Vol. XII. No. 2Si. 



THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS 



STUDENTS' CORNER. 



MARCH. 

 FiusT Period. 

 Seasonal Notes. 



The present time is suitable lor taking note of the vari- 

 eties of cane that are especially adapted to the conditions in 

 which you live. In comparing the growth of the different 

 varieties, due regard should be had to the climatic conditions 

 of the past season. And in this conne.xion it is not alone the 

 total amount of rainfall received that must be considered, 

 but also the distribution of this rainfall. Some varieties of 

 cane are net only unsuitable for districts of low rainfall but 

 also will not flourish in districts where, in spite of a high 

 total rainfall, the precipitation is badly distributed. Shallow- 

 rooting varieties, like B.1753, appear to be unable to 

 grow well under these conditions, whereas a deeper rooting 

 variety like B. 208, although requiring a larger quantity of 

 moisture during the course of its life-history, can neverthe- 

 less tide over short periods of drought more easily than can 

 many other canes having different characteristics. 



Another important matter at this time of the year in 

 regard to the sugar-cane, is the effect of the juice'from bored 

 cine upon that of healthy cane in the factory. It is believed 

 that a very small quantity of juice from cane attacked by 

 borer and by the red rot fungus, can seriously interfere with 

 the tempering of the juice. Those who are connected with 

 a factory may be able to devise an experiment for obtaining 

 definite evidence on this point, whilst all should endeavour 

 to prevent as far as possible, diseased canes from being sent 

 to the factory in ordinary practice. 



(2) Give details as to the methods and cost of provid- 

 ing (a) a living fence (b) a living . wind-break. 



I'l.V.VL Quusiaoxs. 



(1) Describe any disinfectants you are acquainted 

 with. How may these be employed usefully on the estate? 



(2) Discuss the advantages that accrue from the taking 

 of regular inventories, on estates. - What things on the estate 

 would you class as representing fi.xed capital and circulating 

 capital, respectively? 



In many places the picking and curing of cacao will be 

 in progress. This should lend a lively interest to the article 

 on the nature of cacao fermentation which appears in this or 

 the succeeding issue of the Agricultural News. It will be 

 learnt from this article the reason why fermentation has so 

 much effect on the flavour of the nibs, and hence why 

 fermentation is an important matter from the business point 

 of view. Ydu should always endeavour to regard natural 

 science from the aspect of application a,s well as from the 

 point of view of its value as fresh information. 



The benefits to be derived from giving proper care and 

 attention to cacao trees were dealt with in an article in the 

 last issue of this journal, and the yields from trees nineteen 

 to twenty-one years old were there recorded. In the current 

 or succeeding issue, the article on the effect of grass on fruit 

 trees should be considered in relation to cacao orchards and 

 rubber plantations, particularly in regard to the matter of 

 mulching and the practice of weeding around the base of the 

 trees. 



Questions for Candidates. 



I'UELIMINARY QUESTION.S. 



(1) How does milk of lime assist" in clarifying cane 

 juice? What is the result of using an excess of lime? 



(2) Explain clearly, with examples, the difference 

 between (a) sexual reproduction and vegetative reproduction; 

 and the difference between (b) fertilization and pollination. 



INTEMfEDIATE QUESTIONS. 



(1) AVrite a short account of the use of scientific names 

 of cultivated plants, and of the sciectific names of the fungi 

 and insects by which these plants are parasitized. 



DEPARTMENT NEWS. 



Mr. A. H. Kirby, H.A., Scientific Assistant on the 

 Staff of the Imperial Department of Agriculture, lefb 

 Barbados for England on March -">, by the R.M.S. 

 'Magdalena', on two and half months leave of absence, 

 previous to taking up the duties of his new appoint- 

 ment as Assistant Director of Agriculture in Southern 

 Nigeria. 



On the recommendation of the Imperial Com- 

 missioner of Agriculture, the Secretary of State for the 

 Colonies has approved the acting appointment of 

 Mr. W. R. Dunlop, as Scientific Assistant of the 

 Imperial Department of Agriculture. 



Mr. F. W. South, B.A., Mycologist to the Imperial 

 Department of Agriculture, returned to Barbados on 

 February 19, from Montserrat, where he had been 

 conducting investigations in rugai'd to root diseases in 

 that island. Mr. South is expected to leave Barbados 

 on March 19, en route for the Federated Malay States 

 where he will assume the dirties of his new appoint- 

 ment as Chief Agricultural Inspector. 



Mr. P. T. Saunders, M.R.C.V.S., Veterinary Officer 

 on the Staff of the Imperial Department of Agriculture, 

 returned to Barbados on March 5, by the R M.S. 'Mag- 

 dalena' from Grenada, where he had been engaged 

 in investigation.s on certain diseases of live stock. 

 Mr. Saunders has been nominated an official delegate 

 to the forthcoming West Indian Conference on Tuber- 

 culosis to be held at Trinidad, and he is expected to 

 leave for that Colony on March 24. 



Maximum Profit from Pen Manure.— The 

 indifferent and careless management of pen manure means the 

 loss of large qiiantities of available plant food. Liquid 

 excrement is more valuable than solid, pound for pound. 

 Water-tight floors and plenty of absorbents are necessary to 

 prevent its waste. All pen manure is more valuable fresh 

 than after storage. Leaching by rains is one great source of 

 loss. .Manure heaps loosely made and located under the 

 eaves or on hillsides lose half of their value. Large losses of 

 nitrogen occur by fermentation, noticeable by the smell of 

 ammonia. This is due to organisms which require air. 

 Packing the manure pile with a dip to the centre and keeping 

 it soaked with water, keeps out the air and reduces fermenta- 

 tion. Fresh manure may be spread at once on moderately 

 level fields. There is little loss by fermentation, and the 

 plant food leaches into the ground. (From Bulletin No. 221, 

 of the University of Wisconsin.) 



