Sept,  t,  1892] 
THE  TROPICAL  AGRICULTURIST. 
221 
a larger  and  better  fertility,  since  potash  is  absorbed 
by  most  plants  in  double,  even  four  times,  larger 
quantities  than  phosphates. 
Thus  it  will  be  seen  that  potash  is  absolutely 
essential  as  a plant  food,  but  the  expense  attending 
the  artificial  production  of  it,  by  boiling  sea  water, 
would  be  too  enormous  to  entitle  it  to  serious  consi- 
deration. Nature,  in  anticipation  of  its  exhaustion 
from  our  lands,  has  made  ample  provision  for  a plenti- 
ful supply,  by  a process  of  evaporation  of  sea  water 
on  an  enormous  scale  in  Germany,  and,  as  a result 
we  have  kainit,  containing  the  nourishment  needed, 
at  a trifling  expense.  There  are  furnished  abundant 
indications  that  in  the  older  States  the  available 
supply  of  potash  has  become  greatly  reduced,  and 
must  be  replenished,  or  the  crops  will  fail.  We  are 
now  passing  through  the  same  costly  and  bitter  ex- 
perience that  the  farmers  on  the  other  side  of  the 
Atlantic  had  to  encounter,  and  we  must  seek  the 
same  remedy  that  they  applied  so  successfully — kainit. 
The  value  of  sulphate  of  magnesia  contained  in 
kainit,  as  a plant  food  and  an  aid  in  the  development 
of  seed,  has  not  received  the  careful  consideration 
that  its  great  importance  deserves.  Experiments  made 
from  time  to  time,  prove  that  the  quantity  of  magnesia 
in  seed  greatly  exceeds  the  quantity  in  straw,  and 
furnishes  ample  evidence  that  it  is  indisp-nsab'e  to 
the  perfect  formation  of  seed.  For  instance,  we 
find  in  the  ashes  of  gra  ns  of  wheat  12  per  cent,  of 
magnesia,  in  conjunction  with  30  per  cent,  potash  ; 
in  rape  seed  12  per  cent,  magnesia,  and  23  percent, 
potash,  and  in  all  other  seeds  a similar  proportion. 
It  is  a great  aid  in  the  proper  and  thorough 
diffusing  of  potash  through  the  soil,  bringing  it  within 
reach  of  the  roots,  and  at  the  same  time  effecting 
a prompt  and  complete  action  of  the  ammonia  of 
manures  used. 
Chloride  of  sodium  (common  salt)  is  useful  in 
rendering  othe-  materials  available. 
In  order  to  allow  the  chlorine  combinations  con- 
tained in  kainit,  which  may  be  injurious  to  some 
plants,  to  lose  its  effect  on  such  plants,  it  is  re- 
commended that  kainit  be  applied  as  long  as  possible 
before  the  seed  is  sown,  as,  for  instance,  in  the  late 
fall  for  the  following  season’s  crop,  thereby  securing 
the  benefit  of  all  rain  or  snow  falling  in  the  meantime, 
and  a consequent  deep  and  thorough  incorporation 
of  the  kainit  ingredients  through  the  soil — those  which 
may  be  injurious  sinking  deeply  and  beyond  the 
reach  of  the  roots  of  plants  to  be  grown,  those  which 
are  beneficial  and  nourishing  being  within  a ready 
access  of  all  the  roots,  and  not  confined  in  single 
places.  This  method  of  applying  kainit  will  prove 
itself  highly  advantageous,  whether  alone  or  in  com- 
bination with  stable  manure,  farm  refuse,  phosphates, 
or  other  fertilising  materials,  and  should  be  strictly 
adhered  to,  unless  positively  impracticable. 
It  is  recommended  by  many  who  have  made  a study 
of  the  effects  of  kainit  that  it  be  mixed  with  an 
equal  part  of  lime,  as  experiments  have  proven  such 
application  to  have  been  highly  advantageous,  not 
only  in  the  yield,  but  in  surely  overcoming  the  pos- 
sible danger  of  any  injury  to  the  plants  by  the 
chlorine  combinations  above  mentioned. 
It  may  be  safely  laid  down  as  a rule  that  calcareous 
(lime),  light  and  sandy  soils,  and  those  composed 
largely  of  decayed  vegetable  matter,  are  deficient  in 
potash,  while  clayey  and  loamy  soils  are  more  plenti- 
fully supplied.  In  either  of  these  cases,  however, 
the  supply  necessary  for  perfect  growth  may  not  only 
be  reduced,  but  almost  exhausted  by  constant  cropping. 
Regarding  the  quantity  of  kainit  necessary  for  one 
acre,  and  the  proportion  to  be  used  in  combination 
with  phosphates,  etc.,  it  is  recommended  that  from 
200  lb.  to  400  lb.  be  used  alone,  spread  broadcast,  as 
long  before  crop  is  planted  as  possible ; and  at  the 
proper  time  one-half  of  that  quantity  of  phosphates, 
if  latter  is  needed.  To  all  farmers,  whether  acquain- 
ted or  not  with  kainit  manuring,  we  will  say  that 
it  will  be  better  to  use  little  and  often  than  a greater 
quantity  at  long  intervals. 
