September, 1912.] 



223 



from 1904 to 1907, and were therefore comparatively young ; as this acre- 

 age amounted to nearly 4,000 acres, a cost of 2s. per lb. can only be regard- 

 ed as excessive. It is true that in the case of this estate a very highly 

 efficient staff is maintained in the East, and we should be sorry to hear 

 of any reduction in salaries or officers in connection with that part of the 

 Company. It is, however, to be hoped that with a crop of 1,400,000 lbs., as 

 estimated for the present year, a considerable reduction in cost cf pro- 

 duction will be achieved. If such a crop cannot be harvested at much 

 less than 2s. per lb., we are afraid that many smaller concerns will soon 

 feel the pinch.— India Rubber Journal. 



ST. VINCENT BOTANIC STATION REPORT 

 FOR 1910-1911. 



Tt does not appear that Manihot diehotoma and M. piauhyensis will be 

 successful under the conditions of trial. The trees of Hevea brasiliensis 

 have flowered for several years in succession, but have not produced any 

 seed. Castilloa elastica has shown great susceptibility to attacks by 

 scale insects and mealy-bug, and the plants have been removed and 

 replaced by Hevea brasiliensis. It is not considered desirable under 

 present conditions to recommend any extensive planting of Castilloa in 

 St. Vincent. Other interesting plants which receive attention include the 

 mangosteen, a species of Tecoma, pimento, and Michelia Champaca, the 

 last of which produces in profusion deMghtfully fragrant flowers; it is 

 the chainpak of Shelley's Indian Serenade :— 

 ' The champak odours fail. 

 Like sweet thoughts in a dream.' 



The large attention that is given by planters to the cotton and arrow- 

 root industries prevents the distribution of plants from the station frcm 

 being either large or varied, the nnmber of economic plants sent out 

 during the period under review being 4,340 ; of these 4,003 were cacao, and 

 the next largest distribution — 126— rubber ; there were also miscellaneous 

 plants, as well as a certain amount of produce and seeds that were sold. 



The particulars given concerning the rainfall show that the amount 

 recorded at the Botanic Station during 1910 was 104-03 inches, which is T25 

 inches below the average of the past seventeen years. Particulars of the 

 rainfall for the past twelve years indicate that the driest months are 

 February, March and April, and the wettest June and October, each of 



the last havine an average precipitation exceeding 10 inches 



Cotton. 



The notes on agricultural industries are concerned mainly with cotton 

 and it is shown that the export of Sea Island and Marie Galante line, 

 during the period under review, was 540,339 1b., valued at £41,836 as com- 

 pared with 394,667 lb. valued at £26,775, in 1909-10. Since 1903-i the total 

 exports from St. Vincent of these two kinds of cotton have, to the date 

 given, amounted to 2,392,884 lb. having an estimated value of £160,407. 

 During the past three years, there has been a steady increase in the yield 

 of lint per acre, the amount stated being a return of 156 lb. In this section 

 of the report are contained interesting details concerning legislation in 

 regard to the cotton industry, labour-supply for cotton-growing, peasant 

 cotton-growing, selection for improvement, and pests and diseases, 

 Agricultural News. 



