44 



THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS. 



January 31, 1914. 



A very interesting article appears in Nature (December 

 2.5, 1913) on the subject of the origin of climatic changes. 

 It is held that volcanic dust must have been a factor — possibly 

 a very important one — in the production of many, perhaps all, 

 past climatic changes. The different ways in which dust ic 

 the atmosphere can affect the weather are considered. 



GLEANINGS. 



The Grenada cacao crop, according to the Superinten- 

 dent of Agriculture, is exceedingly backward all over the 

 island, owing to seasonal peculiarities. With the early 

 receipt of rainfall, however, the crop' should not be short but 

 raerelv late. 



Over 1,000 tons of cotton were sent down to Bangkok 

 this season for export to Japan, principally. The Japanese 

 mills prefer this Siamese short staple cotton for manufacturing 

 cotton crepe. It is understood that the 1,000 ton^ refers 

 to unginned cotton. 



According to the Portof-Spain Oa:ette (January 6, 

 1914) there was a large meeting of peasant proprietors held 

 at Carabichaima, Trinidad, on January 3. The people heard 

 au address on various agritultufal matters ' including the 

 question of co-operation. 



The condition of the crops on the small holdings in 

 Grenada is not as good as it was, owing to the dry weather, 

 though the sugarcane is continuing to grow well. Fair yields 

 from the second corn crop are expected and good qiiantities 

 of sweet potatoes are already being gathered in. 



A rather interesting article entitled Some Notes on a 

 West Indian Coral Island is published in the A'v" Bv.lletin of 

 MisceUaneoits Information, No. 10 of 1913. The island 

 dealt with is Grand Cayman. Interesting ob.servations are 

 recorded in regard to the introduction of plants by the sea. 



At a recent meeting of the Agricultural and Commercial 

 Society of St. Kitts, a discussion took place as to the 

 necessity for introducing a special mark for St. Kitts cotton. 

 Amongst other matters dealt with was the holding of 

 the Annual Agricultural' Show. This will be opened early 

 in 1914. 



It is satisfactory to notice that Canada is watching the 

 efforts which are being made in connexion with an extension 

 of the area under Indian corn, particularly as regards the 

 Leeward Islands. An article on Sir Hesketh Bell's address 

 in Antigua appears in the Cav.ach.-'W'esi' India, Mag'azina 

 (December 1913). 



Since salt is now on the free list of the Lfnited States 

 Tariff it may perhaps be now found possible for islands like 

 Nevis and the Turks and the Caicos Islands to develop 

 a profitable industry. It appears from CoJonial Efj)orts- — 

 Animal No. 763 that the price is kept low by the keen com- 

 petition of the Mediterranean .salt. 



According to Colonial Reports — Annual No. 75S- 

 (1911-12), Ceylon's chief export products in order of value 

 are as follows: tea, 849; rubber, 283: copra, 131; coco-nut 

 oil, 131 ; desiccated coco-nuts, 70; plumbago, 66;areca nuts, 24,. 

 cacao, 23: coir fibre, 13; coco-nuts, 11; coir yarn, 11; citro- 

 nella oil, 10: poonac, 9; tobacco, 8; cardamoms, 6. 



As has been recently pointed out, Antigua is giving- 

 attention to the question of establishing a West Indiaia 

 market in Canada for onions, (^uite recently the idea has 

 been extended by an experimental shipment of tomatoes. 

 The systematic cultivation of Irish potatoes in Antigua is 

 also at the present time being considered by the Agri- 

 cultural Officers. 



According to the Bulletin de I Association des Planters- 

 dfs Caoutchouc (November 1913) the German Committee for 

 the commercial development of the colonies has nominated 

 a special commission for the purpose of studying the questioe 

 of the cultivation of uniform grades of commercial caoutchouc. 

 The commission will work in conjunction with the agricul- 

 tural authorities at the Amani Institute. 



It is stated in The Board of Trade Jmirnal (December 

 24, lal3) that the coffee shrubs on most of the plantations 

 in the Sao Paulo district of Brazil are in a very backward 

 condition as regards both foliage and flowering, owing to 

 lack of sufficient rain and an unusual prevalence of cold 

 winds which lasted till the end of October. It would appear,, 

 therefore, that the next crop will be an exceptionally small 

 quantity. 



After service of thirty-five years as Government Head 

 Gardener at the Botanic Gardens of British Guiana. 

 Mr. J. F. Waby has retired on pension. Mr. Waby was 

 made the subject of a presentation, and in recognition of 

 the retiring officer's able services the Governor has been, 

 pleased to appoint him a member of the Board of Agricul- 

 ture. Further information in connexion with the proceed- 

 ings will be found in the Daih/ Argosi/ Mail Edition- 

 (January 3, 1914). 



A copy has just been received of the Ordinance to- 

 amend the Plants Protection Ordinance, St. Lucia, 1909. 

 This Act is No. 19 of 1913. Its provisions are stringent, 

 giving the Government power to declare any disease or pest 

 as coming within the meaning of the Act, and providing the 

 Agricultural Superintendent or any Inspector, with power to 

 enter land and inspect. Special provision has been made to 

 check the distribution of Love Vine (Cuscuta spp.). The^ 

 penalty for an offence in this connexion is not exceeding £20, 



