187 



with one of these has been circulated among members of the Con- 

 ference. Peasant proprietors who had scouted the idea are now 

 making drains and pruning their trees, applying manures and fully- 

 carrying out the recommendations of the Department. I believe 

 these sample plots have been very beneficial. We have gone 

 through our first series and should now begin another. The plots 

 in Dominica I hope to place under the supervision of Dr. Watts, 

 so that he can make experiments with chemical manures and carry 

 on the work more closely on scientific lines. Mr. Hudson has had 

 charge of the plot in St. Lucia and he will be able to tell you him- 

 self what is being done there. 



COCOA MANURIAL EXPERIMENTS AT GRENADA. 



The following report and table, showing the results of the 

 working of the cocoa experiment plot at Nianganfoix estate, Gre- 

 nada, were forwarded by the proprietor for publication (see Agri- 

 cultiiral News, Vol, III, p, 347) : — 



This plot was handed over on September 30, 1903, by the 

 Department of Agriculture to the proprietor who still carries on 

 the experiments, in order to obtain the highest possible yield from 

 an acre of land by the use of fertilizers and green soiling.* The 

 plot measures I acre and was divided into four sections of \ acre 

 each. 



During the period, extending over four crops from April i, 1900, 

 to September, 30, 1904, two applications of manures were made, 

 as shown in the table, the first during the first crop 1900-1901, 

 and the second application in the spring and summer of 1902 just 

 before the third crop. 



A., the pen manure section, is the wettest section of the plot 

 and it will be noticed that, notwithstanding the heavy application 

 of manure in May 1902, the yield fell below the two preceding 

 crops, and only recovered after several rods of new drains had 

 been added to those already existing — and dug diagonally across 

 the slope. This illustrates the value of drains in a wet clay soil, 

 without which manure is at a discount. 



The potash section D. has steadily advanced and, unlike 

 sections B. and C, which unaccountably fell off by ^ to 5 bag, 

 held its own during the crop 1902-3. The cost of production for 

 the first two years averaged £l per bag of cocoa, and for the 

 second two years 1 2s. per bag, or an all-round average of l6s. per 

 bag for four years' working. 



When the results of the fifth year's working are known, the cost 

 of production will be considerable reduced. 



The following figures show the gradual improvement in yield : — 

 Crop 1 900- 1 = 5} bags per acre 

 Crop 1901-2 = 7 " " 



Crop 1902-3 = 7 " " 



Crop 1903-4 = 8 



Full particulars are given in the following table as to the details 

 of the treatment accorded to the various sections : — 



* Th(i sections havt? been bedded twice yearly. 



