164 



THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS. 



June 2, 1906. 



CONFERENCE OF COTTON GROWERS AT BARBADOS. 



At a conference of cotton growers held at the 

 ■Carnegie Librar}' on Frida}', May 4, under the auspices 

 of the Agricultural Society, the Hon. F. J. Clarke, M.C.P., 

 President, in the chair, the Imperial Commissioner of 

 Agriculture delivered the following address: — 



This i.s the sixth conference held in Barbados with 

 the view of taking stock of the situation and discussing with 

 the growers the steps desirable to be taken still further to 

 extend and improve the industry. The first conference was 

 held on Februarj' 6, 190.3; the second, after my return 

 from a visit to the Sea Islands, December 12, 1903. In 

 ■October 1901 was held an important conference at which 

 Mr. E. Lomas Oliver was present as a deputation from the 

 British Cotton-growing Association. Later conferences were 

 held on April 14, and in the parish of St. Philip on June 24, 

 190.5. 



I'ROSrECTS OF THE INDUSTRY. 



There can be no doubt as to the steady progress made 

 by tlie cotton industry in the West Indies during the la.st 

 three years. During 190.5 the value of the cotton lint and 

 seed produced in the whole of the West Indies amounted to 

 £63,000. Barbados produced a little more than one-third of 

 this, namely, cotton lint and seed of the value of £23,000. 



In regard to prices, Barbados has maintained a good 

 position. During 1905 the highest prices ranged from 15(7. 

 to 16id per K). On the other hand, for the crop now being 

 .shipped (1906), the highest prices have ranged from 15J(/. to 

 ISd. per Bb. There is every indication that if cotton growers 

 will devote close and constant attention to the industry and 

 maintain a high quality of lint, the prices will continue to be 

 remunerative even if they are not so high as at present. 



The following table illustrates the progress made in 

 ■cotton cultivation at Barbados ; — 



Statemcnf shoivhig the area under Cotton, and the ([Uality and 

 value exported for the years 1902-~> [inchisive). 



It is probable, according to present indications, that the 

 area to be planted this autumn -will be about 4,000 acres, 



yielding a possible crop of the value, for lint and seed, of 

 £50,000 to £60,000. 



PROSPECTS OF SEA ISL.\NIJ COTTON. 



In considering the future of a Sea Island cotton industry 

 in the West Indies, the following information may be of 

 interest : (n) The area under cultivation in Sea Island 

 cotton in the Sea Islands has not appreciably increased of 

 late years. (A) The use of Sea Island cotton is steadily 

 extending in the United States, in the United Kingdom, 

 and on the continent of Europe. Recently, French buyers 

 are increasing the use of West Indian Sea Lsland cotton, 

 (c) No other country has, as yet, been successful in establish- 

 ing a Sea Island cotton industry. Probably all conditions 

 necessary are not found anywhere to such a high degree as in 

 the West Indies, {d) As .showing there is still considerable 

 room for expansion in the West Indies, the British Cotton- 

 growing Association stated in 1904 that it might be possible 

 to ]n-oduce up to 20,000 or 30,000 bales without appreciably 

 disturbing the market. In 1905, the West Indies produced 

 4,000 bales only ; in 1906 they are likely to produce about 

 7,000 bales. Probably, in 1907, the West Indies will not 

 produce more than about 10,000 to 12,000 bales. In 

 any event, it may be safe to assume that prices are not likely 

 to fall below Is. per lb. If cotton growers would frame their 

 estimates on this basis, the prospects of the industry would 

 be as favourable as any in this part of the world. 



It might be useful to add that the cotton spinners in tlic 

 I'nited States retained for their own use 60,000 bales of Sea 

 Island cotton in 1905, and 76,000 hales in 1906. It is not 

 improbable that the fine spinners in the United States will 

 eventually take the whole of the cotton produced in the Sea 

 Islands. This would lead to the cotton spinners in European 

 countries having to depend entirely on the Sea Island cotton 

 produced in the West Indies. 



REQUIREMENTS OP THE INDUSTRY. 



It is not necessary for me to enter into great detail in 

 regard to this part of the subject, as full information for the 

 guidance of those embarking in the industrj' is available in 

 the A. B.C. of Cotton Planting published by the Imperial 

 Department of Agriculture. It should, however, be borne in 

 mind, that a good crop of first-class cotton cannot be raised 

 on poor, shallow soils, and especially in localities exposed to 

 strong winds. There should be thorough preparation of the 

 land some time before the seed is planted. The manure also 

 should be put in early, and only the best seed should be used. 

 The small extra ex[iense incurred in buying the best selected 

 and disinfected seed bears no comparison to the extra price 

 that would be obtained for the lint. 



