77 



remain. The northern estates have found a welcome salvation in the 

 banana industry, and sugar production in Jamaica is now localised in 

 certain special areas, chiefly in the western and south-central districts 

 of the Island. To have survived the fierce competition of bounties 

 and cartels, of modern sugar manufacture and skilled technical manage- 

 ment with the imperfect methods available in Jamaica, speaks volumes 

 for the intrinsic sugar-producing power of the soils ia these districts. 



Some 31 soils and 23 subsoils specially selected as representative of 

 Jamaican sugar soils have been analysed in the Q-overnment Laboratory 

 during the past twelve months, and the results are here recorded with 

 certain observations thereon. In eleven cases manurial experiments 

 have been carried out on the present crop, and the results of three 

 series have been already obtained and are here recorded. Unfortunately 

 in four cases the serious drought has resulted in a loss of results on 

 this year's crop, and the experiments will have to be started again 

 with a hope of more favourable results in the future. 



Taking the districts in approximately geographical sequence from 

 east to west, we must begin with the parish of 



ST. THOMAS. 

 Plantain Garden River District. 



The results of analysis of eight surface soils and a sequence of two 

 sub-soils to a depth of four feet as made in this Laboratory, were pub- 

 lished in "West Indian Bulletin, Vol. 3, pp. 64 and 65, and are here re- 

 produced for comparison with those from other districts of Jamaica. 



Although not at present in sugar cultivation, these soils were for- 

 merly of high repute for the cultivation of sugar cane and it is proposed 

 to establish a central factory in this district. It will be noticed that the 

 soils consist of fine sand and silt with a lesser proportion of coarser 

 _and finer grades. The clay is moderate in amount. 



These soils are of admirable texture for purposes of cultivation 

 and the efficient depth of soil is alone limited by the level of drainage 

 which it is found practicable to maintain. Banana cultivation on these 

 lands, apart from loss by hurricanes, has been a decided success and has 

 taught the value of deep drainage. The banana, owing to its marked 

 objection to stagnation of soil, has taught the agriculturists of Jamaica 

 to appreciate the great need for drainage in the management of 

 the majority of the most productive soils in the Island. In the event 

 of sugar cultivation recommencing in this fertile area, a due regard 

 for drainage should serve greatly to increase the output of these landsi 

 The Phosphoric Acid is unusually high, suggesting that the use of 

 Phosphatic manures would be quite uncalled for. Considering the 

 liberal and well distributed rainfall, it is more than doubtful whether 

 any treatment beyond good drainage and thorough tillage are required 

 to produce abundant crops. Indications of a low margin of available 

 potash are given in two cases (3 and 7). It is probable that the Seedling 

 Cane D. 95 would grow well and give a good yield on this land. Con- 

 sidering the frequency of * blows' in the district and the high losses 

 of bananas that seem to be inevitable over a period of years, it is to be 

 hoped that a well-considered project for a Central Sugar Factory may 

 shortly be realised to reap an assured success under the new auspices 

 (of a fair competition upon the abolition of the bounties. 



