Vol. XVI. No. 391. 



THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS. 



117 



Onions were continued to be shipped to Canada and 

 West Indian markets by the Montserrat Onion Growers' 

 Association. 



The latter part oi the month was particularly dry, the 

 total rainfall registered -S-OS inches, 



ASTiGi A. The t'olloivins plants weie distributed by the 

 Curator, Mr. T. .Jackson: :3,19s ,sisal, 107 coco-nuts, and 10 

 miscellaneous: 12 packets of seed were also distributed 



Work in the Tloianic Gardens consisted in the transplant- 

 ing nf a large number of biv [ilants and cane seedlings; 

 ordinary routine garden and nursery work was also pi'rfornied 

 The reaping of the crop is in full swing and good returns are, 

 on the whole, being obtained fiom fields of plant canes, while 

 ratoon yields were indifferent. Rain is required for all crops. 

 The youne canes are showing the effect of protracted drought. 



Sisal planting has been continued in the Windward 

 District of the island and the reaping of onions is practically 

 over. Sugar exported in 191 G, amounted to 18 .542 tons, of 

 which 3,61. '3 were uaiscovado 



During the month 2,000 B>. approximately of seed-cotton 

 were purchased and 4,072 crates of onions were shipped. 

 Laving out of plots at Sawcoats continued 



The rainfall for the month was 1-17 inches: rain is 

 b,adly wanted. 



viEGix ISLANDS. Mr, W . C Fishlock writes to say 

 that the chief work in the Experiment .Stations during the 

 monih of February, was that of clearing away debris left 

 by the hurricane of last year, repairing roads, fences, etc. 

 Holes were also dug to replace damaged coco nut trees as 

 soon as favourable weather occurred Plant distribution 

 was confined to a few ears of corn and 36,000 onion seedlings. 

 The damage done to the cotton crop appeara to have been 

 such that there is but little hope of a second crop of any size: 

 but little seed-cotton has been coming in. No limes are 

 coming in or are likely to. Advantage was taken of a visit 

 to Anegada to advocate the cultivation of onions in that 

 island. Weather was reported dry, the total rainfall for the 

 month being 1"52 inches 



NEVIS. In his report for the month of February, 

 ilr. W. I. Howell, Agricultural Instructor, mentions the 

 reaping of crops on various plots in the Experiment 

 8;ations. which gave good returns. From tbe Botanic Station, 

 the following plants, .seeds, etc, were distributed: Para peas 

 3-1 ft),, Lima beans ?>0\ B),, Guinea corn !•") ft),, lilack-eyo peas 

 lift),. ludim corn l^Ib The cane crop throusihout the island 

 was being reaped; nearly the whole crop has been sold to the 

 St, Kilts Factory, Young canes, on the whole, were doint; well. 

 The reaping of the cotton crop was almost completed, and 

 preparation for plantibg next season's crop was in progre.ss. 

 A fair acreage was planted in sweet potatoes and peas during 

 the month. The Agricultural and Commercial Society has 

 been re organized, the Hon. L'. C, Greaves being elected 

 Chairman, with Mr, E. Williams as Hony. Secretary. 

 Rainfall for the month was .'i'28 inches. 



The report on the sup.ir-cane experiments in the Leeward 

 Islands for 191-^-16 has just been issued by the Imperial 

 Department of Agriculture and the contents will be reviewed 

 in the next issue of this .Toumal The report is published in 

 the usual form and ijives the mean results of trials with 

 seedling varieties, and the mean results of manurial experi- 

 'ments carried on at the different stations. As in the past, 

 the present report contains information of great importance 

 to sugar planters, especially in Antigua and St. Kitts-Xevis. 



INSTRUCTION AND EDUCATION IN 



ANTIGUA. 



In the West Indies, agricultural instruction is- 

 understood to mean practical demonstration and advice 

 in agricultural operations and methods for the benefit 

 of the peasantry. This important work has been provided 

 for in several of the islands for many years past, but it 

 has onlv reeentlj' been introduced into Antigua. As 

 well as instruction work, guidance in regard to reading 

 courses and practical studies in horticulture have been 

 arranged for cadets in all the islands. The following 

 statement taken from the Report on the Agricultural 

 department. Antigua, ff)r 191.5-16, indie ites the position 

 in that island during the year under review: — 



The number of peasant holdings in Antigua have 

 steadily increased during the last few years, and although 

 these in the past were visited periodically by the Curator, it 

 was felt that the amount of work of this description that 

 could be done by this officer was limited by recent additions 

 to his duties Consequently at the time of writing, the work 

 of agricultural instruction has been undertaken by the 1st 

 Assistant for Agricultural Experiments working under the 

 general direction of the Curator. It is intended that this 

 officer shall at least one day each week for a proportion of 

 the year visit peasant holdings, and when on the land discuss 

 with the owners any problems connected with practical 

 agriculture that they may bring forward. 



The English Harbour District will be the part of the 

 i.sland in which this work will be conducted. Afterwards, 

 possibly other districts will receive attention. 



Although this work has only been carried on for a very 

 short space of time, there are indications that useful results 

 will be obtained. 



AGRICULTURAL EXAMINATIONS. 



Four candidates presented themselves for the exami- 

 nation in Practical Agriiulture held in November 1915. Of 

 these two sent in papers of such poor quality as to lead to 

 their rejection by the local examiners. 



In the Prelimin iry Examination E. F. Shepherd obtained 

 a second class certificate, and in the Intermediate Examina- 

 tion A Gallwev obtained a first class certificate. 



Figures furnished by the Acting Chemical Assistant, 

 St. Kitts, indicate tlio high nutritive value of sweet potatoes 

 grown in that island According to his a' alysis, locally pre- 

 pared sweet potato meal contained nearly i> per cent, of crude 

 proteins, over 1 per cent, of fat, nearly 76 per cent, of carbo- 

 hydrates, 2 per cent, of fibre, 2'.5 per cent, ash, and 11-7 per 

 cent, water. Locally iirepared white bean Hour contained 

 over 23 per cent, of protein and nearly 3 per cent, of fat. 

 The per cent, of fat in white bean flour is much less than that 

 found to exist in crushed velvet beans, namely, 52 per cent. 

 The per cent, of carbohydrates in both beans was less than ia 

 the sweet potato meal. There is not much difference in the 

 nutrient value of the three food.s, but there is a very consider- 

 able difference in the nutrient rati:) on account of the fact lliac 

 the beans are very much richer in flesh-forming constitujuCs 

 than the sweet potato meal, 



