Vol. XII. No. 302. 



THE AORIOULTURAL NEWS 



371 



DO MIX IC A: REPORT OX Till-: AGRICUL- 

 TURAL DEPARTMEXT, I'.il.i-l-;. 



This report, which is now being distributed, shows that 

 the weather in Dominica during 1912- 13 was, unlike that of 

 the previous year, generally fine and the rainfall considerably 

 below the average. From an agricultural point of view, the 

 climatic conditions were very favourable throughout the 

 Presidency. 



Work in the Gardens and the nurseries receives atten- 

 tion first in the report. It is interesting to note that the 

 collection of coniferous trees continues to thrive satisfac- 

 torily. As well as being ornamental, these trees are of 

 cocsiderable economic value as a source of hardwood and 

 resin, and as wind-breaks, though up to the present these 

 trees have only been grown experimentally and not for 

 economic purposes in Dominica. It is suggested in the 

 report that other species might be introduced. 



EXTENSION OF ARE.\ UNDER c'lKFEE AND VANILLA. 



The total number of economic plants distributed from the 

 Gardens during the year under review was 75,146 as com- 

 pared with 76,363 in 191112. The distribution of lime, 

 grapefruit, and particularly coffee plants shows a great 

 increase; a reduction has occurred, however, in the number of 

 Para rubber and vanilla plants sent out. Planters appear to 

 be holding back rubber planting until it is seen more defin- 

 itely what the tapping returns per acre are going to be. The 

 current prices of plantation Para may also be e.xerting some 

 influence in this respect A considerable extension of the 

 area under vanilla is likely to follow the success which has 

 recently attended efforts in regard to the curing and ship- 

 ment of this minor product. 



In connexion with the above references to rubber, 

 attention may be called to the section dealing with Castilloa 

 elustira. Eight quarterly tappings have shown that this tree 

 does not give satisfactory returns in Dominica — a negative 

 result of great importance. On the other hand, much 

 success has followed endeavours to cultivate Eucalypts in 

 Dominica. What is required, from the economic aspect, 

 are species suitable for growing in exposed situations for 

 the provision of cordwood for fuel in the manufacture 

 of lime products. Ewali/ptus >■ oticornis, E citriodora, 

 E. ri'dis, E. roslmta, E. coriiv.ta, amongst others, will 

 answer this useful purpose. 



MYCOLOOICAL INtOK.MATION. 



Turning to the subject of fungus diseases and their 

 control, the report provides valuable information on several 

 interesting points. The so-called stem canker disease is due 

 probably to physical causes — chieily occasioned by exposure. 

 The black root disease, on the other hand, is induced by 

 fungus {Rosdlinia si>. ), which spreads by means of spores 

 above ground, and by thf aid of mycelium below. Red 

 root disease (Sphaerostillif sp.) also infects by means of 

 mycelium in the .soil, and possibly by spores also. In the 

 case of all these troubles remedial and preventive measures 



are given, but there is no doubt that the harmfulness of the 

 diseases i.s greatly accentuated by a wet season. Drainage 

 and the application of lime help to counteract this climatic 

 encouragement. 



HKill I'lIIUKS AND in(;eeased e.kports. 



Progress in the chief industries of Dominica coniimies 

 to be satisfactory. Evidence of the confidence of ca[)itih-t8 

 in the staple cultivation — the lime industry — is shown by 

 the development of planting during the past .six years. 

 Within that period no less than 326,000 lime plants have 

 been sold from the (lovernment nurseries to local planters. 

 The exports of lime products are equally encouraging. As 

 against 311,377 gallons of raw lime juice shipped in 1911, 

 508,766 gallons were exported in 1912. This increase was 

 chiefly occasioned by a growing demand for the commodity 

 in Canada The exports of citrate of lime, however, fell on 

 account of the above increase. The demand in London for 

 citrate of lime is firmer than that in Canada for lime juice, 

 and it may be prophesied with a fair degree of confidence 

 that a few years will show a steady increase in the shipments 

 of citrate of lime to the United Kingdom. 



The exports of fresh limes show a slight increase. 

 Proper marketing methods are vital for the maintenance of 

 this industry. If the current tendency to ship inferior grades 

 continues, the excellent demand which now exists is bound 

 to fall off. The appointment of a representative of a Xew 

 York firm in Dominica has served a useful purpose in this 

 respect. 



Lime oils continue to command excellent prices, and 

 satisfactory progress in the future is indicated in regard to 

 this branch of the citrus industry. Of a special interest in 

 the present connexion is the new ecuelling machine invented 

 in Dominica for the extraction of lime oils. This invention 

 when it becomes known is likely to be employed very 

 extensively in all citrus-growing countries. 



EDUCATION AND EXPERIMENTAL WORK. 



Efforts connected with instruction in agricultural matters 

 have met with very great success. The Prize holdings 

 Competitions of past years have had a solid infiuence on the 

 peasant's point of view, as is evinced by the circumslancc that 

 advice is followed, even solicited, without any immediate 

 encouragement in the form of money prizes. In regard to 

 the instruction of agricultural pupils at the Botanic Gardens, 

 the report shows the existence of a satisfactory standard. 

 Good work in the face of certain diflSculties is also being done 

 in regard to science instruction at the Grammar School. 



The section of the report dealing with the special 

 investigations of agricultural otticers contains the report of 

 the select committee appointed by the Legislative Council to 

 enquire into the subject of the necessity for experiments on 

 lime cultivation and manuring. The Council is advised in 

 this report to vote the necessary funds for carrying out these 

 investigations, particularly in the direction of selection work. 



The Dominica cacao manurial experiments, which have 

 attracted so much attention in different parts of the Tropics, 

 again show that great financial benefit accrues both on low- 

 lying and on hillside lands from mulching, and to a some- 

 what less extent from the application of cotton seed meal. 

 The average of six years' continuous trial shows that the 

 application of mulch produced a mean increase of yield 

 amounting to 725 B). of cured cacao per acre If it is assumed 

 that cured cacao is worth Qd per ft), and that the cost of 

 application amounts to 60s. per acre, then the net profit 

 resulting from the application of the manure is 302s. 6(/, 

 per acre. 



