Vol. XVIII. Xo. 441 



THE AGRICULTURAL XEWS. 



179 



the title ' On Agricultural Educitioa and ils Adjust- 

 ment to the Xeeds of the Students'. 



At the present time of reconstruction, agricuhur-il 

 education is receiving attention in many directions 

 in these colonies as elsewhere. This attention is 

 being directed to elementary, secondary, and higher 

 education. ■ In all this it is vital that the leaders of 

 thought should have a clear conception of the principles 

 enunciated by Mr Leaice, and should clearl\ understand 

 the limitations imposed by the conditions of social 

 existence. Ignorance of them, or neglect to realize 

 them, gives rise to schemes and ideas inept in their 

 effect, and leading to discontent. 



AGRICULTURAL EXAMINATIONS, 

 1918. 



In the last issue were published the results of the recent 

 examinations conducted by the Imperial Department, 

 together with the questions set in the Preliminary Examina- 

 tion paper. The following are the Intermediate papers : — 



INTERMEDIATE. 



GENERAL AGRICULTURAL SCIENCE. 

 A. 



1. Give an account of the characteristics of, the injury 

 done by. and the methods of control for, eifher (a) the 

 sugar-cane borer, or (b) the leaf-blister mite of cotton. 



2. Describe the damage done, and the meaus of control 

 to be adopted in the case of any fungoid i r insect pest in 

 your island of either cotton, canes, or citrus fruit. 



3. How would you distinguish the larva of a large 

 fly from that of a beetle .' 



4. What is meant by root disease of any crop ? Des- 

 cribe the roi)/ disease of any crop which has come under 

 your notice, and state the measures to be adopted for its 

 control. 



.5. Why is rotation of crops advised '. Give your 

 idea of a suitable rotation of crops in your island, stating 

 periods, and giving reasons. 



7)'. 



6. Explain with drawings the process of budding. 

 What is the practical object of I adding ] 



7. Wliat is the value in the soil to plants of compounds 

 of the following : lime, phosphate potash I How would 

 you supply a soil with one oi them —whichever you select 

 ■ — if lacking ? 



8. Give details of the methods and cost of harvesting 

 cifhi'r a 10-acre field of sugarcane, or a 10 acre field of 

 cotton. (Harve.sting means picking or cutting, and convey- 

 ance to the factory or ginnery.) 



C. 



9. What are the artificial maiures best suited in your 

 island for (a) sugarcane, (b) cotton, (e) Indian corn '. How 

 and when would you apply then. ' 



10. Why is It that the conservation of urine is to be 

 advised on estates .' What would j on do towards tfiis '. 



11. What quantity and what kind of fodder should be 

 provided for a working ox per day or per week '. 



1 2. Describe how pen manure may best be prepared 

 .under circumstances with which you are familiar. 



INTERMEDIATE. 



SPECIAL CROPS. 

 A. — Su lar-Cane. 



1. In what way has the introduction of new seedling 

 varieties benefited the sugar-cane cultivation in the West; 

 Indies? Describe any one variety cultivated in your island. 



'-. Describe the root system uf th' sugarcane. How is 

 the knowledge of this of value in practical planting' 



3 Give your idea as to what is the best sy.stem of 

 manuring ratoons, statint; yonr reasons. 



4. Describe the implements used in your island in the 

 cultivation of sugar-canes. Could you suggest any change of 

 method likely to be useful; if so, whai I 



5. What is the most troublesome pest or disease of 

 sugar-cane in your island? Describe it, and say what can be 

 done to counteract it. 



6. What is done in your island wit'i cane tops, stumps 

 of cane.s, and trash? Can you suggest any improvement 

 in their disposal? 



7 How many labourers do you think would' be requir- 

 ed to keep in first rate condition 100 acres of canes, from 

 planting to reaping? Give details to support your estimate. 



8. In your island do ratoons pay? If so, for how many 

 crops? If not, why not? Give reasons for your opinion. 



B.— Co/fo/i. 



1*. Make an examination and record the results in 

 tabular form of the specimen of cotton submitted to you. 



2. What are the soil and climatic conditions s|eoially 

 suited to Sea Island cot^ton? How does your island answer 

 to these conditions? 



3. How is the land prepared for growing cotton? 



4. How do you ph.nt j'our cotton seed, and how much 

 seed do you use per aore? Give reasons for your answers. 



•5. What are the best measures to be taken against 

 (a) leaf-blister mite, and (b) cotton stainer ? 



6. How is the cotton in your island dried, prepared 

 for ginning, and graded? 



7. What crops, and why, would you advise as rotation 

 crops with cotton ? 



8. State your opinion as to the best way of main- 

 taining the lertility of soils under cotton as the principal 

 crop. 



*Tliis question must lit; attempted. 

 C. — Proi'ision Crops. 



1. How are sweet potatoes usually cultivated in your 

 island? Can you suggest any improvements, either in the 

 method of planting, or in preparation of the land? 



2. Discuss ihe question of growing Indian corn as a 

 catch crop as against gro^^ing it as a chief crop. What yield 

 would you expect per acre in eich case under average condi- 

 tions of soil and rainfall? 



3. What are thf chief difficulties against which an 

 onion grower in your island has to contend? How are they 

 beat met? 



4- What are the advantages of growing leguminous 

 crops (a) for human food, (b) for fodder, (c) for green dress 

 int! '. Wha' kinds do you consider most suitable for each 

 purpose in your isl md ? Give jour reasons. 



5. Describe the method of cultivating either yams 

 or tannias. 



6. Why are ground provisions of the various kind* 

 not grown more extensively in the West Indies? Can you 

 suggest any means of increasing the production of iLese- 

 crops in your island? 



