Vol. XV. No. 357. 



THE AGRICULTUKAL NEWS. 



out a number of lime plants budded on new stocks experi- 

 mentally. Two heavy pickings of cncao were made during 

 the month in the Experiment Station, and the yield from 

 each of the plots was recorded. Work in the Botanic (iardens 

 included the planting cut of new species and completing 

 the removal of fallen tre^s, thrown down during the August 

 and September gales. The following is reported as having 

 been done in the cheriical laboratory: investigations to 

 determine the relationship between total acidity and pure 

 citric acid on a number of raw and concentrated juices; 

 also samples of lime juice sent in by planters were 

 tested. As regards laboratory equipment, the presses, 

 fume chamber, working bench, etc., were completed. The 

 rainfall for the month was normal, being 8-41 inches, rain 

 having fallen on twenty-one days. The distribution of plants 

 was: limes, 2,300; cacac, 300; budded citru.s, 7; grafted 

 mangoes, 4; total, "2,011. 



D0MINXC.4.. — Later advices received in respect of Novem- 

 ber state that there was a lull in the lime crop to be followed 

 by a small second crop. There was no change in tlie local 

 prices for lime products. The cable quotations however for 

 concentrated juice dropped to £2.5 per pipe. The cacao crop 

 was ripening rapidly but much difficulty has been encountered 

 in the drying operations owing to the persistent wet weather. 

 Keference has been made above to the establishment of 

 a 5-acre experiment plot of coco-nuts. The surveying and 

 laying out of the plots for planting was being carried on. In 

 regard to citrus, it is stated that a ]acre plot of varieties 

 fif grape-fruit was planted out, and Mr. .Jones is start- 

 ing a second |-acre plot of limes budded experiment- 

 ally. Fruit is still being .shipped from Dominica for the 

 ■wounded soldiers. Amongst the visitors to the Gardens 

 during the month were the Assistant Director of Agriculture, 

 Trinidad; Sir Gilbert Carter, K.C.M.fi., formerly Governor 

 of Barbados; and Mr. Driver, late of Montserrat. The rainfall 

 for the month of November was lOO-") inches. The list of 

 plants distributed from the nurseries is as follows: limes 

 3,400: coffee, .500; budded citrus, 75; shade trees, 75; vanilla, 

 25; nutmegs, 12; grafted mangoes, 3; miscellaneous, 21; 

 total, 4,111. 



iioNTSERE.vT. It appears from Mr. Robson's statement 

 concerning agricultural conditions in this island during 

 November, that the cotton fields planted in April have given 

 the best results for the season. The general absence of 

 a second growth on cotton plants is remarkable, in view of the 

 satisfactory weather. During November, the destruction of 

 old plants was begun. The continued rain has beeti of great 

 benefit to lime planters, and the supplie8 from the old fields 

 are stated to look well. Considerable areas have had 

 applications of artificial manure. Although corn continues 

 to be shipped to St. Kitts and elsewhere, it is not anticipated 

 that there will be any considerable development in its 

 cultivation as a main crop. There is more hope for a suitable 

 bean crop. It appears that considerable trouble was 

 experienced during tjie month in regard to plant diseases. 

 The pine-apple plot in the Experiment Station is apparently 

 succumbing to disease, and damping off has been an obstacle 

 in the way of an extension of onion cultivation. At the 

 time of writing, cotton stainers were fairly general. Over 

 3,000 Dj. of pedigree cotton seed is on hancl for distribution 

 to planters and is being offered to growers, sufficient seed 

 being allowed to plant one-tenth of the total acreage that it 

 is intended to establish. The seed will be used to plant 

 a field which will supply seed for the whole estate in the 

 following year. It is intended to follow up this system each 

 year. Interesting work in the Botanic Gardens has been the 



planting of beds of the second generation of Ajowan. Seeds- 

 of Tefi^ grass were sown and have germinated. The rainfall 

 during the month was well distributed; there has been an 

 absence of downpours. 



.4NTIGU.A.. Mr. .J. .Jackson states that the area under 

 cotton for the present season is 444 acres. Rather severe 

 attacks of cotton caterpillars were experienced during 

 November in some localities. Work in the Experiment 

 Station has included the reaping of sweet potato experiments, 

 and replanting, cutting hedges, cleaning drains, preparing 

 beds for sowing lime .seeds, and weeding plots. Coming 

 events of interest include the annual sale of cane plants, the 

 laying out of manurial experiments of sugar-cane, irrigation 

 experiments, and improvements to the onion drying house. 

 The plants distributed during the month of November were: 

 coco-nuts, 575; onion plants, 4,400; Eucalyptu.s, 213; 

 miscellaneous, 46. A certain quantity of vegetable seed was 

 distributed. At the Botanic Station 8'45 inches of rain fell 

 during the month of November: for the year, 54'35 inches 

 have fallen. The cane crop throughout the island continues 

 to improve, and, on the whole, the cotton crop looks 

 promising. 



NEVIS. The cane crop throughout the island, writes 

 Mr. W. Howell, continues very promising and has made 

 rapid growth during the month in consec|uence of the 

 fine rains. Some anxiety is felt in certain parts of 

 the island with regard to the reaping of the crop. Most 

 of the canes were planted with the hope of selling them 

 to the St. Kitts factory, but it is very doubtful whether 

 the factory will be able to take any canes from 

 Nevis on account of the very large crop to be reaped in 

 St. Kitts. If this happens it will be a source of great 

 disappointment to the Nevis peasants, who in one district 

 alone have over 130 acres under cane. In regard to cotton, 

 the second growth is reported to be looking fairly well in 

 some places, but the return will not be so good as was- 

 expected on acccount of boll dropping and leaf-blister mite. 

 The provision crops continue to do well and a fair acreage 

 was planted in sweet potatoes during the month. Work 

 contemplated includes the planting of experimental plots of 

 canes on estates. The rainfall for the month of November 

 was 537 inches. Rainfall for year to date, 4621 inches. 



VIRGIN ISL.\NDS. Mr. Fishlock, who has now resumed 

 his duties as Curator in place of iMr. C. Gomez, writes to say 

 that the crops of canes, limes and cotton will all be small. 

 Cotton, however, is showing in many instances marked 

 recovery since the rain. Work in the Experiment Station 

 has included the sowing of onion seed (which was completed 

 earl}' in November), the weeding of the cotton seed farm, 

 and the mulching of the lime plot. The plants distributed 

 numbered altogether 97,200 This is made up as follows: 

 limes, 300; onions, 96,800; decorative, 100. The weather 

 has been showery with heavy rains on November 26, 27 and 

 28. The total rainfall for the month was 13'34 inches; 

 average for November during the last fourteen years, 6'65 

 inches. Later observations relating to staple crops, for- 

 warded by Mr. Fishloek, make it appear that both the 

 cotton and lime crops will be smaller than usual. The same 

 applies to the sugar industry which, of course, in any case, 

 is a Very small one. As noted elsewhere in this issue of the 

 Agricultural News, much attention is being given to onion 

 cultivation in Tortola. A grub has been observed to be 

 causing damage to onion seedlings, and it is stated that 

 measures have been taken, to have this identified at this 

 Office with a view to its control. 



