Vol. IX. No. 202. 



THE AGRICULTURAL . NEWS. 



29 



STUDENTS' CORNER. 



JANUARY. 



Second Pei:iod. 

 Seasonal Notes. 



An exiiinination of lime trees for scale insects will 

 disclose the fact that the latter are not all of one kind; that 

 is, they do not all l>elong to one si)ecies. Make a careful 

 examination of the different kinds, in order to discover their 

 chief characteristics, and to lie able to distinguish between 

 thera. Pamphlets Xos. 7 and 22, published by the Depart- 

 juent, contain descriptions which will assist in doing this. 

 A still more careful e.xaniination of the scales will most 

 probably disclose the presence of a funjrus mycelium on and 

 near some of them; an endeavour should lie made to trace 

 the fact that the mycelium often spreads out from underneath 

 the scale, in each case. Why is the mycelium found there, 

 and what interesting bearing has its presence on the problem 

 of controlling scale insects ? For descriptions of fungi pos- 

 sessing mycelia which behave in this way, see A'iricidtnml 

 Xeu's, Vol. VIII, p. 299. 



These observations may well be extended to other plants, 

 •wild as well as cultivated, when it will be found that any 

 ^iven scale insect usually has more than one host plant. 

 Careful note should be made of the differont hosts in each 

 case, and, if iiossible, the extent to which parasitization 

 by fungi takes place: in this way, infnrniation of general 

 value will be obtained. 



Where lime trees show signs of being unhealthy, even 

 though they are not being attacked by scale insects, an 

 explanation of their appearance may be probably found 

 in the presence of root disease. What are the chief ways 

 in which root disease may seriously interfere with the 

 functions of a root I In the case of healthy trees, observe 

 that the upper layers of the soil are occupied by a tangle of 

 iroots. What does this suggest, in connexion with the 

 methods of cultivation for limes ? A careful examination of 

 trees that have been recently pruned will show that this 

 plant has a much smaller tendency to gumming, after prun- 

 ing, than is the case with other citrus trees. Note that roots 

 that have been injured by the hoe have the power, like the 

 stem, of developing a tissue which heals the wounds. What 

 part of the root is most concerned in the production of this 

 tissue 1. 



Interesting observations on the rate of development of 

 the fruit of the lime may be made by marking some of the 

 flowers, when they appear, by means of a piece of tape, or 

 string, tied near them, and measuring the size of the fruit 

 from time to time during its growth. 



Make a study of the plant, or plants, which are used as 

 ■wind-breaks for limes or cacao in your neighbourhood. 

 ■Observe the effects of such shelters on the spread of scale 

 insects. How do wind breaks assist, to some extent, in the 

 ■conservation of moisture in the soil of the area which 

 they shelter ? What other advantages result from their 

 ■employment i 



In the cane fields, where a new crop has just been put 

 in, evidence will be given, at the present time, of the extent 

 to which cuttings which have failed to grow have to be 

 replaced. Note what treatment, if any, is being given 

 to the fields in which young canes are growing ? Where 

 this is possible, a good opportunity of studying the 

 making and use of drains, in the light of theoretical knowl- 

 ■edge, will be afforded. Make observations on the manuring 

 and mulching of the fields at this period. What uses have 



certain manures, in addition to that of the provision of 

 plant food? 



A useful exercise is aflbrded, at this stage, by carefully 

 taking up a young cane' plant, together with the cutting or 

 ' top ' from which it has sprung, and comparing it with an 

 actually germinating seed. With what parts of the seed may 

 (1) the ' rind ' of the cane, (2) the sugar in it, be roughly 

 compared ? The plant growing from the seed is a new 

 individual, while in the case of the cane plant, the latter is 

 merely formed by the branching of a portion of the plant 

 from which the cutting or ' top " was taken. How is this 

 difference, in the case of the plant growing from the seed, 

 brought about I What bearing have these facts on (1) varia- 

 tion in the sugar-cane, (2) its attack by fungus diseases? 



Questions for Candidates. 



PKELnnN.\RY QUESTIONS. 



( 1 ) How do leguminous plants enrich the soil '? 



(2) What signs would you look for when determining 

 if a cacao tree was suffering from canker of the bark ? 



(3) State the best means of drying and keeping 

 onions. 



INTERMEDIATE QUESTIONS. 



(1) Discuss the reasons for removing the 'mother 

 plant ' of the sugar-cane. 



(2) What is anthrax '. Describe the measures adopted 

 to prevent its spread. 



(3) Give the characters that should be shown by 

 a good, marketable type of cotton. By what means may 

 such a type be produced 1 



TRADE BETWEEN CANADA AND 



THE WEST INDIES. 

 In Antigua, on the 1 2th instant, a conference 

 between visitors having interests in connexion with 

 planting in Barbados (see Aijrkidtviral News, Vol. 

 IX, p. 7) and delegates from the Agricultural and 

 Commercial Societies of Antigua and St. Kitts, was 

 opened by his Excellency the Governor. Among 

 other matters, the subject of reciprocal trade relations 

 with Canada was discussed, and the following resolu- 

 tions were adopted unanimously: — 



1. That the concessions empowering Canadian refiners 

 to import sugar from non-preferential countries on preferen- 

 tial terms nullify the benefit of preferential treatment to the 

 British West Indies. 



2. That prices paid in Canada for muscovado sugar 

 from the British West Indies are below the world's parity of 

 prices, and show no evidence of preferential treatment. 



3. That it being understood that, there exists a Board, 

 appointed by the Canadian flovernment, dealing with the 

 manner in which contracts by State-aided railways are carried 

 out in relation to the commercial public, this meeting thinks 

 it desirable that similar systems be adopted in connexion with 

 any subsidized line of steamship and telegraph. 



4. That it is desirable that a Trade Commissioner for 

 the whole of the British West Indies be appointed to foster 

 the sale of West Indian products in Canada. 



5. That it is desirable that an improved and regular 

 service of fast stean;ers, having adequate passenger accom- 

 modation, should be installed between Canada and the 

 British West Indies. 



6. That the views expressed by the representatives of 

 Barbados, Antigua, and St. Kitts are in substantial agree- 

 ment, and present a uniform story for the Royal Commission* 



