Vol. IV. No. 8-5. 



THE AGRICULTUEAL NEWS. 



221 



VIRGIN ISLANDS: ANNUAL REPORT ON THE 

 EXPERIMENT STATION, TORTOLA, 1904-5. 



The total expenditure for the year on this station was 

 £65-1: 3s. 1(/. Tlie receipts from the sale of produce, etc., 

 amounted to £67 \s. Id., an increase of £40 15s. llcA 

 ■over last year's receipts. A building for a cotton factory 

 was erected during the year at a cost of £154. 



A number of ornamental plants were planted out during 

 the year ; this will have the effect of rendering the station 

 more attractive. The principal work, however, has been in 

 connexion with the growth and distribution of economic 

 plants ; a large number of pine-apple suckers, a few cacao 

 plants, and some 3,000 tops of seedling canes were distributed. 



In the experimental plots, sugar-cane, onions, cacao, 

 pine-apples, limes, corn, and cotton were grown. Good 

 results are recorded with B. 208. Sugar was manufactured 

 at the station for tenants. Some 700 ft. of onions grown in 

 the experiment ])lot were sold in the neighbouring island 

 of St. Thomas at lis. per 100 lb. This would seem to be 

 A suitable industry for the peasants, as considerable quantities 

 could be sold in St. Thomas. 



The report is of a satisfactory character and .shows that 

 work of a practical and useful nature is being carried on by 

 Sir. Fishlock in the Virgin Islands. 



TRINIDAD: ANNUAL REPORT ON THE 

 GOVERNMENT LABORATORY, 190^-5. By Prof- 

 essor P. Carmody. 



The number of samples dealt with at the laboratory 

 shows an increase of 275 as compared with last year. The 

 samples are classified as follows: llevenue samples, 5-15; 

 criminal cases, 172; sanitary, 712; agricultural and indus- 

 trial, 218 ; miscellaneous, 97 ; unofficial samples, 121. 



The samples classified as ' sanitary ' were principally 

 milks ; there were also included samples of aerated waters, 

 spirits, vinegar, and butter. Preference is made elsewhere in 

 this issue of the Agyicultural News to the examination of 

 milk and its adulteration. A very large proportion (61 per 

 cent.) of the samples of aerated waters was found to be 

 contaminated with metallic impurities likely to be injurious 

 to health. Lead was frequently present: this was apparently 

 due to the use of impure sulphuric acid and to the use of 

 lead and pewter pipes, which should be discontinued. 



Samples of milk, molascuit, grass, and soil were 

 examined for the Government Stock Farm, the milk being 

 tested weekly. 



Samples of camphor from the Botanic Department were 

 also dealt with. The dry leaves yielded 3-2 per cent. ; the 

 twigs, 0'04 per cent. ; and the wood only traces. Seventeen 

 sugars were polarized for the Agricultural Society in con- 

 nexion with the local exhibition. One polarized 98'G° and 

 being an excellent sample of the art of crystallizing sugar, 

 was awarded first prize. 



Courses of lectures on chemistry were given at the 

 Pioyal and St. JIary's colleges, and teachers from training 

 •schools received agricultural instruction at the laboratory. 



BRITISH GUIANA : ANNUAL REPORT ON THE 

 BOTANIC GARDENS, 1904-5. By A. W. Bartlett, 

 B.A., B.Sc, F.L.S., Government Botanist. 



During the year under review 23,044 plants of various 

 kinds were raised in the nurseiy and planted in the Botanic 

 Gardens. 



The Sea Island cotton plots were not very successful; 

 the results with Egyptian varieties wore more encouraging. 

 Mr. Bartlett is in favour of further experiments being tried 

 with the latter, as it appears to be better adapted to the 

 climate and soil conditions of the colony. 



Onion seed from Tencrife was distributed to a number 

 of people in the colony : it appears that in the lighter soils of 

 the colony onions grow well, and their cultivation should 

 prove profitable if an effort is made to supply the local 

 market when the price is high. 



The receipts during the year amounted to $901'14, 

 and were considerably below those of the previous year : 

 10,627 economic plants were supplied from the nursery at 

 the average price of lie. each. ' It is to be regretted that 

 a more extensive use is not made of the facilities afforded by 

 the Government for supplying the people of the colony with 

 a large variety of useful plants at the lowest possible prices.' 



]\Ir. Bartlett's report shows that much useful work is 

 being done in the Botanic Gardens and contains an 

 abundance of interesting information in regard to the plants 

 and crops grown. 



STACK ENSILAGE. 



Mr. Alfred H. d'Costa contributes to the Bulletin 

 of the BcjKcrtment of Afjriculture, Jamaica, the 

 following note on making corn ensilage in stacks : — 



Plant 3 acres of guinea corn, red dhurra or native 

 corn and cultivate until the grains of corn are just soft 

 enough to be crushed between your fingers. The corn is 

 then in the best stage to make ensilage. 



Erect eight poles 10 feet high to outline your stack 

 and wattle the sides to help even packing. A. stack 16 feet 

 by 10 feet is a suitable size for 3 acres of corn. Leave 

 two openings in the sides of the stack, one at either side, to 

 be used as doors. 



Start cutting the corn early in the morning, one man 

 cutting, two men and two carts carting, and one man to 

 pack, you yourself remaining in the stack to direct the 

 packing and give a help with the handing up of the corn. 



Spread about a foot of grass on the ground and see that 

 it is quite level. 



With the first load of corn brought in by the carts start 

 packing and pack as tightly, and as level as you can; be sure 

 and pack the sides tightly, as the great object is to keep out 

 the air and it is more likely to get in from the sides than 

 anywhere else. Pack right up to the wattle and be sure 

 that you leave no air spaces ; wherever you notice a small 

 hole, cut some of the corn and push it in and always pack 

 level. Continue to pack evenly until you have used all 

 your corn, then cover the top with I foot of grass spread 

 evenly, and pile on all the stones and logs you can get on top 

 to weigh down the stack. 



After you have got on the weights take down the wattle 

 and draw away the side poles and so leave the stack free to 

 settle down. 



The stacking of the corn may take from two to three 

 days, and the ensilage will be ready for use in about two 

 months' time. 



