[All Rights Reserved.] Fj j A BOTA A em ROYAL, GARDENS, KEW, BULLETIN OF ISCELLANEOUS INFORMATION, ADDITIONAL SERIES I. REPORT = ECONOMIC RESOURCES OF THE WEST INDIES. D. MORRIS, CMG, M.A, DSc, FLS. Assistant Director, Royal Gardens, Kew. TTT a eee m? LONDON P PRINTED FOR Bg MAJESTY'S patios Beo 1-3, GREAT so i ara cia ae ia tas a a PREFACE. THE West Indies possess a large extent of fertile ssis as well as ea a varied and favoured cli No part of th ’s surface ms desti Nature for a happier prosperity That ondition is, u MEPPHI; not roM = eir condition is far from flourish- little more ‘than two per aed of it ‘is cultivated at all, and only seven per cent. of that which admits of cultivation. Yet they u the temperate countries of the New World possess a ready and amek sae aa For at least a hundred years past no effort has been ing on the part of the Home Government to supply them with plants from all parts of the Wo which would form the foundation of cultur® industries. To examine the cause of their present distress, Her Majesty the Queen was pleased in December 1896 to appoint a Commission of Enquiry, composed of men of exceptional ability and experience. Questions.” The Commission proceeded to the West Indies in January of last year, and issued its report in the following autumn. To this report the wy a iaagee reprinted in the p volume was added as an appen t was drawn up by the Assistant Director for the use of the Commission. Dr. Morris's residence in the West Indies, his repeated visits to them, and his intimate knowledge of their conditions have enabled him to produce an account as accurate as it is imparti ial of their natural and economi mn = =) þad l] ®© Q pis = © 5 ot a @ ge 2 ct ae ` 5 39 w + =] — (ee) mM = 5 ek zy @ at) fæ ms g "i @ ~ ccess, and in wha yy be teadis vor by anyone who will take the trouble o read these pag At the conclusion of their report, the Commissioners bear testimony to the value of this document in the following terms :— “ We have had in the course of this report to refer ny lag beep by Dr. ntage 18 ; adviser ae hav igned t qualified, both by general and local knowledge, to assist and i m us in regard to botanical and agricultural questions. The report which he has prepared bears witness to the closeness of his study of these questions, and the assiduity with which he has collaborated throughout the course of our inquiry to further the purposes of f the Commiss' iv “tthe Secretary of State for the Colonies having desired that this Appendix should be issued in a more accessible and convenient form, it was eventually decided that this should be done in con- melon with the Kew Bulletin, the pages of which contain a large mass of information cognate with the subjects enquired into by the Commission The on has been taken to carefully revise it. Under each colony a ie hee has been added within brackets of its botanical organiz well as lists of Sipe and papers, which may be K ae se Yates ihternntid Wi, E D Kew, January 1898. CONTENTS. INTRODUCTION. olonies dealt with—British Guiana—Trinidad and Tobago— Windward Islands—Barbados—Leeward Islands—Jamaica—Relative z s ortanc i . iaga i relating to botanical and resou o: est Indies— Scheme for an Imperial Bolak] “omar ch ed ess ne va GUIANA. Histo and characteristics—Total ‘area—Nature om —S avannah lands—Pioturesque and fantastic mountains—Se .—Cost of produ tion alud from £16 to £9 per ton—So ils “of “British Guiana—Well e s in —Forest uce—Timber—Bala ubber—Present oA of forest fants Vetanble character of Guians iore iii. BARBAD Pos ition—Size—Conformation—History TE i aces 120 per square mile—No immigration—Sugar industry only source of prosperity-- T s—Ca i tn m Fe ee ee eee rin Barbados aloes—Glance pitch—Fisheries—Wattles—Grasses f for — fodder—Sour grass—Hay grass AD. Position—Area—Conformation—Soil—Annual mean temperatur Rainfall—Population— e immigrants—Tota l acreage—Cultivable Pri Tl per cent.—Pri and Cro lands—Princi cnltural industri s ing iiin ia sapeo coffe r the dominant industry—Total land under sugar cane—Average crop— Capital inv ested two and a half million sterling Na ir aa of abandoned—Vacuum pan s ar and yellow arpitala Charmetor of sisi... Moiri of agricultu m chemist—Root and rind fungus—Trini rum—Man bitters—Cane farming—Prospects of fe patent, Pe saliva PAGE pee ae vi. PAGE pr -nu ustry—Area and yie ol = aere estates—Manufacture of cocoa- nut oil—Preparation of copra—Advantage of shipping was instea of fresh n nuts Subsidiary Ppdnetel es—Coffee—Kola—Dhol o r pigeon pea—Tobacco—Fruit trade—Botanic Gardens and their pr isto | oiopraphy Oroa inne deii conclusions 44 ] g Need for supervision in settling public lands—Publications relating Tobago. na fs oe vee he hea a 5 die vi. GRENAD ADA. Seat of Government of ano hha e yc naenckay mation— s—Soi ula- vie ing Stat ation — Reports and publications — Teaching agriculture in schools—Clearing Tareas la nds—N scones ity for action on part of Government-—Carriacou— Depress ion of inhabi- nts—. in hands of PrN ‘proprietors Suggestions for im- provement of local industrie aes 66 vii. St. LUCIA. Largest island of Wi ea—Conf ti satan ridges and peaks—Deep ola -Bold ‘See ery—Large area of for Climate—Rain all—Not one-fourth of to tal area benina occupied of Crown lands—Population in 1891— = lie immigran e S iga eed for more experimental a oe a for establishing a reformatory or Sadaed rial school — Re d publications — o Forest TO - Prospects of St. Lucia as compared with St. Vincent— f rfe tions for improvement—Teaching practical agriculture in schools—Agri- osition me with dependencies — Volcanic origin — Hi eh mountains with numerous spurs—Carib country—Healthy clim Regular rainfall—Land and water panmi een lataen< Pave YIR PAGE Coolie immigrants—Remnant of former Carib population—Tenure of and—Few holdings and lar arge proprietors—Of 42,000 acres, only ui ae Pr pi tarved—Borer and fungus disease prevalent—Manu- wee facture of sugar in a deplorably backward state—All sugar muscovado = —Central factories recommen iti isla: Ye ailure — Recommendations Be ARE er lands lag! priation of private lands. 