product.

The export of cocoa-nuts from Trinidad is an industry of
considerable standing, and some 10,000,000 nuts are annually
sent out of the colony. ‘The preparation of copra, which is
so important an industry in the East, has only recently been
extensively taken up in the West Indies. The specimens in
the court show that copra, of apparently good quality, can
be prepared in Trinidad, and it is gratifying to note that
quting the last two years the exports have increased nearly

three-fold. Cocca-nut oil, of which such large quantities are
produced for local consumption, and to a less degree for
export, is also represented, together with the cocoa-nut meal
made from the cake left after the expression of the oil. If
this meal is available in sufficient quantity there should be
a market for it in the West India Islands, where relatively
enormous quantities of oil cake and other cattle foods are
imported annually. Manufactured products of cocoa-nut oil
are represented by a number of kinds of soap of good appear-
ance, and cocoa-nut pomade.

Considerable attention has been paid to essential oils by
the Botanic Department of Trinidad, and the possibilities of
the island in this direction are sufficiently indicated by a set
of some fourteen specimens. Samples are also exhibited of
camphor, distilled from Ccnnamomum Camphora, introduced
by the Botanic Department from the East. Citronella oil is
noticed in the hand-book as an industry which could be
developed at short notice should favourable conditions arise
in the world’s market.

That it is possible to grow cotton of good quality in
Trinidad is demonstrated by a bale of Sea Island cotton and
the samples of other varieties exhibited. Leaf tobacco, cigars,
and cigarettes indicate the potentialities of the colony in
respect to the fragrant weed.

The exhibit of rice atfords proof of the suitability of
local conditions to the cultivation of this product. It is an
industry which might well be extended, especially consider-
ing that during the last three years, to go no further back,
some 2U,000,000 tb. of rice have had to be imported annually
into the colony to supply local demands.

Trinidad is very rich in timber, and the specimens of
woods exhibited give some idea of the resources of the
colony in this product. The chief exhibits in the animal
preducts group are the sounds of a fish which are exported
as West Indian isinglass. Honey of very good appearance
is shown, and previous samples have been valued at a good
ficure in London. Samples of crude and refined asphalt,
manjak or glance pitch and petroleum are also shown.

Detailed information is available from the various hand-
books, gnides, ete, which may be seen in the court, and
the comprehensive summary of the exports and imports of
Trinidad, specially prepared by Professor Carmody for this
Exhibition. Mr. J. H. Hart, the Superintendent of the Botanic
Department, is almost constantly in attendance, and places
his knowledge of Trinidad and ‘Trinidad products freely at
any one’s disposal. Every one concerned, both in Trinidad
and in England, must be congratulated on having brought
together, in such good condition, a collection so representa-
tive of the products and resources of Trinidad.

WEST INDIES AND CANADA.

Steamship Communication.

Mr. J. Russell Murray writes to the Imperial
Commissioner of Agriculture under date June 10, 1905,
as follows :—

A contract is being made with the Elder, Dempster & Co.
for a service from Montreal in the summer, and from Nova
Scotia in the winter, to Nassau, Cuba, and Mexico; the
first steamer, the S.S. ‘Yoruba,’ has already a full cargo
engaged. The Pickford & Black line will be continued as at
present for another year when the question will be re-opened
and the service probably reorganized. The opinion
continues to be strongly held here that Montreal should be
the terminal port during open navigation.

THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.

JuLty 15, 1905.

CULTIVATION OF ORANGES IN
DOMINICA.

In the Agricultural News (Vol. II, p. 340) there
was published a brief description by Dr. Watts of
the system of cultivation for oranges adopted by
Mr. Scully at ‘Corona,’ Dominica. In a report on
a recent visit to the island Dr. Watts again refers to
the success that has attended this system :—

Attention may again be drawn to the rational manner
in which Mr. Scully is cultivating his orange plantation at
Corona. A circular space is kept cleanly weeded around each
orange tree, and in weeding care is taken to prevent the soil

from being dragged away from the roots of the trees; the
intervening ground between the weeded circles remains

covered with grass and the weeds natural to the district ;
these are periodically (three or four times a year) eut down
by means of cutlasses and allowed to lie on the surface as
mulch. So far, no turf has formed, and the soil remains
in excellent condition, perfectly protected from wash, and
with its supply of humus constantly renewed. The existence
of this cultivation constitutes an object-lesson of great value
to other planters who are sure to be favourably influenced
by it.

BARBADOS BANANA INDUSTRY.

The following is an extract from a letter to the
local newspapers from Mr. J. R. Bovell, Agricultural
Superintendent at Barbados, dated July 3, in reference
to the shipment of bananas :—

I have received a telegram to-day from Messrs. W.
Pink & Sons informing me that the bananas shipped by the
S.S. ‘Trent’ on June 3 last have netted 2s. 11$d. per bunch.

With regard to those shipped by the 8.8. ‘Orinoco’ on
June 17 last, I regret to say that they inform me that
10 per cent. have arrived bad, and the bunches were mature
and ripe. They also advise us to ship as many bunches as
we can.

In connexion with this matter I will also ask you to
allow me to remind banana growers that the §.5. ‘ Tagus,’ in
which the Hall’s system of cold storage is installed, is the
next steamer for England, and that they should ship as many
bananas by this ship as possible, which usually carries them
in good condition. On her last voyage she carried 1,538
bunches, out of which only one arrived bad,

Tt may also be of interest if I mention that, in a letter
dated June 16, Messrs. W. Pink & Sons write: ‘The demand
for bananas is now enormous, we can sell any quantity that

\\ S
WEST INDIAN FRUIT.

can be shipped. It is generally known that these bananas
will increase in favour, and they will without doubt hold
a primary position in the markets here.’

KOLA IN SAMOA.

The following note on the cultivation of kola,
extracted from the Consular Report on the trade
of Samoa for 1904, contains items of interest :—

Kola does exceedingly well up to an altitude of 500
feet above the sea. Communication from any firm with
regard to tropical industries will receive full attention at the
consulate. Kola trees here give their first crop in seven
years from date of planting.

This article, grown principally on the West Coast of
Africa, where it is largely consumed, is now, in a limited
way, coming into use in Australia as an addition to or
substitute for alcoholic drinks, the craving for which it is
said to keep in check. It is a great thirst quencher and
removes bodily fatigue.

As some difliculties attend its transport, for the fresh
bean appears soon to lose its colour and presumably some
of its strength when long exposed to the air, it is possible
that it may become an export to Australia, which lies so
close to Samoa that it can be shipped there in six or seven
days.

Sierra Leone alone supplies the interior of Africa with
kola beans to the value of £37,000 yearly.

Kach pod contains from four to six beans. On the
Gold Coast the beans are sold for Is. 6d. to 2s. 3d. per 100.
On the Gold Coast the yield of trees seven years old is
stated to be 3,500 beans per tree, worth there £2 10s.

GOATS FOR SALE.

The following goats of improved breed are offered
for sale :—

Three pure-bred, Toffenberg male kids, four months old
(by Bruce out of Pauline). Price, 6 dollars (£1 5s.) each—
not including erate and freight.

Two half-bred, Toffenberg ewes, eight weeks old
(by Bruce out of good native goat). Price, 3 dollars (12s. 6d.)
each—not including erate and freight.

_ A fine cross-bred male goat (by Black Rock out of good
native goat). Cream coloured, eighteen months old, in good
condition. Price, 12 dollars (£2 10s.), not including erate
and freight.

Address :—Stockmaster,
Imperial Department of Agriculture,
Head Office: Barbados,

Vou. IV. No. 85.

THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS. 213

THE TARPON.

In the first volume of the Agricultural News
several interesting notes were published with regard
to the occurrence of tarpon in the West Indies. The
extract in the last issue (p..207) indicates that excellent
sport is to be had with this fish in Jamaica.

An interesting account of the tarpon has been
recently published in the ‘Smithsonian Miscellaneous
Collections’ (Vol. 48, part 1) by Theodore Gill. The
paper is entitled ‘The Tarpon and Lady-fish and their
Relatives. The following extracts from Mr. Gill’s
paper are likely to be of interest :—

The tarpon (Megalops atlanticus) has an elongated,
fusiform shape ; the forehead slightly incurved (rather than
straight) to the snout; the chin projects and is obliquely
truncated ; the dorsal fin (with twelve rays) is on the
posterior half of the body, nearly midway between the
yentrals and anal; its free margin is very sloping and
incurved, and its long hind ray reaches nearly to the
vertical of the anal; the anal (with twenty rays) is about
twice as long as the dorsal and falciform ; the caudal fin has
a very wide, V-shaped emargination. The scales are in about
forty-two oblique rows. It reaches a length of about 6 feet,
sometimes more.

The tarpon may be briefly defined as a littoral fish of
warm American seas often entering into rivers and acclimated
in some inland lakes.

Florida and Texas are the states in whose waters the
fish is most frequently seen, because there most looked for,
but its range extends far beyond those coasts in all directions.
In summer wanderers visit the north as far as Massachusetts,
where large individuals of the ‘big-scale fish,’ as they are there
called, are ‘taken every year in traps at South Dartmouth
in the latter part of September ;’ southward they may be
found in Brazil and sporadically in Argentina. Around all
the islands of, and in, the Carribean Sea, and Gulf of Mexico,
schools may be met with. Further immigrants have found
their way into rivers that enter into the tropical seas and
the Lake of Nicaragua has long been famous as the home of
the species.

Being essentially a warm-water fish, it is only in the
warm months that the tarpon is to be found at its northern
and southern limits. On the approach of cold weather it
retires towards the tropics. The tarpon is sensitive to sudden
changes of temperature and especially to cold, and to such
changes it is sometimes subject in its northern range.

The life-history is very imperfectly known, but it does
not appear to breed at any place along the continental coast
of the United States, for none except large individuals have
been recorded from those places most resorted to by anglers.

It apparently demands a temperature and conditions
which the reef-forming coral animals require, and sheltered
brackish or fresh water for oviposition. In such localities
about Porto Rico, in February 1899, Evermann and Marsh
found, not eggs, but very young, and there ‘it evidently
breeds.’

Most of the large tarpons caught along the coasts of

Florida and the Southern States have attained full maturity ;
of such the length is about 6 feet, and the weight
approximates 100 tb. ; they are probably nearly or over three
years old. Growth, however, is continued in some much
beyond the average, one of 383 tb., it is claimed, having
been harpooned.

The tarpon is now considered to have little or no edible
value. It has, indeed, been declared by Schomburgk to be
‘considered a delicate eating’ in Barbados, and in the United
States been experimented with occasionally ; one (W. H.
Burrall), who did so in 1874, declared that it was very
palatable, but his taste was exceptional. It has been
frequently tried since but rejected for the table. An effort
was made on one or two occasions in Massachusetts when
considerable numbers had been caught, ‘to find a market
for them,’ as at New Bedford, ‘but the people did not like
them, owing to the toughness of the flesh.’

DEPARTMENT NEWS.

The Imperial Commissioner of Agriculture will
proceed to Jamaica by the mail steamer leaving
Barbados on the 31st. instant. During his stay in the
colony, Sir Daniel Morris will devote attention to the
cotton industry, the new sugar-cane experiments
carried on by Dr. Cousins, and other matters brought
under his notice by the Government. Arrangements
will also be made for the West Indian Agricultural
Conference proposed to be held in Jamaica in January
next,

Mr. L. Lewton-Brain, B.A., F.L.S., who for the last
three years has been engaged as Mycologist and
Lecturer in Agricultural Science on the staff of the
Imperial Department of Agriculture for the West
Indies, embarked for New York on July 8 to take up
the appointment of Assistant Director of the Patho-
logical Division at the Laboratories of the Hawaiian
Sugar Planters’ Association, Mr. Lewton-Brain has

rendered excellent service by his researches in
connexion with the sugar-cane, cacao, and other
industries. His colleagues part with him with great

regret and they wish him every success in his new
duties on the other side of the world.

On the recommendation of the Director of the
Royal Gardens, Kew, the Secretary of State for the
Colonies has approved of the appointment of Mr. F. A.
Stockdale, B.A., First-class Natural Science Honours,
Magdalene College, Cambridge, to be Mycologist and
Lecturer in Agricultural Science on the staff of the
Imperial Department of Agriculture for the West
Indies. Mr. Stockdale, who is to succeed Mr. L. Lewton-
Brain, B.A., F.L.S., will shortly arrive in the West
Indies.

On the recommendation of the Imperial Com-
missioner of Agriculture for the West Indies, Mr. W. N.
Cunningham, Assistant Superintendent of the Hope
Gardens at Jamaica, has been appointed Curator of the
Botanic and Experiment Station at Nassau, Bahamas.
Mr. Cunningham will carry on his duties under the
new Board of Agriculture established in that colony.

214 THE

AGRICULTURAL NEWS.

ai D2

SSS SSS

SEA ISLANDS MARKET REPORT.

Recent reports of Messrs, Henry W. Frost & Co.,
have the following notes on the Sea Islands crop:—

We have had more seasonable weather during the past
week, admitting of plantation work being resumed after the
long rainy spell ; consequently, conditions are more promising,
and we hope we shall be having better advices from now on.
The acreage planted is fully equal to last in Carolina and
Florida ; and the impression is that there has been some
increase in Georgia. (June 3, 1905.)

The weather during the week has been very favourable,
admitting of plantation work being generally resumed, and
the advices generally report the condition improved. The
fields have now been worked, good stands have been obtained
and the crop is in better condition than at this time last
year. (June 10, 1905.)

As the weather has been favourable for the past week
the reports from all sections are good. The crops are now
free of grass, good stands have been secured, and the outlook
is promising at present. (June 17, 1905.)

WEST INDIES.

At a meeting of the second International Cotton
Congress held in Manchester on June 9, Mr. J. Arthur
Hutton, Vice-Chairman of the British Cotton-growing
Association, read an interesting paper regarding the
operations of the Association. ‘The following is extracted
from a report of the meeting in the West India
Committee Circular :—

Mr. Hutton went on to say that it was in the West
Indies that the efforts of the Association had been most
successful, and this was principally due to the fact that
the plantations were in the hands of Europeans, and that
the Association met with most hearty co-operation from the
Imperial Department of Agriculture, which took up the
cause of cotton growing with the greatest zeal. In no other
part of the Empire had the Association’s work advanced
so rapidly, or so nearly approached a commercial basis.
Fortunately, it had been proved beyond all possible doubt that
the West India Islands could grow Sea Island cotton of the
best possible quality, and that the planter could make money
out of it. If it came to a question of competition, the
conditions were so much more favourable in the West Indies
that the planters there could produce Sea Island cotton more
economically than could be done in the United States.
Cotton from the West Indies was arriving now by every
steamer, and the bulk of it was selling at 16d. to 18d. per Ib.,
and the quality was very much improved and considerably
better than the average quality of American Sea Island
cotton.

°
rd i 7

/ an
Hib\fudil om uC
mT aU

EXPORTS FROM THE WEST INDIES.

On p. 151 of this volume of the Agricultural
News a statement was published (furnished by the
Customs Department in each case) showing the
amount and estimated value of cotton exported from the
various West Indian Colonies during the quarter ended
March 31, 1905. Since that statement was published
returns have come to hand from Jamaica showing that
3,918 tb. of cotton (variety unknown), of the estimated
value of £154, were exported during the quarter. This
makes the total weight of cotton exported from the
British West Indian Colonies, during the quarter,
418,166 th., of the estimated value of £19,608.

ST. VINCENT.

At a meeting of the St. Vincent Cotton Growers’
Association on June 28, Mr. W. N. Sands, Agricultural
Superintendent, read a paper reviewing the position of
the cotton industry in St. Vincent with suggestions for
the present planting season.

The following is a short summary of Mr, Sands’
paper :—

In May 1904, and in one or two cases a month or so
earlier, planting was commenced on a much larger scale than
the previous season, but only Sea Island cotton seed was put
in. Before being distributed it was thoroughly disinfected
at the cotton factory to prevent the introduction of any
cotton diseases not already existing in the land. The seed
was sown at intervals from May until October, but the chief
areas were planted from June until August. The total area
planted was 1,471 acres. In some unfavourable localities
and exposed situations, the growth was poor, or the bolls
failed to mature. It was observed that poor returns were
obtained from cotton sown earlier than May or later than
August. On the whole, however, the season of 1904 might
be considered a favourable one for the plants, the rainfall
being well distributed.

The cotton factory was open from the first week in
January till June 15. The total amount of seed-cotton
received at the factory was 281,606 Ib., which when ginned
gave 77,814 tb. of lint and 199,941 tb. of seed. The
proportion of lint to seed-cotton by weight was therefore
27°63 per cent. The lint was made up into 233 bales, each
containing on an average 333 Ib. net.

The prices obtained have been in every way satisfactory,
and for the first-quality cotton an all-round price of Is. 5d.
per Ib. has been obtained. I have not yet heard the price
realized for cotton of other grades. The reports received
from the brokers and others have been very gratifying,

Vou. IV. No. 85.

THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.

215

and to-day St. Vincent cotton holds the proud position of
being the finest produced in the British Empire. Owing to
St. Vincent cotton being so exceptionally good, we have
found a market for the seed obtained from our best marks,
and at the present time I am busy preparing and packing
selected and disinfected seed for planting purposes in other
West India Islands. It may be of interest to add that to
date 10,215 tb. of treated seed have been exported and
9,282 tb. treated and returned to the growers here.

Having to plant seed of our own growing, there is
a point to which I would call your attention, that is, the
desirability of changing your seed. It is a practice, as you
are aware, in other countries to change the seed of staple and
other crops from time to time, and planters know that they
obtain much better results by adopting it. I would therefore
suggest, where not already done, that it would be desirable
to sow seed from other districts rather than sow seed grown
on the estate, that is, of course, if seed of apparently
the same quality can be obtained by exchange. Then it is
important, in order to obtain the best results, that all seed
planted should have been selected and disinfected beforehand.
The members of this Association have recognized the 1mpor-
tance of this work, and as far as I can ascertain, all the
seed to be planted this season will have been treated at the
cotton factory.

With regard to the selection of suitable land, there are
several points to be considered. Badly drained land must
be avoided, also Jand much exposed to the wind, or subject
to very heavy rainfall. Next, the land must be well
cultivated and manured. Manuring is particularly necessary
in the case of lands lately cultivated in arrowroot, or
exhausted by other crops.

The best months for planting in St. Vincent are
undoubtedly June, July, and August.

Two very serious diseases affected cotton plants last
season, viz., anthracnose of thé bolls and the leaf-blister
mite. I have observed that the recommendations of the
Department to pull up and burn the old stalks before the
fresh seed was sown have been carried out. Perhaps the
most effectual means of keeping these pests in check will be
the sowing of selected and disinfected seed, planting at the
right time, selection of suitable land, and good cultivation
and manuring.

PLANTING LIME TREES.

In forwarding proposals with regard to a lime
experiment station in Dominica, Dr. Francis Watts
makes the following observations in regard to laying
out a lime plantation :—

In planting lime trees it is usually the custom to set
them out at the distances the trees are to be when they have
arrived at maturity. This usually involves two evils: first,
that in the early stages the trees are placed at relatively
great distances apart, and, secondly, that as they reach
maturity they are often too close. It is desirable that lime
trees should stand at such distances from each other that the
branches of adjacent trees do not touch, for the fruit is
largely borne on the ends of the branches. In cases where
the trees are growing in contact, it will be seen that there
is merely a leafy canopy overhead and that the lower
branches are bare of leaves and destitute of fruit: in this
respect a lime is in striking contrast to a cacao tree. A well-
grown lime tree is practically hemispherical in shape and
bears fruit all over its periphery from the top of the tree
down to the ground. When lime trees grow in close contact,
so as to reduce the bearing area to the overhead canopy,

there may be a considerable quantity of dead wood formed
on account of the efforts made by the trees to effect
something in the way of self-pruning. This dead wood is
objectionable as it may serve as the starting point for various
diseases.

In order to avoid these objections, I may suggest the
desirability of planting the trees at close distances at first so
as to cover the ground well, thus ensuring a large return of
fruit at an early date, and then, as the trees begin to touch
each other, to cut back certain trees, marked from the first
as temporary, so as to afford sufficient space for the proper
development of the permanent trees. The cutting back
should be gradual, a little being done rigorously every year
or at stated times as required; the trees in process of destruc-
tion from cutting back should yield good crops up to the
time they are completely eradicated. In this way a lime
plantation should be soon brought into full bearing and
maintained in that condition for a number of years.

That this method may be successful, it is essential that
the trees which are to be cut back should be known and
marked from the outset, and they should be ruthlessly cut
back as occasion requires. The grave danger in this method
is that one may plant closely and then neglect to cut back ;
under these circumstances much harm, instead of good, will
result.

Two methods of cutting back suggest themselves: one
in which the trees in alternate rows, counting the rows in
each direction, are cut back, and the other in which alternate
trees in alternate rows are cut.

The following diagram, in which P stands for permanent
trees and t for those to be cut back, will make this clear ;—

First method :—

tPtPtPtPtPtPt
ttttttttttttt
tPtPtPtPtPtPt Treesas planted, say 6 x 6 feet.
ttttttttttttt
CRNA tebatyeties take t
Be ey Ee Bee Be, P

After cutting back, trees 12
by 12 feet.

Bebe be oP Pek
12 P P After further cutting back if
necessary, trees24 x 24 feet.

P IP P

Second method :—

telaipipcpbatek tb tek
1D ie IP th Je ty 12s 125 Te i812)
tPtPtPtPtPtPt Asplanted, trees say 6 x 6 feet.
TP th 12 th 12th tele ie 125 Le
PAPA PyP PP

P P P P P P P After cutting back, trees, 84
Bae bs “ba Py Pep by 12 feet.
Pee PAeP APY’ 2- Pi PR
Payee Peek ie P+ P
Dae Peo Po) Pie
After further cutting back,
Pee Pee Ph ROP trees 12 x 12 feet.

The distance chosen for the original planting may vary,
but distances of from 6 to 9 feet are suggested as convenient,

It will be noted that the first and second methods, at
one stage, both result in trees standing at double the original
distances. It is obvious that cutting back can be carried
on stage by stage as long as it is considered prudent.

i)

16 THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.

Juty 15, 1905.

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 5 of the cover.

The Agricultural News: Price 1d. per number,
post free 1}d. Annual subscription payable to Agents,
Qs, 2d. Post free, 3s. 3d.

Agricultural sews

SATURDAY, JULY 15, 1905. No. 85.

ae IV.
NOTES AND COMMENTS.

Contents of Present Issue.

The editorial in the present issue deals with
a meeting of cotton growers held in Barbados to
consider the advisability of forming a limited lability
company for the purpose of assuming the control of the
Central Cotton Factory.

A summary of a descriptive article by Mr. W. G.
Freeman on the Trinidad exhibit at the Colonial and
Indian Exhibition will be found on p, 211.

Extracts from an interesting account of the habits
of the tarpon are published on p. 213.

The ‘ Cotton Notes’ in this issue contain a review
of the position of the industry in St. Vincent. The
outlook for cotton in that island would appear to be
particularly bright (see pp. 214-5). On the latter page
will also be found suggestions by Dr. Watts with regard
to the planting of lime trees.

Brief entomological notes of interest will be found
on p. 218. These deal with the ‘ red maggot’ of cotton,
which is a somewhat common pest in Barbados, and
with the identification of some West Indian Orthoptera.

The account on p. 219 of successful experiments
in the use of Castilloa as a shade tree in cacao planta-
tions is likely to prove of interest to cacao planters in
the West Indies, where it has been suggested that this
practice might be adopted.

Brief reviews of recently issued departmental
reports will be found on p. 221. On p, 222 are reports
on the recent half-yearly examinations at the West
Indian Agricultural Schools.

Tarpon in the West Indies.

Elsewhere in this issue an interesting account of
the tarpon is reproduced. Readers of the Agricultwral
News will be well aware that this fish occurs through-
out the West Indies, and notes on its occurrence in
Jamaica, British Guiana, Trinidad, and other islands,
were published in the first volume of this journal,
where catches of some very large fish are recorded.

This is one of the best of game fishes in the tropics,
and affords excellent sport which should prove attrac-
tive to winter visitors in these islands. It is also
known as ‘kuffum’ or ‘cuffum’ in some of the islands.
The tarpon is found in the sea, in creeks, in rivers,
and in salt lagoons.

+¢ oe

Toffenberg Goats at Barbados.

The Totfenberg goat ‘Pauline, the fine milking
goat introduced by the Imperial Department of
Agriculture in January 1903, has suddenly died at
Halton estate, Barbados, from acute cholic. As
noted in the Agricultural News (p. 172), ‘Pauline’
in March last gave birth to three male kids, and for
some time after they were weaned, she gave on
an average 7 pints of milk daily. Including the two
kids that arrived with her in 1903, she had given birth
to seven kids—six males and one female.

‘Bruce’ the handsome ‘'Toffenberg ‘billy’ that

came out with ‘ Pauline,’ is in splendid condition; as
also a son of his ‘ Wallace’ at Halton estate. Another
son ‘ Paul’ is at St. Vincent.
OO
West Indian Botanic Stations.
The Annual Reports of the several Botanic

Stations in the West Indies, for the year ended
March 31 last, have been prepared and will be published
with as little delay as possible. The report on the
Experiment Station at ‘Tortola, Virgin Islands, has
already been issued and is briefly reviewed elsewhere
in this number of the Agricultural News. It is
expected that the report on the Botanie Station,
Agricultural School, ete., at St. Vincent will be ready
for distribution by next mail.

These reports record a large amount of valuable
work in connexion, not only with the routine work of
the gardens, but more especially with the growth and
distribution of economic plants and the establishment
of new industries, Thus, in several of the reports
useful and practical information will be found in
reference to the cultivation of cotton in the West
Indies, in connexion with which the local officers of the
Imperial Department of Agriculture have rendered
signal service.

A feature to which greater prominence is being
given in these reports is a record of the efforts to
introduce the teaching of the principles of agriculture
in the primary and secondary schools.

These reports, as soon as published, will be
obtainable from all agents for the sale the Depart-
ment’s publications at the small cost of a few pence,

Vou. IV. No. 85.

THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.

Rubber Trees in Dominica.

In the Agricultural News (Vol. IV, p. 39) a note
from the Administrator of Dominica was published
describing the system of road-side planting of rubber
trees that had been adopted in Dominica. For
a distance of 9 miles along one side of the Imperial
road, plants (to the number of about 2,500) of the two
species Castilloa elastica and Funtumia elastica have
been planted alternately. As the altitude of the road
varies from 450 feet to 1,800 feet, this experiment is
likely to furnish very valuable information as to the
conditions of elevation, soil, and exposure at which
these trees thrive best.

In a recent report to the Imperial Commissioner
of Agriculture, Dr. Francis Watts makes some interest-
ing observations on this experiment. The best results
have been obtained in the district of Bassinville, where
the Castilloa trees have thriven remarkably well. In
other districts the Funtumia trees appear to have
grown better. Supplying will be necessary in some
places, and for this purpose seeds will soon be available
at the Botanic Station.

The experiment undoubtedly brings out the fact
that Castilloa requires a well-drained soil, which must
not be too heavy. <As pointed out by Dr. Watts, it
may usefully be assumed as a guide in planting
Castilloa that this tree requires much the some soil
conditions as cacao.

————— Oe

Insect and Fungoid Pests in British Guiana.

In the Annual Report on the British Guiana
Botanic Gardens, reviewed elsewhere in this issue,
Mr. Bartlett makes interesting observations on the
injuries done to plants in the colony by insects and
fungi.

Attention was paid to the alieged destruction of
rice by the ‘rice bug’ in the island of Leguan. The
damage was caused by the insects sucking the grains
in their young stage. This was, however, restricted to
one field and was found on investigation not to be as
great us was stated.

Many of the cocoa-nut and cabbage palms, both in

the gardens and in other parts of the colony, were
attacked by caterpillars which fed on the leaves. In
some cocoa-nut plantations considerable damage was
done. ‘Insufficient has been ascertained about the
life-history of the insect to suggest means of destroying
it. Reference is also made to the larger moth borer of
the sugar-cane (Castnia licus), a full account of which
has already appeared in the Agricultural News.

In regard to fungoid diseases, Mr, Bartlett's
observations are confined to the pests of cacao. As
has already been reported, the ‘witch broom’ disease
was discovered on one estate; the ‘thread’ disease on
two estates: while on every estate visited the cacao
pod disease, caused by Phytophthora omnivora, was
found. The ‘brown rot’ disease, due to Diplodia
cacaoicola, was found only on dead husks.

A previously undescribed fungoid disease was
plentiful on some plantations. The cause of this has
not yet been identified.

—

Manuring Forest Trees.

An article in the Journal of the Board of
Agriculture (Great Britain) reviews experiments that
have been carried out in Belgium, Germany, and
Holland, to determine the advisability of cultivating
and manuring the soil for forest trees.

Usually no special measures are taken to prepare
the soil before transplanting forest trees from the
nursery. The German Agricultural Society is directing
a comprehensive series of trials for the purpose of
ascertaining what form of manuring is likely to give
the best results. As far as these have gone, they
appear to indicate that a considerable increase of
growth may be obtained by means of manures and
cultivation.

‘Careful management of the humus is a point
which is considered deserving of special attention, as it
is the only source of plant food in the later stages of
the trees.’

Importance is also attached to the use of
leguminous plants as an inexpensive means of enriching
the soil: moreover, their cultivation offers the best
means of deepening the soil.

rr ee

Agricultural Industries of Bermuda.

It is stated in the dnnual Report on Bermuda
for 1904 that the cultivation of onions, potatos, and
lily bulbs for the United States markets is the chief
agricultural industry of Bermuda. Special reference
has been made to the onion trade. ‘The potato crop
was somewhat smaller than in 1903. The lily crop was
again a small one, and the prices were poor. It appears
that the Bermuda lily has now to compete with the
Japan variety, which is placed on the American market
at a low price. Diseases affecting the lily bulb are
being investigated, and new varieties tested,

The exports of arrowroot show an_ increase.
The one factory equipped with modern plant
is capable of producing a large quantity of this
valuable commodity, which is of excellent quality and
commands a high price in the home and foreign
markets. There was during 1904 an appreciable
increase in the exports of vegetables other than onions
and potatos,

Reference is made in the report to the Public
Garden which is supported chiefly as an Experiment
Station under the management of the Board of Agri-
culture. Mr. T. J. Harris, formerly of the Department
of Public Gardens and Plantations, Jamaica, assumed
charge at the end of the financial year, and much good
work was done at the garden.

It is evident that useful work is being carried on
by Mr. Harris. Experiments are to be carried out in
growing Sumatra tobacco for wrappers, in the cultivation
of new varieties of potatos, in establishing standard
varieties of vegetables and strawberries for Bermuda,
in the cultivation of peaches, etc. Some difficulty has
been experienced in growing fruit on account of the
attacks of the fruit fly. Mention was made in the
last issue of the Agricultural News (Vol. IV, p. 200)
of Mr, Harris’ efforts to raise onion seed locally.

THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.

Juty 15, 1905.5

The Red Maggot of Cotton.

This insect first came to notice in a field of ratoon cotton
in Barbados in November 1903, where it did considerable

damage. Since that time it has been found in many parts of
Barbados, and specimens have also been received from
Montserrat. A brief account of the red maggot was given

in the West Indian Bulletin (Vol. IV, p. 335), and it is
mentioned in the Agricultural News (Vol. ILI, p. 426).

The red maggot is the larva of asmall fly which lays
its eggs in wounds or breaks in the bark of the cotton plant,
although attacks have been noticed on stems of cotton where
there have been no wounds in the bark, and it seems likely
that the insects are able to get in through the uninjured
bark. The maggots when first hatched are whitish and very
small, but as they grow larger become reddish in colour.
The entire larval life is spent between the bark and the wood,
feeding in the cambium.

The adult fly is a very small, two-winged insect with
long antennae and long slender legs. It belongs to the same
group of insects as the pear midge, the wheat midge, and the
Hessian fly, all of which are serious pests in other countries.

This is the first insect of its kind that has been recorded
as attacking the cotton plant, and it has recently been named
and described from specimens sent by the Inperial Commis-
sioner of Agriculture to the Bureau of Entomology of the
U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Mr. D. W. Coquillet, to whom the specimens were
referred, reported that the insect was a species of D¢plosis,
but after further study of additional material, he described
it in the Canadian Entomologist (Vol. XXXVII, p. 200)
under the name Porrichondyla gossypii, new species.

West Indian Orthoptera.

In the Entomological News (Vol. XVI, No. 6, p. 173)
Mr. James A. G. Rehn, of the Academy of Natural Sciences
of Philadelphia, publishes some ‘Notes on a small collection
of Orthoptera from the Lesser Antilles, with the description
of a new species of Orphulella.’

The collection from which these notes were made was
sent to Mr. Rehn from the Imperial Department of Agyi-
culture, and included specimens of the forms of Orthoptera
(earwigs, cockroaches, mantids, mole-crickets, crickets, and
grasshoppers) contained in the collection at Barbados.

These notes are of special value and interest, as they
place on record the distribution of these insects and clear up
some doubtful points in nomenclature. Thirteen species are
not contained in the two papers of Brunner and Redten-
bacher, which dealt with the extensive collections of Mr. H. H.
Smith in St. Vincent and Grenada. :

‘With few exceptions the following records are the first
from the islands represented, several South American forms
being here recorded from the West Indies for the first time.

‘Probably the most striking fact noticed in studying this
collection is that regarding the distribution of the two
species of Orphulella here treated. The widely distributed

O. punctata is represented by specimens from Dominica and
St. Lucia, having also been recorded from Grenada, St. Vin-
cent, and Trinidad, while in Barbados it is apparently
replaced by a quite distinct species, which, judging from the
amount of material examined, is as abundant as O. punctata
is in the localities where found.’

The species of Orphulella ave small, brownish grass-
hoppers. The new species has been named Orphulella Ballout,
and the author says regarding the name: ‘I take pleasure
in dedicating this species to Mr. H. A. Ballou, Entomologist
to the Imperial Department of Agriculture for the West
Indies, through whose kindness I received the present collee-
tion for study.’

AGRICULTURAL PROSPECTS AT
BARBADOS.

The Governor of Barbados (Sir Gilbert T. Carter,
K.C.M.G.) in his speech delivered on the opening of
the Legislature on Tuesday, July 4, made the following
reference to the planting industries of the island :—

In view of the condition of the sugar industry in this
island and, so far as can be foreseen, its discouraging future,
IT cannot help thinking that it would be wise to consider
seriously the question of raising other products of a more
profitable nature. I am aware that no lack of energy and
enterprise has been shown by the indefatigable head of the
Imperial Department of Agriculture and his capable staff in
advancing this policy and putting it into practice, and it has
been demonstrated that cotton of the best quality can be
successfully grown not only in Barbados but in the adjacent
islands. Excellent bananas have also been cultivated, which it
has been found profitable to ship, and I have no doubt there
are other products still waiting which would give more luera-
tive results than can be obtained from sugar. In this con-
nexion I may mention the species of Ayave which produces
the fibre known as ‘Sisal.’ This, after many vicissitudes,
owing to want of expert knowledge, is now successfully and
profitably cultivated in the Bahamas: there is a large demand
for this fibre in the United States, and it is admitted free of
duty. TI understand that a supposed experiment was made
with this plant here, but owing to a mistake having been
made in the species cultivated, it was a failure. The true
species Agave sisalana is easy of culture, is not attacked by
insect pests, and is unaffected by the climatic excesses either
of drought or rain. The fibre can be separated by hand if
desired, and machinery for extracting it is not of a very
expensive character.

CRIOLLO CACAO IN JAMAICA.

The Jamaica Gleaner has the following note on
a plantation of Criollo cacao in that island :—

On May 15, Mr. W. Cradwick, Travelling Instructor,
and Mr. J. W. Hill, manager for Messrs. Rowntree and Co.,
in Jamaica, paid a visit to the cacao plantation at Copse
estate in Hanover. Mr. Hill expressed himself as highly
delighted with the cultivation there. The chief field consists
of 15 acres of pure Criollo cacao trees one year old, planted
10 feet apart. Mr, Hill said they were equal to the best
field of Forastero plants that he had ever seen either in
St. Mary or Portland. He also expressed himself as highly
pleased with the prospects of obtaining pure Criollo cacao in
large quantities. At present this is an impossibility, the
cacao field at Copse being no doubt the largest field of any
pure-bred cacao in the world.

~.

Vou. IV. No. 85.

THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS. 219

CASTILLOA AS SHADE FOR

On p. 105 of this volume of the Agricultwral
News brief mention was made of an article by
M. P. Cibot, reproduced in the Tropical Agriculturist
(February 1905), descriptive of cacao cultivation in
Venezuela. The writer draws special attention to the
possibility of carrying on rubber planting as an adjunct
to cacao cultivation by using Castilloa trees as shade
for cacao.

In view of the importance of this phase of the
subject, and of the interest that has been aroused in
the West Indies generally in the prospects of rubber
planting, the following extracts are reproduced :—

I have recently had the opportunity in Venezuela of
visiting one of the principal plantations which produce that
cacao, so justly reputed, known as Caracas. JI found
opportunity there to study also a plantation of Castilloa
elastica used as a shade tree.

General Fonseca, installed in the fertile valley for some
twenty years, has gradually acquired the greater part of the
plantations laid out in it. He owns to-day thirteen
plantations, producing a total of 480,000 Ib. cacao in 1903-4,

Going over General Fonseca’s plantations, I could not
but admire their beautiful appearance and the care taken
with the irrigation of the whole property ; but my attention
was specially drawn to the plantation of Castilloa elastica
mentioned above. In 1890, when they were only beginning
to think of plantations of rubber trees in South America,
General Fonseca was among the first to realize the value of
giving as shade to cacao, in place of the trees formerly used
and which served no purpose beyond that of screens, such
a tree as Castilloa, able to furnish a valuable product. He
imported 5,000 Castilloa seeds from Costa Rico ; but these
seeds, badly packed, lost their germinating powers, and only
Seventy seedlings could be raised. The young plants, after
some months, were planted out in different parts of Las
Monjas estate, amongst the cacao trees, which gave them
favourable shade. These Castilloas developed admirably.

In 1895 these first trees fruited; the seeds were
earefully collected and planted in nurseries, and in 1895-6
about 8,000 plants were put out in places where shade was
wanted for the cacao trees These trees, aged eight to nine
years now, are a beautiful sight; they have attained a height of
36 to 45 feet, and have an average circumference of 33 inches.

At about four or five years the Castilloas easily outgrow
the cacao trees and commence to give them a little shade.
As they plant up Castilloas on the property, they kill out
the ‘Bucares,’ or other shade trees, ring-barking them with
the axe at about a yard above the ground.

The yield of Castilloa plantations is no longer to be
doubted ; the result obtained at Ocumare is a new proof, but
the experiment made by General Fonseca is specially remark-
able as it shows that the Castilloa can be grown among cacao
trees without in any way harming their production. Indeed,
at Ocumare they have noticed no diminution in the number
of pods carried by the trees shaded by Castilloa, nor any
change in the quality of the bean.

In the same number of the Yropical Agri-
cultwrist (p. 529) the following extract is published
from a letter from ‘a well-known planter at Matale,

Ceylon, in which he sums up his experience in regard
to Castilloa and cacao as follows :—

Ihave very large Castilloas growing both along roads
and also scattered through cacao, the latter of about fourteen
years’ growth showing no evidence of prejudicial influence
from the Castilloas. My clearing of some 30 acres of
Castilloa and cacao, planted together six years ago, so far
supports the contention that these two products may be
grown together.

ADULTERATION OF MILK.

In the last issue of the Ayricultural News
(p. 206) reference was made to a report of the
Government Analyst in British Guiana on the
adulteration of milk in that colony. Efforts are also
being made in Trinidad and Jamaica to check the sale
of adulterated milk, as is shown by the following
extracts from the Annual Reports on the Government
Laboratories in the two colonies.

Professor P. Carmody, Government Analyst in
Trinidad, makes the following reference to this
matter :—

The percentage of adulterated samples has fallen from
the very high figures of previous years (usually above 33 per
cent.) to 19 per cent. This improvement is due mainly,
I believe, to the introduction of badges, to the continued
efforts of the Police Department, and particularly to the
suspension of licences of sellers convicted of adulteration
during the previous year. The rule at present adopted by
the Board of Health is to refuse to renew the licence for three
months if one conviction has been recorded during the year,
six months for two convictions, and refusal of licence
altogether if more than two convictions. The rule came into
operation in February this year, but it has had already a most
salutary effect, for the percentage of samples to which water
has been added has fallen to 5-9 during the month of April,
and to 12-7 for the quarter ended March 31 last. In the
previous year the Board of Health did not refuse the renewal
of licences, either temporarily or permanently, but only issued
warnings. Samples have been taken from milk sellers in the
morning and evening and on Sundays, but the adulteration of
evening and Sunday milk was not shown to be greater than
that of the morning supply. Contrary to usual experience
in country districts, the milk supply of Princes’ Town
appears to be very much adulterated and requires more
frequent supervision.

Dr. H. H. Cousins, in his report on the Jamaica
Government Laboratory, which was briefly reviewed in
the last issue of the Agricultural News (p. 205),
writes as follows :—

The Adulteration of Food and Drugs Law of 1898 has
practically remained a dead-letter until this year, when the
police started to check the milk supply of Kingston. From
nine such samples, three convictions for selling adulterated
milk were obtained. In British Guiana and in Trinidad
the Government Chemists are active in the work of detecting
adulteration. In the former colony 892 samples of food
and drugs were examined in 1903-4, of which 20 per cent.
were adulterated, and for which fines amounting to £115
were inflicted. I have hesitated to advocate a serious
campaign under the Adulteration Law owing to the
limitations of the staff, and the pre-eminent claims of the
agricultural work of the laboratory, but I think the time
has now come when more should be done in this direction.

220

THE AGRICULTURAL

NEWS. JuLY 15, 1905.

GLEANINGS.

total crop of cotton at La Guerite Experiment

The
Station, in St. Kitt’s, was 976 tb. of lint, from 4 acres. This
has been sold at 145d. per tb. The total receipts from the
4 acres were therefore £58 19s. 4d., or £14 14s. LOd. per acre.

The number of plants distributed from the Botanic
Station at St. Vincent during 1904-5 far exceeded that of
any previous year. The total number was 29,673, of which
no less than 26,256 were plants of economic importance,
including 22,204 cacao plants.

The exports of cacao from St. Vincent have shown
steady improvement since 1900. The number of bags
exported has been as follows: 1900, 443; 1901, 528; 1902,
523; 1903-4, 702; 1904-5, 742. Previous to the hurricane
of 1898, the exports of cured cacao exceeded 1,500 bags.

The total exports of sugar products from Jamaica during
the period April 1, 1995, to May 27, 1905, were: rum,
363,434 gallons ; sugar, 3,749 tons. This shows a decrease
of 90,000 gallons of rum, and an increase of 1,000 tons of
sugar over the corresponding period of last year.

In the report of the Governing Body of Harrison
College, Barbados, for the year 1904, it is stated: ‘The
report in science is good, and the Headmaster reports that
the subject is being well taken up by the boys in the higher
forms, which the Governing Body think is very desirable in
any community, and especially in this.’

Land at the Orphan Asylum, British Guiana, about 24
acres in extent, is being cultivated by the boys. Plantains,
cassava, Sweet potatos, yams, and other provision crops have
been planted, as well as a patch of broom corn. To the
latter experiment reference has already been made in the
Agricultural News (Vol. IV, p. 201).

Mr. W. N. Sands writes from St. Vincent: ‘It would
be helpful in connexion with the choice of lands for cotton
planting, if records of rainfall were kept on estates. We
have no records of the rainfall in the windward and leeward
districts, so that we cannot ascertain how the quality and
quantity of the cotton reaped is affected by rainfall.’

Mr. Millen writes from the Botanic Station at Tobago :
‘At the present time there is a large demand for bulbils
and plants of Agave sisalana. Some time ago an estate
was planted up with the above fibre plant, but for want of
machinery and capital it was given up, but the plants which
were not destroyed are found in a good quantity in almost
a wild state.’

The total amount of cotton seed selected and disinfected
at St. Vincent up to June 30 was 20,973 tb. Of this
amount 10,828 Ib. were exported, and 10,145 tb. distributed for
sowing locally. Similar returns for Barbados show that
4,809. tb. of Sea Island seed have been distributed in the
island, and 1,330 1b. sent to other West India Islands.

A West Indian prodace stall has been established at
the Colonial and Indian Exhibition at the Crystal Palace, to
which West Indian produce neatly done up may be sent for
sale, subject to payment of 10 per cent. commission to the
West India Committee towards expenses, and 2} per cent. to
an attendant, freight to be paid by the consigner.

Mr. A. W. Bartlett, B.A., B.Sc., the Government
Botanist in British Guiana, mentions in his Annual Report
that a date palm in the gardens which was blown down
during the year, ‘bore some apparently fertile fruit. The
flowers must have been fertilized by the pollen from some
other species of palm, as there was no male tree of this
species flowering at the time.’

The Jamaica Daily Telegraph of June 24 deals editori-
ally with the slump in the local banana market. The price
dropped during the week from £10 per 100 stems to £5,
With prices so low now this does not promise well for prices
later when the American market is flooded with home-grown
fruit. The multiplication of exportable products is therefore
urged, cacao, coffee, sugar, starch, dye extract being suggested.

The lesson which our educationists and statesmen haye to-
learn from Japan is that the life of a modern nation requires
to be organized on scientific lines in all its departments, and
that it must not be directed chiefly to personal ends, the
attainment of which may, to a large extent, intensify many
of our problems, but that it be consciously used for the
promotion of national welfare. (Extract from article in
Nature entitled ‘Why Japan is Victorious.’)

A recently issued report of the Committee, appointed in-
British Guiana for the purpose of endeavouring to find —
employment for the boys of the Reformatory School on their
discharge, recommends that the boys should be well grounded
in the operations of cottage gardening, including the processes.
of potting, pruning, and grafting. It would then be possible
to find employment for them with house-holders who need
assistance in their gardens.

The Governor of Trinidad (Sir Henry M. Jackson,
K.C.M.G.) visited Carenage on June 21 to present to the
Government School the silver challenge medal offered for
competition by the Agricultural Society and a certificate
won by the school as the best all-round exhibitor at the
last Schools’ Vegetable Show. A large number of people
were present, and interesting addresses were delivered by his
Excellency the Governor, the Archbishop, and the Inspector
of Schools.

Last Easter a ‘ Planter’s Week’ was arranged by the
Administrator at Dominica, with the idea that, as there is
little work being done on the estates at that time, it would
be interesting and helpful for planters to meet together for
social intercourse. ‘To that end,’ writes Dr. Watts, ‘a series
of entertainments, including two dances, a concert, cricket
matches, water sports, and other amusements were planned
and most suecessfully carried out. The idea seems an
excellent one in a country like Dominica where it is not easy”
for people to exchange visits freely.’

Yon. IV. No. 85. THE

AGRICULTURAL

NEWS.

TAL EPORTS,

VIRGIN ISLANDS: ANNUAL REPORT ON THE
EXPERIMENT STATION, TORTOLA, 1904-0.

The total expenditure for the year on this station was
£654 3s. ld. The receipts from the sale of produce, ete.,
amounted to £67 1s. 7d., an increase of £40 15s. 11d.
cover last year’s receipts. A building for a cotton factory
was erected during the year at a cost of £154.

A number of ornamental plants were planted out during
the year ; this will have the effect of rendering the station
more attractive. The principal work, however, has been in
connexion with the growth and distribution of economic
plants ; a large number of pine-apple suckers, a few cacao
plants, and some 3,000 tops of seedling canes were distributed.

In the experimental plots, sugar-cane, onions, cacao,
pineapples, limes, corn, and cotton were grown. Good
results are recorded with B. 208. Sugar was manufactured
at the station for tenants. Some 700 tb. of onions grown in
the experiment plot were sold in the neighbouring island
of St. Thomas at 11s. per 100 tb. This would seem to be
a suitable industry for the peasants, as considerable quantities
could be sold in St. Thomas.

The report is of a satisfactory character and shows that
work of a practical and useful nature is being carried on by
Mr. Fishlock in the Virgin Islands.

TRINIDAD: ANNUAL REPORT ON THE
GOVERNMENT LABORATORY, 1904-5. By Prof-

essor P. Carmody.

The number of samples dealt with at the laboratory
shows an increase of 275 as compared with last year. The
samples are classified as follows: Revenue samples, 545;
criminal cases, 172; sanitary, 712; agricultural and indus-
trial, 218 ; miscellaneous, 97 ; unofficial samples, 121.

The samples classified as ‘sanitary’ were principally
milks; there were also included samples of aerated waters,
spirits, vinegar, and butter. Reference is made elsewhere in
this issue of the Agricultural News to the examination of
milk and its adulteration. A very large proportion (61 per
cent.) of the samples of aerated waters was found to be
contaminated with metallic impurities likely to be injurious
to health. Lead was frequently present: this was apparently
due to the use of impure sulphuric acid and to the use of
lead and pewter pipes, which should be discontinued.

Samples of milk, molascuit, grass, and soil were
examined for the Government Stock Farm, the milk being
tested weekly.

Samples of camphor from the Botanic Department were
also dealt with. The dry leaves yielded 3°2 per cent. ; the
twigs, 0:04 per cent. ; and the wood only traces. Seventeen
sugars were polarized for the Agricultural Society in con-
nexion with the local exhibition. One polarized 98°6° and
being an excellent sample of the art of crystallizing sugar,
was awarded first prize.

Courses of lectures on chemistry were given at the
Royal and St. Mary’s colleges, and teachers from training
‘schools received agricultural instruction at the laboratory.

BRITISH GUIANA: ANNUAL REPORT ON THE
BOTANIC GARDENS, 1904-5. By A. W. Bartlett,
B.A., B.Se., F.L.S., Government Botanist.

During the year under review 23,044 plants of various
kinds were raised in the nursery and planted in the Botanic
Gardens.

The Sea Island cotton plots were not very successful;
the results with Eyyptian varieties were more encouraging.
Mr. Bartlett is in favour of further experiments being tried
with the latter, as it appears to be better adapted to the
climate and soil conditions of the colony.

Onion seed from Tenerife was distributed to a number
of people in the colony : it appears that in the lighter soils of
the colony onions grow well, and their cultivation should
prove profitable if an effort is made to supply the local
market when the price is high.

The receipts during the year amounted to $901:14,
and were considerably below those of the previous year:
10,627 economic plants were supplied from the nursery at
the average price of 11 c. each. ‘It is to be regretted that
a more extensive use is not maile of the facilities afforded by
the Government for supplying the people of the colony with
a large variety of useful plants at the lowest possible prices.’

Mr. Bartlett’s report shows that much useful work is
being done in the Botanic Gardens and contains an
abundance of interesting information in regard to the plants
and crops grown.

STACK ENSILAGE.

Mr. Alfred H. d’Costa contributes to the Bulletin
of the Department of Agriculture, Jamaica, the
following note on making corn ensilage in stacks :-—

Plant 3 acres of guinea corn, red dhurra or native
corn and cultivate until the grains of corn are just soft
enough to be crushed between your fingers. The corn is
then in the best stage to make ensilage.

Erect eight poles 10 feet high to outline your stack
and wattle the sides to help even packing. A stack 16 feet
by 10 feet is a suitable size for 3 acres of corn. Leave
two openings in the sides of the stack, one at either side, to
be used as doors.

Start cutting the corn early in the morning, one man
cutting, two men and two carts carting, and one man to
pack, you yourself remaining in the stack to direct the
packing and give a help with the handing up of the corn.

Spread about a foot of grass on the ground and see that
it is quite level.

With the first load of corn brought in by the carts start
packing and pack as tightly, and as level as you can; be sure
and pack the sides tightly, as the great object is to keep out
the air and it is more likely to get in from the sides than
anywhere else. Pack right up to the wattle and be sure
that you leave no air spaces; wherever you notice a small
hole, cut some of the corn and push it in and always pack
level. Continue to pack evenly until you have used all
your corn, then cover the top with 1 foot of grass spread
evenly, and pile on all the stones and logs you can get on top
to weigh down the stack.

After you have got on the weights take down the wattle
and draw away the side poles and so leave the stack free to
settle down.

The stacking of the corn may take from two to three
days, and the ensilage will be ready for use in about two
months’ time.

bo
to
Lo

THE

AGRICULTURAL NEWS.

JuLy 15, 19052

EDUCATIONAL.

Agricultural Schools.

The following are the reports of the examiner
(Mr. L. Lewton-Brain, B.A., F.L.S.) on the half-yearly
examinations at the St. Vincent, St. Lucia, and
Dominica Agricultural Schools :—

ST. VINCENT.

Of the eight senior boys who took the examination in
December 1904, four have left; the remaining four constitute
the present senior class. There are now fourteen boys in the
junior class; nine of these have been admitted since the last
examination. ‘Two of the seniors will have completed their
term in September of this year, but I do not think it advis-
able for the present to promote any of the juniors.

The senior boys have done their work very well.
Wright is decidedly the best, especially in the agriculture
and science papers. He has improved on his position in the
last examination, obtaining over 75 per cent. of the total
marks. Harry and Yorke have both obtained over 66 per
cent. Longheed has obtained the same marks (58 per cent.)
as at the last examination. The agriculture is the best of
the more important papers in the senior class, but there is no
wide difference between it and the other papers.

Of the fourteen juniors, nine have obtained over 50
per cent. of the total marks. Of these four are new admis-
sions. McConnie, a new boy, is head with 75 per cent. of
the total marks. Falby has also done very well, and is the
only other boy to obtain over 66 per cent. The pupils who
sat at the last examination have all obtained higher marks
this time. The five boys who received less than 50 per cent.
are all new admissions. In this class, the arithmetic paper
is by far the best; geography and agriculture are next,
while the chemistry and botany are weaker still. A decided
improvement in the agriculture and science papers is to be
looked for when the boys have been longer at the school.

In both classes, the tendency to verbosity, noticeable
at the last examination, is much less marked.

ST. LUCIA.

Since the last examination one of the senior boys has
left and three boys have been promoted from the junior class.
There are now twelve senior and seven junior pupils. All
the present junior boys took the last examination as new
boys and were not classified.

The work of the senior class is very uniform, and is
of a high standard: seven boys have obtained over 66 per
cent. of the total marks, while the remaining five have all
obtained over 50 per cent. Flavien and Goring, who were
at the head of the class in the December examination, are
now bracketed top with DuBoulay ; Goring has done slightly
better than the other two in the agriculture and science
papers: DuBoulay has considerably improved his position.
The three boys promoted from the junior class come last in
the list. As in the last two examinations, the botany is
the weakest paper, the chemistry coming next: both these
papers, however, show a distinct improvement over the
December ones. As usual, agriculture is the best of the
more important papers.

In the junior class only one boy, Girard, has obtained
over 66 per cent. of the total marks. Regis has also done
well and comes second. Gabriel is the only boy to obtain
less than 50 per cent. The arithmetic paper is excellent.
The chemistry, agriculture, and botany papers are the worst,

—— a

and are decidedly weak, especially the last two. This is only
to be expected as this is the first time these boys have taken
these papers at an examination. More attention should be
devoted to the lessons of the junior class in agriculture
and _ science.

DOMINICA.

As at the last examination, and as recommended in my
Jast report, all the pupils have taken papers set for the
junior class. With the exception of Roudette, who has left
since December, the pupils are the same. For the present,
they had all better continue with the junior work.

Cuffy has again done very well and is head: both he
and A. ‘I’. Pinard have obtained 75 per cent. of the total
marks; Pinard has considerably improved his position since
the Jast examination. Four other boys have obtained over
66 per cent. of the total marks, while nine others received
more than 50 per cent. ‘The four boys at the bottom of the
list are G. N. Pinard, Lawrence, Peltier, and Sunny ;
G. N. Pinard, Sunny, and Lawrence occupied the same
position in the last examination.

The arithmetic is the best of the more important papers.
The agriculture and science papers are also fairly good.
Chemistry, which was the weakest paper last time, is
distinctly better, and about equal to the botany and
agriculture.

A tendency is noticeable in many of these papers to
learn off the notes of lessons by heart and repeat them as
answers to questions. This often results in the questions not
being thoroughly answered; also, when the boys try to
express their own thoughts, they fail to do so intelligibly.
They require more practice in writing short essays on subjects
not dealt with in their written notes. They should also be
encouraged to think for themselves and discouraged from
learning their notes (which should be used for reference only)
by heart.

TRADE IN THE WEST INDIES.

The following is an extract from the speech of the
Chairman of the Royal Mail Steam Packet Company
at the annual general meeting of the company on
May 24.:-—

The West Indian Colonies had for some years Leen
under a cloud, but the depression seemed at last to be
passing away, and he hoped that there might be a brighter
future in store for them and also for the company, which had
served them so well both in times of prosperity and in times
of adversity. The West Indian mail service had been
performed with regularity, and notwithstanding the severe
competition, the traftic by the company’s steamers had
increased. They had continued to do all in their power to
assist in the development of the latent resources of the West
Indian Colonies. The Imperial Department of Agriculture,
under Sir Daniel Morris, had been successful in restarting
the old West Indian industry of cotton growing; and to
encourage this important industry the company were carrying
the cotton at a low rate of freight. They had also conveyed
a considerable amount cof West Indian fruit and had held two
exhibitions of West Indian fruits in London in order to bring
the products of the West Indies before the English public.
A Royal Charter of incorporation had recently been granted
to that old and representative body, the West India
Committee, under whose active Secretary a West Indian
exhibition had just been opened at the Crystal Palace. In
order to assist the colonies concerned the company had
agreed to carry all exhibits for it freight free. ‘

Vou. IV. No. 85.

THE AGRICULTURAL

NEWS. 223

WEST INDIAN PRODUCTS.

Drugs and Spices in the London Market.

The following report on the London drug and
spice markets for the month of May has been received
from Mr. J. R. Jackson, A.L.S. :—

The condition of the drug and spice markets during the
month of May has shown slightly more action than in pre-
ceding months, and it is worthy of remark in this connexion
that at the spice sales Jamaica ginger experienced a remark-
able advance, especially amongst the higher qualities. The
following are some of the details affecting West Indian
products :—

GINGER.

At the first auction, on the 3rd. of the month, as many
as 482 barrels and 37 bags of Jamaica were offered, of which
310 packages were sold at prices ranging from 29s. to 47s.
At the same sale Cochin was offered to the extent of some
1,000 packages, 100 of which were sold at 18s. for small
plump mouldy. A week later Jamaica had advanced 2s.
to 3s. per cwt., 120 barrels of low medium selling at 46s.,
while 38s. 6d. to 41s. was paid for common to good common.
At the third sale, on the 17th., there was an extremely
good demand for Jamaica; 800 packages were offered and
600 sold at the following rates: good to fine, 50s. 6d.
to 67s. 6d., one lot realizing as much as 74s. ; small to fair
washed, 41s. Gd. to 48s. ; fair to good common, 35s. 6d.
to 40s.; common, 33s. to 34s. 6d.; rough common, 30s.
to 30s. 6d.; ratoon in barrels and bags, 29s. ; and common
small, 32s. to 33s. There was no demand for Cochin and
Calicut. At the Jast sale, on the 24th., Jamaica was still in
good demand, prices ranging from Is. to 2s, advance on
the previous rates. Three hundred barrels were offered and
disposed of, while there was still no demand for Cochin.

ARROW ROOT.

At the first sale, on the 3rd., some 300 packages of
St. Vincent were offered, all of which were bought in at 1{d.
for good manufacturing. None was offered in the following
week, but on the 17th. 665 barrels of St. Vincent were
offered, and 475 sold, of good manufacturing, at from 1d.
to 14d. per Ib. Twelve half-barrels of Bermuda were also
disposed of at Is. 1ld. to 2s., and in the following week,
1,046 barrels of St. Vincent were offered and 400 sold, good
fair at 2d. ; and good manufacturing at 1}d.

NUTMEGS, MACE, AND PIMENTO.

At the beginning of the month some 197 packages of
West Indian nutmegs were offered and disposed of at steady
rates agreeing with those of the preceding month, and but
little or no change occurred either in prices or demand
afterwards. The demands for and sales of mace were also
steady, realizing at the first sale 1s. 8d. for bold pale West
Indian; 1s. 6d. for good bold; Is. 2d. to 1s. 3d. for
ordinary to fair mixed; and ls. ld. to 1s. 2d. for red.
For the remainder of the month mace was dull of sale. Ia
pimento but little interest was shown: fair quality
realized 22d. at the first sale of the month, small sales of
which were made at the same rates at succeeding auctions.

SARSAPARILLA.

The market opened with the arrival, amongst others, of
15 bales of Lima-Jamaica, and 6 bales of native-red, but no
grey Jamaica came to hand. Mexican was quoted at 43d.,
and Lima was held at 1s. A week later Lima-Jamaica was

offered and sold at an advance of ld. per tb. At the same
sale, middling red native Jamaica sold at 74d. to 8d. At
the last auction 25 bales of grey Jamaica were offered and
all disposed of at prices from 1s. 2d. to 1s. 3d, per tb. Five
bales of native Jamaica were also offered, consisting of bright
palish yellow, and fair reddish to pale, 8d. per tb. being
offered but refused.

ANNATTO SEED, LIME JUICE, KOLA, ETC.

At the beginning of the month annatto seed was
reported as scarce, being held at 7d. per tb.; a week later
2 bags of fair bright East Indian sold at the above price, and
1 bag of Calicut at 54d. At the end of the month good
bright Madras, rather damp, sold at from 6d. to 64d.

Cassia Fistula was offered at the auction on the 11th.,
4 bags of good bold fresh West Indian being disposed of at
20s. per cwt.

At the same sale 13 bags of kola, comprised of
small to medium West Indian mixed with African, were
disposed of at 54d. to 34d. per tb.; and 2 bags of slightly
wormy West Indian fetched 44d. per tb.

Lime juice was offered on the 18th. 10d. to ls. per
gallon being paid for good raw West Indian, lower prices
ruling for commoner qualities. On the 25th., 2 tons of
damp West Indian quassia chips were offered but held at
£6 10s. per ton.

In connexion with the subject of the possibility of
a trade being established between the West Indies and the
mother country in orange peel, referred to on pp. 93 and
119 of this volume of the Agricultural News, it may be
stated that on the 11th. of the month some small sales of
Maltese and Tripoli strip peels were made at 5d. per tb.

United States.

The Consular Report on the trade of Philadelphia
for 1904 contains tables showing the imports into that
city from the British West Indies, from which the
following information is extracted :—

Bananas were imported to the value of £88,853; cocoa-
nuts, £11,450; logwood, 2,681 tons, valued at £7,420.
These articles were imported free of duty.

The following articles, subject to duty, were also
imported: oranges, 1,765,426 tb., of the value of £4,463 ;
other fruits, £699 ; salt, £3,197; asphalt, £1,972; hats, £319.

Austria-Hungary.

It appears from the Consular Report on the
foreign trade of Austria-Hungary that the trade
between the Dual Monarchy and the British West
Indies is of considerable dimensions. The following
brief review of the tables published in this report is
likely to be of interest :—

The total value of the imports into Austria-Hungary
from the British West Indies in 1904 was £61,117, as
against £60,858 in the previous year; the exports to the
British West Indies were valued at £5,624 in 1904 and
£3,028 in 1903.

The principal imports are classed as follows: colonial
goods, £31,760; beverages, £11,940; spices, £6,249 ;
minerals, £2,754; gums and resins, £2,413; dyeing and
tanning materials, £1,788.

The exports comprised wooden and bone-ware, metals,
paper goods, ete.

Lo

THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.

Juty 15, 1905.

MARKET REPORTS.

London,—June 20, 1905. Messrs. Kearton, Prrer &

Co.; Messrs. E. A. pr Pass & Co.; ‘THe West Inpra
Committee Cirrcunar,’ ‘Tue Liverroon Corron
AssocIATION WEEKLY CrrcuLar,’ June 14, 1905 ;
and ‘Tae Pupbric Lepcer, June 17, 1905.

Ators—Barbados, 15/- to 45/- ; Curacoa, 13/- to 45/- per ewt.

Anrrownoor—St. Vincent, 1fd. per tb.

Batata—Sheet, 1/6 to 1/)1 ; block, 1/6 per tb.

BrEgEs’-wax—£7 5s. to £7 10s. per cwt.

Cacao—Trinidad, 56/- to 62/- per ewt. ; Grenada, 53/-
to 54/6 per ewt.

Carpamoms—Mysore, 73d. to 3/- per tb.

Corrrr—Jamaica, good ordinary, 39/- to 40/- per cwt.

Corron—West Indian Sea Island, medium fine, 13d. ; fine,
14d. ; extra fine, 153d. per tb.

Frouir—

Bananas—5/6 to 6/- per bunch.
Orancres—No quotations.
Prye-apetes—-Antigua, 12/- to 15/- per barrel.

Fustic—£3 5s. to £4 per ton.

Gincer—Jamaica, fair to good hold, 60/- to 69/ ; low mid-
dling to middling, 48/- to 58/-; ordinary to good
ordinary, 40/- to 46/- per ewt.

Honry—17/- to 26/6 per ewt.

Istnetass—West Indian lump, 2/8 to 2/8; cake, 1/1 per th.

Konia Nurs—4d. to 6d. per tb.

Lime Jurce—Raw, 11d. to 1/1 per gallon; concentrated,
£15 per cask of 108 gallons; hand-pressed, 2/6 to
2/9 per Ib. ; Distilled Oil, 1/6 to 1/7 per tb.

Loewoor—£4 to £4 15s.; roots, £3 10s. to £4 per ton.

Mace—Fair to good pale, 1/3 to 1/5; fair red, 1/1 to
1/2; per tb.

Nirrave or Sopa—Agriculiural, £11 7s. 6d. per ton.

Nurmecs-—63's 1/4 ; 80's, 10d. ; 94's, Sd. ; 100’s, Ghd. per Tb.

Pimento—2)d. to 22d. per ib.

Rum—Demerara, 1s. 3d. per proof gallon; Jamaica, 2s. 1d.
per proof gallon.

Sucar— Yellow crystals, 17/6 to 19,6 per ewt. ; Muscovado,
Barbados, 17/6 per ewt.; Molasses, 12/6 to 16,6 per cwt.

SuntpHate or AMMoNTA—£12 15s, per ton.

7

Montreal,—June 10, 1905.—Mr. J. Russunn Murray,

New York,—June 23, 1905.

(In bond quotations, c. «& f.)
Bananas— 8 hands, $1:10 ; Jumbos, $1 50
Cocoa-nuts— Jamaica, $23-00 to $25-00; Trinidad, $20-00
to $22-00 per M.
Corree—Jamaica, medium, 10c. to 1le. per Ib.
Gixcer—Jamaica, unbleached, 7c. to 10c. per tb.
Mo xascurr—Demerara, $1°32 per 100 tb.
Motassrs—Barbados, 35ce.; Antigua, 30c. per Imperial
gallon.
Nurmecs—Grenada, 110’s, 19¢. per tb.
Orances—No quotations.
Pimpnto—Jamaica, 5c. to djc. per tb.
Pine-arrtes—Cuban, 24’s and 30's, $2°50.
Sucar—Grey crystals, 96°, $2°87$ to $3-00 per 100 tb.
—Muscovados, 89°, $2°25 to $250 per 100 tb.
—Molasses, 89°, $2°00 to $2°25 per 100 th.

—Barbados, 89°, $2°10 to $2°35 per 100 tb.
GILLESPIE Bros.

Messrs.

& Co.
Cacao—Caracas, 113c. to 1dc.; Grenada, Ile. to 11}c.;
Trinidad, 12c. to 123e. per tb.
Cocoa-Nuts—Jamaica, $22°00 to $23-00; Trinidad, $19-00
per M.
Corrre—Jamaicas, 8e. to 8$c. per th. (ex store).
Giycer—Jamaica, Ge. to 85e. per tb.
Goat Sxrss—Jamaicas, 59c. to 59$c. per Tb.
Grave Fruir—Jamaicas, $3°00 to $4:00 per case.
Mace—38lec. to 35c. per tb.
Nurmecs—West Indian, 80's, 28c. ; 110’s, Ide.
130’s, 11c. to 12e. per th.

to lbs: ;

Barbados,

British Guiana,—June

Trinidad,— June 28,

ORANGES—$2°25 to $2°50 per case; $4°50 to $5-00 per
barrel.
Pimento—4be. per Ib.
PINE-APPLES—$2°00 per crate.
Sucar—Centrifugals, 96°, 4;%-c.; Muscovados, 89°, 3c, ;
Ciba ail Qg° 23 OT oF
to dt}c. ; Molasses, 89°, 32c. to 3,5. per tb.

INTER-COLONIAL MARKETS.

Antigua,—June 28, 1905.—Messrs. Gro. W. Brennerr

Bryson & Co., Lrp.
Movasses—25e. per gallon, package included.
Sucar—89°, $1°80 per 100 tb.

July 1, 1905.—Messrs. T. S. Garraway
& Co., and Messrs. James A. Lyncu & Co.

Arrowroot—St. Vincent, $3°40 to $3°50 per 100 th.

Cacao—$12:00 per 100 tb.

Cocoa-Nuts—$12°50 per M. for husked nuts.

Correr—$10°00 to $11-75 per 100 tb.

Hay— $1:05 to $1°10 per 100 th.

Manvures—Nitrate of soda, $62-00 to $65-00 ; Ohlendorff’s
dissolved guano, $55-00; Sulphate of ammonia, $7500;
Sulphate of potash, $67:00 per ton.

Oxtoys—Madeira, $1°29 to $1°50 per 100 tb.

Poraros, ENGLIsH—$2°80 to $35°50 per 160 tb. (retail).

Rice—Ballam, $4°45 per bag (190 tb.) ; Patna, $3°10
per 100 tb.

Sccar—Muscovados, 89°, $1-°90 per 100 th.

)

9, 1905.—Messrs.

WIETING

& RicHrEer.

ARROWROOT—St. Vincent, $8:00 per barrel.

Barara—Venezuela block, 25c.; Demerara
per Tb.

Cacao—Native, 12c. per tb.

Cassava SrarcH—$4°50 to 35:00 per barrel.

Cocoa-Nurs—$10°00 to $12°00 per M.

Correr—Rio and Jamaica, 13fe. to 14c. per tb. (retail).

— Creole, 12c. per th.

Drat— $370 to $3°75 per bag of 168 th.

Eppors—$1-00 to $1°32 per barrel.

Morasses—Vacuum pan yellow, 6c.
included).

Ontons—Tenerife, 5jc. per tb.

Pea Nurs—American, 55c. per tb. (retail).

PLanvarss—J0e. to 32c. per bunch.

Poraros, Exaiist—Bermuda, $3- 00 to $3°50 per barrel
(retail).

sheet, 35c.

per gallon (casks

Poratos, Sweet—Barbados, $1°92 per bag; $1°92 per

barrel.

Rice—Ballam, $4°20 to $4°25 per 177 th. ; Creole, $3-90
per bag.

Tannras—$1°68 per barrel.

Yams—White, $2°05 per bag.

Suczr—Dark erystals, $2°70; Yellow, $3°40 to $350;
White, $4°50 to $4°75; Molasses, $2°50 to $2760
per 100 tb. (vetail).

Timber—Greenheart, 52c. to 55c. per cubic foot.

WALLABA SHINGLES—$3'00, $3°75, and $5°50 per M.

1905.—Messrs. Gorpon,
& Co. ;and Messrs. Epcar Tripp & Co.

Cacao—Ordinary to good red, $11°25 to $11°50; estates,
$11°50 to $12-00 per fanega (110 tb.) ; Venezuelan,
$12°25 to $12°60 per fanega.

Cocoa-nuts—$20°00 per M., f o.b

Cocoa-nut Om—67e. per Imperial gallon (casks included),

Corree—Venezuelan, 9}c per tb.

Copra—-$2°75 per 100 tb.

Ontons—Stringed, $2°00 to $220 per 100 th. (retail).

Poraros, Exerish—$1°30 to $140 per 100 tb.

GRANT

Rice—Yellow, $4°25 to $4:40; white, $4°75 to $5°75 per —

bas.
Sucar—White crystals, $4:00; Yellow crystals, $2°75 to
$3°00; Molasses sugars, $2°50 to $3:00 per 100 Ib.

THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.

Publications on sale of the Imperial Department of Agriculture
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The ‘WEST INDIAN BULLETIN.’ A Quarterly Scientific Journal.

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Volume VI. No. 1. Report of Agricultural Conference, 1905 (contd.). Cane Farming, Cacao Cultivation, etc., ete.

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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
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; tn Plain Talk to Small Owners. Price 2d. (31) A. B. C. of Cotton Planting. Price 4d.

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17) General Treatment of Fungoid Pests. Price 4d. (33) Seedling and other Canes in the Leeward Islands, 1903-4.
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!
a
i
Vout. IV. No. 85. THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS. Juty 15, 1905. |

THE BEST MANURES FOR COLONIAL USE |

es AE i

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.
[85. ] Barbados Agents: Messrs. James A. Lynch & Co., Bridgetown.

A Monthly Ilustrated Review, published in French, WEST INDIA COMMITTEE CIRCULAR

dealing with all matters connected with Publi :
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Louis Coicou, Port-au-Prince. Edited by the Secretary.

Containing a Review of the Work of the West India Com-
mittee, Notes on West Indian Affairs, Statistics as to
Cacao, Sugar, Molasses and Rum, Coffee, Cotton,

: C A C A O 9 Nutmegs, Mace, Pimento, Ginger, Arrewroot, Lime
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DURING 21 Days for £21,

In June, July and

WINTER SEASON. August.

SHORT TOURS
TO

SPECIAL 7 3
_ SPAIN & PORTUGAL.

INCLUSIVE TICKETS
65 Days, £65.

ROUND SOUTH

7 Weeks, $55. AMERICA.
15,571 miles for
OrFices: $101 15s.
Bridgetown, Baa = ae eee a CR
BARBADOS. OFFICES = “
° 264, Reconquista,
RInESLONy B. AYRES.
i 31, R. des Capellistas,
Port of Spain, LISBON.
TRINIDAD.

eae ee “s ti ais 8 4, Rue Halévy, ®
And COLON. PARIS.

THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.

IMPERTAL -PEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

FOR THE WEST INDIES.

SPECIALLY SELECTED AND DISINFECTED

Sea Island Cotton Seed

GROWN IN THE WEST INDIES

—AND—

Recommended for sowing during the coming season

(JUNE TO AUGUST)

WILL BE SUPPLIED (FREIGHT FREE) BY

The Department atzthe rate of five cents (23d.) per Ib.

Address orders, with remittances for the full amount, to—

Dr. FRANCIS WATTS, Antigua, for the Leeward Islands ;
Mr. JOHN R. BOVELL, for Barbados ; e
Mr. W. N. SANDS, for St. Vincent ;

Applications from other Colonies may be forwarded direct to—
THE IMPERIAL COMMISSIONER OF AGRICULTURE,

HEAD OFFICE: BARBADOS.

Complete information in regard to the cultivation of Cotton will be found in ‘A.B.C.
of Cotton Planting’ to be obtained of all agents of the Department, price 4d.,
post free Od.

2x are A Lp ee a

SE.)

A\ Biden
AY

WY

61 M,

ae

OTD ep

A FORTNIGHTLY REVIEW

OF

THE

IMPERIAL DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE FOR THE WEST INDIES.

Vou. IV. No. 86.

BARBADOS, JULY 29, 1905.

CONTENTS.
PAGE. PAGE.
Arbor Day . 225 | Market Reports 240

Barbados Bananas... 228

te Onions, Shipment of ... 228
Cacao, Artificial Drying of 229

Orange Cultivation in

Cacao, Consumption of ... 232 Antigua CSE RB SADO2
acao, i Ss
Cacao Husks, Disposal of Permanent Exhibition

diseased ox eed Poh) Committees we, sae (209
Castilloa as Shade for Rainfall Returns :—

Cacao Bic cee M gateao. Antigua Fea) sete) 208
Citrus Industry of Siciity... 228 British Guiana ... .... 238
Colonial and Indian Rats and Plague ... ... 233

Exhibition .., ... 233 | Rat Virus at Antigua ... 237

Jotton Notes :— | St. Vincent, Distribution
C ote :
Antigua 966. ota | en WU) of Plants ine ec oo
f=}
Hayti ... ... ... ... 281 | Science Notes :—
Ratooning Cotton ... 280 | Roots of Cotton Plants 229
Department News... ... 237 Soil Inoculation for

Gleanings god noo tog 319)
Green Manures in Ceylon 235
Grenada at the Colonial
Exhibition ee ea Ian:
Grenada Botanic Station 2

Mee UME Si seen
Sisal Hemp in the United

Sbatesis heeae eens
Sugar Industry :—

3D Cane Farming at
Home-grown Food-stutts Trinidad ... 233
FOrIStOCKis) sen -eazeo | _ davai Seep teeenee ee
Insect Nctes :— | Tropical Diseases, Preven-
Barrel Sprayers... ... 234 | tion! (Of (anes zor
Wild Bees and the West Indian Plants at the
Cotton Worm . 234 Colonial Exhibition 232
Jamaica Botanical West Indian Products :—-
Department ... ... 226

Ganada’.... Ekeweeeeeee Zoo.

Arbor Day.

N view of the fact that preparations are

aaCl | likely to be made shortly for celebrating
oye Arbor Day in the West Indies, it may be
useful to discuss briefly some points in connexion with
this movement.

The King’s birthday (November 9) has been more
or jess generally adopted as the day for observing
Arbor Day in the West Indies. At Jamaica and else-
where Victoria Day has been tentatively adopted for
the purpose. Last year Arbor Day was celebrated
with conspicuous success on the King’s birthday at
Antigua, Dominica, Montserrat, Nevis, and St. Kitt’s.
It would appear that that date is an appropriate one
to be chosen for this purpose on account of its being
a Public Holiday for the observation of the birthday
of His Majesty the King, who has always evinced so
lively an interest in tree planting, while, at the same
time, it is usually a seasonable one for planting opera-
In most of these islands showers are expected
in November and the trees planted at that time would,

tions.

in most cases, have at least a couple of months, and
possibly more, in which to make a start before the
setting-in of the dry season.

Tt is recommended that those islands which have
not, as yet, formally set apart an Arbor Day should
join in the movement, and that the King’s birthday be
generally adopted as the occasion for the systematic
planting of trees.

It is probably well known to readers of the Ag7vi-
cultural News that the local officers of the Imperial
Department of Agriculture have given very material
assistance in connexion with Arbor Day celebrations.
The direction in which this assistance has been most
appreciated has been in raising and supplying plants. In
almost all cases the young trees planted have been
raised at the Botanic Stations. Assistance has also

THE AGRICULTURAL

NEWS. Juty 29, 1905,

been given in regard to the selection and the
preparation of the land and in caring for the young

trees afterwards.

It is desirable that committees should be appointed
as soon as possible, so that the detailed arrangements
for the celebrations may be well in hand. This will
enable the officers in charge of Botanic Stations to
ensure an adequate supply of suitable plants. At the
same time proper sites for planting will have to be
chosen. This must be done with due regard to the
character of the trees which it is decided to plant. The
trees most commonly chosen for this purpose are palms
(principally the cabbage palm and the royal palm,
Oreodoxa oleracea and O. regia), mahogany, white-wood
(Bucida Buceras), and, in one instance that has been
reported in the Agricultural News, viz., in Dominica,
Castilloa elastica for planting along the side of the
public road. There is a wide choice of suitable trees in
the West Indies both for ornamental shade
purposes. There are also several very desirable fruit
trees for gardens and orchards.

and

In order to give the young plants every possible
opportunity of making rapid growth, and of fulfilling
the purpose for which they are planted in the shortest
possible time, special attention should be given to the
preparation of the land. This should be commenced, if
possible, early in October. Holes, at least 3 feet square
and 2} feet deep, should be dug; these, after a few
weeks’ exposure to climatic influences, should be
carefully filled with good top soil. Where, however,
the soil is poor or of a rocky nature, a plentiful supply
of well-rotted stable or pen manure should be mixed
with the soil.

After the young trees have been planted, some
protection must be afforded against cattle, goats, and
fowls. This will best be secured by the erection of tree
guards, which may conveniently be made of three
strong posts around which wire netting is fastened, or
the staves of a barrel may be used for the purpose.
Arrangements should also be made for watering the
plants, if necessary, and for subsequent weeding and
general attention to their requirements.

With regard to the objects of Arbor Days, it
should be clearly understood that in urging its
observance the Imperial Department of Agriculture
has in view mainly its educational influence. There is
no intention to connect it with schemes of re-afforesta-
tion. The general lines which it is intended Arbor Day
should serve were stated by the Imperial Commissioner
of Agriculture at the West Indian Agricultural Con-
ference in Trinidad as follows :—

‘What we hope to accomplish is this: To have a few
special trees planted on certain days in order, not merely that
children may develop the desire to perpetuate an event by
the planting of a tree (handed down from the earliest times),
but that they should always have presented before them all
the details necessary in order to prepare the ground and look
after the tree until it is thoroughly established. That, from
an educational point of view, would be a valuable acquisition
for the individual as well as for the community. I ean
understand that some people may think that an Arbor Day
is not necessary where vegetation is already abundant, but
the idea is to plant a few special trees and keep them
observation in order to illustrate in
a practical form the methods and conditions best adapted
for plant life.’

continually under

While, however, the main idea is to be educational,
the movement may serve a utilitarian purpose in
beautifying the appearance of roads or open spaces and
in affording delightful shade from the torrid heat of
the sun. Thus in Barbados, where Arbor Day has not,
been observed, it has been suggested that, in
addition to affording object-lessons to children in the
proper treatment of trees, Arbor Day celebration might
be taken advantage of to transform some, at least, of

so far,

the white, glaring roads into shady avenues, thus
adding to the general comfort and well-being of the

community.

The great advantage in regard to the observance
of an Arbor Day is that a small expenditure, only, is
necessary, in a tropical climate, to produce pleasurable
and lasting results.

JAMAICA BOTANICAL DEPARTMENT.
The Jamaica Times of June 17 has the following
editorial note on the work of the Department of Public
Gardens and Plantations, especially im reference to the
tobacco experiments :—
It is with sincere pleasure that we learn that the
experiments in tobacco growing, recently conducted at Hope
by Mr. Fawcett’s Department, have now reached very definite

success. The experiment was under the immediate direction
of Mr. Cunningham, who has set out the history of its

conditions clearly and usefully in a report for which we hope
to find space in another issue.

While we are on the subject of Mr. Faweett’s Depart-
ment, we take the opportunity of expressing the appreciation
with which we and others have watched his wise and
persevering efforts to reeccmmend Agricultural Loan Banks,
on a voluntary basis, to our people. We try never to say
more than we feel, and our readers know that we do not
think that the Department of Public Gardens fulfils in all
things the work we want done ; but that does not mean that
it does not in many directions do good and useful work,

while, personally, it is always pleasant to have to do with the — }

Director himself, who sets an example of courtesy and —
gentlemanliness that all officials would do well to copy.

?

nS

Vou. IV. No. 86.

THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.

ro)
Lo
a

INDUSTRY.

Java.

The following extract from the Consular Report
on the trade of Java for 1904 reviews the position of
the sugar industry in that island :—

The steady increase of sugar during the past years has
been well maintained, the total production amounting to
1,064,935 tons. Although this is attributable, to a certain
extent, to the favourable weather, the most important factors
have undoubtedly been the scientific application of artificial
manures to the older grounds and the careful selection of the
species of cane best adapted to the peculiarities of the
various soils, resulting from a long series of experiments at
the Experiment Stations at Pasoervean and Pekalongan.
These institutions have proved their value to the industry
and are well supported by the planters.

Several of the new species of cane raised from seed in
the nurseries of the East Java Experiment Station at
Pasoeroean have been amongst the most productive. It is
worthy of notice that a few of these species which have been
reared from canes that have been in cultivation for more
than fifteen years, and have latterly been relegated to a minor
portion of the fields, have proved to be the most fertile.
This strengthens the faith placed in the seed-cane generally,
notwithstanding the disappointment some of the varieties have
caused.

The process of cane selection still engrosses the attention
of planters, and in many quarters it is believed that in this
direction a means will be discovered further to enhance the
production.

The following shows the production in each of the past
Six yeirs:—1899, 730,842 tons; 1900, 710,150; 1901,
766,342 ; 1902, 848,021 ; 1903, 883,020; 1904, 1,064,935.

With regard to cane diseases, Mr. Acting Vice-Consul
Rose reports as follows :—

‘The well-known cane diseases still continue, but seem
to be held in check by the measure now being rigorously and
uninterruptedly taken to extirpate them. The ‘yellow
Stripe” disease, however, is one for which planters have as
yet discovered no remedy. It appears to be propagated or
retarded according to the weather conditions. At one period
of the year it threatened to work havoc among the young
canes, but fortunately an opportune change in the weather
effected a complete recovery.’

The profits of the past year’s working are now in many
cases being expended on new machinery and in bringing the
mills up to date, by which means planters hope to reduce the
cost of production.

The demand for nitrogenous manures shows a steady
increase during recent years. This is, to a certain extent, due
to the fact that a liberal use of fertilizers has been proved
not only to be of much benefit to the sugar-cane, but has in
no small degree tended to lessen the ravages of the ‘sereh’
disease, which at one time threatened to devastate the cane
crops of the island.

The exports of sugar of all kinds from Java and
Madura during the years 1902-4 have been as follows:
1902, 808,457 tons; 1903, 869,295 tons; 1904, 1,010,742
tons. More than 50 per cent. of the total exports of sugar
went to the United States.

GRENADA AT THE COLONIAL
EXHIBITION.

Mr. Freeman’s article in the last issue of the
West India Committee Cireului deals with the
Grenada exhibit. After reference to the cacao exhibits,
he says :—

Spices rank next in importance to cacao among the
products of Grenada, the actual figures for 1903 being:
cacao, £230,957 ; spices, £31,594. Well-preserved nutmegs,
as they drop from the trees, are exhibited, showing the
fleshy, somewhat peach-like fruit burst open along one side,
displaying the nutmeg in its hard, brown ease, partially
covered by the brilliant, orange-red mace. Nutmegs and
mace, in the familiar dry condition in which they come on
the market, are also shown. The other spices represented
include ginger and cardamoms.

Cotton stands third in the list of Grenada exports. The
value of cotton and cotton seed exported in 1903 was about
£5,300. Grenada for many years was apparently the last
stronghold of the former important cotton industry of the
West Indies, owing to cotton having remained throughout
a staple product of Carriacou, one of the dependencies of the
colony. Some samples of Sea Island cotton are exhibited,
but there is no information as to whether they were grown
in Grenada or in Carriacou.

With cotton we come to the end of the chief products
of Grenada, no other, with the exception of live stock,
contributing more than a few hundred pounds towards the
total value of the island’s exports. Although not exported
to any large extent, there is a small intercolonial trade in
fruit carried on between Grenada and some of the other
West India Islands, and the fame of Grenada oranges is by
no means confined to their place of production.

Specimens of mangos, granadilla, cashew nuts, limes,
water melons, preserved so as to retain their fresh appearance,
and a large series of preserves, including some very nice-
looking fruit jellies, sufficiently represent the capabilities,
actual and potential, of Grenada fruit production. Cocoa-nuts
are also exhibited.

Cassava cakes alone represent the farinaceous products
of the island. Amongst other plant exhibits of minor
importance are ornamental seeds with pendants, charms, and
other objects, showing how they may be utilized, pickles,
palm-leaf duster-brushes, straw hats, a large wooden pestle
and mortar for pounding cassava, etc., and a nest of those
strong Carib baskets which can be put to so many uses in
the West Indies.

A series of tanned skins is perhaps the most important
item to notice under the head of animal products. _ Of great
interest to many will be the stuffed specimens of mungoose,
the animal whose introduction, originally to serve a useful
purpose, has had such a baneful effect in many parts of the
West Indies. Corals, sea fans, fish, conch shells, stuffed
birds, sea urchins, and a monkey are of interest in exhibiting
some of the more characteristic forms of animal life of the
colony. <A series of Carib implements brings us into touch
with the earlier inhabitants of Grenada.

Undoubtedly the whole exhibit does great credit to
Mr. P. J. Dean, Chairman, and Mr. C. Falconer Anton,
Secretary of the local committee. Although comparatively
small, the Grenada exhibit should serve a useful purpose in
demonstrating the actual and possible sources of prosperity
of one of the most flourishing of the West India Islands.

WEST INDIAN

THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.

Juty 29, 1905.

FRU.

BARBADOS BANANAS.

The following is an extract from a letter from
Messrs. William Pink & Sons, dated Portsmouth,
June 29 :—

The prices of Canary and Jamaica bananas have been
lowered considerably but the Barbados fruit is being sold at
the ordinary rates, owing to the great demand for it, and
the small supply.

We are improving our Plymouth stores by putting in
a rapid mechanical hoist to raise the crates to the ripening
rooms, and are also putting in a powerful ventilating fan,
which will be capable of changing the air of the rooms every
fifteen minutes, which will enable us to keep the fruit longer
in the hot weather than we can now do.

THE CITRUS INDUSTRY OF SICILY.

The following information on the citrus industry
of Sicily is extracted from the Consular Report on
the island for 1904 :—

Formerly the citrus trade was one of the principal
resources of the island, but since the cultivation of oranges
and lemons in California and Florida, Sicily has lost a great
part of her former prosperous trade in green fruits. Every
now and then, cold snaps in the United States set back the
citrus trees there and give Sicily a couple of years of profit-
able trade. Fortunately for the new season in Sicily, recent
frosts in Florida have hardened prices ; the crop here is not
a very abundant one this year, and it is yet too soon to
gauge the prospects for next season. Sicily may now look
forward to a couple of seasons of good demand.

GREEN FRUIT TRADE.

During the 1903-4 season it was calculated that all
Italy produced 5,250,000,000 of fruit, or an excess of
750,000,000 over the preceding season. To this total
production Sicily contributed 3,652,800,000 or more than
half of the production of all Italy. Out of 16,700,000 citrus
fruit trees in all Italy, Sicily accounted for 10,390,000. On
an average each Sicilian tree is calculated to produce 352
fruits.

CANDIED AND PICKLED FRUIT.

Besides the trade in oranges, lemons, mandarins, and
citrons, there is a considerable Sicilian production of fine
candied fruits. Unfortunately, the cost of sugar to the
manufacturer of these is such that there is no field for
a profitable export trade,

Oranges sold in the street or at the popular marionette

shows are invariably peeled, and the peel is then sun dried

for export. Seville oranges in brine and halved are exported
from Messina and Syracuse. No drained oranges are pro-
duced in Sicily. This trade seems to be limited to Leghorn,

ESSENCE OF LEMON, OIL OF LEMON, ETC,

A good quantity of essence of lemon is produced in
Palermo and all along the eastern coast of Sicily.

Oil of lemon, oil of orange (both bitter and sweet), oil
of mandarin, and oil of cedrat are produced in various parts
of the northern and eastern coasts. Those interested in these
products should refer to Mr. J. F. Child’s article in the
Chemist and Druggist of January 26, 1901, ‘Where the
Lemons Grow.’ Messrs. H. E, Burgess and J. F. Child
further published an account of the ‘ Lemon Oil Industry’ in
the Journal of the Society of Chemical Industry, December
31, 1901, No. 12, Vol. XX; and some up-to-date notes on
the ‘Citron Oil Industry’ on January 31, 1903.

CITRATE OF LIME AND CITRIC ACID.

Citrate of lime is produced at Palermo, Messina, and
Catania. Efforts are being made to create a combination in
this article.

Citric acid has hitherto been produced by the Scheele
method. At Palermo a new combination has been formed
under the title of ‘La Citrica’ for the production of citric
acid by a method due to a Sicilian called Restuccia, whose
process is said to be a modification of one discovered by
KF. Arrosto in 1834. It remains to be seen whether the
Restuccia method is a commercial success.

SHIPMENT OF ONIONS.

Onions are shipped from Montserrat in barrels and
not in crates, as has been sometimes suggested. ‘The
reasons for this are given by the Local Instructor as
follows :—

Onions are never shipped in crates, as the West Indian
and neighbouring markets desire the onions stringed, and
the standard size of the onion crates will not allow of
economic packing in this manner. If the crates were
larger, say, to hold 150 tb. of stringed onions, then
this method might command attention. An onion crate
holds 150 %. of loose onions and little more than half that
quantity on strings, while a barrel holds 135 1b. to 150 tb. of
stringed onions. The price of a barrel varies from 8d. to ls.,
while crates are 7d. each; again, the freight is in favour of
the barrel, these costing 1s. each, while crates cost 6d. each.
So that, providing loss through shipment can be prevented
in barrels, this is much the cheaper method of packing.

|

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Vou. IV. No. 86.

THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS. 229

SCIENCE NOTES.

Roots of Cotton Plants.

Mr. J. R. Bovell, F.LS., F.C.S., and Mr. Thomas
Thornton, A.R.C.S., have been carrying out investiga-
tions at Barbados with regard to the character of the
roots of the cotton plant.

In reporting some very interesting results they
state :—

The roots of plants examined have been measured, and
the average depth to which the primary roots penetrated
was 19 inches, the maximum being 24 inches, and the
minimum 14 inches.

The secondary roots commenced on the average to be
put off at 3-4 inches below the surface of the soil, the
maximum being 5 inches, and the minimum 1°5 inches. The
secondary roots were, on the average, traced to a distance of
45 inches ; the maximum being 63 inches, and the minimum
39 inches. The longest secondary roots, at some distance
below the surface of the soil, were on the average 11 inches
deep ; the maximum being 15 inches, ana the minimum
8 inches. They were traced horizontally on the average for
31 inches ; the maximum being 48 inches, and the minimum
18 inches.

Soil Inoculation for Legumes.

The following review of a recently issued bulletin
(No. 71) of the Bureau of Plant Industry of the
U.S. Department of Agriculture, by Dr. G. 'T. Moore,
entitled ‘Soil inoculation for legumes,’ appeared in the
Botanical Guzette for June:—

The subject of soil inoculation for legumes has recently
acquired a wide-spread interest in this country, first from
numerous popular accounts relating to the subject, and again
on account of a widely advertised commercial product by
which, it is claimed, the proper bacteria can be introduced
into the soil. For this reason Moore’s account of his work
in this field is of special interest. The first part of the
bulletin is a general historical account dealing with the
various methods by which nitrogen is fixed in the soil, and
leading up to the discoveries of Helriegel and Willfarth
connecting the fixation of nitrogen by legumes with the
tubercles on the roots, and the discovery of bacteria in these
tubercles by Woronin. ‘The chief results of Moore’s investi-
gations may be briefly stated as follows: The root-tubercle
organism exists in three well-defined forms. In the soil it
has the form of extremely minute motile rods. These
possess the power of infecting the root hairs of leguminous
plants. Within the root the organisms multiply enormously
and produce the hypha-like ‘infection threads’ passing
through the tissues of the host. These curious fungus-like
structures have often been observed and figured, and have
been the objects of much discussion. Their explanation is that
they are zooglaea-masses composed of numerous minute bac-
teria. These minute bacteria soon give rise to larger rod-
shaped forms which may or may not be motile. These finally
produce the branched forms peculiar to the legume nodule.
It is only this last form that is of any benefit to the plants,
for in this state the bacteria are broken down, and their
contents made available. The name of the organism is
changed to Pseudomonas radicicola, since the motile rods
have flagellae only on one end. There is only a single
species, but several forms or races occur adapted to certain
species of legumes. Their slight racial characteristics may

cultivation. The results of
power of the bacteria are
that the supposed symbiotic

be easily broken down by
studies on the nitrogen-fixing
extremely interesting, showing
relation between the organism aud the root probably does
not exist. It is rather to be regarded as a parasite, its
nitrogen value being merely incidental to the death of the
organism. The nitrogen is fixed by the tubercle-forming
bacteria within their bodies. This was determined by
cultures in flasks containing nutrient solutions without
nitrogen. There was no increase of nitrogen in the solution,
but a marked increase in the organistns themselves. In its
biology the organism is therefore considered a parasite.
Later the plant is able to overcome the parasite and profit
by the nitrogen which has been tixed. When grown on
nitrogenous media, it was found that the organism lost both
its power of infecting leguminous plants and its power of
fixing nitrogen. In non-nitrogenous media both of these
properties were retained. The failure of Nobbe’s attempts in
xyermany, a few years ago, to put upon the market pure
cultures of this organism can probably be attributed to lack
of recognition of this fact. As a result of these studies
Moore has devised a method of putting up for distribution
pure cultures of Pseudomonas radicicola, grown in nitrogen-
free media and dried on cotton immersed in the culture.
These cultures are sent out by the U. 8S. Department
of Agriculture together with packages of nutrient salts to
multiply the organism. ‘The mass-culture thus obtained is
used to inoculate the seed or the soil. Numerous reports
from farmers of all states indicate that this method will
prove successful and practicable.

ARTIFICIAL DRYING OF CACAO.

In his article on ‘Grenada at the Colonial Exhibi-
tion, in the West India Committee Circulur, from
which extracts are given elsewhere in this issue,
Mr. W. G. Freeman makes the following observations
on the artificial drying of cacao. Mr. Freeman refers
to the cacao drier erected by Mr. Hoadley, which was
described in the Agricultural News, Vol. IV, p. 174:—

The cacao exhibit, although not extensive, is of great
interest, because, like the much larger display of Trinidad, it
is indicative of the progress which is being made in agri-
cultural methods in the West Indies. The two samples of
peasant-cured, sun-dried cacao represent the old order of
things, whilst the new order is represented by the bag of
eacao exhibited by the Hon. D. 8. deFreitas, from Dougald-
ston estate. As the label in the court states, this cacao was
placed direct from the fermentation boxes into one of the
cacao-drying machines manufactured by Messrs. J. Gordon
& Co., and completely dried and polished, without breakage,
in twenty-four hours. The quality of the product is made
evident by the fact that the sample exhibited gained the first
prize at the recent Agricultural Show in Grenada. This
sample, and that in the Trinidad court, dried in Mr. J.
Hoadley’s machine, are worthy of the serious consideration
of all cacao producers. The cultivator in temperate climes.
has long been forced to recognize that old methods must be
replaced by new if he is determined to hold his own in the
struggle for existence. In the tropics, owing to special
circumstances, this necessity has not yet been so universally
brought home, but here also increasing competition must
inevitably result in success falling only to those who by
taking advantage of each improvement turn out produce of
high and uniform quality, by the most economical and up-to-
date methods.

230

THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.

Juny 29, 1905°

ANTIGUA.

At a meeting of the Agricultural and Commercial
Society, held at Antigua on July 7, Dr. Watts read
a paper reviewing the position of the cotton industry
in the island. The following are extracts from the
paper :—

The most profitable instance of cotton growing last
season in Antigua was at Bettys Hope estate where
18 acres were planted in cotton and over 20,000 Ib. of seed-
cotton had been reaped. The lint was sold for 1s. 2d. per Ib.
and the profits on the 18 acres would probably be between
£200 and £300.

Another instance of profitable cultivation was at
Piceadilly estate, where 10 acres had been planted and
12 bales of 180 tb. of lint had been marketed. This amount
(2,160 tb.) had been sold at 1s, 2d. per Ib. and the profits
were from 50 to 60 per cent. on the money invested.

There would be 260 bales sent from Antigua this
season, against 163 last season, and the price realized had
been better. Some failures had occurred but these could
generally be traced to either very poor soil or late planting.

It was not necessary to take the sugar lands to plant
eotton. There were between 5,000 and 10,000 acres of land
in the north, east, and south of the island that were not
being used for any important crop and which with proper
treatment could be made to yield good crops of cotton. The
best cane lands were, in many instances, too stiff for cotton,

All old cotton should be destroyed by the beginning of
June in each year to avoid, as far as possible, carrying over
diseases from crop to crop.

It was all-important that good seed should be sown.
There was no doubt that they had obtained 20 to 30 per
cent. better prices for their cotton owing to the Rivers’
improved seed obtained for them last year. The action on
the part of Sir Daniel Morris in obtaining all the seed
possible of Rivers’ improved variety last year was a splendid
stroke of business, which placed the planters in the West
Indies on a level with the planters in the Sea Islands, as far
as seed was concerned, up to last year.

It was important that a good stock of insecticide
should be on hand at the time when the seed was sown.
The action of insects was too rapid to think of this
being left until an attack was made. Paris green was
needed for the caterpillars, and sulphur and lime in
equal parts gave a sure remedy for the leaf-blister mite.
A moderate amount of pen manure should be applied. If
the seed were returned to the soil very little of the fertility
would be removed by the cotton, crop. Cotton seed was
excellent as part of a stock ration because it contained
a large supply of nitrogen, a constituent deficient in both
cane-tops and molasses. The best time to sow cotton seed
Was as soon as the rainy season set in, say, about July.

RATOONING COTTON.
Readers of the Agricultural News will be aware
that the Imperial Department of Agriculture strongly
deprecates the ratooning of Sea Island cotton in the
West Indies. The reasons for the advocation of annual
sowings in fresh soil were briefly stated in a recent
editorial (p. 113). With the view of further urging
the adoption of the latter practice, if 1s proposed to
publish a series of articles dealing with the reasons
why the ratooning of Sea Island cotton is undesirable.
In the following article the subject is discussed,
from several points of view, by Mr. Thomas Thornton,
A.R.G.S., Travelling Inspector in connexion with Cotton
Investigations :—

Before discussing the question of ratooning cotton, it
will be best to define what we are to understand by ratooning.
In cane planting the word implies the growth of young
shoots from old, eut-back plants, with the idea of raising
another crop from the old stools. In cotton plants we use
the word ina rather ditferent sense. If we were to use the
word as it is used in cane cultivation, we should have to
speak of the young growth from the cut-back plants in
February and March as ratoon plants, but this is not what
is meant in the case of cotton. Our definition, in this case,
is —‘ continuing the growth of the old plants after the closing
of the dry season, and after seed has been sown for the
new crop.’

The reasons why ratooning cotton is not desirable are as
follows :

(a) Because of its effect on the quality of the lint, and

thus on the position it occupies in the market.

()) Because of its influence in spreading diseases.
(c) Because it is more economical to grow another crop
atter cotton has been grown for one year.

THE EFFECT OF RATOONING ON THE
COTTON IN THE

POSITION OF WEST INDIAN
MARKET.

The ratooning of cotton is of great interest in the
present stage of the industry. We have just established
a market and have already attained a good position. If
a planter wishes to obtain a name for his cotton, or keep the
one he has already gained, he must avoid ratoon cotton.
The first crop may be of excellent quality, but afterwards it
deteriorates in every respect: the lustre disappears, the
fibres become coarse, and the staple becomes very much
shortened. It will be impossible to use this for the same high-
class work as the first crop cotton. The price obtained for
ratoon cotton this year ought to be sufticient to gnard any
planter against it: when ordinary Barbados cotton was selling
at 33c. per tb., ratoon cotton fetched only 18c.

Great care must be exercised if we are to keep the

Vol. IV. No. 86.

THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.

231

position we have attained. Unless the West Indies can
continue to produce a uniform quality, of a high standard,
our present position in the market cannot be maintained.

Some of the planters are very careless because they have
obtained the same price as their more careful neighbours,
but there is little doubt that if a spinner has paid a good price
for cotton which has turned out to be of an inferior quality,
he will be on his guard when he sees the same mark again
offered for sale.

Not only is it in the interest of the planter, personally,
to be careful about the quality of the cotton he ships, but it
is important, also, in the interest of the cotton industry in
the West Indies that no cotton should be sent from the islands

except the finest quality possible.
THE INFLUENCE OF RATOONING AND

SPREADING DISEASE.

IN ESTABLISHING

A change takes place in the character of the plant
during its growth. When young and healthy, it is in
a position to resist disease to a certain extent, but as it gets
older, and especially during the dry season, it loses
much of its vigour, and is thus unable to ward off disease.
Insect pests and fungoid diseases become firmly established.
These plants become a source of infection to the young
plants which have just commenced their growth, and at the
time the latter come to maturity, the diseases are more
firmly established than in the previous season.

A break ought to be made between the old and new
crops and the longer time that can be placed between the
two, the less chance there will be of the one proving to be
a source of infection to the other.

ROTATION OF CROPS MORE ECONOMICAL THAN RATOONING,

It is more economical to grow another crop after cotton
has been in the soil for a year. To produce a fine quality
of lint, we are well aware that the soil requires to be
reduced to a very fine tilth. A loose open soil gives the
best results.

After the plants have been growing, and the soil has
been lying almost undisturbed for a year, it is getting very
hard and firm, and unless the plants are removed it is
impossible to change this character. To continue the growth
of the plants in this firm soil would be greatly detrimental
to the quality of the lint produced. The firm setting of the
soil appears to be one of the most important factors which
influence the quality of cotton, and probably a factor which
is responsible to a great extent for the deterioration of the
quality after the first picking.

Again, the cotton plant is one which has a number of
its roots passing to the deepest layers of the soil ; some of its
roots are also in the upper layers, but there is no comparison
between the roots of the sugar-cane and the roots of the
cotton in these upper layers of the soil, so that while cotton
is growing the upper layers are resting to a certain extent.
To continue the growth of the cotton plant will be to con-
tinue to drain the same land of food which has already
given up almost all that has been rendered available, and
it would be a far better policy to make a change and
put in some plant, such as the sugar-cane, which is a more
extensive surface feeder. This method of working has given
excellent results.

The subject of ratooning cotton in St. Kitt’s-Nevis
is thus referred to by Mr. F. R. Shepherd, Agricultural
Superintendent, in a recent letter to the Imperial
Commissioner of Agriculture :—

With reference to the conditions existing in St. Kitt’s as
to ratoon cotton, I am able to inform you that all the old
cotton has now been cleared off the Jand and the cotton for
the coming season is being freely planted.

In Nevis some of the old cotton still remains, but the
owners have been warned as to the mistake they are making
in not destroying it, and I feel sure that soon there will be
none left.

In this presidency it is very important for the success of
the industry that your advice should be strictly carried out,
as the leaf-blister mite attacks the old cotton to such an
extent that remedial treatment is useless.

HAYTI.

The following reference to the prospects of cotton
cultivation is made in the Consular Report on Hayti
for 1904 :—

Some 3,017,014 tb. of cotton were exported in 1904, as
against 3,260,271 Ib. in 1903, and 2,000,000, tb. in 1902.
The gathering of cotton is generally abandoned on cotfee
rising in price. Most of the cotton was from St. Mare. The
best quality is said to be grown at Gonaives. ‘The cotton
was shipped principally to Hamburg and Harve and a little
to Liverpool. Some 275,847 tb. of cotton seed, chiefly from
Jacmel, were likewise exported. The prices commenced
at 30c. per Ib. in the month of March, but reached 50c.
per lb. (owing to high premium on gold) in May and June.
The price dropped to 30c. in August 1904.

Owing to the higher prices obtained for cotton during
1904, planters were encouraged to cultivate this product on
a larger scale, but the great disturbance in Haytian finances
caused a rapid increase of all expenses, and thus they were
compelled to reduce their planting. This country is suited
to cotton growing, and but little care or cultivation is
required, the expenses being in the gathering, ginning, and
baling. The staple is of fairly good quality.

Exporters of cotton from Hayti are continually being
blamed for the manner in which they pack and clean their
merchandise. The cotton is generally badly gathered, and it
often appears to be picked too late, a defect, which, taken
together with the humidity and the sun having given it
a dark colour, causes its marketable value to be diminished.
Owing to the somewhat woolly nature of Haytian cotton it
has been suggested that it should be exported to Europe in
denser bales than those in use.

The quality of cotton grown resembles the fibres of
Brazil (Céara, Pernambuco). [ have been informed that Sea
Island cotton has been introduced, with a chance of its
increasing.

EGYPTIAN COTTON SEED FOR SALE.

With reference to the announcement in the Agricultural
News (Vol. IV, p. 120) to the effect that the Imperial
Commissioner of Agriculture had obtained a supply of
seed of the best varieties (Jannovitch, Abbassi, and MitA fifi)
of cotton from Egypt, it may be mentioned that there is
still a small quantity for disposal. The following quantities
are on hand: 28 tb. of Jannovitch, 44 Ib. of Abbassi, and
8 Ib. of MitAfifi. Those desirous of obtaining some of
this seed for planting in the West Indies should communicate
with the Imperial Commissioner of Agriculture (Head Office,
Barbados) without delay.

to
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THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.

Juty 15, 1905.

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 5 of the cover.

The Agricultural News:
post free 1d. Annual subscription payable to Agents,
9s. 2d. Post free, 3s. 3d.

Price 1d. per number,

Agricultural dlews

Vou. IV. SATURDAY, JULY 29, 1905. No. 86.

NOTES AND COMMENTS.

Contents of Present Issue.

The aims and objects of the Arbor Day movement
are discussed in the editorial of this issue. Hunts are
also given as to the preparations and arrangements
necessary for the systematic planting of trees in this
connexion,

On p. 227 the position of the sugar industry in
Java is reviewed. On the same page will be found
a description of the Grenada exhibit at the Colonial
and Indian Exhibition.

A brief review of the cotton industry of Antigua
appears on p. 230.
a series of articles on the reasons for avoiding the
ratooning of Sea Island cotton in the West Indies.

The insect notes in this issue deal with (1) barrel
sprayers, their construction and uses, and (2) with the
predacious habits of the wild bees in relation to the
cotton worm, On p. 237 will be found a note on the

prevention of tropical diseases by the extermination of

mosquitos.

Important experiments have been carried out in
Ceylon in the use of leguminous plants for green dress-
ing. In view of the importance of this subject in the
West Indies a short review of these experiments is

published (p. 235).

The note on p, 238 on the use of home-grown
food-stuffs for stock contains useful information in
regard to the value of sweet potatos, cassava, and cane
syrup, which the writer has found to give good results
in feeding horses and mules.

This is followed by the first of

Consumption of Cacao.

Duis Review, discussing the rapid development
of the cacao trade, states that the importation of cacao
into the United States has grown from 9,000,000 th.
in 1883 to 24,000,000 tb. in 1893, and 63,000,000 th. in
1903. This indicates that the consumption of cacao
is greatly increasing.

While the importation of manufactured cacao has
fallen, the amount of capital employed in cacao and
chocolate manufacturing establishments has increased
from $530,500 in 1880 to $6,890,732 in 1900,

Of the total imports (51,000,000 tb.), nearly 30
per cent. was from the West Indies,

rr?

Cultivation of Oranges in Antigua.

At a meeting recently held in the Liberta district
of Antigua, Mr. A. J. Jordan, Curator of the Botanic
Station, read a paper on the ‘Cultivation of oranges
and other citrus fruits.’

Mr. Jordan mentioned that he had been much
impressed by the vigour and fruitfulness of the orange
trees in’ the district. If the trees could do so well
without cultivation during such an unfavourable season
as the present, good results might reasonably be
expected, in an average season, if the trees were
properly cultivated.

The first essential to would be the
introduction of budding. One peasant proprietor had
gone to the trouble of obtaining seed from Dominica:
but seed selection was not sufticient owing to the
plants not ‘coming true.’

Mr. Jordan then gave a practical demonstration of
the operations connected with budding, and exhibited
plants budded by boys at the Olveston School,
Montserrat.

success

_ > ~~ — -—

West Indian Plants at the Colonial Exhibition.

It would appear from the various reports on the
Colonial and Indian Exhibition that a special feature
of interest in the West Indian court is the collection of
living economic and other plants. The majority of the
plants, which were sent over in tubs, are still fresh and
green,

A large collection of plants was sent from the
Public Gardens, Jamaica. Among the plants may be
mentioned tree ferns, a young cocoa-nut tree, Liberian
and Arabian coffee trees, camphor, cacao, Avocado
pears, pimento, etc, etc. The coffee trees are reported
to be in specially fine condition ; seedling canes are also
growing in tubs. Unfortunately, the first shipment
arrived during a frosty spell and some of the plants
were killed.

There was also sent from Jamaica a fine collection
of fruits, flowers, and leaves of economic plants preserv-
ed either in formalin or in alcohol and napthaline.
They have been put up in large, striking-looking jars,
and make a most attractive exhibit of considerable
educational value. Among the specimens are the
principal West Indian fruits (mangos, star apples,
sour sops, naseberries, custard apples, ete.

Rats and Plague.

‘by the instrumentality of rats and mice.

cementing

Vou. IV. No. 86.

THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.

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Cane Farming at Trinidad.

Attention has been drawn in the Port-of-Spain
Guzette to a note in the Agricultural News of May 23,
1903 (p. 172), that ‘nearly 2,000 acres of sugar-cane
are now under cultivation by cane farmers in ‘Trinidad.’
It is impossible, after the lapse of more than two years,
to give the authority for this note, but as it appeared
under the head of ‘Gleanings’ it is probable that 1t was
taken over from a Trinidad publication. No misappre-
hension could, however, have arisen on the subject as
in the Agricultural News of November 21, 1903
(p. 370), there were published in full the actual figures
given by Professor Carmody in his paper on ‘The
Industrial Resources of ‘Trinidad’ in Sndustrial
Trinidad (p. 604). Further, the returns of the Trinidad
cane farmers’ crop for seven years (1898-1904) were
published in the Agricultural News of October 8, 1904

(p. 322). The most recent information in regard to
this subject, contained in a paper read at the
last Agricultural Conference by Professor Carmody,

was published in the West Indian Bulletin (Vol. VI,
pp. 3-7). It will therefore be seen that the fullest
information has been placed in the hands of the
readers of the publications of the Imperial Department

of Agriculture, with regard to the position of cane

farming at Trinidad.
> ee

The Government of Jamaica has been notified by

the British Consul at Panama of the presence of

bubonic plague in that city. The nearness of Jamaica

‘to Colon and the frequency of communication have

rendered it desirable that every effort should be made

to prevent the conveyance of this dreaded disease into
Jamaica.

With this object the Health Officer at
Kingston urges a crusade against rats and mice.

It is now well known that bubonic plague is spread
Dr. Ogilvie
therefore urges (1) the wholesale destruction of rats

cand mice, and (2) their exclusion from dwellings,

warehouses, etc. The latter object can be gained by
earthen basements which have been
burrowed by rats, packing loose-fitting holes through
which pipes pass, refitting doorways, and in other ways.

With regard to the destruction of rats, trapping

and poisoning (with arsenic or phosphorous) are

recommended.
It would appear that this would be an excellent

opportunity for a trial of rat virus on a_ large
scale,

The experiments so far carried out in the West
Indies would seem to indicate that houses can be

_-cleared of these vermine to a considerable extent by

its use.
Elsewhere in this issue is published a statement

of the results of successful trials with rat virus at
Antigua.

Arrangements are being made by Dr. Watts
for simultaneous attacks in various parts of St. John’s.
The necessity for such action has been proved by the

‘discovery that, in some cases, the rats migrated to
adjoining buildings where no virus had been used.

Reports of the experiments with the virus in other

‘islands will follow.

The Colonial and Indian Exhibition.

The prominence which has been given in the
Agricultural News to notes in reference to the
Colonial and Indian Exhibition has, no doubt, served
to indicate the importance which the Imperial
Department of Agriculture attaches to the adequate
representation of the West Indies at this important
exhibition. Through the efforts of the West India
Committee and the local committees, excellent exhibits
have been forwarded from several of these islands and
have undoubtedly attracted a great deal of attention.
The desirability of making known to the consumers at
home the capabilities and resources of the West
Indies has frequently been impressed upon the readers
of the Agricultural News,

The interesting series of descriptive articles on the
several exhibits by Mr. W. G. Freeman in the
West India Committee Cireulayv are to be followed,
after the awards of the judges have been announced,
by more critical notes on the preparation of the
articles in the exhibits. Descriptions of the Barbados
and Trinidad exhibits have already been published,
while that of Grenada is described in this issue
(see p. 227).

A further note urging the appointment of perma-
nent exhibition committees in the West Indies will be
found on p. 239, where mention is made of the action
that has been taken by the Grenada Agricultural and
Commercial Society to give effect to this suggestion.

Ee ———

Distribution of Economic Plants in St. Vincent.

A very satisfactory feature of the work carried on
at the Botanic Station, St. Vincent, as shown in the
report for the year ended March 31 last (issued
to-day), is in connexion with the distribution of economic
plants. The Agricultural Superintendent reports that
the number of economic plants distributed, in addition
to cane plants, sisal bulbets, etc., was 26,256, which far
exceeds the number distributed in any previous year.
Of this total no fewer than 22,204 were cacao plants.

This increasing demand for economic plants 1s an
encouraging indication that large areas are being
planted in cacao and other permanent crops. As was
mentioned in the last issue of the Agricultural News
(p. 220) the exports of cured cacao from St. Vincent
have steadily increased since 1900, They reached 742
bags during last year. It is reasonable tu expect that,
should no further catastrophe be experienced, the
exports will soon exceed the record before the hurricane,
when upwards of 1,500 bags were exported. It would
therefore appear that strenuous efforts are being made
to replace this industry in the satisfactory position
which it formerly occupied.

It may be mentioned that 15,424 economic plants
were distributed in connexion with the Land Settle-
ment Scheme, of which cacao was responsible for
15,060. It is estimated that 32,554 economic plants
were growing on allotments at the end of the year
1904-5, 30,161 representing cacao; 2,690 are bearing
trees, and over 300 young trees should come into
bearing next year,

234 THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS. Juny 29, 1905.
length, and for each of these a nozzle extension and

ge ‘NS
INSECT NOTES.

Barrel Sprayers.

In the Agricultural News (Vol. IV, p. 186) a briet
description was given of the auto-spray. The present
article deals with machines of larger capacity which are
adapted for the work of spraying large trees, whereas the
auto-spray is more suitable for work in garden or nursery.
Barrel sprayers vary in size, and are of many makes, bearing
various trade names. The figures shown on this page
represent the ‘Fruitall’ (fig. 15), and the ‘Gem’ (fig. 16).

Fig. 15 shows
the construction of
the ‘Fruitall’ sprayer.
An ordinary cask of

45 or 50. gallons’
capacity serves as
a tank, into which

the pump is fastened.
The pumpisa suction
and force pump and
is provided — with
agitators or stirrers

which move in con-
junction with the
pump handle, and

serve tokeep thespray
mixture well stirred.
It is important to
have an_ efficient
agitator in all spray-
ing operations, but especially so when using arsenical poisons
in combating leaf-eating insects, and when using Bordeaux
mixture in combating fungoid diseases.

The pump shown in fig. 15 also has an air chamber
which provides for a steady stream from the discharge nozzle.

Fig. 16 shows the 3 Bae
‘Gem’ pump in use,
operated by one man.

The ‘Fruital],’}
“Pomona, and many i
other barrel pumps are |
strong enough for two |
lines of discharge hose |
to be used ; thus three |
labourers are employed |g
with each spray outfit, |#
one to pump and one
for each line of hose
and nozzle. The barrel
may be mounted on
wheels as shown in
fig. 16, or it may be
carried by means of
poles in places where
the ground is too
rough to allow of the
use of wheels. In addition to the pump and tank, the
other requisites are one or two leads of hose of suitable

Fic. 15, ‘ FRUITALL’ SPRAYER SHOWING

WORKING PARTS.

Fic. 16.

‘GEM’ SPRAYING OUT-
FIT IN USE

nozzles. |The nozzle extension may be a piece of galvanized-
iron pipe with screw threads on either end. There are
two kinds of nozzles that may be used. The Vermorel
nozzle, which produces a very fine spray should be used
for spraying with arsenicals, such as Paris green and
arsenate of lead, and with the contact insecticides, such
as kerosene emulsion, whale oil soap mixture, and rosin
mixtures. The Bordeaux nozzle is to be used in spraying
with Bordeaux mixture, or when it is desired to throw
a stream some distance to get at foliage that would be out of
the reach of the Vermorel nozzle. The cost of a barrel spray
outfit, complete, would be from $20 upwards.

Wild Bees and the Cotton Worm.

The following letter, signed by Mr. Henry A.
Ballon, B.Sc., Entomologist on the staff of the
Imperial Department of Agriculture, which appeared
in the Barbados Advocate of July 14, in reference to an
editorial suggestion in that paper to the effect that
planters should ascertain whether the cotton worm
might not be successfully kept in check by the wild
bees without the use of Paris green, 1s published for
general information:—

I notice that in yesterday’s issue of the Advocate you
publish an interview of a Daily Mail representative with
Mr. George Compere, in which he gives some of his
experiences in hunting down the natural enemies of certain
insect pests.

In another place in the same issue under the heading
‘The Parasite Hunter,’ you draw attention to the habit of the
wild bees of feeding on the cotton worm. I may say that
this predaceous habit of the species of wasps, called locally
‘wild bees’ and ‘cow bees,’ has frequently been mentioned
in the publications of the Imperial Department of Agri-
culture during the past two years, and many of the planters
recognize them as natural enemies of the cotton worm.
[ am of opinion, however, that ample proof has been
furnished during the past two years that the natural
enemies of the cotton worm cannot in the least be depended
upon to control this pest, and that any planter who neglects
to use some artificial check stands a very good chance of
losing his cotton crop. It is true that, in a few instances,
cotton has been grown without the use of Paris green, but it
has not yet been proved that the natural enemies of the cottom
worm are to be credited with the result. Any planter who
delays the application of Paris green, until he has seen how
far the natural enemies will be able to control the cotton
worm, will probably find, by the time the natural enemies
have been proved unable to hold the pest in check, that the
worms have developed so far that even the application of
Paris green will not save his cotton.

Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.
recent Agricultural Show held at Hope, Jamaica, under the
auspices of the Port Royal Mountains Agricultural Society,.
prizes were offered by the local society for the protection of
animals as follows: (1) the best bus (i.e. cab) and horse ;.
(2) the best pad mule; (3) the best pad donkey ; (4) the
best-fitting and most suitable harness. Considerable interest
was taken in these events, and the exhibits were decidedly
creditable. Competitions of this nature should be of con-
siderable value in furthering the objects of and arousing
interest in societies for the protection of animals.

At the

Vou. 1V. No. 86.

THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.

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GREEN MANURES IN CEYLON.

Since the establishment of the Experiment Station
at Peradeniya, Ceylon, in 1902, a considerable
amount of work has been done in connexion with green
manuring, a detailed account of which is presented in
the report for 1904. The following is a brief summary
of the more important results :-—

Definite results were obtained during the year with tea,
cacao, rubber, cocoa-nuts, and paddy, and it is expected that
the cultivation of green manures will play an important part
in the near future.

Among the advantages of green manuring may be
mentioned: the prevention of loss of soluble plant food which
takes place when tropical soils are left exposed, particularly
in newly opened clearings ; the provision of a large quantity
of organic matter which is markedly deficient in most Ceylon
soils ; the reduction of the amount of wash ; the protection
of the soil from the sun, regulating the moisture
conditions of the soil, so that bacterial activity, which is
responsible for the liberation of much plant food, is more
uniform throughout the year. If leguminous plants are
used, there is the additional advantage that large quantities
of atmospheric nitrogen are fixed by the plant and
ultimately added to the soil. It must be remembered that
nitrogen is one of the most important, and at the same time
the most costly, of the essential ingredients of plant food.

A wide variety of plants has been under experiment ;
among them species of the following genera: Crotalaria,
Albizia, Phaseolus, Vigna, together with the pigeon pea
and the ground nut.

Preference for arborescent forms, such as species of
Lrythrina and Albizzia is shown in some cases on account of
the more permanent nature of the shade and the greater
mechanical effect of the tree roots. But this system has its
disadvantages: in any case if trees are used for shade, as in
the case of cacao, they should be kept under control by
frequent lopping.

An important advantage accruing from green manuring
is that, if the green manure is sown in proper quantities on
clean land at the right season, weeding becomes almost
negligible within two or three months from sowing. In some
instances in these experiments the saving in weeding, apart
from other questions, more than paid for the cost of the
original seed, and uprooting and burying the green manure.
In the case of new clearings, the best cover within the
shortest time was obtained by cultivating herbaceous forms
such as those mentioned. Considering the heavy cost
incurred by weeding new clearings, it is impossible to
exaggerate the necessity of seriously considering this question.
Species should be selected that do not flower frequently and,
if possible, those which have the power of absorbing nitrogen
from the air.

The success of green manures, especially the herbaceous
forms, depends, to a large extent, on the weather following
the sowing of the seeds. The seeds should be sown when
rain may be expected.

Brief reference was made in a former issue of the
Agricultural News (Vol. III, p. 424) to the use of
ground nuts in Ceylon for green manuring. The
experiments therein referred to have been continued
and are thus reported on:—

This plant grows rapidly, has a short life-history, and is
one of those which has the power of absorbing atmospheric
nitrogen. It is therefore suitable as a green manure, and
the best variety for this purpose is found in the Pondicherry.

For purposes of green manure this product can be grown
under most cultivations up to. 2,500 feet, but least of all in
old tea. I mention the question of the ground nut for green
manure to draw attention to the fact that it absorbs atmos-
pheric nitrogen which compensates to some degree for that
removed by the crop, and to suggest that any exhaustion
following repeated crops of this product can be partially
counterbalanced by its cultivation in this form. The
Pondicherry variety grown in a young clearing will produce
about 4 tons of fresh, green material per acre per year. This
material—roots, leaves, and stems—contains 0-914 per cent.
of nitrogen.

In our experiments the Pondicherry variety was selected
because it produces only a small crop of nuts and a large
amount of leaf and thin stems. It has a trailing habit, and
usually dies down every four to six months, and if planted
between every alternate line of tea may yield about 4,000 b.,
or more, of green material per acre per year. In a young
clearing as much as 9,000 tb. of material fit to be buried was
obtained within a year. The fresh material contains 0°914
per cent. of nitrogen.

GRENADA BOTANIC STATION.
Mr. R. D. Anstead, B.A., Agricultural Super-

intendent at Grenada, has forwarded the following
notes cn the progress made by plants and seeds sent
from time to time by the Imperial Commissioner of
Agriculture :—

The jmproved Guinea corn did not germinate at all, but
the ear of improved Indian corn germinated well, and the
plants are very large, clean, and fresh looking. A plot has
been formed of them which is now blossoming freely and
gives every promise of a good yield.

The Tortola pigeon peas are also doing very well, and
have made a plot of large, bushy, compact shrubs, which will
soon be in flower.

Teljairia pedata, and Musa livingstoneana both germin-
ated well; the former has been planted out in the gardens,
and I am trying to find a suitable situation for the latter to
be tried, as elevations in the gardens are all too low for it.

Almost every seed of Pauwllinia barbadensis germinated,
and seedlings have this week been planted out in the
gardens against trellis work.

The Canavalia ensiformis has been sown as a green
dressing, and all the seeds have germinated ; while seedlings
of Ipomoea Bona-Nox and J. ventricosa have been planted
out in the gardens. The former is a common wild plant
here.

CASTILLOA AS SHADE FOR CACAO.

In continuation of the article on p. 219 of the
Agricultural News on the use of Castilloa as shade
for cacao, the following extract from a letter from
Captain M. Short, of Richmond, Tobago, to the
Imperial Commissioner of Agriculture, dated June
11, 1905, is published for general information :—

I am glad that you consider the rubber trees here very
healthy and that so far they do not appear to have any
injurious effect where shading cacao trees. As I keep
accurate returns of the yield of each cacao piece throughout
the year, and also check yearly the number of bearing trees
in each piece, I can tell to within a few pounds the annual
yield of each piece per acre, so that I shall be able to tell if
the yield of cacao under rubber falls off as both grow older.

Lo
iN)
lor)

THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.

Juty 29, 1905:

GLEANINGS.

It may be mentioned that the Symington Fruit
Syndicate has finally decided to cease all operations in
Trinidad.

A private meeting of the Tobago Planters’ Association
was held on July 5, when rules were drawn up for the
management of the affairs of the Association.

According to the Port-of-Spain Gazette, a trial shipment
of Sea Island cotton, grown by Mr. C. W. Wyatt at Princes’
Town, Trinidad, has been pronounced ‘very good’ and
fetched 12d. and 14d. per tb.

It would appear that the peasants at Montserrat are
taking an increasing interest in the matter of stock. In the
last half-year about £1,000 in cattle went off the island and
£400 in small stock.

The shipment of molasses from Barbados for the present
crop, up to July 13, was 33,678 puncheons, as compared
with 38,841 puncheons at the same time last year. The
crop is now practically closed. (Messrs. James A. Lynch
& Co.’s ‘Market Report,’ Barbados, July 15.)

In reference to the note in the Agricultural News
(Vol. IV, p. 117) describing the ‘thread’ disease of cacao
and mentioning its appearance in St. Lucia, Trinidad, and
British Guiana, it may be of interest to state that Dr. Watts
reports that the disease has, so far, not been found in
Dominica.

Messrs. Henry W. Frost & Co’s. report on the Sea
Islands market, dated Charleston, July 1, 1905, states :—
‘The crop reports are generally favourable, and the outlook
at present is promising. We have had beneficial rains, which
were needed in some sections, and the fields have been well
worked and are now free of grass.’

Mr. W. M. Cunningham, who, as mentioned in the last
issue of the Agricultural News, has been appointed Curator
of the Botanic Station in the Bahamas, was, on leaving
Jamaica, the recipient of farewell addresses from the
agricultural students, and also the pupil apprentices, at the
Hope Gardens. Mr. Cunningham’s efforts as an instructor
have been much appreciated.

By last mail 41 bales of cotton were shipped to the
British Cotton-growing Association from Antigua. It may
be mentioned that the shipment contained 9 bales of stained
cotton: it was requested that these should be placed on
the market as ‘stained’ in order that the reputation of
Antigua cotton might not be damaged by the shipment of
such cotton.

A meeting of the Antigua Agricultural and Commercial
Society on July 7 was attended by a representative of
Messrs. Fowler & Sons, steam plough manufacturers. In
response to an inquiry, this gentlemen said that the problem
of ploughing in trash had never before been presented to his
firm, but that they were making a specially designed plough
for that purpose which would be tried in Antigua.

Monsieur Th. Dufau, a distinguished French scientist
interested in sugar matters, who attended the West
Indian Agricultural Conference at Barbados in 1902, and
now Director of the Société Générale des Sucreries et de la
Raffinerie d’ Egypte, is contributing a series of articles on
sugar subjects to the Paris journals. His cemparisons of the
relative prospects of the beet and cane sugar industries are
likely to be of special value.

Upon the suggestion of the Agricultural Superintendent,
the Government of St. Vincent has placed a sum on the
estimates to provide for the destruction of the mungoose.
The sum of 2d. is paid at the Police Station for each female,
and ld. for each male, and several hundreds have been
captured to date. This action has become necessary on
account of the fact that several small industries were being
kept back owing to the ravages of the mungoose.

In reference to the scheme for the purchase of farmers’
canes in Trinidad, outlined in the Agricultural News (Vol.
IV, pp. 194-5), the Port-of Spain Gazette says: ‘AIL the
factory owners, 1.e., estate owners who grind their own and
farmers’ canes, have not, it is true, agreed, but we think the
extent of the agreement arrived at is highly creditable to all
concerned and will . . . secure the adherence to its terms, of
all factory owners in the colony.’

Messrs. Elders & Fyffes, Ltd., state that the total
importation of bananas into the United Kingdom, for the six
months to June 50, amounted to 2,595,351 bunches, as
compared with 1,416,873 bunches during the same period
in 1904, showing an increase of 978,478 bunches. Of this
increase Jamaica and Costa Rica bananas
681,792 bunches, the total of these varieties for the
respective half-years being 662,142 and 1,343,934 bunches.
(West India Committee Circular.)

The attendance at the Colonial and Indian Exhibition
since the opening day has been 359,984. The West India
Committee announces that there is a little space remaining
for exhibits genuinely relating to the West Indies, which will
be placed at the disposal of firms. Brisk business has been
done at the West Indian produce stall, organized by the
Committee: it was found necessary to cable to the West
Indies for fresh supplies of lace bark articles, bitter wood
cups, arrowroot, honey, lime juice, ete.

Anthrax made its appearance at Dougaldston, Grenada,
in April last. Energetic measures were taken by the
owner, the Hon. D. 8. deFreitas, the Agricultural and
Commercial Society, and the Government, to stamp out the
disease. A useful and practical paper by Mr. deFreitas has
been published in the Proceedings of the Agricultural and
Commercial Society, drawing attention to the necessity for

disinfecting all pastures, buildings, etc., where cases have

occurred, and for destroying affected carcasses.

accounted for.

Vou. IV. No. 86. THE

AGRICULTURAL NEWS. 237

RAT VIRUS AT ANTIGUA.

At a meeting of the Antigua Agricultural and
Commercial Society, held on July 7, the Hon.
Dr. Watts, C.M.G., gave a short account of some
successful trials with the Liverpool rat virus :—-

Those who had made the trials had reported that the
rodents had disappeared after the virus had been used, and
no more trouble had been caused for one or two weeks after.
It was quite easy to understand why the good results were
not of a more permanent nature. If one merchant cleared
his store of rats and his neighbour did not, the rats from the
adjoining building would soon occupy the vacant lot. He
had been told that rats live in colonies and that two colonies
might be found in one building, each animal keeping to
its own colony. It was proposed that a co-operative
effort should be made to secure simultaneous attacks
in various parts of the city. In order that this might be
done the Agricultural Department was prepared to undertake
the supervision of the importation of the virus if a sufficient
number were ready to make the trial. The trial would be
made after the arrival of the Royal Mail steamer from
England. Four trials would be made and the total cost
would be 4s. for each subscriber.

Mr. Bryson said they were greatly indebted to Sir Daniel
Morris, in the first instance, and to Dr. Watts for bringing
this excellent cure of the rat pest to their notice. He had
tried it and found it quite a success. Mr. Cranstoun and
Mr. J. Roden also spoke of their success with the virus.
Tn answer to Mr. Harper, Dr. Watts said that the virus must
be imported on ice, and would not keep, so that it was
not probable that any merchant would care to venture on
an importation at the present stage. The virus could be
obtained from Liverpool at 1s. 8d. per tube.

SISAL HEMP IN THE UNITED STATES.

The Consular Report on the trade of New Orleans
for 1904 has the following reference to the imports and
use of sisal hemp :—

Sisal grass, a substitute for hemp, is grown in Yucatan,
and comes here from Mexican ports. It has become one of
the chief materials used in the United States for making rope.
It is an article of trade largely monopolized by New Orleans,
from which port it is forwarded to Chicago and other western
manufacturing centres.

The total imports of sisal grass at New Orleans have
increased from 1,466 tons, of the value of £37,281, in 1900,
to 29,652 tons, valued at £760,247, in 1904.

STOCK WANTED FOR ST. KITTS.

Inquiries have been received from St. Kitt’s for
the following animals :-—

1. Young Anglo-Nubian or Toffenberg ram goats about
a year old.

2. Young rams of hairy or woolless breed of sheep from
Barbados.

3. ‘Trios of Belgian hares not less than six months old.

Persons having any of the above for sale should
communicate, stating full particulars as to age,

' pedigree, price, etc., with :—

Stockmaster, Imperial Department of Agriculture,
Barbados.

PREVENTION OF TROPICAL DISEASES.

The following extracts from the annual Medical
Report on the sanitary condition of the presidency of
St. Kitt’s-Nevis, in reference to the prevention of
tropical diseases by the extermination of mosquitos, are
worthy of careful consideration :—

The most common type of malarial fever prevalent here
is the remittent, which from the free tide of emigration and
immigration, has now become almost endemic. As far as
medical science can tell us at present, the anopheles mosquito
is the sole conveyor of infection ; other sources, if any, are
unknown, thus it is usually most common in the vicinity of
stagnant water, which are the breeding pools of these
special mosquitos. The connexion between malarial disease,
mosquitos, and stagnant water being established, precaution
lies in protecting ourselves from the bites of mosquitos, and
in getting rid of stagnant puddles. This latter is within the
range of possibility in a town where concerted action is
taken against them, and sufficient means can be employed in
draining and filling up puddles, cleaning ponds, collecting
and destroying old tins, bottles, hollowed stumps of trees,
and all such places that contain stagnant water.

Filariasis is extremely prevalent in this presidency, and
I fear very much on the increase; 32°8 per cent. of the
inhabitants were calculated to be subjected to it in the year
1901; it is commonly associated with elephantiasis. It is
another disease spread from man to man by means of
a special mosquito, and forcibly emphasizes the necessity of
trying to rid ourselves of these very unpleasant attendants.
It is reasonable to expect and hope that, as the subject gets
more widely known, these diseases may become very much
less common.

Improper and insufficient feeding of infants greatly
helps to increase our mortality lists, and some efforts should
be made to stem this tide of ignorance and obstinacy by
offering instruction in hygiene and the elements of tropical
sanitation to the young in our schools as a first step. A good
beginning, worthy of imitation, has been made in Antigua by
the delivery of a series of lectures on tropical hygiene to the
teachers in elementary schools.

DEPARTMENT NEWS.

The Imperial Commissioner of Agriculture will
embark for Jamaica in the R.M.S. ‘Orinoco’ on
Monday next, July 31.

The Hon. Francis Watts, C.M.G., has been on
a visit to Nevis and St. Kitt’s with the view of
affording information and encouraging the extension of
the cotton industry. Dr. Watts was invited to
attend a meeting of the Nevis Agricultural Society on
the 20th. instant, and afterwards had arranged to
proceed to St. Kitt’s. It is probable that at all the
three islands in the presidency, viz., St. Kitt’s, Nevis,
and Anguilla, a much larger area will be placed
under cotton during the season 1905-6.

