Vol. X. No. 249. 



THE AGRICULTUKAL NEWS. 



361 



Rubber in the Honduras Republic. 



An article in the India l\ahher World for Octo- 

 ber 1, 1911, shows that the imports, by the United 

 State?, of rubber from Honduras, have increased from 

 93,120 lb., value S5.5,709, in 190G, to 148,813 ft., value 

 $117,808, in 1910. Between these years the largest 

 amounts and values were 10-i,o34 ft., and §76,444<, and 

 102,010 ft. and $6.5,86.5, in 1907 and 1908, respectively. 



Information is given to show that the variation of 

 temperature in the highlands of Honduras is from 41 

 to .59 F.; in the valleys and on the coast the maximum 

 is 86" F. Cultivation is profitable on account of the 

 high fertility of the land and of the abundance of water. 



The acquisition of all kinds of property, in the 

 Republic, is very easy, and its disposal is free from 

 restrictions. Grants of agricultural land are made by 

 the Government, and on the cultivation of these they 

 are freed from taxation; further, all machinery and 

 apparatus for any industry are exempt from all duties 

 and taxation. 



It was pointed out at the recent Pan-American 

 Commercial Cijnference that the greater part of Hondu- 

 ras is completely unexplored, and that the fertile land, 

 well sup})lied with water, offers great advantages for 

 the investment of c.ipital. 



It is reported that a private company has obtained 

 a title to 3,000 acres of virgin land that is well adapted 

 to rubber-growing, and that planting has been conduc- 

 ted on a large scale. It is said that this company is to 

 open up an additional area of land, large enough to 

 contain several hundred thousand trees which will be 

 transplanted from large nurseries as the soil is made 

 available. 



Care with Poisonous Substances Used in Cot- 

 ton Growinsf. 



A Memorandum has been prepared by Mr. H, A. 

 Tempany, B.Sc, Superintendent of Agriculture of the 

 Leeward Iblands, and published in the O^icial Gazette, 

 dealing with the handliug and storage of poisonous 

 substances used in the cotton industry, and indicating 

 the remedies in cases of poisoning by any of these sub- 

 stances The IMemorandum has breu issued since the 

 occurrence of a fatal case of j^oisoning, which took place 

 through the drinking of corrosive sublimate solution 

 intended for disinfecting cotton seed: it has been dis- 

 tributed in leaflet for.ii among cotton growers in the 

 Leeward Islands. 



Attention is first drawn to the fact that corrosive 

 sublimate, Paris green and London jiurple, which are 

 extensively used at the present tiim.' in the cotton 

 industry, should be preserved in closed packages, and 

 stored in places to which responsible persons alone are 

 allowed access. All such packages should be clearly 

 labelled with the name of their contents, and marked 

 plamly with the word Poison. 



It is pointed out, further, that the substances 

 mentioned are alt irritant poisons, and that the symp- 

 toms of their presence are an acrid or burning feeling 

 in the throat, nausea and vomiting, violent pains in the 



stomach accompanied by diarrhoea, coldness of the 

 extremities, and subsequent collapse. 



Lastly, in cases of poisoning by these substances, 

 the most important point is that medical aid should be 

 summoned immediately. During the time that elapses 

 before it arrives, an emetic such as mustard and water 

 should be given, if vomitinar is not taking place freely. 

 Where the poisonous agent is corrosive sublimate, the 

 white of eggs mixed with water or milk should be ad- 

 ministered at once. In the case of all the poisons, 

 the preliminary treatment should be followed by the 

 giving of demulcent drinks, such as barley water and 

 dour and water. If it is indicated, a stimulant, prefer- 

 ably weak brandy and water, may be given; and if the 

 skin is cold, hot blankets should be ajiplied. Stress is 

 again laid upon the fact that medical aid should be 

 obtained with the least possible delay. 



.Agriculture in the East Africa Protectorate. 



Colonial Reports — Annual, No. 609, dealing with 

 the East Africa Protectorate for 1909-10, states that as 

 regards the Highlands a very hupeful feeling exists 

 boch among farmers and merchants. Pi'ogress is being 

 assisted by the formation of agricultural associations 

 and the obtaining of new markets: in addition, much 

 valuable information has been collected with regard to 

 climatic conditions, the suitability of crops to various 

 districts, and the diseases and pests affecting stock and 

 crops. Importations have been made of pure-bred 

 cattle, both by the Government and by private owners. 

 Details are given which indicate that the good pro- 

 gress is general. A new feature in the agriculture of 

 the country is the production of sisal hemp. 



As regards the Coast and Nyanza basins, succe.ss 

 has been obtained vvith cotton, in favoured localities; 

 it seems that Egyptian cotton is most suited to the 

 ciiuditions of the coast, while in the Nj'anza basin the 

 Upland variety appears to be most fitted for cultivation. 

 Several of the rubber plantations are beginning to pro- 

 duce; they are mainly planted with Ceara, but success 

 is being obtained with other varieties. A great extension 

 of rubber-planting is expected in the near future. 



Particulars are given of the experimental farms. 

 The work in these received interference through drought; 

 much attention is given at these stations to stock-rais- 

 ing. On the coast, satisfactory progress is being made 

 with Ceara and other rubber plants; heavy rains spoiled 

 the cotton experiments. The cultivation of cacao is 

 promising well, and trials are being made with many 

 exotic plants. 



Particulars are given concerning diseases of ani- 

 mals, which show that east coast fever is still j^revalent, 

 and that considerable losses have been sustained from 

 other diseases. It is an interesting fact that the 

 immunisation of pure-bred stock against Texas fever, 

 before ic is imported from England, has been success- 

 ful; no fatal case has been reported among immunised 

 animals. There has been a large freedom from insect 

 pests; while wheat growers have suffered considerable 

 losses through a disease mcntioneil as rust. 