88 | ix. DOMINICA. Size—Largest the Leeward Islands—Surface mountainous — à Volcanic origin 2- Hot sulphur springs—Boiling lake—Ru ’s Bay FIE and harbour—Rainfall— jes n 1 Total area—Priv ae lands 6 S5 2 et © B “| oO $ a ra) z% B og > z | side— peg enat sae of lan eek ie less in f wee ood, —Sugar industry—Collective exports of sugar, rum, and jayi pasaia fallen from £18, 000 fn 1890 to £8,000 in 18 $h6—Reuresent only 15 per cent. of total exports—Many valleys admirably suited for i remu i and juic raw lime ju o centra lime juice, essential oil of limes, otto of limes, pickled i li rian E nes To: agricultural instructors and training in agricul rsuits— nt tes and Fa cs one So flats—Forests of perrin Salty of land 96 a rcp ile metered uation—Size—Conformation—Series of rocky hills and ra Volanie origin—On Western and South-eastern sides easy s x Higher parts clothed with dense Forest Soils varied — Climate i healthy—Good roads—No Crown lands—Principal industries : Sugar ; pereg goy hei arrowroot, papain, bay oil= Population, 11, 762 ; or i i tors—Thrivin evis—Alternative indus tries—Lime-juice, coffee, cacao, arrowroot, vanilla, tobace o, ginger, nutmegs—Montserrat rig uice sa Fruit trade—Botan mh Station—Distribution of plants—Reports and pos ions—Condition of island at present uaaisfactory—Ample Amaren for sacii of subsidiary industrie: 108 xi. ANTIGUA. f Government of Leeward Islands—Less than one-half the size rege “Mia dlesex—Surface comparatively flat—Moderate hills in —* and West—High lands arid and unculti eget a district th calcareous marls and coarse pi ee illy districts with trap ak and tic greenstones—Central district of a clayey character with fossils of coral 1 and shell—Soil generally productive and very and uncertain—Population— viii. PAGE Labour plentiful cas fairly efficient—Wages reduced—Sugar industry ec partm A u dispensed klips ype lenge z — tor of Botanic Station—Practical ban of promis sc hea ae pek apia 114 xii. ST. KITTS-NEVIS, iy aki rae: = Christopher, akita and Anguilla) under Adminis x ae of S ts-Nevyis—St. s—Area—Conformation—Centra age, slo Bagge peor aie vol on oin a rich and PRAAN Cultivated appearance of slopes pri Uleys—Climate paa ant and i healthy—Excel i d Excellent main r fincas in privat ds—Crown lands 15 0 sores Population 454 ve square Ample supply of native labour—Rat ges—Few peasant a of sugar lands—Manufacture not factories—Summary of results from 20 topra u are G estates—Cane x abo prevalent—Subsidiary oe es—Coffee, limes, arrowroot, I (o i S ublica: rnme analytical chemist—Teaching of agriculture—Technical mabara Evil effects of indiscriminate cutting down of forests—Anguilla. ... z 123 xili—J Se Pos —1,000 miles west of Barbados—Dependencies—Area Half ap size of Wales oo 5 ei to 7,350 ft—Surface muc ch broken and picturesqu ou umerou ms—Great hee of climate —Rains sometimes parti thy eon droughts and hurricanes—Soil productive—Varied Steeles of economic p fists Ae ea canes—Amount of capital invested over aps _ e apenn Pahr am Seanad ost of production—Importan crop—Value of m often greater than sugar—Need of pert iiao i ik a sires ved machinery—Prospe y of sugar industry—Value of far oro exports shout one-fourth of total ex ports—Effect of further reduction in sugar—Department of Public Pieces rn porrak ons—History— : | uln i k Career of use: P esent position—Ann ost—Bibliography— Re d publication Sanne perea 787. industry: t e—Rapid grow a importance—Exp of annual value of half-a-million sterling—Oranges, grape-fruit, pine- apple, tree tomato—Export of fruit to land—Cacao—P Ginger—Instruction in Agri Se ea assisting in the progress of agriculture—Hand- book of Jama ei 131 ee arere by the io Bot nyand For a for the establishment o ra en N mic Botany and fora — Tnstructi ns the Indies .. s% i s aeree d APPENDIX. 29 oy SS il | | OUTLINE OF THE ao WEST INDIA ISLANDS AND BRITISH GUIANA. a MAP , ny the Report of the West India Royol Commission.. 1896-97. 