Vol. XVII. No. 431. 



THE AQKICULTURAL NEWS. 



351 



of September have considerably improved the appearance 

 of the Gardens. A large number of Oypre seeds {Cordia 

 gcmscanthi/s) have been received from Trinidad, and plants 

 will soon be ready for transplanting, and for distribution. 

 The old cane crop has re.sponded to the rains of the past month, 

 and the pUnt canes have much recovered. The ratoons, 

 especially in the Valley district, were so badly afiected by the 

 long drought, that only a moderate return is expected from 

 them. , Prospects for the next crop have somewhat improved 

 however, but, Mr. Shepherd states, all depends on constant 

 rain for even an average return. Picking of cotton is in 

 full swing and the returns from all districts are distinctly 

 good. The quality of the lint is also good and uniform. Ot 

 the new crop 9.5 bales have been purchased by the Govern- 

 ment at an advance price of is. per tt. The rainfall for the 

 month was 22 inches; for the year to date, 29'30 inches. 



NEVIS. According to the notes forwarded by Mr. W. I. 

 Howell, Agricultural Instructor, the crops on the whole are 

 -doing much better in consequence of the good rains which 

 fell during September. From the Botanic Station, 13,000 

 sweet potato cuttings were distributed. The cane crop 

 throughout the island has very much improved. Pre- 

 paration for next season's crop is in progress. The 

 cotton crop is very much more piomising and a fair 

 yield is expected; picking from the early iields is in 

 full pr'jgress and good returns have been obtained from some 

 of these. Cotton stainers are very plentiful and the percentage 

 of stained cotton is high. ( !)ver 900 acres are planted in 

 provi-sion crops, chieily sweet potatoes, cassava, and yams. 

 The potato crop will be a large one — perhaps more than 

 can be consumed locally. The rainfall for the month was 

 6'21 inches; for the year to date, 3i'36 inches. 



AGRICULTURE IN GRENADA. 



The progress report on the work of the Agricultural 

 Department for the quarter ended June 30, 1918, a copy of 

 which has been forwarded to this Office, contains matters of 

 interest noted below. 



In the Botanic Gardens, the routine work connected 

 with the upkeep of the economic and ornamental sections of 

 the grounds has been maintained. Considerable interest has 

 been aroused in the efforts to establish an onion industry 

 The small crop of onions obtained from the plot in the Gardens 

 were retailed in single strings, with the object of spreading 

 as widely as possible a knowledge of the quality of the local 

 product. Several imported varieties of manioc have been 

 placed under trial, and the area under tannias extended 

 Sowings of several varieties of edible beans have been made for 

 trial purposes and seed production. Sea Island cotton seed 

 amounting to 800 R. was imported from St. Vincent by the 

 Department for local distribution, and about 4-50 Bb. disposed 

 of at cost price. The list of plants and seeds distributed 

 during the quarter, appearing in the report, indicate the 

 large amount of work in this direction that was successfully 

 accomplished during the period under review. 



Regarding minor industries, there are ample indications 

 that the area put under ground provisions and corn this year 

 will exceed that of any previous year. <;>wners of estate-; 

 have considerably assisted in these efforts by the rental of 

 land for garden purposes at a nominal value, and by them- 

 selves taking up provision growing. The Government also 

 have assisted in a .similar manner. It is further worthy of 

 note that increasing attention is being given to yam 

 cRltivation. 



AGRICULTURE IN BARBADOS. 



The weather for October has been most favoariible. 

 Heavy and continuous rains fell during the first week, but 

 since that time there have been in general only light rains. 



The fair days of the past fortnight have greatly aideiL 

 the planters in making progress with tillage of various kinds. 

 A considerable amount of forking and ploughing has beea 

 done. 



Sheep manure is being extensively used. It would 

 appear that planters are giving a more liberal application of 

 farmyard manure and making up the deficit with sheep man- 

 ure. In addition to this, we understand that several planters 

 are substituting sheep manure this year for early cane 

 manure. 



With the approach of the planting season, planters are 

 discussing the proportion in which they should plaat the 

 diflferent seedlings. It would appear that the B.H. 10 (12^ 

 is going to receive a very appreciable increase ef patronage. 

 This seedling has given proof of excellent qualities, ami the 

 decision to increase its area is to be expected. 



The B. 64.^0 is a tried seedling and it would be well if 

 it were given a fair share of patronage. Its poor germina- 

 tion, with the consequent laborious .supplying before it is 

 established, has caused planters, especially in the drier 

 districts of the island, to look with greater . favDur on the 

 B.H. 10 (12) and the Ba. 6032. 



We recommend that small areas of the B- 3922 and the 

 B.630S be planted, the former in the red soil, as it is an 

 excellent ratooner, and the letter in the black soil. The 

 B.630S will give a good account of itself as a plant cane. 



With tlie increase in the number of fields of pMatoes 

 which are being placed on the market, the supply has grown 

 more plentiful. 



The Indian corn crop is being rapidly disposed of and 

 is growing somewhat scarce. 



The major part of the cotton crop, such as it is, is to be 

 found in the leeward parishes. It is reported to be looking 

 well, and picking has been started. 



The fields under yams present generally t.D excellent 

 appearance and promise well. We have also observed some 

 good fields of white eddoes, but the nut eddo is conspicuous 

 by its absence in many districts, and by its feeble growth 

 in most, (The Barbados Agricultural Reporter, October 19, 

 1918,) 



Power Alcohol — The Experiment .Station Record, 

 •June 1918, contains a note in reference to proposals for the 

 production and utilization of power alcohol in Australia, 

 which are discussed in the Bulletin of Science and Jndui- 

 tries, 6 (1918), of the Australian Advisory Council. This 

 publication include.^ a general discussion of the question 

 of liquid fuels in Australia, the advantages of alcohol as 

 a fuel, and the available sources for its production, with 

 the relative cost of the product from each source. 



The crops suggested as promising for cultivation a a raw- 

 material for the manufacture of power alcohol ari green 

 sorghum stalks, sorghum grain, cassava, and sweet potatoes. 

 As these crops are not grown at all, or only on n small scale 

 in Australia at the present time, it is suggested thai their 

 development may lead to the cultivation of arc<.s suited for 

 other crops, and so niHy assist in diversifica'.ion. It is recom- 

 mended that power alcohol be denatured with 2 per cent, 

 of either the fractions of coal-tar oil distillates, obtained ut 

 a temperature ot In .111 170° to 230°C, or with creosote oij. 



