, 1909-03-24

report on the Ordinance for st. Croix of
the LIST April 1898 prescribing measures
against diseases Of the Cotton plant" laid
before the Colonial Council for revision sad
committee consisted of Messrs. O. H.
Schmiegelow, f. Lunney, H. J. Koefoed,
Robt. Skeoch and J. Nielsen.
The committee elected o. H. Schmiege-
low as chairman and j. Nielsen as speaker,
and has held two committee meetings. to
which several Cotton Growers were specially
invited to take part in. The Committee
thereafter was divided in u majority cor
slstlng o! the members Scbmiegetow, Skeoeh
and Nielsen AMI a minority consisting of
the members Luhnrr and kAfn9d.
As the result OF tha deliberations 81 the
committee, regarding tbs several question,
connected with the matter. AMI on IL btHis
OF other elucidations, the majority bags 10
report as follows:
The Ordinance of LIST April 1908, now
under revision, hRs been Of some use. but
she committee must say that it affords much
800 little protection to the cotton grower.
1t Is known to the majority that cotton fields
in other countries, particularly the British
West Indies, have been attacked by the
same dlseases, insects etc, as those founi
on the cotton plants in this Island, and that
cotton growers in those places, acting under
SN VI 0APCAt IS Ibf6 DS6u bDlC 10
combat aud oonfue diseases, ingects etc.
infesting the cotton plants, by uprooting
and burning all the cotton plants ait r the
cotton has been reapel, and tLen allowing a
short time to pass before planting the new
crop.
by the thorough uprooting and burning
OF all cotton plants, the diseases peculiar to
the cotton plant are checked, numberless
insects etc. are destroyed and numerous
others perish from want Of food, and during
migration to other plants. II, furthermore,
q certain time be allowed to elap5s before
planting operations Commence, the younR
cotton will be rid of diseases. insects etc.
I'm It's earlier stage of growtL), and if other
plants, which serve as food for the insects
lntestlng the cotton plant, be used as traps
by planning them near the cotton fields. it
may be possible by degrees to repress the
insects etc. and keep them at q minimum.
so that they will not materially destroy the
cotton fields.
The Committee therefore thinks, that Il
will be a benefit to all cotton growers and
to the Island at large, if legislative measures
be enacted that all cotton plants be uproOt-
ed and burned by a certain fixed time, and
that it be prohibited that any cotton be
planted for one month after SAID fixed time.
The Committee thinks that the month Of
May should be chosen AZ the time most suit
able for the clearing of the cotton fields.
1t is we'll known that there are many wild
cotton plants scattered about the Island and as
such wild cotton plants are a source of dan
ger to the cultivation of"Sea Island Cotton,
the Committee finds it advisable that 1t be
enacted that all wild cotton plants be de-
stroyed, by uprooting and burning; this work
should be completed at latest by the end of
April each year.
In accordance with the foregoing, the
Committee has framed the accompanying
Draft Of an entire new Ordinance and begs
to recommend same for adoption by the
Colonial Council.
The minority will make and submit a So
Parate report.
st. Oroix, February the 9Th 1909.
O.. Fl. SOHMIEGELOW j. NIELSEN.
Chairman. SpeaA3r,
ROBT. w. SKEOCH.
MINORITY REPORT