i to 



should be covered with a layer of dead weeds to protect the soil from 

 drying. As the upper portion of the tap root is surrounded by a 

 thick web of crown roots, which lie close under the surface, any 

 hoeing must always be done very superficially and with great care to 

 avoid injuring the roots. 



It is hoped that the experiments which is now being carried on 

 in Samoa according to Prof. Wohltmann's directions will yield results 

 of great value for the guidance of cocoa planters.— (Bullet in Imperial 

 Institute— March, 1904.) 



650.-COTTON PLANTING. 



In June last His Excellency the Acting Governor authorized the 

 offer of prizes as per following advertisement for the encouragement 

 of Cotton cultivation : — 



OFFER OF PRIZES BY THE GOVERNMENT. 



His Excellency the acting Governor has directed it to be notified 

 for general information that the following prizes are offered : — 



1. For the best two acres of " Sea Island Cotton." grown during 



the season August, 1904, to March 1st. 1905. 1st— £10, 

 2nd— £6. 3rd' £4. 



2. For the best one acre of "' Sea Island Cotton." 1st — £5. 



2nd— £3. 3rd— £2. 



3. For the best sample of ginned '"' Sea Island Cotton " in bale 



of not less than 150 lbs. in weight. — A prize of Five 

 Pounds (£5). 



All Cotton to be harvested not later than 30th of April, 1905. 



Entries for the competition are to be made on or before the 1st 

 of September, 19(14, addressed to Superintendent Royal 

 Botanic Gardens. St. Clair. 



Sufficient seed will be supplied free of charge to those entering 

 the competition, on application. 



Twenty-one competitors have entered the list and have been 

 furnished with seed as per advertisement issued free of charge. 



All but one of the competitors are small proprietors, but the one 

 exception has a large area under Cotton, and purchased seed from the 

 department. 



Seed is still on hand and can be obtained on application at 2 cents 

 per lb. 



The Experiment Plots are now well under way. The Hirer 

 Estate plot looking to be in excellent health. 



A consignment of nine (9) varieties of selected Cotton seed was 

 received in exchange from the United States Department of Agricul- 

 ture, Washington. 



Samples of these will be grown during the current season at 

 various places, so as to give them a fair trial. 



Among these are varieties called long Staple " Upland," and 

 true "Sea Island" Cottons. 