Mr. George Branch, Agricultural Instructor at
Dominica, has been appointed Agricultural Instructor
in the colony of Grenada. Mr, Branch arrived in
Grenada in §, 8. ‘Caribbee’ on July 22.

THE AGRICULTURAL

NEWS. Jury 29, 1905.

RAINFALL RETURNS.

Antigua.

A report has been received from Mr. A. J. Jordan,
the Curator of the Botanic Station at Antigua, on the
effect of the recent drought on the station, of which the
following is a brief summary :—

The rainfall returns show that the rainfall for the year
ended March 31 last was only 32°94 inches. This was but
slightly over half the previous year’s rainfall and 20-03 inches
below the average for the last five years. The rainfall for
the period November 1, 1904, to March 31, 1905, was
12-25 inches, as compared with the average for the same
period over five years of 18-76 inches.

It would appear that the most fatal period occurred after
the showers in May last when the trees started into full
growth. The exhaustion thus caused resulted in many of
the more advanced trees dying back or drying completely.

‘The prolonged period of dry weather is having
a marked effect upon the specimen plants at the Botanic
Station. The result has been a struggle between the
trees and shrubs in which the strong-rooted trees have
demonstrated their ability to exist at the expense of their
weaker neighbours.’

As the result many ornamental plants at the station have
been lost. It may also be mentioned that the trees planted
along the public roads, in connexion with the Arbor Day
celebrations of the past three years, have died.

During the last month, however, the anxiety has been
partially relieved by showers. At the station 2°20 inches
tell from July 1 to 11.

British Guiana.

In his Annual Report the Government botanist
of British Guiana makes the following observations on
the rainfall at the Botanic Gardens during the year
1904-5 :-—

The total rainfall for the year at the Botanic Gardens
was 85°85 inches, which is 18°68 inches below that of last
year, and 7:09 inches below the average for the last twenty-
six years.

The amount of rain recorded for the month of January
at the Botanic Gardens was 10°56 inches. February was
unusually dry with only 2°63 inches, but March and April
were exceptionally wet, with a rainfall exceeding 12 inches
for each month. ‘The rainfall during the normally wet
months of May, June, and July, which constitute the longer
rainy season of the year, was much below the average.

With August a long period of dry weather set in which
lasted until nearly the end of the third week in December.
Not one inch of rain fell on any one day during the months
of August, October, and November: in September 2:72 inches
were recorded. On December 20, this long period of very
dry weather came to an end and was followed by ten days’
heavy down-pour which was fairly universal throughout the
colony. During this period 11°90 inches fell in one week
at the Botanie Gardens,

HOME-GROWN FOOD-STUFFS FOR STOCK.

The Experiment Station Record (January 1905)
contains the following review of a paper on ‘ Feedin
Horses and Mules on home-grown Food-stufts’ by
C. M. Conner in the Florida Station Bulletin, 7.2,
pp. 115-26. The food-stuffs referred to in this paper
being sweet potatos, cassava, and cane syrup, the
results are of particular interest to stock-owners in the
West Indies :—

The value of sweet potatos, cassava, and of cane syrup
as a partial substitute for corn in a ration for horses and
mules was studied.

In the test with sweet potatos two pairs of horses and
two of mules, doing hard work, were used, one animal of
each pair being fed corn, hay, and sweet potatos in about
the proportion of 6 Ib. of corn, 17 tb. of hay, and 15 Ib. of
sweet potatos per 1,000 Ib. live weight, the other animal in
each case receiving corn and hay only in about the proportion
of 10 tb. of comm and 15 tb. of hay per 1,000 tb. After six
weeks the rations were reversed. The hay used was beggar
weed of good quality. ‘There was little variation in the
weight of the animals, except that in two cases there was
some increase when sweet potatos were fed. In general, the
sweet potato ration was the cheaper.

‘The most important fact brought out in this
experiment is that sweet potatos may be substituted for at
least one-half of the corn ration, this substitution being at
the rate of 3 tb. of sweet potatos for 1 tb. of corn. ‘This
being the case, an acre of sweet potatos, yielding 150 bushels,
is equal toa yield of 50 bushels of corn, so far as feeding the
work stock is concerned. We do not think that a horse at
hard work would do well on an all sweet potato ration from
the fact that the bulk would be too great for the capacity of
the stomach. . . We have fed one mule for three months on
sweet potatos, cassava, and hay with good results. He was
used for light work about the lot, such as hauling feed,
bedding, etc.’

Using one pair each of the mules and horses included
i the previous test, the value of cassava was studied, one
animal of each pair being fed cassava with corn and beggar
weed hay for six weeks, and the others comand hay. The
average amount of cassava eaten was irregular and in —
general smaller than in the case of sweet potatos. ‘The
animals maintained their weight throughout the experiment,
which may go to show that cassava is more concentiated
than the sweet potatos. . . . Cassava may be used in about
the same ratio as sweet potatos, but is not so palatable to
the animal.’

At the close of the cassava test one of the mules was
fed for six weeks a ration of corn and low-grade cane syrup,
and another the regular corn ration. ‘The amount of
hay eaten was not recorded, but the author states that it
was about the same as in the previous tests. Small gains
were made on both rations. ‘Both mules remained in good
condition during this experiment in spite of the fact that
they were doing hard ploughing throughout the entire time.’

The author states that syrup has been further tested in
a preliminary way at the station and ‘that it is relished by
all farm animals. In feeding the syrup was given at night
and morning and a larger corn ration given at noon. . -
Syrup may be fed to the work stock, provided it is mixed
vith chopped hay or something to give it bulk.’ As regards
native hay for draft horses and mules, the author uotes that
considerable prejudice is felt regarding it. In his experience
it has been used exclusively for two years and he has never
had any cause to regret its use.

No. 86.

Won, LY.

THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.

239

WEST INDIAN PRODUCTS.

Canada.

Mr. J. Russell Murray has forwarded the following
review, dated June 10, 1905, of the position of West
‘Indian products on the Canadian market :—

SUGAR.

The erratic condition of the beet sugar market on the
continent has gradually subsided, and during the present
week we have for the first time for months seen an unchanged
quotation for a period of three days. Considerable quantities
of sugar for refining purposes had been bought, in view of
the shortness of supplies in the British West Indies and the
firmness of Cuban sellers, and refiners having ample stocks of
both muscovado and grey crystals, combined with the slow
demand for refined, the market is exceedingly quiet and
sales are practically n7/. Offers of 96° centrifugals at 2c. were
declined on the 9th. inst., but business might have been
effected at 2c. However, a weaker market is anticipated.
Refining muscoyvado is unsaleable, large buyers preferring to
hold off during the hot months of summer.

MOLASSES.

The last month has been better for business. Consider-
able quantities of Barbados and other island supplies have
been bought. Prices continue to rule high, and new sales
will be difficult to make ; the quality this year is considered
good. The question of mixing molasses and selling in
original packages continues to be discussed, but the difficulty
lies in finding a suitable means to check it, and so allow
each island’s produce to be sold on its merits.

COCOA-NUTS.

The demand has fallen off considerably and all classes
of nuts are difficult to place. Trinidad and Jamaica nuts
have arrived in fair order and commanded fair average
prices ; the low prices in New York continue to influence
prices here slightly.

FRUIT.

Pine-apples are arriving in fair quantity, and the demand
is good. Bananas are higher in price than last season and
business is brisk. Limes have been very slow, owing to the
cold spring.

SPICES.

Nutmegs : in fair demand. Pimento: very slow. Ginger :

a better demand is expected shortly.

BROOM CORN.

A good market is available for all good stock. Heads
should be cut with at least 5 to 7 inches of stems, and
shipped in 300-Ib. bales.

Cacao in Hamburg. Last year’s aggregate imports
of cacao to Hamburg were the largest on record and
reached 573,825 bags, as against 409,435 bags in 1903,
and 371,100 bags in 1902. German consumption is stated
to have likewise increased in the same proportion, and will,
It is thought, probably continue to increase still further in
view of the undiminished popularity of cacao as an article of
food. The prominent sorts of cacao imported to Hamburg
are Guayaquil, African (Accra, Congo, Cameroons, Lagos,
St. Thomé, Victoria), Bahia, Samana, Ceylon, and Java,
Trinidad, Caracas, Domingo, ete. (Consular Report on the
trade of Hamburg for 1904.)

PERMANENT EXHIBITION COMMITTEES.

Readers of the Agricultural News will be aware
of the suggestion of the Secretary of the West India
Committee (see p. 57) that permanent exhibition
committees should be appointed in all the West India
Islands. With the view of bringing this matter again
to the notice of Agricultural Societies and similar
bodies, the following extract from the West India
Committee Circular is published -—

Our members will recollect that early in the year we
made a suggestion that each island should appoint
a permanent exhibition committee with a view to securing the
representation of the West Indian Colonies on every possible
occasion, and to obviate the necessity of appointing a fresh
committee to deal with each case as it arises. This sugges-
tion met with the cordial support of the Imperial Department
of Agriculture, and we are now glad to be able to announce
that the subject was discussed at the last general meeting of
the Agricultural and Commercial Society of Grenada, and
that it was decided to appoint such a committee in that
island. A collection of representative exhibits will gradually
be got together, and this will forma nucleus to be drawn
upon when required. Grenada is most certainly to be
warmly congratulated upon her enterprise in this matter.
Already, two further exhibitions are in the air, one being
a show of colonial fruit to be held under ihe auspices of
the Royal Horticultural Society at Vincent Square, West-
minster, on December 5 and 6 next, and the other, the
annual Colonial Products Exhibition to be held in the fine
St. George's Hall at Liverpool from January 30 to February 8,
1906. As we have so frequently stated, we believe implicitly
m the desirability of our colonies bringing prominently
before the British public their mineral, agricultural, and
manufacturing resources, of which, unfortunately, too little
is known in this country, and the West India Committee,
therefore, most readily offer their services with a view to
securing their representation on every possible oceasion. The
expenses of a provincial show, such as the one at Liverpool,
would be by no means heavy, and it is our opinion that, with
the co-operation of the shipping companies, much might be
done for a less sum than £200 collected among all the
colonies. Each colony might contribute towards this
amount in proportion to its size, and we feel confident that
they would afterwards find that money well spent. We
shall be glad if our members will bring this matter before
the local agricultural and commercial bodies, and favour us
with their views as soon as possible, for time in matters of
this sort is everything.

DISPOSAL OF DISHASED CACAO HUSKS.

In reference to the note in the Agricultural
News (Vol. IV, p. 203) on the disposal of diseased cacao
husks, Mr. E. A. Agar, of Dominica, writes as follows:—

Some years ago I was losing a considerable proportion
of my crop from D¢plodia, and was recommended by your
Department to dig trenches and bury the husks, but this,
owing to the stony nature of the soil, was impossible. In
the middle of my cacao cultivation are a few small lots of
land too poor to grow cacao in which Guinea grass has been
planted, and for the last four years I have had the pods
carried to these Guinea grass plots to be broken and the
husks left in the open. Periodically the heaps of dry husks
are spread thinly over the Guinea grass and the result is that
my estate is now practically free from Diplodia,

240

London,—July 4,

Montreal,—June 10, 1905.—Mr. J.

New York,—July 7, 1905.—Messrs.

THE AGRICULTURAL

NEWS. Juty 29, 1905.

MARKET REPORTS.

1908. Messrs. Krartron, Prerr &
Co.; Messrs. E. A. DE Pass & Co.; ‘THE West INDIA
ComMitreE CrircuLar,’ ‘THE LiverrooL Corron
AssocraTIoN WEEKLY CrircuLar,’ June 30, 1905 ;
and ‘THE Pusiic Lepcer, July 1, 1905.

Ators—Barbados, 15/- to 45/- ; Curagoa, 18/- to 45/- per ewt.

Arrowroor—St. Vincent, fd. per tb.

Barata—Sheet, 1/6 to 1/11 ; block, 1/6 per tb.

Bres’-wax—£7 lds. to £8 5s. per ewt.

Cacao—Trinidad, 56/- to 62/- per cwt. ; Grenada, 51
to 54/6 per ewt.

Carpamoms—Mysore, 73d. to 3/- per th.

CorrrE—Jamaica, good ordinary, 39/- to 40/- per ewt.

Corron—West Indian, medium fine, 5°85d. ; West Indian
Sea Island, medium fine, 15d.; fine, 14d. ; extra fine,
153d. per tb.

Froir—

Bananas—5/6 to 6/- per bunch.
Orances—No quotations.
Prve-arrLes—-Antigua, 10,6 to 15/- per barrel.

Fustic—£3 5s. to £4 per ton.

Gincer—Jamaica, fair bright, 54/- to 57/-; low middling
to middling, 45/- to 52/- ; good ordinary, 42/- to 44/-
per cwt.

Honey—17/- to 21/6 per ewt.

Istinerass—West Indian lump, 2/5 to 2/8; cake, 1/1 per th.

Kora Nurs—4d. to 6d. per th.

Live Juice—Raw, 11d. to 1/2 per gallon; concentrated,
£15 5s. per cask of 108 gallons; hand-pressed, 2/6 to
2/9 per Ib. ; Distilled Oil, 1/7 per tb.

Locwoon—£4 to £4 15s.; roots, £3 10s. to £4 per ton.

Mace—Fair to good pale, 1/4 to 1/5; pale reddish, 1/2
to 1/3; fair to good red, 1/- to 1/1 per tb.

Nirravre or Sopa—Aericuliural, £11 5s. per ton.

Nurmuecs—60's 1/8 ; 80's, 10d. ; 90's, 83d. ; 100’s, Td. per th.

Pinentro—-2}d. to 23d. per th.

Rum—Demerara, Is. 3d. per proof gallon: Jamaica, 2s. 1d.
per proof gallon.

Sucar—Yellow crystals, 18/- per ewt. ; Muscovado, 15/9 to
7/6 per ewt.; Molasses, 12/6 to 16,6 per ewt.

SULPHATE or AMMONTA—£12 12s. 6d. per ton.

!

Russert Murray.
(In bond quotations, c. & f.)

Bananas— 8 hands, $1:10 ; Jumbos, $1°50.
Cocoa-nuts— Jamaica, $25°00 to $25°06; Trinidad, $20-00
to $22°00 per M.

Correr—Jamaica, medium, 10c. to 11e. per th.

Gincer--Jamaica, unbleached, 7$c. to 10c. per th.

Monascurr—Demerara, $1°32 per 100 tb.

Mor.asses—Burbados, 35c.; Antigua, 30c. per Inperial

gallon.

Nurmecs—Grenada, 110’s, 19¢. per th.

ORANGES— No quotations.

Piento- Jamaica, 5c. to de. per Tb.

Prye-apeLes—Cuban, 24’s and 30's, $2°50.

Sucar —Grey crystals, 96°, $2°875 to $3-CO per 100 Tb.
—Muscovados, 89°, $2°25 to $2°50 per 100 tb.
—Molasses, 89°, $2°00 to $2°25 per 100 th.
—Barbados, 89°, $2°10 to $2°55 per 100 Tb.

GILLESPIE Bros,
& Co.

Cacao—Caracas, 1lfc. to12jc. ; Grenada, 11je. to 113c.;
Trinidad, 12c. to 12}¢. Jamaica, 9$e. to 9#c. per th.
Cocoa-nuTs—Jamaica, $22°00 to $25-00 ; Trinidad, $19-00;

Demerara, $20°00 to $21-00 per M.
Corree—Jamaicas, 7§c. to 8he. per th. (ex store).
Gincer—Jamaica, 6j}¢. to 8$e. per Tb.

Goat Sxrxns—Jamaicas, 58c. per Ib.
Grave Frurr—Jamaicas, $2.50 to $4:00 per box.
Mace—20c. to 35c. per tb.

British Guiana,—July 13,

Trinidad,—July 13, 1905.—Messrs.

Nutmrcs—West Indian, 80's, 24c. to 25c; 110’s, 15c. to
Ge. ; 1380's, L1gc. to 12hc. per th.

Sama ossse OY to $2°50 per case; $4°25 to $4°75 per
yarvel.

Pimento—4$c. per th.

Prxe-AreLes—$1:00 to $1°50 per half box.

Sucar—Centrifugals, 96°, 4;%;c.; Muscovados, 89°, 3,.¢.;
Molasses, 89°, 3,5;c. per tb.

INTER-COLONIAL MARKETS.

Antigua,—July 12, 1905.—Messrs. Gro. W. Bennerr

Bryson & Co., Lrp.
Motasses—23e. per gallon, package included.
Sucar—89°, $1°75 per 100 th.

Barbados,—July 15, 1905.—Messrs. T. S. Garraway

& Co., and Messrs. James A. Lynon & Co,
Arrowroot—St. Vincent, $3-40 to $3°50 per 100 th.
Cacao—$11°50 to $11°75 per 100 tb.

Cocoa-Nurs—$12°50 per M. for husked nuts.

CorreE—$10-00 to $11°75 per 100 tb.

Hay—$1-05 to $1710 per 100 th.

Manures—- Nitrate of soda, $6200 to $65-00 ; Ohlendorff’s
dissolved guano, $55°00; Special cotton manures,
$48°00 ; Sulphate of ammonia, $75-00; Sulphate of
potash, $67-00 per ton.

Ontons— Madeira, $1°60 to $1°75 per 100 th.

Poraros, ENctisH—Bermuda, $3°50 to $4-00 per 160 tb.
(retail).

Rice—Ballam, $4°35 to $445 per bag (190 tb.) ; Patna,
$3:°10 per 100 th.

SuGar—Muscovados, 89°, $145 per 100 tb.

1905,—Messrs.

WiIETING
& Ricwrer.

Arrowroot—St. Vincent, $8-00 per barrel.

Batara—Venezuela block, 25c. ; Demerara sheet, 35c. per th.

Cacao—Native, 12c. per tb.

Cassava Srarca—$4°50 to $5°00 per barrel.

Cocoa-nutTs—$10-00 to $12-00 per M.

Corrne—Rio and Jamaica, 154. to 14e. per Tb. (retail).
— Creole, 12c. pe. th.

Duat— $3°70 to 85°75 per bag of 168 th.

Eppors—$1-20 per barrel.

Mo.asses—No quotations.

Ontons—Madeira, 2}c¢. to 2c. per tb.

Pea Nurs—American, 5$c. per tb. (retail).

PLANTAINS—10e. to 32c. per bunch.

Poraros, ENcrisu—Bermuda, $3°00 to $3°50 per barrel
(vetail).

eS Sree eet aes $168 per bag; $1°68 per
yATYTeL,

Nice—Ballam, $4°20 to $4:25 per 177 tb. ; Creole, $3:90
per bag.

TANNIAS—$1°32 per barrel.

Yams—Buck, $1°50 per bag.

Sucar—Dark crystals, $2°50; Yellow, $3-40; White,
$450 ; Molasses, $2°50 to $260 per 100 Ib. (vetail).

Tiomper—Greenheart, 32c. to 55c. per cubic foot.

WaALLABA SHINGLES—$3°00, $3°75, and $5-50 per M.

Gorpon, Grant
& Co. ; and Messrs. Epcar Tripp & Co,

Cacao—Ordinary, $11°10 to $1125; estates, $11-75 per
fanega (110 th.); Venezuelan, $11-80 per fanega.

Cocoa-nurs—$20-00 per M., f o.b

Cocoa-Nuv Om.—G7e. per Imperial gallon (casks included),

Corree—Venezuelan, 9c. per th.

Copra—.$2°60 to $2°75 per 100 tb.

Ontons—Stringed, $210 to $2°20 per 100 tb. (retail).

Poraros, EneuisH—$1°35 to $140 per 100 tb.

Bick hela $425 to $440 ; White, $4°50 to $5°60 per
vac.

Sucsar—White crystals, $400; Yellow crystals, $3 00;
Molasses sugars, $2°50 to $3°25 per 100 tb.

THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.

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Volume V. Nos. 1, 2, and 3. Papers on general subjects. No. 4. Report of Agricultural Conference, 1905.
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Volume VI. No. 1. Report of Agricultural Conference, 1905 (contd.). Cane Farming, Cacao Cultivation, ete., ete.

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 stil] 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. (23) Notes on Poultry in the West Indies. Price 4d.
(5) General Treatment of Insect Pests, 2nd. Edition Revised. (24) Dominica, Hints to Settlers. Price 2d.

Price 4d. (25) Ground Nuts in the West Indies _ Price 2d.
(6) Recipes for cooking Sweet Potatos. Price 2d. (26) Seedling and other Canes at Barbados, in 1993. Priee 4d.
(7) Scale Insects of the Lesser Antilles, Part I. Price 4d. (27) Seedling and other Canes in the Leeward Islands,
{33 Bee Keeping in the West Indies. Price 4d. 1902-1903. Price 2d.
(12) Seedling and other Canes in the Leeward Islands, (28) Barbados and Porto Rico Molasses. Price 3d.
1900-1901. Price 2d. (29) Lectures on the Diseases of the Sugar-cane. Price 4d.
(13) Seedling and other Canes at Barbados, in 1901. Priee 4d. (30) Manurial Experiments with Sugar-cane in the Leeward
fa} Screw Worm in Cattle at St. Lucia. Price 2d. Islands, 1902-3. Price 4d.
(15) Plain Talk to Small Owners. Price 2d. (31) A. B. C. of Cotton Planting. Price 4d
16) Hints on Onion Cultivation. Price 2d. (32) Seedling and other Canes at Barbados, in 1904. Price 4d
tin} General Treatment of Fungoid Pests. Price 4d. (33) Seedling and other Canes in the Leeward Islands, 1903-4.
{18) Recipes for cooking West Indian Yams. Price 2d. Price 4d.

(19) Seedling and other Canes at Barbados, in 1902. Price 4d. (34) Notes on Rabbit Keeping in the West Indies. Price 2d.
(20) Seedling and other Canes in the Leeward Islands, (35) Information in regard to Agricultural Banks. Price 4d.

1901-1902. Price 2d. (36) Manurial Experiments with Sugar-cane in the Leeward
(21) Cotton and Onion Industries in the West Indies. Price 2d. Islands, 1903-4. Price 4d.
(22) Scale Insects of the Lesser Antilles, Part II. Price 4d. (37) Cultivation of Oranges in Dominica. Price 4d.

The above will be supplied post free for an additional charge of $d. for the pamphlets marked 2d., and 1d. for the
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‘NATURE TEACHING.’

A text-book based upon the general principles of Agriculture for the use of schools, prepared by the Hon. Francis
Watts and others. Price, limp cloth, 2s., or in a superior style of binding, 2s. 6d. Postage in either binding 34d. extra.

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. Vols I, II, and III complete with title page and index as issued.—Price 4s, Post
free, 5s. Only a few copies available. Adl 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. DuLau & Co., 37, Soho Square, W. City Agents: THe West Inp1A CommitTEE, 15, Seething
ane, London, E.C. Burbados: Messrs. Bowen & Sons, Bridgetown. Jamaica: THe EpucationaL Suppiy
‘Company, 16, King St., Kingston. British Guiana: ‘Daily Chronicle’ Office, Georgetown, Trinidad: Messrs. Muir,
Marswatt & Co., Port-of-Sjin. Tobago: Mr. C. L. Puacemann, Scarborough. Grenada: Messrs. F. Marrast & Oo.,
“The Stores,’ St. George. Sf. 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.
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VoL. ANG No. 86.

THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.

JuLy 29, 1905,

THE BEST -MANURES FOR COLONIAL USE

ee ALES

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:

(85. ]

Barbados Agents :

15, Leadenhall Street, London, E.C.
Messrs. James A. Lynch & Co., Bridgetown.

JOURNAL D'AGRIGULTURE TROPICALE.

A Monthly Illustrated Review, published in French,
dealing with all matters connected with

Tropical Agriculture.

PARIS: M. Vilbouchevitch,
10, rue Delambre.

Subscription price: 20 francs per annum.

Agents : London, W. Dawson & Sons, Ltd., Bream’s
Buildings, E.C. ; New York, G. E. Stechert, 9, East 16th.
Street ; Vrinidad, D. A. Majani; Cuba, Solloso ; Haytz,
Louis Coicou, Port-au-Prince.

‘6
CA GO,
By J. H. HART, F.LS.
NEW EDITION.

A treatise on the cultivation, curing and chemistry of

COMMERCIAL CACAO.

DAVIDSON & TODD, Trinidad.
Wm.WESLEY & Co., 28, Essex St., London.

Price 38. per

co } dV -

WEST

INDIA COMMITTEE CIRCULAR

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THE WEST INDIA COMMITTEE

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Edited by the Secretary.

Containing a Review of the Work of the West India Com-
mittee, Notes on West Indian Affairs, Statistics as to
Cacao, Sugar, Molasses and Rum, "Coffee, Cotton,
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Juice, etc., etc., Home Arrivals and Departures by
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To Members Free of charge.
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THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.

IMPERIAL DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

FOR THE WEST INDIES.

SPECIALLY SELECTED AND DISINFECTED

Gan Island Cotton Seed

GROWN IN THE WEST INDIES

—AND—

Recommended for sowing during the coming season

(JUNE TO AUGUST)

WILL BE SUPPLIED (FREIGHT FREE) BY

The Department at the rate of five cents (24d.) per Ib.

Address orders, with remittances for the full amount, to—

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Complete information in regard to the cultivation of Cotton will be found in ‘A.B.C.
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SS —ee— ee — a>

Se

VN

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A FORTNIGHTLY REVIEW

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INDIES.

Vou. IV. No. 87.

BARBADOS, AUGUST 12, 1905.

Price ld.

CONTENTS.
PAGE, PAGE.
Banana Trade of Great Jamaica at the Colonial
Britain wie ee DAA Exhibition ... 245
Bee Keeping in California 244 | Java, Exports of .. 249
: Market Reports . 256
© her 940
a Bubpet Pu 2 ae Notes and Comments 248
ety ea. a8 2 = Oleanders in the West
Feeding-stuff ... ... 254 . ‘
: 5 : Indies - 243
Cold Storage for Royal $ ac :
rier be , | Our Book Shelf :—
Mail Steamers ... 248 Fa oa ie FE
: : oat Jamaica Cookery Book 254
Colonial Fruit Exhibi- Slayenntoraniess ate liewvncier 254
Saye en ae Si meoda ® , Bubbe (3) Bigneake “99 Bui
S ar a OF oon
Costa Rica Banana Trade 249 ore ; Moe : ae
Rainfall Returns ... . 247
Cotton Notes :— : if =
; = . Rats and Mice, Extermina-
Feeding Cotton Seed ;
5 ; tion of See 247,
to Pigs -2 eee 246 Se ie =
sol ~ | Rubber Planting in Samoa 254
Ratooning Cotton - 246 | oo] Hemp Cultivati 950
PP VincentsGrop "947 isal Hemp Cultivation... 25
Sisal Hemp in British
Departmental Reports :—- Guianap) (eee coU

St. Vincent .. ... ... 253 | Sugar Industry :—

Mobago... c-. =. >» 20d British Guiana ... ... 242
Department News... ... 253 Trinidad, | \--.uaccmee cae
Be cational 2 Sugar Blant, A New ... 248

ane sate aS Tobacco Growing in

British Guiana . 251 Teette = 249

Bee ica O51 amaica Cotes
Encli Tobago Planters’ Associa-

mglish Hares at 2

iBandienlee 249 tion 5.5 220 pee
parc ay 7 | Treatment of Orchard
Gleanings oe ea ec 48 Soils)::-) Vee-eee eee
Goats at Barbados ... . 245 | Trinidad Trade Statistics 248
Grafting Cacao . 244 | West Indian Produce
Insect Notes :— Stall ne ea, SeeReOD
Pests at Barbados . 250 | West Indian Products ... 255
Wild Bees . 250 | Wireless Telegraphy ... 251

Treatment of Orchard Soils.

>» T is desired to draw the special attention of

cacao and lime planters in the West Indies
4 to the question of the treatment of soils in
their plantations. ‘This matter, being one of great
importance, has received the serious consideration of

= rat

Dr. Francis Watts, C.M.G., the Superintendent of
Agriculture for the Leeward Islands, whose notes in
this connexion have appeared from time to time in the
Agricultural News and other publications of the
Imperial Department of Agriculture.

At the Agricultural Conference of 1901, Dr. Watts
read a paper, published in the West Indian Bulletin
(Vol. II, pp. 96-9), on the ‘Treatment of Soils in
“Orchard” Cultivation in the Tropics,’ in which he
drew attention to some of the problems concerning
the treatment of soils which required solution. ‘The
practice of allowing the land between the trees to
become covered with grass, upon which cattle were
pastured, had been abandoued on account of the
damage which the cattle did to the trees, and because
in wet weather they trod the soil into a compact mass.
Forking between the trees was useful where carefully
done, but at the same time lable to cause injury
unless great were taken; and further, hoe-
weeding was of doubtful utility. He suggested,
therefore, that, at any rate, under certain conditions,
it might be a good plan to leave the soil untilled, the
only cultivation being the periodical cutting back of
the rank grass and weeds with the cutlass. This would
be an inexpensive method of green dressing the land.
It would, it may be mentioned, probably not be suitable
for the cultivation of coffee, tea, and other plants of
a low, bushy habit.

care

The practice mentioned has long existed in
Dominica, and experiments were conducted by
Dr. Watts to ascertain the manurial value of the weeds
growing in young cultivations of cacao, limes, etc. The

THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.

results were published in a recent issue of the West
Indian Bulletin (Vol. V, pp. 287-8). It was shown
that when the growth was cut back the soil received
quite a substantial manuring, considering the amount
of organic matter returned, which was constantly
improving the mechanical condition of the soil.

This system has the advantage of preventing the
soil from baking, as is often the case in plantations
where the attempt is made to keep the land absolutely
clean, whereupon forking becomes necessary. The
important point to observe is to avoid the formation of
anything approaching a permanent turf or grass sod.
The cut grass and weeds may either be used as
a mulch or may be lightly bedded in.

Special attention might be drawn to the method
adopted in an orange plantation in Dominica, which
was described in the Agricultwral News (Vol. III,
p. 340) as follows: ‘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 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
A further reference to this
system is made in a recent issue (Vol. IV, p. 212).
Dr. Watts reports that no turf has been formed, and
the soil remains in excellent condition. ‘The existence
of this cultivation constitutes an object-lesson of great
value to other planters who are sure to be favourably
influenced by it.’

used as a surface mulch.’

While it is not possible to make any general
recommendations with regard to this style of cultivation,
since it may not be equally suitable
conditions of climate and soil, yet it is obvious that it
is giving good results im Dominica, and it might
certainly be tried in a tentative manner, at any rate,
in some of the other islands. Considerable expense
is entailed in keeping clean the soil between the trees
of a cacao or citrus plantation, and 1t would therefore
be to the advantage of the planter if equally good
results could be obtained from the method herein
outlined. It is probable that in some districts the
natural growth of grass and weeds might with
advantage be supplemented by the cultivation of
some leguminous crop, for which purpose the woolly
pyrol would appear to be as suitable as any. Any
efforts to adopt this system of cultivation, or a modifi-
cation of it, in other islands would be watched with
great interest.

under all

Avaust 12, 1905.

Seedling Canes in British Guiana.

Interesting information was published in the
Agricultural News (Vol. II, p. 180) in regard to the
experimental cultivation of seedling canes at plantation
Diamond, British Guiana, during the years 1901-8. In
a letter dated June 18 last, Mr. John M. Fleming, the
Manager, has forwarded figures for the first six months
of the present year, which enable the table, giving
the results of growing Bourbon and seedlings for the
years, 1901, 1902, 1903, 1904, and 1905 on this planta-
tion, to be extended as follows :—

1901. 1902.

Acres. | Tons. Aver.| Acres. | Tons. | Aver.
| - a -— -——| —_———|
Bourbon 2912-208 6,735 | 2°31 |2,791-062| 6,464) 2°31
| Seedlings |1,073-082} 3,215 2-99 |1,317:277| 3,706) 2°81
|- | —— =
| Total | 3 aa 9,950 2°49 |4,109-039) 10,170) 2°47
ce 29 per cent. 21 per cent.

1903. 1904.
Acres. | Tons. | Aver.) Acres Tons. | Aver.
rae ee —
3ourbon 2, 895-067] 7,194 2°48 |2,699:072] 6,050) 2°24
Seedlings |1,879°267 deel 2°83 |1,882°047| 5,550) 2°95
Total 22 ei 12825) 2°62 |4,581°119| 11,600) 2°53
| |
| Seedlings ‘
ae ie 14 per cent. 51 per cent.

1905.
Acres. | Tons. | Aver.
Bourbon |1,539°151) 3,694| 2:40
Seedlings |1,121-:111| 3,292} 2-93
Total ... |2,660°262) 6,986| 2:62
Seedlings é
ce 22 per cent.

The canes reaped during the period January-June
1905, with the results, are stated in the following
table :-—

_ of pure sugar.

Vou. IV. No. 87.

Acres. Tons. Aver.
Reotkhos 1,539°151 3,694 2°40
B. 208 548-064 1,622 2:96
D. 109 301°235 775 2°57
D. 145 196°262 684 3°47
Various 74:150 211 2°83
inl... ...| 2,660-262 | 6986 | 2-62

Mr. Fleming writes :—

You will thus see that seedlings have again given better
results than the Bourbon ; on this occasion, to the extent of
22 per cent.

B. 208 comprised 1,288°192 acres on December 31, 1904.
Since then, 300 acres more have been planted, making a total
of about 1,600 acres in that variety on this one estate.

Trinidad.

The pamphlet containing ‘Statistics of Trinidad
Trade, specially compiled by Professor Carmody for
the Colonial and Indian Exhibition, contains the
following interesting information on the colony’s trade
in sugar preducts :—

Sugar is prepared exclusively from the sugar-cane in the
large central factories of the colony. The largest of these
factories has an output of over 150 tons a day. In these
factories sugar can be produced polarizing 98 to 99 per cent.
The sugars are purposely now manufactured
below this standard, in order to avoid the heavier rates of
duty which an unfavourable tariff imposes on sugars equal
in quality to refined sugars. None of the yellow or white
erystals of similar quality require refining. The refining
process removes the greater part of the characteristic agree-
able flavour of cane sugar. Beet sugar is quite unfit for
consumption until the characteristic disagreeable flavour is
removed by refining. Herein lies the chief difference
between cane and beet sugars. It is admitted that the
sweetening power of cane sugar is greater than that of beet
sugar, and its flavour immensely superior ; but the superiority
of cane over beet sugar is seen especially in: (1) Sweeten-
ing aerated drinks, liqueurs, cordials, champagne, ete. ;
(2) fruit preserving; (3) brewing ; (4) cooking ; (5) the prepara-
tion of any product in which flavour is of importance.

Great Britain is our best customer, but is closely
followed by the United States. Very little muscovado sugar
is now made, owing to the closing of the small factories
which produced this class of sugar.

MOLASSES.

Large quantities of molasses are produced as a_by-
product in the manufacture of sugar. Present prices are
very low. The molasses from cane sugar are very superior
to those from beet, which contain an excessive quantity of
alkaline salts. Molasses are used for: (1) Making rum and
other spirits ; (2) cattle feeding ; (3) making golden syrup,
treacle, etc.

Trinidad molasses contain about 45 per cent. of cane
sugar and 20 per cent. of glucose.

More than half of last year’s exports went to Great
Britain, In previous years the bulk went to Canada,
Portugal, or Martinique.

RUM.

This is made locally from molasses, and about 300,000

THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS. 243

gallons are consumed annually in Trinidad. Among the
liqueurs made from it, rum shrub and falernum are the
best known. Bay rum is another local product. The rum
made here is usually of a strength- of 40 over proof, but
60 over proof is obtainable. Present export prices are
unremunerative. The bulk of our exports goes to Great
Britain.

BITTERS.

The world-famed Angostura bitters are made im
Trinidad from rum of the finest quality produced in the
colony. The other ingredients are a trade secret. These
bitters have been frequently imitated, but never successfully.
They were originally made at Angostura (now Ciudad Bolivar)
by Dr. Siegert as a medicine, but since 1830 have been used
both medicinally and as a beverage. Since 1875 the bitters
have been manufactured in this colony. They are one of the
principal ingredients in the West Indian swizzle or cocktail.
The United States and British markets are regular and

nearly equal in extent; the German market fluctuates
considerably.
OLEANDERS IN THE WEST INDIES.

The following notes on growing Oleanders in the
West Indies have been forwarded by Mr. John Belling,
B.Sc, Agricultural and Science Master, St. Kitt’s :—

The single and double varieties of this elegant eastern
plant with their large, scented flowers of deep crimson, light
and dark pink, pure white and creamy yellow, are admirably
adapted for planting in rows along drives or paths in West
Indian gardens. They are perfectly hardy here and have
that excellent quality of enduring unharmed a prolonged
drought. Owing to the noxious quality of their leaves, their
foliage and flowers are untouched by grasshoppers, cater-
pillars, weevils, and other biting insects.

Oleanders are commonly grown in the gardens of
Florida, and plants of all the different varieties may be
obtained from Reasoner Bros., Oneco, Florida, at from 15e.
to 25c. each. They travel safely. Any required number
can then be grown from the stems cut off two or three times
a year in pruning.

The plants need the full sun, and the number of flowers
is greatly increased by digging in pen manure before
planting and mulching with it afterwards. They should be
planted, 6 feet or more apart, and the soil, for some feet on
each side, should be kept loose and clean.

Oleanders do not flower until they have grown toa certain
size, but to produce a well-shaped plant a few prunings are
necessary before flowering, each time cutting back the stem
to 6 inches or more, when three or more new branches will
grow out below each cut end, to be cut back in their turn.
After each crop of flowers, too, all the branches should be
cut back to a length of 6 inches or so from the last pruning.

Scale insects, which attack the stem causing swellings,
or aphides, which occasionally appear on the young leaves,
can be immediately killed by applying kerosene emulsion
with a spraying pump or syringe, or by wiping the stems
with a rag dipped in it. Fairly strong emulsion can be used
without harming the leaves; the best time to apply it is
after pruning.

Cuttings should be taken from the middle part of
a branch, two or three joints long, cut below a node, and
only the halves of the three top leaves left on. They root
best in a flower-pot full of clean sand, in which they should
be deeply planted, the pot being put under a wet wall and
not watered too much.

THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.

Aveust 12, 1905,

A
SOs

>

WEST INDIAN FRUIT.

COLONIAL FRUIT EXHIBITIONS.

The following is an extract from a letter received
by the Imperial Commissioner of Agriculture from the
Secretary of the Royal Horticultural Society in
reference to the exhibition of colonial fruit to be held
by the Society in December next. An announcement
with regard to this and other shows organized by
the Royal Horticultural Society appeared in the
Agricultural News (Vol. IV, p. 180):—

Please accept our best thanks for your letter and for your
efforts on behalf of our colonial show. I am especially anxious
that your portion of our Empire should be quite fully repre-
sented here. Your growers should fully understand that they
can get awards for a case of a single fruit, a collection of
marketable preserves, just as well as for a collection of many
kinds of fruits, provided there is excellence of quality and
that there is no actual competition between the several
exhibits ; and although the medals will be awarded on merit,
it is possible for two or more to gain the same award.

The hall and its annexes, measuring 13,000 square feet,
enable us to crowd in 5,000 feet of tabling, so there will be
plenty of room in December.

BANANA TRADE OF GREAT BRITAIN.
The U.S. Monthly Consular Reports tor March

contain the following note on the banana trade of

Great Britain :—

Prior to 1901 the consumption of bananas in the United
Kingdom was very limited. In addition to the difficulty of
shipping them the price was more or less prohibitive. In
1901, Elder, Dempster & Co. entered into an arrangement
with the Colonial Office whereby boats, properly equipped,
made regular and speedy trips from Jamaica, landing the
fruit at Bristol every fortnight. At the present time the
principal banana dealers have a fleet of seven ships employed
exclusively in this trade, and three more ships are being built
for it. When these are put in commission four cargoes will
be discharged each fortnight—two in Bristol and two in
Manchester. An average cargo contains 40,000 bunches,
and this works out at 80,000 bunches per week for this
country, or about 10,800,000 bananas weekly. This, how-
ever, is for the winter only; from May to November the
demand doubles. The fruit when landed is green and starchy,
and is hung in rooms, specially prepared and maintained
at a certain temperature, and kept there from ten days to
a fortnight, when it is ready for distribution at about le.
per banana.

GRAFTING CACAO.

Mr. J. Jones, Curator of the Botanic Station
at Dominica, has forwarded the following note on
experiments carried out at the station in connexion
with the grafting of cacao :—

Experiments made in budding cacao seedlings while in
bamboo pots in the nursery having failed, some attempts
were made at grafting by approach.
delicate Theobroma pentagona were grafted on stocks of
Theobroma bicolor (the ‘tiger’ cacao), and a small plot planted
out as an experiment. A number of plants of the Criollo
variety of cacao are now being worked on Theobroma bicolor
stocks, and some of 7’heobroma pentagona on Forastero stocks,
It is found that cacao unites very readily, the union being
complete in from five to six weeks. The plants can then be
taken off and are ready for planting.

BEE KEEPING IN CALIFORNIA.

The California crop of comb and extracted honey
gathered in 1904 is estimated at 2,000,000 tb., against
8,400,000 Ib. in 1905. It comes nearer being a complete
failure than has been the case for many years. The cause of
this condition of things is the same that has caused shortages
in previous seasons—a lack of rainfall during the winter
months. This, of course, resulted in a scarcity of honey-
producing blossoms, and the bees, consequently, have in many
districts not only produced nothing for the trade, but have
not collected enough to feed themselves through the winter.
About 4,000 people in California are engaged in bee keeping,
the number of colonies owned by each averaging 10 to 250,
though a number have as many as 1,000 or 1,500 and one
bee keeper controls 8,000 colonies. (Consular A'eport, 1904.)

PARA RUBBER PLANTING.

The Nottingham Guardian, noting that the Brazilian
Government prohibits the export of the seed of the Hevea,
which produces Para rubber, says that nevertheless some of
the seeds have found their way into France; that plants
have been raised therefrom, and that experimental plantings
in West Africa have been successful. This year, it Is
announced, plantations on a commercial scale are to be
made in the Gasamaine district of Senegal, to be extended,
as seeds multiply, there and in Lower Guinea and Lower
Dahomey. It is reported that in time extensive districts
now worthless will become productive of Para rubber.
(U.S. Monthly Consular Reports.)

Seedling plants of the ©

Vou. IV. No. 87. THE

AGRICULTURAL NEWS. 24

oO

JAMAICA AT THE COLONIAL
EXHIBITION.

The following are extracts from Mr. W. G. Free-
man’s descriptive article in the West India Committee
Circular on the Jamaica Court at the Colonial and
Indian Exhibition -—

In the last two colonies with which we have been
concerned, namely, Trinidad and Grenada, we have had
instances of two British West India Islands where cacao
has replaced sugar as the chief product. In Jamaica, also,
sugar has been deposed from its old position, not in this case
by cacao, but by fresh fruit. Jamaica stands alone amongst
the West Indian Colonies in respect of the magnitude of its
fruit industry, the success of which has been due mainly to
the suitability of local conditions to banana cultivation and
the comparative nearness of the island to the great market
for fruit in the United States Some 55,000 acres are now
under banana cultivation. Fruit is well represented in the
Court by fresh bananas, grape fruit, oranges, pine-apples,
limes, ete. Jamaica bananas are familiar to every one now.
Jamaica oranges are year by year attaining a more important
position in the English market, but the excellent grape
frnits the colony can produce and send to this country in
first-class condition have yet to win their way to popular
favour here as they have already done in the United States.

Whilst on the subject of fruit, attention should be
directed to the extensive series of preserves exhibited in the
Court. Preserves of almost all the chief fruits of the island
are shown, ranging from well-known products such as guava
jelly to littleknown preserves such as tree tomato and
cherimoyer jam.

The second industry of the colony is represented by
a series of sugars of various grades from Colonel Ward’s
well-known estate of Monymusk. A map of the colony
indicates the location of the 24,000 acres devoted to sugar
production. Rum, for which Jamaica has long been famous,
is adequately shown.

It is always of interest to dwellers of one country to see
the staple food-stufis of another, and the Jamaica Court
contains a very fair selection of the ordinary cereals, pulses,
starches, and meals of the tropics. A special word is
necessary for the products of the cassava or manioe plant.
Fresh specimens of its large, tuberous roots are shown,
together with the nutritious ‘farine’ prepared from them.
This farine or cassava meal is, it should be remembered, one
of the most important food-stuffs of the tropics. The
dainty cassava cakes made from this farine, so appreciated
by both residents in and visitors to the West Indies, are
exhibited, Cassava starch (which in the near future is
likely to be a much more important export of Jamaica
than at present) is to be seen, and also tapioca, another
product of the same plant, which looms large in the export
list from the Straits Settlements. A by-product from the
same plant is ‘cassaripe’ an essential ingredient in the West
Indian pepper-pot, and an important factor in many sauces.

Exceptional interest attaches to the exhibit of tea from
Ramble estate, St. Ann’s, which is stated to be one of the
only two tea plantations in the New World, the other being
in South Carolina. The venture has been of slow growth,
and may be said to have passed out of the experimental
Stage two years ago when tea was first prepared for the
market. Packets of ‘ Blossom Brand’ tea, well packed and
attractive to the eye, are on sale in the Court, and it is
to be hoped that Jamaica tea will earn a welcome on its
merits. Unlike tea, cacao is a well-established industry,
and it will be sufficient to record that the Court contains

a good series of the principal grades of cacao produced in
Jamaica, and also some chocolate.

Jamaica honey is another product of the colony, which
during the last few years has established itself in the
markets of the world. Good samples of logwood and other
honeys are exhibited. They differ a good deal in attractive-
ness, owing to various methods of bottling, some of the
patterns of bottles used with long, narrow necks being quite
unsuited to this product in normal British temperatures.

Jippijappa hats, made from the leaves of a palm-like
plant (Carludovica jamaicensis), very closely related to that
from which the famous Panama hats are made, are exhibited
in the unfinished and finished states. They form a good
substitute for the more expensive ‘Panamas,’ and as the sales
in the Court indicate, have been well appreciated.

An interesting feature of the Court is the collection of
living economic plants from the Botanic Gardens, Jamaica.
The English climate has not agreed with them all, but the
majority are in sufliciently good condition to afford a much
better idea of these useful tropical plants than many pages
of description.

It will be apparent from these brief notes that the
Jamaica Court affords a comprehensive selection of the
principal and also the minor products of the colony, and
great credit is due to the Commissioners, Mr. John Barclay
and My. F. Cundall, for their painstaking work, and to all
others who have helped to make the exhibit a success.

SALE OF GOATS AT BARBADOS.

The following is an extract from a letter received
by the Imperial Commissioner of Agriculture from
Mr. J. A. Farmer, of Halton estate, Barbados, in
reference to the goats which were advertised for sale
in the Agricultural News (Vol. IV, p. 212):—

TI am glad to say that I have delivered ail the goats with
the exception of the one kept in reserve for Dominica.
I have also heard from the firms, to which they were sent,
that they have been received in good order.

I must also return you my warmest thanks for the
interest you have taken in disposing of the goats for me.

TOBAGO PLANTERS’ ASSOCIATION.

At a meeting of the above Association, of which
mention was made in the last issue of the Agricultural
News (p. 236), the following committee was elected :—

Chairman, Captain M. Short ; Committee: Messrs.
T. Orde, J. Evans, D, Hamilton, T. R. Blakely, E. B,
Walker, D. Tucker, and H. Swarder; Hon. Secretary,
Mr. D. 8S. Smith.

Guano in Peru. The chief guano deposits of Peru
are in (1) the Lobos Islands off the port of Eten, and (2) the
Chincha Islands, off the port of Pisco. There are also
numerous minor deposits. By a contract entered into in
January 1890, the Peruvian corporation, a British syndicate,
enjoys the exclusive right of exporting guano from the
Peruvian deposits until 3,000,000 tons shall have been
exported. Peru may continue to dig guano, but only for the
purpose of benefiting national agriculture. It is said that
about one-third of the 3,000,000 tons has already been
exported by the Peruvian corporation. (U.S. Monthly
Consular Reports.)

THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.

Aucust 12, 1905.

eT ee

In the following memorandum Mr. L. Lewton-
Brain, B A., F.L.S., discusses the matter of ratooning
cotton from the point of view of its connexion with
the spread of fungoid diseases :—

One of the best ways of dealing with fungoid discases
of plants is by a rotation of crops. Where this is practised
the fungi attacking any one crop have a chance to disappear,
or, at any rate, to be greatly reduced, before the sarne crop
occupies the same land again. Ratooning will bring about
just the opposite state of affairs; fungoid pests will be at
their highest development at the end of the first year and
the spores will be present in their greatest abundance to
attack any fresh growth. Not only this, but these old fields
will be centres of infection for the new crop on neighbouring
fields. On the other hand, if the old cotton were destroyed,
each disease would have to make a fresh start in each new
field, by means of spores from outside chance sources of
infection. Sea Island cotton has been cultivated for many
generations as an annual crop. It is therefore not to be
expected that the growth of the second year will be equal in
vegetative vigour to that of the first year.

The two most important leaf diseases of cotton are the
‘mildew’ and the ‘rust.’ Neither of these attacks young,
vigorously growing cotton to any great extent; the plants
when growing well seem largely resistant to both diseases.
As soon, however, as the plants begin to get older and less
vigorous, both ‘rust’ and ‘ mildew’ begin to make headway.
Every old leaf, at this stage, is covered with disease ; also,
almost every new leaf that appears is more or less affected.
If the process is carried further and the cotton ratooned,
there will be a constant source of infection present in the
older leaves, and in all probability nearly all the new leaves
on the ratoon growth will be attacked as they open, by either
one or both of the diseases. These diseases will certainly
reduce the yield of lint and very probably will affect the
quality.

The destruction of the old crop before replanting is also
of great importance in dealing with anthracnose of the bolls.
In this case if bolls are continually on the ratoon plants,
there will be a continuous production of crops of spores of
Colletotrichum gossypvi. This fungus certainly attacks the
cotyledons of the young seedlings as well as the bolls.
Consequently the ratoon crop presents the fungus a splendid
means of carrying over from one season to another. The
fungus will be in, as it were, an intrenched position, ready to
attack first the seedlings and then the young bolls of any
neighbouring first-crop cotton.

Similarly with ‘black boll’ in the islands where it
occurs. The source of infection of the new crop is again
diseased bolls; and if there is continuous growth from one
season to another, the disease will have a much better chance

of establishing itself at an early period on the new crop.
It is of the utmost importance in dealing with this disease,
to destroy thoroughly all infected material before re-planting.

To summarize, not only is the ratoon crop itself liable
to suffer more severely from fungoid diseases than a first
crop, but it is also sure to prove a dangerous source of
infection for any freshly planted cotton in its neighbourhood.

FEEDING COTTON SEED TO PIGS.

Professor J. P. d’Albuquerque has informed the
Imperial Commissioner of Agriculture that a planter in
Barbados has recently lost seven pigs to which he had
been feeding cotton seed meal. A careful examination
of all the facts has led to the conclusion that the
probable cause of death was the injurious effect on pigs
of the raw cotton seed, of which mention was made in
the West Indian Bulletin (Vol. IV, p. 246), in the

following words :—

Raw cotton seed cannot be successfully fed to animals,
as the lint and dust render it injurious and it is too rich. It
appears to be particularly injurious to pigs.

As this warning appears to have escaped the
notice of some planters, andas there may be others who
are not aware of this curious action of an otherwise
valuable feeding stuff, the following extracts from
The Cotton Plant (published by the U.S. Department
of Agriculture), are reproduced for general informa-
tion :-—

The carefully conducted experiments noted below
indicate, as a rule, that cotton products are positively
injurious to hogs, and cannot be safely used, at least not in
any quantity.

The mortality of the pigs receiving cotton seed meal was
87 per cent., roasted seed 75 per cent., and boiled seed 25 per
cent. It was also observed that the pigs, escaping sickness
and death for thirty days beyond the time when sickness
usually sets in, were safe from the attack, but were perma-
nently stunted in growth. Small amounts of cotton seed
meal in the slops are stated to have caused deaths in the
college herd of swine in previous years. Curtis concludes
‘That there is no profit whatever in feeding cotton seed, in
any form, or cotton seed meal to hogs of any age.’

Henry says in his Feeds and Feeding :-—

All efforts to determine the poisonous principle in the
cotton seed—if there be one—have thus far proved futile,
and the matter is still a mystery... .

It may be stated in general terms that when cotton seed
or its by-products are fed in reasonable quantity, with a proper
complement of other feeding stuffs, satisfactory results are
secured with all farm animals except calves and swine.

Vou. IV. No. 87.

THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS. 247

ST. VINCENT COTTON CROP.

Mr. W. N. Sands, Agricultural Superintendent,
has forwarded the following notes on the cotton
industry in St. Vincent :-—

At the cotton factory the total amount of selected and
disinfected cotton seed distributed to date is 21,967 lb., of
which amount 10,534 tb. were for local planting, the
remaining 11,433 tb. being exported.

I find that the seed sown has germinated extremely
well, and the young plants are growing rapidly under the
favourable climatic conditions experienced during the past
three or four weeks. Practically all planting operations are
completed, at least all the chief growers have finished, but
one or two smaller growers have still a little more to do.
The land selected is much better than last year, and more
attention has been paid generaily to the selection of suitable
lands.

The account sales of the last shipments of cotton came
to hand by the mail and they were quite satisfactory. You
will be pleased to hear that the Petit Bordel cotton fetched
the highest price so far recorded from the West Indies, viz.,
1s. 6d. per tb. Other growers obtained prices from 13d. to 17d.
per lb. The stained cotton brought 64d.

I cannot yet obtain the area planted, but three chief
growers, Messrs. Hazell, Mr. C. J. Simmons, and Mr, Alex,
Smith, have between 500 and 600 acres planted.

EXTERMINATION OF RATS AND MICE.

In the Rochelle district of France, crops of all
kinds were severely injured by the depredation of
a-kind of large field mice or small field rats. In view
of the experiments that have been carried out in the
West Indies with the Liverpool virus for exterminating
rats, interest attaches to the following account of the
methods adopted in the Rochelle district, as given in
the Consular Report for 1904 :—

Many methods of extermination have been tried, but
the only two which have given any appreciable results up to
the present are nux vomica and a special virus prepared at
the Pasteur Institute in Paris, rolled oat grain being used as
a bait in both cases. The objections to the use of nux
vomica have been found to be numerous (poisoning of
small birds, game, domestic fowls, and animals); and up till
lately the Danysz virus has not proved very efficacious.
Now, however, that it is understood that the virus must be
distributed while fresh, and protected from the action of
light by preparing the bait in feebly lit sheds and spreading it
in the fields in the evenings, it is claimed that the
mortality induced by it in the field mice, as the result of
recent experiments, is as high as 98 per cent. within fifteen
days, as not only those ‘ campagnols’ which haye eaten the
bait die within five days, but the others are infected by the
disease and die in their turn. The contagious malady
induced by the Danysz virus resembles typhoid, but is
innocuous to all living beings except rats and mice, to which
animals it is fatal. There is a special service attached to the
Pasteur Institute in Paris for the preparation of this virus,
which is prepared in combination with a tempting broth, and
is sent down to the Charentes in bottles on receipt of
requisitions from the mayors of the communes affected.
The inhabitants of many communes are marshalled by the
mayor in semi-military formation, and the bait spread
methodically in such a manner as to leave no portion of
ground without its share of poisoned grain,

RAINFALL RET
St. Vincent.

In the Annual Report on the Botanic Station at
St. Vincent for 1904-5, Mr. W. N. Sands makes the
following observations on the rainfall of the island :—

The rainfall for the year recorded at the Botanic Station,
which is near Kingstown, amounted to 97:74 inches, and
although this is 12°41 inches below the average for the last
fourteen years, it was well distributed, and no heavy floods or
washes were recorded.

Except at the Agricultural School (also near Kingstown),
there are no other stations on the island where records of
rainfall are kept, and it would be highly desirable to establish
stations in the country districts, in order that the officers of
the Department might be better able to give advice when
questions relating to the establishment of new industries arise.
The records would also be of great value to planters
themselves, in showing to what extent the rainfall affects the
quality and quantity of their produce, and serve asa guide
to the proper localities for planting different crops.

It will be observed that the average monthly rainfall of
the months June, July, August, September, and October is
well over 11:00 inches, so that the period from June to
October may be considered as constituting the wet season,
although the rainfall during the months January, May,
November, and December is considerable. The dry season,
as shown in the average, is from February to April.

Dominica.
The rainfall at the Botanic Station for 1904 was 72°45
inches or 7°45 inches below the average for the past eleven
The following table shows that April is the driest

Rainfall) jo coewer aed

1904. Inches. Teaches
January 792 4-63
February 5'D8 3°02
March 2°16 2°98
April 1:64 171
June or Aue ase 6:00 8:90
July a an ay 10°38 11°70
August we Sus 7:69 10°03
September ... ns 5a 11:32 9°45 «
October ae a sf 10:21 8-02
November ... ne: or 3:13 7-09
December 4°84 6°72

Total 72°45 ae
Mean yearly rainfall 79°28

The mean rainfall for the whole island for the year,
based on returns from twenty-nine stations, is 102°48 inches.

THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.

Aveust 12, 1905.

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 3 of the cover.

The Agricultural News: Price 1d. per number,
post free 13d. Annual subscription payable to Agents,
2s. 2d. Post free, 3s. 3d.

Agricultural Stews

No.

87.

Vou. IV. SATURDAY, AUGUST 12, 1905.

Contents of Present Issue.

The editorial in the present issue deals with the
important subject of the treatment of orchard soils in
the tropics. This is a matter of considerable interest
to cacao and lime planters in the West Indies.

Interesting information is contained in the tables
on pp. 242-3 in reference to the successful cultivation
of seedling canes on plantation Diamond in British
Guiana. On the latter page will also be found an
account of Trinidad trade in sugar products.

Extracts from Mr. Freeman’s descriptive article on
the Jamaica Court at the Colonial and Indian Exhibi-
tion are published on p. 245. The Court contains
a comprehensive selection of the colony’s products.

This issue contains a further article on ratconing
cotton (see p. 246); this is followed by a note on the
injurious effect of cotton seed on pigs.

Brief notes will be found on p. 250 on the various
so-called wild bees in the West Indies. The oppor-
tunity is taken to assign to the various species the
names by which they are known to entomologists,
Reference is made on the same page to the occurrence
at the present time at Barbados of a number of insect
pests.

An interesting departure has been made in
Jamaica in connexion with the establishment of model
school gardens. These should be of considerable value
as object-lessons to teachers who may desire to take up
this important work, (See p. 251.)

Cold Storage for the Royal Mail Steamers.

Fruit growers in the West Indies, especially the
banana growers of Barbados, will be glad to know that
another of the Royal Mail steamers, the ‘Orinoco,’ has
been fitted with the Hall’s system of cold storage. This
ship now has carrying space for fruit up to 260 tons
measurement.

Further, it may be stated that all the mai! steamers
of the company will shortly be similarly fitted for the
carriage of bananas and other fruit’ from Barbados,
Information was received by the Imperial Commis-
sioner of Agriculture by last mail that the work of
installing the cold-storage system into the R.M.S.
‘La Plata’ had already begun.

Rie Te i ee

A New Sugar Plant.

In a note in the Agricultural News (Vol. IV,
p- 55) on a new sugar plant (Hupatorium Rebandi-
anum), discovered by Dr. Bertoni in Paraguay, it was
stated that the British Consul at Asuncion had been
asked to procure seeds and leaves of this plant for
shipment to Barbados.

Five pounds of the leaves and a small package of
the flowers of this plant were recently received by the
Imperial Commissioner of Agriculture from the British
Legation at Asuncion. A number of specimens have
been mounted for herbarium purposes, and a quantity
of the leaves have been forwarded to Professor
d’Albuquerque, who has promised to analyse them and
report upon the amount of sugar which this interesting
plant contains and the form in which it exists.

H. B. M. Consul at Asuncion has also been asked
to endeavour to obtain a good supply of fertile seeds
of this plant with a view to making an experiment in
growing it in the West Indies.

A
Trinidad Trade Statistics.

Professor Carmody has compiled for the Colonial
and Indian Exhibition a large amount of useful
information which has been published under the title
of ‘Statistics of Trinidad Trade.’

Tables and charts show in a graphic manner the
exports of the principal products of the colony during
the last three years.

These are sugar and its by-products, cacao, asphalt,
cocoa-nuts, and cocoa-nut oil. In the period of thirty
years (1875-1905) the sugar exports have decreased in
value to one half, while the exports of cacao have
increased nearly to three times, and asphalt to eight
times.

The direction of the trade in sugar has varied but
shghtly during the past twenty years, the exports
being more or less equally divided between Great
Britain and the United States; more recently the
British imports of Trinidad sugar have increased, and
those of the United States decreased. Cacao, on the
other hand, has found new markets. While the exports
to Great Britain have not considerably increased during
recent years, the exports to the United States have
increased to ten times in thirty years, and those to
other countries to three times.

‘.

vor LV. No: 87.

THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.

Costa Rica Banana Trade.

The banana industry of Costa Rica, according to
a recent report of the United States Consul at Port
Limon, has reached such proportions that bananas now
form the main export of the country. At the close of
1904 about 50,000 acres were devoted to banana
growing in Costa Rica, of which 90 per cent. was owned
by the United Fruit Co.

Up to 1902 the trade was confined to the United
States. It has since been introduced into England
with gratifying results to the exporters. No one need
have any fear of the demand for bananas ever ceasing
to exist. Bananas are not luxuries alone but nutritious
food, and, being cheap, will always be used by all
classes.

The banana exports of Costa Rica have more than
doubled during the last five years, and present indica-
tions are that the exports will double again during the
next five years.

eee

- Tobacco Growing in Jamaica.

In further reference to notes that have appeared
‘in the Agricultural News (Vol. III, p. 879, and
Vol. IV, p. 77) it may be mentioned that a number of
samples of tobacco grown at the Hope Experiment
Station, have recently been reported upon by Mr. F. V.
Chalmers, the tobacco expert who visited Jamaica last
year to inquire into the prospects of the industry.
The samples consisted of Sumatra wrapper tobacco and
Havana tobacco—both sun grown and shade grown.

Mr. Chalmers reports very highly upon them,
especially the outside-grown Sumatra and the shade-
grown Havana. ‘The samples show that Jamaica should
have no difficulty in competing with Sumatra, Borneo,
and Havana. He expresses the hope that some one
will be induced to go in largely for production on these
lines as he is confident that ‘there is a large fortune
waiting for somebody who will only produce this
tobacco, as herein indicated.’

po eee

Castilloa Rubber.

The Secretary of the Mexican Rubber Co. writes
to the editor of the /ndia-Rubber Journal in refer-
ence to quotations for a sample shipment of rubber
from Mexico. It is mentioned that the product is
from Castilloa trees six and a half years o!d at time of
tapping. ‘lwo of the samples were valued at from
5s. 9d. to Gs. and 6s. 3d., the price of fine Para being
at the time 5s. 7d. per Ib.

It is pointed out that hitherto Mexican rubber
has not been acceptable to buyers, but the above
quotations would indicate that just as Ceylon cultivated
(Hevea) rubber has proved far superior in quality to
the Brazilian Para, so the product of cultivated
Castilloa can also, by careful preparation, be made to
yield a very high-class rubber.

In reporting on these samples the brokers state
that ‘there is a good, growing demand for plantation-
grown rubber so long as it is sent home pure and in
good condition. Damp and heat produce stickiness
which is fatal to any raw rubber.’

Exports of Java.

According to the Consular Report on Java for
1904, the year was a prosperous one for the trade of
the island, a large increase ‘in the production of sugar
more than compensating for shortages in the coffee and
tobacco crops. A review of the island’s sugar industry
was published in the last issue.

The total coffee crop was small, but the crop of
Liberian exceeded estimates, and planters of this kind
of coffee had little reason to complain. The tobacco
crop was satisfactory, and good prices were obtained.
The production of tea was increased by over 3,000,000 th.

A steady demand for copra caused a large increase
in the output. A fair crop of kapok was obtained.
Of this product it is reported: ‘In France, Germany,
and the United States, considerable attention is being
given to kapok, as. on account of its insubmergibility,
it has been proved to be a satisfactory substitute for
cork in the manufacture of life-belts.” Over 77,000
bales were exported during the year. The exports of
teak and tapioca flour (26,634 tons) also show an
increase.

A Department of Agriculture was instituted
during the year under Professor M. Treub, formerly
Director of the Botanical Gardens at Buitenzorg.

EL <>

English Hares at Barbados.

Brief mention was made in the Agricultural News
(Vol. I, p. 167) of the introduction into Barbados, over
sixty years ago, of English hares. The survival of
these animals under what may be considered particu-
larly adverse circumstances—since they have had to
contend with the mungoose and, further, have been
under the disadvantage of having very little ‘wild’
land in which to live (most of the land in Barbados,
not actually under cultivation of sugar-cane or other
crops being in sour grass)—is a point of considerable
interest to naturalists.

It was considered that it would also be of interest
to ascertain whether these animals now show any varia-
tion from the normal type of English hare. With this
object in view, an attempt was made in April 1903 to
send a pair of these animals to the Zoological Gardens
in London. Unfortunately, cold weather was experi-
enced during the voyage and neither of them survived.

At the request of the Secretary of the Society,
a further attempt has recently been made by the
Imperial Commissioner of Agriculture. In this
instance, three hares (two does and one buck), kindly
presented by Mr. A. A. Evelyn, of Spencer's estate,
were shipped from Barbados in R. M.S. ‘La Plata” on
July 1 last. They had been reared in captivity from
a very young stage and it was thought they would
consequently bear the confinement on board-ship. By
last mail the Imperial Commissioner was informed by
the Secretary of the Zoological Society that the hares
had arrived safely at the Gardens. Dr. Chalmers
Mitchell promises to make a careful examination of
them as compared with the English hare to ascertain
whether a new variety has been formed, in consequence
of the hares living under such different conditions.

250

THE AGRICULTURAL

NEWS. Aveust 12, 1905.

INSECT NOTES.

Wild Bees.

In the publications of the Imperial Department of
Agriculture reference has frequently been made to the wild
bee, the cow bee, and the Jack Spaniard, or maribunta.

The scientific names of some of these insects having
been ascertained, the following notes are given in order that
more definite references may be made to these species.

The wild bee (Polistes annularis) is found in Barbados
and St. Vincent. It is distinguished by the large, yellow
spct on the first segment of the abdomen. The antennae are
black in the middle and lighter at base and apex, the thorax is
black and reddish, and the legs are black, banded with light
yellow. In St. Vincent this species is of a lighter colour
throughout.

The cow bee (Polistes bellicosus) is stouter than the wild
bee. It is found in Barbados. The face is bright yellow,
the thorax has narrow, yellow markings, and each segment of
the abdomen is bordered with a narrow, yellow band.

The Jack Spaniard or maribunta (Polistes fuscatus
anstabilis) is found in Barbados, Montserrat, and St. Kitt’s. It
is smaller and more slender than the two preceding and there
is a greater contrast of colour, the black being a deeper black,
and the yellow of the thorax and abdomen more conspicuous.
The face, antennae, and legs are coloured and marked as in
the cow bee (P. bel/icosus), while the yellow markings of the
body are more like those of the wild bee (P?. annularis).

Insect Pests at Barbados.

During the last few weeks reports have come to hand
of the occurrence of the cotton worm in the fields of young
cotton at Barbados. In many cases the insects have
apparently spread from fields of old cotton which planters
have, contrary to the advice of the Imperial Department of
Agriculture, omitted to destroy. Planters are again urged
to be on the watch for this insidious pest and to lose no
time in applying Paris green to their cotton.

At the same time reports have been received of damage
to tobacco and cow peas by cutworms, and of the occurrence
of the corn worm in the crown of the plants both in Indian
and Guinea corn. Woolly pyrol has also been attacked in
some localities by the well-known woolly pyrol worms.

The somewhat early appearance of these pests would
appear to indicate that this is to be a season of abundance
of insects. In the case of leaf-eating insects applications of
Paris green at the first appearance of the caterpillars will
check the outbreak. Insects in the crown of the corn plants
may be controlled by the use of Paris green and corn meal
at the rate of one teaspoonful of Paris green to one quart of
corn meal. The mixture is applied by means of a shaker,
from which it is sprinkled or shaken into the centre of the
plant (see Agricultural News, Vo). 1V, p. 90).

Success has been reported in combating the cutworms
by means of a poisoned bait of bran and Paris green. One or
two pounds of Paris green to 50 tb. of bran is made into a stiff
mash by stirring in a mixture of molasses and water.

—

A tablespoonful or small handful of this bait is put on the
ground at the base of the plants, and when the worms come
to the surface of the ground to feed at night the bait is
found readily.

SISAL HEMP CULTIVATION.

The following note is extracted from the A nglo-
Indian Review, London, March 1905:—

The cultivation of sisal hemp continues to increase in
South America, while in Egypt it has now been clearly
proved that the fibre can be produced easily and profitably.
One of the difficulties with which growers hitherto have been
met is the fact that the London quotations are dependent
upon New York. Accordingly, if a sample is sent over from
Egypt the price quoted for bulk here would be that ruling in
New York to-day. The market in New York fluctuates, and
English fibre brokers would be glad to see imports coming to
London direct in order that the centre of quotations might
be changed.

In Uganda recent experiments haye proved that sisal
can be grown. The crop is one which takes some years to
come to maturity, but a ready use is always found for the
product at remunerative prices. In Queensland, also, experi-
mental plantings are being made. It is reported that the
suckers there require three to four years to mature, and this
is true of other countries ; but after that, once or twice
a year, a large amount of leafage containing the fibre can be
gathered for a period of over ten years, while land which is
practically useless for other purposes can be utilized for
growing. The plant is said to thrive well in rocky, voleanie
soil, on hilly slopes, amid blocks of stone and heaps of
boulders, and, in fact, in places unfit for the plough and the
growth of other vegetable products. In 1893, the Queensland
Agricultural Department obtained 1,000 plants from Yucatan.
The penal establishment at St. Helena is the only place
where the cultivation has passed beyond the experimental
stage, and there some fine specimens of the fibre have
been produced by hand labour ; the Government is import-
ing the necessary machinery, and the industry is being
pressed forward. It should be mentioned that there are
many fibre-stripping machines on the market adaptable
for sisal hemp purposes, but before any particular one is
bought it would be well to obtain samples of the fibre as
treated by it, as the price largely depends upon the appear-
ance of the fibre produced. It should be clean and white
and free from all appearance of crushed vegetable matter.

SISAL HEMP IN BRITISH GUIANA.

Mr. A. W. Bartlett, Government Botanist in
British Guiana, refers as follows in his Annual Report
to experiments with sisal hemp in the colony :—

Last year a few plants of sisal hemp were sent to
various Government Stations to be tried. Reports show
that the plants are doing well at most of these places.

Some plants are making capital growth on sandy soil
near a station about half-way along the Demerara-Essequibo
railway, and the leaves have reached a length of 4 to 5 feet.

Samples of the fibre, prepared from plants growing
in the Botanic Gardens and shipped to England for examina-
tion, were very favourably reported upon and valued at
from £36 to £38 per ton, c.if., net, by various agents.

The plant grows excellently in many of the soils of the
colony and it only remains to be determined whether it
produces a sufficiency of fibre to pay to grow it on a com—
mercial scale.

Vol. IV. No. 87. THE

AGRICULTURAL NEWS.

251

EDUCATIONAL.

Model School Gardens in Jamaica.

The following is extracted from the Annual
Report for the year 1904-5 of the Superintending
Inspector of Schools in Jamaica :— ;

The sum of £50 was placed on the estimates of the
Department of Public Gardens and Plantations for model
school gardens in country districts, which should be for the
guidance of neighbouring teachers, in the year 1903-4, and
this department was requested to recommend ten prominent
and accessible centres suitable for such gardens. One was to
be at Hope Gardens. The aim in view was to give special
attention to the agricultural capabilities of each district, and
the assistance of Agricultural Instructors was practically
assured. The grant for each garden was to be expended in
elearing the land, preparing and planting plots with various
crops, erecting a substantial fence to protect the garden
against trespassing by stock, and in purchasing seeds and
plants.

At a meeting of the Board of Agriculture it was
decided, in view of the special and unforeseen expenditure
entailed by the hurricane that passed over the island in
August 1905, not to incur any expenditure for model
school gardens in that year.

A re-provision of the vote was made for the year 1904-5,
and it was considered by the Government that the full
responsibility for the construction, laying out, and fencing of
such gardens should be thrown on the principal teacher of
each school to which a grant was made. An Instructor was
to visit the school and advise as to laying out the garden, and
to approve plans and estimates.

Managers have been very willing to co-operate, and nine
model school gardens have been established during the year.

The model school garden at Hope is carried on as
a part of the Experiment Station. It is near the tobacco
curing house, and all teachers would do well to inspect it
from time to time when they are able to do so.

A model school garden begins its work under the most
favourable conditions. The principal teacher receives
expert advice and a grant is made for initial expenses and,
since it is in an easily accessible position, the teacher
continues frequently to receive advice and criticism from one
of the Instructors.

Agricultural Education in British Guiana.

The Science Lecturer in British Guiana
{Mr. E. W. F. English) has reported as follows on the
results of the science teaching at Queen’s College,
at the Catholic Grammar School, and to the primary
schoolmasters :—

During the past year the science work at Queen’s
Colleze has been carried on on the lines laid down in
January 1904, when it became possible to include practical
chemistry in the school curriculum. The three upper forms
receive three hours’ work each week in both theoretical and
practical chemistry, the junior forms two hours.

Eleven boys took senior chemistry papers in the Cam-
‘bridge Local Examination, two of whom passed in theoretical
and two in practical chemistry. Of the twelve junior
candidates, two passed in both theoretical and practical
-chemistry, and two in theoretical only. Two boys took the
preliminary papers, one of whom passed in both branches.
Considering these results with the fact that I have not
‘thought it to be for the best interests of their work to adhere

es

too closely to the examination syllabus, I think they are not
unpromising, though several boys proved very disappointing.
I notice amongst the junior boys several of very distinct
promise.

The class at the Roman Catholic Grammar School has
been reduced in number at the desire of the Principal to
have the work carried to a higher standard, and to aid in
effecting this he has organized a preparatory class in the
elements of chemistry and physics. This is an advance on
the previous arrangement,

_ Courses of lectures to schoolmasters in the scientific
principles underlying the practice of agriculture have been
given in Georgetown, in Anna Regina for the county of
Essequibo, and in New Amsterdam for that of Berbice.
Considering the shorter course delivered in the two latter
centres, the results obtained were more satisfactory than in
Georgetown, where the papers sent in at the examination
were not of as high a standard as those of the previous year,
there being a decided tendency to rely upon having commit-
ted to memory a series of facts, formulated in set terms,
while shirking the discussion of the principles underlying
them, a condition least of all to be encouraged amongst those
intended to teach.

The demonstration-lectures appear to be appreciated, and
regrets have been expressed at the shortness of this course.
In reference to this Professor Harrison says :—

Judging from the results of the examination papers set
to the Queen’s College boys at the end of the terms and to
the attendants at the lectures to schoolmasters, I am of

opinion that the study of natural science is slowly but surely
being extended in the colony.

WIRELESS THELEGRAPHY.

The following are extracts from a report on wire-
less telegraphy by Sir W. H. Preece, K.C.B., published
by the Government of Trinidad as Council Paper
No. 70 of 1905 :—

The most valuable experiments in this direction [for war
purposes] have been made by the United States Army
Engineers under Major Squier, which show that the most
serious obstacles are live trees and tropical vegetation. Every
tree isa leak. It absorbs energy from the electric waves.
A forest is thus much more an enemy to wireless telegraphy
than a mountain range.

Wireless telegraphy is really still in its experimental
stage. Great progress has been made and will continue.
The sea is its domain. Here it is practical and even com-
mercial, but not reliable for continuous periods or for long
distances. It has not yet been proved effective over-land,
excepting for comparatively short distances where the earth
is moist. There are very few places where it can compete
financially with telegraphs and telephones.

Finally, I desire to reiterate emphatically the opinion
that I have expressed from the first, that the home of
wireless telegraphy is the sea, that its value is its unique
ability to maintain communication with moving masses like
ships at sea and soldiers on the march. It is not reliable,
and it would be folly to employ it, for telegraphic purposes
where simple wires can be erected and telephones employed.
It is not even cheap, for though the capital expenditure is
smaller, the working expenses are greater and the speed of
working is less. The British Post Office has not found it
necessary to instal such a plant on any one of the
innumerable islands which stud our larger islands for
commercial telegraphy.

THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.

Aveust 12, 1905.

GLEANINGS.

The exports of arrowroot from Bermuda in 1904
amounted to 10 tons 2 ewt., of the value of £1,398; the
quantity exported in the previous year was 9 tons 9 ewt.,
valued at £1,300.

Minister Powell, writing from Port-au-Prince, Hayti,
under date of March 23, 1905, says: ‘I have the honour
to state that the cotton crop this year will exceed by 25 per
cent. the crop exported last year, which amounted to 75,000
bales.” (UWS. Monthly Consular Reports.)

According to the West India Committee Circular, the
attendance at the Colonial and Indian Exhibition since the
opening day, up to July 18, has been 530,614. A number
of prominent West Indians had signed the Committee’s
register during the previous fortnight.

Mr. August Busck, of the Bureau of Entomology of the
U.S. Department of Agriculture, was recently in Barbados.
7} . - 5 2 . r rw .
Mr. Busck is making a long stay in the West Indies for the
purpose of collecting mosquitos. He had visited Trinidad
and proposed to spend some time in Hayti and San Domingo.

The Imperial Commissioner of Agriculture has received
from Mr. E. Lomas Oliver a cotton handkerchief made
entirely from Barbados cotton. It may be mentioned that
similar handkerchiefs have, by request, been made for His
Royal Highness the Prince of Wales and the Duke of
Marlborough.

The Secretary of Agriculture, Nova Scotia, has informed
the Imperial Commissioner of Agriculture that he will have
a good opportunity for selecting poultry of improved breeds,
which might be required for the West Indies, at the forth-
coming Provincial Exhibition which opens at Halifax on
September 12.

Under the Auspices of the Antigua Agricultural and
Commercial Society, thirty-six ;-acre plots have been
marked off at Skerrett’s, about five minutes’ walk from
St. John’s, and twelve of these plots have already been
taken up, the people paying a quarter’s rent in advance. At
the last meeting of the society an Allotment Committee
was appointed,

A notice has been inserted in the St. Vincent Gazette
urging that owners of stock should immediately report
to the nearest Police Station any case of sudden sickness or
death among stock. An animal so dying should on no
account be cut up for food, as it may have died of anthrax,
which is a very dangerous disease, from which persons
cutting up such an animal may die. The carcass should, if
possible, be burnt.

The report on the seventh annual Dominica Agricultural
Show, held on February 23 and 24, 1905, is published in the
Dominica Official Gazette. The expenses of the show were
£60 4s, 5d., of which £25 was provided by the Imperial
Department of Agriculture.

A correspondent in Barbados desires information in
regard to the ‘Wall Swallow.’ This bird is not mentioned in
Colonel Fielden’s list, published in the West Indian Bulletin
(Vol. IIT, pp. 333-52). As it may also be known by another
name, readers familiar with it are invited to communicate
with the Imperial Commissioner of Agriculture.

A gentleman in Antigua has a small collection of orchids,
comprising some twenty-three species, of which he is desirous
of disposing. Some of the plants have already flowered. They
would form a nice nucleus for a collection. The price asked
for the collection is £3; packing and freight, extra. Further
information may be obtained on application to—A. 8. Archer,
St. John’s, Antigua.

The annual report of the Shortwood (Female) Training
College for teachers in Jamaica states that regular
instruction has been given to the students in agricultural
science by Mr. Teversham, and in gardening by Mr. Cunning-
ham. ‘The Lady Principal reports that the third-year
students now have charge of a small “model school garden ”
in which each second-year student has a plot of her own,

Messrs. Henry W. Frost & Co. report on the Sea Islands
cotton market, under date July 20, as follows: ‘The 38
bales of ‘fully fine” were taken this week, leaving in stock
now only about 100 bales—chietly undesirable cotton and
held off the market under instructions from the owner for
higher prices. We have had a return of more favourable
weather this week, and the crop generally is reported in
a proimising condition,’

The Colonizer for July contains an interesting summary
of ‘a chat with Mr. Algernon Aspinall, the Secretary of
the West India Committee, on West Indian Prospects.’
Mr. Aspinall discussed the openings for colonization and
settlement, laying special stress on the prospects of lime and
cacao cultivation in Dominica, where, he stated, every
assistance would be given by the officers of the Imperial
Department of Agriculture.

The Agricultural Superintendent at St. Kitt’s reports
that at Molineux estate a trial is being made with rubber
planting, and 459 plants of Castilloa and 263 of Funtumia
were raised at the Botanic Station and distributed to this
estate. ‘The young trees are doing well. It is proposed to
raise as many rubber plants as possible at the station during
the present year with a view to the extension of rubber
cultivation in the island.

Mr. J. H. Hart, F. L. 8., Superintendent of the Royal
Botanic Gardens, Trinidad, returned from England in the
R. M. 8. ‘Orinoco’ on August 1. As was stated in the
Agricultural News (Vol. IV, p. 108), Mr. Hart visited
England as the Commissioner for Trinidad at the Colonial
and Indian Exhibition, at the Crystal Palace. His efforts in
connexion with the Trinidad exhibits have been greatly
appreciated, and they are understood to have contributed
largely to the success of the Trinidad Court. Mr. Hart
has been relieved by Mr. W. E. Smith, the Manager of the
Trinidad Government Railway.

Vou. IV. No. 87. THE

AGRICULTURAL NEWS.

253

ST.
BOTANIC STATION, AGRICULTURAL SCHOOL,
AND LAND SETTLEMENT SCHEME, 1904-5.

VINCENT: ANNUAL REPORTS ON THE

Botanic Station.—The total expenditure during the
year amounted to £562 4s. lld. The sale of plants, etc.,
yielded an income of £39 5s. 8d.

There was again a large increase in the number of
economic plants distributed during the year, the number
(26,256) being in excess of that of any previous year. An
important feature of the plant distribution is that special
attention is evidently being paid to the growth of cacao and
other permanent crops.

An interesting note on the cacao industry shows that
a steady increase has been made in the output of cacao
during the past five years. It is anticipated that this
industry will regain the satisfactory position which it
occupied before the hurricane of 1898.

Mr. Sands also reports on the progress of the cotton
industry. At the cotton factory 237,734 tb. of seed-cotton
had been dealt with up to the end of the year; 171 bales
(61,011 tb.) of lint had been shipped. The area planted in
cotton was 1,471 acres.

The usual routine work has been carried on at the
station. A large number of plants were planted out during
the year; and the general condition of the garden is quite
satisfactory.

In reviewing this report Sir Daniel Morris expresses his
deep appreciation of the work done by the Agricultural
Superintendent at the Botanic Station, and also in connexion
with the cotton industry and in the promotion of agri-
cultural progress generally in the island.

Agricultural Nchool.—Mr. Patterson reports that there
were twenty-two boys at the school on March 31 last. The
health of the boys has been good.

In the experiment plots provisions have been grown by
the boys, and trials have been made of various fodder crops.
The indoor work was tested by two examinations during the
year. The results showed that, on the whole, fair. progress
had been made.

Several changes occurred in the staff. Mr. Knowles left
for Fiji, and his place was taken temporarily by Mr. A. J.
Clarke, of Harrison College, Barbados, until the arrival of
Mr. W. H. Patterson, who took up the duties of the Resident
Mastership at the end of January.

Bearing in mind these changes and their necessary
effect on the results, the report cannot but be regarded as
indicating that progress has been made and that useful work
is being carried on at the school.

Land Settlement Scheme.—The Agricultural Instructor’s
report deals with his duties in connexion with the allotments
at Park Hill, New Adelphi, Richmond Hill, Clare Valley and
Questelles, Cumberland Valley, and Linley Valley, and also
the Experiment Station at Georgetown.

The system of wind-breaks determined on for these
estates (now 16 miles in length) has continued to receive
attention. It is satisfactory to record that 15,424 economic

plants were distributed to allottees during the year, of which
15,060 were cacao plants.

Mr. Osment reports that the allottees have, for the
most part, worked their lands to good advantage. Provisions
have been largely grown by allottees who also rear poultry
and other small stock. The prospects of cacao cultivation
are considered satisfactory.

The report indicates that a decided improvement is
noticeable on the cultivations under the Land Settlement
Scheme.

TOBAGO: ANNUAL REPORTS
BOTANIC STATION, ETC., 1904-5.

Botanic Station.—The report of the Curator of the
Botanic Station shows that the expenditure for the year,
including salaries, was £650. The receipts from the sale of
plants and produce amounted to £39 3s. 74d.

There was again a large increase in the number of
economic and other plants sold and distributed from the
station. The rainfall for the year was only 59°34 inches:
the year was the driest since the station was established.

Taking into consideration the large amount of extra
work the dry season entailed in keeping the garden in order,
the work has been carried on in a very satisfactory manner.
A number of new plants were introduced.

The experiment plots at the station and in the country
districts are calculated to serve a useful purpose as object-
lessons.

Agricultural Instructor.—The duties of the Agricultural
Instructor have been mainly in assisting the holders of
Crown Lands, of whom there are now 230. He also visited
seventeen school gardens, in some of which useful work was
being accomplished.

The returns of the number of cacao trees
cultivation show an increase of 15,905 trees, of
10,130 are in bearing.

In reviewing these reports the Imperial Commissioner
of Agriculture testifies, from a recent personal inspection,
to the eminently satisfactory condition of the station and
to the useful work being carried on there.

ON THE

under
which

DEPARTMENT NEWS.

The Imperial Commissioner of Agriculture left
Barbados for Jamaica in the R. M.S. ‘Orinoco’ on
Monday, July 31. It is expected that Sir Daniel
Morris will return to Barbados about the end of August.

Professor J. P. d’Albuquerque, M.A., F.LC., F.CS.,
Island Professor of Chemistry and Chemist-in-charge
of the Sugar-cane Experiments at Barbados, was
expected to embark for England by mail steamer
to-day on leave of absence.

Mr. A. J. Jordan, Curator of the Botanic Station
at Antigua, has been appointed Curator of the Govern-
ment House Gardens at Trinidad. Mr. Jordan will
probably leave Antigua on August 23.

On the recommendation of the Director of the
Royai Botanic Gardens, Kew, the Secretary of State
for the Colonies has appointed Mr. Thomas Jackson
Curator of the Botanic Gardens at Antigua, in succes-
sion to Mr. A.J. Jordan. It is expected that Mr. Jack-
son will arrive from England by next mail.

254 THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.

SOUVENIRS OF JAMAICA: By E. J. Wortley,
Assistant in the Government Laboratory, Jamaica: The
Educational Supply Co., 16, King Street, Kingston, 1905.
Price 6d.

In this little pamphlet Mr. Wortley has brought
together ‘notes on the manufacture of curiosities and other
souvenirs’ for the information of visitors to the island.
Mention is made of the various native industries, such as the
making of hats, baskets, brooms, mats, fans, d’oyleys,
fern work, shell ornaments, pottery, preserves, etc., etc.
In each section the author gives ‘plant notes,’ which are
interesting remarks on the plants which furnish the various
materials used in making these ornaments, curios, etc.
Fern workers have some 500 species of ferns in Jamaica
from which to choose their material for making d’oyleys,
lamp shades, and other pretty ornaments.

A long list of seeds used for ornaments is given : those
most frequently used are Job’s tears, Circassian seeds, soap
berries, and the yellow and grey nickers. A long list is
also given of the woods used for walking sticks.

Undoubtedly, many of Jamaica’s visitors will be glad to
have the information in this pamphlet, and will be grateful
to Mr. Wortley for the energy and care he has bestowed
upon its preparation. It should also find a place at the
various exhibitions in Great Britain and Canada where West
Indian products are exhibited.

JAMAICA COOKERY BOOK. By Caroline Sullivan.
Jamaica: Aston W. Gardner & Co., 127, Harbour Street,
Kingston. Second Edition, 1897.

This is not a new book but it is deserving of being
more widely known throughout the West Indies. It has for
some time been extensively used and appreciated in Jamaica
and has been found particularly useful to English residents
in that island. It contains ‘364 simple cookery receipts and
household hints.’ These are confined to every-day dishes
which come under immediate notice in Jamaica.

In addition to receipts for ordinary table dishes, hints are
given on the preparation of pickles, sauces, drinks, ete.

RUBBER PLANTING IN SAMOA.
The following note is extracted from the Consular
Report on the trade of Samoa for 1904 :—

India-rubber is now exciting much attention in Samoa.
The Castilloa elastica is doing better than other species.
When planted 20 feet apart it attains in a couple of years
a height of 10 to 12 feet, and is expected to yield good sap
in about eight years. It grows well here in high altitudes
(2,000 feet), as well as on the coast, and dislikes shade.

Whether there is danger, as in the case of vanilla, of the
supply of rubber exceeding the demand to an extent sufficient
to make the price unremunerative to the grower, is difficult
to forecast ; but as rubber, like cacao is a necessity, and not
a luxury, and, besides, cannot be grown everywhere, this
danger does not appear to be a serious one.

Aucust 12, 1905.

COCOA-NUT MEAL AS A FOOD-STUFF.
Professor J. P. d’ Albuquerque, M.A., ELC: E-Ciss

has forwarded to the Imperial Commissioner of Agri-
culture the results of analyses of cocoa-nut meal from
Trinidad. He reports the sample to be well prepared
and in a fresh and wholesome condition. Cocoa-nut
meal should form a valuable addition to West Indian
feeding-stufts.

The results of these analyses are shown in the

following table in comparison with the composition of

American cocoa-nut meal as given by Henry in_ his

Feeds and Feeding :—

COMPOSITION OF COCOA-NUT MEAL,

Percentage composition. Trinidad. | American. |
—————— —— - - —— - ——s |
Water 9:08 10°3
Ash | 4:70 59
Protein ited Mees 2IE50 19:7
Crude fibre we ae 24 4:73 14-4
Nitrogen-free extract ell 3 4a 38:7
Oil sis oe Be cle SEG 11:0

It will be seen that the Trinidad product is
superior to the average American by reason of its
higher protein content and its greater freedom from
indigestible fibrous matter. Less of the cocoa-nut oil
is apparently extracted in Trinidad.

FEEDING VALUE OF COCOA-NUT MEAL,

Henry makes the following remarks, in his Feeds
and Feeding, on the feeding value of cocea-nut
meal] :—

The residue in the manufacture of cocoa-nut oil is
known as cocoa-nut or cocoa meal. It is used quite
extensively by dairymen in the vicinity of San Francisco.
Cocoa-nut meal has the reputation of producing fine butter of
considerable firmness, and is therefore recommended for
summer feeding to dairy cows. It may be used with
advantage for swine and sheep, serving also as a partial
substitute for oats with working horses.

The French war department investigated the value of
cocoa-nut meal for horses. The results proved that cocoa-nut
meal was equal and even superior to the same weight of oats.
According to French prices of feeding stuffs, a substitution as
in the above experiment would bring about a reduction in the
cost of keeping army horses of $10-00 each per year.

The digestible nutrients and fertilizing constit-
uents are given by Henry as follows :—

Dry matter in 100 tb. ... a nae oo (89aiaie
DF 1 .

Digestible nutrients Cerna yi Ne 2

in 100 tb. | = rit i FM

Rati) a: fy 10a

Fertilizing constituents | au ae Roi oa ee *

HST ee (Potash... ww | gk

Destruction of Ticks. The Manager of Barbuda
(Mr. H. G. S. Branch), having experimented with kerosene
emulsion, applied by means of a knapsack sprayer to cattle
in an attempt to rid them of ticks, has arrived at the
conclusion that a mixture of tallow and kerosene applied by
hand is both cheaper and more effective than the former
method.

Vout. IV. No. 87.

THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS. 255

WEST INDIAN PRODUCTS.

Drugs and Spices in the London Market.

The following report on drugs and spices in the
London market for the month of June has been received
from Mr. J. R. Jackson, A.L.S.:—

GINGER.

It is satisfactory again to draw attention to the
continued demand and good prices realized for Jamaica
ginger which, at the spice sales on June 7, met with brisk
competition. Out of 690 barrels of Jamaica offered, some
600 were sold at prices ranging from 30s. to 42s. for ratoon,
to 54s. to 69s. for good bold bright. The demand for
Cochin and Calicut was slow: ordinary rough Cochin was
bought in at 22s. 6d. A fortnight later the prices for
Jamaica stood somewhat higher. Some 1,200 packages were
offered and 500 sold. Cochin and Calicut met with a slow
demand. At the last sale on June 28, a quieter tone
prevailed ; of 300 barrels of Jamaica offered, 100 were
disposed of. The higher qualities still fetched steady prices,
but the medium qualities dropped from Is. to 2s. Again
there was but little or no demand for Cochin and Calicut.

ARROW ROOT.

At the sales in the early part of the month this article
was very little in demand, but at the auction on the 2ist.
there was a steady sale of St. Vincent at 1#d. per tb. for
good manufacturing.

NUTMEGS, MACE, AND PIMENTO,

All these articles sold at steady rates throughout the
month.

On the 7th. there were small sales of mace at 2s. 5d.
for fine bold, and ls. ld. for broken. Good pale West Indian
sold at ls. 4d. to 1s. 5d.; fair, 1s. 2d to 1s. 3d.; and ls. for
pickings.

The quotations for pimento of fair quality were steady
at 24d. per bb.

SARSAPARILLA,

At the auction on the 8th. 4 bales only of grey
Jamaica were offered and sold at ls. 4¢. for fair grey.
Dark coarse fetched 1s. 2d., and 7 bales of native mixed
were bought in. A fortnight later the drug was still
quoted at firm rates. Fifteen bales of grey Jamaica were
offered and sold at 1s. 4d. per tb. for good sound grey to
country-damaged, and ls. 3d. for grease-damaged. There
was no Lima-Jamaica offered, and it was stated that none
was to be had in New York.

LIME JUICE AND TAMARINDS.

Lime juice throughout the month was in steady demand
at increasing prices. At the first sale five packages of raw
West Indian of fair flavour were disposed of at 1s. per gallon.
A fortnight later good raw pale West Indian fetched Is. 1d.,
which price was maintained at the close of the month.

The prices asked and obtained for West Indian
tamarinds showed an upward tendency. In the middle of
the month fair Barbados were quoted at lls. 6d. in bond;
13s. 6d., duty free, was asked by one holder. At this sale
fair black Calcutta realized 9s., and the commoner sorts
relatively lower prices. A week later the new-crop dark
Antigua, in bond, sold at 8s. 6d. to 9s., and good pale
12s. 6d. to 13s. 6d.

ANNATTO SEED AND KOLA.
At the auction on the 22nd. seven packages of fair

bright West Indian annatto seed were sold at 6/. per b.,
and at the close of the month 63d. to 7d. was being asked.

Of kola it was reported in the middle of the month that
dried West African nuts were being disposed of at Liverpool
on the quay at 24d. to 23d. per tb. A week later 1 bag of
fair washed West Indian was offered at Mincing Lane and
sold at 43d. On the 28th. twenty-four baskets of green West
Indian were offered and eight disposed of at 74d. per. b.
These probably formed part of a consignment that arrived
by the ‘Trent’ and which I saw on board that vessel during
the unloading of the Barbados bananas at Plymouth on
June 14. They were then in splendid condition, plump, and
of a healthy green.

WEST INDIAN PRODUCE STALL.

The accompanying illustration (fig. 17), the block
for which has been lent for the purpose of reproduction
in the Agricultural News by the Secretary of the
West India Comuittee, shows the West Indian Produce
Stall at the Colonial and Indian Exhibition, to which
reference has already been made in these cclumns
(p. 220). The stall -stands in the centre of the West

es WWE

WEST INDIAN PRODUCE STALL.

Indian Court. Here every kind of West Indian
produce is displayed, and such articles as sugar,
preserves, honey, lime juice, and arrowroot, find a ready
sale among the numerous visitors to the exhibition.’
Produce may be sent to this stall for sale, subject
to payment of 10 per cent. commission to the West
India Committee towards expenses, and 24 per cent.
to an attendant, freight to be paid by the consignee.

THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.

Aveust 12, 1905.

MARKET REPORTS.

London,— July 18, 1905. Messrs. Kearron, Piper &

Co.; Messrs. E. A. DE Pass & Co.; ‘THE West INDIA
Com™iIrTreE CrrcuLar,’ ‘THE LivERPooL CorTrTon
Association WEEKLY Crrcuxar,’ July 14, 1905 ;
and ‘THe Pusiic LepcEr,’ July 15, 1905.

ALors—Barbados, 15/- to 45/- ; Curacoa, 18/- to 45/- per cwt.

Arrowroot—St. Vincent, 13d. per tb

Barata—Sheet, 1/6 to 1/11 ; block, 1/6 per th

Bres’-wax—E£8 2s. 6d. to £8 15s. per cwt.

Cacao—Trinidad, 55/- to 62/- per ewt. ; Grenada, 50/-
to 53/6 per ewt.

Carpamoms—Mysore, 74d. to 3/- per tb.

CorrEE—Jamaica, good ordinary, 39/- to 40/- per cwt.

Corron—West Indian, medium fine, 6°30d. ; West Indian
Sea Island, medium fine, 13d_; fine, 14d. ; extra fine,
154d. per th.

Fruir—
Bananas—Jamaica, 4/- to 6/- per bunch.
Orances—Jamaica, 15/- to 17/- per box.
PInE-appLes—-Antigua, 12/- to 16/- per barrel.

Fustic—£3 5s. to £4 per ton.

Gincer—Jamaica, ordinary to good ordinary, 42/- to 45/-
per cwt.

Honry—17/- to 23/- per ewt.

Istncuass—West Indian lump, 2/3 to 2/8; cake, 1/- to 1/1
per th.

Kouta Nurs—4d_ to 6d. per tb

Live Jurce—Raw, 11d. to 1/2 per gallon; concentrated,
£15 10s. per cask of 108 gallons; hand-pressed, 2/6 to
2/9 per Ib. ; Distilled Oil, 1/7 per tb.

Loewoon—£4 to £4 15s.; roots, £3 10s. to £4 per ton.

Mace—Fine bold pale, 1/7 ; fair to good red, 1/2 to 1/4;
red I/- to 1/1 per tb.

Nirrate or Sopa—Agriculiural, £11 3s. 9d. per ton.

Nurmecs—64’s 1/5 ;'75’s, 11d. ; 85's, 9d. ; 100’s, 7d. per th.

Pimento—2hd. to 23d. per th.

Rum—Demerara, 1s. 3d. per proof gallon; Jamaica, 2s. 1d.
per proof gallon.

Sucar— Yellow crystals, 17/- per ewt. ; Muscovado, 15/9 to
17/6 per ewt.; Molasses, 12/- to 15/- per ewt.

SuLpHaTe oF AMMONIA—£12 10s. per ton.

Montreal,—July 10, 1905.—Mr. J. Russern Murray.

(In bond quotations, ec. & f.)

Bananas— No quotations.
Cocoa-nuts— Jamaica, $22-00 to $24:00 ; Trinidad, $19-00
to $21:00 per M.

Corrre—Jamaica, medium, 10c. to lle. per tb.

Gincer--Jamaica, unbleached, 7c. to lOc. per th.

Lrves—Jamaica, $6°00 per barrel.

Motascurr—Demerara, $132 per 100 tb.

Morasses—Buarbados, 33c.; Antigua, 28c. per Imperial

gallon.

Nurmecs—Grenada, 110’s, 20c. per tb.

Orances—-No quotations.

Pimento- Jamaica, 4$c. to 5c. per tb.

PINE-aPeLES—No quotations.

Sucar —Grey crystals, 96°, $2°50 to $2°75 per 100 Ib.
—Muscovados, 89°, $2°00 to $2°25 per 100 tb.
—Molasses, 89°, $1°75 to $2700 per 100 tb.
—Barbados, 89°, $1°85 to $2°10 per 100 th.

New York,—July 21, 1905.—Messrs. Grutespix Bros.

& Co.

Cacao—Caracas, 1lfe. to12c.; Grenada, lle. to llie.;

Trinidad, 11c. to 12c. ; Jamaica, 94c¢ to 9}c. per tb.
Cocoa-Nuts—No quotations.
Correr—Jamaicas, 7c. to 8$c. per tb. (ex store).
Gincer—Jamaica, 6}c. to Sse. per tb.
Goat Skrys—Jamaicas, 58c. per tb.
Grape Fruir— $5:00 to $7:00 per barrel.

Mace—30c. to 35c. per tb.

Nurmecs—West Indian, 80's, 22c. to 28c; 110’s, 1ldc. to
6c. ; 130’s, lle. per th.

Orances—$2°50 to $2°75 per case; $5°00 to $5°50 per
barrel

Pimento—4¢$c. per tb.

Prve-appLes—4e. to 10c. each.

Sucar—Centrifugals. 96°, 4c.; Muscovados, 89°, 33c.;
Molasses, 89°, 3ic. per th.

INTER-COLONIAL MARKETS.

Barbados,—July 29, 1905.—Messrs. T. S. Garraway

& Co., and Messrs. James A. Lynco & Co.

Arrowroot—St. Vincent, $3°50 to $3°75 per 100 th.

Cacao—$11°50 to $11°75 per 100 tb.

Cocoa-nuts—$12°50 per M. for husked nuts.

CorrEe—$10°50 per 100 tb.

Hay—87e. per 100 th.

Manvures—- Nitrate of soda, $62-00 to $65:00 ; Ohlendortf’s
dissolved guano, $55°00; Special cotton manure,
$50-00 ; Sulphate of ammonia, $75'00: Sulphate of
potash, $67-00 per ton.

Ontons—Madeira, $2°00 per 100 tb.

Poraros, EnciisH—Bermuda, $3°66 per 160 tb. (retail).

Rice—Ballam, $440 to $4°45 per bag (190 tb.) ; Patna,
$3°10 to $3°20 per L100 th.

SuGar—Dark crystals, $2°25 ; Muscovados, 89°, $1°75 per
100 tb.

British Guiana,—July 27, 1905.—Messrs. Wuerine

& RICHTER.

ARROWROOT—St. Vincent, $8°00 per barrel.
Baxtara— Venezuela block, 25c. ; Demerara sheet, 35c. per tb
Cacao—Native, 12c. per tb.
Cassava SrarcH—$d'U0 per barrel.
Cocoa-NuTS—$10°00 to $12°00 per M.
CorreE— Rio and Jamaica, 13}¢ to 14c. per th. (retail).
— Creole, 12e per th.
DuaL— $3°70 to $3°75 per bag of 168 tb.
Eppors—$1-08 per barrel.
Motrasses— No quotations.
Ontons—Madeira, 23c. to 2c. per tb.
Pea Nurs—American, 5$c. per tb. (retail).
Piantartns—-12e. to 32c. per bunch.
Poraros, EnciisH-—Bermuda, $3°50 to $3°75 per barrel

(retail).

Poratos, Sweet—Barbados, $1744 per bag; $1°44 per
barrel.

Rice—Ballam, $4°20 per 177 th. ; Creole, $3-90 per bag.

Tannras—$1-92 per barrel.

Yams—White, $2716 per bag.

Sucar—Dark crystals, $2°40 to $250; Yellow, $3°40;
White, $4°50; Molasses, $2°50 to $2°60 per 100 th.
(retail).

Timper—Greenheart, 32c. to 55c. per cubic fout.

WALLABA SHINGLES—$3'00, $3°75, and $5°50 per M.

Trinidad,— July 27, 1905.—Messrs. Gorpon, Grant

& Co. ; and Messrs. EpGar Trrpp & Co.

Cacao—Ordinary, $11:00 to $11°10; estates, $11°50 per
fanega (110 th.); Venezuelan, $11-00 to $11°50 per
fanega

Cocoa-nuts—$20°00 per M., f o-b

Cocoa-nut Or—67c. per Imperial gallon (casks included).

Corrre—Venezuelan, 9}¢ per tb.

Copra—-$2°60 to $2°75 per 100 th.

Ontons—Stringed, $1°80 to $2°20 per 100 tb. (retail).

Potratos, ENGLIsH—$1°50 to $2°00 per 100 tb.

Rice—Yellow, $425 to $4:40 ; White, $4°50 to $5°60 per
bag.

Sucar—White crystals, $4:°00; Yellow crystals, $3-00;
Molasses sugars, $2°50 to $3°00 per 100 tb.

THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.

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.

Volumes II and IIT. Price in original paper covers as issued 2s. each. Post free, 2s. 8d.

Volume IV. Nos. 1 and 2. Papers on general subjects. No. 3. (out of print). No. 4. Sea Island Cotton
in the United States and the West Indies. Price 6d. each number. Post free, 8d.

Volume V. Nos. 1, 2, and 3. Papers on general subjects. No. 4. Report of Agricultural Conference, 1905.
Recent experiments with Sugar-cane in the West Indies. Price 6d. each number. Post free, 8d.

Volume VI. No. 1. Report of Agricultural Conference, 1905 (contd.). Cane Farming, Cacao Cultivation, etc., ete.

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 stil] 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. (23) Notes on Poultry in the West Indies. Price 4d.
(5) General Treatment of Insect Pests, 2nd. Edition Revised. (24):Dominica, Hints to Settlers. Price 2d.

Price 4d. (25) Ground Nuts in the West Indies Price 2d
(6) Recipes for cooking Sweet Potatos. Price 2d. (26) Seedling and other Canes at Barbados, in 1903. Priee 4d.
7) Scale Insects of the Lesser Antilles, Part I. Price 4d. (27) Seedling and other Canes in the Leeward Islands,
sf Bee Keeping in the West Indies. Price 4d. 1902-1903. Price 2d.
412) Seedling and other Canes in the Leeward Islands, (28) Barbados and Porto Rico Molasses. Price 3d.
1900-1901. Price 2d. (29) Lectures on the Diseases of the Sugar-cane. Price 4d.
(18) Seedling and other Canes at Barbados, in 1901. Price 4d. (80) Manurial Experiments with Sugar-cane in the Leeward
(14) Screw Worm in Cattle at St. Lucia. Price 2d. Islands, 1902-3. Price 4d.
(15) Plain Talk to Small Owners. Price 2d. (31) A. B. C. of Cotton Planting. Price 4d.
(16) Hints on Onion Cultivation. Price 2d. (32) Seedling and other Canes at Barbados, in 1904, Price 4d
(17) General Treatment of Fungoid Pests. Price 4d. (33) Seedling and other Canes in the Leeward Islands, 1903-4.
(18) Recipes for cooking West Indian Yams. Price 2d. Price 4d.
(19) Seedling and other Canes at Barbados, in 1902. Price 4d. Ba Notes on Rabbit Keeping in the West Indies. Price 2d.
(20) Seedling and other Canes in the Leeward Islands, (35 Information in regard to Agricultural Banks. Price 4d.
1901-1902. Price 2d. (36) Manurial Experiments with Sugar-cane in the Leeward
(21) Cotton and Onion Industries in the West Indies. Price 2d. Islands, 1903-4. Price 4d.
(22) Scale Insects of the Lesser Antilles, Part II. Price 4d. (37) Cultivation of Oranges in Dominica. Price 4d.

The above will be supplied post free for an additional charge of $d. for the pamphlets marked 2d., and 1d. for the
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‘NATURE TEACHING.’

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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, 1jd. The subscription price, including postage, is
1s. 74d. per half-year, or 3s. 3d. per annum. Vols I, I, and III 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: Toe West Inp1a Commitee, 15, Seething
Lane, London, E.C. Barbados: Messrs. Bowen & Sons, Bridgetown. Jamaica: Tue EpucationaL SuppLy
Company, 16, King St., Kingston. British Guiana: ‘Daily Chronicle’ Office, Georgetown. Trinidad: Messrs. Morr,
Marswaty & Co., Port-of-Spain. Tobago: Mr. C. L. Puacemann, Scarborough. Grenada: Messrs. F. Marrast & Co.,
‘The Stores,’ St. George. Sv. Vincent: Mr. W. C. D. Prouproor, Kingstown. St. Lucia: Mrs. Borman, Bridge Street,
Castries. Dominica : Messrs. C. F, DuverNney & Co., Market St., Roseau. Montserrat : Mr. W. LuzwELtyn Watt, Plymouth.
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‘Charlestown.

Vout. IV. No. 87. THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS. Aveust 12, 1905.

THE BEST MANURES FOR COLONIAL USE

ee Ae 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.
(98. ] Barbados Agents: James A. Lynch & Co., Bridgetown

JOURNAL DAGRICULTURE TROPICALE. |
A Monthly Illustrated Review, published in French, WEST INDIA COMMITTEE CIRCULAR |

dealing with all matters connected with Fi :
3 Published fortnight]
Tropical Agriculture. ( ently).

PARIS: M. Vilbouchevitch, THE OFFICIAL ORGAN
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Sobscrptonri? ieee 1 || EWE WEST INDIA COMMITTEE |

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Louis Coicou, Port-au-Prince. Edited by the Secretary

Containing a Review of the Work of the West India Com-
mittee, Notes on West Indian Affairs, Statistics as to >
Cacao, Sugar, Molasses and Rum, Coffee, Cotton,

‘ & A GC yN O ’ Nutmegs, Mace, Pimento, Ginger, Arrowroot, Lime }
5) 3 Juice, ete., etc., Home Arrivals and Departures by
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Printed at Office of Agricultural Reporter, 4, High Street, Bridgetown, Barbados.

Fo

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A “s s\ JS G2 ae
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Vol. IV., No. 88]

REGULAR FORTNIGHTLY SAILINGS
AGAIN);

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THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.

IMPERIAL DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

FOR THE WEST INDIES.

SPECIALLY SELECTED AND DISINFECTED

Sea Island Cotton Seed

GROWN IN THE WEST INDIES

—AND—

Recommended for sowing during the present season

(JUNE TO AUGUST)

WILL BE SUPPLIED (FREIGHT FREE) BY

The Department at the rate of five cents (23d.) per Ib.

Address orders, with remittances for the fall amount, to—

Dr. FRANCIS WATTS, Antigua, for the Leeward Islands ;
Mr. JOHN R. BOVELL, for Barbados ;
Mr. W. N. SANDS, for St. Vincent ;

Applications from other Colonies may be forwarded direct to—

THE IMPERIAL COMMISSIONER OF AGRICULTURE,

Had OFFICE: BARBADOS.

Complete information in regard to the cultivation of Cotton will be found in ‘A.B.C.
of Cotton Planting’ to be obtained of all agents of the Department, price 4d.,
post free 5d.

ae - St

IM EY

\
OY

A HORRNIGH TEY

REVIEW

OF THE

IMPERIAL DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE FOR THE WEST

INDIES.

Vou. IV. No. 88.

BARBADOS, AUGUST 26, 1905.

Price ld.

CONTENTS.
PAGE. PAGE,
Ralata in Brazil . 271 | Insect Notes :—
British Guiana, Agri- Cotton Aphis ... 266
culture in ... 264 Cotton-eating Beetle ... 266
; Fumigati .
Cacao and Rubber at Mga of Im
Rie eens aan. | ported Plants at
St. Kitt’s ... .. 260 | : vA
ee tea aa Barbados ... .. 266
Cacao in Surinam ... ... 260 E ~ a >
4 : rt eee Market Reports bee CAE)
Cassava Cultivation at N E Ae
, ox, | Notes and Comments ... 264
Avail, gas 68s | con AD Same (I D.: OR
' Soe ea a ° Paris Green, Price of ... 264
Cassava Trials in Jamaica 269 | Pe amy
d naa | Rubber, A New Source
Cocoa-nut Industry in the r Gye
; eek Be One ot Coase odo ood . 260
West Indies ... ... 257 | » -
; ews | Rubber Industry im
Cocoa-nut Industry in P : on
ea . mem || ENE Wegae cdo doo nad Ziill
Trinidad 260! lec j Sao
: = | Sheep Manure... ... 267
Cotton Notes :— la
/ : ~ : Sugar Industry :—
Manurial Experiments R ee
: Sack Sa a YAS Central Factories at
in Leeward Islands 265 Spenae 35
Rie 262 Jamaica... uo 258
a EM OP Sag Naudet Diftusion Pro-
Ratooning Soc eaaeye An mare 259
Departmental Reports :— | Surinam, Agriculture
St. Kitt’s-Nevis ... 5 PAGS) | PRE Sod° Sg, Caceres)
Department News... ... 270 | Tapioca Cultivation in
Dominica at the Colonial Vanco ona, con cca LAMY
Exhibition ... .., 269 | Tarpon Fishing at
; arbuday i cemee meron
Educational :— , B Seon tks 3 eu
a ae J aye rinidad Fruit Trade 64
Agricultural Schools ... 261 = : “ : o
5 : i West Indian Bulletin ... 265
School Gardens in rae : > ieee
peda see or West Indian Products in
Germany ... 261 A on
Beeidad. 261 _ Canaday ee gereemeren 2 (0.
5 White Egrets in British
Gleanings 268 Guiana a coo PAN)

Cocoa-nut Industry in the
West Indies.

> '[’ may be of some interest to bring to the
notice of the readers of the Agricultural
39 News the important position occupied by
the cocoa-nut industry in two of the West Indian

Colonies. The export of cocoa-nuts from Jamaica and
Trinidad is an industry of considerable standing. In
the latter island, moreover, the manufacture of copra
has, in recent years, been extensively taken up. Cocoa-
nut oil is also largely produced both for an immense local
The acreage under
cocoa-nuts in Jamaica in 1903 was placed at 14,396 ;
in Trinidad, in 1902, the Wardens’ returns showed
14,000 acres under cocoa-nut cultivation.

consumption and for export.

The number of cocoa-nuts exported from Jamaica
in the year 1902-3 was over 253 millions, representing
a value of £67,903. This industry suffered severely
from the hurricane of 1903, and the trade may be
expected to be slower in recovering than that in
bananas.
but there has since been a large amount of re-planting,
showing that confidence is still felt in this staple.
There is, in addition to the exports, a large consump-
tion of cocoa-nut oil in the island. Neither the oil
nor copra, however, figures in the list of exports from

A very large number of trees was destroyed,

Jamaica.

The important position occupied by the cocoa-

nut industry in ‘Trinidad is indicated in a note
elsewhere in this issue. ‘The number ef cocoa-

nuts exported during the last few years has not
varied much from 10 1895 these
represented a value of about £35,000, but, owing to
a serious decline in prices, the value in 1902-5 was
only £17,000. Advantage has, however, been taken in
Trinidad of new uses found for these nuts. The large
estates are now equipped with drying houses by which
the nuts can be converted into copra. In the year
1903-4 over 21 million pounds of this product were

millions. In

THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.

Avucust 26, 1905.

exported. Further, most of the plantations are
equipped with hydraulic presses for the expression of
cocoa-nut oil, the exports of which are rapidly
increasing. ‘Trinidad growers have thus a choice of
three markets, viz., nuts, copra, and oil. In this way
the smaller nuts, unsuitable for shipping whole, can be
converted into either copra or oil, according to the
relative prices of the two products.

A valuable paper on the ‘Cocoa-nut Industry of
Trinidad’ was prepared for the last West Indian
Agricultural Conference by Mr. William Greig, and
is published in the latest issue of the West Indian
Bulletin.

It is calculated that, in addition to the exports,
the local consumption of cocoa-nut oil in Trinidad, due
principally to the large East Indian population, is
about 700,000 gallons. This would represent 55 to
40 millions of nuts. The exports of nuts, copra, and
oil being estimated to account for between 15 and 14
millions, it will be seen that the total annual production
of nuts in Trinidad may be placed at 50 millions.

Experience in Trinidad has shown that, to avoid
the heavy cost of transporting the nuts, it is essential
that the copra-drying houses and _ oil-extracting
machinery be erected where the nuts are grown, For
this reason, as has already been mentioned, the
principal cocoa-nut plantations are equipped with the
plant necessary for producing these two products.
A copra-drying house is similar to that ordinarily used
for cacao. In some moist districts artificial heat will
be found necessary for drying copra. In manufacturing
oil from copra, the latter is placed in bags and
subjected to a pressure of 2
hydraulic presses.

tons to the square inch in
It is estimated that 1 ton of copra
will yield from 153 to 156 gallons of cocoa-nut oil.

The residue after the expression of the oil is
known as cocoa-nut meal. It is a valuable feeding
stuff for cattle Information as to its
composition and value for this purpose was published
in the last issue of the Agricultural News (p. 254).

and_ horses.

In the paper referred to above, Mr. Greig urges
that every cocoa-nut plantation ‘should havea simple
table, calculated from its cost of production and results,
showing the relative values of nuts, copra, and oil,
which would serve as a guide in the disposal of its
products. Such a table Mr. Greig gives in an earlier
paper on this industry, published in Jidustrial
Trinidad, This shows, for example, that, when nuts
are worth $10 per 1,000, the equivalent price of copra
is $67°86 per ton, and that of oil 50c. per gallon (after

allowing for the value of 56 tb. of cocoa-nut meal
per gallon of oil).

It will thus be seen that in Trinidad the cocoa-nut
industry has been placed in a staple and prosperous
condition. Reference to the table of exports of Tobago,
published in the Agricultural News (Vol. IV, p. 179),
will show that this industry is also of some considerable
value to that island. The value of the nuts, oil, and
copra exported to Trinidad in the year 1904-5
£2.455,

was

SUGAR INDUSTRY.

Central Factories at Jamaica.

Reference has been made in these columns to
signs of revival of the sugar industry at Jamaica. The
West India Committee Circular gives the following
information in regard to the establishment of central
factories in that island :—

In a recent issue we indicated that there was a prob-
ability of a new central sugar factory being erected in the
district of Vere, Jamaica, and we are now ina position to
give some particulars regarding the company which has been
formed, and is about to be registered in Jamaica with this
object in view. The title is ‘The Vere Estates Company,
Ltd.,’ and the authorized share capital £100,000, in ordinary
shares of £1 each, of which 70,000 are to be issued, and
6 per cent. convertible debentures to the value of £30,000.
The purpose of the company is to acquire a number of
estates, and to plant and cultivate sugar, cotton, and cocoa-
nuts upon them, and to erect a central factory at Moreland
for the manufacture of sugar and rum according to the
most approved and economical methods. The estates taken
over will be Raymonds, Hillside, and Moreland (sugar),
Braziletto, Bogue, and Olive Park, and a portion of Chester-
field, making a total acreage of 9,556 acres, of which 1,063
are now irrigated and under cane, 2,276 available for cane
and cotton, 2,180 is guinea grass and pasture, and 4,037 is
wood, ruinate, and salinas.

The London agents of the company are Messrs. E. A.
dePass & Co., and arrangements have been made for
Mr. C. E. deMercado, the resident partner of Messrs. Lascelles,
deMercado & Co., of Kingston, and Mr. Arthur W. Farquhar-
son, to act as local directors, and to manage the company’s
business in Jamaica.

It is proposed to erect the Moreland factory in time for
the 1907 crop, and the daily out-put of sugar is estimated at
22 tons. We understand that careful consideration will be
given to the claims of the Naudet diffusion process,

The properties are contiguous, and situated on a perfectly
level plain, thus facilitating cultivation on the cheapest
possible scale, and economical transportation of the canes to
the mill and of the finished products to the place of
shipment, which is only 3 miles from the factory. The
danger of injury to crops by drought has now been
practically eliminated by the completion of a government
system of irrigation, which is available for the whole of the
1,063 acres at present in canes. The necessary canals and
trenches upon the estates have also been constructed and are
in operation. Much larger crops than have hitherto been
obtainable should therefore be assured.

a a

Nor, IV. No. &8.

THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.

259

The introduction of a system of steam-ploughing is
contemplated, the soil of Vere being of extraordinary depth
and friability, and very favourably reported upon by
Dr. Cousins, the Island Chemist, in this connexion. The
native labour supply is fairly large and is supplemented by
a number of East Indian coolies.

As to the yield of cane with full irrigation, Dr. Cousins
and other experts believe 30 tons per acre, on an average, to
be a reasonable estimate. The company bases its calculations,
however, upon an average, year in and year out, of 25 tons
per acre from the irrigated fields, and of 17 tons per acre from
the unirrigated. The latter figure is approximately the actual
average of the past ten years on Hillside, during which period
there were four droughts, one of which caused an almost total
loss of crop. It will be seen, therefore, that from the 1,000
acres of irrigated Jand at present in cultivation on the
company’s properties, 25,000 tons of canes would be pro-
duced. Dr. Cousins, reporting upon the average quality of
Vere juice, states that it would require 9°74 tons of canes to
produce 1 ton of sugar, and 35 gallons of rum at 140° over
proof. ~ In order, however, to provide a margin of safety, the
estimated production is based upon ‘ Watts’ Table C.,’ which,
allowing for 75 per cent. crushing, and 88 per cent. extrac-
tion, shows | ton sugar from 10°10 tons of cane. Only 334
gallons of rum, or say, one puncheon (100 gallons), to every
3 tons of sugar are calculated to be produced from the
by products.

On the above basis, 25,000 tons of cane for the first
year’s working should produce about 2,475 tons of sugar
and 825 puncheons of rum. In_ succeeding years the
additional cultivation of 200 acres of canes from unirrigated
lands would increase the production by about 336 tons sugar
and 112 puncheons of rum, in which case the factory output
for the seasons commencing January 1907, 1908, and 1909,
respectively, would be: 2,475 tons of sugar, and 825 gallons
rum; 2,811 tons sugar, 937 gallons rum; and 3,147 tons
sugar, and 1,049 gallons rum. This it is hoped further to
augment by judicious planting, so as to extend the crop
period.

An important source of revenue is also looked for from
the extended cultivation of Sea Island cotton. The experi-
mental planting of 45 acres at Moreland has shown most
satisfactory results, both as regards the quantity produced
and the quality of the cotton.

The development of the Vere district of Jamaica is
receiving a further impulse from the erection of another
central factory on Amity Hal! estate, the property of Major
H. W. Mitchell. This factory, which is to be in operation
by the end of the current year, is the property of another
small local company, and will manufacture the canes grown
on Amity Hall estate, and also upon Perrins estate, which
has been acquired by Mr. A. W. Farquharson, under whose
management the company in question will be.

The Naudet Diffusion Process in the West
Indies.

A detailed account of the ‘Naudet patent process
for extracting and purifying cane juice, written by
Mr. Robert Harvey, M.I. Mech. E., was published in
the West Indian Bulletin (Vol. V, pp. 96-8). Brief
‘descriptions of the process have also appeared in the
Agricultural News (Vol. Il, p. 354, and Vol. IV,
p- 130), where mention was also made of the installa-
tion of this system at ‘Caroni’ estate, Trinidad.

In the International Sugar Journal for July

there is a further article by Mr. Harvey, fully deseribing
the process, in which he deals especially with what has
been accomplished by it at two central factories in the
West Indies, viz, ‘Careni’ in Trinidad, and ‘ Fortuna’
in Porto Rico. The following extracts from this article
are likely to be of special interest :—

The first start was made on the ‘Caroni’ sugar estate,
Trinidad, in the month of February. The actual results
obtained fell short of what was expected owing to the megass
from the first mill not being in a suitable condition for the
diffusion, this three-roller mill not having a crusher to split
open the cane before entering the mill nor a shredder to shred
the megass as it left the mill: the extraction of juice was not
complete and the dilution was too high, so that a little extra
fuel was required beyond the megass for the boiler. The next
year this defect will he overcome, when no doubt the factory will
work throngh the crop without any fuel beyond the exhausted
megass. As it was, however, the results of the crop were
much in advance of the double crushing of the previous year
—a larger quantity of sugar being produced from the same
weight of canes ; furthermore, at the end of the crop, the
estate produced fine yellow crystals for the London market.
The proprietors of the estate are satisfied that the principle
of the process is correct and that, when the necessary
alteration is made on the first mill, next year’s operations of
the Naudet process will be in every way satisfactory and will
prove in every sense a commercial success.

On the estate ‘Fortuna,’ by sulphuring the juice in
addition to the liming, and passing the juice through
Philippe filters from the battery, a very fair white sugar was
produced, suitable for local consumption. Given a certain
purity of raw juice in good working, an equal purity in
diffusion juice and syrups results. At ‘Fortuna’ the purity
of raw juice was during the third week 84:2 ; purity of the
diffusion juice, 84:1.

When everything was going on well at ‘Fortuna’ we
had an extraction of 96 to 97 per cent. This year on
Messrs. Hinton & Son’s sugar estate in Madeira the average
extraction throughout the whole crop was 95°5 per cent.: and
40 per cent. of the canes ground were Yuba or Natal canes,
a very small, hard variety.

The fuel question, however, was not satisfactory owing
to the machinery in the factory not being able to overtake
the amount of juice produced by the battery-—that is, the
triple effét, vacuum pan, and centrifugals were much under
the power required. The boiler installations and the furnaces
were also defective, so that here again extra fuel was required
beyond the megass; otherwise the process was similar to
what I have described as carried on at ‘ Caroni.’

The following editorial note appears in the same
issue of the International Sugar Journal :—

The writer of the article is Mr. Robert Harvey,
M.I. Mech. E., who has been out in the West Indies in con-
junction with Mr. Naudet to supervise the working of the pro-
cess. As his firm was responsible for designing and erecting the
machinery, his knowledge of all the details is obviously of
a thorough character. There is no doubt that the new
process has proved a success ; we have examined samples of
crystals resulting from it, and they are of the highest class.

It is to be hoped that it will ere long be possible to
carry on this process in a factory equipped throughout with
the most up-to-date machinery in all departments, in which
case we shall be in a fair position to compare the new system
with the other modern systems in use in Cuba, Java, and the
beet sugar area of Europe.

THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.

Aucust 26, 1905.

THE COCOA-NUT INDUSTRY IN
TRINIDAD.

In his pamphlet on ‘Statistics of Trinidad Trade,’
Professor Carmody shows that nearly 10 millions of
cocoa-nuts were exported from the colony in 1903-4.
Rather over one half of these went to the United
Kingdom, the rest, with the exception of 135,000 to
other West India Islands, going to the United States.
Of copra 2,261,803 Ib. were exported, and 36,715
gallons of cocoa-nut oil.

The following remarks
industry :—

Cocoa-nuts are exported chiefly for the oil they contain,
which is used largely in soap-tmaking. The nuts are shipped
in three forms, viz., unhusked, husked, and (after being
crushed and dried) as copra. About 50,000,000 nuts are
grown annually, of which only one-fifth is exported. The
remainder is manufactured locally into oil, which is very
largely used by East Indians. Great Britain was formerly the
principal market for the nuts, but the exports to the United
States are rapidly increasing, probably to supply the raw
material for a new industry.

Copra is the dried white part of the ripe cocoanut. It is
used for oil making, and is less bulky than nuts for export.
It contains 65 to 70 per cent. of oil. It is also largely used
in confectionery, to which it gives a characteristic agreeable
flavour.

The oil expressed locally has the advantage of being
prepared from the fresh nuts, which are free from rancidity.
The residual meal is used locally for cattle feeding.
tecently, substitutes for butter and lard have been success-
fully prepared from cocoa-nut oil.

are made on _ this

CACAO IN SURINAM.

The Consular Report on the trade of Dutch
Guiana for the year 1904 has the following note on the
prospects of the cacao industry. As already mentioned,
the industry has suffered greatly from the effects of
the ‘witch broom’ disease :—

The prospects of cacao at the beginning of the year were
more hopeful than during the previous year, and gave
promise of a fairly good crop, but the re-appearance of the
‘Versteening,’ that is, hardening of the pods, reduced the crop
by some 75 per cent.

The total crop amounted to 843 tons, against 2,020
tons in 1903, and 3,526 tons in 1899. The crop, which has
been decreasing steadily during the past few years, reached
its Jowest point, since 1878, in 1904.

Though the prospects are at present very far from bright,

the trees show some improvement, and the crop picked up to
the present date (June 16) is in many cases very much
better than was expected some months ago.

Experiments are being made by the Government
Inspector of Agriculture for combating the disease, but, so
far, the results are doubtful. Unless the disease dies out, the
prospects of the industry are likely to remain unsatisfactory.

CACAO AND RUBBER AT ST. KITTS.

The foliowing note by Dr. Watts on the efforts
that are being made to establish cacao and rubber
plantations at St. Kitt’s is of interest. These efforts
were referred to in the Agricultural News (Vol. IV,
p. 252) :—

I paid a visit to the small cacao plantation established
at my suggestion by Major Mongomerie at Molineux. This
I found in very good and promising order: the area planted
amounts probably to between 5 and 6 acres and is being
steadily increased. It appears highly probable that cacao
can be successfully and profitably grown in the ravines which
abound in St. Kitt’s. It will, however, be necessary to
establish wind-breaks and this is being done. It may be well
to encourage the planting of wind-breaks prior to, and in
anticipation of, the planting of cacao or other trees.

Plots of several hundred Castilloa and Funtumia trees
have been established near to the cacao. These trees are
making satisfactory progress, but they should be looked to
at short intervals to know what conditions are favourable.
Seale insects were observed attacking the Funtumias ; these
are to be sprayed without delay.

These experiments with cacao and rubber are likely to
be of very considerabie importance to St. Kitt’s ; they should
continue to receive careful attention at the hands of officers
of the Department of Agriculture.

WHITE EGRETS IN BRITISH GUIANA.

Mr. M. McTurk. in his Annual Report as Commis-
sioner of the Essequebo and Pomeroon districts of
British Guiana, mentions that the white egrets, which
were formerly to be seen in numerons flocks, appear
to have almost disappeared, and their place is being
taken by a slate-coloured variety. _He says :—

The plumes of the white egrets form an article of
commerce and are exported in considerable quantities from
Venezuela, but I am not aware that they are exported from
this colony, nor have I seen any person specially engaged in
shooting them. White egrets are in their best plumage and
most sought after while breeding, and the parent birds being
destroyed, the young ones necessarily die of starvation.

Vion. LV. =No:' Ss

=I

THE

AGRICULTURAL NEWS.

Lo
D
—

EDUCATIONAL.

Agricultural Schools.

Leaflets haye been distributed in St. Lucia and
St. Vincent embodying the following information
respecting the Agricultural Schools in those islands.
‘A similar school is in existence in Dominica :—

The Agricultural School was established in 1901 by the
Imperial Department of Agriculture for the West Indies, for
the purpose of affording a sound practical training in
agriculture to a selected number of boys of about fifteen
years of age, who have passed the fourth standard, or who
otherwise afford evidence that they have reached a similar
stage of attainments in school subjects.

SELECTION OF CANDIDATES FOR ADMISSION.

In the selection of candidates, preference is given to
boys whose parents own agricultural land, or who are
especially interested in agricultural pursuits. Candidates for
admission must be respectable and of good conduct, and are
required to pass a written examination; also to obtain
a medical certificate showing that they are strong and healthy
and capable of undergoing the necessary training in field.

AGREEMENT. TO BE SIGNED BY PARENTS.

After a probation period of three months, boys who
have satisfied the necessary conditions are formally admitted
into the school on an agreement being signed by the
parents or guardians undertaking that the boys should
remain undisturbed at the school for a period of three or
four years, until they have attained the age of nineteen
years.

ADVANTAGES OF THE SCHOOL.

Tn addition to the educational advantages they receive,
the pupils of the school are lodged and boarded as well as
clothed, free of expense to their parents. Their health is
well cared for by a medical officer appointed for the purpose ;
many forms of recreation are provided, and they are allowed
periodical holidays for the purpose of visiting their homes,

Arrangements are made whereby pupils may regularly
attend a place of worship on Sundays.

Admission to this school should, therefore, be regarded
as a prize worthy of competition by the best boys from the
elementary and other schools in the colony.

VACANCIES PROBABLE SHORTLY.

Some of the students now in the school will shortly
complete their course of training and when they leave there
will be several vacancies which will be filled by the first
suitable applicants. Planters and agriculturists, who have
boys who intend to follow an agricultural life and who would
like to receive the benefit of a practical trainmg at the Agri-
cultural School, should write at once to the Agricultural
Superintendent for any further information or send in an
application for admission.

School Gardens in Germany.

The Consular Report on the trade of Germany for
1904 contains the following reference to the establish-
ment of school gardens :—

Another scheme concerning gardens is at present
attracting some attention in Germany, and is said to be
entirely successful. As it has been found that the extended
size of modern towns makes it difficult for the various schools

to obtain specimens of the local flora as illustrations in
botanical instruction, various municipal gardens have been
laid out for this purpose, and the schools are now supplied
frorn time to time with the specimens they require. In some
towns there exists one garden supplying all schools ; in other
eases such gardens have been added to the schools beyond
their ordinary playing grounds. Amongst the sixty schools of
Frankfort-on-Main there are thirty-one school gardens of an
average size of 150 square metres, which are used for
practical demonstration of various botanical developments
and incidents. Besides these there exists for the time being
a garden measuring about 1 hectare, in which botanical
specimens are cultivated for use in the schools, Buta better
garden is in course of construction, provided also with
special ponds for water plants and rougher parts for
specimens of the Alpine flora. The most perfect school
garden in Germany exists in Munich, where in all 16,990
square metres are given up for this purpose, from which not
only the schools but also the academies of painting are
supplied. Besides these gardens some towns also supply
suflicient ground in which the school children are taught by
a qualified master the rudiments of gardening during their
spare time.

Trinidad.

The Annual Report of the Principal of Queen's
Royal College, Trinidad, for 1904-5 contains the
following reference to the teaching of agricultural
science :

Acting on the report of a committee consisting of the
Principals of the Queen’s Royal College and aftiliated schools
and the Professor of Chemistry, appointed by the College
Council to consider the teaching of science at the Queen’s
Royal and St. Mary’s Colleges, a new scheme was introduced
in January 1905. The number of classes receiving
instruction was increased from two to four, and the subjects
of instruction were changed. The only subject taught
previously was chemistry. The new scheme provides for the
instruction of classes I, III, and IV in agricultural science,
and of classes II and III in chemistry.

The report of the committee referred to, dated
September 21, 1904, was contained in Professor
Carmody’s paper at the last Agricultural Conference
and is as follows :—

The committee nominated by the College Council on
July 7 last, to discuss and formulate a scheme in respect to
the proposed teaching of agricultural science at the colleges,
have the honour to report that they have unanimously agreed
to make the following recommendations effecting a change in
the curriculum so far as the subject of chemistry is con-
cerned :—

(a) That elementary agricultural science should be
taught at the Laboratory one hour a week during term time
to boys of class IV.

(L) That the boys of class IIL should receive one
lesson a week for one hour in agricultural science, and one
lesson a week for one hour in theoretical chemistry.

(c) That theoretical and practical chemistry should
form the subjects of two Jessons of one hour and a half per
week for boys of class IT.

(d) That two lessons in agricultural science of two
hours per week should be given to boys of class I.

Hitherto, classes I and II only have attended at the
Laboratory, and the instruction given has been confined to
theoretical and practical chemistry.

262 THE

AGRICULTURAL

NEWS Aucusr 26, 1905.

A: ic s we Caron N NOTES. 57 — we >

@) Yi iM Bie
NEVIS.

Dr. Francis Watts has reported as follows on the
satisfactory position already attained by the cotton
industry at Nevis :—

It is most interesting and important to note how well
established the cotton industry now is in Nevis. Accurate
statistical information is not yet available, but it 1s pretty
certain that some 700 bales of lint (of 200 Tb. each) have been
produced in Nevis. (A small portion of this has been
shipped through St. Kitt’s.) This involves the simultaneous
production of nearly 200 tons of cotton seed. The
production of Nevis is therefore very much larger than that
of any other West India Island, with the possible exception
of Barbados. This is a very creditable and _ satisfactory
position for what is practically only the second year of the
industry on a commercial footing.

The price obtained for the lint grown from Rivers’ seed
has been satisfactory, ranging from 1s. 2d. to 1s. 34d. per Ih.
Lint from other seed has in many cases brought good prices,
ls. to 1s. 2d. per tb., while only a limited quantity has sold
below Is.

The production of this cotton has involved the circulation
of several thousands of pounds amongst the labouring
population, and has found employment for hundreds who
found little occupation in the sugar industry. The industry
has already conferred immense benefit on this little island.

The introduction of cotton has not led to any diminution
in the cultivation of sugar, though, I regret to say, sugar
cultivation is being curtailed in one or two places, not on
account of cotton, but because it has been found unremunera-
tive.

Cotton growing having proved distinctly remunerative,
evidences of renewed activity and preparations for extending
the cultivation are evident on all hands, so that, with
reasonably good weather and freedom from destructive pests,
I look forward to a substantial increase in the production of
cotton during the coming season, particularly as cultivators
are now more experienced and are likely to attain to greater
uniformity and a higher level of excellence.

RATOONING COTTON.

The following is an article by Mr. Henry A. Ballou,
B.Se., Entomologist on the staff of the Imperial
Department of Agriculture, dealing with the reasons
for avoiding the ratooning of Sea Island cotton in the

West Indies on account of its effect on insect pests :—

The practice of ratooning in the cultivation of Sea
Island cotton in the West Indies would appear not to be
desirable on general principles, and the experience of the past
few years tends to confirm this opinion.

Pius a |)
Luft rd irae tie e)

SMU A

Although originally indigenous to these islands, Sea
Island cotton in its present condition is an exotic. The
native type is to be seen, hardy, perennial, coarse of leaf,
thick of bark, resistant to disease, unattractive to insect pests
or resistant to their effects, and thoroughly acclimatized. The
cultivated Sea Island cotton plant is a highly specialized
organism, developed with great care, and comes back to these
islands as a tender annual, with thin bark, thin, delicate
leaves, susceptible to disease, attractive to insects, and
apparently unable successfully to combat the long drought
and hot sun of the tropics.

