Vol. III. No. 59. 



THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS. 



227 



Manurial Experiments in Jamaica. 



The Bulletin nf the Department of Agrlcidtivre, 

 Jamaica, for June 1904, publishes the first part of 

 a report by Mr. H. H. Cousins, M.A., F.C.S., Agri- 

 cultural and Analytical Chemist, on the nianuri.il 

 experiments on sugar-cane in 1903. The report 

 records the results of the experiments on six estates 

 with the ratoon crop of 1908, following the first series 

 of experiments with plant canes, analyses being given 

 in each case. The following is a brief summary of these 

 results : — 



At Albion estate in tlieparif^h of St. Thomas, the results 

 with D. 9-5 1st. ratoons are said to have agreed with those 

 obtained in the previous year, the manures showing a general 

 increase in all cases. With Mont Blanc canes, however, quite 

 different results are recorded. Last year the manures 

 produced no results : with the ratoon crop some of the plots 

 showed an increase but not a profitable one, while others 

 showed a deficit both in tonnage and in cost. 



At Holland estate, St. Elizabeth, the results previously 

 obtained were confirmed, all the manured plots showing an 

 increase and, with the exception of the pen manure, a profit 

 on manuring. Mr. Cousins remarks that the figures in 

 connexion with these experiments indicate ' that the yield on 

 this estate, despite long years of cane cultivation, can be 

 incre<xsed enormously by drainage, by liming, by the growth 

 of leguminous dressings, and, with due caution and 

 judgement, the use of a little complete chemical manure.' 



At Hillside estate in Yere, the same manures were 

 applied as at Holland. "With one excejition, all the plots 

 receiving manure showed an increase. It is recorded that 

 the juice obtained here 'contanied absolutely no glucose at 

 all and the canes must have attahied a state of complete 

 chemical maturation.' 



At Amity Hall, also in Yere, the increased yield by 

 manuring was so small that losses occurred in all but two 

 cases. This is attributed to deficient rainfall. 



The results with ratoons at Cayraanas estate in 

 St. Catherine were confusing and at variance with those 

 obtained from the plant canes, while at Yale Royal in 

 Trelawny unfavourable seasons are said to have reduced 

 the returns. The opinion is expressed that in an average 

 j-ear fertilizers should prove profitable. 



It might be added that the work of sujiervision of these 

 experiments has now been specially provided for by the 

 appointment of Mr. T. H. Sharji, .Jr., B.S.A., as Superintend- 

 ent of sugar exiieriments. 



STOCK NOTES. 



AGRICULTURAL SOCIETIES. 



Dominica. 



The following report of a meeting of the Dominica 

 Agricultural Society held at the Court House. Roseau, 

 on June 2.5, has been communicated by Mr. A. K. 

 Agar, the Honorary Secretarj- : — 



The report of the committee appointed to consider a 

 Produce Association was read, but the scheme was not found 

 practicable. The committee for the management of the 

 190-5 Agricultural Show was ajipointed. The Yice-President 

 read some notes compiled by Mr. J. F. Scully on the climatic 

 and agricultural conditions prevailing in his district, and a 

 discussion followed. A few otlier minor items of local 

 interest were also brought forward. 



The following notes are taken from the Farm 

 Journal of Philadelphia: — • 



Love of stock is one of the essential elements of 

 successful stock raising 



Feeding a little linseed meal occasionally to stock is 

 beneficial, keeping the system regulated. 



Land that dries cpiickly after a rain is Ijest for a poultry 

 yard. Sour, tainted, or wet land will slaughter more fowls 

 and chicks than will the dreaded roup. 



Wet the horses' feet every day with a sponge, if you do 

 not put them in a soaking tub. Simply wetting them every 

 day will do more than you think to keep them in good 

 condition. 



All grains fed to hogs had best be soaked twelve hours 

 before being fed. Especially is this necessary with barley, 

 peas, and corn. One of the best grains for growing swine is 

 oats. 



Some cows will give down their milk best when they 

 have a little grain in the manger before them to work at 

 while the process of milking is going on. It is worth while 

 to humour the fancj' of these cows. 



To make the horse's coat shine, feed hira a bit of oil 

 meal every day. Begin lightly : not more than a tablespoon- 

 ful at first. Gradually increase until he will take a pint, 

 then hold at that for a while. 



Horses that are given water with regularitj' fatten most 

 readily. They can be taught to take water before breakfast, 

 and this light drink seems to be worth a great deal to them. 

 In an effort to put flesh upon an animal, the water is as big 

 a factor as the grain. 



When a horse acquires the bad habit of gnawing at the 

 manger, or the sides of the stall, or chewing at his halter 

 rope, rub on some mutton tallow, as the taste of it is very 

 disagreeable to him. A few applications are all that is 

 necessary to break him of this habit. 



Salt regularly, ilany do not do this, but wait a week or 

 two and then give the cattle all the salt they will eat. Being 

 hungry for it, they are apt to overdo the matter. Then down 

 comes your nulk test. Salt possesses medicinal equalities. 

 Use it carefully for that reason. 



Thoroughly scald the churn, but have it cool when the 

 cream is put in. If it is too warm the texture of the butter 

 will be injured. From time to time, while the cream is 

 accumulating before churning, it is a good plan to stir it once 

 in a while. Keep in a warm, not hot, jilace, and be sure the 

 cream is sour clear through before beginning to churn. 



There is a theory that nothing a cow eats affects the 

 quality of her milk. If she is made to produce 5-per-oent. 

 milk she will do it no matter what she has to eat. In practice 

 this does not hold good, however. You cannot feed a cow 

 dry straw and get rich milk. Every farmer knows that 

 corn-meal will make the richest milk of anything. Pumpkins 

 will also give us a thick, yellow cream. 



Cocoa-nut Oil for Toothache. With regard 



to cocoa-nut oil it may be useful to mention that it is used 

 by the natives as a specific for toothache, and is said to be a 

 never-failing remedy. The directions for use are as follows : — 

 Procure a fresh cocoa-nut, cut it in half, place one half with 

 the concave side facing upwards on a large cup containing 

 some cotton wool, and inside the cocoa-nut put some live 

 charcoal. When the oil exudes on to the wool, take the 

 latter out, and insert it with the aid of a blunt needle into 

 the aching cavity. {Coiisidar Rej^ort on trade of Kiungchow.) 



