32 



worm of a m 'th (specimens of which are on exhibition in the Hall) 

 known as Aletia. 'I he attack of this was so sudden and severe that 

 the damage was done before the planters had realized what was going 

 on. There was also the drawback that there was only a small supply 

 of Paris Green in the Island. The life-history of the insect is well 

 known, and it is fully given in the current number of the West India 

 Bulletin (pp. 268-271) I am ot' opinion that if a keen look out be 

 kept for this cotton worm in September and October of each year and 

 immediate steps be taken to deal with it as advised by the officers of 

 the Department there is every probabili'y that ir can be effectually 

 kept in check. 



In the United States where it i>* equally abundant, if not promptly 

 dealt with, the planters do not regard is as troublesome. They treat 

 it when the worm is only about \ or ^ of an inch in length ; and 

 one or two dustings with Paris Green and lime in the proportion of I 

 to 6 are sufficient to get rid of it. 



We must recognize that at Barbados with practically the whole of 

 the avail tble land under constant cultivation and with a dense popula- 

 tion the condition-, from the agi icultural poi t of view, are becoming 

 more and more artificial. The fight with pests must be accepted as 

 inevitable; and it is only by intellig(-nt and energetic action on the 

 pa' t of all members of the planting comtnunity that we can hope to 

 raise large and remunerative crops. We might assist in placing 

 matters in a more natural condition by planting trees on all waste 

 areas, and by encouraging birds, lizards and all insectivorous members 

 of our fauna. If we had large areas under trees, our climate would be 

 moister and less liable to suffer from severe spells of dry weather ; and 

 if we had double or treble the quantity of insectivorous birds we have 

 at present, our conditions as regards some pests at all events, would be 

 greatly improved. 



Besides the cotton worm there are several fungoid diseases causing 

 blight on leaves and pods. It has been noticed that these are more 

 prevalent on ratoons than on plants At present it is unadvisable to 

 attempt to raise any ratoon crops of cotton After this year's crop is 

 reaped, it would be better i o get nd of everything and make an e itirely 

 fresh start next year. After a careful review of all the circumstances 

 and after visiting mo.st of the areas planted with cotton this year I am 

 convinced that, with thoroughly intelligent and active treatment of 

 the cotton worm and other pests, no insuperable difficulty has yet 

 presented itself in the way of establishing a successful cotton industry 

 in this island, 



Cotton seed for planting in 1904. 

 There are several sorts of cotton being grown experimentally this 

 year. Owing to the risk of crossing, it is recommended that an entirely 

 fresh supply of the best seed be s-r-cured for planting next year. They 

 begin planting cotton in the States in April. The planting season in 

 the West Indies is from June to Angus . If, therefore, immediate 

 steps oYQ not taken to secure seed of the best Sea Island cotton in ad- 

 vance of rhe States, the West Indies will have to put up with inferior 

 sorts. With the view of securing, beforehand, a lar^je supply of seed 

 of the best Sea Islan i cotton for ihese colonies, during my recent 

 visit I obtained the refusal of all the sped product d on one of the 



