CO-OPERATION IN ANTIGUA : AN OBJECT LESSON I5 



the island. There is a committee of management which has full power to 

 deal with all matters affecting the cotton industr>^ of the island. The asso- 

 ciation is affiliated to the Antigua Agricultural and Commercial Society 

 and to the Antigua Onion Growers' Association, but this does not imply 

 general distribution of responsibilities. 



The Lime Growers' Association, which is at the present time in process 

 of formation, has, it appears, for its principal object, the establishment of 

 a small but profitable green lime trade wih New York, supplementary 

 to that of Dominica which has assumed big dimensions of recent years. 

 Antigua, it is supposed, profiting by the experiences of Dominica and guided 

 by her own knowledge of the value of combined action, intends to estab- 

 lish a central grading depot and to make beforehand, if possible, special 

 arrangements in regard to freight facilities. While this is commendable, it 

 is a question whether the production of limes in Antigua will ever attain 

 large proportions. 



The present account of co-operation in Antigua would not be complete 

 without some reference to the Indian corn or maize industry of that island. 

 It had been felt for some time that the West Indian islands should 

 produce more corn and import less. Antigua, as might be expected, was 

 the first to lead the way to giving effect to this idea. The principal 

 difficulty was that, to keep, corn must be dried. This would necessitate 

 the establishment of a kiln-drying plant, and this the Antigua govern- 

 ment decided to do. In May 1914 the establishment was opened, 

 its efficiency having been previously demonstrated. Antigua kiln-dried 

 corn had been found to be as good if not better than the imported American 

 product. The terms on which local deliveries are accepted by the granary 

 are as follows : (i) the co-operative plan whereby a first payment of 2s. 6d. 

 per bushel of shelled grain is made to growers, to be followed by a distribu- 

 tion of the surplus profits of the undertaking after paying all expenses and 

 deducting 25 per cent, as the profit of the granary ; (2) the purchase of 

 corn for cash at the rate of 3s. 6d. per bushel of shelled grain ; (3) the kiln- 

 drying of corn for which a charge not exceeding 6d. per bushel is made. 



Arrangements were made later for the erection of a meal-making ma- 

 chine. 



The effect of the establishment of this granary was to increase largely 

 the area under Indian corn in the island. It cannot be said, however, that 

 so far the granary has been a financial success, nor is it likely to be until 

 corn is produced in large quantities in excess of the immediate local require- 

 ments. At present it is in the nature of a governement insurance of corn 

 growing and from that point of view should at least inspire confidence. 



In connection with corn growing it may be noted that during the present 

 year an attempt to encourage the industry was made by holding a maize 

 show. This function was highly successful and may be expeceted to have 

 the desired result. ;,. v , 



In concluding this review of events in Antigua, we may^the more 

 appreciate their importance by considering for a moment their external as 

 part from their internal effects. The Antigua Sugar Factory was distinctly 



