Vol. X. No. 2-50. 



THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS 



381 



STUDENTS' CORNER. 



DECEMBER. 



First Period. 



Seasonal Notes. 



As has been pointed out in these notes, the work of 

 6otton selection forms a feature of the agricultural efforts 

 during the present quarter, where this crop is grown. It is 

 necessary that all records in connexion with this should be 

 kept most carefully, and that the seed for future plantings 

 should be stored where it cannot become mixed with ordinary 

 seed. The student will do well to write an account, without 

 reference to note.s, of all the work of selection, from both 

 plants and seeds. Why is plant and seed selection practised, and 

 for what reasons is it particularly applicable to cotton-growing'^ 

 A practical matter in regard to cotton-picking, that requires 

 most careful attention, is to be assured that only ripe cotton 

 is being harvested, and that the greatest care is being given 

 to the separation of all stained and dirty cotton, after picking. 

 Where cottonpl&nting has been made at difFeient times, on 

 account of lack of rain or for any other cause, records of the 

 yields should be made, in order that indications may be 

 obtained as to what is the best time for planting. The outlook 

 for insect pests and the leaf-blister mite will have been kept con- 

 stantly, and observations should have been made on the life- 

 history of such enemies of tlis cotton plant, their purport 

 having special relation to the means of control that may be 

 adopted in each case. 



Of what use to the agriculturist is the fact that most 

 varieties of cane produce arrows in the West Indies? The 

 present time is suitable for making observations concerning 

 the period and extent of arrowing of different kinds of canes. 

 Basing your information on your own observations, name 

 four canes which arrow profusely and four in which the pro- 

 duction of arrows is sparse. 



Enough has been said to indicate tbe importance of the 

 possession of careful records as to the manuring of the sugar- 

 cane. These should have reference not only to general mat- 

 ters in connexion with manuring, but to the special circum- 

 stances which obtain on an estate in regard to the manure 

 required and the availability of by-products that may be used 

 in this connexion. Make a review of the. details concerning 

 the proper treatment of material for cane-planting. What is 

 the best part of the cane to use, under cond itions with which you 

 are familiar^ AVhere planting is done from ratoons, 

 this should be effected as far as possible from areas where 

 root disease is almost or completely absent. In some cases 

 a field is planted late in the year, to be reaped in October or 

 November, in order that a good supply of cuttings may be 

 obtained. This procedure is not expedient where the canes 

 are disposed of to a central factory, and in this case the necess- 

 ity is entailed for the formation of special nurseries. Discuss 

 the ways in which the adoption of such nurseries by planters 

 is of special use to them in regard to: (1) the acquirement 

 and propagation of the best cane varieties; (2) the selection of 

 good planting material; and (3) the obtaining of such 

 material free from diseases and pests. 



Where onions are grown, they will now be transplanted 

 from the nursery beds, where they have been raised from 

 seed, to the field. In this work, care and the application of 

 the results of past experience *W be useful in order to 

 prevent the arising of the necessity for supplying later. 

 Give an account of what you know concerning onion cultiya- 

 tion, and summarize your observations in regard to the pests 

 and disea.ses that you have noticed in connexion with this 

 crop. 



RECENT AGRICULTURAL WORK IN 

 GRENADA. 



The Superintendent of Agriculture for Grenada, Mr. G.G. 

 Auchinleck, B.Sc, has forwarded a report on the work 

 of the Agricultural Department, Grenada, carried out during 

 the period July to September 1911. The information refers, 

 firstly, to visits made l)y the Superintendent of Agriculture 

 to country districts; these have had special reference to prize- 

 holding.?, rubber-growing, and the Land Settlement Scheme. 



The work in the laboratory has been concerned mainly 

 with the physical analysis of .soils, analysis of manures, lime 

 juice analysis, and examination of rum wash and muscovado 

 sugar. There was, in addition, an investigation of material 

 forwarded by the Chief of Police, suspected of containing 

 poison. Details have already been given in the Agricultural 

 Sews (p. 340 of this volume) concerning some of the 

 work with lime juice; later on, information is also to be 

 supplied with regard to an investigation, mentioned in the 

 report, with Castilloa rubber produced at the Botanic Gardens. 



There were no serious ca.ses of plant disease during the 

 quarter; though in regard to pests, the green shield-backed 

 hvig (yemra sp.) had caused damage in the Jlorne Ilouge 

 and True Blue districts, and spraying trials were being made; 

 the plants most seriously affected were peas, tobacco and 

 bananas. The interesting observation is made that attacks 

 of scale insects are lessening to a great extent, in all parts 

 of the island. 



The distriliution of planting material from the Botanic 

 Station has included : economic plants 949, ornamental plants 

 109, cotton seed 73 lb., palm seed 31 lb.; besides this there 

 have been sent out .591 fruits and 26 bundles of grass. 

 Other information concerning the Botanic Station includes 

 the fact that 1,100 seeds w-ere obtained from the two mature 

 Hevea rubber plants there, and that about 800 vigorou.s 

 seedlings have been raised from these and are being offered 

 for sale at 3(^. each. 



The report concludes with a brief summary of the work 

 of the Land Office, and mentions that the Agricultural Depart- 

 ment and this office have prepared plans for a small cane 

 mill to lie erected shortly at Morne Rouge North, for allottees 

 under the Land Settlement Scheme; the cost is being met by 

 the Government, and a mill will be provided whose capacity 

 (about 8 tons of cane per day) will be ample for the needs of 

 the allottees. About 100 acres of cane are expected to be 

 planted next sea.son, as the result of the acquisition of the 

 mill. 



DEPARTMENT NEWS. 



The Imperial Commissioner of Agriculture left 

 Barbados on Monday, November 20, by the R.M.S. 

 ' Magdalena ', on an official visit to Antigua and Mont- 

 serrat. Dr. Watts is expeiled to return to Barbados 

 by the R.M.S. ' Oruba', on the 13th proximo. 



