82 



THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS. 



March 11, 1916. 



In one of the plots in the additional series of 

 ■experiments in lime cultivation in iJcjminica, charges 

 •of dynamite were exploded in fifty-six holes between 

 the young trees; but after the elapse of many 

 months, no improvement could be observed in the 

 ■condition of the trees. ( )n another portion of the 

 field, trees in a similar condition were treated in 

 the same way, but after twelve months' time no 

 improvement was observable. Judging from these 

 and other experiments carried out by planters, no 

 good effects can be discerned from the explosion of 

 •dynamite in lime cultivation.' There may, howevei, 

 be certain conditions, such as the close proximity of 

 hard-pan to the surface, under which the use of 

 ■explosives may be advantageous; but in a general way 

 their use is not likely to be beneficial. One other 

 experiment was tried in Dominica. When planting the 

 plot.s, holes were made by dynamiting with a view to 

 compare their efficiency for plants with those made with 

 the spade. Each alternate row of holes was dynamited 

 and the remainder were dug soon after. The holes 

 were carefully filled in a fevv days before planting to 

 allow time for sinking, and six months after preparation, 

 planting was done. So far the plants growing in these 

 differently prepared holes exhibit very little difference 

 in appearance. 



Turning to the experiments conducted by the 

 Government in Trinidad, the recent Annual Report 

 on the Department of Agriculture states that 

 'dynamite experiments have been conducted on banana 

 soil, and the figures obtained appear to show that not 

 only a larger number of bunches has been reaped from 

 the dynamited plot, but also that there has been 

 a larger number of seven, eight and nine-hand bunches, 

 and conse<|uently the average weight of the bunches 

 fnim the dynamited plot is 20'4 lb. against 18'8 lb. 

 from the undynamited jilot. In regard to similar 

 experiments with coco-nuts, both the dynamited and 

 undynamited plots have made good growth. So far 

 the undynamited plot is the better of the two.' In 

 these experiments also, thereftye, the results are not, 

 on the whole, saiisfiictory. 



In Antigua, trials have been conducted with sugar- 

 cane. In these experiments, which were carried out on 

 Delaps and Donovans estates* dynamite cartridges 

 2oz. in weight were used, and were exploded 2 feet 

 6 inches below the soil. Plant' and ratoon canes were 

 experimented with in each case. On the first named 

 estate, the variety of cane treated was White 'JVans- 

 parent. The results obtained both in the case of 

 plant and ratoon canes have indicated that dynamiting 



the fields under soil conditions such as obtain ali 

 Delaps is not productive of profit. The returns 

 obtained fnuii the controls and dynamite plots 

 showed little divergence. At Donovans estate, slightly 

 different results were obtained. Here, also, there was 

 no gain (jbtained by dynamiting plant canes, and as 

 a matter of fact, the not-dynamited plot gave a higher 

 yield; but with the ratoon canes there was a very appreci- 

 able increase in th^ case of the dynamited plot, which 

 may, at least in part, be put down to the effects of the 

 e.xplosions. The soil at Donovans estate is especially 

 heavy with a clay subsoil, and a reason for the increased 

 yield from the ratoons may be found in the action of 

 the dynamite in opening up the subsoil. In these 

 last mentioned experiments, the dynamited plot gave 

 a } ield of cane per acre of approximately 1 1 tons 

 compared with 4 tons from the not-dynamited. The 

 area of each plot was about i-acre. But the extremely- 

 meagre return of 4 tons per acre shows that the soil 

 conditions of the plot must have been exceptionally 

 bad, and the results obtained therefore with dynamite 

 in this experiment, cannot be regarded as at all general 

 in their application to the dynamiting of soil grow- 

 ing ratoon canes. 



Taking a general view of the West Indian restilts, 

 it would appear that the benefit that may be expected 

 from the use of dynamite is more imaginary than real. 

 As with manuring.jso with soil explosions, the condi- 

 tions obtaining in each case must be considered. It is 

 probable that for breaking ujj the subsoil, and for re- 

 moving a hard-pan, the use of explosives is woith while: 

 but as a general operation in the routine of plantation 

 management, it is not to be recommended on the basis 

 of present experience. 



Where it is intended to employ explosives, the 

 object arrived at should be clear and definite. Other- 

 wise more harm than good may result. One direction 

 in which dynamite might possibly be used to advan- 

 tage in the West Indies is in breaking up the large 

 boulders of larva that occur in the fields in some of 

 the islands. The removal of such obstructions in the 

 places referred to would facilitate ploughing and culti- 

 vation generally. 



Attention is being given to two essential oils in Fiji one 

 of which is obtained from the roots of Veteveria :i:anoii/e.< 

 and the other from the leaves of lemon grass {Cvralopogon 

 coloratus). The vtM-y vigorous growth of this latter grass in 

 l''iji is a notable feature. Bay trees are stated to be growing 

 well in Fiji and a certain quantity of bay oil, according to the 

 report on the Agricultural Department, 191 j, is prepared. 