78 S porto RICO ee — ae DS aA? | | | | 1 E T ai fos | | | | | | E al pi Estimuted Colonies. PEN z (Square M.) 1891. “ieee 4207 6394M. itich Guiana 103000: ee Tobago | 1868 200,028 Barbados: 166 182.306 Grenada 133 53,209 St Tacia 143 42,220 A i 133 4 1,054 Antigua St Kitts Nevis mi 704 122,096 Montserrat Virgin Islands Total Population 18H 1558, 682 Estimated Population 1896 1,684,609 | ae ome S | Gp Teva ston A e 8 M NTSERRAT ba % | DOMINICA i | ba iraute, i < ——— S sTLUGIA o anire | À 4 | BARBADOS ‘ad st VINCENT | Qo King. dgetown Pa ; sh. TON aiai A % A EGRENADINES p Canaguan | ri GRENADA po. = KA Sst JSS | fs ae oa E aes z =~ the Ormoco k — ig, aouier Mouths of a 2 66 | 2 = | | mien S -a | | | | ee EA a sa | | i ROYAL GARDENS, KEW. BULLETIN OF MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATION, ADDITIONAL SERIES I. A REPORT ON THE AGRICULTURAL RESOURCES AND REQUIREMENTS OF BRITISH GUIANA AND THE WEST INDIA ISLANDS. The Colonies dealt with i in this report include all Her ‘eae or s TE the West Indies, with the exception of British Honduras, on the mainland of Central America, and the numerous scattered islets to the west of Cuba and Florida, forming a group apart, known as the Bahamas. In neither of these is sugar produced in any 2. Excluding British Honduras and the oe rp are six Colonies which possess a separate Govern Beg ae from the south, they are as follows: (1) British Oila 70) T nidad and Tobago, (3) the Windward Islands, (4) Bar bados, (5) the Leeward Islands, aA 6) Jamaica. The Jindward Islands consist of the Islands of Grenada, a Vincent, and zis Lucia ; biter a erpe Islands, in the same chain to the north, are mposed of Dominica, Montserrat, ype keg St. Kitts-Nevis, and the Via ie ads. é relative size and importance of these Colonies may be illustrated by the following table, in whi ch hs ae population, and trade of each are given from recent retu xports Paba Total E Pro- Total — Area, | Popula-| per |Revenue.! Imports, | ducts of Imports tion. | Square 1896. "| Colony, | »,224, Mile. 1896. sar —— iles, T 278,328 25 367 749 £ ties 1, 57,553 . Trinidad and “Tobago Tess | 24358 | 129| 628532 | 2098872 | Terao | S4007 Windward Islands -. 506 | 148001 | 2586| 132481*| 415,000") So, 739 Barbad 166 1190-4 | 146315 | 1,048886 | 577/000 | 1.625.886 Leeward Islands 3 tos | ioo] “186-0 | Haos) “secorse| Suon aaa Jamaica .. -| 4,207 | 694865 | 1651| 129,602 | 2,288,946 | 1,700,000} 4,288962 Total .. | 116,451 | 1.084607 | 194 | 1,723,571 7 B18 22% 6 6,092,000} 14,010,338 - * For 1895 only. 3 $ pap about £1,200,000 of goods re-exported, . 15045—1000—11/97 Wt 16064 D& LS 2 4. The total area is only slightly less that that of the British pulation i able markets for sugar and fruit, there has t t increase the commercial elation ted States and a. There has been a considerablé reduction in th £ all the Colonies of late years, except in Trinidad and Jamaica. This is entirely due to depreciation in the value of sugar, rum, and molasses. ~ 5. The mineral wealth of the West nage with ge ae ai of gold in British Guiana and asphalt in Trinidad, mall. In fact they may be described as peasy devo ae mineral resources. ‘Their true wealth lies in the products er resources of a rich and fertile soil. These, combined with an advantageous geographical position, asalubrious climate, abundant rains, varyin. altitudes, anda large ee population, suitably developed, should place the Colonies in a much more eS position than they occupy at e 6. They have been analog almost purely “sugar” Colon may take its place. In Jamaica the sugar industry still exists, but is largely overtopped by fruit, dye-woods, coffee, and pimento. 7. The West Indian Colonies, like other similar countries, have suffered from the fact that “the area of production of ts staple “ products of the tropics has of ap years increased so much, and “ competition has become so severe, that it is only in Foealitios “ presenting exceptional italiane of soil, climate, accessibility, “ labour supply, and the like, that the settler can hope for success “ proportionate to his labours.” r present condition is far from satisfactory. This is their staple industry, to ii lege in the ihe World and to the competition of beet-sugar the Old World. In most of the Colonies the situation is sentnateediy aggravated by their almost entire lependence on one industry. This is a source of grave ger in more, ways than one. It is dangerous com- mercially, for any great depreciation of prices immediately aifects the whole community. It is dangerous agriculturally, for adverse seasons or hostile tariffs may plunge at any moment the entire labouring populati on into great distress, Again, the growth of a the production of the Sie profit. To these may be added da ; EE SE N fats 3 narrowing effects produced on those engaged in the industry, and their inability or disinclination when a crisis comes to take u any other industry . A somewhat general opinion exists that the best soils in the West Indies have already been cleared and planted. How far this is t borys out by actual facts will appear from the following table Area of Acres p Cultivable ee No. of Beat Ares in | Unit of | Area now | Land not a ead Coolie Acres, Popula- | cultivated.) Benefi- pi Pont- Immi- tion. cially yg Pete grants Occupied. Acres. Acres, £ e. d. British Guiana... 65,836,000 | 23654 325,000 20,000,000 | 6 7 1] 105,462 Trinidad and Tobago «. i 193. 313 488 310,000 550,000 | 5 16 11 83,000 Wi dep “gr lands . 