Vol. XV. Xo. 36s. 



THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS, 



181 



COVER CROPS USED IN PORTO RICO. 



A valuable accnunt of cover crops for Porto Itico is 

 contained in Bulletin Xo. 19, issued bj' the Porto Itico Agricul- 

 tural Experiment Sta'ion. It contaias a useful description of 

 the Stizolobiums, and of plant.s belonging to several other 

 genera. The .sword bean (Canavalvi ylwIicLtor) is referred to 

 as a valuable cover crr>p for affording vvpid protection in citrus 

 orchards, as its hiah growth prevents the wind from sweeping 

 below the tree branches, and maintains the quiet atmosphere 

 in which the scale-destroying fungi thrive. The Stizolobiums 

 are referred to as a group sensitive to drought, and as a species 

 preferring a sandy loam soil. The pigeon pea {Cnjanus 

 indicus) has proved a very satisfactory wind-break in Porto 

 Eico until citrus trees are three or more years old. This is 

 well illustrated in Plate 2 in the publication. 



The P.ulletin ends with the following summary: — • 



Lands devoted to horticultural crops in Porto Rico 

 are very deficient in humus and vegetable matter, and are 

 greatly damaged by surface washing. 



Cover crops were first cultivated in Porto Rico by 

 planters who became interested in citrus growing after the 

 American occupation of the island. 



There is a great difference in soil types and in local 

 weather conditions, making the selection of a cover crop 

 which will give most satisfactory results, of great importance. 



The cowpea is grown in all parts of the island. It has 

 the shortest growing season of any of the legumes described 

 in this bulletin. It is valuable as a cover crop and as 

 a food. 



The jack bean, although lately introduced is in more 

 general use than any other cover crop. It thrives on all except 

 very liaht land, and, on account of its habit of growth, is 

 very desirable in citrus orchards. 



The Lyon bean, the Mauritius bean, and a number of 

 other lately introduced velvet beans succeed well on all types 

 of Porto Rico soils where horticultural crops are grown They 

 are recommended for growing in open fields or for general 

 use, where care is taken to prevent injuries by the rank- 

 growing vines. 



The pigeon pea succeeds well in all parts of the island. 

 It is cultivated for its edible seed, and as a cover crop 

 and wind-break. Under favourable conditions the plants 

 continue their growth for a few years. 



The thrifty annual legumes which are growing wild are 

 valuable, and should be protected and encouraged. They 

 reseed themselves and are very resistant to drought and heavy- 

 rainfall. 



The vegetable matter in Porto Rico lands devoted to 

 citrus culture soon disappears when' clean cultivation is 

 practised. The soil and climatic conditions favour the 

 employment of cover crops throughout the sections where 

 citrus fruits are grown. 



In o'd coconut groves, where there is a good stand of 

 tree.s, the dense shade prevents a thrifty growth of cover 

 crops In young groves, or where the stand of trees is poor, 

 velvet beins, jack beans, and cowpeas are satisfactory cover 

 crops. Cowpeas and pigeon peas are used both as cover and 

 catch crops in coco-nut groves. 



Pigeon peas and jack beans hinder the growth and 

 jjroduction of Cabezona and Red Spanish varieties of pine- 

 apples when planted in the bed with them. The pigeon pea 

 was more harmful than the jack bean, and the development 

 of the Cabezona variety was retarded more than the Red 

 tSpanish. 



Cover crops make their heaviest growth and serve their 

 purpose best when planted in spring or early summer. 



Nodule-forming bacteria are present in most Porto 

 Rican soils Where thf' bacteria are wanting, inoculated soil 

 should be scattered over the field at the time of seeding the 

 cover crop. 



SEA ISLAND COTTON MARKET. 



Messrs. Wolstenholme and Holland, of Liverpool, 



write as follows, under date May 1, 1916, with 



reference to the sales of West Indian Sea Island 

 cotton: — 



Since our last report about 1-50 bales of West Indian 

 Sea Island cotton have been sold, chiefly Montserrat ISrf. to- 

 18irf., and Antigua at 17^/., with a few stains at \Q\d. Prices 

 are steady, but spinners are selecting their lots very carefully. 



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

 on Sea Island cotton in the Southern States, for 

 the week ending May (i, I9I6, is as follows: — 



ISLAND.*. This crop has been entirely disposed of, 

 leaving no stock here or on plantation; consequently the 

 market is closed until the new crop is marketed. 



The following quotations are only nominal, but represent 

 the closing prices paid, viz., 



Extra Fine 3lc. to 32 = 20irf. to i\d. c.i.f. A; 5 per cent. 

 Fully Fine 30c. = 20rf. „ „ „ „ 



FLORiDAS AND iiEORciAs. Siucc ouF last circular report 

 of April 1.5, there has been little change, the market remain- 

 ing firm with sufBcent demand to take the limited offerings 

 at quotations, and exporters have been able to dispose of 

 their holdings to advantage. The buying has been on 

 account of the Northern Mills. 



The supply unsold has been very much reduced, and is 

 firmly held. 



In a limited w;^y can buy at (luotations, viz: 



Fancy 31c. = 32^c., landed. 



Extra Choice 30c. = 31|c., ,, 



Choice 29c. = 30ic., „ 



The exports from Savannah since April 15 were, to 

 Northern Mills 1,052 bales, Southern Mills 470 bales, and 

 from Jacksonville to Northern Mills 50 bales. 



CROP ADVICES. In Carolini there has been little if any 

 increase in the acreage on the Islands. A larger proportion 

 of crop than usual has been planted in prolific seed, classing 

 Fine to Fully Fine, which is more remunerative to planters 

 at the prices now ruling; consequently the supply of Extra 

 Fine will be more limited. This applies partly to the crop 

 lots of Extra Fine and above, as the small premium paid for 

 the .selected grades of Extra Extra has induced some of the 

 planters to return to a more prolific seed. 



In Florida and Georgia there is reported an increase 

 in acreage of 10 to 15 per cent., and some more attention has 

 been given to selection of seed. 



The crops in all three States are suffering from continued 

 spell of dry weather. The stands obtained are irregular and 

 broken, and some replanting has been necessary. With cool 

 nights the plants have made slow progress, and are backward. 

 In . all sections there is urgent need of good rains, which 

 would much improve the outlook. 



This report also shows that the total exports of 

 Sea Island cotton from the United States to Liverpool 

 and Manchester up to May (i, llUti, were 7.54 and 

 443 bales, respectively. 



