Vol. YII. No. 174. 



THE AGRICULTUKAL NEWS. 



411 



STUDENTS' CORNER. 



Seasonal Notes. 

 Decemukk. 



2lld FoKTNICHT. 



Look for evidence of root fungus in plant and 

 ratooii canes: also for evidence of rinii f'.mgus. Notice 

 the 'dead-hearts ' caused by- moth borers, and observe 

 that cutting thern out checks the pest. Search for the 

 eggs of the borer moth. 



Study the questions of cultivating and manuring 

 cacao : and make a special study of local conditions in 

 the lighcof tke e.xperinients of the Imperial Department 

 of Agriculture, carried out at Dominica, St. Lucia, and 

 Grenada. 



Give attention to the questions of cultivating and 

 manuring lime trees : ascertain what aniount of (lifrfinc' 

 or forking is expedient. Observe the effects of wind- 

 breaks or shelter ou the spread of scale insects. 



Practise the examination of cotton for length, 

 strength, and fineness. Put together notes on the yield 

 of cotton from various fields, and endeavour to account 

 fVir differences observed. 



Questions for Candicl^.tes. 



PEEIJMINAKV IJUESTIOXS. 



(1) Liine is fretjuently iipplied to fields: wliat action 

 does it have ? Give details as to the manner in which you 

 would use lime. 



(2) Why is it nece.'^sary to plnugli cir otherwise stir up 

 soil that is to be used for the grfiwth of agricultural crops ? 

 What nlijects are attained ? 



(.3) Describe the best methods of retaining moisture in 

 soil during periods of dry weather. 



inter:.! EniATK (.HKsTIoNs. 



(1) De.s€ribe the principal niiinurcs useful as providing 

 phosphates. 



(2) Describe a plough, and state how it should be 

 modified, so as to be suited for the various types of soil to be 

 worked. 



(3) In what respect does a surface soil usually differ 

 from the subsoil. 



PROFITABLE AND UNPROFITABLE 

 CULTIVATIONS. 



The conditions which determine the profitable 

 nature or otherwise of the cultiv.ation of various agri- 

 ciltural crops are dealt with in a late number of the 

 Haicailan Forester irml Ai/riculturist, and it is 

 pointed out that the prosperous nature of any agri- 

 cultural industry depends upon an increasing consump- 

 tion of the article produced, favourable labour facilities, 

 and a restricted area of cultivation. Generally speaking 

 when 'these three elements are all present, an 

 a''riciiltural enterprise has every likelihood of succeed- 

 ing. 



Established articles of food, as wheat, sugar, tea, etc., 

 a;-e likely to jjrove profitable, and this is more especially true 

 when the article of diet in question has a wide market, but 

 its production requires .special conditions of climate which 

 limit its growth to restricted areas. 



Another class of tl.iuiisliing agricultural enterprises 

 whose future is equally as [woniising as that of the food- 

 stufis alluded to, is represented l>y such industries as the 

 production of tobacco, nil.hei, mid caniphor, which have 

 eSfWicially limited areas of pi-oduitioii. 



On the other hand, the cnltivatinn of drugs a;id medici- 

 nal herbs is an industry which, on an e.xteusivo scale, is always 

 likely t;> prove unrcniunerative. An example of this was 

 shown by the failure to create a profitable iuduotiy in the 

 growth of ginseng in the United States. Another illustra- 

 tion of the nii.sfortune ajit to overcome the grower of medici- 

 nal idants is furnished by the result of the effoits made to 

 grow cinchona in California some years ago. The extensive 

 use of quinine and its good maiket value encouraged 

 e.vtensive plantings in favouiahle districts. The plants did 

 not flourish, however, and the rapid decline that has taken 

 place in the price of quinine renders it certain that, taking 

 into con.sideration the cost of labour, the imbistiy wouht 

 have been unreinunerative. 



.Another class of industiies referred to, which have of 

 late become increasingly uiqjrofitable is the cultivation of 

 perfumery plants. This is chiefly because the natural 

 perfume has been replaced by .synthetic articles manufactured 

 in the chemical laboratory. 



PRIZE-HOLDINGS COMPETITIONS AND 

 VILLAGE SHOWS AT GRENADA. 



The improvement that has been brought about in 

 the management and cultivation of jjcasant holdings in 

 those districts of Grena'la in which the Prize-holdings 

 Competitions have been held is generally recognized, 

 and it is desirable th.-it the good influence of these 

 competitions be extended throughout the island. If 

 this IS to be done, however, increased financial support 

 from the Agricultural Society is necessary, and the 

 firenada Ch.roairle in its issue of November 2(S last, 

 dealing witli this question, suggests that the Agri- 

 cultural Society should adopt a resolution, urging the 

 Secretary of State to increase the grant to the Society to 

 £500, which would furnish the means of additional aid 

 to the Prize-holdings Competitions, and also to Villagi; 

 Agricultural Shows. 



The following is quoted lr(j|ii the C/i nm icic : — 



A grant of £.oOO would enalde the Society to extend 

 the Prize-holdings ('om|)etitions to all the parishes. The six 

 competitions at £25 each would absorb .£l.oO. Ten \'illage 

 t'om]K-titive Shows, confined to peasaids, and at which prizes^ 

 will be offered for forking, pruning, and draining competitions, 

 should be held annually, to each of wliich the Society would 

 contribute £10. The sum of £25 might, with considerable 

 advantage, be distributed in small prizes lor tin- liest ground 

 ]irovisions and vegetables offered for .sale in the markets. 

 The upkeep of the Society w-ould, as at present, absorb £100 ; 

 Foreign Exhibitions, £50 ; agricultural literature for free 

 distribution, £25 ; experiments and contingencies, etc , £50. 



We are convincerl that £500, ex[iended as we have 

 suggested above, would give an immediate return, as it would 

 snpplv excellent incentives to the peasantry to apply to their 

 holdings the improved methods of agriculture in use on our 

 best cultivated estates. Past results j)rovide ample giiarantee-s, 

 that the money would be properly expended by tht' Society, 

 and that the return will be iniinediate and abundant. 



