204 



THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS. 



June 30, 1906, 



GLEANINGS. 



The Dominica Guardian, of June 1, stated that the 

 shipment of green limes by the S.S. ' Trinidad ' on the 

 following Tuesday was likely to beat all previous records. 

 It is stated that over 4,000 barrels were ready for shipment. 



There will shortly be several vacancies at the Agri- 

 cultural School at Dominica. Parents or guardians who wish 

 to enter boys in this school should apply to the Curator of 

 the Botanic Station. 



Seeds of the California palm, Washingfonia fiUfera, to 

 which reference was made in the Agricultural A'eius (Vol. II, 

 p.28), have been received from the Agricultural Superin- 

 tendent at Grenada, and will be distributed throughout the 

 AVest Indies. 



The Agricultural Superintendent at Grenada reports 

 that plots of what is known as ' twelve-week ' corn have been 

 grown at the Botanic Station for the supjjly of seed for 

 distribution. There is some demand for this corn among the 

 peasants, who hold that it has several advantages over the 

 more common kind generally planted. 



According to the Cotton 7'rade Journal, the uneasiness 

 caused by the drought in the Sea Islands is now over, and 

 planters will therefore be looking to getting stands ready for 

 cultivation. From all indications, the Sea Island acreage, on 

 the whole, will not be far from what it was last year, 

 notwithstanding claims to the contrary. 



' Whereas it is of vital importance for the conservation 

 and promotion of the rainfall and water supjjly in the island 

 of Grenada that the forest growth in the vicinity of the 

 Grand Etang should be maintained and preserved,' an 

 Ordinance has been passed to provide for the preservation of 

 forest growth in that vicinity. 



According to the Consular Report on the trade of the 

 Azores for the year 1905, the exportation of jiine-apples 

 continues to increase. 'Last year 48,917 cases containing 

 433,6.58 pines, were exported to the London market, and 

 79,249 cases, with 873,.57-5 pine.s, to Hamburg, being a total 

 of 1,307,233 pines, valued by the custom authorities here at 

 £87,148.' 



The Police ilagistrate for the western district of 

 Grenada reports that the shortness of the cacao crop, the fall 

 in prices, the disinclination of the money lender to grant any 

 further indulgence, and the consequent inability of the 

 peasant proprietors to meet their engagements, are rapidly 

 conducing to the probable early extinction of peasant proprie- 

 tors in the district. 



It is desirable to correct an error in the last issue of the 

 Agricultural News (p. 182), where it was stated that the Acme 

 Powder Bellows were obtainable from Messrs. Gillespie 

 Bros, it Co. at about ^3 00 per dozen. This should read 

 •'^8-00 per dozen. 



It is notified for the information of planters in Domi- 

 nica that .seed of the Castilloa and Funturaia rubber trees 

 will be ready for distribution during June and July. 

 Early application should be made to the Curator of the 

 Botanic Station. 



It is stated in the Consular Report on the Onioa and 

 Puerto Cortes district of the repul)lic of Honduras that the 

 exports of cotfee, sarsaparilla, and rubber have fallen oft' in 

 quantity in consequence of the difticulty of procuring cheap 

 labour, as the natives can obtain better wages on banana 

 plantations. The number of bunches of bananas exported to 

 the I'nited States last year amounted to 2,0.58,896. 



The drug known as Cascara sagrada is obtained from, 

 the bark of lihamnus Furshiana, a .shrubbj- tree abundant 

 in the states of Oregon and Washington. According to the 

 Consular Report on the trade of these states in 1905, only 

 750 tons were exported, owing to a lessened demand. It 

 is considered fortunate for the preservation of the trees 

 that the prices paid two years ago were not permanent. 



It is estimated that the output of honey from California 

 in 1905 was 10,000,000 ft. Throughout the entire season 

 the demand was active at fair prices. Several car-loads have 

 been sent to Eurojje, and the eastern states have drawn on 

 this market on account of short supplies having been received 

 from the West Indies. (Considar Report on the states of 

 California, etc., 1905.) 



The annual report of the Royal Mail Steam Packet 

 Company states : ' AVith a view to co-operating with the Im- 

 perial Department of xVgriculture for the further development 

 of the fruit industry in the West Indies, four of the five West 

 Indian transatlantic passenger steamers have been provided 

 wdth cold storage for the conveyance of fruit. The fifth 

 steamer is being similarly fitted, and will be completed 

 before her next departure to the West Indies.' 



In reference to the ettbrts that are being made in 

 Trinidad to introduce labour-saving appliances in cane 

 cultivation, it may be of interest to mention that the Xew 

 Colonial Company, Ltd., has permanent derricks at various 

 points on the estates for hoisting canes into truck.s. In the 

 Rorf-of-^pain Gazette, of June 3, mention is made of an 

 improved appliance at work on the railway on La Fortune 

 plantation in the form of a moveable derrick. It has a radius 

 of 24 feet and lifts a load in any position. 



Reference was made in the last issue of the Agricultural 

 News (p. 186) to the Grecian trade in citrous in brine. It is 

 stated in the Consular Report on the Cyclades (Greece) for 

 the year 1905 that 'the export of citrons in brine was above 

 the average.' The report continues : ' This article and 

 emery stone are the only items of importance in the export 

 trade of Syra. As usual the largest piroportion of citrons 

 was sent to America, amounting to 3,097 casks, valued at 

 £17,913.' 



