, 1908-01-15

ALoU PIdC0 COANIuCluS hu0HS0IV0S bQaG all
other available means have been tried to no
effect, and not without being convinced that
we had to deal with the Blister Mite and it
is his opinion, as we'll as that of most
planters, that nothing will be achieved with
out coercive measures and without providing
p nalties in case of neglect. The further
details In those respects must certainly de-
pend upon deliberations: we do not claim
that the Draft is perfect, or that the pro-
posed measures are the only good and adj
visable means. He had been for abo1t
4 years occupied in cotton growing; he
knew from experience gained what is iniu-
rious and what is not; but he did not
attempt to speak after his own experience.
Mr.. Thornton came here and he gave his
opinions and advice, and he must be consid-
cred q very able expert and whenever any
thing unusual in any direction has occurred
in the cotton under his care, he has never
failed to send specimens to the Department
of Agriculture and abide by their advices.
Cotton growing is quite a new industry here
and q promising one II by any neglect of
usual or common precautions we should allow
O. common mite to come in and destroy
present and future prospects, we would be
to be blamed very highly. A great deal of
information can be obtained from "the Agri-
cultural News and he would advise every
planter TO g6G IL: ln0f0 Is Danger, ana
great danger, threatening Cotton Cultivation
here, we are required to face the danger and
combat it, even at a sacrifice for the present,
to secure future benefits. AS regards the
individual and exceptional cases brought up
by the LIST Member for Christlansted (Smith)
they are of course only imaginary, and it is
likely that in such a case either the mans
wife or one Of his children would be able to
attend to the cotton, and would prevent the
disease. In conclusion, he would recon-
mend that the Draft be now referred to q
Committee of S Members.
2nd GROWN Member (Conrau) would,
when from some sides it has been expressed
that this Draft will not do good or much
good, he would say, that it is at all events
and by all means q step in the right direc-
ton. In the face at the fact, that no una
nimity of mind and of action can be found
among planters, and in view of the other
fact, that even if such unanimity were found,
it would not last long, and the actual
execution of any plan agreed on
would not be secured for any length of
time, we have no other resource than to
try to enact by law such provisions as are
necessary to arrest an impending evil it is
imm aterial if that which Injuries the cotton
now is blister leaf mite or not that evil
Is there; aud if the only effective means for
eradicating the pest is by uprooting and
burning, when all that can be had from the
plants has been reaped, we must, here, like
elsewhere under similar circumstances in
Europe, be contented to bear g small loss
to avoid g bigger. He quite agreed that no
time can be fix ed, but to bring this whole
matter into shape it is necessary to have o
Committee.
LIST Member for Christiansted (Smith)
begged to say. that the instance mentioned
by him of a poor man with a small lot of
cotton, is one quite near to hand to happen,
and it has not been denied that a measure
of the kind would act very unfavourahly for
such a man, vino might be without wife or
family.
4th Member for Christiansted Country
District (SUjtzer) said: People should not
be Cotton Growers when they can't afford to
pay others to work the land, when they
theuiseIv YES are unable if that poor man
awakes and fin Is his cotton attacked, it is
not more nor less than what can happen
with any body else.
3td Member for Frederiksted's Country
District (BIachacood) said he was sorry he
is not able to say much on this cotton ques-
ton as he is no cotton grower; it is to be
supposed that the two proponents. of this
nroft ora aIla and hava mado than