328,122 224 95,000 135,000 | 2 4 4 2,660 Barb: fe 106.470 ‘OT 90,000 10,000; 3 2 0 = gebe Islands ` y 90,840 2°93 1100,000 150,000} 2 7 0 — Jamaica .. ps a 2,692,480 3°87 693,674 1,500,000 | 212 6 14,158 Total . a 70,547,225 41°87 1,613,674 22,345,000 | 3 13 8 205,251 Percentage of cultivated area to total area = 2°18. s 9 ios 10. According to returns placed before the Disagree: the area now under cultivation is only a little over 2 per cent. of the «& what a smail extent the rich and fertile lands of the West Indies “ have been so far utilised. In British Guiana alone there is an _ “ and with the resources of the unworked soils of J ica we rpc og ‘the ni Aa of Re least four colonies the size of s Te ie 11. As mentioned by the late Sir Robert Hamilton in regard to Dominica, “there is no royal road to increasing the wealth ae “ prosperity of these islands.” This can only come from an increased production in them of articles for which there is a constant and remunerative demand. The sugar cultivation should be confined to the best lands only, and by the aid of scientific researches and mechanical ingenuity, taking advantage y in the Colonies hitherto producing only raw or muscovado sugar the erection of suitable factories for the production of high-class sugars on a large scale, and the separation, as far as possible, of the work of cultivation from that of manufacturing the sugar. Careful experiments will also be necessary to obtain by selection * “ Planting: Enterprise in the West Indies,” Colonial Papers, 1883, p. 147. 15045 A 2 4 the richest and most suitable canes, to determine for each soil the manures to be applied, while the most recent steer are introduced to economise labour to the utmost extent. 12. In order to enlist the energies of the black people, who such prices for the canes as will attract the better class of cares and, while maintaining the industry, in it is needed to be oo where suitable conditions exist, for starting other industrie f the West Indian Colonies hen in a critical upon to assist the purely sugar-producing Colonies, it will be evident from what follows that the Windward and Leeward Islands and an n to be applied with pi Ta delay as | poonne With their uet of these agencies will be fatal unless the islands are to be allowed to drift into a condition helplessness. [As a special feature in the economic development n the West Indies a8 is desirable to mention the organisation of what are know otanic Stations, or small establishments suited to the requirements of Colonies unable to bear the expense of rn i and British Guiana. These Stations (Kew Bulletin, 1898 pp. 226-227) were “first suggested in 1885, to meet the special requirements of the smaller islands in the West Indies (Kew Bulletin, 1887, June 1-12) where ‘a great want was felt for reliable information on the culture of new economic plants and plain practical hints as to the best means to be employed for supplemented by the eer erga! of en: with hrane attached, for supplying seeds and plants. The officers in charge of the station were men selected mostly from Kew, with a so ound owledge of gardening and capable of showing —— the conditions under which tropieal economie plants might be usiliond on objects of remunerative industry.’ 5 “The scheme met with the approval of the late Earl e Doris, of S The i continuously drawn upon for men, plants, advice and. ation. itori “ The first Botanic Stations were started at Grenada and Barbados n 1886. Mor ese were soon followed by similar stations at St. tiie (1889), Dominica and other islands in the Leeward Group: tigga St. en (1890), and afterwards iat British Honduras me i Grenada Station was established on a spot just outside the town of St. George’s, and, as shown later, has become an important instituticn. “ An account of the interesting station at St. Vincent, 1765 t z n with a drawing of t or’s h in the Kew Bulletin (1892, 2, p. 92). Several references ar t the excellen vork done a the Botanic Garden at Dominica, which promises to ay one of the most attractive and useful in the West Indies (Kew Bulletin, 1893, 148). It may be added, that the important part taken by the Botanical Department of Jamaica in develo oping local industries is widely recognised in the West Indies. Its history is almost unique in le in dissemi sound an respecting the cultivation of plants suitable for this part of the world. A few years ago, in the whole of the West Indies, there were only two botanical institutions. Recently there were eleven. cea their recent resources, and it affords great encourage- ment as regards the fut In 1886 an inquiry was eee into the condition of the forest growth in the West Indies by Mr. E. D. M. Hooper, s the Indian Forest Department. The islands visited were Jam obago, Grenada, St. Vincent, St. a a, and Antigua, RE with the Colony of British Hondur reports were almor immediately issued. They were forests still left in the West Indies. Forests, as is well known, re necessary not only as reserves of tim ber to supply future wants, but also as a means of mai intaining due humidity ma climate, and protecting the sou f springs: and rive Mr. Hooper has dealt with the nature; extent, and value of West Indian uher trees, and he has br t together a iad amount of the isiands, and the measures which are best adapted to prevent extensive and reckless sae down of forests essential to their well-being and future prosperity These forest reports have already se eyed in Jamaica as a basis for useful legislation ; but it is hoped that the West Indian 6 pe ass egoi will regard a rational system for the preserva- of forests, and for maintaining the hu midity and fertility of enc an of these Colonies. The treatment of the forests