134 



THE AGRICUL'J'JKAL NEWS. 



May 2, 1908. 



COTTON SEED SELECTION AT 

 BARBADOS. 



In December \'.H)o, it was decided to carry out 

 experiments with tlie object of improving the cotton 

 grown in Barbados by seed selection as outlined in 

 the We!^f Indian Hullctin, Vol. IV, p. 208, and 

 arrangements wei'e made for the work of selection to be 

 carried out on seven estates. From one of these estates — 

 Stirling — fifteen plants were obtained, and from these 

 fifteen three jilants were finally selected, viz., Nos. 800, 

 HOI, and 803 ( M'esi Indian BidHin. Vol. VII, p. 150). 



Recently Dr. C. E. Gooding, the proprietor, shipped, 

 under the fiiaik ' Stirling S,' 7 bales of cotton from 

 plants grown from the seed obtained from the plant 

 No. 808, and JMe.ssrs. Wolstenholme & Holland, in 

 lejiorting on this cotton, write : — 



Wf have formed a vitv high opuiion of this lattuj \u\ 

 (' Stirling- S '), as it i.s the ino.st serviceable cla.s.s of cotton we 

 have seen iiroduced in the West Indies, and if it gives 

 a lictlcr yield per acre than tlie finer descriptions —as it 

 probably will we tliiidc it is nidre suitable for extensive 

 cultivation. 



This cotton, a.s Messrs. Wolstenholme iS: Holland 

 correctly surmise, has for the last four plantings given 

 heavier yields in the experiment fields at Stirling than 

 any of the other varieties grown. 



'J'he opinion e.xpressed by Messrs. Wolstenholme 

 & Holland is very encouraging, and shows the desira- 

 bility of systematically and regularly carrying out the 

 selection of tlio best seed for planting purposes. 



COTTON IN THE SEA ISLANDS. 



Messrs. Henry W. Frost & Co., of Charleston, 

 rc])ort that the condition of the Sea Island cotton 

 market remains very didl. I'rices are still the same as 

 those quoted in the last issue of the Af/riculiuraJ 

 i\v'(('.s, and during the fortr.ight ended April 11 last it 

 is state<l t.hat no receipts, sales, or exports had taken 

 place. 



Messr.s. Frost's report of April 11 contains the 

 following note on jilanting ])rospects for the comitig 

 season : — 



The spring so far has heen an early and favourable one, 

 and the cotton crnii ha^ been planted in the Sea Islands, as 

 well as in CJeorgia and Klorida. With fair weather cnndilinns, 

 it promises to have an early and fair start. 



On the islands and coa.st of Carolina, the acreage is 

 reported about the .same as last year. In Georgia, however, 



there has been a sliarji reduction in the acreage, owing to the 

 low prices prevailing. In Florida it is also reported tliat 

 there has been a decrease in the acreage, but not to as great 

 an extent as in Georgia. 



Gwing to low prices iirevailing. the receipts are now very 

 moderate, and it is reported that if no imi>rovement in the 

 niark&t takes place, at least 10,000 bales of the crop will 

 not come to market, but will be held over until next season, 

 when with reduced acreage, antl luobably some improvement 

 in trade, it is hojied that better prices ni.iy be realized. 



WEST INDIAN COTTON ON THE 

 LIVERPOOL MARKET. 



Messrs. Wolstenholme >i: Holland, of Liverpool, 

 write as follows, tinder date of April 13, in reference to 

 the .sales of West Indian Sea Island cotton : — 



Since our last report about 400 bales West Indian Sea 

 Island cotton have been sold, com|)rising Anguilla, Antigua, 

 liarbados, Monti^errat, St. Kitt's, Nevis, and St. Vincent, 

 chiefiy at lorf, to 16rf., with a few bales very choice cotton at 

 IT'/, toHW. 



COTTON GROWING IN JAMAICA. 



A number of hints and recommentlations to cotton 

 growers are given in the March number of the Journal 

 of the Jamaica Agricultural Society. 



'flic middle of August is mentioned as the most suitable 

 lime tor planting' in Jamaica, since this would ensure a dry 

 season (.January and February) for reajjing. If a good stand 

 is ensured l)efore the Gctol)er rain.s. the plants do not get 

 strantilecl by weeds, and the cost of weedini; is nnich reduced. 



'flic time of the fir.st rains of March is recommended as 

 most siutable tnr spring sowing. Planting .should not be 

 (Mintiinied after .\pril, and by fcillowinj: this rule the greater 

 portion of the spring-suwii cmp will be gatlieri-d bi'forc the 

 ,Septend)er rain-. 



Attention is di-awn tn the need of a thorough knowledge 

 (on the i>art of Agricultural Instructors and also of planters) 

 of the contents of the A. H. ('. fif Cotton I'linitiinj, published 

 by the Imperial Department of Agriculture, since this 

 booklet contains fidl information and advice on all points 

 connected with Sea l.sland cotton cultivation. 



The -Ai.oicultural Instructors, it is uri;ed, should 

 endeavour to interest in cotton planting «t least one intelli- 

 j;ent ])lantcr in every locality, and should use trial plots 

 planted by ,-urli men as centres for demonstration to neigh- 

 b(uninu holdci-,. 



