280 



The Supplement to the Tropical Agriculturist 



ascertain the cause. On inspectieng the held I 

 found that large numbers of plants of the indigo 

 family were growing in that field but not in the 

 others. Knowing that the indigo plant was 

 regarded by the planters of the past as an excel" 

 lent "green dressing " for the soil, 1 had some 

 of the plants saved when weeding the field. 

 Those plants when they were from one and a 

 half to two feet high blossomed at the ends of 

 the branches in clusters of light blue or pink in 

 colour, and curled back like the tail of a hare 

 when running. The leaves of the plant are 

 rough and almost round of a light green colour 

 and when they are bruised throw off a strong 

 smell of musk. After the blossoms had run to 

 seed, I drew up several of the plants with thei r 

 rocts and found that many of them had small 

 white globes suspended by white thread-like 

 roots and attached to the main roots. The 

 globes were about the size of a grain 

 of barley and with slight pressures be- 

 tween the fingers they crumbled into a fine 

 white powder. I am under the belief that 

 this powder possesses marvellous fertilising 

 power on the soil. Had I regained in the sugar 

 business it was my intention to make experi- 

 ments with the plant. Now I would suggest 

 that the Imperial Department of Agriculture 

 should make experiments with the plant to 

 acertain its value. The plant is among the 

 spontaneous growths in this colony and is found 

 inmost of the West India islands and experi- 

 ments could be made at small expense as the 

 plant could be cultivated among the young canes 

 with much advantage to the latter. Before 

 closing I should state that some years before 

 the plant attracted my attention, some of the 

 largest branches of plantains and finest ground 

 provisions I have seen in this colony, were 

 grown on land where the plant under notice 

 grew as a weed. I would therefore suggest that 

 those engaged in the farming business should 

 try and establish the plant in their farms. I 

 am, sir. etc. 0. Ross. 



— Weekly Argosy, Jan. 11. 



BANANA TRADE OF DUTCH GUIANA. 



Reuter's Agency is informed that, following 

 the example of the British and Colonial Govern- 

 ment in Jamaica, the Dutch Colonial Govern- 

 ment are taking energetic steps to encourage 

 banana growing in Dutch Guiana, where, as was 

 the case in Jamaica, the decline in the price 

 of cane sugar has made it difficult for the plan- 

 ters to pay their way. The Dutch Colonial 

 Government.have advanced money to the growers 



to enable them to plant bananas and have 

 granted a subsidy for ten years to the Royal 

 Dutch West India Steamship Compauy for a 

 weekly service of suitably fitted fruit steamers 

 between the ports of Paramaribo and New 

 York.— Financial News, Feb. 27. 



COCONUT, RUBBER AND OTHER 

 TROPICAL PRODUCTS. 



IN THE SOLOMON ISLANDS GROUP. 

 A New Development Company. 

 The Solomon Islands Development Co., Ltd., 

 with a capital, £100,000 in 1,000 shares of £100 

 each is being formed to acquire lands, principally 

 in the Solomon Islands Group, and to develop 

 them by the establishment of plantations of 

 coconuts, rubber, bananas, fibres, and other 

 valuable tropical products. It will also take 

 power in its Articles of Association to engage in 

 any other business incidental to the Islands. 

 200 Shares, equal to £20,000, have already been 

 applied for by persons who are acquainted in- 

 timately with island conditions. When 300 

 shares, equal to £30,000, are allotted the Com- 

 pany will be considered as formed. The estab- 

 lishment of Coconut Plantations is to be the 

 main object of the Company, as being the surest 

 and most easily worked source of revenue. The 

 Company, however, do not propose waiting 

 seven or eight years until the Coconuts mature 

 for the payment of dividends ; but, taking ad- 

 vantage of the regular ■ steam service under 

 Commonwealth Mail Contract, they purpose 

 planting Bananas and other products between 

 the young coconut trees ; and as these plants 

 mature quickly, profitable business with Aus- 

 tralia should be attained after the second year, 

 probably enabling dividends to be paid, whilst 

 development work would still be going on at 

 capital cost. A block of 10.000 acres of rich 

 agricultural land on the island of Gaudal- 

 canar has been applied for on a 999 

 years' lease, and only awaits the formal 

 approval of the High Commissioner to be 

 available for work. A valuable plantation of 

 about 8,000 acres at Manning Straits, embracing 

 a number of small islands partly planted, has 

 been purchased on behalf of the Company. 

 This is one of the best situated properties in the 

 Solomon Islands and is looked upon as a very 

 advantageous purchase, both by reason of its 

 situation, the nature of its soil, the value of the 

 improvements already placed upon it, and the 

 fishing rights, especially for Turtle Shell, from 



