V(. ^VII, No. 414, 



THE AGKICULTURAL NEWS. 



75 



.sla.il pliiyls sufficient for 11 acres in the windward 

 flis'ri'-i ims to mark a laudable attempt at establishing 

 a fil'fe industry in that drier part of the island. Most of 

 these plants were obtained from older stations connected with 

 the department, where they had been established by former 

 agricultural officers. In the list of plants distributed we also 

 notice -''JQ*! eucalyptus trees, and 4-59 seedlings of Pioiopis 

 /ulilfora. This latter is known as the algaroba bean tree, 

 and is a valuable shade tree in pastures; the seed pods are 

 also readily eaten by cattle, and form a nutritious food. It 

 appears that these trees will thrive well in Antigua, where 

 they will douhtless benefit the pastures. The distribution of 

 l,.3ii-5 coco-nut plants is an evidence that this cultivation is 

 being extended in the island: in fact it appears that the local 

 market for coco nuts, which in the past depended on imports 

 from Dominica, will soon be adequately supplied from recently 

 planii'd groves. Many other plants and cuttings of economic 

 value, together with a great numbir of seeds, were also sent 

 out. The distribution of such large numbers of seeds and plants 

 of valuable, and in most oases well tested varieties, must tend 

 to the advantage of the various agricultural interests of the 

 island. Among interesting plant importations of the year 

 we notice CarMm coptirn.m or ajowan, a source of thymol, and 

 Possiftora idulis, a hard-skinned, edible species of passion 

 flower. 



The plot experiments in connexion with minor products 

 are carried out on a series of plots at Skerretts on Govern- 

 ment land, less than a mile away from the Botanic Gardens, 

 while varietal and manurial sugar-cane experiments are 

 carried out in conjunction with the planters on estates in 

 different parts of the island. The results of these sugar- 

 cane experiments will be published separately. 



Among the experiments at Skerretts there had been for 

 many years a series in connexion with varieties of sweet 

 potatoes. These experiments appear to have fulfilled their 

 purpose as regards varieties already in cultivation, and they 

 have therefore baen discontinued. Experiments now, how 

 ever, are being begun with seedlings raised from six well 

 known established varieties. • >ne year's experiment is, of 

 course, insufficient to establish reliable data as to the qual- 

 ities of any of these new seedlings, still it would seem as 

 if a few of them might give larger yields than any of the 

 older varieties, and might be equal, or even superior in 

 quality to most of them. The suitability of these new seed- 

 lings to various types of soil, or to differing moisture con- 

 ditions will be well worth observing. Sweet potatoes form 

 a Very large [lart of the vegetable food of these islands, and 

 improved yield and quality will be widely appreciated. 



Another crop, with varieties of which experiments have 

 been conducted for several years in Antigua, is cassava. 

 Until recently not much of this was grown in Antigua. In the 

 year rejmrted on, however, there his been a considerable exten- 

 sion of the cultivation, as is shown by the fact that some 

 14,000 cuttings of the most approved varieties have been dis- 

 tributed from the Experiment station. Cassava is so valuable 

 flour for bread making, either as an adjuust to or as a sub- 

 stitute for wheat tlour, that such extended cultivation is to 

 be commended. It appears that cassava bread is being 

 produced in Antigua, and is meeting with the approval of 

 the public. 



\s might have been expected, the cultivation of other 

 West Indian root crops used f'jr human food — tanirias, 

 eddoes, and yams— has also been extended in the island since 

 tlie threatened serious shortage 'f imported foods. The 

 results of experiments with these i-:iots, undertaken also for 

 m^iny years, must tend to give c'liftlence in selecting ■ the 

 • variety to be planted. 



The onion crop of Antigua is now of some importance^ 

 6,9 iO crates having being shipped from the island during th» 

 season reported on. Interesting experiments are being 

 conducted on keeping onion seed over from one season to 

 allow of early planting, so as to enable the produce to be put 

 on the American marl:"t before the Bermuda crop comes in. 

 A full account of these experiments appeared in the Agn~ 

 ciiltiirrJ Neivs, April 7, 1917. 



Trials in raising crops of Ruta ivaga (Sweediah turnip^ 

 and .Mangel Wurzel, as food for hogs, were fairly suecessftil. 

 It would seem that the latter especially might be culti%-ate(i 

 profitably in the island. 



With regard to progress in the chief industrie.s, the total 

 sugar crop for the season was 18,542 tons, namely 14,9i!9 tons 

 of crystals and 3,01.'3 tons of muscovado. This is probably 

 a record crop for the island, and is due not only to the favour- 

 able weather during the growing season, but also to the fact 

 that so much of the crop is manufactured by the two factories, 

 thus securing a much larger percentage of sugar from the 

 canes reaped. As a result of the high prices obtaining for 

 sugar there has been a considerable increase in the area putt 

 under sugar cane, especially by peasant growers. We notice 

 that the most popular varieties of cane in Antigua are said 

 to be six of the Barbados seedlings — one of them being the 

 Sealy Seedling — and the White Transparent. It also appears, 

 that the I'ba cane from South Africa, introduced some years 

 ago, is becoming increasingly popular on some of the 

 heavy lands. The value of this cane is, that although its 

 sucrose content is low, it produces fairly heavy crops oa 

 poor soils, and is capable apparently of standing protracted 

 dry weather. 



With regard to the cotton industry a decrease in acreage 

 is reported. This was attributed to the high prices foi' 

 sugar, causing many jjlanters to grow more cane and less 

 cotton. The selection of cotton is being continued in order to 

 fix a reliable type .suitable to the local conditions 



A very pleasing feature in the report is the evidence 

 afforded of an increasing spirit of co-operation, not only among 

 those connected with any one particular industry, but all inter- 

 ested in the welfare of the island. Thus the Onion Growers' 

 Association has been followed by the Cotton Growers' Associa- 

 tion, and the Lime Growers' Association, and now representa- 

 tives of these associations, together with representatives of the 

 Agricultural and Commercial Society, are formed into a Cen- 

 tral Board for Co-operative Organizations. The objec; of 

 this board is to facilitate the spread of co operative enter- 

 prise in Antigua. It is to be hoped that its efforts will b& 

 crowned with success, and that co-operation may be adopted 

 in yet other directions. Some of these directions are noted 

 in the report here reviewed. Further particulars on this 

 subject will be found nn another page of this issue. 



The report contains reviews of the work for the year 

 of the associations mentioned above, which are full of 

 interesting matter, and aho reference to the proceedings 

 of the Antigua Agricultural and Commercial Society. 



There arc also appended Rules made by the Covern- 

 or-in-Council for the sale of Crown Lands in Antigua, 

 which appear to be wisely conceived. These especially 

 apply to Sawcolts estat" which has been set apart for a Land 

 Settlement. 



In connexion with the Land Settlement scheme, the 

 Work of agricultural instruction undertaken by officers of the 

 Departnient will undoubtedly have a good effect. 



The report is an interesting one, and shows that good 

 work is being done in many directions by the Agricultural 

 Department of Antigua. 



