Vol. XV. No. 364. 



THE AGRICULTURAL NKWS. 



119 



stated that the past season has been an unfavourable one for 

 cotton on account of excessive rainfall, but he believed that 

 the industry itself was in a sound condition, and that in spite 

 of the war, it was probable — even notwithstanding the 

 present high price for sugar — the acreage under cotton will be 

 increased in the coining season to almost the normal amount. 



In regard to Nevis, Mr. Shepherd's statement referred 

 principally to the peasant growers of cotton. Their difficulty 

 in a former season in obtaining an adequate supply of Paris 

 green and lime had been rectified by the Government. The 

 peasant cotton before the war had begun to fetch quite high 

 prices. But after' the war the price obtained locally for the 

 seed-cotton was very small and discouraged planting to 

 a considerable e.xtent. After the guaranteed minimum price 

 of Is. 2d. was offered by the spinners, the local purchasers 

 offered more favourable terms, but it appears that the 

 peasant had become suspicious and indisposed to plant 

 ■without some definite assurance that his cotton would be pur- 

 chased on fair and liberal terms, ilr. Shepherd stated that 

 he considered the only remedy for this was the formation of 

 a scheme similar to that obtaining in St. Vincent, whereby 

 the Government purchase this cotton on a co-operative basis. 



Concerning Anguilla, Mr. Shepherd's remarks centred 

 principally around the work of Mr. Carter Hey, who was 

 unfortunately prevented from attending the Conference. 

 Mr. Rey had established the .system of purchasing seed-cotton 

 on a co-operative basis from the peasants, which has been the 

 chief means of keeping the industry in a healthy condition in 

 the past. Cotton growing in this island received a temporary 

 set-back by the war, but there is every reason to believe that 

 it will not only recover itself, but become even more prosperous 

 than in the past. 



Mr. T. .Tackson's statement, dealing with Antigua and 

 Barbuda, showed that there has been a slight reduction in 

 the yield of lint per acre during the last three years owing 

 to climatic conditions. In Barbuda the yield has been gen- 

 erally satisfactory. In Antigua a considerable decrease in 

 area followed the outbreak of war; this reduction is still 

 greater in the present season, there being only 440 acres of 

 Botton planted in Antigua, against 1,1 ■52 acreas planted 

 in 1913-14. 



As in the other islands, systematic plant selection for 

 seed supply has been practised by the Agricultural Depart- 

 ment. 



In dealing with the position in Montserrat, Mr. W. 

 Robson referred to the reduced yields obtained between 

 1911-13 inclusive, and put this down to the absence of 

 rainfall in increasing amounts during the four months 

 succeeding planting. 



The area under cotton planted in Montserrat reached 

 a maximum in the season 1911-1 2 when 2,700 acres were 

 put in, and since that time it has ranged from 2,000 to 

 2,350 acres, and is probably below 2,000 acres for the past 

 season. 



There has been a gradual change to earlier planting 

 in Montserrat, much being planted in April. 



In connexion with the care of the crop, each season 

 seems to emphasize the need for providing .shelter for cotton 

 fields against wind. 



The cotton worm, the cotton stainer and leaf -blister 

 mite remain the outstanding insect pests. 



A Cotton Ordinance came into force in 191-5 providing 

 for the destruction of old plants, thereby establishing a close 



.season. 



From Mr. Sands' statement concerning St. Vincent, it 

 appears that the acreage planted for the 1915-16 crop was 

 2,621 acre.s, made up of 1,531 acres planted by estates and 

 1,019 acres by small growers. The average area of the 

 annual planting of the previous five years had been 4,200 

 acres. 



The low mean yield of 68 lb. of lint per acre and the 

 high percentage of stained, namely 31 per cent, clearly showed 

 that in the past season the planters were facf 1 with very 

 serious conditions. The high percentage of -rains is asso- 

 ciated with the attacks of internal boll disease. 



The average yield of lint per acre for eleven years in 

 St. Vincent was 1 22 lb. 



The opinion was expressed that unless sufficient induce- 

 ment in the way of prices is held out to local growers of 

 Sea Island cotton, the acreage may be still further reduced 

 and the land devoted to crops of a more reliable nature. 



Good prices have been obtained for Marie Galaate 

 cotton. The outlook for the coming season for this crop is 

 hopeful. 



{Til be Continued.) 



SEA ISLAND COTTON MARKET. 



The Report of Messrs. Henry W. Frost & Co., 

 on Sea Island cotton in the Southern States, for 

 the week ending February 19, lOlfi, is as follows: — 



i.SL.\ND.s. The market has been very quiet with appar- 

 ently no demand. The offerings are very limited, the unsold 

 portion of the crop consisting of only 200 to 250 bales, 

 cla.ssing fine to fully fine, held af29c., to 30c. and one plan- 

 ters's crop held at 32ic. 



We have only to confirm our previous advices. 



We quote, viz.: 



Extra Fine 30c. = 194rf. to 20A c.i.f. & 5 per cent. 



Fully Fine 29c. = 195. „ „ „ „ 



Fine 28c. = 1 ^d. 



Fine off in class 27c. = I8d. 



)> )) J) J) 

 ») ») )» )) 



FLORiD.\s AND GEOEGIAS. There Continues a demand 

 taking the offerings at full prices, the buying being on 

 account of the Northern Mills. The unsold stock is firmly 

 held by a limited number who are not willing sellers at prices 

 current, as they anticipate even higher prices later on in 

 consequence of the advance paid for Egyptians. Therefore, 

 we quote the market firm at quotations. 



We quote, viz.: 



Fancy 30c. = 31c., landed. 



Extra Choice 29c. = 30c., „ 



Choice 28c. = 29c., „ 



Extra Fine 27c. = 28c., 



The exports from Savannah for the week were, to 

 Northern Mills 498 bales. Southern Mills 155 bales, and 

 from Jacksonville to Northern Mills 93 bales. 



This report also shows that the tolal exports of 

 Sea Island cotton from the United States to Liverpool 

 and Manchester up to March II, were 658 and 443 

 bales, respectively. 



