NOTES AND ABSTRACTS. 



679 



West Indies, EntOmolOgry in the. Anon. {West Indian Bull. 

 vol. xi. No. 4, p. 282 ; 1911). — After his appointment, the duties of the 

 first entomologist on the staff of the Department were " to visit, give 

 lectures, and recommend suitable measures for the treatment of the 

 numerous insect pests that are so destructive to cultivated crops in 

 the West Indies." Later he had charge of the laboratory and collec- 

 tions at headquarters, and all investigations and operations in the 

 various colonies. 



The insect pests affecting sugar-cane, cotton, cacao, sweet potato, 

 and other crops were studied, and their life-history ascertained. 

 Chemical insecticides (preventive and remedial) were applied. In 

 some cases, a parasitic enemy of the insect was brought into use, 

 and, generally, valuable information was placed within the reach of 

 the cultivators. — C. H. L. 



West Indies, General Progrress in, since 1897 {West Indian 



Bull. vol. xi. No. 4, p. 427; 1911). — In 1897 the sugar industry was 

 threatened by the competition of bounty-fed beet. The cacao industry 

 was small, and the cultivation of limes was carried on in a small way 

 in twO' or three colonies. 



The removal of the bounties of beet-sugar gave new life to West 

 Indian cane-sugar, and fresh capital caused better cultivation of estates, 

 the erection of central factories with improved machinery, and new 

 outlets for the products. 



The introduction of Sea Island cotton-growing formed an alternative 

 industry to that of sugar, hitherto the sole resource of the islands. 



The cultivation of rice, limes, cacao, and fruit have all assumed 

 increased proportions and added prosperity. Barbados may perhaps 

 remain alone in the field in supplying molasses (Muscovada system), 

 as its rival, Porto-Eico (under American protection), is adopting more 

 modern machinery for the production of crystal sugar in vacuum pans. 



Canada, by giving preferential treatment in her markets to British- 

 grown sugar, reduces the dependence which formerly existed on the 

 American market in the case of Barbados and Antigua. — C. H. L. 



West Indies, Ten Years Myeologry in the {West Indian Bull. 

 vol. xi. No. 4, p. 318; 1911).— This part of the West Indian Bulletin 

 is a summary of mycological work in the West Indies, and is as 

 important in its relation to the crops concerned as is entomology. The 

 fungoid diseases are divided as they affect roots, stems, leaves, and 

 fruit, and the study of the disease is completed by the study of the 

 treatment required. — C H. L. 



West Indies, The Imperial Department of Agriculture in 



the. By Sir Daniel Morris {West Indian Bull. vol. xi. No. 4, 

 p. 232 ; 1911). — Much satisfaction has been caused in the West Indian 

 Colonies by the decision of the Home Government to maintain the 

 Oea:^tral Office of the Imperial Department of Agriculture for another 

 ten years. 



