105 



The long drought, scorched the tops of the most forward canes and 

 thus helped to increase the weight of bad canes which are used for 

 rum making. 



I propose to continue the experiment for another year, just loosen- 

 ing the soil and cleaning, so as to shew what effect the manures may- 

 have on ratoons the second year. The experience so far has been that 

 the manure shews better the year after the drought. 



The gallons juice obtained were 1737 from 14 tons canes, which 

 gives a mill extraction of 58 o/o, the average extraction so far for the 

 crop being 55 o/o, the usual extraction from same mill in ordinary 



years being 60 o/o. 



Joseph Shore. 

 20th Feby., 1903. 



It will be seen that the analyses support Mr. Shore's statement that 

 the juice of the manured canes, owing to the peculiar conditions ob- 

 taining, is markedly inferior to that from the unmanured canes. 



Soil B. 

 This represents certain patches of soil where the canes turn white 

 and die out Analysis shows that this soil differs greatly from 

 soil A. Over 9i per cent of it is soluble in acid of which the bulk 

 consists of carbonate of lime The humus and nitrogen are greatly 

 less, and the 'available' results less than one half those recorded for A 

 This soil is unsuited for cane cultivation on account of the great ex.- 

 cess of carbonate of lime, the coarse granulation and defective water- 

 retaining power, the deficiency of humus and the low standard of gen- 

 eral fertility. I doubt whether it would be profitable to attempt a 

 forced cultivation by extravagant use of organic manures, considering 

 the relative cheapness of good land in the island. Such soil under 

 present conditions is most profitably left to nature. 



Soil a 



This soil selected as typical of Cinnamon Hill lands, is coarser in 

 grain than A but presents very similar characteristics, and the chemi- 

 cal data are in fairly close correspondence. Clearly a soil of high fer- 

 tility and only requiring a water supply to produce large yields. 



Soil D. 

 This soil is again very similar to the last. The available potash 

 must be considered the weakest factor in the elements of ferti- 

 lity here recorded. This must be accepted as a soil of high natural 

 fertility, with a great reserve of plant food. 



