198 



THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS. 



June 30, 1906. 



SEASONABLE NOTES FOR COTTON 

 GROWERS. 



As a result of the recent rains which have fallen 

 in Barbados, agricultural operations are again being 

 put into full swing. 



It is unfortunate, however, that tlie influence of the 

 rains is stimulating some of the planters to put in their seed 

 -without thorough preparation of the soil. Too great a hurry 

 in this resiiect is to be deprecated. It pays much better to 

 till the land well and allow it to ' cool out ' for some time 

 before planting is commenced. 



Land from which plant canes have been cut has been 

 consolidating in its lower layers during the growing of the 

 •cane, the upper layers only being kept in a loose condition 

 -during the early part of this period. 



It must be borne in mind that the cotton plant is a deep 

 i'eeder, and that its vegetative period is practically confined 

 -to the fir.st three months of its e.xistence. This growing 

 period being so short, it is essential that the soil be thoroughly 

 prepared so that the roots can penetrate it in every direction 

 ■with the greatest ease. The plant can utilize the food already 

 in the soil and that which may be supplied sulisequently, as 

 manure, only when the land has been brought into a state of 

 good tilth. 



It is again necessary to draw attention to the undesir- 

 .able practice of planting cotton in double rows. Some 

 planters appear to bo very unwilling to alter their original 

 ideas in this respect, and still continue to put four 

 jjlants around each cane hole. There is nothing to recommend 

 this practice, while everything is in favour of planting in 

 .single rows. Should the season prove to be very wet, the 

 -former method might meet with disastrous results, as it 

 ■would supply exactly the conditions most suitable for the 

 ■development of fungoid pests. 



Planting in single rows need not necessarily decrease the 

 number of plants per acre, while it affords more room 

 for admitting light and air to every part of the plant, 

 :as well as giving more space for the weeders, pickers, and 

 .any others who may have occasion to pass through the 

 fields. Where double rows are ]^lanted, it is practically 

 impossible to pass through the field without breaking off 

 tranches, and each broken branch gives an extra oppor- 

 "tunity for the entrance of diseases into the plant. More- 

 over, it is easier to detect the first appearance of the worms, 

 .and the Paris green can be applied more satisfactorily 

 "when all the plants can be approached on two sides. 



The cjuestion of how the returns are affected is very 

 important. \Vhere double rows arc planted, overlapping is 

 sure to take place, and light and air will be excluded from 

 the lower parts of the plants, with the result that many of 

 the bolls will fall to the ground. 



The number of jilantsto the cane hole must, however, be 

 regulated by the condition of the land ; the richer the land 

 the farther apart should the plants be [ilaced. 



INSURANCE OF COTTON SHIPMENTS. 



The following is an extract from a letter, dated 

 Jlay 29, addressed to the Imperial Commissioner of 

 Agriculture by the Secretary of the British Cotton- 

 growing Association : — 



We are prepared to insure any shipments of cotton from 

 the West Indies, which are consigned to us, where same have 

 not already been insured by the consigners, under our open 

 policy with the Marine Insurance Coni[)any. 



As, however, we cannot tell whether the insurance has 

 been effected or not, unless it is stated in the consigner's 

 letter of advice, or on the bill of lading, we .shall be glad if 

 you will kindly inform the planters in the West India 

 Islands that, if they wish us to attend to the insurance of 

 any cotton they may ship, they nmst speciallj- request us to 

 do so when they advise the shipment, and give us as many 

 particulars as possible respecting same, such as the weight of 

 the cotton, its approximate value, etc. l^nless this is done 

 we cannot undertake any responsibility in the event of the 

 cotton being lost or damaged. 



WEST INDIAN COTTON. 



Messrs. Wolstenholme and Holland, of Liverpool, 

 report as follows, under date of May 29, in regard to 

 West Indian cotton : — 



Since our last report on the 15th. instant, a good 

 business has been done in Sea Island descriptions at rather 

 easier prices, owing to the fact that most coTisumers have 

 liberal supplies, and are only willing to anticipate their 

 requirements at concessions in price. 



The bulk of the business has been between I4tZ. and 

 I5d., but it also includes about 20 to 30 bales ' extra fine', 

 18</. to 19rf. 



'Fine' cotton about ICid. to 17t/. is at the moment out 

 of demand. 



It is interesting to mention that Porto Rico cotton has 

 been offering at prices from Ilrf. to I3(/., but without finding 

 buyers. 



The sales included IsTevi.s, I3id to I5ld. ; St. Thomas, 

 13'/. to l.'xA ; Mont.serrat, Hil. tolojc/. ; A"nguilla, I4kl. to 

 1-5(1 ; St. Kitt's, I3d. to 1G(Z. ; Barbados, 14|c/. to 16c/. ; and 

 Antigua, 14J(/. to 19c/. 



