Vor.. XVI], No. 44:.'. 



TrlE AGUICLTLTUKAL NE*V8. 



101 



the same care to place a cutting in the ground as it does to 

 place out a plant. 



■ For use as a secondary wind-bel:, > i ••• irir-iddia 



maciilala should be run between every third and fourth row 

 of limes across the direction of prevailing winds. It needs 

 t'l be cut back twice a year. A few week.? after being lopped 

 it is again aifording some protection, and on each cutting it 

 yields a good supply of mulch for the lime trees. In order 

 ■not utterly to deprive the young lime trees of .shelter at the 

 time of cutting back, it is best to top alternate tows every 

 •three months. This tree is deciduous, but by topping it is 

 kept in an evergreen state practically all the year round, and 

 is made by these means to afford protection even in the dry 

 ■season of the year. Planted on either side of a permanent 

 wind-belt like Pois doux it is" helpful in bringing on these 

 plants during the early years of their existence. 



Drainin;^. It may be stated that this cultural opera- 

 tion is generally neglected on the majority of lime estates, 

 until it becomes urgently necessary. It is then usually 

 carried out in such a manner as to give an additional check 

 to the already severely tried trees, and to add to the 

 immediate difficulties of the management. 



When draining operations have at last to be carried out 

 on established estates, owing to the low vitality of the trees, 

 the work, in the majority of cases, is done in a very unsatisfac- 

 tory way. Work whioh should be done gradually, and 

 "extended over at least three seasons, is attempted at a single 

 <3peration. The drains are usually made too narrow and too 

 deep for their width. The earth, which is chietly subsoil, is 

 thrown upon the adjoining surface soil. Thus, a living soil, 

 from which the trees derive their nourishment, is largely 

 ■covered by a dead soil, which needs a lengthy exposure to the 

 sun, air, and rain, and to the effects of weed growth, and 

 to applications of organic manures, before it becomes fertile 

 and helpful to the lime trees. This covering of the living 

 'Surface soil often to a depth of several inches gives a further 

 check to the trees, and although draining, even when carried 

 out on unsound lines, will ultimately result in some improve- 

 ment, the immediate effect of faulty operations is to further 

 lielay the recovery of the plantation. In old cultivations in 

 ■which draining has been neglected, it would prove a sounder 

 iplan to drain gradually by instalments, rather than to attempt 

 the whole of the work at one time. 



In new plantations these operations should be carried out 

 •during the years between the time of planting and the 

 coming into bearing of the trees, that is, a period of three or 

 four years. tJn flat and moderately undulating lands a drain 

 should be run between each two rows, for under such condi- 

 tions the trees would be spaced at iO feet to 25 feet apart or 

 more. This plan results in what is called the 'bank' or 'bed" 

 system, that is, the soil from the drain is thrown up until the 

 highest level is in a line with tlie row of tree stems, 

 •whence it gradually falls on either side to the drains. Thus 

 -on tiats, and on moderately undulating lands, the fields are 

 formed uf a succession of beds. This plan is formal in 

 appearance, and effective in its operation. 



When fields have been lined and p'anted with limes, 

 -which is usually done between -Tune and Xovember— the wet 



season — steps should be taken the following dry season 



January lo May— in the work of beginning a system of 

 drainage which, if carried out on sound lines, will be des- 

 tined to play a great part in maintaining the health of the 

 trees, and in pr'donging the life of the plantation. 



During the first dry season after the trees ar- planted, 

 surface drainv nbnut 2 (eet wide, and l<)-to 12 inches deep, 

 should De diisj. The snil fro'f. the drains sho'ild b-^ spread 

 ^ a liic land, ti) which V, will aiford a light top dressing. 



The next season the sides of the drain .should be broken in, 

 and the top dressing repeated. The third year the drains 

 should be deepened a few inches in order to attbrd the annual 

 dressing. By this time, the 'bed' system will be attained, but 

 as drains always tend to silt up, especially so in a wet. 

 country like Dominica, they should be annually cleaned, and 

 kept at a proper depth This secures a valuable top dress- 

 ing for the trees each year. Procedure on the above lines is 

 very helpful to the young limes. Under such ';onditions 

 they show great vigour. By the time the draining system 

 is complete, the trees are commencing to bear. 



It is practically certain that draining, as outlined above, 

 when applied to lime trees in course of being established, 

 will mitigate the critical period in the life of young lima 

 trees, and it may, in conjunction with sheltnr, such 'as is 

 given by Tephrosias aud Indigoferas, overcome it. 



In many instances in Dominica limes are planted oa 

 steep slopes. The usual custom in these cases is to plant; 

 closely, 10 feet by 10 feet, or 12 feet by 12 feet, nothing or 

 very little in the way of drainage being attempted. The 

 trees under these conditions do fairly well whilst young, but 

 once having passed the vigorous stage characteristic of the 

 first years of maturity, their appearance and yield of fruit are 

 decidedlyjpoor. This is largely due to surface washing, by 

 which the best soil is carried away each season on the occasion 

 of torrential rains. It would appear that a good deal more- 

 could be got out of such cultivations by planting at wider 

 distance.s, and by following the plan of surface drains recom- 

 mended on fiat or moderately undulating lands. Experiment* 

 with a view of obtaining information on this point have beea, 

 started at the experiment station- 

 It is almost needless to point out that surface drains on 

 slopes .should always run across the fall of the land, and be 

 able to deliver the water to the main drains slowly, and with. 

 a minimum of rush. In a hilly country like ]>ominica, the 

 main outlets are usually rivers or streams, ravines, or natural 

 depressions in the land. 



It must not be overlooked that considerable areas of 

 limes are grown and do well in Dominica on what m-ay ba 

 termed boulder lands, that is, land strewn with rocks to such 

 an extent that very little soil is to be seen. Such areas are 

 usually naturally well drained, which 1= fortunate, as the 

 ordinary methods could not be applied in the.se instances. 



The Demand For Industrial Alcohol in the 



United Kingdom. — Previous to the war most of the 

 industrial alcohol needed in Great Britain was imported 

 from Germany, although its use, except for its recent 

 utilization in the production of munitions, was much less 

 than in other countries. It is estimated that there will be 

 an increased employment of motor vehicles with hijjher 

 power than before the war, and^that, to meet this,100,i)00,000 

 gallons of motor spirit will be required annually by the 

 United Kingdom. 



The British Govern meni is desirous of being independent 

 of petrol, owing to its high cost, and because the .supply- 

 comes mainly from foreign countries. The employment of 

 industriil alcohol mixed with benzol as a substitute fur petrol, 

 is being seriously considered. It is thought that the alcohol 

 which has been produced for ra'tnition purposes 1.=! equally 

 suitable for motor purpo.ses. 



The Government has recently app-iinted a Oomniissioa 

 to enquire into this 'luestion, and t-> a.scertain what quintides 

 of industrial alcohol are available, within the Kaipire, and 

 •.he sources of supply. (Wi'ckly Bulhtiu. Dipa>tm:nt 'if 

 Trade and Commerce, Canada, February 24, lOliJ.) 



