2(18 



TEE AGRICULTURAL NEWS. 



ArousT 16, 1913. 



Statistics are givSa ia The Board of Trade Journal 

 (.June 5, 1913) concerning sugar production in Egypt during 

 191:;. It is stated that the estimated crop is about 10 per 

 cent, more than that of the previous year. The increase does 

 not appear to be due to more favourable weather conditions, 

 but, to e.xtension of the area under sugar by some 5,190 

 acres and the substitution of the 10.5 .Java cane for Baladi. 



GLEANINGS. 



It is stated in the JJardados Standard (August 7, 1^913), 

 that the next local agricultural exhibition for peasant propri- 

 etors and school children will be held on l)ecen\ber 3, 1913. 



A statement is made in Fopular MicUanics (July 1913), 

 to the effect that, at a recent corn meeting ir. South Carolina, 

 it was said that a yield of 228 bushels per acre of Indian 

 corn was obtained in one of the competitions. 



Ill Antigua, according to the Curator of the Botanic 

 .Static n, cotton planting has been discontinued or. account 

 C'f dry weather. The young cane crop is showing the iilefl'ects 

 cf twc. dry months. 



It appears from the medical report on the Presidency of 

 St. Kitts. Xevis and Anguilia for 1912, that there has been in 

 the three i.slands, respectively, an estimated increase in 

 jpC'pulation during the year of, 123, 158 and 127 



lleferring at a recent meeting of the Antigua Agricul- 

 tural Society to the subject of cotton stainers, a member 

 stated that he had obtained good results by treating cotton 

 seed meal with I'aris green and soap. (Antigua Sun. July 



14, it'ir? 



It is stated Ijy the Agricultural Superintendent, St. Kitts, 

 that the cotton planted early in February i.- now being picked 

 and that the returns are g0"d both in quantity and quality. 

 The cotton planted in June is suffering for want of rain, but 

 that established in May is reported to be satisfactory. 



An improved balance of trade is shown by the Customs 

 returns of the 1,1'nion of Houth Africa for 1912. It is stated 

 in the Aoricidttiral ./(mrtial (April 1913) that the exports 

 increa.-ed by 6 million sterling over those for 1911. As 

 regards the exports of farm products, the greatest increases 

 were sliown in the case of fodder, skins, wool and tobacco. 



Weather in ])emerara, during the end of July, was 

 gatitfactory for the growth of the cane crop, liut unless the 

 conditions continue favourable, the yield of the canes for the 

 reaping at the end of the year is likely to be disappointing. 

 The local sugar market is rising steadily. No sugar was 

 shipped to Canada during the previous fortnight. {Dnihi 

 Araosy Hail Edition, July 19, 1913.) 



Considerable interest has befen shown lately in 'I'rinidad 

 in regard to agricultural banks. A letter in the Fort of- 

 Spain Cir.istie (July 19, 1913) suggests that a probationary 

 or educational j)eri(id is required for peasants in that island, 

 and advocates the institution of Crop Advance ^\'arrants for 

 cacao and other produce. Such a system, it is believed, 

 ■wouM pave the w.iy for more advanced systems of co-opera- 

 tive banking. 



•••J 

 A leading article in the Z>o//'!')i!oa Guardian {J\i\y 11, 

 1913) again draws attention to the glut of limes on the New 

 York market. A letter received from a New ^'ork firm is 

 reproduced, which advises a reduction in the exports for the 

 present, since, owing to excessive supply, prices will be forced 

 down. It is stated further that many limes in the recent 

 sliipments have bf-en small and immature. 



In describing the causes and efiects of the drought of 

 1907 and 190S on the Sal Forest of the United Provinces, it 

 is concluded in an account in Forest Bulletin No. 22, of 

 the Forest Kesearch Institute, that an undergrowth of 

 drought-hardy species is of special importance, particularly 

 in view of the fact that the existence of this soil covering 

 provides protection, and also a reserve in the event of any 

 future destruction of the over-wood. 



A. Statement in Di/dotnati' und (Jonmlar Jitjyorts 

 No. 5103 — Annual Series, shows that in America, Baltimore 

 imported during 1912 from Jamaica produce valued at 

 £205,822; from Trinidad £5+7: from the other British West 

 Indian islands, £10,667. The exports to Jamaica were 

 worth £17,019, and those to other British West Indian 

 islands were valued at £5,191. 



An article in the Troj^i'-al Aciriculturat (June 1913) 

 states that the recent village show held at Kalawellawa was 

 visited by a large number of villagers and headmen, and that 

 the exhibits, which included different kinds of fruits and 

 vegetables, were distinctly creditable. It would appear that 

 the system is of considerable value in arousing healthy 

 competition, and as a means for introducing new varieties of 

 plants and improved methods of cultivation. 



A note in the E'peri/netit .Station Rei;,rd (June 1913) 

 refers to observations showing that the growth of grass 

 is more vigorous in the vicinity of certain natural sources 

 of carbon dioxide. It is believed, from the results of pot 

 experiments, that the growth of crops might be increased 

 by the addition of carbon dioxide to the air in the open field. 

 The author believes that the carbon dioxide would be 

 absorbed by the leaf before it had time to diffivse into the 

 surrounding atmosphere. 



At a recent meeting of the St. \ incent Arrowroot Asso- 

 ciation, it was resolved that, in view of the present market 

 situation, the unsold portion of the 1912-13 St. Vincent 

 arrowroot crop, and the whole of the crop for 1913-14, be 

 held for England at 3](?. per lb., and that a telegram be sent 

 to the As.sociation's Brokers advising them of the resolution. 

 Consequently, for the next eighteen months at least, 

 St. Vincent arrowroot will not be sold in England below 

 3]c/. per !t.. (St. Vincent Stnirii, July 18, 1913 ) 



