210 



THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS. 



July 5, 1913. 



In a recent number of this journal* was published 

 a re\iew of the West Indian cotton-growing season 

 of 1911-12, and by reference to the figures there 

 presented it will be observed that only one of the 

 West Indian islands exported cotton of an estimated 

 ▼alue greater than the value of the imported corn 

 and corn meal into Barbados during the same year. 

 This island was St. Vincent, with an exi)oit value 

 of cotton amounting, in round numbers, to £4(>,o00. If 

 the figures for Barbados be consulted, it will be seen 

 that [the value of the cotton produced in that island 

 was not as much as that of the corn and corn meal 

 imported. The 1911-12 crop of cotton in Barbados 

 was of an estimated value of £28,112, whilst the 

 value of the corn imports was, in 1911, £33,428. 

 In comparing the value of the cotton returns in 

 other islands with those for imported corn into 

 Barbados differences as regards population, of course, 

 render a strictly parallel comparison impossible, never- 

 theless the contrast helps to emphasize the importance 

 of corn as a necessary commodity in these islands. 



Turning from these statistical considerations, it 

 will be desirable next to deal with matters concerning 

 the actual cultivation of Indian corn. In Barbados, 

 to refer again to the conditions in that island, Indian 

 corn is grown chiefly as a catch crop, planted at 

 wide intervals, in the expectation that the yield will 

 be some 8 or 10 bushels per acre. There is no doubt, 

 however, that if planted closer, corn might be made to 

 yield from -Kl tn ."»0 bushels per acre, and, in fact, yields 

 approaching these figures have already been obtained 

 in the Leeward Islands in experimental trials. 



To continue the subject in more detail, some of 

 the advantages, from an agricultural point of view, 

 attendant on the growing of Indian corn may be 

 next considered. In the first place, the crop is one 

 that occupies the land for only a short time — about 

 three months as a rule; — it is a useful change plant 

 in a rotation system; the cost of cultural operations 

 after planting is small, and on many estates all, or nearly 

 all the work of tillage might be performed by animal- 

 drawn implements. 



But the crop possesses disadvantages as well. Corn 

 is rather a gross feeder, and will give the best results 

 only when the soil is well-prepared and enriched by 

 a fairly large amount nf pen manure or organic matter; 

 corn, it is generally believed by planters, makes a very 

 strong demand on the moisture of the soil, and when 

 used as a catch crop immediately preceding canes, 



*Vol. XTI, p. 22. 



sometimes dries out the soil sufficiently to affect ad- 

 versely the growth of the following crop. ^loreover 

 corn is attacked by some of the insect pests and 

 fungoid diseases that iuA st canes, and by certain 

 insects that also attack cotton, i.e. the cotton boll 

 worm and the corn- ear worm. 



The prmcipal objection, however, on the part of 

 planters to the production of corn on a large scale has 

 been the difficulty in curing and storing the grain 

 If harvested in wet weather the corn has a tendency 

 to mildew, especially if reaped before becoming fully 

 ripe, and, later, the stored grain is open to the attacks 

 of several species of grain-infesting insects. 



In an article on another page of the present 

 number of this journal there will be found an account 

 of the process of curing grain known as kiln-drying. 

 This ingenious process makes it possible to provide for 

 the curing and storing of crops of corn in such a manner 

 as to entirely eliminate what is actually the principal 

 objection to Indian corn as a crop in these islands. 



The investment of capital in newly introduced 

 concerns demands a cautious attitude. Nevertheless, 

 the success, for instance, of co-operative cotton factories 

 should be an encouragement towards the establish- 

 ment of co-operative corn factories; for in these 

 the corn, as soon as harvested, might be dried and 

 stored, and if subsequently attacked by weevils and 

 other pests, the grain could easily be passed again 

 through the driers and the insects exterminated at the 

 beginning of the attack. 



As a result of adopting such a system as this an 

 excellent quality of locally grown corn might always 

 be available for local consumption, and, possibly, in 

 certain islands, for export to other colonies as well. 

 The expenditure on imported corn would thus be 

 largely reduced, and an important asset added to the 

 agricultural resources of the West Indies. Incidentally, 

 the better quality of the locally grown grain would be 

 likely to produce important improvements in the 

 condition of corn-fed animals, and, last but not least, 

 in the health and vigour of those people who use 

 considerable amounts of corn for food. 



An important consideration not to be lost sight of 

 in the development of this industry is the bearing on 

 the yields, and consequently on the profits to be derived, 

 from careful .selection of the seed corn. This might be 

 done on a fiiirly largo scale, in the first instance, in the 

 corn factory where the best ears could be saved for 

 planting. ].,ater, systematic selection on the estates 



