Vol. X\II. No. 414, 



iHh AaRlCUL'^lTJlA.L NEWis. 



work, in the shop with wood and iron, and iu 

 the field in the preparation and cultivation of land 

 under various crops: it also includes bii.k-keeping 

 as it ought to be practised on a Philippine farm. For 

 the third year the course retains Bfathtmatics, and 

 enters on (Jhemistry, Zoology, and Agronom}\ The 

 study of this last subject is continued until the end of 

 the course: whereas for Mathematics and Zoology there 

 are substituted in the fourth year Physics and Ento- 

 mology. In his fifth year a student may select one 

 course for himself, while for the last two subjects 

 mentioned. Animal Husbandry and Rural Engineering 

 are substituted. For the sixth year the only obligatory 

 subject is Agronomy, the others being selected by the 

 student. 



The courses in Agrononi}' include practical daily 

 \vork in all the operations on a farm, orchard, or garden, 

 and, in the two last years, special instruction in the 

 cultivation of tropical crops, and also in the principles 

 of plant breeding. 



The four-year couree follows the same lines, but 

 presupposes a higher standard of education to begin 

 Avith, and for its completion there is re<iuired the 

 presentation of a thesis representing a year's work on 

 some agricultural problem. 



That this College is producing good results is 

 evident from the articles appearing in the College 

 Magazine written by students, and giving evidence of 

 thought and study. Practically, the output of many 

 voung men trained on these lines, who will be turning 

 their energies into agricultural pursuits in the 

 Philippines, must lead to continual advance in all 

 agricultural matters in those islands. 



As compared with the West Indies, the Philip- 

 pines have much the same area, and contain not more 

 than a million or so more inhabitants, but whereas the 

 \\'est Indies are politically split up among several 

 nationalities, and speak at least three different lang- 

 uages, the Philippines are politically one, and speak 

 only Spanish, although now the study of English is 

 being encouraged. Still one cinnot help dreaming and 

 hoping that something like the Agricultural College at 

 least of that eastern University may soon be seen in 

 these western islands. 



PROGRESS 



IN OO-OPERATION 

 ANTIGUA. 



IN 



DEPARTMENT NEWS. 



^Ir. S. C. Harland. B.Sc . Assistant for Cotton 

 1 It-search on the staff of the Imperial Department of 

 Aijriculture for the West Indies, arrived at Barbados 

 I'll "March 1, on departmental business. 



Iq the Report on the Agricultural Department, Antigua, 

 1916-17, a general revieiv of which appears on another page 

 of ibis issue, there is an interesting account of the generail 

 progress mude in that island on co-operative lines, much of 

 which is here reproduced. 



During the past few years a coD.siderabie amount of 

 time and attention has been given byAgricultural OflBcers 

 to the question of co-operation among planters. The first 

 move of this kind made in Antigua was in the year 1904 5, 

 when Gum horpes Central Factory was erected. The work- 

 ing of this factory is well known, and comments on it in thi.s 

 report would be superfluous. Aparc from this, however, 

 there has been considerable activity in conne.xion with 

 industries other than sugar-cane growing, and there exi^t in 

 Antigua at the present moment, the Antigua Onion Growers* 

 Association, the Antigua Cotton Growers' Association, and 

 the Antigua Lime Growers' Association. 



It was realized in 1916 that tlir work of these various 

 associations would probably be furthered if a Central Board 

 were formed consistmg of a representative from each or 

 them, together with representatives from the Antigu* 

 Agricultural and Conunercial Society. The outcome of this 

 was the formation in November of the Central Board for 

 Cooperative Organizations. 



The object of this organization is to facilitate the 

 .spread of co operative enterprise in Antigua. It is within 

 the power of the Board to deal with matters in connexion 

 with cooperation not provided for by e.xisting associations, 

 as well as to co operate with the existing bodies to secure 

 development. It is within the power of the Itoard to raise 

 money by loans or by other mean.s, to embark in trading 

 enterprises, to rent or purchase land or buildings, to appoint 

 and organize subcommittees and meetings of private or 

 public character, and to found and regulate organizations for 

 cooperative purposes. 



The Antifiua Agricidtural and Commercial Society 

 during the latter part of the year 1916 referred to the Bard, 

 with the concurrence of His Excellency the Acting Governor, 

 the cjuestion of the shortage of fond supply. The question 

 was taken up by the Board, and in order to obtain informa- 

 tion as to the quantities of foodstuffs planted locally, and 

 also in order to bring the seriousness of the situation home 

 to the peasants, the island was divided into nine districts, 

 each having its own Chairman. The Board was regularly 

 informed as to the quantity of foodstuffs in stock, and the 

 prospect of obtaining further supplies, and thus was kept 

 intimately in touch with the situation as regards the locaV 

 supplies of food. I'lanters were periodically circularized as 

 to the area planted in firovision crop--, etc., and at the sug- 

 gestion of the Board. Dr. Tempany compiled a leaflet on 

 food values. This was subsequently printed, and widely 

 circulated. 



The committee has done a considerable amount of useful 

 work in bringing home to the peiple of Antigua the 

 .seriousness of the position in connexion with food .--upplies. 



This movement indicates that there is a lively spirit of 

 CO operation existing among Anliiiua planters which is wortln' 

 of careful fostering. The following are some of the lines 

 along which co operation in the future may expund. Tht-re 

 is the possibility of stock improvement by cooperation, the 

 obtaining of estate supplies by co-operacive organizations^ 

 and thr introduction anil furthering of new industries. 



