, 1912-03-30

at the Station.
His Excellency the Governor and the
Government Secretary were present, and
there was a fairly good attendance of the
Society's Members.
The President gave m address in the
Chemical Laboratory, first explaining that
this laboratory was used for c,nducting
analyses of soils, manures, cane juice and
anything else that required to be analyzed,
and in this connection he especially called
the attention of the planters to the fact that
they could get all their work of that sort
done at the laboratory. He went on to eX-
plain that there was also in the building n
biological laboratory, where Investigations
into diseases of plants and like matters we're
conducted.
Referring to experimental work outside,
the President said that seeding crnes had
been raised some from seeds brought from
Barbados und some from seeds collected IN
st. Croix. He also mentioned that ten va
rieties of seeding canes had been imported
by the Central Factory early last year aud
tested at Sion Farm. The cane B.1653G had
done the best, having yielded cane at the rate
of 35 tons per acre, the juice beng rich and
pure. The cane 66360 stood second, but its
juice was not SO good as that Of the first
cane. B. 376 came third, then B.. 1853, and
next ribbon cane. All these canes were
grown in plots alongside of each other.
The seedlings being raised at the Station
were growing well but showed remarkable
differences.
The President then spoke of the expert
mental plots devoted to cotton cultivation.
Gu the ground to the east of the building a
variety of Sea Island called "Stirling s"
had been grown. \ ! acre plot had yielded
down to the date of tue meeting, al the rate
of 1850 lbs Of seed cotton TO the acre; while
another variety Of Sea Islam Cotton "Cnme-
ron LOG" III a : acre plot alongside had given
only 500 lbs. to the acre. B til plots pros
missed to yield Il good deal more before the
close of the season. The Stirling plot had
given a curious result III the growth Of the
cotton, which was more prolific near the east
and west edges than in the middle of the
plot. Thinking oven possible causes for tins,
it had occurred TO him that it may have been
due to the poorer plou9hing on the edges,
by which the leafy growth had been checked
to the benefit Of the towering branches.
He had read that in the Sea Islands, when
the cotton plants showed a too eXuberNnt
foliage, the planters covered the land with
salt marsh muck, which checked the growth,
but the plants subsequently gave more flow
ers; he also knew of a case in this island
where heavy rain checked the growth, lead
ing apparently TO a better show of flowers
later. He would suggest 10 cotton growers
an experiment which they might try over a
small urea when their cotton was giving too
much leaf, namely to pass a subsoll plough
between the rows in order to check the
growth by root pruning.
There was a plot sown with n kind called
"Sakallarides" cotton, a kind which it was
thought might take the place Of Sc" Island.
Down to date the pot had yielded over
70Oibs. per acre and the plants were still
laden with bolls. The fibre is stronger than
Sea Island md very nearly as long and silky.
1t appears to resist disease better than Sea
Island.
A plot planted with "Cnravonica" cotton
was the healthiest, but the plants showed
much variation some had given lint as long
and silky as Sea Island and much stronger.
The President mentioned that seed selec-
ton was in progress, and it would be seen
that many plants were marked with tickets,
showing which had been considered the
most promising.
After the address the party visited the
experimental plots and were very much ID
terested esDecially in the newly introduced