The principal insect pests that are of importance in the
matter of ratooning are the scale insects, the red maggot,
the leaf-blister mite, and certain leaf-mining insects.

During the growing (or wet) season the cotton plant
makes its maximum growth and comes to its period of
fruiting. During the dry season very little growth is
made, and it is at this time that the scale insects increase
greatly in number. If there are no considerable sources of
infection near the cotton fields, the scale insects will rarely
become so numerous in any field during the time from the
planting of the seed to the end of a first or even a second
picking as serionsly to atfect the crop. But if, at the
beginning of the growing season, very young shoots spring
from a stump infested with scale insects, the case becomes
serious. In addition, every plant in this condition is
a menace to any young cotton that may be growing near.

Careful examination of a number of fields of old cotton
at Barbados at the end of the last dry season showed that
very few plants were free from scale insects, while many were
so seriously infested as to be dead or dying.

The first serious outbreak of the leaf-blister mite
occurred on ratoen cotton in Montserrat, and the infestation
spread to young plant cotton growing near.

The first serious case of attack of the red maggot
oceurrcd on old ratoon cotton and spread to young plant
cotton near.

During the past two years a few cotton leaves have
shown the tunnels of a leafminer which works under the
upper epidermis of the leaf. The tunnel of this insect
appears as a fine tracery except where there are many, then
the epidermis peels off and the leaf has a characteristic coarse
and wrinkled appearance. The ratoon cotton in Barbados
at present shows this appearance of the leaves, and indicates
that this insect is more numerous than formerly.

Clean cultivation is one of the fundamentals in dealing
with insect pests, and clean cultivation in cotton growing
at the present means the complete remoyal of cotton plants at
the end of the year, and afresh start from seed for the next
growing season,

wot LV. No. &8:

THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.

rm)
lor}
we

MANURIAL EXPERIMENTS WITH COTTON
IN THE LEEWARD ISLANDS.

Dr. Francis Watts has forwarded the following

report on the manurial experiments with cotton in the

Leeward Islands. As announced in the Agricultwral
News (Vol. Ill, p. 237, July 16, 1904), uniform
experiments were laid ont in the islands of Antigua,
St. Kitt’s, Nevis, and Montserrat :—

On account of the drought, or from other causes, some
of these experiments were not carried to a successful
conclusion. Useful returns have, however, been received
relating to twelve series, the mean results of which are
given in the table below.

YIELD OF SEED-COTTON IN POUNDS.

Average.
Rs ie : | Ditference
Sexe | ecm | perce | OMB mater

k ! est I per acre.

1 20°51 Sl2°4 | ER ercinss
2 21°04 $45°6 + 33°2
3 21-08 843°2 + 30°8
4 20°95 858-0 + 25°6
5 20°62 824°8 + 12°4
6 21-22 848°8 | + 304
7 19°55 782-0 | — 30°4
8 19°16 T7664 | — 46:0
9 20°50 820-0 + 76
10 21°94 8776 + 63°2
11 22-04 88-6 | + 692
es 21-21 845-4 + 360
15 18°58 (432 — 69°2
14 19°30 7720 — 40°4
15 21°65 8660 + 53°6
16 22°26 890°4 + 68:0
17 19°34 T7396 \ — 388
18 19-07 762°3 | — 49°6
19 19°24 769-6 — 42:8
20 -20°38 $15°2 + 28
21 17 7U 708-0 —104°4
22 19°70 7838°U — 24-4
23 7-65 706-0 — 106-4
24 19°97 793'8 — 13°6
95 2017 806°8 — DO
26 JO15 766-0 — 46:4
2 19°94 7976 — 148
28 24°87 994-8 +182°4
29 20°24 809°6 — 28
30 20°27 8L10°3 — 16
ol VWet2 708°8 — 103-6
on 17-24 689°6 —122°8
33 17°50 700-0 —112°4
i 18:19 727-6 — 848
25) 19°36 Ti4-4 — 38:0
c 19°48 779-2 — 33°2
37 18°52 740°8 — 71-6
3 16°58 663°2 — 149-2

* The list of experiments to which these numbers refer
will be found in the Agricultural News, Vol. IL, p. 237.

Owing to drought and other detrimental circumstances,
the value of the information from the various plots varies.
Dealing with the individual plots, perhaps more importance
may be attached to the results obtained in St. Kitt’s on
La Guerite plots I and II, and in Montserrat on the plots at
Dagenham’s and White's. At these places the conditions were
satisfactory and uniform, and the results were recorded with
care. Mr. F. R. Shepherd, who had charge of ~ the
La Guerite plots, and Mr. C. Wats m, who had charge of the
Dagenham’s and White’s plots, both express the opinion that
the manures had but little influence upon the yield of cotton.

The results of any individual plot are irregular and
inconclusive, but on taking the average of all the twelve, it
is seen that the irregularities tend to disappear. Satisfac-
tory results in experiments of this kind will only be obtained
by taking the average of a large number of experiments.

Dealing with the mean or average results of the twelve
series, the differences are found to be strikingly small. If
we assume that differences of 60 Ib. of seed-cotton (equal to
about 16 tb. of lint) per acre are too small to be taken
into serious account, we find that only in thirteen cases out
of the thirty-eight do the differences exceed this amount,
and of these thirteen, six occur in the salt and sulphate of
copper series, in which instances substances possibly injurious
to plant life were employed in order to ascertain their effects
upon insect or fungoid pests; and in these eases it is to be
observed that diminished yields have oceurred, indicating
probably that salt and sulphate of copper both retard growth
somewhat. It was not noticed that any particular immunity
from disease was produced by the use of these substances.
No explanation of the other seven cases of divergence from
the average yield can be put forward, and it is not believed
that they are related to the manures employed.

From these results we may draw the conclusion that the
yield of Sea Island cotton is more influenced by season, by
good soil condition and tilth than by artificial manures. At
the same time it is well to remember that, while this may
now be the case where cotton has been grown for the first
time, it by no means follows that this will hold good in the
future after cotton has been grown for some years upon the
same areas.

These experiments will be repeated on somewhat similar
lines for some little time to come, when it will probably be
found that manures play an important part in connexion
with soils which have borne a succession of cotton crops.

An interesting case occurred at Molineux, St. Kitt’s,
where a series of experiments was laid out. Here the
rainfall is usually above the average of that of the Leeward
Islands; in the season under review it was 51°5 inches for
the six months July to December 1904. In this series the
cotton plants grew to a very considerable size but produced
so little cotton that it was not practicable to weigh it: the
results have not, therefore, been included in the table. This
experiment is instructive and seems to point to the fact that
cotton will not produce good crops on rich lands subjected to
a heavy rainfall although the cotton bushes grow luxuriantly.

The writer’s present views on the manuring of cotton
in the Leeward Islands are given in the Agricultural News
(Vol. IV, pp. 182 and 198).

I desire to thank those who have assisted in these
experiments, and to express the hope that they will again
co-operate in similar experiments to be conducted upon the
coming crop. Experiments conducted jointly by the Depart-
ment of Agriculture and the planters are calculated to secure
more confidence and attention than if they were conducted
by the Department of Agriculture alone.

26 THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.

Aucus?T 26, 1905.

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 3 of the cover.

The Agricultural News:
post free 13d.
2s. 2d.

Price 1d. per number,
4d. Annual subscription payable to Agents,
Post free, 3s. 3d.

Agricultural dlews

Vou. IV.

SATURDAY, AUGUST 26, 1905.

NOTES AND COMMENTS.

No. 88.

Contents of Present Issue.

The position of the cocoa-nut industry in the West
Indies is briefly reviewed in the editorial in this issue.

Information in regard to the establishment of

central sugar factories at Jamaica is published on
pp. 258-9. This is followed by a short article
describing what has already been accomplished by the
Naudet diffusion process in the West Indies.

Interest attaches to a brief note by Dr. Watts on
p- 262 on the satisfactory position of the cotton
industry at Nevis. This is followed by a_ further
article on ratooning cotton. There is also published
a statement of the results obtained in connexion
with the extensive series of manurial experiments with
cotton in the Leeward Islands.

An illustrated note on the cotton aphis and some
of its natural enemies appears on p. 266. his is
followed by a short note on a beetle which has
appeared in some of the cotton fields. It is not
anticipated that this will prove a serious pest.

Information will be found on p. 267 relative to
the composition and application of sheep manure.
Ou the same page is a note on tarpon fishing in the
island of Barbuda.

On p. 269 will be found a short descriptive article
by Mr. W. G. Freeman on the Dominica exhibit at
the Colonial Exhibition, Though unrepresented by
a comprehensive official exhibit, Dominica products are
exhibited by two enterprising firms.

Price of Paris Green.

In reference to the supply and price of Paris green
in Barbados it should be mentioned for the information
of cotton growers and others using this article that
during the present season the retail price of this
insecticide has been raised from 9d. to Is. per th.,
although the principal suppliers had agreed to sell at
the lower price.

The price of Paris green has similarly been raised
at Antigua.

It is nght to state that this rise in price is due
entirely to an advance in the wholesale trade in the
United States, and not to mere caprice on the part of
local merchants.

Agriculture in British Guiana.

In his Annual Report as Commissioner of the
Essequebo and Pomeroon districts cf British Guiana,
Mr. M. McTurk refers to the agricultural possibilities
of the district.

In the Essequebo territory there are quantities of
balata and rubber trees: upon the latter Dr. Boyalius,
who has obtained a_ concession, reports favourably.
There is very little permanent cultivation in the
district. Provisions are grown, and the Indians grow
enough tobacco, of which a fine quality thrives well,
for their own needs. Green-heart is the only timber
exported, and it is getting more and more difticult to
find mature trees with the limits which the lack of
transportation facilities defines,

On the Pomeroon the drawbacks to cultivation
are the want of steady labour and good drainage.
Cotfee and cacao are now both being cultivated ;
machinery has been introduced for pulping the former,
which is grown in considerable quantity. Many
thousands of cocoa-nuts are shipped to Georgetown,
and their cultivation is extending.

Paces 2) ERS ae ee

Trinidad Fruit Trade.

At a mecting of the Trinidad Agricultural Society
held on August 8, 1t was announced by his Excellency
the Governor that a company had been formed in
England by the Royal Mail Steam Packet Company
with a capital of £50,000, for the purpose of shipping
fruit from Trinidad for European ports. ‘The company
would be represented in Trinidad by Mr. E. C. Skinner,
the representative of the Royal Mail Company, as local
director, and Mr. Frank Pink (of the firm of Messrs,
Wilham Pink & Sons) had joined the company in
England.

He said that as the Royal Mail Company would
have the largest share in the company, they might be
relied upon to do their best for the carriage of the fruit.

The Legislative Council on August 7 passed
a resolution authorizing the granting of a subsidy to
this company in the form of an annual grant for
a period of five years equal to 5 per cent. on the actual
paid-up capital of the company up to £15,000.

It is reported that a number of banana plantations
have been laid out, while, in addition, a large quantity
of bananas are grown as shade for cacao,

great rapidity.

a

Mole lV.” No si: THE

AGRICULTURAL NEWS.

Hints for Exhibitors at Agricultural Shows.

A small eight-paged pamphlet has been issued by
the Imperial Department of Agriculture, containing
‘Hints for the guidance of exhibitors at the Local
Agricultural Exhibitions for Peasant Proprietors.’ It
furnishes brief directions as to the mode of preparation
of exhibits and information as to the qualities the
various exhibits should possess.

This pamphlet is likely to be found very useful by
exhibitors and is being supplied to the local officers of
the Department for distribution. If necessary, further
copies can be obtained on application to the Imperial
Commissioner of Agriculture.

$+

Agriculture in Surinam.

According to the Consular Report on the trade of
Dutch Guiana (Surinam), the year 1904 was a very
bad one for agriculture in the colony. This was chiefly
owing to the unsatisfactory condition of the cacao
industry consequent on the spread of the ‘witch broom’
disease. A note on this industry is published elsewhere
in these columns.

Attempts are therefore being made to establish
new industries, among them being the cultivation of
bananas for export: suckers have been imported from
Jamaica and Barbados, A quantity of seed of Para
rubber (Hevea brasiliensis) has been imported and the
young trees are reported to be doing well. Up to the
end of the year some 150 acres had been cleared and
planted in sisal hemp. This acreage has since been
considerably increased.

The rice industry has shown a_ considerable
extension, the crop being 875 tons, against 442 and 304
tons in the two previous years.

A scientific examination is now being made into
the timber of the colony, and it is hoped that this will
result in a large increase in the value of the exports.

The values of the principal exports during the
year were as follows: balata, £37,904; cacao, £44,837
dagainst £116,795 in the previous year): timber,
£1,788; rum, £4,774; and sugar, £118,992. The
exports of gold were valued at £91,939.

A New Source of Rubber.

What appears to be a discovery of considerable
importance and one which may have far-reaching
effects on the rubber industry has been made known
by the publication of a report by Dr. Huber, of the
Para State Museum, on Para rubber. This is referred to
on p. 271.

From further information published in the India
Rubber World it would appear that probably the
market has received very little pure Hevea rubber, the
product known as Para rubber being a blend of the
latices of Hevea brasiliensis and a Sapium resulting
from indiscriminate tapping. This new rubber tree
has been identified as Supium Aucuparium: it
belongs to the natural order Euphorbiaceae, of which
Hevew is also a genus, though widely separated.
Tt is said to be rather a hardy tree and to grow with
Further, its seeds are much less

delicate than those of Hevea. The
abundant in the Amazon valley.

Apparently the product of this tree has only in
a few instances been marketed alone and very little
ean be said definitely of its value. It is, however,
certain ‘that there is produced from the latex of
Sapium Aucuparium a rubber which finds ready sale,
and which, when mixed with Heveuw latex, produces
a rubber not to be distinguished from the supposed
pure Hevew rubber,

tree is very

———————————————

West Indian Bulletin.

In the new issue of the West Indian Bulletin
(Vol. VI, no. 2) the report of the West Indian Agri-
cultural Conference, 1905, is concluded.

The first paper contains an account of the ‘ Fruit
Industry at Barbados’ by Mr. J. R. Bovell, giving full
details in connexion with the shipment of bananas and
other fruits. This is followed by papers by Mr. Bovell,
Dr. Watts, and Mr. Sands, summarizing the results of
experiments in the cultivation of cotton in the West
Indies. The fungoid and insect pests of cotton are
also dealt with in short papers by Mr. Lewton-Brain
and Mr. Ballou.

Among a large number of interesting and
important papers in the section devoted to general
subjects, special mention should be made of that
by the Hon. Wm. Fawcett (Jamaica) on ‘ Raiffeisen
Agricultural Banks. This paper has already been
published in pamphlet form with a view to its wide
circulation especially among members of agricultural
societies in the West Indies.

Special interest attaches to Captain Short’s paper
on ‘Castilloa Rubber in Tobago,’ and the discussion
which followed. Interesting results have been obtained
in these pioneer attempts to establish rubber planta-
tions in the West Indies which should prove of
considerable value to others who are proposing to
cultivate rubber-yielding trees.

Another interesting paper is that by Mr. Wim.
Greig on the ‘Cocoa-nut Industry of Trinidad” which
is referred to in the editorial in this issue. Notes
on the local breed of hairy or woolless sheep are
presented in a paper by Mr. W. R. Buttenshaw, to
which is appended additional information which has
since come to hand.

The papers in the Educational Section give
a complete review of recent efforts that have been
made in the West Indies to introduce the teaching of
the principles of agriculture in colleges and secoudary
schools, to establish school gardens, and promote school
shows in connexion with the teaching of agriculture in
the elementary schools, and also of the efforts of
Agricultural Instructors. Special reference should be
made toa valuable paper read by Mr, J. R. Williams
on ‘Popular Agricultural Education in Jamaica, in
which it was stated that considerable improvement
had been shown in the attempts to teach agriculture
in the schools, as well as in the impression of
agricultural education in general.

The number concludes with a discussion on the
observation of Arbor Day in the West Indies.

THE

266

AGRICULTURAL

NEWS. Aveust 26, 1905.

NOTES.

INSECT

The Cotton Aphis and its Natural Enemies.

The cotton aphis is a small bug with sucking mouth

parts. It is very small, and sometimes occurs in great
numbers, and is always worse in a dry season than a wet one.
Tt is pale green or yellowish in colour, The body is rather
pear-shaped. The eyes are dark and easily noticed. There
are six legs, two antennae or ‘feelers’ at the front of the
head, and two short, blunt tubes growing on the back.
It injures the cotton by
pushing its slender beak into
the leaves and sucking out
the juice.

a The aphis can be killed
by spraying with kerosene
I emulsion or whale oil soap.

As this insect has a mouth
suited to sucking, and not to
biting, such poisons as Paris
green would be of no use; but
as its body is soft and tender,
any poison that kills by
contact would be erfective.

The aphis does not very
often become destructive ; it
generally attacks young cotton, but cotton which is healthy
and growing rapidly will generally out-grow the aphis attack.

It will usually be found on the very young shoots and
tender leaves, large numbers of them being closely packed
together. This same aphis attacks several other plants, and
from these cotton may become infested.

There are two common lady-bird beetles and a lace-wing
fly that feed on the aphis. One of the lady-birds is called
the red lady-bird, because of the blood-red colour of its
wing-covers. It is about } inch long and + inch wide, the
general appearance being hemispherical. The front part of
the body (the thorax) is shiny black with light markings
looking like eyes.
The head is very
smnall and can hardly
be seen. The other
is called the spotted

Fic. 18. Corron APpuis.
(Aphis gossypii.)

Much enlarged. Natural size
indicated by hair-line.

lady-bird. Itis
pinkish red with
black head; it has

a large, black spot
nearly covering the
thorax, and nine
black spots on the
wing-covers. The
legs are black. It
isa little more than
4+ inch long, about
inch wide, and much
flatter than the other. The eggs of these two lady-birds
are very much alike, orange-red in colour, and laid in small
clusters on the leaves where the cotton aphis is plentiful.

The larvae or grubs of the lady-bird are dark, with

LAbpY-BIRDs.

Fie. 19.

a, Spotted lady-bird (Megilla maculata) ;
b, Red lady-bird (Cycloneda sanguined) ;
c., Eggs of lady-bird, all enlarged.

light spots. _They are covered with stiff hairs and short
spines: the body tapers to a small point behind.

The lace-wing fly is a small, green insect with four
gauzy ov lace-like wings. The body is very slender, about
+ inch The wings spread nearly an inch. These
are very common in the cotton fields. The egg is white and
is fastened to a short stalk. The larva or grub is small,
pointed behind, and with two strong jaws.

These insects eat large numbers of the aphis, and do
a great deal of good in keeping them in check. They should
not be killed, but should be known as friends to the planter.

long.
s

A Cotton-eating Beetle.

Tn a letter recently received at the office of the Imperial
Department of Agriculture, Dr. C. J. J. van Hall, Director of
Agriculture for the Dutch West Indies, makes inquiries as to
the identity of a small, black beetle which is reported as
attacking young cotton plants in St. Martins.

Although no specimens accompanied the letter, it seems
likely that this is the species (Hopatiinus gemellatus)
reported in October 1904 as attacking cotton at Anguilla
(see Agricultural News, Vol. III, p. 357). This species is
widely distributed throughout the West Indies, being
recorded as occuring in Antigua, Guadeloupe, St. Vincent,
Grenada, Barbados, as well as in Anguilla.

The members of the family to which this beetle belongs
are not generally destructive to growing plants, but the species
under discussion seems to have acquired the habit of feeding
on living vegetable matter, at least to a certain extent.
Dr. van Hall writes that in St. Martins the stems of young
cotton plants are attacked just below the surface of the
ground, It is very important that cotton planters should
keep a sharp look-out for any new pest, and report the
appearance of any such pest to the Imperial Department of
Agriculture without delay. Specimens should be forwarded
whenever these are found, together with observations as to
method of attack, and the nature and extent of the injury.

Fumigation of Imported Plants at Barbados.

An order was made at Barbados on August 3, 1905,
by the Governor-in-Executive Committee, prescribing con-
ditions under which all imported plants, cuttings, buds,
grafts, roots, seeds, and also fruit and vegetables intended
for propagation, and not for consumption as food, may be
fumigated, or disinfected, or both fumigated and disinfected,

In the instructions for the guidance of officers concerned
it is laid down that all such importations shall be conveyed
to the place of fumigation and disinfection to be dealt with
by the Superintendent of the Botanic Station, who shall
decide whether the plants are to be fumigated, or disinfected,
or both fumigated and disinfected.

All plants to be fumigated shall be treated with hydro-
cyanic gas. All plants to be disinfected shall be allowed to
remain in Bordeaux mixture for ten minutes.

It is stated that the order shall not apply to any of the
above-mentioned articles when imported by or for the
Imperial Commissioner of Agriculture for the West Indies
for scientific purposes.

Tt will thus be seen that Barbados has now come into:
line with other West Indian Colonies in the matter of the
fumigation of imported plants. But the order goes rather
further than similar orders in other islands in that it
provides for the disinfection of plants with Bordeaux
mixture. This step is designed to prevent the introduction
of fungoid diseases.

Vor. IV. No. 88. THE

AGRICULTURAL NEWS.

TARPON FISHING AT BARBUDA.

Mr. H. Selwyn Branch, Manager of Barbuda, has
forwarded for publication the following notes on tarpon
fishing at Barbuda. It is hoped that the publication
of this note will make the fishing of the island better
known to sportsmen :—

Good tarpon fishing is to be had in this island at
the mouth of a large lagoon of about 5,000 acres of water,
and also inside the reef on the leeward part of the island.
The tackle required is a good green-heart salmon rod with
a short top joint and not less than 200 yards of tarpon line,
as sometimes the fish in the first mad rush will run out
150 yards of line before he can be stopped. I find the best
wire trace to use is the-sixth or E guitar string with the
outer wrapping taken off and one twined about 12 inches
from the hook, and another at the end of the trace to which
the line is attached.

A thumb guard and groin protector is also very necessary;
the former must be kept wet, or the friction on the reel when
the fish makes a rush will scorch one’s thumb under the
guard.

The bait used is the shad or silver fish about 5 or
4 inches long, which can either be used alive hooked across
the back and thrown out from the boat which is anchored on
the fishing ground, or put on in the ordinary way and trolled
behind the boat which must not be moving more than
2 miles an hour.

It is also very necessary to prevent the bait from
spinning, which it is very apt to do when a light line is used.
As soon as the tarpon feels the prick of the hook, he always
jumps 6 to 8 feet in the air with his mouth wide open in his
endeavours to cast the deadly hook from his jaws, and in
fact this he often succeeds in doing, as the mouth of the
tarpon is so very large that the hook invariably only catches
in the lining of the mouth. This jump is generally followed
by five or six more during the first quarter of an hour, but
after that he seldom jumps.

With the rod I use it takes a good four’s hard work to
get the fish near enough to the boat to harpoon, but with
a real tarpon rod it would be done in half that time; these
rods are, however, in my opinion, too powerful for the
West Indian tarpon.

There is no doubt that a certain number of these fish
are to be found here all the year, as I have seen some quite
small ones and several I caught lately had roe. In November,
December, and January, I understand from the local fisher-
men, they are to be found all round the island, but during
the rest of the year they are practically restricted to the two
places mentioned.

SHEEP MANURE.

As a large quantity of sheep manure is used in
Barbados, the following information relative to its
composition and application is likely to be of interest.

Professor J. P. d’ Albuquerque, M.A., F.C. F.C.8.,
reports as follows :—

Sheep manure is generally used as a substitute for farm-

yard manure when the latter is deficient. It is accordingly
of interest to compare the composition of the two and to
note the amounts of valuable ingredients which an ordinary
application of each will place at the disposal of a crop.
The following results may be taken as fairly representa-
tive :—
Barbados

Farmyard manure. ? Sheep manure.”

Organic matter 19°01 32°66
Nitrogen oe anc 729 1:39
Phosphoric acid ... aN “28 73
Potash “BO 2-07

Gaal

1 Average of seventeen samples during 1900-5.
2 Average of eight samples taken by the Analytical
Committee, 1905.
Farmyard manure.
20 tons supply

Sheep manure.
2 tons costing
$14 to $16 supply
1,463 tb.

Organic matter ... 8,516 th.
t=)

Nitrogen ee 130) ,, 62.5,
Phosphoric acid ... 125) ,, 33 45
Potash 134 ,, OB 5.

The constitutents of sheep manure are more rapidly
available and therefore, weight for weight, more effective than
those of farmyard manure, and for sugar-cane and onions
T recommend, when farmyard manure is not available, an
application per acre of 2 tons sheep manure.

All the facts at present available seem in Barbados to
point to the desirability of making cotton the second crop
of a rotation, the first crop being the sugar-cane, prior to the
planting of which the land should receive the usual 20 tons
of farmyard manure. In that case active chemical fertilizers
are likely to prove of most value for the second crop
of the rotation, namely, cotton.

If, however, special circumstances make the above
course impossible and it be desired to apply sheep manure,
1 ton of sheep manure together with 330 tb. of good
superphosphate would be an application most nearly in
accordance with the recommendation in the A.4.C. of Cotton
Planting and would cost from 510-00 to $11-00.

Mr. J. R. Bovell, F.L.S., F.C.S., writes :-—

Large quantities of sheep manure are at present used
in this island for canes and cotton. In the case of the canes
the manure is usually applied in a long, narrow hole at the
side of the cane hole a few weeks before the canes are
planted.

In the ease of cotton it is applied in various ways.
Some planters spread it broadcast on the banks between the
eane holes where the cotton is to be planted and fork it in.
Others dig a small but deep hole in which they put the
sheep manure and cover it over with soil, and the seed is
then planted therein. Others, again, dig a small cireular
trench round the cotton plants and put the manure in and
cover it over.

In the ease of sugar-cane the results have been
almost invariably most satisfactory. With regard, however,
to cotton, unless the sheep manure is put in some weeks or
months before the cotton is planted, its full effects do not seem
to be exercised before the second picking or the ratooning of
the cotton. Where sheep manure is to be used with cotton it
should, I think, be applied at least two months before the
cotton is planted.

Where sheep manure is to be used for onions, it is
usually spread broadeast on the ground and forked in some
time before the onions are transplanted.

bso
[or]
PD

THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.

Auaust 26, 1905.

GLEANINGS.

The attendance at the Colonial and Indian Exhibition
up to Saturday July 29, since the opening day, has been

627,597. West India Committee Circular.
?

In reference to the note in the Agricultural News
(Vol. IV, p. 200) on the formation of an Agricultural Society
at Anguilla, it may be of interest to mention that the
membership of the society has already reached fifty.

A very successful Agricultural Show was held at
Newmarket, Jamaica, on August 1. The show was largely
attended, aud the exhibits —especially in the minor products
section—were up to their usnal standard.

Messrs. Henry W. Frost & Co., of Charleston, 8.C.,
report under date July 29: ‘The unsold stock of islands
cotton being reduced to 90 bales, which are being heid for
higher prices, the market is nominal, and we omit quotations.’

A course of six lectures to teachers in elementary schools
is to be given at Antigua by Mr. A. H. Kirby, B.A,,
Agricultural and Science Master. The lectures will deal
with the subjects prescribed by the code for the teaching of
elementary science.

Messrs. G. W. Bennett Bryson & Co., Ltd., of Antigua,
report in regard to the sugar market: “The Halifax refiners
having expressed their willingness to take small shipments
at parity of New York, the balance of the crop will be
shipped to Halifax.’

We learn with pleasure that several small proprietors
have been supplied with the best cotton seed from the Central
Factory in quantities of from 20 tT. to 50 tb., while the large
proprietors have taken their seed in thousands of pounds.
(St. Vincent 77mes, August 10.)

Dr. Watts writes: ‘The well-known “Baths” at Nevis
are being renovated ; a new bath-house and dressing rooms
have been built, and the bath itself has been thoroughly
cleaned and renovated. I found the temperature of the
water was 170° F’ An account of the ‘Bath Springs at
Nevis’ was published in the Agricultural News (Vol. IV,
p. 206).

At a specially convened meeting of the Dominica Agri-
cultural Society held on July 29, his Excellency the Acting
Governor (Mr. H. Hesketh Bell, C.M.G.) read a paper on
a scheme for effecting the insurance of plantations against
loss from hurricanes. A resolution in favour of the scheme
was carried unanimously, and copies of the paper are being
forwarded to members of Lloyd’s, London.

The Agricultural Superintendent at St. Lucia has
notified for the information of planters and managers that
several of the pupils of the Agricultural School will shortly
be ready to enter situations on estates. They are about
nineteen years of age and have had some four years’ training
at the school.

The third Colonial Products Exhibition will be held at
St. George’s Hall, Liverpool, from January 30 to Febrnary
8, 1906. Those colonies and firms desirous of obtaining
space are invited to apply to the Joint Managers, 9, Chapel
Street, Liverpool, from whom further information can be
obtained.

According to the Jamaica Daily Telegraph of July 29,
a dye-wood factory is to be established in the parish of
St. Elizabeth by a British company. It is anticipated
locally that the operations of this company will prove a boon
to one of the best logwood-producing districts of the island,
in the same manner as that in operation near Spanish Town.

In reference to the note in the Agricultural News on
shows of colonial-grown fruit and vegetables to be held by
the Royal Horticultural Society, it may be mentioned that
the Imperial Commissioner has been informed that the exact
dates for the next four shows have been fixed as follows :
December 5 and 6, 1905; March 22 and 23, 1906; June 6
and 7, 1906 ; December 4 and 5, 1906.

The London correspondent of the Port-of Spain Gazette,
reporting a further meeting of West Indian proprietors in
London to discuss the new arrangement for buying farmers’
canes (see Agricultural News, Vol. IV, pp. 194-5), records
that matters have now taken some practical shape. He
states that credit is due to Mr. Norman Lamont, M.P., for his
efforts to put the cane-farming industry on a sound footing.

The Secretary of the West India Committee writes:
‘As a result of the Exhibition, I am receiving many
inquiries for West Indian commodities, and have, during the
past week, been asked to quote trade terms for swizzle sticks
in any quantity and small Capsicums in bulk. If you could
put us in the way of quoting, I shall be very grateful.’
Communications on the above might be addressed to the
Imperial Commissioner of Agriculture, Barbados.

Ina review in Merck’s Annual Reports on recent work
in connexion with the use of anthrax vaccines, it is stated

“that inoculation does not involve the risk of serious lesions.

“The last 50,000 inoculations have been devoid of serious
occurrences and losses. The disease was brought to
a standstill where it was already established, while the
prophylactic application of the serum averted its occurrence

in such cases where formerly it appeared regularly.’

According to the Port-of-Spain Gazette, a supply of
Danysz rat virus has been received in Trinidad and will be
distributed gratis, on application to the Government Analyst,
to any one who undertakes to use it according to the
instructions and report results. This is the virus referred to
in the last issue of the Agricultural News (p. 247); it is
not the same as that imported by the Imperial Department
of Agriculture (the Liverpool virus), but is used in much
the same way and has a similar action.

THE

AGRICULTURAL NEWS.

REPORTS ON
THE BOTANIC STATIONS AND AGRICULTURAL
EDUCATION, 1904-5.

S17. KITTS-NEVIS: ANNUAL

Botanie Station, St. Kitt’s—Among the minor improve-
ments effected at this station during the year may be
mentioned the establishment of rockeries of succulent plants.
A number of trees were planted out during the year, and on
Arbor Day, which was celebrated at the station, 50 trees
(mostly palms) were added to the collection.

The demand for ornamental and economic plants is on
#1e increase. The number of plants distributed from the
station during the year was 1,377; this number included
702 rubber and 579 cacao trees. References have already
been made in the Agricultural News to the efforts to extend
the cultivation of rubber and cacao in the presidency.

The rainfall for the year was 39°57 inches. This was
considerably below the average, which has not been without
its effect on the results in the experiment plots.

Agricultural Education.—The reports of the Head
Master of the Grammar School and the Agricultural and
Science Master indicate that useful work is being
accomplished in connexion with agricultural education and
that the scholars are taking advantage of the facilities offered
them for obtaining sound scientific education along agri-
cultural lines.

In addition to the science teaching, Mr. Belling has
given practical instruction to the boys in the school garden.
The latter have thus had an opportunity of becoming familiar
with the details of gardening operations.

Agricultural Instructor, Nevis.—Mr. Hollings’ report
deals primarily with the work in connexion with the estab-
lishment of the branch station at Nevis. Considerable
difficulties have been experienced in consequence of a dry
season, but, in spite of this, satisfactory progress would seem
to have been made.

The station is devoted almost entirely to experiments
with economic plants. ‘These included experiments with
eotton and with introduced varieties of various food crops.
The rainfall at the station was only 46°13 inches, and the dry
season interfered considerably with the experiments.

The returns from the cultivation of cotton at Nevis
appear to have been satisfactory on_ the whole, and the
planters have not suffered, to any considerable extent, from
the attacks of insects.

DOMINICA AT THE COLONIAL
EXHIBITION.

The following descriptive sketch of the, Dominica
exhibits at the Colonial and Indian Exhibition,
written by Mr: W. G. Freeman, is extracted from the

West India Committee Circular :—

Dominica has not the advantage of a comprehensive
official exhibit, gathered together by a representative local
committee determined to display the products and resources
of this beautiful island in an attractive manner to the British

public. Regarded purely from the point of view of
a representative West Indian Exhibition, this is to be
regretted, for Dominica can hold its own with any island in
the West Indies, in interest and beauty, and moreover is one
of those which offers special attractions to the would-be
settler, who, possessed of sufficient means, is anxious to find
a land to make his home.

Some idea of the resources of the island is given,
however, by the exhibit of Messrs. Francis Everington & Co.,
of Melville Hall. A small sample of cacao and several of
lime juice, both raw and concentrated, represent the staple
industries. A series of starches and meals, including arrow-
root, tous-les-mois, cassava starch and farine, banana meal,
tannia starch (Colocasia esculenta), sweet potato starch, bread-
fruit flour, corn (maize) starch, ete., are also shown. The
spice-producing capabilities of this fertile island are indicated
by samples of nutmegs and mace, ginger, cinnamon, cloves,
turmeric, etc., mainly in the form of powders. As already
stated, the exhibit does not claim to be representative, and
several more products might have been shown ; but there is
sufficient even here to allow any one, acquainted with the
conditions of soil and climate necessary to produce these
various crops, to obtain some idea of the great natural
resources of the island.

Dominica is famous for its lime juice, and it is very
fitting that, owing to the enterprise of Messrs. L. Rose & Co.,
of the Bath and Emsall estates, in the Roseau Valley, this
product is worthily represented. Their attractive and
interesting exhibit, arranged near the centre of the West
Indian Court, comprises photographs of lime trees in bearing,
scenes of gathering the fruit, etc., samples of the raw and
concentrated juice, and bottles of the finished product in the
form in which it is so familiar at home. The excellent
samples of otto and oil of limes will, perhaps, come to many
as an agreeable surprise, and indicate other products from
this most useful tropical plant. Dominica lime juice has
a world-wide reputation, but curiously enough the fresh
fruits themselves, although highly appreciated in the United
States, are but little known in Great Britain, and there
should be a good market for them. Most people who have
lived in the tropics prefer limes to lemons, and doubtless
others would soon learn to do so if the fruit could be
imported so as to allow them to be put on the market at
sufficiently low rates.

CASSAVA TRIALS IN JAMAICA.

The following are extracts from a report by
Dr. Cousins on experiments with cassava in Jamaica.
The full report was published in the Bulletin of the
Department of Agriculture for July :—

To test the agricultural yield of the various cassavas
now in cultivatian in Jamaica, a series of ,—acre plots of
some twenty-three native varieties was planted in April 1904.
After twelve months’ growth, a portion of each plot was
reaped and the tubers sampled for analysis. The yield per
acre is much lower than it should have been owing to
a severe attack of red-spider last August. The starch content
of the tubers was quite satisfactory, and most varieties were
in a fit state for the use of the starch manufacturer at the
end of the first twelve months.

The leading variety of the series is ‘White Top’ with
104 tons tubers per acre, containing 33°6 per cent. of starch
equal to 7,902 tb. starch per acre. The variety that comes
next is one called ‘ Long Leaf, Blue Bud’ yielding 6,552 Ib.
of starch per acre. The highest percentage of starch was
found in ‘Silver Stick’; this contained 35 per cent. of starch.

THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.

Avcust 26, 1905.

CULTIVATION OF TAPIOCA IN JAVA.

The following account of the cultivation of cassava
and the manufacture of tapioca in Java is contained in
the U.S. Monthly Consular Reports for April :—

Tapioca can be cultivated from sea-level to altitudes of

more than 3,000 feet and can be planted at any season, but
that planted near the close of the rainy season, the latter part
of March, thrives best, as it requires moisture when first
planted. It takes between seven and eight months to yield,
so that there is no second crop in one year, as with rice. The
crop is poor where there is shade, and the seed is planted on
open land.

Although the best crops are had when the plant is
grown in loose soil, having sufticient humus and sand, it does
very well when planted in poor soil provided there is no
shade. When planted in dark soil it grows well, often
forming fine, large stalks, but at the cost of the roots. If
planted in clay land tapioca does very poorly.

When the land is well ploughed, broken cuttings of
about 1 foot long are planted about 4 feet apart. These
cuttings, or slips, are taken from the middle of a plant which
is moderately old, always choosing the straightest plants, and
are cut flat at the top and pointed at the bottom. The plant
begins to sprout about five days after being planted, and no
weeding is done until the plants have grown at least a foot
and leaves are beginning to form. When they are two or
three months old weeding is done for the second time and
earth is put around the plants. Further weeding is not
necessary, as after three months the shade from the leaves
keeps the weeds from growing.

Most planters leave three branches on the stem, remoy-
ing the other shoots in order to keep the plant from growing
too high and forming a large root stem. If allowed to grow
naturally, it attains a height of 10 feet or more ; in cultiva-
tion it is permitted to reach a height of only about 6 feet.
In low lands, tapioca plants mature at seven and eight
months, but in high lands they generally take nine months.
The native planters often allow the plant to stand until
a full year old. The root then becomes quite soft. but is
not really harmed for the manufacture of flour. It is said,
however, that a smaller amount of flour is obtained from
roots over nine months old.

One great advantage of tapioca over other plants is that
it is not subject to any disease and requires but little care

while growing. Much damage, however, is done to the
plant by wild pigs.
The harvesting of the tapioca plant is very simple. The

plant is cut off near the ground and the root is dug up,
peeled, and washed in running water, then rasped. The
pulp is worked in a tub of water until, when it is pressed,
clear water runs ont. It is then pressed through a cloth
stretched over a barrel, and the fluid allowed to settle for
twenty-four hours, after which it begins to ferment. On the
third day the water is baled out leaving the flour at the
bottom, which is then taken out and dried in the sun for
three days, being crumbled by hand to facilitate the drying.
Some of the natives sell the wet flour to the manufactories,
where it is again washed and dried in the sun or upon hot
plates.

At the manufactories, most of which belong to Chinese,
the process is carried on by machinery, run chiefly by water
power. The principal part, the rasp, is a cylinder, 11°8 to

15:7 inches long, and 3:9 to 5-9 inches in diameter, covered
with short pieces of wire. The pulp falls from the rasp into.
a receptacle, by the aid of a little water which is allowed to
run on the rasp. ‘The pulp then runs into the sieve, an
octagonal or hexagonal cylinder, 4°36 or 5-45 yards long,
covered with fine brass-wire gauze, and lying at a ‘slope. This
is turned slowly and water is kept running on it. The pulp
comes out of the lower end while the flour goes through the
gauze with the water and is taken to the settler. It is then
Stirred and settled for a second time, then dried and
crumpled by hand in the sun. Afterwards it goes to the
drying ovens, where great care must be taken not to overheat
the plates and burn the flour.

After the flour is well dried it is divided into two sorts
according to colour and grain. The first quality consists of
a fine, white flour, the second quality being slightly coloured
and of arougher grain. There is also an intermediate quality
made by the natives. It is caleulated that 516 tb. of the root
produce 136 tb. of flour.

Prices realized in the past year were
136 tb. :—First quality, $2-01 ;
quality, 90c.

The finest quality of flour is exported to the United
States and Great Britain. During 1903 some $80,000
worth was exported to the United States. The total amount
exported that year was 25,053,104 tb. The tapioca root
is also used by the natives and Chinese as food, and sells at
about Le. per plant on the field.

as follows, per
second quality, 1°81; third

CASSAVA CULTIVATION AT ANGUILLA.

As previously mentioned in the Agricultural
News (Vol. IV, p. 200), the newly formed Agricultural
Society at Anguilla is devoting attention to the cassava
industry. The Secretary of the society has forwarded
the following information in this connexion :—

There are two varieties of bitter cassava grown in the
island, the ‘Jacquelot’ or ‘white stick’ and the ‘black
stick.’ The ‘white stick’ is inferior to ‘black stick,’ but
can be grown in poor Jand which will not produce the
‘black stick.’

The average yield of roots per acre is placed at 29,040 tb.
for the ‘black stick.’ This estimate is arrived at by
calculating the plants 5 feet by + feet apart, anda yield of

8 Ib. from each plant. Eight pounds appear to be a very
ae estimate. Many of the members spoke of 15 tb. to the
plant, and one who has had loug experience as a planter said
that he had seen the yield increased to 30 Ib. per plant by the
use of rotted cotton seed as a fertilizer.

The length of time taken to mature is ten to twelve
months for ‘black stick’ and six months for ‘white stick.’

The probable area of land available for cultivation was
estimated at three-fourths of the total arable Jand in the
island, and it was thought three-fourths of that would grow
the ‘black stick.’

pane aa NEWS.

Mr. . Stockdale, B.A., arrived from England
on hes ts and assumed his duties as Mycologist
and Lecturer in Agricultural Science on the staff of

the Imperial Department of Agriculture in succession
to Mr. L. Lewton-Brain, B.A., F.LS.

Mr. Thomas Jackson arrived from England by last
mail and proceeded to Antigua to assume the duties of
the Curatorship of the Botanic Station.

.%

Mon. IV. No. 88:

THE AGRICULTURAL

NEWS. 271

WEST INDIAN PRODUCTS.

Canada.

The following report, dated July 10, 1905, on
West Indian produce in Canada has been received
from Mr. J. Russell Murray :—

SUGAR,

Since my last the market has steadily declined for all
grades of West Indian sugar ; offerings have been more than
could be utilized, which has afforded full opportunity for
jow counter bids. The stocks of muscovado have been far
in excess of actual needs. To a large extent the congestion
of the muscovado market has been caused by over consigning
to Halifax. Under an agreement between consignees and
refiners, the latter had to take up, pro rata, these supplies at
10}c. above New York quotations, this year the supplies
have been far in excess of the requirements and overloading
has resulted, compelling the refiners to cancel the arrange-
ment to protect themselves. Under these auspices consigned
muscovado is not likely to find as ready a market as formerly.
It has already been pointed out in the past that the best
results are not to be obtained by such indiscriminate con-
signing, as it only destroys the possibility of growers obtain-
ing the benefits of the preferential tariff. In 96° centrifugals
the position is better, as few of these are consigned. Grey
erystals are offered at 2}c., c. and f., without buyers, who
continue to hold off and little business is being done. Prices
show no indications of improvement, rather the reverse.

MOLASSES.

There is no anxiety to secure further supplies, as buyers
are confident that lower prices will rule before the summer
closes. Supplies from the Northern Islands have been
arriving at Halifax, and are reported as being of good
quality.

COCOA-NUTS.

Business is very quiet, and ample supplies are available.
New York quotations still remain Jow, and prices locally are
somewhat lower.

SPICES.

The market continues steady at late rates. Pimento is

unchanged. Nutmegs, slightly higher. Ginger, unbleached,
unchanged.

LIMES.
During the last ten days the weather has been warm, and
prices have advanced sharply in sympathy with lemons,
which have been higher in price than for three years.

RUBBER INDUSTRY IN PARA.

The Consular Report on the trade of Para for
1903-4 has the following interesting note on the
rubber industry. The Consul deals especially with
the alleged adulteration of Para rubber :—

The immediate future of the Brazilian rubber industry
is exceedingly encouraging, so much so that a period of
general commercial prosperity seems to be assured for several
years to come.

The director of the local Botanic Gardens reports in the
‘Bulletin of the Para Museum,’ dated December 1904, but
published in May 1905, that it has been recently discovered
by a person unconnected with the production of rubber that
a latex obtained from a tree entirely different from the

Heveas has bee employed not only to adulterate rubber,
but even in some cases to replace it altogether. Experienced
estate owners believe the substitute to be slightly less
elastic than the genuine article. It seems that the great
demand has led to the practice for some years past. The
trees in question are plentiful and exist over a very wide
area, and are known in the State of Amazonas by the name
of ‘Tapuru’ and in the neighbourhood of Para as ‘Murupita,”
‘Seringa-Rana,’ etc. Botanists are of opinion that these
trees belong to a species of Sapium.

The word ‘Tapuru’ is the Indian name for an insect,
and is given to the trees because they are frequently
destroyed by termites, particularly when tapping has been
performed by unskilful hands. The advantages of the
‘Tapuru’ and its congeners consist in their being more
plentiful than the ‘Heveas’ and in their more rapid
reproduction.

Dr. Huber, the author of the report referred to,
questions if the practice, which he says has passed unnoticed
for twenty years, can be described as fraudulent. He
considers that if the union makes no difference to the
manufacturer, then no harm is done; and, on the other hand,
the knowledge is gained that the sources of supply are
greater than was formerly known.

Exporters state that the adulteration is detected by
manufacturers by means of chemical analysis, and that the
cutters here can detect the presence of an adulterant by the
cedematous nature of the product, which leaves an impres-
sion when a finger nail is pressed into it. They describe the
blend as ‘bastard rubber,’ and classify it with coarse grades.
It is possible, however, that the mixture, up to a certain
point, may defy detection.

BALATA IN BRAZIL.

In the following note, extracted from the Consular
Report on the trade of Para for 1903-4, the subject of
species of balata is discussed. It would appear that
the species in Brazil is different from that in British
Guiana and Trinidad, but the product, if properly
cured, is claimed to be just as good :—

In recent years a debatable question has arisen on the
subject of balata. Practical men with experience in balata
bleeding in the Guianas maintain that the same kind of tree
as that which provides this gum in the Guianas exists near
the city of Para. Local merchants were sceptical, but
nevertheless they sent the produce to London for trial. The
prices realized indicated that the Para balata was inferior to
the general article. The Director of the botanic section of
the Para State Museum is endeavouring to elucidate the
point. In the ‘Bulletin’ of the Museum he describes various
Aimazonian species that produce balata, and is of opinion
that, with improved methods of curing, it may equal the best
balata of commerce. He further states that the trees are
plentiful and are to be met with in the entire valley of the
Amazon. He reports that the Brazilian and Guiana species
are very similar, but that a precise comparison is impossible
at present as both countries possess several varieties that
have not yet been sufficiently studied and authoritatively
described.

The export of the produce of the ‘ Massaranduba ’ is not
a novelty, for in a report published by the Bureau of
American Republics on the trade of Para in 1891, it is stated
that Para exported gutta-percha to the United States, and
explained that it was derived from ‘ Massaranduba’
(Minusops elatw) and ‘ Jacqua’ (Lucuna gigantea).

272 THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS. Avucust 26, 1905.
MARKET REPO RTS Grave Frurr— $5 00 to $7:00 per barrel.
OD Mace—s0e. to 35e. per th.
— Nurmecs—West Indian, 80’s, 22c. to 28c; 110’s, lde. to
2 Otn cane Cam = Dame at 16c. ; 130’s, lle per th.
London,— August 3, 1905. Messrs. Kearron, Prrer «&

Co.: Messrs. E. A. pr Pass & Co.; ‘THe West InpIA
Commitrrer Circutar, ‘Tue LrverrooL Corron

AssocraTIon WEEKLY CrrecuLar,’ July 28, 1905 ;

and ‘THE Pusnic Lepcer,’ July 29, 1905.
’ y >

Ators—Barbados, 15/- to 45/- ; Curagoa, 18/- to 50/- per ewt.

Arrowroor—St. Vincent, 1}. per th.

Bavata—Sheet, 1/6 to 1/11 ; block, 1/6 per tb.

Bees’-wax—£8 2s. Gd. to £8 15s. per cwt.

Cacao—tTrinidad, 53/- to 62/- per ewt. ; Grenada, 48/-
to 52,6 per cwt.

Carpamoms—Mysore, 74d. to 3/- per lb.

CorreE—Jamaica, good ordinary, 39/- to 40/- per ewt.

Corroy—West Indian, medium fine, 6°557. ; West Indian
Sea Island, medium fine, 13d.; fine, 14d. ; extra fine,
153d. per tb.

FRvir—
Bananas—Jamaica, 4/- to 6/- per bunch.
Orances—Jamaica, 17/6 to 19/- per bor.
Pine-areLes—-Jamaica, 10d. to 1/- per pine ; Antigua,

16/- per barrel.

Fustic—£3 5s. to £4 per ton.

Gincer—Jamaica, ordinary to good ordinary, 42/- to 45,-
per ewt.

Honry—18/- to 30/- per ewt.

Istnciass—West Indian lump, 2/3 to 2/7; cake, 1/2 to 1/4
per tb.

Koia Nurs—4d. to 6d. per tb.

Lime Jurce—Raw, 11d. to 1/2 per gallon; concentrated,
£16 10s. per cask of 108 gallons; hand-pressed, 2/6 to
2/9 per Ib. Distilled Oil, 1/7 per tb.

Loawoon —£4 to £4 15s.; roots, £3 10s. to £4 per ton.

Mace—Fair to good pale, 1/3 to 1/4; fair red, 1/2 per tb.

Nirrare or Sopa—Aericuliural, £11 2s. Gd. per ton.

Nurmncs-—64’s, 1/4 ; 85's, 11d. ; 101’s, 7d. per th.

Prento— 22d. to 25d. per tb.

Rum—Demerara, 1/2 to 1/4 per proof gallon; Jamaica, 2/1
per proof gallon.

Sucar—Yellow crystals, 17/6 per ewt. ; Muscovado, 14/- to
15/- per ewt.; Molasses, 12/- to 15/- per ewt.

SubpHate or AMMoNIA—£12 7s. Gi. per ton.

Montreal,—July 10, 1905.—Mr. J. Russert Murray.

(In bond quotations, ¢. & f.)

3ananas— No quotations.
Cocoa-Nuts— Jamaica, $22-00 to $24-06 ; Trinidad, $19-00
to $21:00 per M.

Covren—Jamaica, medium, 10c. to le. per Th.

Giycer--Jamaica, unbleached, 7c. to We. per tb.

Loirs—Jaimaica, $6-00 per barrel.

Morascurr—Demerara, $1°32 per 100 th.

Morasses—Barbados, 33c.; Antigua, 28e. per Imperial

gallon.

Nourmecs—Grenada, 110’s, 20c. per th.

ORANGES—-No quotations.

Preyto- —Jamaica, 43c. to 5c. per Ib.

PInE-apeLES—No quotations.

Svucar —Grey crystals, 96°, $2°50 to $2°75 per 100 lb.
—Muscovados, 89°, $2:00 to $2°25 per 100 tb.
—Mbolasses, 89°, $1°75 to $2°00 per 100 tb.
—Barbados, 89°, $1°85 to $2°10 per 100 th.

New York,—August 4, 1905.—Messrs. Gittesriz Bros,

& Co:
Cacao—Caracas, 11 jc. to12c. ; Grenada, Uiesto) Liske.;
Trinidad, 11 4c. to 12c.; Jamaica, 93¢ to 9c. per tb.
Cocoa-nuts—Jamaica, $24°00 to $26-00 ; Trinidad $23°00
to $24 00 per M.
Correr—Jamaicas, 7Zc. to 8c. per th. (ex store).
Gincer-- Jamaica, 8$c. to Ie. per Tb.
Goat Sxrys—Jamaicas, 57c. to 58e. per Ib.

OranGes— $2750 to $2°75 per case ; $5-00 to $590 per
barrel.

Pinento—4 fe. per tb.

PINE-APPLES—6e. to lic. each.

Svucar—Centrifugals, 96°, 4,\,c to 44ce.; Muscovados,
89°, 3;zge. to 3hc.; Molasses, 89°, 3,3,c. to 3jc. per Th.

INTER-COLONIAL MARKETS.

Barbados,—August 12, 1905.—Messrs. T. S. Garraway

& Co., and Messrs. James A. Lynca & Co.

Arrowroot—St. Vincent, $3°50 to $3°75 per 100 th.

Cacao—$11-00 per 100 tb.

Cocoa-NuTS—$15°00 per M. for husked nuts.

Correr—$10°C0 to $11°00 per 160 tb.

Hay—S87e. per 100 tb.

Manxvures—-Nitrate of soda, $62°00 to $65°00 ; Ohlendorff's
dissolved guano, $50°00; Special cotton manure,
$48-00; Sulphate of ammonia, $75°00; Sulphate of
potash, $67-00 per ton.

Ontons—Madeira, $3°00 to $3°50 per 100 tb.

Poraros, Enerisa—Bermuda, $3°66 per 160 tb. (retail).

Ricr—Ballam, $4°40 per bag (190 tb.) ; Patna, and Seeta,
$3-10 to $3-20 ; Rangoon, $2°50 to $2°55 per 100 th.

Sucar—Yellow crystals, $4°25 ; Muscovados, 89°, $1°80 per
100 tb.

British Guiana,—August 10, 1905.—Messrs. WIETING

& RICHTER.

Arrowroor—St. Vincent, $8°00 per barrel.
Batara—Venezuela block, 25c. ; Demerara sheet, 38c. per tb*
Cacao—Native, 12c. per tb.

Cassava SrarcH—$5'00 per barrel.

Cocoa-Nuts—$10:00 to $12°00 per M.

Corrre—Rio and Jamaica, 13}c. to 13$c. per tb. (retail).
—Creole, 12c. per th.

Duat— $3°60 to $3°75 per bag of 168 tb.

Eppors—80e. to $1°20 per barrel.

Morassps—No quotations.

Ontons—Madeira, 2c. to 3c. ; Tenerife, 1je to 2c. per tb.
(retail )

Pea Nours—American, 5}c. per tb. (retail).

Prantarys—28ce. to 40c. per bunch.

Poraros, ExcrisH—Bermuda, 2c. to 2$c. per tb. (retail).

Poratos, Sweet—Barbados, $1°68 per bag; $168 per
barrel. ;

Rice—Ballam, $4:20 per 177 th. ; Creole, $3°90 per bag.

Tanntas—§2°28 per barrel.

Yams—White, $2:28 Buck, $2 16 per bag.

Svesr—Dark crystals, $2°40 to $250; Yellow, €35-40;
White, $4°50 ; Molasses, $2°50 to §$2°60 per 1(0 tb.
(retail).

Triber—Greenheart, 32c. to 55c. per cubic fout.

WALLABA SHINGLES— $3'00, $3°75, and $5°25 per M.

Trinidad,— August 10, 1905.—Messrs. Gorpoy, Grant

& Co.;and Messrs. Epcar Tripp & Co.

Cacao—Ordinary, $11:10 to $1125; estates, $11°20 to
$11°50 per fanega (110 tb.); Venezuelan, $11°25 te
$11 60 per fanega

Cocoa-Nuts —$20°00 per M., f o.b

Cocoa-nut O1—67e. per Imperial gallon (casks included).

Corree—Venezuelan, 10c per th.

Copra—-$2°60 to $2°80 per 100 th.

Oxtons—Stringed, $2°00 to $2°20 per 100 tb. (retail).

Poraros, ExcrisHh—$1°30 to $2°25 per 100 th.

21cE—Yellow, $4 25 to $450; White, $4°50 to $5°60 per
bas.

Sccar—White crystals, $4:00: Yellow crystals, $3°00;
Molasses sugars, $2°50 to 3°90 per 100 th.

ae

THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.

——

Publications on sale of the Imperial Department of Agriculture
FOR THE WEST INDIES.

The ‘WEST INDIAN BULLETIN. A Quarterly Scientific Journal.

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Volume VI. No. 1. Report of Agricultural Conference, 1905 (contd.). Cane Farming, Cacao Cultivation, etc., ete.

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 stil] available. The missing numbers are out of print and can no longer be supplied :—

(8) Seedling and other Canes at Barbados, in 1900. Price 2d. (23) Notes on Poultry in the West Indies. Price 4d.
(5) General Treatment of Insect Pests, 2nd. Edition Revised. (24) Dominica, Hints to Settlers. Price 2d.

Price 4d. (25) Ground Nuts in the West Indies Price 2d
(6) Recipes for cooking Sweet Potatos. Price 2d. (26) Seedling and other Canes at Barbados, in 1903. Priee 4d.
(7) Scale Insects of the Lesser Antilles, Part I. Price 4d. (27) Seedling and other Canes in the Leeward Islands,
(9) Bee Keeping in the West Indies. Price 4d. 1902-1903. Price 2d.
412) Seedling and other Canes in the Leeward Islands, (28) Barbados and Porto Rico Molasses. Price 3d.
1900-1901. Price 2d. (29) Lectures on the Diseases of the Sugar-cane. Price 4d.
(13) Seedling and other Canes at Barbados, in 1901. Price 4d. (30) Manurial Experiments with Sugar-cane in the Leeward
414) Screw Worm in Cattle at St. Lucia. Price 2d. Islands, 1902-3. Price 4d.
(15) Plain Talk to Small Owners. Price 2d. (31) A. B. C. of Cotton Planting. Price 4d
(16) Hints on Onion Cultivation. Price 2d. (32) Seedling and other Canes at Barbados, in 1904. Price 4d
(17) General Treatment of Fungoid Pests. Price 4d. (33) Seedling and other Canes in the Leeward Islands, 1903-4
(18) Recipes for cooking West Indian Yams. Price 2d. Price 4d.

(19) Seedling and other Canes at Barbados, in 1902. Price 4d. (34) Notes on Rabbit Keeping in the West Indies. Price 2d.
(20) Seedling and other Canes in the Leeward Islands, (35) Information in regard to Agricultural Banks. Price 4d.

1901-1902. Price 2d. (36) Manurial Experiments with Sugar-cane in the Leeward
(21) Cotton and Onion Industries in the West Indies.. Price 2d. Islands, 1903-4. Price 4d.
(22) Scale Insects of the Lesser Antilles, Part II. Price 4d. (37) Cultivation of Oranges in Dominica. Price 4d.

The above will be supplied post free for an additional charge of }d. for the pamphlets marked 2d., and 1d. for the
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‘NATURE TEACHING.’

A text-book based upon the general principles of Agriculture for the use of schools, prepared by the Hon. Francis
Watts and others. Price, limp cloth, 2s., or in a superior style of binding, 2s. 6d. Postage in either binding 34d. extra.

The ‘AGRICULTURAL NEWS. A Fortnightly Review.

The ‘Agricultural News’ contains extracts from official correspondence and from progress and
other reports; and, in fact, «ny information indicating what is going on in each colony and the progress made in
Agricultural matters throughous 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 5s. 3d. per annum. Vols I, II, and III 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 sale of the publications of the Department :—

London: Messrs. Votau & Co., 37, Soho Square, W. Crty Agents: THE WxstT INDIA ComMITTEE, 15, Seething
Lane, London, E.C. Barhados: Messrs. Bowrn & Sons, Bridgetown. Jamaica: THe EpucaTionaAL Supply
Company, 16, King St., Kinzston. British Guiana; ‘Daily Chronicle’ Office, Georgetown. Trinzdad: Messrs. Mutr,
Marsnatt & Co., Port-of-Spain. Tobago: Mr. C. L. Puacemann, Scarborough. Grenada: Messrs. F. Marrast & Co.,
‘The Stores,’ St. George. St. Vincent: Mr. W. C. D. Prouproor, Kingstown. ‘é. Lucza: Mrs. Borman, Bridge Street,
Castries. Dominica : Messrs. C. F. DuveRNEY & Co., Market St., Roseau. Montserrat : Mr. W. LuEWELLYN WALL, Plymouth.
Antigua: Mr. S. D. Matong, St. John’s. St. Kitts: Messrs. S. L. Horsrorp & Co., Basseterre. Mews: Mr. 8. D. MaLone
Charlestown,

Vou. IV. No. 88.

THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.

Aucust 26, 1905.

THE BEST MANURES FOR COLONIAL USE

AEs =

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:
[98.] Barbados Agents: James A. Lynch & Co., Bridgetown

15, Leadenhall Street, London, E.C.

JOURNAL D’AGRICULTURE TROPICALE. |

A Monthly Mlustrated Review, published in French,
dealing with all matters connected with
Tropical Agriculture.

PARIS: M. Vilbouchevitch,
10, rue Delambre.

Subscription price : 20 francs per annum.

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Louis Coicou, Port-au-Prince.

¢
CAC AO™
By J. HB: HARD .S:
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A treatise on the cultivation, curing and chemistry of

COMMERCIAL CACAO.

DAVIDSON & TODD, Trinidad.
Wm.WESLEY & Co., 28, Essex St., London.

Price 3s. per copy.

THE
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Royal Charter August 4, 1904.)

Edited by the Secretary.

Containing a Review of the Work of the West India Com-
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Cacao, Sugar, Molasses and Rum, Coffee, Cotton, }
Nutmegs, Mace, Pimento, Ginger, Arrowroot, Lime
Juice, “ete., etc., Home Arrivals and Departures by }
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Vol. IV., No. 89] - SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 1905.

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THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.

Sea Island Cotton Seed

IMPERIAL DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

FOR THE WEST INDIES.

SPECIALLY SELECTED AND DISINFEGTED |

GROWN IN THE WEST INDIES

—AND—

Recommended for sowing during the present season
(JUNE TO AUGUST)
WILL BE SUPPLIED (FREIGHT FREE) BY

The Department at the rate of five cents (24d.) per Ib.

Address orders, with remittances for the full amount, to—

Dr. FRANCIS WATTS, Antigua, for the Leeward Islands ;
Mr. JOHN R. BOVELL, for Barbados ;
Mr. W. N. SANDS, for St. Vincent ;

Applications from other Colonies may be forwarded direct to—
THE IMPERIAL COMMISSIONER OF AGRICULTURE,

HAD OFVICKE: BARBADOS.

| Complete information in restr to the Ninetn if Cotton “fl be muon in ‘A.B.C.

of Cotton Planting’ to be obtained of all agents of the Department, price 41,

post free Od.

EE

FU

CME ey ap E

A FORTNIGHT IY REVIEW

OF THE

IMPERIAL DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE FOR THE WEST INDIES.

Vou. IV. No. 89.

BARBADOS, SE PTEMBER LE 1905.

vEnee ld.

CONTENTS.
PAGE. PAGE.
Antigua, Poultry at . 283 | Manures, Valuation of ... 286
Banana Industry of the | Market Reports . 288
Canary Islands . 276 | Martinique, Exports of .. . 280
Butter Making in Trinidad 28], Notes and Comments ... 280

Cotton Notes :-— Our Book Shelf :—

Avril: * Goa cae | gape) Chemical Control in
Exports from West Sugar Factories ... 286
Indies seen 1. oS Jamaica in 1905 ... . 286
Jamaica -. =. .«.. 249 | Peppers from Nevis ... 280
Rotation in Cotton Rice Cultivation in British
Growing ... 278 Guiana 27

St. Kitt’s-Nevis, ““Agri-
Thread as cultural Progress at... 281
Departmental Reports i St. Lucia, Crown Lands
Montserrat ... «. 285 at

Sea Island Cotton for

Porto Rico ... 285 | Shipping Cotton 273
Trinidad “6 285 | Sugar Industry : --
Department News ... 287 Martinique ... ... ... 275
Educational :— Stes ikGinnss 5 274
St. Vincent Agricultural West Indian Seedlings
School s 283 in Queensland oon CARs
School Gardens in nPorbo Tobacco Cultivation in
RICO seac nea. oe .. 283 Cuba. See eeeeeeeo)
Fruit, Preventing “Decay Trinidad Cacao
of ripe co One ath Industry ... 275
Gleanings ob 284 | West Indian As gricultural
Hedge Plants .. 286 Conference, 1906... 280
Insect Notes :— West Indian Fruit in
Application of Paris London 3 . 276
Green s-- «.. 282 | West Indian Products —
Insect Pests in Porto Canada . ty hoes 28%
Rico one eee sh 4824 Naadomes see eer eee 287

Cotton.

Shipping

NIFORMITY in the quality of the yarn
produced in the spinning factory is one of
the chief aims of the spinner. He finds it

‘luinous to produce different qualities and have to sell

them as the same grade; yet, unless he can buy raw

material with uniform qualities, it is impossible for him
to do otherwise. The quality of the lint produced on
different estates, even in one island, varies. In order,
therefore, to maintain a uniformity in his product the
spinner always purchases ‘ crop lots, namely, the whole
production of an estate, and only occasionally purchases
odd bales at a lower price. When buying odd bales,
he has to be very careful to see that the cotton is fairly
uniform in quality, whereas, when buying the whole
production of an estate, he may expect with some
confidence that the quality will be of a fairly uniform
character.

It will therefore be readily understood that in
requesting the Imperial Commissioner of Agriculture
to publish in the Agricultural News a recommen-
dation to cotton growers in the West Indies to avoid
the shipment of cotton in small lots, the British Cotton-
growing Association has in view the interests of both
the spinners and the growers. It is pointed out that
some growers are shipping even 1 or 2 bales by con-
been kept
back until 5 or 10 bales were ready for shipment,
which could then be sold as ‘crop lots.’

secutive mails: these should rather have

Reference has already been made to this matter
in these columns; in the issue of February 11 last it
was stated : ‘We desire to impress upon cotton growers
the desirability cf avoiding the shipment of odd lots of
cotton. Not only is it difficult for the brokers to effect
the sale of these, but low prices are likely to be the
result.’ This point was also emphasized by Mr. E.
Lomas Oliver in his address at Barbados published in
the Agricultural News (Vol. III, p. 359).

to
1
cs

THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.

SEPTEMBER 9, 1905.

Not only, it should be remembered, does such
action as has been referred to above entail a large
amount of extra work in grading (which must become
an impossible task as the exports from the West Indies
increase), but it also causes the growers to obtain
a lower price. Independent proofs of this are furnished
by the Sea Island market reports, published from time
to time in the Agricultural News, which show that
‘crop lots’ realize as much as 4c. per tb. more than odd

bales.

It is also desired to urge shippers not to pack
different qualities of cotton in the same bag, even
though these may be divided by canvas. This is
frequently done with the cotton that remains over from
different growers after full bales have been made up.
Fine spinners have a great objection to the slightest
suspicion of mixture. If, therefore, more than 100 tb.
remain over from a planter’s crop, but not sufficient
for a whole bale, it should be shipped in a small bale;
if a planter has less than 100 hh., he should hold it over
and send it with next year’s crop.

Another important point in connexion with the
shipment of cotton is the marking of the bales. It is
most desirable that all the cotton shipped under
a particular mark should be of the same quality. On
this point Mr. Oliver said: ‘Those planters who intend
producing a really good quality of cotton should put
their names, or the names of their estates, upon the bags
containing their first-grade cotton, and some other
distinguishing mark on their second grade. In
trade if the cotton of a certain mark has been found to
yield satisfactory results, the spinner will look out with

our

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 name which
will prove a very valuable trade asset.’

It is for this reason most important for growers to
avoid shipping ratoon cotton under the same mark as
their first-crop cotton, if they desire to maintain the
reputation their first shipments have made. For the
results during the present season certainly tend to
show that the quality of ratoon cotton is inferior to
first-crop cotton.

There are still many growers who have not yet
realized the importance of sorting their seed-cotton,
All stained, soiled, or inferior-looking cotton must be
separated from the general crop and shipped as such,
otherwise the appearance and quality of the first grade
will be Jowered, and that mark must take a second
place on the market.

SUGAR INDUSTRY.

St. Kitt’s.

In reporting to the Imperial Commissioner of

Agriculture on a recent visit to St. Kitt’s, Dr. Watts
makes the following interesting statement in regard to
the improved prospects of the sugar industry and the
cultivation of new varieties of seedling canes in that
island :-—

The sugar crop of St. Kitt’s has been a satisfactory one
during the past year, and the prospects for the future are
very favourable. On all hands one hears good accounts of
several of the new varieties of canes, particularly B. 147,
which has been most usefully employed in ridding certain
districts of fungoid attacks, at the same time giving
eminently satisfactory yields of sugar. B. 208 also finds
favour in the eyes of many planters, having given in one
instance over 4 tons of muscovado sugar per acre, as already
noted in the Agricultural News (Vol. 1V, p. 194). D. 116 is
also favourably regarded by some.

The opinion is freely expressed that the island has
benefited ina very large degree from the introduction of new
varieties of canes. There is little doubt that the practice of
placing experiment plots in the hands of planters upon the
estates themselves has had an important effect in bringing the
canes under the actual notice of the planters and enabling
them to form their own judgement upon them in addition
to the opinions expressed in reports. Influences other than
the reports have thus been steadily and beneficially at work.

The prospects of St. Kitt’s appear very encouraging ;
sugar has been remunerative during the past year, and the
young crop has a promising appearance. The interest taken
in new varieties of canes tends in the direction of progress,
and will assist in protecting against future attacks of cane
pests and dangers of that nature.

West Indian Seedling Canes in Queensland.

A recently issued report by the Director of the
Experiment Stations in Queensland on experiments
with new varieties of canes shows that good results
were obtained from several West Indian canes. The
results with these are given in the following table :—

Totaly |) peaumé Sucrose Quotient
Variety. solids. Degrees. Be STEN. ; of

Per cent. Per cent. | Purity.
B. 208 sexi) WSO) 1071 17:48 97-1
D: 145 sceln piety) 8-0 10°93 77:0
By AG seal itee 9:7 15:29 888
D. 306 Boel) lte/} 9°8 13:53 78:2
D. 116 Solem lute 9°8 15°87 91-7

The cane, of all those experimented with, which
gave the highest percentage of sucrose and the highest
quotient of purity was B, 208.

THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.

wo
aI
ii

Martinique.

The Consular Report on the trade of Martinique
for 1904 reviews the position of the island’s sugar
industry as follows :— :

The export of sugar during the year was 23,938 tons,
valued at £234,355, being 5,097 tons less in quantity, ana
£74,375 less in value, than the shipments made in 1905. lf
we except the crop of 1892, the year after the great cyclone,
this is the smallest output for any one year since 1855.

The year was a bad one for the local sugar industry,
and consequently for the colony, which is almost wholly
dependent upon it. Very few factories were able to pay
a dividend, owing to the low prices of sugar. Three were
closed during the year, viz., St. Jacques, Trinité, and Trois
Riviéres. The first two were seized and sold by the
mortgagees at a heavy loss, and will no longer be worked.
The third has changed hands and will resume grinding in
1906.

During the year 1,509,276 gallons of rum, valued at
£97,849, were exported, as against 1,947,299 gallons, valued
at £124,596, in 1903, a decrease in quantity of 438,023
gallons, and in value of £26,747. This is the smallest
quantity exported from Martinique in one year for the last
twenty-seven years, and shows a great falling-off from the
figures of the ‘eighties’ and ‘nineties,’ when from 2,000,000
to over 4,000,000 gallons were exported annually. The
industry is undoubtedly in an unsatisfactory condition, which
is all the more to be regretted as the sugar factories in most
cases themselves distil their molasses, and are thus deprived
of what ought to be a valuable help towards tiding over the
sugar crisis.

The rum distilled from the cane juice and known as
‘grappe blanche,’ is admitted by connoisseurs to be far
superior in flavour and aroma to the ‘rhum industriel,’
which is made from molasses. Yet the ‘grappe blanche’
obtains a lower price in the French market than the ‘rhum
industriel.’ The reason of this is alleged by the buyers
to be that the former does not keep. ‘This explanation is
rejected by the Fort-de-France Chamber of Commerce.

TRINIDAD CACAO INDUSTRY.

The following information is extracted from
Professor Carmody’s pamphlet containing ‘Statistics of
Trinidad Trade, referred to on p. 248 of this volume
of the Agricultural News :—

Trinidad cacao has a very high reputation in the world’s
markets. As exported, the beans have undergone a process
of fermentation and subsequent drying in the scorching

_ tropical sun or by artificial heat. The keeping qualities of
Trinidad-cured cacao are remarkable. It undergoes a further
process of manufacture in the importing countries, and is
usually sold: (1) with portion of the fat extracted ; (2) with
the addition of starch (prepared cacao) ; (3) with the addition
of sugar (chocolate).

The sale of chocolate confectionery has increased
enormously in recent years, and the general consumption of
cacao is increasing every year.

Trinidad cacao is now exported to the United States to
a much greater extent than to Great Britain or France,
which were previously the principal markets.

The cacao and chocolate made in the colony contain all
the fat (50 per cent.) natural to the cacao bean, and without
any admixture of starch or sugar. Cacao butter is not
a local production, but a by-product in the manufacture of
the first type of cacao referred to above.

TOBACCO CULTIVATION IN CUBA.

The following information relating to the growing
of tobacco in Cuba is extracted from the Monthly
Summary of the U.S. Department of Commerce and
Labour tor May :-—

The tobacco crop is grown from nursery or transplanted
plants. ‘These plants are raised in seed beds located and
prepared with great care and protected, as far as possible,
from insects. The seeds are very small, much smaller than
hay seeds, and while there are between three and four
hundred thousand in 1 oz., the seed coat is so hard that
only about 75 per cent. of the seeds will sprout. On this
basis, 1 oz. of seed ought to produce between 30,000
and 40,000 plants, costing the planter in the neighbour-
hood of $1°50 per thousand. The seed beds and seeds
having been carefully prepared, the seeds are sown in
September, and in from six to seven weeks, when the young
plants are from 8 to 10 inches high, they are ready for
transplanting. This is done with the greatest care, as a very
slight injury will kill them, and they are set out from 12 to
18 inches apart in furrows. The distance between the
latter varies from 2 to 3 feet. It is said that tobacco grown
under shade trees is of better quality than that grown in
the open. The plants are planted by hand and not by
machine, as in many parts of the United States, and the
operation is necessarily much slower.

It requires about four months for the plants to reach
maturity, so that the harvest is in January. During this
interval they require the greatest care to protect them
against the tobacco worm and other insects and against weeds.
From time to time, and especially after rains, they are
cultivated, the buds, or top, and all suckers as they appear
are removed, and every precaution taken to ensure the full
development of the leaf.

The pruning is done with the thumb nail, as its dull
edge closes the wound and prevents bleeding. According as
the plants are topped high or low, there will be from eight to
ten or from eighteen to twenty leaves ona stalk. As soon
as the leaves have ripened, the cutting begins. Each stalk
is cut in sections having two leaves on each ; they are hung
on poles and carried to the drying sheds. A section of each
stalk with a good strong sucker on it is left in the field, from
which a second, or what is called a sucker crop, results, and
while the quality of this crop is not as good as the true crop,
it answers very well for fillers.

The drying or curing process continues for three or four
weeks or even longer. During this period ‘great attention
must be given to the moisture, temperature, and ventilation
of the drying house in order to produce those changes which
characterize cured tobacco of a superior quality.’

Sweating or fermentation follows the curing, and it is
to this that the tobacco owes its peculiar flavour. During
or after this process the leaves are sprayed with water or
a petuning liquid which is supposed to give the leaf a darker
colour and a better flavour, but this is questioned by some
tobacco manufacturers. When fermentation has taken place,
the leaves are sorted and made up into bundles, and these
into bales of about 50 kilograms (110 tb.) each. The
tobacco is now ready for transport to market.

The quality of Cuban tobacco is world renowned, more
especially that known as Vuelta Abajo, which is used in the
manufacture of the finest cigars. To what this is specially due
will probably be known when the soils in which it has been
cultivated shall have been carefully analysed and compared,
and the chemical changes due to curing and fermentation
are better understood.

—

THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.

SEPTEMBER 9, 1905.

WEST INDIAN FRUIT.

BANANA INDUSTRY OF THE CANARY
ISLANDS.

The following interesting review of the Canary
Islands banana industry is extracted from the Consular
Report tor 1904 :—

It will be remembered that there was a smart fall in
the value of bananas about a year ago. Notwithstanding
this, however, in the year under review there were 168,853
crates, or about 4 per cent., shipped in excess of the quantity
exported in 1903, the estimated value of the shipments being
£384,285 in 1904, against £375,851 in 1903. It will thus
be seen that, in spite of adverse factors, the cultivation of
bananas in these islands continues to be a_ lucrative
industry. It is obvious that to be able to face a fall in price
of some 50 per cent., as was the case in May 1903, and yet
to increase their shipments the following year, the growers
must previously have been realizing extremely large profits.
The former vaticinations of ruin arising from the competition
of the West Indian fruit are now no longer heard, and the
farmers appear to have realized that it has produced, on the
contrary, a markedly beneficial effect on the banana industry
of these islands.

A factor which has enabled the growers to maintain
exports at a high figure is the increased competition for

freights among the steamship lines. This has brought
about further reduction in the rates. While this material

reduction in freights has, in a measure, contributed towards
maintaining prices still paid to growers, it is apprehended
that it will no longer be able to do so from the moment
that still larger quantities of West Indian bananas are
poured into the markets of the United Kingdom. It is
reported that the quantity of West Indian bananas expected
to arrive in the United Kingdom will be at the rate of
300,000 bunches per month, or a total per annum of
3,600,000 bunches, and this flooding of the markets seems
bound to have a prejudicial effect on the Canary trade.

It may be remarked that the chief fears for the future
of the banana trade arise from the neglect to provide more
reservoirs for storing water for irrigation purposes, and also
from the false economy practised by some of the planters.
They have been accustomed to making large profits in the
past, and now, when the prospects are not quite so brilliant,
they are economizing expenses in cultivation. Economy in
manure and artificial fertilizers is bound to result in deteriora-
tion of the fruit, and when it is remembered that it is by
its quality alone that the Canary banana holds its place in
the British market, it is easy to foretell disaster, if false
economy of this kind were to become more general.

WEST INDIAN FRUIT IN LONDON.

The following note is extracted from the Wes¢
India Committee Circular :—

Jamaica has been showing some exceptionally fine
oranges and grape fruit, and the oranges on view in the
Trinidad Court (especially the seedless variety), likewise
several fine bunches of bananas, have attracted considerable
attention. Some bunches of the Barbados ‘ Dagger’ bananas
have also made a creditable show. Spare parcels of all sorts
of fruit have been eagerly bought up. It is gratifying to
mention that six cases of Jamaica and Trinidad oranges were
accepted for the farewell luncheon given at Westminster Hall
on Saturday last to Admiral Caillard and the officers of the
French Navy, in response to an offer made to the Committee,
which was composed of such distinguished and well-known
personages as Viscount Churchill, Major Evans Gordon
Sir Arthur Hayter, and Sir Benjamin Stone.

The Westminister Gazette of June
following note on Jamaica oranges :—

>

6 has the

The quality of the thin-skinned, delicious Jamaica orange
is at last being appreciated at its true worth by the publie.
Although by no means a pretty fruit, it is the highest-priced
orange of its class on sale, and the retail fruiterers are in
some instances putting up the dainties in punnets and selling
them at ls. 6d. a punnet of six fruits. The great orange
shortage has had much to do with the high prices that are
ruling. The supplies for the past week were 5,000,000
oranges less than those of the corresponding period last year.
At the present time about seven different sorts of oranges are
obtainable. In the markets the highest grade of Jamaica
oranges in cases of 150 fruits commanded a guinea a package.
At this price the golden fruits yield large profits to planters.

Goat Keeping. Water for goats is a most important
matter, but often neglected. A cow will quench her thirst
at any filthy pool or pond, but not so with goats. They
are most fastidious. Clean, fresh water should always be
offered twice daily, and oftener during very hot weather ;
but clean it must be. If a goat drinks well it invariably
milks well. Salt is another important matter. It is equally
as necessary to goats as it is to us with our food, and
moreover it incites thirst, which means that more water will
be drunk. There is no animal more wasteful in feeding ;
once they have soiled food in any way they will not
afterwards touch it. Grass should therefore always be given
in a rack. (Journal of the Jamaica Agricultural Society.)

"ae

Vou. IV. No. 89. THE

AGRICULTURAL NEWS. 277

PREVENTING DECAY OF RIPE FRUIT.
An article in the Journal of the Board of

Agriculture (London, August 1905), entitled ‘A
method of preventing the rapid decay of ripe fruit,’ is
of particular interest to growers of tropical fruits.
The following are extracts from this article ——

A careful examination of ripe fruit from the West Indies,
intended for exhibition at the Crystal Palace in connexion
with the Colonial Exhibition, showed very clearly that the
decay of such fruit as mangos during the voyage was due
entirely to mouldiness and fermentation set up by fungi and
bacteria that were present on the surface of the fruit before
shipment, and not to an inherent tendency on the part of
the fruit to decay or to become over-ripe.

It is common knowledge that the decay of ripe fruit
originates from bruises or wounds on the surface and thence
rapidly spreads both internally and over the surface.
Unfortunately, it is not so generally known, although
equally true, that the decay of the bruised or wounded part
is entirely due to the presence of the germs of fungi or
bacteria, which develop rapidly, feeding on the sugar or
other substances liberated from the bruised tissue.
Fermentation and decay follow and quickly spread from one
fruit to another. ;

Similar treatment might be applied with advantage to
certain tropical fruits that do reach us in fairly good
condition, as bananas, where too frequently the unsightly
and injurious blackened ‘skin,’ caused by an external fungus,
could be easily prevented. Apples, pears, oranges, lemons,
etc., would also repay similar treatment.

The method of treatment described below is very simple,
inexpensive, and perfectly free from danger.

In the case of fruits where every part is eaten, as
strawberries, etc., the fruit should be immersed for ten
minutes in cold water containing 3 per cent. of commercial
formalin (equal to 40 per cent. of formaldehyde). On removal
immerse the fruit for five minutes in cold water, and
afterwards place it on wire-netting or some similarly open
material to drain and dry.

When the fruit has a rind or ‘skin’ that is not eaten,
the immersion in water after treatment in the formalin
solution can be omitted with advantage.

The rotting or fermentation of ripe fruit was proved by
Pasteur to be due to the presence of living organisms—fungi
and bacteria—on the surface.

From this starting-point it was inferred that, if these
organisms could be destroyed, the period during which such

fruit could be kept in a perfect condition could be
considerably prolonged; and a_ series of experiments

conducted in the Jodrell Laboratory at Kew proved the
inference to be correct.

The fruits experimented upon were ripe cherries,
gooseberries, grapes, pears, and strawberries. The fruit was
not selected but purchased from shops or, in some instances,
from vendors in the street.

This fact suggests that the method of fruit preservation
described here, although valuable in extending the duration
of home-grown fruit in good condition, will eventually prove
to be of the greatest importance in enabling our markets to
be stocked with many delicious kinds of tropical fruit, which
under present conditions never reach us.

RICE CULTIVATION IN BRITISH
GUIANA.

According to the report of the Immigration
Agent-General in British Guiana for the year 1904-5,
rice growing is assuming greater importance every
year, This industry is to a large extent in the hands
of the East Indian population, The following are
extracts from the report :—

District 1, Berbice-—During the period September to
December 1904, 2,770 acres of rice were reaped on twelve
estates in this district, the yield varying from about 91 to
40 bags of paddy per acre. ,

District 2, East Coast, and 3, East Bank.—This
industry is still largely on the increase, but it is to be
regretted that the very severe drought which prevailed
during a portion of the year greatly hampered the industry.
There are 924 acres of land under rice cultivation on estates
in my district.

District 4, West Bank and West Coast.—From the
returns furnished me from estates in this district it appears
that there were 1,912} acres under rice cultivation on
estates. This, although lower than in previous years, does not
mean that there has been any falling off in the total area
under cultivation, as there has been an appreciable increase
of rice farms in villages. As sowing is now proceeding, no
estimate can be made of the expected crop, but with fayour-
able seasons the average yield should be about 20 bags per
acre. The estimate of last crop was unfortunately not
realized, owing to a spell of dry weather just when the grain
was forming.

District 5, Essequebo.—I am glad to be able to report
that this industry continues to develop. It has been taken
up to such an extent by the people of all notionalities that
the estates’ authorities experienced great difficulty at times
in obtaining their services as agricultural labourers. There
are three factories on the Essequebo Coast, all of which are,
T understand, kept fully employed during the reaping seasons.
The yields from the two crops reaped during the year
were, I am informed, very good, and the prospects for the
coming season are most encouraging. No fewer than 2,872
acres are in rice cultivation.

TRADE BETWEEN MARTINIQUE AND THE
BRITISH WEST INDIES.

The following extracts from the Consulur Report
on Martinique relative to possible opportunities for
trade with the British West Indies are likely to be of
interest :—

A small quantity of fruit and vegetables, of the value
of £723, was imported from the neighbouring British West
Indies in 1904. The heavy duty on these products will,
however, prevent the development of this trade.

Merchants in the neighbouring British islands who have
empty ale or stout casks to dispose of will find ready sale for
them in Martinique, where they are used for exporting rum.

Martinique is the entrepot for the earthenware cooking
utensils much used in the West Indies, and known as
‘terraille.’ Cargoes of them are received by sailing ship from
Marseilles and are sold locally or shipped in small lots to the
British islands. This business is apparently profitable, and
could be taken up by Barbados, which, occupying a central
position and with frequent communication with the British
islands, seems well titted to act as a distributing centre.

THE AG

RICULTURAL NEWS.

SepremBer 9, 1905.

iO )

ANGUILLA.

Dr. Francis Watts has forwarded the following
interesting report on the progress of cotton cultivation
at Anguilla:

The shipment of 30,977 tb. of cotton from Anguilla
during the half-year ending June 30, 1905, to be followed,
I presume, by further small shipments during the following
quarter, is a fact too significant to be overlooked.

Mr. Shepherd also informs me that an amount of
selected cotton seed has been imported from St. Vincent
sufficient to plant upwards of 1,000 acres. How much will
be planted I am not in a position to say, but remarkable
activity now prevails. There are two small ginneries, each
with an oil engine, and keen commercial competition exists
between Messrs. Romondt and Rey, both of whom are
making offers for the purchase of seed-cotton.

With anything like a good season the output of cotton
from Anguilla should, next year, amount to something very
considerable. This is most important, for of late years
Anguilla has been an unproductive island and _ its
administration has been a source of anxiety to the
Government. The rapid development of a cotton industry
should change all that.

ROTATION IN COTTON CULTIVATION.

Mr. J. R. Bovell, F.LS., F.C.S., has forwarded the
following note on cotton cultivation at Barbados in
relation to a regular system of rotation of crops :—

The cotton industry can be maintained at a high state
of efficiency if a regular system of rotation is practised. This
rotation should be as follows :—sugar-canes, sweet potatos,
cotton, and Indian corn, and then sugar-canes again com-
mencing the rotation anew. To put it a little more fully, if
sugar-canes were reaped in, say, 1905, sweet potatos should .
planted in August or September that year. These potatos
would be ripe at the beginning of 1906. As soon as they
are dug the land should be manured and prepared for cotton,
which should be planted in about June of 1906. The land
under cotton should remain under that cultivation until
about the end of May 1907, when the plants should be dug
up and Indian corn sown. When the Indian corn is reaped
the land should be manured, and sugar-canes planted during
November or December of the same year. In this way the
ratooning of cotton would be avoided, and all cotton
plants, many of which are found, at the end of the first year,
to contain immense numbers of insects, would be destroyed
before the new cotton crop was planted, thus preventing any
likelihood of the new cotton nan infected with scale insects
from the old crop.

‘EXPORTS FROM THE WEST INDIES.

The following is a statement (furnished by the
Custom’s Department in each case) showing the
amount and estimated value of Sea Island cotton
exported from the various West Indian Colonies during
the quarter ended June 30, 1905 :—

Colony. Bales. Weight in pounds. Estimated value.
| Barbados 181 69,206 | £3,460 6 0
| St. Vincent 1404 44,606 2'230 0 10
| St. Kitt’s... ...| 100 27,712 1,385 12 0
| Nevis 429 | 84,650 4,232 10 0
| Anguilla ... 72) Weeiae 688 17 0
| Antigua ... ...| 150 27,000 16350) ONO
| Montserrat 15 4,93 246 6 O
| Grenada
| (Marie Galante)) 5674) 170,522 2,150 10 O
| British Guiana] 67 231 O60
Sta uelasee eee 1 203 ZO) (0)
| Virgin Is iavdee 1 2,400 ZO) 0) <0)
| J amaica ... ...|| L50 30,826 1,282 01 0
| Trinidad 21 5,392 190) OG
} — ih. — = a oe
|> trotal J) Aliese 481,459 17,307 7 10

* Bags.

The expos for the has ended March 31,
1905, were published in the Agricultural News (Vol.
LVESDP: 151 and 214). The following table shows the
exports for the season 1904-5 (up to June 30) com-
pared with similar returns for the previous season :—

Bales. | Weight | Value.
|

in pounds,

1903- th ES sh. Gl,

Quarter ending Deer. 31
0 3 Nlarchis il S16

us s June 30} 1,4

aon | ASIC
5°! 145,036] 6,440 1°76
0°| 415,209 | 13,314 14 0

Total | 560,2451 18,754 15 16
1904-5, | £) Yseierak
| Quarter ending Decr. 31 31 || 97,938 | S39 ORG
vam ,, March 31) 1,369?) 418,166 | 19,608 2 0
arr, » June 30/1,838 | 481 ,459 | 17, 307 7 10
| = —— — ee
| Total mite Sic) | 907,563 | 37,306 9 10

1 including 33 bags; 7 oe 12 bags; 2
> < ? > to} 2

including v4
bags
2ags.

—

Vou. IV. No. 89.

THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS. 2

=~T
oO

The following is a statement showing the amount
and estimated value of Sea Island cotton exported from
the West Indian Colonies (in order of output) during
the half-year ended June 30, 1905.

Colony. Bales. Weight in pounds.|Estimated value.
Barbados 589 208,363 £10,418
Nevis... ...| 658 131,658 6,582
St. Vincent ...| 290 95,815 4,790
St. Kattis... ...| 246 75,345 3,767
Montserrat .../ 146 70,723 3,486
Grenada
(Marie Galante)| 667 200,622 2,508
Amt Way 8 eee) 223 40,140 2,007
Anguilla... ..., 158 30,977 1,550
Jamaica ... ...| 150 34,744 1,456
Mrinidadeees s.4| 2 5392 190
Virgin Islands...}_ 18 3,600 120
British Guiana.. 8 1,258 36
Dibuciaepe ts) od 988 25

Total... ...3,207.| _ 899,625 36,915
SEA ISLAND COTTON FOR THREAD.

One of the most important uses to which Sea
Island cotton is put is in the manufacture of ‘sewing
cotton. For this a very high grade of cotton is
necessary. The Cotton Trade Journal, of Savannah,
for August 5, deals with the qualities of cotton most
desired for this purpose. The importance of this
trade to growers of Sea Island cotton is discussed as
follows :—

Of great importance to the Sea Island planters and
merchants of the south is the fact that these reputations
for fine spool threads have largely been possible through
their individual efforts in the cotton fields. It requires long,
strong, good Sea Island cotton to make the best thread. It
is claimed that Egyptian cotton is used to a large extent in
thread making, and that the better long-staple cottons are
occasionally used. These claims are doubtless true in some
cases. The fact remains, however, that the reputation
upon which an industry amounting to millions of dollars
rests is the use of the finest grade of Sea Island cotton in
making their product. The thread makers who have these
reputations will not dare substitute any other staple for
their thread. It is commonly known that this would be
regarded by them as a most hazardous procedure. Once the
quality begins to falter, the maker would be exposed to
attacks that would soon put his product out of demand,

Planters should, therefore, realize the necessity for
keeping up the quality of their cotton, because thread
makers require the very best and are willing to pay fancy
prices to get it. As much profit may be made in the
quality of the cotton produced from a small acreage, as
would be made out of a poorer quality from a much larger
acreage. Closer attention should be given to cultivation
from start to finish.

The outlook in America for the thread trade, as judged
by reports to us from jobbers and merchants over the
country, is good, and promises to increase steadily from now
until fall. The demand is from both the army of one-spool
consumers and the large manufacturers, such as collar makers
who use 2,000-yard spools. The outlook being as it is,
encouragement exists for the planter to expect a satisfactory
price for his product.

COTTON CULTIVATION AT JAMAICA.

The Imperial Commissioner of Agriculture was
present at the half-yearly meeting of the Jamaica
Agricultural Society on August 16. In the course of
an address Sir Daniel expressed his pleasure at being
able to bear testimony to the interesting and valuable
work which the society was doing in Jamaica. Referring
to the subject of the cultivation of cotton, he said :—

He had heard the previous day for the first time that
the cultivation of cotton had been very seriously handicapped
by the attacks of insect and fungoid pests. If specimens
had been sent to him, he would have been glad to afford
information as to methods of combating them. While on his
way from the United States in 1903, he had called at
Jamaica and delivered an address on cotton growing. He
had then pointed out the difficulties likely to be met, and
drawn attention to the cotton worm, pointing out how
destructive it might be unless taken in hand. In other parts
of the West Indies the cultivators had no fear of the pest,
and they made provision for combating it with Paris green.
In Jamaica, however, cotton had been seriously attacked by
the worm.

The cotton worm when fully grown was about 14 inches
long; the right stage at which to attack it was soon
after it had hatched, when only about } inch long. At
that stage it was capable of being destroyed by a very
light dusting of Paris green, later, at every stage, it was
more difficult to get rid of, until at last the crop was so
seriously damaged that it was not worth while to apply
Paris green at all. The important point was to detect the
worm directly it appeared. On that depended the whole
success of the treatment. The worm was mostly to be found
in the centre of the cotton field, consequently those persons
who merely rode vound their tields would, in a short time,
have the larger part of their crop destroyed, as the pest was
known to spread very rapidly.

Sir Daniel then drew attention to an interesting paper,
by Mr. J. R. Bovell (published in the West Indian Bulletin,
Vol. VI, no. 2) in which full details were given as to the
cost and profits of growing cotton on ten estates in Barbados
with 95} acres. The cost per acre of growing cotton varied
from $10°45 on one estate to $28°39 on another.

The Imperial Department of Agriculture had handled,
during the half-year ended June 30 last, fully £10,000 worth
of cottcn for Barbados. In Barbados, Antigua, and St. Kitt’s-
Nevis, the people were increasing their cultivation by 50 per
cent., as they believed that cotton growing was a paying
concern.

Of course the circumstances might be different in
Jamaica. He was not advocating cotton growing there ; he
was simply laying before them information in reyard to the
industry. The exportation of cotton from Jamaica was
disappointing. According to figures supplied by the Collector
General, the value of the cotton exported from the island for
the half-year ended June 30 was £1,436. The value of
cotton exported from the West Indies generally for the same
period was a little below £40,000: Barbados led with
a value of £10,000, and Nevis, St. Vincent, and St. Kitt’s
followed closely.

It may be of interest to add that it is stated in
the Journal of the Jamaica Agricultural Society
that the cotton crops in the Vere district turned out
very favourably, and the acreage was being considerably
extended. ‘In all there may be fully 1.500 acres of
Sea Island cotton growing in Jamaica.’

THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.

SEPTEMBER 9, 1905.

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 8 of the cover.

The Agricultural News: Price 1d. per number,
post free 13d. Annual subscription payable to Agents,
2s. 2d. Post free, 3s. 3d.

Agricultural sews

NOTES AND COMMENTS.

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 1905. No. 89.

Contents of Present Issue.

The editorial in the present issue contains certain
recommendations in connexion with the shipment of
cotton, to which it is desired to draw the attention of
cotton growers.

Several notes in reference to the sugar industry
will be found on pp. 274-5. In St. Kitt’s the prospects
of the industry are reported to be much improved; in
Martinique the position is the reverse of satisfactory.

The banana industry of the Canary Islands
appears to be still in a satisfactory position, in spite of
the warnings that the increased shipments of bananas
from the West Indies would ruin the trade. (See
p. 276.)

The cotton notes on pp. 278-9 contain a statement
of the exports from the West Indies during the present
year. An interesting note on the use of Sea Island
cotton for thread-making serves to indicate the
importance of producing a high and uniform grade of
cotton for this branch of the trade. A brief summary
is published of an address on cotton cultivation
delivered by the Imperial Commissioner of Agriculture
in Jamaica.

An interesting table is published on p. 285
showing ata glance some of the results of the
introduction of poultry of improved breeds into Antigua.

On p. 285 will be found brief reviews of several
official publications recently issued in the West Indies.

West Indian Agricultural Conference, 1906.

An extract from a letter from the Acting Colonial
Secretary, Jamaica, to the Imperial Commissioner of
Agriculture for the West Indies was published in the
Agricultural News (Vol. IV, p. 131), in which reference
was made to the proposal to hold the next West Indian
Agricultural Conference in Jamaica. The Imperial
Commissioner was assured that the agricultural com-
munity in Jamaica welcomed the idea of holding the
Conference there in January next.

At the half-yearly meeting of the Jamaica Agri-
cultural Society held on August 16, at which Sir Daniel
Morris was present, a committee was appointed to
confer with him in regard to the arrangements. The
committee consists of Messrs. Robert Craig, J. R.
Williams, and John Barclay, Secretary.

The Colonial Secretary (the Hon, Clarence Bourne)
and the Hon. Wm. Faweett, Director of Public Gardens
and Plantations, have been selected to represent the
Board of Agriculture on this committee.

Peppers from Nevis.

A shipment of peppers from the Nevis Experiment
Station, recently forwarded to London by the Imperial
Commissioner of Agriculture, has been disposed of at
very good prices.

The consignment consisted of 64 th. net weight of
yellow Nepaul peppers and 53 th. of ordinary red
chillies.

The former realized the very high price of 51s. per
ewt. This, however, is not, according to the brokers’
report, to be attributed to their intrinsic value, but to
their being in a very small lot and to competition
between two bidders who particularly wanted them.
‘We should not think it safe to expect more than 30s.
per ewt. for any quantity.’

The red chillies realized 26s. per cwt. These were
reported slightly mouldy and would appear not to have
been properly dried betore shipment.

In this connexion reference might be made to the
note in the last issue of the Agricultural News
(p. 268), stating that inquiries had been made in
London for capsicums in bulk.

Exports of Martinique.

From the review of the sugar industry of Martin-
ique, published elsewhere in this issue, it will be
gathered that the year 1904 was a bad one for the
principal industry of the island. The exports of other
products such as cacao, coffee, ete. according to the
Consular Report, also show decreases.

Efforts are being made to start a banana industry,
taking advantage of the frequent communication
between Fort-de-France and France. Experimental
plots were also planted in cotton. Crops of cotton
were raised in Martinique during the American civil
war, the output during the years 1861-5 inclusiy
being valued at £15,219.

Small quantities of logwood, vanilla, and musk
seed were exported during 1904.

won. LV. No. 89.

THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.

2381

Cotton Exports from the West Indies.

The statistics published on pp. 278-9, showing the
amount and estimated value of Sea Island cotton
exported from the West Indian Colonies during the
quarter and half-year, respectively, ended June 30 last.
are of distinct interest. It will be seen that very
decided progress has been made.

The table on p. 279 shows the halt-year’s output
from the various islands arranged in the order of the
value of the cotton exported. Barbados heads this
list with an export of 589 bales of the estimated value
of £10,418. Nevis comes second with 658 bales,
valued at £6,582, and is followed by St. Vincent,
St. Katt’s, and Montserrat.

The largest number of bales shipped from a single
colony is 667 from Grenada, As, however, most of this
was Marie Galante cotton, which realizes a much lower
price than Sea Island, the value of the cotton exports
from Grenada were only £2,509, The total exports from
the West Indies during the six months amounted to
3,207 bales, of the estimated value of £34,915.

It may be mentioned that the following telegram

has been received by the Imperial Commissioner of

Agriculture from the British Cotton-growing Associa-
tion :—

‘Congratulate you, your staff and planters on the
marvellous success of the cotton crop.’

ae

Agricultural Progress at St. Kitt’s-Nevis.

Reports by Dr. Watts on recent visits to St. Kitt’s-
Nevis bear testimony to the agricultural progress in
the presidency. Elsewhere in this issue is published
a note on the sugar industry at St. Kitt’s. It is
recorded that the crop has been satisfactory during the
past year and the prospects for the future are very
favourable. Attention is drawn to the advantage the
island has reaped from the introduction of new
varieties of canes, and to the lively interest taken by
the planters in the sugar-cane experiments.

The cotton industry is fairly established at
St. Kitt’s and has, so far, proved remunerative,
especially in consequence of the small cost of cultiva-
tion, since the cotton is grown as a catch crop with
sugar-cane.

The position of the cotton industry at Nevis is
eyen more satisfactory. This was referred to in the
last issue of the Agricultural News (p. 262). Cotton
growing has proved distinctly remunerative at Nevis
and a considerably increased production is looked
forward to next season.

Both at St. Kitt’s and Nevis efforts are being
made to extend the cultivation of cacao, which bids
fair to prove remunerative. Rubber trees also are
being planted at St. Kitt’s in considerable numbers.

Dr. Watts concludes his report: ‘In all of which
there is much that is hopeful, and one now feels that
there is in St. Kitt’s a more marked tendency towards
progress and a readiness to adopt new ideas. . . Owing
chiefly to cotton, and to developments on the agri-
cultural side, the prospects of Nevis appear brighter
than I have ever known them.’

ss

Crown Lands at St. Lucia.

_ According to the report on the Crown Lands and
Survey Department, St. Lucia, for 1904, 122 applica-
tions were received during the year for a total of
845 acres. Of these seventy-five matured (that is, were
accepted, fees paid thereon, and surveys carried out),
leaving a balance of forty-eight to be dealt with during
the following year.

Of these applications 105 are for blocks of 10 acres
and under, while seventeen exceed 10 acres in extent.
The Commissioner of Crown Lands reports that these
facts show that the agricultural labourer is gradually
acquiring his own holding and settling upon the land.

Wood cutting upon high lands is carefully watched,
and every effort made to prevent it taking place upon
lands of the Crown. Unfortunately, many private
individuals, either through ignorance or wilful neglect,
allow their hill tops to be cleared of forest growth.
Efforts are made to get these people to appreciate the
value of forests in connexion with the water supply.

The demand for economic plants for free distribu-
tion has increased, amounting during the year to 4,305,
as against 975 in the previous year. The difficulty in
transporting boxes of plants by the peasants, who must
‘head’ them to their lands, deters many from availing
themselves of this great advantage.

=

Butter Making in Trinidad.

Mr. C. W. Meaden, Manager of the Trinidad
Government Stock Farm, read an interesting paper
(published in the West Indian Bulletin, Vol. VI,
no. 2) at the last West Indian Agricultural Conference
on experiments carried out at the farm in connexion
with butter making.

Mechanical separation of the cream is essential in
the tropics on account of the long delay required by the
settling process. The separator used at the farm was
an Alpha-Laval with a capacity for separating 55
gallons of milk per hour, It can be worked by one
strong boy.

The cream was placed in a ‘Champion’ churn,
having a capacity of 3 gallons, with an end-over-end
movement. Churning was done from 6 to 7 am,
when the temperature was about 75° F. Brine was
successfully used for salting. The butter was worked
with an ordinary butter worker: for small quantities
Scotch ‘hands’ can be used.

A good starter is necessary, as 1b hastens the
development of lactic acid and controls, to a great
extent, the flavour of the butter. This was prepared
by setting a sufficient quantity of the separated milk
in a special vessel covered with muslin about 4 p.m.,
the vessel being placed in the sun in the morning to
hasten fermentation. After ten or twelve hours the
curd is removed, and the whey is ready to be added to
the cream.

A point of special interest in connexion with these
experiments is that it has been demonstrated that it
is possible to turn out a good, firm butter without the
use of ice,

THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.

SEPTEMBER 9, 1905.

LNNSSS

INSECT NOTES.

Insect Pests in Porto Rico.

The Annual Report of the Porto Rico Agricultural
Experiment Station for 1905-4, recently issued, contains
a chapter on insect pests in which the principal insects of the
yeu are brietly reviewed.

It is interesting to note that no complaint was received
of damage done by the changa or mole cricket during the
year. The bait of grass and Paris green, the use of which
was described in the Agricultural News (Vol. I, p. 200), is
being used with good results, and the freedom from injury
from the mole cricket is attributed to the general use of this
bait.

The bud maggot (Lonchaca chalybea) of the cassava has
continued a serious pest. This is a small fly, the larvae of
which live in the terminal buds of the cassava stems. Hand-
picking of the infested portions has been found the best
remedy, though the application of tobacco dust has at times
given good results.

The coffee leaf-miner has long been known as a serious
pest of coffee. It is estimated to cause a loss of $150,000 to
300,000 in one year in Porto Rico. Recently, however,
this pest has been on the decrease in several districts of the
island, due largely to the attack of a small Hymenopterous
parasite (Chrysocharis lividus) which destroys the larvae of
the leaf-miner. This parasite was first named from
a specimen collected in St. Vincent, but its habits were not
known until recently. It is hoped that this parasite will
continue to increase in numbers and further reduce the
damage by the leaf-miner.

Application of Paris Green.

The rapid development of the cotton industry in the
West Indies during the past few years has been followed by
an equally rapid development of the cotton worm.

In order to grow cotton successfully, it is now generally
admitted that it is necessary to use some insecticide for
controlling this pest. Of all the insecticides on the market
Paris green is the best known and most extensively used
in the West Indies. Other insecticides are London purple
and lead arsenate. Paris green and London purple are sold
as dry powders and may be applied to plants as a dust or
in water as a spray, while lead arsenate is sold in the form
of a wet paste and can be applied only as a spray.

In the ecotton-growing districts of the United States,
extensive experiments have been carried on in the use of
insecticides and with a great variety of machines for their
application.

Spraying machines from the simplest form of bucket
sprayer, which is carried about and operated by one man,
to the elaborate sprayer, drawn by a pair of horses and fitted
to spray sixteen rows of cotton at one time, have been tried,
as well as a great variety of dusters, sifters, powder guns,
bellows, ete.

Many of these have been ingenious devices invented
expressly for use in the cotton fields, and yet with all these
available the common practice is that of sifting the poison

through cloth in such a way that it falls as a fine dust on the
plants. This method, which has already been described in the
IVest Indian Bulletin (Vol. 1V, pp. 271 and 310), is briefly
this: A bar of wood about 5 feet long has at each end a small
bag of osnaburg which carries the poison. A boy mounted on
a mule carries this in front of him in sucha way that the bags
hang above the cotton rows. <A gentle tapping of the bar with
a small stick causes the poison to sift out over the plants.
In the Sea Islands a shorter bar is used with a bag at
one end. In this case the labourer is not mounted, and
the bar is used merely to enable him to get the bag of
poison above the topmost leaves of the plant. In the
West Indies the most common practice is to use a bag of
‘ticklingburg’ for sifting the mixture of Paris green and lime
over the plants. On some estates the bag is used attached
to a short stick, but on others the bag is held in the hand and
the poison is sifted from the bag by shaking it over the plant.

Powder guns and spraying machines are also in use to
some extent and are said to give satisfactory results.

The powder gun isa machine for applying poisons in
a dry condition. It consists of a receptacle for holding the
poison, a revolving fan for blowing it out, and a long tube
to give direction to the blast of air carrying the poison. The
machine is carried and operated by one man, and it is
claimed that its initial cost is justified by the greater amount
of work done by one man and by the great saving in the
amount of Paris green used. While there is no doubt that
a great saving could be effected on certain estates in the
amount of Paris green used in dusting with the bag, it will
generally be found that such estates are using far more than
is needed, that is, the labourers are wasting it. In such cases
it might be found that the use of the powder gun would stop
this waste.

In the first place, instead of having bags made of proper
material and of a convenient size, some estates use an
ordinary sacking, such as oat sacks, bran sacks, ete., which
are of too coarse a texture, and, in addition, are too bulky
and cumbersome.

One estate in Barbados found by careful calculation
that last season the cost of each treatment was about 2s.
per acre of cotton, This included Paris green, lime, and the
labour of applying. The poison was used at the rate of 1 tb.
to 6 tb. of lime and this gave excellent results. The
amount of Paris green used per acre was a little over 1 tb.
The same treatment this season is giving as good results
up to the present time. In other cases, however, as much
as 5 or 6 tb. of Paris green have been used per acre for
a single application; the use of such a large amount would
indicate that the poison is being wasted. In other cases,
again, it is said that, although plenty of Paris green has been
used, the worms have not been killed. This has probably
been the result of delaying the application too long. There
are stillin Barbados estates where great numbers of worms
are allowed to become nearly full-grown before they are
noticed and it is then too late to stop their ravages.

For the successful treatment of this pest it is necessary
that a sharp lookout be kept and that steps be taken at once
to check it by prompt application of poison. An excessive
amount of poison can do no good, only a certain amount falls
on the leaves and the rest is wasted.

If rains wash off the poison another application must be
made, Cotton growers, who keep a caretul lookout for the
first and all subsequent appearances of the worm and who
see to it that the poison supplied to the labourers is properly
used and not wasted, will find that the worm can be
controlled, and that without great expense.

Vol. IV. No. 89.

THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.

929
283

EDUCATIONAL.

School Gardens in Porto Rico.

The annual report on the Agricultural Experiment
Station in Porto Rico has the following note on school
gardens :—

The station is co-operating with the public schools of
Mayaguez in carrying out a system of school gardens, with
the hope of interesting the coming generation in agricultural
pursuits. It is important that in the scheme of education
in the island attention be paid to certain practical affairs, of
which agriculture is destined to remain chief. A school
garden would be especially important because of the fact that
while many of the people are extremely poor they fail to
have gardens growing about their little houses, depending
wholly upon nature to provide some of the necessaries of life
that might be easily procured with a little labour. The
station is endeavouring to encourage the planting of gardens
by the men working in the various departments. Seeds and
manures are furnished and every encouragement given them
to plant gardens about their houses for their own good and
as an example to their neighbours.

St. Vincent Agricultural School.

The St. Vincent Sentry of September 1 has the
following article on the Agricultural School established
in that island by the Imperial
Agriculture:—

Every visitor to this island, who has the opportunity
of seeing the Agricultural School and its beautiful grounds,
is most favourably impressed and recognizes the great
advantage the institution atfords the rising generation. The
school is one of the best efforts of the Imperial Department
of Agriculture for the West Indies, and the attention being
paid to it by the efficient officers, to whose immediate care
it is entrusted, renders the institution a credit to the colony
in every respect. Up to the present, several boys who have
completed their course of training in the school have left
well equipped for agricultural employment. Some of them
have already obtained positions affording them an opportunity
of putting their scientific training into practice, and their
advancement is almost certain.

It is the desire of the Imperial Commissioner that as
many parents as possible should make use of the facility
offered for giving a proper agricultural education to boys of
this colony who are likely to follow an agricultural life. In
view of the growing interest in scientific agriculture and the
great difference there is in results attained by the old

methods and the new, it is a matter of the greatest
importance that agriculturists and planters, who are

solicitous for the welfare of their boys who may have to
succeed them in the management of their estates or
plantations, should take hold of the opportunities the local
Agricultural School is offering for the requirements of
scientific instruction. In connexion with this subject we
recommend to the careful attention of our readers the
following remarks of Mr. Horace Deighton, ex-Head Master
of Harrison College, Barbados.

‘For my part, I consider the action taken by Sir Daniel
Morris in promoting the study of science is one of the
greatest boons he has conferred on the West Indies. No
thinking man can doubt that an agriculturist unequipped
with a scientific training labours under serious disadvantages
compared with his trained rival. It is not so much the mere

Department of

knowledge of chemistry, botany, ete., which he has acquired
in the laboratory—great as the value of this is—which will
be of use to him ; but the habit of mind and resourcefulness
induced by his scientific training, the alertness and quickness
of observation to which he may attain, will be found of the
greatest possible service in the work of his life.’

We cannot say more than this, in order to impress
parents as to the utility of the Agricultural School which
offers the benefit of agricultural training of a high standard
together with an efticient general education which is the
foundation for effective technical instruction. The latest
issue of the Agricultural News (Vol. IV, p. 261) gives
interesting information respecting the Agricultural School
here, and parents are invited to participate in its benefits.

IMPORTED POULTRY AT ANTIGUA.

The following note indicating the success that has
attended the efforts of the Department to improve the
poultry at Antigua by introducing imported birds 1s
extracted from the annual report on the Botanic
Station for general information :—

In 1903 five varieties of poultry were obtained and
placed at the Government Farm at Skerrett’s, and Buf
Orpingtons were presented by Sir Gerald Strickland. They
have recently been transferred to the Scott’s Hill Experiment
Station.

As the data gathered while the birds were at Skerrett’s
has not been published, it is thought that the following may
prove interesting to poultry keepers.

The names of the varieties imported are Butt Orpington,
Buff Plymouth Rock, Barred Plymouth Rock, Butt Wyandotte,
Black Minorca, and Brown Leghorn. <A description of these
varieties will be found in Pamphlet No. 25, published by
the Imperial Department of Agriculture entitled ‘Notes on
Poultry’ which can be obtained at the local agents of the
Department. :

The heavier or ‘table’ breeds have found most favour,
owing, largely, to the fact that the common fowls are small
and active and that the improvement by the cross between
them and the Minorea or Leghorn is not so apparent as in
the case of the cross with the heavier varieties.

In this respect the Barred Plymouth Rock has been
found to give the best results, especially when three-quarter
bred, the young birds being hardy and active, while retaining
the appearance and rapid fattening properties of the pure-
bred stock.

The original birds were imported from Canada, and the
following table will give the results of the first year’s work :—

ape ae
5|o o>, J
Oo iellosres2 Average
Variety. eae alaids || SP weight per
slzis|2=e/ 22 egg in
Zl isle =| <4
Gram. | 02.
Buff Orpington —.../ 1 |LO11) 911] 51-1) 60-5 21
Barred Plymouth Rock| 1 | 2, 3) 266 183-0} 48-9 17
Buff Plymouth Rock! 1] 2) 3) 69) 345 64:0 2-2
Buff Wyandotte .| 1] 2} 3] 2041020} 51:8 18
Brown Leghorn 1) 2} 3/167) 83-5 44-4 135)
Black Minorea 1| 2) 3) 147) 73°5 | 65-2 2:3

At first, as the demand was large, the price charged for
the eggs was 4d. each, but the price has been gradually
reduced, and the eggs are now sold at 1s. 6d. per dozen.

THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.

SrePTEMBER 9, 1905,

GLEANINGS.

The Barbados Scholarship for 1905 has been won by

Mr. C. K. Bancroft in natural science. Mr. Bancroft was
a student in the science department at Harrison College.

By the R.M.S. ‘Orinoco’ which left Barbados on
August 26, the Imperial Department of Agriculture shipped
1,291 bunches of bananas and 7 bales of cotton.

During the past year some 10,000 seedling forest trees
were raised in the nursery at the Botanic Station at Antigua
and planted out in the re-afforestation plots outside the
station.

The exports of cacao from Martinique in 1904 were
701,628 Ib., valued at £17,101, there being a decrease of
32,373 tb. in quantity and of £2,226 in value from the
exports of 1903. (Consular Report.)

The half-yearly report of the London and North-western
Railway Co. states that the directors have decided to recom-
mend the proprietors to make a grant of £1,000 to the funds
of the British Cotton-growing Association.

According to the report of the Local Instructor, the
onion crop at Montserrat last season was 165 barrels. The
onions were of excellent quality and fetched good prices, viz.,
3c. and 4c., in the other islands.

The attendance at the Colonial Exhibition since the
opening day and up to Saturday, August 12, has been
733,671. On Bank Holiday, August 7, 41,078 persons
passed the gates. (West India Committee Circular.)

The principal honey flowers in Montserrat are logwood,
pigeon peas, limes, alfalfa, and red cedar. Logwood honey
is considered the best and is of a light colour. Eleven hives
are run at the Botanic Station for extracted honey.

A correspondent in Nevis writes: ‘I am confident that
the acreage under cotton will work out at 50 per cent. in
excess of that of 1905. Cotton has certainly “caught on”
in Nevis and is the chief topic of conversation among the
planters.’

In his report on the London drug and spice markets
for July, published on p. 287, Mr. Jackson refers to the use
of Quillaja bark in the manufacture of effervescing drinks.
This bark is obtained from what is known as the soap tree
of Chili (Quillaja Saponaria), a South American plant
belonging to the order Rosaceae. The bark is rich in
saponine, a vegetable soap, and is also used in the prepara-
tion of hair washes and as a subsitute for ordinary soap.

At the Dominica Botanic Station there is a good
demand for seed and plants of Castilloa rubber. In a few
years a considerable area under this cultivation should be
ready for tapping experiments.

The principal exports of Curacoa are divi-divi, salt, and
goat skins. The exports during 1903 of divi-divi (the pods
of Caesalpinia coriaria, used for tanning purposes) were
valued at £33,428. These pods are also exported, in small
quantities, from some of the British West Indies.

The Dominican records that the largest shipment of
green limes to New York ever made from the West Indies
was made on the $. 8. ‘Parima’ from Dominica on July 28.
The shipment amounted to 2,182 barrels. ‘The sales in New
York during the last few months have been most satisfactory,

The first annual sale of stock was held at the Tobago
Government Farm on August 9. The sale was most
successful, the competition being keen and the bidding
animated. Such sales afford a valuable means of distributing
improved animals throughout the island,

According to the Gleaner, the Jamaica Preserves
Company is engaging in the manufacture of fruit jellies, pulp,
ete., especially from guavas and pine-apples. Last year some
20 tons were shipped. Sir Alfred Jones, K.C.M.G., is
a director of the company.

According to Gleanings in Bee Culture, it has been
proved in the United States that bee keepers need have no
fear of their bees being poisoned through the use of Paris
green in the cotton fields. It is stated: ‘There is no
authentic case on record where bees were poisoned by
working on poisoned cotton.’

According to the report of the
Government Stock Farm, Trinidad, molascuit was placed on
the food list during the year. This article was prepared by
one of the sugar estates, and after fair trial is pronounced
useful, especially for milch cows. It is cleaner than ordinary
molasses, keeps better, and is not so readily stolen.

Manager of the

According to the Consular Report on Guatemala, the
growing of bananas is destined to be one of the principal
industries of the country. The completion of the Guatemala
Railway will open a large tract of land suitable for banana
growing. The United Fruit Co. is the principal under-
taking interested, and all the bananas grown are shipped to
the United States.

In addition to the cultivation of bananas, which is the
principal industry of the Canary Islands, large quantities of
tomatos and potatos are grown. According to the Consular
Report for 1904, the exports of tomatos show an increase of
64 per cent. on the returns for 1903, the value of the exports
being £236,350. There was also an increase in the exports
of potatos which were valued at £41,200.

An Ordinance has been passed by the Legislature of
Antigua providing for the fumigation of plants imported into
the presidency. It follows closely those in force in Jamaica
and Dominica, the provisions of which have already been
published in the Agricultural News. Notices have been
issued to the public warning them of the requirements of
this Ordinance, and arrangements are in progress for the
erection of the necessary fumigating chamber.

gation.
‘common in the West Indies.

‘mango, ete.

Vou. IV. Mo. 89.

MONTSERRAT: ANNUAL REPORTS ON THE
BOTANIC STATION AND EXPERIMENT PLOTS,
1904-0.

This report deals with the Botanie Station at Grove
and the Olveston and Harris’ Experiment Stations. The
expenditure during the year amounted to £595 17s. 9d.
The sum of £41 1s. 5d. was realized by the sale of plants, ete.

The report again shows an increase in the number of
plants (mostly economic) distributed, which was 35,377,
in addition to 11,439 cuttings and considerable quantities of
seed. The results of the experiments with economic plants
are stated in detail in the report; in each case a detailed
account of the expenditure incurred on the experiments is
given.

The rainfall at Grove Station was 51:01 inches, at
Olveston 60°02 inches, at Harris’ 44:18. Comparison with
the returns for previous years shows that the year was
considerably drier than usual.

Progress has been made in the establishment of the
cotton industry. The area under cotton during the season
1904-5 was 680 acres ; the shipments amounted to 70,000 tb,
of lint (valued at £3,384), as against 27,600 1b. for the
previous season. The cotton worm and leaf-blister mite were
kept in check without much difficulty by the application of
insecticides ; considerable trouble was, however, experienced
from the attacks of the ‘black boll’ disease. The local
officers of the Department rendered valuable assistance
in visiting estates and reporting on the prevalence of pests.

This report also contains a report of the work done by
the Local Instructor, who furnishes a list of places visited by
him during the year and, in addition, interesting observa-
tions on the prospects of various minor industries of recent
introduction.

PORTO RICO: ANNUAL REPORT ON THE
AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION, 1904.
By D. W. May, Special Agent-in-charge.

Considerable expenditure was incurred during the year
in draining the low-lying lands at the station. The tile
system of drainage has been introduced with satisfactory
results. A system of irrigation has also been introduced.

Efforts are being made to develop the fruit and
vegetable industry. Trial shipments are to be made of
perishable fruits and vegetables to New York.

The stock of plants for distribution has been greatly
increased. Special attention has been paid to the collections

of bananas, yautias (tannias), cassavas, and yams.

Various fungoid diseases have also been under investi-
These include the tomato wilt, which appears to be
A note on this disease will
be found in the Agricultural News (Vol. IV, p. 43).
Attention is being paid to the propagation of improved
varieties of miscellaneous tropical fruit trees. Reference is

made to the desirability of producing and propagating

improved varieties of such fruits as the guava, hog plum,

THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS. 285
TRINIDAD: ANNUAL REPORT ON THE
GOVERNMENT STOCK FAR M, 1904-5. By C. W.

Meaden, Manager.

Mr. Meaden is able to report a better record with the
herd than in the previous year, Various improvements have
been made at Valsayn. It is suggested that the farm at
Tobago will serve as a useful sanitarium for acclimatizing
imported stock before they are located at the Trinidad farm.

Two bulls were imported from Nova Scotia during the
year; 143 calves (mostly three-quarter and half-bred Zebus)
were born. These were all of good quality and have not
suffered from any kind of sickness.

The total sales for the year realized £882 15s, 6d. The
various hospitals received 117,165 imperial quarts of milk
from the farm (an increase of 5,657 quarts on the previous
year), and 1,126 tb. of butter were made.

Success is recorded in mule breeding. There are now
eight young mules from one to three years old, some of which
will be put up at the next sale, when it will be possible to
Judge as to the profits from mule raising.

Favourable results have continued from pig breeding,
especially with the Tamworth breed. ‘This breed has, in
consequence, been spread throughout the colony, and good
accounts have been received of their progress.

The sales of poultry realized $136:50, yielding a profit
of $3450. The best results have been obtained with
Plymouth Rocks. Belgian hares have also done well, and
good results have followed crossing with common selected
rabbits, increasing the size and improving the flavour of the

flesh.

BEE KEEPING IN JAMAICA.

The following note on bee keeping in Jamaica is
extracted from Jumaica in 1905, which is reviewed
elsewhere in this issue :—

Bee keeping does not require much land or capital to
start with, nor very great exertion to obtain a moderate
return in the climate of Jamaica. It has therefore been
taken up by hundreds of persons of small means, sometimes
with insuflicient skill and appliances. Consequently, Jamaica
honey was usually badly, wastefully extracted, taken from
discoloured combs and full of dead bees. But the general
spread of intelligence, and the working of the Jamaica Bee
Keepers’ Association led to the employment of frames,
extractors, and other improved appliances, and to greater
strictness as to condition of honey shipped. In consequence,
plices were improved, and though a relapse has occurred,
even now are better than they were. But they are still far
behind those for the honeys of other countries, even when
the quality is the same. However, if a steady improvement
of quality continues, no doubt prices will follow in time.

Bee keepers who have had experience in temperate
climates must bear in mind that conditions in the tropics
are very different. There is no hibernation, and there are
nearly always some honey-bearing plants in blossom.
Consequently, workers wear out rapidly. Queens are
prolific, but they also wear out more rapidly than in
England. In some seasons the bees have to be fed for
weeks, in others hardly at all. It follows that any one
intending to take up this industry in Jamaica should be
prepared to take lessons from a practical bee keeper in the
island.

Bee keeping should not be undertaken as a means of
livelihood, but a man with spare time, a few acres of land,
and £25 can soon work up to £30 a year from this source,
in almost any part of Jamaica,

THE AGRICULTURAL

NEWS. SEPTEMBER 9, 1905.

JAMAICA IN 1905: By
Secretary and Librarian of the Institute of Jamaica.
ston, Jamaica, 1909,

EES AL,
King-

Frank Cundall,

This is ‘a new and entirely remodelled edition of
a work which first appeared under the title ‘Jamaica in
1895, a brief hand-book of information for intending settlers
and others.”’

Interesting sketches are given of the geography and
history of Jamaica and of its people. The publication being
intended for intending settlers, considerable space is devoted
to agricultural notes. These notes, which deal with pen
keeping and with planting, are written by some of the
foremost agriculturists of the island or by officers of the
Agricultural Department.

This little book is nicely got up and copiously illustrated.
The illustrations show typical scenery and places of interest,
as well as some of the principal cultivations and typical
Jamaica polo ponies.

An appendix contains a list of works of reference on
Jamaica and a list of the publications of the Institute of
Jamaica. There is also a good map (20x 8 inches) of the
island, which will be found very useful for tourists, who are
likely to be interested also in the notes on fishing, shooting,
and other forms of sport.

Mr. Cundall is to be congratulated upon the appearance
of this new issue, which, in addition to serving its purpose in
supplying information for intending settlers, should also
prove an acceptable guide for tourists and visitors, to the
requirements of whom a special chapter is devoted.

METHODS OF CHEMICAL
CANE SUGAR FACTORIES: By H. C. Prinsen Geerligs,
Director of the West Java Sugar Experiment Station.
Altrincham (Manchester): Norman Rodger, 1905, Price
3s. 6d. net.

A series of articles by the author, which appeared
during last year in the International Sugar Journal, are here
brought together in book form, together with numerous tables
and plans not hitherto published.

Full directions are given for sampling cane and cane
products for analysis, and for carrying out the analytical
methods involved in connexion with chemical control in
sugar factories. “

The first part deals with the daily report. In part ii
directions are given for compiling a monthly (or weekly, as
the case may be) report from the data contained in the daily
report. /

Part iii contains a full list of the instruments and
utensils required for the execution of the analyses mentioned
in this treatise. The verification and standardization of
instruments are also dealt with.

Experiment Station workers, as well as students in
training in chemical laboratories connected with sugar-cane
experiments, are likely to find this a handy little work for
reference and guidance.

CONTROL IN

VALUATION OF MANURES.

It has been suggested that it would be convenient
and interesting if there were published in the Agri-
cultural News the scale used by the Analytical Com-
mittee of the Barbados Agricultural Society for the
valuation of mitrogen, phosphate, potash, etc, in
manures. The scale is as follows :—

Value per unit (i.e., 1 per cent.) per ton of 2,240 Tbh, ;—
Ammonia (from sulphate of ammonia, nitrate of soda,

dried blood, flesh, meal, and bones finely ground) $2-40
Ammonia (from above sources in mixed manvres and

in genuine Peruvian guano or similar manures) $3:00
Ammonia (from sheep manures and fish scraps in

mixtures) &. Kee xe Las ... $2:60)
Ammonia (from hoof and horn, hair, and similar

materials in mixtures) aes woe 2 OMe
Phosphates soluble in mixed manures or guanos... “90

44 reverted ,, 3 Rs Fe PY on ‘70

ax insoluble ,, - “ 5 pee ace “25,
Phosphates (from finely ground raw or steamed bones

in mixed manures) 56 aes sate 60

Potash (as sulphate or nitrate in mixed manures) ... $1:°30
The above only apply to mixtures in which
Ammonia does not exceed 14 per cent.
Soluble phosphates 3) ZORpericents
Potash 3) 2 per tcent:
any excess over the above percentages will be
calculated as raw material.
For genuine Peruvian or dissolved Peruvian
10 per cent. is added to the valuation made as above.
By direction of the Analytical Committee, in the ease of
samples taken under ‘The Fertilizers and Feeding-stuffs Act,
1894,’ the valuation is calculated upon the guaranteed
analysis.

guano

HEDGE PLANTS.

The following note on some useful plants for
hedges is extracted from the Annual Report on the
Montserrat Botanic Station :-—

Cushaw (Acacia tortuosa).—This was raised from seeds.
in 1903, and is now 6 feet in height and almost as much
through. It forms a formidable spiny hedge, though it lacks
that density of foliage necessary to make a hedge attractive-

Wild Cottee (Clerodendron aculeatum).—In habit this
somewhat resembles English privet, and makes a very
commendable hedge. This was raised from cuttings in 1903,
and is not 5 feet in height and 4 feet through.

Acacia sphaercocephala.—This is a quick-growing plant,
and carries dense, dark-green foliage accompanied by large
spines, Raised in 1904 from seeds, the hedge is now 3 feet
in height and is very vigorous.

Triphasia Aurantiola.—This is one of the most attrac-
tive of our hedges, though of slow growth. It carries dense
coriaceous foliage, and is of a beautiful green, Raised in
L804, it is now 25 feet in height.

Bread and cheese (Jaga unguis-cati).—Where a low,
dense hedge is needed, this is excellent ; but the pendulous
habit of the growth prevents it from attaining much height.

Barbados Cherry (Malpighia glabra).—An_ excellent
hedge of this plant is found at the Grove; with frequent
trimming, few plants can surpass it for hedge purposes.

Limes.—Where wind-breaks are wanted that will give
some return, limes might be advantageously planted. ‘The
lime hedge at Grove Station, about 10 feet high, gives a good.
yield of fruit.

F

Vou. IV. No. 89. THE

AGRICULTURAL NEWS. 287

WEST INDIAN PRODUCTS.

Drugs and Spices in the London Market.

The following report on the London drug and
‘spice markets for the month of July has been received
from Mr. J. R. Jackson, A.L.S. :-—

Throughout July both the drug and spice markets were
generally very dull, the only interest shown being with such
articles as are used in the manufacture of cooling drinks, due
to the hot, dry weather that prevailed especially about the
middle of the month. The articles which were thus affected
were such things as citric and tartaric acids, oil of lemon
and lemon juice, and notably Quillaja bark which has been
for some time past used for producing froth or effervescence
to both intoxicating and temperance beverages.

GINGER,

Of this article 170 barrels of Jamaica were offered at
the first spice sale on the 5th., and of these 12 barrels only
were disposed of at 51s. for middling bright. Cochin and
Calicut met with a small demand ; small and medium mouldy
washed realizing 18s., and fair cuttings 17s. A week later
easier prices prevailed, 450 barrels of Jamaica were on sale
and only 47 sold: ordinary at 42s. and good ordinary at 45s.;
1,000 packages of Cochin and Calicut were also offered, fifty
being disposed of at previous rates. At the third and at the
Jast sales of the month, Jamaica, Cochin, and Calicut were
all offered in large quantities but there was practically
no demand, good ordinary Jamaica being bought in at 43s.

ARROW ROOT,

At the first spice sale none was offered, Lut on the 12th.
of the month some 486 barrels of St. Vincent were on sale,
all of which were bought in. A week later some sales were
effected of this quality at 1}d., none being offered at the
concluding sale of the month.

PIMENTO AND SARSAPARILLA,

Pimento began at easier rates, but at the second sale on
the 12th. the quotations were 2}d. for fair, and 23d. for
ordinary.

At the drug sale on the 6th. 1s. 2d. per tb. was
realized for 1 bale of grey Jamaica sarsaparilla.—six bales
‘of native Jamaica were offered and held at from 9d.
to 10d. per Ib, A fortnight later good red native Jamaica
fetched 83¢., and Lima froin Is. ld. to 1s. 2d.

ASSIA FISTULA, LIME JUICE, KOLA, TAMARINDS, ETC.

Of other West Indian products there were offered at
the auction on the 6th., 8 bales of ordinary West Indian
Cassia Fistula pods all of which were disposed of at 12s.
per ewt. One puncheon of common raw Demerara lime
juice fetched 10}d. per gallon, and a half-bag of fair to bold
West Indian kola nuts realized 43d. per tb. A week later
good green kola nuts fetched 6d., and good pale lime juice
was quoted at 1s. to ls, 1d. per gallon, and a lower quality at
10d. tolld. On the 19th., the latest date upon which we
have any report, lime juice was stated to be in good demand
-at even rates, fresh arrivals keeping the stocks up. Good West
Indian at this sale was sold without reserve at 94d. per
gallon. Good West Indian tamarinds were disposed of at
13s, per ewt. Four parcels of papain were also offered, the
price quoted being 8s. 6d.

In closing it may be again of interest to note that fair
‘bright Tripoli strip orange peel was quoted at the beginning
-of the month at 6d. per tb. and Maltese ringlets at 43d.

Canada.

Mr. J. Russell Murray has forwarded the following
review, dated August 10, 1905, of the position of West
Indian products on the Canadian market :—

July business was unmarked by any special features,
but continued good throughout the month. The erop reports
continue to be satisfactory and a large wheat crop is antici-
pated, which will ensure a good demand for the ‘fall’ trade.

SUGAR,

Another month of frequent sharp fluctuations, largely
caused by speculative interests with several large failures at
the Paris centre, has reacted on cane sugars causing a decline
for the month in London of Is. 9d. The only feature of
interest is the strong holding of Cuban sugars for the New
York market, which has caused American buyers to purchase
30,000 tons of Java sugar in London, England. Cane sugars
have advanced Je, in New York for 96° centrifugals during
July, and refined grades were advanced 10c. on August 2.
Refiners report granulated heavily oversold. The Montreal
market is stationary. Muscovado sugar continues in heavy
stock; this, however, will see a reduction as soon as the
grape harvesting begins towards the end of August. Molasses
sugars are slow of sale. The sale at auction of about 2,000
tons 96° centrifugal sugar, slightly damaged per 8.8. ‘Yoruba?
drew a few buyers who paid $2°50 to $2°72, the larger pro-
portion realizing $2°66, duty paid.

MOLASSES.

Trade has not shown any activity. Barbados have been
offered at 3lc. in 100-puncheon lots ; buyers, however, are
fairly well stocked. Antigua and Northern Islands stocks
have been well taken up and, on the whole, are finding
readier buyers; the general quality has been improved on.

COCOA-NUTS.

Demand continues very slow for the fruit trade,
manufacturers being the sole buyers during this season.
New York prices continue low, and locally there is no change
to record.

SPICES,

Enquiry for ‘fall’ shipments for the canning industries
has begun. Pimento is quoted at an advance. Ginger 1s
firm. Cloves steady. Nutmegs, no change.

BANANAS,

A shortage of supplies has advanced prices, but the
market continues under a close control.

Sd

DEPARTMENT NEWS.

The Imperial Commissioner of Agriculture, who
arrived in Jamaica on August 4, was present at the
inauguration of the first course of lectures to distillers
at the Government Laboratory on August 15, and gave
a short address.

On August 16, Sir Daniel attended the half-yearly
meeting of the Jamaica Agricultural Society and spoke
upon the cotton industry and the prospects of rubber
planting. A short summary of this address is published
elsewhere in this issue.

The Imperial Commissioner is expected to return
to Barbados in the R. M.S. ‘La Plata’ on Thursday,
September 21.

lore)

THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.

September 9, 1905.

MARKET - REPORTS.

London,— August 17, 190. Messrs. Kearron, Prrer «&
Co.; Messrs. E. A. pr Pass & Co.; ‘THE West Iypia
Comitrer Crrcunar, ‘THe Liverroon Corron
Assocration WEEKLY Crrcunar,’ August 11, 1905;
and ‘THe Pupiic Lepcrr,’ August 12, 1905.

Ators—Barbados, 15/- to 45/- ; Curacoa, 18/- to 50/- per ewt.

ArrowrooTt—St. Vincent, 12d. per tb.

Batata—Sheet, 1/6 to 1/11 ; block, 1/6 per tb.

Bees’-wax—4£7 10s. to £7 15s. per ewt.

Cacao—Trinidad, 55/- to 63/- per ewt. ; Grenada, 47/-
to 49 - per ewt.

Carpamoms—Mysore, 73d. to 3/- per th.

Correr—Jamaica, good ordinary, 40/- to 41/- per ewt.

Corron—West Indian, medium fine, 6°55d. ; West Indian
Sea Island, medium fine, 13d.; fine, 14d. ; extra fine,
153d. per tb.

Fruir—

Bananas—Jamaica, 4/- to 6/- per bunch.

Orances—Jamaica, 17,6 to 19/- per box.

Prxe-appLes—Jamaica, 10d. to 1/- per pine ; Antigua,
16/- per barrel.

Fustic—£3 5s. to £4 per ton.

Grycer—No quotations.

Hoxey—16/- to 22/- per ewt.

Istyeiass—West Indian lump, 2/5 to 2/7; cake, 1/2 to 1/4
per tb.

Kora Nets—4d. to 6d. per tb.

Live Jurce—Raw, 10d. to 1/2 per gallon; concentrated,
£18 per cask of 108 gallons; hand-pressed, 2,6 to 2/9
per ib. Distilled Oil, 1/7 per tb.

Locwoonr —£4 to £4 15s.; roots, £3 10s. to £4 per ton.

Mace—No quotations.

Nirrate or Sopa—Agriculiural, £11 2s. Gd. per ton.

Nurmecs-—No quotations.

Porento— 22d. to 24d. per th.

Rum—Demerara, 1/1 to 1/3 per proof gallon; Jamaica, 2/1
per proof gallon.

Scear—Yellow crystals, 17/6 per ewt. ; Muscoyado, 14/- to
15/- per ewt.; Molasses, 12/- to 15/- per cwt.