in Trinidad has, ho mea been dealt with in a report prepared by Mr. J. H. Hart, F.L.S., in 1891. Mr. Hart expresses the opinion “that t there exists an urgent and practical need for a general and uniform scheme of forest p nn reservation, ma Tna i fully proved from the answers of the Wardens to my quest n the subject which a show the spun a for the Ea Cae of the State. Amongst the works relating to Ee Botany of the West Indies generally, the most a ee is “Flora of the British West Indian Islands,” by A. H. R. aires (London, 1859-64). This is one of the earliest of the Colonial Floras brought out under the jo eat hae of Sir Wan: a pat jaie p Kew, 1841-1865. gst er and less ible books are Tussac Antillarum i (1808-1827), ga my 138 pis paar plates; Lunan’s “ Hortus Jamaicensis ’ ; and Descourtilz’ “ Flore Médicale des Antilles ” (1821-1829). A list of other works on the Botany British Museum Natural Hist The economic resources of the West Indies are fully arira f by tera in the Museums at Kew. The handbooks, ca talogues, and reports published in con- nection with the ig So les Indian Exhibition, 1886, contain plants and other subjects has been published in the Kew Bulletin (London : Eyre and neta E Of this ten volumes, with a general index, have been issued to the end of 1896.] 14, At the request of the Chairman, a scheme, the particulars of which are given in the Appendix, has been prepared, indicating the means considered ery ary to give immediate assistance to the Colonies concerned, and calculated to place them in such a position as to become ultimately self-sustaining and fairly pros- p s. The cost at first will be considerable, but it may prove after all the more economical in the end. pa. eR E AE Sa et | AEE AIE AEON EE TERP RIESE ee TC ee Mere Re Ge OTT Eg) Se ee E ny Re DON rE SENS S one sain RERUN SRT nee Vetere ae sie Aen Pe ee 2 ee eT E N ee PN II.—BRITISH GUIANA. 15. The Colony pa British Guiana comprises the old Dutch settlements of Demerara, Essequebo, and Berbice, finally ceded a Great Britain in 1815. The total area is estimated at 109,000 squar miles. r Co cae and its capabilities of development are practic oe ted. "The surface of British Guians may ity described as a gentle on from the frontier of Brazil down to the coa h ; primeval forest region, with outcro m of primary and metamorphic rocks forming i in the river beds formidable me which impede the navigation. Above the rapids iho vast extent of forest and savannah lands are enlisasty untraversed except by a few een or here and there by scattered parties of gold-seekers. ong the remote Brazilian frontier are long ranges of picturesque and fantastic mountains, for the most part covered with grass and se and in others as lowas 70inches. Vegetation seldom suffers from prolonged drought. Unlike the Wes t India Islands, no hurricanes are experience ed and floods are seldom injurious to life and property. 17. The settled portion of the Colony extends along the sea coast from the east bank of the Corentyne River to the west bank of the River Essequebo, a distance of 200 miles. Besides this he mouih of the Essequebo river, while a few sugar estates and some scattered villages and single houses are found on the banks of the river some distance inland. 8 18. The population according to the census of 1891 was 278,328 (less than three persons to a square mile), and BPR of it are n comes the ssequebo, and lastly Berbice. In these settled portions of the Colony are included the principal towns, sugar plan ntations, cattle farms, and negro villages. There is a single public roa running parallel to the coast, and a railway ina Georgetown to the eastward. Recently a short railway has been constructed to connect the uia river with the aaao abo ozo soni falls. Beyond these all communication in the Colony is by w 19. In the days of the Dutch occupation and down to 1829 the principal productions of Guiana were sugar, coffee, cacao, and cotton. In 1817 11,000 slaves were employed. In 1829 there existed 230 sugar estates and 174 coffee and cotton estates, i all in full cultivation. The total sugar production in 1829 w 46,026 tons ; cnet there were also produced 9,230,486 lbs. of coffee, and 1,596,171 lbs. of cotton. The island of Leguan, in the mouth of the Essequebo, was so fertile and meaner that for man d the Colony Wakenaam had 20 sugar estates producing in 1829 crops wei 9,363,934 lbs. Twenty years ak (1849) owing to the abolition of the slave trade, and subsequent emancipation, the number of sugar estates in the Colony was ko cere o 180, and the coffee and cotton estates had almost entirely Aieppenned. From this time the population became gradually concentrated on the coast lands, and sugar became the staple production of the Colony. The sugar rop had increased in 1579 to 95,078 tons, and in 1889 to 115,587 E All other exports had practically disappeared. 