334 



THE AGKICULTUEAL XEWS. 



OcTOBKi; 



1?16. 



AGRICULTURE IN THE NORTHERN 



GRENADINES. 



Mr. \V. X. Siuid.<, Agiicultuial Superintendent, St. Yin- 

 cent, hai* recently forwarded two reports, one by tlie 

 Assistant Agricul'tuml Superintendent (Mr C. S Harland, 

 K.Sc.) on a "visit to Betjuia, Canoiian and I'nion, and the 

 second by Mr. Sands on u visit to Balliceaux and Battowia 

 paid by" himself and Mr. Harland conjointly. Tarticular 

 attention was devoted to questions connected with the cotton 

 stainer, and some interesting information was obtained. 



In Bequia, the 'John Bull' tree {Thegpesia populnea) 

 does not grow, but silk-cotton trees are abundant. Observa- 

 tions show that if silk-cotton trees were destroyed and the 

 perennial cotton carefully pruned back as soon as picking is 

 finished, there should be little trouble with internal boll 

 disease, which at present exists to a considerable extent. The 

 destruction of old cotton plants ought to be vigorously 

 enforced as it is allowing leaf-blister mite to become 

 prevalent. 



In regard to the general condition of crops, it is said 

 that they are backward. The 'experimental plot of corn 

 planted last September was a useful demonstration and much 

 needed to make the peoj)le realize the importance of good 

 cultivation. Following the cultivation ot corn on this plot, 

 I'.eugal beans were planted: these grew well and quite preven- 

 ted tiie growth of weeds — again a useful demonstration. 



It is suggested that a permanent experimental plot be 

 established. 



In Canouan Mr. Harland discovered the interesting 

 fact that some years ago the owner had destroyed large 

 inimbers of silk-cotton trees with a view to controlling the 

 cotton stainer and the result had been remarkable as is shown 

 by the fact that the percentage of stained cotton shipped 

 from Canouan is considerably le.ss than 1 per cent. 



The genei-al condition of corn and cotton in Canonan 

 is better than in Bequia, but the crops have been much 

 reUirded by droughts. 



As regards the island of luion it was observed that 

 the internal boll disease is never troublesome in any district 

 except the Chatham district where there are large numbers 

 of silk cotton trees. In this island it is obvious that the 

 cotton stainer is able to u.se perennial cottons to carry them 

 over frinu one sea,<on to the next. 



The general condition of crops is reported to be poor, 

 lack of rain or rather lack of a proper distribution of rain 

 being the chief cause. 



It is possible that advantage will be taken in future 

 <.| the credit system of sale of Sea Island cotton seed which 

 has been inaugurated in connexion with the St. Vincent 

 (I'ovi'rnment Cotton (Ginnery. 



The report on a visit made by ^fr. Sands and Mr. liar 

 land to Balliceaux and Battowia contains items of natunj 

 history of some interest. The places mentioned are small 

 islands of the northern tirenadines owned by a private 

 individual. They lie east of Bequia and south south-east of 

 St.' Vincent. They had not been previously visiteil by otiicers 

 of the St. Vincent Agricultural Ik'partment. 



Balliceaux, the southernmost and larger of the two 

 islands, was visited tirst. It is devoted solely to the rearing 

 of large and small stock and poultry. A considerable portion 

 of the land is therefore under pasture. All cultivation is 

 carried on on the sheltered southern slopes of the island. The 

 chief crops are .^ea Island cotton, Indian corn and peas of 

 various descriptions, The cultivated area is estimated at 

 ol> acres. The soil is described a.s being a very rich loam, the 

 fertility being due no doubt to the guano formed from the 

 droppings of the large ttocks of sea-b rils which have made 

 and continue to make this island their home. 



Sea Island cotton has for a number of years past 

 given excellent returns, and the report states that the young 

 crops look very promising. Flat cultivation is practised, and 

 although the plants are widely spaced, about 5 feet each way, 

 Jlr. Sands was told that they would eventually cover the 

 ground. In legard to cotton, several interesting observations 

 were made in connexion with insects, and it is hoped that 

 specimens will be collected and forwarded for examination. 



As no silk-cotton or 'John Bull' trees appear to exist 

 on the island, a search was made for other native food plants 

 of the cotton stainer, and the chief ones found proved to be 

 the wildochro (^falachra capilala), a herbaceous plant which 

 does not occur commonly in St. Vincent. Another food 

 plant seen was the cultivated ochro. The control of the 

 cotton stainers in tliis island would seem to present little 

 difficulty. 



The leaf-blister mite was seen on a few young jilants and 

 the infestation was traced to old cotton stalks which had been 

 ovcrloiiked last season. I'redaceous insects were well repre 

 senteil and the manager has promised to collect and forward 

 specimens for identitication. 



Of leguminous crops, the black eye pea is the chief one 

 cultivated, but the Lima and bonavist beans were also noted. 

 The growth and bearing of the black-eye pea were particularly 

 good. Papaws and water-melons were abundant. The report 

 states that the remarkable size and healthiness of the papaw 

 trees were very striking, and the possibilities of the manu- 

 facture of papain should be considered by the owner of the 

 island. 



Some facts are given in relation to wild cats that are 

 worth noting. The position is as follows: Some years ago 

 cotton and corn were being eaten by rats and mice and 

 domesticated cats were introduced to catch the vermin. The 

 eats eventually became wild and took to the rocks and 

 'bush'. Here they bred rapidly and became so numerous 

 that they threatened to destroy nearly all the bird-life on 

 the island by their depredations on nests with young 

 birds. They also destroyed the valuable ground and c^her 

 lizards. So alarming did the situation become that the 

 manager applied to this Department for a remedy- as he 

 feared that noxious insects would increase and destroy his 

 crops. The use of strychnine was advised. The poison was 

 laid down and satisfactory results were obtained. 



