Vol. XIII. Xo. 325. 



THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS. 



327 



to just over 17 per cent. There is -evidence of an 

 increasing trade with other countries, that is to say, 

 places other than the United Kingdom, the United 

 States and Canada. A big tailing off is shown in 

 rcgani to the shipment of sugar to the United King- 

 dom, whilst a gencial decrease has occurred in the 

 case of Jamaica's greatest prijdnct — fruit. This wasdtie 

 largely to the unfavourable seasons of recent years, but 

 it is satisfactory to note that there is a corresponding 

 improvement in the output of coco-nutsj dyewoods and 

 tobacco, these being articles which are either neglected 

 in more prosperous times, or which are more or less 

 uninHuenced by seasonal conditions. In the near 

 i'uture an increa.se i>f the e.xports of essential oils is 

 looked for, and there is no doubt that next year there 

 Avill be large alterations all round, particularly in 

 regard to the export of sugar, fiuit. cacao and dyewoods 

 to the Unitefl Kingrlom. 



An interesting table is gi\(n in the report undei- 

 consideration, which affords a bird's-eye view of the 

 relative importance to the island of its staple 

 products, and of its minor products. Fruit comes first, 

 being about 50 per cent, of the value of the total 

 exports; the lowest position is occupied by sugar — 

 2 per cent. During the la.st three years the shipment 

 of cacao has increased; 3"() per cent, in 1911, the value 

 of this product in 1!)18 was .5"2 per cent. 



Agriculture in Ceylon. 



Inteiesting information is contained in Colo- 

 nial Reports — Annual (Supplruientary) No. 797 for 

 •Ceyl<in in legard to agiiculturo in that colon v during 

 1912. 



In the section dealing with the Department of 

 Agi'iculture, it is stated that it has been reorganized on 

 :i completelv new footing, t'l meet the needs of the 

 jjlanting couuiiunity and of rest-arch work. 



A trial of cotton growing in the south of the 

 island has proved successful. The variety experi- 

 mented with was Allen's long staple American Upland. 

 The coco-nut crops of 1912 were shorter than they 

 should have been, owing to the drought of the two 

 previous years. Cacao, on the othi-r hand, passed 

 throutrh one of its best vears. Piic^-s were, on tht' 

 whole, higher than in previous times. 



Dealing with di.seases of animals, the rejjort states 

 that rinderpest prevailed in the North-Central and 

 North Western Provinces during April, 'May, and June. 

 The tiital muuber of cases was iMOS, of which (3,09tj 

 died, and 717 were shot. Th>;-iv were also 48.5 cases 

 reported of tbot-and-mouth disease. None of the.se 

 disea.ses occur in the West Indies. 



With regard to the settlement of Crown lands, the 

 report states that during th.- year 1912 an area of 

 about 9(1,000 acres was settle"!. The confidence of the 

 pe<tple in the tidiness of the settlements offered con- 

 tinues, and the increased facilities tiir acquiring lanil 

 from the Crown are appreciated. Except in special 

 cases, the alienation of Crown land in Ceylon is effected 

 h\ the sail- of the freehold at public auction. 



Vegetable Growing in Antigua for Canadian 

 Market During "Winter Months. 



At a recent meeting of the Antigua Agricultui'al 

 Society, Mr. T. Jackson, Agricultural Superintendent, 

 read an important paper concerning the possibilities 

 of developing a trade in vegetables with Canada during 

 the winter months. It was pointed out that Antigua 

 should be able to compete successfully even with 

 Florida, Cuba and Poi-to Ricoduiing the winter months 

 because of the risk caused by the occurrence of frosts 

 in Florida, heavier fi-eight chai'ges, and the fact that 

 most of the Culiau .uid Porto Rico sup|)ly is consumed 

 in New York. 



The rea.son why this idea has not been taken up 

 seriously in the past seems to be because of ditticulties 

 attendant on [)ackiiig and shipping. Experience in 

 regard to the cultivatitm and exportation of oiii<jns, 

 however, has already pro\'ided information which will 

 enable these deterrent factors to be overcome. As 

 regards the condition in which vegetables from Antigua 

 maybe expected to arrive in Cau'ada trial shipments 

 have already shown that even such ^Jerishable vegeta- 

 bles as tomatoes and pumpkins have arrived in good 

 condition and have .sold at a piofitable prices. It is 

 essential of course that only sound vegetables should 

 be exported and that attention be given to packing, 

 and to \ariation in regard to age and maturity. 

 In fact the chief difficulties seem to lie almost 

 entirely on the part of the producers, but with the 

 same expenditure of energy and skill that has been 

 shown in resrard to onions there is little doubt but 

 that more perishable produce could be raised and 

 exported with profit. 



In the event of Antigua taking up this industry, 

 Mr. Jackson advi.sed that it might be best to utilize 

 the cane banks of early fields for such crops. This 

 would not necessitate a reduction in the area uniler 

 cane and would be economical in other ways. As regards 

 source of seed, it was pointed out that selected seed <jf 

 acclimatized vegetables is generally better than that of 

 imported kinds. It was advised that standard varieties 

 of the following should be grown in small (]uantities: 

 egg plant, j^umpkin, sweet pepper, (K-hio, squash, 

 water melon, tomatoes, cucumbers and beet root. 

 Potatoes were omitted because these were deserving of 

 a special note, for it has been definitely proved that 

 certain lands in Antigua can produce potatoes ripening 

 from January to April. This crop alone, therefore, is 

 woi'thy of attention. 



The j)aper concluded with a reference to the pos- 

 sible means of establishing a co-operative institution 

 for packing, etc., and for special investigation in 

 regard to insect and fungus pests. 



Mr. Jackson's suggestions received the full support 

 of the members of the society, and it is expected that 

 action is now bt'ing taken to put the above ideas to 

 a practical test. 



