Vol.. XIII. No. .320. 



THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS. 



2.5.3 



STUDENTS' CORNER. 



The tirst |iivliiiiiiiaiT tiUfstioii in the last issue was: 

 Deseribe the (listril)iuioii and function of stoiuata in the 

 leaves of the sugar-eane. A short article in the present issue 

 will show that this subject is of considerable interest and 

 importance; the distribution ami luiniber of stoniata, apart 

 from their physiological significance, are likely to be of value 

 as a means of identifying certain varieties which are difficult 

 to deternune from their general characteristics alone. In 

 referring in his answer to the function of stoniata the student 

 should clearly indicate the relationship between respiratory 

 changes and assimilation and in<licate the conditions under 

 which transpiration occurs. The second question which dealt 

 with the soil, asked for an account of the composition 

 of the soil on the estate the student is connected with. The 

 answer to this question naturally depends upon local condi- 

 tions, but reference will be niade to the humus content of the 

 soil and to whether the land is rich or otherwise in calcium 

 carbonate. In a general way information will be given to 

 show the origin of the soil, whether transported or formed 

 in situ, whether derived from volcanic ash or from coral or 

 other formations occurring in the West Indies. From 

 a chemical point of view some reference will be made to any 

 striking characteristics as regards chemical compcjsition as for 

 in.stance the presence of iron compounds 'in the red soils of 

 Barbados or the deficiency of potash in the lighter soils of 

 the Leeward Islands. 



There are se\'eral reasons for destroying old cotton 

 plants at the end of the sea.son, a matter whi^-h was questioned 

 upon in connexion with the intermediate candidates. The 

 princiijal reason is to preserve a close season for the purpose 

 of iuterrui)ting the life cycle of varioits pests, particularly the 

 leaf l)lister mite, and to en.snre the destruction of infested 

 material. A close season also leads to the production of 

 more nnitorm cotton at a time favouralile for its co-operative 

 .sale. The .second (|uestion which asked for an account of 

 cacao budding in the West Indies will be answered by those 

 wh(j have not had practical experience in the matter on the 

 basis of an editorial and a special arti<'le on the suliject which 

 appeared in the A'l lindlural Ncc's a short time ago. 



In the final questions information was a.sked for concern- 

 ing the concentration of lime juice. The prpce.ss of concentra- 

 tion whether carried on in (>\Kn tayches or in steam-heated 

 vats is always accompanied by loss cnving to a charring etfect 

 which naturally becomes greater as the higher degrees of 

 concentration are reached. The loss is greater in the case of 

 juice heated in open vats. The main olyect in concentration 

 is to reduce the volume rif the juice so as to lessen correspon- 

 dingly the cost of package, freight ami other charges. IJut 

 from the tact that a lossalwaj-s occurs, it is necessary to know 

 the most economical stage to which to carry the operation. 

 This optinmm jjoint, as it may be cidled, is that at which the 

 loss in concentrating exceeds the gain by saving of charges. 

 These matters Avill lie found fully discussed in Chapter XI of 

 Panqihlet No. 72 issued liy tlie Iin])frial Department of Agri- 

 culture under the title of Lilac Cultixatii.n in the West Indies. 



As to the views of the student on the possibilities of 

 implemental tillage in the West Indies these need not liave 

 been limited l>y the extent of his actual experience in connex- 

 ion with the subject. In a general way the student will 

 appreciate certain circumstances which are of special interest 

 in the West Indies in regard to the matter. In the mountain- 

 ous islands, inqilemental tillage is im.ire or less out of the 



question, but in the flatter col.inies like Antigua there is 

 a considerable jjossibility that implemental tillage already 

 employed will become extended if labour conditions cease to 

 imi)rove. In larger places like Trinidad and British Guiana, 

 the possibilities before implemental tillage are very great, and 

 indeed in all tropical continental countries where fresh land 

 has to be ojjened up and where dangers of disease have to be 

 faced it is frecpiently found more practicable to employ motor 

 power for transport and cultivation than men and animals 

 which require greater care and attention. In regard to the. 

 mechanical sources of ]5ower for cultivation purposes, do not 

 forget explosives. 



Questions for Candidates. 



l'Kl:i,I.\UX.\UV y L ESTIONS. 



(1) How do non-leguininous crops, used as green 

 dressings, Ijenefit the soil? Give three examples of such crops. 



(2) Wh-At are the chief grasses used in your district for 

 fodder.' How are they respecti\-ely affected \iy dry weather? 



INTERMEDIATE QUESTIONS. 



(1) Descrilie how you would proceed to plant out an 

 acre of cleared land in limes. 



(2) Explain 'feed unit', 'ulbuminoid ratio', and 'digestible 

 constituents.' 



FINAL QUESTION'S. 



(1) Write a short essay on the present prices cjf lime 

 products. 



(2) What precautions do you take on your estate with 

 a \iew to the pi-eventi(jn of plant disease and insect attack? 



Cirndar No. 113 of the Univer.sity of California College 

 of Agriculture, announces the institution of correspondence 

 courses in agriculture. These courses are designed for fanners 

 in the States, or jier-sons expecting to take up land in California 

 who desire specific and detailed information regarding the 

 production of certain farm crops or animals. Two 

 lessons are to be sent to each student as soon a.s 

 enrolled in a course, with questions upon each lesson. 

 On completing the first lesson, the answers to the 

 ctuestions should be disjiatched and the second lesson begun. 

 A third lesson will be mailed after the receipt of answers to 

 questions on lesson 1, with corrections of the same. (3n 

 receipt of answers to questions on lesson II, a fourth lesson 

 will be sent, and so on to the end of the course, the student 

 being constantly supplied with a lesson to lie studied. 



The Board of Trade has received, through the Foreign 

 Office, copy of a desjiatch from H.M. Amiiassador at Wash- 

 ington, reporting that an International Dry-farming C'ongress 

 and Soil-products Exhibition will be held at Wichita, Kansas, 

 from October 7 — 17, 1914. (Thi^ Board of Trade Journal for 

 .June 18, 1911.) 



Mr. H. A. Tempany, B.Sc, Superintendent of Agricul- 

 ture for the Leeward Islands who attended the recent Inter- 

 national Rubber and Products Exhibition has furnished this 

 olfice with copies of some small j)amphlets issued for distribu- 

 tion at the exhibition describing the \'arious Presidencies in 

 the Leeward Islands. The publications will no doubt have 

 served a useful purpose in the matter of bringing resources of 

 the islands describ(.>d before the visitors to the Exhil:>ition. 



