312 



(October, 1912. 



but it was more likely to come from the bottom pens than the higher ones. 

 This has been shown to be the case, though there is still a great improve- 

 ment possible among the lower pens. This is not expected so much from the 

 individual pens as from the individual competitors. A good many of the 

 birds sent forward were not matured. The owners state they are up to 

 the age required by the rule, viz., seven months ; but if they were so by 

 the calendar, they are by no means so in maturity, and breeders can assist 

 in maintaining a high average by sending matured or none at all. 



We commend these facts to the attention of local Poultry Club which 

 should be in a position to do a great deal for the improvement of the local 

 egg industry if it works on the same lines. 



SESAMUM CROP IN THE BOMBAY PRESIDENCY FOR 1912-13, 

 (Including Sind and Native States). 



[Estimates up to 1st August.] 



Information incomplete. Sowings still continue. Reported area for 

 British Districts 194,000 acres and for Native States 172,000 acres, 2-5 per 

 cent, over corresponding area last year but 116 per cent, below decennial 

 average at same date. In Gujarat early crop sown in second fortnight of 

 June in Kathiawar and other places where rains favourable. Elsewhere 

 sowings delayed a fortnight to month owing to heavy rain in July. Crop 

 damaged in places by excessive rain and by caterpillars in Kaira. Else- 

 where good. Late crop not yet sown. In Deccan and Karnatak crop 

 sown in July a fortnight to month late for want of early rains. In places 

 larger area devoted to jowari and bajri owing to scarcity of fodder 

 experienced in season just closed. Crop good in North and West; else- 

 where fair and in need of further rain. Konkan crop sown seasonally in 

 second fortnight of June and is doing well. In Sind rain for sowing 

 favourable, in Karachi but low inundation at commencement curtailed 

 area elsewhere. Sowings began in latter part of June as usual and still 

 continue in places. Crop doing well at present. 



This forecast represents some 8'9 % of the total area in Biitish India. 



VANILLA NEWS. 



Reports from Reunion show that 51 tons of vanilla were exported 

 from that Island in 1911, against 51 tons in 1910, 39i tons in 1909, 70 tons in 

 1908, and 48£ tons in 1907. 



The price of the first qualities varied between 33 fr. 50 c. (£1 6s. Qd.) 

 and 40 fr. (£1 12s.) per kilo (2 21 lb.), depending on the condition and from 

 what plantation. The inferior vanilla vaiies between 27 fr. (£1 Is, Id.) 

 and 32 fr. (£1 5s. Id). The outlook for vanilla is more hopeful this year 

 than last though until the number of plantations throughout the world 

 has been reduced to the number required by the demand for this product, 

 not much profit can be expecfed from a pure vanilla plantation, though 

 as a secondary product it is very paying. The great risk in confining one's 

 plantation to this creeper is that the planter is at the mercy of a 

 cyclone. One bad cyclone will undo the work of several years, besides 

 annihilating the year's crop.— Tropical Life, July, 19J2. 



