Vol. XVII. No. 410. 



THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS. 



were harvested. The reaping of the first crop, it was antici- 

 pated, would not be completed iiaiii late in December. Dry 

 weather eontinued throughout the month, and consequently 

 the late planted cotton fields hold out no great prospect. If 

 the drought continues, the second crop of cotton will be 

 seriously menaced, although the position is not yet hopeless. 

 An active campaign was waged during the month on large 

 hordes of rats, which ravenou'^ly attacked cotton fields 

 and were responsible for considerable damage to the mature 

 -cotton bolls. Over seventy-five rats were killed by poison 

 in one district alone. Their presence was doubtless due to 

 the scarcity of fruit, etc., in the woods, as a result of the 

 ■protracted drought. 



Some difliculty is being experienced in keeping bay 

 plants alive owing to the scarcity of water for purposes of 

 watering. On this account also it was impossible to attempt 

 any work in the onion nursery, and it is very doubtful if 

 the i.sland will produce an onion crop this season. 



The youcg stock received careful inspection during the 

 month, and a few bad outbreaks of tick infestation amongst 

 the horses were promptly attended to. The growth of the 

 young stock received a set-back on account of the scarcity of 

 fresh fodder. 



Dry weather was experienced iu all districts of the 

 island. Vegetition is parched and agricultural activities 

 have become impracticable. Kain fell on three days only 

 during the month, when the total precipitation measured 

 1 '8.0 inches, making the total rainfall for the year to date, 

 ■'•')• 10 inches. 



the lowest we have heard of is 2] inches. Literal 



AGRICULTURE IN BARBADOS. 



The weather for the month of December has been 

 exceptional in every way. Up to the 22ad day of the month, 

 with the exception of the rain which fell on the ISth instant 

 over a very limited area of the island, there was a continu- 

 ation of tlie drought which began early in iNovember. Since 

 the 23rd instant there has been an abnormal rainfall for 

 this time of the year. In some districts 1 2 inches is the 

 record for three days, the 23rd, 2-4tb, and 25th instant, 

 . while 

 rainstorms visited the island on these days. 



We need hardly say how very acceptable the change in 

 the weather has been. It has considerably relaxed the 

 tension of the whole community, both in respect to the crops 

 which are approaching maturity, and to those which have 

 been recently planted. 



The following is the rainfall for the years 1915, 1916, 

 1917, on two estates, one in the centre of the island, and 

 the other in the south: — 



1915. 1916. 1917. 



Centre of island 7931 inches 93'80 inches S4'73 

 South „ 51-29 ,, 55-62 „ 5095 



It will be seen that the total rainfall for 1917 compares 

 well with that of 1915, and yet the crop of 1918, now about 

 to be reaped, will fall far below the standard of that of 1916. 

 ■ This is accounted for by the fact that the period of growth 

 in 1917 was a period of drought, whereas the heaviest 

 rains in 1915 fell in the latter part of the year, when most 

 beneficial.' 



The last quarter of the year is a very important one, 

 and any irregularity of rainfall at that time not only handi- 

 ■■■japs the new crop by a poor start, but it also considerably 

 reduces the vigour and quality of the crop then approaching 

 maturity.. The crop to be reaped next year had a very poor 

 start, and at its journey's end it has experienced an unusual 

 and unexpested drought. It may be that the recent rains, 



followed by a lavoarable -January and February, will reduce 

 the anticipated shortage. We hope so. 



We are glad to be able, to state that the tillage for the 

 new cane crop is almost completed, Everywhere the fields 

 present a satisfactory appearance. It is due to this fact that 

 the late rains, heavy ..s they were, did not cause a severe wash. 



The manuring of the young crop still remains a difliculty 

 for the planters. Numerous pens are being rapidly forced, 

 but the quality of this manure cannot be up to mark. A 

 few weeks of the new year must elapse before these pens 

 will be ready, and doubtle.ss some estates, after starting their 

 crops, will have to cease reaping operations for a short time 

 in order to distribute manure. 



With tlie continuance of favourable weather, the cane 

 crop now being planted should have a much better start than 

 that planted at this time last year, in spite of the fact that 

 supplying on a large scale has been necessary. 



Nothing more beneficial could have happened for the 

 old cane crop than the downpours already mentioned 'in 

 this report. Not only will the growth of the canes be 

 revived, but there will Le considerable improvement in the 

 juice. 



The following totals, compiled from the returns of the 

 various vacuum-pan factories, show the amount of crystallized 

 sugar made in 1916 and 1917 in the island. In the former 

 year 41,10i tons were made, and in the latter 35,895 tons. 



It will be seen that the output of the factories this year 

 is less by 5,209 tons thin last year. This decrease is due 

 to two causes; (1) the lighter crop produced this year, 

 (2) the more remunerative price of syrup. 



We are rapidly approaching the time 'ivhen the open- 

 tayche system will have disappeared, perhaps even in the 

 manufacture of syrup. 



As many as twenty-two estates have changed hands 

 during this year, fetch'lag very high prices in many instances. 



The yam crop, though not an abundant one, has been 

 better than was generally anticipated. It is being disposed 

 of at --$1-20 per 100 ?b : by retail at 5 St), for lOe. The 

 prices at thii time last year were $1-00 per 100 R., and 

 8 ft. for 10c. 



Peas and beans were very plentilul early in December, 

 but at Christmas time the supply was not so abundant, and 

 the price gradually rose from 2c. to 4o. per pint. > Aori- 

 cultural Reporter, December 29, 1917.) 



AMERICAN CORN CAKES. 



The f illowing recipe.?, contributed by a correspondent 

 to the Field, September 29, 1917, may vety likely be usefu 

 to housekeepers in the West Indies, in these days of substi- 

 tutes for wheat flour: — 



Thin Cake. One beaten egg, quarter cup sugar, one 

 tablespoonful melted butter or lard, -one -cap yellow corn 

 meal, one cup flour, half teaspoonful salt, two teaspoons 

 (rounded) baking powder, one cup mill- " '-' '.: ^'reased 

 pan about twenty minutes. 



Spoiiye Corn Cahi. One cup fiour, li.ll -Up jjrn i>iea.L^ 

 half teaspoon salt, half teaspoon soda, one-:bird cup sugar, 

 yulks of two eggs, white of one egg, one tablespoon butter 

 (melted), one cup sonr )nilk. T>ake in shallow round pan or 

 in brick-loaf pan. ._'' 



Indian BannO'i-. One cup corn meal, one teaspoon 

 sugar, one teaspoonful salt, one pint boiling milk. Wh^n 

 cold add two eggs, beaten .separately. Bake in ;% ii, 11 v 

 eaalien dish in a very hot oven, and serve- in t! 

 a pudding. . ■■:.-. 



