Vol. IX. No. 225. 



THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS. 



397 



STUDENTS' CORNER. 



DECEMBER. 



Second Period. 



Seasonal Notes. 



At this peiiod of the year, in places where lime products 

 are prepared, opportunities will have been atforded for 

 making observations in conne.xion with such preparations. 

 Note the way in which the fruit is crushed, and the care that 

 is taken in relation to keeping the mill, tayches and stills in 

 good order. Where it is possible, the methods of pre|iaring 

 raw and concentrated juice for export should be compared, 

 and a careful study made of the manufacture of citrate of 

 lime. (See, in this connexion, the West Indian Bulletin, 

 Vol. VIII, p. 167.) What advantages and disadvantages 

 does the manufacture of citrate of lime possess, when com- 

 pared with that of concentrated juice '. In the latter, how 

 would you ascertain the loss of citric acid that takes place 

 during the process .' AVhat precautions may be taken for the 

 purpose of minimizing this loss, as far as possible I How is 

 the essential oil of limes recovered, when citrate of lime is 

 made ? What do you know of the ccuelle process for obtain- 

 ing lime oil ? From which can the largest amount of oil be 

 obtained — the green fruit, or the ripe ( For what purposes 

 are lime juice, citrate of lime, and lime oil employed in 

 commerce ? 



The termination of the hurricane season has made it safe 

 to undertake the grafting of cacao, and useful, practical 

 information in connexion with the matter should have been 

 obtained, by this time. What varieties are liest suited to the 

 conditions with which you are familiar? What objections 

 exist in regard to the ]iropagation of cacio from seed, under 

 ordinary conditions? A careful watch must be kept for out- 

 breaks of diseases in cacao cultivations. Make a list of these, 

 and place against each its appropriate method of treatment. 

 What precautions should I'c taken in regard to wounds made 

 in cacao trees, either accidentally, or for any special purpose.' 

 Particular caro of cacio that is being established is required 

 at the present time. A consta.it watch on the condition of 

 this is needed, especially in regard to the provision of the 

 proper amount of shade; if this is becoming too dense, it 

 .should be thinned, from time to time. What signs would 

 you expect to be exhibited by a cacao plant in relation to the 

 existence of (1) too much shade, (2) too little shade? What 

 circumstances are likely to occur, if the shade is too dense? 

 State the difl'erenccs in piinciple and practice that exist 

 between the shading of cacao and that of limes. 



Where cocoa-nuts are grown in any quantity, the palms 

 should be constantly examined for signs of bud-rot. The 

 chief of these are the drooping of the outer leaves of the 

 ' cabbage', in-some cases: an unhealthy appearance of these; 

 the blackening of the flower spikes; and the dropping of the 

 young fruits. Examination of the central tissue of the crown 

 shows that this has become largely reduced to a soft, putrid 

 condition. (See West Indian Bulletin, Vols. VI, p. 307; IX, 



p. 379; and Agricultural Xews, Vols. IV, pp. 299, 369; VI, 

 p. 7.5; VIII, pp. 276 and 373.) 



Among the minor industries in the islands, that of onion- 

 growing has attained to more or less importance, in one or 

 two cases. How is land prepared for the growth of this crop* 

 Give an account of the methods that may bo employed for 

 planting, as well as of the cultivation to be given during the 

 time that the plants are developing. Why is it expedient for 

 the crop to be reaped early? State what yield per acre may 

 be expected, under the conditions with which you are familiar. 

 What ways of storing the crop may be adopted, where it is 

 necessary for this to be done? To what diseases are onions 

 liable (1) in the field, (2) in storage, and what precautions 

 may be taken against these? Give an account of the varieties 

 of onions with which you are familiar. As regards your 

 district, what size and kind of onion is most suitable (1) for 

 export. (2) for local use? How are correct methods of plant- 

 ing related to the production of a good, marketable onion? 

 Discu.ss the effects of planting too closely, in relation to this 

 matter. 



Questions for Candidates. 



PEELIMINAEY QUESTIONS. 



(1) What are the meaning and uses of transpiration in 

 plants? 



(2) Describe and compare the root systems of mono- 

 cotyledons and dicotyledons. 



(3) Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of making 

 up farmyard manure under shelter. 



INTERMEDI.\TE QUESTIONS. 



(1) Give mention of crops that are likely to benefit by 

 the visits of bees and other insects at the time of flowering of 

 the plants, and state the way in which the benefit is received. 



(2) Write an account of the best methods for curing and 

 preparing ginger for shipment. 



(3) Draw up a scheme for the classification of different 

 kinds of fruit, following broad principles. 



FINAL QUESTIONS. 



(1) Describe the means by which the plants are protect- 

 ed from an excessive loss of w'ater, in the case of one impor- 

 tant crop. 



(2) Write an account of as many plants as you know of 

 which produce starch in commercial quantities. 



(3) Give a description of the methods of selecting maize 

 for (a) increase of yield, (b) increase of feeding value. 



Cotton Seed Importation intoV/est Atrica. — 

 The Board of Trade has received a copy of an Order-in-Coun- 

 cil (Xo. 8 of 1910), dated .June 10, prohibiting, under the 

 'Destructive Pests Ordinance, 1910', the importation of cotton 

 seed into the Colony or Protectorate of Southern Nigeria, 

 except through the Port of Lagos. 



The Ordcr-in-Coimcil further provides that no cotton seed 

 shall be so imported that has not been disinfected before 

 shipment, in a manner approved by the Director of Agriculture, 

 and further, that all cotton seed imported shall be accom- 

 panied l)y a certificate to the satisfaction of the Director of 

 Agriculture, certifying that such disinfection has been duly 

 and properly carried out. 



All cotton seed arriving without a certificate, or which is 

 not to the satisfaction of the Director of Agriculture, shall 

 be destroyed or landed at such place as the Director of Agri- 

 culture may direct, and there disinfected under his supervision, 

 at the expense of the importer. (The Textile Mercury, Sep- 

 tember 17, 1910.) 



