Vol. XV. No. 363. 



THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS 



109 



./f 



7iENj:ALjEPmi^ 



ANTIGUA: REPORT ON THE AGRICULTURAL 

 DEPARTMENT, 191i-15. 



This publication which lias just been issued comprises 

 one of the longest reports that has emanated from the 

 Antigua Department, and it contains a very large amount of 

 useful information which should be noted throughout the 

 West Indies. 



In the Botanic Gardens, it is stated, certain improve- 

 ments have been effected with a view to making tlie general 

 appearance of the gardens more attractive. Useful notes 

 are given in the report concerning agaves as hedge plants for 

 fibre production. These notes appear in the section dealing 

 with the work in the Gardens. 



Work in the Nurseries has consisted principally in the 

 raising of a large number of coco-nuts, limes, bay, Eucalyptus, 

 and onion seedlings, which have been distributed to planters. 

 Cane cuttings and provision crop materials were also sent 

 out in considerable quantity. 



The notes on plant importation refer principally to 

 Eucalypts, a group of trees which has received special 

 economic consideration in Antigua. 



The longest section of the report is given to an account 

 of the plot experiments at the Botanic and Experiment 

 Stations. This work is closely connected with the industries 

 of the Colony subsidiary to the cultivation of cane. Variety 

 trials have been continued with sweet potatoes, cassava, 

 eddoes, tannias, and yams. Large differences are shown in 

 the yielding capacities of Colombian ahd Jamaican varieties 

 of cassava, while apparently definite immunity to disease is 

 exhibited by two varieties of yams. 



Further experimental work of this description has had 

 regard to the tillage and manurial requirements of maize or 

 Indian corn. Figures are given which show that it is 

 remunerative to introduce weekly tillage with a view to 

 preserving a soil mulch. The planting experiments show that 

 1 foot by 1 foot is the best distance to set the seed of the 

 plant. The manurial experiment at the stations has indicated 

 the value of adding pen manure. The estate trial with 

 artificial fertilizers failed, but will be repeated. A system 

 of selection of local corn has been introduced, and may be 

 ■ expected to lead eventually to a much needed increase in 

 the average yield per acre in Antigua. 



The cotton hybridization work has been continued 

 during the year under review. The St, Eustatius x Sea Island 

 cross continues to breed true, and may be found suitable for 

 cultivation on the heavier lands. The cotton grafting experi- 

 ment has given negative results. 



With onions, the test of establishing the crop by trans- 

 plantation versu» planting in dtu was repeated, with results 

 not in agreement with those obtained the previous year. 

 Various useful trials have been made with English potatoes, 

 and with beans and peas. 



Special investigation by the agricultural officers in this 

 report has reference to the selection of cotton for various 

 characters. 



A considerable amount of information is included in 

 the report with regard to -plant pests and diseases. The 

 usual pests and diseases of sugar-cane were noticed, but 

 not to any alarming extent. As regards cotton, the 

 presence of the 'boll worm' may be drawn attention to. 

 Some damage occurred to the foliage of lime trees by 

 the adult beetle, Exopluhalmus esuriens, and to the roots 

 by its larva. Grubs of the brown hard-back have been 

 troublesome to Indian corn. 



As regards progress in the chief industries, the report 

 shows that the shipment of sugar was some 5,300 tons more 

 than in the previous year. The area under cotton .showed 

 a marked decrease, on account of the war and the increased 

 demand for sugar. Figures are given showing the exports of 

 cotton for the last eleven years. 



With regard to onions, a special review ■ ^f the proceedings 

 of the Antigua Onion Growers Association is given, and the 

 great success which has attended its activities is clearly 

 demonstrated. The substance of this report has already been 

 published in the AgricidtunU Neivs. 



In a special note on Barbuda it is shown that consider- 

 able progress has been made in the Dependency with regard 

 to cotton cultivation, and the improvement of live stock. 



Special lines of work have consisted in irrigation, and 

 experiments with explosives for breaking up sugar-cane 

 land. The .system of supplementary irrigation to the weekly 

 rainfall, and the effect of dynamite upon soil bearing 

 ratoon canes are of much interest. 



Additional subjects of interest are the spraying of 

 cattle for ticks, and the enlargement of Bendal's equipment. 



Reference has already been made in a previous paragraph 

 to the corn industry. Dr. Tempany contributes to the present 

 publication a useful review of the developments with respect 

 to the Government Granary. The whole scheme, like that 

 for onion production, will be followed with interest, not 

 only in the Leeward Islands, but in other colonies as well. 

 Its significance lies in the fact that Antigua is gradually 

 being changed from a merely consuming centre into a pro- 

 ducing one — a change of great economic importance. A plan 

 of the Granary is an interesting feature of the report. 



A minor effort that is deserving of encouragement is 

 the growing of vegetables (other than onions) for the 

 Canadian market. This idea has met with a certain measure 

 of success already. 



The educational work, in its bearing upon agriculture, 

 has been continued in Antigua with, as usual, satisfactory 

 results. The Department continues to maintain interest 

 amongst overseers and others in the Reading Courses 

 Examinations of the Imperial Department, and the proceed- 

 ings at the meetings of the Agricultural and Commercial 

 Society, to which reference is made, have included the reading 

 and discussion of papers on live and varied subjects. 



It is satisfactory to learn that the success of the 

 candidate who won the Leeward Islands Scholarship was 

 largely due to his efficient knowledge of agricultural science. 

 But the report state? that science work in the Grammar 

 School, of which the candidate was a member, is seriously 

 handicapped through there being no grant for laboratory 

 equipment. 



In conclusion, it will be evident from the foregoing 

 review of this report that a great deal of useful work has 

 been satisfactorily accomplished in Antigua during 1914-1-5. 

 Much of its value lies in the clo.se co-operation existing 

 between the Government and the planting community. The 

 officers concerned are to be commended for the activity 

 manifested, and for the keen interest they have taken in 

 their duties. 



