Vol. X. No. 232. 



THE AGRICULTUKAL NEWS. 



93 



STUDENTS' CORNER. 



MARCH. 



Second Period. 



Seasonal Notes. 



In peasant cultivation, particularly, several different 

 kinds of crops are often planted in the same plot of ground. 

 Discuss the advisability of adopting such a method of cultiva- 

 tion, especially in reference to the likelihood of obtaining 

 the best yields from the plants, and to the chances of attack 

 by insect and fungus pests. In the same relation, consider 

 the question of the desirability of growing green dressings 

 betvreen the rows, in the case of certain crops. In peasant 

 cultivation, again, the trash is often removed from plots 

 where sugar-cane is being grown. What is likely to be the 

 result of such removal, in regard to the plant and with 

 respect to the soil? What is your opinion concerning the 

 trashing of land, in relation to the supply of plant food that 

 will be available from it? 



Where the flower-bud maggot of cotton has proved 

 itself to be a notable pest, records should be available 

 concerning the date of its appearance in the season just 

 ending, as well as in previous years. These will help in 

 arriving at a decision as to whether early or late planting is 

 advisable in conne.xion with the power to minimize the 

 destructive effect of this pest. Where cotton is still standing, 

 and attacks of leaf-blister mite are taking place, a comparison 

 might be made of the effectiveness of picking off infected 

 growths, with that of dusting with lime and sulphur, in 

 relation to the problem of jireventing its spread. What is 

 the place of the leaf-blister mite in the Animal Kingdom, 

 and what are the chief matters of importance in its life- 

 histor}'? Give an account of the flower-bud maggot, particu- 

 larly in relation to the stages which are passed through by 

 it, and include any reasons that are suggested for the great 

 difficulties that exist in connexion with the eradication of 

 this pest. A detailed account of it is to be found in the 

 West Indian Bulletin, Vol. X, p. 1. 



Make a list of the different varieties of sweet potatoes 

 with which you are familiar, and to which you have access. 

 From time to time, careful note should be taken of the chief 

 characteristics of these varieties, with special reference to the 

 shape of the leaves and roots, their colour and its distribu- 

 tion in the case of the leaves, as well as in connexion with 

 the quality of the product, its yield, and the resistance of the 

 different kinds to diseases and pests. If these matters are 

 noted on a list which has been made, as is described above, 

 they will give useful information with regard to the plant 

 itself, and will form a guide in selecting varieties for future 

 planting. 



Further work in connexion with varietal differences of 

 plants may well be done at the present time with the sugar- 

 cane. Observations should be made continually for the pur- 

 pose of attaining the ability to name the different kinds 

 after a short examination. This leads to the practical use of 

 the knowledge that has been gained, for it will be possible 

 now to make notes on definite characters of the varieties, 

 special attention being given to the yields that are 

 obtained from them, the time that each takes to come to 

 maturity, and the power to resist disease which it exhibits. 

 It is a well-known fact that certain varieties of sugar-cane, 

 especially, develop noticeable differences in their appearance, 

 as well as to some extent in their sugar content, in relation 



to the surroundings in which they are grown. Of what use 

 to plants is the power to vary under dili'orent conditions, and 

 how, in a general way, may advantage be taken of this power 

 by the agriculturist .' For guidance in making observations 

 on the time of maturity of different kinds of sugar-cane, it 

 may be stated that this is comparatively short in the case of 

 B.208; while B.147 is a late maturing cane. What hint does 

 this give us in regard to the use of one or the other of these 

 canes for supplying dead holes? 



Why is it important that, in reaping, the cane should 

 be cut as low down as pos.sible, giving attention to other 

 considerations than that of obtaining the largest yield 

 of cane per acre? Where the stumps of plant canes 

 are being left in the ground for a ratoon crop, a careful 

 examination should be conducted for the purpose of determin- 

 ing if root disease is present, and to what extent this is 

 the case, in order that it may be decided if it will be weJl to 

 raise a ratoon crop at all in that part of the ground. What 

 are the signs that you would look for in conducting observa- 

 tions of this nature? In cases where the disease is seen to 

 be particularly prevalent, what are the proper precautions to 

 be taken in order to lessen its chances of spread, and its 

 opportunity to do damage to succeeding crops, as far as 

 possible? 



It should not be necessary at the present time to remind 

 those whose work is conducted on sugar estates that every 

 thing that is possible .should be done now, in order to gain 

 a good knowledge of the processes that are employed for the 

 manufacture of sugar. The student will have regard, firstly, 

 to the method used on the estate on which his work is done. 

 He should then take all pos.sible opportunities of gaining infor- 

 mation concerning other methods, with the object of comparing 

 the different kinds that come under his notice, in respect to 

 their efficiency and adaptability under particular conditions. 

 In any case, he should not be satisfied as long as there remains 

 any part of the process for the adoption of which he has not 

 been placed in possession of an adequate reas(jn, and of the 

 working of which he is not supplied with a well understood 

 explanation. 



Questions for Candidates. 



PRELIMINARY QUESTIONS. 



(1) How would you show the existence of capillary 

 attraction? Of what use is this in relation to growing plants? 



(2) How is quicklime made? What changes take place 

 in its properties after it has been wetted? 



(3) Give a general account of the effects of tillage on 

 the soil. 



IMTERMEDIATE QUESTIONS. 



( 1 ) What is meant by saying that manuring with lime 

 may be equivalent to manuring with potash? 



(2) How does the soil retain water, even though it is 

 well drained? 



(3) Describe the way in which it may be shown that 

 starch is formed in green leaves, in sunlight. 



FINAL QUESTIONS. 



(1) What are the chief differences in character between 

 molasses and syrup, or fancy molasses, and how do these 

 differences depend upon the manner in which they are 

 respectively obtained? 



(2) Give a discussion of the ways in which the presence 

 of an excess of water in the soil may be harmful to plants. 



(3) Taking into consideration the conditions that obtain 

 on an estate with which you are familiar, discuss the advan- 

 tages of the use of green dressings on that estate. 



