83 
Although these three plots have undergone various treatments, 
the results of which are given below, the main object in planting 
udded trees was to ascertain whether, when budded on the 
sour orange, they could, by reason of the long tap root sent down 
by this stock, withstand the hurricanes through being more 
firmly anchored in the ground. 
Another interesting matter was that of finding a stock 
immune from the Rosellinia root disease. Further it was hoped 
that the tendency to early bearing, which is characteristic of 
budded plants, might prove an advantage over the ordinary 
seedling which takes at least four or five years to come into 
bearing. As regards the immunity of the orange stock from 
attacks of Rosellinia disease, and the bearing qualities of the 
budded lime, (spiny type) no definite conclusions can be drawn 
at present to show whether or not these trees can be recommended 
for general planting. 
e treatment given to these three plots commenced with the 
actual planting, when some of the holes were made with 
dynamite, and the others were made with the spade. 
The results of the two methods compared showed that there 
was nothing to choose between one and the other. These 
results, being contrary to experience elsewhere with dynamite, 
led to the belief that the failure must have been due to the moist 
and compact nature of the soil, and that the use of dynamite on 
such lands only tends to further compaction. 
Good results, it is reasonable to suppose, can only be 
expected on land where the shattering effect of dynamite will 
loosen the surrounding soil and make way for the penetration 
of the young roots, therefore it is not likely that the use of 
dynamite will meet with much success in Dominica. 
The next phase of the experimental work on these plots 
yielded interesting and useful results: two of the three plots 
were planted with green dressing crops: one with Horse Beans, 
(Canavalia ensiformis), and the other with Tephrosia candida ; 
the third plot being left bare except for the weeds and grass 
which were kept cut at regular intervals. 
The object of this experiment was to show to what degree 
these crops would help in the development of the young trees 
by affording a ground covering from the strong rays of the sun, 
and acting as lateral protection from prevailing winds. 
Observations made on lime cultivations by the Department, 
extending over a good number of years, have shown that the 
lime tree has a critical period in its lifetime, commencing at 
the time of planting in the field and continuing up to the 
third year. : 
uring this period unless proper attention is given, the 
health of the tree may become impaired to the extent of perma- 
nently weakening its constitution, and very often at this stage 
scale insects and other pests appear. 
An annual application of 2 lbs. of organic nitrogen per tree, 
in addition to green dressing crops, constitutes the treatment 
C2 