20. One result of emancipation, viz., the abandonment of estates in the interior, led to the settlement of the negroes in villages on the coast. The freed men combined together and bought ky sugar plantat aie i which in the aggregate they paid nearly l half a million ars. On these they erected cottages, and at the present time negro villages are p along the coast alter- nately with the sugar estates. The appraised value of these negro villages in 1896 was nearly 1,000,000 dollars, while the population at the census of 1891 had increased to 26,983 souls. This large population is only partially and fitfully employed on the sugar estates. It poA supports itself by growing plantains no oe and engaging for short periods in the gold in k: io 18°O the labouring population consisted of two yet viz.: creole negroes an Sorenson The latter were Africa Portuguese, and coolies. The number of creoles resident on cms — was 19,98 39, non-resident 42,755, of the immigrants, 5,820 re African 5,206 Portuguese, 8,410 coolies. The total creole population i in 1830 w was 62,694, and the immigrant population 19,436. Even at that time “out of the 82,000 compos ing the rural popula- “tion, upwards of 42,000 hardly contributed in any way to raise “the siaples of the country.’ 22. At the last census (1891) the total population of the Colony af 9 was returned at 278. 328, made up as follows :—European other bla natives of the Co iay. "In 1895- 96, 3,069 la bourers were registered for wood-cutting grants, 1,037 for balata grants, and 17,638 for gold-mining purposes. SUGAR INDUSTRY. 23. The total area of British Guiana is officially given as 65,836,000 acres, or n bing size of Hungary and not much smaller than Austria. The area be sways! eame by cultiva- tion is estimated at 352, 000 acres or not e the size of Surrey. The area under sugar-cane is given as 66, 908 a acres or not quite the area of the county of London. The number of sugar estates now 500 acres each. nve p estimated by the Planters’ Association at 10,000,0)07. The portion of the population directly concerned in the sugar industry according to the census of dev Rs 90,492, or about one-third of ge otal “population of the Col PEET of sugar i 1895-96 was 101,160 tons, of the f r » highest recent years was in 1887, when it reached 134,876 tons, of the value of 1,778,6387. With 76,569 acres under cultivation in that year, this would give an average yield of 1:7 tons of sugar, and an average value of pe 9s. per acre. Hence it ie be seen that the return value per acre in sugar has fallen in ten years nearly 40 per cent. According to the evidence tendered before the Lone es it is n o low as to hardly cover the cost of EE D. Ee: ugar is rear ig the siete produ vate of British Guiana. The industry is carried on with considerable energy and countries of the world. It is estimated that cane-sugar of high enna can be produced almost as cheaply in British Guiana as in tropical countries. British Guiana is nevertheless handi- ak in being compe ed to maintain an expensive system o artificial drainage, and in being so largely dependent for it e on coolie immigrat ion from India. Each coolie is estimat cost 17/7. to bring in, pir 122. 10s. to go out. e must also $ maintained during the period of indenture by regular wages at a prescribed ge Coolie ee began in british Guiana so long ago as May 1845. Up to June 1348 the total i immigrants from Calcutta and eaves had reached 11,437. Tram number in 50 years has gradually risen to 105,405 , and now forms more than a third of the total population of the 26. As showing the great Sasi of the sugar industry on coole immigrants we find, as already stated, that 90,492 persons were returned as directly engaged in the sugar industry in 1891. 10 Of these, 71,771, or 79 per cent., were coolie immigrants, veving atter o ise expressed in evidence that the existence of the sugar industry on the present maint is entirely dependent on the continuance of coolie immigrati 27. The cost of production 1 per ton of sugar has been greatly reduced of late years. From figures supplied by the Colonial Company, Limited, it would appear that after deducting the offal, the net cost of produ cing a ton of sugar has been reduced from ls. 7d. in 1883-84 to 97. in 1895-96. This reduction has been chiefly effected in the cost of ar realty In 1883-84 the ost of manufacture only was 9/. ue ” 1895-26 it ae been gradually reduced to 4/. 15s. per fference of 5/. Os, 10d. The reduction z wer cost A 'enltivation. (principally wages) was not so great. 1883-84 i s 6/. 6s. 7d.; in 1895-96 it was instances, with a rich soil and good seasons, the cost of production, without offal, has been brought as low as 8/. Os. 6d. The average for the Colony is, however, placed at 9/. 10s. per ton. These reductions have been effecte by the introduction of new and improved machinery, and by- carrying on operations on a large scale with high technical supervision. For ppe years the value of the sugar machinery imported into a Colony has exceeded 100,000/., and in a eee year (1884) it had aan a value of 182,576/. The average value per annun: over a period of 18 years was 74,394/., while the total amount expended on new machinery during that period was £1,339,098. It is stated in evidence that wages on sugar estates have “been reduced during past years by 20 to 25 per cent,” but it is see that the cost of living is somewhat less than forme rly. 28. Although the area under cultivation has been reduced, it is clear that the production per acre has been increased, owing to a better selection of land and improved methods of applying artificial manures. In extracting the juice from the cane, with few exceptions the mills are fitted with double and triple rushing machinery with or without