YoL. III. No. 6.5. 



THE AGEICULTURAL NEWS. 



333 



A.XTiaUA.- REPORTS OX THE BOTANW 

 JiTATION, ECONOMIC EXPERUIEXTX, AND 

 A G RIC UL TURA L ED UCA TION, 1906-4. 



Botanic Stilt ion. — In the absence on leave of Mr. W. N. 

 Sands during part of tlie year and after his removal to 

 <St. Vincent, the duties of the curatorship were discharged 

 by Mr. A. H. Kirby, B.A., Agricultural and Science IMastey. 



There was a slight increase in the number of economic 

 plants distributed from tlie station. The work of raising 

 seedling canes was continued. A supply of plants was 

 furnished for planting in connexion with the Arbor Day 

 celebrations. 



The season appears to have been an unusually favourable 

 one, the rainfall for the year being 7-80 inches greater than 

 in the previous year and 16-33 inches greater than the 

 average for the past thirty years. 



Economic E.rpn-inwnts. — Experiments were carried on 

 at Scott's Hill and Skerrett's with a large variety of economic 

 plants. In the case of the experiments with sweet potatos, 

 largely increased yields were obtained. The experiments 

 with new varieties of corn were continued. 



This report contains an interesting and comprehensive 

 review of the cotton experiments. In all, nearly (iOO acres 

 were planted. Insect pests, especially the cotton worm, 

 proved very troublesome. Jlr. Sands rendered valuable 

 assistance to planters in advising them as to methods of 

 .suppression. The Central Factory, opened in December last, 

 lias three gins and a baling press : already 1-50 bales, of 

 180 ft. each, have been sent out. 



Af/riculturaf Education. — From the report of the Agri- 

 cultural and Science blaster it appears that full advantage 

 is being taken of Mr. Kirby 's services. 



In addition to his work at the Grammar School, he has 

 given instruction at the Girls' High School and at the 

 Female Training College, ilr. Kirby also gave a series of 

 lectures to elementary school teachers. 



BELGIAN HARES. 

 Tlie following note on Belgian hares is taken 

 from the Jmirnal of tlic Jamnica Afjvicidtv.ral 

 Soeidi/ for September. In view of Mr. Barclay's 

 recommendation of this breed for the We.st Indies in^ 

 his notes on rabbit keeping, this description is of 

 interest. Further imrticulars as to Belgian hares, 

 their characteristics, cost, etc., will be found in the 

 Agricultural Neiva (Vol. Ill, p. 230): — • 



A good many who write us about rabbits are very hazy 

 as to what the animal called Belgian hare is. It has no 

 connexion whatever Avith the hare of the fields of Great 

 Britain or true hares anywhere. It is a large breed of rabbit, 

 simply that, and it is a large and fine breed liecause it has 

 been taken up by skilful breeders, more than any other breed, 

 and carefully bred; and then it became the subject of 

 a particular fad in the United States when fabulous prices} 

 were paid for pairs correspondiijg to the best type laid down 

 at shows. It is of a medium size and active and suits our 

 conditions here, and with those who have kept it the Belgian 

 hare is a great favourite. It will be as well to give tho 

 standard points of the breed : — 



Colour. — Uich rufus red, carried well down sides and 

 hind quarters, and as little white under ja,ws as possible^ 

 20 points. 



S/iaj^e. — Body long, thin, well tucked-up Hank, and well 

 ribbed-up back, slightly arched, loins well rounded, head 

 rather lengthy, muscular chest ; tail straight, not screwed ; 

 altogether of a racy appearance and free from white bars, 

 feet well coloured — 20 points. 



Ticliwj. — Of a rather wavy appearance and plentiful — 

 10 points. 



Ears. — About 4 inches, well-laced tips— 10 points. 

 ^e. --Hazel colour, large, round, !)right, and bold — 

 10 points. 



Leg» and Feet. —Tore feet and legs long, straight and 

 slender, well coloured — 10 points. 

 Siie. — About 8 lb. — b points. 



The breed is perfectly hardy, well suited for being kept 

 here either on the hutch system or on the Morant system. 

 The does are prolific and good nurses, and those with plenty 

 of green food on hand may do far worse than go in for 

 breeding a few of these animals for their table. 



To breed them one of the largest, good-sized hutches 

 must be used to enable the occupant to take plenty of 

 exercise, but according to their size they are perhaps tho 

 smallest eaters of any kind of rabbit. 



GRENADA: REPORTS ON THE BOTANIC 

 ^STATION AND EXPERIMENT PLOTS, lOoJ-4. 



Botanic Station. — The expenditure for the year was 

 £-570 18s. The proceeds of the sale of plants, fruit, etc., 

 amounted to £44- 19s. 9(/. 



The rainfall for the year was 82-40 inches. 



There was a falling oft' in the number of plants 

 distributed from the station. Satisfactory results appear to 

 liave been obtained in the experiment plots attached to the 

 station, especially in the case of onions. 



Experiment Plots. — Experiments with cacao were 

 carried on at four plots, while a plot each was devoted to 

 pine-apples and grape vines. The report of the Acting 

 Agricultural Instructor deals with the working of these four 

 plots. On the whole, good results were obtained from the 

 cacao plots, especially those at Yendome and Colombier. 



In the manurial plots basic slag and sulphate of potash 

 have given the best returns. 



DEPARTMENT NEWS. 

 Mr. H. A. Ballou, B.Sc, Entomologist on the staff 

 of the Imperial Department of Agriculture, returned to 

 Barbados in the S. S. 'Oruro' on Thursday, September 

 29. While in St. Lucia, Mr. Ballou visited all parts of 

 the island in connexion with the advancement of the 

 cotton industr}' and addressed a meeting of the 

 St. Lucia Agricultural Society on Monday, September 

 2(j. Mr. Ballon also took part in two of the lantern 

 lectures on cotton growing. 



Mr. George S. Hudson, Agricultural Instructor at 

 St. Lucia, returned from leave of absence by the R.M.S. 

 'Atrato,' and resumed the duties of his office on 

 Tuesday, September 27. 



