212 



THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS. 



July 15, 1905. 



WEST INDIAN FRUIT. 



CULTIVATION OF ORANGES IN 

 DOMINICA. 



In tlie xii I r'l cultural Xcirs {WA. Ill, p. 340) there 

 was published a brief description by Dr. Watts of 

 the system of cultivation for oranges adopted by 

 Mr. Scully at 'Corona,' Dominica. In a report on 

 a recent visit to the island Dr. Watts again refers to 

 the success that has attended this system : — 



Attention may again be drawn to the rational manner 

 in wliieh ]\Ir. Scully is cultivating his orange plantation at 

 Corona. A circular space is kept cleanly weeded aromul each 

 orange tree, and in weeding care is taken to prevent the soil 

 from being dragged away from the roots of the trees ; the 

 intervening ground between the weeded circles remains 

 covered with grass and the weeds natural to the district ; 

 these are periodically (three or four times a year) cut down 

 by means of cutlasses and allowed to lie on the surface as 

 mulch. So far, no turf has formed, and the soil remains 

 in excellent condition, perfectly protected from wash, and 

 with its supply of humus constantly renewed. The existence 

 of this cultivation constitutes an object-lesson of great value 

 to other planters who are sure to be favourably influenced 

 by it. 



can be shipped. It is generally known that these bananas 

 will increase in favour, and they will without doubt hold 

 a primary position in the markets here.' 



BARBADOS BANANA INDUSTRY. 



The following is an extract from a letter to the 

 local ncwsjjapers from Mr. J. R. Boveli, Agricultural 

 Superintendent at Barbados, dated July o, in reference 

 to the shipment of bananas: — 



I have received a telegram to-day from Messrs. W. 

 Pink & Sons informing me that the bananas shipped by the 

 S.S. 'Trent' on .June 3 last have netted '2s. l\hl. per bunch. 



With regard to those shipped by the S.S. 'Orinoco' on 

 June 17 last, I regret to say that they inform me that 

 10 per cent, have arrived bad, and the bunches were mature 

 and ripe. They also advise us to ship as many bunches as 

 we can. 



In connexion with this matter I will also ask you to 

 allow me to reniiiul banana growers that the S.S. ' Tagus,' in 

 which the Hall's system of cold storage is installed, is the 

 next steamer for England, and that they should ship as many 

 bananas by this ship as possible, which usually carries them 

 in good condition. On her last voyage she carried 1,538 

 bunches, out of which only one arrived bad. 



It may also be of interest if I mention that, in a letter 

 dated June 16, Messrs. W. Pink it Sons write: 'The demand 

 for bananas is now enormous, we can sell any cpiantity that 



KOLA IN SAMOA. 



The ftillowing note on the cultivation of kola, 

 extracted from the Consular Report on the trade 

 of Samoa for 1904, contains items of interest : — 



Kola does exceedingly well up to an altitude of 500 

 feet above the sea. Counnunication from &\\y firm with 

 regard to tropical industries will receive full attention at the 

 consulate. Kola trees here give their first crop in seven 

 years from date of planting. 



This article, grown principally on the West Coast of 

 Africa, where it is largely con.sumed, is now, in a limited 

 way, coming into use in Australia as an addition to or 

 substitute for alcoliolic drinks, the craving for which it is 

 .said to keep in check. It is a great thirst nuencher and 

 removes bodily fatigue. 



As some difHculties attend its transport, for the fresh 

 beau appears soon to lose its colour and presumably some 

 of its strength when long exposed to the air, it is possible 

 that it may become an export to Australia, which lies .so 

 close to Samoa that it can be shipped there in six or seven 

 days. 



Sierra Leone alone su]>iilies the interior of Africa with 

 kola beans to the value of £37,000 j'early. 



lilach pod contains from four to six beans. On the 

 Gold Coast the beans are sold for L? Qd. to 2s. 3(/. per 100. 

 On the Gold Coast the yield of trees seven j-ears old is 

 stated to be 3,500 beans per tree, worth there £2 10s. 



GOATS FOR SALE. 



The following goats of improved breed are offered 

 for sale : — 



Three pure-bred, Toftenberg male kids, four months old 

 (by Bruce out of Pauline). Price, 6 dollars (£1 5s.) each — 

 not including crate and freight. 



Two half-bred, Tofl'euberg ewes, eight weeks old 

 (by Bruce out of good native goat). Price, 3 dollars (12s. 6d.) 

 each — not including crate and freight. 



A fine cross-bred male goat (by Black Hock out of good 

 native goat). Cream coloured, eighteen months old, in good 

 condition. Price, 12 dollars (£2 10s.), not including crate 

 and freight. 



Address : — Stockniaster, 



Imperial Department of Agricvdture, 

 Head Office : Barbados. 