maceration, and by diffusion in two factories. With the present relative prices of sugar and coal the diffusion process ae. introduced compares unfavourably with that of double crushin In canes containing 12 per cent. of ee the following per- entages of s goai are extracted in the form of aoa Singl a z Jouble skin (with 12 per cent. of dil ations, 88 88 p cent. ; triple crushing (with 10 per cent. agai 30. per cent. ; A eh (with 25 per cent. dilution), 94 per cent. From this juice there s recovered to 88 per cent. a the form of marketable sugar, is olarising on the average about 95 degrees 29. The average return of sugar obtained all over the colony is placed by Professor Harrisen at about 9 per cent. of the weight of canes. This is not so high as in the best ee Econaati but is equal to the average return obtained with beet in France. Taken as a whole, it may be stated that the aain and had CE Ee eee pe eee te ee ey O ee Tee ll manutaotire. of sugar on the large estates in British Guiana are opinion on the subject, that the economic maximum under present conditions has practically been attained. 30. The clay soils of British Guiana are excellently suited for sugar-cane cultivation. They are, according to Professor Harrison, ich in potash, which is the 50% constituent likely to be first exhausted by continuous cane cultivation. Under the present system of agriculture in British Guiana, probably from 25 to 30 per cent. of the nitrogen in the cane, 66 per cent. of the potash, and 45 per cent. of the alge erep acid are returned to the soil by the tops and dry leav There spitaineth air little chance of the diately available nitrogen, which is w and cheaply supplied in the form either of sulphate of ammonia or of nitrate of soda. 31. As regards the system of manuring adopted in the colony, the sub-committee appointed by the Planters’ Association states : “ During the last 15 years, systematic and extensive series of m ed, in th and the G “ botanist and chemist more recently ; besides -e and inde- “ pendent experiments on nearly every estate in the colony, and “ the system of manuring adopted has been, i in the main, based on “ the results of these experiments.” 32. The fungus disease in canes, so prevalent in ap of the West India Islands, has latterly been observed also in British Guiana. In October and November 1895, large areas were affected on the east and west coasts of Demerara, in the Essequebo Islands, and on the coast of Essequebo. The estates on the banks of the rivers had not suffered, whilst those in Berbice had apparently escaped. On some estates the loss due to disease was estimated at 10 to 20 per cent. On one estate (Leonora) in 1896, “ there was a heavy crop of canes, found to be poor in sig when gro nd, “owing to the presence of Pies was at the rate of 1°81 tons per acre, while patente (1893) it had been as high as 2:14 tons per acre. The planters acting upon the technical advice afforded by the Government botanist and the Govern analyst have adopted precautionary measures, and the disease is apparently not spreading at the present time. 33. In conelusion, it may be assumed that as regards the general suitability of the soil for the cultivation of sugar cane, as regards the methods of cultivation and manuring pursued during the last high position as compared with other -g Nevertheless, it is evident that with aois prices the margin o profit is reduced to a minimum. here the soil is exceptionally good, and with a succession of good seasons, the best equipped | factories may still survive, but no provision can be made for bad seasons or other unfavourable conditions, and the outlook for the colony as a whole cannot be regarded as promising. = S z ® k- 6 á CE peis 5 ® 09 oO ¢ = B 12 34. Experiments to improve the sugar industry.—Of late years valuable oer ets directed to improve the sugar industry have arried on on land attached to the Botanic Gardens by the ied barts of Professor Harrison, the Government Analytical Chemist, and n, ihe Superintendent of the Botanic Gardens. The reports so far issued have proved of considerable sair to planters, and it is admitted that the results o uring experiments have already contributed both to improving the eli of sugar, and to reducing the cost of production. The cane most suitable for cultivation on heavy clay and loam ils is the Bourbon cane, while on lighter lands the White Transparent - and the Red Ribbon varieties are preferred. During the experiments conducted in British Guiana, Messrs. Harrison sg Jenman have carefully s and examined 120 varieties of canes obtained from various countries. These have been reduced to 42 distinct varieties, while numerous seedling canes have been raised and tested as compared with the Bourbon and other varieties. Each variety is cultivated with the object of determining the yield per acre aud the chemical composition of the juice. Those only that show palts of merit in both directions are retained, the others are destroyed. 