Vol. X. No. 227. 



THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS 



tion (ir manifesto enjoining all growers of cocoa-nuts 

 to destroy, or cause to be destroyed, all diseased trees 

 under their control; such proclamation would be 

 intended to have effect up to the time of any com- 

 pulsory legislation that may be passed by the Legisla- 

 tive Council at its next session. 



There were also before the Board memoranda from 

 one of the Agricultural Instructors and from the 

 Secretary to the Board, dealing with the subject. In 

 the second of these, attention is drawn to a statement 

 of the Director of Agriculture, in an Annual Report, to 

 the effect that the question of legislation against 

 infectious plant diseases, such ;is cacao jiod disease and 

 bud-rot of cocoa-nuts, is in urgent need of the serious 

 consideration nf the Government. 



In the result, the Board resolved to ask the 

 Governor for legislation to protect such products by 

 a law similar in nature to the Contagious Disease 

 Animal Law, and the matter was referred to the Staple 

 and Minor Products Committee for suggestions in 

 connexion with legislation, in order that a bill might 

 be drafted. 



The Barbados Goat Society. 



In the Agricidtural News for N(i\ember 12, 1910, 

 it was stated that a meeting had been held at the Head 

 Office of the Department, on October 27, 1910, for the 

 purpose of discussing preliminary matters in connexion 

 with the proposed formation of a goat society in Barba- 

 dos. Following on this, another meeting was held at 

 the Planters' Hall, Bridgetown, on December 10, for 

 the purpose of furthering the object, 



At this, there were twelve persons present, 

 including Dr. F. Watts, C.M.G., Imperial Commis- 

 sioner of Agriculture, Mr. J. R. Bovell, I.S.O., 

 Superintendent of Agriculture, Barbados; Blr. J. W. 

 Parris, M.C P., Mr. F. R. Parkinson, and others interest- 

 ed in the matter. 



Dr. Watts took the chair, and addressed the 

 meeting, stating the purpose for which it had been 

 called. A resolution was then brought forward by 

 Mr. F. R. Parkinson to the effect that, a society, to be 

 known as the Barbados Goat Society, should be formed 

 This was seconded by Mr. H. West, and after some 

 discussion, which showed that it is desirable that 

 Barbados should possess a goat society, the resolution 

 was carried unanimously. 



Afoer the re.solntion had been jjassed. Dr. Watts 

 drew attention to the desirability of forming a provis- 

 ional committee for the purpose of ilrafting rules: he 

 also suggested that it would be expedient for the 

 society to be fostered by the Local Department of Agri- 

 culture. Dr. Watts then moved that Mr. J. R. Bovell 

 be appointed Chairman of the provisional committee. 

 This motion was agreed to, and the following were 

 appointed members of that committee: Messrs. J. W. 

 Parris, H. West, C. E. Stoute, and Dr. L. Shannon, with 

 Mr. F. R. Parkinson as Secretarj-. 



The meeting closed with some informal discussion 

 as to whether the society should confine its attention 

 to milch goats only, or whether other breeds, such as 



those used for providiag meat, should receive its con- 

 sideration. 



After the drafting of rules has been completed by 

 the provisional committee, another meeting will be held 

 for the purpose of discussing these, and adopting such 

 of them as appear to be required. 



St. Vincent Agricultural Credit Society. 



A credit society has been formed recently in St. 

 Vincent, under the name of the Questelles and Clare 

 V^alley Agricultural Credit Society. For the purpose of 

 its inauguration, a meeting was held between twelve 

 peasant proprietors in the district and the Rev. F. Ellis, 

 at which it was resolved to register the society, and 

 rules for its conduct were passed. 



The Society was subsequently granted a loan of £25 

 by the Government, and at another meeting this was 

 distributed among the members in order to assist them 

 in the improvement and development of their holdings. 

 According to an account in the St. Vincent Times for 

 December 1, 1910, the society passed special votes of 

 thanks to His Honour the Administrator for his co-oper- 

 ation and assistance, and to the Rev. F. Ellis, who has 

 been appointed Secretary, for his valuable services. 

 Meetings of the society will be held at Chauncey, once 

 a quarter, for the purpose of transacting necessary 

 business. 



The Arrowroot (New Market Fund) Ordinance, 

 St. Vincent. 



A reference to this Ordinance was made in the 

 Agricidtural Neius, Vol. IX, p. 329. Since this, 

 a copy of the Ordinance has been received, which shows 

 that the commencement of the levy of export duty 

 under the Ordinance was made on November 30, 1910. 

 The rate of the duty is 6d. for every barrel not exceed- 

 ing 2 cwt., net, and in like proportion for any greater or 

 less quantity. This duty is levied independently of, 

 and in addition to, any duty which may be iinjiosed 

 under the provisions ot the Export Duties Oi'dinance, 

 1900, or any other Ordinance relating to export duty. 



Paragraph 4 of the (Jrdinance states : ' The proceeds 

 of the levy hereby enacted shall be applied towards 

 increasing the consumj^tion of Saint Vincent arrowroot 

 in foreign lands by means of advertisement in such 

 manner as may from time to time be determined by 

 the Committee of Management appointed for the pur- 

 pose by the Saint Vincent Arrowroot Growers' and 

 Exporters' Association and the successors in office of 

 such Committee, and in paying the necessary expenses 

 in connexion therewith, including a salary not exceed- 

 ing twentj'-five pounds per annum to the Secretary of 

 the Committee and a fee not exceeding one guinea to 

 each of the members of the Committee for each meet- 

 ing thereof which he may attend, not exceeding six in 

 any one year.' 



Unless the Ordinance is renewed, it ceases bo be in 

 force on December 1, 1912. 



