Vol. XIII, Xo. 307. 



THE AGllICULTUEAL NEWS, 



45 



EXAMINATIONS IN PRACTICAL 

 AGRICULTURE. 



QUESTIONS SET FOR 1913. 



In the last issue of this journal the information respect- 

 ing the above examinations concluded with the questions set 

 in the Intermediate Examination on cacao. The following 

 comprises those set in conne.xion with cotton and limes: — 



COTTOX. 



1. Make an examination of the sample of seed cotton 

 provided, and express the results of the examination in the 

 form of a table. 



2. Write an account of the selection and preparation of 

 cotton seed for estate planting. Give reasons for the differ- 

 ent operations referred to. 



3. What methods and precautions must be taken in 

 picking cotton, and in preparing the lint for ginning' 



4. Write a full account of the nature of and damage 

 done by the leaf- blister mite. 



5. How is land prepared previous to the planting of 

 cotton? How much seed is required for planting 10 acres, 

 and how many hands will it be necessary to employ in caring 

 for the crop during the first two months of its growth! 



6. Describe the use of Paris green or London purple. 

 Add a note as to its composition and cost. 



7. Enumerate carefully the characteristics of a desirable 

 type of cotton for cultivation in your own district. 



8. Describe the different uses of cotton seed, both 

 direct and indirect. 



LIMES. 



1. Discuss the subject of wind-breaks and thu provision 

 of drainage on a lime estate. 



2. Give an account of as many scale insect pests of 

 limes as you can, and indicate methods of control. 



3. Give a detailed account of the pcocess of concentra- 

 tiflg lime juice. 



4. Write what you know concerning the picking and 

 packing of fresh limes. 



5. Describe either (a) the manufacture of citrate of 

 lime, or (b) the production of distilled oil of limes. 



6. What work is done in a lime nursery! 



7. How would you proceed to plant 20 acres of cleared 

 land in lime.s! Give details as regards distances, nuniber 

 and variety of plants, labour, etc. 



8. Describe the root system of a lime tree and indicate 

 the .significance of your observations in connexion with inter- 

 culture and general sanitation. 



FiN.\L Examination. 



The following were the questions set in the General 

 Subjects paper. Six questions only were to be attempted. 

 One of these was to be selected from each of the sections 

 A. B. C. D.:— 



A. I'RODUCTION OF PLANTS. 



1. What do you know concerning—'the activities of 

 bacteria in the soil! What effect has partial sterilization on 

 bacterial activity ! 



2. Give an account of any legislation that has been 

 made for the protection of some cultivated plant. 



3. Write a short essay on the subject of the methods 

 that may be employed on estates for the purpose of counter- 

 acting intermittently unfavourable climatic conditions. 



1). riiOUUCTION OF ANIMALS. 



1. Along what lines do you consider improvement 

 desirable in regard to the breeding of West Indian cattle' 

 How would you suggest carrying these improvements inta 

 effect? 



2. Describe any contagious disease of live stock. 

 What preventive measures do yoiurecommend! 



3. From what sources are foodstutfs fed to West Indian 

 cattle obtained! Discuss the economy of buying foodstutis 

 as against growing them. 



'•. CONSTRUCTION ON ESTATES. 



1. Discuss the question of the position of buildings on 

 an estate in relation to efficiency of working the estate. 



2. Write an account of the annual repairs that are 

 required for buildings and machinery on any e.state. How 

 may these repairs be reduced to a minimum? 



3. What factors determine the necessity for draining 

 land? Describe the drainage system on an estate you are 

 acquainted with. 



1). ECONOMICS OF PLANTING. 



1. Give a description of ^ny machinery and simple 

 arrangements you are acquainted with which are essentially 

 labour saving. 



2. How are the byproducts of an estate utilized to 

 increase the general revenue? 



3. AVrite a short essay on agricultural co-operation. 



The Special Subjects paper contained the following, ■)£ 

 which only three questions were to be attempted; — 



.SUliAR INDUSTRY. 



(General.) 



1. Discuss broadly the system of cultivation of the soil 

 for sugar-cane which has been found most suitable for ;he 

 district in which you live. 



2. What do you regard as a desirable rotation of cr ;>ps 

 for your district? Give reasons for your statement. 



3. What are the factors determining the practice Df 

 ratooning on an estate you are acquainted with! Indicate :he 

 extent to which these factors determine the number of years 

 ratooning is carried on. 



(Muscovado Method.) 



1 . The polariscopic test for sugar is of importance in 

 connexion with the manufacture of muscovado sugar. What 

 test should a good sample of muscovado have? Describe the 

 methods of boiling and curing necessary to ensure this. 



2. Give an acrount of the manufacture of syrup. What 

 are the characters of a high class syrup? Discuss the economic 

 aspect of syrup making. 



3. Discuss the economic advantages and disadvantages 

 of the muscovado system, and indicate as fully as you can 

 what steps may be taken for its amelioration. 



COTTON.* 



1. Give the reasons why the district with which you 

 are concerned is suitable for cotton growing What are the 

 periods for planting and picking? What determines these! 



2. Write a general account of the pests and diseases of 

 cotton that have been prevalent in the island in which you 

 live during the last two years. Can you assign any reasons 

 for the prevalence in certain cases? Indicate steps that may 

 be taken in regard to control. 



3. Discuss the position of cotton seed in the economy 

 of an estate. 



* The reiiiainiu;,' ■im'stinns on cii.au and limes will be '^'iveit 

 in next issue. 



