Vol. XVI. No. 391. 



THE AQRICULTUKAL NEWS 



125 



MANURIAL EXPERIMENTS WITH 



ARROWROOT IN ST. VINCENT. 



A paper on this subject, by Mr. S. C. Harland, B.Sc, 

 Assistant Agricultural Superintendent, St. Vincent, containing 

 the results of experiments recently carried out by him, has 

 been forwarded to this OfKce for publication. The paper 

 will appear in full in the West Indian Bulletin, but the 

 results are of sufficient immediate interest to make it desir- 

 able to publish a brief summary here. 



It is pointed out first that arrowroot is the chief staple 

 crop in St. Vincent, and that while manurial experiments 

 with this crop have been conducted in previous seasons, the 

 results have hitherto not been conclusive. It was therefore 

 determined to plan an experiment in such a way as wouhl 

 yield definite results, and the principle adopted on account 

 of land limitations was to employ a large number of small 

 plots rather than a small number of large plots. 



The experiments were conducted with two objects: (1) 

 to test the value of mulching with prunings of Gliricidia 

 »iacu?a!a(Madre del cacao); (2) to compare the relative values 

 of various combinations of organic mil artificial manures. In 

 tjie first experiment the number of plots was twelve, of which 

 four were mulched and eight were left unmulched. Each 

 plot was ^.j^-acre in area, and each mulched plot received 

 an application of -10 lb Gliricidia prunings. The average 

 yield of unmanured plots was 9, -56.3 lb. per acre, while the 

 average yield of the mulched plot-: was 1.5,6(33 tt). per acre. 

 This shows a gain by mulching of <i,098 B). per acre or 63'8 

 per cent. This increase from mulching is very striking, and 

 it may be mentioned that the probable error test .shows that 

 the gain is quite significant. 



In the second experiment nine different combinations 

 of manures were applied to thirty-six plots, each combination 

 being in quadruplicate. The average of the manured plot 

 indicates that with the exception of the nitrogen plot, evei-y 

 plot shows a gain over the unmanured plots of more than 

 twice the probable error, and this increase is such that it 

 can be due only to the fertilizers applied. The plot to which 

 Gliricidia prunings were applied shows a gain of '-'A per cent, 

 over the unmanured plots. .V complete manure consisting 

 of sulphate of potash, baisc slag, and cotton-seed meal produced 

 the next largest increase, namelj', 1 9 per cent. 



The results, as a whole, clearly indicate that the arrowroot 

 grower will at any rate be well advised to apply to the soil 

 as much coarse organic material as possible, and it is hoped 

 that planters will give this matter their early consideration. 



AGRICULTURAL INSTRUCTION WORK 

 IN GRENADA. 



This Office has been furnished by His Excellency the 

 'jovernor of the Windward Islands with the reports of the 

 Agricultural Instructors, Grenada, for .March 1917. 



Mr. W. M. Malins-Smiths report indicates that consider- 

 able amount of country visiting was done. Peasants' holdings 



were inspected in the parishes of St David's, St. Andrew's and 

 St. Patrick's. A good deal of Prize-holdings competition 

 work was effected in these parishes, many entries in the 

 provision garden section being obtained. The land settle- 

 ments of Morne Rouge, Westerhall and St. Cyr Mountain 

 were visited and settlement work performed. The e.xperi- 

 ment plots on the Settlements were inspected, and the work 

 thereon supervised. Several estates were visited during the 

 month. In regard to the JPrize-holdings competition, it is 

 stated that more than sixty entries were obtained in the 

 Provision Garden Competition, and all intending com- 

 petitors were given advice and instruction. Routine work 

 was continued during the month at the Experiment Plots, 

 and the yield of cotton, corn and pigeon peas appears to 

 have been satisfactory. Regarding diseases and pests the 

 thrips trouble received attention. 



Work was done during the month in connexion with 

 forest preservation. The mountain ridges in the northern 

 mountain districts of the island were inspected in connexion 

 with the control and preservation of the forests. It appears 

 desirable that control should be exercisefl over the clearing 

 of these ridges at elevations over 1,.500 feet in order to 

 render secure the conservation of moisture. 



It is stated that the Morne Rouge sugar factory started 

 its season's operations on. the same basis as during 19 It). 

 The crop of the settlers appeared to be much the same as 

 that of last year. 



Mr. Donovan's report signifies the continuance of similar 

 activities in other parts of the island. Concerning instruc- 

 ti'm work, eflScient drainage and proper cultural methods 

 were again empha.sized. 



XATIVE FLOUR IN iJEENADA. 



The cultivation oi gruand provisions on as extensive 

 a scale as po.=sible was recommended and advice given as to 

 the preparation of flour from breadfruit, bananas and sweet 

 potatoes. In this connexion it is stated that the advice as to 

 the preparation and use of native-made flour has not been 

 followed by the peasantry to any extent whatever. Some of 

 the peasants maintain that the lack of surplus provisions at 

 this season of the year operates against their making iiitive 

 flour, while others mairitain that times are so hard that they 

 cannot think of converting provisions into flour, since these 

 articles are at present cooked and eaten before they are even 

 in a mature condition. Mr. Donavan goes on to state that 

 two large proprietors said they regarded the making of 

 native flour as an excellent idea, but that the average 

 peasant had no surplus of provisions for this purpose. The 

 larger estates W(}re the only 2)laces where bananas ind 

 breadfruit were grown in abundance, and they found a rea<ly 

 sale for these articles. It would appear that the supply ot prov- 

 isions in Grenada never exceeds the demand for consumption 

 as such, and befDre the peasantry take to making flour or wi-^.xX 

 there must be a considerably greater production. 



In this connexion Mr. 3. C. Moore, Superintendent of 

 Agriculture, observes: 'Although the quantity of ground pro- 

 visions produced iu Grenada during the past year has consid- 

 reably exceeded the output of former years, there is at present 

 no surplus available for converting into me.al for future use 

 because more provisions are being consumed in place of 

 imported foods. This condition operates in maintaining the 

 high prices of provisions which continue to show an upward 

 rather than a downward tendency, a result which might not 

 at first sight hiyc been expected as the outcome of 

 increased production.' 



