Vol. IV. No. 96. 



THE AGRICULTUEAL NEWS. 



393 



Manurial Experiments with Sugar-cane at 

 Barbados. 



A siuumary of the results of the experiments with 

 varieties of sugar-cane carried on at Barbados during 

 the season 1903-5 was published in the Afjricidtural 

 News, Vol. IV, p. 3.55. It may be of interest to review 

 briefly the results of the manurial experiments. 



These results confirm those obtained in previous 

 years. They indicate that an ordinary application of 

 farmyard manure, together with artificial manure, is 

 more effective than a ver}"^ large application of 

 farmyard manure without artificial manure ; also that 

 the application of nitrogen both to plant canes and 

 ratoons, is followed by a profitable increase in the 

 yield. The application of sulphate of potash was 

 genei'ally profitable. On the other hand, phosphatic 

 fertilizers either had no effect upon the yield or caused 

 a diminution. 



Rubber in Hawaii. 



A press Bulletin (No. 13), issued by the Hawaii 

 Agricultural Experiment Station, contains notes in 

 regard to the chief rubber-yielding plants, more 

 especially as to the possibility of their successful 

 cultivation in Hawaii. 



It is considered unlikely that the climate of 

 Hawaii would prove suitable for the Para rubber tree ; 

 for a similar reason, it is doubtful whether the cultiva- 

 tion of CastUloa elastica should be attempted on 

 more than an experimental scale. 



The Ceara rubber {Marillinf Glaziovti), on the 

 other hand, finds the climate of Hawaii quite suitable : 

 it makes rapid growth in Hawaii, thriving from sea- 

 level up to 2,500 feet. As this tree will stand 

 n moderate tapping at three years, comparatively early 

 returns may be obtained. A company has already 

 planted 100,000 seeds of this species, and expects to 

 have half a million growing within another two years. 



The Ceara rubber would appear to offer the most 

 favourable prospects for a rubber industry in Hawaii. 



Agricultural Scholarships. 



The Agricultural Scholarships for the Leeward 

 and Windward Islands, of the annual value of £75, in 

 connexion with the Imperial Department of Agri- 

 culture, and held b}^ A. H. Boon, of Antigua, and 

 G. O. M. O'Reilly, of St. Lucia, will be vacated at the 

 end of the current year. 



Both scholars have successfully completed a two- 

 years' course in Agricultural Science, and a satisfectory 

 report has been sent in by the Acting Head Master of 

 Harrison College on their conduct and progress during 

 that period. 



With the view of filling the vacancies thus caused, 

 it is proposed to hold an examination of candidates 

 who fulfil the required conditions, in each of the 

 W^indward and Leeward Islands early in January next. 

 Full information may be obtained on application at the 

 Government Offices in the islands concerned. The last 

 day on which applications can be received is Thursday, 

 December 28 next. 



Shade-Grown Tobacco in Jamaica. 



As was briefly stated in the last issue of the Agri- 

 cultured Neivs, a section of the pamphlet (No. 38) ou 

 the Cultivation and Curing of Tobacco, just issued by 

 the Imperial Department of Agriculture, is devoted to 

 the cultivation under shade of Sumatra tobacco for 

 cigar wrappers. 



The experiments that have been carried on for 

 some years at the Hope Experiment Station have 

 shown that cigar wrapper tobacco equal, if not superior, 

 to Sumatra can bo grown in Jamaica. The cost of 

 production has been placed at 2.s. to 2s. 2ld. per lb. 

 Samples of the leaf wore estimated by an expert to be 

 worth 6s. per It). 



Although these figures are liable to revision with 

 wider experience in Jamaica and elsewhere, it is 

 evident that the cultivation of this type of tobacco 

 would leave a good margin for profit. 



Mr. J. V. Chalmers, the expert who visited 

 Jamaica last year for the purpose of reporting on the 

 prospects of the industry, considers that the cultivation 

 of shade-grown tobacco should be extended in Jamaica, 

 as he is confident that it can be carried on very 

 profitably. 



Detailed instructions as to the cultivation of this 

 tobacco under shade will be found in the pamphlet. 



The Trade Pendulum. 



In an interesting article in the Journal of tloe 

 Jamaica Agricultural Society, entitled the 'Trade 

 Pendulum,' the writer discusses the ups and downs to 

 which different branches of trade are subject. Figures 

 are quoted to show that each branch of trade 

 experiences ' booms ' for a few years, which are almost 

 invariably followed by periods of depression. Logwood, 

 coffee, pimento, annatto, and other products are cited 

 as examples. 



While these market fluctuations are inevitable, 

 the trouble lies in the rush into a particular form of 

 cultivation that follows a period of high prices for that 

 product. The increased jDroduction, sooner or later, 

 causes a drop in prices ; with the result that the 

 cultivation will have to be dropped by all except those 

 who can produce the article cheajoly. Now, cheap 

 production must mean, among other things, that the 

 right conditions of soil, climate, etc., have been secured 

 for the crop. 



In view of keen competition, diversified agriculture, 

 it is urged, is necessary; but, further, land must be 

 kept up to the highest pitch of cultivation. Each 

 planter must carefully consider for which products he 

 can secure the most suitable conditions. 



The writer of the article advises the coffee planter 

 in Jamaica to keep live stock for the sake of their 

 manure and to grow oranges. The cacao planter has his 

 bananas; he should also plant rubber trees as a perma- 

 nent shade, as well as cocoa-nuts. The pen keeper 

 has usually oranges, pimento, and logwood ; according 

 to the district, cotton, coffee, and other crops will be 

 useful accessories. 