ScutpHate or AMMoNIa—£12 7s. Gd. per ton.

Montreal,—August 10, 1905.—Mr. J. Russert Murray.
(In bond quotations, ec. & f.)

Bananas— No quotations.

Cocoa-Nuts— Jamaica, $22:00 to $24°06 ; Trinidad, $19°00

to $21:00 per M.

Correr—Jamaica, medium, 10c. to 1le. per tb.

Grycer--Jamaica, unbleached, The. to 10c. per tb.

Lives—Jainaica, $6°00 per barrel.

Moxrascvit—Demerara, $1°32 per 100 tb.

Morasses—Barbados, 3le.; Antigua, 26c. per Imperial

gallon.

Nurmecs—Grenada, 110’s, 20c. per tb.

ORANGES—-No quotations.

Pimento- -Jamaica, 5c. to 54e. per tb.

PrIne-apeLes— No quotations.

Scear —Grey crystals, 96°, $2°60 to $2°85 per 100 tb.
—Muscovados, 89°, $2°10 to $2°35 per 100 tb.
—Molasses, 89°, $1:85 to $2°10 per 100 tb.
—Barbados, 89°, $1:95 to $2°10 per 100 th.

New York,—August 18, 1905.—Messrs. GrtLesriz Bros.
& Co.

Cacao— Caracas, 1]#c. to 12c. ; Grenada, life. to 11}c.;
Trinidad, 11 $c. to 12c. per tb.; Jamaica— No quotations.

Cocoa-Nuts—Jamaica, $28°00; Trinidad $24:00 to $26-00
per M.

Correr—Jamaicas, 8c. to lle. per tb. (ex store).

GrycER—Jamaica, 7c. to She. per th.

Goat Sxrns—Jamaicas, 57c. per Th.

Grave Fruit—No quotations.

Mace—29c. to 52c. per tb.

Nurmecs—West Indian, 80's, 224c.; 110’s, 14$c. ; 130’s,
llc. per th. :

Ornances— No quotations.

Pimento—4jec. per th.

PINE-APPLES—No quotations.

Svucar—Centrifugals. 96°, 41c.; Muscovados, 89°, 3he. ;
Molasses, 89°, 3fc. per tb. i

INTER-COLONIAL MARKETS.

Barbados,—August 26, 1905.—Messrs. T. 8. GARRAWAY

& Co., and Messrs. James A. Lyncu & Co.

Arrowroot—St. Vincent, $4:00 to $4°12 per 100 th.

Cacao—$11-00 to $11°05 per 100 tb.

Cocoa-Nurs—$15'00 per M. for husked nuts.

CorreE—$10°C0 to $11°00 per 100 th.

Hay—87e. to $1°10 per 100 tb.

Manunres—-Nitrate of soda, $65:00 ; Ohlendorff’s dissolved
guano, $55:00; Special cotton manure, $48°C0 ; Sul-
phate of ammonia, $75°00; Sulphate of potash, $67-00
per ton.

Ontons—Madeira, $2°24 per 100 tb.

Poraros, ExciisH—Bermuda, $3°66 per 160 tb. (retail).

Rice—Ballam, $5°90 to $4°40 per bag (190 Tb.) ; Patna,
and Seeta, $3°10 to $3°20 ; Rangoon, $2°50 to €2°5d
per 100 tb.

Sucar—Yellow crystals, $4°25 ; Muscovados, 89°, $1-80 per
100 th. =

British Guiana,—August 24, 1905.—Messrs. W1ETING

& WucHrer.

Arkowroor—St. Vincent, $8-00 per barrel.

Bartara— Venezuela block, 25c.; Demerara sheet, 38c. per th-

Cacao—Native, 12c. per tb.

Cassava SrarcH—$5'00 per barrel.

Cocoa-Nurs—$10°00 to $12°00 per M.

Corrre— Rio and Jamaica, 13y¢. to 13}c. per th. (retail).

— Creole, 12c. per tb.

Duat— $3°75 to $3°90 per bag of 168 tb.

Eppors— 80c. per barrel.

Morasses—No quotations.

Ontons— Madeira, 24c. to 2¢.; Tenerife, 1 fc. to 2c. per fb.
(retail).

Pra Nurs—American, 5$c. per th. (retail).

Pranrarys— l6e. to 32c. per bunch.

Poratros, EncuisH—Tenerife, 2c. per tb. (retail).

Poratos, Sweet—Barbados, $1°68 per bag; $1°68 per
barrel.

Rice—Ballam, $4:15 to $4°20 per 177 tb. ; Creole, $3-90
to $4°CO0 per bag.

Tannias—$1-44 per barrel.

Yams— Buck, $2°28 per bag.

Svucar—Dark crystals, $2°40 to $250; Yellow, $340;
White, $4°50; Molasses, $2°40 to $2°50 per 1C0 tb.
(retail).

Timper—Greenheart, 32c. to 55c. per cubic foot.

WaLLABA SHINGLES—$3'00, $3°75, and $5°25 per M.

Trinidad,— August 24, 1905.—Messrs. Gorpon, Grant

& Co. ; and Messrs. Epcar Trier & Co,

Cacao—Ordinary to good red, $11:25 to $11°50 ; estates,
$11°50 to $11°75 per fanega (110 tb.); Venezuelan,
$11°25 to $11 60 per fanega

Cocoa-Nuts —$20°00 per M., f 0.b.

Cocoa-Nut Om—67e. per Imperial gallon (casks included).

Corrre—Venezuelan, 10c. per tb.

Copra— $270 to $2°80 per 100 th.

Oxtons—Stringed, $2°00 to $220 per 100 tb. (retail).

Poratos, EncrisH—$2'10 to $2°25 per 100 tb.

Rice—Yellow, $425 to $4°50 ; White, $4°50 to $5°60 per
bag.

Sucar—White crystals, $4:00 to $4:50; Yellow erystals,
$300 ; Molasses sugars, $2°50 to $3°00 per 100 tb.

THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.

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.
Volumes IT and III. Price in original paper covers as issued 2s. each. Post free, 2s. 8d.
Volume IV. Nos. 1 and 2. Papers on general subjects. No. 3. (out of print). No. 4. §
in the United States and the West Indies. Price 6d. ae number. ope oe yur
Volume V. Nos. 1, 2, and 3. Papers on general subjects. No. 4. Report of Agricultural Conference 1905
Recent experiments with Sugar-cane in the West Indies. Price 6d. each number. Post free, 8d.
Volume VI. No. 1. Report of Agricultural Conference, 1905 (contd.), Cane Farming, Cacao Cultivation, ete., ete.

; 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. (23) Notes on Poultry in the West Indies Price 41.
(5) General Treatment of Insect Pests, 2nd. Edition Revised. (24) Dominica, Hints to Settlers. Price 2d.
Price 4d. (25) Ground Nutsin the West Indies Price 2d

(6) Recipes for cooking Sweet Potatos. Price 2d. (26) Seedling and other Canes at Barbados, in 1903 Priee 4d
(7) Scale Insects of the Lesser Antilles, Part I. Price 4d. (27) Seedling and other Canes in the Leeward Islands,
(9) Bee Keeping in the West Indies. Price 4d. 1902-1903. Price 2d.
(12) Seedling and other Canes in the Leeward Islands, (28) Barbados and Porto Rico Molasses. Price 3d.
1900-1901. Price 2d. (29) Lectures on the Diseases of the Sugar-cane. Price 4d.

(13) Seedling and other Canes at Barbados, in 1901. Price 4d. (30) Manurial Experiments with Sugar-cane in the Leeward
(14) Screw Worm in Cattle at St. Lucia. Price 2d. Islands, 1902-3. - Price 4d.
i Plain Talk to Small Owners. Price 2d. (31) A. B. C. of Cotton Planting. Price 4d

16) Hints on Onion Cultivation. Price 2d. (32) Seedling and other Canes at Barbados, in 1904. Price 4d
(17) General Treatment of Fungoid Pests. Price 4d. (33) Seedling and other Canes in the Leeward Islands, 1903-4.
(18) Recipes for cooking West Indian Yams. Price 2d. Price 4d.
(19) Seedling and other Canes at Barbados, in 1902. Price 4d. (84) Notes on Rabbit Keeping in the West Indies. Price 2d.
(20) Seedling and other Canes in the Leeward Islands, (35) Information in regard to Agricultural Banks. Price 4d.

1901-1902. Price 2d.
(21) Cotton and Onion Industries in the West Indies. Price 2d.
(22) Scale Insects of the Lesser Antilles, Part II. Price 4d. Price 4d.

The above will be supplied post free for an additional charge of $d. for the pamphlets marked 2d., and 1d. for the
larger pamphlets.

(36) Manurial Experiments with Sugar-cane in the Leeward
Islands, 1903-4. Price 4d.
(37) Cultivation of Oranges in Dominica.

‘NATURE TEACHING.’

A text-book based upon the general principles of Agriculture for the use of schools, prepared by the Hon. Francis
Watts and others. Price, limp cloth, 2s., or in a superior style of binding, 2s. 6d. Postage in either binding 34d. extra.

The ‘AGRICULTURAL NEWS. A Fortnightly Review.

The ‘Agricultural News’ contains extracts from official correspondence and from progress and
other reports; and, in fact, «ny information indicating what is going on in each colony and the progress made in
Agricultural matters throughous the West Indies.

The ‘Agricultural News’ is printed in time to he distributed, regularly, by each mail, and is on sale by the
local agents of the Department 1t one penny per number, post free, 14d. The subscription price, including postage, is
1s. 74d. per half-year, or 3s. 3d. per annum. Vols I, II, and IIT vomplete with title page and index as issued.—Price 4s. Post
free, 5s. Only a few copies available. A// 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. J)uLAu & Co., 37, Soho Square, W. City Agents: THE West Iypr1a Commirres, 15, Seething
Lane, London, E.C. Ba:hados: Messrs. BowEn & Sons, Bridgetown. Jamaica: THe Epucationan Suppiy
Company, 16, King St., Kinuston. British Guiana; ‘Daily Chronicle’ Office, Georgetown. Trinidad: Messrs. Murr,
Marsnatt & 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. Prouproot, Kingstown. t. Lucia: Mrs. Borman, Bridge Street,
Castries. Dominica - Messrs. C. ?, DUVERNEY & Co., Market St., Roseau. Montserrat : Mr. W. LLEWELLYN Watt, Plymouth.
Antigua: Mr. S. D. Matong, St. John’s. St. Kitts: Messrs. S. L. Horsrorp & Co., Basseterre. Mews: Mr. 8. D. MALONE
Charlestown,

}
F
Vou. IV. No. 89. THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS. SEPTEMBER 9, 1905, 7

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PaGE.

Agricultural Industries of
(Gym) soo son oon PTE

Insect Notes :—
Beneficial Insects in
Cotton Fields ... .. 295
Citrus Pest at Mont-
serrat posh ane® rae Nis)
Market Reports ... ... 304
Nature Study... ... ... 291
Notes and Comments ... 296

Bananas, Varieties of ... 292

Cacao in the Virgin
Islands... ... «.. 296

Ceylon Rubber Industry 297

Cocoa-nut Paln Bud-rot 299

Colonial and Indian Our Book Shelf :—
Exhibition Awards... 293 Hints on Agriculture... 302
Cotton Notes :— Tropical Life ... ... 302
Cultivation in Jamaica 294 | Papain Roan foe Moncey
High Price for St. Vin- Para Rubber Seeds,
cent Cotton ... ... 294 Germinating te pate 293
West Indian Exports ... 294 | Pimento Growing in

Jamaica fe: Fe" SE needy
Pine-apples, Shading ... 292
St. Vincent Land Settle-

ment Scheme ... ... 303
Sugar Industry :—

Cuka, Fruit Trade of ... 292

Departmental Reports :—-
Antigua cso ose fap BOO)
Dominica ye. es. =. SOL

Department News... ... 302

Guba: as, Sees, 290
Fruit, Gathering tor Manufacture of Levu-
Market 2.5: 297 lose... ... 290

Tenerife Onion Seed... 296
295 | Tobacco Growing under *
Shade Bean oad) domectlt
Vanilla, Supports for... 297
West Indies and _ the
Colonial Exhibition 289

Fruit, Preventing Decay
of ripe 36

Gleanings nos, dooe oan Gall)
Gommier Resin ... ... 302

Hurricane Insurance... 299

West Indies and the Colonial
Exhibition.

LSEWHERE in
are given as to the awards made in
the West Indian Court as the result

of the judging of the exhibits at tlie Colonial

these pages particulars

and Indian Exhibition at the Crystal Palace. The
announcement of these awards will be read with con-
siderable interest throughout the West Indies. More
detailed information is to be found in the last issue of
the West India Committee Circular.

The honour of receiving the special gold medal
for the best collective exhibit falls to Jamaica. The
task of awarding this medal was entrusted to
Mr. W. G. Freeman, Superintendent of the Colonial
Keonomic Collections at the Imperial Institute, whose
interesting descriptive articles on the several exhibits
have appeared in the Agricultural News. The marks
awarded by him were as follows: (1) Jamaica, 97 per
cent.; (2) Trinidad, 84 per cent.: (3) Barbados, 78 per
Jamaica well deserves
It will be
seen, however, that Trinidad and Barbados made close
These three colonies are to be congratulated

cent. ; (4) Grenada, 37 per cent.
her success in winning the gold medal.

running.
upon the excellent show made by them.

Turning now to the general awards, each of these
three colonies secured a grand prize for her general
exhibit, while Trinidad has the distinction of securing
an additional grand prize, which was awarded to the
Botanical Department for an exhibit of kidney seed-
cotton. To Jamaica thirty-five medals were awarded,
thirty-one to Trinidad, while Barbados secured twenty-
five. The success which attended the exhibits of the
Trinidad Botanical Departmentdeserves special mention.
It will be seen from the summary published elsewhere
that Mr. Hart’s department secured no fewer than
seven medals, in addition to the grand prize for cotton
already referred to.

290 THE

AGRICULTURAL

NEWS. SEPTEMBER 23, 1905.

While the West Indies as a whole are to be
heartily congratulated upon being so well represented
at this important exhibition and obtaining so large
a number of awards, special acknowledgement must
be made of the valuable work done by the Secretary
of the West India Committee and the Commissioners
of the various colonies represented, as well as by the
local committees (upon which the important work of
collecting and packing the exhibits fell), all of whom
have spared no pains to make the West Indian Court
a great success.

The great importance attached to this exhibition
by the Imperial Department of Agriculture has already
been given expression to in the columns of the
Agricultural News. When steps were first taken by
the West India Committee to secure the adequate
representation of these islands at this exhibition, the
opinion was freely expressed in certain quarters that
no useful purpose would be served, and in one or two
instances no official action was taken. The view taken
by this Department may be summed up in the
following extract from an editorial article in the
Agricultural News (Vol. IV, p. 130): ‘It is generally
recognized that the value of these exhibitions hes in
the promotion of trade, and it is mainly with the view
of promoting trade between the West Indies and the
Mother Country that exhibits are being sent from the
various colonies.’

If proofs were needed of the beneficial influence
of such an exhibition, many instances might be men-
tioned of new interest being aroused in West Indian
products. The exhibition has been widely
attended and has consequently succeeded in awaken-
ing interest in the West Indies, their advantages as
a tourist resort, their diverse and manifold products,
and their trade possibilities. This may reasonably be
expected to have the effect of increasing the tourist
trade (which has already assumed considerable dimen-
sions in Jamaica), as the beauties of the islands, shown
by many fine photographs, become better known. In
connexion with the trade of these islands in new
products, the results of the exhibition are likely
to be, perhaps, more immediate. The inquiries
already being made with regard to West Indian
commodities confirm the opinions already expressed
as to the value of such exhibitions. Reference
might, perhaps, be made to one instance, which will
serve to show what ean be done in this direction, if
full advantage be taken of the opportunities afforded.
A letter in the Grocer, calling attention to the
superiority of limes over lemons, together with an adver-

very

tisement inviting grocers to obtain sample orders for
limes called forth upwards of 100 orders, which are
expected to result in at least fifty regular customers,

It is therefore confidently anticipated that, mainly
as a result of the prominence accorded to the West
Indies at the Colonial Exhibition, a much-needed stimu-
lus will be given to the trade in many products between
the West Indies and the Mother Country. If this
hepe be realized, all who have participated in the
successful elaboration of the West Indian Court will,
it is certain, consider themselves amply rewarded for
their labours.

SUGAR INDUSTRY.
Manufacture of Levulose.

Tropical Life for August has the following note
on a new process for manufacturing levulose or ‘ fruit
sugar’ from chicory roots :—

Mr. Sigmund Stein, the sugar expert of Liverpool, is
said to have discovered a way of obtaining a sweetening
substance, called levulose, by a purely mechanical process
and without the use of chemicals, from chicory roots. This
may lead to chicory being cultivated on a large scale in
England, where it used to be grown fairly extensively near
the city of York. Levulose is said to be six times sweeter
than sugar obtained from cane or beet, and up to the
present discovery was obtained from dahlia roots and sold
at 6s. per tb., whilst, by Mr. Stein’s process, it is thought
possible that it would be sold at 6d. per th. and still leave
a good profit If this is so, levulose will cut out many of
its competitors, especially for sweetening champagne and
aerated waters. The product is also called ‘fruit sugaz’
and seems to be of the nature of honey.

Cuba.

The following information is extracted from an
article on the Cuban sugar industry in the Monthly
Summary of the U.S. Department of Commerce and
Labour :—

Sugar is raised pretty generally all over the island, but
the bulk of the product comes from the four central
provinces—Hayana, Matanzas, Santa Clara, and Puerto
Principe. The plant flourishes luxuriantly as a rule, with
comparatively little care or encouragement, and replanting
becomes necessary only once every ten or fifteen years, on an
average, so that agriculturally the crop is raised easily and
cheaply ; but the preparation of the crop for market is
expensive in comparison, involving, as it does, hard labour in
harvesting, the building of grinding mills, the purchase of
costly machinery for making the sugar and for handling and
transporting the product, the expenses of shipment, ete.
The cost of raising a pound of sugar in Cuba may be said
to be, speaking roughly, le., and the cost of manufacturing
and transporting it to sea-board, under present conditions,
le. more, so that the total cost of production of sugar in

Von. IV. No. 90.

THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.

291

Cuba, from the planting to the shipment at Havana, is about
2c. per tb.—not less than that, and perhaps on the average
a little more. In the old times the cost was much greater.
It is only within a comparatively recent period that sugar
could be produced in Cuba, or anywhere else, for anything
like that amount of money. In the case of Cuba, this low
cost has been made possible of late years by the application
of improved machinery and methods of cultivation and
manufacture, by the improved conditions of the local labour
market, by the cessation of strife and war, and by the
abolition of the oppressive taxes and inequitable taritf
restrictions imposed upon the Cubans for many generations
by their former rulers. The new era of improvement has
only just begun ; and it is the concurrent opinion of all the
best-informed observers that with the additional improvements
which may be certainly expected soon to follow—the
reconstruction of the plantations ravaged by war, the
establishment of new ones, the liquidation of old loans and
other debts incurred under the former régime, and the more
general adoption of up-to-date machinery and industrial
methods—the cost of production will be still further reduced.
Improved roads and transportation facilities will probably
also reduce the cost of transportation.

It is also worthy of consideration that, although nearly
the whole island is well suited for the successful raising of
cane sugar of the best quality, the largest crop ever produced
on the island—that of 1894—was raised on plantations
covering about 2,000,000 acres, or only about one-fourteenth
of the total acreage of Cuba. Owing to the terrible
devastation wrought during the years of the recent revolution,
many plantations were abandoned or greatly crippled, and the
recovery froin these ravages is by no means yet complete, so
that the present sugar acreage is somewhat less than the
acreage of 1894. Considering this fact and also the other
fact, that without doubt at least 5,000,000 acres of the
island might quickly and easily be turned into first-class
sugar plantations, in addition to the plantations already
existing and in operation, and granting that all these
plantations be managed on the most approved modern
systems, the imagination is dazzled by the contemplation of
what Cuba would be capable of doing in the sugar-producing
line in the near future.

The improvements that have been gradually introduced
in the process of sugar production in Cuba during the last
few years or decades include the introduction of steam power
in the fields and in the mills, labour-saving machines of
various kinds, improved furnaces, clarifiers, grinding
machines, defibrators, defecators, vacuum pans, centrifugal
separators, and other modern sugar machinery, cane carriers
and railway tracks through the fields for moving the crops
to the mills, chemical laboratories, cane loaders and unloaders,
electric-light plants in the mills, and a large variety of novel
improvements, tools, fertilizers, and systems of cultivation.

As is commonly the case in agricultural operations
everywhere, the size and quality of the cane crops vary
greatly according to the fertility of the soil and the ability
of the planter. The usual range is from 12 to 50 tons of
canes for the yield of 1 acre. The average is about 25 tons
of cane, or about 24 tons of sugar, per acre. The plant
matures in the autumn or early winter, according as it is
early or late planted, and is harvested and ground all along
through the months from December to May.

In considering the figures as to the acreage of the cane
plantations of Cuba, it must be borne in mind that not by
any means the whole area of these plantations is devoted to
cane culture. The larger part of every plantation, in all
probability, is utilized for building sites, gardens, the raising

of vegetables, fruits, tobacco, and other crops besides sugar,
pasturage for cattle, the growth of timber, ete. At the
same time it is essentially a sugar plantation, as sugar
production is its main activity and main source of revenue.
So, when it is stated as above, that the sugar crop of 1894,
amounting to little over 1,000,000 tons, was raised on about
2,000,000 acres, the meaning is that it was raised on
plantations covering that acreage. In point of fact the
actual acreage of the cane fields themselves was only about
400,000 or 450,000 acres. A crop of 1,000,000 tons raised
on 400,000 acres, as will be seen, gives an average yield
of 24 tons of suyar an acre.

The by-products of sugar-cane—molasses and rum—
constitute a considerable source of income to the sugar
producer. They are produced from the juice of the cane as
it is extracted at certain stages of the sugar-making process,
and the molasses output in particular is of material value
to the sugar planter. The rum product is comparatively
small ‘and mainly destined for home consumption, but
molasses are exported to a considerable extent.

NATURE STUDY.

In the following extracts from his annual report,
the Inspector of Schools for British Guiana makes
reference to the provisions of the new education code.
It will be seen that greater prominence is to be given
to object-lessons and nature study :—

Tam firmly convinced that it is an improvement if only
for the reason that a little hygiene is introduced and object-
lessons take an important place. What is more important in
the primary school than a little knowledge of how to
preserve health? Herbert Spencer says: ‘As vigorous health
and its accompanying high spirits are larger elements of
happiness than any other things whatever, the teaching how
to maintain them yields in moment to no other whatever.’
Are object-lessons of any importance? Again Spencer
answers : ‘The rote system, like all other systems of its age,
made more of the forms and symbols than of the things
symbolized. To give the net product of inquiry without the
inquiry that leads to it, is found to be both enervating and
inefficient. General truths to be of due and permanent use
should be earned.’

To sum up, the Code of 1904 is a great stride in the
right direction, in that it introduces hygiene, object-
lessons, and nature study into the school curriculum. In
the words of the English code: ‘The purpose of the public
elementary school is to form and strengthen the character
and to deyelop the intelligence of the children entrusted
to it, and to make the best use of the school years available,
in assisting both girls and boys, according to their different
needs, to fit themselves, practically as well as intel-
lectually, for the work of life. With this purpose
in view it will be the aim of the school to train the
children carefully in habits of observation and clear
reasoning so that they may gain an intelligent acquaintance
with some of the facts and laws of nature ; to arouse in them
a living interest in the ideals and achievements of mankind,
and to bring them to some familiarity with the literature and
history of their own country ; to give them some power over
language as an instrument of thought and expression, and,
while making them conscious of the limitations of their
knowledge, to develop in them such a taste for good reading
and thoughtful study as will enable them to increase that
knowledge in after years by their own efforts.’

292 THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.

SEPTEMBER 23, 1905.

WEST INDIAN FRUIT.

SHADING PINE-APPLES.

The Curator of the Botanic Station at Dominica
makes the following suggestions with regard to the
desirability of shading pine-apples during the fruiting
period :—

An experiment was made in shading pine-apple plants
from the time of flowering until the fruit was ready to be cut.
The effect was very marked, the shaded plants being healthier
and the fruits more perfect in shape than those unshaded

Probably pine plants would benefit if grown under
light shade from the time of planting, as in Florida, but in
any case it is necessary to shade during the fruiting period,
if the best results are desired. To shade beds of plants is
not an expensive matter. Forked sticks, bamboos, and palm
leaves are generally easily obtainable and are very suitable
for the work.

FRUIT TRADE OF CUBA.

The following brief review of Cuba’s fruit trade
is extracted from the Monthly Summary of the U.S.
Department of Commerce and Labour for May :—

The fruit exports of Cuba are not as large as formerly,
owing to the competition of Florida and California, and to
the decrease in production on account of the war and the
old systems of taxation and export tariffs, which threw a wet
blanket over all Cuban industries. But during the last two
or three years there has been a great revival in the fruit
export trade. The island abounds in many kinds of the
most delicious fruits, which grow spontaneously and require
little care or labour. Among them are oranges, limes, lemons,
bananas, pine-apples, strawberries, grapes, melons, peaches,
apricots, olives, figs, dates, cocoa-nuts, mangos, tamarinds,
guava, and several varieties not so well known in northern
communities. These Cuban fruits are among the finest
specimens of their class grown anywhere, and the oranges,
bananas, and pine-apples, in particular, are of unexcelled
flavour.

The banana shipments from Cuba to the United States,
as all are aware, are extensive, and they have been so even
in the years of Cuba’s greatest depression ; but since the war
they have largely increased.

The figures of the Cuban pine-apple export trade of the
last few years are yet more striking. About $50,000 worth
of pineapples were exported in 1899, and $250,000 worth in
1901; while the increase since then has been truly wonderful.
The value of the exports of pine-apples for 1905 and 1904
was $729,720 and $620,231, respectively.

VARIETIES OF BANANAS.

In answer to a correspondent’s query, Mr. J. R.
Jackson, A.L.S., writes as follows in the Gardeners’
Chronicle in regard to the ditferent varieties of bananas
to be found in the English market :—

The differences in the size and quality of the banana
fruits imported from Jamaica and the Canary Islands is
a question that has recently been asked by a correspondent.
In reply, 1 would say that the Jamaica and Costa Rica
bananas are the produce of JJusa sapientum, which grows to
a height of some 20 feet or more, and is found in most
tropical countries. It is now cultivated under many varieties,
that grown in Jamaica being known as the Gros Michel.
The bunches and individual fruits are much larger and have
thicker skins than those grown in the Canary Islands, which
are the produce of JJusa Cavendishii, a plant of much more
dwarf habit, seldom exceeding 5 to 6 feet in height, and
producing smaller bunches and smaller fruits, which are
thinner-skinned than the former and possess a more delicate
flavour. It is known as the Chinese banana, and besides
the superior flavour of the fruit it has many characters to
recommend it for general cultivation. This form is now
being extensively grown at Barbados and shipped to this
country in increasing quantities as Barbados bananas.

PAPAIN.

Tt isstated in the Transvaal Agricultural Journal
that several correspondents have lately made inquiries
respecting the commercial properties of the papaw.
In order to ascertain the prospects of the papain
industry, a letter was addressed by the Transvaal
Department of Agriculture to the American Ferment
Company, New Jersey, U. 8. A., to which the following
reply was received :—

Replying to yours of the 8th. instant, we beg to say
that there is such a vast area in lands of the world suitable
for production of papaw, and the amount of Papaya juice
needed is relatively so small, that we doubt if it would pay
the people in your locality to take it up.

Thus far, there has been no improvement over the West
Indian plan of scoring the rind, and receiving the juice in
calabashes. It is not received in water, as that would
utterly ruin it. After the rind is scored, the greater part of
the juice coagulates on the surface of the ‘melon’, and is
easily scraped off into the calabash. In fact, the whole mass
coagulates, after which it is dried in the sun by some means.
It should be dried in a temperature not to exceed 150° Fy

Vou. IV. No. 90.

THE AGRICULTURAL

NEWS. 293

COLONIAL AND INDIAN EXHIBITION.

List of Awards.

The last issue of the West India Comittee
Circular contains full particulars of the awards made
in connexion with West Indian exhibits at the Colonial
and Indian Exhibition, 1905. The following extract is
of interest :—

The award to Jamaica of the coveted gold medal, so
generously presented by the Direct West India Cable Co.
for the best collective exhibit, irrespective of size, is a matter
for the heartiest congratulation to that colony, to Mr. John
Barclay and Mr. Frank Cundall, the two Commissioners, to
the Local Committee, and indeed to the enlightened press of
the island, who in the face of what always appeared to be
mistaken opposition, succeeded in bringing matters to
a succesful issue, and secured the representation of Jamaica
at an exhibition, which, before it closes, bids fair to be
visited by considerably over a million people. Trinidad
ran Jamaica close, and Barbados was only six points behind,
and to these colonies, and to the other recipients of awards,
we must convey our congratulations. We should go
even further than this, and convey our congratulations to
Grenada and to all who have participated in the present
display, believing, as we do, that the beneficial results,
though they may not in every instance be immediate, will
at any rate be lasting. Already the exhibition is awakening
in this country a greater interest in West Indian produce
than has been witnessed for many years past, and this
is evinced in a marked degree by the inquiries which
we are continually receiving at the West India Committee
Rooms regarding the various islands and the produce which
comes from their fertile soil... A purveyor of Jamaica
cigars states that he is already receiving many inquiries from
people who would otherwise not have had an opportunity of
smoking the fragrant weed of the erst-while land of sugar and
rum, and then again we have placed on record our own
experience in connexion with limes. A consignment of limes
was exhibited, and in view of the shortage of lemons, a letter
was addressed by the Secretary of the West India Committee
to a leading trade paper, inviting grocers to share in a trial
shipment with a view to bringing before the notice of their
customers the merits of this most excellent citrous fruit, and
almost by return of post nearly 100 orders were received
from different parts of the country, and indeed, we might
add, other countries, for one actually came from Denmark.
The moral from this is easy to draw. What can be done for
limes can also be done for other West Indian produce, and
if West Indians will avail themselves of such opportunities
as are afforded by this exhibition, the results will be
incalculable.

The following is a summary of the awards secured
by the West Indies :—

BARBADOS.
Grand Prize (for general exhibit).
12 Gold Medals.
12 Silver Medals.
1 Bronze Medal.

JAMAICA,

Gold Medal (presented by the Direct West
India Cable Co. for best collective exhibit).
Grand Prize (for general exhibit).
17 Gold Medals.
15 Silver Medals.
3 Bronze Medals.
7 Hon. Mentions.
TRINIDAD.
Grand Prize (for general exhibit).
Grand Prize (for Kidney seed-cotton).
15 Gold Medals. ‘
11 Silver Medals.
5 Bronze Medals.
19 Hon. Mentions.

GRENADA,
1 Gold Medal.
1 Silver Medal.
1 Hon. Mention.

MISCELLANEOUS AWARDS.

Mr. Algernon E. Aspinall obtained a Grand Prize for
West Indian picture post-cards. Five gold medals and one
silver medal were also awarded to various firms showing
miscellaneous exhibits of West Indian produce.

_ It may also be mentioned that the Botanica
Department in Jamaica obtained a gold medal for
‘Fruits and living economic plants,’ and a gold medal
for ‘Sea Island ginned cotton,” ‘To the Botanical
Department in Trinidad were awarded a gold medal
for bananas ; for coffee a silver and a bronze medal and
an hon. mention; for cacao (River estate) an hon.
mention ; for cassava and other starches a silver medal ;
for cotton a grand prize, a gold medal, and an hon.
mention; a gold medal for essential oils; and a gold
medal for bamboos.

GERMINATING PARA RUBBER SEEDS.

The following note on germinating seeds of Para
rubber (Hevea brasiliensis) is taken from the proceed-
ings of the Agri-Horticultural Society of Madras,
October to December 1904 :-—

In these gardens we have been in the habit, for the
last three years, of germinating seeds to supply to the
planters on the Nilgiris. The first year, the plan of
sowing direct in pots and pans was adopted with very
poor results. In the second and third years, a system on
the plan of a seed-tester was tried. Platforms were erected
about 4 feet from the ground, and on these old sacking was
stretched (coir matting would be preferable). Over these was
placed a little powdered charcoal to assist in retaining moisture.
The seeds were then placed on this and covered with more
sacking and the whole kept damp by occasional watering.
The seeds were examined every day and as soon as any
showed signs of germinating they were removed and potted
off. Seventy-five per cent. of a case of seeds received from
Peradeniya germinated after this treatment in spite of having
been delayed by the Madras Customs authorities for over
three weeks.

This plan may be well worth trying in cases where
seeds haye been long delayed in transit to the estate.

294 THE

AGRICULTURAL

NEWS. SEPTEMBER 23,

dW yr ara

WEST INDIAN COTTON EXPORTS.

Under the above heading the Morning Post of
August 12 has the following article on the West
Indian cotton industry :—

Only three or four years have elapsed since the Imperial
Department of Agriculture for the West Indies undertook
the experimental cultivation of cotton with the object. of
ascertaining whether the industry could be recommended to
the planters as a profitable one. The experiments were
entered upon with confidence, because originally cotton
formed one of the principal sources of wealth, the islands
being, in fact, the home of the most valuable variety of
cotton grown—now known as the Sea Island variety. So
encouraging were the results of the experiments that the
sugar planters lent a willing ear to the advice that they
should embark upon cotton as a subsidiary industry.
Considering the brief interval since the reintroduction of
cotton growing, the progress made has been very remarkable,
every season witnessing an extensive increase in the acreage
devoted to the industry. The Imperial Commissioner of
Agriculture has collected statistics relating to the export
of cotton from the islands during the first half of the present
year, which were published in the Agricultural News, Vol.
TV, pp. 278-9.

COTTON CULTIVATION IN JAMAICA.

In the Bulletin of the Department of Agriculture,
Jamaica, for August, Dr. H. H. Cousins treats as follows
of the subject of a suitable rotation of crops for cotton
and other matters connected with the cultivation of
cotton :—

I fully agree with the recommendation not to ratoon
cotton over the first year, having observed serious ravages on
young cotton from caterpillars derived from old plants that
should have been destroyed at the end of the year.

The gist of the matter to my mind is as follows :—

Plant the cotton at the natural season, so that rains may
keep it growing until it has attained size and then dry
weather will follow for the crop. Cotton planted late is
stunted and unhealthy. It is very subject to fungoid disease
and is severely attacked by caterpillars. It is very apt to
ripen seed prematurely, so that when the rains come the seeds
germinate in the green pods and the whole contents turn
black. J am speaking from personal observation here of
a large area planted late with the above result.

Cotton planted at the right time will ripen in about
five months, and if the old plants be trimmed back, a second
flush will follow and a picking of second-crop cotton be
obtained so that the whole can be cleared off the ground in
eleven months. I consider that it is very desirable to uproot

the old plants and, having gathered them into heaps, to burn
them, so as to destroy the eggs, caterpillars, and cocoons of
the cotton worm. ‘The land can then be prepared for the
next planting. Local experience as to corn planting seems
to be a safe guide as to the correct time to plant cotton.
This permits of a narrow margin and must be strictly
complied with if failure is to be avoided.

Under these conditions, I think the lands in Vere and
St. Catherine, where cotton has grown well this year, would
grow it in continuous annual crops for a long period of years
without rotation of crops.

With reference to rotation crops for cotton, it must be
recognized that corn (maize) does not pay to grow in the

plains. Leguminous crops can only be grown as snatch
crops. Tobacco can only be grown on a limited area,

owing to the great demand for labour.
barely pays expenses in Jamaica.

Cassava would do admirably, but here again there must
be a factory on hand to deal with it. I have been trying
to establish data as to the cassava industry, and there is no
doubt it would pay even better than cotton.

Under present conditions, I think cow peas might be
planted between the rows of cotton after the first crop and
be ploughed in when preparing for the new planting It
should be remembered that our cotton lands north-west of the
irrigation area in St. Catherine and the light lands in Vere
are practically virgin soil and very rich in fertility. Ten
crops should not exhaust these lands.

Further, tobacco

HIGH PRICE FOR ST. VINCENT COTTON.

Mention was made in the Agricultural News
(Vol. IV, p. 274) that the cotton from Petit Bordel
estate in St. Vincent had fetched the highest price
recorded from the West Indies, viz. 1s. 6d. per tb.
Tt has since been reported by Mr. Sands that another
bale of St. Vincent cotton fetched the same price. It
is interesting to record that this bale was grown by
Hugh Browne, who completed his training at the
Agricultural School last year.

Mr. Sands states :—

During the planting season Browne cleared and culti-
vated a small plot, not quite ? acre in area, in cotton at
Stubbs Village on the Windward Coast. The seed he
planted was the Rivers’ selected seed obtained through the
Agricultural Department. Browne did all the work of
planting to reaping in his spare time.

From the plot he obtained, when ginned, 142 tb. net of
lint, which sold at the price named above. After deducting
all charges he received nearly £10.

Mole Ven Nov 90:

THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.

bS
iio}
ou

PIMENTO GROWING IN JAMAICA.

The following interesting account of the cultiva-
tion of pimento (Pimenta officinalis) in Jamaica, by
Mr. Adam Roxburgh, is extracted from Mr. Cundall’s
Jamaica in 1905, which was reviewed in the last issue
of the Agricultural News (Vol. IV, p- 286) :—

This is a very pungent spice, and is known as ‘Jamaica
pepper’ and ‘allspice.’ The tree, which is of moderate size,
growing to a height of some 30 or 40 feet, with a circumfer-
ence at the base of the trunk of about 3 feet, is a species of
myrtle. The wood is covered with a greenish-grey bark,
which is smooth and shining in appearance ; the leaves are
a dark and very glossy green, and when crushed in the hand
emit a strong aromatic odour. The general appearance of
the tree is very striking, owing to the colour of the bark,
which causes every tree to show up through the dark green
of the leaves, with a peculiarly beautiful effect. It has been
thought that Jamaica is the only place where this spice is to
be found, but this is not so. It has been found in parts of
South America, but, owing to the expense of the gathering
in those places, it would prove a very unprofitable article of
export. In Jamaica, however, where labour of a kind is
comparatively cheap, we can gather in the spice at a price
which allows of considerable profit to the grower and yet
gives the labourer a very fair wage for his time. Another
erroneous idea respecting pimento is that it will not grow if
planted by hand, but must be dropped by birds on the
ground. The birds certainly are very fond of the ripe
berries, and it is a fact that nearly all our pimento trees are
planted in this way; but it is a great mistake to suppose
that it is necessary for the seed first to be planted by
a bird, for if a ripe seed is washed and cleared of the external
pulp and then planted, it grows readily. The pulp, however,
must be removed, for, if not, it dries and forms a hard,
leathery skin, which will be in the ground for an indefinite
time and prevent the seed from springing. There are two
kinds of pimento trees, viz., the fruitful or bearing tree, and the
untruitful, or, as it is commonly termed, the male tree.
They are very much alike in appearance, and can only be
distinguished by experienced eyes. It is held by botanists
that the so-called ‘male’ trees are not necessary to the
fructifying of the bloom on the bearing trees, and that they
are simply barren trees of no use to the grower and, except-
ing when they are useful as shade trees, are better out of the
way. Many growers, however, find it difficult to reconcile
this theory with actual experience, holding that when all the
‘male’ trees are cut out, the yield of the other trees is not
equal to what it had been before the axe was put to work.

A pimento tree under favourable circumstances begins to
bear when about eight or ten years old, but it is not in full
bearing till about eighteen or twenty years. It will go on
bearing if properly treated for a very great number of years
—longer than the average life of a man. The berry, which
is the marketable product of the tree, and is the ‘allspice ’
of commerce, is a small, round fruit about the size of an
ordinary black currant. They grow in clusters on the tree,
and are in the best condition for picking when full, but not
ripe. When ripe they are of a glossy, black colour, sweet and
very spicy in flavour, in fact, very pleasant to the taste.
The full but unripe berry is more spicy and somewhat
peppery, and astringent. The process of gathering is carried
out by sending a lad up the tree with a long stick with
a crook at the end. With this he catches the long outer
branches, and, bending them back till within his reach, he
snaps off the smaller ends where they are about the thickness
of an ordinary walking cane, and throws them down to the

ground. In this manner, he breaks off all the small branches
upon which he finds the pimento berries hanging, and at the
same time effectively prunes the tree: without such pruning
the tree will not bear regularly. The tree thoroughly ‘broken,’
women and children gather up the branches, and sitting
down they pick off the berries into baskets, taking care to
winnow out all the stems and leaves, and leaye only the
berries. At the close of the day the baskets, full with
pimento, are all brought to the barbecues, and then measured ;
the quantity picked by each person being entered up in the
barbecue book, the picking being paid for at the end of the
week.

The barbecue is the place where the berries are dried
and prepared for market. It is a large, paved court, the size
depending on the average quantity of pimento picked on the
property. It is sub-divided into ‘beds’ by a low banking so
that the pimento picked on one day, and which has begun to
dry, does not mix with the green, fresh spice of another day’s
picking. When a sufficient quantity has been thrown upon
a ‘bed,’ it is spread out and exposed to the sun, a man with
a wooden rake being employed to keep turning it over so that
all sides of the berry may have the benefit of the heat.
Pimento takes from six to ten days to cure in this manner.
A good, dry breeze is a great help in the curing and
quickens the process materially. Tarpaulins should be
provided for every range of barbecues, for the pimento should
not be allowed to get wet while the drying process is going
on. The damp spoils the quality of the spice and affects the
bright, brown colour, which is the chief point looked to by
purchasers. The berries are known to be thoroughly dry
when, upon taking up a handful and holding it firmly in the
hand, a sharp, dry, crisp, rattling sound will be heard, if
shaken near to the ear. When this is noticed, it can then be
gathered up and stored, till the time comes when, the crop
being over, it is passed through a machine for fanning out all
dust and leaves, and then bagged ready for shipment.

The average production of pimento is about 50,000 to
60,000 bags of about 150 tb. weight per annum for the whole
island. When sold in the island, the price is calculated per
100 tb., and the average price for the past five years has been
15s. per 100 tb. We have known pimento during the last
twenty years as high as 40s. per 100 Ib, and for a good
many years 25s. to 28s. rules as the value. Plantation
pimento will of course always fetch a higher price than
settlers’ produce, owing to the quality being superior—not
from any fault on the part of the spice itself, but from the
careless manner of curing on the part of the settlers, as
a rule. St. Ann is the principal pimento-growing parish in
the island, but St. Elizabeth, St. Mary, Trelawny, and
Manchester produce large quantities also.

PREVENTING DECAY OF RIPE FRUIT.

In reference to the article on preventing decay of
ripe fruit, which was published in the Agricultural
News (Vol. IV, p. 277), Mr. J. H. Hart writes as follows
to the Mirror :—

The mangos referred to were supplied by Trinidad, and
I was in consultation with the author during my tenure of
office as Commissioner at the Crystal Palace. I consider it
a most important point. Formalin has for some years been
used in this office as a preservative, and cacao pods preserved
in it were on exhibition by this Department and by Messrs.
Cadbury. It has not, however, been previously used for
sterilizing or getting rid of the germs from edible fruits as

now suggested.

THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.

SEPTEMBER 23, 1905.

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 3 of the cover.

The Agricultural News:
post free 14d.
2s. 2d.

Price 1d. per number,
Annual subscription payable to Agents,
Post free, 3s. 3d.

Agricultural dlews
Vou. IV. SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 1905. No. 90.

NOTES AND COMMENTS.

Contents of Present Issue.

In the editorial in this issue reference is made to
the success of the West Indies at the Colonial and
Indian Exhibition. It is anticipated that a stimulus
will be given to the trade in many products between
these colonies and Great Britain. A summary of the
awards secured by the West Indies is given on p. 293.

An interesting review of the progress made in
Cuba in connexion with the sugar industry will be
found on pp. 290-1.

Notes of special interest to cotton growers are
published on p. 294.

The cultivation of pimento is an important indus-
try in certain parts of Jamaica. The article on p. 295
is of interest.

Tt is desired to draw the attention of cotton
growers to the article on p. 298 on ‘ Beneficial Insects
in Cotton Fields.’ It is of the greatest importance
that growers should learn to recognize their insect
friends.

A short note on the bud-rot of the cocoa-nut palm,
which has been causing some loss in Trinidad, places
the present knowledge of this disease before cocoa-nut
growers. (See p. 299.)

On p. 305 there appears an account of the ettforts
that are being made in St. Vincent for the improve-
ment of allotments in connexion with the Land
Settlement Scheme.

Tenerife Onion Seed for Sale.

Messrs. Gardiner Austin & Co., of Barbados, as
representing Messrs. Miller & Co., of London, who are
extensively engaged in the onion industry in the Canary
Islands, have in stock 3 cases of onion seed which
they offer for sale at 3s. Gd. per tb. The seed is from
this year’s crop and is the white variety. Any person
desiring this seed should communicate directly with
Messrs. Gardiner Austin & Co., Barbados.

> re

Cacao in the Virgin Islands.

Reference was made in the Agricultural News
(Vol. IIT, p. 265) to a report by Dr. Watts on a tour in
the Virgin Islands in July 1904, in which he pointed
out the suitability of cacao growing as an industry
for the peasant proprietary.

Since that time the cacao experiment plot at the
Experiment Station has continued to thrive, and the
last annual report on the station shows that there is
some demand for cacao plants.

Ina recent report Mr, Fishlock mentions that there
is a very nice little plot of cacao near Soldiers’ Hill,
from which the proprietor shipped about 14 bags last
season. This, Dr, Watts writes, confirms his impression,
founded on the experiment plot at the station, that
cacao can be grown in the Virgin Islands, and it will
be well to do everything possible to foster this
industry. ‘The conditions of the Virgin Islands are
pecuhar, the people, who are really a sea-faring race,
not being accustomed to sustained agricultural efforts.
They are much more likely to develop such industries
as depend on tree crops, such as cacao and rubber, than
crops requiring sustained efforts, as cotton, though the
latter should have attention.’

Ee

Growing Tobacco under Shade.

In view of the promising experiments carried out
at the Hope Experiment Station, Jamaica, in connexion
with the growing of tobacco under shade, it may be of
interest to review briefly somewhat similar experiments
carried out in Porto Rico by the Tobacco Expert
attached to the Agricultural Experiment Station,
These are fully reported in Bulletin No. 5, ‘Tobacco
Investigations in Porte Rico during 1903-4.’

In an experiment occupying about 2, acre 2,200
plants were set out under shade in rows 3 feet apart
and 1 foot apart in the row. After curing, the tobacco
was fermented, sorted, and graded by a local tobacco
company. The results showed a total of 171 tb. of
wrappers of difterent grades, 36 tb. of ‘tripa capa, and
21 th. of ‘tripa;’ a total yield per acre of 1,482 tb.
Samples of the light and medium wrappers were valued
at $2°50 and $2:00, respectively, and one large factory
otfered 31°50 per Ib. average.

It is stated that last year 200 acres of tobacco
were grown under shade, and the fact that the area will
be extended to 300 or 350 acres during the present
year indicates the belief that the enterprise will prove
a financial success.

ion: IV. No. 90.

THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.

297

Supports for Vanilla.

The Annual Report of the Agricultural Instructor
at St. Lucia, now in the press, contains interesting
remarks on experiments in vanilla growing. Mr. Hudson
states that the principal obstacle in the way of the
successful cultivation of this product in St. Lucia has
been the lack of a suitable bush as a support.

The trees generally recommended for this purpose,
such as physic nut, calabash, hog plum, and Immortel,
are difficult to keep under control in an extended
cultivation. Mr. Hudson has found old Liberian coffee
trees excellent for this purpose. At present prices
Liberian coffee hardly pays the picking expenses, and
the trees might with advantage be used as supports:
they should be lopped at a height of 6 feet. To those
who have no Liberian coffee trees growing, he can

-recommend the annatto, but not on very rich lands as
they would be difficult to control.

Or

St. Vincent Land Settlement Scheme.

There will be found on p. 303 an account of the
efforts that are being made in St. Vincent to improve
the allotments on the estates acquired by the Govern-
ment under the Land Settlement Ordinance of 1899.

The scheme aims at preventing the exhaustion of
the lands occupied by allottees by encouraging the
preparation of compost and extending the use of
artificial manures.

There were in June last 540 occupied allotments,
and the holders of 400 of these had carried out the
directions of the Agricultural Instructor with regard
to making compost. Each of these 400 allottees is
now to receive, free of cost, artificial manures sufficient

for d acre of land. Suitable manures are being provi-
«led for canes, for cacao, and for provisions.

It is anticipated that useful information will be
obtained as the result of these manurial experiments.

ee

Agricultural Industries of Gambia.
The ground nut is the principal! product of Gambia,
-and the welfare of the colony depends entirely upon it.
During 1904, according to the Annual Report, there
was a falling off in the exports of no less than 2,041
tons, and of a value of £46,107. It is stated that this
industry is bound to be subject to fluctuations, as so
much depends upon the rainfali and the price of the
nuts in France, to which country the majority of them
are exported.

The efforts to establish a cotton industry in the
colony have been unsuccessful, and it is feared that the
cultivation of cotton is impossible, owing to the sandy
character of the soil.

The year’s export returns show increases in wax,
palm kernels, and hides. The trade in hides is
gradually developing, the value of the exports being
£1,444 in 1904.

It is stated that the extension of agricultural
industries is much retarded by the insufficiency of the
population.

Ceylon Rubber Industry.

_ An article in The Times of August 21 contains
interesting information on the growth of Ceylon’s
rubber industry. Twenty-nine years have elapsed
since the first plants of the Para rubber tree (Hevea
brasiliensis) went from Kew to Ceylon. hese trees,
now giants in the Government Gardens, have given
seed which has helped to plant up many thousands of
acres in Ceylon, Southern India, and the Malay Pen-
insula.

With the price of the beautifully clean Para
rubber rising to 6s., it was inevitable that there should
be a rush into planting. The new industry in the
three kinds of rubber (but chiefly Para) covers now the
equivalent of 40,000 acres, and the exports may this
year reach 110,000 tb.

It is estimated that the total area of cultivated
rubber in the world is 149,950 acres; of this area
Ceylon accounts for 40,000 acres, the Malay Peninsula
for 38,000 acres, and Africa 33,000 acres, while Tobago
and the West Indies are estimated to have 1,000 acres.

In Ceylon the Para rubber tree flourishes from
sea-level up to 3,000 feet. It is therefore to be
expected that a great further development will take
place.

a

Gathering Fruit for Market.

Fruit growers in the West Indies do not appreciate
the necessity for the care that is required in gathering
fruit from the trees. This isa matter to which atten-
tion has frequently been drawn in the various agri-
cultural publications in the West Indies and by
Agricultural Instructors in the course of their travels. -

The point which it is specially desired to urge is
this: Perishable fruits should never be pulled from
the tree, but should always be stem-cut. This has,
perhaps, now been fully realized by those who grow
oranges on a large scale for shipment to England or the
United States, but it is rarely one sees any trace of
the stem on oranges gathered for the local markets,
when the fruits are to be consumed soon after being
gathered.

In the case of other fruits, such as, for example, the
avocado pear, the necessity for following this practice is
rarely realized; and yet this is one of the most delicate
of the West Indian fruits. he slightest bruise is
sufficient to cause the pear to rot in a very short time;
it is even often much bruised by its own seed if care-
lessly shaken. The avocado pear is now in season, and
one frequently has to throw away a considerable portion
of the fruit in consequence of the decay that has started
at the point of attachment of the fruit to the stem,
The reason of this decay is that the fruits have been
pulled from the tree; had they been stem-cut with
a pair of shears, they could have been kept much
longer and would have ripened evenly throughout.

Growers of these and similar fruits should realize
that they should gather their fruit with the greatest
possible care, even though these are intended for the
local market only and not for shipment.

298

THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.

SEPTEMBER 23, 1905,

INSECT NOTES.

Citrus Pest at Montserrat.

It has recently been reported that the citrus plants at
the Grove Station, Montserrat, have been suffering from the

attacks of a beetle, which eats the leaves. In the absence
of a detailed description, it is inferred that the report refers
to the greyish weevil (Zpicaerus ravidus), which has for
several years been known to eat the leaves of young citrus
plants at the Grove Station. This insect occurs on limes at
Dominica, Antigua, and St. Kitt’s, as well as in most parts
of Montserrat, but has not, so far as is known, been con-
sidered a pest on any but young trees. The life-history is
not known, but the larva is most likely a root-feeder, as in
other nearly related species.

Handpicking is perhaps the best remedy, although, if
the weevils occurred in large numbers, they might be jarred
off into a cloth such as that described in the Agricultural
News (Vol. II, p. 394). This method is used in Porto Rico
in controlling the orange weevil (Lxopthalmus spengleri),
which is closely related to the species in Montserrat.

Beneficial Insects in Cotton Fields.

Tn a recent number of the Agricultural News (Vol. IY,
p- 266) descriptions were given of the cotton aphis and the
insects that feed upon it. The cotton aphis sometimes
occurs in great numbers on the leaves of the cotton plant,
and as each individual lives by sucking the juice of the
plant, considerable injury may result to the plant. The
aphis is, however, generally held in check by beneficial
insects. These insects are predaceous in their habits and
voracious feeders, each individual eating a large number of
aphis each day.

Unfortunately, cotton planters do not in all cases
recognize these insects, and it is in the hope of creating
a better understanding as to the useful insects found on the
cotton plants that this matter is again referred to. Quite
recently, a report was received at the office of the Imperial
Department of Agriculture from a planter to the effect that

was a small, red bug.

A visit to the field

of was the red lady-

bird (Cycloneda san-

Both these were very abundant, the red lady-bird
The larvae of

Fic.

a., Spotted lady-bird (Megilla maculata) ;
b., Red lady-bird (Cycloneda sanguinea) ;
c., Eggs of lady-bird. All enlarged.

his cotton was being
Z seriously attacked by
“ ] several small insects,
a i the worst of which
XK Ss
a in company with the
M00 planter revealed the
c fact that the small,
red bug complained
20. Lapy-sirbs.
guinea), fig. 20, 6.
Another was the
spotted —lady-bird
(Megilla maculata),
fig. 20, a.
occurring in numbers on nearly every plant.

these insects were also present, and lastly the lace-wing fly
(Chrysopa sp.). An energetic warfare had been instituted
against all these insects, a large number of them having
already been killed. The only evidence against them was
that they were numerous and that the leaves of the plants
showed signs of having been eaten.

So thoroughly had these friendly insects done their work
that very few aphis were to be found. The holes in the
leaves had been made by
the cotton worm, but at that
time very few worms were
found, and no other leaf-
eating insects were to be \\
seen, In consequence, prob-
ably, of the fact that these
fields had received an
application of Paris green
a few days before. The
fears entertained by the
planter that his cotton
plants were being
destroyed by the insects
he reported were entirely groundless. The réle played by
each of these beneficial insects was carefully explained, ana
that particular planter will not again waste time and money
in trying to exterminate from his cotton fields his insect
friends.

Of the lady-birds the red one is generally much more
numerous than the spotted one. It is of a blood-red colour,
about } inch long and + inch wide. The spotted lady-bi
is of a pinkish-red colour with black spots on its back. It
is longer and narrower than the red one, a little more than
1 inch in: Jength and about } inch in width. The larvae of
these two species are much alike (see fig. 22, c.), the eggs
being also much-alike. The eggs are small, oval, orange-red
in colour, and are to be seen on the leaves of the cotton plan

The lace-wing (see fig. 21) is a small, green insect with
gauzy wings. The body is about $ inch long, and the wings
spread nearly an inch. These insects may be seen flying
about in the cotton fields or walking about on leaves or

\\
\\
\

fie. 21. Lace-wine Frye

(Enlarged.)

WY
=
=
=|

G

Fic. 22. Eces anp Larvae.
a., Eggs, and 6., larva, of lace-wing fly ; ¢., larva
of lady-bird. All enlarged.

stems. The larva or grub is small, pointed bebind, and &
armed with a pair of long, strong jaws. The eggs of the I
wing are small, white objects attached to a long stalk
(See fig. 22, a. and b.) :

It is very important that these insects should be
recognized by planters as beneficial and that they should m
be killed) They do not eat the leaves nor in any
injure the plant.

Vou. 1V. No. 90.

THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.

299

BUD-ROT OF COCOA-NUT PALM.

Attention was first called to this disease during the
American occupation of Cuba. In 1901, Mr, Buseck was
sent by the U.S. Department of Agriculture to Cuba, and
subsequently reported upon the entomological aspect of
the disease. Soon afterwards, Mr. Earle was sent to Jamaica
to investigate it there, and his observations were published
in the West Indian Bulletin, Vol. IV, p. 4. The disease has
since been heard of as occurring on the mainland in Central
America, so that it can be assumed to occur all round
the Caribbean Sea. Information has now come to hand
from Trinidad which points to its becoming epidemic in
some parts of that island. On one estate alone over 2,000
palms have already been lost.

A few short notes on the general appearance of the
disease may therefore be interesting; for, unless it is taken
in hand, it must eventually destroy the cocoanut industry
of the West Indies. The general symptoms of the disease
appear to be the yellowing and fall of the outer leaves, the
shedding of nuts and, later, the death of the whole crown.
As to the origin of the disease, opinion seems to be divided :
Mr. Earle states that the organism develops in the sweet
coatings of all the young parts of the plant, thence eating its
way into the sheathing bases of the petioles and attacking
the flowering sheaths. Finally, it reaches the terminal bud
or cabbage, which becomes involved in the vilest sort of
bacterial rot, and the death of the palm quickly follows.
Dr. Erwin Smith, who was later sent to Cuba, states that
it is a disease of the undeveloped tissues of the central crown
and stops promptly with the harder tissues of the palm.

The Hon. W. Fawcett, Director of Public Gardens at
Jamaica, agrees with Mr. Earle, and has had remedial measures
carried on under his supervision with the view of keeping
the disease in check. Spraying with Bordeaux mixture has
arrested the disease in several cases, when it has been applied

‘before the disease has gone too far. This beneficial use of
Bordeaux mixture points to the origin of the disease really
being more or less superficial and not being so deep-seated
“as Mr. Earle and Mr. Smith assert. They seem to be
convinced that bacteria are really at the root of the evil.
3 Bacteria, it is true, are often found in diseased
plants in enormous numbers, but they are living only
'

:

on tissues that have already been disintegrated and have
An uninjured plant is impregnable to their
attacks. The sole and only channels of communication
t between the interior of the plant and the outside world are
q
d
g

decayed.

the stomata, ahd these open into a closed system of air-filled

intercellular spaces, which are shut off from the cells
‘themselves. If bacteria, therefore, are washed into stomata,
they find nothing but moist air, and bacterial spores cannot
- germinate without nutriment. Wounds on plants are due to
three causes—(a) natural causes from wind, ete., (b) insects,
(c) fungi. In the case of a wound caused by wind, ete., the
“open surface is soon shut off by the development of an impene-
_ trable layer of cork below the wound, which, therefore, makes
‘the entrance of bacteria to deeper tissues almost as difficult as
“in the case of an uninjured plant. Both fungi and fly larvae
have been found in the parts longest diseased ; but it is
asserted by Mr. Smith that the advancing margin of the
decay was occupied only by bacteria. The question therefore
“to be solved is: How have the bacteria got there?! Until
something definite is known about the way infection is
carried on, no remedy can be suggested ; for a disease can
only be exterminated when attacked at the weakest time of
its life-history. The seriousness of the disease in several of
the West India Islands shows that only the most energetic
action is likely to avail.

en)

ai

HURRICANE INSURANCE.

The following note on the scheme for insuring
plantations against hurricanes in the West Indies,
which has been drawn up by his Excellency the
Acting Governor of the Leeward Islands, is extracted
from the West India Committee Circular. Brief
reference was made to this scheme in the <dAgri-

cultural News (Vol. IV, p. 268) :—

Mr. H. Hesketh Bell, the Administrator of Dominica,
who, during the absence of Sir C. Courtenay Knollys, is now
administering the Government of the Leeward Islands, has
favoured us with a memorandum, which he has drawn up
primarily for the consideration of the members of Lloyds,
regarding the possibilities of insuring against the effects of
hurricanes in the West Indies, with special reference to the
conditions prevailing in Dominica and the other islands of
the Lesser Antilles. The object of this memorandum is to
show that (1) hurricanes do not occur in the West Indies as
frequently as is generally believed ; (2) reports of damages
and disasters caused by them have often been much
exaggerated ; (3) insurance against losses could be effected
with advantage to the landowner and with profit to the
underwriters.

Under the first heading, Mr. Bell deals with the
frequency of hurricanes, and the characteristics of those
which occur in the West Indies, and gives a table showing
the hurricanes which appear to have visited the British
Tslands in the Leeward group from 1800 to 1875, These
are only seven in number, and it is pointed out that, ‘though
the formation of hurricanes in the Western Atlantic is an
almost annual occurrence, the eftects of these storms on
islands in the Caribbean Sea are only to be feared when the
track of a hurricane happens to pass directly over or very
near to them.’ Such an event is far more rare than it is
usually believed to be.

Thanks to the kind assistance of the Hon. Francis
Watts, C.M.G., Mr. Bell has been able to furnish a chart
showing very clearly all the hurricanes that have passed
through the eastern portion of the Caribbean Sea since
1878 to the present year, and this record is sufficiently long
to give a reasonably correct idea of the risks to be feared
from hurricanes. In the second part Mr. Bell points out
that press reports and accounts of hurricanes, written just
after they have taken place, are nearly always greatly
exaggerated, and the first estimates of the damage done by
such storms are very incorrect. The fragile construction of
the huts and cottages of the lower classes renders them
easily damaged, but these may be repaired without great
loss. Much harm has been done to the West Indies by highly
coloured reports of these catastrophies, and stress is laid
on the point that while the damage and distress caused by
a great hurricane, such as the Montserrat one in 1899, can
hardly be exaggerated, every hurricane is not necessarily
a great disaster. Under the third heading, Mr. Bell outlines
a acheme of insurance, and gives certain details regarding
the suggested assessment of damage, which we shall hope to
publish in our next issue.

There can be no doubt that any scheme of insurance at
reasonable rates of premiums would be enthusiastically
welcomed, and that by thus materially reducing the
probability of loss from hurricanes, agricultural eterprise in
the West Indies would be relieved of its greatest handicap.
Tf Mr. Bell succeeds in inducing members of Lloyds to accept
this class of risk, be will have earned the gratitude of all
planters and intending settlers in the West Indies.

300

THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.

SEPTEMBER 23, 1905,

GLEANINGS.

The Agricultural Instructor at St. Lucia reports that
at Dennery Mr. Ward has some 150 colonies of bees, and his

aplary is conducted on model lines.
all pure Italians.

His queens are nearly

A shipment of 28 dozen ‘Pere Louis’ mangos was
recently sent from St. Lucia to Messrs. W. Pink & Sons,
Plymouth. The fruits were packed in wood-wool in specially
imported cases and arrived in good condition. The price
obtained for the shipment was equivalent to 24d. per fruit.

Mr. J. KR. Bovell announces that he has for free
distribution in Barbados some 250 plants of the Barbados
supple (Paullinia barbadensis). A note on this
attractive and interesting climbing shrub appeared in_ the
Agricultural News (Vol. TV, p. 143).

jack

During the fortnight ended August 24, 68 bales of
West Indian cotton were imported into the United Kingdom.
Medium fine is quoted in Liverpool at 6°35d. per Ib.; West
Indian Sea Island, medium fine, 13d.; fine, 14d.; and extra
fine, 154d. per th. (Test India Committee Circular.)

The Agricultural Instructor at Nevis reports that the
mungoose has so increased in numbers in that island as to
be a menace to all feathered stock and is even reported to
attack Jambs and small goats. Monkeys are another pest to
sugar and cacao planters ; nothing is safe from their attacks
near the mountain.

There is considerable demand in some of the West
India Islands for seeds and plants of Castdlloa elastica.
Care should be taken to save all seeds for raising young
plants for distribution. It would be of interest and economic
importance if readers would report localities in which this
tree is found to thrive.

Mr. E. L. Oliver, writing to Dr. Watts in reference to
a small shipment of Nevis cotton, says: ‘I think it well to
draw your attention to a specially good lot as well as the
faulty lots, to enable you to compliment the grower of these
3 bales, as I never expected Nevis could approach such
a high standard of excellence.’

The Imperial Commissioner of Agriculture has received
a packet of excellent picture post-cards showing views of the
West Indian Court at the Colonial Exhibition as follows :—(1)
The West Indian Court; (2) the Barbados Trophy ; (3) a corner
ot the Barbados Court; (4) the Trinidad Court ; (5) the
Jamaica Court ; (6) part of the Grenada Court. These cards
are published by Geo. P. Osmond, 15, Seething Lane,
London, E.C.

Samples have been received by the Imperial Commis-
sioner of Agriculture of a new sweetmeat placed on the
market by the firm of Pascal & Co., London, under the
name of ‘West India Molasses Candie.’

The Tertile Mercury states that the hopes entertained
that Cuba might become a large cotton-producing country
have been entirely destroyed by the appearance of the
boll weevil in almost every place where experimental crops
have been raised.

The &eferee, referring to Trinidad bananas, says :—
‘The new, red-skinned bananas froin Trinidad are delicious.
They have the delicate, jargonelle pear-drop flavour, and have
only to become known to be highly appreciated by fruit
lovers. But while they are 3d. each, they are too expensive
for the prevailing epidemic of “no money.”’ (DPort-of-
Spain Gazette.)

It has been suggested that Barbados and Anguilla sea
moss, to the utilization of which reference has already been
made in the Agricultural News (Vol. LV, pp. Sand 152), might
serve the same purpose as the agar-agar made from Japanese
sea-weed, which is largely used for culture media. Samples
are being forwarded to the bacteriological laboratory at
Cambridge to ascertain whether it would be suitable and
what its value would be. These trials will be reported on
in due course.

It is important that ripe cotton should not be allowed
to remain on the plants after it has properly developed, for if
it is allowed to remain, especially during showery weather,
the seeds will germinate in the bolls, splitting open the seed-
coat and sending out a primary root. When in such
a condition it will be most difficult to gin ; the young roots
will be broken, and there will be a great danger of the seed-
coats being torn off and passing with the broken roots
through the gin and mixing with the lint.

The Curator of the Botanic Station at Dominica reports
that there is a large demand for plants of the spineless lime.
‘This lime produces very few seeds, usually only one or two
in each fruit, hence there is a difficulty in raising a large
stock of plants. A number of young trees are now coming
into bearing at the station which will help to increase our
seed supply.’ It may be mentioned that 1,672 spineless lime
plants were distributed from the station during the year
1904-5.

The Local Instructor at Montserrat reports: ‘The bay
trees planted at Harris’ Station serve as an excellent object-
lesson as to the possibility of these trees being planted om
a large scale. These plants were got from the “ bush” about
two years ago. They were watered and only a few failed to
grow. They are now flourishing young trees: some leaves
were picked from them late last year. Planted in convenient
places about 6 feet square, they can be controlled and kept as
a bush by topping occasionally.’

A writer in the Bulletin of the Department of Agri
culture, Jamaica, suggests the use of the guango or saman
(Pithecolobium Saman) for shading cacao. Its wood is
useful for furniture and makes nice Hooring. Its beans are
also valuable and for them there would be an opening for
a trade with Canada. In banana cultivation it was found
that good fruits could be grown under its shade, but as in
wet situations the branches decay, the writer has had to cut
out the trees from his banana walks.

Vor. IV. No. 90.

THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.

301

ANTIGUA :
BOTANIC STATION AND AGRICULTURAL EDUCA-
TION, 1904-5.

Botanic Station.—The expenditure for the year under

ANNUAL REPORTS ON THE

review was £549 Is. 1d.
£41 4s. 6d.

Owing to several changes in the staff during the year
and the serious and prolonged drought, the work at the
station has been carried on under difficulties. Useful work
has, however, been done, notwithstanding these.

The nurseries for raising economic and other plants for
distribution have been kept well stocked. Some 4/400
plants and quantities of seed were distributed ; in addition,
10,000 seedling forest trees were raised and planted in the
re-afforestation plots.

The rainfall at the station during the year was only
52°94 inches ; this figure is 20°03 inches below the average
for the past five years.

In connexion with the work in the experiment plots,
special interest attaches to the efforts to raise a new variety
of cotton, hardy and disease-resisting, specially suited to
local conditions. The Rivers’ variety of Sea Island cotton
was crossed with () local wild cotton, (b) Nevis wild cotton.
The experiment is being proceeded with and will be watched
with interest.

Economic experiments were continued at Scott’s Hill
and Skerrett’s stations. They included an _ interesting
experiment with the Rivers’ Sea Island cotton seed to
ascertain the reason for the lack of uniformity in_ the
appearance of the imported seed. The results of this
experiment have already been recorded in the Agricultural
News (Vol. IV, p. 106). Interest attaches, also, to the
experimental cultivation of broom corn.

This report is of considerable interest and contains
useful information on a variety of subjects.

Agricultural Education.—The Agricultural and Science
Master has prepared an excellent record of the work carried
on by him in connexion with the Imperial Department of
Agriculture.

Mr. Kirby’s principal duties have consisted, as before,
in giving lessons in chemistry, physics, and agriculture, at
the Antigua Grammar School. In addition he has given
instruction at the Girls’ High School and at the Female
Training College. A useful course of lectures on Tropical
Hygiene for elementary school teachers was also given during
the year.

The receipts amounted to

DOMINICA: ANNUAL REPORTS ON THE
BOTANIC STATION, AGRICULTURAL SCHOOL,
AND EXPERIMENT PLOTS, 1904-5.

Botanic Station.—The expenditure on the Botanic
Station for the year under review was £830 18s. 9d. This
sum was, however, supplemented by a local vote of £125,
The sale of plants and produce yielded £172 19s.-9d.

The number of plants distributed was 46,736; large
quantities of cacao and rubber seeds were also supplied.

Mr. Jones reports that there was a continued increase
in the demand for budded plants. This involves much more
work on the station staff than the production of ordinary
seedlings.

The report contains a summary, prepared by Dr. Watts,
on the manurial experiments with cacao at the station, which
should prove of considerable interest and importance to
planters. The results, which are brought out very clearly in
the diagram, go to show that “proper care and manuring
can be relied upon to give substantial increases in yield.’

With regard to other crops in the experiment plots
attached to the station, it may be mentioned that the rubber
trees are making good progress. Large numbers of plants
and seeds of Castilloa clastica and Funtumia elastica were
distributed during the year.

Interesting information is supplied in the report in
reference to experimental shipments of rubber, gommier
resin, fruits, and fish oils. Particulars of these shipments
have already been given in the Agricultural News,

The report contains much that is of interest to Dominica
planters in reference to economie experiments and other
matters.

Agricultural School.—The expenditure on the school
during the year was £550. The sum of £30 18s, 3d. was
realized by the sale of vegetables, eggs, service of stallions, ete.

In the experiment plots attached to the school a large
variety of crops was grown, special success being recorded in
connexion with onion growing; the yield of onions was
4,000 Ib. per acre.

A special feature of the practical instruction is the
lessons in budding. Owing to the extensive planting of
oranges in Dominica and the large demand for budded plants,
this instruction should prove particularly valuable and is
likely to result in a demand for the services of boys familiar
with this process.

The list of boys who have left the school, with their
present occupations, would appear to indicate that the
Agricultural School is fulfilling a very useful purpose in
Dominica.

Luperiment Plots—The report of the Agricultural
Instructor deals with the working of seven cacao plots,
two lime plots, one orange plot, and one rubber plot. The
tables appended to the report show that increased yields
have been obtained in the cacao plots in consequence of good
cultivation and manuring.

In his journeys Mr. Branch has visited the cultivations
of peasants, advising them as to their crops, the preparation
of produce, ete. He has also given useful practical, instruction
in budding oranges and grafting mangos.

Mr. -Branch is able to report that much more attention
is now being devoted to pruning, manuring, and draining, on
the part of the peasants ; and the experiment plots appear to
be serving a useful purpose in bringing to the notice of the
peasants the requirements of their crops in regard to
cultivation.

Coffees without Caffeine. The Pharmaceutical
Journal, reviewing a paper in the Comptes Rendus, mentions
that it was shown in 1901 that the coffee of the Comoro
Islands (Coffea Humblotiana) contains no caffeine. Recently,
three new species of Coffea have also been found on examina-
tion to contain no caffeine. These species are indigenous to
Madagascar or its neighbouring islands. This non-oceurrence
of the alkaloid cannot be attributed to soil or climatic
conditions, since other coffees grown there contain the normal
amount of caffeine.

THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.

SEPTEMBER 23, 1905.

EVIE

HINTS ON AGRICULTURE: By J. Edgar Beckett,
Assistant Instructor in Agriculture, British Guiana. George-
town, Demerara: Estate of C. K. Jardin, Deceased, 1905.
Price, in paper covers, 24c.; in stiff boards, 36c.; in leather-
ette, 48c.

This little pocket volume of some 220 pages contains
a large fund of practical advice to the small farmer in
British Guiana.

As pointed out by Professor J. B. Harrison, in a preface,
Mr. Beckett ‘has had exceptional opportunities of noticing
the salient points of the husbandry of the small farmers and
settlers of British Guiana. He has made himself thoroughly
conversant with the advantages and defects of the modes of
cultivation practised by them, and his long connexion with
the Agricultural and Botanical Departments of the colony
has placed him in a position authoritatively to suggest modes
adapted for remedying the latter.’

The hints are simple and straightforward and as such
are likely to awaken a more intelligent interest in agri-
cultural pursuits. The price of this publication is such as
should place it within reach of the most hamble members of
the community, for whom, as well as to all farmers and
planters, it will be found to contain much of interest and
much of real practical value.

While dealing, more or less fully, with such crops as
cacao, coffee, cotton, etc., which some village farmers may
be unable to grow, there are also useful hints on the cultiva-
tion of common fruits and vegetables in which good business
might be done.

The chapter on poultry farming should, as suggested by
Professor Harrison, appeal to the wives and daughters of the
farmers. This publication will be found admirably suited as
a reading-book for the boys and girls of the elementary schools.

TROPICAL LIFE: A monthly journal devoted to the
interests of those living, trading, holding property, or
otherwise interested in tropical or sub-tropical countries.
London: John Bale, Sons & Danielsson, Ltd. Subscription
price, 10s. per annum.

This new journal, which made its first appearance with
the July number, is devoted, as the sub-title indicates, to
matters connected with agriculture and colonization in
tropical countries. Its editor is Mr. H. Hamel Smith.

It is stated that a feature of the publication will be
chatty leading articles on the markets, in place of the usual
cut-and-dry reports.

The first issue has an interesting account of the
“Foundation in Paris of the International Tropical Agri-
cultural Society. Interest also attaches to the article on
the cultivation of fibres, which deals particularly with the
necessity for a lighter make of fibre-cleaning machine.

The second issue contains an illustrated review, written
by a shareholder, of the work of the British Cotton-growing
Association. One of the illustrations shows the exhibit of
West Indian cotton at the Imperial Institute.

GOMMIER RESIN.

Particulars were given in the Agricultural News
(Vol. ILI, p. 155) as to the commercial valuation of
gommier resin sent from Dominica to the Imperial
Institute. It was stated that the samples were valued
at 17s. to 18s. per cwt., as compared with 50s. to 55s,
obtainable for true elemi from the Philippines.

As the samples were reported to be rather dirty,
a second small consignment of 50 Th. was forwarded,
the following report on its value being received:—

Samples of this consignment of gommier resin were
submitted to brokers for commercial valuation. They
reported that a considerable fall had recently taken place in
the price of Manila elemi, which is at present worth only
from 25s. to 30s. per cwt., as against 70s. to 80s. per ewt. at
the corresponding period of 1903. It was thought that the
sample of the West Indian resin, on account of its unsatis-
factory appearance, would not at present be worth more
than 10s. to 15s. per ewt.

It is stated in the annual report on the Botanic
Station that these samples were collected with care
but failed to satisfy the market requirements. The
prices mentioned would scarcely pay the cost of
collecting the resin in the forests of Dominica.

Particulars as to the collection of gommier resin
are given by the Agricultural Instructor as follows:—

In the month of April I received instructions to collect
a sample of resin in a soft state to be forwarded to the
Imperial Institute to be reported on by the Director, in order
to find out its commercial value. In the vicinity of the
Trois Piton mountains and in the Bassinville district I tapped
172 trees.. I found that in some cases the flow of sap was
slow and the density seemed a little thicker than turpentine;
in other cases it seemed to harden faster. The sap that
did not harden quickly was washed away by heavy rains
which were falling nearly every day at the time that I was
collecting. The trees tapped by the side of the Imperial
road were in a good many cases robbed of the resin by
persons evidently collecting for making flambeaux (torches).
The trees having mosses and wild pines growing up the
stems gave the worst resin as regards impurities, as with
even light showers the water running down the stems
brought with it a lot of volcanic ash, which adhered in
large quantities to the resin, which in such cases had to be
abandoned. The trees giving the largest yield were those
growing in pockets where the land seemed richer than the
brows, the trees growing on the latter places giving the least
resin. At Bassinville at the base of a mountain on which
there had been an enormous landslip, I came across a tree
with a very large deposit, the weight being fully 15 to 20 th.
of hard resin, which stood out like a post of sugar candy by
the side of the tree and touching the ground. Trees giving
such a large deposit are spoken of by the natives as ‘trees
with a sickness,’ as they say the tree does not live for any
length of time afterwards.

DEPARTMENT NEWS.

The Impezial Commissioner of Agriculture for the
West Indies, who, as previously announced in the
Agricultural News, has been on an cfiicial visit to
Jamaica, returned to Barbados in R.M.S. ‘La Plata”
on Thursday, September 21.

ee

Vou. IV. No. 90.

THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.

305

ST. VINCENT LAND SETTLEMENT SCHEME.

Improvement of the Allotments.

Mr. W. N. Sands, Agricultural Superintendent at
St. Vincent, has forwarded for publication the following
account of the scheme for the improvement of Allo
ments on the Land Settlement estates in that island
by means of manurial experiments:—

The Land Settlement estates at St. Vincent, which were
acquired by the Government under the Land Settlement
Ordinance of 1899, are Richmond Hill, Clare Valley and
Questelles, Park Hill, and New Adelphi, and groups of
estates in each of the Linley and Cumberland Valleys.

The lands of each estate, except such as are reserved for
the protection of the sources of streams, exposed ridges,
townships, roads, ete., are divided into allotments of areas
varying from 1 acre to 7 acres.

At the end of last year the Agricultural Instructor
was directed to draw up a full report on the allotments, in
order that the progress made might be noted. In the report
which he prepared it was shown that there were 689 allot-
ments, and the approximate area in cultivation was 2,650
acres. This area is cultivated by the allottees according to
instructions of the officers of the Imperial Department of
Agriculture under the authority of Rule 19 (b) of the
regulations made under the provisions of the above-named
Ordinance. The rule reads as follows :—

‘Every purchaser of an allotment shall for a period of
sixteen years, reckoning from the date of allotment, carry
out such instructions as to the clearing of the land, the area
in cultivation, the nature of the products to be planted in
a particular spot, the manner in which the land is to be cultiv-
ated, and the products cared for, and the handling of the
produce for market, as may from time to time be given to
him by the officers of the Imperial Department of Agriculture
for the West Indies.’

In May 1904, his Excellency the Governor directed that,
in order to prevent the exhaustion of the lands of the
allotments, the preparation and keeping up of compost-pits
on each allotment should be insisted on under this rule, and
further stated that he would be prepared to approve of
purchasing artificial manure and giving it in small quantities,
as an experiment, to those persons who had kept compost-
pits. In this way it was thought that general industry would
be encouraged, and the people would see the advantages of
manuring their lands.

When these instructions were received the Agricultural
Instructor was directed to proceed with the work, and
commenced instructing allottees during the following month.

On November 23, the Agricultural Instructor reported
that he had visited all of the estates and instructed allottees
to prepare compost-pits, had shown them how they were
formed, and explained the object.

He reported again on June 28 of this year that of the
689 allotments 540 were occupied, and that 400 allottees
had carried out instructions. Those allottees who had not
carried out his orders were warned by the Government that
their allotments would be liable to forfeiture if they did not
carry out what they were told to do, and, as an example, some
of the worst cases were summarily dealt with. Since this
action was taken a good many more of the allottees have
started making up compost and manuring their lands.

When the last report was forwarded, the Government
«lirected me to make out a description with the cost of artificial
Mianures requisite to issue to the 400 allottees who had

carried out instructions. This presented some difficulty owing
to the varied character of the crops grown, but eventually
a scheme was drawn up which it was thought could be
worked so that each allottee would receive a quantity of
artificial manure suitable for a small area of the erop grown,
which area would be of sufficient size to see the result ‘of the
manure.

The scheme may be briefly stated as follows :—Each of
the 400 allottees to receive, free of cost, a supply of artificial
manure to apply to } acre of land in either of these three
groups of crops, namely, canes, cacao (bearing), and
provisions. (Under provisions is included cassava, sweet
potatos, yams, tannias, and arrowroot.)

For each of the three groups the following manures are
to be given:—

For canes, sulphate of ammonia at the rate of 2
per acre.

For cacao (bearing), basic slag and sulphate of ammonia
at the rate of 4 cwt. and 1 ewt. per acre, respectively.

For provisions, kainit and superphosphate at the rate
ewt. and | ewt. per acre, respectively.

It is estimated that 220 allottees will receive manure
for canes and cacao, and 180 for provisions.

The cost of the manure was estimated at £100.

This scheme was submitted to the Imperial Commissioner
of Agriculture, who wrote that the proposals were quite
workable, provided that the manures were applied at the
right time and in the right way. ‘The better arrangement
would be for the manures to be applied to the land before
the crops are planted, or, failing this, as soon as possible
after they are planted. Fortunately, the manures selected
are not those that would be easily washed out of the soil by
heavy rains.’

The scheme has been approved by the Government,
and the expenditure of £125 from Land Settlement funds
sanctioned to be expended on manures on the lines proposed.

During the present month it is proposed to distribute
manures for canes and cacao, as this can be done with
advantage at this season. The manures for the provision
crops will be obtained and distributed just before the chief
planting season, which will be about March next.

It should be mentioned that allottees will be encouraged
to apply compost or other manure to their lands, and that
these manures will be, as it were, as an additional dressing.

The officers of the Department will follow up this
experiment closely, and some useful information should be
obtained.

Once the advantage of applying manure to their lands
is clearly demonstrated to allottees, the successful working of
the estates should be assured, as very considerable progress
has been made during the last two or three years.

ewt.

of 2

a

Pond Flies are very common at this season of the year
in fields of growing crops, especially in the fields of older
cotton. These insects pass the early stages of the life-cycle
in stagnant water, where they are predaceous on aquatic
insects and other small animals. The adults are known to
be insect eaters, but there seem to be no observations on
record of their feeding habits in the cotton and other fields
in the West Indies. It would be very useful if the readers
of the Agricultural News would report any instance of a pond
fly actually seen feeding on any insect. Pond flies probably
devour small insects while on the wing, but larger ones such
as moths and butterflies are borne to the ground and there
eaten.

THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.

a

SEPTEMBER 23, 1905,

MARKET “REPORTS.

London,— August 31, 1905. Messrs. Krarton, Prrerr &
Co.; Messrs. E. A. pr Pass & Co.; ‘THE West INDIA
Commitrrer Circunar, ‘THe Liverroon Corron
AssocraTION WEEKLY CircuLar,’ August 25, 1905;
and ‘THE Pusric Lepcer,’ August 26, 1905.

Axors—Barbados, 15/- to 45/- ; Curacoa, 15/- to 50/- per ewt.

Arnowroot—St. Vincent, 1d. to 24d. per th.

Barata—Sheet, 1/10 to 1/1] ; block, 1/54 to 1/6 per tb.

Bees’-wax—&£7 15s. to £8 2s. 6d. per ewt.

Cacao—Trinidad, 54/- to 62/- per ewt. ; Grenada, 47/-
to 52/- per cwt.

Carpamoms—Mysore, 74d. to 3/- per tb.

CorrrE—Jamaica, good ordinary, 40/- to 41/- per ewt.

Corron—West Indian, medium fine, 6°35d. ; West Indian
Sea Island, medium fine, 13d.; fine, 14d. ; extra fine,
153d. per tb.

Frourr—

Bananas—Jamaica, 4/- to 6- per bunch.

Orances—Jamaica, 14/- to 20/- per box.

Pinxe-arpres—-Jamaica, 9d. to 1/- per pine; Antigua,
16/- per barrel.

Fustic—£3 5s. to £4 per ton.

Gixcer—-No quotations.

Honey—16/- to 23/6 per ewt.

Ismscnass—West Indian lump, 2.2 to 2/7; cake, 1/ to 1/3
per th.

Koia Nors—4d. to 6d. per tb.

Live Jurce—Raw, 9d. to 1/1 per gallon; concentrated,
£18 per cask of 108 gallons; hand-pressed, 2/6 to 2,9
per 1b. Distilled Oil, 1/7 per tb.

Locwoon—£4 to £4 15s.; roots, £3 10s. to £4 per ton.

Macr—No quotations.

Nirrare or Sopa—Agriculiural, £11 per ton.

Nourmecs—60's, Visi Vides FOiss Ws Pde c80is iid. = 1C0’s:
Td. 5 120s, Gd. ; 142’s, 5d. ; 164’s, 44d., and in shell
at 43d.

Pimento—2 id. to 23d. per Ib.

Rum—Demerara, 1/1 per proof gallon; Jamaica, 2/1 per
proof gallon.

Sucar—Yellow crystals, 17/- per ewt. ; Muscovado, 14,3 to
14,73 per ewt.; Molasses, 11/6 to 14,6 per ewt.

SULPHATE OF AMMONTA—£12 8s. 9d. per ton.

Montreal,—August 10, 1905.—Mr. J. Russert Murray.
(In bond guotations, c. & f.)

Bananas— No quotations.
Cocoa-nuts— Jamaica, $22-00 to $2496 ; Trinidad, $1900
to $21°00 per M.

Corres—Jamaica, medium, 10c. to 11e. per Ib.

Gincer--Jamaica, unbleached, Tbe. to le. per tb.

Lives—Jamaica, $6-00 per barrel.

Morascurr—Demerara, $1°32 per 100 th.

Morasses—Brarbados, 3le.; Antigua, 26c. per Imperial

gallon.

Nurmres—Grenada, 110’s, 20c. per th.

ORANGES—-No quotations.

Pivento- -Jamaica, 5c. to 5fe. per th.

Pine-apeLEs—No quotations.

Sucar —Grey crystals, 96°, $2°60 to $2°85 per 100 tb.
—Muscovados, 89°, $2°10 to $2°35 per 100T.
—Molasses, 89°, $1°85 to $2°10 per 100 th.
—Barbados, 89°, $1°95 to $2°10 per 100 th.

New York,—August 18, 1905.—Messrs. Giniesriz Bros.
& Co. :

Cacao— Caracas, 1lfc. to12c.; Grenada, 1ljc. to 11}c.;
Trinidad, 11 jc. to 12c. per tb.; Jamaica— No quotations.

Cocoa-nuts—Jamaica, $28°00; Trinidad $24:00 to $26-00
per M.

Corrre—Jamaicas, 8$c. to 11e. per th. (ex store).

Grxcer—Jamaica, 7c. to 84c. per th.

Goat Sxiys—Jamaicas, 57c. per tb.

oO

Grare Fruir—No quotations.

Mace—29e. to 32c. per th.

Nutmecs—West Indian, 80's, 224c.:
llc. per th. ; -

OranGES—No quotations.

Pimento—4fe. per th.

Pine-areLEs—No quotations.

Scucar—Centrifugals, 96°, 4ic.; Muscovados, 89°, 3c. ;
Molasses, 89°, 34c. per th. 2

INTER-COLONIAL MARKETS.

Barbados,—September 11, 1905.—Messrs. T. S. Garra-
way & Co., and Messrs. James A. Lyncn & Co,

Arrowroot—St. Vincent, $4°50 per 100 th.

Cacao—$11-00 to $1105 per 100 th.

Cocoa-Nuts—$10°00 per M. for husked nuts; $8°50 for
nuts in husks.

Corree—$10°(0 to $11-°00 per 100 th.

Hay—%de. to $1°10 per 100 th.

Manvres—-Nitrate of soda, $65:00 ; Ohlendorff’s dissolyed
guano, $5500; Special cotton manure, $48°00 ; Sul-
phate of ammonia, $75°00; Sulphate of potash, $67-00
per ton.

Ontons—Madeira, $2°24 to $3°25 per 100 th.

Poratos, EnerisH—Bermuda, $3-66 per 160 tb. (retail).

Rice—Ballam, $4°20 to $475 per bag (190 tb.) ; Patna,
$2°86 to $2°96; Seeta, $3°26; Rangoon, $2°50 per
100 th.

Scucar—Yellow crystals, $4:25 ; Muscoyados, 89°, $1-80 per
100 th.

British Guiana,—September 4, 1905.—Messrs. Wrerrne
& Ricwrer.

ArRowroot—St. Vincent, $8°C0 per barrel.

Barara—Venezuela block, 25c. ; Demerara sheet, 38c. per tb.

Cacao—Native, I4c. per tb.

Cassava SrarcH—§$5-00 per barrel.

Cocoa-Nuts—$10-00 to $12-00 per M.

CorreE—Rio and Jamaica, 13}c. to 13fc. per tb. (retail).
—Creole, 14c. per th.

Du at— $375 to $3°90 per bag of 168 .

Eppors—5be. per barrel.

Mo tasses—No quotations.

Ontons—Madeira, $270 per box of 100 th,
Tenerife, 1 fe to 2c. per tb. (retail).

Pea Nurs—American, 5$c. per th. (retail).

Prayrats— 12c. to 28e. per bunch.

Poraros, EncrisH—2he. to 2c.
per Ib. (vetail).

Poraros, Sweer—Barbados, $1:44 per bag.

Rrce—Ballam, $4°15 to $4°20 per 177 tb. ; Creole, $390
to $4°00 per bag.

Tannras—$1-44 per barrel.

Yams—White, $2°28 per bag; Buck $2-64.

Sucar—Dark crystals, $2°35 to $2.40; Yellow,

ex ship;

per tb.; Tenerife, 2fe.

$5°40 ;

White, $4°50; Molasses, $2°40 to §$2°50 per 100 fb. -

(retail).
Timber—Greenheart, 52c. to 55¢e. per cubie foot.
WaLLaba SHINGLES—$3°00, $5-75, and $5:25 per M.

Trinidad,—September 5, 1905.—Messrs. Gorpon, GRANT
& Co. ; and Messrs. Epcar Trier & Co.

Cacao—Ordinary to good red, $11°25 to $11°50; estates,
$1140 to $11-75 per fanega (110 tb.); Venezuelan,
$1125 to $11 60 per fanega

Cocoa-nuts —$20°00 per M., f o.b.

Cocoa-Nut O1.—G7ec. per Imperial gallon (casks included),

Corree—Venezuelan, 10c. per th.

Copra—-$2°80 to $2°90 per 100 th.

Ontons—Stringed, $2:00 to $2°30 per 100 th. (retail).

Potratos, Encrish—$2-‘15 to $2°50 per 100 fb.

Rice—Yellow, $425 to $4:50 ; White, $4°50 to $5°60 per
bag.

Sucar—White crystals, $4-00 to $4°50; Yellow crystals,
$500; Molasses sugars, $2°50 to $3°00 per 100 th.

es .

——————

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(18) Recipes for cooking West Indian Yams. Price 2d. Price 4d.
{19) Seedling and other Canes at Barbados, in 1902. Price 4d. (34) Notes on Rabbit Keeping in the West Indies. Price 2d.
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Agricultural matters throughout the West Indies.

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Vou. IV. No. 90. THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS. SEPTEMBER 23, 1905.

THE BEST MANURES FOR COLONIAL USE

a VASEU Es

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
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JOURNAL D'AGRICULTURE TROPICALE.

A Monthly Illustrated Review, published in French,
dealing with all matters connected with
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Vou. IVY. No. 91.

IMPERIAL DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE FOR THE WEST INDIES.

BARBADOS, OCTOBER 7,

Price ld,

1905.

CONTENTS.
PAGE. PAGE.
Agricultural Prospects at Jamaica Orange Industry 308
Jamaica «.. ... 005 | Jippi-jappa Hats ... .., 313
Anthrax Inoculation . ols

Market Reports . 320

Bananas from Martinique 308

Barbados Scholarship ... 312 | Rat Virus in Dominica ... 319
> Ke eat St. Lucia 31: Ve c
Bee mecping ape ee metas rienee Noted +. tee ee oLh
Colonial Products enews 2 : s
Big aig ifa Show of Colonial Fruit... 308
Exhibition . oll ca i
: - E Sisal Hemp -...0 2.7. 318
Cotton Notes :— Geel) enone ene
Barbados Factory i Sitar sg pare
hes renee ss Islands mess
Barbuda oe eos OO tac - ne
r: 2 Spineless Limes . 308
mb: Waneent... ... <.. dll ‘
ee = : 572 | Sugar Industry :—
St. Vincent Factory ... 315 Gane itantnmohth
Sea Island Crop ...... 310 Ae ae

Trinidad®.:.-.72" ee OOt

West ies... , old =
est Indies 310 Naudet Process at

Wind-breaks ue a 310 |

Departmental Reports ... 317 Bapeim os
Educational :—- Tea Cultivation in

Barbados 3B alls) Jamaica o0d. cos BAe)

Jamaica se. see «ee 315 | Tobacco Industry, West
Fishing in Jamaica... ... 307 Indian... OBS 313
Gleanings wwe ss. +. 316 | Tobacco in St. Kitt’s 319
Grape, Fungoid Diseases Turks and Caicos Islands,

of the noc: eee co Os) Exports of 313

Grenada, Exports of ... 512 | Vanilla in Tahiti . oll
Insect Notes :— West Indian Agricultural

Cane-fly Sree parol: Conferencei ens -aarole

Hair-follicle Mites ... 314 | West Indian Products ... 319

Pests in Egypt ... ... 314 | Wireless Telegraphy . 307

Agricultural Prospects at Jamaica.

> N connexion with the recent official visit

qq of the Imperial Commissioner of Agri-
Ee
to review
colony.

culture to Jamaica, it may be of interest
briefly the agricultural prospects of the

A striking feature of the present situation
is the increased interest which is being taken in
developing the undoubted resources of the island,
especially in sugar cultivation. The
Imperial Commissioner is of opinion that sugar and
rum must continue to be two of the leading industries,
as without them it would be impossible to maintain
the prospects of the island in a thoroughly satisfactory
condition. Now that the bounties have been abolished
and the prospects for West Indian sugar in Canada
are likely to be improved, the industry should be
largely developed. There is no doubt that in the
Vere district, provided water is supplied in sufficient
quantities, the outlook for sugar cultivation is so
favourable that the industry could be carried on so as
to compete with any part of the world. The establish-
ment of two new central factories in this district is
likely to meet with satisfactory results.

regard to

In the production of first-class rum Jamaica
stands in the foremost position, and it should be the
aim of all concerned to maintain this position in spite
of any changes that may take place in regard to the
production of sugar by means of central factories.
The work that is being carried on under the direc-
tion of Dr. Cousins at the Government Laboratory
and at the Sugar Experiment Stations in different
parts of the island deserves the warm support of
the planting community, as it is confidently believed
that it will eventually be productive of much good.

In regard to the banana industry, while it is
of great value to the colony, it would be a misfortune
if, in the case of, comparatively speaking, so risky
a cultivation, too much reliance were placed upon it,

306

THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.

OctoBER 7, 1905.

The original idea was that the bananas were to be
largely used as shade and nurse plants for cacao and
other crops of a permanent character. It would be of
great advantage if cacao cultivation could receive still
further attention. ‘The existing plantations should be
more carefully cultivated and the bananas upon them
gradually removed so as to leave the land well estab-
lished in cacao. Planters are also urged to consider the
desirability of planting Custilloa rubber trees among
their cacao, as has already been successfully done in
Tobago. In the latter island there are 90,000 rubber
trees already established on cacao and other estates.

Of the principal industries suited to Jamaica,
bananas, cacao, and rubber could be worked together;
sugar, rum, logwood, cotton, and cocoa-nuts would form
another group; while tobacco, cassava, and _pimento
might be placed in a third group, with pen keeping as
a separate industry in such parishes as St. Ann’s,
St. James’, and Hanover. In Jamaica the conditions
are more favourable for diversified industries than
probably in any other part of the West Indies. What
is necessary is for them to be carried on on thoroughly
systematic and practical lines so that every advantage
be taken of local conditions.

Excellent work is being done by the Agricultural
Instructors maintained by the Board of Agriculture
and the Agricultural Society. Their efficient services
afford the hope that the mass of the people will
steadily reach a higher standard of effort in agri-
cultural matters.

Amongst other subjects that deserve to be
taken up on thoroughly enterprising lines is_ the
cultivation of tobacco. Jamaica cigars and cigarettes
have now become so widely known that tobacco
growing should be regarded as one of the most
promising industries and one that would well repay
the judicious outlay of capital in suitable localities,
Jamaica cigars are obtainable and are regularly
in use at all the best hotels and clubs in the West
Indies. The only difficulty is that they are not
produced in sufficiently large quantities to establish
a large trade also with the mother country.

It is a matter for regret that orange cultivation on
systematic lines has not been so successful as could be
wished. A mistake has been made in attempting to
establish orange groves in the lowlands and in unsuit-
able situations. The best oranges undoubtedly grow
at elevations of about 1,500 feet to 2,000 feet. Orange
growing, in spite of past failures, may still be retrieved
if the conditions necessary to success are thoroughly
studied, ‘The cultivation of pine-apples has also been

of a disappointing character, chiefly owing to the
selection of unsuitable soils.

So far, cotton planting has not made the progress
in Jamaica that was hoped for. There are, however,
some very promising cotton fields in the Vere district,
and it is likely that, when the requirements of the
plant are more fully understood, the area under
cultivation will steadily increase. Some excellent
cotton has been grown in Jamaica, and there is
the industry should not become
thoroughly established. The Commissioner was credibly
informed that in Vere there are probably 2,000 acres
of land, at present unoccupied, that would grow
excellent cotton.

no reason why

The advantages possessed by Jamaica in the
raising of cattle and horse-kind are of a striking
character. Jamaica horses are greatly appreciated
everywhere, and finer cattle could not be found
anywhere in the tropics. Good carriage horses are in
demand in British Guiana, Trinidad, and Barbados.
The difficulty is to obtain a sufficient number of
animals exactly suited to the requirements of these
colonies.

There is abundant evidence of increased interest
in agricultural matters in Jamaica, and Sir Daniel
is satisfied that distinct progress has been made of
recent years. Itis desirable, however, that still greater
efforts be made to educate and train the rising genera-
tion in sympathy with a careful and thorough cultiva-
tion of the soil, and that large tracts of fertile land,
within easy reach of roads and railways, now lying
waste, be taken up and established in crops suited
to the soil and climate, and capable of yielding
remunerative returns.

SUGAR INDUSTRY.

Naudet Process at Madeira.

The following information in regard to the sugar
industry at Madeira is extracted from the Consular
Report for 1904. It deals particularly with the Naudet
dittusion process, which was first tested at Madeira :—

The sugar-cane crop for 1904 was approximately the
same as that of the previous year, and there have been no
complaints of disease in the cane, the season having in this
respect been a very good one. The most remarkable feature
of the crop has been the largely increased quantity of Yuba
cane now grown in the island. This would seem to point to
the fact that the grower obtains a larger quantity of cane
per acre with the Yuba than with other kinds, which it will
probably supersede altogether in course of time. From the
refiner’s point of view this is of no particular advantage, as
the cane gives little, if any, additional purity of juice, and is,

Vout. IV. No. 91.

THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS. 307

moreover, more difficult to crush, owing to the extreme
toughness of the rind.

The Hinton-Naudet process, to which reference has been
made in previous reports from this consulate, * has now
been adopted at Porto Rico and Trinidad in two large
factories with a capacity of 1,200 and 600 tons per day,
respectively, with results most satisfactory to the sugar
planters who speak enthusiastically of it. There seems little
doubt that, sooner or later, all planters will be compelled to
instaJl the new system, which not only reduces the cost of
sugar manufacture and facilitates the whole process, but—
a point of even greater importance—extracts the whole of
the juice, except about 0°36 7+ per cent., instead of allowing
a large proportion of the sugar to go to waste, as has hitherto
been the case. In these days of keen competition such
advantages are of the utmost importance.

A description of the process will be found in the report
from this consulate for the years 1901 and 1902 (No. 3,057,
Annual Series), to which I would refer those desiring full
details, but it may be useful to append a technically worded
summary of its advantages, which has been furnished me by
Messrs. W. Hinton and Sons, of Funchal, who were the first
to apply the system (already in vogue on the Continent for
beet sugar) to the extraction of the juice of the sugar-cane.
These advantages, briefly summarized, are :—

1. Single crushing.

2. Defecation of the juice and its filtration, after
defecation, in its own megass (or cane waste) in diffusors.

3. Recovery of all sugar in juice and megass, with
a loss of from 0°36 to 0-4 per cent. 7

4, The megass, after being passed through a mill to
extract the waste, is used as fuel in the ordinary way.

5. Total abolition of all skimmings, filter presses, and
of the acidity resulting from their use.

6. A defecated juice unaffected in purity and perfectly
brilliant.

7. A much higher yield in sugar, entailing less expense
and less fuel, as the defecation of the juice is made in
special heaters with the use of exhaust steam.

Cane Farming at Trinidad.

The following information is abstracted from
returns relating to the ‘'rinidad Cane Farmers’ Crop
of 1905 (with figures for the seven previous years), laid
before the Agricultural Society on September 12, 1905,
and published as Society Paper No. 235 :—

; o 2 2 a & #
g Ho | é¢g Ea = =
| woo = i) = 5

ag |&22/ 2 = = 5
Wear) 205) |i | So = ue ah

ne je oo x st =e sS

= Sei & Z 26

Be jaw Fl) ao i = Zi
1905) 38,240, -— | 244,418] 144,868 [$482,053 '10,866
1904 50,744 1,669) 385,015] 171,947 | 360,046 | 9,331
1903) — 1,783 | 337,632) 166,590} 348,445] 8.883
1902) — | 4,379} 337,911) 184,867 | 327,183} 9,356
1901; — 3,652 | 434,003 | 169,918) 369,482 | 8,556
1900) — 1,286 | 364,355 | 105,996 | 227,865} 6,417
1899) — 1,571 | 426,306 | 106,741} 219,011] 6,696
1898 105,753 | 202,901} 6,150

* See Agricultural News, Vol. III, p. 354.
t+ Not 36 per cent., as has been erroneously stated.

WIRELESS TELEGRAPHY.

In reference to the extracts from a report on
wireless telegraphy by Sir W. H. Preece, K.C.B., which
were published in the Agricultural News (Vol. IV,
p- 251), it may be of interest to publish the following
review of a paper on the ‘ Absorption of electromagnetic
waves by living vegetable organisms, which appeared
in the Hxrperiment Station Record for June 1905 :—-

In connexion with a report on investigations of wireless
telegraphy carried on for the War Department, the author
gives an account of some phenomena suggested by the action
of trees as conductors for electromagnetic oscillations. The
experiments were carried on principally in the vicinity of
San Francisco, a grove of Eucalyptus trees being utilized as
the receiving station.

The apparatus and method of experiment are described,
and it is said that the trees were found to serve as a substi-
tute for the towers and masts usually required to carry the
antennae wires. The investigations showed that the trees
were capable of receiving and giving off the electric current
required in wireless telegraphy, and marked differences in
efficiency were noted with different species of trees, such as
willow, pine, spruce, oak, etc. A tree with a small leaf
surface and in an unhealthy condition was found to be
poorly suited for the purpose of the experiment, and dead
trees practically behaved as insulators.

After a little practice it was found that two men could
install a sending station in from 10 to 15 minutes, or
a receiving station in even less time. All that was necessary
was to fasten the apparatus to the side of the tree and attach
the wires, one above and one below, nailing them into the
tree.

In the course of the experiments an attempt was made
to measure the electrical resistance of plant cells between the
metallic electrodes inserted in the trunk of a tree, and several
curves were taken, but sufficient regularity was not observed
to enable any generalization regarding the phenomena. In
summing up his investigations, the author believes that
living plants may serve a more important part in electrical
phenomena than has been generally supposed, and he urges
a more general study of the physical phenomena as related to
plants.

FISHING IN JAMAICA.

The recently issued hand-book Jamaica in 1905
has the following note on the fishing to be obtained in
that island :—

The rivers of Jamaica offer great attractions to the
fisherman. At the mouths of nearly all the rivers, snook,
June-fish, snapper, and the famous tarpon are to be caught
with rod and reel or hand-line ; the last named (viz., tarpon)
being a rival to the celebrated salmon on a rod, and some
great fishermen declare that he is superior. The tarpon also
abounds in the bays and inlets, and they often scale over
100 tb. Tarpons have been caught with rod and line at
Jamaica up to 56 Ib. in weight ; with a net up to 153 hb.
It is seldom that callipever and snook, or mullet are taken
with a cast net. When it is, it is only by a fluke. Higher
up in the rapids are found the far-famed mountain mullet,
also hog-nose mullet, sand fish or mud-fish, snook, tarpon,
and drummer, all to be caught with rod and reel. The
mountain mullet is an excellent substitute for brook trout,
and the hog-nose mullet, and callipever are like lake trout
and just as game; they nearly always scale between 3 Mb.
and 8 Ib.

THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.

OcToBER 7, 1905,

WEST INDIAN FRUEE.

SPINELESS LIMES.
the last
Agricultural News (p. 300) to the distribution of
spineless lime plants from the Botanic Station at

Reference was made in issue of the

Dominica. ‘These plants are propagated from seed.
It was considered that it would be of interest to
obtain information as to the behaviour of this variety
under the influence of seminal propagation: the
particular point of interest was whether the plants
‘come true’ when grown from seed. Mr. Jones relates
his experience as follows :—

The oldest spineless lime plants at this station are
fourteen years old. These show no signs whatever of
developing spines.

Of the seeds of spineless lime sown probably about
80 per cent. ‘come true.’ The remainder are thorny and are
rejected.

Sometimes I have noticed in the seed beds plants that
are intermediate ; that is, they have short, blunt thorns.
These, on being planted in the field, became spineless when
about 4 feet in height, so the tendency appears to be
towards throwing off the spines rather than developing them.

JAMAICA ORANGE INDUSTRY.

With a view to showing that the statement
frequently made in Jamaica that orange dealers are
ruining the trade by shipping all the bad fruit that
comes to them does not apply to all dealers, the
Hon. J. P. Clark has forwarded to the Daily Telegraph

the following particulars of one week’s work in two of

his packing houses :-—

The particulars will show that at all events some of us
endeavour to protect the trade. If the suggestion that
I made at a public meeting two years ago could be carried
out, and no fruit be permitted to be packed except in
a licensed house, such things could not occur, as growers
would be forced to take their fruit to a decent house to be
packed after it has shrunk and been sorted, instead of being
packed immediately after having been picked, regardless of
bruises, ete.

Received. Packed. Thrown away.
Williamsfield ... 1,004 510 194
Kendal ... nee 882 698 184

1,886 1,208 678

BANANAS FROM MARTINIQUE.
The the Fruit

Grower :—

following is extracted from

In the case of bananas the ery is ‘still they come.
The impetus which has of late been given to this culture is
becoming infectious and every island where bananas can be
grown is entering the list. Martinique is the latest addition
and is, moreover, not to be left out of account. ‘There are
regular lines of steamships, including the Compagne Generale
Transatlantique, which call at Martinique, and it is antici-
pated that these vessels will be equipped for the carriage
of fruit and that the industry of banana culture may prove
a paying one here as elsewhere.

SHOW OF COLONIAL FRUIT.

The next show of colonial fruit will be held by
the Royal Horticultural Society on Tuesday and
Wednesday, December 5 and 6, 1905, at Vincent
Square, Westminster, London, 8.W. It may be men-
tioned that the prize list shows that provision has
been made for, amongst others, the following classes
in which fruit growers in the West Indies are more
particularly interested :—

DIVISION I,—COLONIAL-GROWN FRUIT AND VEGETABLES.

Class 5.—Pine-apples.

5 6.— Bananas.
x 7.— Mangos.

8.—Grapes.

+ 9.— Oranges.

., 10,—Limes and lemons.
11.—Shaddocks, pomelos, and other like fruit.
17.—Yams, sweet potatos, and other tubers,

., 18.—Vegetables other than tubers.

», 19.—Any other colonial-grown fruits or vegetables.

DIVISION Il.—PRESERVED FRUITS, JAMS, ETC.

This division includes exhibits of colonial-grown and
colonial-prepared fruits—bottled, tinned, or dried ; colonial-
grown and colonial-preserved vegetables, and colonial-grown
fruits made into jam, jelly, syrup, etc., in the colony.

Dried or preserved fruits of any sort or kind may be
shown, subject to the condition of their being tasted by the
judges, and of their having been grown in a British colony.

No entrance fee or charge for space is made and tabling
is also provided free of expense. If desired any produce may
be consigned direct to the society, but the society cannot
undertake to repack and return any exhibits.

—~+-—__—_—

Vor. IV. No. 91.

THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.

309

CULTIVATION OF TEA IN JAMAICA.

The following account of the cultivation of tea in
Jamaica is extracted from Jumaica in 1905 -—

There are at the present time only two tea plantations
in the western hemisphere; one at Summerville, South
Carolina, U.S.A., and the other at Ramble in St. Ann,
Jamaica.

Varieties of the tea plant were introduced into Jamaica
in 1868, and were planted in the public gardens on the Blue
Mountains, some 4,900 feet above sea-level, where they grew
well. Some twenty years later a plantation of about 13
acres was formed in the neighbourhood of the gardens at
Cinchona, but the cultivation was discontinued, and although
the bushes are still growing well, it has not yet been resumed.

In 1896 the plantation at Ramble in St. Ann was
commenced. Its progress at first was very slow, every step

having to be tested by experiment. The soil being different
to that of Cinchona, the rainfall less than at that place, and
the elevation only 1,600 feet above sea-level, it was necessary
to commence by trying whether the plant would grow under
the altered conditions sufficiently well to make it worth while
to incur the great initial expense of forming a plantation.
This test was made with 250 plants and a packet of seed
from the Cinchona gardens. ‘The result being favourable,
the cultivation was extended as plants or seed could be
procured ; but the quantity not being large for several years,
only a small acreage could be planted. Of course, seed could
have been imported, but it was decided not to do so for two
reasons ; firstly, that the tea grown might be homogeneous
in character, and secondly, for fear of importing certain
enemies of the plant with the seed. Latterly the cultivation
has expanded more rapidly, seed being obtained from the
plants first put in; there are now from 80 to 90 acres with
plants of various ages.

After demonstrating that the plant would grow in
St. Ann, it was necessary to experiment in manufacturing
the tea from the leaf to judge whether its quality would
justify a heavy expenditure on machinery for curing it.
This test having been passed, machinery was procured and
tea prepared for market, the first occasion being at the
Thickets Show, in August 1903. Since that time additional
and improved machinery has been set up, and with the
experience gained by practice in the manufacture, a good
class of tea is being turned out.

Tea is essentially a factory crop; it requires a large
initial outlay for buildings and machinery ; and there must
be considerable expenditure for keeping the ground clean
while the plants are growing, about five years. In Jamaica
this item constitutes a serious handicap on the planter, as
compared with India, where the rate of wages is very much
lower. For these reasons, tea cultivation requires a much
longer period of waiting, before it can be remunerative, than
some other cultivations, such as the banana; but on the
other hand, it is not subject to any great risk from hurricanes,
and it isa crop with many advantages for the settler who
lives within reach of a factory. He can grow the plant in
his provision ground without stopping his other cultivation,
and when the plants are large enough he will have at the
factory at all times a market for his leaf.

In this connexion it may be of interest to publish
the following extract from the account of an interview

given to a representative of the Jamaica Gleaner by
the Imperial Commissioner of Agriculture :—

Amongst the newer industries, I am glad to find that
the Hon. H. E. Cox has extended his tea cultivation at
Ramble, St. Ann, to 90 acres. This area is beautifully
kept and the trees are in excellent health. The quality of
the tea has greatly improved since my last visit to Jamaica,
and when the new machinery which Mr. Cox has imported
is in full working order, the tea of the coming season should
all be of first-class quality. The tea is entirely made by
machinery, and does not come in contact with the hands of
the working people during the process of manufacture. This
is the only tea cultivation in the West Indies and the
prospects for the industry are very favourable,

FUNGOID DISEASES OF THE GRAPE,

While grape growing is not an industry which has
assumed any great importance in the West Indies, grape
vines are found in gardens in most of these islands, and
specimens of diseased vines are not infrequently sent to the
Imperial Department of Agriculture for examination. A few
notes on the methods of treating the vines so as to avoid loss
from fungoid diseases may therefore be of interest.

Every year enormous losses occur in the vineyards of
Europe and America through the improper treatment of the
vines. In the United States this subject has been thoroughly
investigated by highly qualified scientific men, located in
every part of the country. The diseases which now interest
people in these islands are those caused by fungi, which
attack the foliage, fruit, and stem. What is known as
‘Mildew’ is a common disease in the West Indies. Another
is ‘Rust,’ injuring the leaves and turning them a reddish
brown colour. The latter is to be met with everywhere and
is probably the most difficult to get rid of.

These and other fungoid diseases have been fully worked
out and measures are known for their prevention. he latter
have been deduced from the biology of the parasite and its
relation to its host. A fungus generally spreads by means of
spores which are scattered by the wind, by insects, birds, ete.,
and even through human agency. Probably, however, the
commonest source of plant infection arises through careless-
ness in not promptly destroying diseased leaves, fruits, ete.,
which, in most instances, can readily be done without much
expense. Of course the cultivator cannot directly prevent
the diffusion of spores by wind, ete , but the following sugges-
tions may be of use to those who wish to produce healthy and
good fruit :—

(1) Burn all diseased leaves and fruit, and do not throw
them on the manure heap, which means securing a recurrence
of the disease.

(2) Wounds made by pruning should be immediately
protected by a coat of tar or some other substance capable of
preventing the germination of spores on the cut surface.

(3) The vines should be sprayed with Bordeaux mixture
when just coming into leaf, when in flower, and again when
fruits are just ready for thinning. Directions for preparing
this fungicide will be found in Pamphlet No. 17, ‘General
Treatment of Fungoid Pests,’ and in the Agricultural Neus,
Vol. III, p. 214.

(4) Any appearance of disease, when the fruit is ripening,
should be kept in check by other sprayings with weaker
solutions. The most important of the sprayings is the one
when the vines are just out in flower. Careful attention to
this and the other suggestions given above should keep the
plants free from fungoid disease and ensure a healthy crop of
grapes.

THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.

OcropEer 7, 1905.

9): WEAR
Gs IW era pL

~

SEA ISLAND CROP REPORTS.

The following information in regard to the Sea
Island crop is extracted from recent reports of Messrs.
Henry W. Frost & Co., Charleston, South Carolina :—

From the Islands and coast of Carolina some localities
give very unfavourable reports as to the promise of the
crop, others not as much so, and others even favourable.
But taking the island crop as a whole, from the present
outlook it is estimated it may fall short of the last by 10 to
15 per cent.

The reports from Georgia and Florida are also generally
unfavourable. They are, however, to about the same purport
as in Carolina, as some sections report a fairly good promise.

The weather has now become settled and favourable,
and should we continue to have favourable conditions from
now on, there will be ample time for the prospects to
improve. The general opinion now is that the crop can,
under no circumstances, equal the last ; but it is impossible
at this date to predict what the final result will be.

SEA ISLAND COTTON IN THE WEST
INDIES.

The ‘Annual Sea Island Cotton Report’ of Messrs.
W. W. Gordon & Co., of Savannah, Georgia, has the
following reference to the important position that the
West Indian cotton industry is assuming :—

The cultivation of Sea Island cotton in the West India
Islands is assuming important dimensions, and the planters
there are making every effort to produce desirable grades of
Sea Island cotton by selecting the seed with care, by using
the best qualities of fertilizers, and by rotating their crops.
Cotton raised during the past season proved satisfactory as
a substitute for the higher grades of Florida and Georgia
cotton, and the average grades of Sea Island cotton.

If planters of Florida and Georgia cotton desire to
continue to obtain good prices for their product, it will be
absolutely necessary for them to exercise more care in
separating the seed-cotton which has good staple from the
seed-cotton which has poor staple before the cotton is put
through the gin. We also urge upon our customers the
importance of carefully selecting and putting aside the seed
produced upon the most vigorous and perfect stalks, so that
they may have this seed for planting purposes next season,
in case it proves to be impossible to obtain fresh seed from
the Carolina Islands. We strongly emphasize the necessity of
keeping up the quality of the staple of the cotton and of
packing bales which are perfectly uniform, both in staple and
preparation. Interior merchants should take steps to impress
these requirements upon the planters of Sea Island cotton.
A failure to do so will result in lower prices.

PMT RNS

WIND-BREAKS IN COTTON FIELDS.

Whenever young cotton is sheltered by a field of canes
or corn, or by an elevation in the land, the growth of the
young cotton plants is much more luxuriant than when
they are fully exposed to the breeze.

When there is but a low rainfall and a constant breeze
is blowing over a field of young cotton, the drying influence
of the wind is very distinctly reflected in the young plants,
for they do not possess the healthy vigorous appearance
which is seen in the plants sheltered in the manner above
described, but remain small and starved.

If the cotton field is a large one with a field of canes
on the windward side, it is very easy to see the extent of the
protection afforded by the canes. Where protected, though
in the same field, the plants will be twice or three times
as large as those beyond the protection of the canes.

Good head-rows of Guinea corn might be planted on
the windward side of the field, or, if the field is large, one or
more rows wight be run across it.

COTTON GROWING IN BARBUDA.

Dr. Francis Watts has furnished the following
information in respect to the experimental cultivation
of cotton in the island of Barbuda. A sum of £100
was placed at the disposal of the Government for the
purpose by the British Cotton-growing Association :—

I have to inform you that 19 bales of first-class cotton
and 3 bales of stained cotton have been shipped in con-
nexion with the Government experiment in cotton growing
in Barbuda. It may be interesting to make the following
provisional estimate of the position, in view of the steps to
be taken to continue the cultivation :—

Cost of cultivation, ete., £101 0 0
» 3) ginning and baling... 25 0 3 £12650Res
11 bales sold at 1s. 13d. per lb. £103 O 4
8 bales to be sold, say, at £9
per bale... 6c ote 2 OKO
3 bales stained cotton, say, at
£4 10s. 13°10 0 188 10 4
Profit on cotton alone £ 62 104

Tn addition, there were produced 9,909 tb. of cotton seed,
which has been returned to Barbuda for stock food and
manure, the value of which may be taken at from £14 to £20.

Under these circumstances cotton growing appears to
be highly profitable, and I would advise that as much land as
can be satisfactorily looked after be placed under cultivation
with this crop.

-

tel sill beet eee aie

—

Vou. IV. No. 91.

THE AGRICULTURAL

NEWS. 311

ST. VINCENT COTTON CROP.

Mr. W. N. Sands, Agricultural Superintendent at
St. Vincent, reports on the prospects of the cotton crop
as follows :—

I have now visited all the chief cotton cultivations, and
at the present time the outlook for the industry is very
hopeful. As far as I can see the young plants are growing
much sturdier than last year; to date very little disease
has been noted.

Orders for cotton seed for planting are still coming to
hand, but chiefly for small lots for supplying purposes. It
may be of interest to add that, so far, the amount of seed
selected, disinfected, and distributed from the Cotton Factory
amounts to 25,844 Ib., of which 13,984 tb. have been
exported and 11,860 Ib. sent out to local growers.

BARBADOS CO-OPERATIVE COTTON
FACTORY.

The Barbados Co-operative Cotton Factory,
Limited, was registered at Barbados on August 16 last,
under the Companies Act, 1892.

The capital of the company is £1,000 divided
into 2,000 shares of 10s. each.

The objects for which the company is established
have already been outlined in the Agricultural News
(Vol. IV, p. 209). The main objects, briefly stated, are
as follows :—

(1) To purchase the cotton factory and equipment ;
(2) to carry on in Barbados the business of cotton growers,
cotton ginners, and dealers in cotton and cotton seed ;
(3) to make advances to cotton growers on account of cotton
grown by them, and to purchase such or other cotton or its
products.

VANILLA IN TAHITI.

The following note on the vanilla industry of
Tahiti is extracted from the Consular Report on the
Society Islands for 1904 :—

While it must be conceded that Tahiti vanilla is inferior
in quality to that of other countries, probably on account of
the deterioration of the vine since its first introduction into
this island from Mexico some thirty years ago, yet it is a fact
that during the years 1897-1902 its exports and prices were
sufficiently elevated to aid this colony in the maintenance of
a fairly high state of commercial and financial prosperity.
In the years 1897-9 its price varied from 9s. 54d. to 5s. 2d.
per tb.; decreased to 3s. 114d. per tb. in 1900; advanced to
4s. 4d. per tb. in 1901, and fell to 2s. 11d. per tb. in 1902,
since which date it has gradually declined to 1s. 02d. per Ib.
in 1904. It is generally admitted that this state of
affairs has arisen in consequence of foreign markets having
been flooded with an imperfectly cured and sometimes
fraudulently packed article, forwarded hence by Chinese
shopkeepers, who have procured the green beans from native
growers and prepared them with insufficient skill and with
undue haste for shipment. However this may be, it is true
that the exports of Tahitian vanilla in 1902 amounted to
144? tons, valued at £47,417, and that in 1904 it had
decreased to 134} tons, of the value of £15,969, a difference
in the space of two years of 10} tons in weight and of
£31,448 in value. Recently some new vines from Mexico
have been introduced into Tahiti, which may in time replace
those at present in use.

COLONIAL PRODUCTS EXHIBITION AT
LIVERPOOL.

The following information is extracted from the
official publication issued by the promoters of the
Colonial Products Exhibition to be held at Liverpool
from January 30 to February 8, 1906 :—

Judging from the cordial support extended to, and the
amount of enthusiasm aroused by, the last two exhibitions—
the first undertakings of the kind ever organized in Great
Britain outside the Metropolis—it is a reasonable presump-
tion that another, even on a still more extended scale,
offering a greater diversity and larger number of colonial
products, will achieve a still larger measure of success, and so
promote the furtherance of a greater amount of commercial
reciprocity between the colonies and the Mother Country.
It might be said, en passant, that on all sides it has been
agreed that the increase of business through the Liverpool
Colonial Products Exhibition has been enormous, and no
doubt H. R. H. the Prince of Wales recognized this fact when
he graciously became a patron.

The resources of our colonies, mineral, agricultural, and
manufacturing, increase rapidly as the time goes on, and no
year passes but finds the over-sea portions of the empire in
a better position to help to the attainment of that object,
which it is the desire of every citizen to see realized—the
establishment of the empire on a self-contained and self-
supporting basis, independent of supplies from alien lands,
and powerful to hold its own by the aid of its own people
and by that aid alone.

That this aim can be accomplished there is little room
for doubt, provided there be unanimity of feeling and mutual
interests between the peoples of our colonies and ourselves;
and it is difficult to discover any action on our part more
valuable, helpful, and effective than endeavouring, as far as
possible, to offer to the people of this country opportunities
of realizing by personal inspection the vast commercial
wealth of our colonies, as illustrated by the number and
extent of the commodities with which they are able to
supply us.

With this object in view it is intended to hold the third
Colonial Products Mxhibition from January 30 to February 8,
1906, which shall be more extended in its scope than the
last, and for this purpose every effort will be made to obtain
direct from each separate colony samples of each and every
product it is able to supply.

With many months available for organization, prepara-
tion, and communication with the various colonial authorities,
whose co-operation may be safely reckoned on, the President
and Managers entertain sanguine hopes of producing
a collection of colonial products, which, for extent and
diversity, has never before been gathered together in one
place on any previous occasion.

Those colonies and firms desirous of obtaining space in
this forthcoming important exhibition should send in their
applications as soon as possible to the Joint Managers at
9, Chapel Street, or 21, Water Street, Liverpool, where
a plan of the hall can be seen and all information obtained.

It may be mentioned that the Secretary of the
West India Committee has expressed to the Imperial
Commissioner of Agriculture his readiness to do
anything in his power to assist in securing the
representation of the West Indies at the Liverpool
Colonial Products Exhibition.

312 THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.

Ocroper 7, 1905,

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 3 of the cover.

The Agricultural News :
post free 1}d.
Qs. 2d.

Price 1d. per number,
Annual subscription payable to Agents,
Post free, 3s. 3d.

Agricultural stews

Vou. IV.

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 7, 1905. No. 91.

NOTES AND COMMENTS.

Contents of Present Issue.

The editorial in this issue discusses the agri-
cultural prospects of Jamaica, As the result of his
recent official visit, the Imperial Commissioner of
Agriculture is satisfied that distinct progress has been
made in agricultural matters of recent years.

Further information in regard to the adoption of
the Naudet diffusion process by sugar estates in
Madeira will be found on pp. 306-7. Also figures
relative to the Trinidad cane-farming industry.

An account is given on p. 309 of the cultivation of
tea at Ramble estate in Jamaica. This is the only tea
cultivation in the West Indies.

Various short notes of interest to cotton growers
will be found on pp. 310-1.

Under ‘Insect Notes’ an account is given of the
cane-fly. This is not regarded as a serious pest to
sugar-cane cultivation at Barbados, but in some years
it occurs in rather large numbers. (See p. 314.)

Botanical notes on the ‘Queen of Flowers’ and
a closely related plant, known as the ‘King of Flowers,
with which it is sometimes confused, will be found on
p. 317. his is followed by a short note on the lace-
bark tree.

An interesting letter from Dr, C, W. Branch to
the Editor of the Agricultural News (see p. 318)
discusses the subject of the inoculation of animals
with anti-anthrax serum.

Show of Colonial Fruit in London.

It is desirable to remind readers of the Agri-
cultural News that the next show of colonial fruit
under the auspices of the Royal Horticultural Society
will be held in London on December 5 and 6, 1905.

Reference to the note on p. 308 will show that
provision is made for a number of exhibits in which
fruit growers in the West Indies are interested.

This exhibition would appear to afford an
excellent opportunity for again bringing West Indian
fruits to the notice of the trade and other persons in
the United Kingdom. Schedules and full particulars
may be obtained of the Secretary, Royal Horticultural
Society, Vincent Square, Westminster, London, S.W.

EE.

Exports of Grenada.

The Grenada Blue Book returns for 1904 show
that the exports of cacao during the year amounted to
117,791 ecwt., of the value of £272,226. The second
industry in importance is spice growing. The value of
the exports of nutmegs (5,908 ewt.) was £28,402:
other spices were exported of a value of £5,364. One
hundred and thirty-one packages of kola nuts were
also shipped.

The exports of cotton, chiefly the product of the
dependency of Carriacou, represented a value of £7,348:
in addition, 6,843 ewt. of cotton seed were shipped,
having an estimated value of £1,172.

No fewer than 2,430 live goats were shipped to
other British West India Islands, their value being
estimated at £530. Poultry to the value £442 was
also exported.

aaa

Barbados Scholarship, 1905.

As was previously mentioned in the Agricultural
News (Vol. IV, p. 284), the Barbados Scholarship for
1905 was won by Mr. C. K. Bancroft in natural science,
Mr. Bancroft had a distinctly successful career in the
science department at Harrison College. He joined
the agricultural science class in March 1902, taking
first place in the lower division of the class in the
following December, with an average of 82 per cent. in
all examinations. In December 1903, he took first
place in the upper division of the class, when he was
awarded the Diploma of the Department for proficiency
in agricultural science.

Tu recommending that the Barbados Scholarship
should be awarded to Mr. Bancroft, the examiners
appointed by the Local Examinations and Lectures
Syndicate of the University of Cambridge report that
the two candidates offering Chemistry sent in papers of
high merit in theoretical and practical work. ‘The
papers [in Botany] sent in by C. K. Bancroft were
exceptionally good.’

It may be mentioned that in addition to the
instruction received in the science department at
Harrison College under Professor d’Albuquerque and
Dr. Longfield Smith, Mr. Bancroft received private
tuition in Botany from Mr. L. Lewton-Brain, B.A., F.LS.,
formerly Mycologist on the staff of the Imperial Depart-
ment of Agriculture,

Vou. IV. No. 91.

THE AGRICULTURAL

NEWS. 313

Jippi-Jappa Hats in Jamaica.

An interesting minor industry of recent introduc-
tion in Jamaica is the manufacture of jippi-jappa hats.
The plant from which the material for making these
hats is derived is Carludovicw jamaicensis, closely
related to the Panama hat plant (C. palinata), an
illustration of which was given in the Agricultural
News (Vol. III, p. 310). This genus does not belong
to the palm family ete is more nearly related to the
Aroids (screw pines, etc.).

The jippi-jappa plant grows freely in warm, humid
districts of Jamaica, and it is suggested that it ‘could
be cultivated largely in its native districts, and in
others, e.g., along the banks of irrigating canals in the
banana plantations.’

It is stated in the current issue of the Journal
of the Jamaica Agricultural Society that there is
a large demand for the hats at paying prices. An
inquiry was recently made for 6,000 dozen, which could
not be taken up. It seems to be a pity that the
exports are still comparatively trifling, as it is a suita-
ble industry for women and girls in their spare time,

EEE ___—_

Exports of Turks and Caicos Islands.

The principal industries of these islands, which
form a dependency of the colony of Jamaica, are salt
production and the cultivation of sisal hemp. An
account cf the latter industry is given elsewhere in
this issue. It will be seen that there was still
a further increase in the output of sisal from the Caicos
Islands, in spite of the fact that only one of the
companies was in operation. ‘Two companies are now
working Pee

For the salt industry the year 1904 was, however,
a disastrous one. This was due to an excessive
rainfall, for the success of the industry depends
largely upon the absence of rain. In consequence, the
rakings during 1904 were very short, the total output
of salt from the dependency being only 686,500
bushels, compared with an average crop of 1,800,000
bushels.

EE Eee

West Indian Tobacco Industry.

An interesting article in the West India
Committee Circular shows that tobacco has been well
represented at the Colonial Exhibition. It is stated
that the Golofina Tobacco Co. and Messrs. B. and
J. B. Machado had two handsome cases and stalls, at
which a brisk sale of Jamaica cigars and cigarettes
was conducted. There were also other private
exhibits from Jamaica, while in the Trinidad section
a good display was made by the West India Cigar and
Cigarette Co.

With regard to Jamaica cigars it is said:
“Samples of these cigars have been submitted to us and
it does not appear to us surprising that by many
connoisseurs they are preferred to even the best-known
brands of Havanas. London agents have been
appointed by several of the firms mentioned above and
it is anticipated that the trade in West Indian cigars

ae

and cigarettes, inaugurated at the exhibition, will be
successfully continued,

Much pioneer work has been done in Jamaica
since 1898 in connexion with tobacco growing, and the
industry appears now to be one of the most promusing
in that island, ‘There are indications that Trinidad
will also take up this industry on a fairly extensive
scale.

—ES——____-
St. Vincent Cotton Factory.

An interesting report recently received from the
Agricultural Superintendent on the working of the
cotton factory at St. Vincent shows that the factory
was open from January 1 to September 23. During
this period 281,606 Ib. of seed-cotton were sent to be
ginned, which gave 77,814 1b. of lint and 199,941 tb. of
seed, or 27°6 per cent. of lint. The 77,814 tb. of lint
were made up into 233 bales, the majority of which
contained 360 th. net. The amount of seed sent to be
disintegrated was 4,204 tb.

The important work of selecting and disinfecting
seed, also carried on at the Cotton Factory, was com-
menced on April 13. The amount of seed treated for
local growers was 15,387 Ib. which gave 11,860 Ib. of
selected seed.

For export and local sale 16,717 tb. of unselected
seed were purchased from local growers whose cotton
was particularly good and had rea lized 1s. 5d. to 1s. 6d.
per th. This seed after selection and disinfection gave
13,990 tb. the bulk of which was exported to other
West India Islands.

rT OO ————_____

West Indian Agricultural Conference, 1906.

It was stated on p. 280 of this volume of the
Agricultural News that arrangements were being
made for holding the next West Indian Agricultural
Conference at Jamaica in January 1906. During his
recent official visit to Jamaica the Imperial Com-
missioner of Agriculture received the assurance of
the hearty co-operation of the various government
departments and the leading planters of the island, and
it was felt that the success of the conference was
certain,

At the last moment, however, an unexpected
difficulty has arisen. Owing to the recent changes
announced by the Royal Mail Company in the itinerary
of their ships, it is probable that the voyage from, say,
Barbados to Jamaica will occupy ten to eleven days,
instead of four days, as at present. This means
that representatives from the other islands would
require to be absent from their colonies for
a period of about thirty to thirty-eight days. It is
doubtful whether any representatives could afford to
spend as much as, say, five weeks to attend a conference
at Jamaica,

The idea of holding the next conference at
Jamaica has not, however, been altogether abandoned.
The various steamship companies are being communi-
cated with, and it is hoped that, with the assistance of
the Governments of the various colonies, some means
may be devised for overcoming the difficulty that has
now so suddenly arisen.

THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.

Ocroser 7, 1905.

INSECT NOTES.

Insect Pests in Egypt.

A small volume entitled ‘Notes on some Egyptian
Insect Pests’ by Mr. F. Fletcher, M.A., B.Sc., Deputy
Director of Agriculture, Bombay Presidency, gives brief
notes on general entomology and some of the more important
insect pests in Egypt. The author does not claim to have
prepared a complete hand-book either as to the number of
pests or their life-history, but he gives useful notes on the
most important pests and the remedies that have been found
most useful in dealing with them. This should be
valuable to planters, and a guide to all interested in the
further study of Egyptian insect pests.

The Cane-fly.

In 1900 the cane-fly occurred on one estate in Barbados
in large numbers in the months of August, September, and
October. Reference was made to this outbreak in the West
Indian Bulletin, Vol. U1, p. 43. Since that time no out-
break of this pest has occurred, and in 1903 and 1904 it was
so scarce that, although careful search was made, none of its
breeding places were found, and its presence in the island
was indicated only by a few adult insects captured from
time to time. Recently, however, a slight attack has been
observed on the same estate on which the canes were attacked
five years ago.

The cane-fly (Delphax saccharivora) is a small Hemip-
terous insect, closely related to the plant lice (Aphis), the
white fly (Aleyrodes), and the scale insects (Coccilae).

The adult cane-fly is about 4+ inch in length to the tip
of the wings, of a pale-green colour, which becomes lighter
toward the tip of the wings. The eyes are dark and con-
spicuous. The female is provided at the tip of the abdomen
with a sawlike ovipositor, by means of which a small slit is
cut in the epidermis of the cane leaf, and the eggs are laid
in this slit, and the whole covered with a mass of flocculent
white wax. If this wax be removed, the mass of eggs may
be seen embedded in the cane leaf. After the eggs have
hatched, the wound in the leaf is marked by a reddish spot.

The young cane-flies are without wings. They move
very quickly when disturbed, and seem to prefer to walk
side-wise or backwards rather than straight ahead. They
are to be found mostly on the under side of the cane leaf,
where they sometimes ocenr in great numbers.

The cane-fly feeds by sucking the juice of the plant by
means of its proboscis in the same way that the plant lice
and scale insects and other Hemiptera feed.

The first indication of an attack of the cane-fly will
generally be the abundance of ‘black blight’ on the cane
leaves. The masses of white wax covering the egg clusters
are also conspicuous when the plants are examined more
closely, and, later, a slight disturbance of the plants will set
a cloud of adults flying, and the numerous, small, red marks
on the leaves show where the eggs have been.

Planters in Barbados do not consider the cane-fly
a serious pest. Even in 1900, when the pest occurred in
large numbers, the cane fields most infested are said to have

given as good returns as other fields on the same estate only
slightly attacked. It does not seem likely, however, that
plants could support such an enormous number of insects
and still give a normal return of juice. In Hawaii the leaf
hopper of the cane (Perkinsiella saccharicida), a closely
related insect with very similar habits, causes great injury to
the sugar-cane. Reference was made to this pest in the Agri-
cultural News, Vol. III, p. 154.

The cane-fly is attacked by several natural enemies,
which are probably responsible for the scarcity of the pest in
certain years. On the plants badly infested by the cane-fly
this year were seen the red lady-bird (Cycloneda sanguinea)
and numerous eggs of the lace-wing (Chrysopa sp.). The
wild bee (Polistes annularis) was also frequently seen,
apparently searching for food, but was not observed to eat
any of the cane-flies.

It would be usefulif any other outbreaks of the cane-
fly in the West Indies were reported to the Imperial
Department of Agriculture, in order that more complete
records may be made of the occurrence of this pest and the
damage done by it.

Hair-follicle Mite of Pigs.

The hairfollicle mite is a microscopic anima! that lives
in the skin at the base of the hairs. It is closely related to
the ticks and itch mites, and different species or varieties
infest different animals. The variety attacking man causes
the spots in the skin of the face, commonly called ‘black-
heads,’ while the varieties found on the dog and on the hog
produce a serious disease. A variety occurring on cattle
sometimes damages the hides so as to render them unsaleable.

