JPMS 1908.] 



537 



Edible Products, 



manures, i. e., phosphates, potash and 

 dried blood resulted in an average 

 yield of 374 lb. per acre per annum over 

 and above that obtained from the unman- 

 ured plot. The mulching gave the great- 

 est gain of all. viz., 402 lb. in excess 

 of the return from the unmanured plot. 

 Dr. Watt mentioned also that the cacao 

 trees on the mulched plot are much 

 finer and better developed thau those 

 iu the other plots, and also that the soil 

 of the mulched area is in exceptionally 

 good physical condition. Although such 

 good results have been obtained with 

 mulching alone, Dr. Watts pointed out 

 that in many cases it will be well 

 to supplement mulching with moderate 

 applications of nitrogen and phosphate. 

 It is believed that potash is not urgent- 

 ly needed as a fertilizing constituent 

 in Dominica, as the soils of the island 

 are fairly well supplied. 



The results obtained with the experi- 

 ment plots in the country districts show 

 that manures are beneficial and remun- 

 erative in the establishment of young 

 cacao, and that pen manure, when obtain- 

 able, is likely to give the best results. 



Observation shows that good general 

 results are likely to follow the intelligent 

 use of the weeds growing in a cacao 

 orchard. When the country experi- 

 ment plots were first laid out in Dominica, 

 attempts were made to keep weeds 

 dowu thoroughly by a system of clean 

 weeding. The soil showed signs of de- 

 terioration, but on altering the method 

 of treatment, allowing the weeds to 

 grow to a moderate height, and then 

 either cutlassing them down, or bedding 

 them in with the fork, surprisingly good 

 results followed. 



Mr. R. D. Anstead then read the follow- 

 ing paper, reviewing the experimental 

 work with cacao that is in progress at 

 Grenada, of which island Mr. Anstead is 

 Agricultural Superintendent. 



In Grenada, experiment plots of cacao 

 are of two kinds, distinguished for the 

 sake of reference, by the term ' experi- 

 ment plots ' and ' experiment stations.' 



The experiment plots, as was explained 

 at the last Agricultural Conference 

 (West Indian Bulletin, Vol. VI, p. 66), 

 are each about one acre iu extent, and are 

 chosen from land near the public roads, 

 belonging to peasant proprietors. 



The experiments carried out upon 

 these plots are conducted by the Imperial 

 Department, and are designed to run for 

 three years, the cost of them being de- 

 frayed from Imperial funds. 



The results obtained by means of these 

 plots are highly satisfactory. The Agri- 



cultural Instructor uses them as a rendez- 

 vous when he is in the district, and as 

 demonstration plots. Here he is able to 

 meet the peasants, and to show them 

 how agricultural operations, such as 

 forking, drainage and pruning should 

 be carried out, and how manures should 

 be applied. 



Considerable interest has been taken 

 in the plots by the neighbouring pea- 

 sants, and the operations carried out 

 upon them are imitated to an encourag- 

 ing extent. The plots were originally 

 chosen in poor areas, and where trees 

 have been considerably neglected, in 

 order that the benefits of scientific treat- 

 ment may be the more marked. A good 

 crop serves as an excellent object-lesson 

 to all cultivators of cacao, and indicates 

 how the most satisfactory results are to 

 be obtained. This year, for instance, 

 from a plot one acre in extent, the owner 

 has picked two-thirds of the total yield 

 of cacao usually derived from five acres 

 of land. 



With regard to the actual results of 

 the experiments, figures are kept as 

 accurately as possible, and published 

 from year to year in the Aunual Report 

 of the Botanic Station ; but from a 

 purely experimental point of view, and as 

 a means of obtaining accurate numerical 

 results, the second class of experiments — 

 the ' experiment stations ' — should afford 

 better opportunities than the experi- 

 ment plots, since they are on a bigger 

 scale and are run more on estate lines. 



These experiment stations are estab- 

 lished on large estates and consist of 

 not less than five acres or 1,000 trees. The 

 cost of the experiments is borne by the 

 owners, the Imperial Department supply- 

 ing scientific advice as to the experi- 

 ments, and the manner in which they 

 should be conducted. These stations, of 

 which there are at present five, have be 

 come very popular, and next year a num- 

 ber of others will be started. 



The result of establishing them has 

 been to make the larger proprietors take 

 a lively interest in scientific experiments 

 carried out on their own estates — experi- 

 ments designed to answer questions and 

 solve problems connected with their own 

 soils and conditions. 



It is as yet too early in the history of 

 these experiments to be able to give, 

 with any confidence, numerical insults, 

 but two facts are already apparent : 

 firstly, that cacao grown on the heavy 

 red clay soils of Grenada responds quickly 

 and liberally to the applications of lime ; 

 and secondly, that pen manure, when 

 applied in heavy dressings and thor 



