ON THE LAND.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18662, 19 March 1924, Page 14

ON THE LAND.

COTTON IN FIJI. REVIVAL OF INDUSTRY. PROMISING START MADE. INDIANS TAKE UP WORK. [FROM OfR OWN CORRESPONDENT.] StTVA, Mar. 6. Many years ago Fiji was world-famous for the very excellent cotton produced. In those days the crop from Fiji topped the London market and was specially referred to in the House of Commons. In those days Fiji had a large European population, men coming from all parts of the world to tempt fortune in the shape of cotton cultivation. Fortunes were made and lost, and business was very brisk.. Then, when the Civil War was over in the United States, cotton slumped, and whereas growers had been waxing fat on 4s per lb., they collapsed when prices fell to 4d, From then until last year, cotton-grow-ing had been a dead letter in Fiji. Stimulated, however, by the action of Queensland and the encouragement of the British Cotton Growers' Association, Fiji determined to again invest some money and energy in the industry. So last year the Government obtained seed, which was reported to be clean, and it was distributed to all who would plant. _ These turned out to be small Indian cultivators. A total of 318 small farmers sowed cotton seed. Most of them knew next to nothing about the crop, and as a' result there were many mistakes. Some planted too close, and" others put the seed into the wrong kind of ground, ana others had to plant too late, because there was some delay in getting the seed, When most of the seed had been planted the Government produced an expert who had had a long experience in cotton in India and knew the ways of the Indian. This was Mr. B. L. Field. He quickly established a ginnery, at Lautoka, in the centre, of the cotton area, and made a general survey of the various districts where cotton had been planted. After some time he found that his estimate of 6001b. of seed cotton to the acre was much too optimistic, and he reduced it by two-thirds. He did not find that the dreaded boll worm, which is now troubling Australian growers, was of any danger. He offered a reward for any boil worms which were found and brought to him, and during the whole season only seven specimens ' were presented. But he found, during his first survey, that the tip worm was doing considerable damage. On 'his explaining to the Indians how to deal with them, however, their influence for evil soon became negligible. Mr. Field was particularly gratified to find how anxiously and carefully the Indians paid heed to what he said. They followed his instructions very accurately, with the result, that the tip worm was" held in ' check. ' Some little damage was done by the stainer, 1 which appeared about August and continued until October. About 10 per cent, was affected bv the anthrax noose and the shield bug, while about • 20 per cent, , damage was plainly duo to inexperience and careless picking or picking too late. Taken on the whole, however, the results ere very encouraging. No fewer than 290 growers delivered cotton, to the extent of 131,1361b. of seed cotton. The actual cotton marketed was 33,9391b., while 43 tons of cotton seed was sold to the Suva oil mills, 1 which have crushed it, with profit. The total quantity exported was 101. bales. The average lint yield was 25,881b. per cent.,' which Mr. Field says compares very favourably with the world's record average of - 261b. pel' cent.

Undeterred by the small ' price obtained, namely, 2d per lb. (it is hoped to pay another l£lb per lb., when the cotton is sold, and an 'adjustment made), the Indians have shown a keen desire to continue in the industry and already sufficient seed to plant 2000 acres has been distributed to them. Last year the seed -was .■•bid at 9d per lb., but this year it only cost jd per lb. Special care was taken to see that the seed which came from one district, was sold back to that particular part,, and so the seed will be fully acclimatised. The growers are planting at the right time, having been well instructed in the proper methods of cultivation and warned how to treat pests,. so everything promises well for 1924. MANAWATU WINTER SHOW. EXTENDED TO FIVE DAYS. [BY TfXZCBAPH. —PRESS ASSOCIATION.] PALMERSTON NORTH. Tu«#d«y. The general committee of the Manawa!tu A. and P. Association has decided that the winter show this year shall extend over five days, from Tuesday to Saturday. KING COUNTRY FARMERS. BENEFITS FROM THE RAIN. [BX TELEGRAPH.OWN CORRESPONDENT.] TB KUITI, Tuesday. Fine green areas of grass have sprung up all over the district as a result of the recent rain, and the appearance of the landscape is a welcome change from the parched brownness which had hitherto obtained. Feed is now abundant, and as a consequence the dairy factory supplies which had just begun . to. feel the pinch of the dry weather have improved wonderfully. Grass and turnip crops have come on .speedily after the rain. - King Country settlers experienced an anxious time through the continued dry spell, but according to reports they have come off better than those in many ' other parts of the country. Shecpfarmers state that they have never had a better season. Dairymen have not had such a happy time, but they can now look forward -to the winter with a confidence which they did not have a few weeks ago. NEW EXPERIMENTAL FARM. WAITER SCHOOL PROPOSED. (rid TELEGRAPH.OWN' CORRESPONDENT.] DARGAVILLE, Tuesday. The secretary of the newly-formed model experimental farm has received information that a winter school will be held in Dargaville at the end of June which many Government instructors will attend. They will give lectures and demonstrations. The committee appointed to advise on the site for the proposed . farm . has completed its work and Mr. T. H. Patterson, Instructor of Agriculture, has inspected the , area chosen. A final selection will be made at an early date. The local Jersey club has taken this matter up and the project has every chance of being successful.