"Vol. V. No. 117. 



THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS. 



333 



ST. VINCENT : ANNUAL REPORTS ON THE 

 BOTANIC STATION, AGRICULTURAL SCHOOL, 

 AND LAND SETTLEMENT SCHEME, lOUo-O. 



Botanic Station. — Several minor improvements ^ were 

 ■effected in the gardens, the general condition of -n-hich is 

 reported to be satisfactory. A number of interesting plants 

 have been added to the collection. 



The smaller demand for cacao plants has caused 

 a considerable decrease in the number of economic plants 

 distributed from the nurseries. In all, 17,543 economic 

 plants, besides 4,172 miscellaneous plants and quantities of 

 vegetable seeds ^^■ere distributed. There is apparently an 

 increased demand for nutmeg plants. Three new nurseries, 

 in addition to those already existing at the Botanic Station 

 and the Georgetown Experiment Station, were established : 

 two on the Land Settlement estates and one at the Agri- 

 cultural School. 



The meteorological returns show a steady diminution in 

 the rainfall during the past six years. The rainfall for the 

 year under review was 90-04 inches. This is about 15 inches 

 below the average of the previous five years. 



The report contains a summary of the results obtained 

 in connexion with the cotton industry. 



Agricultural School. — There are now twenty-five boys 

 on the school books. It is satisfactory to note that the 

 ■discipline in the school is better, while the health of the boys 

 appears to have improved. 



Two examinations were conducted during the year by 

 means of papers set at this office. The results were, on the 

 ■whole, satisfactory. 



As much as possible of the work in the experiment plots 

 is performed by the boys. Provisions were grown as usual 

 for dietary purposes. Experiments were also carried out with 

 fodder and other crops. 



The stock kept at the school during the whole or part 

 of the year included a Hereford bull, a Poland-China boar, 

 a Toggenburg goat, and poultry of various breeds. 



Land Settlement Scheme.^On March 31 last, 583 allot- 

 ments were occupied. Attention has been paid to maintaining 

 and extending the system of wind-breaks on these estates. 

 A general improvement in the appearance of these lines is 

 reported, and most of them are now fulfilling their purpose of 

 protecting the cultivations. The total amount expended on 

 these wind-breaks during the year was £58 5s. Sd. 



Economic plants, mostly cacao, nutmeg, and coffee, have 

 teen supplied to the allottees. The total number distributed 

 was 11,770; of these 9,895 were cacao, 1,406 nutmeg, and 

 385 coffee plants. 



Manures were distributed to allottees at a total cost of 

 JE106 14s. Id. 



The general idea obtained by a careful perusal of 

 Mr. Osment's report is that there is considerable improvement 

 in the appearance of the allotments and that the holders are 

 ■devoting more attention to their cultivations. 



Appended to this report is an extract from the report 

 ■of the Inspector of Schools containing observations on the 

 .,progress of elementary agricultural instruction in St. Vincent. 



FODDER PLANTS IN DOMINICA. 



Careful experinient.s have been conducted at the 

 Dominica Agricultural School to ascertain the value of 

 improved Bascom Guinea corn as a fodder crop. For 

 this purpose a plot of land was chosen and divided into 

 four equal parts, each being -/„ acre in extent. The 

 following fodders were then grown in these plots, each 

 receiving the same treatment: Plot 1, Bascom Guinea 

 corn: plot 2, improved B^iscom Guinea corn; plot 3, 

 Jerusalem corn ; plot 4<, Guinea grass. 



Mr. A. J. Brooks has forwarded the following brief 

 report on the results : — 



Bascom Guinea Corn.-'-ln this particular trial this plant 

 gave the best yield of green fodder, the plants growing to an 

 average height of 6 feet, and each plant being well furnished 

 with good broad leaves from its base to its apex. The grain 

 was, however, inferior to that of the Jerusalem corn. 



Improved Bascom Guinea Corn. — This variety, whilst 

 attaining to an average height of 10 feet, did not give such 

 a good yield of green fodder as the former, but gave the 

 greatest yield of dry fodder of the four plants tried. The 

 internodes were much longer, and the lower leaves withered 

 up before the top ones had developed, thus leaving about 

 4 feet of the lower portion of the stem bare. In this case 

 no grain was obtained, the flowers remaining unfertilized. 



Jerusalem Corn. — This plant grew to an average height 

 of 5 feet ; the individual plants, being slender and somewhat 

 frail, gave a yield of only 12 tons of green fodder to the acre; 

 the grain was, however, much superior to that of the two 

 former crops, being very full and white. This plant should 

 be grown in preference to the foregoing when grain is desired. 

 It can be strongly recommended for very dry situations. 



Guinea Grass. — The object of including a plot of Guinea 

 grass in these experiments wm,s to provide a sort of standard 

 with which to compare the other crops. It is common 

 knowledge that this grass under good cultivation will give 

 four crops per annum of 20 tons per acre. As in this 

 trial this crop gave a yield of only 15 tons per acre, it is 

 only reasonable to assume that the average yield would be 

 greater in each case. 



YIELDS OF 1'0RAC4E PLANTS. 



y,jt( — ' Cattle should not be allowed to feed on young 

 green sorghum, as it contains prussic acid.' {Agricultural 

 News, Vol. I, p. 70.) If cut when the grain begins to form 

 and allowed to quail for a day before using, no evil results 

 from such feeding. 



Bascom Guinea corn is a valuable forage plant, especially 

 for dry situations. Improved Bascom Guinea corn, on 

 account of its height, is suitable for sheltered situations only. 



Jerusalem corn is one of the surest fodder crops foi- dry 

 situations ; it produces a crop when other plants perish from 

 drought, 