For  the  benefit  of  those  who  may  not  be  acquainted 
with  kainit  its  use  and  results,  we  will  add  the  fol- 
lowing notes  regarding  the  results  on  different  crops 
after  its  application. 
For  oats,  wheat,  corn,  and  the  like,  an  application 
of  300  lb.  kainit  in  the  fall  and  the  proportionate 
quantity  of  phosphate  in  the  spring,  per  acre,  showed, 
by  many  experiments,  vastly  improved  yields  over 
former  manurings,  both  in  the  strength  and  stand 
of  the  straw  and  size  of  the  grain. 
Kainit,  whose  fitness  as  a prominent  fertilising 
mineral  manure  is  world-wide  known,  will  also  act 
when  applied  to  the  soil  in  preventing,  to  a large 
extent,  the  disastrous  effects  of  the  disease  known 
under  the  name  of  “rust.” 
This  disease  is  visible  to  the  naked  eye  by  red 
fots  on  the  leaves  of  plants,  especially  on  wheat. 
y scientific  researches  made  in  Germany  and  other 
countries,  it  has  been  established  that  these  spots 
are  fungi,  parts  of  which  detach  themselves  in  time, 
aie  carried  away  by  wind,  and  will  spread  the  disease 
when  settling  down. 
Stable  manure  will,  of  course,  contain  more  or  less 
of  these  injurious  matters.  For  this  reason,  stable 
manure  ought  to  be  little  used  in  wheat-growing,  and 
preference  given  to  artificial  manures.  These  contain 
a combination  of  acids  that  will  weaken  or  even 
expel  the  rust. 
This  is  so  well  known  in  Germany  that  no  farmer 
in  that  country  would  think  of  raising  wheat  crops 
of  stable  manure,  but  they  all  apply  artificial  manures, 
among  which  the  potash  salts  are  foremost. 
For  beans,  peas,  hops,  beets,  potatoes,  and  the  like, 
the  quantity  generally  recommended  is  about  300  lb. 
and  the  result  will  be  pleasing  and  profitable.  The 
yield,  particularly  of  beets,  was  striking,  and  where 
the  manufacture  of  beet-sugar  is  carried  on  the  intro- 
duction of  kainit  to  the  beet  farms  will  be  productive 
of  immense  good,  as  its  use  will  amply  repay  its 
cost.  These  farms  may  require  more  than  the  above 
quantity  of  kainit,  as  this  crop  exhausts  potash  from 
the  soil  in  large  quantities  and  very  quickly. 
For  garden  vegetables  it  seems,  in  many  cases,  that 
a larger  quantity  of  kainit  is  recommended  than  the 
average  needed  for  other  growths,  and  the  results 
excellent.  In  this  connection  we  would  like  to  call 
attention  to  the  profit  (pecuniarily)  in  its  use  on 
asparagus  Repeated  experiments  show  that  a rather 
large  quantity  was  needed,  and  the  asparagus  grown 
were  very  large  and  of  excellent  quality.  For  cucum- 
bers it  is  also  particularly  beneficial. 
For  fruit  trees  and  berry  vines,  spread  the  kainit 
around  the  trees,  Ac.  and  rake  the  ground  evenly  and 
level.  If  too  late  to  do  it,  or  not  convenient,  the 
next  best  plan  is  to  dig  six  to  ten  holes,  say  one  to 
two  feet  deep,  about  one  and  a-balf  to  three  feet  from 
the  trees  or  vines,  and  pour  the  kainit  in  these  holes. 
— Kuhlow. 
BAHAMAS  FIBRE. 
BY  GOVEBNOB  sxe  w.  ROBINSON,  k.c.m.g. 
It  is  just  sixteen  years  since  I landed  in  Nassau, 
New  Providence,  as  Governor  of  the  Bahamas,  and  I 
can  say,  without  in  any  way  depreciating  the  larger 
and  more  act  ve  sphere  and  the  far  greater  pictur- 
esqueness and  beauty  of  Trinidad,  that  I spent  nearly 
six  of  the  most  enjoyable  years  of  the  best  part  of 
my  life  in  those  well-known  Coral  Islands,  when  I 
arrived  I found  matters  in  a very  bad  way.  There 
had  been  several  unfortunate  seasons.  Oranges  and 
pine-apples  had  failed  or  were  at  the  mercy  of 
American  “Piings”  and  were  a glut  in  the  market. 
I The  crops  of  salt  were,  owing  to  high  duties  in  the 
| United  States  so  many  white  elephants,  and  of  course 
! at  a discount.  Even  the  sponge  fisheries  appeared 
to  be  giving  out.  The  result  was  severe  commercial 
; depression  and  what  was  more  serious  and  a tangible 
| fact  which  I venture  to  think  few  Administrators 
' have  ever  had  to  grapple  with:  the  salaries  of  the 
public  officers  we  e upwards  of  six  weeks  in  arrear. 
! It  was  not  an  encouraging  state  of  affairs  for  a 
' young  Governor  to  try  his  prentice  hand  upon.  I have 
: no  intention,  however,  of  referring  to  this  crisis  at 
any  length  excepting  as  a matter  of  introduction  to 
this  article ; but  I may  say  that  before  I left  the 
Bahamas  the  surplus  of  Revenue  over  Expenditure 
i exceeded  £6, 000  per  annum,  the  total  Revenue  being 
