COTTON 



In Nevis cotton is cultivated as a main crop and, if 

 possible, is kept for a second picking. The crop is 

 grown both on estates and by peasant cultivators, the 

 latter occupying very nearly one-half of the total area 

 under cotton. 



Owing to the heavier character of the soil and the 

 rather more uncertain seasons experienced, the returns 

 have been more variable than in the sister island of 

 St. Kitts; but, taken over a period of years, the returns 

 have been satisfactory and the cultivation of the crop 

 has added greatly to the prosperity of the island. 



At the present time cotton cultivation has to a very 

 large extent taken the place of sugar-cane, and may be 

 regarded as the staple industry of the island; the area 

 at present cultivated under the crop ranges annually 

 between 1,000 and 2,000 acres. 



There is a large ginnery in Charlestown the capital 

 of the island which is worked by a London firm, while 

 there are also a number of smaller ginneries at different 

 points. 



The important class of peasant growers are well looked 

 after by the Agricultural Department, their plots being 

 regularly visited by the Agricultural Instructor, and 

 advice and assistance given when required. Arrange- 

 ments are made each year for supplying small growers 

 with selected seed of good quality at cost price, while 

 facilities are also afforded for the obtaining of Paris 

 green for the control of cotton caterpillars. 



The produce of the peasant cultivators is largely dis- 

 posed of by local sale, the traffic being regulated by an 

 Ordinance similar to that which is in operation in Antigua. 



Anguilla. In this small island, the area of which is 

 35 square miles, the growing of Sea Island cotton has 

 also played a very important part. With the exception 

 of that which is produced by one large grower, Mr. C. 

 Rey, the cotton is entirely grown on small holdings by 

 peasants. The conditions are often rendered unfavour- 

 able on account of drought and the wind-swept state of 

 the island; in consequence the average return per acre 

 is lower than in St. Kitts and Nevis. 



The total area planted each year ranges between 600 

 and 1,200 acres. 



