Vol. XVI. No. 406. 



THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS. 



359 



regard to the results obtained with plot experiments, atten- 

 tion is directed to two j'^-acre plots of corn, each of which 

 gave a yield of 200 tb. grain, or at the rate of 35 bushels per 

 acre. 



September was conspicuous by the absence of the 

 customary torrential downpours. Rain fell in measurable 

 quantity on six days only, aggregating a total of 34 inches. 

 On September 20 and 21 very rough weather was experienced, 

 and there were indications of atmospheric disturbance to the 

 south-west. 



Visits to the peasants' plots showed that the peasants 

 were continuing their energies in planting and caring for 

 their cotton and other crops, and an increased production of 

 the corn and sweet potato crops was seen as a result of the 

 advice given by the Agricultural Instructor in January last 

 as to the necessity of planting more food crops. An official 

 visit was paid to the island by the Acting Superintendent of 

 Agriculture, who discussed with the acting manager various 

 lines of activities in progre.es, and devoted much time to 

 investigating the more important features of the islmd's 

 industrial position. 



AGRICULTURE IN BARBADOS. 



The weather during the last fortnight of October was 

 dry. The light showers which fell during this period remind 

 us of those which occur in ihe month of April. Between the 

 18th and the end of the month hardly any gauge registered 

 more than 1 inch, and in several districts the total was less 

 than this. 



There is a marked difference between this record and 

 that for the same period during October last year. During 

 the last two weeks of October 1916 there was a spell of wet 

 days, when 6 inches of rain fell in the sea-board parishes, and 

 as much as 13 inches in the centre and hilly districts of the 

 island. In addition to this there were only eleven fair days 

 in the whole of this month la&t year. 



The total rainfall for the month now under review is 

 between 9 and 10 inches in the northern part of the island 

 not including St. Lucy, between 7 and 8 inches in the central 

 districts, and between 4 and 5 inches in the northern and 

 southern seaboard districts. 



We think that, on the whole, the preparation for 

 the planting season is more advanced than at this time last 

 year. The weather has been more favourable for tillage, and 

 there has been a regular supply cf labour. 



Potatoes continue to be hurried out of the fields required 

 for the cane plants, and these are immediately ploughed or 

 forked. The tillage of some fields presents a most pleasing 

 appearance, and the drains recently opened are sometimes as 

 straight as a plumb-line. 



We have not seen much moulding done beyond surface 

 moulding from drains. This may be due either to lack of 

 sufiScient labour or to the difficulty of finding material. We 

 believe in scattering new mould on the br iws of fields The 

 effect is immediately seen, and the soil in these spots for 

 a few years afterwards gives a satisfactory account of itself. 

 We are convinced that the present unsatisfactory condiiion 

 of the cane crops in some red soil districts is due in some 

 measure to insufficient tillage. The soil from year to year, 

 after the growth of three or more crops, has not been 

 ploughed and forked often enough, and the subsoil has not 

 been sufficiently exposed. 



Cane diseise of a peculiar type is prevalent in some 

 districts in Porto Rico, and those who know attribute it in 

 a large measure to imperfect cultivation or, as it has been 

 termed 'rough-and-ready methods' of cultivation. Let thi.s 

 serve as a reminder to us that soil must receive the best and 



most liberal treatment, if its resources are to be kept up, and 

 our crops are to yield an abundant increase. 



Everywhere farmyard manure is being applied to the 

 fields soon to be planted, and each arrival of sheep manure ia 

 eagerly awaited. Twice, nay, three times the annunt of 

 this manure now available would be gladly welcomed. In 

 several fields pens have been started during the past fort- 

 night. These will not be ready before January. 



At this period last year those who had plots of the new 

 seedlings were oft'erina them for sale at remunerative prices, 

 but planters in yentral this year have a fair supply of the 

 varieties they irtend to plant. A deep rain is necessary 

 before planting can be started, and we are glad to state 

 that November has opened favourably. 



The cane crop, on the whole, looks well. The recent dry 

 weather has not as yet given the plant canes a setback. The 

 ratoons here and there in the drier districts have begun to 

 lose their vigour, but even concerning them there is just 

 now no real cause for anxiety. Where the canes are tall, and 

 the earth well shaded, there is still a satisfactory supply of 

 moisture in the soil. 



We regret to say that the crop in general in the red 

 soil will not be a large one. It is low in many instances, 

 and is not possessed of that vigour, in the ratoon fields 

 particularly, which will guarantee proper development. Ia 

 some fields cf ratoons yellow spots have further increased. 

 As far as we have been able to observe, this is not due to any 

 fungoid attack, but simply to lack of noirishment. 



Potatoes are being sold at a lower rate than at the date 

 of our last report. They are being disposed of by specula- 

 tors at prices varying from 48c. to 60c. per 100 tt). 

 These rates are not likely to be continued beyond January, 

 when the catch crop fields will have been sold out. The 

 return on black soil estates has been, as a rule, satisfactory. 



Fall potatoes have been planted in very fair quantity 

 all over the island, and with favourable wetther during the 

 next three months they should do well. Some care too 

 has been taken with the cultivation, and they have made 

 a good start. 



A limited quantity of new yams and eddoes is being 

 offered for sale, and the old crop is being sold at -12 00 per 

 100 lb. The early yam crop will be a very moderate one, 

 but the Lisbon yam crop promisi s well everywhere. 

 Generally speaking, the nut eddoe crop is a very poor one. 

 Owing, we believe, to a scarcity of plants, only a moderate 

 area was put under this vegetable, and the fields that were 

 planted have not grown with vigour. White eddoes have 

 been much more largely planted than nut, and the fields are 

 in good condition. (Agricultural Reporter, November 3, 1917.) 



The Choco. — One of the most widely cultivated 

 vegetables in tropical parts of the Western Hemisphere 

 is the Choco (:Sechium edule), well known in the West Indies. 

 Its fruit is cooked and eaten in the same way as the 

 vegetable marrow. The fruit is sometimes offered for sale 

 in London, but it is doubtful if it. is appreciated except 

 by those who have made its acquaintance in the tropics. 

 The plant can be grown successfully under glass in England. 

 The Field, August 25, 1917, tells a story of a market 

 gardener in Essex who devoted several green-houses to the 

 cultivation of choco. He obtained a most satisfactory crop, 

 but failed to make it sell, so that he lost heavily. This 

 proves nothing but that the slayat-home Englishman is 

 most conservative in his food. Yet those who have eaten 

 it are quite sure that the choco is a delicious and wholesome 

 form of vegetable marrow. 



