, 1912-01-17
THE IMPERIAL DEPAR rMENT OF
AGRICULTURE IN THE WEST INDIES.
BY Sir Daniel Morris, KC.M.G, Del. D.Sc.
F.L.S, etc.
Continued FROM .AuiS No ~

Continued from .luiS No ~
The average expenditure on scientific in
vestigations of matters directly affecting the
sugar industry at Barbados, Antigua, st.
Kits, and British Guiana was at the rate of
nearly $4,000 per annum. The Investigations
have been mainly directed to raising new
seeding varieties of canes capable of with
standing diseases that had rendered the con.
tinued cultivation of the Bourbon cane i'm
possible in some localities, and a larger yield
of sugar per acre. Valuable experiments
have also been carried on over considerable
areas in testing the relative value of pen and
artificial manures, and in ascertaining, by a
continuous series of trials under skilled SUI
pervision, in what quantities and at what
stages of growth of the canes such manures
could he applied to the best advantage. In
addition, Investigations have been carried on
in the chemical selection of The sugar-cane,
iii the treatment of cane tops with germlcldes,
and MS to the effect of planting at different
distances ana of improved tillage operations.
The results of the sugar experiments car
ried on by the Department have proved of
GreSt service to the planting community in
the West Iudies, and they have also been
shared in 10y other countries, such rs the
Southern United States, Australia, Natal,
and HIuuritius. It is estimated that one-hnlf
of the canes now cultivated in the West In
dies are new canes yielding over large areas
mean results ranging from 10 to rs per cent
higher than the older varieties.
At a recent West Indian Conference, Mr..
Bowel, who has been III charge under the
Imperial Department of the sugar-cane expe-
riments ut Barbados since 1898, stated that
more profit was derived from the introduce
ton of new Seeding canes on one estate in
Dam {. - thoY would CAVIAR tha UhOlp cost
of the experiments at Barbados over a peri.
Cd of twenty six years.
Another striking testimony bearing on the
value of new canes introduced into the Lee
ward Islands was given by DR.. Watts, now
Imperial Commissioner of Agriculture, as
follows: If we take the exports OF sugar
from Antigua and ST. Kits ut approximately
2 5000 tons worth 100000, and assume that
the industry has only been benefited to the
extent of 10 per cent, this would give an
approximation of 100000 a year MS the value
of the introduction of new varieties of canes
into the two islands named-a sum in excess
of that spent in maintaining the Imperial
Department i'll its entirety.
An interesting development in the sugar
industry in the West Indies is the establish
ment of a central sugar factory at Antigua.
This is the result of efforts made by Sir Ger
aid Strickland, who offered a bonus Of ELS,
600 to a group or company which would
carry out an efficient sugar factory scheme.
The proprietors of estates were required to
enter into contracts to maintain a certain
acreage in canes and supply the factory for
a period of fifteen years. The factory was
also required to buy canes grown by the pea
santry to n maximum of $500 tons per an
mum at rates of not less than Is. 6d, per ton.
The factory, erected at n total cost OF ESQ,
600, las been in satisfactory operation since
1905. 1t was recently stated that ont OF
6,OOo tons of crystals shipped from the fac
tory, $500 tons represented the gain due to
improved methods of crushing and manu-
featuring crystals. This means that the