103 



into localities where, hitherto, they have been unknown. For 

 instance, the cotton worm is not prevalent in St. Vincent, the 

 leaf-blister mite and the cotton stainer are not present at Barbados, 

 and few, if any, of the diseases familiar in the lesser Antilles are 

 to be found in Jamaica. 



A general and indiscriminate interchange of untreated cotton 

 seed between the several islands would result in such a wide- 

 spread distribution of cotton diseases as would probably kill the 

 industry. 



It is desirable, therefore, under the special circumstances now 

 existing, that the distribution of seed for planting purposes should 

 be placed in the hands of a central authority, having no pecuniary 

 interest in the matter, possessing the confidence of the community 

 and provided with the necessary staff and appliances for carrying 

 on the work solely in the interest of those concerned. 



Cotton growers who desire a supply of the " selected and disin- 

 fected cotton seed" offered by the Imperial Department of Agri- 

 culture for planting during the coming season are advised to com- 

 municate, without delay, with the officers of the Department in the 

 Colonies in which they reside. A remittance for the full amount 

 must accompany the order, or it cannot be entertained. Orders will 

 be received, for the Leeward Islands, by Dr. Francis Watts, Anti- 

 gua ; for Barbados by Mr. John R. Bovell ; for St. Vincent, by Mr. 

 W. N. Sands. Applications from Jamaica, British Guiana, Trinidad, 

 and other colonies, not mentioned above, may be forwarded direct 

 to the Imperial Commissioner of Agricuhure, Head Office, Barba- 

 dos. Applications will be dealt with in the order in which they 

 are received. 



[Six hundred pounds of seed have already been received by the Director of 

 ^'ublic Gardens and Plantations from the Imperial Commiasioner, Barbados, 

 the lint of which obtained this year Kl^d. per lb. This is 2d. higher than the 

 price obtained for lint fiom the Sea Islands them-elves. Six hundred pounds 

 have also been received from the Agricultural Superintendent, St. Vincent, the 

 linl from which realized 17d. per lb. Some seed from both Islands is still on 

 hand, and will be charged for at rate of 2id. per lb. Application to be made to 

 Director, Public Gardens and Plantations, Kingston P.O.] 



COTTON : DISEASES. 



Commissioner of the Imperial Department of Agriculture for the West 

 Indies to the Director of Public Gardens and Plantations, Jamaica. 



Barbados, 



April, 6, 1905. 

 Sir, 

 I desire to obtain information in regard to the pests and diseases 

 of Cotton in Jamaica, and would be glad of any specimens of the 

 same and observations as to the seriousness of attack of any par- 

 ticular fungoid disease or insect or other pest that may be met with 

 affecting cotton plants. 



