Successful Experimental Crops

New Guinea Planting

DETAILS concerning the work being done in the Mandated Territory of New Guinea in experimenting with new crops was told to The Pacific Islands Monthly by Mr. Ralph A. Hopkins, superintendent of the Government De monstration Plantation and Native Agricultural School, at Keravat. Mr.

Hopkins is at present in Sydney on furlough.

He said that among the most promis ing crops was the oil palm, of which there were 17 acres planted. The seed had come from Java, and the palms were already blossoming, although they were planted only two years ago. This proved that the country was ideal for its cultivation and he thought that if growers in the district could be induced to plant the palm, there were chances of the industry proving profitable. A central mill for the treatment of the palm would have to be installed and, of course, the nearer the planters were to this mill, the cheaper the production costs.

Experimental crops at Keravat also included coffee, vanilla, spices, cocoa, ginger and Javanese kapok.

At the Agricultural School, Mr. Hop kins explained that natives are trained in modern methods of agriculture, so that they can obtain the best results from their own crops in the villages.