Vol. XVI. No. 388. 



THE AGRICULTUKAL NEWS 



93 



ANTIGUA: REPORT ON THE AQRICUL 

 TURAL DEPARTMENT, HJlolO. 



During the year under review the appearance of the 

 Antigua Botanic Gardens was further improved on account 

 of the good climatic conditions which were experienced 

 during this and the previous year. Attention has been given 

 particularly to the establishment of different species of 

 Bougainvillaea, and opportunity was taken to plant an avenue 



of the false sago palm {Cyvas 



iiialis). In the nurseries, 



much work was done in connexion with the raising of cane 

 seedlings and other plants, and the distribution of material 

 for planting on estates. The following were sent out: .3,756 

 coco-nut plants; 2,257 eucalypts; 621 mahogany seed- 

 lings; 750 limes; 600 Agaves; 30,500 onion plants, and 

 254,617 cane plants Besides these, a ijuantity of seeds and 

 cuttings for provision crops were distributed. Several 

 interesting plant importations took place, amongst which 

 were the .seeds of several species of indigo, and of Tephroiia 

 Yogelii. 



As usual, plot experiments were continued at the 

 Experiment Station. A gf^'od deal has been done with 

 varieties of sweet potatoes. From these plots, perfectly 

 healthy cuttings (>i the best yielding varieties are 

 rcadercl avnilablc f'^r d-'tribntion in the island. Plant 

 selection of sweet potatoes seems to show that in the 

 case of the present year anyhow, selection has tended to 

 reduce the yield. In other words, it would not seem to be 

 worth while. Trials have been continued with Colombian, 

 Montserrat, and .Jamaican varieties of cassava. The Jamaican 

 variety. White Top, seems, on the average, to be the highest 

 yielder, but there is great variation in the yield given from 

 year to year by all the varietie:?. Thus the Colombian variety, 

 Negrita 18, gave a calculated yield per acre in 1915-16 of 

 12,870 tt)., while the average jdeld per acre for ten years was 

 only 7,198 R) A considerable amount of work was carried 

 out with Indian corn. This consisted of manurial experiments 

 which have not yet given any conclusive results. The 

 distance planting experiments have shown that, on the whole, 

 slightly better results are obtained when a greater number 

 of plants per acre are grown, though there does not appear to 

 be as much advantage gained by very thick sowing. 



Aiclimatization and selection experiments with torn have 

 been started. Much information is given in the report in re- 

 gard to onions The cultivation of this crop and its marketing 

 on co-operative lines have become now an important business 

 in Antigua. Some interesting notes are given in regard to 

 attempts to make the onions fruit in order to get seeds. 

 These were not successful, but it was thought possible to grow 

 very early crops from sets kept in the cool house until April. 

 This was not successful, however. A rather noticeable feature 

 of the report this year is a small amount of information 

 recorded in regard to experimental work with cotton. It is 

 stated: 'work similar to that performed in previous years in 

 connexion with the selection of cotton was carried out.' 

 Information of local interest will be found in the section 

 dealing with insect and fungus pests and their control. 



As regards progress in the chief industries, the sugar 

 crop — the principal staple — was not quite as satisfactory .as 

 in 1914; nor was cotton, the next most important crop for 

 export. Weather conditions were not especially favourable. 

 The small lime industry remains in very much the same 

 condition. Interest in the cultivation of coco-nuts is being 

 maintained. An interesting section of the report is 

 that comprising notes on sisal cultivation. Some atten- 

 tion is being given to the cultivation of sisal in Antigua, 

 and local data are available as to the yield likely to 

 be obtained. Sisal gives 150 to 200 5). per acre, and 

 henequen 477 to 770 ffi. of leaves Taking the length of 

 life of the sisal at eight years, and henequen at sixteen, 

 we find one producing from 19 to 25 fti. of leaves per 

 annum and the other from 28 to 48 lb. 



Two lengthy statements appear on the Onion Growers' 

 Association, and on the work of the Government Gi-anary. 

 The Onion Growers' Association had a successful year, and 

 continued to expand in every direction The Government 

 Granary, now that the supply of local foodstuffs and their 

 storage become more and more urgent, will be more largely 

 patronized. Reference appears also to other associations, 

 namely the Cotton Growers' and Lime Growers' Associations 

 Each of these has decided on definite policies and should be 

 of value for the protection and growth of the industries .on- 

 eerned. 



Miscellaneous matters to which attention may be 

 especially directed in the report are the spraying or 

 dipping of cattle for the control of ticks, which is now 

 largely practised; the notes on reafforestation; the 

 account of the maize show — the first of its kind in the 

 West Indies, — and the note on peasant instruction— a new 

 line of work for Antigua. This interesting report concludes 

 with details of administration and a meteorological summary, 

 from which it is seen that the rainfall for the year under 

 review at the Botanic Station was 6530 inches, or 2530 

 inches above the average. 



FOOD VALUES. 



The Ontario Department of Agriculture has recently 

 issued a Bulletin (Xo. 245) dealing with the economic 

 utilization of foodstuffs in Canada. Dealing first with the 

 ohemical aspect of food values, in a similar manner to that 

 which has already been followed in recent issues of the 

 Agricultural News, the Bulletin then gives attention to more 

 practical domestic aspects of the s'lbject, including tht c-^t 

 of food and its real food value, the intelligent buying of to^ds, 

 and economy in cooking and using fruit, vegetables, milk and 

 meat. In regard to the intelligent buying of foods, the 

 statement is made: 'learn the real cost — not how little did it 

 cost, but how much real nourishment was secured with the 

 money spent.' Another useful piece of advice is the 

 following: 'Buy sparingly the foods which are produced more 

 for their taste than their nourishment, e.g., many relishes 

 and condiments, and imported canned articles.' Attention is 

 also called to the advantage which can be derived from 

 making a vegetable garden. Not the least useful part of 

 this Bulletin is the section dealing with the methods of 

 making bread in the home. It is believed that under 

 most circumstances, making bread at home is more economical 

 than buying it from the baker. Two methods are described: 

 the long fermentation method, and the short fermentation 

 method It is stated that the latter requires the use of 

 strong spring wheat flour. 