A portion of the skin of a hog was recently sent to the
office of the Imperial Department of Agriculture from the
Barbados slaughter house by Dr. Stoute. This was
seriously affected with the hair-follicle mite of the hog
(Demodux folliculorum suis). Each infested hair-follicle
was enlarged to form a cavity which contained a mass of
semi-fluid matter in which the mites were found in large
numbers. These masses were of a greyish or yellowish
colour, varying in size, some of them so small as to be
hardly visible, to about } inch in diameter.

This is not a common pest in these islands, so far as
is known, and it is interesting that the first case to attract

attention should be one in which the infestation was so very

complete, occurring, as it did, in the skin on all parts of the
body. It is not believed that this parasite is transmissible
to man, nor that it affects any part of the flesh so as to
render it unfit for use as food, provided the skin and the
parasites be carefully removed.

In the event of a serious infestation by this parasite the
use of washes and dips, such as are recommended for
controlling cattle ticks, would probably be found useful.
(See Agricultural News, Vol. ILI, p. 247.)

Corn Bar Worm. In the Agricultural News (Vol.
IV, p. 90) it was suggested that the corn ear worm might be
controlled by sprinkling into the crown of the plant a mixture
of Paris green and corn meal. Recently, several planters
have reported good results from dusting the corn with Paris
green and lime in exactly the same way as cotton is dusted
for the cotton worm. The eggs of the corn ear worm are laid
on the under side of the leaf of the young corn, and the
caterpillars feed there for some time before entering the
crown of the plant, and Paris green applied at this time
kills them before any damage is done.

a > ene 4

imide.

Jamaica at

Wol. LV. No. 91.

EDUCATIONAL,

Agriculture in Elementary Schools.

The following note appeared in the Barbados
Bulletin of September 28 :—

Professsor Davenport, Dean of the College of Agri-
culture of Illinois, U.S.A., gives as the principal reasons why
agriculture should be taught in the public schools the follow-
ing: (1) to instil a love and respect for the land, and the
occupation of agriculture; (2) to instil respect for industry in
general ; (3) to cultivate the active and creative instinct ;
(4) to give practice and experience in success and failure ;
(5) to connect the school with real life ; (6) to stimulate and
train the powers of observation ; (7) to make an avenue of
communication between the teacher and the pupil; (8) to
train the independent methods of acquiring information.

Barbados.

The following extract relating to the teaching
of the principles of agriculture in elementary schools
at Barbados is taken from the Annual Report of the
Education Board for 1904:—

The subject of agriculture is making steady progress
in the schools. Where land is not available for school
gardens, plants are in many instances grown in pots and
boxes. The Board beg to express their thanks for the
assistance they have received in this matter from Sir Daniel
Morris. The effects of the lectures delivered by members
of the staff of the Imperial Department of Agriculture are
now being seen.

The £20 granted by the Legislature for the purchase of
chemicals and apparatus for simple agricultural experiments
was expended by the Board, and about twelve teachers
received instruction from Dr. Longfield Smith in the use of
the apparatus provided. The experience gained, however,
does not warrant the Board in again expending this grant
on similar articles. They propose to equip school gardens

as far as the grant will go annually with agricultural

implements such as hoes, rakes, forks, ete.

Jamaica.

To the Annual Report of the Superintending
Inspector of Schools in Jamaica for the year ended
March 31 last, is appended an interesting report by
Mr. J. R. Williams, M.A., on the ‘Teaching and
practical work in agriculture in Trinidad and the
neighbouring islands. Mr, Williams, it will be
remembered, was one of the representatives from
the last West Indian Agricultural
Conference.

After dealing with the work in progress in

_ ‘Trinidad, Mr. Williams states his general impressions
and makes suggestions as follows :—

I am strongly of opinion that in equipping the teacher
with the knowledge and interest needful for successful agri-

cultural work in the schools, we have done more in Jamaica

than I have heard of elsewhere: J mean in the attention

- devoted to agricultural science of late years in the Training

Colleges and in the annual special courses at the Mico.
I believe this to have been most necessary work—the
preparation of the teachers. The failure of our attempt
to get practical work in agriculture in the schools in
1895 and later was largely due to the teachers’

unpreparedness, their lack of interest in the work, and

i

THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS. 31

OT

their lack of confidence in themselves. Another part of the
needful preparation has been the education of the outside
publhe, the parents of the children; thanks to the efforts of
the Agricultural Society, a good deal has been done to this
end. The school gardens which I saw in Trinidad were unfor-
tunately visited just at the worst time. The school shows
came off in November and December, and I was told that
their crops had been gathered then, and no fresh work
undertaken since ; they would now all immediately resume
practical work. I could not, however, see proof that better
work has been done in these gardens, or in the town schools
which confined their efforts to pot culture, than in our schools.
One of the important lessons school gardens should teach is
the possibility of some culture going on all the time, and
there were few signs in the way of nurseries, manure heaps,
grafted and budded, and pruned plants, of efforts superior
to the average of our efforts. Mr. Collens, when I showed
him what we aim at, as it is set forth in Article 112 of the
Code and p. 25 of the ‘Instructions’ to Inspectors, and inquired
how far it represented the ideal in Trinidad, remarked that
it would be very satisfactory if such work could be got, and
said he intended to make use of the instructions in his
department.

My opinion, therefore, is that we are now in a better
position than most of our neighbours to embark successfully
on the development of agricultural teaching, and particularly
such practical exemplification of it as schools can properly
undertake: that what we specially need now is development
and more practical work, and I believe that what is mostly
needed to secure this is to make our requirements and
regulations a little less formal and exacting. I think it will
be disastrous to pull our present plant up by the roots or to
alter our ideal,

BER KEEPING AT ST. LUCIA.

The following note, showing the progress in the
bee-keeping industry at St. Lucia, is extracted from the
Annual Report of the Agricultural Instructor :—

In 1902 there were seventy colonies of bees in St. Lucia ;
in 1903 these were increased to 135; in 1904 to 250; and
at the time of writing there are 400 colonies, nearly all of
which are worked for extracted honey. The crop of 1904,
although late, commencing in May, proved a fair one, and
about 4 tons of honey were exported in addition to local sales.
The quality was not high, some of it being extracted before
being thoroughly ripened, and the colour a dark amber, the
flavour being fairly good. I happened to be in London when
the first consignment arrived and was disappointed to find the
Mincing Lane valuation to be not more than 15s. in barrels
and 17s. in cases. I made arrangements for private sales of
2 tons at 40s. per cwt., less cost of advertisements, railway
carriage, repacking, etc., etc., the net return being 25s. per
ewt. These figures give some idea of the immense profit
realized by middlemen dealing in honey, and it would appear
profitable for West Indian honey producers to combine and
avoid the middleman entirely. The English consumer seldom
buys a pound of honey for less than ls. JI had several
opportunities of sampling English honey and found it was
not one whit superior to West Indian. Theoretically all
West Indian honey is only fit for manufacturing purposes,
yet much of it is bottled and sold for from 1s. to 1s. 6d.
per tb. as English honey. Our exports this year will be
nearly all in 5-gallon tins and thoroughly ripened, the crop
prospect is good and some honey has been lately sold at
public sale for 23s, per ewt.; by private sale as much as
56s. per cwt. is being realized.

THE

AGRICULTURAL NEWS.

Octoser 7, 1905,

GLEANINGS.

During the fortnight ended September 7, 56 bales of
West Indian cotton were imported into the United Kingdom.
(West India Commitee Circular.)

Fresh seed of English vegetables and Tenerife onion
seed, both red and white varieties, can be purchased at the
Botanic Station at Dominica.

The Superintendent of the Royal Botanic Gardens,
Trinidad, offers for free distribution a limited number of
plants of Coffea robusta, obtained from the Congo River.
This coffee is said to be of excellent quality and appears to be
well suited for cultivation in the lowlands.

The West India Committee proposes to issue a souvenir
of the Colonial and Indian Exhibition, embodying articles
descriptive of the exhibits, a comprehensive report on the
Exhibition, and articles emphasizing the lessons to be learnt
from it.

The Curator of the Botanic Station at Tobago writes
that plants of Sea Island cotton at Golden Grove estate are
in a very promising condition, averaging 4 to 5 feet in
height. This is the only estate in Tobago that has taken
up cotton growing to any extent.

A plant with bright yellow flowers, believed to be
Cassia multijuga, is now in flower in Jamaica and Trinidad.
Tt is an ornamental tree, growing to a height of 15 to 20
feet, and might well be introduced into other parts of the
West Indies where it does not occur.

Among the winners of medals in Jamaica at the
Colonial Exhibition was a peasant proprietor in the Glengotfe
district, whose exhibit of cacao was awarded a silver medal.
‘He is,’ says the Daily Telegraph, ‘a living proof of the value
of the work which has been, and is still being, performed by
the Jamaica Agricultural Society.’

The Consular Report on Cuba for 1904 states:
* According to an official report recently published, the mean
cost of covering an acre of land with cheese-cloth [for
artificial shelter for tobacco plants] is about £60, and the
results appear to show that the larger yield, especially of
fine leaves suitable for wrappers, warrants the extra outlay.’

Statistics given mm Messrs. Henry W. Frost & Co's.
*Sea Island Cotton Circular’ show that the consumption of
Sea Island cotton in the United States has greatly increased,
‘the northern and southern mills taking 63,430 bales,
against 39,224 bales last year, being nearly the entire
increase in the crop over the previous year.’

The number of visitors at the Colonial and Indian
Exhibition from the opening day to Saturday, September 9,
amounted to 966,325. (West India Commnuttee Circular.)

A writer in the Demerara Argosy states that carbon
bisulphide, the use of which was recommended by the Board
of Agriculture, has been found effective and expeditious in
ridding farms of the ‘cushie’ ants.

The crops of selected varieties of rice at the British
Guiana Botanic Gardens ranged from 15 to 20 bags of
paddy per acre. Seed of the best kinds is available for
distribution to bona fide cultivators in small quantities.

It is gratifying to note that the shipment of green limes
is being carried on in Montserrat. About 2,800 small crates
(1 eubic foot) have been shipped since July last. If this
industry develops, it should be of considerable benefit to the
island.

A number of planters in Surinam, who are destitute
owing to the crisis in the cacao industry, are petitioning the
Government to grant them the free use of land on which
to apply themselves to small farming. Money loans, to be
repaid within twenty years, are also asked for.

It is of interest, in view of the efforts made by the West
India Committee to establish a trade in green limes in
England, to note that the Director in Trinidad of the British
West India Fruit Co., Ltd., is advertising for limes for
shipment to England.

At Marseilles, according to Vropical Life, there are
a number of factories working to meet the world’s demand
for ‘yegetaline,’ ‘cocoaline,’ and other dietetic products of
the cocoa-nut. A single factory increased its output in two
years from 25 tons to 6,000 tons a month.

To avoid difficulties in the germination of vegetable
seeds, the Journal of the Jamaica Agricultural Society
advises the following: ‘Take fresh wood-ashes, damp them
with kerosene, then rub the seeds into the paste made in this
way. If care is taken not to make the paste two wet but to
rub every seed thoroughly with the ashes damp with
kerosene, no ants or other pest will trouble them.’

Reporting on the pineapple plot at the Riviere Dorée
Experiment Station, St. Lucia, the Agricultural Instructor
states that the Black Antigua variety is well adapted to dry,
wind-swept lands, and deserving of attention from planters.
An experimental shipment in barrels netted 33d. per pine.
From the plot 1,200 suckers were distributed to one planter
who has now a promising cultivation, and 2,400 suckers have
lately been obtained to start a new plot at Gros Islet.

The London /ruit Grower has attributed the ‘ unpleas-

ant visit of the mosquito to our shores this summer to the

imported bananas from South and Central American Ports.’

Considerable newspaper discussion has arisen out of this as-

to the possibility of the visit of mosquitos being connected in
any way with the importation of bananas. The matter
might be easily settled by reference to experts, who would
be able to state whether the species of mosquitos noticed
this summer are different to the ordinary forms and possibly
indicate the country of origin.

‘Vou. IV. No. 91. THE

AGRICULTURAL

NEWS. 31F

ST. KITTS-NEVIS -
AND OTHER EXPERIMENTS, 1904-5.

This report on economic experiments carried on in
connexion with the Botanic Station is supplementary to the
annual report on the Botanie Station for the year ended
March 31, 1905, which was reviewed on p. 269 of this

REPORT ON ECONOMIC

volume of the Agricultural News. In the ease of the
economic experiments with sweet potatos, yams, and eddoes,
trials were made of a number of varieties with the view of
testing their relative merits. Twenty kinds of sweet potatos
and eleven of yams were tested in the plots.

Successful experiments in growing tobacco have been
carried on at St. Kitt’s since 1901. The experiment was
particularly successful in the year under review, 155 Ib.
of cured tabacco being reaped from the plot, which was
about = acre in area. Of this amount 105 lb. have been
sold at 1s. 2d. to 1s. 3d. per tb., realizing £6 in all.

Particular interest attaches to the section of this report
which deals with the cotton industry. Mr. Shepherd’s
record of the year’s work is decidedly encouraging. Growers
purchased 4,315 Ib. of Rivers’ Sea Island cotton seed through
the Department, while 300 tb. were distributed gratuitously
in Anguilla. The area under cotton in St. Kitt’s was 1,057
acres. In this matter St. Kitt’s occupies a somewhat unique
position, in that cotton is grown almost entirely as a catch
erop on cane lands, thereby much reducing the cost of
cultivation. The results have apparently been satisfactory,
as there are indications that the area under cotton will be
extended during the present season. The exports of cotton
from St. Kitt’s-Nevis and Anguilla for the fifteen months
ended March 31 last amounted to 166,148 tb. of the
estimated value (at ls. per 1.) of £33,074.

GRENADA: REPORT ON BOTANIC STATION,
LIOL-5.

The sales of plants and seeds during the year under
review realized £57 17s. 10d. This sum is an increase of
£12 18s. 1d. on last year’s receipts.

The rainfall for the year was 70°82 inches, or 11°55

inches less than in the previous year.

There was a slight increase in the total number of
economic and other plants sold and distributed free from the
station. The number was 6,863. In addition, 329 tb. of
Sea Island cotton seed were sold.

In the experiment plots attached to the station crops of
a number of economic plants were grown. The cotton
obtained a first prize at the local Agricultural Exhibition.
The manurial plots with cacao in the country districts were
abandoned ; but a new series is at present being arranged.

Although the work at the station has been much
hampered by the staff changes, the general condition of
the station appears to be fairly satisfactory.

As has been previously announced in the Agricultural
News, the Agricultural Department at Grenada has been
entirely re-oganized. Full particulars of the new arrange-
tments were published on p. 158 of the present volume.

SCIENCE NOTES.

Souari or Butter Nut.

Mention is made by Mr. J. R. Jackson in his monthly
report on the London drug and spice market (see p. 319) of
the sale of 5 barrels of Souari or butter nuts. These are the
product of a tree known as Caryocar nuciferum found in the
forests of British Guiana. The tree, which is grown in several
of the West India Islands, frequently attains a height of 100
feet. The fruit is a large, four-seeded drupe. The seeds have
a hard shell and are about the size of a hen’s egg. They
have a pleasant flavour and yield on crushing an edible oil.
The wood of the tree has been used principally in ship
building.

Queen of Flowers.

It would appear that some confusion exists as to the
tree which is known by the name of ‘Queen of Flowers’ or
‘Queen’s Flower.’ Its botanical name is Lagerstroemia Flos-
Reginae. A note on this handsome, showy tree, which is
a native of Ceylon, appeared in the Agricutural News,
Vol. II, p. 170. It is a large tree, sometimes attaining
a height of 50 feet.

The name ‘Queen of Flowers’ is sometimes erroneously
applied to another member of the genus, viz., LZ. indica.
This is common in West Indian gardens and is known as the
‘King of Flowers.’ It is a shrubby plant, growing to a
height of 8 to 10 feet. It usually has bright, rose-coloured
flowers, but there is also a less common variety with white
flowers. Lagerstroemia indica is usually propagated by
cuttings from the roots.

Lace-bark Tree.

The lace-bark tree (Lagetta lintearia), a native of
Jamaica, is a slender tree, growing to a height of 20 to 30
feet, and belongs to the natural order Thymelaeaceae. The
so-called lace is obtained from the inner bark of the tree,
which is composed of numerous fibres interlacing in all
directions.

Dr. Masters states in the Zreasury of Botany: ‘It is
reported that Charles II received, as a present from the
Governor of Jamaica, a cravat, frill, and pair of ruffles, made
of this material; and to this day it is used for bonnets,
collars, and other articles of apparel, specimens of which may
be seen at the Kew Museum, ete.’

Residents in the West Indies are familiar with the
many pretty articles made from this fibre, which are quite
a feature of the curiosity shops, especially in Jamaica.
Among these may be mentioned the puffs or dusters with
hollow handles, and riding whips. The latter are ‘made
from cuttings of the smaller branches of the tree.
A section of each cutting is stripped, the woody part
removed, and the loose bark is then plaited to form
the thong and lash.’ (Wortley in Souvenirs of Jamaica.)
But, perhaps, a better-known use, to which the product
of this interesting tree is put, is in making various descrip-
tions of fancy work, such as d’oyleys, lamp-shades, fans, ete.

Reference was recently made in the Jamaica Zimes
to the fact that the supply of the lace-bark tree was in
danger of becoming exhausted. In reply, the Superintendent
of Hope Gardens writes that large numbers of the tree exist
in almost inaccessible parts of the ‘Cock-pit Country,’ and
that it would not be difficult to prevent the wanton destruc-
tion of it if instructions were given by the Government
to custodians of Crown Lands. Plants are for sale at the
Hope Gardens at 1d. each.

318 THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.

OctoBer 7, 1905.

ANTHRAX INOCULATION.

To the Editor of the Agricultural News.—

Sir,—-During the discussion on anthrax at the Agri-
cultural Conference in Trinidad, published in the last issue
of the West Indian Bulletin, reference was made to immuni-
zation with Pasteur’s vaccines. This process, as was there
mentioned, consists in the inoculation of an animal with
cultures of anthrax bacillus of two degrees of attenuation.
{t has the disadvantages of often producing severe illness
and sometimes death.

The experiments on the Prussian Royal Farms did not
give as encouraging results as were reported from France.
Notwithstanding, the method has been freely used and with
benefit in many places.

Sclavo, of Siena, has succeeded in obtaining an anti-
toxic serum from animals immunized on Pasteur’s plan. He
now uses an ass which is periodically bled to supply the
serum, and periodically inoculated with anthrax to keep up
the immunity. Sclavo’s antianthrax serum, where obtainable,
has displaced the treatment by excision of malignant pustule
in man; and in Italy industrial anthrax has to a great extent
Jost its terrors.

Sobernheim applied this principle to the treatment of
animals, but with little success, because of the rapid
course of the disease. He found, however, that a dose of
virulent anthrax injected simultaneously with anti-anthrax
serum is innocuous. The animal receives the bacilli in
a potent state but is cured by the serum. It obtains in
this way a higher and more lasting immunity than is con-
ferred by Pasteur’s method, and with less risk. Extensive
experiments were carried out in Saxony in 1900-2, during
which 2,700 cattle were immunized without a single death
or serious illness as the result of inoculation, even in very
young animals. This method of immunization consists practi-
cally in the simultaneous injection into different parts of the
animal of Sclavo’s serum and Pasteur’s vaccine no. 2. After
securing the first immune animal it is quite practicable in
a colony like Trinidad to prepare Sclavo’s serum, and keep
anthrax cultures going at very little expense.

When inoculating animals either by Pasteur’s or
Sobernheim’s methods, it should be borne in mind that they
are thereby infected with anthrax; precautions should,
therefore, be taken to quarantine them and to disinfect their
dung and litter for some days until they may be supposed to
be free of infection. Sobernheim found bacilli in the blood
of immunized sheep twelve days after they had been harm-
lessly inoculated with large doses of anthrax.

With reference to anthrax in St. Vincent, I am pleased
to be able to report that some measures are being taken to
limit the spread of the disease. Under an old Animals’
Disease Ordinance rules have been framed, which prohibit
the flaying of animals except such as are regularly slaughtered
for food or have died as the result of a manifest accident.
The death of every beast from disease is reported to the
police who take from the body a drop of blood and make an
ordinary blood smear ona glass side. This is forwarded to
me by post or special messenger for examination. In this
way, since we began, four sparodie cases of anthrax have
been diagnosed and appropriate steps taken for disinfection.

With the co-operation of the public, the Government
should be able, now that there is no epidemic, gradually to
eliminate the points of infection,

Yours, etc.,
(Sgd.) C. W. BRANCH.
St. Vincent,
September 21, 1905.

SISAL HEMP.

In the following brief note the Tropical Agri-
culturist gives some of the more important facts in
regard to the cultivation of sisal hemp :—

Native of Yucatan, Mexico, ete. Cultivated in these
countries and in the West Indies, Flcrida, and India for its
fibre, which is straight, clean, yellowish, and very good for
cordage, approaching Manila hemp. It is also easily pre-
pared by machinery, no retting being needed.

It will grow in almost any soil or situation, but succeeds
best and gives the best yield of good fibre when grown on
dry, sandy, stony land exposed to the full sun, without any
shade whatever. On richer, wetter land it grows larger, but
the fibre is not so good.

It is propagated from suckers or from the bulbils that
form on the great flowering stalk. They are first planted in
a nursery, and then set out when about 15 inches high.
Plant in rows about 7 to 11 feet apart, and 5 to 6 feet apart
in the row. With the larger distances mentioned, 650 plants
cover an acre.

The leaves should be ready for cutting in about four
years. They are cut by coolies with long knives or cutlasses.
The plant if left untouched lives about six or seven years,
but if the leaves are regularly cut, about fifteen years. The
yield in Yucatan is about 1,000 to 1,500 tb. of fibre per acre;
1,000 leaves’ give from 50 to 70 Ib. of fibre. The price of
the fibre upon the market is very variable. It was £36 per
ton a few years ago, but probably about £26 to £30 repre-
sents its value if regular and moderately large supplies were
available.

SISAL HEMP IN THE CAICOS ISLANDS.

The Annual Report on the Turks and Caicos
Islands has the following reference to the progress of
the sisal hemp industry in the dependency :—

The fibre industry at East Caicos, owned by an Ameri-
can company, is in-a sound condition, and continues to turn
out a quality of fibre commanding a good price in the
American market.

The company commenced work about thirteen years
ago. Their shipment of fibre in 1895 was 92,071 tb., valued

at £1,342. In 1902 their output increased to 189,936 Ib.,
valued at £2,769: in 1903 to 296,733 1b., valued at
£4,327; and last year to 462,423 tb., valued at £6,743.

The fibre industry at West Caicos, which was closed
towards the end of 1903, was again taken up towards the
end of 1904 by a new company formed in London. With
careful management, the industry on this plantation should
not be without success.

The total quantity of fibre exported last year from the
Caicos Islands, which, practically speaking, is the output of
the one plantation at East Caicos, amounted to 463,695 Ib,
valued at £6,886, compared with 454,193 Ib., valued at
£6,563, during the previous year, when the two plantations
were at work for the greater part of the year.

Goats for Sale at Barbados. As there would
appear to be some demand in the West Indies for half-bred
Toffenberg goats, it may be of interest to mention that
Mr. J. A. Farmer, of Halton estate, Barbados, will have for
sale, shortly, two pairs of the descendants of the Department’s
goat ‘Black Rock.’ Inquiries may be addressed direct to
Mr, Farmer as above.

Vout. IV. No. 91.

THE AGRICULTURAL

NEWS. 319

WEST INDIAN PRODUCTS.

Drugs and Spices in the London Market.

The following report on the London drug and spice
markets for the month of August has been received
from Mr. J. R. Jackson, A.L.S. :—

As might be expected during the height of the summer
season and especially in the month of August, trade in
Mincing Lane is in almost a comatose condition. Con-
sequently, the drug and spice markets show but little
change in the prices which prevailed in the previous
month, and with a decreasing demand.

GINGER,

At the spice sale on August 2 some 300 packages of
Jamaica were offered, of which only eighteen sold at 62s. for
good washed, and 36s. for ordinary washed. Eight hundred
and fifty packages of Cochin and Calicut were also offered,
a very tew of which were sold at preceding rates: washed
rough Cochin being bought in at 20s. to 21s.; and rough
Calicut at 24s. A fortnight later no Jamaica was offered,
but 298 bags and 10 cases of Cochin and Calicut were
bought in at the following rates: bold, but wormy
and scraped, 65s.; washed rough dull medium and small,
slightly wormy, 22s.; and rough lean, 18s. One hundred
bags of Japan were also offered and bought in at 18s.
Again on the 23rd., Jamaica was not represented ; about
thirty packages of Cochin and Calicut, out of a total of 200,
were disposed of, including small and mouldy washed rough
Cochin at 18s., and medium and small native cut at 37s. 6d.

NUTMEGS, MACE, PIMENTO, AND ARROWROOT,

Of nutmegs the month opened with steady supplies and
auiet sales. On the 16th. 360 packages of West Indian
were offered, the bulk of which was disposed of at firm,
though somewhat irregular rates; and at the close of the
month no alteration had taken place. The supply of and
demand for mace remained steady during the month. And
the same may be said of pimento. Of arrowroot the sales
for the month included about 1,100 barrels of St. Vincent at
prices from 12d. to 13d. per tb.

SARSAPARILLA.

At the beginning of the month 6 bales of Lima-Jamaica
in original wrappers and packing were offered, one of which
was sold at 1s. per Ib. for coarse, 1s. 3d. being asked for fair.
Jamaica sold at firm and unchanged rates; fair grey to
slightly coarse realizing 1s. 3d. to 1s. 4d., and common 1s. 2d.
At the sale on the 17th., 4 bales of fair Lima-Jamaica
fetched 1s. ld. per Ib. Honduras was limited at 1s. 3d., and
for 3 bales of fair reddish to dull native 10d. was paid. But
little or no changes occurred at the end of the month. Grey
Jamaica still continues rare.

LIME JUICE, TAMARINDS, AND SOUARI NUTS.

At the first sale 9 puncheons of raw Jamaica lime juice
were sold at 11d. per gallon, and 2 other puncheons at 1s.
A fortnight later 8 puncheons of common raw Jamaica were
disposed of at 3d. to 8d. per gallon. West Indian tamarinds,
at the sale on August 2, were disposed of at dearer rates,
fair Antigua in bond realizing 13s. 6d. to 14s. per ewt., and
squashy Barbados were bought in at 15s. On the 16th., 58
packages of Antigua in bond were sold at 13s. to 13s. 6d.

An unusual article at the sales on the 17th. came from
Demerara, in the shape of 5 barrels of Souari or butter
nuts (Caryocar nuciferum), of which all were disposed of at
10s, per ewt.

RAT VIRUS IN DOMINICA.

Reports from the planters and others who have
experimented in Dominica with the Liverpool rat virus, sent
out by the Imperial Department of Agriculture, show that
this has been very successful in controlling the plague of rats,
which do so much damage to many of the growing crops of
the island. Mr. J. Jones, Curator of the Botanic Station,
states that the bread soaked in the virus and placed in the
loft above the potting shed was devoured the very first night,
and three weeks afterwards not a rat was to be seen or heard,
by day or by night. When the loft was turned out, no rats
could Le found, which therefore shows that the virus has
proved successful in clearing the building of these pests.

Dr. H. A. A. Nicholls, C.M.G., Roseau, states that the
rats infesting the buildings entirely disappeared after using
the virus. Infected toast and maize were placed amongst
cacao trees and the rats left the neighbourhood, but
satisfactory conclusions cannot be drawn from this fact as
mango trees were bearing in the vicinity and possibly the
rats may have left the cacao for the mango fruit.

Trial of the virus was also made in the buildings of the
Agricultural School, Morne Bruce, and the Officer-in-Charge
is of the opinion that it is much more rapid in its action
than the instructions on the tubes state, and that if the virus
could be distributed every three months, there would be no
further difficulty in keeping the buildings free from these
pests.

Mr. P. F, Cox, Belvidere, eulogizes the use of the virus
amongst cacao trees, finding very few pods touched by the
rats, whereas his loss last year through these pests was at
least 4 bags. He finds that infected corn gives better results
than bread, but points out that it is of small use his destroy-
ing the rats while they are cultivated by his neighbours.
Through the good offices of his Excellency the Acting
Governor, the virus is to be imported in a fair quantity and
sold at cost price to the planters, so that co-operative efforts
may be made against the pests, and the good results so far
obtained should then be of a more permanent nature.

So far twenty-seven tubes have been sent to Dominica
through the Imperial Department of Agriculture and the
results appear to be very favourable, for although few dead
rats are seen, their depredations are greatly reduced.

TOBACCO IN ST. KITT’S.

Experiments in growing and curing tobacco have been
carried on at the La Guerite Experiment Station for some
years, the first being started in 1901.

This year the seed was sown in August 1904 in boxes
protected from the attacks of ants, and in September the
young plants were put out in shallow furrows 3 feet apart.

The high winds that prevailed towards the end of the
year did much damage to the leaves, notwithstanding the
erection of a temporary wind-break. The first cutting of the
ripe leaves was made on December 1, and continued as the
leaves were fit. The curing was carried out on the lines
recommended in the Bulletin of the Department of Agri-
culture, Jamaica, and has, so far, been successful.

A sample of the cured leaves sent to the Imperial
Commissioner of Agriculture was well reported on by a local
firm in Barbados as being equal to the best quality grown
there.

From the area reaped—just about 4! acre—105 fb. of
cured tobacco have been sold, realizing £6, or at the rate of
1s. 2d. to 1s. 3d. per it., and there are now on hand for sale
50 tb. This makes a total amount of 155 Ib. cured tobacco
from + acre, or at the rate of 775 th, per acre.

3

320

THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.

Ocroprer 7, 1905.

MARKET, REPORTS:

London,— September 14, 1905. Messrs. KEarton, Preer &

Co.; Messrs. E. A. pE Pass & Co.; ‘THE West InpiIA
Commirree Circunar,’ ‘THe Liverroon Corron
AssocrATION WeEEKLY CrrcuLar,’ September 8,
1905; and ‘THe Pusiic LepcEr,’ September 9,
1905.

Axors—Barbados, 15/- to 45/- ; Curacoa, 15/- to 60/- per ewt.

Arrowroot—St. Vincent, 1}. to 12d. per th.

Batata—Sheet, 1/6 to 1/11 ; block, 1/5} to 1/6 per tb.

Bees’-wax—£7 12s. 6d. to £8 5s. per ewt.

Cacao—Trinidad, 54/- to 57/- per ewt. ; Grenada, 48/-
to 52,- per ewt.

CarpamMoms—Mysore, 73//. to 3/- per Ib.

CorrreE—Jamaica, good ordinary, 40/- to 42/- per ewt.

Corron—W est Indian, medium fine, 6°10d.; West Indian
Sea Island, medium fine, 13d.; fine, 14d. ; extra fine,
153d. per Tb.

Frvir
Banyanas—Jamaica, 46 to 5/6 per bunch.

Grare Frvuir—12/- to 13/6 per box.
Limes—4,6 to 6/- per box.
Orances—Jamaica, 17/- to 18/- per box of 176-200.

Fostic—£3 5s. to. £4 per ton,

Grycer—Jamaica, low middling to middling, 46/- to 47)/-:
good ordinary sinall, 42/- per ewt.

HoneEy—17/- to 23,6 per cwt.

Istyenass—West Indian lump, 2/2 to 2/7; cake, 1/- to 1/5
per Ib.

Kota Nets—4d. to 6d. per th.

Live Jurce—Raw, 9d. to 1/1 per gallon; concentrated,
£18 per cask of 108 gallons; hand-pressed, 2/6 to 2.9
per lb. Distilled Oil, 1/8 per tb.

Logwoon—F£4 to £4 15s.; roots, £3 10s. to £4 per ton.

Mace—Fair to good bold pale, 1/4 to 1/10 ; red, 1/1 to 1/2
per tb.

Nirrate or Sopa—Agriculiural, £11 per ton.

NurEecs—75’s, 11d.; 80's, 10d.; 101’s to 110s, 73d. ;
127’s, Gd. ; and in shell at 43d. to 5d,

Pimento—2,,d. to 23d. per th.

Reum—Demerara, 1/1 to 1/8 per proof gallon; Jamaica, 2/1
per proof gallon.

Svucar—Yellow crystals, 17/- per ewt. ; Muscovado, 14/- to
15/- per cwt.; Molasses, 12/- to 14/6 per ewt.

ScurpHate oF AMMoNTA—£12 8s. 9d. to £12 10s. per ton.

Montreal,—August 10, 1905.—Mr. J. Russert Murray.

(In bond quotations, c. & f.)
Cocoa-nuts— Jamaica, $22-00 to $24°06 ; Trinidad, $19°00
to $21-00 per M.
CorreeE—Jamaica, medium, 10c. to 11e. per Tb.
GincER--Jamaica, unbleached, Te. to L0c. per th.
Lines—Jamaica, $6°00 per barrel.
Morascurr—Demerara, $1°32 per 100 tb.
Morasses—Barbados, 3lc.; Antigua, 26c.
gallon.
Nourmecs—Grenada, 110s, 20c. per tb.
Pimento- -Jamaica, 5c. to 5jc. per th.
Scear —Grey crystals, 96°, $2-60 to $2°85 per 100 Ib.
—Muscovados, 89°, $2710 to $2°35 per 100 Ib.
—Molasses, 89°, $1°85 to $2°10 per 100 th.
—Barbados, 89°, $1:95 to $2°10 per 100 tb.

per Imperial

New York,—September 1, 1905.—Messrs. GILLESPIE Bros.

& Co.
Cacao—Caracas, 1ljc. to12c. ; Grenada, 11}e.
Trinidad, lldc. to 11}c. per th.
Cocoa-nuts—Jamaica, $26°00 to $28°00; Trinidad $26-00
to $29-00 per M.
CorreE—Jamaica, 8c. to 9e. per th. (ex store).
Gincer—Jamaica, 8c. to 9c. per tb.
Goat Sxrys—Jamaica, 57¢. per tb.

to 11e.;

British Guiana,—September 18, 1905.

Grape Frurr—$6-00 to $800 per barrel.

Limes-—$3°00 to $4°00 per barrel.

Mace—28c. to 3l1e. per tb.

Nurmecs—West Indian, 80's, 28c. to 24c.; 110's, 1d#e. =
120’s to 130’s, 11¢. to 12c. per th.

Orances—$5'00 to $600 per barrel.

Pimento—4 jc. per th.

PINE-APPLES—8e. to 12c. per barrel.

Suear—Centrifugals, 96°, 3;c. to 4c. ; Muscovados, 89°,
3éc. ; Molasses, 89°, 34c. per tb.

INTER-COLONIAL MARKETS.

Barbados,—September 25, 1905.—Messrs. T. S. Garra-

way & Co., and Messrs. James A. Lyncu & Co,

Arrowroot—St. Vincent, $4°50 per 100 th.

Cacao—$11-00 per 100 tb.

Cocoa-NutsS—$9°25 to $14°00 per M. for husked nuts ;
$8°50 for nuts in husks.

Corree—$10°50 to $11°00 per 100 tb.

Hay— 9c. to $1°10 per 100 th.

Manvunres—-Nitrate of soda, $65:00 ; Ohlendorff’s dissolved
guano, $55°00; Special cotton manure, $48-00 ; Sul-
phate of ammonia, $75-00; Sulphate of potash, $67-00
per ton.

Oxtons—Madeira, $2°24 to $3°25 per 100 tb.

Poratros, Eneriso—Bermuda, $2°50 per 160 tb. (retail).

Rice—Ballam, $4°20 to $475 per bag (190 tb.) ; Patna,
$2°86 to $3°20; Seeta, $3°26; Rangoon, $2°50 to
$2 55 per 100 tb.

Scucar—Yellow crystals, $4-25 per 100 tb.

Messrs. WIETING
& RICHTER.

Arrowroot—St. Vincent, $8-00 per barrel.

saLara—Venezuela block, 25c. ; Demerara sheet, 38c. per th.

Cacao—Native, 1]4c. per tb.

Cassava SrarcH—$5-00 per barrel.

Cocoa-Nuts—$10°00 to $12°00 per M.

CorrerE—Rio and Jamaica, 15j}¢. to 153c. per tb. (retail).
—Creole, 14c. per tb.

Duat— $5:90 per bag of 168 tb.

Eppors—$1°20 per barrel.

Oxtons—Madeira, $2°70 per box of 100 Ib., ex ship;
Tenerife, 1}#¢ to 2c. per tb. (retail).

Pea Nurs—American, 53c. per tb. (retail).

Piantatys—12c. to 28e. per bunch.

Poratos, ENerisH—2}c. to 2fc.
per tb. (retail).

Poratos, Swret—Barbados, $1:20 per bag.

Rice—Ballam, $4°40 to $4°50 per 177 th. ; Creole, $4:30
to $440 per bag.

Tannras—$1-20 per barrel.

Yams—White, $5°00; Buck, $5°36 per bag.

Scucar—Dark crystals, $2°35 to $2-40; Yellow, $3:40;
White, $4°50; Molasses, $2°40 to $2°50 per 100 tb.
(retail).

TimbeR—Greenheart, 52e. to 55c. per cubie foot.

WALLABA SHINGLES—$3-00, $5°75, and $5:25 per M.

per tb.; Tenerife, 2c.

Trinidad,— September 19, 1905.—Messrs. Gorpon, Grant

& Co.; and Messrs. Epcar Tripp & Co.

Cacao—Ordinary to good red, $11°25 to $11°50 ; estates,
$11°50 to $12°00 per fanega (110 tb.); Venezuelan,
311°25 to $11-90 per fanega a

Cocoa-nuts—$20°00 per M., f o.b

Cocosa-nuv O1r—67c. per Imperial gallon (casks included).

Corrre—Venezuelan, 10c per tb.

Copra—-$2°90 to $3-00 per 100 th.

Oxtons—Stringed, $2:00 to $2°30 per 100 tb. (retail).

Poratos, EncrisH—$1-00 to $2°15 per 100 tb.

Ricr—Yellow, $4°25 to $4°50 ; White, $4°50 to $5°60 per
bag.

Svucar—White crystals, $4°00 to $4°50; Yellow crystals,
$3°00 ; Molasses sugars, $2°50 to $3:90 per 100 th. —

THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.

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The Pamphlets are written in a simple and popular manner and the information contained in them is especially
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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 stil] 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. (23) Notes on Poultry in the West Indies. Price 4d.
(5) General Treatment of Insect Pests, 2nd. Edition Revised. (24) Dominica, Hints to Settlers. Price 2d.

Price 4d. (25) Ground Nuts in the West Indies Price 2d.
(6) Recipes for cooking Sweet Potatos. Price 2d. (26) Seedling and other Canes at Barbados, in 1993. Priee 4d.
(7) Scale Insects of the Lesser Antilles, Part I. Price 4d. (27) Seedling and other Canes in the Leeward Islands,
(9) Bee Keeping in the West Indies. “Price 4d. 1902-1903. Price 2d.
(12) Seedling and other Canes in the Leeward Islands, (28) Barbados and Porto Rico Molasses. Price 3d.
1900-1901. Price 2d. (29) Lectures on the Diseases of the Sugar-cane. Price 4d.
(13) Seedling and other Canes at Barbados, in 1901. Price 4d. (30) Manurial Experiments with Sugar-cane in the Leeward
14) Screw Worm in Cattle at St. Lucia. Price 2d. Islands, 1902-3. Price 4d.
15) Plain Talk to Small Owners. Price 2d. (31) A. B. C. of Cotton Planting. Price 4d.
16) Hints on Onion Cultivation. Price 2d. (32) Seedling and other Canes at Barbados, in 1904. Price 4d
(17) General Treatment of Fungoid Pests. Price 4d. (33) Seedling and other Canes in the Leeward Islands, 1903-4.
(18) Recipes for cooking West Indian Yams. Price 2d. Price 4d.

(19) Seedling and other Canes at Barbados, in 1902. Price 4d. (34) Notes on Rabbit Keeping in the West Indies. Price 2d.
(20) Seedling and other Canes in the Leeward Islands, (35) Information in regard to Agricultural Banks. Price 4d.

1901-1902. Price 2d. (36) Manurial Experiments with Sugar-cane in the Leeward
(21) Cotton and Onion Industries in the West Indies. Price 2d. Islands, 1903-4. Price 4d.
(22) Scale Insects of the Lesser Antilles, Part II. Price 4d. (37) Cultivation of Oranges in Dominica. Price 4d.

The above will be supplied post free for an additional charge of $d. for the pamphlets marked 2d., and 1d. for the
Jarger pamphlets.

‘NATURE TEACHING.’

A text-book based upon the general principles of Agriculture for the use of schools, prepared by the Hon. Francis
Watts and others. Price, limp cloth, 2s., or in a superior style of binding, 2s. 6d. Postage in either binding 34d. extra.

The ‘AGRICULTURAL NEWS. A Fortnightly Review.

The ‘Agricultural News’ contains extracts from official correspondence and from progress and
other reports; and, in fact, «ny 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, 1d. The subscription price, including postage, is
1s. 74d. per half-year, or 3s. 3d. per annum. Vols I, II, and IIT complete with title page and index as issued.—Price 4s. Post
free, 5s. Only a few copies available. Adl 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. Duntau & Co., 37, Soho Square, W. Czty Agents: THe West Inp1a ComMITTEE, 15, Seething
ane, London, E.C. Barbados: Messrs, Bowen & Sons, Bridgetown. Jamaica: Tae EpucationaL SuppLiy
Company, 16, King St., Kingston. British Guiana: ‘Daily Chronicle’ Office, Georgetown, Trinidad: Messrs. Muir,
MarsHatt & Co., Port-of-Spain. Tobago: Mr. C. L. Puacemann, Scarborough. Grenada: Messrs. F. Marrast & 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. LLEWELLYN WALL, Plymouth.
Antigua: Mr. 8S. D. Matonz, St. John’s. St. Kitt’s: Messrs. 8. L. Horsrorp & Co., Basseterre. Mevis: Mr. 8S. D. Manone
Charlestown.

Vou. IV. No. 91. THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS. P Ocroper 7, 1905.

THE BEST MANURES FOR COLONIAL USE _

ee ASE

Ohlendorff’s Dissolved Peruvian Guano—For Sugar-cane and general use
Ohlendorff’s Special Sugar-cane Manure
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Sulphate of Ammonia, Nitrate of Soda, Superphosphates, high grades,
Potash Salts, Basic Slag and all other high-class Fertilizers.

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Louis Coicou, Port-au-Prince. Edited by the Secretary.

Containing a Review of the Work of the West India Com-
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THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.

IMPERIAL (DEPARTMENT OF AGRICUL@®URE

FOR THE WEST INDIES.

The Annual Reports on the Botanic Stations, Agricultural Schools, etc., in the
West Indies, for the official year 1904-5 can be obtained from all Agents for the
sale of the Department's publications. Prices, 3d. and 6¢. The following have
lately been issued :—

Virgin Islands: Experiment Station, Tortola
St. Vincent: Botanic Station, Agricultural School, and Land Settlement Scheme.
St. Kitt’s-Nevis: Botanic Stations, and Agricultural Education.

St. Kitt’s: Economic and other Experiments.

Montserrat: Botanic Station and Experiment Plots.
Antigua: Botanic Station, Economic Experiments, and Agricultural Education.
Dominica: Botanic Station, Agricultural School, and Experiment Plots.

St. Lucia: Botanic Station, Agricultural School, and Experiment Plots.

LIVERPOOL ‘'TROPIGAL LEIEES

RAT VIRUS. oe
A MONTHLY JOURNAL

devoted to Interests of those living, trading,

A few tubes of this Rat Virus are] in "Tregibar or Sam-trontoal counties

still available and may be obtained at
Is. 8d. per tube on application to —

_ Price:—Single copies, 1s,; Annual Subscrip-
tion, 10s. post free.

The Imperial Commissioner

of Aen Published by M Bale, S d

ublishe y Messrs. Bale, Sons, an

Head Office, Danielsson, Ltd., 83-91, Great Tichfield St.,
Barbados. | London, W.

:
~:——-

~ ———————————

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LPS

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LB

A PORTNIGHTILY REVIEW

OF THE

IMPERIAL DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE FOR THE WEST INDIES.

Wor, LV. No: 92:

BARBADOS, OCTOBER 21, 1905. Price ld.
by early frosts in October or November. These kill
EES: the plants and thus destroy the possibility not only of
obtaining further pickings but also of ratooning the
PAGE. PAGE.

Banana, Fungoid Diseases
Ole “a mee ores peeocd
Banana Growers’ Confer-
ence at Barbados ... 325
Birds of Dominica... ... 328
Birds, Protection of ... 333

Carriacou, Agriculture in 529
Castor Oil Industry... 329
Colonial Exhibition
INTARMS eres? Bao “ose GL-T
Cotton Notes :—
Cotton Experiments in

Dutch West Indies 526
Medals for Cotton
Growers Ried 1 eeOLO
St. Vincent Cotton

Hactory, 225 tc.) s-<, 020
Weather Conditions
and Cotton Growing 526
Date Growing in the
United States... ... 324
Departmental Reports :—

Sits Abiere, | Gas J eso. gaol G33
Department News... ... 351
Gleanings sop, ace ond GBH

Guango or Rain Tree ... 327
Horse Bean as Green
Dressing?) eee oon
Import Duties on Tropi-
cal Fruit... .. 4... 334
Insect Notes :-—
Spraying Cattle for
Ticks BEAT ten oes ell)
Success Knapsack
SPrayGiwy co) Wee Memere
Jamaica Mineral Springs 335
Market Reports... ... 336
Notes and Comments... 328
Rat Virus in Dominica .., 322
Sea Island Cotton in the
West Indies... ... 321
Sorghums, Cultivated ... 529
Sugar Industry :—
Hawaii ...
Mexico BE oso, as
Tropical Products in the
United States... .., 330
West Indian Agricultural
Conference, 1906 ... 333
West Indian Products in
Canada se aes BBD

Sea Island Cotton in the West
Indies.

"

N arecent issue of the Agricultural News

information was published in regard to the

prospects of Sea Island cotton in South

Carolina.

The crop there is usually brought to a close

plants, as unfortunately is being done in some localities
in the West Indies.

As has already been pointed out, the practice of
ratooning Sea Island cotton lately adopted at Barbados
and elsewhere is rapidly assuming the form of a serious
The planters
in South Carolina, whether they wish it or not, are
compelled to abandon their cotton fields as soon as the
frosts and the cutlass and fire-stick should
perform a similar service in the West Indies and bring
to a definite close the life of all cotton bushes as soon
as they have occupied the land for one whole year.
After that period has elapsed insect and fungoid pests
are present in such numbers that the crop must, in any
case, be small in quantity, and we know by experience
this year that the quality, also, is measurably affected.
Short and immature fibres appear in larger proportion
and the character of the lint is appreciably lowered.
We shall probably hear more of this later, when the
account sales for the ratoon cotton recently shipped
come to hand.

menace to the success of the industry.

come,

As regards the prospects in South Carolina, it was
estimated by Messrs. Henry W. Frost & Co., towards
the end of September, that the crop of the islands as
a whole ‘may fall short of the last by 10 to 15 per
cent. It was added: ‘The general opinion now is
that the crop can, under no circumstances, equal the

oo
lo
to

THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.

Ocrosrer 21, 1905.

last; but it is impossible at this date to predict what
the final result will be. Unless there are developments
of an entirely unexpected character, it is probable that,
with a total crop not appreciably larger than the last,
prices will not be seriously affected and the best cotton
produced in the West Indies may not improbably reach
values only slightly, if at all, below those of last year,

feature of the situation that

and that is the steadily
increasing consumption of Sea Island cotton by mills
in the United States. It is evident that, year by year,
the peeple in the States are using more Sea Island
cotton for manufacturing purposes, and it follows that
there must be a smaller quantity left for export to Lan-
cashire and elsewhere. From statistics given in the
Annual Circular just issued by Messrs. Henry W. Frost
& Co., it is shown that the consumption of Sea Island
cotton in the United States is larger than ever. During
the year 1903-4 the northern and southern mills took
39,324 bales, while during the year 1904-5 they took
63,430 bales or an increase of 24,106 bales. This was
equivalent to the whole of the increased production of
Sea Island cotton during the crop of 1904-5.

is another
consideration

There

deserves

Jt would not be wise to attach too much
importance to these figures, but they confirm reports
showing a tendency on the part of the United States
to enlarge the use of Sea Island cotton, and should
this continue the fine spinners in the United Kingdom
and in Europe will have to look for other sources of
supply than the Sea Islands for silky, long-staple
cottons, which are necessary for the continuance of
their special industry.

The British Cotton-growing Association is fully
aware of the facts herein stated, and the Council has
given public expression to the opinion that, should the
supply of Sea Island cotton from the United States
fail to come up to their requirements, they will have
to lock elsewhere, and preferably to British colonies,
for the material hitherto obtained from South
Carolina.

raw

Owing to the action taken by the Imperial Depart-
ment of Agriculture, planters in the West Indies have
been placed in an exceptional position in regard to the
development of the new industry. Every form of
encouragement, consisting of good seed at low prices,
the establishment of experiment plots, the services of
travelling instructors and trained experts, the delivery
of popular illustrated lectures, the free distribution of
literature in the form of readable leaflets and

—

pamphlets, and the establishment of several central
ginning factories, and, beyond all, the powerful assistance
of the British Cotton-growing Association in finding
a favourable market for the produce, has been given to
growers, with the result that only in the third year of
experimentation the exports of Sea Island cotton from
the West Indies will probably amount to 1,000,000 th.,
of the value of £50,000. The price obtained for West
Indian Sea Island cotton, as compared with South
Carolina Sea Island cotton, has been most satisfactory,
During the last year the West Indian cotton sold at
about 2d. to 3d. per Ib. above the average price of good
ordinary South Carolina cotton.

Allusion is made above to the practice of
‘ratooning’ cotton adopted by some of the less careful
planters in these colonies. To ratoon Sea Island cotton
is a suicidal policy. Those who adopt it and allow
neglected fields of cotton to remain in close proximity
to those newly planted not only injure their own
interests but also spoil the prospects of their neighbours
and threaten the success of the industry. In order
that buyers on the other side should not be misled and
the high character already acquired by West Indian
cotton should not be lost, it is important that ‘ratoon’
cotton should be marked and shipped as such and kept
entirely distinct from ‘crop’ cotton.
After all, the simplest and safest plan would
be to abandon the practice of ratooning altogether and
thus avoid all risk of injuring the industry.

RAT VIRUS IN DOMINICA.

In reference to the note in the last issue of the
Agricultural News (p. 319), it may be of interest to
publish the following notice that appeared in the
Dominica Official Gazette of September 30 :—

Recent trials of Liverpool rat virus in Dominica
having shown good results in checking the depredations of
rats in cacao fields, it is proposed that the virus be regularly
imported by the Imperial Department of Agriculture
according to the demands of planters for it.

In order that the virus may be placed in the hands of
purchasers in a perfectly fresh condition, it is necessary for
oe to be brought from England on ice, and kept
on ice after arrival until deliv ery to planters, when it should
be used at once, care being taken not to expose it to light.

The cost of the virus is 2s, 6d. per small tube, and 8s.
per large tube, with a small additional charge to cover freight,
ete. The large tube contains six times as much virus as
the small one. Full directions for applying the virus are
given with each tube.

The Curator of the Botanic Station will undertake to
forward orders for any virus, the cost of which may be
prepaid, or will be happy to give full information to parties
desiring to import for themselves.

INDUSTRY.
Manuring Sugar-cane in Hawaii.

Bulletin No. 15 of the Experiment Stations of the
Hawaiian Sugar Planters’ Association contains the
results of fertilizer experiments during the years
1897-1905, by Mr. C. F. Echart. The following is
a condensed summary of the results of these tests :—

Lands capable of producing 11 tons of sugar to the acre
without fertilization, may be fertilized with profit, climatic
conditions and water supply being favourable.

While soils of high fertility may respond to mixed
fertilizers, the percentage of gain is greater as the soils suffer
a gradual exhaustion.

The Rose Bamboo and Lahaina varieties of cane did not
show the same response to various combinations of fertilizer
ingredients. It is indicated that Rose Bamboo requires
a larger store of phosphoric acid to draw from than Lahaina
for the best results. Lahaina cane responded more to an
increased supply of potash in the soil than Rose Bamboo.

Both Rose Bamboo and Lahaina cane showed a consider-
able gain in yields from fertilization with nitrogen. The
percentage of this element in the soil on which the tests were
carried out was below the average for the islands.

On a_ soil containing phosphoric acid (soluble in
a l-per cent. solution of aspartic acid) in quantities which
were in large excess of those contained in the average soil,
phosphoric acid applied with nitrogen gave yields of Rose
Bamboo cane exceeding those obtained when nitrogen was
applied alone. Under the same conditions, Lahaina cane
gave about the same yields following fertilization with
nitrogen as when nitrogen was applied with phosphoric acid.

On a soil containing potash (soluble in a I-per cent.
solution of aspartic acid), in quantities comparing closely with
those of the average island soil, Rose Bamboo and Lahaina
cane gaye increased yields when this element was applied
with nitrogen.

The separate application of phosphoric acid in soluble
forms to lands standing high in phosphoric acid may result
in a loss of sugar rather than ina gain. It is indicated that
the chances of loss are greater with Lahaina cane than with
the Rose Bamboo variety in localities where the two varieties
make an equally thrifty growth under normal conditions.

Separate applications of potash in the form of sulphate
of potash may decrease the yields of cane. The danger of
loss is apparently greater with Lahaina cane than with Rose
Bamboo. ‘This refers to applications of potassium sulphate
to lands under cane.

The fact that the application of one particular element
gives negative results with respect to fertilization does not
warrant the assumption that the element in question may,
with profit, be omitted as a component part of mixed
fertilizers. Applied with another element, the gains may be
considerably greater than could be obtained with the latter
element alone.

With both varieties the purest and richest juice was
obtained from the cane on the unfertilized area. In general,
the plots receiving incomplete fertilizers yielded juices of
greater purity than those plots to which the three elements
were applied together.

cultivation of sugar in the state of Vera Cruz in Mexico
is extracted from the US. Monthly Consular Reports
for July:—

No. 92 THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS. 323
SS. Cultivation of Sugar in Mexico.
NE The following information in regard to the
Sa. r

The state of Vera Cruz has lately developed into an
important sugar-producing territory. My report for the
fiscal year 1900-1 states that 412 tons of sugar were
exported from Vera Cruz in that year, the United States
having taken almost the entire output. In 1903-4 every sugar
estate in the republic was busily engaged in grinding,
turning out mainly muscovado and centrifugal of 96°, for the
English market. The estimate of the production of that year
was 15,000 tons, while the estimate of the production in
1904-5 is 30,000 tons.

It is evident that the sugar industry of Mexico has
attracted the attention of many persons, for inquiries are
frequently received here for information concerning the
industry, from the cost of land to the cost of production.
T have therefore procured, so far as it lay in my power, what
I consider trustworthy data on these points, and give them
herewith.

Mexican statistics show that in 1904, 38,668 acres were
planted in sugar-cane in the state of Vera Cruz.

The yield of sugar depends upon the location of the
plantations. At the higher levels it is not so great as in the
hot lands ; 26 to 45 tons of cane per acre in the higher lands
would be a fair production. The saccharine matter from
this quantity of cane is 65 per cent. of the weight of the
cane, and the quantity of white centrifugal sugar produced
runs from 74 to 10 per cent. or over—say, about 130 to
150 lb. of sugar per ton of cane,

For the purpose of giving information as complete as
possible on the planting, cultivation, and cutting of cane, as
well as on the results and yield of sugar and aguardiente,
I submit the following reports from several well-established
sugar estates in this consular district, all owned and
managed by Mexicans well versed in the business :—

Plantation A.—The total number of acres owned by
this company is 14,386, valued at $2,700,000, of which
2,484 acres are planted with cane. The production during
normal years is from 8,000 to 10,000 arrobas, or, say, from
200,000 to 250,000 Ib. of cane per hectare (2°471 acres).
The quantity of sugar produced is equal to about 9 per cent.
of the weight of the cane, and the estate has a capacity of
7,500 tons of sugar for the season, which is put on board
cars at a cost of 2c. per tb.

Plantation B.—This estate has an area of 1,912°5 acres,
of which 714 acres are rented. An area of 714 acres is
planted with cane and produces 62 tons of cane per hectare
(2-471 acres). The quantity of sugar produced is 225 th.
from every 2,500 tb. of cane, and 70 litres (184 gals.) of
aguardiente of 30° from every 2,575 tb. of cane. The total
yearly production of sugar is 175 tons and aguardiente, of
30°, 11,690 barrels of 70 litres (184 gals.) each. The total
cost of production of the sugar put down at Vera Cruz is
634c. for 25 tb. There are no other products than those
mentioned.

Plantation C.—This estate has an area of 4,336°6 acres,
which are valued at $30,000. Of the total acreage, 1,255°5
acres are planted with cane, and an equal area is utilized as
pasture land. ‘The annual production of cane amounts to 75
tons per hectare (2°471 acres), and the yield of sugar 10 per
cent. of the cane. The total annual production of sugar is
3,790 tons.

324 THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.

Ocroprr 21, 1905,

Bulletin (Vol. V, pp. 143-5) of the experimental
cultivation of the date palm in the United States.
The following note from the Yearbool: of the U. 8.
Department of Agriculture for 1904 contains recent
information as to the progress of these experi-
ments :—

Encouraging results have been secured in the establish-
ment of this industry in the south-western portion of the
United States. The date orchard at Tempe, Arizona, is
progressing in a highly satisfactory way. The work here has
been carried on in co-operation with the Arizona Experiment
Station and has been under the direct supervision of Professor
R. H. Forbes. In co-operation with the California Experi-
ment Station, work on the establishment of date culture in
southern California is also being conducted. Ten acres of
land have been secured for an experimental orchard, and
dates have been and are being planted there. The industry
has been further encouraged by the publication of important
reports on the subject, pointing out available localities where
the crop is likely to succeed. There is a considerable extent
of territory in southern California where practically all of the
dates of a certain class which are now imported could, in all
probability, be grown. These regions have been mapped, and
a special effort has been made to encourage the production
of the crop therein. Various importations of the date have
been made during the year and others will follow from time
to time as the industry advances.

FUNGOID DISEASES OF THE BANANA.

The cultivation of the banana is now receiving
considerable attention in several of the West India Islands.
It is an industry that has increased by leaps and bounds
during the last few years and shows considerable promise for
the future.

So far, disease has not shown itself among bananas in
any alarming proportions, but a few notes on those diseases
produced by fungoid pests may be interesting to growers.

In Trinidad a disease caused by Marasmius semiustus
(a fungus closely related to that causing the root disease of
sugar-cane) has been a prominent feature. This fungus looks
like a small mushroom, having a yellowish-brown pileus,
1} inch across, and appears on the stem of the banana plant.
The mycelium permeates the tissues and attacks the flower-
stalk. It only seems to be prevalent on plants where they

INDIAN FRUIT.

DATE GROWING IN THE UNITED
STATES.

Full particulars were published in the West Zndian

are grown in unsuitable or impoverished soils, or where the
constitution of the growing plants has been weakened by
other causes. This disease is also known to occur in Jamaica,
but the planters there do not think it is likely to do any
damage under the circumstances obtaining in ordinary
cultivation (see West Indian Bulletin, Vol. III, p. 166).

Another disease of bananas in Jamaica was reported by
Professor F. 8. Earle as the banana leaf blight. It causes
the browning of the vascular bundles in the veins and
mid-rib of the leaves. This is soon followed by the
blackening of the entire leaf-blade, and eventually by the
rotting of the leaf and petiole. It does not seem able to
extend from the petiole into the tissue of the stem, the
terminal bud continuing to push out fresh leaves. Infected
plants are much stunted in growth and do not generally
bear fruit. Apparently it is due to a bacterial parasite
and may prove troublesome, unless all diseased plants are
immediately destroyed (see West Indian Bulletin, Vol. LV,
p- 6). In the Annual Report of the Porto Rico Agricultural
Experiment Station for 1904, mention is made of two
diseases of bananas which are prevalent there.

One is due to fungus belonging to the Sphaeropsideae,
which causes minute clustered dots, beginning on the under
side and extending through the upper surface, associated
with a yellowing of the surrounding area. This attack
usually precedes a gradual wilting of all the leaves of the
plant, but may continue for months in an immature state.

The other is a rot, probably of bacterial origin, which
does considerable injury to bananas fertilized with nitrogen-
ous manures. Streaks of brownish tissue indicate the course
of the disease from the root-stock to the top of the stem.

Although these diseases do not seem to have caused
any anxiety at present, yet it cannot be urged upon planters
too strongly that they should always be on the lookout
for any disease amongst their plants, and that, when any
become infected, steps should immediately be taken to
prevent the spread of the disease. This can usually be done
by either cutting down affected plants or by the judicious
use of fungicides.

Trinidad’s Motto. A correspondent writes to ask
us for the meaning of the motto of the colony of Trinidad,
*Miscerique probat populos et foedera jungi.’ Roughly
translated, it is ‘ He approves the mingling of the nations and
linking by treaty bonds.’ The line in Virgil, of which the
motto is a corruption, runs ‘ Miscerive prebet populos aué
foedera jungi.’ The speaker is Venus, who is uncertain
whether Jove would approve of the union of the Trojans and
Didos people. (West India Committee Circular.)

s

Wol IV. No. 92.

THE AGRICULTURAL

325

NEWS.

CONFERENCE OF BANANA GROWERS
AT BARBADOS.

A large and representative gathering of banana growers
met at Barbados on Friday, October 13, for the purpose of
discussing the present situation in regard to the banana
industry.

In opening the conference, the Imperial Commissioner
of Agriculture stated that the industry had been started on
very modest lines. In the year 1902 they shipped 18
bunches of bananas ; in 1903 they shipped 6,691 bunches ; in
1904 they shipped 15,326 bunches, and already, up to the
5th. instant, they had shipped 28,018 bunches. It was not
unlikely that they would ship about 40,000 bunches of
bananas during 1905, which would be a very good record for
practically the third year of operations. By the last mail
they shipped 2,700 bunches. That was the largest single
shipment yet made.

He considered the position of the industry was a very
promising one, provided attention were devoted to the
following points, viz., (1) that local shippers continued to
select good, large bunches of bananas, cvt them at the
right time, and were very careful in packing them, so
that they should arrive in Bridgetown in_ first-class order ;
(2) that the Royal Mail Company did their best to assist
the industry. Without the hearty co-operation of the mail
company it would be impossible for the industry, not only
to be carried on, but even to exist at all, because there were
other people coming into the field, who were likely to be
very keen competitors with local shippers in the space
available on board the Royal Mail steamers. Trinidad,
British Guiana, and St. Vincent were all proposing to ship
fruit.

The Royal Mail Company, on his (Sir Daniel’s)
suggestion, had installed the Hall system of cold storage
in the ‘Tagus’ and ‘Trent.’ That system had proved an
entire success. Recently the ‘ Orinoco’ had also been fitted
with a cold-storage chamber, which, though not quite as
large as those in the ‘Tagus’ and ‘Trent,’ was yet capable
of holding 2,500 to 3,000 bunches of bananas.

If the industry developed sufticiently, however, the
company was prepared to fit cargo ships with cold-
storage chambers and make them regular fruit ships.
That was a development that would likely come on
earlier now than before, on account of the starting of a new
fruit company in Trinidad, called the British West Indian
Fruit Company, Limited, in which the Royal Mail Company
had a considerable interest. Operations had already been
started in Trinidad and very soon that colony would be
exporting bananas on a large scale. They would export
bananas naked—not in crates—and consequently would not
compete with Barbados, except as regards space By under-
taking to fit up their ships with cold-storage chambers,
the Royal Mail Company had nursed the industry in its
early stages. In fact, the chambers were primarily intended
for carrying Barbados fruit. It was understood, however,
that the company could not reserve space for Barbados banana
growers, unless the latter were prepared to fill that space.

The question, then, to be decided was: What could
they do to ensure that the Royal Mail ships would not come
to Barbados filled, so that the local shippers could not get
the accommodation they had hitherto been accustomed to ?
In order to ensure sufficient space, it was necessary for
them to give the company notice, beforehand, of the
amount of space required, which would, of course, have to
be paid for whether used or not.

There were several people in England who were anxious
to be agents for the fruit from Barbados, but Messrs. W.
Pink & Sons had practically brought the trade into its
present proportions and they deserved support. The time
would come when the Barbados banana growers would have
to make some arrangements to sell their fruit locally. They
might deliver the fruit in Bridgetown, get paid for it
according to the quality of the fruit, and then leave the
matter of shipment entirely in the hands of the purchasers
of the fruit. That was the only practical course to be
pursued. There were two companies that were likely to
make proposals in that direction.

He hoped that Mr. Skinner, the Managing Director of
the British West Indian Fruit Company, and Mr. A. F.
Clark, of Jamaica, who had been appointed Manager, would
visit Barbados to study the conditions and make definite
proposals to the planters with regard to carrying on the
industry.

It would be for the local growers to decide whether
they would enter into a contract with the company and sell
their fruit for a certain price all the year round, or whether
they would ask a fixed price during the six months when
the trade was slack and a higher price during the other six
months. He thought that if they obtained for their bananas
a price which would net them, after paying all expenses,
ls. 3d. to Is. 9d. per bunch, that would probably be as
reasonable a price as they could hope for.

Sir Daniel Morris stated that he had that morning
received a letter from Mr. Owen Philipps, Chairman of the
Royal Mail Company, in which the latter stated that he
would be sailing from New York on the ‘Tagus’ on the
18th. instant and would be passing through Barbados on
November 12, when he hoped he might have the
pleasure of seeing him (Sir Daniel) to discuss questions
in connexion with the fruit trade, in which they were
mutually interested. He suggested that a small committee
be appointed as a deputation to wait on the Chairman of
the Royal Mail Company and put their case before him.

Mr. J. R. Bovell stated, with reference to the 15,326
bunches cf bananas shipped last year, that those who shipped
single bunches received 2s. 53d. per bunch on the average,
while those who shipped in double crates received 2s. 35d.
The reason was that during four months last year the losses
were very heavy. He had returns from certain shippers,
one of whom gave the average cost of shipping as 1l1d.,
another put down his at ls., another at ls. 14d., and one at
ls. 2d. Those figures included the cost of growing, packing,
bringing the bananas to town, and everything else.

After further discussion, Mr. §. §. Robinson expressed
the opinion that bananas would pay in Barbados, but what
prevented many growers from planting on a large scale was
the uncertainty of the transport.

On the motion of Mr. Bovell, seconded by Mr. W. D.
Shepherd, the following gentlemen were appointed a deputation
to wait on the Chairman of the Royal Mail Company on
November 12 next, and present their case before him with
the view of obtaining an assurance that their fruit would
have a fair chance of being accepted for shipment by the
company:—The Hon. F. J. Clarke, the Hon. G. L. Pile,
the Hon. Richard Haynes, Messrs. A. P. Haynes, E. A.
Hinkson, J. R. Bovell, G. P. Skeete, E. L. Hollinsed,
8. 8. Robinson, G. Eliott Sealy, and E. E. H. Thorne.

A vote of thanks to Sir Daniel Morris, moved. by the
Hon. F. J. Clarke, and seconded by Mr. Robinson, brought
the meeting to a close.

326 THE

AGRICULTU

RAL NEWS. Ocroser 21, 1905.

caren

COTTON CULTIVATION IN THE DUTCH
WEST INDIAN COLONIES.

In a report on cotton pubwelion in Dutch
colonies, published in the U.S. Monthly Consular
Reports for June, the fallow’ reference is made to
the experiments being carried on in the West Indian
Colonies of Holland :—

As to the colonies of Surinam and Curacao, the pros-
pects of a resumption of the cultivation of cotton are given
in Bulletin No. 2 of the agricultural inspection district of
the West Indies. This bulletin shows that on the island of
St. Eustatius experiments, which may be said to have been
satisfactory, were made with various sorts of cotton, On
St. Martin, with the assistance of the Government, plantings
have been made which showed immediately that the
cultivation of cotton there was practicable. In 1904 the
Governinent advanced to a private individual in St. Martin
a sum of $600 for that purpose. No report has yet been
received in regard to an experiment on a small scale in the
district of Nickerie, in Surinam, in 1904.

WEATHER CONDITIONS AND COTTON
GROWING.

Experience in cotton growing in the West Indies has
shown that the yield is influenced more by rainfall than by
the artificial manuring of the soil. It has, however, been
pointed out that this applies to lands that have borne but
one or two crops of cotton, and that, in the case of lands
growing cotton continually, attention would have to be paid
to the manurial requirements of the plant. Considering,
therefore, that so much depends upon the climatic conditions
to which the cotton crop is subjected, it may be of interest
to review briefly an important paper in the Vearbook of
the U.S. Department of Agriculture for 1904 on the

Relation of Weather Conditions to Growth and Develop-
ment of Cotton.’ It must, however, be clearly understood,
that the following notes contain the experience of growers
of Upland cotton in the United States. The conditions
under which Sea Island cotton is grown in the West Indies
are necessarily very different, but these notes may serve as
a basis for similar observations in these islands.

During the planting season there must be frequent but
comparatively light showers to keep the soil in a moist
condition, favourable for germination. Should the soil
become dry and baked, the seeds will not obtain the required
nourishment and but few plants wili come up.

If the first three months have been favourable, with
plenty of sunshine and only sufficient rain to furnish

ON TON NOTES.

Tan

em fii Aly (yale fs)
i MOLL i | =
dle et A a lbs

nourishment to the plant, cotton can stand plenty of rain
for the next four or five weeks. But an excess of rain after
this causes the plants to make rank growth, while it is next
to impossible to keep the fields free from weeds and grass.

During the biossoming period it is best that there
should be no more than the normal amount of rain. When the
petals fall off and the small boll is left, little rain and plenty
of sunshine are required. If there is too much rain during the
fruiting season, the results are disastrous, new flowers ceasing
to be produced, and the small bolls falling off.

During the picking season dry weather is needed.
Only sufficient moisture is required to nourish the growing
bolls and opening flowers.

ST. VINCENT COTTON FACTORY.

The Agricultural Superintendent has forwarded
the following report on the work of the Central Cotton
Factory, St. Vincent, for the period January 1 to
September 23, 1905:—

The factory was opened on January 1, but owing to
certain minor defects in the oil engine, work was not carried
on regularly until January 16, and then it was found that the
power generated was only sufticient to drive steadily three
gins. Work was carried on with the three gins until
February 24, when it was decided to purchase at a cost of
£300, the steam engine and boiler that were worked so
successfully during the previous season. On March 14 work
was re-started with the steain engine with complete success,
six gins and the disintegrator being driven with a full load.

It should be mentioned that the disintegrator for
crushing cotton seed for feeding to stock and manure, was
installed at the same time as the steam engine by Mr. J. J.
Law, of Barbados.

An effort was made last season to form a company to
take over and work the factory, but without success; so
that, as last season, the factory was worked under the
control of the Agricultural Department. Mr. Alex. Fraser
again acted as Manager, with a fresh overseer—Mr. Ivan
Stephens. Both officers, 1 am glad to report, gave satisfaction.

Work under this head was completed on June 30, and
from January 1, 281,606 Ib. of seed-cotton were sent for
ginning, which gave 77,814 Ib. of lint and 199,941 tb. of seed.
The percentage weight of lint to weight of seed-cotton worked
out at 27°6 per cent. The 77,814 tb. of lint mentioned
above, were made up into 233 bales, the larger number of
which were made to contain 360 Ib. net., as it was pointed
out that buyers preferred purchasing lint put up in bales of
a uniform weight. No bales were shipped by the factory
during the period, the owners shipping direct to the British
Cotton-growing Association.

the rain tree or guango in Australia,

Vou. IV. No. 92.

THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS. 327

Only 4,204 tb. of seed were sent to be disintegrated,
which gave 4,114 Ib. of crushed seed. The total receipts
for ginning and baling cotton and disintegrating cotton
seed amounted to £325 19s. The working expenses were
£320 14s. 9d., leaving a small credit balance of £5 4s. 3d.

Considering the delays which occurred during the
period of working, and the low price charged for ginning
and baling, this result may be regarded as _ satisfactory.
Then again, the large sum of £83 6s. 4d. is included in
working expenses for bale bags, 415 of the 750 received
being on hand and in good order.

SELECTION AND DISINFECTION OF COTTON SEED FOR PLANTING
PURPOSES.

Owing to the high price obtained—ls. 5d. per tb.—for
the best local-grown cotton, and as it was not possible to
obtain a further supply of seed for planting purposes from
the Sea Islands, the local growers decided, on the advice of
the Imperial Department of Agriculture, to plant seed
obtained from the best marks of local-grown cotton. The
seed required was sent to the factory and selected and
disinfected at cost price. This work was commenced on
April 13 and finished on September 23.

Besides the seed dealt with for local growers, large
orders were received from officers of the Department in other
West India Islands. These orders were dealt with during
the same period. The amount of seed treated for local
growers was 15,387 1b., which gave 11,860 tb. * of selected
and disinfected seed. The proportion of selected to unselected
seed was therefore 77:07 per cent. For export and local sale
16,717 tb. of unselected seed were purchased from local
growers whose cotton was especially good and had realized
1s. 5d. to 1s. 6d. per tb. This seed after selection and
disinfection gave 13,990 tb., the bulk of which was exported.

The working expenses incurred in selecting, disinfecting,
and exporting all of the seed dealt with amounted to
£136 15s. 7d. Of this amount £80 6s. 5d. was expended on
the purchase and selection of sced for expert, packing and
shipping charges. The actual cost of selection and disinfection
only was 95c., or 3s. 11}d. per 100 tb. of seed. This is
therefore the rate charged local growers.

The price charged for seed sold and exported from the
factory was 2d. per tb. This included all charges to
destination.

To date a few accounts are unpaid, but when paid there
will be a credit balance of £31 15s. 10d. This is
therefore the profit on the seed sold and exported.

GUANGO OR RAIN TREE.

The Monthly Weather Review of the U.S.
Department of Agriculture contains the following
interesting note on the guango or saman or rain tree
(Pithecolobium Samai), a native of tropical America,
in reference to its effect on climatic conditions :—

Mr. Fred Turner, F.L.S., comimunicates to the Daily
Telegraph, Sydney, N.S.W., of May 27, a short article on
He says that during
the past thirty years few trees have received more attention
than this from both scientific and practical men. At one
time and another, writers have recommended its extensive
cultivation in the drier parts of the world in order to provide
moisture and make the desert blossom as the rose. Its
botanical name is Pthecolobium Saman, Benth.; it is

* 200 th. transferred to export account.

indigenous to Brazil and Central America, but is now raised
successfully in many other regions, and is a_ beautiful,
unbrageous tree of remarkably quick growth. Mr. Turner
states that he has raised more than 300 seedlings in the
Botanic Gardens of Brisbane, Queensland. As the latitude
of Brisbane is about 27° 30’ S., on the north-east coast
of Australia, it would seem, at first thought, as though this
tree would flourish in the analogous climates that we have on
the south-east coast of the United States, especially the
coasts of Georgia, Florida, and Texas, but Mr. David
Fairchild, of the Bureau of Plant Industry, states that
several experiments at introduction have not met with
decided success. Turner states that he has planted the
guango in various soils and situations and they made
remarkable growth during the summer months, especially
after the January rains, but the leaves fell off at the
approach of the winter and the plants died down to within
2 inches of the ground. Southern Queensland was too cold,
but Northern Queensland, corresponding to our Florida, was
fairly well adapted. The fruit consists of four to eight
seeds, embedded in a saccharine pulpy matter very pleasant
to the taste; the mature seed-pods are largely used as feed
for stock, They are about a } inch thick, and from 6 to 10
inches long.

Of course the readers of the Review do not need to be
told that trees will not provide moisture or bring rain,
but, on the one hand, such trees as the guango may be
helpful in draining wet lands, and, on the other hand, the
cool moist air settling down from their leaves during the
night-time may provide a local condition that will make it
possible for certain plants to grow in their neighbourhood,
that would otherwise be killed by the heat and the dry air.

COLONIAL EXHIBITION AWARDS.

The West India Committee Circular of Septem-
ber 29 contains a list of further awards made for
rums and spirits at the Colonial Exhibition. It is
gratifying to note that a Grand Prize was awarded to
the Government Laboratory, Jamaica, for the best

collection of well-made, high-flavoured rums. The list
of awards may be summarized as follows :—
BARBADOS, TRINIDAD.
4 Gold Medals. 2 Gold Medals.
3 Silver Medals. 3 Silver Medals.
4 Bronze Medals. 4 Bronze Medals.

JAMAICA,

1 Grand Prize.
1 Gold Medal.
4 Silver Medals.
8 Bronze Medals.

The following is an extract from an article in the
St. Vincent Sentry of September 29 :—

We are very pleased to note that, although the colony
of St. Vincent occupied no special court at the Exhibition,
the enterprising proprietor of ‘Three Rivers’ arrowroot
did not miss the opportunity of advertising that excellent
product of this island at the Crystal Palace. Mr. Porter’s
enterprise has been crowned with success, he having been
awarded a silver medal for his exhibit. As the success of
his efforts to stimulate the demand for ‘Three Rivers’
arrowroot means increased trade for St. Vincent, we wish
the business continued progress.

28 THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.

OctToper 21, 1905.

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 list of
Agents will be found at foot of page 3 of the cover.

The Agricultural News: Price 1d. per number,
post free 1d. Annual subscription payable to Agents,
2s. 2d. Post free, 3s. 3d.

Agricultural dlews

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 21, 1905.

Vox. IV. No. 92.

NOTES AND COMMENTS.

Contents of Present Issue.

The prospects of the Sea Island cotton industry in
the West Indies are fully discussed in this issue’s
editorial. The position of the industry is entirely
satisfactory and provided ratooning be abandoned
there is a promise of good prices in the future.

A summarized report of an important conference
of banana growers, held at Barbados on October 13,
will be found on p. 325. It was evident from the
remarks of speakers that banana growing offers
remunerative returns, if satisfactory arrangements
can be entered into for shipping the fruit to the
United Kingdom.

Among notes of interest to cotton growers (see pp.
326-7) is a report on the working of the Central Cotton
Factory at St. Vincent.

It is desired to draw the attention of banana
growers and others in Barbados to the offer of special
prizes at the forthcoming Agricultural Show for banana
fibre (see p. 529).

An illustrated note on the ‘Success’ knapsack
sprayer appears on p. 230; also a note on spraying
cattle for ticks.

Bird lovers and others who devote attention to the
natural history of these islands should read with
interest the article on p. 333 on the protection of birds
in Dominica.

Agricultural News.

Beginning with the next issue of the Agri-
cultural News, a change in the day of issue will be
rendered necessary by the alteration in the sailings
of the Royal Mail steamers.

While the Agricultural News will be published,
as heretofore, on every alternate Saturday, it will be
ready for distribution on the preceding Wednesday, in
time for the intercolonial mails. Copies for England
will go by the mail steamer leaving Barbados the day
after the date of publication.

The next issue (No, 93) will therefore be published
on Saturday, November 1], instead of on Saturday,
November 4, but will be ready for distribution on the
preceding Wednesday, viz., November 8,

+o -

Medals for Cotton Growers.

In a recent letter to the Imperial Commissioner
of Agriculture, Sir Alfred Jones, K.C.M.G., has notified
his willingness to present gold and silver medals to the
growers of the best cotton in the West Indies.

Sir Daniel Morris has suggested that the medals
be offered for competition at the Agricultural Shows
that are to be held, under the auspices of the Imperial
Department of Agriculture, towards the end of 1905
and in the early part of 1906, in Barbados, St. Vincent,
St. Kitt’s-Nevis, Antigua, Montserrat, and the Virgin
Islands ; also that medals be offered to Jamaica, Tobago,
and Carriacou.

It is believed that Sir Alfred's idea will assist in
encouraging the devotion of attention to cotton growing:
on right lines. In order that the medals may be fully
appreciated, it is suggested that they be awarded only
in case of exceptional merit and that, with this aim in
view, the authorities in charge of the medals be
instructed to withhold them for another year, if the
exhibits are not fully worthy of them.

OD Or

Birds of Dominica.

In connexion with the article on p. 333 on the ~

protection of birds in Dominica, it may be mentioned
that Mr. A. Hyatt Verrill has just published, under
the title of ‘Additions to the Avifauna of Dominica,’
notes on the birds of the island. The paper contains
notes on species hitherto unrecorded with descriptions
of three new species and a list of all birds now known
to occur in Dominica.

Mr. Verrill states that the list and notes are
compiled from his own observations and collections
made during twenty months’ stay in the island.

The three new species described in this paper are:
‘Bell’s Humming-bird, (Lhalurania Belli), named after
his Honour the Administrator ; ‘Riviere’s Hawk,’
(Buteo rivierei); and the ‘Tropical Redstart’ (Septo-
phaga tropica).

Mr. Verrill is of opinion that the list of species
occurring in Dominica is still far from complete.
There are portions of the island, not yet visited by
collectors, which may well contain species unknown to
the island fauna.

Wor, LV. - No. 92:

THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS. 329

Cultivated Sorghums.

In reference to species of Sorghum usually
cultivated in the West Indies, it has been suggested to
adopt the following names in order to secure uniformity
of nomenclature, viz. :—

Guinea Corn (Andropogon Sorghum, var, vul-
gars).

Imphee or Sugar Sorghum (Andropogon Sorg-
hum, var. saccharatus).

Broom Corn (Andropogon Sorghum, var. techini-
Cus).

rr

Banana Fibre.

In order to ascertain whether the fibre contained
in the stem of the bananas grown at Barbados possesses
a commercial value, the Imperial Commissioner of
Agriculture is prepared to offer prizes at the Show, to
be held at Harrison College in December next, for the
best samples of clean, dry banana fibre, not less than
3 feet in length and not less than 10 th. in weight.
Each sample is to be accompanied by particulars of the
cost per ewt. of production and delivery in Bridgetown.

Many attempts have been made in Jamaica and
elsewhere to utilize the fibre contained in the banana
plant, but so far without success. As the plant grown
at Barbados (Musa Cavendishii) ditters from that
grown at Jamaica, it is regarded as worth while to
make a special investigation into its merits and submit
specimens to well-known firms in the United States
and Europe for valuation and report.

At first the specimens will have to be prepared by
hand, but later, if there are reasonable prospects of
a good market for the fibre, it is possible that a simple
and portable machine may be devised for the purpose.

It is suggested that the fibre be extracted only
from stems that have already borne fruit and are
therefore of no value except to be cut up and turned
into manure.

To prepare the fibre a portion of what is usually
called the stem (made up of leaf-sheaths) should be
divided lengthways into convenient narrow strips,
about 3 feet long. The outer and coarser layers with
stained fibres should be rejected.

Each of the narrow strips should first of all be
beaten with a mallet or round club until the fibres are
rendered soft and pliable. They should then be scrap-
ed with a blunt knife or strip of bamboo and washed
until all the pulp is removed and there is nothing left
but white, glistening fibres. After being dried in the
sun each bundle of fibres should be arranged length-
ways, one above another, so as to make a large, neat
bundle of straight fibres, all of the same length.

quo +o

Agriculture in Carriacou.

In the course of a couple of interesting articles in
the Grenada Chronicle on a visit to Carriacou,
Mr, W. Malins Smith states that the future prosperity
of this dependency is now assured. Speaking of the
character of the soil, he mentions the case of a field of
common cotton, growing on untilled soil with fairly
vigorous growth. Judging from the appearance of the
fruit trees of the island, the depth of soil appears to be

very satisfactory. In most places the soil is_ black,
medium loam of good mechanical condition.

The dryness of the soil is to be attributed, not to
an insufficient rainfall, but to causes, such as the
absence of wind-breaks and lack of tillage, which may
be easily controlled by the people.

Carriacou is wonderfully free from insect pests:
scale insects and blight are not to be seen, nor are the
cotton fields troubled by the cotton worm or other
pests.

Corn and cotton are the staple agricultural
products. Sea Island cotton flourishes with little care
beyond tillage, and there is no doubt that the people
would benefit by replacing their Marie Galante cotton
with the long-staple Sea Island. One grower has
already planted 100 acres with it.

There are signs that some of the peasants are
realizing that other crops than corn and cotton can be
grown in Carriacou. There are small patches of
bearing cacao to the cultivation of which several
valleys on the leeward side are well suited. Cocoa-nuts
and the Chinese banana are also being planted.

The island has always been noted for its live
stock. Some of the larger proprietors have big flocks
of sheep, the manure of which, sold to the Grenada
cacao planters, is a considerable source of revenue.

ee

Castor Oil Industry.

In an article in the Yearbook: of the U. 8.
Department of Agriculture for 1904 it is stated that
in the United States the use of this oil is on a small
scale compared with the increased consumption of other
expressed oils, such as cotton seed and linseed.

The functions which castor oil performs in industry
and the arts are of great economic importance.
Within comparatively recent years an extensive
demand has sprung up for it in connexion with dyeing
and printing cotton goods, as in certain processes it
enjoys a practical monopoly. Probably the next most
important channel of consumption is in the drug trade,
although it no longer commands the same universal
demand as a ‘home remedy.’ Castor oil has also an
extensive use for illuminating and lubricating purposes
in some countries. It is adapted to use in the dressing
of leathers, while it is also used for making ‘sticky fly-
paper’ and the so-called glycerine soap.

The equipment of a castor oil factory is almost
identical with that of a cotton seed meal factory. Two
grades of oil are placed on the market. The No. 1
grade commands the highest price and enters into
medicinal uses, the other supplies various industrial
needs. The industry yields also a by-product of
commercial value. ‘his is the oil cake, or ‘castor
pomace’ as it is called. Containing, as it does, the
whole of the poisonous properties of the castor bean,
this by-product cannot be used as a food-stuff. It is,
however, well adapted to manurial uses, being especially
rich in nitrogen.

Beans of good quality contain about 45 per cent.
of oil, but 32 per cent. is an average amount. The
rather high proportion of 13 per cent. remains after
expression,

OcrosEer 21, 1905.

3 =
INSECT NOTES.

The Success Knapsack Sprayer.

The ‘Success’ is a very popular form of knapsack
sprayer, and quite a number are in use in the West Indies.
It consists of a copper tank, of 5 gallons capacity, pump and
agitator, and is furnished with discharge hose and nozzle. It
is carried on the back and held in place by straps going over
the shoulders, thus leaving the hands free to pump and to
direct the spray.

The ‘Success’ sprayer is so arranged that either hand
may be used for pumping while being carried, or the pump
lever may be taken off and a handle attached to the top of
the pump and used as a bucket sprayer. This form of

Fic. 23. Tur Success Kyapsack SPRAYER.
sprayer differs from the Auto-spray (see Agricultural News,
Vol. IV, p. 186) in that pumping is continuous during the
spraying operation.

The ‘Success’ knapsack sprayer will be found very
useful in spraying garden plants, small orchard trees, and
for general use in all places inaccessible for barrel sprayers,
such as those described on p. 234 of this volume of the
Agricultural News.

By means of a nozzle extension, made of a piece of
gas-pipe, 6 or 8 feet in length, trees 10 or 12 feet in height
could easily be sprayed with this machine.

Fig. 23 shows a knapsack sprayer and bucket sprayer
combined with a 5-gallon copper tank to hold the liquid
which is applied in a mist-like spray. The dotted line shows
the handle used in pumping when the lever is taken off and
the instrument is used as a bucket sprayer.

The ‘Success’ knapsack sprayer is useful for applying
both insecticides and fungicides. For spraying with Paris
green or kerosene emulsion the Vermorel type of nozzle
should be used, while for Bordeaux mixture the special
3ordeaux nozzle would be better. The automatic agitator
is a special feature of this apparatus.

Spraying Cattle for Ticks.

A Jarge amount of work has been done in Cape Colony
on the control of cattle ticks especially those concerned in
communicating such serious diseases as Heartwater, Red-
water and African coast fever. The dipping of infested
cattle in tanks especially constructed for the purpose has
been strongly recommended and practised on a large scale.
At the present time, however, spraying is being advocated
by certain cattle owners who claim it to be preferable to
dipping. The materials used for dipping are arsenical
solutions, which sometimes have an injurious effect on the
cattle treated. The spraying is done with a mechanical
mixture of kerosene and water. It is claimed by the
advocates of spraying that it is cheaper in its initial cost and
in its application than dipping, and that it is more efficacious
in killing the ticks and never injures the cattle.

No serious diseases are common in these islands which
are spread by the agency of cattle ticks, the West Indian
ticks injuring cattle merely by their habit of feeding on them,
and few planters care to go to the expense of building a costly
dipping tank for the sake of controlling these ticks; but
spraying might be resorted to, as the initial cost for pump
and hose is small.

A discussion on the relative merits of the two methods
is now going on in the Agricultural Journal of the Cape of
Good Hope, in which the respective advocates state results
at some length ; it will be of interest in the West Indies to
know what conclusions are reached. Up to the present
time the Government Entomologist and the Government
Veterinarian continue to recommend dipping.

TROPICAL PRODUCTS IN THE UNITED
STATES.

The following figures, abstracted from the Year-
book of the U.S. Department of Agriculture for 1904,
show the amounts and values of the imports of certain
tropical products into the United States during the
year 1903-4 :—

|
| | 1903. 1904.
——————— |e |
| Article. | Quantity. Value. | Quantity. | Value.
| ae
| Bees’-wax |
tb. 488,576.$ 127,220 425,168 § 116,878
| Honey | | |
Gals. 287,696 = 115,400 206,292. 69,053)
| Cacao and |
| chocolate ! |
th. 65,046,884) 8,257.441) 75,070.746 9,600,604
Coffee ,, | 915,086,380) 59,200,746) 995,043,284 69,551,799
| Bananas | 8,541,156) | 7,709,976
Oranges tb.| 56,872,070) 818,780) 35,893,260; 525,468
Ginger,
preserved
| orpickled |
| th. | 569,292 23,810, 230,890 13,502
| Cocoa-nuts | 908,242, 971,852
| Spices tb. 51,201,179) 4,815,125) 43,274,396) 4,366,008
Molasses
| Gals.) 17,240,399) 1,124,710) 18,828,530) 1,018,198
| Sugars th. 4,216,108, 106. 72,088,973 3,700,623,613, 71,915,753
onesie 34,016,956) 17,234,915 31,162,636 16,939,487
| Vanilla } |
| beans 1h, 521,689) 1,032,654 550,328, 1,424,647
| Onions | | ,
| bushels. | 925,5991 699,657| 1,171,242] 914,413

THE AGRICULTURAL

NEWS. 3¢

os
a

ST.

LUCIA:
BOVANIC
AND EXPERIMENT PLOTS, 1904-5.

ON THE
SCHOOL,

ANNUAL REPORTS
STATION, AGRICULTURAL

Botanic Station.—The total expenditure on the Botanic
Station and the Experiment Plots in the country districts
was £761 7s. ld. .The sum of £58 17s. 2d. was derived
from the sale of plants, ete.

The rainfall for the year 1904 was 77°72 inches. This
is 9°12 inches below last year’s return, and less than the
average for fifteen years by 17°65 inches.

Various improvements have been effected in the
appearance of the station by the addition of many interesting
plants. Residents and visitors continue to find the station
an attractive resort.

Economie plants are distributed from the Botanic
Station and also from the Agricultural School and the
Riviere Dorée station, and it is satisfactory to observe that
the total number (34,995) of plants distributed by the
Department shows considerable increase over last year’s
distribution.

Taking into consideration the various changes in the
staff during the year and the dry season, the report on the
work done at the station appears to be satisfactory.

Agricultural School.—The total expenditure on the
school amounted to £718 5s. 11d.

The average number of boys at the school was twenty.
Progress has been maintained in the indoor work. The
marks obtained by the boys at the two half-yearly
examinations were, on the whole, satisfactory. The boys are
reported to have taken an interest in their gardens, where
excellent vegetables are produced.

In connexion with the experiment plots at the school
interest attaches to the experiments in cotton growing. It is
shown that, ia a normal season, good results can be obtained
with Sea Island cotton. Full details are given as to the
experiment with this variety and the local Upland variety.
Other experiments with economic plants were carried out,
and the statement of the results is of considerable interest.

The live stock at the school include woolless sheep,
Belgian hares, and bees. Special attention is devoted to
instruction in bee keeping.

Experiment Plots.—Mr, Hudson reports on the cacao
experiment plots at Soufriere, Dennery, and Roseau, and the
cotton plots at Micoud, Dennery, Vieuxfort, Gros Islet,
Soufriére, Riviére Dorée, and Castries.

It is gratifying to observe that several estates are
now carrying on their own experiments and are following
those methods whose value has been so well demonstrated in
the Department’s plots. Cotton experiments were continued
at eight different points scattered over the island.

The remarks of Mr. Hudson in reference to various
matters connected with the cultivation of cacao and cotton,
as well as of pine-apples, limes, vanilla, ete., are full of
interest. The observations should be of considerable value
in directing attention to some of the more pressing problems
that need to be solved at the present time.

HORSE BEAN AS GREEN DRESSING.

Seeds of a leguminous plant known as the horse
bean (Canavalia ensiformis), received from Mr. John
Belling, B.Sc, Agricultural and Science Master at
St. Kitt’s, were recently forwarded for trial at the
various West Indian Botanic Stations. The following
notes on the growth of this plant at Grenada have
been received from Mr. R. D. Anstead, B.A., the
Agricultural Superintendent :—

On June 19, fifty-two seeds were sown 5 feet by 5 feet.
These germinated well and made bushy plants, which grew
very rapidly, and by the middle of August were 2 feet high
with a spread of about 4 feet, and bearing a number of
shortly stalked, pink flowers, in long racemes. These were
followed by an abundance of broad pods, 9 inches to 1 foot
long. On the 7th. of the present month, the plot was turned
in as a green dressing for corn, and is being compared with
woolly pyrol.

The plant appears to be well suited to this climate,
a very quick grower, and it was entirely unattacked by any
pests. Four plants have been preserved for seed, and I shall
have the honour of informing you when it is ripe.

It may be mentioned that this plant was one
of thirty leguminous plants grown under similar
conditions in Barbados in 1900. In this experiment,
the results of which are given in the Report on
Agricultural Work for 1900, the horse bean came out
seventh on the list, giving a total weight of 8,010 tb.
(vines and roots) per acre. The analysis shows that
this was made up as follows :—

Pounds per acre.

Vines Roots. Total.
Nitrogen wes 56°30 2-14 58-44
Phosphoric anhydride 12:09 0-94 3°03
Potash : 28:08 0:98 29-06

DEPARTMENT NEWS.

The Imperial Commissioner of Agriculture will
leave Barbados on Monday, October 23, in S. 8.
‘Serrana’ on a visit to Grenada and St. Vincent. It is
expected that Sir Daniel Morris will return to
Barbados in 8. S. ‘Orinoco’ on Sunday, October 29,

Mr. Thomas Thornton, A.R.C.S., Travelling
Inspector in connexion with Cotton Investigations, left
Barbados in 8. S. ‘Sibun’ on Monday, October 9, for
Antigua. Mr. Thornton will probably spend some time
in the Leeward Islands visiting the cotton fields and
assisting the planters in increasing the value of the
industry by skilful methods of cultivation and prompt
attention to insect and other pests.

The Secretary of State for the Colonies has
appointed Mr. C. Somers Taylor, B.A., of Emmanuel
College, Cambridge, Assistant Chemist at the Govern-
ment Laboratory under the Island Professor of
Chemistry, in connexion with Sugar-cane Experiments
at Barbados, in succession to Mr, R. D. Anstead, B.A.

THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.

OctopER 21, 1905,

GLEANINGS.

During the fortnight ended September 21, 33
West Indian cotton were imported into the United Kingdom.
(West India Committee Circular.)

99

ales of

Mr. A. F. Clark, of Jamaica, has been appointed
manager in Trinidad of the British West Indian Fruit Co.,
Limited. Mr, Clark arrived in Trinidad on October 4.

By the R.M.S. ‘Trent’ on October 4 there were shipped
trom Trinidad for England by the British West Indian Fruit
Co., 709 crates of limes, 23 crates of oranges, 250 crates of
bananas, and 3 cases of papaws. (Port-of-Spain Gazette.)

It would be desirable if those sending samples of cotton
to the Imperial Department of Agriculture for examination
would always send seed-cotton and not less than 8 oz. in
weight.

Examination of ratcon cotton grown at Barbados has
shown that it is generally poor, being of short staple and
containing a very large proportion of unripe fibres. Such
cotton is likely to prove very wasteful in the spinning factory.

The amount of sugar imported into the United States
from the British West Indies and British Guiana in 1904
was less by 100,568 tons than in the previous year. The
value decreased from $6,469,204 to $2,521,096.

According to the Yearbook of the United States
Department of Agriculture, the total crop of Sea Island
cotton for 1903-4 was 76,709 bales, of 378°7 tb. each, of the
total value of $599,694,724

According to the ‘Annual Statement of the American
Cotton Crop,’ issued by the Liverpool Cotton Association,
September 19, 1905, the total Sea Island crop for 1904-5
was 99,663 bales, made up as follows: Florida, 37,873 ;
Georgia, 49,696 ; and South Carolina, 12,094 bales.

The Curator of the Botanic Station at Tobago writes
that a long yam is sold in the island as ‘Guinea’ yam. It is
the earliest of the varieties grown there, being the first to
come into bearing. It is not, however, so long a yam as that
bearing the same name on the West Coast of Africa.

It is stated in the Consular Report on Marseilles that
the oil nut industry has been much disturbed by the scarcity
of ground nuts. The Indian crop was very short, while the
African ground nuts suffered much in quality owing to rain,
and their oil was of an inferior quality. The output of oil
eakes was therefore small.

All the Castilloa rubber trees at the St. Lucia Botanic
Station are now large enough to be tapped. Tapping
experiments are being carried out.

The next exhibition for school gardens and small
proprietors at Tobago will take place on November 15.
Instruction has been given at most of the school gardens,
the majority of which are in good order,

A Canadian Information Bureau has been started at
Barbados under the guidance of Mr. J. A. Elder, of Messrs.
Ramsey Elder & Co., who will supply information relating
to the lands, manufactures, ete., of the Dominion.

According to the U.S. Monthly Consular Reports for
June, the discovery of a method of extracting citric acid
directly from the waste of lemons is attracting considerable
attention in Sicily. Ina recent experiment fifty-four boxes
of Sicilian lemon waste were used,

According to the Annual Report of the Inspector of
Schools in Trinidad, 190 schools were examined in practical
agriculture during the year 1904-5; of these fifty-four
obtained the highest award. In the previous year, of the
180 schools examined only thirty obtained the highest award.

The Demerara Argosy states that Dr. Bovallius, who
has been actively exploiting the rubber industry of British
Guiana, has now begun to ship rubber to London and hopes
to send consignments every month. He is instructing the
Patamona Indians how to tap the rubber trees and expresses
himself as thoroughly satisfied with the quality of the rubber.

A handy little volume, called the ‘Globe Trotters’
Dictionary,’ containing a large number of common words
likely to be used by travellers, in six different languages, has
been issued by the Nitrate of Soda Propaganda. The
Director writes that he will be glad to send copies to those
interested in agriculture.

It may be of interest to state that Hugh Browne, of
whose success as a cotton grower mention was made in the
Agricultural News (Vol. IV, p. 294), was a member of the
St. Lucia-St. Vincent cricket team which visited Barbados
recently. The St. Lucia Vorce states: ‘He is only nineteen
and conducted himself in a manner most creditable to
himself and the Agricultural School at St. Vincent, wherein
he has spent four years.’

On the islands and coast of Carolina caterpillars have
been general, but by the free use of poison they have been
kept in check and have caused but little injury. The reports,
however, continue unfavourable, owing to rust and shedding.
As these setbacks to the crop are not usual at this period of
the season, with favourable weather conditions, the crop may
not fall much short of the last. (Report of Messrs. H. W-
Frost & Co., September 9, 1905.)

The United States Commercial Agent at St. Kitt’s has
reported to his Government on the cotton industry in the
British West Indies. He says the industry in St. Kitt’s-
Nevis has now reached the point where it produces a steady
and regular income, for which much credit is due to the
Imperial Department of Agriculture. ‘It is now recognized
that West Indian Sea Island cotton is an article in good
demand, and the industry shows every promise of being
established on remunerative lines.’

Vou. IV. No.-92. THE

AGRICULTURAL NEWS.

335

PROTECTION OF BIRDS.

Under the title of ‘ Protect our Birds and benefit
the Planters, the Leeward Tslunds Free Press
(Dominica, September 30) has the following article :—

It is deeply to be regretted that the agriculturists of
Dominica and other West India Islands have not yet awakened
to the immense benefit or detriment which the protection or
destruction of birds renders their crops. Ina tropical island of
small area the influence of the birds in checking the ravages of
injurious insects is far greater than in the north for various
reasons. Whereas in the tropics insects breed and flourish
throughout the year, thus increasing at a remarkable rate, in
colder climates many are destroyed by the rigours of winter.
In addition, the set-back they receive during that season in
northern climates necessitates a comparatively long period in
which to recover yitality and increase sufticiently to prove
injurious in the early spring, at which season vegetation is most
readily and seriously injured by them. In the second place,
insects are notably scarce in the heavy forests which cover such
a large portion of Dominica, and insectivorous birds are therefore
compelled to seek a livelihood in the open, and on cultivated
land.

As the number of birds in Dominica is proportionately very
large, as compared with the area of the island, the birds render
far greater service than in other localities. This very abundance
in the vicinity of villages aad plantations renders their destruc-
tion more easy, and for that very reason stringent laws should
be enacted and enforced protecting the native birds.

Many people are under the impression that only insectivor-
ous birds are beneticial, but this is far from being the case.
Such species as the Grassquits, locally known as ‘ Zee-zee-zeb ’
are exceedingly beneficial, as they feed almost exclusively upon
the seeds of grasses and weeds and do much to check the spread
and increase of these nuisances.

Other species such as the Grosbeak, Perenoir, ete., are
principally fruit eaters and destroy far more than they actually
require for food. Although, as a general rule, it is unwise to
upset the balance of nature in any way, such harmful species
should be unprotected, and the planter or fruit grower should be
at liberty to destroy them whenever caught injuring his crops,
unless their destructive character is more than off-set by their
song or plumage.

Certain other species such as the local Cuckoo or ‘ Cuckoo-
mioe,’ which for some unknown reason is not protected, should
be encouraged in every way, for unlike its European cousin, the
native Cuckoo does not lay its eggs in the nests of other birds
or destroy their eggs or young, but renders an enormous service
by its insatiable appetite for cockroaches, caterpillars, and other
injurious and undesirable insects.

Eyen the common ‘Malfine’ does far more good than
harm, for although it may occasionally vary its diet with
young fowl, its principal food consists of mice and rats, while it
is always ready to pounce upon locusts, caterpillars, or grass-
hoppers. A study of the stomach contents of this much-
maligned bird will at once convince any one of the truth of this
statement—a. fact that has long been recognized in the United
States, where the subject of proper bird-protection has been
deeply studied, with the result that nearly all hawks and owls
are now rigorously protected there.

The present game laws of Dominica are exceedingly
primitive and behind the times, and a law that permits the
slaughter of such valuable and charming songsters as the Grive,
Grosgrive, etc., even during a few months of the year, should
be immediately repealed.

Even the ‘ Pipiree,’ than which there is no greater imsect
enemy, is wantonly killed by the natives and used as food,
although the amount of meat on its meagre body is almost nil.

Much more damage to the birds is done by the common
practice of snaring and trapping by boys than by actual
shooting. I have seen as many as fifty ‘Sucriers’ and
‘Zee-zee-zeb’ captured by a couple of boys in a single day, only
to be played with and tortured for a few hours and then cast
aside, crippled and dying.

Such offences should be severely dealt with, and the mere
possession of snares, traps, or birds im captivity should be made

an offence. Although the number of strictly Dominica birds,
or birds which occur on the island throughout the year, is
comparatively small, numbering only about fifty species, yet
large numbers of migratory species arrive from the American
continent in the fall, and many of these remain throughout the
winter months.

Coming, as they do, at a season when insects are very
numerous and with a craving hunger born of their long flight
across the sea, they ravenously devour every insect they see and
in a few days destroy more than the native species do in months.
On one occasion a flock of American Redstarts, locally known as
‘Chats,’ visited the garden of Dr. Nicholls in Roseau where
they remained for a whole day, and during that time entirely
destroyed a scale blight which was then infesting the Rubiaceous
plants.

Such foreign invasions are to be heartily welcomed by the
Dominicans, and every effort should be made to render the stay
of the feathered invaders pleasant and provide them with a safe
refuge. Birds are very quick to appreciate a spot where they
are protected, and will invariably visit such localities to the
exclusion of others less favourable to their welfare.

This fact is well illustrated in Bermuda, where immense
numbers of immigrants arrive annually, although far out of the
usual course of bird migration.

In certain private lands in Florida and other southern states
also, the immigrants arrive and spend the winter; whereas
neighbouring lands in the vicinity are almost deserted by them.

If the Dominicans must shoot game of some sort on the
island, can they not be satisfied with Ramier and Perdrix
among the birds ?

Even the Parrots and Ciceroo should be guarded zealously,
ere they, like the Diablotin, are exterminated and the
Dominicans find too late that they can no longer boast that theiz
island is the home of the largest parrot in the world.

The following list will serve to aid the planter in protecting
birds which will benefit him and his crops :—

Beneficial.
Crabier Malfine Cuckoomioe
Owl Hirondelle Pipiree
Gobmouche Chewech Titine
Pia-pia Chat Trembler
Perrovanter Mauvais Rossingol
Zee-zee-zeb Grive Grosgrive

La belle Grostete, Cheweck tetelong, Siffleur Montagne.
Tnjurious.

Small Hawks Perenoir Meresang.

Grosbeak
Hariiless but not particularly beneficial.

Sea birds Ramier Tourterelle

Humming-birds Perdrix Ortolan

Kingtishers Gaulins Becasse

Parrot Ciceroo Perich
Suerier

WEST INDIAN AGRICULTURAL CON-

FERENCE, 1906.

The Barbados Advocate of October 11 has the
following note in reference to the proposal to hold
the next West Indian Agricultural Conference in
Jamaica :—

It would be a decided misfortune if the 1906 Agri-
cultural Conference is not held in Jamaica, for, apart from
the results usually expected to flow from such a meeting,
the delegates from the various colonies would be afforded
some idea of what the tourist trade in Jamaica means and.
the measures taken to provide for it; and they would be in
a position to report to their various Governments and to
persons interested, on the advisability of taking steps to turn
the tide in these directions and to provide better facilities
for tourists than are now afforded.

334

THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.

IMPORT DUTIES ON FRESH TROPICAL FRUIT.

Downing Street,
September 15, 1905.

Sir,—I am directed by Mr. Secretary Lyttelton to
transmit to you, for your information and for publica-
tion, the accompanying copy of a statement prepared
by the Board of Trade, showing the import duties
leyiable on fresh tropical fruits in Russia, Norway,
Sweden, Denmark, Germany, Holland, Belgium, and
France,

T am, ete,
(Sgd.) C. P. LUCAS.
The Imperial Commissioner
of Agriculture for the
West Indies.

Statement showing the import duties leviable on fresh tropi-
cal fruits in Russia, Norway, Sweden, Denmarl,
Germany, Holland, Belgium, and France.

ENGLISH
EQUIVALENT,

Rave or
DULY.

Russia.

Konps or Frei.

Roub. Cop. S Sy Gk
Grapes one Letoyorsl, (ez.ie. Cwt. qr.
We. 3 60 wt. 1 3
Oranges, lemons,
bitter oranges... 0 GY; 29 10 4
Allotherfresh fruit + 0 -90* 53 5 11

Norway.

Oranges of all Kron, Ore.
kinds, citrons,

lemons, bitter

oranges sre Lewilhoyed 0. 02 Cwt. 14
Grapes... ee 3 0 02 5 1 if
Bananas ... 300 ce 0 05 6 210
Pine-apples sine a 0 20 - ial 3h
Other tropical

fruits, fresh ... ty 0 15 a si (8

Sweden,
Kron. Ore
Grapes 0b Kilos 0 50 G5 1 is) G3
Oranges, lemons,
and other tropi-
cal fruits, fresh ” 0 10 . Sie

Denmark.
Kron. Ore.
Oranges of all

kinds Puna. 0 033 ay 3 6}
Grapes... a 59 0 14,5 a5 lb 55
Other tropical

fruits, fresh 0 0072 9 OP

Germani).
af Duties at present in Force.
Mks. pfy.

Fresh grapes :
Table grapes :
Sent by post in

packages of 5

kilogs. qr. wt. er

LESSi ese ce

Free. Free,

Other table grapes
Other fresh grapes,
not crushed
Oranges, citrons,
lemons, bitter
oranges, pome-
granates
Bananas ... bon
Pine-apples doc
Other southern
fruits, fresh

Duties from March

Mks. pfg.

100 kilogs. 4 00
5 10. «00

Mks. pfg.

$3 4 OU
Free.

Mks. pfs.

eon 00

1, 1906,

Fresh grapes as above.

Oranges ...
Lemons fee
Cedrats, bitter
oranges, pome-
granates
Bananas ...

Pine-apples

Mangos, dates

Southern fruits,
fresh

Figs
Other tropical
fruits, fresh ...

Lemons
figs
Pine-apples,
Grapes not

crushed

oranges,

Other fruits, fresh :

Tnported in bi xes,
baskets, or
other packages
of awt. of 3 kil-
ogs. or less

Huported other-

wise

Table fruits, fresh :

Lemons, oranges,
cedrats, GARCIA Goo

Mandarin oranges
Hot-house grapes
and fruits
Common table
grapes
Ordinary wine
grapes, residue
of grapes wee
Other fresh fruits

a0 3) BB
Free.
Mks. pig

; 2 00
Free.
Mks. pfg.

4 00

qn 12 60
on 2 00
Holland.

Fls. cts.

. 100 kilogs. 1 00

d~ ad valorem.

Belgiun.

Frs. cts.

. 100 kilogs. 9 00

BS 3 00

30 00

30 00
so 1? §600
France.

Frs. cts.

100 kilogs. 5 00**
gr.
», net. 10 00

,net. 0 00

> net. 8 00

», net. 12 00

ye Be 0)

Cwt.

th

Ocroprr 21, 1905.

8. ide
2 OF
ie i
2 OF
Free. —
s. d
6 1
1 7F |
Free.
EE Gl,
1 04
Free.
Sane
2 Of
@ il
1 0}
10}

to

Sh

5% ad valoren.

* This duty will be doubled after March 1 next.

** Oranges of European origin, imported from a country other
than the country of production, are subject to a surtax of
3 frs. 60 cts. per 100 kilogs. (1s, 53d. per ewt.).

Vou. IV. No. 92.

THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.

335

WEST INDIAN PRODUCTS.

Canada.

Mr. J. Russell Murray has forwarded the following
review, dated September 11, 1905, of the position of
West Indian products on the Canadian market :—

The wholesale trade report good inquiry for fall
business. The fruit and wheat harvests have fully realized
the expectations and are being rapidly reaped without any
appearance of early frosts.

THE SUGAR PREFERENTIAL TARIFF.

The action of the refiners in altering their conditions of
purchase has been brought to the notice of the Dominion
Government, and the subject will be dealt with at the
meetings of the Tariff Revision Committee during the next
few months. The general feeling, however, is that it is
entirely a question of business, buyers failing to see why they
should pay more for the sugar than it will obtain in other
markets.

SUGAR.

Business remains very quiet. There are three cargoes
afloat, two of cane sugar from Java and Demerara and one
cargo of beet from Europe. Centrifugals 96° have been
slow to move, and offers of spot sugars are made at an
exceedingly low figure, even at a lower parity than import
prices. Prices must be considered purely nominal. Muscovado
89° are without buyers.

MOLASSES.

Normal conditions exist, and a steady trade continues to
be done by wholesale houses. A small lot of 400 puncheons
of Barbados arrived early this week by sailing vessel on
consignment, having been shipped for Newfoundland,
Montreal option.

COCOA-NUTS.

A slow market exists; the only supplies wanted being

for desiccators, and they are well supplied
SPICES.
Nutmegs continue steady at better rates. Pimento—

buyers of new crop hold off owing to advance at ports of
origin. Ginger—small stocks and better inquiry.

MINERAL SPRINGS OF JAMAICA.

The following notes on the mineral springs of
Jamaica are extracted from Jamaica in 1903 :-—

There are many mineral springs in Jamaica, most of
them possessing valuable qualities for the cure of various
diseases and infirmities of the body. Two of these are
particularly famed, namely, the hot sulphurous spring at
Bath, and the warm salt spring at Milk River. There are
public institutions maintained at both these springs for the
benefit of those requiring relief.

The spring at Bath, in the parish of St. Thomas, is
believed to be the hottest in the island ; the temperature at
the fountain head is 126° to 128° F., but the water loses
about 9 degrees of heat in the transit to the bath. These
waters are sulphuric and contain a large proportion of hydro-
sulphate of lime ; they are not purgative, and are beneficial
in gout, rheumatism, gravelly complaints, cutaneous affections,
-and fevers,

The bath at Milk River, in the district of Vere, is one
of the most remarkable in the world. It is a warm, saline,
purgative bath ; the temperature is 92° F. It is particularly
efficacious in the cure of gout, rheumatism, paralysis, and
neuralgia ; also in cases of disordered liver and spleen. Some
wonderful results are on record.

The Spa Spring or Jamaica Spa, as it is called, at
Silver Hill, in St. Andrew, was formerly maintained as
a government institution, and extensive buildings once
existed there, but they are long gone to decay and the
spring is neglected. These waters are chalybeate, aerated,
cold, tonic ; beneficial in most cases of debility, particularly
after fever, in dropsy and stomach complaints.

Another similar spring, but not so strong as
chalybeate, exists at St. Faith, in the district of St. John.

There are also springs throughout the island :-—at
Moffat on the White River, a tributary of the Negro River
in the Blue Mountain Valley; near the source of the
Cabaritta River in Hanover; at Windsor, near St. Ann’s
Bay; at Garbrand Hall, on the east branch of the Morant
River ; on the Adam’s River, near the Blue Mountain Ridge,
in the parish of St. Thomas; at Port Henderson in St.
Catherine ; on the sea edge of Manatee Bay, in St. Cather-
ine; at Rock Fort, near Kingston; and in many localities
salt-water springs are found, and some impregnated with soda
or other alkalies.

The following table shows the principal constitu-
ents of the waters of the Jamaica mineral springs :—

: 25 4 =
Se cae ey |
a r=! o
eG es |S
4 So 3
= aD ; 3
Sioees | =
: 92° F. | 63° F. |130° F
One pint contains: Savory | Bow- | Bow-
& Moore.| rey. | rey.
Chloride of potassium .., 1-44 556 0-04 a
Chloride of magnesium...) 37:08 206 ae 4:34
Chloride of sodium 186°93 | -125 | 1:48 | 52°52
Chloride of calcium WSO |) ooc BO 1:31
Carbonate of lime we Bee BBE 2-71
Carbonate of soda is oe 0-21
Sulphate of soda TES) || cose Osio
Sulphate of magnesia 320 1-745 aie
Sulphate of lime 1:234 | 0-62 :
Sulphate of iron 833
Sulphate of alumina 1360
Silica Sho ao Be “883 a 500
Silicate of soda... 0-45 O08

Products of the Congo Free State. First and
most important of all the Congo country’s productions are
ivory and rubber, of which experts say there is a sufficient
store with which to supply the markets of the world for
a length of time that need not cause anxiety to present
generations. Besides this, the country produces nearly all
the staple tropical products in a wild state. During the
last twenty years the Belgians have directed their efforts with
considerable success to the cultivation of native cotton,
sugar-cane, tobacco, coffee, and cacao. American cotton,
within the last three years, has been planted, and the result
of this experiment, which promises well, is awaited with
great interest. (U.S. Consular Reports.)

336

THE AGRICULTURAL

NEWS. Octosrer 21, 1905.

MARKET REPORTS.

London,— September 29, 1905. Messrs. Kearron, Piper &

Co.; Messrs. E. A. pz Pass & Co.; ‘THE West Inpra
Committee CrrcuLar,’ ‘THe LiverrooL Corron
AssocraTIoN WEEKLY CrrcuLar,’ September 22,
1905; and ‘Tae Pusiic LepcGer,’ September 23,
1905.

Ators—Barbades, 15/- to 60,- ; Curagoa, 21/- to 60/- per ewt.

Arrowroor—St. Vincent, 1d. to 14d. per th.

Batata—Sheet, 1/6 to 1/11 ; block, 1/5 per th.

Bres’-wax—£7 10s. to £8 2s. Gd. per cwt.

Cacao—Trinidad, 53 .- to 60/- per ewt. ;
to 52,- per cwt.

Carpamoms—Mysore, 7}i. to 3/- per tb.

CorrrE—Jamaica, good ordinary, 40,- to 42’- per ewt.

Corron—West Indian, medinm fine, 6°20d.; West Indian
Sea Island, medium fine, 13d.; fine, 14<. ; extra fine,
153d. per th.

Frvuit—

Bananas—Jamaica, 4,6 to 5,6 per bunch.

Grave Freit—l2/- to 13/6 per box.

Lres—-4,6 to 6/- per box,

OrancEs—Jamaica, 14,- to 20/- per box of 176-200.

Fustic—£3 5s. to £4 per ton.

Gincer—Jamaica, low middling, 42/6 to 44/- per ewt.

Honey—16/- to 24/- per ewt.

Istncniass—West Indian lump, 2,- to 2,5; cake, 1/5 to 1/4
per th.

Koia Ners—4d. to 6d. per th.

Lime Jvice—Raw, 9/7. to 1/1 per gallon; concentrated,
£18 per cask of 108 gallons; hand-pressed, 2/6 to 2,9
per 1b. Distilled Oil, 1,7 per tb.

Locwoon—£4 to £4 15s.; roots, £3 10s. to £4 per ton.

Mace—Good pale, 1/7 ; pale and reddish, 1/3 to 1/4; fair
red, 1/1 to 1/2 ; broken, 1/- to 1/1 per th.

Nirrate or Sopa—Agricultural, £10 15s. per ton.

Nurecs—69's to 73’s, 1s. ; 89's, Sd. ; 102’s, Td. ; 1177s, to
127’s, 6d. ; and in shell at 4$¢. per th.

Pimento— 24d. to 214d. per th.

Roum—Demerara, 1/1 to 1/5 per proof gallon; Jamaica, 2/1
per proof gallon.

Sucar—Yellow crystals, 17/- per ewt. ; Muscovado, 15/- to
15/6 per ewt.; Molasses, 12/- to 15,- per ewt.

ScuLpHate oF AMMONIA—£12 12s, Gd. per ton.

Grenada, 48/-

Montreal,—September 11, 1905.—Mr. J. Russert Mur.

New York,—September 29, 1905.—Messrs.

rAy. (In bond quotations, ¢. & f.)

Cocoa-Nuts— Jamaica, $23-00 to $25°00 ; Trinidad, $20°00
to $21-00 pex M.

Corree—Jamaica, medium, 10c. to 1le. per Tb.

Gincer—-Jamaica, unbleached, Te. to 10c. per tb.

Mo rascvrr—Demerara, $100 per 100 th.

Morasses—Brrbados, 3le.; Antigua, 26e. per Tnperial

gallon.

Nurmecs—Grenada, 110’s, 18c. per th.

Orances—Jamaica $5°50 per barrel, duty paid.

Pimento- —Jamaica, 5j¢. per Th.

Sucar —Grey crystals, 96°, $2°25 to $2°40 per 100 th.
—Muscovados, 89°, $1:°75 to $1°90 per 100 th.
—Molasses, 89°, $1°50 to $1°65 per 100 th.

— Barbados, 89°, $1-60 to $1°85 per 100 th.

GILLESPIE
Bros. & Co.

Bres’-wax— 30hc. to dle. per th.

Cacao—Caracas, 11 4c. to We. Grenada, Ile. _to ees;
Trinidad, Le. to 11fc.; Jamaica, 95c. to 9fe per tb.

Cocos-yuts—Jamaica, $26-00 to $28°00; Trinidad, $28-00
per M.

CorreeE—Jamaica ordinary, 8je. to S8{c.

GiycEer—Jamaica, The. to 95c. per th.

Barbados,—October 9, 1905.—Messrs. T.

Trinidad,— October 3, 1905.—Messrs.

Goat Sxryss—Jamaica, 56c. ; St. Kitt’s dry, 49e to 50c. ;
St. Kitt’s dry-salted, 40e to 42c. per Tb.

Grave Fruir—$6:00 to $8-00 per barrel ;
per box.

Honey—Jamaica, 63c. to 64e. per gallon (duty paid).

Lintes-—Dominica, $6°00 to $8-00 per barrel.

sc. to Ble. per th.

Nutrmecs—West Indian, 80’s, 2le. to 22c.; 90’s, 15c. to
6c. ; 110's, 134¢ ; 120’s to 130’s, 10c. to 11e. per tb.

Orances— West Indian, $4°25 to $5 50 per barrel.

Pivenro—de. per th.

PINE-APPLES—3c. to 8c. each.

Sucar—Centrifugals, 96°, 3ttc. ; Muscovados, 89°, 3,kc¢. ;
Molasses, 89°, 21%c. per tb.

275 to $5:00

INTER-COLONIAL MARKETS.

S. GarRa-
way & Co., and Messrs. James A. Lynco & Co,

Arrowroor—St. Vincent, $4°50 per 100 th.

Cacao—$10°50 to $11-00 per 100 tb.

Cocoa-nuts—$9°25 to $14°00 per M. for husked nuts ;
$8°50 for nuts in husks.

CorreE—$10°50 to $11-00 per 100 th.

Hay—95c. to $1°10 per 100 th.

Manures— Nitrate of soda, $65°00 ; Ohlendorff’s dissolved
guano, $55°00 ; Cotton manure, $48°CO ; Sulphate of
ammonia, $75°00; Sulphate of potash, $67:00 per ton.

Oxtons—Madeira, $3-00 to $3°25 per 100 th.

Poraros, Exciiso—Nova Scotia, $141 to $2:00 per 160 th.

Rice—Ballam, $4°20 to $475 per bag (190 tb.) ; Patna,
$2°86 to 3:20; Seeta, $3°26; Rangoon, $2°50 to
$2 55 per 100 tb.

British Guiana,—October 2, 1905.—Messrs. WrETING

& RicHrer.

Arrowroor—St. Vincent, $8°00 per barrel.
Baxara—Venezuela block, 25c. ; Demerara sheet, 58c. per tb.
Cacao—Natiye, I4e. per tb.

Cassava StarcH—$5°00 per barrel.

Cocoa-Nuts—$10°00 to $12°00 per M.

Correre—Creole, 14c. per th.

Duat— €3°90 per bag of 168 tb.

Eppors—$1°0 per barrel.

Oxtons—Madeira, $2°70 per 100 Ib., ex ship.

Prantatns— I6e. to 24e. per bunch.

Poratos, ExcuisH—$3-00 to €3°25 per barrel.

Poraros, Swret—Barbados, 9Cc. per bag.

Rice—Ballam, $4°40 to $4°50 per 177 tb. ; Creole, $4°30
to $4°40 per bag. (ex store).

Serir PEas— $5-80 to $5°90 per bag (210 Tb.).

Tanxras—$1-92 per barrel.

Yams—White, $2°16 ; Buck, $2-00 per bag.

Sccar—Dark crystals, $2°05 to $2:10; Yellow, $3-00;
to $3:10; White, $4°00 to $4:10 ; Molasses, $2°00 to
$2°10 per 100 th. (retail).

Timeer—Greenheart, 32c. to 55c. per cubie foot.

WaALLABA SHINGLES—$3'00, $3°75, and $5°25 per M.

Gorpon, GRANT
& Co. ; and Messrs. Epcar Triee & Co.

Cacao—Ordinary to good red, $11°25 to $11°50 ; estates,
$1150 to $12°00 per fanega (110 tb.); Venezuelan,
$11°25 to $11-90 per fanega.

Cocoa-Nnuts —$20°00 per M., f o.b

Cocoa-Nuv O1.—67e. per Imperial gallon (casks included).

Corra— $2°90 to $3-00 per 100 Th.

Oxtoxs—Stringed, $200 to $2°25 per 100 th. (retail).

Poratos, ExcusH—$1-00 to $2°15 per 100 th.

Rice—Yellow, $4°25 to $4°60 ; White, $4°80 to $5°75 per
bac.

Srrir Peas—-$5-20 per bag.

Sucar—White crystals, €4°00 to $4:50 ; Yellow crystals,
$300; Molasses sugars, $2°50 to $390 per 100 tb.

THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.

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.

Volumes II and III. Price in original paper covers as issued 2s. each. Post free, 2s. 8d.

Volume IV. Nos. 1 and 2. Papers on general subjects. No. 3. (out of print). No. 4. Sea Island Cotton
in the United States and the West Indies. Price 6d. each number. Post free, 8d.

Volume V. Nos. I, 2, and 3. Papers on general subjects. No. 4. Report of Agricultural Conference, 1905.
Recent experiments with Sugar-cane in the West Indies. Price 6d. each number. Post free, 8d.

Volume VI. No. 1. Report of Agricultural Conference, 1905 (contd.). Cane Farming, Cacao Cultivation, etc., etc.

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 stil] available. The missing numbers are out of print and can no longer be supplied :—

& Seedling and other Canes at Barbados, in 1900. Price 2d. (23) Notes on Poultry in the West Indies. Price 4d.

(5) General Treatment of Insect Pests, 2nd. Edition Revised. (24) Dominica, Hints to Settlers. Price 2d.
Price 4d. (25) Ground Nuts in the West Indies _ Price 2d
(6) Recipes for cooking Sweet Potatos. Price 2d. (26) Seedling and other Canes at Barbados, in 1993. Priee 4d.
(7) Scale Insects of the Lesser Antilles, Part I. Price 4d. (27) Seedling and other Canes in the Leeward Islands,
(9) Bee Keeping in the West Indies. Price 4d. 1902-1903. Price 2d.
(12) Seedling and other Canes in the Leeward Islands, (28) Barbados and Porto Rico Molasses Price 3d.
1900-1901. Price 2d. (29) Lectures on the Diseases of the Sugar-cane. Price 4d.
(13) Seedling and other Canes at Barbados, in 1901. Price 4d. (30) Manurial Experiments with Sugar-cane in the Leeward
a Screw Worm in Cattle at St. Lucia. Price 2d. Islands, 1902-3. Price 4d.
(15) Plain Talk to Small Owners. Price 2d. (31) A. B. C. of Cotton Planting. Price 4d.
(16) Hints on Onion Cultivation. Price 2d. (32) Seedling and other Canes at Barbados, in 1904. Price 4d.
(17) General Treatment of Fungoid Pests. Price 4d. (33) Seedling and other Canes in the Leeward Islands, 1903-4.
(18) Recipes for cooking West Indian Yams. Price 2d. Price 4d.
(19) Seedling and other Canes at Barbados, in 1902. Price 4d. (84) Notes on Rabbit Keeping in the West Indies. Price 2d.
(20) Seedling and other Canes in the Leeward Islands, ba Information in regard to Agricultural Banks. Price 4d.
1901-1902. Price 2d. 36) Manurial Experiments with Sugar-cane in the Leeward
(21) Cotton and Onion Industries in the West Indies. Price 2d. Islands, 1903-4. Price 4d.
(22) Scale Insects of the Lesser Antilles, Part II. Price 4d. (37) Cultivation of Oranges in Dominica. Price 4d.

The above will be supplied post free for an additional charge of $d. for the pamphlets marked 2d., and 1d. for the
Jarger pamphlets.

‘NATURE TEACHING.’

A text-book based upon the general principles of Agriculture for the use of schools, prepared by the Hon. Francis
“Watts and others. Price, limp cloth, 2s., or in a superior style of binding, 2s. 6d. Postage in either binding 33d. extra.

The ‘AGRICULTURAL NEWS. A Fortnightly Review.

The ‘Agricultural News’ contains extracts from official correspondence and from progress and
other reports; and, in fact, eny 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 1t one penny per number, post free, 14d. The subscription price, including postage, is
1s. 74d. per half-year, or 3s. 3d. per annum. Vols I, I, and III complete with title page and index as issued.—Price 4s. Post
-free, 5s. Only a few copies available. Ald 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. Dutav & Co., 37, Soho Square, W. City Agents: Toe West Inp1A CommitrsE, 15, Seething
‘Lane, London, E.C. Barbados: Messrs, Bowrn & Sons, Bridgetown. Jamaica: THE EpucationaL SupPPLy
Company, 16, King St., Kingston. British Guiana: ‘Daily Chronicle’ Office, Georgetown. Trinidad: Messrs. Muir,
MarsuHatt & Co., Port-of-Spain. Tobago: Mr. C. L. Puacemann, Scarborough. G'renada: Messrs. F. Marrast & 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. LLEWELLYN WALL, Plymouth.
Antigua: Mr. 8. D. Matong, St. John’s. St. Kitt’s: Messrs. 8. L. Horsrorp & Co., Basseterre. Mewes: Mr. 8S. D. Manone
Charlestown.

Wor, Ve Nos 92: THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS. OctoBER 21, 1905,

THE BEST MANURES FOR COLONIAL USE

PASE ey aoa 8

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.
(98. ] Barbados Agents: James A. Lynch & Co., Bridgetown

JOURNAL D'AGRIGULTURE TROPICALE. THE
A Monthly Illustrated Review, published in French, WEST INDIA COMMITTEE CIRCULAR

dealing with all matters connected with F Z
5 Published fortnightly).
Tropical Agriculture. ( ee shtly)
PARIS: M. Vilbouchevitch, THE OFFICIAL ORGAN
10, rue Delambre. | | OF

Sassoton pce 0 anes yersnmm || THE WEST INDIA COMMITTEE

Agents : London, W. Dawson & Sons, Ltd., Bream’s

Buildings, E.C. ; New York, G. E. Stechert, 9, East 16th. (Estab: circa 1760. Incorporated by
Street ; Vrinidad, D. A. Majani; Cuba, Solloso ; Haytz, Royal Charter August 4, 1904.)
Louis Coicou, Port-au-Prince. Edited by the Secretary.

Containing a Review of the Work of the West India Com-
| mittee, Notes on West Indian Affairs, Statistics as to
| Cacao, Sugar, Molasses and Rum, Coffee, Cotton,

6 ahiNsé wo Nutmegs, Mace, Pimento, Ginger, Arrowroot, Lime
‘S A Cc A O 5) Se Juice, “etc., ete, Home Arrivals and Departures by
By tei HART, FL.S. the Mail Steamers, etc.
NEW EDITION. | To Members Free of charge.

: a E : To others, Subscription £1 1s. per annum.
A treatise on the cultivation, curing and chemistry of Single Copies 1s
g 8.
COMMERCIAL CACAO.
DAVIDSON & TODD, Trinidad the eae
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Price 3s, per copy. | London, E.C.

Printed at Office of Agricultural Keporter, 4, High Street, Bridgetown, Barbados.

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THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.

IMPERIAL DEPARTMENT .OFF AGRICULTURE
FOR THE WEST INDIES.

The Annual Reports on the Botanic and Experiment Stations, Agricultural
Schools, etc., in the West Indies, for the official year 1904-5 can be obtained from
all Agents for the sale of the Department's publications. The following have lately
been issued :—

Virgin Islands: Experiment Station, Tortola. Price 3¢. Post free, 4d.

St. Vincent: Botanic Station, Agricultural School, and Land Settlement Scheme.
Price 6¢. Post free, 8d.

St. Kitt’s-Nevis: Botanic Stations, and Agricultural Education. Price 6d. Post free, 8d.
St. Kitt’s: Economic and other Experiments. Price 3d. Post free, 4d.
Montserrat: Botanic Station and Experiment Plots. Price 6d. Post free, 8d.

Antigua: Botanic Station, Economic Experiments, and Agricultural Education.
Price 6d. Post free, 8d.

Dominica: Botanic Station, Agricultural School, and Experiment Plots. Price 6d.
Post free, 81.

St. Lucia: Botanic Station, Agricultural School, and Experiment Plots. Price 6d.
Post free, 8d.

Grenada: Botanic Station. Price 3d. Post free, 4.

LIVERPOOL ‘TROPICAL LIFE,’

RAT VIRUS. oe
A MONTHLY JOURNAL

devoted to Interests of those living, trading,

A few tubes of this Rat Virus are} in'tropibal or Subtropical Gounteme

still available and may be obtained at
Is. 8d. per tube on application to —

_ Price :—Single copies, 1s,; Annual Subscrip-
. Le tion, 10s. post. free.
The Imperial Commissioner

of Agriculture, Published
ublished by Messrs. Bale, Sons, and
Head Office, Danielsson, Ltd., 83-91, Great Tichfield St.,
Barbados. | London, W.

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Mh fg 4 LIN 222 728)

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AS

A” FORDNIGH TLY REVIEW

OF

THE

IMPERIAL DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE FOR THE WEST INDIES.

Wor lve No: 93.

BARBADOS, NOVEMBER

Ly 1905: Price ld.

CONTENTS.
PAGE. PAGE,
Agriculture in St. Lucia... 337 | Jamaican Fodders ... ... 345
British Guiana Fisheries 343 | Lima Beans ... Jol
British Honduras, Agri- Lime Juice, Ascertaining
culture in Se | oon es!) Strength of _ 349
Cacao, Clayed vy. Unclayed 343 | Market Reports see OD2
Cohune Nut Cracking Notes and Comments... 344
Machine .. ... ... 344 | Papaw Juice 600, OCHRE)
Cohune Nut Palm... ... 349 | Para Rubber as Shade for
Colonial Fruit Show ... 340 Cacao fee. Be moto Ee
Corn, Composition — of Para Rubber in Malay
PAMAICA sen wee vee OFM States papers maaan?
Cotton Notes :— Pine-apples, Hybridiza-
Destruction of old tion of J cata ope
Cotton Plants... ... 342. | Rice Cultivation in British
Exports of West Guiana | EeemeceenOo4
Indian Cotton ... 343 | St. Vincent Cotton Grow-
Uses for Sea Island ers’ Association .... 345
Cotton .. «. 342 | Seychelles, Subsidiary In-
Date Palms in Jamaica ... 340 dustries in... 4... S45
Departmental Reports :— Soil Inoculation for
British Guiana... ... 347 Alfalfa; "Reeumacemses OL
Jamaica .. s- off | Sugar Industry :—
Department News... ... 349 D. 74 in Louisiana ... 359
Educational :— Improvement in Sugar-
Grenada ... 000 (GEMM SBA EAD Hoo, con wile
Trinidad .. 390 Progress in the West
Gleanings ee . 348 Indies... seme. 339
Insect Notes : Trinidad Fruit Trade 340

West Indian Birds,

Cigarette and Biscuit

Beetles ... .. ... 346 Extirpated ... ... 345
Fiddler Beetle attacking West Indian Products in
Cacao ieee Wem O40 London Market 3d1

Agriculture in St. Lucia.

NG ie HE issue, recently, of the Annual Reports

on the Botanic Station, Agricultural School,
Experiment Station, and Experiment Plots
in St. Lucia for the year 1904-5 affords a suitable oppor-

tunity for reviewing briefly the work that has been
earried on by the Imperial Department of Agriculture
in St. Lucia during the last two years.

The appearance of the Botanic Station has been
further improved during the year 1904-5 by the
addition of a large number of interesting plants,
Bare and shady spots are gradually being converted
into attractive rockeries. ‘The station is very popular
with the residents of Castries, as also with the many
visitors
well
distributed during the year,
buted from the nurseries at the Agricultural School
and the Riviére Dorée Station, which brought the total
number of plants distributed by the Department in
St. Lucia to 34,995, a considerable increase over last
year’s distribution.

from abroad. The nursery has been kept
plants, 9,104 being

Plants were also distri-

stocked with economic

The Officer-in-charge of the Agricultural School
(where twenty-five resident pupils are regularly trained
in the practical details of agriculture) reports that
progress was maintained in the indoor work and that the
pupils took an increased interest in their individual
gardens and also in the technical work that is carried on
at the Experiment Station. In the experiment plots
a large variety of crops was cultivated. The experi-
ments in cotton growing demonstrated that, in a normal
season, good results can be obtained with the Sea Island
variety. The yield of seed-cotton from the plot, 2 acre
in extent, planted early in June, was 482 1b, or at
the rate of 247 Ib. of lint per acre. The results of
late planting were unsatisfactory, only 90) tb, of seed-
cotton being reaped from the }-acre plot.

338

Efforts are now being made in St. Lucia to
encourage the cultivation of the Chinese banana.
Preparations are being made at the school to cultivate
this banana with the view of making experimental
shipments and of increasing the number of plants
available for distribution. In previous trials strong
suckers planted in June produced eight-.and nine-hand
bunches in April and May of the following year. ‘This
would appear to be a very suitable cultivation for
St. Lucia, as it is hoped that adequate shipping facilities
can be secured by means of the Royal Mail steamers.

Woolless sheep, Belgian hares, and bees are being
successfully maintained at the school. Pupils are
instructed in the best methods of bee keeping, and
arrangements are being made to extend the apiary so
that each boy can have a hive to himself.

The report of the Agricultural Instructor shows
that three cacao plots were in operation, and seven
cotton plots. The Soufritre cacao plot has shown
steady increases in yield since it was taken over in the
year 1900-1. The other cacao plots, owing, apparently,
to deficient rainfall, have not given as good returns as
in the previous year. As showing the beneficial effect
of these plots, it may be mentioned that the Agri-
cultural Instructor reports that several estates now
have their own experiment plots and are adopting the
methods that have been demonstrated in the Depart-
ment’s plots to be successful.

