Vol. III. No. 53. 



THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS. 



133 



COTTON NOTES. 



Now tliat the returns of sales of West Indhn cotton are 

 coming in, interest in tlie industry is generally increasing. 



There is no doubt about tlie quality of the _ best Sea 

 Island cotton iiroduced in these colonies. What is important 

 is to make sure that all the cotton to be shipped next year 

 will be uniform and of the best (piality. 



It may be mentioned that sufHcient selected cotton seed 

 to plant, altogether, about 7,000, acres is now in course of 

 being distributed by the Imperial Department of Agriculture. 

 If all this seed were carefully planted and looked after, the 

 Sea Island cotton industry in the West Indies would be well 

 established on a large scale. 



A good many people will probably plant cotton without 

 being fully acquainted with the conditions necessary for 

 success. These simply court failure and loss, and will only 

 have themselves to thank for taking up an industry they do 

 not understand. 



There are several publications that have been issued 

 during the last twelve months by the Imperial Department 

 of Agriculture giving simple and clear directions in regard 

 to cotton planting ; and, besides, there are officers stationed 

 in each colony who are always prepared to advise and assist 

 cultivators. 



To prevent disappointment it is advised that persons, 

 who, hitherto, have had no experience in planting and are 

 without means, should not start cotton growing. It is well 

 known that starting a new industry like cotton requires 

 a sound knowledge of planting and constant personal 

 attention, or it is sure to fail. 



To make cotton growing a success it would be useful if, 

 in each locality, a few really earnest and painstaking people 

 would start the cultivation, after they have fully realized the 

 difficulties that have to be overcome. Their example and 

 experience would 1)6 more valuable than piles of literature. 



It has been suggested that the Board of Agriculture in 

 British Guiana and Jamaica, and the Agricultural Society at 

 Trinidad might greatly assist by starting ten or a dozen 

 experiment plots (about one or two acres each) in different 

 portions of these colonies, place them under experienced 

 men and, if necessary, pay all expenses on conditioTi that 

 returns are presented at the end of the season showing 

 exactly the details of expenditure and the gross receipts in 

 each case. Ten such trial plots, at £5 each, would cost ,£50. 



Such a course would at once place the experinients on 

 such a footing that the results would be immediately 

 available and a large amount of time and money would be 

 saved. It would, also, enable members of the mercantile 

 community to form their own estimate of the probable 

 value of the new cotton industry as compared with other 

 industries. 



Where cotton has already been tried and failed, on 

 account of disease, there should be an entire destruction of 

 all old cotton plants by burning : that is the first requisite. 

 After that the new cultivation should be in fresh land with 

 fresh seed — care being taken that the soil is well prepared 

 and manured beforehand. 



We learn that at Montserrat the cotton growers, at 

 a public meeting, have resfjved to carry out fully the above 

 recommendations. It is well known that they have hitherto 

 experienced manj- drawbacks ; but they now hope to make 

 afresh start and overcome some, if not all, of their difficulties. 



It should lie remembered that weak and badly nourished 

 plants are more liable to disease than strong and vigorous 

 plants. Hence the necessity for choosing good soil ; or, if the 

 soil is not good, of giving it extra cultivation and plenty of 

 manure. 



It is observed that at Jamaica, after some delay, it is 

 proposed to go in for cotton cultivation on a large 

 scale. This involves some risk, and especially if the growers 

 are not fully informed as to the need for selecting good soil 

 and carefully looking after every detail whilst the crop is 

 growing. Also, in making due provision to meet the attacks 

 of the cotton worm. A good stock of Paris green and 

 powdered lime should, if possible, be secured before or as 

 soon as the seed is planted. 



It is also proposed at Jamaica to begin planting cotton 

 in April. This may answer in some districts where there 

 are rains in May and June ; but in others, especially where 

 trial plots are proposed to be assisted by the Board of 

 Agriculture, it might be advisable to plant at intervals later 

 in the year in order to determine the best planting season 

 for each district bj' actual experiment. 



As a final word it is advised that those who are desirous 

 of making themselves thoroughly acquainted with the details 

 of planting Sea Island cotton in the West Indies should 

 obtain a copy of the West Indian Bullet 171 (Vol. IV, no. 4) 

 and carefully study it. This publication is obtainable 

 (price &d., post free Sd.) from Agents in all parts of 

 the West Indies. Also in London, from Dulau &. Co., 37, 

 Soho Square, W.; and at the rooms of the West India 

 Committee, 16, Seething Lane, E.G. 



Sales of Montserrat Sea Island Cotton. 



From the account .sales of a Montserrat cotton 

 grower we learn the following satisfactor}- results of 

 recent sales of Sea Island cotton shipped to England 

 from that island : — 



From the .sale of 499 D). in July 1903, the net proceeds 

 were £16 5s. id. In November 1903, 319 ft. were sold at 

 8k?. per K). ; the net proceeds of this sale were £11 2s. Lots 

 of 3-5 ft. and 40 ft. sold at 5\d. and ihd. respectively, and 

 netted 15s. in each case. 



In January of this year, 1,955 ft. were sold at different 

 times at Is. 2d. per ft. After deducting charges for freight, 

 insurance, brokerage, etc., the sum of £107 6s. was paid to 

 the shipper. 



Selection of Cotton Seed. 



The following extract is taken from a letter, dated 

 March 29, received from the Secretarj' of the British 

 Cotton Growing Association : — 



The bulk of the cotton from Barbados is turning out 

 very well, but you must impress on all the growers the 

 necessity for veiy careful selection of seed and extreme care in 

 cultivation and handling, as unless Sea Island cotton is quite 

 right in all respects, it suffers severely in price. 



