82 



THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS. 



M.^RCH 17, 1906. 



Every student who acquits himself satisfactorily is 

 awarded a Certificate of Proficiency in Agricultural 

 Science, and several holders of this certificate have 

 obtained employment upon estates in Barbados. The 

 reports that reach the ]\-partment testify to the fact 

 that the scientific training acquired by them has 

 increased their value as overseers both in the field and 

 in the factory, and support the view, so often urged, 

 that scientific knowledge is of great practical value not 

 only in the laboratory, but in the actual every day work 

 of an estate. 



It should bo useful to a plantation manager to be 

 able to include in his field staff a young man whose 

 previous training fits him for carrying out, in addition 

 to the ordinary field operations, others such as the 

 application of insecticides, and the detection of insect 

 and fungoid pests; one who is fitted also, to deal with 

 the many problems arising from recent agricultural 

 development in the West Indies, such as the introduc- 

 tion of cotton cultivation, and the closer study of plant 

 pests and diseases. 



In the sugar factory these young men should prove 

 especially useful, for they are trained to perform all the 

 chemical analyses required in sugar manuf;vcture. 

 Chemical control in the large factories has long been 

 recognized to be essential, and an increasing number of 

 smaller fsvctories are realizing the necessity of chemical 

 aid to improved work. It is suggested that, as assistants 

 •working under expert directions, these young men 

 should meet a distinct demand ; a demand that would 

 increase in the future. 



It is felt that the existence of this type of educa- 

 tional work shotdd be widely known by the proprietors 

 and managers of West Indian estates, and by all 

 interested in a supply of young men whose education 

 has not been limited to the book knowledge of the 

 ordinary school curriculum, but who have received 

 a training calculated to fit them specially for the needs 

 of modern agriculture in the West Indies. 



In the smaller West Indian Colonies, the induce- 

 ments offered in the way of remuneration and 

 promotion do not appear to be such as to stimulate 

 any great desire to take up agriculture as a profession. 

 There is, in consequence, a strong tendency, even 

 amongst the sons of planters, to leave the country and 

 to seek employment in the towns. This tendency is 

 manifest in the comparatively small number of 

 competitors for Agricultural exhibitions, and it can only 

 be attributed to the small prospects of regular and 

 remunerative employment on sugar and other estates, 



The problem is closely connected with the future 

 of the sugar industr}'. That future depends upon the 

 scientific improvement of the cane and its cultivation, 

 as well as the utilization and scientific control of the 

 modern resources of manufacture. An abundant 

 supply of men who have received this special training 

 would obviously be an important step toward the 

 attainment of these ends. 



The problem is also closely connected with the 

 improvement of the position of what is locally known 

 as the 'book-keeper' or 'overseer.' The salaries and 

 conditions of life prevailing at present are by no mean.s 

 always such as to otter strong inducement to young 

 men to take up agriculture. A well-trained man should 

 naturally look forward to slightly higher pay and 

 increased comfort, otherwise there would be nothing to 

 attract him. 



The Imperial Department of Agriculture is 

 making a special effort to secure the co-o))eration of 

 proprietors and managers in providing employment 

 for certificated agricultural students, with reasonable 

 remuneration and prospect of promotion, in all the 

 islands where sugar is still being regarded as a staple 

 industry". The success that has been attained in the 

 case of the young men now serving at Barbados, should 

 encourage a trial of the services of men similarly trained, 

 at St. Lucia, Antigua, and St. Kitt's, as well as at 

 Jamaica and Trinidad. 



The Imperial Commissioner of Agriculture will 

 be glad to correspond with the pi'oprietors and 

 managers of estates, anil attbrd full information respect- 

 ing those who are regarded as qualified for emplo3'ment 

 as above described. 



He hopes, also, to be in a position later on, to 

 recommend young men with special knowledge and 

 experience in the cultivation of cacao, cotton, rubber, 

 and other subjects. 



APPOINTMENT VACANT. 



The post of Agricultund Instructor under the Imperial 

 Department of Agrioulture, is vacant at Dominica. Candi- 

 dates should be not more than thirty years of age, active, 

 accustomed to ride, and with good experience in practical 

 agriculture, especially cacao planting. Salary £130 per 

 annum, witli £20 for horse allowance, and a small personal 

 allowance when absent on duty. Applications, with full 

 particulars as to age and experience, to be addressed to — - 



The Imperial Commissioner of Agriculture, He.id Office, 

 Barbados. 



