, 1913-12-31

NAN
been restricted. 1t is observable, however,
that many new fields are being planted at
the present time. White eddoes, in mode
rate quantity, have been sold at lid. per Id.
Indian Corn is seen at all stages, from the
first blade TO the yellow corn that hns only
a few days more in the field.
Cotton is bearing we'll and is generally
making a successful fight against the worm
and the leaf blister mite. We regret, how
ever, that the market does not seem encour-
aging. It is reported that there has not
been any business recently in Sea island
cotton, as spinners supplied their wants for
some time ahead with their recent purchases
of the balance Of last seasons crop, and at
present they are not inclined to buy further
Messrs. Henry Frost q Co. report on Ameri-
can Sea Island Cotton in the Southern States
that Factors would be willing sellers at 154l.
extra fine, l44d. fully iue, and 134d fine.
We think that if English prices decline to
such figures, many of our cotton growers
Will turn to some other crop.
The planting of the cane crop has not yet
become general the busy time will probably
be within the next fortnight. Many old
planters condemn putting III the cuttings too
early. With the wet weather that now pre-
walls, it is likely that those who have already
planted in the red soils will lose many cut
tings. Perhaps it is inadvisable to plant any
except certain seedlings, such as Gl5O, before
the latter part of November.
At the Agricultural Society's meeting on
the 31st ultino, the Departmental Report on
the seeding canes and manurial experiments
WINS we'll received by the planters present,
and there was a general feeling of %satlsfac-
ton with respect to the useful work that is
being lone in the interest of the staple IN
dustry of the Island. The Hon. G. L. Pile,
however, gave it as his opinion that there
was some clerical error IN the account OF the
yield in Juice of certain ratoons. He thought
the amount of juice said to have been ex-
pressed per ton of cane was too high i'll one
instance. Mr.. +. A. c.. CollymOre thought
that if more fields of White Transparent
canes from different parts of the Island had
been taken into consideration in the conpa-
rison between that cane and other vnrities,
the report would not have bean 50 unfavour-
able to it. He cultivated that cane largely
at Waterford, aud he would speak much
more highly of it than the Report did. MIR.
Bowel said that the Department always
issued circulars inviting the assistance of
planters with respecting the
canes cultivated by them, but be was ham
pered by the paucity of replies to his circular.
With respect to the manurial experiments
which were carried out at Dodds during the
period 1912-1913, the reporters remarked on
the very uufavourable weather conditions,
the quantity of rain being insufficient to en-
able the various mauures to exercise their
full influence on the growth of the canes.
The most satisfactory result seems to have
been obtained in the potash series of expert
ments in a plot to which potash at the rate
of 50 lbs per acre was applied in the form
of sulphate of potash, 40 lbs. in January and
40 lbs. in June. The weight of cane was
equal to 20 So tons per acre, and the gain
above the "no manurial' plot was at the rate
of S12.O6 per acre. The best result obtain
ed in the phosphate series was from The plot
to which 80 lbs. of assimilable phosphates as
superphosphate of lime was applied, 40 lbs.
in January and 40 lbs. in June. In this case
the production in cane was 1877 tons per
acre, and the money gain by manurlal equal
led 50. IL per acre. The best result from the
nitrogen series was obtained by the applica-
ton of 60 lbs. of dried blood in January.
That plot yielded a gain at the rate of 1854
per acre from 20. 81 tons of cane.
Preparations for the reaping season are
now active. Coopers are making puncheons
for syrup and molasses. The making OF
hcgsheads as in former years has almost
o,.ooI nc hut Fav Y1loooa nOwm mako ordinary