Vol. IV. No. 81. 



THE AGEICULTUEAL NEWS. 



149 



THE FISHERIES OF ANTIGUA. 



The following report of a sub-coauuittee appointed 

 last year by the Antigna Agricultural and Commercial 

 Society to investigate the subject of the fisheries of 

 that island has been communicated b}' the Government 

 to the Imperial Commissioner of Agriculture: — 



A large quantity of immature fish is caught by seines, 

 which is not returned to tlie sea. Therefore, a law should 

 be passed, compelling the meshes of all seines to be of 

 a standard size, as is done in .Jamaica. . We recommend the 

 Jamaica Act as a model to be followed. 



In other British colonies, a close season for must fish 

 has been established, and such a law has been in force here 

 with regard to turtle until lately ; but owing to the want of 

 co-operation on the part of the neighljouring islands, belong- 

 ing to foreign powers, it has had to be abandoned. As the 

 fisheries are practically undeveloped, we do not think a close 

 season for fishing is, at [iresent, necessary, but it may be 

 a subject for future consideration. It is interesting to note 

 the opinion of local fishermen that they do not catch fish so 

 readily in fish-pots since the erui)tions in Martinique, as they 

 did before ; but we cannot find any evidence to this effect. 



The bulk of the fishermen in Antigua are incompetent, 

 and ignorant of pr(_)per methods of catching fish, and need 

 instruction by literature and other recognized means. This 

 instruction might be provided by the Imperial Department 

 of Agriculture, aided by the ettbrts of the local Agricultural 

 Society. In this connexion we suggest that models of 

 modern appliances for catching fish, such as pots, trawls, 

 etc., be obtained and exhibited through the fishing villages 

 of Antigua. The value of fish as a cheap and nutritious 

 food for the labouring classes, leading to a healthy and 

 numerous population, is well known. 



At present the tree oyster industi-y of Antigua is 

 entirely neglected. Possibilities exist of developing this 

 industry by exporting oysters in ice, or cool chambers to 

 neighbouring colonies. There is also complete ignorance as 

 to the care and propagation of this shell fish, which is 

 a staple article of diet among the people in the villages. 



The Imperial Department of Agriculture has already 

 obtained some information as to the feasibility of establishing 

 a pearl fishery in the more suitable liarbours of Antigua on 

 the lines of the i>ro.'peruus fishery at the island of Margarita 

 off the coast of Venezuela. It is probable that in course of 

 time, a similar- industry might be developed here, and we 

 suggest that the Agricultural Society should ask the 

 Imperial Department of Agriculture and the local Govern- 

 ment to take the necessary steps to assist in the establishment 

 of such an industry. 



The sponge indu.stry of Antigua is absolutely untouched, 

 and the possibilities are great, as sponges are very plentiful 

 around the coral beds, but nothing is known of the art of 

 curing them for market. 



The sea-egg industry of Barbados is the mainstay of the 

 labouring population there ; the same sea-eggs are to be 

 found around these shores, but, through ignorance of their 

 value, this branch of fishery is cpute neglected. It should 

 be noted that the roe of the sea-egg is a most nutritious food. 



The fish-oil and fish-manure industries are possible 

 developments of a plentiful sup^ily of fish. Properly cured 

 sharlv skins and shark oil are alsu in demand in the English 

 market, but nothing is known as to their preparation, 

 though sharks abound here. 



It is evident from the above that the fishing industry of 

 Antigua contains possibilities of great wealth, and could give 

 emi)loyment to a much larger population than at present. 

 Ignorance, want of co-operation, and the absence of a profitable 

 market have been the chief causes of its non-development. 

 W'e venture to think that a small local company, with 

 £1 shares, might be formed to make a practical beginning 

 of its development on the lines of the Grimsby Fishing 

 Company in England. A proper scheme of co-operation 

 so as to market the fish rapidly and market what is not 

 required will be the foundation of any future success in this 

 industry. 



AGRICULTURAL ORGANIZATION IN 

 HAWAII. 



The first report of the Board of Commissioners of Agri- 

 culture and Forestry of the Territory of Hawaii has recently 

 been issued. It covers the i)eriod from July 1, 190.3, to 

 December 31, 1904. 



Besides its general object the Board has charge of 

 matters appertaining to forestry, entomology, and agriculture. 

 The Board maintains relations with the National Bitreau of 

 Forestry at AVashington, the Federal Agricultural Experiment 

 Station at Honolulu, ■ and the Hawaiian Sugar Planters' 

 Association. The latter organization, although it has 

 established an elaborate entomological station of its own, 

 still paj's half the salary of two of the three entomologists 

 in the employ of the Board. Tlie Federal Experiment 

 Station is practically conducting the work of the agricultui'al 

 division of the Board. On the reconnnendation of the Board 

 proclamations have been issued prohibiting the importation 

 of cacao seeds or plants, banana fruits or plants, and other 

 fresh fruit from certain specified countries ; the iinportatlou 

 of sugar-cane, except for experimental work, is absolutely 

 prohibited. 



Mr. It. S. Hosmer has been appointed Superintendent 

 of Forestry, and is assisted by a large number of District 

 Foresters, serving without salary in the various islands of the 

 group. The work of the forestry division is in connexion, 

 with the establishment and care of forest reserve, reforesting,, 

 etc. 



The work of the entomological division has been mainly 

 (1) the inspection and quarantine, disinfection or destruction 

 wherever necessary, of fruit and plants entering the colony,, 

 with a view to preventing the introduction of new 

 insect pests ; (2) seeking and disseminating parasites of the 

 leaf-hopper. This work is now carried on by the Sugar 

 Planters' Association. (3) The introduction of insect enemie-s 

 of other destructive insect pests. Reports from the 

 entomological staff are included in the Report of the Board. 



The two lines of work of the agricultural division, it is 

 said, which promise the most innuediate beneficial results, 

 are in connexion with the introduction of a new variety of 

 banana — the Bluefields banana* — and the production of 

 a marketable tobacco. Work is also being carried on in 

 connexion with the mango, avocado pear, citrus fruits, cacao, 

 rubber, etc. The experiment station of the Sugar Planters' 

 Association deals with the whole of the work in connexion 

 with sugar-cane. 



* A descriiition of tlu5 banana will be found elsewhere in 

 this issue. [Ed. A. N.] 