The results of the experiments in cotton growing,
which have been carried on at eight different points
scattered over the island, were not, owing to the
abnormal season, altogether conclusive. They indicate,
however, that Sea Island cotton can be successfully
grown in St. Lucia. The cultivation expenses in the
first year are somewhat higher in St. Lucia than in
some of the other islands, but in the second year the
returns are likely to be satisfactory.

In spite of what has been done by the Departinent
and by the Agricultural Society, which provided the
funds for working the plots in the country districts,
the prospects of a cotton industry at St. Lucia are not
encouraging. Success can only be obtained by the
larger planters taking up the cultivation of Sea Island
eotton, which variety alone offers remunerative returns.
There are districts in St. Lucia where, if the soil were
well cultivated and the worm promptly dealt with, Sea
Tsland cotton could do as well as in any part of the
West Indies.

In his report, Mr. Hudson discusses many points
of vital interest to cacao planters, Interesting observa-

THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.

NoveMBer 11, 1905.

tions are made upon such questions as the use of
leguminous plants for green dressing, shade trees and
wind-breaks, and other problems which require to be
solved at the present time, to which end much useful
work can be contributed by the planters themselves,

An interesting minor industry of much promise is
the keeping of bees. Mr. Hudson has devoted much

attention to this and has met with considerable
success. In 1902 there were only seventy colonies of

bees in the island; at the time of writing he was able
to report 400 colonies, nearly all of which are worked
for extracted honey. In 1904 about 4 tons of honéy
were exported in addition to local sales.

It may be added that the St. Lucia Agricultural
Society has encouraged the establishment of school
gardens. During the year £5 was devoted to prizes.
Such encouragement is likely to have a useful effect in
aiding this important branch of agricultural education.

SUGAR INDUSTRY.

Improvement in Sugar-cane.

In a paper on ‘Improvement in Plants, read
before an agricultural conference held in Queensland in
May last, Mr. Edward Grimley, Secretary of the
Queensland Acclimatization Society, made the following
allusion to work in connexion with the improvement of
the sugar-cane :—

In British Guiana, in 1904, the acreage of seedling
sugar-canes was 1,882 and the increase of sugar per acre was
31 per cent. over the acreage grown under Bourbon, the
standard variety. It may not be out of place here to mention
that one of the seedling canes imported by the Queensland
Acclimatization Society, named B. 208, and since distributed,
has given exceptionally good returns. We have now
a report from Messrs. Gibson, of Bingera, which gives
a return of 69 tons 6 ewt. of cane to the acre, with 22-2 per
cent. of sucrose and Brix. 23°9, or 21°45 per cent. of possible
obtainable cane sugar, or over 14 tons to the acre. These
results were obtained under irrigation, and the experimental
plot was well manured. The average yield in Queensland
per acre for the last seven years was 13°16 tons, so that
B. 208 gave more sugar per acre than the average tons of
canes per acre in Queensland.

Sufticient is said to show that an advance is being made;
at all events, enough to show that in time we shall get
a 20-per cent. cane with fair weight to the acre. Such a cane
would drive beet sugar out of cultivation, unless protected
by high duties.

Mr. James Mitchell, the overseer of the Queensland
Acclimatization Society, has lately given attention to the
hybridization of sugar-canes, and claims that he has a few
hybridized plants from which he expects great results. The
society JI represent can fairly claim, with the Colonial
Sugar Refining Company, to be in the front rank in Australia
in trying to improve sugar-cane,

Vou. IV. No. 93.

THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.

339

Seedling Cane D. 74 in Louisiana.

The following extract in reference to the success-
ful cultivation of the West Indian seedling cane D. 74
in Louisiana is extracted from the Sugar Planters’
Journal of October 7 -—

The very general favour with which seedling cane D. 74
has met all over the state may help to solve the problem of
a cane-cutting machine. This cane stands erect, defies the
storms and winds, and the grinding season finds it free from
prostrate and crooked canes. The more optimistic planters
are predicting the time when the cane will no longer be
stripped or cut by hand.

This, however, is not the feature of D. 74 which renders
it popular. It has stood on its merits as a sugar producer.
The present season will find many sugar mills making sugar
from this cane. But little of it was ground the past season.
Most of the crop was planted. Everything at present
indicates that the introduction of this cane by Dr. Stubbs
and its distribution from the experiment stations will prove
to be an epoch-making event in the history of sugar making
in Louisiana.

Progress in the West Indies.

The following is extracted from the Jnternational
Sugar Journal for October :—

Mr. Robert Harvey, M.I.M.E., of Glasgow, recently
penned a letter to the Glasgow /erald, in which he showed
that the West Indies are certainly realizing the necessity of
getting more modern sugar machinery, and that they show
a decided preference for British plant. He wrote :—

I was much interested in reading your London letter in
your issue of Friday, September 1, with regard to the West
Indies and the prospects of prosperity for these islands.
I agree with the writer that the old-time planter is now
becoming a thing of the past in the West Indies, and the
younger men now in the business are adopting more
up-to-date methods both as regards the cultivation of the
land for sugar-cane, and as to the method and the machinery
that should be used in turning the same into marketable
sugar. I beg, however, to differ from your correspondent
regarding the English sugar engineers being behindhand in
adopting new methods in the manufacture of sugar and sugar
machinery. It may be something new to your correspondent
to know that even with the superior yield of the land in the
Hawaiian Islands, and with all the improvements in
American sugar machinery, sugar is at present made in the

West Indies as cheaply as in the Sandwich Islands.

Furthermore, as steam ploughs and irrigation are now
being introduced into the West Indies, the cost of making
sugar will be still further reduced.

The extra large yield of canes per acre mentioned by
your correspondent in the Sandwich Islands is, as he states,
by ploughing, draining, and irrigation, but this at great
expense. In fact, the estates are handicapped there by
irrigation machinery at enormous expense ; and over and
above this, the cost of the upkeep of drains and working
them is about £5 per acre per annum, which has to be
reckoned with in arriving at the cost of their canes per ton,
and the American ton is 2,000 tb. against our English ton of
2,240 tb.

The first consideration in the making of cheap sugar is
the cost of producing the canes. The lower the rate at
which this can be done, the cheaper the sugar, and by the
use of the steam ploughs, and irrigation, the weight of canes

per acre should be about double what it is at present with
hand Jabour in the West Indies.

Your correspondent states in his letter that the
ingrained conservatism of the British manufacturer sometimes
makes it impossible to do business with him. This may be
true in some cases, but I question the truth of the
statement as regards sugar machinery. I have been visiting
Cuba and Porto Rico this last winter, and found as a rule in
those up-to-date sugar islands that English machinery was
much preferred to American. In Porto Rico there is a duty
against English machinery of 45 per cent. . . . This 45 per cent.
would naturally prevent the introduction of further English
machinery ; but such is not the case, as many of the planters
inform me from their experience of American machinery,
after having used English machinery, it would be to their
advantage to pay the 45 per cent. duty so as to secure
English machinery, and in some cases this has been done.
This speaks for itself as to the superiority of the English
sugar machinery. Many of the American ideas, I confess,
are very clever and useful ; but, in other cases, I have seen
most elaborate and expensive machinery in use with results
which could have been accomplished by labour on the spot
for less money than the interest of the capital invested in the
machinery adopted for the purpose.

Your correspondent hints that the English sugar
engineers do not go with the times in improving their
designs. This is contrary to the facts, as we are continually
making new designs, and improving our machinery and
methods for the manufacture of sugar, which is borne out
by the low price at which the sugar is now produced in the
West Indies—about £2 per ton under the cost at which beet
sugar can be produced in Europe.

PAPAW JUICE.

The following note on the juice of the papaw
appeared in the U.S. Monthly Consular Reports
for June :—

Papaw juice is extracted from the fruit of the papaw
tree, which grows rapidly, attaining its full bearing capacity
in a year. It produces from forty to fifty papaws of a dark-
green colour, ripening to a deep yellow, in shape resembling
a squash. A very light superficial incision is made in the
fruit, from which exudes a clear water-like juice, which on
exposure to the air becomes opaque. As it drips from the
fruit it is received in a porcelain-lined receptacle. As it is
very corrosive, metal receptacles would injure its appearance
and qualities. It possesses great digestive virtues, and the
refined article is considered superior to all animal pepsins.

After the desired quantity has been collected, the juice
is placed in shallow porcelain- or glassined pans and
allowed to evaporate. While this is not a very delicate or
difficult operation, it requires considerable attention, so that
the juice will dry uniformly and the product be white and
well granulated. In its granulated state it is shipped to the
United States, undergoes a refining process, and is sold as
the papaw of commerce for medicinal purposes.

The ripe papaw is palatable and an excellent aid to
digestion. Meat wrapped in papaw leaves for a short time
becomes quite tender without any impairment in appearance
or taste.

In extracting the juice the hands should be protected
by rubber gloves, as in its erude state it attacks the tissues.
An average tree will produce about } Ib. of the granulated
juice. It sells in the United States for from $4 to $6 per tb,
in the crude state.

340 THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.

November 11, 1905.

SS

y Se ACOA A \

NN

WEST aAINDIAN FRUIT.

DATE PALMS IN JAMAICA.

The following reference is made in the Annual
Report of the Board of Agriculture, Jamaica, to the
collection of date palms at the Hope Experiment
Station :—

The collection of date palms is in excellent condition.
They are regularly irrigated and sprayed with Bordeaux
mixture to keep down the date palm fungus disease (G'raphi-
ola phoenicis). The cost of cultivation, irrigating, and
spraying was £2 13s. 2d. for seventy palms.

SHOW OF COLONIAL FRUIT.

The Imperial Commissioner of Agriculture has
received the following reply to a letter addressed to
the British West Indian Frnit Co., Ltd., in reference
to the representation of West Indian fruits at the
Show of Colonial Fruits to be held in London by the
Royal Horticultural Society on December 5 and 6
next :—

We beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter of the
3rd. instant, and have pleasure in informing you that we
are making a collection of fruit from the various islands
of the West Indies for the exhibition of the Royal Horti-
cultural Society to be held in London on December
5 and 6. No doubt our Barbados office has communicated
with you in regard to our proposal, and we trust to receive
your co-operation in this matter.

All the fruit from the various islands wil! be sent home
by the ‘Tagus,’ leaving this port on November 11 and
Barbados on November 12.

TRINIDAD FRUIT TRADE.

The British West Indian Fruit Co., Ltd., of Trinidad,
announces that it is prepared to buy Gros Michel, Governor
Fig, and red fancy bananas at the rate of ls. 9d. per payable
bunch. A bunch of nine hands (and upwards) will be
counted as one payable bunch ; an eight-hand bunch as three-
quarters of a payable bunch, and a seven-hand bunch as
one-half.

Fach hand must have at least twelve fully developed
fingers: any hand with less will not count as a hand. All
bananas are to be delivered fresh cut and free of bruises, and
of the grade required, otherwise they will be rejected.
Planters are cautioned not to supply bananas unless they
fully understand the grade required.

Planters intending to plant bananas are invited to

communicate with Mr. A. F. Clark, the Manager, who is
willing to give advice as to planting and cultivating.
Oranges will also be purchased by the company.
The bananas are to be delivered in Port-of-Spain fort-
nightly for each Royat Mail steamer sailing for England.

HYBRIDIZATION OF PINE-APPLES.

Reference was made in the Agricultural News
(Vol. IL, p. 420) to experiments at the Hope Experi-
ment Station, Jamaica, in connexion with the hybridiza-
tion of pine-apples. The Director of Public Gardens
and Plantations makes the following remarks on this
experiment in his report for 1904-5:—

The seedling pines that were planted out in nursery
beds at 9 inches apart were lifted, treated as suckers, and
replanted in raised beds in the pinery at 18 inches apart.
All the beds have been mulched and the suckers are doing
well.

The following hybrid pines fruited in May and June
1904 :-—

No. 1, weight 2. ib., inferior.

; 2, 35 6} tb., poor.
com Pats , 3b Wb., fairly good.
9, ,, 24 Ib., good in flavour, but dry.
3c e207 os 2 Tb., poor.
526: = 34 tb., very juicy, good flavour.
ei , 93 tb, very good flavour.
3 92, 3) 10 Ib, Woz, an excellent fruit. jvery:

sweet and juicy.
Ib. 1 0z., good shape, but had been
attacked by ants and birds and unfit for use.

Suckers and slips from the parent plants are planted in
a raised bed in the pinery.

The work of cross-pollination was continued this year.
By permission of Mr. G. L. Lucas, the following crosses were
made at the Kensington pinery:—ten Sugarloaf crossed
with Ripley, ten Ripley crossed with Sugar-loaf, three Bull-
head with Ripley, three Ripley with Bull-head, four Black
Jamaica with Ripley, one Ripley with Black Jamaica. The
following were also crossed at Hope :—twenty-two Smooth
Cayenne with Ripley, twenty-three Ripley with Smooth
Cayenne, one Sugarloaf with Ripley, and Ripley with
Queen.

Seeds (560 in number) were collected and sown.
A packet of seed of La Brea or Pitch Lake pine was received
from Trinidad. Nineteen have germinated. Seedlings (560
in number), Cayenne crossed with Ripley and Ripley crossed
with Cayenne, are in small pots and will be planted out in
nursery beds at 9 inches apart.

9 2
» 8 i ” -

SEE EnneinnEnERe Ee

———

Vou. IV. No. 93.

THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.

341

INOCULATION OF SOIL FOR ALFALFA
IN DOMINICA.

The following interesting report has been received
from Mr, A. J. Brooks on an experiment carried out at
the Agricultural School at Dominica in inoculating the
soil for alfalfa.

The seed was treated with the culture received
from the U. S. Department of Agriculture in June last.
Up to the present only one reaping has been made.
While the experiment is by no means conclusive, it
shows that good results may be expected. ‘The
experiment will be continued, and it will be possible,
later on, to state definitely whether alfalfa can be grown
successfully as a fodder crop at the Agricultural School
at Dominica :—

A plot of land previously occupied with tannias was
chosen for the purpose. It was divided into equal parts
and separated by a deep drain to prevent the bacteria from
entering the untreated plot.

Two and a half pounds of alfalfa seeds were received
and divided into equal weights of 1} tb. One lot of seeds was
then taken and inoculated in accordance with instructions
received. Both lots of seeds were then sown, the soil of the
plot being a sandy loam.

No difference was observed in the rates of germination
and there was no apparent difference in the growth of the
plants uatil two months after germinating. The inoculated
plants then appeared to be a little stronger and of a deeper
green colour.

In comparing individual plants, those in the ‘inoculated ’
plot are much more branched and slightly taller; but the
most striking difference is in their healthier appearance.

The average size of the plants at the flowering period
was approximately as follows :—

Inoculated 7 feet to 8 feet.
Untreated 6 feet to 7 feet.

Six average plants were carefully taken from each plot
for an examination of the roots, and the results were as
follows :—

In every case the roots of the inoculated plants were
much longer (in some instances as great a difference as
3. feet), thicker, more branched, and the nodules more
numerous, but the latter did not appear to differ in size.

The difference between the general appearance of the
two plots was that the inoculated plants appeared stronger,
of a deeper green colour and much healthier, whilst the
plants in the untreated plot appeared yellowish and as if
suffering from the drought.

The first reaping was made on September 21, the
plants were in flower and of an average height of 7 feet, thus
taking three anda half months from the time of sowing to
the flowering period.

The yield was as follows :—

Wet. Dry.
Tnoculated plot . 85 bb. 19 bb.
Untreated ,, «.- zo) DONG. TB. 5

The gain of inoculated over untreated was therefore
23 tb, (wet) and 6 Ib. dry. The percentage gain of inoculated
over untreated was 50 per cent.

COMPOSITION OF JAMAICA CORN.

The following extract froma paper on Jamaican
fodders by Dr. H. H. Cousins, dealing with the composi-
tion of Jamaica corn, is reproduced from the Bulletin
of the Department of Agriculture, Jamaica, for
October :—

MAIZE OR INDIAN CORN.

A special study of the composition of country corn as
compared with the imported American corn has been made
by Mr. IE. J. Wortley, of this department, and the results of
his analyses are here given. The outstanding features of this
investigation are (1) the great superiority of country corn
over the imported corn as a source of albuminoids, and (2) the
excessive amount of moisture in the country corn. Calculated
on a uniform basis of 12 per cent. moisture, country corn
shows a content of over 10 per cent. of albuminoids as against
a little over 7 per cent. in the imported article.

The prejudice against country corn among horse keepers
has arisen simply from the excessive moisture and the
liability of such corn to ferment and give horses colic. If
properly dried, our native product is decidedly superior to the
imported corn. To secure immunity from fermentation corn
should be dried to a content of 12-13 per cent. of moisture.
This was attained with the corn at the Experiment Station
at Hope by drying for twelve days.

GUINEA CORN OR SORGHUM.

The analysis of this corn shows that it contains 12 per
cent. of albuminoids and is decidedly superior to any sample
of maize in the list.

In olden days Guinea corn was an important staple and
formed one of the chief foods of both man and beast in
Jamaica. It is of interest to record so favourable a composi-
tion for a crop grown with such simple culture and capable
of such good returns in dry districts.

ANALYSES OF CORNS.

Lee ee ie
|S o> | 6a B
| 2 i.e) 3 © a 5
Constituents. x | Bz
| 2 ae | 252 | «
a | Se eS eee
Ki 2) © Oo
| pale é a
| Moisture ok ...| 11-97 | 12:46 | 12:71 | 10-99
|Ash-.. 3 | 1-23] 1:38 1-24 1:64
|Motal nitrogen ... ...| IBN 1-68 (ARIS ings
Albuminoids 7-11 | 10°50 9-82 11°96
cis | See | 4-24 | 4:52 | 483 | 4:56
Fibre... so) oc e2H 10°93: | Sealine
Albuminoids on basis of|
12 per cent. moisture...| 7°20 | 10-60 | 9-90

1 Dried twelve days on cob.

BRITISH HONDURAS BOTANIC STATION.

Many nutmeg plants, which were introduced into the
colony and distributed by the Botanic Station, are beginning
to bear fruit. The climate and soil of British Honduras
appear to be favourable to this product.

Much useful and important work was done in the
nursery attached to the Botanic Station in Belize during the
year, and a great number of plants were raised and
distributed to meet the requirements of the planting season,
(Annual Report on British Honduras for 1904.)

342

THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.

November 11, 1905.

DESTRUCTION OF OLD COTTON

It has been frequently urged in these columns
that the prospects of the Sea Island cotton industry in
the West Indies will be seriously injured if planters
fail to carry out the recommendations of the Imperial
Department of Agriculture to destroy old cotton
plants. With the view of again giving prominence to
this important matter, the following, which has been
issued in leaflet form by the Superintendent of Agri-
culture for the Leeward Islands, is reprinted :—

In the pages of the Agricultural News, by addresses at
meetings, and by the personal advice of officers of the Depart-
ment of Agriculture, the attention of cotton planters has been
repeatedly drawn to the danger of leaving old cotton bushes
on the land and of attempting to ratoon cotton by allowing
the bushes to remain from one season to another.

The chief danger arising from this bad practice is that
old cotton is usually attacked by various pests and diseases,
particularly the leaf-blister mite. This dangerous pest is in
this way spread to young cotton and may endanger the
success of the whole cotton crop.

Every one is, therefore, most particularly urged to
destroy any old cotton bushes which may be on his land, and
also to destroy the young shoots which may spring up where
old cotton has been cut down, for these young shoots are
often badly diseased. The old cotton bushes should be care-
fully got up by the roots and burned.

Owners of old cotton bushes should clearly recognize
that these old infected bushes are a source of danger to
themselves and their neighbours and should be public
spirited enough to destroy them even where they themselves
have no cotton of their own in the immediate neighbourhood.

The principal risk which the cotton industry has to face
is danger arising from various pests; if there is combined
effort to stamp out these pests a successful cotton industry
is possible, but negligence, even on the part of a few, may
imperil the whole industry and cause a commercial catastrophe
which may now be serious. The matter therefore calls for
energetic and public-spirited action.

As bearing on this subject it may be of interest to
publish the following extract from an article in the
Tropical Agriculturist by Mr, KE. Ernest Green,
Government Entomologist, Ceylon, which shows that
there, also, it is found necessary to treat cotton strictly
as an annual, as the bolls are attacked by a small
worm :—

As mentioned in my June notes, our experience in
Ceylon tends to show that it is the second crop from the
cotton bushes that is the most seriously affected. This being
so, we shall have to treat our cotton strictly as an annual,

to be rooted out and burnt immediately after the harvesting
of the main crop. By these means we may hope to keep
the pest under some control.

The perennial habit of most of our Ceylon products and
the absence of any winter, during which insect life is
dormant, add very greatly to our difliculties in the control
of insect pests. Where we have a plant like cotton, that can
be grown as an annual, it would be foolish to lose the
advantage afforded us and to allow successive crops to
straggle on and overlap each other. I would even advocate
that something in the nature of a ‘close season’ should be
recognized—regulated to suit the weather conditions in
different districts—during which no living cotton plants
should be allowed to remain in the ground.

USES FOR SEA ISLAND COTTON.

Reference has been made in these columns to the
steadily increasing demand for Sea Island cotton in
the United States. It has also been predicted that
the crop in the Sea Islands will be short this season.
Interest therefore attaches to the following note in the
Cotton Trade Journal, of Savannah, Georgia, on the
extended uses to which Sea Island cotton is being put: —

The indications are that Sea Island cotton will be more
largely used during the coming season than ever before, not
that there is to be any unexpectedly unusual demand for it, but
because every year finds more uses for the staple. And once
Sea Island cotton is adopted for a particular purpose, it is
steadily used until a better product is found, which is seldom
the case.

It will probably be some time before a better material
for mail bags, for instance, is found than Sea Island cotton,
which was adopted some years ago after a number of severe
tests of all kinds of materials by the Government. Hence,
for this purpose, there is a fixed, assured demand for Sea
Island cotton. The Government must have the bags made
of such material as it specifies in its contracts. The same is
true of numerous other things for which Sea Island cotton is
used, and for which either rigid contracts or good policy
forbids substitutes. More than in any other staple, therefore,
is the demand for Sea Island probably fixed to an extent, and
cannot well go down-hill.

As new uses are found for this cotton with the progress
of invention, the demand becomes the more stable, and
promises to remain around a certain, fixed, minimum require-
ment. It is to be noted that more uses are being found for
Sea Island cotton in this country than abroad. This being
the case, and the fixed requirements being expected to
increase rather than decrease, it is likely the new season will
find many mills adopting this cotton for some use or other.

Vou. IV. No. 93.

THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS. 343

EXPORTS OF WEST INDIAN COTTON.

The following is a statement (furnished by the
Custom’s Department in each case) showing the
amount and estimated value of Sea Island cotton
exported from the various West Indian Colonies during
the quarter ended September 30, 1905 :—

|

Colony. Bales. Weight in pounds. Estimated value.
Barbados 202 66,635 £3,332
St. Vincent ... 8) 1,337 67
St. Kitt’s = 8 1,554 78
Nevis all GS 13,065 653

Antigua a 73 12,516 626 |
Grenada I 37 12,100 185
Jamaica al Ga 9,864 493

Trinidad and

Tobago 21 7,589 196
“f 482 124,658 5,630

The following is a statement showing the amount
of Sea Island cotton exported from the West Indian
Colonies (in order of output) for the period January 1,
to September 30, 1905 :—

Colony. Bales.|Weight in eS tiie value.
Barbados 791 274,998 £13,750
Nevis silk 144,721 1,235
St. Vincent 298 97,152 4,857
St. Kitt’s 254 76,899 3,845
Montserrat .|* 146) 70,723 3,486
trenada (Marie

Galante) ...| 704 212,722 2,698
Antigua 296 52,656 2,633
Jamaica soul? ZG 44,608 1,92
Anguilla soll iste) 30,977 1,550
Trinidad i 42 12,981 386
Virgin Islands|* 18 3,600 120
British Guiana 8 1,258 36
St. Lucia bad ee 988 25

3,689 1,024,283 £42,545

CLAYED V. UN-CLAYED CACAO.

The following article entitled:
Cacao from the Spanish ) Main,
Life for September :—

‘Clayed v. Un-clayed
appeared in Tropical

We find it strange that estate owners in Venezuela still
ship their cacao covered with dirt and heavily clayed, just as
they did in the old days when manufacturers and buyers of
produce from remote or semi-civilized centres used to insist
on certain native crudenesses (as, for instance, the bees that
were poured into the moulds with the tallow dips to make
pure wax) in order to be assured that what they were buying
was genuine. Every one knows the genuine Criollo beans
when he sees them, if he knows anything about cacao at all,

* Returns for the September quarter have not yet been
received.

+ Estimated number of bales.

and also every one acquainted with Venezuela knows that the
red clay found in the small area associated with choice
Spanish main cacao is often carried to the other districts to
colour inferior cacao with the idea of giving it the appearance
of choice Caracas. For this reason alone it is time that the
choice grades gave up the clay lest it be confounded with
commoner sorts, but when one thinks of waste in freight on
the clay and the trouble it must give to the maker, the marvel
is that the practice of heavily-clayed choice Venezuelan has
been kept up so long.

The other day we were shown some beans from General
Fonseca’s estates at Ocumare. These had not been clayed,
but instead had been dried in a cacao drier made by John
Gordon & Co., London. After the sweating process, without
being either ‘danced’ or polished by hand, its bright appear-
ance being obtained, we were told, in the drying machine,
the appearance of the beans was clean, palish-red, very bold
and plump, with the usually thin outer shell, and an almost
satiny appearance, like fine Ceylons or Samoa cacao (which
are probably its grand-children).

Tf such cacao can be obtained without putting the beans
on to the dirty ground whilst still wet from the sweating
heap, it really does seem a mistake to hide so attractive an
exterior under a coating of dirt and clay, And if the
artificial drier can turn out such cacao, we would strongly
recommend our Venezuelan and cther friends, especially in
districts where the rainfall is heavy, to study the matter of
drying by artificial heat, and, above all, instead of heavily
claying the beans, to ship over a clean and polished exterior
like the samples we saw from the estate of General Fonseca.

BRITISH GUIANA FISHERIES.

The following information in regard to fisheries is
extracted from the British Guiana Blue Book for
1904-5 :—

The fish most plentiful during a year’s inspection of the
market was the bashaw, three or four species of which are
found. Next in order comes the cuirass, a so-called skin
fish, that is, one of the Siluridae. The querriman (MugiZ
braziliensis); the gilbacker (Sluwrus parkert); flounders,
so-called (Solea gronovii) ; the snook (Centropomus undeci-
malis) ; mullets (Jugil liza) ; porgies (Stenotomus sp.) three
or four kinds; hassars (Callickthys littoralis); jew fish
(Plectropoma Chlorurum) ; butter fish (not unlike whiting) ;
snappers (Vaeomenis); garfish (Belone); shad (Clupee
maccawocca’) ; cuffum (Larpon atlanticus) ; pacuma (Batra-
chus surinamensis) ; four eyes (Anableps tetrophthalmus) ;
houri (Afacrodon intermedius), and many species of Siluridae;
crabs, three species, and prawns and shrimps, four species.
The amount of shrimps consumed in the colony is enormous
and must run to tons weekly. The coolies use them in their
curries and the black people in their foo-foo.

The before-mentioned are mostly sea and estuarial fishes ;
but the rivers of the interior abound in many fine species.
The largest perhaps is the arapaim Gigas, There are various
species of perai (Serrasalmo) ; leakanani (Cichla) ; the paca
(Myletes Pacu) is a valuable food-fish to the Indians, as are
also the cartabac (Z'etragonopterus lJatus); the haimara
(Macrodon trahira); moracot (Myletes) ; biara (Cyonodon
Scombroides); yarrow, dawalla (Hypothalus dawalla) ;
tubuguri (Prochilodus insignis) ; kurumai (Chalcens macro-
lepidotus). The best sporting fishes of the colony are the
euffum or tarpon (Zarpon atlanticus) ; leukanani (Cichla
ocellaris ; and biara (Cyonodon Scombroides). All these will
take fly or spoon eagerly.

THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.

NovemMper 11, 1905.

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. Dulaun &
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 3 of the cover.

The Agricultural News: Price 1d. per number,
post free 1}d. Annual subscription payable to Agents,
2s. 2d. Post free, 3s. 3d.

Agricultural sews

Vout. IV. SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 1905.

No: 93.

NOTES AND COMMENTS.

Contents of Present Issue.

The work of the Imperial Department of Agri-
culture in St. Lucia during the last two years is briefly
reviewed in the editorial in the present issue.

Notes in connexion with the sugar industry deal
with (1) the improvement of the sugar-cane, (2) the
successful cultivation of the West Indian seedling cane
D. 74 in Louisiana, and (3) the general progress in the
West Indian sugar industry,

A report on the inoculation of the soil for alfalfa
at Dominica is published on p. 341. The same page
contains a note on the composition of Jamaica corn.

The attention of cotton growers is directed to the
article on p. 342 on the destruction of old cotton plants.

The fiddler beetle, well known for some time as
a serious pest in orange cultivation in Jamaica, is now
reported as a pest also of cacao. (See p. 346.) Direc-
tions are given on the same page for dealing with the
cigarette beetle and similar pests of stored goods.

Annual Reports of the Boards of Agriculture at
British Guiana and Jamaica for 1904-5 are briefly
reviewed on p. 347.

Dr. Watt’s paper on ascertaining the strength of
concentrated lime juice by means of the hydrometer is
likely to be read with interest by lime planters.

Notes on the progress of agricultural education
‘ m.-: 2 ies =
at Grenada and Trinidad are published on p, 350,
]

Agricultural News.

3eginning with this issue of the Agricultural
News, a change is being made in the day of issue, on
account of the alteration in the sailings of the Royal
Mail steamers.

This issue (No. 93) is dated Saturday, November 11,
instead of Saturday, November 4, and is being
distributed by the intercolonial mails leaving Barbados
on November 8.

While the Agricultural News will be published,
as heretofore, on every alternate Saturday, it will be
ready for distribution on the preceding Wednesday, in
time for the intercolonial mails. Copies for England
will go by the mail steamer leaving Barbados the day
after the date of publication.

——_—n

Rice Cultivation in British Guiana.

According to the Annual Report of the British
Guiana Board of Agriculture for 1904-5, the area
under rice cultivation in that colony has undergone
a large increase. ‘The total area in 1904-5 was 21,920
acres, as against 16,670 acres in the previous year.
The yield of paddy increased from 17,701 tons to 22,597
tons.

There are indications that still larger increases
may be expected in the immediate future. ‘The fact
that some of the new varieties of cane give heavy yields
on parts of the back lands of sugar estates where the
Bourbon was not able to produce remunerative returns,
has set free from cane cultivation lands in the front
estates, and this is being eagerly taken up by East
Indians for rice growing. The negroes of the colony
are slowly following the example of the East Indians
and are cultivating rice on some of their village lands.’

aoe
Cohune Nut Cracking Machine.

The Journal of the British Honduras Society of
Agriculture and Commerce for March 1905 contains
a letter from the Director of the Imperial Institute
relative to a suitable machine for extracting the
kernels of the nuts of the Cohune palm (Attalea
Cohune).

Dr. Dunstan states that, so far, it has proved to be
impossible to devise a completely satisfactory machine
for this purpose. The only machine that has been at
all successful is one sold by Messrs. A. Miller, Brothers,
& Co., of Liverpool. It breaks the shells of the nuts
but, unfortunately, is lable to damage a large proportion
of the kernels.

In recommending that experiments be carried out
with this machine in British Honduras and that a trial
shipment of kernels extracted with it be made,
Dr. Dunstan remarks that it will be necessary to
separate the broken kernels from the unbroken and
consign the two classes separately.

As the objection to shipping broken kernels is that
there is likely to be a deterioration and loss of oil, it is
suggested that efforts might be made to express the
oil locally, in which case 1t would not matter whether
the kernels were extracted whole or broken. The
residue could be used as a food-stuff or a manure.

Wore rliv. Non .93:

West Indian Bulletin.

The West Indian Bulletin (Vol. VI, no. 3) will
be issued in time for distribution by next mail.

This number contains valuable information in
regard to the cotton and cacao industries ; also a paper
by the Hon. Francis Watts on the soils of Montserrat.

An article on the bud-rot disease of the cocoa-nut
palm contains all the available information in regard
to this disease, which is at the present time causing
considerable anxiety all over the West Indies.

+o —

St. Vincent Cotton Growers’ Association.

At a meeting of the St. Vincent Cotton Growers’
Association, held on October 4, a discussion took place
as to the advisability of transforming the association
into a general agricultural society. Mr. C. J. Simmons
remarked that by extending the scope of the
association so as to embody all matters concerning the
agricultural and commercial interests of the island, the
usefulness of the body would be increased.

A motion was thereupon carried that the Imperial
Commissioner of Agriculture and the President and
Vice-president of the association should be informed
that 1t was the wish of the members to form themselves
into a general agricultural society to be styled, perhaps,
the Cotton Growers’ Association and Agricultural and
Commercial Society.

The Imperial Commissioner of Agriculture has
since expressed the opinion that this proposal is likely
to extend the usefulness of the association and to
enable it to deal with several matters of interest to the
island.

<<<

Extirpated West Indian Birds.

The Aus for July 1905 contains a paper by
Mr. Austin H. Clark on ‘Extirpated West Indian
Birds. Mr. Clark has brought together all the
evidence as to the existence in former years of birds not
known at the present time in Barbados, St. Vincent,
the Grenadines, and Grenada. Reference to a few of
these may be of interest.

The pied-billed grebe, formerly known in Barbados
as the ‘two-penny chick,’ is not found at the present
time; the name ‘two-penny chick’ is now applied to
the sora (Porzana carolina).

The West Indian buzzard is recorded as occurring
in Barbados by Ligon (1673), when the greater part
of the island was still clothed in natural forest.

The description by Hughes in 1750 of the ‘wild
wood pigeon’ evidently refers to the ramier (Columba
squamosa), which, although abundant in the neigh-
bouring islands, does not now visit Barbados,

The quaking thrush is recorded by all the old
observers as occurring in Barbados, but has probably
been driven away by the deforestation of the island.
At the present time it occurs on all the islands from
Guadeloupe south to St. Vincent.

It is also stated that Allenia albiventris, which
became a resident in the Grenadines after the
hurricane at St. Vincent in 1898, has now entirely
disappeared from these islands,

THE AGRICULTURAL

NEWS. 34

ct

Subsidiary Industries in the Seychelles.

In consequence of the unsatisfactory position of
the vanilla industry in the Seychelles, it has become
necessary to devote attention to the promotion of
subsidiary industries.

The most promising of these at the present time
is the cocoa-nut industry. The total value of the
exports of cocoa-nut products in 1904 was £19,666, as
against £16,445 in the previous year.

It is mentioned in the Annual Report for 1904
that the demand for copra and the good price secured
have diverted much of the product from the manufac-
ture of oil to that of copra, the export of which has
increased from 30,458 kilos. in 1903 to 267,200 kilos.
in 1904, [1 kilo. = 22 tb.] The production of copra
appears to be capable of wide development.

This may also be said of the production of cacao,
the exports increasing from 3,824 kilos. in 1903 to
6,122 kilos. in 1904.

The Curator of the Botanic Station, who was sent
to Ceylon in 1902, arranged for the introduction of new
varieties of economic plants. During 1904, 10,000
selected cocoa-nuts, 6,000 nutmeg seeds, 20,000 cacao
seeds, and large quantities of Para rubber seeds were
received, It will thus be seen that everything is being
done to enable the planters to engage in the production
of other products than vanilla.

Eee
Jamaican Fodders.

A short note was published in the Agricultural
News (Vol. II, p. 409) reviewing a paper on Jamaican
fodders by Dr. H. H. Cousins. Extracts from this
paper pwere afterwards reprinted in the West Indian
Bulletin, Vol. V, pp. 100-13. Dr. Cousins publishes
a further paper on this subject in the Bulletin of the
Department of Agriculture, Jamaica, for October.

Jamaica hay grass (Sporobolus indicus) was found
on analysis to present avery favourable composition when
young. Stock breeders fully realize the value of this
grass when young and succulent: experience has also
shown that this value is greatly reduced as it gets old,
hard, and wiry. Dr. Cousins suggests that the use
of light American horse mowers would secure an
enormous supply of valuable fodder from the large
areas of hay grass lands.

Analyses of bamboo fodder show that this
material 1s highly nitrogenous. Horses and cows eat
bamboo leaves with relish, and if would appear that
bamboos might afford a good stand-by in times of
drought.

The results of the examination of Guinea grass
bring out clearly the necessity for cutting this fodder
at the right time, since great deterioration results
from the seeding of the grass. Guinea grass, cut
when the flowering spikes were being produced, cons
tained 5:13 per cent. of albuminoids and 3421 per cent.
of carbohydrates in the air-dry material, as against 2°00
and 25:03 per cent. respectively, in grass as fed to
dairy animals when it was actually seeding. It will
thus be seen that, if the grass is allowed to flower and
form seeds, the value of the fodder is reduced to about
one-third,

THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.

NovemsBer 11, 1905.

Fiddler Beetle attacking Cacao.

The fiddler beetle (Praepodes vittatus) is a well-known
pest of oranges in Jamaica, where it is now recorded as
also attacking cacao.
the Department of Agriculture, Jamaica, for October, from
which there would seem to be some difference of opinion as to
whether the beetle attacks healthy trees or only such as are
weakened by unfavourable conditions of soil, drainage, ete.

Articles published in the Agricultural News (Vol. I,
p. 100; Vol. I, p. 244; Vol. III, p. 266) give accounts of
this insect and its attacks on oranges, and another article
(Vol. If, p. 298) gives an account of trapping the adult
beetles on sunflower heads, and it is recommended that these
be planted in the orange groves. Sunflowers should be in
flower from March to June, when the adults are most
plentiful. The blossoms should be inspected every day, and
the beetles collected and destroyed.

Dr. Cousins recommends the hand-picking of adults, the
application of Paris green to the leaves to kill the adults,
and the use of carbon bisulphide in the soil at the base of
infected trees to kill the larvae. It would seem that planters
who systematically carry out these recommendations should
not experience serious injury to their trees from the attacks
of the fiddler beetle.

Cigarette and Biscuit Beetles.

Specimens were recently received by the Imperial
Department of Agriculture of a small beetle reported to be
seriously injuring the boots and shoes in a Bridgetown store.
On examination this proved to be the cigarette beetle
(Lasioderma serricorne).

The cigarette beetle is a member of the family Ptinidae,
and is well known asa pest of cigarettes, cigars, and leaf
tobacco. In addition, it is known also to attack herbs and
drugs, such as ergot, tumeric, cayenne pepper, ginger, rhubarb,
etc., and foodstufts. It has been reported as destructive to
sill and plush, and has at times been destructive to herbarium
specimens.

Other species of the family Ptinidae are very similar
in habit and appearance to the cigarette beetle. The drug-
store beetle (Sitodrepa panicea) or biscuit beetle, as it is
commonly called, is a serious pest of stored foodstutts, herbs,
drugs, books, hides, and skins, and it also attacks tobacco in
the same way as the cigarette bettle. These insects are
very small and inconspicuous, being only about 3‘ inch in
length. They are not often noticed, but the damage they
do cannot be overlooked. Perhaps the most conspicuous injury
is that done by the so-called book-worm, which leaves small
round holes in books, card boxes, photographs, etc. This
fnjury is probably generally caused by the biscuit beetle or
a closely related species (Ptinus fur) and is most generally to
be seen in old books, the bindings and covers of which seem
to be a favourite food.

In dealing with these insects carbon bisulphide will
probably prove the most useful insecticide. The use of
carbon bisulphide has been fully explained in the
Agricultural News (Vol. Il, p. 29). For treating a small

A discussion appears in the Bulletin of

quantity of infested material a tight box or barrel with
a tight-fitting cover may be used. The material is placed
inside and carbon bisulphide poured into a plate or shallow
dish at the top of the receptacle, the cover being quickly
put on and made as tight as possible.

For dealing with large quantities fumigation may be
carried on ina tight room. Carbon bisulphide is employed
in this way at the rate of 1 tb. to 1,000 cubic feet of space.
For an ordinary flour barrel one or two teaspoonfuls (4 to
+ oz.) should be used.

It should be borne in mind that carbon bisulphide is
a highly inflammable liquid. A lighted cigar or pipe or even
a glowing match is sufficient to set it alight, if brought into
contact with the vapour. As the vapour of carbon bisulphide
is heavier than air, the liquid should be placed as near as
possible to the top of a box or barrel used for fumigating, or
on shelves + feet or more above the floor of the room which
is being fumigated. Carbon bisulphide has a very strong,
offensive odour and is fatal to insect life. There is no danger
to the person using it, if only a small quantity is breathed,
the odour quickly passes away when exposed to the air, and
articles of food or clothing, books, etc., are unharmed by it.

Small quantities of flour, meal, and other foodstuffs may
be disinfected by being first passed through a fine sieve to
get out the beetles and larvae and then heated in an oven to
about 125° to 150° F. to kill the eggs. If the infestation by
these pests becomes severe, it will be necessary to repeat the
treatment from time to time.

The life-cycle of these beetles occupies a very short time,
possibly only from six weeks to two months, and as breeding
is probably continuous all the year round in the tropies, it will
be seen that they are likely to increase in numbers very
rapidly once they become established.

PARA RUBBER IN MALAY STATES.

The Board of Trade Journal of September 28
has the following note on the extension of the Para
rubber industry in the Federated Malay States :—

The Report on Experimental Plantations in the Federated
Malay States in 1904 states that agricultural interests in
those States is almost entirely centred in the cultivation of
the Para rubber tree. This cultivation has now got well
beyond the experimental stage, and there is no longer any
doubt as to whether the tree is suited to the conditions
obtaining in the Federated Malay States, or whether its
cultivation will prove remunerative. Tapping on a com-
mercial scale has commenced on several estates, the exports
for the year ending December 31 last, amounting to 105
pikuls (about 14,000 tb.) valued at over $28,000 ; but, as
the oldest estates are just coming into bearing, this anrount
will be greatly exceeded in the near future. The prices
realized have exceeded the most sanguine expectations,
having averaged almost ls. per tb. more than ‘fine Para,’
the price of which has advanced nearly 30 per cent. during
the last twelve months. The fact that ‘plantation Para’
advanced Is. 6d. per tb. during the year 1904, as against
arise of ls, 2d. per tb. for ‘fine Para’ would seem to show
that, in the opinion of the manufacturer, the value of ‘planta-
tion Para’ increases on acquaintance. The report adds :
‘There is little doubt, provided the quality is kept up to the
present high level, that, if the supply of high-grade rubber
ever exceeds the demand, the cultivated product will be the
last to suffer; moreover, it seems more than probable that,
owing to its quality, the facility and comparatively low cost
at which it can be harvested, “plantation Para” will
eventually oust the native product from the markets.’

Vou. IV. No. 93.

THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.

B47

BRITISH GUIANA:

ANNUAL REPORT OF
BOARD OF AGRICULTURE, 1904-5.

A statement is given of the principal subjects which
occupied the attention of the board at its four general
meetings. Short accounts are also given of the work done
by the various committees.

The board imported the following animals during the
year: one shorthorn bull, two Berkshire boars, and two
Shropshire rams.

The Sugar-cane Experiments Committee obtained and
published returns of the areas under cultivation of varieties
of canes other than Bourbon. These showed that 12,942
acres were in cultivation with new varieties for the
crop of 1905, and a total area of 14,745 acres in canes
other than Bourbon.

The report on the results of the experiments in the
crop-year 1904-5 indicated that the locally raised canes
Nos. D. 625, D. 145, and D. 109 were of high value as sugar
producers in British Guiana, while the following introduced
varieties were also of much promise: B. 208, B. 147, and
Sealy Seedling.

The Subsidiary Products Committee has advised with
regard to experiments with products other than sugar.
Experiments have been carried on with twenty varieties of
imported rice, as also with cotton, bananas, cacao, ete.

JAMAICA: ANNUAL REPORT OF BOARD
OF AGRICULTURE AND DEPARTMENT OF
PUBLIC GARDENS AND PLANTATIONS, 1904-8.

Board of Agriculture.—The board has directed the
experiments in progress at the Hope Experiment Station
and the local agricultural experiments. It has considered
and advised on the educational work in agriculture for
students at the government laboratory ; and for elementary
school teachers, training college students, apprentices and
industrial school boys at Hope Gardens. It has arranged
for the work of Mr. Teversham, the lecturer of the Imperial
Departinent, and of the Travelling Instructors, Messrs. Crad-
wick and W. J. Thompson.

+ Agricultural Luperiment Work.—This section of the
report deals with the work done at the Hope Experiment
Station, local manurial experiments, and the work of the
sugar experiment station.

There are at the station coilections of a large number
of varieties of the following: bananas and_ plantains,
cassava, tannias, citrus plants, pine-apples, sugar-cane, sweet
potatos, etc.

An experiment was laid out for the purpose of
ascertaining the best conditions for cacao in regard to shade,
distance of planting, ete. The work of raising hybrid pine-
apples was continued ; 560 plants of Cayenne-Ripley and
Ripley-Cayenne are in small pots. Seedling sugar-canes are
-also reported to be making progress.

Local manurial experiments were carried on with sugar,
‘bananas, and cotton, on estates situated in different parts of
the island.

Agricultural Educational Work.—This part of the
report deals first with the work of the Lecturer of the Imperial
Department of Agriculture. Satisfactory progress is reported
in introducing the teaching of agricultural principles into
elementary schools.

The training of industrial school boys, garden appren-
tices, laboratory students, training college students, and
elementary school teachers has been continued.

The training of agricultural students at the government
laboratory has been carried on as in previous years.

With regard to the Travelling Instructors, it is stated
that Mr. Cradwick, in the course of his duties, conducted the
judging in connexion with the prize-holding scheme of the
Agricultural Society, assisted teachers in the establishment
of school gardens, and addressed meetings of the local
agricultural societies.

Mr. Thompson carried out work on similar lines in the
parishes near Kingston.

PARA RUBBER AS SHADE FOR CACAO.

A valuable report, recently issued by the Royal
Botanic Gardens of Ceylon on Para rubber, discusses
the suitability of this tree for shade purposes. It
has been freely planted throughout tea plantations
at a distance of from 10 to 15 feet apart. The effect
on many plantations has been to rob the tea of its
plant food and cause the latter to present a weak and
straggling appearance. It is predicted that, on this
account, large areas of tea will soon have to be
abandoned.

The effect of interplanted rubber in cacao planta-
tions is discussed in this Circular (Vol. III, No. 6) as
follows :—

The greater part of the cacao in Ceylon is usually
interplanted with trees of species of Hrythrina for protection
against wind and for shade purposes. The mature cacao
trees on most places are usually from 10, 15, to 20 feet
apart, and their roots do not closely ramify through the soil
as in the case of tea planted 3 to 4 feet apart. The amount
of soil on good cacao estates which is free from cacao roots is
often remarkable, as any one may see by digging trenches or
holes in such land. We have therefore in cacao a produet
which can be grown to advantage under the shade of other
trees and a soil on such estates which will allow the roots
of trees other than cacao to develop without doing much
damage to the cacao.

The Para rubber tree grows to a considerable height
and is capable of offering shade and protection from wind in
a manner similar to the Dadaps (Zrythrina lithosperma) so
commonly used. Iurthermore, the leafless phase, through
which the mature Para trees annually pass, allows the light
to penetrate to the cacao trees during the hot dry months of
February and March and thus helps to keep the cacao
fungus in check. The fall of leaf every year greatly adds
to the amount of organic matter which is acknowledged to
be in great demand by the cacao,

It is therefore obvious that cacao under rubber will, if
the latter is not planted too close, last much longer than tea
under the same product, and with careful judgement the two
products may be profitably grown for many years to come.
Tn all such cases it need hardly be stated that the shade trees
other than the rubber should be almost or entirely removed,
as otherwise the dense shade will offer far too suitable
conditions for the development of the cacao fungus, a parasite
which requires constant attention.

548

NoveEMBER 11, 1905.

GLEANINGS.

Mr. E. Lomas Oliver writes :
the planters above everything to pick the cotton RIPLEY

‘Please impress upon all

At a recent meeting of the Antigua Agricultural and
Comusercial Society several members testified to the effective-
ness of the Liverpool rat virus.

The Agricultural Instructor at St. Lucia is in
a position to supply some thousands of plants of Castz//oa
elastica at 3d. each, in boxes, delivered at Castries.

As shown elsewhere, during the nine months ending
September 30 last, 1,024,283 tb. of cotton have been exported
from the West Indies of the value of £42,545.

A cassava factory has been started at Richmond,
Jamaica, by a gentleman from Grenada. He manufactures
seven different articles from the tuber—starch, farine,
tapioca, cassareep, meal, etc. This is an industry worthy of
the support of the small settlers. (Jamaica Dazly Telegraph.)

At a meeting of the Jamaica Agricultural Society held
on October 18, it was decided to hold a conference of
gentlemen representing the orange industry to consider the
subject of shipping oranges. The following points will be
submitted for consideration: Definition of immature orange:
inspection ; exclusion of immature fruit, and trade marks.

The total acreage planted in Sea Island cotton in
St. Vincent during the present season is estimated to be 770

acres. Though this is considerably less than the area
planted last year, better work is being done with the

smaller acreage and there are at present indications of
heavier returns, the prospects of the crop being extremely
good,

The Grenada Agricultural and Commercial Society has
decided to be represented at the Colonial Products Exhibition
to be held in Liverpool in February next. The offer of the
Secretary of the West India Committee to make the
necessary arrangements has been accepted, and he has been
asked to keep for this purpose any of the exhibits sent for the
Colonial and Indian Exhibition which he may think suitable.

It is desired to correct an error in a review of the
Report on Economic and other Experiments at St. Kitt’s-Nevis,
1904-5, which appeared in the Agricultural News (Vol. IV,
p. 317). The estimated value of the exports of cotton from
St. Kitt’s-Nevis and Anguilla for the fifteen months ended
March 31 last was stated to be £83,074. This should
be £8,307.

According to the report of Messrs. Henry W. Frost & Co.,
the estimates of the Sea Island crop for Florida, Georgia,
and South Carolina range around 90,000 bales. Last year’s

crop for these states was 99,663 bales.

It is mentioned in the Annual Report on Seychelles for
1904 that inquiries had been received as to the resources of
the colony in bread-fruit, with the view of supplying the
increasing demand, especially at Marseilles, for cheap and
nutritious food for stock.

In reference to the note in the Agricultural News
(Vol. LV, p. 516) to the effect that plants of Coffea robusta
were being offered for free distribution by the Superintendent
of the Royal Botanic Gardens in Trinidad, it should be
mentioned that the free grant, which was intended for
Trinidad only, has now been exhausted. One hundred and
fifty-four estates were supplied with one dozen plants each.

The Canadian Commercial Agent at Kingston, Jamaica,
(Mr. G. E. Burke) reports that, as a result of the buoyancy
of sugar prices, a decided revival of the industry is in
evidence in Jamaica, not only among the large landed
proprietors, but also with the peasantry. Hundreds of
small cane mills are being imported from the United States.
These mills are admitted free of custom duty, and sell for
£10 10s. each. (Board of Trade Journal.)

The Agricultural Superintendent at St. Vincent
estimates that there are 20,040 good bearing plants of the
Chinese banana (JJusa Cavendishii) growing within easy

reach of Kingstown, St. Vincent. The majority of these are

being grown by the peasantry, who would probably
themselves utilize a good proportion of the fruit. On the

other hand, if suitable arrangements could be made for
shipping, the cultivation could easily be extended.

In the Zropical Agriculturist for July 1905, the Ceylon
Government Entomologist reports immense numbers of the
cotton stainer (Dysdercus cingulatus) at the Government
cotton experiment station at Maha-iluppalama, but states.
that very little damage has been done. It has been found
that when the seed-cotton is exposed to the hot sun, the
stainers leave the cotton, which is then in good condition
for ginning.

The West India Committee Circular states that the
judges at the Colonial Exhibition have now completed their
awards. Four awards have been made to Jamaica ‘for
tobacco and cigars, a grand prize going to the Montpelier
Cigar Co. for their ‘Golofina’ cigars. The West India Cigar
and Cigarette Co., of Trinidad, also secured a gold medal.
Three goll medals have been awarded for exhibits.
of molascuit.

Reference was made in the Agricultural News (Vol. IV,.
p. 300) to the failure of the attempts to grow cotton in
Cuba owing to the ravages of the cotton boll weevil. It
might be pointed out that, so far, this pest has not
attacked cotton in the British West Indies. Its appearance
in Cuba, however, makes it particularly desirable that all
cotton seed imported for planting purposes should be
thoroughly disinfected before use, as has been done in the
case of all cotton impor‘ed through the Imperial Department
of Agriculture.

Vou. IV. No. 93. THE

AGRICULTURAL NEWS.

349

CONCENTRATED LIME JUICE.

Ascertaining its Strength by Means of
a Hydrometer.
The following is the substance of a paper on the
above subject, prepared by Dr. Francis Watts for the
Dominica Agricultural Society :—

In a previous paper submitted to the Agricultural
Society of Dominica, and published in the West Indian
Bulletin, Vol. V, pp. 236-40, I made suggestions for the use of
a hydrometer for ascertaining approximately the strength of
lime juice. In that paper it is stated that the hydrometer
and the table may be used to ascertain approximately the
strength of concentrated lime juice by carefully diluting the
concentrated juice with water to ten times its volume.
This may conveniently be done by accurately filling with
concentrated juice a flask holding exactly 100 cc., then
transferring this juice to a flask holding 1,000 c.c. (1 litre),
and filling up the 1,000-c.c. flask with water. The small
flask must be carefully washed out with water used for
diluting, so that all the concentrated juice measured in the
100-c.c. flask is transferred to the larger flask.

The hydrometer is floated in the diluted juice, the
reading noted and multiplied by ten to give the strength of
the concentrated juice.

Thus, if the hydrometer floats at 1,029 in the diluted
juice, the strength is (approximately) 11:04 oz. per gallon,
or, in the concentrated juice, 110-4 oz. per gallon.

It must be remembered that with anything but pure
solutions the results are only approximately correct, but it
is believed that they will be sufficiently accurate to be
useful in ordinary estate practice.

Since the above was written I have had an opportunity
of examining several samples of concentrated juice by the
method stated, and of comparing the results with those
obtained by titrating with alkali. It must be remembered
that even titration by means of alkali does not accurately
determine the true citric acid, but only the free acidity, which
may be due in part to acids other than citric.

From this it appears that by means of the hydrometer
and the table a planter can ascertain approximately the
strength of the concentrated juice which he is producing, and
can introduce into his work a measure of control which has
hitherto been wanting.

What is necessary now is that the planters shall persist
in the use of the citrometer in determining the point to which
juice is to be concentrated, and then that each lot of concen-
trated juice shall be tested by means of the hydrometer,
after diluting as described above. The indications of the
hydrometer should then be compared with those of the
citrometer ascertained during the process of concentration.
Should the hydrometer indications be too high, the workman
should be instructed to boil to a lower degree on the citro-
meter ; should a higher concentration be wanted, he should
be instructed to boil to a higher degree accordingly.

Very little care and observation on the part of the
planter will enable him to concentrate to any point which he
may fix upon as most desirable.

My observations led me to conclude that in the past
there was a tendency in Dominica to concentrate to too
high a degree; this was due to the impression that by
concentrating, say, 12 to 1, instead of 8 to 1, there is a great
saving of freight and packages. This is true in some
degree, but high concentration is accompanied by destruc-
tion of citric acid. If the freight and packages of

a cask of concencrated juice cost, say, £2, and the juice be
worth, say, £15, then a saving of one-third of the freight
and packages will effect a saving of 13s. 4v.: a loss of
5 per cent. of acid will entail a loss of 15s., ond a loss
of 10 to 15 per cent. of avid may easily occur ‘rom over-
concentration, entailing a loss of 80s. to 45s.

Moreover, I am informed that the purchaser of
concentrated juice prefers to have his supplies « ncentrated
to a moderate degree, concentration of from 95 to 100 oz.
being preferred to that of 130 to 140 oz.

I can only repeat the advice which I have previously
given (see West Indian Bulletin, Vol. U, p. 309): ‘Carry on
the concentration until the citrometer, when immersed in the
juice at boiling temperature, shows a density of 60°’ The
concentrated juice thus obtained will contain about 100 oz.
of citric acid per gallon: if, on testing the resting juice
with the hydrometer in the manner described, it is found to
be too highly concentrated, then a lower degree on the
citrometer must be taken as the point to which to «oncentrate.

There will be variations in each district, so that the
correct point can only be found by experiment.

With the combined use of the citrometer and the
hydrometer the planters have the means of producing
concentrated juice of a uniform quality, and of approximately
learning its strength.

DEPARTMENT NEWS.

The Imperial Commissioner of Agriculture re-
turned from a visit to Grenada on Sunday, the 29th.
ultimo. The Imperial Commissioner met the members
of the Agricultural Experiments Committee at
St. George’s on Thursday, the 26th. ultimo, and
a number of important subjects connected with local
industries were discussed and advanced. A conference
of Cotton Growers and of those interested in stock
raising, arranged to be held at St. Vincent on Saturday
the 28th. ultimo, did not take place owing to the
C.L.S. ‘Orinoco’ being thirty-six hours late.

The Hon. Francis Watts, C.M.G., the Superimtend-
ent of Agriculture in the Leeward Islands, is expected
to arrive at Barbados in the R.M.S. ‘Esk’ on the 8th.
instant, in order to confer with the Imperi +! Commis-
sioner in regard to the business of the D part.aeni.

COHUNE NUT PALM.

Reference is made elsewhere in these columns to attempts
that have been made to obtain a machine suitable for
extracting the kernels from nuts of the cohune palm in
British Honduras.

These nuts are the produce of a majestic palm, known as
Attalea Cohune, which is a native of Honduras. It
resembles somewhat the cocoanut palm, but does not grow
to so great a height and has much larger leaves and a thicker
trunk.

The fruit is about the size of a large hen’s egg, ond is
produced in clusters. The oil is said to be superior to
cocoa-nut oil and to realize a considerably higher price.

Tt has often been suggested that a vemunerative
industry might be established in this product in British
Honduras, but, so far, the obstacle has been the absence of
a suitable machine for extracting the kernels from the hard-
shelled nuts.

350

THE AGRICULTURAL

NEWS. November 11, 1905.

EDUCATIONAL.

Grenada.

The following is an extract from the Inspector of
Schools’ Report on Primary Education in Grenada for
the year 1904, in which reference is made to teaching
principles of agriculture in elementary schoo!s :—

This subject continues to be taught in all the schools,
with decidedly satisfactory results. The spirit exhibited on
the first attempt to introduce the scientific teaching of this
subject into the schools has now happily disappeared,
although there still remains room for the display of active
co-operation as between manager and teacher in a few solitary
instances; and to-day, teachers have learnt to regard their
schools as the agencies, and themselves the immediately
responsible agents, through whom the introduction of this
subject into the school curriculum, assisted by school gardens,
is intended as the means of opening the eyes of the masses to
the fact that Grenada is not a manufacturing but an
agricultural community. The suspension of all active work
in the Agricultural Department at the Botanic Station,
through the vacancies in the offices of Curator and
Agricultural Instructor, has acted as a check on the vigorous
life that was in evidence a year ago, when the school gardens
were laid out and enclosed. As soon as an Agricultural
Instructor is appointed, the work of fencing in plots will
again be proceeded with.

At the close of 1904, the following school gardens were
in full working order, and had been so for the whole year : —

St. Paul’s Anglican-—Manager, Revd. G. W. Branch.

i ,, Rom. Cath. 35 ~ ire Gurr:
b]

», George’s Boys’ B.C. ,, an -

,, John’s R.C. Hy ) Er ican

5, Mark’s Anglican a ,, Canon Arthur.

In connexion with work on the practical side, the
teachers were awarded sums amounting to £13 as lump-sum
bonuses on the result of the examinations held in October
and Noyernber last.

Nearly every one of these schools had had several sales
of garden produce during the year, the proceeds of which
were employed by the teachers, with their manager’s
permission, in giving school treats by way of encouragement,
and in improving the gardens. Samples of garden produce
were from time to time sent to the Department and
submitted for the inspection of his Excellency the President,
who encouragingly had the receipt of them acknowledged.
One school secured prizes at the Agricultural Society's
Exhibition held in the month of March this year.

Trinidad.

The following are extracts from the Annual
Report of the Inspector of Schools in Trinidad, in
which reference is made to the teaching of the
principles of agriculture and school garden shows :—

During the year 1904-5, 190 schools were examined in
practical agriculture, fifty-four of these being successful in
obtaining the highest award—‘ Very good.’ In the previous
year, of the 180 schools examined only thirty obtained the
highest award, so that a clear note of progress has been
sounded in this direction. And while it is admitted that the
production of vegetables for the annual shows seems to be
the sole aim in some of the schools, it is only fair to state
that there are not a few teachers who show, by their
intelligent methods of teaching agriculture, and by the
assiduous cultivation in their pupils of habits of observation,

both in and out of school, that they are aiming at a far
higher ideal. The Assistant Inspectors gratefully acknowl-
edge the valuable help afforded by the visits of the
Agricultural Instructors, and I wish it were possible for
these officers to devote more time to this part of their work,
Throughout the year weekly lectures have been given by
one of them at the Government Training School, Port-of-
Spain, and at the Presbyterian Training School, San
Fernando, the students of Nelson Street Roman Catholic
Training School also attending at the former. The
bi-weekly chemistry lectures at the Government Training
Schoo] were conducted as in the previous year by Mr. A. E.
Collens, of the Government Analyst’s Department. In
future, however, these lectures will be given at the
Government Laboratory, which affords better facilities for
experimental work.
SCHOOL GARDEN SHOWS.

The exhibits of vegetables and vegetable products were
a distinct advance upon those of previous years in regard
to both quantity and quality, and, judging from the crowds
who turned out to see the snows, a spreading interest is
being taken in what is now looked forward to as_ the
function of the year at each centre. A new departure was
wade last year by the inauguration of a section at all the
centres comprising exhibits of local cultivators (apart from
schools). The prizes for these were contributed to the extent
of £50 by the Agricultural Society, with an additional £25
raised by subscription. The fact of their being two separate
sections, one exclusively for schools, and the other for the
general public served to create a healthy rivalry and to add
to the poputarity of the shows. It is not unreasonable to
believe that these annual exhibitions, though on a compara-
tively humble scale, will help in no small degree to develop
the great natural resources of the colony, and they prove
beyond a doubt that many of the necessaries of everyday life
can be produced at our own doors with little trouble or
expense.

AGRICULTURE IN BRITISH HONDURAS.

The Annual Report on British Honduras for
1904 has the following note on new industries of the
colony :—

Several cacao plantations are now established in the
colony, and some are producing good crops. Whereas, a few
years ago, cacao was imported from London to supply local
requirements, it is satisfactory to note that during 1904
British Honduras was not only able to satisfy home demands
but to export the produce. Several banana growers have
taken up the cultivation of cacao. ;

In parts of the colony the soil is well adapted fois the
production of coffee. The industry, however, is still
undeveloped. A plantation in the Toledo district is the
only one of any pretensions, The planters of Mullins River
cultivate small patches of the product for their own use.

There is plenty of land in the colony capable of
producing good tobacco, but only a comparatively few people
in the northern districts pay any attention to its cultivation;
the little produced is consumed locally.

Further efforts were made during 1904 to establish
a cotton industry. Two of the largest landowners in the
north cleared and prepared about 40 acres of land for the
purpose of growing cotton, and some seed was planted. The
results were not satisfactory. Most of the seed failed to
grow, and those plants which did well were damaged by
excessive rains. Maize is produced plentifully wherever an
Tndian population is settled. It is their main article of diet

Vol. IV. No. 93.

THE AGRICULTURAL

NEWS. 351

WEST INDIAN PRODUCTS.

Drugs and Spices in the London Market.

The following report on the London drug and
spice market for the month of September has been
received from Mr. J. R. Jackson, A.L.S. :-—

In reviewing the market in drugs and spices during
the month of September, it is satisfactory to be able to
report a general upward tendency, though there was some
inclination to decline before the end of the month. With
regard to West Indian produce, the scarcity that has
prevailed for some time in grey Jamaica sarsaparilla continues,
and there is also a scarcity in West Indian tamarinds, both
of which are held at advanced prices. The following is
a summary of the position of West Indian products during
the month :—

GINGER.

At the first auction, 140 packages of Jamaica were
offered and 37 disposed of at 44s. to 47s. for fair washed,
and 42s, for good common in small bags.

On the 20th., some 150 packages of Jamaica were
offered, part of which only was disposed of at rates from
42s, 6d. to 44s. for part common. At the same sale 50 bags
of medium and small wormy washed Cochin were sold at
from 18s. 6d. to 19s. At the close of the month, the prices
for Jamaica stood as follows: good, 56s.; fair washed,
44s, 6d. to 48s.; and good common, 42s, to 43s.; while wormy
washed Cochin was partly sold at 19s. to 20s,, limed Japan
being bought in at 16s. per ewt.

NUTMEGS, MACE, AND PIMENTO,

Throughout the month, nutmegs continued very quiet,
improving slightly towards the end; the same may also be
said of mace, the quotations for which at the sale on the
20th. were: good West Indian, ls. 4d. to 1s. 7d.; fair,
ls. 2d. to Is. 3d., and pickings, 1s. to 1s. ld. Fine Penang
was bought in at this sale at 2s. 6¢. Pimento varied but
little throughout the month, the quotations being 24d. to
22d. per bb.

ARROWROOT.

At the auction on the 13th., arrowroot was in steady
demand, 286 barrels were offered, most of which was sold
at rates from Id. to Ifd. per lb. for middling to good
manufacturing St. Vincent. A week later the same quality
was offered and bought in at 2d. per Ib.

SARSAPARILLA,

At the first auction, on the 7th., there were no arrivals of
grey Jamaica, but Is. 3d. was quoted for Lima-Jamaica.
A week later 5 bales of native Jamaica only were offered,
8d. beg paid for 1 bale of middling reddish and yellow,
and 63d. to Td. for seadamaged. At the last auction,
8 bales of grey Jamaica were offered ; fair sound realizing
ls, 6d. ; slightly sea-damaged fetching the same price, and
sea-damaged, Is. 5d@. per tb. One bale of good red native
Jamaica sold at 10d., and +4 bales of pale-yellow to reddish,
realized 8d. per Ib.

TAMARINDS, KOLA NUTS, AND OIL OF LIMES.

Tamarinds were quoted at much higher rates, 18s.
per ewt. being asked for Barbados, 16s. for Antigua, and
13s. for common dark, duty paid. Twenty-five barrels of
West Indian kola nuts were offered at the sale on the 14th.,
realizing 4d. per Ib. for dark whole and halves. At the
same sale, 7 cases of dark Ceylon halves were disposed

of at the same rate. At the spice auction in the same week
25 baskets of green nuts were bought in at 3d. per Ib.
West Indian distilled oil of limes, offered in the middle of
the month, fetched 1s. 8d. per Ib.

CAPSICUMS.

With regard to the consignment of Nepaul peppers and
red chillies, recently forwarded to London by the Imperial
Commissioner of Agriculture, and referred to on p. 280 of
this volume of the Agricultural News, it may be of interest
to give the following quotations for chillies for the four
weeks of the month. On the 6th., fine Nyassaland, 37s.;
large Japan, 24s. per ewt. On the 13th., good bright red,
East Coast of Africa, 33s. 6d. On the 20th., Mombasa
chillies were bought in at from 28s. to 30s.; some fine
bright small Mombasa Capsicum chillies, without stalks,
62s.; fine red Japanese chillies 34s. On the 27th., good
bright Zanzibar and Mombasa, 28s. to 30s.

LIMA BEANS.

The Agricultural Ledger, 1905—No 2, contains
a report on the chemical examination of the seeds of
the Lima bean (Phaseolus lunatus) by Professor
Wyndham k. Dunstan, F.R.S., with introductory
information with regard to the habitat, uses, and
composition of the plant. As this plant is widely
cultivated throughout the West Indies, the following
brief abstract has been prepared :—

The Lima bean is said to be indigenous to South
America, but it has long been cultivated in most of the
warmer parts of the earth.

The legumes or pods are not used as an esculent.
The ripe seeds are eaten, and they should be cooked in the
same way as haricots or broad beans. Chemical analyses
show that they contain 20 to 21 per cent. of albuminoids
and 37 to 57 per cent. carbohydrates.

The white bean is apparently produced only by carefully
cultivated plants. In other cases the colour of the testa is
cream coloured, pink, or even purple coloured.

In Mauritius the plant is used as a green manure, and
a number of cases in which cattle had been poisoned as the
results of eating the plant have been recorded.

The poisonous action of the seed has been observed for
many years, and fatal effects have often followed the
consumption of the raw beans. Professor Dunstan’s
examination of the Mauritius beans showed that they yielded,
when the beans were ground with water, from 0:04 to 0:09 per
cent. of prussic acid, the largest amounts being found in the
dark, purple-coloured seeds, and the smallest in those with
an almost white testa. .

A further examination of beans from Burma showed
that, while these furnished less prussic acid than the
Mauritius beans, there was still sufficient to render them
undesirable for consumption.

It is urged that much harm would be done to the Indian
trade in leguminous seeds for feeding stuffs, if consignments
of poisonous beans were distributed. ‘It seems advisable,
therefore, that, if possible, the cultivators ... should
cultivate the perfectly white variety rather than the coloured
varieties.’

[It is understood that when cooked Lima beans are
a perfectly wholesome food. The above refers only to
the consumption of Lima beans in the raw state as
a food for animals. Ed. A. N.]

THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.

November 11, 1905.

MARKET REPORTS.

London,— October 13, 1905. Messrs. Kearron, Pirer &

Co.; Messrs. E. A. pg Pass & Co.; ‘THE West InpiA
Commirrree Crrcutar,’ ‘THe Liverroon Corron
AssocriaTION WEEKLY CrrcuLaR,’ October 6,
1905; and ‘THe Pupric LepGeEr,’ October 7,
1905.

Ators—Barbados, 15/- to 60/- ; Curacoa, 21/- to 60/- per ewt.

Arrowroor—St. Vincent, 1 fd. per th.

Batara—Sheet, 1/4 to 1/11 ; block, 1/3 to 1/4 per tb.

Bees’-wax—£7 12s. 6d. to £8 per ewt.

Cacao—Trinidad, 51/- to 54/- per ewt. ; Grenada, 47/-
to 51/- per ewt.

Carpamoms—Mysore, 73d. to 3/- per lb.

CorreE—Jamaica, good ordinary, 40/- to 42/- per ewt.

Corron—West Indian, medium fine, 6°00d.; West Indian
Sea Island, medium fine, 13d.; fine, 14d. ; extra fine,
153d. per th.

Frvuir
Bananas—Jamaica, 5/- to 6/- per bunch.
Grape Frourrv—11/- to 13/- per box.
Limes—-4/6 to 6/- per box.
Orancrs—Jamaica, 9/- to 11/- per box of 176-200.

Fustic—£3 5s. to £4 per ton.

Gincer—Jamaica, low middling to middling, 43/- to 48/-
per cwt.

Honty—16/6 to 24/- per ewt.

Isryctass—West Indian lump, 2/- to 2,7; cake, 1/3 to 1/4
per th.

Kora Nurs—4d. to 6d. per tb.

Lime Jvuice—Raw, %/. to 1/- per gallon; concentrated,
£16 10s. per cask of 108 gallons; hand-pressed, 2/6 to
2/9 per lb. Distilled Oil, 1,7 per tb.

Locwoon—£4 to £4 15s.; roots, £3 10s. to £4 per ton.

Mace—Fair pale, 1/4 to 1/5; dark to fair red, 1/1 to 1/5;
broken, 1/- per Tb.

Nirrate or Sopa—Agriculiural, £10 15s. per ton.

NursEcs-—57's, 2/2 ; 70’s, 1/3 ; 82’s, 10d. ; 92’s, 83d. ; 100’s,
Gd. ; 144’s, 5d. and in shell at 44d. per tb.

Pimento— Fair, 2,';d. per tb.

Rum—Demerara, 1/1 to 1/3 per proof gallon; Jamaica, 2/1
per proof gallon.

Sucar—Yellow crystals, 16/6 to 18/- per ewt. ; Muscovado,
15/- to 16/- per ewt.; Molasses, 12/- to 15,- per ewt.

SULPHATE OF AMMONTA—£12 13s. 9d. per ton.

Montreal,—September 11, 1905.—Mr. J. Russert Mur.

RAY. (In bond quotations, ec. & f.)

Cocoa-nurs— Jamaica, $23°V0 to $25°00 ; Trinidad, $20-00
to $21:00 per M.

Correr—Jamaica, medium, 10c. to 11e. per Tb.

Griycer--Jamaica, unbleached, 7c. to 10c. per tb.

Morascurt—Demerara, $1 00 per 100 th.

Mor.assks—Barbados, 3le.; Antigua, 26c. per Imperial

gallon.

Nurmecs—Grenada, 110’s, 18c. per th.

Orances—Jamaica $5°50 per barrel, duty paid.

Pimento- -Jamaica, 5c. per Tb.

Sucar —Grey erystals, 96°, $2-25 to $2°40 per 100 tb.
—Muscovados, 89°, $1:75 to $1°90 per 100 tb.
—Molasses, 89°, $1°50 to $1°65 per 100 tb.
—Barbados, 89°, $1:60 to $1°85 per 100 tb.

New York,—October 13, 1905.—Messrs. GILLEsPiE

Bros. & Co.

Bees’-wax—30he. to 3le. per tb.

Cacao—Caracas, 1l4c. to 12c.; Grenada, 1le. to 11jc.;
Trinidad, 11]}c. to 11#c.; Jamaica, 9c. per th.

Cccoa-nuts—Jamaica, and Trinidad, $28°00 to $5000
per M.

Correr—Jamaica ordinary, 8}c. to 11sec.

Grincer— Jamaica, 8e. to 9e. per tb.

Goat Skiws—Jamaica, 56c.; West Indian, 49e to 50e.
per Ib.

Grave Fruir—Jamaica, $5:00 to $7°50 per barrel ; $2°00
to $4:00 per box.

Hoxey—Jamaica, 63c. to 64e. per gallon (duty paid).

Limes—$7°00 to $8:00 per barrel.

Mace—28c. to 3le. per th.

Nurmecs—West Indian, 80’s, 2le. to 22c.; 110’s, 13h¢3
120’s 10c. to 1le per th.

Ornances—Jamaica, $3°75 to $450 per barrel.

Pimento—4ic. per th.

Prne-appeLes—4e. to 10c. each.

Sucar—Centrifugals, 96°, 3c. ; Muscovados, 89°, 3c. 3
Molasses, 89°, 23c. per tb.

INTER-COLONIAL MARKETS.

Barbados,—October 23, 1905.—Messrs. T. S. Garra-

way & Co., and Messrs. James A. Lynco & Co.

Arrowroot—St. Vincent, $4°50 per 100 th.

Cacao—$10-00 to $1100 per 100 tb.

Cocoa-yurs—$14°00 per M. for husked nuts.

Corree—$10°50 to $11°00 per 100 th.

Hay—95e. to $1:00 per 100 th.

Manvures—-Nitrate of soda, $65-00 ; Ohlendorff’s dissolved
guano, $55:00 ; Cotton manure, $48°00 ; Sulphate of
ammonia, $75°00; Sulphate of potash, $67-00 per ton.

Oxtons—Madeira, $4:00 per 100 tb.

Poratos, ExcrisH—Novya Scotia, $3-00 to $3°60 per 160 th.

Rice—Ballam, $4°20 to $475 per bag (190 tb.) ; Patna,
$2°86 to $3°20; Seeta, $3°10 to $3°26; Rangoon,
$2°50 to $2°55 per 100 tb.

British Guiana,—October 22, 1905.—Messrs. WrETING

& LUcHTER.

Arrowroot—St. Vincent, $8°C0 per barrel.
Batara—Venezuela block, 25c. ; Demerara sheet, 38c. per th.
Cacao—Native, 1]4c. per tb.

Cassava SrarcH—$5°50 per barrel.

Cocos-Nuts—$10°00 to $12°00 per M.

CorreE—Creole, 14c. per th.

Duat— $35°90 per bag of 168 th.

Eppors—72c. to 88c. per barrel.

Ontons—Tenerife, lfc. to 2c. ; Madeira, 3c. to 4c. per tb.

Priantatws—-12e. to 52c. per bunch.

Poratos, ENGLIsH—le. to ]¢e. per tb. retail.

Poratos, Swert—Barbados, 8c. per bag.

Rice—Ballam, $4°30 to $4:40 per 177 tbh. ; Creole, $4:10
to $4°20 per bag. (ex store).

Sexir Peas—$5°90 to 36-00 per bag (210 th.).

Tannias—$1-44 per barrel.

Yams—White, $2°16 ; Buck, $1-92 per bag.

Svucar—Dark crystals, $1°85 to $2°10; Yellow, $2-75
to $2°80; White, $4°00 to $410; Molasses, $2°00 to
$2°10 per 100 tb. (retail).

Timber—Greenheart, 32c. to 55c. per cubic foot.

WaALLABA SHINGLES—$8'00, $3°75, and $5°25 per M.

Trinidad,— October 23, 1905.—Messrs. Gorpon, Grant

& Co. ; and Messrs. Epcar Trrpep & Co.

Cacao—Ordinary to good red, $11°25 to $11°50; estates,
$11-25 to $11°75 per fanega (110 lb.); Venezuelan,
$11°25 to $11-60 per fanega

Cocoa-NutTs—$21-00 per M., f o.b

Cocoa-Nurv Om—67ec. per Imperial gallon (casks included),

Corra— $2-95 to $3-00 per 100 th.

Dani—-$3°20 to $3-25 per bag.

Ontons—Stringed, $1°80 to $2°25 per 100 tb. (retail).

Poratos, ExerisH—90c. to $1°00 per 100 th.

Rice—Yellow, $4°25 to $4°60 ; White, $4°50 to $5°60 per
bac.

Serir Peas—$5-20 per bag.

Sucar—White crystals, $4:00 to $4:°50; Yellow crystals,
$2 75 to $300 per 100 tb.

THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.

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(18) Recipes for cooking West Indian Yams. Price 2d. Price 4d.

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A FORTNIGHTLY REVIEW

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Vou. IV. No. 94.

BARBADOS, NOVEMBER 25, 1905.

Price ld.

CONTENTS.
PAGE. PAGE,
Agricultural Education m Grape Fruit and Shad-

Jamaica ... ... >
Agricultural Show in the
Virgin Islands... ...
Arbor Day at Tobago

Barbados Banana Indus-

WEY ons ped 008
Bermuda, Economic
Jeans) ih Gag cdo wdeo
British Honduras Fruit
Trade

Cacao, Grafting
Cacao, Wet and Dry

Cassava Trials in Jamaica 3
Cayman Islands, Exports 3

Chinese Bananas at

Grenada ... ...
Citrons, Candied ...
Cocoa-nuts,
Cotton Notes :—

Applying Paris Green 3:
2

Carriacou 6:2 4006
Picking Cotton ...
Sea Island Cotton
Prospects... ..
Sea Island seed ...
Forwarding diseased

. 06D

36d

. 363

Selection of 365

Plants and Insects ... 566

Gleanings

| West Indian Bulletin

. OOF
. 362

docks
Honey, Jainaica
Insect Notes :—
Bananas and Mosquitos 362
Fruit Fly and its Natural

Enemies ... . , 362
Mangos in England , B56
Market Reports », 368
Montserrat, Soils of . 361
Notes and Comments . 360
Science Notes :—

Akee Tree moe en oOo

Monstera deliciosa , o09
Sisal Hemp in Caicos

Tslands 363

Straits Settlements, Agri-
culture in...
Strawberry Culture in
Cuba .. a :
Sugar-cane Experiments
at Barbados vee OD
Sugar Industry in Fiji ... 35
Vanilla Cultivation in
Mexico sess
West Indian Agricultural
Conference, 1906 ... 360
. 361
West Indian Products in
Canada <aainern eee) Obs;

307

Barbados Banana Industry.

Ps

November 15 a deputation of banana
growers at Barbados was received by
Mr. Owen Philipps, the Chairman of the

of expressing their views in connexion with the
shipment of bananas to the United Kingdom.

The Hon. Sir Daniel Morris, K.C.M.G.,_ briefly
introduced the deputation and invited the Hon. F. J.
Clarke, the Chairman of the deputation, to lay before
Mr. Philipps the present position as affecting the
banana growers.

Mr. F. J. Clarke stated that the deputation desired
to place before the Chairman of the Royal Mail
Company certain points in connexion with the
shipment of bananas from Barbados. The total
shipments for the year, so far, were something like
40,000 bunches, which showed that the banana industry
was increasing and full of promise. Under favourable
circumstances next year the shipments might reach
100,000 bunches.

Great difficuity had been experienced, in the
early stages of the industry, owing to the fact that,
during the summer months, with the conditions then
existing on the Royal Mail steamers, the bananas were
frequently spoiled in transit. The company had been
good enough, on the suggestion of the Imperial
Commissioner of Agriculture, to install the Hall’s cold-
storage system on the ‘Trent’ and ‘Tagus. Recently
the ‘Orinoco’ had been similarly fitted, and they
understood that the installation of a fruit chamber had
been commenced on the ‘ Atrato.’ The ‘ La Plata’ had
no accommodation whatever for carrying fruit. This
meant that planters had lost, and were steadily losing,
money by their shipments of bananas in the latter

vessel,

THE

AGRICULTURAL NEWS.

NoyEMBER 25, 1905.

In consequence, shippers endeavoured to send
as many bunches as they could by the ‘Tagus’ and
‘Trent’ and now also by the beeause they
were fitted with cold-storage chambers. If, however,
owing to the fact that the Royal Mail Company was
directly interested in the new fruit industry at Trinidad,
the steamers came to with their
chambers more or less filled, the result’ would be that
Barbados fruit would be shut out, and if placed in
ordinary holds the fruit would spoil. had
perseveringly worked up the industry for three years,
they selected and packed the fruit with great care, and
they were that, suitable

‘Orinoco,

Barbados cool

The growers
with

certain transport

accommodation, it would prove a paying one. Failing
an assurance from the Chairman that the company

would set apart a definite amount of space for Barbados
bananas, they desired to know whether the British
West Indian Fruit Co., Ltd., would be prepared to
buy the bananas locally, and at what price.

In replying, Mr. Owen Philipps expressed his
pleasure at meeting so representative a gathering of
He said that the matters that had
been laid before him would receive the consideration
that such weighty deserved. The
space available on the mail steamers for carrying
bananas was limited.

banana growels.
representations

It was, therefore, the company’s
intention, while utilizing some of the space for fruit
from Trinidad and some of the other islands, to afford
Barbados as large a share as possible.

With the mentioned — by
Mr. Clarke that the transatlantic passenger steamers
might cease to call at Barbados, Mr. Philipps assured
the deputation that such a matter liad never been
under consideration. The British West Indian Fruit
Co., Ltd. which was a subsidiary company of the
Royal Mail Steam Packet Co., did not intend to limit
its operations to Trinidad, and it would be prepared to
consider proposals for handling the fruit from Barbados.
He thought the most satisfactory way would be for
the company to lay before the deputation definite
proposals, for communication to the growers, who could
then consider the
could be

regard to rumour

whether
satisfactory to

an<d
arrived at

suggestions see
arrangements

both parties,

The Royal Mail Co. was prepared at once to fit
Hall's on the remaining mail
steamers and on three of the new cargo boats within
about six months or less. In each of the latter they
woulda provide from 1,000 to 1,500 tons of refrigerated
space. He repeated his promise to reserve a fair
amount of the

cold-storage system

accommodation on present mail

steamers for Barbados fruit, but what the exact
amount of space would be, he could not state until he

had had an opportunity of going fully into the matter.

In reply to a vote of thanks for his courtesy
discussing with the deputation the points put forward,
Mr. Philipps said it had given him much pleasure to
meet the deputation, as it was important that every
advantage should be taken of opportunities for
and removing difficulties. The banana
industry at Barbados, he was convinced, was one that
could be earried on profitably.

discussing

SUGAR

INDUSTRY.

see

| Fiji.

The following information in regard to the sugar
industry in Fiji is extracted from an article in the
International Sugar Journal :—

Great improvements have been effected in the Fiji mills,
and most of them have been rebuilt several times over to
keep their machinery up-to-date, and the whole generally in
the line of progress. The addition of two extra rollers to
the three in use in the first mills, and the substitution of the
nine-roller mill for the latter, effected an approximate saving
of 20 per cent. in juice extraction. More recently still,
twelve-roller mills have been installed, and improved chop-
ping and shredding apparatus and hot water maceration have
also cut off substantial losses.

If the methods of growing in vogue in the Fiji sugar
fields were as advanced as those of milling, the industry
would be an infinitely more lucrative one. As it is, the
acreage productions and the net profit per acre are but
a fraction of those obtained in Hawaii, in spite of the fact
that the planters of the latter islands pay three and four
times as much for labour no more efficient than that
employed by the Fijian planter. With far more surface
water to draw from, and with coal much cheaper for pumping,
should that be necessary, irrigation in Fiji, as compared
with Hawaii, is but little practised. Nor “has scientific
fertilization in Fiji been brought to the point it should

have. Hence it is that her planters have had, so far, to
content themselves with a maximum acreage production
barely in excess of 3 tons, the value of which, say,

£50, is £10 less than the average sum expended on each
acre of one of the big Hawaiian plantations for fertilization
and irrigation alone. How well this latter expenditure is
justified is shown by the fact that the average acreage
production of the plantation in question is 10} tons, with
a maximum production of 16 tons to the acre on the best
land.

In Fiji the custom of ‘ratooning’ (leaving the field to
a volunteer growth from the old root) for a number of
successive seasons—a procedure also in vogue in Queens-

land—is not in line with the best Hawaiian practice. There,
if a ‘ratoon’ field is not deemed capable of producing

30 tons of cane (the equivalent of 3 or 4 tons of sugar) to
the acre, it is torn up, and ‘plant’ set out. This is more
expensive of course, but it has been justified by its success.

Vout. IV. No. 94.

THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.

35D

SUGAR-CANE EXPERIMENTS AT BARBADOS.

At a meeting of the Barbados Agricultural
Sosiety held on November 3, Mr. J. R. Bovell, F.LS.,
F.C.\S., read a paper on the results of the experiments
with sugar-cane carried on at Barbados under the
direction of the Imperial Department of Agriculture
during the season 1903-5. The experiments consisted
of two series, (1) experiments with seedling and other
canes, and (2) manurial experiments.

The following is a brief summary of the portion of
Mr. Bovell’s paper dealing with the experiments with
varieties :-—

In selecting seedling canes the most important
characters are taken into consideration in determining

their value. With regard to the field characters, these
are: (1) germinating power, (2) behaviour under extremes
of dryness and moisture, (3) habit of the cane, that is,
whether upright or recumbent, (4) power of resisting
the attacks of insects and fungi, (5) period of growth,
(6) productive power, (7) weight of tops per acre, (8) ratoon-
ing power; there are also the factory characters, viz.,
(9) milling quality, that is, whether the canes are tough or
brittle, (10) fuel-producing property, depending on the per-
centage of fibre in the cane, (11) relative percentage of
expressible juice, that is, the juiciness or dryness of the cane,
(12) the richness of the juice, (13) the purity of the juice.

The rainfall in December 1903 and January 1904 being
good, the cane cuttings, on the whole, germinated regularly,
and an excellent stand was obtained at an early time.
During what is usually the dry season, that is, from February
to the end of May, showery weather was experienced and
when the rainy season set in at the beginning of June, the
canes were in such a condition as to benefit readily by the
rain. As the weather was favourable they made considerable
progress during June, July, August, and September, but in
October a drought set in, and from then until January, the
rainfall was much below the average. January was, on the
whole, fairly showery, but from then until the end of the
reaping season practically little rain fell. In spite, however,
of the limited rainfall during the last three months of 1904,
the canes continued to grow, due, probably, to the fact
that the soil had been thoroughly saturated at an early
time, consequently the crop was not much below the
average. The effect of the dry weather, however, seemed, to
some extent, to increase the root disease, and he regretted
to say that in many of the cane experiment plots the canes
were attacked by this disease.

Among the plant canes on both black- and red-soil
estates, B. 1,529 had given the best results in the season
under review. On the average, in the two districts, it gave
1,603 Ib. of saccharose per acre more than the White
Transparent. In the black soils the yield as plant canes was
1,749 tb. more, on the average, than that of the White
Transparent, and on red soils 1,439 tb. As ratoons, however,
on the black soils it gave, on the ayerage, 693 tb., and on the
red soils 597 tb., less than the White Transparent.

; The next cane which gave the best results on both black
and red soils was B. 208; B. 379 came next, and then
B. 376 ; the White Transparent came fifth.

To compare the canes just mentioned with one another
on both black- and red-soil estates as regards the pounds of
saccharose per acre, stated in terms of money at the
average price at which sugar and molasses sold this year,

and assuming that 80 per cent. of saccharose was recovered
as merchantable sugar together with its molasses:
B. 1,529 had, on the average, given 7,402 tb. of saccharose
per acre, B. 208, 6,744 Ib. per acre, and the White Trans-
parent, 5,799 Ib. per acre. B. 1,529 had thus given a yield
of nearly 28 per cent., and B. 208, 16 per cent. more
than the White Transparent. To express this in money
value, B. 1,529 had given $26-41 per acre, and B. 208, $15:57
per acre, more than the White Transparent. In the case of
ratoons, on eight estates (six in the black soils and two in
the red soils), B. 208 had given $2°58 more than the White
Transparent, but, on the other hand, B. 1,529 gave $14:02
less. With plant canes on the black-soil estates, B. 147 gave
1,939 tb. of saccharose, B. 1,529, 1,749 Ib. saccharose, B. 208,
711 tb. saccharose per acre, more than the White Transparent.
Expressed in money value, the return from B. 147 was
$3195, B. 1,529, $28°82, and B. 208, $11°71 per acre more
than the White Transparent. Another cane of promise, of
which the cultivation had been extended on a few estates in
the black soils, was B. 376, the average of this cane in the
black soils being $3°93 per acre more than the White Trans-
parent. With regard to first ratoons, of those in the black
soils, B. 208 gave $8°18 more per acre than the White Trans-
parent, but B. 376 gave 45°23, and B. 1,529, $11°42 less than
the White Transparent. As plant canes, on the average on
three estates in the red soils, B. 208 gave sugar to the value
of $32°32, B. 1,529, $23:71, and B. 376, $10°31 more than the
White Transparent, but, on the other hand, as first ratoons
on two estates in the red soils, the White Transparent gave
$1627 more than B. 208, $2°85 more than B. 376, and
$885 more than B. 1,529. With regard to the White
Transparent as first ratoons in the red soils giving sugar
to the value of $16°27 more than B. 208, it may not be
without interest to state that the monetary return from
the ratoons of the White Transparent, if deducted from the
monetary return of the sugar from the plants of B. 208
would still leave, on the average, a profit of $16°05 for the
two years, or $8-02 per acre per annum.

Taking the average for the past two seasons, the White
Transparent came out eightieth on the list, and the planters’
old friend, the Bourbon, still lower with 1,684 tb. of
saccharose per acre, even less than the White Transparent,

Mr. Bovell called attention to new canes like B. 1,753,
which had given saccharose at the rate of 11,516 tb. per acre,
B. 3,289 at the rate of 10,705 tb. per acre, B. 1,030 at the
rate of 10,485 Ib. per acre, B. 1,355 at the rate of 10,302 hb.
per acre, B, 6,048 at the rate of 10,102 Ib. per acre, B. 3,696
at the rate of 9,828 tb. per acre, while the White Transparent
for the same two years had given 6,452 th. of saccharose per
acre. The glucose per gallon of these canes was also
satisfactory, the lowest, in the case of B. 1,030, being -044 hb.
per gallon with 2-015 tb. saccharose per gallon, and B. 1,753
contained °055 tb. glucose per gallon with 1:°968 tb. of
saccharose per gallon, while the White Transparent contained
083 Tb. glucose per gallon with 1:903 tb. saccharose per
gallon.

Referring to B. 147, Mr. Bovell stated that on one
estate this cane, as plant cane, had given 320 fb. per acre of
merchantable sugar more than the White Transparent.
On the same estate there had been reaped as ratoons for the
past two years an average of 44 acres of B. 147, and this
cane had given 599 Ib. more saccharose per acre than the
White Transparent. ;

356 THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.

NovEMBER 25, 1905.

MANGOS IN ENGLAND.

As already stated in the Agricultural News (Vol. 1V,
p. 196), some of the Trinidad mangos sent to the Colonial
Exhibition were forwarded to His Majesty the King. It is
stated in the Trinidad Bulletin of Miscellaneous Information
that smaller lots were also sent to Sir William Thiselton-
Dyer, K.C.M.G., and the late Mr. Thomas Christy, who
have testified to the excellent condition of the fruit.

Similar fruits were sent to Messrs. Monro, of Covent
Garden Market, and reported upon as having no market
value, ‘as those really appreciating good qualities of the
mango are few and far between.’

The Editor of the Bulletin therefore suggests that
efforts be made to make mangos better known in Great
Britain. ‘Once known, a market, and a good market too,
will assuredly open.’ While it is impossible for Trinidad
to maintain, at the present time, a constant supply, it
is thought that in a short time, judging by the large
numbers of grafted plants bought annually at the
Experiment Station, the supply of the market in mangos
will eventually be feasible.

CHINESE BANANAS AT GRENADA.

The following extract from a letter from the
Agricultural Superintendent, Grenada, to the Imperial
Commissioner of Agriculture deals with the number of
Chinese banana plants in the island of Grenada :—

T have the honour to inform you that, in accordance
with your wishes, | have made, to the best of my ability at
such short notice, a census of Chinese banana plants in this
island. Asa result, I estimate that there are 30,000 plants
in the island at least, and the Agricultural Instructor agrees
with me in thinking that this is an underestimate rather
than an over-estimate.

In St. George’s and St. Patrick’s, where there are
Barbadian settlements, the Chinese is the usual banana
planted by the peasants, and Mr. Nixon, at Annandale
estate, claims to have in his neighbourhood 15,000 plants,
which you will note is half the total number im the island.

Parish. Number of Plants.

St. George sas aor oo --» 17,550

St. Paul 3,330

St. David 1,900
St. John 1,700
St. Patrick 365 ite es a 4,950
St. Mark ae wale Ste ane 500
St. Andrew Bs ate Aco Ree

Totall re goo, SLE BY)

CANDIED CITRONS.

Under the title of ‘How to make commercial
candied citron, the Journal of the Jamaica Agri-
cultural Society gives the following recipe :—

Cut the fruit into halves or quarters, according to its
size, put it in a tub or cask of brine, having first cleaned
out the pulp, and leave it for a month, then renew the salt
water, and let the citron lie in it for four or five months, or
as long as you choose; this long process is necessary to
eliminate the bitter principle from the rind, which it is
otherwise impossible to remove entirely.

Next boil the fruit in fresh water until a fork will
easily pass through it ; it usually takes about an hour and
a half to reach this point. Then put it in cold fresh water,
to remain there for at least twenty-four hours, when it will
have turned to that light-green colour which we have learned
to associate with candied citron.

The next step is to drain the fruit, place it in earthern

javs and pour over it hot syrup of white sugar of 20° saech-

avometer ; cover it entirely, and let it stand for three weeks,
but the syrup must be poured off twice a week, boiled,
skimmed, and more sugar added each time until the syrup is
a little thicker than it was at the first boiling; turn it back
oyer the fruit at boiling point. The three weeks having elapsed,
put the citron in a vessel containing the syrup with all the
sugar it can dissolve ; let it boil for ten minutes, and then
for twenty-four hows keep it near the boiling point without
letting it reach it, then boil if again until no more sugar
can be taken up.

The proportion of sugar absorbed in this process is
about 80 tb. to 100 tb, of citron rind. The boiling completed,
the rvinds are spread on wire netting and dried, either in the
sun, or, which is a far superior method, in an evaporator,

Use of Bone Meal. The use of bone meal is made
very difficult owing to its slow solubility. By means of an
invention (German patent) of Dr. E. Meusel, in Liegnitz,
the bone meal can be made into an iron preparation which
will make it more soluble, as is the case with Thomas slag.
The invention has as its basis the fact that phosphate of lime
with solutions of chloride, sulphate, or nitrate of iron changes
into phosphate of iron, with the formation of chloride, phos-
phate or nitrate of calcium. Then there is added a concen-
trated solution of an iron oxide salt. In a little while the
mass becomes solid. The resulting nitrate or chloride of
calcium is washed out with preparations of chlorides or
nitrates. The finely pulverized phosphate is very easily
soluble in slightly acid solutions and also in certain salt
solutions, (U.S. Monthly Consular Reports tor July.)

Vou. IV. No. 94.

THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS. 3

7

Or

GRAPE FRUIT AND SHADDOCKS.

The latest issue of the West Indian Bulletin
(Vol. VI, no. 3) contains an article on grape fruit and
shaddocks, composed of popular notes written for
several journals by Sir Daniel Morris in 1896 and
1897. ‘The following summary of this article is hkely
to be of interest :—

There is little doubt that much confusion exists as to
what is really grape fruit as distinct from the allied citrus
fruits passing under such names as pumelow (invariably
spelled pomelo in the United States), shaddock, forbidden
fruit, paradise fruit, and others. These fruits are all, or
nearly all, larger than the largest orange, and they are
uniformly of a pale-yellow colour. In texture the rind may
be smooth or even polished. It
is seldom rough, nearly always
firm and not very thick, The
pulp is pale-yellow or greenish-
white, sometimes pink or crimson.
The juice bags of the pulp are
more distinct than in the orange ;
very juicy, somewhat sweetish,
with a distinct, but agreeable,
bitter flavour. In shape these
fruits vary a good deal. Some
are quite globular, others some-
what flattened at the top and
tapering below, forming a pear-
shaped body.

These fruits have been
ranged under the giant citrus
Fic. 24. Grape Fruir. (Citrus decumana). This is

supposed to be a native of the
islands of the Pacific. It was introduced into the West
Indies from China about 150 years ago by Captain Shaddock,
in compliment to whom, since that time, the fruit has always
been known in this part of the world as shaddock. The
term shaddock may be correctly applied to any of the larger
members of the giant citrus. The word pumelow, so widely
used in India and Ceylon, is supposed to be a contraction
of pomum melo, the melon apple.

All the larger-fruited sorts may, then, be called either
shaddocks or pumelows: these are merely the western and
eastern names for the same thing and are perfectly inter-
changeable. There are two well-marked varieties, one being
globose, with the flesh of a pale-pink colour, and the other
pear-shaped, usually with a deep-pink or crimson pulp.

As regards the small-fruited sorts, these, according to
Dr. James Macfadyen, the author of the Vora of Jamaica,
may be either globose, when they are called forbidden fruit,
or pear-shaped, when grape fruit (so called because the fruits
grow in clusters like a bunch of grapes) is the older name.
The name forbidden fruit (from a fancied connexion with
the Garden of Eden) is tolerably old in the West Indies.

As usually happens, when a name has become familiar
in commerce, it is eventually applied in a much wider sense
than the original one. Thus, the term grape fruit has
become so general that any moderately large fruit, provided
the skin is pale-yellow, thin, and smooth, and the pulp of
a delicate flavour, is designated by it. The fruit commonly
called grape fruit in New York is really the forbidden fruit
of the West Indies. The true grape fruit is pear-shaped,
and, according to Macfadyen, when obtainable at its best, is
preferable to the forbidden fruit. The latter are in great
demand, and they are regarded as the most refreshing and
wholesome of any of the citrus family.

The grape fruit is not a shaddock nora pumelow. It
is quite a distinct fruit and possesses exceptional merits.
It is in great demand in America chiefly because it has been
so highly recommended by the medical faculty for its
valuable dietetic and tonic qualities. It is also very refresh-
ing and is regarded as a specific for dyspepsia.

There are, doubtless, many inferior sorts of grape fruit.
In fact, in the West Indies, the plants have been allowed to
run almost wild. No care has been taken to select the best
varieties, or to bud or graft them, so as to keep them
uniformly at a high standard. There is no need to grow the
thick-skinned and bitter sorts, and those with a dry, cottony
pulp, while there are varieties, both of the apple-shaped and
pear-shaped fruits, with a silky skin, full of juice, and of
a most delightful flavour, with just enough bitter to give it
piquancy and suggest its valuable tonic qualities.

STRAWBERRY CULTURE IN CUBA.

In an article in the Agricultural News (Vol. III,
p- 55) reference was made to the cultivation of
strawberries in the West Indies. It was mentioned
that it had been proved possible to obtain crops of
strawberries even at sea-level. In the following extract
from the U. S. Monthly Consular Reports for
June, a grower of these fruits in Cuba gives his
experiences :—

When I started with my plants last fall, I had an old
bed of 1,000 plants and several thousand runners which
they had made. I set to work to prepare the ground very
carefully for the runners, selecting a piece of the chocolate
land, as it held moisture and seemed best suited. Former
experience had shown me that the red land was too porous
and the plants would be too dry. After the land was
ploughed and harrowed several times in order to pulverize it
as much as possible, I mixed in some good commercial
fertilizer and let it lie for a time in order that it should get
thoroughly mixed with the soil. Then I had the land
carefully ridged up and on these ridges set the plants.

I had previously ordered a few thousand plants from
the United States; but as these got through in bad condition,
there was only a small part left to set with my own
runners. Previous experience had taught me to expect more
from the native runners than from any new plants ordered,
so I kept working them carefully, resetting where they did
not live, and finally had on my # acre a fair stand.

In order to get this good stand I was very particular to
protect the new-set plants in the rows by means of grass
and palm leaves. As they commenced to grow and get
accustomed to the change, the covering was gradually
removed. In January 1905, they commenced to bear, but
the bearers were mostly native runners and the plants in my
old bed. They have continued to bear up to date, which is
the fifth month. During a long, dry spell in the winter they
were carefully watered and tended and fertilizer applied as
needed. The expenses for them have been about as follows:
Commercial fertilizer, $108 ; labour, $150; crates and baskets,
$45 ; express on fruit, $80; total, $403. The berries found
a ready market in Havana, selling for 30c. and 40c. per
quart. Up to date I have sold $1,000 worth of berries, with
a net profit of $597. This seems to be a fair return from
the amount of money and labour expended.

I consider my old bed of greater value for the coming
season than it has been in the past. The older plants are
the better bearers, and I have picked as many as twenty-four
berries from a single plant.

THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.

NovemsBer 25, 1905,

S./

mem

APPLYING PARIS GREEN TO COTTON.

The Agricultural Superintendent at St. Kitt’s-
Nevis writes to the Imperial Commissioner of
Agriculture as follows in reference to the application
of Paris green to cotton :—

On one or two estates some little damage has been done
owing to the planters not following the advice of the
Department in mixing the Paris green and lime in the
proportions of 1 Ib, to 6 Tb. of lime, but using instead 1 Ib. to
15, and 20 1b. of lime, which did not kill the worm. They
all now see their mistake, and will, Iam sure, use the right
mixture in the future.

PICKING COTTON FULLY RIPE.

In a recent letter received by the Imperial Com-
missioner of Agriculture, Mr. E. Lomas Oliver (who
takes the keenest interest in the success of West
Indian cotton) writes, under date of October 24, as
follows :—

Further to my letter of October 22, will you allow me,
now that the picking season is coming on, to suggest that
you impress once more the vital necessity of picking the
cotton fully ripe. Last season showed a very great improve-
ment in this respect, but there is still something left to be
desired. I hope all overseers will specially watch their
pickers in this respect. If they do, the greater brilliancy of
West Indian cotton will ensure a preference being given to
West Indian over South Carolina cotton.

SEA ISLAND COTTON PROSPECTS.
The following is a copy of a letter from Messrs.
Wolstenholme & Holland, of Liverpool, England, to the
Imperial Commissioner of Agriculture for the West
Indies, dated October 19, 1905, in reference to the
state of the Sea Island cotton market :—

A fair business has been done during the past month
in Sea Island descriptions, and prices are well maintained.

The advices from America respecting the Sea Island
crop state that in Florida prospects are unfavourable, owing
to bad weather, and while reports are better from Georgia,
it is likely that less cotton will be made. In Carolina it is
not expected there will be much change from last year.
Crop estimates range from 85,000 to 90,000 bales.

Georgias have been in good demand, and all offerings
have been readily taken, about 10} at 103. Floridas have
only been dealt in to a limited extent, owing to the small
receipts. Carolinas are held for full prices.

We incline to think that present prices will be main-
tained for some time, as factors are not disposed to accept
any material decline.

MU

COTTON AT CARRIACOU.

The following letter from the Commissioner of
Carriacou to the Imperial Commissioner of Agriculture,
dated October 27, contains information as to the acreage
in cotton in Carriacou :—

Owing to the late planting season this year I have not
been able before to give you the information desired in your
letter of June 19 last, with respect to the acreage of
Sea Island and Marie Galante cotton planted at Carriacou
for the crop of 1906. As all cotton fields are now well
established, I can, with tolerable certainty, estimate the
acreage of Sea Island cotton at 200 acres (of which about
60 acres belong to peasant landholders) and Marie Galante
at 3,000 acres. The latter is entirely grown on the Metayer
system.

The Sea Island cotton fields are all in vigorous growth
and bolling freely ; the yield should therefore be quite up to
the average of other cotton-growing islands in the West
Indies. It is, however, difficult to estimate the probable
yield from the Marie Galante fields, as, except in the case
of the government allottees, most of the trees are ten and
twelve years old, from which a very small return of inferior,
short-staple cotton is usually obtained.

SEA ISLAND COTTON SEED.

The following is extracted from an article in the
Yotton Trade Journal of Savannah, Georgia, for
May 13, 1905, relative to the sale of seed in the Sea
Islands of South Carolina :—

A great deal has already been said concerning the
movement by the Sea Island planters to stop the sale of seed
to competitive growers. It is now authoritatively announced
that a close corporation of all the planters on the islands has
been formed to carry out the object in view.

Intelligent opinion in the Sea Island trade is entirely in
sympathy with the island planters; they are considered
justified in seeking to protect themselves. On many of the
West India Islands it is found that Sea Island cotton of
a quality and staple nearly, if not quite, up to ‘Carolinas’
can be grown, provided they can obtain ‘Carolina’ or
‘Islands’ seed.

It may, however, be mentioned that the West
Indies are now practically independent of South
Corolina in the matter of Sea Island cotton seed, as the
selected seed produced in these colonies is as good as,
if not better than, that raised in the Sea Islands
themselves,

Vol. IV. No. 94.

THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.

359

SCIENCE NOTES.

Monstera deliciosa.

The Gardeners’ Chronicle mentions that fruits of
Monstera deliciosa have been on sale at Covent Garden.
‘We are informed that the fruits are trom Portugal, and are
sent in small boxes which realize 12s. to 18s. per box.
They were labelled ‘Pine-tree fruits,” possibly because the
flavour of the fruit has some resemblance to that of the
pine-apple.’

This plant, a native of Mexico, belongs to the same
natural order as the tanniers, viz., Aroideae. It has a climb-
ing habit with aerial roots. The flower is surrounded by
a deciduous spathe. The succulent fruits are edible and
have a delicate flavour somewhat resembling that of the
pine-apple.

Fruiting plants of Jfonstera deliciosa are to be seen in
most of the West Indian Botanic Stations into which they
were introduced many years ago.

Akee Trees.

It may be of interest to mention that the akee tree
(Blighia sapida) is not of very common occurrence in
Barbados and some of the other West India Islands. It is
very abundant in Jamaica, where the fruit is a very popular
article of diet ; in fact, salt fish and akees form one of the
most common breakfast dishes among all classes in that
island. There is a prejudice against its use on account
of some danger from poisoning. When, however, the fruit
is properly and carefully prepared, there need be no fear on
this account. It is considered probable that cases of poison-
ing have been due to eating decayed fruits. _

The akee belongs to the natural order Sapundaceae and
is a native of tropical West Africa. It is a small tree,
reaching a height of about 30 feet. The fruit is fleshy, of
a three-sided form, with a reddish-yellow colour, about
3 inches in length and 2 inches in width; when ripe it splits
down the middle of each side, exposing three shining black
seeds, which are partly covered with a white substance
known as the aril. This is the edible portion of the fruit.

The tree was introduced into the West Indies from
Africa by Captain Blyth.

ECONOMIC PLANTS IN BERMUDA.

N. L. Britton, Director of the New York
Botanical Garden, contributes an interesting article
to the garden’s Journal on a visit to Bermuda in
September. He makes the following reference to the
cultivated plants of Bermuda and to the work of the
Botanic Gardens :—

The exotic plants of Bermuda include a very great
variety of species from tropical and sub-tropical lands, most
of them growing luxuriantly and including many notable
and instructive ‘examples. This already great variety will
doubtless be increased through the work of the recently
established experimental garden, now under the able
management of Mr. T. J. Harris, who brings to it, from his
former duties in the Department of Public Gardens and
Plantations of Jamaica, wide experience and critical know-
ledge of tropical agriculture and horticulture. The exportable
products of the island, now mainly potatos, onions, lily bulbs,
and arrowroot, will be improved and their cultivation made
more sucessful, and other elements will be added through
scientific experimentation and suggestion.

AGRICULTURE IN THE STRAITS SETTLE-
MENTS.

The following notes on the agricultural industries
of the Straits Settlements are Contained in the Annwal
Report on the colony for 1904 :—

In Singapore the area under cultivation of pine-apples
continues to increase, and a good deal of old land, abandoned
since the days of gambier cultivation, has now been put
under pine-apples,

A few Para rubber estates were started recently in the
island, but it is hardly likely that these will increase to any
great extent, as there is not much land suited for this
cultivation, In Province Wellesley and Malacca, however,
there is a marked increase in rubber cultivation, and still
more so in the Federated Malay States. The area under
cultivation now in the peninsula is very large and the
prepared rubber is in great demand by the home manufac-
turers, the best samples having taken the highest price ever
paid in 1904, viz., 6s. 1}d. per tb. An extensive series of
experiments was carried out last year in the Botanic Gardens
to discover improved methods of tapping and preparing
rubber. The indigo cultivation in Singapore has dwindled
away considerably. In fact, only a few fields are left. Very
few of the dyeing houses now remain.

Cocoa-nut plantations continue to flourish in Penang
and Province Wellesley, where some additional hundreds of
acres were put under cultivation in 1904. In Singapore also
a small increase was observable, but several of the older
sinall plantations have been abandoned chiefly because of the
demand for building land.

The cultivation of pepper in Singapore has remained
practically stationary. Citronella grass has increased a little.
The cultivation of nutmegs and cloves in Penang was normal,
but prices were adversely affected by large West Indian
supplies. There has been a large increase in vegetable
cultivation. The rice and fruit crops in Malacca were both
good. Further attempts were made to grow cotton in the
colony, but it does not seem to have been really successful
anywhere, and is never likely to be an important product of
this country. Reports as to the failure of the beet crops had
a stimulating effect on the sugar industry of Province
Wellesley and Perak, very remunerative prices being received
towards the end of the year.

GRAFTING CACAO.

Mr. J. Jones, Curator of the Botanic Station at
Dominica, has forwarded the following note in regard
to experiments in grafting cacao:—

Mention was made in the Agricultural News (Vol. IV,
p. 244) that the alligator cacao (Theobroma pentagona) had
been grafted on stocks of the tiger cacao (Theobroma bicolor)
at the Dominica Botanic Station.

The grafted plants were placed out under the usual
conditions, but up to the present, four months after grafting,
no growth has been recorded on any of the plants, neither is
there likely to be any. Iam sending one of the plants for
you to note the curious development of what were formerly
buds. It is evident that Zheobroma bicolor is not suitable as
a stock for Theobroma pentagona and possibly other commer-
cial kinds of cacao.

At the same time as the above experiment was tried,
shoots of Theobroma pentagona were grafted on stocks of
Theobroma Cacao, forastero variety. These plants are making
nice growth. The forastero variety will, I think, make good
stock on which to graft the alligator cacao.

360 THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.

NovEMBER 25, 1905

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 3 of the cover.

The Agricultural News: Price 1d. per number,
post free 1}d. Annual subscription payable to Agents,
2s. 2d. Post free, 3s, 3d.

Agricultural slows

No. 94.

Vout. IV. SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 1905.

NOTES AND COMMENTS.

Contents of Present Issue.

The editorial in this issue is devoted to the
question of transport for bananas from Barbados to the
United Kingdom.

A summary of the report on the experiments with
the varieties of canes, carried out under the direction of
the Imperial Department of Agriculture at Barbados
during the season 1904-5, is published on p. 355.

A short article on grape fruit and shaddocks
appears on p. 357. This is followed by a note on
growing strawberries in Cuba.

Various notes of interest to cotton growers will be
found on p. 358.

The insect notes on p. 362 deal with (1) the
species of mosquitos commonly found in England, and
(2) the matter of the search for the natural enemies of
the fruit fly.

A very successful agricultural show was held at
the Experiment Station, Tortola, Virgin Islands, on
September 13 last. The full report of the show
committee appears on p. 365.

The article on p. 366 contains full directions for
forwarding specimens of diseased plants and insect
pests for examination,

Mr. J. Russell Murray’s usual monthly report on
West Indian produce in Canada is published on
p- 367.

Exports of the Cayman Islands.

It may be of interest to make brief mention of
the principal articles of export from the Cayman
Islands—a dependency of Jamaica.

The principal industry is turtle fishing. The
exports of turtle and turtle products from the Grand
Cayman during the year 1904 were of the value of
£3,070. Cattle and horses (valued at £1,067) and
thatch ropes (£351) were also shipped.

From the smaller Cayman Islands there were
shipped 855,200 cocoa-nuts of the value of £2,570, and
turtle and turtle products, £848.

eet

Forwarding Diseased Plants and Insect Pests.

It is desired to draw the attention of those
who may have oceasion to forward diseased plants or
specimens of insect pests for examination to the notes
published on p. 566.

Specimens of vegetable matter should be forwarded
in 30-per cent. spirit in a bottle or corked tube. Large
specimens such as portions of trees, etc., should be sent
in well-ventilated cases.

The manner in which insects should be forwarded
will naturally depend upon the kind of specimens.
Directions are given which will meet the different
kinds.

In all cases it is desirable that all the available
information as to the occurrence of the disease or
pest, the nature of the damage done, etc., be forwarded

at the same time.
rn +

West Indian Agricultural Conference, 1906.

Owing to the insuperable difficulties that have
presented themselves in connexion with the proposal
to hold the next West Indian Agricultural Conference
at Jamaica, the idea has now beendefinitively abandoned.
Nothing has yet been determined as to the possibility
of holding the Conference in any of the other colonies,

The Royal Mail Steam Packet Company was good
enough to offer the services of the R.M.S. ‘Solent’ to
take the representatives to Jamaica while she was on
duty as a tourist steamer; but this offer the Imperial
Commissioner of Agriculture was not in a position to
accept. On the first voyage of the ‘Solent’ the stay in
Jamaica would be only three days, which would be too
short. On the second voyage, the stay wou!d be fifteen
days, which would be too long, as it would require the
representatives to be absent from their homes for
nearly five weeks in all.

It is evident that under the time-table of the
Royal Mail Company now in force, Jamaica is cut
off from rapid communication with other parts of
the West Indies. The voyage to Jamaica by Royal
Mail steamers, by way of Trinidad and South and
Central American ports, will now occupy ten days, as
compared with six days to New York and twelve days
to Southampton. Formerly, the voyage from Barbados
to Jamaica took only four days. Further, owing to
the fact that the homeward steamer leaves Kingston
two days before the arrival of the outward steamer at
that port, a reply by letter from Jamaica cannot be
obtained in Barbados under about thirty-two days,

Vou. IV. No. 94.

THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.

361

Wet and Dry Cacao.

An effort has been made in Trinidad to ascertain
the amount of marketable or ‘dry’ cacao obtainable
from a given weight of ‘wet’ cacao, that is, the fresh
beans. The result of an experiment started at the
River estate for this purpose is given in the Bulletin
of Miscellaneous Information for October.

A picking of 11 barrels of wet cacao weighed
2,600 tb. when brought in. The loss during
fermentation was 403 tb., or 15°15 per cent. The loss
of weight in drying after fermentation was 1,195 Ib., or
5444 per cent. The total loss during drying and
fermentation was therefore 1,598 th., or 61°46 per cent.

As it is evident that results will vary with
different seasons, further trials will be made so as
to obtain a fairly good average.

It may be mentioned that in some islands ‘ wet’
cacao is calculated to yield half its weight as ‘dry’ or
cured cacao.

From similar experiments at the Dominica
Botanic Station it was ascertained that in that island
the loss was 58 per cent., or, in other words, that ‘the
return from 100 Ib. of “wet” cacao cannot be placed
higher than at 42 th” (See Agricultural News, Vol.
III, p. 246.)

Ere
Soils of Montserrat.

A valuable paper on the above subject, prepared
by the Hon. Francis Watts and Mr. H. A. Tempany,
published in the West Indian Bulletin (Vol. VI,
no. 3), contains information that is likely to be of
considerable service to planters in Montserrat,

The results are given of the mechanical and
chemical examination of soils from twelve typical
localities. The value of this paper is enhanced by
diagrams showing at a glance the mechanical com-
position of the coarse sample actually analysed.

Dr. Watts and Mr. Tempany conclude that ‘the
‘soils of Montserrat are, on the whole, fertile and easily
worked; they are characterized by containing very
small amounts of carbonate of lime, but, otherwise,
they are not usually deficient in the elements of plant
food.’ It does not appear that artificial manures are
at present necessary, except where ratoon sugar-canes
are grown: in such cases some nitrogenous manure,
such as nitrate of soda or sulphate of ammonia,
will prove useful.

The mechanical examination shows that there is
considerable variation in the texture of the soils: while
some are sandy and easily worked, others are stiff and
require care in working.

There is an abundance of land well adapted for
the cultivation of limes, and the industry is capable of
considerable extension. There are also large areas
capable of producing Sea Island cotton, and it would
appear that the industry is likely to become the
principal one of the island.

In addition there are suitable tracts for the culti-
vation of cacao and rubber, and, provided wind-breaks
are planted, the cultivation of such crops might be
largely increased, Further, the ordinary provision crops
and vegetables can be grown with advantage,

Cassava Trials in Jamaica.
In the Agricultwral News (Vol. IV, p: 269)

a note was published giving the results of experiments
with cassava in Jamaica. In that case the plots were
reaped after twelve months’ growth. <A further report,
published in the Bulletin of the Department of Agri-
culture, contains a statement of the results after
fifteen months’ growth.

The increase in the yield of starch per acre, result-
ing from the three months’ growth since the first
results were obtained, is very considerable. In the
case of the first nine on the list, this increase varies
from 3,000 tb. to 5,000 tb. and the increased yield of
tubers from 32 to 64 tons.

Dr. Cousins considers that the results indicate
that the gross yield of starch obtainable in Jamaica is
far beyond his previous estimate (see Agricultural
News, Vol. III, p. 150). The ‘Long-leaf Blue-bud’
heads the list with 152 tons of tubers and 12,857 tb. of
starch per acre. ‘Blue Top’ comes second with an
indicated starch yield of 9,733 tb. per acre.

nt --_- —— ——

West Indian Bulletin.

The papers in the latest issue cf the West Indian
Bulletin (Vol. VI, no. 3) include the following
by the Hon. Francis Watts: Manurial Experiments
with Cotton in the Leeward Islands; Manurial Experi-
ments with Cacao at Dominica; and the Soils of
Montserrat. A summary of the results of the manurial
experiments with cotton has already appeared in the
Agricultural News (Vol. IV, p. 263). The experi-
ments with cacao at Dominica, which were carried out
at the Botanic Station in association with Mr. J. Jones,
the Curator, are of an important character. They
show very clearly that ‘proper care and manuring can
be relied upon to give substantial increases in yield.’
In the paper on Montserrat soils, the results are given
of the mechanical and chemical analyses of twelve
typical soils, the former being shown in diagrammatic
form.

The next article is one on grape fruit and shad-
docks. This is summarized elsewhere in this issue of
the Agricultural News. It is followed by two papers
relating to the culture of cacao in Ceylon. One deals
with the experiments that are being carried out at
the Government Experiment Station, and the other
with the control of the ‘canker’ disease.

Of special interest at the present moment is the
paper on the Bud-rot of the Cocoa-nut Palm. his
disease is causing considerable anxiety all over the
West Indies, and with the view of assisting in the
efforts that are being made to control the disease, all
the available information relating to it has been
collected and reprinted. The bud-rot of cocoa-nuts
appears to have been first noticed in British Guiana
thirty years ago. Later it was reported as occnrring
in Jamaica and British Honduras. More recently, it
has been studied in Cuba, Porto Rico, and Trinidad.

The concluding paper contains further notes on
the Naudet Patent Process for extracting and purifying
Cane Juice. The process was in operation last season
in Trinidad and Porto Rico,

362

THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.

NoveMBer 25, 1905.

Bananas and Mosquitos.

Brief mention was made in the Agricultural
News, Vol. IV, p. 316, of a discussion as to the possi-
bility of the recent outbreaks of mosquitos in England
being connected with the importation of bananas from
South and Central American ports, and it was suggested
that the matter might be readily settled by reference
to entomological experts. This appears to have been
done, and the following extract from a letter from
Professor F. V. Theobald, of Wye, reprinted in the
Jamaica Gleaner from the New Orleans Picayune,
finally disposes of the matter :—

The neighbourhood of the docks down the Thames, in
fact, the whole Thames Valley, is often subject to much
annoyance by mosquitos. The chief culprit is the European
Granhamia dorsalis, Meigen, several nearly related species
of which occur in North America, West Indies, etc.

Jamaican and Central American species would not live
here. Most of the banana traffic goes to Bristcl. I have
had mosquitos sent from near there (Avonmouth). They
were Culex morsitans, Theobald, a species so far only known
in Nngland, Belgium, and Finland.

Most of the tales of foreign invasion of mosquitos are
all nonsense—probably all are—-at least, none have ever
been shown to have occurred,

We have some twenty-three species of Culicidae in
Great Britain. A few are found in North America, as well
as Europe, but no Southern State or Central American or
West Indian species occur or are likely to survive if they
ever came over. Probably a few may come in ships, but die
off. None have been recorded, however.

IT have had here, in a glass house, the yellow fever
mosquito (Stegomyia fasciata) from eggs sent by Dr. Finlay,
but it will not live in the open. My genus Stegomyia, so
far, does not occur in Britain.

Fruit Fly and its Natural Enemies.

In a recent number of the Agricultural News (Vol. IV,
p- 124) a note appeared to the effect that the Entomologists
of the Cape of Good Hope and Natal had been commissioned
by their respective Governments to visit Brazil to investigate
the fruit fly (Ceratit’s capitata) and its parasites, and, if
possible, to import into South Africa the parasites that were
said to be such efficient checks on the pest in Brazil.

This investigation was undertaken as a result of the
report of Mr. George Compere, who visited Brazil on
behalf of the Government of Western Australia. Mr. Com-
pere’s report was to the effect that the fruit fly (Ceratitis
capitata) occurred in Brazil, together with several other
species of fruit flies, and that these were so well held in check
by parasites and a predaceous beetle that fruit growers there
were entirely unacquainted with the pests, and that fruits
were practically exempt from their attacks.

Mr. Fuller's report was published in the Natal
Agricultural Journal for May 26, 1905, and Mr, Lounsbury’s

report in the Agricultural Journal of the Cape of Good Hope
for September and October. These reports show that
Messrs. Fuller and Lounsbury found the conditions in
Brazil quite different from what Mr. Compere found the
previous year. Not only does the fruit fly exist in
Brazil, but it is a severe pest in many parts of that
country, and Mr. Lounsbury decides that the investigations
of Mr. Fuller and himself show that Mr. Compere greatly
overestimated the efficiency of natural enemies as a check on
the pest. Fruit growers are quite aware of the damage
caused by the maggots in fruit, and in many of the
markets of Brazil locally grown fruit of certain kinds is
rarely offered for sale on this account.

Messrs. Fuller and Lounsbury did not succeed in rearing
any parasites from Ceratit/s capitata, but obtained specimens
of a small, wasp-like parasite from another species of fruit
fly (Anastrepha fratercula).

Arrangements have been made with persons residing in
South America to carry on in other seasons investigations to:
show whether the parasites already found will actually
attack Ceratitis capitata, and whether this pest is extensively
parasitized by this or other natural enemy which will be
likely to prove an efficient check upon it in South Africa.

The Staphylinid beetle, which was reported to be
predaceous on the fruit fly, was not found by Messrs. Fuller’
and Lounsbury, but they were informed that it appeared
in considerable numbers after their departure.

A note in the Agricultural News (Vol. IV, p. 202)
states that the fruit fly (Ceratit’s capitata) occurs as a pest
in Bermuda and also in Jamaica, but is held in check in the
latter place by its natural enemies, which are supposed to be
the same, or nearly the same, as those in Brazil. The
reports of Messrs. Fuller and Lounsbury, which show that:
they found several species of fruit flies in Brazil, and failed
to find the natural enemies of Ceratit’s capitata, indicate
that possibly the fruit flies may not be the same species ; in
that case the natural enemies of the Jamaica species, even if
introduced into Bermuda, might not prove so efficient
a check on the Bermuda species as they are on the Jamaica
form. This phase of the subject is one that is worthy of
further consideration.

JAMAICA HONEY.

The following is extracted from the Journal of
the Jamaica Agricultural Society tor October :—

We in Jamaica often flatter ourselves that our honey is-
the best in the world, but if we could all attend the honey
sales in Mincing Lane, in London, we should have little pride
left in us—for much of the Jamaica honey is so dirty, so
mixed with bits of dead bees, pollen, and other foreign
matter, that there is hardly worse than it sometimes. It is
with honey as it is with coffee: we produce some, compara-
tively very little, which sells at the very highest price, but the
bulk sells at something near the lowest price. At one sale
we attended, a lot of Jamaica honey from a lady keeper in
Vere sold at the fine price of 26s. 6d. per cwt., the highest.
price that day being 28s. for some French honey. At another
sale, Black River honey sold at 28s. per cwt. The home
honey does not go into this market, being disposed of by
contract direct with merchants. At the Royal Agricultural
Show there was such a display of honey as made our finest
efforts at display here appear poor and mean. There was
clover honey as bright and clear as possible, and white as-
snow. Heather honey is a dark honey, but it is so distinct
in flavour from other honey, and is so liked, that the prices-
obtained for it are the highest.

Vor. IV. No. 94.

THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS. 363

SISAL HEMP IN THE CAICOS ISLANDS.

In reference to the notes which have appeared
in the Agricultural News in regard to the cultiva-
tion of sisal hemp in the Caicos Islands, it may be of
interest to publish the following letter, which appears
in the U.S. Monthly Consular Reports for July, from
U. 8. Consul Moffat, of Turks Island, in which he
directs attention to the Turks and Caicos Islands as
profitable fields for this promising industry :—

Considerable attention appears to be directed towards
these islands as a suitable and profitable field for the
growing of sisal grass, which may be partially due to the
recent large investments made in the sisal fibre industry in
Australia, East Africa, and elsewhere, stimulated, no doubt,
by the relatively high quotations maintained during the past
two years for the article.

For several years a company, almost entirely American,
has been operating and extending its plantation here, and
at the present time has 1,100 acres under full cultivation on
the Caicos Islands, which form a part of this dependency.
The entire output from this plantation is shipped to the
United States. A newly formed company, which recently
purchased the property and improvements of a company
which had gone into receiver’s hands and stopped extracting
fibre some two years ago, will, within a few weeks, commence
the shipment of fibre. Their product, although the company
is of English chartering and the entire stock held abroad,
will be exported exclusively to the United States.

The United States market appears to present a more
remunerative and satisfactory outlet for the fibre, for, while
ocean freights are lower to English ports than to New York,
prices in England are at somewhat recessional quotations.
Furthermore, the United States market quotations represent
sight cash, while the foreign market quotations are subject
to a ninety-day cash discount. These offsetting conditions
permit an advantageous net result through exporting to the
United States.

The Government still holds several thousand acres
available and snitable for sisal grass cultivation, upon which,
I am informed, long leases may be had at an average
nominal annual rental of 5d. (10c.) per acre.

Recently a representative of English capital visited the
colony, while many inquiries, through correspondence, have
been received from both Europe and the United States,
which facts are indicative of a keen appreciation of the
possibilities of the field for further profitable investment.
This may be accounted for when one considers that the sisal
leaves, when ready for cutting, can be ent, cleaned, etc., and
landed at New York at a known cost of less than 3c. per Ib.
The margin of profit, therefore, at prevailing quotations is
most satisfactory, and should permit generous returns on the
investments made.

The quality of the article produced in these islands is
conceded to be equal, if not superior, to the best grades of
Yucatan fibre, and has, in consequence, commanded immediate
market without question as to quantity.

From evidences at hand, consequent on the large acreage
under cultivation ready for immediate cutting, and the
completeness of the installed equipment, it is reasonable to
assume that the coming year will witness a large increase
over the amount heretofore exported.

An account of the progress of the sisal hemp
industry of the Caicos Islands, which was started in
1890, appeared in the West Indian Bulletin, Vol. V,
pp. 150-2.

SELECTION OF COCOA-NUTS.

Referring to the purchase from Ceylon of some
10,000 coeoa-nuts for distribution among planters,
the Curator of the Botanic Station in Seychelles makes
the following interesting observations, in his Annual
Report for 1904, on the selection of nuts :—

The cocoa-nuts have all been purchased, although endless
discussions have been raised with reference to their hardiness
and to the thickness of their ‘meat’ as compared with the
Seychelles nuts. If one follows the growth of the Ceylon
nuts in the nursery, one has little doubt with regard to both
Seychelles and Ceylon nuts having the same variation in
the coloration and general appearance of the young shoot.
Both nuts belong to the same variety of plants and the only
difference is that one is selected with a view of (1) increasing
the size of the nuts, and (2) reducing the percentage of the
envelopes ; and the other is left to itself without selection.
Regarding the thickness of the meat, I have a doubt as to
whether this is not due to optical illusion. I have opened
a great many nuts (about four dozen) in the presence of
planters and in all cases except two the compared nuts were
found to have the same thickness of meat. The diameter of
the Ceylon nut being about three times greater than the
diameter of the Seychelles nuts, the difference in the size of
the hollow gives the appearance of a difference in the
thickness of the meat. By careful measurement, the real
thickness of the meat is easily ascertained, and this shows
a certain variation in both kinds of nuts. Exceptionally big
nuts (especially when not quite ripe) possess a comparatively
thin meat, but these nuts are found both in Ceylon and
Seychelles. The copra produced by 1,000 Ceylon ordinary
nuts is about twice as much as that obtained from Seychelles
nuts. This result has been obtained in the same soil, under
the influence of the same climate, and is entirely due to
selection.

It is to be hoped that the discussion raised on the
subject by the planters, after their having seen the nuts
introduced from Ceylon, may prove the beginning of
a careful selection of nuts for planting in Seychelles. Many
of them have already informed me that they have found on
their estates a few of their trees producing nuts similar to
those of Ceylon and that they intend keeping them for
propagation. It is probable that the trees which produce
very small nuts have less requirements than those which
produce bigger nuts, and that varieties which produce
big nuts normally will bear smaller nuts if they are starved
out. But when one thinks of the very trifling amount of
plant food which is removed from the soil by cocoa-nut
cultivation, there seems to be no difficulty in supplying the
elements which are required to a greater extent by the
big-nut varieties. The planter must choose between having
small nuts without trouble and having double the crop by
using proper methods of cultivation and selection.

ARBOR DAY AT TOBAGO.

The Curator of the Botanic Station at Tobago reports
that Arbor Day was successfully celebrated in that island on
the King’s Birthday, November 9.

The plants distributed free from the Botanic Station to
managers of schools and others comprised fruit, shade, and
economic plants, and numbered 216. Some hundred plants
were also purchased for this purpose. General interest was
taken in the Arbor Day movement throughout Tobago, and
tree planting was adopted as the principal means of com-
memorating the King’s birthday in the island.

364 THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.

NoveMBer 25, 1905.

GLEANINGS.

A collection of tropical fruits was sent from Penang to
the exhibition held in London this year and obtained a silver
medal. (Annual Report on the Straits Settlements for 1901.)

Limes of good size and packed in fancy paper, in
boxes of 150 and 200, would meet a fair demand in London.
(Journal of the Jamaica Agricultural Society.)

Captain M. Short, of Richmond estate, Tobago, writes
that scrap rubber from five- and six-year-old trees on his
estate was recently sold in London at 3s. 6d. per Ib.

A correspondent writes in the Journal of the Jamaica
Agricultural Society: ‘1 have been told by an old Montego
Bay lady that she has used for eighteen years cushions
stuffed with plantain fibre (from the stem). She says that
it outlasts any kind of grass or other stufting, and is better.’

Consequent upon the resignation of Mr. H. 8S. Hammond,
F.C.S., who has proceeded to the Ontario Agricultural
College, Guelph, Canada, Mr. E. J. Wortley has been
appointed Assistant Chemist at the Government Laboratory,
Jamaica, while Mr. G. D. Goode will succeed Mr. Wortley as
Second Assistant.

With the view of encouraging the arts and crafts of the
colony, the Board of Governors of the Jamaica Institute has
decided to continue the annual exhibitions of objects of art
industry. The next exhibition will be held in February
1906. Medals, certificates of merit, and money prizes will
be awarded.

A tree of Cassia bacillaris has recently been observed
in flower in Barbados. This plant is not recorded from
Barbados by Grisebach or Schomburgk. The former
authority mentions its occurrence in St. Vincent and
Trinidad. It is a handsome tree with showy yellow flowers,
of the same colour as those of Cassia I’istula,

The Officer-in-charge of the Agricultural School at
Dominica reports that he has a limited number of enttings of
the following varieties of cassava available for distribution in
the island: Jack-roe ; Blue Top; Small Leaf ; French no, 3 ;
White Greenaway; Red Greenaway; Bitter no. 1; Bitter
no. 4; Sweet no. 2.

Marked increases in the exports from Madagascar
during 1904, as compared with the previous year, are
apparent from the tables in the recently issued Consular
feeport. The increase is chiefly in gold, rubber, hides,
raffia fibre, and bees’-wax. The value of the exports of
rubber has increased 50 per cent., while that of hides was
practically doubled.

Cotton had not hitherto been grown in the protectorate
but a trial is now being made. A hybrid between a variety
obtained from the head waters of the Amazons and the well-
known Sea Island cotton of the southern states of America
has been selected for the experiment. (Annual Report on
British Solomon Islands.)

The Textile Mercwy publishes a note showing that the
partial failure of the Egyptian cotton crop of 1904 was due,
to a great extent, to the use of poor seed. One cultivator
purchased 10 bushels of selected seed and then filled up gaps
in the rows with cheap seed bought at the nearest factory.
It is not surprising that the crop was of a mixed quality.

An adjourned meeting of the Barbados Agricultural
Society was held on Friday, November 17, for the purpose
of further considering the report on the sugar-cane
experiments carried on under the direction of the Imperial
Department of Agriculture during the season 1903-5.
A summary of the proceedings will appear later in the
Agricultural News.

A correspondent has recently asked for information in
regard to the prospects of the cultivation of ramie or China
grass (Loehmeria nivea) in the West Indies. It may be
mentioned that no one is growing this fibre plant in these
islands because its cultivation is not remunerative on
a commercial scale. The chiet drawback is the absence of
a suitable maehine for extracting the fibre.

The following articles of export from Jamaica during the
quarter ended June 30, 1905, show increases, as compared
with the corresponding period of 1904: cotton, 150 bales, as.
against 21; bananas, 4,425,954 bunches, as against 509,291 ;.
and 1,103,382 cocoa-nuts, as against 741,680. Similarly,
oranges increased from 584,750 to 2,351,080; honey,
61,550 to 82,764 gallons; sugar, 71,577 ewt. to 101,174 ewt. ;.
cigars, 8,765 tb. to 11,837 tb.

The Hon, William Fawcett, Director of Public Gardens.
and Plantations, Jamaica, writes with reference to the note
in the Agricultural News (Vol. LV, p. 317) on the ‘Queen of
Flowers’: ‘I may mention that Lagerstroemia indica is
usually known here as “June Bush” from the fact that it
begins to flower in June. Another name for it is “ Crape
Flower” from the texture of the petals and the way in
which they are crumpled.’

The Agricultural Superintendent at Grenada writes :
‘A flamboyante tree, growing on a steep slope below the
Richmond Hill prison, was in full flower on my arrival in
the island on June 6. Since that date it has flowered con-
tinuously, and though other trees in the neighbourhood have
finished blossoming for a month or more, it is still a mass of
scarlet flowers, rendering it a conspicuous object from the:
harbour,’

It is doubtful whether the natives in the southern
portion of the protectorate will ever take up cotton growing:
of their own accord, as a better return is obtained from the
cultivation of yams, etc., with far less work and trouble than
the cultivation of cotton entails. It remains to be seen
whether the efforts of the British Cotton-growing Association
at Uromi and at Onitsha will prove sufficiently remunerative
to permit of the experiment being continued. The chief
obstacle is the cost of labour. (Annual Report on Southern
Nigeria.)

—

Vor. IV. No. 94.

AGRICULTURAL SHOW.

Virgin Islands.

