Vol. XV. No. 37G, 



THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS 



311 



SUGAR-CANE. New varieties of cane were introduced 

 from Barbados and St. Kitts in 1913, and were carefuUy 

 grown at the Agricultural and Botanical Station. The varie- 

 ties giving the best returns under the existing conditions at 

 Choi.seul were distributed free during the year to the Land 

 Settlement holders. The cane grown was crushed and manu- 

 factured into sugar at the Agricultural Department's sugar 

 works on the usual system of sharing. 



CASSAVA follows sweet potato in order of importance, 

 and attention has been paid to the introduction of new varie- 

 ties from Montserrat. Eleven new varieties were obtained, 

 and after careful trials, cuttings of the two best yielder.s were 

 distributed for general planting. 



OTHER CROPS such as peas, beans, yams, Indian corn, 

 coco-nut.s, cotfee, limes and cacao are being grown in suitable 

 •situations. 



Continuous assistance and advice have been regularly 

 given by the officers of the Agricultural Department. 



DISTRIBUTION OF FREE PLANTS, ETC. 



The following list shows the number of plants and cut- 

 tings distributed fne during the year: — 



Sweet potato (cuttings) ... -5,000 



Cassava „ ... 5,.500 



Sugar-cane ,, ... 11,000 



Coco nuts (plants) ... ... "24 



Limes „ ... ... 50 



Coffee „ 24 



Banana (suckers) ... ... 500 



TRAINING AND INSTP>UCTI0N. 



Owing to the Settlement adjoining the Agricultural and 

 Botanical Station, it has been possible to render greater 

 a.ssistance to the Land Settlement holders than would other- 

 wise have been possible. 



The labour to work this Station is drawn as far as possible 

 from the families working holdings under the Land Settle- 

 ment Scheme. 



When the Agricultural Superintendent is satisfied that 

 a holding is planted and weeded and requires no further 

 attention for the time being, the owner is employed in the 

 Agricultural Station. 



This enables him to be taught the proper tillage of the 

 same soil, growing the same kind of crops as their own lots, 

 and under the same climatic conditions. It also provides 

 them with ready money for their general maintenance while 

 their own crops are maturing. As .soon as their own holdings 

 recjuire attention they are sent back, and others taken on to 

 fill their places at the Station. 



THE JAVA FIBRE CONFERENCE OF 1911. 



The proceedings, published in three volumes, of 

 the Java Fibre Conference held in July 1911, have been 

 received, and the attention of readers interested in such 

 crops as cotton, kapok, agave, JIanila hemp, ramie, and 

 jute may be called to these important sources of infor- 

 mation. An especially useful paper on the classifica- 

 tion of Agaves was read at one of the meetings, and 

 the paper, because of its West Indian bearing, will be 

 reproduced in an early issue of the West Indian 

 Bulletin, together with additional information furnished 

 to this Department by the author. 



The following are brief summaries of three papers 

 read on Javan kapok, pine-apple fibre, and cotton. It 

 will be remembered that Javan kapok is the first grade 

 commercial standard recognized all over the world. 



KAPOK. 



Kapok- is a good secondary crop for the native popula- 

 tion, but measures must be taken to prevent stealing and 

 picking of unripe fruits. 'filfsewis : 



European estates bared on the cultivation of kapok may 

 be profitable, but the profits are u.sually small. It is recom- 

 mended that kapok cultivation may be cianbined with cacao, 

 coftee. etc. or with cattle rearing. 



The consumption of kapok for .several purposes is 

 increasing all over the world, and, .so far as can be seen, 

 there is no fear of overproduction. 



The exports of kapok from other tropical countries are 

 as yet unimportant, but officials in other countrie.s, where 

 kapok may be grown, are encouraging its production so that 

 in future competition msy be expected. 



It is therefore recommended by this congress, that 

 measures be taken to prevent anj' falling off in the quality of 

 Javan kapok, in order that it may retain its reputation as 

 the most valuable and best prepared kapok in the markets of 

 the world. 



PINE-APPLE FIBRE. 



As regards the production of pine-apple fibre, the 

 general conclusions arrived at were : — 



It is found that well prepared fibre also made by the 

 natives, is suitable for many purposes The demand is as yet 

 irregular and there is no established market, but it is expected 

 that a market for pine-apple fibre may soon be developed. 



It is found, thanks to the experts, that the fibre has 

 ' many good qualities, so that it merits attention, and it may 

 become of commercial importance in European industries. 



Before a just conclu.sion may be reached, we must await: 

 (1) the results of sevefat experimental plantations in differ- 

 ent parts of the Archipelago. 

 (3)Trial in the preparation of the fibre for market. 



COTTON CULTIVATION IN PALEMBANG. 



The followino: shows that the agricultural author- 

 ities in Java are aUve as to the difficulties confronting 

 the production of cotton: — 



It will be an important advantage to the cotton cultiv- 

 ation in Palembang to make regulations as at Lematang-Ilir 

 (that is reserve for cotton grounds suitable for it). 



Lands for cotton must not be permitted to be over-run 

 with alang-alang. 



In regions where cotton is growing or may be growa 

 profitably, fields should be reserved for seed gardens. 



Sufficient positive data for making satisfactory estimates 

 cannot be obtained. 



If the native cotton cultivation in Palembang is left 

 to itself, the industry is not likely to expand. 



The prospects are favourable for native cotton cultiv- 

 ation in Palembang if European capital comes in for instal- 

 ling gins and buying the product. 



Native cotton cultivation may be encouraged by giving 

 demonstrations, and by organizations for farmer's banks. 



The prospects for European cultivation of cotton are not 

 unfavourable, especially if carried on in connexion with other 

 crops. (Mixed farming). 



There are no figures for making estimates regarding 

 European cotton cultivation in the Dutch East Indies. _ Some 

 difficulties regarding labour may be expected. 



The prospects for European cultivation of cotton may be 

 more favourable if the Covernment and those interested in 

 cotton combine — 



(1) for securing information. 



(2) for establishing a cotton experiment station. 



