Vol. XVII. No. 42l\ 



THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS. 



205 



DOWN THE ISLANDS. 



ITEMS OF LOCAL INTEREST- 



oT. viNUENT. ilr. W. X. Sands, the Agricultural Super- 

 intendent, describes operations of a routine nature both in 

 the Experiment Stations and Botanic Gardens during the 

 month of May. He states that land throughout the island 

 was being prepared for planting in cotton and other crops. 

 The cotton planted has germinated well. About 3 tons of 

 selected cottou seed was distributed from the Ginnery for 

 planting purposes. Exports of various food products and of 

 stock wore made to the neighbouring colonies. (J wing to the 

 efforts made, the position in regard to local foodatuft's was 

 most reassuring. A gas-tight store for dry food products has 

 been erected at the Ginnery. The destruction of food plants 

 of tli8 cotton stainer, including the Tobago Bread-nut tree 

 {P'U/iira atpia/iia) and bois Hot {Ochroma lagopiis), is 

 being continued. The Barbados blackbird, or 'Bequia 

 sweet' {Qui seal us furtirostris) has been placed on the list of 

 locally protected birds. 



The Agricultural Superintendent, by notice and other- 

 wise, made known to cotton growers throughout the island 

 the fact that the local Government would purchase all the 

 Sea Island cotton of the 1918-19 crop on behalf of the Admir- 

 alty, at the same prices as were paid last season. It is hoped 

 that not less than 1,0(X) acres of Sea Island cotton, will be 

 planted. Cotton growers in Bequia are said to have beau much 

 depressed by the failure of the crop last season, but the 

 campaign against the food-plants of the cotton stainer, and 

 the careful destruction of all cotton stalks have reassured 

 them, and also served as a useful and instructive object-lesson. 

 ST. LUCIA. Work in the Experiment Station and Botanic 

 Gardens during the month of April was of a routine character, 

 and included the making of farine and sweet potato flour, 

 and planting cassava and potatoes. Plant distribution 

 included 100 lime seedlings, 19 budded oranges, 2 orna- 

 mental plants, and 148 packets of vegetable seeds. The reaping 

 of cacao and sugar-cane was in progress, while the lime trees 

 were fiowerinp, and land was being cleared for an extension 

 •of lime cultivation. The rainfall recorded for the month 

 was: Botanic Gardens, Castries, 1 41 inches; Agricultural 

 and Botanic Station, Choiseul, I'l-o inches. 



During the month of May a continuation of operations 

 •commenced in April is reported by the Agricultural Super- 

 intendent. Plant distribution compiised: limes, 950; cacao, 

 100; banana and plantain suckers, 60; grafted mangoes, 6; 

 ornamental plants, .50; vegetable seeds, 160 packets; Gliri- 

 cidia cuttings, 2-j; ornamental cuttings, 6. The cacao and 

 cane crops were practically over; limes continued flowering, 

 aii^ preparation for an extension of lime cultivation was in 

 progress. The rainfall for the month was as follows: 

 Botanic Gardens, Castries, 12 36 inches; Agricultural and 

 Botanic Station, Choiseul, 6 24 inches. 



DOMINICA. Both in the Experiment Stations and in 

 the Botanic Garden necessary cultural operations were 

 carried out during the month of May, Plant distribution 

 included: limes, 77-5; budded citrus, 47; grafted mangoes, 3; 

 coffee, .^0; and miscellaneous, il2. In addition, 20 B). of 

 horse beau.«, and 240 packets of vegetable seeds were sold. 

 The rainfall for the month was -^'QO inches. 



■MONTSEKRAT. The weather during the month of May 

 was unfavourable for planting operations in the Experiment 

 Stations. Plant distribution included the following: Bay 

 plants. 87.5; lime seedlings, 1,150; potato cuttings, 2,500; 

 cassava cuttings, 1,125; black-eye peas, 11 fc. ; pigeon peas, 

 3 %. In the Botanic Station self-fertilization of cotton 

 flowers on the breeding plot was commenced; four distilla- 

 tions of bay leaves were made with good results; a distilla- 

 tion of growth of the ajowan plant was made, and the 

 resulting oil sent to Antigua for examination. 



Begarding staple crops, Mr. Robson states that the major 

 portion of the cotton crop has been planted, although the 

 weather has not been favourable for germination, and many 

 fields are irregular. The area pUnted early in March is 

 suftenng from want of rain, and the outlook for the 

 crop at the moment is not bright. (Jn certain areas 

 planted in cotton, much trouble is being experienced 

 with devil's grass (Cyumioii dacfvlon). Excepting the 

 loss of seedlings through attacks of the caterpillar of 

 Pruiknia sp., which is not very general or severe, 

 there will be little trouble Mr. Robson says, in getting the 

 crop established, provided the weather continues favourable. 

 An incipient form of root disease is often noticed, associated 

 with seedlings growing under unfavourable conditions. 

 Observations have been continued on the question of the 

 association of silk-cotton trees and cotton stainers, and 

 judging from the general prevalence of the insects, this 

 may prove to be a season in which the cotton stainer 

 may be regarded as being more abundant than usual. 

 Considerable interest is being shown in the planting 

 of bread and cheese hedges, a fair supply of seeds now 

 being available. The rainfall recorded at Grove station 

 was 3 01 inches; the total precipitation for the year to 

 date is 1820 inches. 



NEVIS. Welcome showers fell during the early part of 

 May, which enabled the various plots in the Experiment 

 Station to be planted. The following plants, seeds, etc, 

 were distributed: 108 bags sweet potato cuttings, 707 lb. 

 cotton seed, 12 ft), black eye pea?, 12i ft). Para peas, 5,100 

 cassava cuttings, and 1 ft), of seed corn. Reaping of the old 

 cane crop has been completed. Cotton planting throughout 

 the island was in full progress during the month. The 

 germination, on the whole, is very good, and the fields have 

 all :aade a good stand. Over 2,000 acres are already planted, 

 and it is estimated that no less that 3,000 acres will be put 

 under cultivation in Nevis this season. A large acreage of 

 provision crops was planted during the month, and the 

 position, says the Agricultural Instructor, Mr. Howell, is 

 now much more satisfactory. The rainfall for the month 

 was 6 14 inches; for the year to date, 16 93 inches. 



BARBUDA. Notes ou iteius of interest concerning the 

 Antigua Government estate of Barbuda for the months of 

 •January and February, by the Agricultural Instructor, Mr C. 

 A . Gomes, have now come to hand. As ». result of the protract- 

 ed drought which prevailed, the reaping of the first crop of 

 cotton was completed in .January, the total yield being 29 bales, 

 weighing 7,157 ftj. of lint. The scarcity of fodder caused by 

 the drought seriously affected the live stock, and there were a 

 few deaths among young horses, older mares, and cows. 

 Very high northerly winds prevailed throughout the two 

 months. According to the record.s, February was the sixth 

 month of continuous drought, which has resulted in the 

 complete cessation of all agricultural activities. A continu- 

 ation of this state of affairs much longer, 'ays Mr. Gomes, 

 will mean disaster to all crops and live stock on the island. 

 In January 1'15, and in February 205 iuohcs of lain were 

 registered. 