The following is a copy of a letter from the
Commissioner of the Virgin Islands to the Imperial
Commissioner of Agriculture for the West Indies, dated
October 19, 1905, in reference to the Agricultural
Show held at Tortola on September 13 last :—

Tam glad to be able to forward to you a report of the
Agricultural Show which was quite a success; much more
interest seems to have been taken in it than in previous
years.

The stock was not quite up to the mark, but the sheep
showed a decided improvement, due to the distribution of
the young rams from the Experiment Station.

A very considerable number of goats (2,500) are
shipped annually to the Danish West Indies, and a consider-
able demand has recently arisen for goat skins. I think it
would be advisable to do something to improve the breed.

I hope it will be possible to do something a little later
for the cattle, as many of them are so small and inbred that
they are not able to compete with those exported from
Porto Rico,

I am glad to report that there seems to be much more
interest shown by the people in cotton. I expect the coming
crop will show a substantial increase. There were several
applications for loans at too late a date. 1 understand,
however, that these applicants are preparing land for next year.
The great difficulty is to make people understand that it is
important to grow their cotton only from Sea Island seed
and not from the seed of the cotton which has been growing
wild since 1860-70.

Many of the people lead very isolated lives. We have
no newspapers to give them information. I think if the
report of the show and proposed Cotton Cireular were
printed, the circulation of them would greatly increase the
people’s interest in agricultural matters.

COMMITTEE'S REPORT.

An Agricultural Show, under the auspices of the
Imperial Department of Agriculture for the West Indies,
was held at the Experiment Station, Tortola, Virgin Islands,
on September 13, 1905. Special efforts had been made
to interest the inhabitants of the islands. Six meetings to
explain the objects of the show were held in the town and
country districts of Tortola, and the other islands of the
group were visited. His Honour the Commissioner of the
Virgin Islands kindly presided at the meeting in Road Town,
and the Agricultural Instructor attended the meetings and
gave valuable advice and information. The rules were
explained, the prize list read, and questions invited, to give
the people a thorough understanding of the exhibition.
These meetings were all well attended and much appreciated.
We found the people anxious for information, and we think
the meetings did a great deal in securing their confidence,
and encouraged them to give the show unprecedented
support.

There were 750 exhibits out of 800 entries. The stock
were arranged in the station yard. Rum, vinegar, sugar,
starches, meals, preserves, minor products, lace and faney
work, ete., were shown on the upper story of the cotton
factory, and the fruits and vegetables were displayed on
the ground floor and in the sugar factory. Industrial
products and poultry also occupied some space in the latter
building, The exhibits, though displayed to the best
advantage, were somewhat crowded through lack of space.

THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.

(ee)
for]
li

The number of entries in the class for stock was satisfae-
tory, but the quality of the animals was not what it might have
been. The sheep were an exception, showing a decided improve-
ment on previous shows. There were very few exhibits in
sugar, but a very large number in starches and meals, which
is important as indicating a possible industry. Gentlemen
from outside the Virgin Islands expressed pleasure at both
the quantity and quality of the fruit shown. It is a matter
for regret that there were so few entries in cotton (for which
special prizes were offered), and that the exhibits were, with
one or two exceptions, of somewhat inferior quality. The
judges did not deem any exhibit of cotton from Anegada
worthy of first prize. A Diploma of Merit was awarded
to Mr. J. B. Romney, of Belmont, Tortola, for a fine sample
of cacao; the other exhibits in this class were not very
satisfactory ; suflicient care had not been taken in the curing.
The Industrial Section contained some very good exhibits.
The lace work was excellent. The Tyre hats were very
creditable, being light, comfortable, and of good appearance.
It should be possible to dispose of these outside the islands
if made in sufficient quantities. The exhibits in all the
classes, taken as a whole, were satisfactory in quality and an
advance upon previous years, and the quantity far surpassed
all expectations.

The attendance was exceedingly pleasing, all the rooms
and the station yard being crowded all the day with people,
who appreciated highly this effort on their behalf. We were
also honoured with the presence of many ladies and gentle-
men from the neighbouring Danish islands.

At the close of the exhibition the prizes were distributed
by his Honour the Commissioner, to whom the Committee
asked to be allowed to present their best thanks for the
interest he has taken in the show. The Committee also

wish to thank heartily the Agricultural Instructor,
Mr. W. ©. Fishlock, for the interest he is taking in

furtherance of the agriculture of the Virgin Islands and for
undertaking the exceptionally heavy labours in preparing
for and conducting this exhibition, which the Committee
feel they have every reason to consider a great success.
We also beg to tender our warmest thanks to the Rev.
C. R. Trace for the valuable assistance he rendered, and to
the ladies and gentlemen who acted as judges. Most of all,
our thanks are due to the Hon. Sir Daniel Morris, Imperial
Commissioner of Agriculture for the West Indies, whose
grant for prizes made the exhibition possible.

EDUCATIONAL.

Teaching Agricultural Science in Jamaica.

The following note is extracted from the Annual
Report of the Schools Commission in Jamaica :

Apart from the special attention given to this matter
at the Jamaica College, we have continued our efforts to
promote instruction at other endowed schools in the sciences
preparatory to a course in scientific agriculture. In some
instances it has been practicable to establish suitable
laboratory fittings, and further efforts in this direction will be
encouraged. We have directed the attention of all secondary
schools in the island to the scholarships offered at the
Government Laboratory, and to the opportunities afforded
there for attending lectures in agricultural science and for
receiving practical instruction at the Experiment Station.

366

THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.

FORWARDING DISEASED PLANTS AND
INSECT PESTS.

Much disappointment has lately been experienced, both
by the sender and also by the receiver, through plants,
supposed to be diseased, and insect pests reaching the
laboratories of the Imperial Department of Agriculture in an
unfit condition for scientific examination. It is hoped that
officers of the Department and others will carefully study
and follow the suggestions that have been given by the
Department on former occasions. (See Agricultural News,
Vol. I, p. 243, and Vol. I, p. 235.) The chief reasons for
this state of things are one or more of the following :—

(1) The fragmentary nature of the material sent for
investigation. (2) Lack of care in transmitting, the
specimens arriving shrivelled or dead or mouldy. (3) Absence
of information as to the conditions under which the plants
grew.

It must be pointed out that a few fragments of
a diseased plant are of little use for investigation, and
sufficient material should be sent so that the primary cause
of the trouble may be located.

In order that time and labour may not be wasted

in the examination of unsuitable material, care must
be taken in collecting and packing specimens so

that they may arrive at Barbados in good condition.
Fresh specimens of moist vegetable matter should not
be sent packed in boxes or in envelopes, but should
be either suitably dried and sent in a well-ventilated package
or, preferably, placed in spirit immediately after collec
tion and forwarded in a bottle or corked tube. Care must
be taken with the strength of the spirit used. A 30-per cent.
spirit is quite sufficient to act as a preservative, and this can
easily be obtained by taking distilled rum and adding
two parts of water to one of the rum, If material is sent in
undiluted spirit or high wines, it becomes so hard and
brittle that examination is exceedingly difficult.

When leaves, buds, or twigs are attacked, the specimens
should show as many stages of the disease as possible,
Detached leaves alone are, as a rule, useless. If practicable,
the root, after the soil has been shaken off, should be sent,
as, in many instances, the primary cause of the trouble is
located there.

When fruits or herbaceous stems are attacked, pieces,
showing all stages of the disease, should be placed in spirit
as before. When it is thought desirable to send very large
specimens, such as portions of branches, roots, or whole
cacao pods, these should be collected as late as possible
before the mail steamer leayes and sent in a well-ventilated
case.

Full particulars should also be forwarded giving details
of the time of appearance of the disease, the damage done,
the part attacked, the nature of the soil, drainage, and also
whether an apparently similar kind of disease had been
previously observed.

With regard to the forwarding of insects for examination,
directions have already been given in the Agricultural News
(Vol. IV, p. 168), but on account of the repeated
disappointment resulting from material being badly packed
the following detailed instructions have been prepared.

Insect material for transmission must be packed in such
a way (1) that it will not be broken, bruised, or crushed, and
(2) that it will not be spoiled by the growth of moulds,
mildew, or bacteria.

In considering the manner of forwarding insects, these
may be divided roughly into these three groups: (1)

Larvae that is, grubs, maggots, caterpillars, including

NovemBer 25, 1905,
borers, ete. (2) Hard insects, such as beetles, bugs, grass-
hoppers, crickets, bees and wasps. (Scale insects may be
included in this group.) (8) Frail insects, such as butterflies,
moths, flies, ete.

In packing for transportation the following rules apply
to these groups :—

Group I,—When sent alive, larvae should be packed
with a supply of the food plants on which they have been
found feeding or in the plant material they infest, in such
way that they should not be rattled about in the package or
crushed by portions of the food plant, ete. When not sent
alive they should be preserved in a tightly-corked tube or
vial, in diluted spirit or formalin.

Group II.—When sent alive these insects should be
provided with food, as for instance, in the case of lady-birds,
leaves and twigs infested with the plant lice or scale insects
on which they feed should be included and packed in such
a way that they cannot rattle about in the box. Footholds,
such as crumpled pieces of blotting paper, should be given
the insects also. When not sent alive insects of this group
should be dried and wrapped loosely in soft tissue-paper,
each insect in a separate paper, and then packed in a strong
box. In the case of scale insects, each infested leaf and
twig should be folded or wrapped in soft paper and dried
before being enclosed in a tight package.

Group III,—Insects of this group should be killed and
handled carefully to prevent injury, folded or wrapped in
paper and well dried before being packed. Butterflies,
with their wings folded together, may be folded in paper,
moths may be wrapped loosely in tissue paper, and flies may
be included in layers of tissue paper between cotton wool, in
small boxes.

Full notes should accompany all insect specimens,
stating the nature of the damage done, the part of the plant
attacked, where insects were found and whether larva or
adult does the damage; if the larva, a specimen of the adult
should be included also, if possible. Notes on their habits
such as whether night feeder or day feeder, where eggs are
laid, ete., ete.. should in every case be added, so far as known.

Disappointment is most likely to result from (1)
insufficient material, (2) insufficient notes and information as
to habits, ete., (5) bad packing which allows specimens to be
crushed or to decay in transportation, and (4) from sending
specimens so broken and battered that it is impossible to
identify them.

MILLIONS.
[t will be remembered that early in the year notes
appeared in the Agricultural News (Vol. IV, pp. 127 and
138) in reference to the suggestion that the immunity of
Barbados from malaria might be due to ‘the presence in the
swamps and ponds of the island of large numbers of tiny
fish, known as ‘‘millions.”’ In the last issue of the West
India Committee Circular it is stated that some of these fish
were presented to the Zoological Gardens, London. The
Superintendent of the Gardens reports that ‘the fish are
thriving wonderfully, and are feeding voraciously upon the
larvae of gnats.’ Some of the fish were sent to the Natural
History Museum for indentification and they are pronounced
to be closely allied to, if not identical with, a species named
Girardinus versicolor. It may also be mentioned that
quantities of these fish were forwarded by the Imperial
Commissioner of Agriculture to Antigua and St. Kitt’s,
where they are reported to be doing well. At both these
places they are being kept at the Botanic Station and, as
they increase in numbers, they will, from time to time, be
distributed to the ponds and swamps in these islands,

Von. IV. No. 94.

THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.

367

WEST INDIAN PRODUCTS.

Canada.

My. J, Russell Murray has forwarded the following
review, dated October 18, 1905, of the position of West
Indian products on the Canadian market :—

Considerable trade is being done at all points, deliveries
being pushed forward prior to the early setting in of winter.
The wheat harvest and the fruit crops have fully reached
the estimates, while dairy products are commanding high
prices. These factors are now having their effect on the
general prosperity.

SUGAR,

A general quiet market exists with very little variation,
and offerings from the West Indies are meagre, and without
much inducement. The June Report of Trade and Commerce,
recently issued by the Canadian Government, gives some
interesting figures on the direction of trade :—

Inports, month of | Twelve months end
June. ing June 30.
1904. 1905. 1904. 1905.
Great Britain...|$ 48,130 '$ 59,194'$ 240,501/$ 458,617
United States... 9,452 1,735 78,03: 164,158
Belgium ae|| 295525 aevees 258,150) = 130,078
B. Guiana... 83,695 320,003] 2,167,595) 2,529,611
B. W. Indies...) 599,504 339.988] 3,168,150) 3,955,637
Germany cee 9,047 3,346 593,154 14,415,
Other Countries) 120,864 519,352) 1,056,780) 1,368,662
1$ 900,217 8 1,243,618)$ 7,562, 168/$ 8,561,176)

A considerable increase is apparent in the shipments
from Great Britain, these sugars being mainly refined sugars
made from sugars grown within the British Empire, and are
admitted into Canada under the preferential tariff. As the
West India and British Guiana sugars are available for
making these grades, an additional outlet is being created,
owing to the premium those sugars command for the
Canadian market, and hence the better prices paid in
Greenock, as against Canada and New York, during the last
fortnight. All prices are nominal.

MOLASSES,

A very quiet trade is being done. Barbados are being
quoted at 3le., but there are no buyers. Stocks are being
distributed to outlying points, and a steady trade is being
done by the wholesale trade.

COCOA-NUTS.

A considerable advance is now recorded in New York,
but the market here continues in a dull and uninteresting
condition ; no advance can be recorded.

ORANGES,

Supphes of Jamaica are coming in freely, and the
quality is fair, though greater sweetness is desirable. The
demand continues slow, and prices are very low; in a few
weeks, however, a better market wili be experienced.

SPICES.

Pimento is slow in demand and prices remain the same.
‘The new crop of ginger is being looked for. Nutmegs are
in fair demand.

VANILLA CULTIVATION IN MEXICO.

The following note on vanilla cultivation in
Mexico appeared in the U.S. Monthly Consular
Reports for June last :—

This section of the state of Vera Cruz is the natural
habitat of the vanilla vine, which thrives in perfection and
forms a source of great profit to those engaged in its culture,
which is exceedingly simple. The land is cleared of under-
brush, and the vine cuttings, which should be about 18 inches
long, are planted beside suitable trees, left standing for the
purpose. As soon as the joints commence to sprout they
throw out tendrils, which cling tenaciously to the trees, and
soon form climbing vines, which after three to four years
commence to bear. In the fifth year the vine will be in full
bearing, and will produce from fifteen to forty beans, each
bean worth from 8c. to 10c, Mexican (3°82c. to 4:77e.
United States); in certain years the beans have been known
to sell as high as 18e. (8°59c.) apiece. The cured beans
command a much higher price. It is only the experienced
curer who understands the process, which is a delicate one,
but easily acquired by practice and observation.

It is estimated that a 5-acre vanilla plantation will
yield sufticient income to render its owner independent for
the remainder of his life. But in order to succeed it is
necessary to give the tender vines personal and constant
attention as they pass from stage to stage in their growth,
and to protect them from rough treatment, to which they
are usually exposed when left in charge of hired help.
Where one planter has succeeded hundreds have failed,
owing to lack of personal care. This is strikingly illustrated
by visiting the great vanilla districts, where it will be noticed
with what tender solicitude young vines are nursed by the
French and Italian colonists, who have made such a remark-
able success of their plantations and who have grown wealthy
following this pursuit.

Vanilla cultivation is especially adapted to women or
persons who cannot endure exposure or hardships. The
vine is interesting, and its culture is a seductive and profit-
able occupation. Along the Tuxpam River and for 50 to 60
miles inland south-west of this place there is an extensive
territory well suited to the cultivation of the vanilla and
kindred tropical products.

FRUIT TRADE OF BRITISH HONDURAS.

The Annual Report on British Honduras for
1904 has the following reference to the colony’s fruit
trade :—

There is no country in Central America more favourably
situated for building upa fruit trade with the United States
than British Honduras, but the frnit-growing lands, owing to
the want of communication, are as yet but very partially
developed. .Most of the bananas grown in the colony are
produced in the Stann Creek district, and, during the last
two or three years, there has been a tendency to increase the
area of cultivation in that district.

At present bananas are planted on the low-lying lands
along the banks of the rivers, which are subject to the
invasion of floods when the rivers rise above the normal level.
During 1904 such plantations suffered considerably in
consequence of floods. As the rivers are the only means of
transport at present, planters are unable to establish them-
selves on the higher lands further inland. When these lands
are tapped by railways, there will be more security for
investing capital in the growing of fruit.

The demand for cocoa-nuts during 1904 was exeception-
ally good and high prices were paid.

a

THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.

New York,—Ocetober 27,

MARKET REPORTS.

London,— October 28, 1905. Messrs. Keartoy, Pirer &

Co.; Messrs. E. A. pE Pass & Co.; ‘THE West InpIA
Commirrer Crrcunar,’ ‘Tae Liyerroot Corron
Association WEEKLY CrrcuLar,’ October 27,
1905; and ‘THe Pusric Lepcer,’ October 21,
1905.

ALoEsS—Barbados, 15/- to 60/- ; Curaeca, 21/- to 60/- per ewt.

Arrowroot—St. Vincent, 1}/. per tb.

Batata—Sheet, 1/4 to 1/11 ; block, 1/3 to 1/4 per Ib.

Begs’-wax—£7 10s. to £8 per ewt.

Cacao—Trinidad, 51,- to 54/- per cwt. ; Grenada, 47, -
to 51/- per ewt.

Carpamoms—Mysore, 7}$d. to 3,- per th.

CorreE—Jamaica, good ordinary, 40/- to 42- per ewt.

Corron—West Indian, medium fine, 605d. ; West Indian
Sea Island, medium fine, 13¢.; fine, 14d. ; extra fine,
153d. per tb.

Frurr—

Bananas—Jamaica, 46 to 5,6 per bunch.

Grare Frvurr—10/- to 11/- per box.

Limes—3/6 to 4/6 per box.

Oranxces—Jamaica, 8/6 to 10/6 per box of 176-200.

Fustic—£3 ds. to £4 per ton.

Giycer—Jamaica, iow middling to middling, 45- to 48 -
per ewt.

Honey—17/- to 19/- per ewt.

Isrycnass—West Indian lump, 2,3 to 2,7; cake, 1/5 per th.

Kora Ners—4d. to 6d. per th.

Live Juice—Raw, 9d. to 1/- per gallon; concentrated,
£16 per cask of 108 gallons; hand-pressed, 2,6 per 1h.
Distilled Oil, 1/4 tc 1/5 per th.

Locwoon—£4 to £4 15s.; roots, £3 10s. to £4 per ton.

Mace—Fair to good pale, 1/5 to 1/5; dark to fair rea, 1 1
to 1/2; broken, 1/- per tb.

Nirrate or Sopa—Agriculiural, £10 17s. 67. per ton.

Nurmecs—54’s, 1/10 ; 67’s, 1/3 ; 80's, 1/- ; 96's, 73d. ; 110°s,
63d. to 7d. per fb.

Prento—Fair, 23d. to 2;d. per tb.

Rum—Demerara, 1/1 to 1,5 per proof gallon; Jamaica, 2 1
per proof gallon.

Sucar—Yellow crystals, 15/6 to 17/6 per ewt.; Muscoyado,
14/6 to 15/6 per ewt.; Molasses, 11/- co 166 per ewt.

SULPHATE oF AmMMonTA—£12 17s. 67. per ton,

Montreal,—October 18, 1905.—Mr. J. Russern Mve-

Ray. (In bond quotations, c. & f.)

Cocos-nuts— Jamaica, $2700 to $29°00 ; Trinidad, $24-00
to $25-00 per M.
CorreE—Jamaica, medium, 10c. to 1le per th.
Gincer--Jamaica, xnbleached, T5c. to We. per th.
Morascvir—Demeeara, $1700 per 100 th.
Mor.asses--Barbedos, 31c.; Antigua, 26c. per Imperial
gallon.
Nvurmecs—Grenada, 110’s, 18e. per th.
OrancEes—Jamaica $5°50 per barrel, duty paid.
Pimento-—Jamaica, 5}c. per tb
Suear —Grey crystals, 96°, $2:08 to $2°25 per 100 tb.
—Moscoyados, 89°, $1°60 to $175 per 100 tb.
—Molasses, 89°, $1°35 to $1°50 per 100 th.
—Barbados, 89°, $1°45 to $1-70 per 100 th.
1905,.—Messrs. GILLESPIE
Bros. & Co.

Bees’-wax— 8le. per th.

Cacao—Caracas, ll}c. to 12c.; Grenada, 10fc. to Lle.:
Trinidad, l1je. to 11#c.; Jamaica, 95c. to Ofc. per th.

Cocos-nuts—Jamaica, and Trimdad, $2800 to Ss0-06
per M,

Correr— Jamaica ordinary, 8c. to 10sec.

GuicER—Jamaica, Te. to 9c. per tb.

NovempBer 25, 1905.

Goat SxKiss—Jaimaica, 56c. ;
per tb.

GrareE Fruir—Jamaica, $5-00 to $6°50 per barrel; $2°50
to $4-00 per box.

Hoxey—Jamaica, 65e. to 67e. per gallon (duty paid).

Lines—No quotations.

Mace— 17e. to 3le. per th.

Nermecs—West Indian, 80°s, 20e. to 2le.; 110’s, 13he
120's 9c. to 10c. per tb. “ak

Orances—Jamaica, $4°00 to $425 per barrel.

Pinento—42e. to 4}c. per th.

Prye-AppLes—No quotations.

Sccar—Centrifugals, 96°, 33c. ;
Molasses, 89°, 22c. per tb.

West Indian, 49e. to 50e,

+

Muscoyados, 89°, 2Zc. 3

INTER-COLONIAL MARKETS.

Barbados,—November 11, 1905.—Messrs. T. S. Garra-

way & Co., and Messrs. James A. Lynen & Co,

Arrowroot—St. Vincent, $4°50 per 100 tb.

Cacao—$10-00 per 100 tb.

Covoa-Nuts—$14°00 per M. for husked nuts.

Corree—$10°50 to $11°00 per 100 tb.

Hay—%5c. per 100 th.

Mancres—Nitrate of soda, $65°00 ; Ohlendorff’s dissolved
guano, $55°00 ; Cotton manure, $48-00 ; Sulphate of
ammonia, $75°00; Sulphate of potash, $67-00 per ton.

Oxtoxs—Madeira, $5°50 per 100 tb.

Potatos, EncrisH—Nova Scotia, $5°00 to $5°60 per 160 th.

Rree—Ballam, $4°90 per bag (190 tb.) ; Patna, $3°10 to
$3°20; Seeta, $3°19 to $3°20; Rangoon, $2°50 to
$2°55 per 100 th.

British Guiana.—November 8, 1905.—Messrs. WIETING

& RicHtrer.

Arnowroot—St. Vincent, $8-00 per barrel.
Baxata—-Venezuela block, 25c. ; Demerara sheet, 38c. per th,
Cacao—Native, l4c. per Bb.

Cassava SrarcH—$5'59 per barrel.

Cocoa-nuts—$10-00 to $12°00 per M.

Corrre—Rio, Jamaica, and Curacoa, 13}c. to 13}e. ;
Creole, 14¢e. per th.

Duat— $3-90 to $4:00 per bag of 168 tb.

Eppors—88c. per barrel.

Ontoxss—Madeira, 3}c. to 4c. per Ib.

PLayTAtNs— Se. to 28c. per bunch.

Poraros, ExerisH—le. per 1b. retail.

Poratos, Sweet—Barbados, 60c. per bag.

trceE—Ballam, $4°30 per 177 tb. ; Creole, $4°00 to $4:10
per bag. (ex store).

Setir Peas—$6-00 per bag (210 Th.).

Tayy1as—$1-20 per barrel.

Yams—White, $1°92 ; Buck, $2°16 per bag.

Sccar—Dark crystals, $1: 77} to $2:05; Yellow, $2-70
to $2°75:; White, $4:00 to $4:10; Molasses, $2°00 to
$2°10 per 100 fb. (retail).

Trsenr—Greenheart, 32c. to 55c. per cubic foot.

Watrasa SHincLtes—$3'00, $3°75, and $5°25 per M.

Trinidad,— November 10, 1905.—Messrs. Gorpon, GRANT

& Co.;and Messrs. Epcar Trier & Co.

Cacao—Ordinary to good red, $11°25 to $1140 ; estates,
$11-70 to $1175 per fanega (110 tb.); Venezuelan,
$11°40 to $12-00 per fanega.

Cocoa-nuts—$21°00 per M., f o.b.

Cocoa-Nut Or—G67e. per Imperial gallon (casks ineluded).

Corra—-$2°90 to $3-00 per 100 tb.

Dx ai—-$3°20 to $3-25 per bag.

Oxtons—Stringed, $2°00 to $2-25 per 100 tb. (retail).

Poraros, ExcrisH—60c. to $1°02 per 100 th.

Rice— Yellow, $4°25 to $4:30 ; White, $4°50 to $5°60 per
bag.

Srium Pras—$5-00 to $5-20 per bag.

Scucar—White erystals, $4°50; Yellow crystals, $2°75 to
$500 per 100 th.

THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.

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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Volume IV. Nos. 1 and 2. Papers on general subjects. No. 3. (out of print). No. 4. Sea Island Cotton
in the United States and the West Indies. Price 6d. each number. Post free, 8d.

Volume V. Nos. 1, 2, and 3. Papers on general subjects. No. 4. Report of Agricultural Conference, 1905.
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Volume VI. No. 1. Report of Agricultural Conference, 1905 (contd.). Cane Farming, Cacao Cultivation, ete., ete.

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. 23) Notes on Poultry in the West Indies. Price 4d.
(5) General Treatment of Insect Pests, 2nd. Edition Revised. (24) Dominica, Hints to Settlers. Price 2d.

Price 4d. (25) Ground Nuts in the West Indies _ Price 2d.
(6) Recipes for cooking Sweet Potatos. Price 2d. (26) Seedling and other Canes at Barbados, in 1993. Priee 4d.
(7) Scale Insects of the Lesser Antilles, Part I. Price 4d. (27) Seedling and other Canes in the Leeward Islands,
(9) Bee Keeping in the West Indies. Price 4d. 1902-1903. Price 2d.
(12) Seedling and other Canes in the Leeward Islands, oS Bernadoe and Porto Rico Molasses. Price 3d.
1900-1901. Price 2d. 29) Lectures on the Diseases of the Sugar-cane. Price 4d.
(13) Seedling and other Canes at Barbados, in 1901, Price 4d. (30) Manurial Experiments with Sugar-cane in the Leeward
(14) Screw Worm in Cattle at St. Lucia. Price 2d. @1) pane wee Price 4d.
15) Plain Talk to Small Owners. Price 2d. 31) A. B. C. of Cotton Planting. Price 4d.
163 Hints on Onion Cultivation. Price 2d. (32) Seedling and other Canes at Barbados, in 1904, Price 4d.
(17) General Treatment of Fungoid Pests. Price 4d. (33) Seedling and other Canes in the Leeward Islands, 1903-4.
(18) Recipes for cooking West Indian Yams. Price 2d. Price 4d.

(19) Seedling and other Canes at Barbados, in 1902. Price 4d. 34) Notes on Rabbit Keeping in the West Indies. Price 2d.
(20) Seedling and other Canes in the Leeward Islands, (35) Information in regard to Agricultural Banks. Price 4d.

1901-1902. Price 2d. (36) Manurial Experiments with Sugar-cane in the Leeward
(21) Cotton and Onion Industries in the West Indies. Price 2d. Islands, 1903-4. Price 4d.
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The above will be supplied post free for an additional charge of $d. for the pamphlets marked 2d., and 1d. for the
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‘NATURE TEACHING.’

A text-book based upon the general principles of Agriculture for the use of schools, prepared by the Hon. Francis
Watts and others. Price, limp cloth, 2s., or in a superior style of binding, 2s. 6d. Postage in either binding 34. extra.

The ‘AGRICULTURAL NEWS. A Fortnightly Review.

The ‘Agricultural News’ contains extracts from official correspondence and from progress and
other reports; and, in fact, «ny information indicating what is going on in each colony and the progress made in
Agricultural matters throughous the West Indies.

The ‘ Agricultural News’ is printed in time to he 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 5s. 3d. per annum. Vols I, II, and I1i 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 INp1a CommirTTEE, 15, Seething
Lane, London, E.C. Zarbades: Messrs. Bowrn & Sons, Bridgetown. Jamaica: THe EpucationaL Suppiy
Company, 16, King St., Kingston. British Guiana: ‘Daily Chronicle’ Office, Georgetown. TZ’rinidad: Messrs. Muir,
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Charlestown.

Vor. IV.r7 No; 94. THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS. NoveMBER 25, 1905.

foe IS IEE

Ohlendorff’s Dissolved Peruvian Guano—For Sugar-cane and general use
Ohlendorif’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,

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Cacao; bud-rot disease of Cocoa-nuts ;
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Vout. IVY. No. 95.

BARBADOS, DECEMBER 9, 1905.

Price ld.

CONTENTS.
PAGE. PAGE.
Agricultural Co-operation 383 | Jamaica Tobacco for the
Agricultural Show at Navy... ..Sse nes OR
Tobago... ... ... 375 | Jamaica, Trade and Agri-
Arbor Day :— culture in Eels OG
© 97] 2
Bae: eee abe aa Market Reports ... ... 384
8 Ss |
3 Fo Ne iter ce eae Milking, Hints on... ... 381
Banana Vinegar 371 pa a a =

Bud-rot Disease of the Notes and Comments ... 37

1 aR
‘a= : 69 F 9.80 ‘
Ee pean Balm ar} | Oranges in Trinidad... 371
ace SEMA daenences tl soln Opan gest alia: aaa wO TO
Coffee Market and -6an «Origen =
Copra in the Philippines 381 | Para Rubber in British
Cotton Notes :— Guiana... ... ... 383
Fuzziness of Sea Island Philippines, Exports of... 377
Seed’. .:. «2 .:. S04 || Pine-apple Juiceiee |... 300
a wus
Aik Gon (Capes ’
Tee orets 376 Rubber from St. Lucia .., 382
Ol. OULO
Industry ... ... ... 874 | Steel Articles, Preserving 382
Sea Island Cotton in | Sugar-cane Experiments
England ... ... .. 374 | at Barbados ... ... 372
ings oon) soso ¥ oop otal ae
eurnes Soe STREP 380 | Tobacco, Cultivation and
Grenada, Prize Holding Ganneot 877
Scheme for we. O10 ieee oO TR
Insect Notes :— West Indian Fruit

Trade Wan se OL L
West Indian Products in
London 3

Yautias or Tannias...

|

Cocoa-nut Caterpillar in
British Guiana... 378 |

Cotton Insects at Bar- |
badostest bere «rene ess1.O10

Bud-Rot Disease of the Cocoa-Nut
Palm.

ENTION has already been made in the
Agricultural News (Vol. IV, p. 299) of
the occurrence in the western tropics of

disease of the cocoa-nut palm, known as

_@ serious

‘bud-rot.’ As was briefly stated in the last issue of the
Agricultural News, all the available information
relating to this disease, which is causing considerable
anxiety all over the West Indies, has been collected
and reprinted in the West Indian Bulletin (Vol. VI,
no. 3) in the hope of assisting in the efforts that are
being made to confine it within the localities where
it now exists.

An important point which appears to haye been
established is that what is now known as the ‘ bud-rot’
disease has probably existed in this part of the world
for more than thirty years. It is not unlikely that one
of the diseases of the cocoa-nut palm, investigated in
British Guiana in 1875-6 by the late Hon. William
Russell, may have been identical with that since known
as bud-rot. In 1893 mention was made in the Kew
Bulletin of a disease described as ‘fever’ which was
reported to be occurring in British Honduras. It is
suggested that this disease also may be allied to, if not
identical with, that described by Mr. Russell.

It is probable that between 1876 and 1891 the
effects of the disease were not of a serious character.
But after the American occupation of Cuba cocoa-nut
palms in that island were found to be dying in large
numbers of a mysterious disease, and more general
interest was taken in it. In consequence, an officer of
the U. S. Department of Agriculture was deputed to
make detailed investigations in 1901. Since that time
the disease has been investigated in Jamaica and
elsewhere.

Latterly, the bud-rot has forced itself into
prominence in Trinidad, where, on one plantation, it is

370

THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS,

DrEcEMBER 9, 1905.

reported that 2,000 trees out of a plantation of 25,000
have been lost within the last six months. The
disease has also been causing anxiety in British
Guiana.

As regards the origin of the bud-rot disease, it
may be mentioned that it has been stated that
a fungns was the primary cause of the trouble: but
further investigations would appear to indicate that
bacteria play an important part in the causation of the
disease. The organism is reported to develop ‘in the
sweet coatings of the young protected organs and
finally it reaches the “cabbage” or central growing
point, which it soon reduces to an offensive-smelling
mass.’

It is probable that no remedial measures will be
effective in the case of palms seriously attacked. To
prevent the further spread of the disease all diseased
palms should be cut down and infected portions
destroyed by fire or buried with lime. Experiments
carried out in Jamaica have shown that spraying the
palms with Bordeaux mixture on the first indication
of the disease is more or less effectual. As, however,
the disease is of a virulent character, the most
energetic efforts will be needed to stamp it out.

It is of interest to note that there are indications
that in Jamaica there is a certain green-skinned
variety of cocoa-nut less liable to bud-rot than the
reddish and yellowish kinds. If further experience
should confirm this statement, it may be possible to
establish by careful selection a race of cocoa-nuts
resistant to this disease.

It is hoped that, with the very full information
now available in reference to the bud-rot disease and
the observations and recommendations made in regard
to it in such widely situated localities as Cuba,
Jamaica, British British Guiana, and
Trinidad, the members of the planting community will
have at their disposal ample material upon which to
base the identity of the disease, and the agricultural
officers engaged in dealing with it will be in
a position to recommend such practical remedies as are
likely to be effective and suited to local conditions,

Honduras,

It may be mentioned that there is in Jamaica
another disease of cocoa-nuts, which has been described
in the West Indian Bulletin (Vol. IV, p. 5) as the
‘cocoa-nut wasting British Guiana
considerable damage has been done to the cocoa-nut
and other palms by a caterpillar which strips the

disease. In

leaves. The bud-rot does not seem to have made its
appearance in Barbados; but the cocoa-nut palms in
that island have suffered for many years, and_ still
suffer, from the attacks of scale insects, which are
being carefully investigated by the Entomologist on

the statf of the Imperial Department of Agriculture.

Altogether, the outlook for the cocoa-nut industry
in the West Indies at the present time is not as
favourable as could be desired, but, provided that
energetic and concerted action is taken by those
concerned, and the advice of the various agricultural
officers that are dealing with the subject is closely
followed, serious apprehension need not be felt as to
the ultimate results.

YAUTIAS OR TANNIAS.

Mr. O. W. Barrett, formerly Botanist and Entomologist
at the Porto Rico Agricultural Experiment Station, has made
a careful investigation of this important food plant of the
West Indies, and his results have recently been published in
Bulletin No. 6.

Mr. Barrett refers to the confusion that exists between
the taro, so common throughout the warmer regions of
the Oid World, and the tannier of Tropical America. He
says: ‘Without entering upon a technical discussion of the
specific differences, we will dismiss the taro (Caladium
colocasia *) with the brief statement that the leaf of all its
varieties is peltate, that is, the petiole is attached to the
under surface of the blade at a point more or less remote
from the margin ; whereas the yautia leaf is never peltate,
but has the leaf-stalk attached to the very margin of the
blade.’

The three cultivated species of yautias (known in the
British West Indies as tannias, tanniers, cocoes, or eddoes)
are described as Xanthosoma sagittaefolium, X. atrovirens,
and X. violaceum. Some forty varieties are known in
Porto Rico,

‘The yautia is one of the world’s oldest cultivated crops.
It seldom flowers and never produces seed. It is a native of
Tropical America and is scarcely known outside of this
district.’

In chemical composition tannias do not differ materially
from Irish potatos and sweet potatos. They contain about
26 per cent. of carbohydrates (mainly starch) and 1:7 to 2°5
per cent. of protein.

When 6,000 to 12,000 plants are set to the acre, the
yield is from 7 to 15 tons of tubers per acre in ordinary soils,
Tannias take from eight to twelve months to mature.

In addition to their value as a vegetable, tannias may be
utilized as a source of starch and flour. For the former it is
considered likely to rival the cassava. Experiments indicated
that 20 to 25 per cent. of starch is readily obtained from
fresh ‘roots.’ From the white varieties a starch fully as
white and lustrous as that from the common varieties of
cassava was obtained. Flour was made by grinding dried
slices of the peeled tubers; 10 Tb. of tubers yielded, after
three hours’ drying in the oven, about 3 Ib. of flour. The
cost of raw material to produce 1 Ib. of flour is about 2e.

*Synonym, Colocasia antiquorum, var. esculentum, Schott,

Vou. IV. No. 95.

THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.

371

=) SAGA Hi \ Ws
PRS SQ

WEST INDIAN FRUIT TRADE.

The British West Indian Fruit Co., Ltd. have
written to the Imperial Commissioner of Agriculture,
under date of November 10, as follows :—

We beg to inform you that we have acquired the fruit-
importing business of Messrs. W. Pink and Sons, which we
shall conduct in much the same manner as they have done.
We shall be very glad to have your continued help in the
establishment of the West Indian fruit trade in this country,
and it will give us very much pleasure to endeavour to help
the interests of this trade in every possible way.

ORANGES IN TRINIDAD.

The following is extracted from the Annual
Report on the Trinidad Botanical Department for
1904-5 :— -

The supply of budded oranges has been maintained, and
the extra sections started last year enabled the Department
to meet successfully the demands made upon it. The
increase of interest in the fruit trade has given great impetus
to the growing of selected named varieties, and our first sales
of this class of supplies have done so well, generally, that
the demand for plants is steadily on the increase. Trinidad
oranges shown at the Colonial and Indian Exhibition were
much appreciated, and were fully equal to any exhibited by
other colonies. That they can be successfully carried to the
English market, if due care is taken in the packing and
shipping, has been fully proved. In the writer’s knowledge
small annual consignments have invariably arrived in
England in excellent condition during the past five years.
The budding grounds. have been filled, emptied, and filled
again during the past season. The system of budding
adopted is very successful, and the nursery lads are fast
becoming expert operators. The success of the system has
resulted in reduction of the sales of seedling oranges to the
lowest minimum known. It is an encouraging feature that
our people are beginning to recognize the value of named
varieties of this fruit, as the planting of such kinds must result
in the production of fruit infinitely better suited for export.
It has been proved to the hilt that, given good package and
stowage, Trinidad oranges can reach the English market in
excellent order, and there appears no reason to doubt the
success of those who are interesting themselves in the pro-
duction of this class of fruit. Fruit from seedlings should
always be tested before export, as one single case of inferior
fruit will do much to lower rates paid, while good and well-
known brands, which can be depended upon, will always
command a ready sale.

WEST INDIAN FRUIT.

BANANA VINEGAR.

The Journal of the Jamaica Agricultural
Society gives the following recipe :—

Peel the ripe bananas and place them in a jar or large
vessel. Pour off the juice each day as it accumulates, until
there is only the coarse, spongy debris left. Strain the juice
through a thick piece of brown calico (the calico must be
washed first), and let it stand until turned to vinegar. The
vessel that holds the juice should not be corked, but have
a piece of thin muslin tied over its mouth, to let the air in
and to keep out insects, ete. The time for the juice to
become good vinegar depends on the condition of the bananas
used. Indifferent fruit makes poor vinegar. A common
way to make banana or mango vinegar is to fill a corn bag
with the ripe fruit and hang it over a wooden tub to collect
the juice, but the flavour of the vinegar is not so good as if
a jar or enamelled vessel were used.

CACAO CULTIVATION IN GRENADA.

The Grenada Chronicle and Gazette, of October
28, contains the report of an interview with the
Imperial Commissioner of Agriculture. After discus-
sing the prospects of establishing a banana industry,
the Hon. Sir Daniel Morris referred to the cacao
industry. The following is the substance of his
remarks in this connexion :—

As an offset to the fall in the price of cacao, more
attention should be devoted to the cultivation of the existing
areas of cacao, and he was of opinion that the cost of
production might be reduced without lessening the output.
Considerable waste of material and labour might be saved.
Every ounce of manure used under scientific control can be
made to yield a remunerative return.

He believed that even the good results which are now
obtained on some of the best estates, and which are far
beyond the average for the island, could be considerably
increased. The output of cacao had not kept pace with the
increased area put under cultivation. It would seem that.
the return from some of the peasant holdings had been
considerably affected by large trees, like mangos, cocoa-nuts,
etc., which had been permitted to grow among the cacao.

He was of opinion that the prize holdings scheme, so
successfully adopted in.Jamaica, if carefully organized and
started in a district where a Jarge number of peasants could
be enlisted to compete, should prove the simplest and most
effective means of raising the standard of cultivation on
peasant holdings.

372 THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.

DeEcEMBER 9, 1905,

SUGAR-CANE EXPERIMENTS AT BARBADOS.

An adjourned special meeting of the Barbados
Agricultural Society was held at 2.80 p.m. on Novem-
ber 17 last, at the Planters’ Hall, for the purpose of
discussing the results of the Sugar-cane Experiments
earried on in Barbados for the season 1903-5, presented
by Mr. J. R. Bovell, Agricultural Superintendent, at
a meeting of the Society on November 3. After
some further interesting remarks by Mr. Bovell and
answers given to questions presented by the Hon. G. L.
Pile and others, Mr. Cameron stated that the figures
presented by him represented concrete facts based
on results tabulated from day to day. The tonnage of
sugar referred to was actually shipped, not estimated.

The Hon. Sir Daniel Morris, addressing the meet-
ing, said :—

Mr. President and gentlemen,—Before we close this after-
noon I would like to say a few words on the general situation as
regards the sugar industry. It is evident from the admirable
summary of the results of the sugar-cane experiments presented
by Mr. Bovell and Mr. Radclyffe Hall and the facts elicited in
the discussion that we are steadily advancing in the direction
of raising new canes richer in sugar content and more capable
of resisting disease. It is evident, also, that the methods that
are being adcpted to meet the requirements of the planters are
well suited to attain the ends in view. The canes raised are
not only appreciated here, they are also greatly valued in other
sugar-growing countries. This is especially true of cane B. 208,
which is being largely cultivated in British Guiana, Jamaica,

uba, Porto Rico, Natal, and Queensland, where it is regarded as
one of the richest canes under cultivation. As I mentioned at
the previous meeting, it is proposed to carry on the experiments
on the present lines for three years longer. Whether they are to
be continued in full after that period will depend on the position
then attained, and whether the members of the planting
community in this and other parts of the West Indies can
convince the Imperial Government that it is still necessary to
provide the means for carrying them on. It is right, however,
that I should bring before you to-day and ask your earnest
consideration in regard to other directions in which the position
of the sugar industry in this island may be improved. It is well
known that it costs from 12s. to 13s. to produce a ton of canes
in Barbados. This is possibly higher than in any other cane-
growing country. It is probable that the circumstances at
Barbados justify this. In any case, I am not prepared at this
moment to go into details and point out how canes may be
grown at a lower cost. It is not unlikely that, because labour is
so cheap and abundant, agricultural operations are not so
closely restricted as in localities where labour is dearer ; also,
that planters have not felt the necessity for adopting labour-
saving implements and methods which are essential to the
success of the industry in other parts of the world. One
very prominent item at Barbados is the cost of artificial
manure. I notice that Mr. Bovell in a paper read at the
Agricultural Conference of 1899 places the average cost per
acre for artificial manure at $16°24 (£3 7s. 8/.). Is it established
that the Barbados soil actually requires this expenditure in
addition to an average expenditure per acre (also stated by
Mr. Bovell) of $17°42 (£3 12s. 7d.) for farmyard manure ? These
items deserve to be very carefully scrutinized in the light of the
results brought before you by the Imperial Department of
Agriculture. It is possible that, with a larger use of first-class
farmyard manure, the amount of artificial manure, for plant
canes at all events, might be reducede

During the last two or three years we have heard
little or nothing of proposals to establish a pioneer Central
Factory in Barbados. As you are aware, this matter was
very fully gone into some time ago. Your President in

a paper read at the Agricultural Conference of 1900, expressed
his opinion as follows : * Not only must we have central factories
in order to avoid the enormous loss attending the present
system of manufacture by means of small and imperfect crushing
machinery and open tayches, but to be able to manufacture any
class of sugar that may be in demand in the markets of the
world.’ Further, he stated: ‘It is absolutely essential to our
existence that central factories should be erected here.’
Professor Harrison, with his long experience of Barbados and
his more recent acquaintance with the working of central
factories in British Guiana, at the same Conference stated ;
‘There is not the slightest doubt in my mind thai, if this
colony of Barbados is to continue to exist as a sugar-producing
colony, it must adopt the principle of central factories.’ And
further : ‘All I can say is, that I believe the erection of central
factories in Barbados would be a means of raising the colony
out of its present difficult position and in fact prove its
salvation.’ Nothing has happened since to alter the situation,
and if we allow matters to drift on, as at present, there is little
hope of permanent improvement in the principal industry on
which the safety and welfare of the community depend. In
this connexion, it may be of interest if some of the results of
the working of the new central factory erected at Antigua, for
the current year, were placed on record. This factory, including
5} miles of railway, locomotives, etc., has cost £42,408 (see
West Indiat Bulletin, Vol. VI, pp- 60-4). Particulars to
hand for 1905 are as follows:—Tons of cane crushed, 15,860 ;
gallons of diluted juice, 2,437,500 ; Ist. sugar, 96° crystals, 1,603
tons ; gallons molasses, 7,700; tons of canes per ton of sugar,
9°73; price paid for canes, 11s. 84d. per ton ; cost of making
a ton of first crystals, 96°, delivered on wharf, £2 15s. 44d.
According to these figures, it has required 9°73 tons of
canes to yield 1 ton of 96° crystals. At Barbados we are told
it requires 13} tons of canes to make 1 ton of muscovado sugar.
It follows that a loss of 3} tons of canes is incurred on every
ton of muscovado sugar produced in this island. This means
that, with an annual average crop of 50,000 tons of sugar, the
value of 187,500 tons of canes is lost through defective crushing.
Further, if we take a ton of canes in Barbados as worth 12s.,
the loss, expressed in money, would amount to £112,500.
I admit this is an outside estimate as between the muscovado
sugar produced at Barbados and the 96° crystals produced at
a central factory. If, however, we estimate that only one-fourth
of the Barbados crop is dealt with by a central factory, there would
still be a possible saving in money value of nearly £30,000.
With the present low prices, this is an appreciable amount to
add to the resources of those dependent on the sugar industry.
It has been urged that the establishment of central factories in
Barbados would lead to the displacement of a large amount of
labour and reduce the number of managers, overseers, and
others. I hold in my hand a statement which has been carefully
prepared at Antigua, showing the number of persons displaced
owing to the establishment of the central factory in that island,
including children spreading fuel, etc. The result is that, while
152 labourers and children have been displaced on the estates,
113 have been employed at the factory, leaving thirty-nineactually
displaced. It is pointed out that at the factory the people
employed are more skilled and command higher wages. Four
managers have been displaced, but against this we have to count
the manager of the factory, overseers, and chemist. It would
appear, therefore, that the establishment of a pioneer factory,
capable of turning out 3,600 to 5,000 tons of sugar, would not
displace an appreciable proportion of workers, while the factory
would add several thousand pounds increased yalue to the sugar
produced. We have also to bear in mind that if we continue to
produce muscovado sugar we may, later on, find great difficulty in
finding a good market for it. Neither the United States nor
Canada cares for raw sugar. They prefer, for refining purposes,
96 per cent. crystals ; and in regard to the muscoyado shipped to
the United Kingdom, we have to remember that what is refined
there is shipped to Canada, where it obtains the full benefit of the

preferential tariff, which is denied to the muscovado sugar

Vou. IV. No. 95.

THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.

373

SUGAR-CANE EXPERIMENTS AT BARBADOS

(Contd.).

shipped direct to Canada from the West Indies. In conclusion,
I think it well to draw attention once more to the fact that we
have not yet travelled over the whole ground covered by the
experiments. We may raise canes to withstand disease, but if
at the same time we lose a very large proportion of the canes we
have grown, we cannot possibly place the sugar industry on such
a footing as it ought to be. These experiments having been
placed bofore you, I shall be glad if they lead to discussion
to-day, or at some other time, in order to show whether we
cannot start a pioneer central factory in this island. (Cheers.)

Mr. S. S. Robinson asked the Imperial Commissioner
whether the planters of Antigua who were paid 11s. 83d. per ton
for their canes had any share besides in the profits of the factory.

The Hon. Sir Daniel Morris said they were paid according to
a sliding scale, and if, at the end of the season, they had received
less than 10s. per ton, the first claim on the net profits of the
factory was to increase the price to 10s. Any profit still
remaining unallotted was then divided equally between the
planters and the shareholders of the factory. This is more
fully stated in the West Indian Bulletin, Vol. VI, p. 61.

My. G. Eliot Sealy said: Before we separate there is one
matter which I wish to bring before the meeting in connexion
with these experiments. We have all heard with great interest
the report that has been read of the work done by the Imperial
Department of Agriculture for the season, and the discussion
which has taken place on that report. And we all must realize,
if we have not done so before, the obligation which we are
under, first of all, to the Home Government for establishing the
Imperial Department of Agriculture for the West Indies, and
secondly, to Sir Daniel Morris and his hard-working staff of
officers for the good and lasting work they have done amongst
us. (Cheers.) Whether they are approached with a question
connected with the sugar industry, the cotton industry, the
banana industry, or any other industry, the officers of the
Department are always ready with their advice, not only when
it is asked for, but when it is thought a good thing to give their
adyice, such for instance as the address which the Hon.
Sir Daniel Morris has read to us this afternoon, The report
which has been read on sugar-cane experiments for the season
shows very clearly the enormous scale on which this work is
being carried on, but it is impossible to expect the officers of
the Department to complete the work they have in hand in any
given time. There are some like myself who rather dread the
expiration of the period for which the Department has been
appointed, and I therefore take the opportunity to place on
record our appreciation of the work done by the Department,
and beg to move the following resolution :—

Resolved.—That the Barbados Agricultural Society hereby
desire to place on record their appreciation of the work carried
on by the Imperial Department of Agriculture for the West
Indies in connexion with the sugar-cane experiments in this
island, and would express the sincere hope that the Imperial
Government would see its way to continue the grant in
connexion with them until the scientific investigations now in
hand have placed the industry ona satisfactory footing. (Cheers.)

Mr. W. H. Smith, in seconding the resolution, said ; I quite
endorse all that has been said by Mr. Sealy, and personally
I would say that great courtesy has always been extended to me
by the officers of the Department of Agriculture. Mr. Bovell
on one occasion kindly came to Drax Hall and visited several
fields of canes there. He was shown a great deal and readily
gave me his opinion in connexion with everything submitted to
him. Professor d’Albuquerque has also, in the matter of
analyses, shown me similar courtesy. I therefore beg to second
this resolution most heartily. With regard to seedling canes,
I think we are now getting a better class than formerly.
Perhaps we planters have been a little too quick to form an
opinion as to their merits or demerits and have not given them
the time they deserved. In the case of B. 147 it seems to be

a very marked cane. There is very great demand for tops
and the cultivation of it seems likely to be extended. (Cheers.)

The President said: In supporting this resolution there is
very little left for me to say with regard to the interesting
account Mr. Boyell has given us of these sugar-cane experiments,
but I should like to express the thanks of the society for
haying had the privilege of listenmg to Mr. Boyell’s address
and the opportunity of discussing the results which he has so
clearly placed before us. I should also like on behalf of the
society to say how indebted we are to §

Sir Daniel Morris and
his staff for the hard work which they have carried through so
successfully in this matter of cane experiments. I do not think
there are many of us, in fact I may say there is not one of us,
who will differ from the sentiments expressed by Mr. Sealy in
moving his resolution. But having brought the work up to the
point when it requires, say, a few years more to give some
really valuable results, it would be a disaster not only to the
sugar industry of Barbados but elsewhere, if the operations
of the Department were soon discontinued, because it seems to
me that in all parts of the sugar-growing world they are looking
to Sir Daniel Morris’ Department in the West Indies for results
in the matter of seedling canes. (Cheers.) Of course we
are not concerned with the rest of the world; they know how
to take care of themselves. But as regards Barbados, it would
certainly be a calamity to the sugar industry that what seems
such a promise as has been held out to us should not be realized.
There can be no doubt that, if time is given the seedlings such as
these which we are working on, we shall get a cane that shall
place our industry on a prosperous footing. But as Sir Daniel
Morris has told us, there is no good having the best cane in the
world if we make a class of sugar that is not wanted, for, in
that case, we may as well have a bad cane, as we shall get no
further. You will perhaps remember that, some ten or twelve
years ago, the Legislature passed an Act providing for the
erection of a pioneer central factory, but that Act was vetoed by
the Colonial Office. If at that time we had had Sir Daniel
Morris working with us and he had expressed himself as
clearly as he has done to-day, Mr. Chamberlain would not
have disallowed that Act, and to-day we should have had full
knowledge as to whether or not central factories were the
best things for our industry. (Cheers.) It gives me great
gratification, therefore, to hear Sir Daniel Morris strike the true
note with regard to central factories. I think it is the first
time that Sir Daniel Morris has in public expressed himself so
clearly as he has done to-day on the subject of central factories,
and I am certain, if we should make another attempt to
establish a central factory in this island, that, with Sir Daniel
Morris to help us, we shall not meet another rebuff. (Loud
cheers.)

The resolution was then put to the meeting and carried
unanimously.

On the motion of Mr. Sealy, seconded by Mr. Smith,
another resolution was adopted to the effect that a copy of the
first resolution be forwarded to his Excellency the Governor
with a request that it be sent to the Secretary of State for the
Colonies,

DATE PALMS AT TRINIDAD.

The consignment of date palms received from Algeria
have made excellent growth, and bid fair to arrive at
a fruiting stage within reasonable time. It is hoped that
they will prove on fruiting to be an acquisition to our list
of West Indian grown fruit. The fungus which was found
on them on arrival does not appear to do serious harm,
although it apparently checks growth in dry weather to
some extent. (Annual Report on the Trinidad Botanical
Department, for 1904-5.)

374

THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.

DecumBER 9, 1905.

Caer

SEA ISLAND COTTON IN ENGLAND.

The Cotton Trade Journal, of Savannah, Georgia,
for November 11, 1905, has the following note from its
Manchester correspondent on the position of Sea Island
cotton on that market :—

Sea Island yarn shows no change and no improvement
can be noted. English spinners are still indifferent to the
Savannah market and are waiting for the accumulation of
stock. The weathered condition of the crop, especially in
Florida, is very marked. The very small section spinning
Carolinas is fairly busy, but as we have said in previous
notes, West Indian cotton is a formidable competitor, and
unless planters and factors moderate their pretentions respect-
ing prices, a moderate demand only is likely to occur. The
action of the Charleston people in deciding that 14d. is to
be the minimum price for Fully Fine Carolinas is not
regarded seriously, for this is just the cotton which suffers in
competition with West Indian.

ST. VINCENT COTTON INDUSTRY.

The Agricultural Superintendent at St. Vincent
has forwarded to the Imperial Commissioner of
Agriculture the following report, dated November
11, on the cotton industry in the island :—

As mentioned in my last report, picking is now in full
swing on most of the estates, and cotton of good quality is
being stored. So far, the lint appears to be quite up to last
year’s standard, but, on this point, conclusive information
should shortly be obtained, as several samples were sent
on by growers last mail to Mr. E. Lomas Oliver.

During the last few days, I have visited with
Mr. Fraser the cultivations at Diamond, Brighton, Villa, etc.,
for the purpose of ascertaining if there were any ‘rogues’ ;
a few plants of the Marie Galante were seen and pulled up.
If this type is pulled up now, there is no danger, as the
plants are only just commencing to flower, whereas the
Sea Island plants have already set most of the bolls of the
first crop and are ripening up rapidly.

I have also visited Mustique and was much interested
in what I saw. ‘This island, as you are aware, is owned by
Messrs. J. H. Hazell, Sons, & Co., and for a good number of
years has been devoted entirely to the raising of stock ; last
year, however, about 10 acres of Sea Island cotton were
put in, and the results obtained were very encouraging, the
yield being much higher than on the other estates owned by
the same firm at St. Vincent ; besides this, the cotton was
considered to be one of the best lots sent on and realized top
prices.

This year about 20 acres have been planted, and, on the
whole, the outlook is good. At the time of my visit picking

OTTON NOTES, 2

j POM gs

was in full swing and there was every promise of a heavier
return than last year. I found a few ‘rogues’ in the
cultivations and had them pulled up and destroyed. Next
year it is proposed to put in a much larger area still and
I inspected the areas to be planted and gaye advice on their
selection. No serious diseases were seen. Some damage
had been done to the leaves of the plants by a small
beetle, specimens of which I forwarded to you some time

ago. This beetle can be readily controlled by the usual
methods. There was a little anthracnose, but not enough to

cause much damage to the crop.

As mentioned before in other reports, there is no reason
why paying crops of Sea Island cotton should not be grown
in the St. Vincent Grenadines, the conditions as to rainfall
being much better than at St. Vincent.

It should also be possible, with careful selection, to grow
there seed for planting at St. Vincent and other places, as the
cotton can be completely isolated. Then, again, the type of
plant would tend in time to be much hardier when grown
under the conditions obtaining in these small islands than
that grown here.

The chief drawback is the labour question, it being
difficult to get labour except at a price often far in excess of
its value. At Mustique, of course, there is not this difficulty,
as Messrs. Hazell can control the labour, but in Bequia there
is this drawback to cotton cultivation.

So far, both at St. Vincent and the Grenadines, the leat-
blister mite has done little damage, scarcely any being found.
I put this down to the complete destruction of the old cotton
plants at the beginning of the year and the disinfection of
the new seed with carbon bisulphide and corrosive sublimate.
Two cases which tend to prove this have come under my
notice : one where an old cotton plant had grown up ina field
of newly planted cotton, the other being outside the cotton
factory. In the first case the old cotton plant had badly
infected several young plants around it in the field, and in
the second, all the seedlings of self-sown non-disinfected seed
that came up near the cotton factory were badly affected.
This tends to show that the leaf-blister mite is carried with
the cotton seed.

Weather conditions have retarded the work of picking

during the last week, but if the weather now holds fine there
should not be much injury done to the crop.

Soil Inoculation for Alfalfa. It is desired to
correct an error which occurred in the publication of the
report on an experiment carried out at the Agricultural
School at Dominica in inoculating the soil for alfalfa. (See
Agricultural News, Vol. IV, p. 341.) The heights of the
alfalfa plants were given in feet: these should be read as
inches,

Vout. IV. No. 95. THE

AGRICULTURAL

NEWS. 375

AGRICULTURAL SHOW AT TOBAGO.

The Curator of the Botanic Station at Tobago has
forwarded the following report on the combined annual
schools’ and peasant proprietors’ show, held in that
island on November 15 last:—

SCHOOL SHOW.

The third annual school show was held on the 15th. in
the spacious market shed, Scarborough, Tobago. The
schools exhibiting numbered twenty-four, and the entries
were 441; being an increase of eighty over that of the
preceding show.

The exhibits of vegetables were, on the whole, of good
quality, and there were good exhibits of cucumbers, tomatos,
herbs, and native vegetable products.

A special feature of this show was the large number
of extracted oils and also good samples of Sea Island cotton.

In the section for plants a few good examples were
shown ; also some budded plants.

The show was a very creditable one, and the increase
in the number of exhibits shows that interest is taken in
school gardens in Tobago,

PEASANT PROPRIETORS’ SHOW.

Th2 peasant proprietors’ show was the second annual
one. This was held in the market enclosure under a bamboo
structure, 54 feet by 24 feet. The interest taken in this
show is apparent from the increase in the number of
exhibitors and of exhibits.

In the vegetable classes, ground and native provisions
were well represented. The following exhibits were worthy
of mention: Cacao nibs, cacao pods, chocolate, starches,
coffee beans, tomatos, shaddocks, oranges, bananas, golden
apples, and herbs ; oils and lime juice also formed a good
exhibit. Special mention should be made of the numerous
and good exhibits of samples of Sea Island cotton.

This portion of the show was under the charge of the
officers of the Botanic Station.

From the Botanic Station the following exhibits were
sent (not for competition): Sea Island cotton, grown from
seed in four months and four days ; budded oranges, spine-
less limes, grafted mangos ; also plants in pots.

PRIZE HOLDING SCHEME FOR GRENADA.

A scheme for prize holdings among the small culti-
vators of cacao is in course of being established at
Grenada. The objects and provisions of the scheme
are fully set forth in the following extract from
a letter, dated November 28, 1905, addressed by the
Imperial Commissioner of Agriculture to the Colonial
Secretary, Grenada :—

It will be observed that this scheme has been drawn up
after consultation with the leading members of the planting
community ; it was discussed at the meeting of the Agri-
cultural Experiments Committee on the occasion of my recent
visit to Grenada, and it was discussed and agreed upon at
a general meeting of the Agricultural Society held on the
24th. instant. In its present form, it may be regarded as
the result of careful consideration on the part of the agri-
culturists of the colony and of the Imperial Department of
Agriculture.

The object of the scheme is to stimulate greater
attention being devoted to their holdings by peasant cultiva-
tors of cacao with the view of increasing the total exports
of the colony. A similar scheme has been in successful
operation at Jamaica, and the results there have shown that

the money spent in connexion with it has been well invested
in the general interests of the island.

In the first instance, following the advice of the Agri-
cultural and Commercial Society, the scheme will be put in
force in the parish of St. John as the one which contains the
largest number of peasant proprietors in proportion to its
size. A copy of the rules regulating the scheme is attached
herewith.

The aggregate amount of the prizes to be offered in
1906 will be £25.

RULES GOVERNING THE PRIZE HOLDING SCHEME AT GRENADA,

1. Prizes will be awarded for the improvement of
cacao cultivation during the year 1906.

2. Only persons holding not more than 5 acres of land
cultivated in cacao are to be allowed to compete.

3. The hoidings entered for competition are to be
situated within the parish of St. John.

4. The prizes are to be allotted in three classes:—

Ist. class—holdings not over 5 acres and not less
than 3 acres of cacao,

2nd. class—holdings not over 3 acres and not less
than 2 acres of cacao.

ord. class—holdings not over 2 acres of cacao.

No person is to compete in more than one class,

but may select any class for which he, or she, can

Or

qualify.
6. Prizes are to be given in the parish of St. John as
follows :—
CLASS I.
Ist. prize ... 5 £4
Sd sas 3
Orde, 2 £9
CLASS II.
St 3 bac 0 £3
2nd. ,, 2
Bl. cp. 008 son ae a Leo
4th. ,, two of 15s. each 110 £8
CLASS II.
ISG Bare abe oa Se aco ea}
ANG: Vil) ate 600 ae 500 Ali 2
Sil; Gy 00 BAC Be ast Bde 1
4th. ,, four of 10s. each 2 £8

£25

In judging, the following points will be con-
sidered :—(i.) General condition of the holding as
regards cleanliness of cultivation. (ii.) Pruning.
(iii.) Forking and draining. (iv) Manner in
which the pods are removed from the tree in
reaping. Prizes may be given for cultivation in
progress, provided it is, in the opinion of the
judges, sufficiently advanced to admit of being
judged.

8. It shall be competent for the judges to withhold any
or all of the prizes if the holdings entered for
competition are not considered of sufficient merit.

9. Three months’ notice at least is to be given before
judging commences, and the decision of the judges,
in all cases, is to be final.

10. Entry in writing, stating the class in which it is
intended to compete, must be given by competitors
before March 1, 1906, to the Secretary of the
Agricultural Society, or an officer of the Agri-
cultural Department.

bas |

THE

AGRICULTURAL NEWS.

DeEcEMBER 9, 1905.

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 Nee 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 3 of the cover.

The Agricultural News:
post free 13d.
2s, 2d.

Price 1d. per number,
Annual subscription payable to Agents,
Post free, 3s. 3d.

Agricultural

Vou. IV.

Alews

Cy

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 9, 1905. No. 95.

NOTES AND COMMENTS.

Contents of Present Issue.

A short review of the available information in
regard to the bud-rot disease of the cocoa-nut palm is
given in the editorial in this issue.

On pp. 372-3 will be found a report of the pro-
ceedings at a meeting of the Barbados Agricuitural
Society on November 17, at which a discussion took
place in regard to the sugar-cane experiments carried
on at Barbados. The Imperial Commissioner of Agri-
culture addressed the meeting on the subject of central
factories.

The report on the cotton industry at St. Vincent,
published on p. 374, shows that the position of the
industry is, on the whole, satisfactory.

Particulars are published on p. 375 of a scheme
that has been drawn up for awarding prizes for peasant
to}
holdings at Grenada.

Under the head of ‘Insect Notes’ information is
given relative to a caterpillar which has been doing
considerable damage to cocoa-nut and other palms in
British Guiana. (See p. 878.) On the same page will
be found notes on the insects that have appeared in
the cotton fields in Barbados during 1905.

The extracts from official reports from Jamaica,
which are published on p. 379, indicate that there is
considerable activity in agricultural matters in that
island,

Jaffa Oranges.

An inquiry has been made whether forms of the
true Jaffa orange are grown in the West Indies. This
is a matter of interest to all who are concerned in the
cultivation of citrus fruits.

The Imperial Commissioner of Agriculture would
be glad to receive information from those who possess
true Jatfa orange trees, and also specimens of the fruit,
to be addressed to the Head Oftice of the Department
at Barbados.

Medals For Cotton Growers.

In reference to the paragraph on this subject that
appeared in the Agricultural News of October 21 last,
it may be mentioned that a telegram has been received
from Sir Alfred Jones, K.C.M.G., announcing that gold
and silver medals for competition amongst cotton
growers in the West Indies have been ordered. They
will be exhibited at a banquet to be given at
Manchester by the British Cotton-growing Association
on December 11 next. Sir Alfred Jones has expressed
his wish that the medals should be awarded under the
direction of the Imperial Commissioner of Agriculture
and entirely with the object of extending the
cultivation of Sea Island cotton on right lines. It is
probable that silver medals will be offered for
competition for the best seed-cotton at the Agricultural
Shows to be held up to March 31 next. The gold medals,
on the other hand, will be reserved and offered tor
competition generally amongst growers who have
shipped the largest quantity of cotton (per acre or
otherwise), who have obtained the highest prices, and
who have shipped such cotton to the British Cotton-
growing Association.

Eee

Trade and Agriculture in Jamaica.

The Annual Report of the Collector General in
Jamaica for the year 1904-5 shows that there was
a considerable decrease in the value of the exports
during the year. This shrinkage in output is found
principally in the following items: cocoa-nuts, coffee,
ginger, oranges, sugar, rum, honey, and logwood.

Increases are shown in respect of pimento,
logwood extract, and tobacco (leaf, cigars, and

cigarettes). The output of bananas was 1,100,496
stems greater than in the preceding year, but the
value was £71,052 less.

It is pointed out that the export figures ‘taken
by themselves show little or no progress, but when the
qualifying factor of the greatly reduced prices obtained
for some of our principal products is taken into
consideration, claim to appreciable progress is fairly
established.’

The Collector General expresses his opinion that
there is visible already good growing out of the evils
of the experience with the hurricane of 1908. New
life has been instilled into agriculture and it is
believed that a lasting lesson in thrift has been taught
and learnt. The extracts from the reports of the
collectors for the several parishes, reproduced on p. 379,
are of interest in this connexion,

ols live, Not 95:

THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.

377

Coffee Market.

Attention is drawn in the October issue of the
Bulletin of the Department of Agriculture, Jamaica,
to the fact that the rate of exchange with Brazil has
gone up in nine months from 12d. to 17d. per milreis.
This will have the effect of increasing the cost, reckoned
in sterling, of growing coffee in Brazil, and therefore
tend to reduce production. Consequently, higher prices
may be expected for coffee in the world’s markets.

The increased consumption of coffee and a diminu-
tion of supplies from South America are likely to
combine to bring about a better outlook for coffee in
the course of a few years. By this improvement
Jamaica planters might profit if they were to extend
the area in coffee cultivation; for coffee planted now
would come into bearing in about four or five years.

Sn ee
Cultivation and Curing of Tobacco.

The most recent addition to the pamphlet series
issued by the Imperial Department of Agriculture is
a pamphlet on the Cultivation and Curing of Tobacco,
which has been published with the view of generally
encouraging the cultivation of this product in the
West Indies. It is mainly based on information
originally published in the Bulletin of the Department
of Agriculture, Jamaica.

Tobacco cultivation is one of the most promising
industries in Jamaica. For some years a useful series
of experiments in tobacco production has been carried
on at the Hope Experiment Station, and these notes
are a record of some of the experiences gained thereby.
They forma simple and reliable guide to the various
details of tobacco growing and curing.

A section of this pamphlet is devoted to the
cultivation under shade of Sumatra tobacco for cigar
wrappers, which appears to offer prospects of a fairly
remunerative character.

A

Jamaica Tobacco for the Navy.

Ina letter addressed to the Under-Secretary of State
for the Colonies, dated October 21, 1905, the Secretary
to the Admiralty states that, with the assistance of
Mr. F. V. Chalmers, the Admiralty obtained a supply
(1,508 th.) of leaf tobacco from Jamaica, for trial in the
Navy; but, as it transpired that this tobacco by itself
was not suitable for pipe smoking, and that there is
not, at the present time, any colonial-grown tobacco
suitable for blending with it, arrangements were made
for it to be blended and manufactured with a quantity of
Virginian-grown tobacco, the proportion being 1,508 tb.
of Jamaican to 5,075 th. of Virginian. This preparation
is now undergoing trial in the fleet, and the results of
the experiment will be communicated in due course.

It is hoped that, should this preparation meet
with the approval of the sailors, a great impetus will
be given to tobacco growing in the West Indies,

Every effort will have to be made to see that
a regular and constant supply be forthcoming to meet
the demand that would arise from this source. This
is a matter to which the most careful attention must
be paid both by growers and merchants in order to
establish the industry on right lines.

Fuzziness of Sea Island Cotton Seed.

In an interesting report on the above subject, the
Agricultural Superintendent at St. Vincent mentions
that, in dealing with upwards of 32,000 tb. of Sea
Island cotton seed, censiderable variation in fuzziness
was noticed in the seed from different estates, all of
which were supplied with, and grew, only Rivers’ seed.

Mr. Sands expresses the opinion that this fuzziness
is decided, more or less, by local climatic conditions.
This is a point upon which the interchange of seed
within the island is likely to afford useful information.

It is important to observe that the price of the
lint was not affected by the fuzziness of the seed from
which it was obtained, the lint from all the estates
mentioned in the report realizing 17d. to 18d. per th.

x
Exports of the Philippines.
According to the Consular Report on the

Philippine Islands for 1904, the total quantity of
Manila hemp exported during the year was 121,637
tons, valued at £4,183,835. There has been a large
increase in the production of hemp in recent years, but
this is apparently attributed to the unsettled state of
the islands (the natives neglecting rice cultivation for
hemp stripping), and is not likely to continue.

Sugar has shown a steady decline for the past
three years. The exports of leaf tobacco have remained
fairly steady; the total quantity exported during 1904
was 18,640,612 tb., of the value of £197,904. The value
of manufactured tobacco exported was £203,846.

The copra trade has steadily increased, while that
of coffee has practically disappeared, and it is not
likely that coffee cultivation will again be taken up
until some means have been found of controlling insect
and fungoid pests.

———————
Pine-apple Juice.

The Imperial Commissioner of Agriculture having
received a request for directions as to the preparation
of pine-apple juice, an endeavour has been made to
obtain some information on this point. There do not
appear to be any records of actual experiments having
been made for the purpose of ascertaining the best
method of extracting and preserving the juice, nor of
attempts to place the juice upon the market.

Dr. Cousins writes that attempts were made in
Jamaica, but apparently with little success, to start
a trade in sliced pine-apples and in pulp. The former
were preserved in a solution of sodium bisulphite. He
suggests that the juice might be extracted by pressing
slices of pine-apples in a cider press. The addition of
a little calcium bisulphite (4+ per cent.) would serve
to preserve the juice for shipment.

In a communication on the same subject,
Dr. Watts points out that sterilizing by heating would
not be satisfactory, as the flavour of the pine-apple
would be lost. The use of salicylic acid might be
suggested, but this is objected to by health authorities.
Sulphurous acid or sulphite of soda might be tried,
but its success is doubtful as its flavour is objectionable
if freely used.

378 THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.

DrcEMBER 9, 1905.

INSECT NOTES.

Cotton Insects in Barbados.

The season of 1905 has been an abundant one for
insects in general. Cotton fields on certain estates were
seriously attacked by cutworms which ext down the young
plants. The use of a poison bait proved a very efficient
check where it was given a thorough trial.

On one estate early-planted cotton (June and July) was
so severely attacked that it was thought advisable to replant
entirely. A poison bait made of 25 Ib. of bran and 1 Ib. of
Paris green, thoroughly mixed together and stirred to a thick
mash with molasses and water, was applied, a small handful
being used at each hole, and the seed put in at the same time.
When the plants grew there was practically no indication of
the presence of the cutworm. The cost of this treatment was
from 20c. to 24c. per acre.

On a few estates the cotton has suffered from the
attacks of the cotton worm and a considerable amount of
Paris green has been used. It was early noticed, however,
that, even when the leaves of the cotton were badly eaten,
very few caterpillars were to be seen and these were not
quite like those of previous years. Many planters also
noticed that no pupae were to be found this year, while in
previous years in any field where the caterpillars had been
plentiful many pupae were found in the leaves.

Caterpillars were obtained by the Agricultural Superin-
tendent from estates in different parts of the island and
a portion of each lot was sent to the Imperial Department of
Agriculture, and as many as possible were reared to maturity.
From this test not a single specimen of Aletia argillacea was
procured, the moths that emerged proving to be all of one
kind, but not Aletia argillacea. Recently, however, a few
specimens of this species have been reared from cater-
pillars found in a cotton field in St. Philip’s parish.

The cotton worm of 1905, in Barbados, is smaller than
the caterpillar of Aletia argillacea and lacks the character-
istic dark stripes along the back. It hides during the day in
the bracts at the base of the flower and boll, and the pupa is
found in the ground. The moth itself is smaller than Aletia
argillacea. The forewings are greyish with greenish reflec-
tions, crossed by fine, wavy, light lines and lack the light
spots so characteristic in Aletia argillacea; the hindwings
are slaty-grey with distinct, light borders. Paris green has
been found as effective in dealing with this. insect as with
Aletia argillacea.

The cotton aphis has appeared in a number of fields,
but the natural enemies of this insect have in nearly every
case proved sufliciently efficient to prevent serious injury.

The red maggot has been destructive in only very few
instances. On account of the habit of this pest of living
and feeding under the bark of the cotton plant, it is difficult
to deal with. Cutting out and burning affected plants and
branches seems to be the only remedy at present. Great
care should be exercised to prevent the plants becoming
bruised or broken, as any abrasion of the bark seems to offer
opportunity for the entrance of the insect.

Cocoa-nut Caterpillar in British Guiana.

A report by the Government Botanist of British
Guiana on a caterpillar which attacks the leaves of
cocoa-nut and other palms in that colony has recently
been issued. The following is a summary of the
report :—

The insect has been identified from specimens sent to
the Bureau of Entomology of the U.S. Department of Agri-
culture as Brassolis sophore, Linn. The eggs of this insect
are laid, in batches of 100 to 150 or more, on the stem or
under side of the leaves of the cocoa-nut, and have also been
found on leaves of other plants. They are smooth, shiny,
pink in colour, nearly round in shape, and about 34, inch
in diameter. The newly-hatched larvae are about 3 inch in
length, the full-grown larvae being about 25 inches long.
They are very voracious feeders and their growth is rapid.
They are gregarious, feeding and resting together in large
numbers. When moving from place to place they move in
procession, and when resting are massed closely together
with the heads all in the same direction. They have a habit
of joining together several leaflets of the palm to form nests
in which the caterpillars rest during the day time, and from
which they come out to feed at night.

The pupae are found on the under side of the leaves of
the palms affected, and in many other locations where the
caterpillars find suitable place to suspend themselves when
about to pupate. The pupal stage lasts about a fortnight.

The butterfly is dark brown in colour, with a broad band
of dark orange running obliquely across the forewings and
a Jess conspicuous band of dingy orange on the hind wings,
parallel with the outer border. The female buttertly spreads.
34 to 34 inches, and the male 2} to 2} inches. The
butterflies rest during the day and fly late in the afternoon.

The damage done is severe. Many cabbage palms have
been killed, while many cocoa-nut trees have been stripped
of their leaves. The damage is done by the caterpillars,
which eat all the green parts of the leaf, leaving only the
mid-rib and principal veins.

This insect has natural enemies which may assist in
reducing its numbers. Various birds prey on it and parasites
of the egg and the pupa have been discovered.

In dealing with this pest it is recommended that
a sharp lookout be kept for the first appearance. The leaves
attacked should be cut away and the pocket-like nests.
destroyed. The eggs and pupae should be collected and
destroyed, while the butterflies may be collected as they rest
during the day on the trunks of the trees. They may be
destroyed by burning or by immersing in water which has.
kerosene on the surface, or in a mixture of water
and carbolic acid, or chloro-naphtholeam. Cabbage palms.
growing near cocoa-nut plantations should be cut down when
the attack is first noticed, as these methods are more difficult
to apply to cabbage palms.

The report concludes with a note, regarding the killing
of the eggs, from the Entomologist on the staff of the
Imperial Department of Agriculture, who suggested that the
following mixture might be useful: creosote oil, 5 parts 5,
carbolic acid, 2 parts; spirits of turpentine, 2 parts; coal
tar, 1 part. This mixture could be applied to the egg
patches with a brush. It is said to have great penetrating
power and will kill every egg it touches.

The writer of the report does not consider spraying.
likely to pay, since the cheaper and simpler process of
cutting out and burning the nests has been found fairly
successful in dealing with the pest.

You. IV. No. 95.

THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.

AGRICULTURE IN JAMAICA.

The Annual Report of the Collector General in
Jamaica for 1904-5 contains interesting information in
regard to the exports of the island and the progress of
agricultural industries. Discussing the statistics relat-
ing to land under cultivation, the Collector General
remarks :—

It will be seen that the area registered as being in
bananas has increased by no less than 11,014 acres, or
33 per cent. ; cacao cultivation shows a satisfactory advance
of 883 acres, or 19 per cent., and ground provisions
4,430 acres, or 4 per cent., while the area in canes, coffee,
and cocoa-nuts continues to dwindle. It is a matter for
regret that the more enduring, if less profitable, staples should
be allowed to run in arrear, especially as there is no valid
reason why an extension of area in canes and coffee should
not keep pace with the extension of fruit cultivation. It is
not necessary to abandon cane to take up fruit, nor to give
the cold shoulder to coffee because yams are required on the
Canal Zone. The increase in area in bananas is- general
throughout the banana-growing parishes. Among minor
items the only point that calls for passing mention is the
experimental cultivation of cotton in Clarendon and
St. Catherine, where 18 acres are registered.

The following are extracts from the reports of the
Collectors for several parishes :—

ST. MARY.

The cultivation of bananas has considerably increased,
and the fruit trade has regained lost ground by leaps and
bounds. In the September quarter of 1904-5, just thirteen
months after the hurricane, the trade had practically
recovered, and in the March quarter, the shipments actually
exceeded those in the same quarter of 1903.

The prices paid for bananas in the open market during
the last three months of the year were unusually low,
unsatisfactory and disappointing; while contractors received
from £7 10s. to £10 per hundred payable bunches, others
were paid from £5 to £7 10s., and there was not the usual
demand for six- and seven-hand bunches, thousands of
which remained in the fields and rotted. I have no doubt
the severe winter in the States was responsible for the state
of affairs. Banana planters have not yet solved the problem
of cultivating so as to bring their crop to maturity between
the months of March and June ; this does not seem to me an
impossibility and in the near future, I am of opinion, the
difficulty will be overcome.

Cacao cultivation is receiving careful attention and is
being rapidly extended ; already there are many large and
well-established plantations; the spring crop now being
reaped promises to be one of the best for some years. If
the planters could establish (and there is no reason why they
should not) as large an area under cacao cultivation as they
have in bananas, they would have an excellent staple product
to depend on in the event of destruction to bananas by strong
winds or eyen an occasional hurricane.

ST. ANN.

The St. Ann Product Co. has erected a steam plant for
the manufacture of corn-meal; the quality is very good, and
the article is readily bought. There was a partial failure of
the coffee crop. The St. Ann Product Co. and the
Hon. H. E. Cox, who have up-to-date machinery for pulping
the coffee, buy the berries from the peasantry. They then
pulp and cure the product which realizes fairly remunerative
prices in foreign markets.

WESTMORELAND,

Sugar farming by the small landowners on the lowlands
is assuming a feature. Owing to the rise in the price of
sugar abroad, some of the planters or managers of estates
have given an impetus to this industry by purchasing from
growers around their estates, hence extensive planting.
From information received there are about 300 acres in cane
cultivation by small settlers and owners of pens, and it is
expected that next year will witness further planting : of the
300 acres under cane cultivation about 100 acres are
cultivated by small settlers. The yield per acre is about ?
to 1 ton of sugar, and if properly cultivated would be worth
to the settler about £5 per annum. These estates have
purchased for the period under review about 6,650 tons of
canes, the prices obtaining being 10s. per ton for 50 tons and
over, and 9s. per ton for lots under 50 tons. Rum canes are
bought at about 4s. per ton. he yield of sugar has been
very fine this year, taking as low as 1,700 gallons to make
a ton of sugar; in consequence the rum crop will be small.

MANCHESTER.

The orange market has been a regular fiasco. As usual,
at the beginning of the season, when this fruit was fetching
a fair price abroad, the greed to become millionaires
all of a heap affected many, and while a few of the more
discreet and businesslike gentlemen of the parish were
satisfied to send away a few boxes of good fruit, obtained
by sending their agents armed with thread bags containing
small coin to purchase the real article in small quantities of
a dozen or half a dozen even, according as they came across
them, and thus collect seventy or eighty boxes for which
they realized a very fair profit, others, who sent their agents
all over the parish who bought whatever they could lay their
hands on, so long as the article bore any relationship to the
‘citrus family,’ were able to ship hundreds of boxes with the
result that their golden dreams were turned into the
lamentable fact that the orange market for this season at
least was killed and they were out of pocket amounts,
probably, reaching to three figures. The trade mark
arrangement appears to be utterly useless so far as achieving
the ends for which the law was enacted, from the fact that
some shippers possess as many as five different trade marks.

CLARENDON,

There is a bright outlook in the Vere district for the
sugar crop of 1905-6, the year under notice having been
a seasonable one for cane cultivation which has increased

considerably. In Upper Clarendon the small settlers are
also increasing their cultivations and improving their

methods, returning to the practice of putting up their sugar
in barrels to meet anticipated demands in the foreign
markets. A wealthy syndicate has purchased Morelands
estate, intending shortly to erect new machinery for a central
factory ; peasant cane farming will, I learn, be an important
feature in connexion with the undertaking. The outlook, on
the whole, for 1905-6 is encouraging and better times may be
expected for all classes, particularly if the peasants will put
their shoulders to the pushing on faster in planting their
produce. The proprietors of the cassava starch factory
at Longville, on account of the small output from the present
machinery, are erecting a much larger building with new
machinery which will enable them to cope with the increased
demand for their product. The cultivation of cassava
has increased to 400 acres and it is expected the new
plant is capable of turning out fully 500 tons. The factory
employs 400 labourers daily.

380 THE

AGRICULTURAL NEWS.

DrceMBER 9, 1905.

GLEANINGS.

The sum of £213 17s. 11d. has been expended by the
Government of Barbados in the destruction of the mungoose
during the year 1904-5.

Rubber is by far the most important of the exports of
the Ivory Coast, the total amount for the year 1904 being
1,531 tons valued at £261,400. (Consular Report.)

The annual Agricultural Show under the auspices of the
Imperial Department of Agriculture will be held at Charles-
town, Nevis, on Thursday, January 18, 1906.

The annual local Agricultural Exhibition for peasant
proprietors and tenants on sugar estates at Barbados,
organized by the Imperial Department of Agriculture, was
held at Bushy Park estate on Tuesday, December 5.

Tt is stated that a company has been started in Porto
Rico for the purpose of organizing a trade in drawn-thread
work. It employs 700 girls. This product will be placed
by the company on the New York market.

The Excise Report of the Comptroller of Customs for
1904-5 states that both the aggregate quantity and the value
of the rum exported from British Guiana last year were less
than in the previous year: quantity by 1,278,305 gallons,
and value by $188,197.

The West India Committee Circular of November 10
contains an illustration showing the decorations in Trafalgar
Square, Barbados, on the occasion of the Trafalgar centenary
celebration. It is from a photograph taken by Mr. Henry
A. Ballou, B.Sc., of the Imperial Department of Agriculture.

In their Sea Island Cotton Report for October 28,
Messrs. Henry W. Frost & Co., of Charleston, South Carolina,
state: ‘ In South Carolina a larger proportion of the crop
has been harvested than in previous years, and it is thought
that the outturn will hardly equal the last.’

The operations of the branches of two American wood-
cutting firms established at Belize, British Honduras, are
responsible, according to the Annual Report on the colony,
for the large increase in the output of mahogany and cedar
during the last two years.

It is mentioned in the report of the Collector General in
Jamaica that ‘a small steam plant has been erected near
May Pen for preparing umbrella and other sticks, and for
manufacturing cart and waggon wheels and fruit boxes.
Many thousand sticks have already been exported; the
business is in its infancy and promises to do well.’

The Collector General reports a steady increase in the
exports of minor products from Jamaica. This he regards
as a wholesome sign, stating: ‘The minor products belong
distinctly to the people of the country and in the record of
trade done therein is to be found the index to the condition
of the peasant proprietors.’

The output of logwood extract from Jamaica has steadily
increased during the last four years, from 5,149 packages of
the value of £26,144 in 1901-2 to 9,560 packages of the
value of £63,689 in 1904-5. In the same period the output
of logwood has decreased from 41,107 tons (value,
£103,795) to 29,972 tons (value, £75,679).

According to the Report on the Lands and Mines
Department in British Guiana for 1904-5, the amount of
balata obtained during the year was 497,999 tb. The
decrease in output of 741,499 tb. was due entirely to cutting
down of operations by the licensees on account of the depres-
sion in prices.

Reporting on a visit to the mission stations of Orealla

and Epera, on the Corentyne River, British Guiana,
Mr. Edgar Beckett, Agricultural Instructor, says: ‘It is

interesting to note that in the forests behind these missions
Vanilla planifolia, the vanilla of commerce, grows quite
luxuriantly and is really very common.’

The ‘Coco-de-mer’ or ‘double cocoa-nut palms’ are
growing well, and now form stately plants, quite distinct
and unique, even in their own section of the Palmae.
There are three plants in a group near the Bungalow attached
to Government House ; and one in front of the Gardens.
(Annual Report on the Botanical Department, Trinidad,.
1905.)

Tn his report on the Trinidad Botanical Department for
1904-5, Mr. J. H. Hart mentions that a considerable number
of notices were issued under the ‘Agricultural Protection
Ordinance’ for the destruction of Cusewta or ‘Love vine.’
(See Agricultural News, Vol. Ill, p. 185.) ‘If regularly
carried out, there is evidence that the Ordinance will prove
sufficient to abate the nuisance, if not entirely to eradicate
it.’

It is mentioned in a recent Circular of the Royal
Botanic Gardens, Ceylon, that better yields will probably be
obtained from maize ‘if the male flowers of half—or even
more—of the crop are remoyed while in the young state.
The young male inflorescence can be easily withdrawn
without damaging the plant. By this means a large saving
of plant energy is effected, which may be diverted to the
production of better leaf and fruit.’

A meeting of banana growers was held at Barbados on
Friday, December 1, to receive the report of the deputation
which waited upon the Chairman of the Royal Mail Steam
Packet Co. After addresses by the President of the Agri-
cultural Society, the Imperial Commissioner of Agriculture,
and Captain Owen, it was decided to adjourn the meeting
until the growers had before them definite proposals from
the British West Indian Fruit Co. in reference to the purchase
of bananas locally.

Vou. IV. No. 95.

THE AGRICULTURAL

NEWS. 381

COPRA IN THE PHILIPPINES.

The following note on the copra trade is extracted
from the Consular Report on the Philippines for
1904 :—

While other exports, with the exception of hemp, show
a tendency to decline, that of copra has steadily increased
until now it ranks next to sugar in the average for the past
five years. The average value of the copra exported during
the five years ending 1889 was £15,350, for the period
ending 1894, £96,661, and for the past five years, £531,878.
The total quantity exported during 1903 was 181,117,084 b.,
but it fell off during 1904 to 85,036,514 Ib. The chief
consumer of this product is France which takes more than
two-thirds of the total; the next largest consumer, Spain,
taking only a quarter as much. The following table shows
the leading countries to which this product is exported :—

Value. 1900-4.
Country.
1885-9.|1890-4.| Quantity. | Value.

£ £ tb. £
United Kingdom ...} 1,523) 20,092) 5,877,121} 29,343
Germany ... Beall’ “dee at 3,288,297} 16,962
France -. | 28,364) 90,847,215) 386,116
Spain ae ...| ... | 17,684) 15,433,015} 63,069
British East Indies! 10,138] 26,816] 3,424,699] 18,827

The production of this article appears to be steadily
increasing. In the demand for its derivatives a market seems
to be assured in which these islands should obtain a consider-
able share. Once the cocoa-nut trees begin to bear, their
limit of productiveness does not seem to be definitely known,
while the slight degree of cultivation and attention involved,
and the simple methods required in the preparation of the
product for market, make it an industry specially suited to
this country.

HINTS ON MILKING.

The Cyprus Journal for October 1905 contains the
following hints on milking :—-

Milk is very easily affected by bad smells and it is one
of the best mediums for the development of germs. The
utmost care should therefore be taken that everything
connected with the dairy be kept scrupulously clean. If the
surroundings are dirty and give off evil smells, the milk is
certain to become quickly tainted. The udder of the animal
to be milked, whether cow, sheep, or goat, should, if dirty, be
washed, and, if clean, it should at least be wiped. If this
is omitted, dust and dirt fall into the bucket, and the milk
is necessarily affected. It is much better to milk with dry
hands. It is a mistake to commence milking into a bucket
already containing milk. After each cow, sheep, or goat is
milked, the milk should be poured into a large receptacle.
One reason for this is that if an animal happens to have
an injured udder causing garget, that is, slight mixture of
blood in the milk, a few drops of this, if added to other milk,
would spoil the whole lot. By commencing with an empty
bucket the reddish colour is immediately noticed, and the
bad milk can be kept separate from the rest.

A milker should always examine the first milk drawn
from each teat.

Milk should be strained through a fine muslin or wire
‘sieve immediately it is drawn. Milking utensils should be
first washed with cold or tepid water, then scalded with

boiling water or steamed, and then rinsed out.
then be drained, sunned and aired.
should never be used.

Milk should always be kept in the coldest place, which
should preferably always be dry. Persons engaged in milking
should always keep themselves clean and tidy.

ARBOR DAY.

St. Kitt’s.

Mr. F. R. Shepherd, Agricultural Superintendent
at St. Kitt’s, has forwarded the following brief report
upon the celebration of Arbor Day in that island on
November 9 last :—

I beg to inform you that Arbor Day was celebrated
here on Thursday November 9, by a public function at which
ninety mahogany trees were planted along the sides of the
road known as the Macknight Road, leading from the
Market westwards,

His Honour the Acting Administrator was present and
delivered an interesting address on the objects of Arbor Day
observance.

Trees were planted by the Acting Administrator, members
of council, leading men in the town, by the boys of the
grammar school, and the children of the primary schools of
the town.

To enable the function to be held this year, I applied
to the Town Board for a small grant of money which was
spent in digging and preparing the holes and providing
proper tree-guards for protecting the young trees.

Forty-eight trees of different kinds were also sent to
eleven schools in the country districts to be planted by the
pupils on Arbor Day.

At the request of Dr. Mason, Magistrate of Anguilla,
forty trees of different kinds were sent to Anguilla for
planting on Arbor Day. All these trees were raised at the
Botanic Station.

They should
Rusty milking utensils

Hawaii.

The Pacific Commercial Advertiser, of October 7,
has the following reference to the first Arbor Day in
Hawaii :-—

The following programme for Arbor Day, which occurs
on the first Friday in November, is submitted to the teachers
in the public schools throughout the territory :—

The purpose and history of Arbor Day in the United

ISIS aaaron aepennbe sanbpscaaboooncodsasnanscoanaadddéceoor coc Principal
Song) (@ibouti trees) so.s.-eeeereieerecee ene ee er eee ER ee eee Renee Class
USUI (HOTOWDUG LHEES)) cononooddocasoodnoanoobeSohcohansennaas Class
How trees should be planted and cared for............ Principal
Pree planting’ <5 :)..scm ccs ememacuesesaseeesteeln ase eae ae eee eee Class
Sroreveah( Mote ny RAWEL=S)), GuecdobonoopkacsnodssonoAoGGED oBodoHosoncaer Class
Recitation (aboubitrees) maes-ceee-ce-eer ee eee eee eee eee Class
ANREEN I IENAUATES Dononpécansyconocdoodben’ Gu bbodsbonbaceaoHeecu2000" Class

This programme is only suggestive, Schools having
a limited supply of water should act accordingly. Schools
having no fenced space are directed to plant in boxes, that
may be put indoors over night.

This is the first time Arbor Day has ever been celebrated
in the Hawaiian Islands and it will be a brand new ceremony
in all the schools. All schools desiring trees may secure the
kinds suitable to their different localities from the govern-
ment nursery by addressing Mr. David M. Haughs. Freight
and carriage on such trees will be paid by the department.

THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.

DECEMBER 9, 1905..

RUBBER FROM ST. LUCIA.

The Agricultural Superintendent at St. Lucia
forwarded to the Imperial Commissioner of Agri-
culture, in October last, samples of rubber obtained
from trees of Castilloa elasticu growing at the Botanic
Station. These samples were sent to experts in
London and New York for a report and valuation.

The following report, dated November 9, has been
received from Messrs. Figgis & Co., London:—

We are favoured with yours of October 18, and samples
of India rubber, for which we are obliged.

A. is nice-quality biscuit, well prepared, but a little
damp and immature ; value, about 5s.

B. similar to above, but darker and containing more
moisture ; worth about 4s. 6d.

C. is good black scrap, very slightly barky, dry, and in
good condition—3s. 9d. to 4s.

The first two samples are rather immature and _ soft,
which, possibly, can be avoided by more careful curing of
the rubber. Both contain too much moisture, B. especially
so, and they should be better dried.. This may be possible
by preparing the biscuits a little thinner than the samples
you have sent. All three qualities will sell very well.

Messrs. Hecht, Levis, & Kahn, London, report on
similar samples, under date of November 8, as
follows :—

We have your favour of October 18, and also samples
advised therein. ‘These samples show rubber of very nice
quality which will be readily saleable in this market. Sample
A. we should value to-day at 4s. 9d. to 5s. per Ib. Sample
B., which is somewhat porous and not so well cured, at
4s, 3d. to 4s. 6d. Sample C. appears to be a very good
quality of scrap rubber, but the sample is so small that it is
difficult to judge what quantity of bark and other foreign
matter would be in the bulk, but we should estimate to-day’s
yalue at about 3s. 10d. With regard to the biscuit rubber,
we may say that the thinner you can make the biscuits the
better, especially as, by making them thin, the rubber, as
a rule, gets much better cured.

It may be of interest to publish also the following
report by the Agricultural Superintendent at St. Lucia
on the methods adopted in the preparation of these
samples :—

Sample A.—The latex, after dilution with water and
straining, received formalin at the rate of { oz. per gallon,
and was allowed to stand in a small tub for about thirty-six
hours, when the liquor under the supernatant rubber was
drawn off. The rubber was again diluted to a similar bulk,
with water only, and allowed to stand for about forty-eight
hours, after which time it was found that the rubber was
only slightly granulated and not agglutinated into a mass of
sufficient strength to be handled. After drawing off the
water, the thick rubber cream was poured into a blotting-
paper filter fitting into a flower pot, in the bottom of which
was some fine sand ; by this means the water drained away
from the rubber, which, in about forty-eight hours, could be
lifted out in the filter, and the greater part of the paper
peeled off. On the rubber drying still more, any adhering
particles of paper were washed off and the rubber finally
dried.

Sample B.—As this non-agglutination of the rubber,
when treated with formalin in my initial experiments, appeared
to be a serious drawback to its cheap preparation, a trial was
made without the use of formalin, and it was found that after
treating the latex in a similar manner, but with the omission

of the formalin, the greater part of the rubber aggluti-
nated readily on top of the liquor on standing for two days.
After decanting the liquor and removing the agglutinated
rubber, the small quantity of rubber which remained in the:
milky condition was washed into the tub receiving that day’s
tappings. By this means none was lost. The rubber
which was removed in a spongy mass was well washed by
kneading it in clean water; after allowing it to stand
in several changes of water for a day, it was taken
out, worked with the hands to remoye as much liquor as
possible from the pores of the cake, and dried with a cloth
and exposed in an airy room. ~The samples prepared in the
latter way were marked B. in the samples forwarded for
report.

All the cakes of drying rubber require wiping every day
to remove any moisture that many accumulate on the surface.

Samples <A., after about five weeks’ drying, were of
a brown colour outside, but quite white inside.

Samples B., after about four weeks’ drying, were of
a dark-brown toa black colour outside, but quite white inside.

Samples C. were simply scrap rubber gathered from
the incisions a day or two after tapping.

PRESERVING STEEL ARTICLES.

Mr. R. Radclyffe Hall, B.A., the Acting Island
Professor of Chemistry at Barbados, has forwarded the
following interesting report on experiments carried out
to devise a suitable preparation for preserving steel
articles in the tropics :—

I have for a long time been in want of a durable elastic
(i.e. stretchable) and colourless coating for preserving steel
articles from rust. I tried many preparations, solutions of
resins and so on, without getting what I wanted ; but this
material seems to be in all respects satisfactory. I have put
it on a palette-knife blade and find I can bend the blade
double without cracking the varnish; it is if anything
improved by exposure to the heat of the water bath ; it will
stand soaking in water for two to three hours without change
and only shows a slight whitening after several hours’
immersion ; it is almost colourless when coated on steel. It
will not, of course, resist either prolonged friction or the
action of alcohol.

I send you the recipe in case you should care to publish
it in the Agricultural News,as no doubt you have had
applications for such a preservative.

The following is the recipe :—

Gum mastic 2 parts by weight

Gum sandarach ON ee ea,
‘ +7

Gum elemi IY Sym SD

Camphor esa ee

dissolved in about 20. ,, ,, __,, of strong alcohol.

The alcohol should be of 90 per cent. strength or over ;
the resins or ‘gums’ are shaken up in the alcohol until dis-
solved, which takes place quickly, and the solution allowed
to settle for a day before decanting: it of course evaporates
very rapidly and must therefore be kept tightly corked.

I found that 2 oz. of ‘gum’ mastic, 3 oz. of ‘gum’
sandarach, 1 oz. of ‘gum’ elemi, and 1 oz. of camphor
dissolved readily in a whisky bottle full of alcohol such as
can be obtained, before dilution, at the West Indian Rum
Refinery, and is then of satisfactory strength.

Small articles to be coated all over are best dipped into
the solution and drained and held in the air for a few
moments while the alcohol evaporates: larger articles can be
painted quickly with a soft brush.

Vout. IV. No. 95.

THE AGRICULTURAL

NEWS. 383

WEST INDIAN PRODUCTS.

Drugs and Spices in the London Market.

The following report on the London drug and
spice market for the month of October has been
received from Mr. J. R. Jackson, A.L.S. :—

With regard to West Indian products, the continued
scarcity of grey Jamaica sarsaparilla is noted. The following
are the chief features in other products of the West Indies :—

GINGER.

At the first spice sale, on October 4, there was a slow
demand for all kinds, and nearly all the offerings were
bought in at the following rates: Jamaica, of which
135 barrels were offered, 39s. to 46s. for common to fair ;
Cochin and Calicut were represented by 530 packages for
which there was practically no demand. A week Jater much
more activity prevailed, 15 barrels of Jamaica being sold
without reserve at 48s. to 49s. for fair bright, while 800
packages of fair to good washed Cochin were disposed of at
19s. to 20s. On the 18th., there was again no demand.
At the last sale, on the 25th., a few packages only of low-
quality Jamaica were disposed of at 36s., and ratoon at 35s.;
there was, however, practically no demand for any kinds.

NUTMEGS, MACE, PIMENTO, ETC.

At the first spice sale a few cases of nutmegs were sold
at 11d. per tb. for 92’s, some defective seeds being disposed
of at 5d. to 54d.; at the remaining sales during the month
lower rates prevailed, but without much interest. At the
early sale, Penang mace of ordinary quality was bought in
at Is, 4d., and fair pale at 1s. 6d. per tb.; onthe 25th.,
42 packages of West Indian were offered and sold at the
following rates: ordinary to fair, 1s. 1d. to 1s..5d.; good,
Is. 6d. to 1s. 7d.; low, 10d. to 11d., and pickings, 9d. per bb.
Pimento at the commencement of the month was bought in
at 23d. per lb.; a week later some 38 bags were offered and
disposed of without reserve at from 23d. to 34d., and at the
last auction 42 bags were sold at 23d. for fair, and 24d. for
good.

Mombasa Capsicums of fair quality ranged at 28s. per
ewt. and good at 34s. 6d.

ARROWROOT.

At the spice sale, on the 11th., the only offering was 13
barrels of good manufacturing St. Vincent, which were sold
at 13d. On the 18th., 180 barrels of St. Vincent were
offered, 68 of which sold without reserve at about previous
rates, and at the last sale some 35 barrels realized from 1d.
to 1dd.

SARSAPARILLA,

At the drug auction on the 12th., the quotations
for Lima-Jamaica were from 1s. to 1s. 2d. per tb. for
sea-damaged to good sound ; 1 bale of good red to palish
native was sold at 10d. On the 25th., 6 bales of grey
Jamaica were offered, 1s. 6d. per tb. being given for 2 bales
of good fibrous, and ls. 4d. for 2 bales of fair. Three bales
of fair reddish to pale native Jamaica sold at 1s., and dull
red at 10d. Three bales of Honduras were offered and held
at 1s. 3d. per Ib.

KOLA, TAMARINDS, OIL OF LIMES, ETC.

Good bright West Indian kola was offered at the sale
on the 11th. and bought in at 4d. per tb. ; 3 barrels of bright,
but smaller, realized 3}d., and mouldy from 23d. to 3d.
A week later, 7 packages of dried Grenada found buyers at
from 2id. to 34d. per tb., and on the 25th. some dark to

slightly mouldy West Indian were disposed of at from 23d.
to 3d. per tb., in addition to 13 bags of dried West Indian,
which realized from 3d. to 32d. per Ib. On the 11th.,
3 casks of dark dry West Indian tarmarinds were sold
without reserve at 7s. 6d. per cwt. in bond. At this auction
11 cases of fair West Indian distilled oil of limes sold aw
1s. 5d. per tb., but a fortnight later the price had dropped
to ls. 4d. On the 25th., 8 eases of good West Indian oil of
pimento were offered and bought in at 6s. per Ib. Annatto
seed is reported as being very scarce, ordinary bricky Ceylon,
offered in the early part of the month, being bought in at
6d. per tb., and good bright Madras, at the end of the month,
was held at 7d. An offer of £17 10s. per ton for quillaja
bark, recently referred to in these notes, has been refused.

AGRICULTURAL CO-OPERATION.

A bulletin entitled ‘Agricultural Co-operation’
has recently been issued by the Natal Agricultural
Department. Reference is made to the action taken
by the Irish Department of Agriculture in sending
a deputation to Denmark to inquire into the bacon-
curing industry. he following extract is of interest:—

The valuable report on ‘Co-operative Associations and
rural conditions in Denmark,’ submitted by the members of
this deputation, unanimously attributed the whole of the
success of the Danish farmers to co-operation. So strongly
impressed were the members of the deputation and the
officials of the Irish Department of Agriculture by their
investigations, that steps were immediately taken to organize
the agricultural industry of Ireland on the same lines, with
the result that Ireland has, in its turn, also forged ahead.
The growth of co-operative bacon curing in Denmark, from
1888, when it practically started, to 1902, was stated by the
deputation to be as follows :—

No. of No. of Wale Average
factories. Pigs killed. 5 Price per pig.
1888 1 23,407 £57,000 £2 9s. Od.
1902 27 707,232 £2,500,000 £3 4s. 6d.

It will thus be seen, as regards that one industry alone,
what an enormous advance was brought about by co-opera-
tion, and an interesting fact to be noticed is that, whilst the
number of pigs dealt with had so enormously increased, yet
the average price per pig had risen from £2 9s. to £3 4s. 6d.
The increase in average price per pig was progressive each
year.

PARA RUBBER IN BRITISH GUIANA.

In his Annual Report for 1904-5 the Commissioner
of Lands and Mines in British Guiana makes the
following reference to the prospects of Para rubber in
the colony :—

Special attention has been paid of late to the
possibilities of obtaining Para rubber in the colony, and
during this year a rubber expert, Dr. Bovallius, has made
some careful prospections in the north-western district and
on the head-waters of the Ireng and Potaro rivers for this
rubber, and, Iam pleased to report, with fair success, a true
rubber tree having been found growing healthily, though not
in large numbers. It has now to be ascertained whether,
with careful attention to cultivation and surroundings, the
tree can be induced to grow in as large numbers as the bullet
tree. The experiment of planting these trees is being tried
on a grant held by Messrs. Dinklage and Young in the
Aruka river, and so far they are doing well.

Moutreal,

THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.

DrEcEMBER 9, 1905.

MARKET REPORTS.

London,— November 10, 1905. Messrs. Kearton, Prrer &

Co.; Messrs. E. A. pE Pass & Co.; ‘THE West INDIA
Comirrer Crrcunar, ‘THE LrverrooL Corron
Association WEEKLY CrrcuLar,’ November 10,
1905; and ‘THe Pusric Lepcer,’ November 4,
1905.

Ators—Barbados, 15/- to 60/- ; Curagoa, 21/- to 60/- per ewt.

Arrowrkoor—St. Vincent, 1}d. per tb.

Baata—Sheet, 1/4 to 1/11; block, 1/4 to 1/4} per tb.

Brrs’-wax—£7 10s. to £8 per ewt.

Cacao—Trinidad, 51/- to 54/- per ewt. ; Grenada, 43/-
to 51/- per cwt.

Carpamoms—Mysore, 73d. to 3/- per tb.

CorrrE—Jamaica, good ordinary, 40/- to 42/- per ewt.

Corron—West Indian, medium fine, 6°55d. ; West Indian
Sea Island, medium fine, 13d.; fine, 14d. ; extra fine,
153d. per th.

Fruir—

Bananas—Jamaica, 4/6 to 7/- per bunch.

Grave Fruir—10/- to 12/- per box.

Limes—3/6 to 4/6 per box.

OraxcEs—Jamaica, 5/6 to 9/- per box of 176-200.

Fustic—£3 5s. to £4 per ton.

GInGER—Jamaica, 38/6 to 43/- per cwt.

Honry—17/- to 22/- per ewt.; fine pale, set in tins 28/-.

Istycrass—West Indian lump, 2/3 to 2/7; cake, 1/3 per th.

Kora Nuts—4d. to 6d. per tb.

Live Jurce—Raw, 97. to 1/- per gallon; concentrated,
£16 per cask of 108 gallons; hand-pressed, 2/6 per 1b.
Distilled Oil, 1/4 te 1/5 per tb.

Locwoon—£4 to £4 15s.; roots, £3 10s. to £4 per ton.

Mace—Fine heavy pale, 1/9; fair pale, 1/4 to 1/5; red,
1/2 to 1/3 per th.

Nirrate or Sopa—Agriculiural, £10 17s. Gd. per ton.

Nurmecs—a6's, 2/-; 74’s, 1/- ; 90’s, 84d.; 105’s, G$d. ; per th.

Pivento—Fair, 22d. to 24d. per tb.

Rum—Demerara, 1/1 to 1/3 per proof gallon; Jamaica, 2/1
per proof gallon.

Sucar—Yellow crystals, 15/- per ewt.; Muscovado, 14/6 to
15/6 per cwt.; Molasses, 11/- co 16/- per ewt.

SuLpHATe or AmMonts—£12 17s. 64. per ton.

October 18, 1905.—Mr. J. Russern Mur-
RAY. (In bond quotations, c. & f.)

Cocoa-Nuts— Jamaica, $27-00 to $29-00 ; Trinidad, $24-00
to $25°00 per M.

Correr—Jamaica, medium, 10c. to 1le per Tb.

Grycer--Jzemaica, xnbleached, 3c. to 1c. per tb.

Moxascurr—Demerara, $1:00 per 100 th.

Morasses--Barbedos, 3le.; Antigua, 26c. per Imperial

gallon.

Nurmecs—Grenada, 110’s, 18c. per tb.

Orances—Jamaica, $5°50 per barrel, duty paid.

Pimento- —Jamaica, 55¢c. per tb.

Sucar —Grey crystals, 96°, $2-08 to $2°25 per 100 Ib.
—Muscovados, 89°, $1°60 to $1:75 per 100 tb.
—Molasses, 89°, $1°35 to $1°50 per 100 tb.
—Barbados, 89°, $1°45 to $1°70 per 100 th.

New York,—November 10, 1905.—Messrs. GILLESPIE

Bros. & Co.

Bees’-wax—9dle. per tb.

Cacao—Caracas, 12c. to 124c.; Grenada, 10}c. to I1c.;
Trinidad, 1ljc. to 11fc. per tb. Jamaica—No quota-
tions.

Cocoa-Nuts—Jamaica, $27:00 to $28:00; and Trimidad,
$25-00 to $26-06 per M.

CorrEE—Jamaica ordinary, 8}c. to 10$c. per tb.

Giycer—Jamaica, 8}c. to 9c. per Ib.

Goat Sxins—Jamaica, 58c. ; St. Kitt’s, 49c. per tb.

Grave Frurr—Jamaica, $400 to $6°00 per barrel ; $2°00:
to $3°00 per box.

Hoxey—Jamaica, 65c. to 67¢. per gallon (duty paid).

Limes—No quotations.

Macr— 27e. to dle. per th.

Nutrmecs—West Indian, 63’s to 69s’, 24c.; 70’s to 80's,
20c.; 105’s to 110’s, 13c.; 115’s to 180’s, 10c. per tb.

ss—Jamaica, $3°50 to $400 per barrel ; $1°75 to

5 per box.

Pimento—4ec. per tb.

PINE-APPLES—No quotations.

Sucarn—Centrifugals, 96°, 3,;c. ; Muscovados, 89°, 2£c.
Molasses, 89°, 2c. per th.

INTER-COLONIAL MARKETS.

Barbados,—November 25, 1905.—Messrs. T. S. Garra-

way & Co., and Messrs. James A. Lynco & Co,
Arrowroor—St. Vincent, $4°50 per 100 tb.
Cacao—$10-00 per 100 Tb.
Cocos-Nurs—$15-00 per M. for husked nuts.

CorreE—$10°50 to $11-00 per 100 tb.
Hay— 843c. to $1°60 per 100 th.
Manures—-Nitrate of soda, $65-00 ; Ohlendorff’s dissolved

guano, $55°00 ; Cotton manure, $48°00 ; Sulphate of
ammonia, $75°00; Sulphate of potash, $67-00 per ton.
Ontons—Madeira, $2°75 per 100 th.
Poratos, ENGLisH—Canadian, $3°03 per 160 tb.
Rice—Ballam, $4°90 per bag (190 tb.) ; Patna, $3°15 to
$3°25 ; Seeta, $3:26; Rangoon, $2°65 to $2°75 per

100 th.

British Guiana.— November 22, 1905.—Messrs. WIETING

& RICHTER.

Arrowrkoor—St. Vincent, $8°00 per barrel.
Bazxara—-Venezuela block, 25c. ; Demerara sheet, 38c. per Ib.
Cacao—Native, l4c. per bh.

Cassava SrarcH—$5-09 per barrel.

Cocoa-NutS—$10°00 to $12°00 per M.

CorrrE—%e. to 13}c. per th.

Duar— $4°40 per bag of 168 Th.

Eppors—S4e. per barrei.

Ontoxs—Lisbon, 3c. per Tb.

PLaNTAtINs— 8e. to 24c. per bunch.

Poratos, ENGLisH—$2°25 te $2°75 per barrel.

Poraros, SwEet—Barbados, 72c. per bag.

Rice—Ballam, $4°30 per 177 tb. ; Creole, $4:00 to $4°10
per bag. (ex store).

Sprit Peas—-$5°90 to $6°00 per bag (210 Ib.).

Tannias—96c. per barrel.

Yams—White, $1°92 ; Buck, $2°40 per bag.

Sucar—Dark crystals, $1°73 to $1°85; Yellow, $2°70
to $2°75; White, $3°75 to $4:00 ; Molasses, $2°00 to
$2-10 per 100 th. (retail).

Timper—Greenheart, 32c. to 55c. per cubic foot.

WALLABA SHINGLES—$3'00, $5°75, and $5°25 per M.

Trinidad,— November 24, 1905.—Messrs. Gorpon, Grant

& Co. ; and Messrs. Epcar Triep & Co,

Cacao—Ordinary to good red, $11°25 to $11°50 ; estates,
$11-70 to $11°75 per fanega (110 tb.); Venezuelan,
$11°50 to $12°25 per fanega.

Cocoa-NuTS—$21°00 per M., f o.b.

Cocoa-NutT Om—72e. per Imperial gallon (casks included).

Copra—$2-90 to $2°95 per 100 th.

Duat—-$3°20 to $3°25 per 2-bushel bag.

Oxtons—$1°50 to $1°70 per 100 th. (retail).

Poraros, EnciisH—90c. to $115 per 100 th.

Ricre—Yellow, $4°25 to $440 ; White, $4°50 to $5°60 per
bag.

Serre Peas—$5'10 to $5°25 per 2-bushel bag.

Sucar—White crystals. $4°50 ; Yellow crystals, $2°75 to
$3°00 ; Molasses, $2°75 to $3-00 per 100 tb.

THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.

Publications on sale of the Imperial Department of Agriculture
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The ‘WEST INDIAN BULLETIN.” A Quarterly Scientific Journal.

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Recent experiments with Sugar-cane in the West Indies. Price 6d. each number. Post free, 8d.

Volume VI. No. 1. Report of Agricultural Conference, 1905 (contd.). Cane Farming, Cacao Cultivation, ete., ete.
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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
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3 Seedling and other Canes at Barbados, in 1900. Price 2d. (24) Dominica, Hints to Settlers. Price 2d.

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ui Screw Worm in Cattle at St. Lucia. Price 2d. (31) A. B. C. of Cotton Planting. Price 4d.
(15) Plain Talk to Small Owners. Price 2d. (32) Seedling and other Canes at Barbados, in 1904. Price 4d
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(17) General Treatment of Fungoid Pests. Price 4d. Price 4d.
(18) Recipes for cooking West Indian Yams. Price 2d. (34) Notes on Rabbit Keeping in the West Indies. Price 2d.
(19) Seedling and other Canes at Barbados, in 1902. Price 4d. a Information in regard to Agricultural Banks. Price 4d.
{50} Seedling and other Canes in the Leeward Islands, (86) Manurial Experiments with Sugar-cane in the Leeward
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‘NATURE TEACHING.’

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The ‘AGRICULTURAL NEWS,’ A Fortnightly Review.

The ‘Agricultural News’ contains extracts from official correspondence and from progress and
other reports; and, in fact, eny information indicating what is going on in each colony and the progress made in
Agricultural matters throughous 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
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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. C2ty Agents: THe West Inpra Commitres, 15, Seething
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Wor, Ve sNo:gb: THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS. DECEMBER 9, 1905.

THE BEST MANURES FOR COLONIAL USE

AR as i

Ohlendorff’s Dissolved Peruvian Guano—For Sugar-cane and generaluse |
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
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(98. ] Barbados Agents: James A. Lynch & Co., Bridgetown
JOURNAL D'AGRIGULTURE TROPICALE. THE |
A Monthly Illustrated Review, published in French, WEST INDIA COMMITTEE CIRCULAR
dealing with all matters connected with : : }
Tropical Agriculture. CE ublished opine Rly):
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Louis Coicou, Port-au-Prince. Edited by the Secretary

Containing a Review of the Work of the West India Com-
mittee, Notes on West Indian Affairs, Statistics as to
Cacao, Sugar, Molasses and Rum, Coffee, Cotton,

s EC A C A O ’ Nutmegs, Mace, Pimento, Ginger, Arrowroot, Lime
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is . Ld,
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Published at—

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Price 3s. per copy. London, E.C.

A treatise on the cultivation, curing and chemistry of
COMMERCIAL CACAO.

DAVIDSON & TODD, Trinidad.

Wm.WESLEY & Co., 28, Essex St., London.

Printed at Office of Agricultural Reporter, 4, High Street, Bridgetown, Barbados.

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WEST INDIAN BULLETIN
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A “FORTNIGHTLY REVIEW LIBRARY

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OF THE
BOTANICAL
IMPERIAL DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE FOR THE WEST INDIES, — snoen.
Vou. IV. No. 96. BARBADOS, ‘DECEMBER 23, 1905. Price 1d.
CONTENTS selection is inseparable from the success of the Sea
Island cotton industry. It may therefore be realized
Paas. Pacr, that the methods adopted by the leading planters in
Agricultural Education at | Insect Notes :— the Sea Islands are of a careful and painstaking nature,
Ne eee See lates pe | em i 394 80 much so that they might be regarded as models for
Bartedodiiocall Aor | Tobacco Insects in Cuba 394 plant breeders throughout the world.

| Logwood Trees, Root-rot

cultural Exhibition... 389 a : d a =
Base Slag i .. B94 | ae nee ee tee eee oa As stated in the Agricultural News (Vol. III,
3 arke Reports aoe eee ONE =y2 ; P Pp oo. 5 .
Cacao Fields, Mulching in 395 | Notes and Comments ... 392 p. 69) ‘the history of Sea Island cotton .. . serves us
\. 5 je 1 “¢ a y | ] = =;
Cacao Manurial Experi- Oranges, Machine- as an example showing how a tropical plant has not
ments at Dominica... 392 wri apped Bah ccc.) onal iets) ‘ .
Canadian Exhibitions, ls Orchard"Soile=!ineatarent only been adapted to another climate, but at the same
1906 eo. 897 | Ot 40 -- ++ 395 time the product has been brought to a very high
Cocoa-nuts in British | Our Book Shelf :— - 7 Bt X : :
Honduras... ... ... 388 | Jamaica Readem ....393 Pitch of perfection; the whole having been accom=-
Cotton Notes :— | Plantains in British plished by selection, aided by good cultivation and
Handkerchiefs for Prince | Honduras Oe sce) OOD : cue Ilysdte of. anh nme sae Gjalk f
and Princess of Wales 390 | Rubber in Hawaii ... 395, aS: ; eeas Oo his p a W ere aken from
Sea Island Cotton in the Selection of Cotton Seed the Bahamas in 1785 and planted in Georgia. The first
West Indies.~... ... 392 | at Barbados... . 385 : Ms x 8 ae ; a - en ioe aT
Seay Tele Gatton | Gsall Hemp Culkganoar 337 Step was to secure, by planting only the earhest
Market ... ... ... 390 | Sugar Industry :— produced seeds, an earlier maturing plant. Having
West Indian Cotton Gentral Factories 387 : c
a Be mes Sas ack: uttainea this, the anters started a very car
Thahnsyns Go5 Gee ooo G0) Manurial Experiments ittained this, the planters s arted ; 2 ery careful
Departmental Reports :— at Barbados ... ... 393 system of selection with the view of increasing the
“tic 0 252 Seedlin«e + : i
British Honduras... gee Seedling Canes B. 147 length, strength, and fineness of the staple. In this
lawalteeene ss vce see 3098 and B. 208 at Bar- & Satis 3 : :
Mrnidady te. 898 hados _ 386 way the production of the finest-quality cotton in the
Department Public: ations 460 | Tobacco in Jamaica, world has been attained.
Gleanings Acces 396 Shade-grown ... ... 393
Goats, Toggenburg. as ete ; 391 Trade Pendulum ... ... 393

In an article in the Yearbook: of the U.S. Depart-
= : : ment of Agriculture for 1902, Mr. Herbert J. Webber
Selection of Cotton Seed in records a remarkable instance of improvement in

the West Indies. length and abundance of fibre. In this case

Egyptian seed was imported; the length of the fibres
attached to the seed was only about 1} inches. This
T is thoroughly well recognized by cotton cotton was submitted to a rigorous course of selection

planters in the Sea Islands that it is only with the result that, in two years, not only had the lint
3) by careful selection that the staple can be increased in abundance and uniformity, but also the
kept up to its present quality; in other words, seed fibres had reached, in some instances, a length of 1}

ey

386

THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.

DECEMBER 23, 1905

inches. Some remarkable results of a similar nature,
brought about by the careful and systematic selection
of Sea Island cotton, have been recorded in the West
Indian Bulletin (Vol. IV, pp. 208-14), where another
article by Mr. Webber is reproduced, in which
a detailed description is given of the system adopted
by the Sea Island cotton planters for improving their
cotton by seed selection.

this article will show that each
grower generally selects several plants each year from
which to breed. The seeds taken from these plants
are sown in a special plot, from which, in the following
year, one or two plants are selected to supply seed for
a similar small plot, which is again subjected to the same
treatment, and so on year after year. At the same
time each small plot supplies seed to plant a larger
area, say, 5 acres, from which the general crop of the
following year is planted. In this way the general
crop of any one year has sprung from one or two plants
selected from the small plot four years previously: at
the same time there are always under observation
a small plot, from which one or two individual plants
are selected, and a 5-acre plot for supplying the seed
for the general crop.

Reference to

At aconference of the Commissioner and officers
of the Imperial Department of Agriculture, held
recently for the purpose of discussing the question of
the selection of cotton seed for the next planting
season at Barbados, it was decided to adopt a system
based generally on the above lines. ‘The several
officers of the Department will be responsible for the
selection of the best plants for seed on certain estates
allotted to them.

The plants, after being selected in the field, are
to be marked with strips of red cloth and have numbers
attached to them. All the seed-cotton produced by
these plants is to be specially picked by one picker and
placed in separate bags, numbered to correspond with
the plants. The several bags, duly numbered and
secured, are to be forwarded to the Department in
order that the weight of seed-cotton, the length of
staple, proportion of weak fibres, and other character-
istics may be fully worked out. ‘The seed from the
plants which are proved to have produced the largest
quantity of the finest and strongest lint will be used
next season for planting selection plots.

It may be mentioned that, in the meantime, for
next year’s general crop, the seed used will be carefully
selected by the Department from estates which have
produced the finest lint and obtained the highest prices.

The proprietors and managers of the estates are
invited to co-operate fully with the Department in
this matter, and to do all in their power to carry
out the arrangements entered into between them and
the officers in charge of the selection.

It is anticipated that these measures, which are
proposed to be extended to the other islands, will, in
time, ensure the production of a cotton plant pre-emi-
nently suited to the special conditions existing in
the West Indies.

SUGAR INDUSTRY.

Some Facts about Seedling Canes B. 147 and
B. 208 at Barbados.

In the course of the statement read at the meeting of
the Agricultural Society, held at the Planters’ Hall on
Friday, November 17 last, in continuation of the Report on
the Sugar-cane Experiments for the season 1903-5, read at
the meeting of the society held on Friday, November 3, 1900,
Mr. Bovell, addressing the meeting, said he would like to
make a few remarks with reference to the figures Mr. Cameron
had been good enough to give him at the meeting that day
fortnight. He had on that occasion mentioned the results
obtained on an estate which he would designate as ‘A.’ both
as plant canes for three years and ratoons for two years, and
he had shown that, on the average for the three years as
plants and two years as ratoons, B. 147 had given 431 Ib.
of sugar per acre more than the White Transparent. The
estate to which he referred reaped something like 430 acres
annually, At $2°25 per 100 tb. for dark erystals (about the
average price for the past three years) the value of the sugar
obtained from, say, 430 acres of the B. 147, after deducting
£2 10s. as the cost of manufacture, over the White Trans-
parent, would have been about £520 per annum. In other
words, it would mean that, under the conditions which
prevailed, an estate reaping about 430 acres would make an
extra profit of £520 per annum, if the estate were planted in
B. 147, instead of White Transparent. Mr. Cameron had
also been so good as to furnish him with figures from other
estates, which confirmed those just given. On one estate,
which he would refer to as ‘B.,’ plant canes of B. 147 had, on
the average of the past two years, given 5,029 Ib. of sugar,
while the White Transparent had given 5,023 tb, As
ratoons on the same estate for the same two years, on
the average, B. 147 had given 4,245 tb. and the White
Transparent 3,635 tb. of sugar per acre. So there was
a difference in favour of B. 147 over the White Transparent
of 616 Ib. of sugar per acre on the average as plants and
ratoons. On another estate, ‘C.,’ on the average for two
years as plants and two years as ratoons, B. 147 had given
179 tb. sugar more than the White Transparent. On
a third estate, ‘D.,’ on the average for two years as plants and
two years as ratoons, B. 147 had given 383 Ib. sugar more
per acre than the White Transparent. He was very grateful,
and he was sure his colJeagues also were, to Mr, Cameron for

Vou. IV. No. 96.

THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS. 387

these figures, which confirmed on an estate scale what was
found on the small experiment plots.

He would like to supplement what he had mentioned at
the last meeting with regard to the good results obtained from
the B. 208. As no doubt some of the members present knew,
this cane was at present being cultivated in, amongst other
countries, Jamaica and Queensland. Dr. Cousins, in his report
on the Sugar-cane Ex; eriments at Jamaica for the last year,
says: ‘B. 208 on a much larger area gave a return of 66°5 tons
canes. The Bourbon gave 39°5 tons canes and Mont Blane 33°8
tons per acre.’ Further on in the report, he says: ‘The out-
standing features of the year’s trials are the splendid qualities
of B. 208 and the promising nature of the selected Jamaica
seedlings.’ In Queensland, Mr. Edward Grimley, in a paper
on the ‘Improvement of Plants’ read before the Agricultural
Conference held at Queensland last May, referring to B. 208,
says: ‘We have now a report from Messrs. Gibson, of
Bingera, which gives a return of 69 tons, 6 cwt. of cane per
acre, with 22-2 per cent. of sucrose and Brix. 23:9, or 21°45
per cent. of possible obtainable cane sugar, or oyer 14 tons
to the acre. These results were obtained under irrigation,
and the experiment plot was well manured, The average
yield in Queensland per acre for the last seven years was
13°16 tons, so that B. 208 gave more sugar per acre than
the average tons of canes per acre in Queensland.’ In
conclusion, Mr. Boyell said that planters in the red soils
should cultivate more of the B. 208, so as to ascertain
whether this cane is an acquisition or not. To do this,
what was necessary was for a planter to grow, say, an acre of
B. 208 in the same field with the White Transparent, or
even half a field of each variety, taking care that the
conditions in which the canes were planted were the same for
both varieties. Each acre or half field could be reaped by
itself, crushed separately, the juice measured, and a sample
of each sent to the Government Laboratory, as he was quite
sure Professor d’Albuquerque would be only too pleased to
supply them with ready prepared bottles for the samples,
and to furnish them with analyses of their samples.

In reply to a question from the President as to whether
any one present desired to ask Mr. Bovell anything,
Mr. Cameron said that for many years past, under the
advice, and with the assistance, of Professor d’Albuqnuerque
and Mr. Bovell, a system had been started on his estates
for recording results of each day’s work. At the end
of the crop these daily records were tabulated, and the
figures consequently were in no way estimates—they were
absolute concrete facts—nothing less, nothing more. He
had much pleasure in handing Mr. Bovell statements from
three estates, giving records of results obtained for the last
three years from each variety of cane planted on these three
estates. At the same time he wished to make it absolutely
clear that he was only giving his own experience of certain
canes, as grown on the estates under his charge ; he was in
no way telling any one what canes they were to plant or not
to plant. Before sitting down, he would like, on behalf of
himself and of the proprietors of the estates he represented,
to express publicly the sense of deep obligation which
they all felt to Sir Daniel Morris and his Department, and
more especially to Professor d’Albuquerque and Mr. Bovell,
for the very great and valuable assistance and help he
had received from their hands for so many years past, and
for the kindness and courtesy with which they had invariably
received all his applications for information. Personally he
was of opinion that the whole sugar-growing community was
under a deep obligation to Professor d’Albuqueraue and
Mr. Boyell for the light their valuable work had thrown on
the matter of selection and cultivation of the sugar-cane.

Central Factories.

In reference to the address on the subject of
central factories delivered by the Imperial Commis-
sioner of Agriculture, at a meeting of the Barbados
Agricultural Society held on November 17 last, which
was published in the Agricultural News, Vol. IV,
pp. 372-5, interest attaches to the following extract
from a letter from Mr. L. Bert de Lamarre to the
Hon. Sir Daniel Morris :-—

I was a member of the first committee appointed here
in 1894 or about that time, and you can read in the report
of the committee that our views were exactly yours.

The factory at Antigua proves that, with sound people
like Mirrlees, and dealing direct with them, factories can be
established at £14 per ton of manufacturing power and give
good results. Barbados has thrown away, and is still
throwing into the fire, 40 per cent. of sugar. It is useless to
grow the best canes if the same process is to continue.

In Trinidad, at my Tacarigua factory with double
expressions and maceration, I obtained an extraction of 70
per cent., and I find that I ought to extract more. It is the
only way to face the present state of the sugar market. We
must make up in quantity for the shortage of prices now
prevailing, and perhaps to continue, unless the syndicate of
united growers on the continent decide, as proposed in
October, to restrict their output in beets—copying the arrange-
ments made between the nitrate producers. The sugar-cane
industry here and elsewhere is the only industry which is
satisfied to throw away 40 per cent., on the average, of the
initial material they have to work with. The sugar-beet
industry has no margin to work or to improye. When all
is considered, we have a formidable margin of 40 per cent.
which, if well handled, can save the cane sugar industry in
general in the West Indies.

SISAL HEMP CULTIVATION.

The following note on the cultivation of sisal
hemp is extracted from the Annual Report of the
Department of Agriculture, Queensland :—

The cultivation in this country of the plant from which
the fibre known by the name of sisal is extracted having
been practically established, it may be well, in order that
those who are cultivating it may learn something of the
opinions held concerning it in other countries that are
similar to our own, to glance briefly at those opinions. The
report of the Acting Governor of the Bahamas for 1903-4
states that the fibre industry has become firmly established,
and that unless prices fall below expectations, it will progress
in public estimation as a field for investors with small
eapital. It is the least precarious of all agricultural indus-
tries, and the plants are hardy and well able to withstand
long droughts. The fibre product is capable of storage in
bales for a length of time without suffering deterioration.
The British Consul at Vera Cruz, in Mexico, says that the
growers have become very wealthy (probably planters on
a large scale are referred to). The exports from the Bahamas
may be valued at about £40,000 per annum, and from the
Mauritius at about £46,000, most, if not all, of which goes
to the United States of America, which imported fibre in
1903 to the the value of £2,657,888, at a cost of £30 12s. 6d.
per ten. During 1904 the price rose to £35 per ton. Sisal is
eminently suited to those parts of the country where the
rainfall is limited, and where the thermometer does not fall
below, say, 40 ©; and upon a limestone formation it will thrive
better than in situations where that quality is absent.

THE AGRIVULTURAL NEWS.

DecemBer 23, 1905.

WEST INDIAN FRUIT.

PLANTAINS IN BRITISH HONDURAS.

The Keport on the Botanic Station in British
Honduras for 1904 contains the following interesting
remarks on the trade in plantains in that colony :—

Like the yam in Jamaica and the sweet potato in Bar-
bados, the plantain forms the chief vegetable diet of the colony.

Besides the local consumption of plantains, a compara-
tively large number is shipped every week by the United
Fruit Company’s steamers to New Orleans.

The principal growers of this product are small planters,
most of whom are to be found at Northern River.

Except the owners of the plantations, very few people
have the opportunity of seeing these plantain fields, as the
country between Belize and Northern River, where most of
the plantains are grown, is somewhat isolated.

The export of plantains has increased nearly 50 per
cent. within the last eight years, and I believe that if
a special effort were made to popularize the product in the
United States, the present output could be doubled.

A peculiarity about the plantain is that the ripe fruit
can be dried, and in this way it will keep for weeks and
bear transportation to a considerable distance.

COCOA-NUTS IN BRITISH HONDURAS.

The following is also extracted from the Report on
the Botanic Station in British Honduras for 1904 :—

The demand for British Honduras cocoa-nuts has been
exceptionally good. High prices have been paid for cocoa-
nuts all through the season. The trouble is we have not
got enough to supply the demand. This demand for cocoa-
nuts will most probably lead to the planting of more land
with cocoa-nuts and the clearing of neglected trees.

The cocoa-nut palm is considered by most people here
as being the hardiest of plants, because it will grow near the
sea and stand the sea breezes, neglect, and ill-usage.
A greater mistake has never been made, as, under good
treatment, this grateful palm will produce so much more
fruit. Cocoa-nuts will also grow inland for a considerable
distance in this colony, in the south up to the foot of the
hills, and, in the north, wherever there is rich soil.

The palm weevil affecting, to a certain extent,
this product, seems to be regarded as being the only cause
of the destruction of cocoanut trees, whereas they also die
from the want of proper care and treatment. Nearly every
cocoanut tree in a plantation or round a house is carelessly
chopped during the weeding or at some other time. A chop
on a palm immediately attracts insects and, therefore, helps
to kill the trees.

MACHINE-WRAPPED ORANGES.

In reference to a machine in use in California for
Wrapping oranges, the Journal of the Jamaica Agri-
cultural Society publishes the following extract from
a Florida paper :—

The advent of California oranges into the market
wrapped with labels bearing the stamp ‘ Machine-wrapped
fruit ; not handled by hand’ makes information about the
type of machine especially interesting.

The machine is attached to the end of the grader and
receives the oranges direct. It is simple in operation,
compact and perfectly automatic. It receives the fruit on
an endless chain, attached to which are a series of cups, felt-
lined and separated by rubber partitions. The wrappers are
cut from a roll, after the manner of a perfecting printing
press, and after being printed, are cut the desired size, when
they are ready for the orange. A unique device twists the
paper perfectly tight about the orange, which is held in
place at the top by a rubber plunger, while the other end
rests on a felt-topped rod. The ends of the orange are in
this position, and so closely is the orange wrapped that it is
believed that it wili be practically impervious to moisture.

A feature of the machine that will appeal to packing-
house men les in the fact that a smaller-sized paper can be
used than in hand-wrapping. Thus, a nine-by-nine wrapper
would be used on the machine, while in hand-wrapping
a ten-by-ten wrapper would be required. A saving of
20 per cent. of paper is claimed, as well as far superior
wrapping. Another advantage would lie in the fact that no
large stock of assorted wrappers would be required, since the
machine can be adjusted to any size and the roll paper only
would be needed. The printing of wrappers would also be
done away with, since the printing is a part of the wrapping
process.

To prove that the machine will not mar the skin of the
fruit, eggs have been run through the machine and wrapped
without cracking a shell.

: The machine wraps seventy-two oranges a minute, or
40,000 pieces of fruit every ten hours. It would wrap
a car-load in one and one-half days. For the ordinary packing
house, five machines would be necessary to handle the fruit.

Practically all the packers in the city have inspected the
machine, and all are enthusiastic over its possibilities.

With labour a scarce and high-priced commodity in
California, this invention ought to be a great factor in
making the citrus business pay better profits,

Vol. IV. No. 96.

THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS. 389

BARBADOS LOCAL AGRICULTURAL
EXHIBITION.

The sixth annual local agricultural exhibition and show
of stock was held by the Imperial Department of Agriculture
on Tuesday, December 5, at Bushy Park plantation, St. Philip,
which was kindly lent for the purpose by the attorney,
Mr. A. A. Cameron.

In spite of the fact that the parish had, for a
considerable portion of the year, suffered from a somewhat
serious drought, the quality of the exhibits was remarkably
good, although the number of exhibits was not quite as
large as on former occasions.

The goats were distinctly good, and the prize sheep
were much admired. Other animals in the live stock class
were also of a better class than is usually found among
small owners.

A marked improvement was noticed in the manner in
which both the fruit and vegetables were exhibited this year.
Flours and starches were well represented, and there were
some excellent exhibits of cotton. As on former occasions,
there was a class for school exhibits. The quality of these
exhibits showed a decided improvement.

His Excellency Sir Gilbert Carter, K.C.M.G., after
distributing the prizes, addressed the assemblage, expressing
his pleasure at being able to attend the show and offering his
congratulations on its success. The exhibits he had seen
reflected credit on those who had produced them, and he
hoped they would go on and achieve even better results.
They owed a deep debt of gratitude to Sir Daniel Morris for
the indefatigable manner in which he had been stirring them
up and he advised them to take full advantage of Sir Daniel’s
advice and assistance.

The Hon. Sir Daniel Morris thanked those present for
recognizing so cordially the work that had been done by the
Imperial Department of Agriculture in connexion with these
shows. He considered St. Philip deserved great credit for
having done so well in spite of the dry weather that had

prevailed. That parish was the leading parish in growing
cotton. St. Philip was also noted for producing the best

mutton not only in Barbados but in the West Indies. He
suggested that more might be done: they might produce
more turkeys and Guinea fowls and a larger number of sheep.
Referring to the exhibits, he said those from the schools
were better than at any previous show, and he desired to say
that, if the schoolmasters of this island took a deeper interest
in schoo] gardens, the island would be greatly benefited. He
wished to express their indebtedness to the Rey. Henry
Daniel and Mr. Cameron for the use of the estate, and to
the manager, Mr. Hutson, for his assistance. Their thanks
were also due to the Committee, and especially to Mr. J. R.
Bovell, than whom no one had worked harder to make these
shows a success. He concluded by calling for three cheers
for his Excellency and Lady Carter.

