Vol. XII. No. 301. 



THE AGRICULTUKAL NEWS 



367 



WESr INDIAN DEVELOPMENT. 



OPPORTUNITIES FOR ONION CULTIVA- 

 TION IN THE LEEWARD ISLANDS. 



'i'here can be no question as to the reuiuneiative nature 

 of onion cultivation in the Leeward Islands, particularly 

 in Antigua and St Kitts; nor is there any doubt as to 

 the general suitability of the soil and climatic conditions 

 in these places. Some surprise therefore may be felt that 

 the area devoted to this crop is not greater than it is. 

 According to the report of the Agricultural Superin- 

 tendent, Antigua, there were in that island during 1911-12 

 about 55 acres planted in onions, which is a somewhat small 

 area, considering the circumstances that with few exceptions 

 the land in Antigua is very suitable for growing this 

 crop, and that the crop has, so far, suffered from no 

 serious pesta and diseases. Moreover, the onions raised in 

 this island have generally fetched high prices abroad. 

 However, from the fact that the seed imported for the 

 1912-13 crop amounted to 232 lb. — the largest ever received 

 — it is gratifying to be able to expect that during the past 

 year in Antigua a very considerable extension of this cul- 

 tivation has been made. 



In the island of St. Kitts, on the other hand, there are 

 not the same indications of development as are seen to exist 

 in Antigua. Although small areas in St. Kitts may be found 

 planted on estates here and there, very little consideration is 

 given by planters and small growers to what is, undoubtedly, 

 a very paying and reliable subsidiary crop. The report of the 

 Agricultural Superintendent for 1912-13 shows that plots at 

 the Experiment Station have yielded produce worth at the 

 rate of £37 per acre — -a result which should help to attract 

 that attention which the industry deserves. 



The reason for the general reticence towards onion 

 cultivation, particularly in St. Kitts, is entirely due to the 

 want of an established outside market. It is true that from 

 Antigua the exports of onions to Canada have of recent 

 years shown a considerable increase (during 1911, Antigua 

 exported onions to Canada worth .SI, 877, which rose in 1912 

 to .^4,401). Nevertheless, even in Antigua, difficulties of 

 transport and other questions connected with marketing have 

 been felt by the growers, from time to time, but the view 

 may be expressed that these difficulties of transport will dis- 

 appear after the commencement, at the end of this year, of the 

 new steamship service between Canada and the West Indies. 

 As far as Antigua is concerned, the growers in that island have 

 decided to push the industry, and to co-operate in order to 

 facilitate the export of uniform produce. Quite recently, an 

 organization known as The Antigua Onion Growers' Associ- 

 ation has been formally inaugurated. This Association has 

 decided to provide for the inspection of all onions shipped 

 by its members, also, an official brand or stamp, which 

 will be in the nature of a guarantee that the produce 

 exported is well packed, graded and dried. It is hoped 

 in this way to introduce a standard grade for Antigua 

 onions. The Association will makf it their aim to l)e kept 

 informed of the market conditions obtaining in the various 

 centres to which their onions are shipped, and attempts will 

 be made by means of judicious enquiry and advertisement 

 to extend the demand; whilst by co-operating with the Local 

 Agricultural Department (to which the , Association is 

 affiliated) it is hoped to derive lienefit from departmental 

 instruction and advice, as regards all questions bearing upon 

 production. 



It would seem, therefore, in view of the improved 

 communication which will result from the new steamship' 

 service, and of the action which has just been taken 

 in Antigua, and the suitability of Antigua, St. Kitts and 

 even the Virgin Islands for onion production, that the time 

 is now at hand for giving the cultivation of onions the closest 

 attention, with the object of developing a greater trade in 

 this commodity between the Leeward Islands and Canada. 



DOMINICA. 



At present the island of Uoiuinica is steadily progress- 

 ing in prosperity; the high prices obtaining for lime products, 

 the steadily increasing acreage of bearing lime.s, the How of 

 capital, and the generally .satisfactory sea.sonal conditions — 

 all combine to produce an increasing amassment of wealth, 

 and a highly optimistic outlook. Mr. Tempany, B.Sc , F.I.C., 

 Superintendent of Agriculture for the Leeward Islands, from 

 whose report on a recent visit to Dominica these remarks 

 are taken, is further of opinion that the newly established 

 experiments with limes — in some respects the parallel of 

 the now well-known Dominica cacao manurial experiments — - 

 will, in all probability, throw a Hood of light on the soil 

 requirements of lime plants in J )ominica, whilst the success 

 which is attending etlorts to establish subsidiary cultivations 

 like vanilla and coco nuts should in time greatly strengthen 

 Dominica's agricultural position as regards general stability. 

 On one estate, in particular, con.siderable attention has been 

 devoted to vanilla and, at considerable expense, special 

 buildings for curing the beans have been erected. 



Another progressive feature of the year, has been the 

 successful employment of the new ecuelling machine, 

 invented in Dominica for extracting lime oil. This machine, 

 :Mr. Tempany observed t-cuelling limes at the rate of about 

 20 barrels per hour, and extracting something over 2 oz. of 

 lime oil per barrel. In commenting on this rontrivance, 

 Mr. Tempany remarks: 'The main question appears to be 

 whether the market for oil of limes is likely to expand 

 sufficiently to allow of a largely increased production. It 

 must furthermore be remembered that a machine such as 

 this will, if further trials justify the opinion I have expressed, 

 almost certainly obtain a vogue in other citrus-producing 

 areas when it becomes known.' 



It is now widely recognized that the maintenance of the 

 crop-producing powers of Dominica soils will depend chiefly 

 upon the continuation of a high average precipitation of 

 rain, and upon the preservation of humus in the soil. The 

 (juestion of maintaining the supply of humus involves the 

 intelligent combination of stock feeding, the utilization of 

 wild bush and the growth of leguminous and other cover 

 crops. The maintenance of the Dominica water-supply is 

 closely bound up with the preservation of mountain forest- 

 land. In the course of time extensive land developments 

 will almost certainly take place, and during this development 

 the greatest care will have to be exercised, and possibly 

 action taken to prevent the sacrifice of the natural advantages 

 just referred to, which are essential to the island's 

 rainfall. 



The Financier (September 29, 1913) contains a full 

 page article dealing with the Imperial Department of 

 Agriculture for the West Indies. This article, which is based 

 on an interview with the Imperial Commissioner of Agricul- 

 ture during his recent visit to England, reviews the present 

 agricultural position in the British West Indies and the open- 

 ings there for capital. 



