Vol. X. No, 248, 



THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS. 



315) 



STUDENTS' CORNER. 



NOVEMBER. 



FiR.sT Period. 



Seasonal Notes. 



Green dressing crops are in full growth -at the pre.sent 

 time, and notes should have been made for the purpose of 

 obtaining records as to the time w'jith the plants take to 

 attain maturity. During the peiiol of growth, contirluous 

 observations should be conducted in order to ascertain the 

 relative immunity of the different species to insect attack, 

 and their power of resistance to drought. In each district, 

 what kinds of green dressing plants are best suited to the con- 

 ditions that obtain; give examples of cases in which any of 

 them possess a special and particular use. State why green 

 dressing plants, when used as manure, should^never be buried 

 deeply. How is the depth at which such crops should be 

 covered related to the heaviness of the soil. What are the 

 chief effects of the burying of green dressings in soil (1) 

 under favourable conditions, (2) under unfavourable condi- 

 tions? (See Agiirultural Neics, Vol. VIII, pp. 225 and 241.) 

 Where onions are raised, note the length of time that 

 elapses between the time of sowing the seed and that of 

 transplanting seedlings, as well as that taken for the latter 

 to attain maturity. State which kind of onion U most par- 

 ticularly adapted to conditions in the West Indies, naming 

 its definite qualities. Why is it that every effort should be 

 made to produce the crop as early as possible? What kinds 

 of bulbs are most specially suited tt the markets with which 

 you are acquainted! C4ive an account of your experience in 

 the drying and storge of onions, and state if you have obser- 

 ved any precautions in regard to these matters that largely 

 increase the chances of success, and decrease the likelihood 

 that the bulbs will be attacked by disease. 



AVhere the cotton crop has attained sufficient develop- 

 ment, opportunities will have arisen, by now, for conducting 

 a careful examination of the plants in the field, and for the 

 removal of any ' rogue ' plants that might be observed. It 

 might be well to allow one or two of these plants to remain 

 in certain parts of the field, the latter being carefully noted, 

 and at the end of the crop to examine the seeds and 

 lint of a few plants of good Sea Island cotton growing near 

 them, provided that both kinds have flowered together, in 

 order to ascertain if there are any signs of crossing between 

 the rogue plants and those of the good variety. A careful 

 watch must be kept for caterpillars, in order that the 

 presence of these may be detected us early as possible; for 

 it is well known that the cotton worm, like most in.sects, 

 is best controlled in the early stages of its exi.stence, when 

 it has left the egg and is actively feeding. It is well to 

 understand, in connexion with this matter, that the use of 

 poisons is quite inetfective after pupation has taken place. 

 Notes should be made of the appearance of the cotton worm, 

 and of the cotton boll worm where it is possible for this to 

 be done, at each stage of the life-history, particularly that of 

 the adult moth; at the same time simjile experiments should 

 be conducted for the purpose of ascertaining the length of 

 duration of the different periods in the life-bistory. Compare 

 the habits of such a pest as the cotton slainer with those of 

 the foregoing, with special attention to the indication of 

 methods of control, and the existence of other food plants 

 upon which the pests are found. 



Give some account of the chief expenses involved in the 

 production of 50 acres of cotton, under conditions with which 

 you are familiar, and indicate how any by-products obtained 



from the crop may be employed towards the reduction of 

 such expenses. 



Questions for Candidates. 



PEELIMINARY QUESTIONS. 



(1) Why do the edible .seeds of ^pod-bearing plants 

 possess a particular nutritive value? ■*- 



(2) What are the chief differences between lime and 

 chalk, and how would you distinguish between these cotn^ 

 pounds ? 



(3) Give an account of the purpo.ses for which animals 

 are raised on estates. 



IVIERMEDIATE QUESTIONS. 



(1) What is the chief importance of the seeds of legumi- 

 nous plants in relation to the nutrition of farm animals and 

 man? 



(2) How would you make an experiment to demonstrate 

 the property possessed by lime of improving the texture of 

 clay soils? 



(3) Discuss the usefulnes.s, for agricultural purposes, of 

 the offspring of a jack donkey and a mare (a mule), as com- 

 pared with that of a stallion horse and a jenny (a jennet). 



FINAL QUESTIONS. 



(1) Write an account of the value in commerce of any 

 two leguminous seeds. 



(2) Give a description of the uses to which lime and 

 chalk may be placed, on an estate Avith which you are 

 familiar. 



(3) Supply statistics as to the cost of the upkeep of 

 any animal that is employed on estates, stating definitely for 

 what purposes it is kept. 



CONTINUITY IN AGRICULTURAL 

 MATTERS. 



Not only is contiguity required in dealing with agri- 

 culturists, but also continuity, and this is one of the weak 

 points in the present organization of the island [Ceylon I 

 from an agricultural point of view. If a given improvement 

 is to be introduced into certain districts, not only must it be 

 demonstrated near to the people, but it must be continuously 

 demonstrated. If it is demonstrated in one season to be 

 a success, and then taken away, the man who sees it will say 

 that it was removed because one was afraid (or certain) that 

 it would not succeed twice running. Successful results must 

 be shown for at least four or five seasons running before 

 people can be expected to imitate them, other than perhaps 

 one or two of the most intelligent agriculturists. For this 

 reason it is important to try doubtful expeiiments only in 

 Experiment Stations — and to some extent in .school gardens 

 — and to demonstrate to the people, on the spot, only those 

 which are unquestioned successes. If, for example, there be 

 any doubt whether a new variety of .some local crop be 

 a success, it can easily be tried all over the island by being 

 distributed to the school gardens, and then demonstrated to 

 the people in those districts where it succeeds. 



In the same way, agricultural shows, as we have already 

 pointed out, should be continuous in any district where they 

 are started, or the good they do is merely evanescent. Where- 

 as, if they be continuous, .some good may be expected to 

 follow after they have been held four or, five times in the 

 same place. (From The Tiopica/ Af/ricu/turist, Vol. XX.WII, 

 p. 97.) 



