402 



THE AGRICULTUKAL NEWS. 



December 29, 1906. 



There are few subjects attracting more attention 

 just row than the outlook for supplies of raw India 

 rubber to meet the increasing demand for this article. 

 Sources of new supplies of rubber are being 

 investigated, as well as the prospects for cultivat- 

 ing rubber trees with the view of supplementing the 

 supply from wild trees. Possibly the largest e.xperi- 

 ments in cultivating rubber in the West Indies are 

 teing undertaken at Trinidad and Tobago. A good 

 deal of interest is also being taken in e.xploring 

 portions of British Guiana for indigenous rubber trees 

 and in starting regular plantations. The three principal 

 trees that are being introduced into cultivation 

 are the Para rubber (He vea hrasilicnsis), the Castilloa 

 rubber {Castilloa elastica), and the West African 

 rubber {Fimtumia elastica). The relative merits of 

 these are still being keenly discussed. In this part of 

 the world Castilhia dustica. is more largely planted 

 than any other. This is no doubt due to the fact that 

 it is a native of tropical America and that supplies of 

 seed are available in large quantities. In spite of this, 

 however, discussion continues as to the best methods 

 for cultivating this tree and as to the conditions under 

 "which it should be placed to produce remunerative 

 results. Also whether, under all circumstances, it is 

 a suitable tree to be used as shade for cacao. 



The Sea Island cotton industry has assumed 

 such proportions that it will be sure to receive the 

 attention it deserves. The indications at present 

 are that it is not suited to the conditions existing in all 

 these colonies. That is a fact that must be fully realized. 

 The best results, so far, have been obtained in localities 

 Avhere there is a moderate rainfall and where a supply 

 of suitable labour is available for careful cultivation 

 and for picking the cotton at the right stage. 



In recent years the improvement of stock has 

 received considerable attention. In spite of the 

 •large sums that have been expended in the 

 purchase of pedigree animals, it is evident that a good 

 deal more might be done in the selection of the right 

 class or breed of animals to suit special circumstances. 

 In connexion with this subject, the occurrence of 

 anthrax and the treatment of ticks and other diseases 

 also deserve to be discussed. Hitherto the improve- 

 ment of stock does not appear to have been adequately 

 considered, taking into account its bearing on the 

 success of nearly all agricultural industries. 



Agricultural education both in elementary and 

 secondary schools is proposed to be an important 

 topic at the Jamaica Conference. Notwithstanding 



all that has been written and said on the subject, it is 

 felt in many quarters that we are still a long way from 

 having attained to the standard set forth when these 

 Conferences were started. It is probable that 

 opportunities will be given for a full di.scussion of the 

 situation as now existing, and it is hoped that useful 

 suggestions will be offered in regard to the future of 

 educational efforts in these colonies and that a scheme 

 will be elaborated that will bring the younger genera- 

 tion into closer sympathy with the chief business of 

 their lives — namely, the cultivation of the soil. 



Apart, however, from the varied and important 

 business that will be brought before the Conference, 

 a visit to Jamaica cannot fail to be of considerable 

 interest to members owing to the rich and varied 

 resources of the island and the fiivourable opportunities 

 that will be offered to visitors to become acquainted 

 with numerous industries likely to be new to them, 

 such as pen-keeping, dairying, coffee curing, the 

 cultivation of pimento or Jamaica pepper, tobacco, 

 including the manufacture of cigars and cigarettes, 

 the preparation of cassava starch, and a large and 

 profitable bee-keeping industry. 



The Reception Committee, of which the Hon. H. C. 

 Bourne, C.M.G., is Chairman, has issued a memo- 

 randum containing notes and suggestions for e.xcursions 

 into various districts of the island. Amongst the 

 excursions in contemplation are: A trip to the parish 

 of Clarendon to study the cultivation of bananas, sugar- 

 cane under irrigation, cotton and citrus plants; and 

 a trip to Spanish Town and neighbourhood to observe 

 the cultivation of bananas, citrus fruits, rubber, and 

 sugar. Other trips under consideration are: To Mande- 

 ville and district to see horses and cattle; to Barossa, 

 to see a well-organized creamery: and to the parish 

 of Hanover to see Indian cattle at Shettlewood, and 

 Hereford cattle at Knockalva. An interesting visit will 

 be arranged to the Botanic Gardens at Castleton, by way 

 of the Wag Water Valley, one of the headquarters of 

 tobacco growing. The cigar and cigarette factories are 

 in Kingston. A visit to these is probable. One or more 

 visits are also in contemplation to the beautiful Hope 

 Gardens in the neighbourhood of Kingston ; and to 

 Xorbrook, near Constant Spring Hotel to see a success- 

 ful pine-apple plantation and a recently established 

 fruit-canning factory. 



Information in regard to other excursions to 



places of interest will be announced by the Keception 



Committee after the arrival of the Representatives. 

 at Jamaica. 



