Vol. IX. No. 223. 



THE AGRICULTURAL NKWS. 



3i57 



from Mr. W. A. H. Hobbs, of Cocoa-nut Groje, for planting 

 in the Subtropical Garden at Miami, Mr. Wester observed 

 marked variation among them and began selecting seed from 

 those bearing the largest calices and showing other desirable 

 oharacteristics, with the result that in the second generation 

 of plants (1906), the strain was considered fixed, and has so 

 continued. 



DEsiRiPTKJN. Mr. Wester's characterization of the Victor 

 is as follows. The plants of the Victor variety are inclined to 

 be a trifle more dwarf than the common kind, but the foliage 

 is similar. The measurements of the calyx of the common 

 variety are: length 33 mm., diameter 22 mm.; in the im- 

 proved type the measurements are 49 nmi., and 28 mm., 

 respectively. The increase in size i.s thus seen to be rather 

 more in length than in diameter. Calices of the improved 

 type have in some instances been 60 mm. long, and 38 mm., 

 in diameter. The improved type is also distinct in being 

 more strongly ribbed longitudinally, and in having the calyx 

 not so closely adpressed to to the seed pod as in the common 

 variety. It is frequently inclined to be convolute at the 

 apex. 



As a trojiical plant yielding a quick return in the form 

 of a sauce, jam, and jelly-producing fruit, closely resembling 

 in quality the cranberry of the North, tlie Victor is worthy 

 of testing wherever tlje con)mon roselle has been found to 

 succeed. To ol)tain the higest yield of large calices, the seeds 

 are planted in southern Florida about .May 15. The young 

 seedlings are transplanted to the field when 3 or 4 inches 

 high, and begin blossoming late in October. The first fruit is 

 gathered about the middle of November, and should be 

 harvested as rapidly as it reaches suitable size, in order to 

 ensure continuance of blossoming and fruiting until late in 

 February. 



THK INTERNATIONAL RUBBER EXHIBI- 

 TION, 1911. 



The Exhibition has received official recognition at the 

 hands of all the British Government^ colonies, and of all 

 foreign nationalities in which rubber is grown or manufac- 

 tured. Germany has appointed an intluintial, official com- 

 mission, and Holland has done likewise. The names of the 

 special commissions for Belgium and France will shortly be 

 published. The manufacturers of these countries are all 

 exhibiting largely, while exhibits of crude rubber will be sent 

 from their colonies. The largest exhibitor of crude rubber 

 will be Brazil, and that Government proposes to appoint 

 a special commission. The Brazilian space occupies some 

 8,0u0 square feet in the Exhibition, and Germany and her 

 colonies will be next with about 6,000 square feet. The 

 Netherlands and their colonies will occupy about .5,000 

 square feet. Ceylon and the Malay States have booked up 

 frome 3,000 feet, while the Gold (Joast, Southern India, 

 Biitish West Indies, Uganda, and F>ritish East Africa are all 

 well to the fore. 



Rubber will l>e exhibited from such distant places as 

 New (Juinea, Queensland, Fortuguese East Africa, the Sand- 

 wich Islands, etc. The largest piece of crude rubber — aliout 

 1 ton in weight — comes from Fara, Brazil. 



The Colonial Office has .sent out invitations to all col- 

 onies inviting delegates to take part in the International Con- 

 ference of producers and manufacturers, and replies have been 

 received that most of the countries will be represented by 

 delegates. 



A large number of the rubber companies also are exhibit- 

 ing separately, and no doubt when the Exhibition is open it 



will be found that the leading producers are individually 

 represented, apart from the Government exhibits. In the 

 Manufacturers" Section, several of the largest manufacturers 

 of Great Britain and the Continent have booked spaces, 

 and some of them of considerable dimensions, and there 

 will be no rea.son to complain on this occasion that it is 

 a crude rubber exhibition only. Rubber machinery will also 

 have a very important place, some of the exhibits covering an 

 area of 2,000 .square feet. During the Exhibition, it is pro- 

 posed to have an international dinner instead of a series of 

 dinners as at the Exhibition of 1908. A meeting will shortly 

 be called at the London Chamber of Commerce to arrange 

 all details in connexion with the conferences and other 

 functions. 



His Majesty the King has intimated that he looks for- 

 ward with pleasure to visiting the F^xhibition. (The India- 

 Riiljliei- Journal, October 3, 1910.) 



MATERIAL FOR PLANTING IRISH 

 POTATOS. 



On the quality of the sets planted much of the success 

 of the potato crop depends. When selecting seed, the utmost 

 care should be taken to see that the variety is true to type, 

 and perfectly free from disease. Always make it a point to 

 obtain .seed from a reputable seed merchant or some reliable 

 grower. For main crops', one or two varieties of sorts that 

 have been tested and are known to do well in the particular 

 district on similar .soil should be .selected. 



In the size of the sets planted the practice of different 

 farmers varies widely, .some advocating the use of the whole 

 tubers, others claiming equally good, and better, results from 

 cut sets. The danger of partial or entire failure, resulting 

 from an imperfect stand, is much greater Avith small sets, cut 

 or whole, than with large ones. The small sets are liable to 

 perish, should the season be unfavourable, either through 

 excessive moisture or drought. A number of investigators 

 have noted that large seed pieces — either large cut sets or 

 whole potatos — afford an earlier crop than very small cut- 

 tings, and also produce an increa.sed yield. Experiments 

 carried out in the Cnited States showed that whole tubers 2 to 

 3 inches in diameter yield more than small whole tubers |-inch 

 to 1| inches in diameter, and large cut tubers 1.5 per cent, 

 more than small cut tubers. Th"} most economical set to use 

 is one with two or three eyes and a good amount of flesh, and 

 weighing about 2 to 3 oz. In cutting the sets, medium-sized 

 tubers should be selected, and cut lengthways and then across. 

 Many growers cut the tubers into sets containing one, two, 

 or three eyes, laying greater stress on the number of eyes 

 than the size of the set; but it is pointed out that, before the 

 shoot develops its root system, it is dependent on the material 

 stored up in the set, hence the more abundant this supply is, 

 the more vigorous the growth of the plant. It is lamentable 

 to see many farmers retaining and planting, year after year, 

 the small and frequently much-diseased tubers that are unsale- 

 able. This practice is not to be commended. A change of 

 seed, not necessarily of variety, is of the highe.st importance, 

 and should be made at least every three years. For prefer- 

 ence, the seed should be obtained from a cooler climate. Many 

 ideas prevail as to the relative values of different parts of the 

 tuber for seed. Some advocate the removal of the stem end, 

 but experiments have shown that there is no material differ- 

 ence noticeable in the yield that could be attributed to the 

 different sets, and that the two ends of the tuber are of equal 

 value. (Fanners' Bulletin No. 27, of the New South Wale.s 

 Department of Agriculture.) 



