Vol. XV. Xo. 



THE AGEICULTUEAL ^'EWS. 



285 



.ST. LUCIA: BEPOBT OS THE AGRICULTURAL 

 DEFARTMEST. Ul-jld. 



In the Botanic Gardens, situated at Castries, the capital 

 town of this island, the qaestion of the reconstruction of the 

 main roads, with a view to making them accessible for driving, 

 was dealt with dnring the year. At the Experiment Station 

 at Reunion estate, the nsnal work connected with the raising 

 and disiribntion of plants was carried on: during the year 

 52,0.58 plants were sent out, which ci'mpares favourably with 

 the number distributed in previous years. Most of these 

 plants consist of lime seedlings. Tne report then gives some 

 interesting notes on ornamental and economic plants, amongst 

 which may be mentioned Kohia r-ychi, an interesting plant 

 closely related to the cotton plant: and the camphor which 

 yields the camphor of commerce. The investigation started 

 in the previous year with a view to determining the different 

 speries of St. Lucia grasses was continued during the present 

 period, and thirteen of the specimens proved to be new 

 records. Several species of sedges were also named. Assist- 

 ance in this work of determination was kindly given by the 

 United States Department of Agricaltnxe. 



In regard to plot experiments at the Botanic and Experi- 

 ment Stations, reference is made to an experimental plot of 

 Bav trees, planted for the purpose of ascertaining the actual 

 yield of oil from culrivated trees as compared with trees 

 growing in a wild or semi-wild state. A large number of 

 other plots were cuitivated during the year under cotton, 

 sugar-cane, limes, ground-nuts, etc. Work was done in the 

 matter of grafting mangoes and budding oranges. 



In regard to pest and diseases, the necessity for legisla- 

 tion against dodder and mistletoe is mentioned. Action has 

 been taken to prevent the importati''n ot citrus canker, which 

 is prevalent in the United States. A list is given of the 

 principal pests and diseases together with the host plants, 

 which are commonly met with in St. Lada. 



Turning to prepress in the chief industries, it is stated 

 that the total value of sugar and its by-products exported 

 during the year reached the sum of £89,466, this being an 

 increase in value over the exports for the previous year of 

 £43,167. This great increase is chiefly due to the 

 general advance in prices, but there was some slight increase 

 in production. Turning to cacao, the need for greater atten- 

 tion in the matter of tillage, drainage, liming and mulch- 

 ing on estates is strongly empha.<ized. If better care were 

 exercised, there is no doubt that the output of cacao from 

 St. Lucia wuuld be much greater th4u it is, namely, about 

 18,-500 cwt. The exports sinc-e 1891 are plotted to form 

 a curve which possesses very interesting features. The 

 rapid rise in the exports dtuing the period 1900-6 is very 

 marked, and would appear to be, at least in part, the result 

 of increased attention given to the cultivation of cacao, as the 

 result of the activities of the local Agricultural Department, 

 particularly in regard to agricultural instruction. The 

 eomparatively stationary condition of the industry in recent 

 years may be regarded as being partly due to the increased 

 attention that has been given to the growing of limes. 



Ttiming to th^ cixitivation of limes, it is stated that the 

 total lime products exported during the year were valued at 

 £7,-312. The Agricultural Superintendent is not satisfied 

 with the output of limes in comparison with the area that 

 has been planted. He Anaders that the relatively small 

 output indicates that ILtae cultivation has not beeti ^ven 

 proper care and attentioiL This may be due in tS 



to the planter putting in more limes than he is c: y 



able to care for. In oihgr cases it may be due to sheer 

 neglect, and failure to attempt co apply manures, particularly 

 vegetable mtilclL The question of the budding of limes is 

 dealt with on the baas of information from Dominica. 



There has been a satisfactory extension of the area 

 under coco-nuts during the yean young groves are in healthy 

 condition and show every {oomise for a successful indtistiy 

 in the future. Other minor industries of the Colony inclade 

 honey and fruit, and drugs and spices. There T^as been 

 a reduction in the value of all these exported during 1915, 

 compared with 1914. 



In r^ard to agricultoial education, it is stated that 

 work in the elementary sAools has ccimpared favourably 

 with that of previous years. Concerning work in the couatry, 

 agricultural instructor- whose duties shotild be to visit 

 estates and peasant holdings and give practical demon- 

 strations and advice are urgently needei The position 

 is at present, that the existing staff are so taken up with 

 experimental and administrative work, that they have little 

 time at their disposal to devote to agricultural instruc- 

 tion. 



An interesting feature of the year under review wis the 

 passing of an Agricultural Credit Societies Ordinance sindlar 

 to the one in force in .St. Tinoent, for the encouragement 

 and assistance of unlimited credit societies under the 

 EaiffeLsen system. .Several of these societies have been 

 started. Another economic feature of the year was the 

 movement made with a view to providing Crown lands 

 for ex-service men. 



The Government lime juiee factory passed through 

 a successful year, the profit made by the Government being 

 £128 as against £1.3 for the year 191.3-14. The total 

 receipts were £1,217, and the total working expenses £-523. 

 The profits for distribution in the form of bonuses to vendors 

 amounted to £560. The standard of quality of the concen- 

 trated juice has been maintained at a satisfactory level The 

 average sediment in the juice was 2 "5 tmits. The crush- 

 ing was better than last year, though the juiee was not 

 so rich in acid. Prices were maintained at a satisfaetoiy 

 level 



In r^ard to extension of inta^st in agricultural pro- 

 ducts, reference is made to the possibilities before the 

 cultivation cf camphor, Robusta coffee, logwood, ajowan 

 (for the production of thymol), and peas and beans. A scheme 

 for purchasing beans and peas by the Government on 

 a profit-sharing basis has been introduced. 



The report contains a considerable number of meteoro- 

 Ic^cal statistics. The year tmder review proved to be 

 the wettest recorded for the last twenty ye-ais. The rainfall 

 at the Castries B-jtanic Gardens for 1915 amounted to 

 116-20 inches, being 4560 inches in excess of the nreceding 

 year, which was the driest year on record. 



Readers interested in gardening will find a useful list 

 of roses suitable for the West Indies towards the end of this 

 report. 



The publication closes with a report on the working of 

 the Land Settlement Scheme at Reunion. Six new holdings 

 were scld during tie year under review, making a total of 

 thirty-six sold out of the <»iginal total of forty-six. 