The following is a list of the Diplomas of Merit of the
Imperial Department of Agriculture which were awarded :—

Sea Island cotton ... ... Dr. C. E. Gooding, M.C.P.
do. (Peasants) ... ... Mr. Philip N. Wilson.

Stool of cane B. 147... ... Mr. E. L. Skeete, Summervale.
Sugar-canes ... Mr. Hutson, Bushy Park.
Brown filly ... Mr. M. R. Edwards, Hampton.
Avocado pear . Mr. Samuel Manning.

Dwarf bananas i

Collection of peppers...

Plants grown by school
children

a3 Mr. W. N. Vaughan.
. Mr. F. Lythcott.

. Mount Tabor
Society School.

School.

ROOT-ROT OF LOGWOOD TREES.

A report by Mr. F. 8. Earle (now Director of Agri-
culture in Cuba), on some diseases of economic plants in
Jamaica, reproduced in the West Indian Bulletin (Vol. IV,
pp. 1-9) contains notes on a root-rot of logwood trees,
which was examined by him in the western end of the
island in 1902.

There it appears that these trees were dying in consider-
able numbers through a fungus mycelium invading the roots
and thence spreading upwards into the stem, between the
bark and the wood. Although fructifications of this fungus
were not found, the mycelinm presented characters, which
enabled Mr. Earle to place it amongst the Hymenomycetes.
This group of fungi includes the ‘edible mushrooms’ and
also species which are deadly enemies to various trees in
forests and fruit gardens.

The logwood disease is found in trees in different kinds
of soils and under varying climatic conditions, but, even
where moisture and drainage appear to be perfect, large
areas present a diseased appearance.

Lately, Dr. Emile Bucher, of the West India Chemical
Works, Jamaica, has written in the local press, pointing out
that in the Westmoreland district the disease is rapidly
spreading. Dr. Bucher reminds growers of the serious damage
that was done in European vineyards by Phylloxera, a pest
which was thought to be harmless at first, but ultimately
brought ruin to many of the wealthiest vine-growers. This
logwood disease is a contagious one, spreading by means
of the mycelial strands in the soil in constantly widening
circles and, unless steps are taken to check its spread, serious
damage to the logwood industry in that part of the island
may ensue.

To prevent the spread of the disease the following
remedies have been recommended : (a) where the disease is
confined to small, definite patches, a trench 3 feet deep should
be dug outside the diseased area in order to prevent further
spread of the mycelium on to the roots of healthy plants ;
(b) where the disease is widely disseminated, the only means
of checking its spread is to clear the infested tract entirely
of logwood, marketing that which is matured and putting
the land into cultivation of other crops. The necessity for
the destruction of such a seat of infection is shown by the
marked tendency of the disease to spread from these centres.

Dr. Bucher, who is an authority on logwood, rendered
much assistance and information to Mr. Earle during the
investigations in Jamaica, and, therefore, when he advises
growers to take the necessary steps to prevent further spread
of the disease, he does so in order that the logwood industry
may not suffer in the same way as the European wine
industry did through neglect of proper protective measures.

Blue-flowered Yam Bean. Mr. A. J. Brooks
writes from the Agricultural School at Dominica in regard
to the blue-flowered variety of the yam bean (Pachyrhizus
tuberosus). The ordinary yam bean grown in Dominica
produces blue flowers and brown seeds, while seeds received
trom Porto Rico were of a red colour and produced white
flowers. To test the relative cropping powers of these two
varieties, Mr. Brooks planted two equal-sized plots, and he
reports on the experiment as follows : ‘When flowering time
came, I was surprised to find that the seed saved trom
the former white variety produced blue flowers. Having
gathered and sown the seed myself, there can be no doubt as
to any mistake having been made with regard to the mixing
of the seed previous to sowing.’

THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.

DECEMBER 23, 1905.

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BRITISH COTTON-GROWING ASSOCIATION.

Handkerchiefs for the Prince and Princess of
Wales.

The British Cotton-growing Association, through
their President (Sir Alfred Jones), forwarded to Marl-
borough House the other day two boxes of handker-
chiefs made from West Indian cotton for their Royal
Highnesses the Prince and Princess of Wales. The
handkerchiefs were made from cotton grown from
American Sea Island seed in Barbados and St. Vincent,
which, when manufactured, has a natural gloss, and is
said to be very much superior to similar cotton grown
in the United States. Sir Alfred Jones has received
the following acknowledgement :—

Marlborough House,
Pall Mall, 8.W.,
October 12, 1905.

Dear Sir,—I have received to-day the two boxes
containing handkerchiefs made from West Indian cotton,
which the British Cotton-growing Association have been
kind enough to offer for the acceptance of the Prince and
Princess of Wales.

J am directed to convey to you and the members of the
association the best thanks of their Royal Highnesses for
these specimens of manufactured West Indian cotton.

Their Royal Highnesses are interested to know that the
cotton grown from Sea Island seed is of such superior quality,
and they trust that the efforts of the association in other
parts of His Majesty’s dominions may be as successful as they
have been in the West India [slands.

Py,

Believe me, dear sir,
Yours very faithfully,
(Sgd.) ARTHUR BIGGE.

SEA ISLAND COTTON MARKET.

The Sea Island Report of Messrs. Henry W. Frost
& Co., dated Charleston, South Carolina, November
18, has the following note on the Sea Island cotton
market :—

Islands —The above sales of 303 bales reported, were
a lot of fine, sold for export at 23c. Since the close of the
exchange, further sales have been made, 50 fully fine 243c.
for France, 50 fine 23c. for England. The market is quiet,
with very limited demand, and the planters’ crop lots have
been very much neglected. The factors are asking full
prices, but they seem to be disposed to meet the views of
the buyers if their bids approximate the holding prices. The

TON NOTES. £2

LA) jfile anil (a
| La sy CD)
receipts continue large, but the planters report it is largely
due to the very early maturity of the crop.

Floridas.—Were in good demand taking the daily
offerings at our quotations, and the market closed firmer but
not quotably higher.

A week later the same firm reported :—

Islands.—The sales this week of 400 bales consisted of
50 bales of planters’ crop lots and 350 bales of fine, fully
fine, and extra fine at 23e. to 26c., and since the close of the
exchange export 200 bales of fully fine have been sold at 24e.

The market closed very firm at 23c. for fine, 2 te. for
fully fine, and 26c. for extra fine, with factors not anxious
sellers but rather disposed to hold for higher prices.

W. W. Gordon & Co., of Savannah,
Georgia, report as follows under date November 17 :—

The Sea Island market during the past week was quiet.
The demand was principally for the best grades, which were
not offered freely, and for low grades, which were bought at
quotations. Intermediate grades were neglected.

Messrs.

WEST INDIAN COTTON INDUSTRY.

The following is an extract from the first Annual
Report of the British Cotton-growing Association for
the year ended August 31, 1905. This portion of the
report deals with the progress made in establishing
the cotton industry in the West Indies :—

Excellent as were the results obtained in 1904, the
cotton produced in 1905 is still more successful. The
Hon. Sir Daniel Morris, the Imperial Commissioner of the
West Indian Department of Agriculture, took especial pains
to obtain a good supply of a first-class quality of Sea Island
seed, and those planters who used this seed have every
reason to be satisfied, fur the cotton produced is even
superior to that grown on iost of the best Sea Island
plantations in South Carolina, and has realized 2d. to 3d.
per Ib. more than American-grown cotton. The spinners who
have used this cotton have found it economical in working,
and there is evidently a great future before those West
Indian planters who have suitable land, and who will take
sufficient care in cultivation and ginning in order to produce
the best results. The best testimony to the excellence of
the West Indian cotton is the exhibit of handkerchiefs
manufactured from yarn spun from it. These goods, though
not mercerized, have every appearance of silk, owing to the
natural silkiness and gloss of the raw cotton. Although it
is not desirable that the market should be overdone with
cotton of this quality, there is now not the slightest doubt
that, should a scarcity arise, or should there be any mishap to
the American crop, we can depend on the West Indies

Vout. IV. No. 96.

THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.

391

producing all that we require of the better qualities of cotton.
Out of the total crop no less than 1,746 bales of a valne of
over £28,000 have passed through the association’s hands
this last season, and the planters are most satisfied with the
price obtained.

The prospects for the coming season are equally good,
for there will probably be an increase in the area under
cultivation of from 30 per cent. to 50 per cent., and as most
of the planters have now realized the importance of the use
of carefully selected seed, there is every reason to look to
a still further improvement in quality. St. Vincent and
Barbados have been the most successful islands, the climate
in the latter is the more suitable, but the soil in the former
is very much superior. Good results have also been obtained
in Montserrat, St. Kitt’s, Nevis, Antigua, and other islands,
but in Jamaica very little has been done. In addition to
advantages for our spinners, the re-introduction of cotton
cultivation has conferred an undoubted benefit on the West
Indies, as it will enable planters to be less dependent on one
single article of produce, viz., sugar. A small commission is
now charged by the association on the cotton which is sent
to them for sale, but it is fully recognized by the planters
that it is well worth their while to pay this commission so
as to ensure their cotton fetching a fair price in this market.

In addition to the great thanks which are due to the
Hon. Sir Daniel Morris and to his staff for their untiring
exertions, and to those Governors and other officials who
have actively interested themselves in cotton growing,
especial mention should be made of the invaluable services
rendered by Mr. Lomas Oliver, a member of the council and
a large user of Sea Island cotton. During his visit to
the West Indies last winter he drew the attention of the
planters to the defects in the quality of the cotton
previously grown by them, and pointed cut that it was only
by. the most careful cultivation, the most careful harvesting,
and the most careful ginning and baling, that they could
hope to realize a full price for their productions. Mr. Oliver
visited most of the islands where cotton is being grown, and
it is impossible to over-estimate the immense value of his
visit, which was made at considerable personal inconvenience.
The thanks of the members are also due to the executive of
the Fine Cotton Spinners and Doublers’ Association for
enabling Mr. Oliver to place his services at the disposal of
the association ; nor would it be right to pass over without
mention the great amount of time which another member of
the council—Mr. Charles Wolstenholme—has so willingly
given in superintending the valuation and sale of the cotton.
As many of the shipments have been in small lots of one or
two bales, this work has been a heavy tax on Mr. Wolsten-
holme’s time, and, in addition, he has most readily given his
services for the valuation of the hundreds of samples which
are sent to the association from time to time from all parts
of the British Empire.

The association have also sent out ginning and other
machinery to the planters, and this is now being supplied on
a commercial basis, but with easy terms of repayment and at
a moderate rate of interest. An oil plant has recently been
sent to Barbados at a cost of about £1,600, and this should
prove of great advantage to the planters, as it will enable
them to obtain a good price for their seed locally.

The association made a special grant last year of
£300 towards the services of an additional expert, who has
travelled throughout the various islands telling the planters
what to do and when to do it, and helping them in all cases
of difficulty. His services have proved so valuable that the
council have decided to renew the grant for another year.

TOGGENBURG GOATS.*

The following account of this valuable breed of
goats is extracted from the U.S. Monthly Consular
Reports for September :—

To meet the requests of many American correspondents
desirous of information regarding the value of the Toggen-
burg goat, Consul-General Peters, of St. Gall, Switzerland,
transmits the following report, which was prepared at his
request by Mr. Wissman, Director of the Cantonal Depart-
ment of Agriculture of St. Gall :—

Toggenburg is in a long and fertile valley of the Thur,
and is a district within the Canton of St. Gall, long famed
for its goats. ‘The milk of the goat is rich in quality, and
keeps quite as well as cow’s milk. It sells for 3°5c. to 3°8e.
per litre (1:0567 quarts). These goats breed at a year old,
the time of gestation being five months. The food in summer
consists of grass and shrubs, but in winter, if the milk is to
continue rich in quality, a small quantity of grain and hay
must be given, and the temperature of the stall should be
kept at from 57° to 62° F.

FEEDING AND HERDING.

In regard to the amount of pasture land required for
the support of this animal, it is computed that from six to
eight goats will need as much as one cow, and that one
man can manage from forty to fifty goats. Generally
speaking, the milk of the cow is more popular, but for
children the goat’s milk is in greater demand, as tuberculosis
is hardly ever found in these hardy animals. The milk of
the goat makes an excellent cheese and fairly good butter ;
but as to the latter, the milk of the cow retains its
pre-eminence. The meat of the young goats, from five to
twelve weeks old, is considered a great luxury. Indeed, it is
often mistaken for venison, and sells for from 29c. to 39e. for
2-1 tb. This compares very favourably with the average
price received in Switzerland for beef, which is 33c. to 37c.
for 2-2 hb.

The average clip on long-haired goats is about 4°4 hb. ;
the hair is not very marketable, but is used in some instances
for ropes, which are very strong and defy the action of water.
The skins are worth from 29c. to 58c. each, but the finest
and best bring as much as $1°35 each.

If well cared for, these animals will give milk from
their first to their tenth year, when they decrease in flow
and finally dry up. Ordinarily, they will produce milk for
eight months in a year. The price of these animals is
higher in the spring than in the fall, but the average for
a good one, from one to three years old (male), in the fall, is
$9°65 to $19°30. Females of the same age bring $7:72 to
$9°65 ; four-year-olds bring as high as $13°51.

It may be mentioned that several goats of the
Toggenburg breed have been introduced into the West
Indies by the Imperial Department of Agriculture.
‘Bruce, a handsome billy, and a fine milking goat
(‘Pauline’), of the same breed, were Imported in
January 1903. As stated in the Agricultural News
(Vol. 1V, p. 216), ‘Pauline’ died some few months
ago. She had, however, given birth to seven kids.
‘Bruce’ has two sons—‘ Wallace’ at Halton estate,
Barbados, and ‘ Paul’ at St. Vincent.

* The name of this breed of goats has hitherto appeared
in the Agricultural News as Toffenburg. It appears that the
correct spelling is Toggenburg.

THE

AGRICULTURAL NEWS.

DrECEMBER 23, 1905.

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 3 of the cover.

The Agricultural News:

post free 14d.
2s. 2d.

Price 1d. per number,
td. Annual subscription payable to Agents,
Post free, 3s. 3d.

Agricultural slows
Vou. IV. SATURDAY, DECEMBER 23, 1905.

NOTES AND COMMENTS.

No. 96.

Contents of Present Issue.

A system of cotton seed selection, based generally
on the lines of that in practice in the Sea Islands, is
being adopted in the West Indies. This matter is
discussed in detail in the editorial in this issue.

Information is published on pp. 386-7 in regard to
the results that have been obtained at Barbados with
seedling canes B, 147 and B, 208.

A brief report appears on p. 389 of the sixth
annual local agricultural exhibition and show of stock,
held at Bushy Park, Barbados, by the Imperial
Department of Agriculture on December 5 last.

Cotton growers will read with interest the extract
which is published on pp. 390-1 from the Annual
Report of the British Cotton-growing Association,
dealing with the progress made in establishing the
cotton industry in the West Indies.

Notes will be found on p. 394 in reference to
insects affecting tobacco in Cuba and the occurrence of
black blight in Grenada.

Recommendations with regard to the treatment of
orchard soils in the tropics are discussed on p. 395.

An interesting account of what is being accom-
plished at Antigua in connexion with agricultural
education appears on p. 397.

On the same page information is published in
regard to exhibitions to be held in Canada in 1906.

Manurial Experiments with Cacao at Dominica.

The last issue of the West Indian Bulletin
(Vol. VI, no. 5) contains a paper on manurial
experiments carried out with cacao at Dominica by the
Hon. Francis Watts, C.M.G., and Mr. Joseph Jones,
Curator of the Botanic Station. These experiments,
which were commenced in 1900, have already yielded
some valuable results.

Five plots were treated as follows: (1) no manure;
(2) basie phosphate and sulphate of potash; (3) dried
blood; (4) basic phosphate, sulphate of potash, and
dried blood; (5) mulched with grass and leaves. All
the manures used proved beneficial. In 1905 the
no-manure plot yielded 19} Ib. of wet cacao per tree ;
the addition of phosphate and potash resulted in an
increase of 2} tb. per tree. With dried blood the yield
was 244 Ib., while the combination of dried blood with
phosphate and potash brought the yield to 28} tb. per
tree, being a gain of 9 tb. over the no-manure plot.
This points to the necessity for general manuring in
cacao cultivation.

a

Sea Island Cotton in the West Indies.

In the U.S. Monthly Consular Reports, p. 209,
for the month of September last, there appears the
following —

‘Consul Clare of Barbados writes that the eftorts
to grow Sea Island cotton in the West Indies are not
as promising as the cotton world had been led to
believe by those who thought that cotton that was
indigenous to the West Indies would surely thrive in
those parts.’

Following this are extracts from a report by
Mr. Henry A. Ballou, B.Sc., Entomologist on the statt
of the Imperial Department of Agriculture, which, it is
assumed, justifies the conclusions arrived at in the
statement quoted above.

Mr. Ballou’s report appears on p. 262 of the
current volume of the Agricultural News, and may
be easily referred to. It was one of a series that dealt
exclusively with the undesirability of ratooning cotton.
It expressed no opinion whatever on the general
prospects of cotton growing in these colonies.

We would point out that the Consul’s statement,
which has been quoted and commented upon in several
English and West Indian newspapers and accepted as
correct, has taken us by surprise. As a proof that it is
erroneous, we cannot do better than refer our readers
to the extract from the Annual Report of the British
Cotton-growing Association published on pp. 390-1.
This shows that the cotton industry in the West
Indies is steadily extending and there is no doubt as
to its ultimate success wherever the conditions of the
soil and climate and the labour supply are favourable,
The industry is practically only three years old. The
exports during the nine months ended September 31
last amounted to 1,024,283 th. of the estimated
value of £42,545. With continued good prices the
value of the exports for next year (1906) should not
fall far short of £100,000,

Vou. Live) No: 96:

THE AGRICULTURAL

NEWS. 393

Manurial Experiments with Sugar-cane at
Barbados.

A summary of the results of the experiments with
varieties of sugar-cane carried on at Barbados during
the season 1903-5 was published in the Agricultural
News, Vol. IV, p. 355. It may be of interest to review
briefly the results of the manurial experiments.

These results confirm those obtained in previous
years. They indicate that an ordinary application of
farmyard manure, together with artificial manure, 1s
more effective than a very large application of
farmyard manure without artificial manure; also that
the application of nitrogen both to plant canes and
ratoons, is followed by a profitable increase in the
yield, The application of sulphate of potash was
generally profitable. On the other hand, phosphatic
fertilizers either had no effect upon the yield or caused
a diminution.

a
Rubber in Hawaii.

A press Bulletin (No. 13), issued by the Hawaii
Agricultural Experiment Station, contains notes in
regard to the chief rubber-yielding plants, more
especially as to the possibility of their successful
cultivation in Hawaii.

It is considered unlikely that the climate of
Hawaii would prove suitable for the Para rubber tree ;
for a similar reason, it is doubtful whether the cultiva-
tion of Custilloa elastica should be attempted on
more than an experimental scale.

The Ceara rubber (Manihot Glaziovii), on the
other hand, finds the climate of Hawaii quite suitable ;
it makes rapid growth in Hawaii, thriving from sea-
level up to 2,500 feet. As this tree will stand
a moderate tapping at three years, comparatively early
returns may be obtained. A company has already
planted 100,000 seeds of this species, and expects to
have half a million growing within another two years.

The Ceara rubber would appear to offer the most
favourable prospects for a rubber industry in Hawaii.

Ea —————

Agricultural Scholarships.

The Agricultural Scholarships for the Leeward
and Windward Islands, of the annual value of £75, in
connexion with the Imperial Department of Agri-
culture, and held by A. H. Boon, of Antigua, and
G. O. M. O’Reilly, of St. Lucia, will be vacated at the
end of the current year.

Both scholars have successfully completed a two-
years’ course in Agricultural Science, and a satisfactory
report has been sent in by the Acting Head Master of
Harrison College on their conduct and progress during
that period.

With the view of filling the vacancies thus caused,
it is proposed to hold an examination of candidates
who fulfil the required conditions, im each of the
Windward and Leeward Islands early in January next.
Full information may be obtained on application at the
Government Offices in the islands concerned. The last
day on which applications can be received is Thursday,
December 28 next,

Shade-Grown Tobacco in Jamaica.

As was briefly stated in the last issue of the Agri-
cultural News, a section of the pamphlet (No. 38) on
the Cultivation and Curing of Tobacco, just issued by
the Imperial Department of Agriculture, is devoted to
the cultivation under shade of Sumatra tobacco for
cigar wrappers.

The experiments that have been carried on for
some years at the Hope Experiment Station have
shown that cigar wrapper tobacco equal, if not superior,
ts Sumatra can be grown in Jamaica. The cost of
production has been placed at 2s. to 2s, 24d. per th.
Samples of the leaf were estimated by an expert to be
worth 6s. per tb.

Although these figures are liable to revision with
wider experience in Jamaica and elsewhere, it is
evident that the cultivation of this type of tobacco
would leave a good margin for profit.

Mr. J. V. Chalmers, the expert who visited
Jamaica last year for the purpose of reporting on the
prospects of the industry, considers that the cultivation
of shade-grown tobacco should be extended in Jamaica,
as he is confident that it can be carried on very
profitably,

Detailed instructions as to the cultivation of this
tobacco under shade will be found in the pamphlet.

Oe

The Trade Pendulum.

In an interesting article in the Journal of the
Jamaica Agricultural Society, entitled the ‘Trade
Pendulum,’ the writer discusses the ups and downs to
which different branches of trade are subject. Figures
are quoted to show that each branch of trade
experiences ‘booms’ for a few years, which are almost
invariably followed by periods of depression. Logwood,
cottee, pimento, annatto, and other products are cited
as examples.

While these market fluctuations are inevitable,
the trouble lies in the rush into a particular form of
cultivation that follows a period of high prices for that
product. The increased production, sooner or later,
causes a drop in prices: with the result that the
cultivation will have to be dropped by all except those
who can produce the article cheaply. Now, cheap
production must mean, among other things, that the
right conditions of soil, climate, etc., have been secured
for the crop.

In view of keen competition, diversified agriculture,
it is urged, is necessary; but, further, land must be
kept up to the highest pitch of cultivation. Each
planter must carefully consider for which products he
can secure the most suitable conditions.

The writer of the article advises the coffee planter
in Jamaica to keep live stock for the sake of their
manure and to grow oranges. ‘The cacao planter has his
bananas; he should also plant rubber trees as a perma-
nent shade, as well as cocoa-nuts. The pen keeper
has usually oranges, pimento, and logwood; according
to the district, cotton, coffee, and other crops will be
useful accessories.

304

THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.

DECEMBER 23, 1905.

INSECT NOTES.

Tobacco Insects in Cuba.

Bulletin No. 1 of the Estacion Central Agronomica de
Cuba deals with the insect pests and fungoid and other
diseases of tobacco in that island.

The insects dealt with in this bulletin are much the same
as those that have been found troublesome in the Lesser
Antilles, such as the tobacco worm, cutworms, flea beetle,
and the cigarette beetle which attacks stored tobacco.

The tobacco worm in Barbados is Protoparce celeus,
while the Cuban species is said to be Protoparce carolina.
The remedial measures in use in Cuba are the same as in
Barbados, which are hand-picking of the worms on the
leaves and, occasionally, the use of Paris green.

Several species of cutworms are reported, for the control
of which a poison bait is recommended similar to that
recommended in the Agricultural News, Vol. IV, p. 378.

The flea beetle (Hpitrix parvula) is the same species
that attacks tobacco leaves in Barbados. Paris green is
recommended for this pest also.

The foregoing are the principal pests of growing tobacco
in Cuba. Clean cultivation is strongly recommended as
a general measure in all cases of insect attack. Paris green
is used in Cuba as a spray in a mixture of 1 fb. in 100 to 150
gallons of water, or dry, in a mixture of 1 Ib. of Paris green
to 100 tb. of a dry powder, such as flour or slaked lime.
Although there does not seem to be any danger to the
consumer of the tobacco from the use of Paris green, it is
recommended that care be exercised not to apply more than
is necessary, and not to apply any for at least a month before
harvesting the leaves.

In dealing with the cigarette beetle (Lasioderma serri-
corne) in stored tobacco, carbon bisulphide or hydrocyanic gas
fumigation is recommended, and these have been found not
to injure the quality of the tobacco.

Black Blight in Grenada.

In a report to the Agricultural Experiment Committee,
Grenada, Mr. R. D. Anstead, Agricultural Superintendent,
deals with the nature and control of the black blight which
is so prevalent in that island.

The report reviews the relationship between the scale
insects attacking certain trees and the fungus growth
(Capnodium sp.) which finds suitable conditions for growth
in the excretions of these insects.

The plants enumerated as most commonly infested by
the black blight in Grenada are mango, bread-fruit, sapodilla,
guava, and rose-apple. The scale insects which are most
commonly followed by black blight are given as the star
scale (Vinsonia stell/fera), the mussel scale (M/ytilaspis citri-
cola), and the mealy shield scale (Protopulvinaria pyriformis).

It is pointed out that scale insects rarely attack cacao
and nutmegs, although cases are known in Grenada of such
attacks, and that wild and uncultivated plants are frequently
attacked and furnish a source from which the infestation
may spread to cultivated plants of certain kinds.

The remedial measures recommended in Mr. Anstead’s
report are: (1) maintaining of cultivated plants in the
best possible condition of growth and vigour; (2) clean
culture ; and (3) the application of insecticides. The
following formula is given for preparing a suitable insecti-
cide, which has been used for some time by the Entomologist
on the staff of the Imperial Department of Agriculture :—

Six (6) ounces of the best rosin are finely powdered and
added to 3 pints of crude oil (Barbados tar) and heated until
allis dissolved. Four (4) ounces of napthalin are then added
and 6 tb. of whale oil soap, and the heating continued until
the mixture is homogeneous. One (1) pound of this mixture
is made up with 10 gallons of water and used as a spray.
The rosin must be of the best quality, or trouble is experi-
enced in the clogging of the nozzle of the sprayer.

This mixture may be used for spraying, or plants may
be washed with it. When no spraying outfit is available,
a small brush may be used to apply the mixture and to
dislodge the scales.

The report also recommends concerted action on the
part of all members of the agricultural community in
dealing with this matter, and suggests that some form of
legislation may be necessary to deal with cases where
owners are negligent and allow their plants to become
breeding places for scale insects and a source of infection
to their neighbours.

In dealing with large trees badly infested with scale
insects and black blight, it is recommended that such trees
be lopped as close as possible, the cuts tarred over, and the
whole thoroughly coated with a good lime wash.

BASIC SLAG.

The following extract from an article on basic
slag, in the Journal of the Board of Agriculture
(Great Britain), for November, is likely to be of interest
to West Indian planters :—

Basic slag is a by-product in the manufacture of steel
and its composition is not regulated by the manufacturer
as is the case with, say, superphosphate. Iron ores contain
irregular quantities of phosphorus (the substance which
gives to the phosphate of lime found in bones and some other
manures its value as a fertilizer), and the object of the steel-
maker is to get rid of all the phosphorus in the iron. To
effect this the iron is melted in contact with limestone, which
extracts the phosphorus and forms a slag. This, when
ground to a fine powder, is basic slag, which may vary very
considerably in quality, the usual contents being 30 to 40
per cent. of insoluble phosphate, though there may be as
little as 22 per cent., or as much as 45 per cent.

The Inish Department, in their leaflet dealing with basic
slag, point out that there is nothing in the appearance of
basic slag which gives the slightest indication of the percent-
age of phosphate of lime it contains, and recommend that
the farmer should (1) stipulate when purchasing that he
shall be supplied with a high-class slag ; (2) insist on being
furnished with an invoice on which are clearly stated (a) the
percentage of phosphate of lime, (b) the fineness of grinding,
and (c) the percentage of phosphate of lime soluble in
a 2-per cent. solution of citric acid according to Wagner’s
method. There should be no difficulty in procuring from
any reliable manure merchant basic slag which contains 40
per cent. of phosphate of lime and so finely ground that at
least 80 per cent. of it will pass through a sieve having
10,000 holes per square inch, and in which at least 80 per
cent. of the total phosphate of lime is soluble in a 2-per cent.
solution of citric acid used according to Wagner’s directions,

No. 96.

THE AGRICULTURAL

NEWS. 395

TREATMENT

In the editorial in the Agricultural News of
August 12, 1905 (Vol. IV, p. 242), the attention of

lanters was drawn to papers by Dr. Francis Watts,
C.M.G., the Superintendent of Agriculture for the
Leeward Islands, in reference to the question of the
treatment of soils in cacao and lime plantations. The
recommendations mady by Dr. Watts in this connexion
were criticized in the Grenada Chronicle by Mr. W.
Malins Smith, who laid considerable stress on the
importance of forking between the trees in a cacao
field and deprecated the plan of allowing weeds to
cover the land.

In reference to this criticism, Dr. Watts points out
that in his first paper on this subject (see West Indian
Bulletin, Vol. IL, p. 96) the question is introduced in
a tentative and by no means didactic manner. He
continues :—

I endeavoured to reach general principles for various
forms and stages of orchard work.

When, as normally happens, a cacao orchard becomes
so covered by the growth of the trees that no undergrowth
of weeds arises, it is obviously absurd to talk of cutting
down the weeds which do not exist: but where weeds do
grow, I hold that they may be properly used to maintain
the fertility and tilth of the soil.

To Mr. Smith’s specific question ‘ Where is the advan-
tage of allowing weeds to absorb manurial ingredients from
the soil and so to deprive the cacao trees of plant food for
the purpose of returning the same ingredients later on Y
T would reply that the advantage lies in the increase in the
amount of organic matter and the consequent and subsequent
increase in the amount of humus in the soil ; an additional
advantage lies in the fact that the weeds prevent loss of fine
soil from wash during heavy rains.

Tt has been my intention to discuss the question of the
special case of the treatment of cacao orchards where the
overgrowth is so dense as to prevent the growth of weeds,
but up to the present I have been too busy to do this.
I may, however, remind you of the increased yield due to
mulching in the case of the experiments on cacao in the
Dominica Botanic Station.

Practical farming cannot be reduced to a formal set of
rules ; few occupations offer greater scope for the exercise of
individual judgement than does farming. A practical planter
would examine his soil and if he found it losing tilth under
a system of weeding he would modify this, doubtless, by an
occasional forking.

What I want to show is that in orchard work in these
islands there is often a tendency to try to keep the spaces
between the trees (spaces as yet unoccupied by trees, as in
the case of young lime and orange orchards) free from weeds
by constant weeding with the hoe: this I believe to be
disastrous and that the judicious use of the natural weeds,
using them as a mulch, can be made to give good results,
tending to improve the soil. Planters were being taught
that their object should be to keep their fields free from
weeds, even when exposed to sun and to the danger of
washing in heavy rains: this I believe to be wrong and
I wish planters to experiment with other methods. In using
weeds in the way I suggest, the planter will require to use

his judgement as to the precise manner in which the work is
to be done, and modifications will, doubtless, arise to meet
the various conditions encountered. It seems quite possible
Bee me intervention of an occasional forking may prove
useful.

In reference to the above, it may be of some
interest to mention that the matter of orchard
cultivation is being discussed by American fruit
growers along somewhat similar lines.

The Florida Agriculturist, of September 20,
1905, devotes considerable space to what is called
the ‘New Horticulture, the principles of which are
diametrically opposed to the generally accepted system
of fruit culture. The ‘New Horticulture’ advocates,
among other things, the following :—

Non-cultivation after the trees begin to bear. Not
neglect, but mowing often enough to keep all growth down.
Until the trees begin to bear, any crop but small grain may
be grown between them. Where the ground is rough and
rocky and in sections of average rainfall, trees may be
planted in sod, but they will grow less rapidly. A circle of
about 3 feet should be hozd clean, the tree planted in
a small hole in the centre, the earth around it well rammed,
the circle well fertilized and mulched.

MULCHING IN CACAO FIELDS.

The value of mulches of grass and leaves in
increasing the productiveness of cacao fields is very
strikingly brought out by experiments conducted since
1900 at the Dominica Botanic Station, the results of
which are recorded by Dr. Francis Watts in the West
Indian Bulletin, Vol. VI, no. 3. The following
extract deals particularly with the plot treated in this
manner :—

The plot mulched with grass and leaves, the sweepings
of the lawns at the Botanic Station, is a very interesting one.
In the first period this plot, though giving a greater yield
than the no-manure plot, fell far behind the plot receiving
dried blood; in the second period it again exceeded the
no-manure plot and was practically equal in yield to, or
a little better than, the dried blood plot ; while in the third
period (1905) it has far surpassed all the other plots and has
given a yield 66 per cent. greater than that obtained from
the no-manure plot. The soil of this plot is in better
condition than the others, the surface soil is moister and
darker in colour, while the trees have a better surface root
development.

This method of manuring by means of mulches of grass
and bush is evidently the proper course to adopt in Dominica,
where, owing to the large supplies of the required material
which are available, the work of manuring can be carried out
efficiently.

These experiments again emphasize the desirability in
the tropics of following agricultural methods which lead to
the conservation of humus or vegetable matter in the soil.
In most cases, if these methods are conscientiously adopted,
sufficient supplies of plant food will be conveyed to the soil
to obviate the necessity of buying artificial manures.

It is probable that the plot mulched with grass and
leaves will retain its vigour and productiveness for a much
longer period than the others.

Reference is made on p. 392 to the results obtained
by the application of artificial manures to plots of
cacao in the same series of experiments.

396

THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.

DeEcEeMBER 23, 1905.

GLEANINGS.

The annual Agricultural and Industrial Exhibition of
the Barbados Agricultural Society was held at Harrison
College on Wednesday, December 20.

The British West India Fruit Co., Ltd., have been
awarded a silver medal for their general display of fruit at
the Royal Horticultural Society’s Show of Colonial Fruit,
held in London on December 5 and 6.

There is a proposal in hand to hold the eighth Dominica
Agricultural Show at Melville Hall on the Windward Coast
in February next. This would be the first occasion on which
the annual show has been held outside of Roseau.

In view of the efforts that are being made in Jamaica
to establish a trade in preserves, it is of interest to observe
that the Jamaica Preserves & Honey Co., Ltd., is advertising
for young limes, guavas, young ginger, and full mangos.

It is proposed to hold a Hydrographical Congress in
connexion with a Colonial Exhibition to be held in Marseilles
from May to December 1906. The Congress will deal with
charts, marine meteorology, marine biology, fisheries, marine
laboratories, and many other related matters.

At a meeting of the Antigua Agricultural and Commercial
Society, held on December 1, Dr. Watts extended an invitation
to the members of the society to meet him at the Botanic
Station on the following Friday for the purpose of inspecting
the experiments which were being conducted there.

The Superintendent of the Botanic Station in British
Honduras reports that there are several fairly large
cacao plantations established in the colony. Some of these
plantations are already producing good crops. On one estate
a cacao-drying apparatus has been erected.

As the result of the recent Colonial Exhibition, the
West India Committee were able to lend a number of West
Indian curiosities and articles of interest from Jamaica,
Trinidad, and Grenada, for a missionary exhibition, held in
Guildford on November 14 and 15. (West India Committee
Circular.)

As indicating the efforts that are being made at
Dominica to establish a fruit industry, it is of interest to
note the following items in the returns of produce shipped
from the island during the period January 1 to September
30, 1905: 4,236 bunches of bananas, 12,095 barrels of fresh
limes, 135,360 oranges, 16 barrels of preserved tamarinds,
and mangos to the value of £217.

Under partial shading of native trees and the Castilloa
rubber tree, a coffee plantation in the Toledo district, British
Honduras, is now in a flourishing condition and bears heavily.

A school garden show was held at Princes’ Town,
Trinidad, on Friday, December 1. The Port-of-Spain
Gazette states that it was, perhaps, the most successful of the
three that have been held during the year. The show was
opened by his Excellency the Governor, who also distributed
the prizes.

Official figures with regard to the exports of Jamaica
for the six months ended November 18, 1905, show large
increases in the output of bananas and cocoa-nuts. The
quantity of cotton shipped has jumped from 8,516 tb. to
38,484 Ib. Oranges, pimento, and rum show a falling off,
as compared with figures for the corresponding period of last
year.

By the R.M.S. ‘La Plata,’ which left Barbados on
December 14, there were shipped through the Imperial
Department of Agriculture 1,178 bunches of bananas,
1 barrel of potatos, and 1 barrel of yams. Messrs. H. E.
Thorne & Sons, Ltd., shipped 200 crates of bananas. By the
same steamer the West Indian Fruit Co., Ltd., shipped
800 packages of fruit from Trinidad.

Trinidad Council Paper No. 118 of 1905 contains
particulars supplied by Wardens in regard to the destruction
of the mungoose. It appears that the mungoose is numerous
in only two out of the fourteen wards. In these two wards
bounties are paid for the animals destroyed. In Couva 183
have been destroyed at a cost of £34 since November 1904 ;
in Tacarigua, from March 1904 to October 1905, 2,498 at
a cost of about £440. Between twenty-five and thirty were
also destroyed in St. Ann’s.

At a meeting of the St. Vincent Cotton Growers’
Association, held on December 6, Mr. W. N. Sands suggested
the desirability of members establishing rain gauges on their
estates, with the view of obtaining accurate records as to the
rainfall in the different parts of the island. Several members
promised to adopt the suggestion. It may be mentioned
that there are at present only two rainfall stations at
St. Vincent, viz., at the Botanic Station and at the
Agricultural School.

At the same meeting it was unanimously resolved
‘that the Government be urged to pass an Ordinance for
the protection of cotton growers against cotton stealing.’
Speaking in reference to the above, Mr. Sands suggested that,
possibly, stolen cotton from the Grenadines was responsible for
the ‘rogues’ that had appeared in the cotton fields this
season, and advised growers to see that pickers did not mix
such cotton with the Sea Island cotton to make up the
weight.

At a large meeting held at Montego Bay, Jamaica, on
November 24, in connexion with the proposed establishment
of a central sugar factory in that town, it was stated that
capitalists in Canada had already subscribed £15,000 out of
the £20,000 or £25,000 required for the purpose. The
meeting was informed that it was necessary that some
portion of this amount should be raised locally as a guarantee.
The company does not propose to grow canes but to purchase
them from growers,

Vor. IV. No. 96.

AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION ATANTIGUA.

The following memorandum on agricultural educa-
tion at Antigua has been prepared by Mr. A. H. Kirby,
B.A., Agricultural and Science Master. It serves to
indicate what is being done in this connexion in
Antigua :—

The scope of the work may be defined from two stand-
points: that in which its general educational value is
considered, and that in which its worth as a preparation for
those who intend to follow agricultural pursuits is held in
mind. Of these, the latter will be dealt with first, as it is
the more important and direct object of the work, the other
(as it has been found) being a necessary and useful concomi-
tant of it.

At the Grammar School, by lessons in agricultural
science in which the chemistry, physics, and botany, which are
requisite for the understanding of the physiological processes
in the plant kingdom are included, and by practical work in
the school garden, a class of pupil is being produced who can,
on leaving school, carry on agricultural work with a regard
for scientific method, who is equipped with sufficient
knowledge to follow intelligently the literature bearing more
directly on his interests, and who is perforce, from his very
training, averse to mere empirical methods and amenable to
scientific reasoning. It is evident that the introduction of
agriculturai reforms among persons of this kind will be a far
more speedy matter than it is among those who have not had
the same advantages. In this connexion it may be mentioned
that at the present time seventy-two boys are in receipt of
scientific instruction. Of these, three take chemistry alone,
twenty-seven chemistry and physics, fifteen chemistry and
agricultural botany, twelve chemistry, physics, and agri-
cultural botany, while fifteen of the youngest are going
through a preparatory course.

While the work has been carried on as described above
among those already receiving a good secondary education
who may wish to specialize in the direction of agriculture,
regard has also been had to the interests of the pupils in the
elementary schools. Circumstances demand that these should
be influenced more indirectly, and it is of course proper that
they should be reached through their own teachers. With
this object, courses of lectures on the elements of plant physi-
ology and on tropical hygiene have been given to the teachers
of the elementary schools in the island, and to the students
of the Female Training College. By means of such lectures
assistance has been given to those attending them in the
preparation of object-lessons suitable for their pupils,
improved methods of teaching have been introduced, and the
idea has been kept before them that mere learning by rote
should be superseded by methods in which the sustained
interest of the pupil leads to the acquirement of knowledge
by him. The importance of the work in the school garden,
or that carried on by means of boxes and pots, is insisted
upon, as providing a means of demonstrating practically the
principles taught in class and not as being intended for
the purpose of merely showing how to grow a few different
crops. The necessity of such teaching to the youth of
an agricultural country is too evident to require remark.
The total number of those who, at the present time, are
taking up these courses is forty, of whom twenty-seven
are actively employed in elementary schools, and thirteen
attend the Female Training College.

The other view, that of the purely educational value
-of such work, may now be considered shortly. Seventeen
pupils from the Girls’ High School attended lessons in botany,
-and these, of course, can only be regarded in that aspect.

THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.

397

At the Grammar School every boy takes up at least one
science subject—chemistry. It is the opinion of those
who have the care of the general subjects of the curriculum
of the school that improvement in them has resulted from
the introduction of science subjects, while at the same
time a better tone prevails generally in regard to the modes
of thought and expression. The last statement is also true
of the teachers in the elementary schools, as is evidenced by
the much more intelligent way in which notes of lectures are
made, and by the reasonable spirit of inquiry which exists
among them. It is much Jess easy, as far as their pupils are
concerned, especially for those who do not come directly into
contact with them, to gauge the effect of the work in this
direction. It is fully evident, however, that it must be one
of imparting the knowledge of the laws of health, and of
instilling the idea that the pursuit of agriculture, especially
in a country whose inhabitants depend upon it for their very
existence, dignifies, and does not debase, those who take part
in it.

CANADIAN EXHIBITIONS, 1906.

The following is a copy of a letter from Messrs.
Pickford & Black to the Imperial Commissioner of
Agriculture for the West Indies, dated Halifax, N.S.,
November 1, 1905 :—

In addition to the annual fair held in Toronto, it is
intended during 1906 to hold a Doriinion Exhibition at
Halifax ; this latter is very largely assisted by the Dominion
Government and is patronized by manufacturers and others
throughout the whole Dominion. This year it was held at
Vancouver and was a great success, being an attraction
which drew people from all over the Dominion as well as
from the United States. As far as the Toronto Show is
concerned it is always very largely attended, on some days as
many as 90,000 to 100,000 people passing the gates. The
dates at Toronto and Halifax have been arranged so that the
former Exhibition will be closed in ample time to enable
the exhibits to be removed to, and shown at, the Dominion
Fair at Halifax, N.S.

It has occurred to us that these exhibitions would
form the very best means of placing the products and
resources of the West Indies before the Canadian public, and
with this end in view we are prepared to assist in every
possible way. We would offer to carry all exhibits from the
West Indies to Toronto, and thence to Halifax, free of charge.
We will also arrange for the necessary space and the proper
showing of the same. Exhibitors would thus only have to
provide their exhibits and pay cost of erecting booths.

It would only be necessary to send bona fide samples
of goods produced in the West Indies (not ladies’ fancy work),
but articles which would lead to the development of trade
between the two countries.

We do not know your feelings in regard to the success
of the previous exhibits, but it is our opinion that nothing
has ever before been done which has so effectually brought
the resources of the West Indies before the people of Canada.
It is to be regretted that the exhibits stored on our premises
after the exhibitions of 1904 were totally destroyed in the
fire, as they would have formed the nucleus of a good show.

We would be pleased to hear from you as early as
possible in regard to the above so that we can arrange space
at both Toronto and Halifax and issue the necessary instruc-
tions regarding transportation.

The shows will be held in August and September,
definite dates to be advised later,

THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS,

DECEMBER 23, 1905.

REPORT
By J. H. Hart,

TRINIDAD: ANNUAL ON THE
BOTANICAL DEPARTMENT, 1904-5.

F.L.S., Superintendent.

It is reported that the nurseries have, on the whole,
been able to meet the local demands for plants. The total
receipts for the sale of plants and produce during the year
under review amounted to £419 8s. 33¢., which is the
highest return for several years past.

Several of the sugar-cane seedlings raised in Trinidad are
now regularly cultivated on estates. There has been
a constant demand for plants of the various rubber trees.
The rubber plot at St. Clair has made excellent progress, and
bleeding experiments will be carried out in the coming
season. The demand for budded orange plants is reported
to be steadily on the increase.

Timber and shade trees are grown in the nurseries for
distribution. ‘There is a steady demand for the ‘ Madura’
shade tree (Glivicidia maculata). As regards timber trees,
Honduras mahogany is being widely planted.

Owing to the attack of ‘Boll rot,’ the experiment in
growing cotton at St. Clair was a decided failure.

The River estate was placed under the control of the
Botanical Department on January 16, 1904. Careful
attention to pruning, tarring wounds, ete., has resulted in
a considerable improvement in the appearance of the cacao
trees, and the yield has been an excellent one. A small
experiment plot will shortly be started with the view of
affording an object-lesson in manuring aud general treatment.

A banana plantation has been estabhshed on the estate
for supplying planters with suckers. There are reported to
be 3,500 plants in good order.

Cacao and cotton experiment plots were started in the
country districts.

BRITISH HONDURAS: REPORT ON THE
BOVANIC STATION, 1904. By E. J. F. Campbell,
Superintendent.

In British Honduras there are a Botanie Station at

Belize and subsidiary nurseries at Stann Creek and Corosal.
Owing to the absence of any period of drought during the
year, the plants in the Botanic Station maintained a bright,
fresh appearance throughout. The station is a favourite
resort with the people of Belize.

At the Stann Creek nursery many rare and valuable
economic plants are growing, which will, in time, provide
abundance of seed for distribution.

At the Corosal nursery a trial was made of Sea Island
cotton, but the heavy rains injured the blossoms causing
them to fall. At the nursery attention is paid chietly to
short-period crops, like corn, arrowroot, ginger, ete.

The total number of plants distributed from the station
during the year was 10,626; this nuniber included 6,600
logwood and 2,144 cacao plants. The receipts from the sale of
plants for the year amounted to 8327-61, showing an increase
over the receipts of the previous year of S55:80.

HAWAII: ANNUAL REPORT ON THE AGRI-
CULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION, 1904. By
Jared G. Smith, Special Agent in Charge.

The various lines of investigation deseribed in previous
reports were continued. Co-operative experiments in cacao
and banana cultivation are being carried on.

The Chemist of the station has been engaged in soil
research work and has, in addition, made analyses of a large
nunber of samples of forage plants. 4

The principal work of the Horticulturist has been in
connexion with the collection of bananas and in experiments
in the propagation of mangos, avocado pears, ete.

Avocado pears have been shipped to San Francisco with
satisfactory results. It is thought that the mango, also, is
destined to take a prominent place in the American markets.
An exhibit of agricultural products was prepared for the
St. Louis Exposition. ;

The Entomologist has been engaged in investigating the
life-history of numerous insect pests.

Special attention is being paid to tests of grasses and
forage plants, seeds of which have been imported from
various parts of the world. Information is also being
obtained regarding the value of indigenous fodder plants. if

A special officer is engaged in tobacco investigations.
an Se ee sp
The outlook for tobacco cultivation is regarded as good,
provided suitable land can be placed at the disposal of those
who have sufficient capital to engage in the industry.

Ga HE:

=
JAMAICA READERS, BOOK T:
Educational Supply Co., Kingston, 1905,

The Jamaica Readers have been specially prepared for
the schools in Jamaica by Colonel George Hicks, Senior
Inspector of Schools.

The introduction states: ‘Here is a new book. It is
made for little boys and girls who live in a beautiful land
where orange and banana and cocoanut trees grow, and
humming birds have their home. They will be pleased to
find in the book the names of so many things they themselves
haye seen and have talked about and have heard others talk
about.’

The last sentence is really the key-note to this reader.
Hitherto, save for the 7vopicul Readers, West Indian teachers
have been obliged to use readers which have been written for
English schools. Consequently, children are often found to
have learned facts with regard to plants, animals, etc., as to
the appearance and nature of which they have been able to
form no real idea. .

Many of the subjects of the reading lessons in the
Jamaica Readers ave cultivated plants, or animals, or insects
known to every child in Jamaica. Under the head of
‘A Thousand Wonders’ the stories are told, for example, of
the introduction imto Jamaica of the Guinea crass, of the
uses of the cocoa-nut palm, and so on. 3

Jamaica: The

This little book is likely to receive a warm welcome
from Jamaica teachers and should certainly be known, also,
to elementary school teachers throughout the West Indies.

Vou. IV. No. 96.

THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS. 399

MARKET REPORTS.

London,— November 24, 1905. Messrs. Keron, Pirer &

Co.; Messrs. E. A. DE Pass & Co.; ‘T'ae West [xpi
Commairree Crrcunar,’ ‘THe LiverrooL Corron
AssocratiIon WEEKLY CrircuLar,’ November 17,
1905; and ‘THe Pusnic Lepcer,’ November 18,
1905.

Ators—Barbados, 15/- to 60/- ; Curagva, 17/- to 55/- per ewt.

Arrowroot—St. Vincent, 13d. per th.

Batara—Sheet, 1/4 to 1/11 ; block, 1/4 to 1/4} per Ib.

Bees’-wax—£7 10s. to £7 17s. Gd. per cwt.

Cacao—Trinidad, 51/- to 55/- per ewt. ; Grenada, 46/-
to 52/- per cwt.

Carpamoms—Mysore, 7}d. to 3/- per Ib.

CorrrE—Jamaica, good ordinary, 39/- to 40/- per ewt.

Corron—West Indian, medium fine, 6°60d. ; West Indian
Sea Island, medium fine, 13d.; fine, 14d. ; extra fine,
153d. per tb.

FRvuitT—

Bananas—Jamaica, 5-/ to 6/- per bunch.

Grape Frurr—8/- to 10/- per box.

Limes—3/6 to 4/6 per box.

OraxcEs—Jamaica, 7/- to 10/- per box of 176-200.

Fustic—£3 ds. to £4 per ton.

GInGER— Jamaica, 38/6 to 46/- per cwt.

Honry—25/- per ewt.; fine pale, set in tins 28/-.

Tstncuass—West Indian lump, 2/1 to 2/6: cake, 1/4 per tb.

Kora Nutrs—4d. to 6d. per th.

Lime Jurce—Raw, 9d. to 1/- per gallon; concentrated,
£16 per cask of 108 gallons; hand-pressed, 2/6 te 2/9
per lb. Distilled Oil, 1/4 per tb.

Logwoon—£4 to £4 15s.; roots, £3 10s. to £4 per ton.

Macre—Fair pale, 1/3 per tb.

Nirrare or Sopa—Agriculiural, £11 per ton.

Nurmecs-—74’s, 10d.; 104’s, Ghd. ; 150’s, 4d. per th.

Pimenro—-Fair, 22d. to 2}d. per th.

Rum—Demerara, 1/1 to 1/3 per proof gallon; Jamaica, 2/1
per proof gallon.

Sucar—Yellow crystals, 15/- per cwt.; Muscovado, 14/6 to
15/6 per ewt.; Molasses, 11/- co 14/- per ewt.

SutpHsare or AMMonrs—£12 15s. per ton.

Moutreal,— October 18, 1905.—Mr. J. Russert Mur-

ray. (In bond quotations, ec. & f.)

Cocos-nuts— Jamaica, $27:00 to $29-06; Trinidad, $24:00
to $2500 per M.

Corren—Jainaica, medium, 10c. to 1le per tb.

Gincer--Jemaica, xnbleached, 7c. to 10c. per th.

Motascurr—Demecara, $1°00 per 100 tb.

Motassrs--Barbados, 31e.; Antigua, 26c. per Imperial

gallon.

Nurmrcs—Grenada, 110’s, 18¢. per tb.

OnANGES—-Jamaica, $5°50 per barrel, duty paid.

Pimento- -Jamaica, 5jc. per tb.

Sugar —Grey crystals, 96°, $208 to $2°25 per 100 tb.
—Muscovados, 89°, $1:60 to $1°75 per 100th.
—Mbolasses, 89°, $1°35 to $1°50 per 100 tb.
—Barbadog, 89°, $1:45 to $1:70 per 100 th.

“New York,—November 24, 1905.—Messrs. GILLESPIE

Bros. & Co.

Begs’-wax— No quotations.

Cacao—Caracas, 12c. to 12}c.; Grenada, 103c. to 1le.;
Trinidad, 11}c. to 11gc. Jamaica 9c. per tb.

Cocoa-nuts—Jamaica, $27:00 to $28:00; and Trimdad,
$25:00 to $26:06 per M,

Corrre— Jamaica ordinary, 8}¢. to 10c. per Tb.

GuxGER— Jamaica, 8}c. to 9c. per th.

Goat Skins—Jamaica, 58c. ; St. Kitt’s, 49c. per tb.

Grave Fruir—Jamaica, $3°50 to $5:00 per barrel; $1°75
to $2°50 per box.

Honety—Jamaica, 65. to 67c. per gallon (duty paid).

Limes—No quotations.

Mace— 27c. to 3le. per tb.
Nurmecs—West Indian, 63’s to 69s’, 24c.; 70’s to 80's,
20c. ; 105’s to 110’s, 13c.; 115’s to 180’s, 10c. per tb.
Orances—Jamaica, $3°25 to $400 per barrel ; $1°75 to
$2°25 per box.

Pimento—4ie. per tb.

Pine-apeLes—No quotations.

Sucar—Centrifugals, 96°, 3}c. to 3,9;c.; Muscovados, 89°,
213¢, to 3c. ; Molasses, 89°, 2}4c. to 2jc. per tb.

INTER-COLONIAL MARKETS.

Barbados,—December 2, 1905.—Messrs. T. 8. Garra-

way & Co., and Messrs. James A. Lyncn & Co.

Arrowroor—St. Vincent, $3°50 per 100 th.

Cacao—$9-‘50 to $10-00 per 100 tb.

Cocoa-Nurs—$11°25 per M. for husked nuts.

CorreE—$10°50 to $11°75 per 100 tb.

Hay—84hc. to $160 per 100 th.

Manures—-Nitrate of soda, $65:00 ; Ohlendorff’s dissolved
guano, $55:00 ; Cotton manure, $48:00 ; Sulphate of
ammonia, $75°00; Sulphate of potash, $67-00 per ton.

Ontons—Madeira, (bunched) $2°75 per 100 tb.

Poraros, ENcrisH—Nova Scotia, $2°50 per 160 tb.

Rice—Ballam, $4°45 per bag (190 tb.) ; Patna, $2°86 to
$2:96 ; Seeta, $3:26; Rangoon, $2°50 per 100 tb.

British Guiana,—December 6, 1905.—Messrs. WrIETING

& RIcHTER.

ArRowroor—St. Vincent, $8:00 per barrel.
Bazatra—-Venezuela block, 25c.; Demerara sheet, 38c. per th.
Cacao—Native, 123c. per tb.

Cassava SrarcH—$#4°50 to $5°09 per barrel.

Cocoa-nuts—$10°00 to $12:00 per M.

CorrrE—13}c. to 133c. per th.

Duat— $440 to $4°50 per bag of 168 tb.

Eppors— 80c. to $1°00 per barrei.

Ontoxs—Lisbon, 3c. per tb. (ex store).

PLaNnrains—8e. to 32c. per bunch.

Poratros, ExciisH—$2°25 te $2°75 per barrel.

Poratos, SwEET—Barbados, 84c. per bag.

Rice—Ballam, $4°30 per 177 tb. ; Creole, $400 to $4:10
per bag. (ex store).

Spurr Peas—$5°90 per bag (210 th.).

Tannras—$1°56 per barrel.

Yams—White, $2°16; Buck, $2°16 per bag.

Sucar—Dark crystals, $1°85 to $1:90; Yellow, $2°55
to $2°65; White, $3°75 to $4:00 ; Molasses, $1°75 to
$2°00 per 100 th. (vetail).

Tnizer—Greenheart, 32c. to 55c. per cubic foot.

WALLABA SHINGLES—$3'00, $3°75, and $5°25 per M.

Trinidad,— December 8, 1905.—Messrs. Gorpon, Grant

& Co. ; and Messrs. Epcar Tripp & Co.

Cacao—Ordinary to good red, $11°10 to $11:15 ; estates,
$11°30 to $11°50 per fanega (110 tb.); Venezuelan,
$11°50 to $12°25 per fanega.

Cocoa-NuTS—$21-00 per M., f o.b.

Cocoa-NuT O1r—72e. per Imperial gallon (casks included).

Copra—-$2:90 to $2°95 per 100 ib.

DHAt—-$3°20 to $325 per 2-bushel bag.

Onrons—$1°60 to $1:70 per 100 th. (retail).

Poratos, EncrisH—70c. to 90c. per 100 th.

Rice—Yellow, $4'25 to $4:40 ; White, $4°50 to $5°50 per
bag.

Spriv Peas—$5°10 to $5°25 per 2-bushel bag.

Sucar—White crystals, $4°50 ; Yellow crystals, $2°75 to
$3°00 ; Molasses, $2°75 to $3-00 per 100 th.

400 THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS. DeEcEMBER 23, 1905.

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.

Volumes II and III. Price in original paper covers as issued 2s. each. Post free, 2s. 87.

Volume IV. Nos. 1 and 2. Papers on general subjects. No. 3. (out of print). No. 4. Sea Island Cotton
in the United States and the West Indies. Price 6d. each number. Post free, 8d.

Volume V. Nos. 1, 2, and 3. Papers on general subjects. No. 4. Report of Agricultural Conference, 1905.
Recent experiments with Sugar-cane in the West Indies. Price 6d. each number. Post free, 8d.

Volume VI. No. 1. Report of Agricultural Conference, 1905 (contd.). Cane Farming, Cacao Cultivation, etc., ete.
No. 2. Papers on Cotton and Cacao Industries; Soils of Montserrat; Bud-rot of Cocoa-nut Palm, etc., ete.
Price Gd. 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
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The ‘AGRICULTURAL NEWS. A Fortnightly Review.

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Vor, LV. Nom96:

THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS.

DECEMBER 23, 1905.

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Printed at Office of Agricultural Reporter, 4, High Street, Bridgetown, Barbados.

A.

Adansonia digitata, 60.

Agar, E. A.,
husks,

disposal of diseased cacao
239.

Agricultural banks, 49, 73, 186.

— in Cyprus, 153.

—— — Jamaica, 183.
co-operation, 383.

efforts at Grenada, 158.
industries in Bermuda, 217.

— — Gambia, 297.

— — Grenada, 73.
Instructorship in Grenada, 155.
Instructors in Trinidad, 126.
News, change of date of issue,

28, 344.

progress at Tobago, 177.
prospects at Barbados, 218.
— — Jamaica, 305.

— — St. Vincent, 196.

Scholarships for Leeward and

Windward Islands, 393.

268.

222.

eruee Dominica, 70,
, Grenada, proposed, eae

| St. Tueia, 110, 156, 222, 261,/-

ao St. Vincent, 110, 156,

173, 222, 261, 283.

shows, 1904-5, 81.
—, Antigua, 7H, 82, 133.
—, Barbados, 25, 82, 184,

—, British Guiana, 81, 108.
, Dominica, 82, 133, 252,
—, forthcoming, 40.
, Grenada, 82.
hints for exhibitors, 265.
Jamaica, 76, 81, 268.
Leeward Islands, 82.
Montserrat, 82.
Nevis, 82, 109, 380.
St. Vincent, 82, 109.
Tobago, 375.
Trinidad, 81, 396.
Virgin Islands, 172, 365.
Societies, Antigua, 236, 252,

268,

, Anguilla, 200, 268.

—, British Honduras, 60.
—, Ceylon, 105.

—, Dominica, 268.

—, Jamaica, 76.

—, St. Lucia, 124.

401

INDEX.

Agriculture and fisheries, 56.

in British Guiana, 89, 264.

— Carriacou, 121,

— Colombia, 169.

— Cuba, 40, 153.

— Honduras, 153.

— Leeward Islands, 133.

— St. Lucia, 91, 196.

— Senegal, 73.

-— Surinam, 171,

Akee tree, 359.

Alleyne, Forster M., and Colonial Exhib-
ition, 130, 185, 205.

Andropogons and essential oil, 124.

Anguilla Agricultural Society, 200, 268.

—, cassava cultivation at, 270.

—, cotton cultivation at, 182, 278.

265.

—, fumigation of imported plants at, 193,/

Annatto in the London market, 46, 111,
175, 223, 255, 383.

Anstead, R. D., Agricultural Superinten-
dent, Grenade: 158, Wilen235:

Anthrax, 183.

at Grenada, 236.

— St. Vincent, 252.

inoculation, 318.

—, serum for, 44.

vaccines, 183.

— —, use of, 268.

Antigua, agricultural education at,
agricultural shows, 75, 82, 133.
— society, 236, 252, 268, 396.

, allotments at, 252.

botanic station, ete., 133, 301.

central factory, opening of, 12.

cotton industry at, 250.

fisheries of, 149.

fumigation of imported plants,

imported poultry at, 283.

lectures to teachers at, 268.

orange cultivation at, 232.

rainfall returns, 238,

rat virus at, 237, 348.

re-afforestation plots, 284.

sale of orchids at, 252.

seedling canes at, 2.

shipment of cotton from, 156,
236.

— sugar market, 268.

Apples, coreless, 60.

Arbor Day and Botanic Stations, 225.

— in Dominica, 12.

284.

-T

lo

Arbor Day in St. Kitt’s, 381.

— Tobago, 363.

— West Indies, 225, 265.

—, objects of, 226.

Archbishop of the West Indies, Relation
of teachers to Agricultural develop-
ment, 59.

Arrowroot, exports from Bermuda, 252.

— industry at Bermuda, 217.

— in the London market, 29, 78, 111,
143, 175, 223, 255, 287, 319, 351,
383.

—, St. Vincent, 45.

—, —, at Colonial Exhibition, 327

‘Asphalt exports from Trinidad, 201.

Aspinall, A. E., Sun pictures of the

Antilles and British Guiana, 45.

—, West Indian prospects, 252.

Atkins, E. F., sugar-cane experiments in
Cuba, 146.

Austria-Hungary, West Indian products.
in, 223.

Auto-spray, 186.

Avocado pears, budding, 7

—, cutting for market, 297.

Azores, exports of pine-apples from, 172.

|

B.

Bahamas, fisheries of, 54.

—, pineapples in, 196.

Balata exports from British Guiana, 76,

380.
in Brazil, 271

Ballou, H. A., cotton pests in Barbados,
199.

—, disinfecting cotton seed, 102.

——, ratooning cotton, 114, 262.

Bamboo pulp for paper making, 92, 108.

Banana conference in Barbados, 325

cultivation in Guatemala, 284.

— Jamaica, 180.

— St. Lucia, 91.

— fibre, 329.

—, fungoid diseases of, 324.

— growing, extension in Jamaica, 379.

— growers, meeting in Barbados, 380.

— industry, Barbados, 23, 25, 52, 197,
212, 325, 353.

— Barbados, proposed, 38.
— Hawaii, 381

—, Canary Islands, 276

402

Banana conference in Jamaica, 305.
rubber, 156.
trade, Costa Rica, 249.
— in Great Britain, 159, 244.
vinegar, 371.
Bananas and mosquitos, 316.
Barbados, 84, 116, 180.
—, and cold storage, 23.
—, at R.H.S. Exhibition, 157.
for Egypt, 8.
—, packing, 132.
’ Bluefields, 148.
—, carriage on Jamaica railway, 60.
—, Chinese, for St. Lucia, 124.
—, cold storage chambers for Barbados,
354,
— exports from Barbados, 284.
— from the Canary Islands, 276.
from Martinique, 308.
—, imports into the United Kingdom,
92, 236.
in Canada, 287.
— Great Britain, 148.
-— New York, 175.
Jamaica v. Barbados, 132.
selling by weight, 131.
shipments from Barbados, 92, 180.
Trinidad red-skin in London, 300.
varieties of, 292:
— in Hawaii, 4.
Pavicnatt, C. K., Barbados Scholarship,
1905, 284, 312.
Baobab tree, 60.
Barbados, agricultural prospects in,
— shows, 25, 82, 184, 380,
396.
and Colonial Exhibition,
205, 289.
—, banana conference in, 325
— exports from, 284.
— industry, 12, 23, 25, 52,
212, 325, 353.
bananas, 84, 116,
— for Egypt, 8
—, packing, 132.
—, Canadian Information Bureau in, 3:
—, conference of cotton growers in, 108
itis WEI SE
— co-operative
209; 311
—, cotton cultivation in,

: 998.

,--

?

130,

197,

180, 228,

?

cotton factory, 199,
37, 53, 101.
— exports from, 284.

— factory, 5, 101, 108, 209.

— indnstry, 197, 182.

— oil factory, 145.

—- seed oil plant for, 391.

of mungoose in, 380.
sin, 249.

2

3
—, destruct:
—, Englis!

—, fisheri: its

—, fores a.

— fruit S. Exhibition, 92,

—- — 265.

—, fumi imported plants in, 194,
266.

— hand Colonial Exhibition, 124.

—, Imm 4 malaria, 138.

— indu: ol, 141.

Barbados, insect pests in, 250.
— local agricultural exhibition, 25, 184,

380, 389.

—, meeting of banana growers in,

molasses crop, 34.

sale of goats in, 245.

scholarship, 1905, 284,

seedling canes in, 2.
— cane B. 147 in, 140, 386.

— B. 208 in, 386.

shipment of bananas from, 92.

— fruit from, 396.

— minor products from, 45.

— molasses from, 236.

—, sugar-cane experiments in, 146, 555,

364, 372
—, — manurial experiments in,
— supple jack, 143, 300.

, Valuation of manures in, 286.
|Barbalene as a cure for eczema, 108,
\Barbuda, cotton growing in, 310.

, tarpon fishing i in, 267.

‘Barclay, John, Colonial Exhibition, 130,

245,
Barrett, O.W.,
Bartlett, A.W.,

Gardens, 221.

—, cacao diseases

137.

—, diseases of the cacao plant
\—, sisal hemp in British Guiana,
Basie slag, 394.

‘Bath springs in Nevis, 268.

380.

312.

393.

Yautias or tannias, 370.
British Guiana Botanic

in British Guiana,

7a)

ys —v

4.
250.

8. Bay leaves, exports from Dominica, 152.

trees in Montserrat, 500.
‘Becket, J. Edgar, Cultivation of cotton,
etc., In Barbados, 205.
Hints on Agriculture, 302.
Bee Keeping :—
Bees-wax, exports from Jamaica,
—, adulteration in Jamaica, 204.
Honey, adulteration of, 93.
| = artificial; 44.
—, exports from Beane 92.
—, output from U.S., 23.
, preparation for mar a t,
141.
In California, 244.
— Jamaica, 285.
— St. Lucia, 300, 315, 338.
Pigeon pea as honey flower, 68.
Shook swarms, 28.
Beet sugar industry and science, 115.
|Belgian hares, 103.
Bell, H. Hesketh, Cultivation of Oranges
in Dominica, 185
—, hurricane insurance, 268, 299.
Belling, J., how to grow cannas, 87.
—, oleanders in the West Indies, 243.
—, roses at St. Kitt’s, 197.
Bermuda, agricultural industries in,
arrowroot industry, 217, 252.
biological station, 9.
economic plants in, 359.
experimental garden, 359.
fisheries, 207.
onion industry, 179, 200.

92

<

21%.

Bermuda, rainfall returns, 204.
Biological station, Bermuda, 9.
Birds, extirpated West Indian, 345.
of Dominica, 328.
protection of, 333.
i—, wall swallow in Barbados, 252
|Bitters, angostura, in Trinidad, 243,
Blackbirds, Barbados, in St. Kitt’s, 139.
Blighia sapida, 359.
Boeke, J., and marine resources of Dutch
West Indies, 44.
|Bone meal, uses of, 356.
Book reviews :—
Book of Trinidad, 45.
Cotton Seed Products,
Destruction of Mosquitos,
Diseases of Cattle, 139.
Dominica, 61.
Fishes of British Guiana, 11.
Hints on Agriculture, 502.
House, Garden, and Field, 45.
Jamaica Cookery Book, 254.
— in 1905, 286.
— Readers, Book I., 398.
Journal of Agricultural Science 77.
Leeward Islands, Précis of Information
for, 61.
Manual of Forestry, 123.
Methods of Chemical Control in Cane
Sugar Factories, 286.
Para Rubber, Cultivation and Prepara-
tion of, 61.
Plants under cultivation at the Botanic

165.
123.

Station, Uganda, 139.
Sisal Culture in the Indian Tea
Districts, 11.

Souvenirs of Jamaica, 254.
Sun Pictures of the Antilles and Brit-
ish Guiana, 45.

Tropical Life, 302.

Botanic Stations in the Leeward Islands,
133:

Botany, lectures on economic, 42.

Bovell, J. R., fruit industry in Barbados,
265.

125, 136|—

vacking Barbados bananas, 132.
] g ,

-—, prices of sugar and molasses at
Barbados, 100.

—, roots of cotton plants, 229.

—, rotation in cotton cultivation, 278.

, sheep manure, 267.

; Sue experiments in Barbados,
355, 372.

- = seedlings B.
Barbadass 386.
Branch, C. W., anthrax inoculation, 318.

George, appointment as Agricultural

Instructor, Grenada, 237.

H S., tarpon fishing at Barbuda, 267.
Brazil, balata in, 271.
Bread-fruit as food for stock, 348.
British Cotton-growing Association and

the West Indies, 118, 134, 281.

— East Africa, cultivated crops of, 108.
British Guiana, agricultural education in,
251.

147 and B. 208 in

— shows, 81.

403

British Guiana, agriculture in, 89,
bon, 140.
— botanic gardens, 221.
—, broom corn in, 201.
—, cacao diseases in, 124.

Agriculture, 60.
—, egrets in, 260.
—, exports of balata from,
—, — — rum from, 380.
, fisheries of, 11, 54, 343.
— _ Spanner mesa a 3D
—, manurial experiments
sugar-cane in, 60.

—, nature study in, 291.
—, Para rubber in, 383.
—, priedial larceny in, 28.
, rainfall returns, 238.
reformatory, instructions
gardening, 220.
—, rice cultivation in,
277, 316, 344.
—, rubber cultivation in, 190.
—, seedling canes in, 2, 242.
—, sisal hemp in, 250.

22, 60, 131.
—, sugar exports from,
—, Vanilla planifolia in,
British Honduras, agricultural
ment of, 24, 350.
— society, 60.
botanic station, 241, 398.
, cacao in, 396.
—, castilloa planting in,
coffee in, 396.
cocoa nut palm fever
—, cocoa-nuts in, 388.

380.

pine products, 12, 44.
—, cotton cultivation in, 140.
—, exports of
cedar from, 380,
— fruit trade, 367.
—, plantains in, 388.

— Solomon Islands, cotton growing in,!—

364.
— West Indian Fruit Company
R.H.S. Exhibition, 396.

Bromley, Sir Robert, St Kitt’s-Nevis, 156.
Oil.

Brooks, A. J., bacterial rot of onions,
Broom corn, imports into Canada, 188.
— in Antigua, 174.

— British Guiana, 201.

— Canada, 239.

— West Indies, 174, 201.

in the West Indies, 201.

264,
—, area in canes other than Bour-
-—, Department of Science and
380.
with
—, milk adulteration in, 206, 219.
, Molasses exports to Canada,

Orphan Asylum, crops in, 220.)

in|

124, 188,

—, sugar-cane experiments in, 3,)
28, 188.

develop-

in, 369./—

—, concession for exploitation of.

mahogany and-

|

and

—, manufacture of brushes from,

Buffalos, water, in Trinidad, 55.
Bull frogs and mungoose, 90,

Buttenshaw, W.
tural Society, 76.

—, Hairy or woolless sheep, 265.

Butter making at Trinidad, 281.

— nut, 317.

C.

\Cacao, artificial drying of, 229.
budding, 7

clayed v. unclayed, 343.
consumption of, 232.
criollo in Jamaica, 218.
crop in St. Lucia, 92.

— — Trinidad, 188.
cultivation, Dominica, 133.
—, Grenada, 371.

—, Jamaica, 379,
—, Surinam, 188.
—, West Indies, 161.
, diseases of, 36.
drier in Trinidad, 174.

161.
— —, St. Lucia, 338.
exports from Dominica, 156.
— Martinique, 284.
— St. Vincent, 220.
— Trinidad, 56, 201.
fields, mulching in, 395.
, grafting, 244, 359.
husks, disposal of diseased, 239.
imports into France, 185.
in British Honduras, 396.
— Hamburg, 239.
—- New York, 175.
St. Kitt’s, 260.
Samoa, 203.
Surinam, 36, 260.
the Cor ae colonies, 38.
Trinidad, 22, 211, 275.
— Virgin Islands, 296.
land, drainage of, 27.
manurial aspects of exports
Trinidad, 9),

— pruning in Martinique, 9.

—, shade for, 105, 162, 219, 235,
— soils, ieinided: 139.
—, thread disease ‘of, 117.

137.

trees, ‘male,’ 92.

Brown, Hugh, and cotton growing at|—, varieties of, 162.

St. Vincent, 294, 332.
Buckmire, E,
Stations, 60.

/

— in Ceylon, 153.

Montserrat Experiment! -—, | West Indian in the United Kingdom,

137,

Busck, A., West Indian mosquitos, 252.
R., Dominica Agricul-

experiment plots in the West Indies,

from

— experiments in Dominica, 392.

347.

trade in the United Kingdom, 134,

Cacao, wet and dry, 361.

—, wind-breaks for, 162.

—, witch broom disease of, 105, 124.

—, yield in Grenada, 156.

a — Trinidad, 156.

Caicos Islands, sisal hemp from, 154.

— in, 318, 363.

Calcium cyanamide, 70, 169.

Campbell, E., castilloa planting in Brit-
ish Honduras, 134.

Camphor, exports from Formosa, 204.
Canada and West Indies, steamship
communication, 159, 211.

—, West Indian products in, 13, 46, 78,
191, 239, 271, 287, 335, 367.

Canadian exhibitions, 1906, 397.

— information bureau at Barbados, 332,

Canary Islands banana industry, 276.

—-, potato exports from, 284.

—, tomato exports from, 284.

Cane farming, Antigua, 143.
—, British Guiana, 60.
—, Jamaica, 379.
—, Trinidad, 172,

236, 268, 307.

Cannas, how to grow, 87.

Cape of Good Hope, entomology at, 154.

Capsicums, market for, 268, 351, 383.

Carbon bisulphide for ants, 316.

‘Carludovica jamaicensis, 313.

Carmody, P., Trinidad Government
Laboratory, 221.

—, Trinidad trade statistics, 248.

Carriacou, agriculture in, 121, 329.

—, cottagers’ show, 147.

—, cotton in, 358.

—, — cultivation in, 121.

—, exports of cotton from, 76.

— Land Settlement Scheme, 29, 57.

— oyster beds, 121.

Cart wheels, shoes for, 108.

Caryocar nuciferum, 317.

Cassava as stock food, 238.

—, Colombian varieties in Barbados, 76,

cultivation in Anguilla, 270.

factory in Jamaica, 348.

poisoning, 104.

starch industry, Jamaica, 379.

trials in Jamaica, 269, 361.

-—, varieties for distribution in Domin-
ica, 364.

Cassia bacillaris in Barbados, 364.

— Fistula in the London market, 22

188, 194,

233,

3,

— pods, converting into manure, 196. 287.
— —, introduction of disease with, 172.|— multijuga in Jamaica and Trinidad,
—, price of Trinidad in London, 76. 316.

Castilloa elastica, as shade for cacao, ]05,
219, 235.
—, disposal of seeds at Tobago,

— in Dominica, 217, 284.

— St. Lucia, 382.

— Tobago, 265.

— Venezuela, 105.

, preparation of ne in St.
Teg 382.

— planting in British Homans 134.

404

Castilloa plants, supply of, 300, 348.

— rubber, 249.

—, species in British Honduras, 134.

Castnia licus, larger moth borer of sugar-
cane, 26.

Castor oil industry, 329.

Cayman Islands, exports of, 360.

Ceara rubber in Hawaii, 393.

Cereropia peltata, 127, 157.

Ceylon, green manures in, 235.

— rubber industry, 297.

Chalmers, F. V., report on Jamaica
tobacco, 259. |

Chesnuts as food, 108.

China grass in the West Indies, 564.

Chinese bananas, Grenada, 356.

—, St. Lucia, 338.

—, St. Vincent, 348.

Citric acid, extraction from lemon waste,
332.

Citron peel from Dominica, 184.

—, trade in, 93, 119.

Citrons, candied, 356.

—, cultivation of, 180.

Citrus industry of Sicily, 228.

Clark, A. F., British West Indian
Cor a2:

Clark, A. H., habits of West Indian
whitebait, 187.

Clarke, W., Royal Colonial Institute, 76.

Cloves, exports from Pemba, 185.

Cocoa-nut, dietetic products of, 316.

— industry in the West Indies, 257.

— Trinidad, 211, 260, 265.

meal as a feeding stuff, 254, 258.

—, from Trinidad, 254.

— oil, consumption of, 188, 257,

-——, manufacture of, 6.

—- palm, bud-rot disease of, 299,

369.

—, diseases of, 121.
—, double, in Trinidad,

— soap, 156.

—, structure and germination of, 71.

— trees, preservation enactment in the
Malay States, 60.

Fruit

258

561,

380.

Cocoa-nuts, acreage in Jamaica, 257.
—, — — Trinidad, 257.

——, exports from Jamaica, 257.

—, — — Tobago, 258.

=. -— — Trinidad, 201, 257, 260
— in British Honduras, 388.

-— — Canada, 159, 191, 239, 271, 287,

33D; SO.
—, selection of, 363.
Coco-de-mer in Trinidad, 380.
Cocos nucifera, structure and germina-
tion of, 71.
Coffea robusta in Trinidad, 316,
Coffee in British Honduras, 396.
— Canada, 159.
— New York, 175.
— Porto Rico, 201.
—, Liberian, 170.
market, 377.

348,

Cohune palm, 349.

Cold storage for Royal Mail steamers, 248.

Collinge, W. E., report on injurious in-

sects, 122

Colombia, agriculture in, 169.

Colonial agriculture, international assem-
bly for, 173.

— exhibition, 39, 129, 185, 233, 396.

— and Barbados, 124, 130, 181,

205.

Dominica, 269.

-- — — Grenada, 181, 227

— =——e——amaica, Lol ato.

— —- — Trinidad, 124, 181, 211.

— = — West) Indies; 1295 56;
181, 289.

— —, attendance at, 236, 252, 268.
284, 316.

— —, awards, 293, 327, 348.

—, picture a “cards of, 300.
souvenir of, 516.

, West Indian plants at, 232.
produce stall at, 220.
fruit Eeinbition, 180, 244.
at

’

— products exhibition Liverpool,
268, 311, 348.
Congo Free State, exports of, 10.
—, products of, 335.
Copper sulphate as a fungicide, 204.
—, imports into France, 204.
Copra drying houses in Trinidad, 258.
—, exports from Trinidad, 257.
— in Spain, 164.
— the Philippines, 381.
— manufacture, 6, 12, 260.
— oil, extraction of, 164.
— for soap manufacture, 164.
Corn, composition of Jamaica, 341.
— ensilage in stacks, 221.
Corypha elata, abnormal growth of, 126.
— umbraculifera, 172, 204.
Costa Rica banana trade, cee
Cotton, acreage in Jamaica, 279.
— Nevis, 284.
—, — — United States, 188.
—, applying Paris green, 358.
— as a catch crop on cane lands, 66,
102, 118.
bales, marking of, 274.
—, black boll disease of, 89.
—, colonial-grown, exhibition in Liver-
pool, 37.
cost of ginning, ete., 150, 198.

’

b}

118.
— crop, prospects of
53, 69, 85.

— in St. Vincent, 247,
Cotton Clligaes :

Anguilla, 182, 278.

Barbados, 21; 31; 5

Barbuda, 310.

Bequia, 44.

British Honduras, 140.

— Solomon Islands, 564.

West Indian, 5,

Saal

Sear 00182:

Coffees without caffeine, 301.
Cohune nut cracking machine, 344.

Carriacou, 121, 358.
Colombia, 169.

Cotton cultivation (Continued) :—

Cuba, 37, 300, 348.

Dutch West Indian Colonies, 326.

Hayti, 53, 231.

Jamaica, 69, 279, 294, 306.

Leeward Islands, 133.

Porto Rico, 201.

Rotation in, 278.

St. Kitt’s, 101, 220.

St. Lucia, 91, 338.

Southern Nigeria, 364.

Tobago, 101, ee

West “Indies, 21, 3%, 265.

Use of sheep manure in, 267.
Cotton exports from Barbados, 284.
— Carriacou, 76.

— Hayti, 252.
— St. Kitt’s-Nevis, 348.

—, — of West Indian, 77, 151, 214,
278, 281, 294, 343, 348.

-— factory, Surbadee 5, LOL, 108, 209°

a =, -— co-operative, Se

— company in Barbados, 199.
—, St. Vincent, 166, 268, 313
326,

— fields, wind-breaks in, 310.

— from Nevis, 300.

— growers company in Barbados,
— conference in Barbados,

118; 121, 199:

—, medals for, 328, 376.

5]

209.
108,

— = and weather conditions, 326.
, handkerchiefs from West Indian,
252, 390.

-, high price for St. Vincent, 294.
—, imports into Great Britain, 44,
76, 92, 134, 204, 332
Cotton Industry :—
Antigua, 230.
Barbados, 197.
Grenada, 227.
Nevis, 262, 281.
Prospects of, 2, 65, 101, 118, 358.
St. Kutt’s, 199, 281.
St. Vincent, 166, 214, 348, 374.
West Indian, 154, 150, 166, 214, 310,
332, 390, 392:
Cotton, introduction from the West In-
dies into the U.S., ¢
—— lands in Montserrat, 200.
—, manuring, 182, 198.
—-, manurial experiments in
ward Islands, 263.

60,

the Lee-

— production in West Indies,— market, Charleston, 108.

— oil factory, Barbados, 145.
—, picking, 300.
—, —ripe, 348, 358.
— plaut, root bark in medicines, 60.
— plants, destruction of old, 342.
—, roots of, 229.

—, prices in the United Kingdom, 156.
—, — of American in Liverpool, 28.
—, purchase in Jamaica, 108.
—, ratooning, 66,113, 134, 230, 262, 332.
—, Rivers’ Sea Island, 151.
_, — seed, ae

—, sales of St. Vincent, 72

2,98, 104, 136,

Cotton, West Indian, 85.
— samples, weighing of, 332.

—, Sea Island, consumption in U.S.,|—, cotton cultivation in, 37, 300, 348.
316. —, fruit trade of, 292.
= —— — crop reports, 310. —, strawberry culture in, 357.
—, — —, for thread making, 279./—, sugar-cane cultivation in, 195, 290.
_, — — market, 21, 37, 53, 69,|— — experiments in, 146.
380, 390. * tobacco cultivation in, 40, 275, 316. -
—, — — — reports, 166, 214, 236,|— — insects in, 394.
252, 268. Gicl, Frank, Colonial Exhibition, 130.
—, — — seed, 21. 172, 245.
—, -—— — — for 1905, 24, 33. —, Jamaica in 1905, 286.
—, — —, shipment from Trinidad,j/Cunningham, W. N., Curator, Botanic
236. Station, Nassau, 213, 236.

Indies, 113.
—, — —, uses for, 342.
— —, v. Upland, 65.
— ” seed cake, Indian, 5.
Cotton Seed :—
Disinfection of, 98, 101.

Disintegrators in the West Indies, 166.

Distribution of, 98, 118.
Egyptian for West Indies, 120, 231.
Extraction of oil, 145.
Feeding to pigs, 246.
Meal, 145.
—, exports from Texas, 172.
Oil plant for Barbados, 391.
Rivers’ Sea Island, 72, 97, 106.

= fuzziness of, 106, 377
Sea Island, 358.
—, feeding value of, 145.
—, fertilizing value of, 145.
—, value in Barbados, 146.
Selection and disinfection, 34, 66, 97,

116, 118, 150, 151, 220; 327, 385.
Supply, 136.
—, in Cyprus, 108.
— of selected and disinfected in
West Indies, 98.
Cotton, shipment from Antigua, 156,
172, 236.
—, — — Barbados, 101.
—, — — West Indies, 40, 85.

—, shipping, 273.

—, sorting, 274.

— Stealing Ordinance for St. Vincent,
396.

—, stock in Great Britain

—, time for planting, 118,
Traftic Ordinance in St. Kitt’s, 85.
, West Indian crop, 92.

-—, imports into the United

iicreden 300, 316.

_, ‘sale of, 69.

Cousins, H. H., cassava trials in Jamaica,
269.

—, composition of cows’ milk in Jamaica,
206.

—, degree of D.Sc. (Oxon.), 92.

—, report on Government Laboratory,
Jamaica, 205.

Cows’ milk in Jamaica, composition of,
206.

Cruelty to animals, prevention of,

Crustaceans from Trinidad, 10.

#28!

254,

7.|Danish West Indies,

Cuba, agriculture in, 40, 153.
, cocoa-nut palm bud-rot in, 369.

— —, time for planting in West|Curacoa, exports of, 284

Cuscuta, destruction in Trinidad, 380.

D.

d@Albuquerque, J. P., cocoa-nut meal as|—,

a feeding stuff, 254.
, feeding cotton seed tu pigs, 246.

—, leave of absence, 253.

—, sheep manure, 267.

—, sugar-cane experiments in Barbados,
146.

sugar industry in,
ZTE

Date growing in U.S., 12, 324.

— palms i in British Guiana, 220.

—— — Jamaica, 36, 340.

— — Trinidad, 373.

alkaloids in seeds

Datura Stramonium,
of, 55.
Denmark,
383.

Departmental Reports :—
Antigua Botanic Station, etc., 301.
British Guiana, Agricultural work, 27
— Board of Agriculture,

agricultural co-operation in,

— 27,
347.

— — Botanic Gardens, 221.

Honduras Botanic Station, 398.

Cultivation of cotton, ete., in Barbados,
205.

Dominica Botanic Station, etc., 301.

Grenada Botanic Station, etc., 317.

Hawaii Agricultural Experiment Sta-
tion, 398.

Jamaica Board of Agriculture, 347.

— Government Laboratory, 205.

Public Gardens, 347.

Montserrat Botanic Station, etc.,

Porto Rico Experiment Station,

St. Kitt’s-Nevis Botanic Station,
269, 317.

St. Lucia Botanic Station, etc., 331.

St. Vincent Botanic Station, ue “ 253.

Tobago Botanic Station, ete., 25

Trinidad Botanical Department, 398.

Government Laboratory, 221.

— Stock Farm, 285.

Virgin Islands ExperimentStation, 221.

285.
285
eles

Discaria Toumatou, spines on, 165.

Diseased plants, forwarding, 360, 366.

Disinfection of imported plants at Bar-
bados, 266.

|Divi-divi, exports from Curagoa, 284.

‘Dominica Agricultural Experiment Com-

mittee, 137.

School,

— shows, 82, 252.

Society, 268.

and R.H.S. Exhibition, 60.

at the Colonial Exhibition, 296.

—, birds of, 328

, blue-flowered yam bean in, 389.
Botanic Station, ete., 35, 87, 301.
cacao in U.K., 134.

—, cacao manurial experiments in, 392.

—, Castilloa rubber in, 284.

—, citron peel from, 184.

—, cultivation of rubber in, 217.

—, exports of, 152.

exports of cacao from, 156.

fruit industry, 396.

fumigation of imported plants,

|—, fumigating tent for, 186.

gommier resin in, 302.

—, grape fruit from, 168.

Hints to intending settlers,

|—, insurance against hurricanes,

|—, opening for settlement, 252.

—, orange cultivation in, 185, 212, 242.

, planters’ week in, 220,

—, protection of birds in,

—, rainfall returns, 247.

—, rat virus in, 319, 322

—, shipment of green limes from, 284.

, soil inoenlation for alfalfa in, 341,

74.

—, steam saw-miil for, 188.

Drawn-thread work in Porto Rico, 380.

Drugs and Spices in the London market,
29, 46, 78) 143, 175, 223) 2555 2875
319, 351, 383.

Duerden, J. E., Professor of Zoology in
Cape Colony, 203.

Dufau, Th. and the sugar industry, 236.

Dutch West Indian Colonies, cotton cul-
tivation in, 326.

Dye-wood factory in Jamaica, 268.

Dye-woods, imports into France, 185.

299

— = as4.

193.

117.
268.

333.

E.

.| Editorials :—

Agricultural Banks, 49.

progress at Tobago, 177.

prospects of Jamaica, 305.

shows, 1904-5, 81.

Agriculture in St. Lucia, 337.

Arbor Day, 225.

Barbados banana industry, 353.
Bud-rot disease of the cocoa-nut palm,

369.

Editorials (Continued) :—
Cacao cultivation in the West Indies,

161.

Cocoa-nut industry in the West Indies,

Colonial and Indian Exhibition, 1905,
129.

Cotton Oil Factory, 145.

Cotton prospects, 65.

Cotton seed for 1905, 33.

Formation of Cotton Growers’ Com-

pany at Barbados, 209.

Fumigation of imported plants, 193.
Ratooning Sea Island cotton, 113.
Sea Island cotton in the West Indies,|

321.

Selected cotton seed for 1905, 97.

Selection of cotton seed in the West
Indies, 385.

Shipping cotton, 273.

Treatment of orchard soils, 241.

West Indian Agricultural Conference, |

WSO IIS Def

West Indies and Colonial Exhibition,

289.

Education, Agricultural :—
Agricultural development, relation of

teachers to, 59.

Antigua, 397.
Barbados, 39, 86, 126, 220, 315.
British Guiana, 251.
Grenada, 350.
In elementary schools, 315.
Instruction for teachers in England, 12.
Jamaica, 105, 207, 315, 365.
Lectures to teachers, Antigua, 268.
— —, British Guiana, 44.
— —, Jamaica, 26.
Model school gardens in Jamaica, 251.)
St. Lucia, 70, 191.
School gardens in foreign lands, 167.
-— Germany, 261.
Jamaica, 70, 315.
Porto Rico, 283.
— St. Lucia, 126.
Schools agricultural show at Tobago,

375,

Teaching agriculture

schools, 105.

Trinidad, 110, 261, 332, 350.
Edueational systems in the West Indies,|
155.
Eggs, extraction of albumen from, 188.
—, purchase by weight, 54.
Egrets in British Guiana, 260.
Egyptian cotton crop and seed selection, |
364.

— seed for West Indies, 120.
English hares in Barbados, 249. |
Entomology at the Cape of Good Hope,

154.
Enzymes in sugar-cane, 147.
Equador, rubber tree planting in, 140.
Eupatorium rebandianum, 55, 248.
Exhibition, Barbados local agricultural,
25.
— Committees, permanent, 57, 130, 239.

in elementary

|

= sterilized, 52.
\— trade of British Honduras, 367.

Exhibition of Colonial products at Liver-
pool, 348.
Exhibitions, Canadian, in 1906, 397.

ik.

Faweett, Wm., Raitfeisen
banks, 49, 265.

Fibre from Musa Cavendishii, 329.

Fiji, sugar industry in, 354.

Fire-flies at Jamaica, 58.

— Nevis, 140.

Fisheries and agriculture, 56.

of Antigua, 149.

Jahamas, 54.

— Barbados, 54.

— Bermuda, 207.

-—— British Guiana, 54, 343.

— Grenada, 54.

-— Leeward Islands, 167.

-— St. Lucia, 54.

— St. Vincent, 167.

West Indian, 54.

Fishing in Jamaica, 307.

Flamboyante tree in Grenada, 364.

Fleming, John M., seedling canes in
British Guiana, 3, 242.

Fodders, Jamaica, 345.

Foodstuffs tor stock, home-grown, 238.

Forbidden fruit, 44, 357.

Forest trees, manuring, 217.

Forestry in Barbados, 88.

Formalin for preventing decay of ripe
fruit, 277, 295.

Formosa, exports of camphor, 204.

Forwarding diseased plants and insect
pests, 360.

Freeman, W.
cacao, 229.

—, Colonial Exhibition, 269.

—, lecture on West Indian
dustry, 20, 60.

—, lectures on economic botany, 42.

'—, West Indian Court at Colonial Ex-

hibition, 205, 211, 227, 245.

Fruit, Dominica, at R.H.S. Exhibition, 44.

—, exports from Dominica, 152.

gathering for market, 297.

in Canada, 191, 239.

industry of Barbados, 22.

— Dominica, 396.

—- Jamaica, 245.

— Trinidad, 201.

Jamaica, in London, 28.

preventing decay of ripe, 277, 295.

shipments from Trinidad, 332.

show of Colonial, at R.H.S. Exhibi-

on, 20, 68, 84, 308, 512, 340.

agricultural

G., artificial drying of

fruit in-

?

?

’

a
tl

= — — @uba, 292.
— — Trinidad, 264, 340.

—- West Indian, 52, 371.

Fruit trees, tropical, budding, 7, 8.

—, West Indian, at R.H.S. Exhibition,
25.

Fumigating tent for Dominica, 186.

Fumigation of imported plants, 193, 266,
254.

Fungoid pests in British Guiana, 217.

Funtumia elastica in Dominica, 217.

G.

Gambia, agricultural industries of, 297.

Garcinia Mangostana, 164.

Geerligs, H. C. Prinsen, methods of chemi-
cal control in cane sugar factories, 286.

|Gibbons, C. K., immunity of Barbados
from malaria, 138.

Gillespie Bros., broom corn in the U.S.,
174.

Ginger in the London market, 29, 46, 78,
1D, 143; 75; 2235 2555 28 ao
351, 383.

Globe Trotters’ Dictionary, 332.

Goat keeping, 276.

Goats at Barbados, 172, 2

— —, for sale, 212, 245, 318.

—, imported, in Grenada, 108.

|—, Toggenburg, 172, 391.

—, water for, 276.

Gommier resin in Dominica, 302.

(Grape fruit, 44.

— and shaddocks, 357.

— from Dominiea, 124, 168.

— industry in Jamaica, 159.

Grapes, tungoid diseases of, 309.

Great Britain, banana trade of, 244.

(Green dressing, horse bean for, 331.

|— manures in Ceylon, 235.

Greig, Wm., cocoa nut industry of Trini-
dad, 258, 265.

Grenada, agricultural education in, 350.

efforts in, 158.

— industries of, 73.

shows, 82.

— and Colonial Exhibition, 181, 227,
289.

— — Products Exhibition, 348.

anthrax in, 236.

black blight in, 394.

Botanic Station, 135, 235, 317.

cacao cultivation in, 156, 371.

— in the United Kingdom, 154.

Chinese bananas in, 356.

cotton industry, 227.

exports of, 312.

fisheries of, 54.

motto of colony, 54.

orange cultivation in, 92.

prize holdings, scheme for, 375.

proposed agricultural school for, 191.

spice industry, 227.

Grenadines, cotton industry in, 374,

rround nut oil, 172.

|

|
|

a)

16.
2

?

?

407

Ground nut oil in medicine, 76.
nuts, cultivation of, 163.
—, yield of, 163.
Guango or rain tree, 327.
Guano in Peru, 245.
Guatemala, banana cultivation in, 284.
Guinea corn, composition of, 341.

H.

Hall, R. R., preserving steel articles, 382.

Hammond, H. §., resignation of post in
xovernment Laboratory, Jamaica, 364.

Handkerchiefs from West Indian cotton,
252, 390.

Hares, English in Barbados, 249.

Harris, T. J., in Bermuda, 217.

Harrison, J. B., agricultural work in
British Guiana, 27.

—, British Guiana Board of Agriculture,
27.

—, sugar-cane experiments
Guiana, 131.

Hart, J. H., and Colonial Exhibition,
108, 130, 211, 252.

Hawaii, agricultural organization in, 149.

, Arbor Day in, 381.

, Bluefields bananas in, 148.

, canning pine-apples in, 68.

, cultivation of sisal hemp in, 190.

—, Demerara sugar-canes in, 163.
, mManuring sugar-canes in, 323.
, Report on Agricultural Experiment

Sis 398.

— rubber i in, 393.

—, sugar industry in, 18, 50, 179.

—, tobacco in, 88.

—, vanilla cultivation in, 116.

Hayti, cotton cultivation in, 53, 231.

— exports, 252.

Hedge plants in Montserrat, 286.

Hevea brasiliensis, 61, 76

Heteropteris as shade plant, 120.

Hibiscus Sabdariffa, 59.

— sinensis, white variety, 140.

Hicks, Col. Geo., Jamaica Readers, 398.

—, principles of teaching agriculture, 105

Hippa emeritus from Trinidad, 10.

Hoadley, John, patent cacao drier in
Trinidad, 174.

Hodder, W. M., destruction of mosquitos,
123.

Hollings, J. §., minor industries at Nevis,
107.

Honey (see Bee keeping).

Honduras, exports of, 153.

Horse bean as green dressing, 331.

Hurricane insurance, 268, 299.

Hydrometer for ascertaining strength of
lime juice, 349.

Hydrographical congress in Marseilles,
396,

in British

I.

Imperial Department of Agriculture and
sugar-cane experiments in Barbados,
373.

the cotton industry,

publications of, 133,

400.

Importation of insect pests, 28.
Import duties oa tropical fruit, 334.
Insect pests :—

Ants and carbon bisulphide, 316.

Arrowroot worm, 74.

Aspidiotus limonis on oranges, 10.

Bananas and mosquitos, 362.

Bees’ nests, peculiar, 170.

Biscuit beetle, 346.

Black blight in Grenada, 394.

Brassolis sophorce on cocoa-nuts,

Calpodes ethlius, 74.

Cane fly, 314.

Canna worm, 106.

Cassava bud maggot, 282.

Changa, 282.

Cigarette beetle, 346, 394.

Citrus pest at Montserrat, 298.

Cocoa-nut caterpillar in British Guiana,

378.

Coffee leaf miner, 122
scale insect, 42.
Control of, 194.

Corn ear worm, 90, 106, 314.
Cotton aphis, 266, 378
cutworm, 378.
eating beetle, 266.
fields, beneficial insects in, 298.
insects in Barbados, 378
stainer in Ceylon, 348.
worm, 106, 378.

— and Paris green, 282.

— in Barbados, 250.

— of Egypt, 202.
Cutworm in Barbados, 250.
— cotton, 378.
— tobacco, 394.
Eriophyoid mites, 122
Fiddler beetle attacking cacao, 346.
Forwarding, 360, 366.
Fruit fly, 124, 202, 362.
Gall material, directions for presery-

ing, 42.

Hair-follicle mite on pigs, 314.
Hardbacks, strength of, 42, 58, 76.
Hercules beetle, 154.

Hog louse, 154.

In Barbados, 250.
— British Guiana,
— Egypt, 314.

— Porto Rico, 282.
Jacobs or scaribee, 106.
Lace-wing fly and cotton pests,
Lady-birds, 106, 266, 298.
Laphygma frugiperda, 90.
Larger moth borer of sugar-cane, 26.
Leaf-hopper of sugar-cane, 179.

Lice on hogs, 154.

378.

, 282.

217.

298.

Insect Pests (Continued) :—
Lime tree bark borer, 10.
Locusts, destruction of, 122
Mole cricket, 282.
Mosquitos and bananas, 362.
— and malaria, 41, 127, 138.
‘millions,’ 138, 140,
—, extermination in Antigua,
; — — — &t. Lucia, 35.
— in Barbados, 138.
Moths and butterflies, 58.
Poison caterpillar, 26.
Pond flies, 303.
Preepodes vittatus, 346.
Red maggot of cotton, 218, 378.
Scale insects of cocoanut palms in
Barbados, 370.

28,

— in Grenada, 594.
Sheep nasal fly, 170.
Sugar-cane moth borer, 106.

Termites or white ants, 138.

Ticks, 108, 254, 330.

Tobacco flea beetle, 394.

insects in Cuba, 394.

worm, 394.

Twig girdler, 154.

Weevils, destruction of, 170.

West Indian orthoptera, 218.

Wild bees, 234, 250.

Woolly pyrol worms in Barbados, 250.
Insects, popular names of, 106.
International assembly for colonial agri-
culture, 173.

J.

Jackson, J. R.,

nanas, 132.

—, trade in orange and citron peels, 93,
iG),

—, varieties of bananas, 292.

—, West Indian products in London, 29,
46, 78, 110, 143, 175, 223, 255, 287,
319, 351, 383, 392.

—, T. B., Book of Trinidad, 45.

—, Thomas, Curator of Antigua Botanic

Station, 253, 270.

Jaffa oranges, 376.

Jamaica, acreage in cocoa-nuts, 257.

—, agricultural banks in, 188.

== — education in, 207, 365.

— prospects of, 305.
— shows, 78, 81, 268.
— society, 76.

agriculture in, 379.

and colonial exhibition, 130,

245, 289.
— West

ference, 313.

—, art exhibition in, 364.

—, banana cultivation in, 180.

Jamaica v. Barbados ba-

BT
’
J
?
by

131,

Indian agricultural con-

— industry, 220, 305.
—, bee keeping in, 285,

99

5 as

Jamaica Botanical Department, 226.
= and Colonial Exhibition,
293.
cacao cultivation in, 379
cane farming in, 379.
cassava factory in, 348.

— starch industry, 379.

—- trials in, 269, 361.

—, central factories in, 162, 258, 396.
—, cocoanut palm bud-rot in, 369.

— _ corn, composition of, 341.

—, cotton, acreage in, 279.

—, — cultivation in, 69, 279, 294,

306.
—, date palms in, 36, 340.
—, dye-wood factory in, 268.
English potatos in, 84.
—, exports of, 364, 396.
— cocoa-nuts from, 257.

—, — — honey and bees’-wax, 92.

— — — logwood extracts, 380.

—, — —— minor products, 380.

—, — —~sugar, 220.

—, extension of banana growing in, 379.
fishing in, 307.

— fodders, 345.

— fruit industry, 245.

— — in London, 28.

— Government Reformatory, crops at,

204.
— honey, 245, 362.
hurricane loans law, 49.
hybridization of pine-apples, 340.
jippi-jappa hats in, 245, 313.
lace-bark tree, 317.
milk adulteration in,
mineral springs, 335.

219.

Java experiment station, 28.
exports of, 249.

rubber trees in, 43.

sugar industry, 227.

, tapioca cultivation in, 270.
Jippi-jappa hats in Jamaica, 245, 313.

tion of Para rubber, 61.
—, rubber in West Africa, 57.
Jones, Joseph, cacao manurial
ments in Dominica, 392.
—, grafting cacao, 244, 359.
—, Sir Alfred, medals for
ers, 376.
Jordan, A. J., appointment in Trinidad,

— Garton in Antigua, 43.

Ke

Kapok, exports from Java, 249.

—, uses of, 249.

Kew Guild Journal, 156.

King of flowers, 317.

Kirby, A. H., agricultural education in
Antigua, 397.

Knowles, C. H., departure for Fiji, 43.

Kola in Samoa, 212.

— West Africa, 71.

model school gardens in, 251.

orange industry, 159, 308, 379

oranges in London, 276.

orange-shipping conference, 348,

packing oranges in, 153.

pimento growing in, 84, 29

Preserves Company, 284, 395.

prison farm, 88.

—, preparing umbrella and walking stic
in, 380.

prospects for coffee growing, 377.

rainfall returns, 171.

stealing canes in, 83, 210.

shade-grown tobacco i in, 393,

shipping oranges in, 148.

sugar-cane cultivation in, 305.

—, — seedling B. 208 in, 387.
— sugar experiment station, 172, 204.

— industry, 162, 348.
supply of cotton seed, 76.
tarpon fishing in, 207.
tea cultivation in, 245, 309.
tobacco for the Navy, 377.

— growing in, 249.

— industry, 77, 92, 306.
tourist trade, 204.
trade and agriculture in, 376.
West Indian agricultural conference
, 280.

—, yield of cane, 259.

L.

<s|Lace-bark tree, 317.

Lagerstroemia Flos-Reginae, 317.
> > ’

indica, 317, 364.

Lagetta lintearia, 317.

Lamborn, L. L., cotton and seed products,

156.
Lectures on West Indian
Colonial Exhibition, 204.
Lee, A. M., cotton as a catch crop in
St. Kitt’s, 102, 140.
Leeward Islands, agricultural shows,
—— —, agriculture in, 133.

n, 263.

—., tisheries of, 167.

= —, sugarcane experiments in
22, 120.

= —, — seedlings in, 67.

= —, sugar industry in, 163.

Legumes, soil inoculation for, 89, 229.

Department of Agriculture for, 249.)—

Johnson, W. H., cultivation and prepara-

experi-

cotton grow

— — the London market, 29, 46,
COMMAS wi: 225, 255, 28s
383.

exhibits at

82.|

—, central sugar factories in, 163.
—, cotton manurial experiments

—, exports of molasses from, 156.|

Lewton-Brain, L., appointment in Hawaii,
158, 213.
black boll of cotton, 89.
disinfecting cotton seed, i101.
—, disposal of diseased cacao husks,
—, ratooning cotton, 246.
—, reports on agricultural schools, 173,
299

—, thread disease of cacao, 117.
—, visit to Antigua, 43, 61.
— — Dominica, 158, 171.
== == 781) Ibprern, WSs iil.
= — St. Vincent, 158.
Liberian coffee, 170.
Lima beans, chemical

35 51.
Lime industry in Dominica, 135,

— — Montserrat, 133.

juice, ascertaining strength with

hydrometer, 349.

203.

>

a

examination of,

— —, exports from Dominica, 152.
— — in the London market, 46,
IE Psy ai SiG cule).
plants, ‘spineless, in Dominica, 300,
308.

— trees, planting, 215.

Limes, bark borer of, 10.

demand in London, 564.

export from Dominica, 152.

in Canada, 271.

oil of, in the London market, 29, 78,
351, 383.

—, seedless, 36.

—, shipments from West Indies, 284,
3516.
, trade in green, 290.

‘Liverpool colonial products exhibition,
268, 311, 348.

Logwood extract, exports from Jamaica,

380.
factories for dye extraction in Ja-

maica, 108.
trees, root-rot of, 389.

Love vine, destruction
380.

Lymphangitis, epizootic, 74, 92.

al?
|

in Trinidad,

M.

Mace in the London market, 29, 46, 78,.
111, 143, 175) 223; 255, 319 Raols
385.

Machine for wrapping oranges,

|Madagascar, exports of, 364.

Madeira, Naudet process in, 306,

2)

388.

Maize, removal of ‘male’ flowers from,
380.

Malaria, immunity of Barbados from,
127.

2)

Malay States, Para rubber in, 346.
Mangos, budding, 7.

from St. Lucia, 300.

in England, 356.

409

Mangos in Trinidad, 196.

Mangosteen, 164.

Mangrove bark, demand for, 12.

Manihot Glaziovii in Hawaii, 393.

Manila hemp in the Philippines, 44.

Manjak, exports from Trinidad, 188.

Manures, valuation in Barbados, 286.

Maple sugar, production of, 184.

Market pS 14, 30, 47, 62, 79, 94,
112, 128, 144, 160, 176, 192, 208,
224 240, 256, 272, 288 304, 320,
336, 352, 368, 384, 399.

Marseilles oil nut industry, 332.

Martinique, bananas from, 308.

—, exports of, 275, 280, 284, 375

—, manufacture of rum ap 7g);

sugar industry, 19,

—, trade j in Seas reais uten-
sils, 277.

—, — with British West Indies, 277.

Mason, Bertram, appointed ‘Treasury
Clerk i in B.C. A. Protectorate, 93.

Meaden, A. W., butter making in Trini-
dad, 281.

—, pig rearing in Trinidad, 157.

Melocactus communis in St. Kitt’s, 8

Mexico, sugar-cane cultivation in, 323.

—, sugar industry in, 51.

—, vanilla cultivation in, 367.

Miall, L. C., House, Garden and Field,
45,

Milk, adulteration of, 206, 219.

Milking, hints on, 381.

Milk powder factory in France, 2.

—, proposed standard for Jamaica,

Millions and malarial mosquitos,
140, 366.

Mimusops Elengi, 142.

Mineral springs in Jamaica, 335.

Molascuit in Trinidad, 284.

—, manufacture of, 35.

Molasses, Antigua, prices of, 92.

— candy, West Indian, 300.

— crop in Barbados, 34.

—, exports from British Guiana to Can-
ada, 188.

=, — — Leeward Islands, 156.

— in Canada, 159, 163, 191, 239, 271,

287, 335, 367.

in Trinidad, 243.

—, prices in Barbados, 100.

— — — Canada, 156.

—, shipment from Barbados, 236.

Monkeys in Nevis, 300.

Monstera deliciosa, 359.

Montserrat agricultural shows, 82.

bay trees in, 300.

cotton lands in, 200.

experiment stations, 61.

hedge plants in, 286.

honey flowers in, 284.

onion crop in, 284.

rainfall of, 76.

report on Botanic Station, etc.,

shipment of limes from, 316.

— onions from, 228.

soils of, 361.

J

by

Oa

108.
138

5,

by

?

?
?

Lo
i

Montserrat, stock in, 172, 236.
Morris, Sir D., at agricultural shows,
—, cacao cultivation in Grenada, 371.
—, central sugar factories, 372.

209.

ivation, Barbados, 118,
199.
—- —, Jamaica, 279.
grape fruit and shaddocks,
objects of Arbor Day, 296,
presidental address at conference, 1.
shipping bananas, 132.
sugar-cane experiments in Barbados,
372.

—, vegetable products of the West In-
dies, 115.

-—-, visit to Grenada, 60, 93, 331, 349.

— —— Jamaica, 213, 237, 253, : 287,
305.

— — Northern Islands, 61.

== —— Shi, Ine), aia, Sie

— — St. Vincent, 93, 331, 349.

— — Tobago, 126, 158, 171, 178.

West Indian cotton industry, 391.

Mosquitos (see insect pests).

Moths and butterflies, 58.

Mulching in cacao fields, 595.

Mungoose and bull frogs, 90.

in Nevis, 300.

— in St. Lucia, 187.
, destruction of, 256, 380, 596.

Murray, J. Russell, broom corn in Canada,
174.

—, steamship communication
West Indies and Canada, 211.

—, West Indian products in Canada, 13,
46, 78, 191, 239, 271, 287, 335, 367.

Musk seeds in the London market, 78,
111, 143, 175.

357,

302,

’
t)
by

between

N.

Naseberries, budding, 7.

Nature study, 291.

Naudet diffusion process in Maderia, 306.|—
Vest Indies, 259.
Nevis, agricultural shows, 82, 380.

as a health resort, 206,

bath springs, 206, 268.

cotton acreage in, 284.

— from, 300.

— industry, 262, 281.
fumigation of imported plants, 193.
minor industries in, 107.
monkeys in, 300.
mungoose in, 300.
sale of peppers from, 280.

2
?
>
?

Nicholls, H. A. A. _ Dominica, 61.

Nitrated lime, 169.
Nitrogen, atmospheric, and manures, 151.
—, fixation of, 70.

?

82.|

—, cotton growers company, Barbados,

Nalepa, A., preserving gall material, 42,|-

Nitrogen-fixing organisms, 41.
\Nitrogenous fertilizers, new, 169.
-—, supply of, 169.
\Nutmegs, budding, 7

'— in the London market,
T11, 143, 175; 223; 255}
383.

29, 46, 78,
319, 351,

O.

Oil engine for sale in St. Vincent, 124.
Oleanders in the West Indies, 243.
Oliver, E. Lomas, West Indian cotton
industry, 391.

Olivier, S., agricultural banks, 49.

Onion crop in Montserrat, 284.

—, prospects of, 89.

— cultivation in the Leeward Islands,

133.
industry in Bermuda, 200.
seed for West Indies, 56, 152.

—, supply of, 76.

trade, West Indian, 121.

Onions, bacterial rot of, 91.

—, cultivation in Virgin Islands, 124.

from Bermuda, 179.

-— Virgin Islands, 121, 172,
shipment from Montserrat, 288.
Tenerife, for sale, 296.
trial shipment ‘from
ema 200.

Orange, a remarkable, 76.

cultivation in Antigua, 232.

— — Dominica, 185, 212, 242,

Grenada, 92.

industry in Jamaica, 159, 308, 379.

peel in the London market, 111, 223,

287.

— from St. Kitt’s, 119.
—— theo abst, Bey WING).

— shipping in Jamaica, 348.

— wine, preparation of, 155.

Oranges, Aspidiotus limonis on, 10.

Oranges in Canada, 367.

— Trinidad, 371.

—, Jaffa, 376.

—, Jamaica in London, 27
, machine wrapped, 388.
—, packing, 153, 164.

—, picking and marketing, 4.

, selection and packing in Jamaica,

159.
shipping, 148, 164.

Trinidad in London, 276.

Orchard soils, treatment of, 241, 395.

Orchids for sale in Antigua, 252.

Orton, W. A., Rivers’ Sea Island cotton

seed, 107.

Oyster beds in Carriacou, 121.

Bermuda _ to

6.

b]

12)

Pachyrizus tuberosus, 108.
Palermo, citric acid factory in, 140.
(Panama, agricultural resources of, 12.

410

299

Papain, 103, 292.
— in the J.ondon market, 287.
Papaw in th» Transvaal, 68.
— juice, 539.
in the London market, 29.
Paraguay, a new sugar plant from, 248.
Para rubber as shade for cacao, 347.
—, extraction of, 51.
in British Guiana, 383.
— the Malay States, 11, 364.
— — StraitsSettlements, 359.
— Trinidad, 76.
industry, 271.
planting, 244.
seeds, germinatin
Paris green and bees, 284.
—, application of, 282.
— — to cotton, 358.
—, powder gun for, 282.
—, price of, 264.
Patterson, W. H., resident master
St. Vincent Agricultural School, 43.
Paullinia barbadensis, 143, 300.
Peppers from Nevis, 280.
Peru, guano in, 245.
Philippines, copra in, 381.
—, exports of, 377.
Philipps, Owen, Barbados bananas, 353.
Picture post cards, West Indian, 28.
Pigeon peas, white, 110.
Pig rearing in Trinidad, 157.
— sties, construction of, 44.
Pimenta officinalis in Jamaica, 295.
Pimento, artificial coloration of, 156,
— growing in Jamaica, 84, 295.
— inthe London market, 29, 111, 143,
175, 223, 255, 287, 319, 351, 383.
—, oil of, in the London market, 383.
Pine-apple cultivation in Trinidad, 204.
— — St. Lucia, 316.
— industry in Antigua, 133.
—- juice, 377.
Pine-apples, canned, exports from Hawaii,
188.
—, canning in Hawaii, 68.
—, fungoid diseases in Antigua, 172.
—, hybridization of, 340.
— in the Bahamas, 196.
—, Porto Rican, in Dominica, 20.
—-, shading, 292.
—, West Indian, in English market, 52.
Pink, Frank, Banana trade, 137.
Pink & Sons, W., medal for Barbados
bananas at R.H.S. Exhibition, 140.
Pithecolobinm Saman, 327.
— as shade for cacao, 300.
Plague and rats, 233.
Plantain fibre, 364.
Plantains in British Honduras, 388.
Plant Diseases :—
Banana, 324.
Cacao, 36, 162.
— in British Guiana, 124, 137, 204.
— pod disease, 189.
— thread disease, 117, 236.
— witch broom disease, 135, 260.

g, 293.

of

Plant diseases (Continued) :—

Cocoa-nuts, 121.

Copper sulphate for, 204.

Coral-spot disease, 43.

Cotton anthracnose, 246.

— black boll, 246.

— rust, 246.

Diplodia cacaoicola, 137.

Grapes, 309.

Logwood root rot, 389.

Marasmius semiustus, 324.

Nectria, 43.

Phytophthora omnivora, 137.

Pine-apples, 172.

Ripe rot or anthracnose of bananas,

189.

Root rot of logwood trees, 389.

Seed infection, 55,

Seeds treated with corrosive sublimate,

55,

Tomatos, bacterial disease of, 43.
Plant food, effect of scarcity, 11.
Planting by the moon, 204.

Plant nurseries in St. Vincent, 165.
stems, shape of, Li.

Ploughs, dise, 75.

—, electric, in Italy, 157.

root, 45.
—, W.H., seedless limes, 36.
Porto Rico, industries of, 201.

Post cards, picture, of Colonial Exhibi-
tion, 500.

Potatos, deterioration of, 190.

—, English, in Jamaica, 84.

—, —, seed for West Indies, 152.

Poui in Dominica, 204.

Poultry, diseases of, 6.

—, imported, in Antigua, 283.

—, improved breeds at Halifax exhibi-

tion, 252.

; — — in Nevis, 107.

— keeping and gardening, 142.

— rearing, effect in breeding, 12.

—, turkeys, varieties in Dominica, 6.

Praedial larceny, 28, 72, 172.

Prize holdings scheme for Grenada, 375.
Q.
Queen of flowers, 317.
Queensland, sisal hemp in, 250. |
— sugar-cane seedling B. 208 in, 387.
Quillaja bark, 284.
~ — in the London market, 287,)

Cocoa-nut palm bud-rot, 369.

Porter, D. K., & Co., St. Vincent arrow-|

3 : 5. ||
—, Nandet diffusion process in,

259,

— —, report on Experiment Station, |
285.

— —, school gardens in, 283.

— —, sugar industry in, 195.

— —, tobacco cultivation in, 296.

= —, trade in drawn thread work,
380.

R.

Rabbits, Belgian hares, 103.
— in the United Kingdom, 171.
—, movable hutches for, 83.
— wanted in British Guiana, 111.
Raiffeisen agricultural banks, 49, 73, 186,

265.
= — — in Cypress, 153.
Rainfall returns, Antigua, 86, 238.
Bermuda, 204.
Carriacou, 123.
Dominica, 247.
Grenada, 123.
Jamaica, 171.
Leeward Islands, 151.
Montserrat, 76.
St. Kitt’s, 143.
St. Lucia, 86.
St. Vincent, 171
Tortola, 188.
tain gauges for St. Vincent, 396.
Ramie in the West Indies, 364.
Ratooning cotton, 246. :
Rats and mice, destruction of, 53, 233,
247,

— —, virus for extermination of,

247.

99

,=<

0, 247.

— plague, 233.
Rat virus, 247.
experiments with, 169, 233.
in Antigua, 237, 348,
—— Dominica, 319, 322.
—, — Trinidad, 268.
‘Ravenala madagascariensis, flowering of,
44, 57,

Re-afforestation plots in Antigua, 284.
‘Rice cultivation in British Guiana,
124, 188, 277; 316, 344.

— — Surinam, 41, 265.

— — United States, 85.
Robson, Wm., Curator of Montserrat Ex-

periment Station, 126.

Roses in St. Kitt’s, 197.
‘Royal Horticultural Society’s Fruit Ex-
hibition, 20, 25, 60, 68, 84, 180, 244,
268, 308, 312, 340, 396.
~, Barbados bananas.

2

a

5,

ata Lie
; fruit for, 92.

— Mail Company and Barbados bananas,
325, 303%

— steamers, cold storage for, 248.
Rubber, a new source of, 265,
Castilloa, 249.
exports from Ivory Coast, 380.
from bananas, 156.
industry, Ceylon, 297.
Para, 271.
in British Guiana, 190, 332.
— Dominica, 217.
— Hawaii, 393.
Java, 43.
St. Kitt’s, 252, 260.
St. Lucia, 382.
Tobago, 44.

— Saponaria, 284,

the German colonies, 7.

411

Rubber in Venezuela, 105.

— — West Africa, 57.

— planting, 244.

— and cacao cultivation,

— in Equador, 140.

— — Samoa, 254.

—, sale of Tobago, 364.

trees, roadside planting of, 39.

-—, tool for incising, 51.

Rum in Trinidad,

—— exports from British Guiana, 380,
— — Martinique, 275.

manufacture in Martinique, 179.

a 105,

b]

8.

Saccharum ciliare in St. Kitt’s, 87
St. Kitt’s, Arbor Day in, 381.
botanic station, 87.
cacao in, 260.
cotton cultivation in, 101, 102.
-— industry, 199, 281.
— Traffic Ordinance, 85.

—, experiment station, cotton at, 220
—, fumigation of imported plants, 193.

rubber in, 260.

— cultivation in, 252.
seedling canes in, 2, 194.
stock wanted for, 237.
sugar industry, 281.
tobacco growing in, ore
, tropical diseases i in, 237.

St. Kitt’s-Nevis, agricultural progress in,|!
281

cotton exports from, 548.

economic experiments in, 317.

by

?
—, report on botanic station,
St. Lucia, agricultural education in, 191.

— experiment committee, 91,168.

— school, 110, 156, 222, 268, 337.

— Society, 124.
agriculture in, 91, 196, 337.
banana cultivation in, 91.

Barbados banana suckers for, 91.
bee keeping in, 300, 315, 338.
botanic station, 87, 537.

cacao crop, 92.

-— experiment plots in, 338.
Castilloa rubber from, 382.

Chinese bananas in, 338.

— — for, 124.
cotton cultivation in, 91, 338.
Crown lands in, 281.
fisheries of, 54.
imported stock in, 171, 196.
mangos from, 300.
mungoose in, 187.
pine-apples growing in, 316.
school gardens in, 338.

St. Vincent, acreage in Sea Island cot-

ton, 348.
—, agricultural prospects in, 196.
— school, 110, 156,
283,

a

222,

Sands, W.

etc., 269.|

Tom lia:

St. Vincent agricultural shows, 82.

—, anthrax in, 252.

— arrowroot, 45, 327.

from, 220, 233.

— —, report on, 253.
Chinese bananas in, 348.
cotton crop, 247, 311.

— factory, 166, 268,

Growers’ Association,

—, high price for, 294.

— industry, 166, 214, 374.

Stealing Ordinance, 396.

destruction of mungoose in, 236.

exports of, 169, 200.

fisheries of, 167.

fumigation of imported plants in, 193.

land settlement scheme, 297, 303.

plant nurseries in, 165.

rainfall returns, 171, 220, 247.

rain gauges for, 396.

sales of cotton from,

Saman tree, 327.

Samoa, cacao in, 203.

—, kola cultivation in, 212.

—, rubber planting in, 254.

N., Cotton industry in St.
Vincent, 214.

—, St. Vincent land settlement scheme,
303.

Sapium aucuparium,
271.

Sarsaparilla in the London market, 29, 46,
18, 111, 148; 175, 223, 255, 287, 319,
351, 383.

Schlich, W., Manual of Forestry, 123.

iSchool garden exhibition in Tobago, 332.
— — — Trinidad, 350.

gardens (see Education, agricultural).

in Jamaica, 315.

— —§8t. Lucia, 338.

Schools’ vegetable show in Trinidad, 220

Science in education, 220.

Sea Island cotton crop, 332, 348.

— —, consumption of,

5326

313, 3
345.

104, 136.

rubber from, 265,

in U.S.,

— — farmers and sale of cotton
seed, 140.

— in England, 374.
— South Carolina, 521.
— West Indies, 321.
prospects of, 358.
—, ratooning, 321.

— crop report, 332.

moss, utilization of, 300.
Seaweed, as manure, 3.
Seedling canes in Barbados, 146.
Seeds, germination of vegetable, 316.
Senegal, agriculture in, 73.
Seychelles, subsidiary industries in,
Shaddocks, 44, 357.
Shade plants, 120.
Sheep, hairy or woolless, 265.
— manure at Barbados, 267.
—, composition of, 267.

345.

— botanic station, distribution of plants,

— —, exports from West Indies,|—.

Sheep nasal fly, 170.
Shepherd, F. R., ratooning cotton, 231.
—, sugar-cane seedlings in St. Kitt’s, 194.
Shipping cotton, 273.
Short, Captain, Castilloa rubber in 'To-

bago, 265.
Sicily, citrus industry in, 228.
Sisal hemp cultivation, 250, 318, 387.
from the Caicos Islands, 154.
British Guiana, 250.
Caicos Islands, 318, 563.
Hawaii, 190.
Mexico, 174.
Queensland, 250.
Tobago, 220.
United States, 257.
— industry of Caicos Islands, 313.
Smith, G. Whitfield, agriculture in Car-

riacou, 121.
—, Cottagers’ show in Carriacou, 147.
Smith, H. Hamel, Tropical Life, oe
W. E., and Colonial Exhibition,
Soil inoculation, 41, 89, 229.
for alfalfa, 341, 374.
Sorghums, nomenclature of, 329.
Sorrel, white, 59.
Souari nut, 317.
nuts in the London market, 319.
South Carolina, Sea Island cotton in, 321.
Southern Nigeria, cotton growing in, 364.
Spice industry in Grenada, 227.
Spices in Canada, 159, 191, 239,
287, 335, 367.

— New York, 175.

Spines on plants, meaning of, 165.

52

Jo.

271,

Sprayers for insecticides, 186, 234, 330.

Spraying, importance of, 35,

Stack ensilage, 221.

Stancliffe, R., Dominica agricultural
school, 140.

Steel ar ticles, preservative for, 382

./Sterilization of fruit, 52.

Stock at Montserrat, 172, 236.
— St. Lucia, 196.

farm in Tobago, 117
for Antigua, 8.
imported in St. Lucia, 171.
milch cows, 19.
sale in Tobago, 284.
, small settlers’ cows, 19.

wanted for St. Kitt’s, 237.
iStock-breeders’ Association in Grenada,
124.
Stockdale, F. A., appointment as Mycolo-
gist, 213, 270.
Straits Settlements, agriculture in, 359.
—, exhibition of tropical fruits, 364,
Strawberry culture in Cuba, 357.
Success knapsack sprayer, 330.
Sugar-cane, artificial cross-fertilization in
Barbados, 147.
—, chemical selection of, 147.
—, cultivation in Cuba, 195.

— — Jamaica, 305.

— — — Mexico, 323.
—, diffusion process of extracting sugar

from, 92.

b]

41

Sugar-cane, enzymes in, 147.
—— experiments in Barbados, 146, 355,

364, 372.
_ — — British Guiana, 3, 22, 131.
— — — Cuba, 146.
— -— — the Leeward Islands, 22,
1120:

, experiment stations in the Leeward
Islands, 133,
—, improvement of, 338.
-—, larger moth borer of, 26.
—, manurial experiments in Barbados,
147, 393.
—— — British Guiana, 60.
manuring in British Guiana, 131.
— — Hawaii, 323.
—, Naudet diffusion process for extract-
ing sugar from, 92, 130, 259, 306.
— seedling B. 147, 130, 140, 355,
—, in Barbados, 386.
— —, —vxt Kitt's, 274.
— B. 208, 146, 355.
in Barbados, 386.
=, == dinimeyeay, aksil
, — Queensland, 274, 287.
5 is KOE, Brice

’

’

b ’
Caledonian Queen, 146.

D. 74 in Louisiana, 339.

D. 95, 146.

— seedlings, Demerara, in Hawaii, 163.
— in British Guiana, 242.

— Jamaica, 83, 210.

—- Leeward Islands, 67.

— Queensland, West Indian,

Iie al ealeaee ol |e |

— — St. Kitt’s, 194, 274.
—, West Indian, 83.

— syrup as stock feed, 238.
—, varlation in, 172.
—, yield in Jamaica, 259.
Sugar, changes occurring in commercial,

93:
—- experiment station, Jamaica, 172.
—, exports from British Guiana, 28.
— — to Canada, 188.
Jamaica, 220.
Martinique, 275.
Trinidad, 56, 201.
—, fermentive changes in, 99.
— imports into U.S. from West Indies,

HOD

vol,

3D, 367.

— New York, 175.

making in Tortola, 204.

market in Antigua, 268.

muscovado, observations on, 98, 114.
—, sampling of, 115.

, scorching of, 156.
plant, a new, 55, 248.
prices in Barbados, 100.

— of, 3.
production and science, 115.
— in Cuba, 153.

Sugar seasoning wood with, 92.
Sugar Industry :—

Cane farming in Jamaica, 379.
— — Trinidad, 44, 92.
— — the West Indies, 22.
Central factories, 387.
-— in Barbados, 372.
— — Jamaica, 258, 396.
oo — — Surinam, 156.
Cuba, 290.
Danish West Indies, 211.
Fiji, 354.

Hawaii, 18, 50, 179.
Jamaica, 162, 348.
Java, 227,

Leeward Islands, 163.
Levulose, manufacture of, 290.
Martinique, 19, 275.
Mexico, 51.
Porto uieo, 195.
St. Kitt’s, 274, 281.
Trinidad, 243.
West Indies, progress in,
— -—, prospects of,
Sullivan, Caroline, Jamaica
Book, 254.
Sulphur, effect on ticks, 12.
Surinam, agriculture in, 171, 265.
—, cacao cultivation in, 188, 260.
—, exports of, 41, 265.
—, rice cultivation in, 41, 265.
—, sugar factories in, 156.
Sweet potatos as stock feed, 238,
Swizzle sticks, market for, 268.
Symington Fruit Syndicate and Trinidad,

236.

Cookery

aR

Tabebuia pentaphylla in Dominica, 204.)

Tahiti, vanilla in, 185, 311. |

Talipot palm in Dominica, 204.

—, buttons from seeds of, 172.

Tamarinds in the London market, 46, 78,
175, 255, 287, 319, 351, 383.

Tannias, 370.

Tapioca cultivation in Java, 270.

Tarpon, 213.

— fishing in Barbados, 267.

Jamaica, 207.

— in the West Indies, 216.

Taylor, C. Somers, appointed Assistant
Chemist, Barbados, 331.

Tea cultivation in Jamaica, 245, 309.

Tecoma spectabilis, 204.

Tenerife onion seed for sale, 296.

Thorn apple seeds, alkaloids in, 55.

Thornton, T., Cotton Inspector in West
Indies, 134.

—, Ratooning cotton, 230.

—, Roots of cotton plants

299

) sd.

Cee as a protection against gnats,
for worms in horses, 202.

Ticks, destruction of, 254.

Tobacco, cultivation and curing of,

in Antigua, 133.

— Cuba, 40, 275, 316.

-— Hawaii, &8.

-—— St. Kitt’s, 133, 319.

— growing under shade, 296, 316,

— in Jamaica, 249.

— industry, Jamaica, 77, 9
393,

29

-> =

49, 3
— -—, Porto Rico, 201.
—, West Indian, 313.
—, Jamaica, for the Navy, 377
\— seed for the West Indies, 121.
|Tobago, agricultural progress in, 177.
—, agricultural show in, 375.
—, Arbor Day in, 363.
— botanic station, 178, 253.
cacao experiment plot, 46.
— industry, 178.
cotton cultivation in, 101, 316.
cultivation of rubber in, 178, 265.
exports of, 179.
— cocoa-nuts from, 258.
Planters’ Association, 178, 236, 245.
productions of, 177.
sale of rubber from, 364.
school garden exhibition, 332.
sisal hemp in, 220.
stock farm, 117, 284.
— sugar industry, 178.
Toggenburg goats, 216, 391.
Tortola Experiment Station, sugar mak
ing at, 204.
Trade pendulum, 393.
Transvaal, papaw in, 68.
Travellers’ tree, flowering of, 44.
—, fruiting of, 57.
Tree planting by the King, 60.
Trinidad, acreage in cocoa-nuts, 275.
—, agricultural education in, 261,
— shows, 81.
— and Colonial Exhibition,
181, 211, 289.
and Portland cement
140.
bananas in London, 300.
— Botanical Department and Colonial
Exhibition, 289, 293.
cacao crop, 188.
— industry, 2, 22, 211, 275.
— in United Kingdom, 134.
|— — soils, 139.
—, cane farming in, 44,
194, 233, 236) 268, 307.
-—— cocoa-nut industry, 211, 260, 265.
—, cocoa-nut meal from, 254.
—, —- palm bud-rot in, 369.
—, consumption of cocoanut oil in, 188,
258.
|—, date palms in, 373.

350.

124, 130,

manufacture,

9?

Jay

172, 188,

—, Visit to Leeward Islands, 331.
Thread making and Sea Island cotton,

219.

|—, destruction of love vine in, 380.
—, exportation of imported cacao, 172.
i—, exports of, 201.

413

Trinidad, exports of asphalt from, 201.

— — cacao from, 201.

I}
— — — cocoa-nuts from, 201, 257,
260.
—, — — copra from, 257.
—~, — — manjak, 188.
— — — sugar, 201.
, fruit industry, 201.

— trade, 264, 340.
Government Laboratory, 221.
mangos, 196.
milk adulteration in, 219.
motto of colony, 324.
mungoose destruction in, 396.
Naudet diffusion process in, 259, 130.
oranges in, 371.

— — London,
pig rearing in, 157.
pine-apple cultivation in,
, prohibition of imports
ales 124.
purchase of farmers’ canes, 236.
report on Botanical Department, 398.
— stock farm, 285.
school garden show in, 350, 396.
schools’ vegetable show, 220.
shipment of fruit from, 332.

— — limes from, 316.

— — Sealsland cotton from, 236.
sugar industry, 243.

trade of, 56.

—, statistics, 248.

—, yield of cacao in, 156.

Tropical diseases, prevention of, 237.
— fruit, import duties on, 334.

— products in New York, 175.
Trumpet tree, 127, 157.

Turkeys (see poultry).

Turks and Caicos Islands, exports of,
Turk’s cap in St. Kitt’s, 87.

276.

204.

of cacao

’

’
=a)
=H]
’

313.

U.

United States, consumption of Sea Island
cotton in, 322

cotton acreage in, 188.

date growing in, 324.

rice industry of, 85.

sisal hemp in, 237.

tropical products in, 330.

West Indian products in, 223

» 220.

V.

Vanilla anaromatica, 108.

— cultivation in Mexico. 367.

--— industry in Tahiti, Mauritius,
Seychelles, 38.

—, in Tahiti, 185, 311.

and

|West Indian

/Vanilla planifolia in British Guiana, 380.

—, supports for, 124, 297.

—, wild, in Dominica, 108.

—, yield of, 116.

Vinegar from bananas, 371.

Virgin Islands, agricultural show in, 172,
365.

—, cacao in, 296.

—, experiment station, 221,

—, onion growing in, 121,

—- 124,
172

Virus for destroying rats and mice, 53
169, 233, 268, 319, 322, 348.

]

W.

Water buffalos in Trinidad,

Watts, Francis, agricultural
St. Kitt’s-Nevis, 281.

—, eacao and rubber in St. Kitt’s, 260.

—, cacao manurial experiments in Dom-
inica, 392.

—, cotton cultivation in Anguilla,

—, cultivation of oranges in Dominica,|—
912
212.

progress,

278

—, drainage of cacao lands, 27.

—, manurial experiments in Leeward
Islands, 263.

—, manuring of cotton, 182.

—, observations on muscovado sugar,

98, 114.

planting lime trees, 215.
rat virus in Antigua, 237.
rivers’ Sea Island cotton seed, 106.
soils of Montserrat, 361.

sugar industry in St. Kitt’s, 274.
treatment of orchard soils, 241, SHS.
visit to Barbados, 349.

visit to St. Kitt’s-Nevis, 237.

Weather conditions and cotton growing,
326.

West Africa, kola in, 71.
West India Committee
Exhibition, 130, 290.
— and Permanent Exhibi-

tion Committees, 239.

Agricultural Conference,
1905, 1, 17, 22, 125, 265.

, 1906, 131,

and Colonial]

280, 313,

333, 360.
— birds, extirpated, 345.

botanic stations, 216.

— —and Arbor Day, 22:

Bulletin, 41, 168, 265, 345,

West Indian molasses candy, 300.
Ese stall at Colonial Ex-

hibition, 220, 255, 235.

— — products in Austria-Hungary,
223.

_ — — — Canada, 13, 159, 191,
239, 271, 287, 335, 367, 436.

-= London, 29, 46, 78,

110, 143, 175, 223, 255, 287, 319,
351, 383, 392

-- — — — United States; 135
223.

— seedling canes in Queensland,
274

sugar industry, 339.
tobacco industry, 313.

— trade, 222.
West Indies and Colonial Exhibition, 2 28
—, cocoa-nut industry in, 207.
— —, cotton industry in, 21, 37,

134, 166, 214, 265, 332.

—, educational systems in, 155.
—, exports of cotton from, 77,
278, 281, 322.

—, Sea Island cotton in, 321.

214,

; seed for, 33.
—, one products of, 115.
Whitebait, West Indian, 187.
Willams, J. R., popular agricultural

education in J simaicas 265.

—, West Indian Agricultural Confer-
ence, 76.

Wind-breaks in cotton fields, 310.

— inSt. Vincent, damage by fire,

Wireless telegraphy, 251, 307.

Wolstenholme, Charles, and West Indian

cotton industry, 391.

Wortley, E. J., assistant chemist, Gov-

ernment Laboratory, Jamaica, 364.

—, Souvenirs of Jamaica, 245.

188.

X.

Xerophytic plants and spines, 165.

Y.

Yam bean, 108, 389.
—, Guinea, at Tobago, 332.
Yautias, 370.

cotton crop, 92.
— exports, 294, 343,
— industry, 390.

, sales of, 85.
curiosities, 396.
fisheries, 54, 167.

, tarpon at Barbuda, 267.
fait industry, 2, 52, 371.
—— in London, 376.

348,

Z.

Zoological Society and Barbados hares,
249.

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