Agricultur, Horticultur, Forstbotanik. 287 



Special attention is directed to rotation of crops, and it is suggested 

 that would be better if the estates could be made more self- 

 supporting by the use of more leguminous fodder crops, with the 

 saving of a certäin amount of the money now spent on artificial 

 manures. 



Lecture V, "Hints on the planting and cultivation of the Sugar- 

 cane and intermedfate Crops," by J. R. Bovell, shows that the cost 

 of producing sugar in Barbados is higher than in most other sugar 

 producing countries, the average cost of a ton of canes being 12 s. 5 d. 

 In Jamal ca the cost is 5 s. 6 d. per ton, delivered at the factory. 

 The Trinidad factory proprietors buy canes from cane farmers at 

 Q s. to 10 s. per ton. In Antigua it costs 11 s. to grow a ton of canes. 

 In Queensland 10 s. per ton is paid for canes. 



In Cuba and Porto Rica the Output of sugar is so rapidly 

 increasing that it is probable that these Islands will monopolise the 

 United States sugar trade before long, and Barbados planters 

 will have to look elsewhere for a market. 



Taking into consideration also the much lower cost of growing 

 beet sugar, it is evident that unless the cost of producing a ton of 

 canes can be reduced it will be impossible for the estates to continue 

 working. 



Some Problems with regard to the planting of canes, and the 

 value of green manuring are discussed in a practical manner. On 

 some estates green manuring is not in favour the plants grown 

 appearing to rob the soil of moisture to such an extent that there 

 was very little left for the young canes. The lecturer suggests that 

 this difficulty could be obviated if some leguminous plants with 

 ver}^ small or succulent leaves which would not lose much by 

 transpiration could be substituted for those generally grown. General 

 suggestions are made towards reducing the cost of production. 



Lecture VI, on "The insect pests of Sugar-cane, and associated 

 crops", by H. M. Lefroy deals with moth borer, Diatroca saccharalis , 

 Fabr. and its parasite Trichogramma pretiosa; the weevil borer, 

 Splienophorus seviceus. Oliv., and other pests of less importance. 

 Their life histories are described, and practical remedies discussed. 



Lecture VII by Albert Howard is on "The fungoid diseases 

 of the Sugar-cane." Thielaviopsis ethaceticus, Went. is a fungus 

 which attacks cane cuttings when planted, causing them either not 

 to spring at all, or to die soon after the young shoot appear above 

 the ground. If the canes are split open it is generally found that 

 the central portions are blackened owing to the formation of large 

 numbers of spores. The remed}^ appears to be to dip the canes in 

 a Solution (Bordeaux Mixture), which will prevent the fungus from 

 entering the tissues. Sometimes the cut ends are also tarred as an 

 additional precaution. All rotten canes should be destroyed, and not 

 left lying about in the estate yard. 



Several root diseases occur among Sugar Canes in the West 

 In dies, but probably the chief fungus which attacks the roots of 

 the cane is a species of Marasmms. The hyphae enter the plant by 

 means of the root hairs, interfering with the absorption of water 

 and nourishment from the soil and thereby causing a stunted and 

 dwarfed habit. The best remedy seems to be to isolate affected areas 

 by digging a trench all round, and then throw the land out of 

 cultivation for some time, afterwards substituting other, non-grami- 

 neous crops for the cane. All trash and old cane stumps should be 

 destroyed by burning. Great care should be taken in selection of 



