1C2 



THE AGIUCULTUUAL NEWS. 



SErxKMBEu 13, 1902. 



analytical and statistical tables are presented setting 

 forth the results to the fullest extent. As is well 

 known, the seedling variety B. 147 has bec^n deposed 

 from its former position in the list of canes experi- 

 mented with — a circumstance which seems to be due 



chiefly to the unfavourable weather conditions 



The seedling B. 208 is for the ino;nont in favour, and, 

 as we have said, it seems to stand the test of local 

 conditions. Though the records of a single year may, 

 as Dr. Morris has observed, be " necessary evils" in 

 connexion with these experiments, we may note that 

 B. 208 appeared high on the list in tlie rrp(]rt for l!tOO 

 and displayed the same essential characteristics as those 

 which distiiigiiish it in the latest report. Thus, its 

 juice in 1900 was richer ami jmrer th;ni that of B. 147, 

 and the advantage denoted is accentuated in the 

 returns before us. B. 20S is de.scribed by thc> coiiipiler.s 

 of the report as the best all-roand cane for the season 

 1901, " taking into account its ready germination, the 

 general absence of disease, the3'ield of sugar, the great 

 richness and purity of its juice, and the satisfactory 

 results obtained in both black and red soils, plants and 

 ratoons." The average indicated muscovado sugar 

 yield of this seedling w.is 2(j tons per acre. " The 

 j\u(n> was highly suitable for the muscovado fictory, 

 and was so rich and 2)ure that the canes could safely bo 

 mixed with others n(jt so rich and pure in order to 

 enable l,lie planter to mike a betlcT class of sugar." It 

 is a hardy, drought-resisting spccie.s, and according to 

 the experini'jnt'jrs it " deserves careful trial to the 

 extent of a fe'w acres on every estate." The White 

 Transparent cane, which is u.scd as a standard, has 

 always taken a hig'a pl;i-,e in these exp'riments. " The 

 expressed juice was fiii'ly ricli ami modei-atelv ])ure. 

 It required care in the boiling-house to ensure in all 

 cases the miking of good muscovado sugar." In order 

 of yield it stands fifih on the red soils, but taking the 

 average of all plots it comes second on the list, tlie 

 muscovado yie'ld being 2'.5 tons to the acre, A variety 

 closely resembling the White Transparent in appearance 

 and behaviour is the Jamaica cane, which h,is acquitted 

 itself wi'll on both black and led soils. The Scaly 

 seedling, on the whole, has gi\en disappointing 

 results, the Juice being poor. ()lh(a' species of 

 canes, including the Rock Hall cane, D. loO and 

 1). 14') were tested in the course of the yar, 

 but the results were so un.satisfactory, either on 

 account of the small tonnage of canes or the inferior 

 juice, that it is not propost'd to continue their experi- 

 mental cultivation. 'I'hese failures will be replaced by 

 newer seedlings and imjiorted varieties, and the 

 scientists intend also to extend the cultivation of three 



or four of the best canes to a small estate saxle of one 

 acre plots jilanted in duplicate. On the whole, though 

 the unpropitious season ha.s served to disturb the 

 belief of the j)lanters in the variety which headed the 

 list for two successive years, it ha.s in no way shaken 

 the confidence of the public in the value of the.se 

 experiments and the correctness of the methods by 

 which they are conducted. The manurial experiments 

 are in them.selves of considerable ini|)ortance, and the 

 details show the relative results arising from the 

 aj)plieation to cane cultivation of phosphates, jiota.sh, 

 nitrogenous and other cheuu'cal manures.' 



TRAINING FOR AGRICULTURAL STU- 

 DENTS AT JAMAICA. 



The Board of Agriculture of Jamaica has recently 

 approved of a scheme, under which provision is made 

 for the practical training of agricultural student.s at the 

 Government Laboratory, Jamaica. Mr. H. H. Cousins, 

 the Government Chemist gives instruction in practical 

 chemistry and ])hysics, and .igricultural chemistry 

 and sugar production. The Hon'ble W. Fawcett, 

 Director of Botanic Gardens, has promised to lecture 

 on the 'Economic Plants' of Jamaica. Mr. Buttenshaw, 

 the Lecturer in Agricultural Science for Jamaica, 

 lectures on general agriculture, chemistr}', b(jtany, 

 j)hysics and book-keeping. Mr. J. J. Harris of the 

 Botanic Department, Jamaica, has charge of agri- 

 cultural botany, and Mr. H. S. Hammond, a.ssistant 

 to the Government Chemist, of practical botany, 

 economic entomology and mensuration. 



'I'he (rh'inier of Jamaica, says: — 



Thu (•our.se bjgiiis on October 1. There arc two cla.sses 

 of student.s ; regular students and occasional .student.s, the 

 first bsing those who wish to heconic experts in the branches 

 they study, or who desire to gain a thorough knowledge of 

 agricultural science ; and the otiier.s being those who wish to 

 attend short courses and get sonic scientific knowledge of the 

 principles underlying their work in field and works. The 

 candidates nuist bo over IG years of age, and nuist sati.sfy 

 Mr. Cousins (the Government cheniist,) that they are fit and 

 desirable i>er,sons to imdertake the work. This is to be done, 

 if necessary, by cxaniinution, the standard of attainment 

 being the Junior Cambridge Local Examination. The 

 regular students arc to pay a fee of .£4 per term Imt 

 provision is made for a mnnbcr of free students. The 

 normal length of a course is to be two jears. An important 

 part of the instruction will be that dealing with the 

 production of lum, a siiecialist on which will, it is hoped, 

 be shortly obtained from England to devote himself to the 

 subject. It shows that a good deal of work is packed into 

 a week, and the students will have to work hard. But if 

 they do, they will issue from tlic college with an cipiipnicnt 

 which will nrikc thcni i[ualitied to take a responsible position 

 in the country. .Tamaica has now facilities for turning out 

 well-trained agriculturists wliicli have previously only existed 

 abroad. Should these be steadily taken advantage of we may 

 look forward to substantial economic advancement in the 

 future. The infincnce of the work will not be restricted to those 

 who have studied ; it cannot fail to tell on others when the 

 knowledge is put into practice. The general ni:iss of tlie 

 people learn more by example tlmn precejit, and everything 

 that is being done in the diiection of higher agriculture is 

 havini' its elf'cct on their mind and clfort. 