35. Already several new varieties have been raised pronis a higher percentage of sugar than any cane hitherto known. O or two on a purely experimental scale have yielded results from 15 to 26 per cent. higher than the Bourbon cane on the same soil, and under the same conditions. “ For instance,” according to Professor Harrison, “ whilst the “ sucrose.” These results = expressed i in pounds of sucrose ‘her gallon of juice are as follows :— Pounds of Sugar per | Increased Percentage Cane. Gallon of Juice. over Bourbon Cane. Bourbon ts 5. aks 1°710 No. 96 ... ave ie as 2°147 26 i 74 sie ss ves aes 2°014 ll re a nae ee kei aa r963 15 “Again, some seedling varieties ratoon, as a rule, better than the Bourbon does. On the experimental ground this has resulted in the following returns over four crops :— | Gane Yield of Bourbon Tons of First and | i : taken as 100. Second B gars per Acre.| f | E | Bourbon ae Bs ae 100 2°50 | | No. 78 na Le Say 144°8 3°62 | | EER a Be s% 134:8 3'37 | > 102 eee pee iie 1052 2-63 pace? a D 1036 2-59 | Sa 13 36. Further trials are necessary before such canes can funds, by lack of sufficient area of suitable land as well as b insufficient time at the disposal of the officers concerned. The grant made by Government is about £200 annually. No other funds are ava piita For the first time in the history of the sugar contents of the beet. We have thus a most effective means of improving the sugar industry; and considering the importance of these experiments, not only to British Guiana but to the whole the Appendix it is proposed to afford assistance to continue these experiments in an extended form from Imperial funds. DEVELOPMENT OF SUBSIDIARY INDUSTRIES IN BRITISH GUIANA. 37. Asalready shown, the whole activity of British Guiana during the last 60 years has been confined to the narrow stri ip of land along the coast. In spite o the vast extent of rich and fertile comp ] conseguently th Colony is now in so ¢ ritical a condition, owing its entire dependence on ingle pa ehhi that its very existence as a civilised county is is in jeopardy. 38. It may be safely assumed that the labour hee nearly one- third of the present population of the Colony is unproductive e community. The removal of this portion of the population, not dependent on the sugar industry, from the coast lands on which they are now settled to the river lands of the interior must necessarily Lone a slow and tedious process. Should the gold industry beco more flourishing, a portion of the negro population will ‘einen tially Roe; its way to certain parts of the forest region, and in time small more or less permanent settle- ments will be formed. ia the meantime, Pe, there are lands immediately accessible on the ba nks e rara, Essequebo, and Berbice rivers, formerly occupi ied by cacao or coffee estates, which were gradually a andoned as the coast the hands of negroes, who are quite unable to utilize them, and as the question of the ownershi ip of many of them is obscure and involved they can neither be sold nor leased to persons anxious to acquire them. A Commission — the “ Titles to ieas e å. presented a report, but no action has hitherto been Ps en Ik 14 To clear up defective titles, it was suggessed that a short Ordinance should be passed, eee the Supreme Court to . grant titles ai certain terms to persons who have been in possession for at least 30 een It is estes to say that it is most important ee these lands should be made available for starting new industries as, from their oer uate to the coast region, they are the first that should be settled. 39. The acquisition of Crowa lands in o pa accessible parts of the Colony should be ERREN as easy as possible consistent with their due utilization for permanent cultivation. At the present actual cost of 250 acres of Crown lands, including survey fees and stamps, x o 50. The purchase money need not in every case c nnu : per acre per annum. The rental paid on 250 acres of Cro land (including survey fees aiid stamp duty) for the first sate is $68.50 40. The true value of the Crown lands is peri known even in the Colony itself. Outside nothing is known of them. The Government might, in the first instance, prepare a map showing the position of the most n Crown lands in its possession, nd i r de one or two experimental eten on each river, as object lessons, and to supply seeds and plants to settlers. These undeveloped Guiana lands are amongst the richest existing in any part of the tropics. lands are being sought forin the heart of cm, or in such distant parts of the world as Borneo and New Gui 41. In the development of the Crown kaa: of British Guiana there are practically three classes of people that may be attracted to them. When the suitability of these lands for b a cultiva- tion is known abroad, some of them will be taken up by Europeans with capital, prepared to invest it in establishing plantations of colonies. A considerable amount of English capital is at present diverted to foreign states, from a mistaken idea that there is no suitable outlet for it in our own colonies. From a somewhat extensive and intimate acquaintance with the cultural ae eavied on in various parts of Her Majesty’s possessions, I am able to state that I know nowhere of such an extensive area of rich and fertile "3 sess a perai healthy climate, and within easy reach of s good markets, as these Crown la nds of British Guiana. They « can eae nearly evans tropical product in demand, either in the new world or ng old. Further, they are under the control of a firm and stable Government, which can offer a stronger guarantee for the e kiai of any enterprise pint soos be started under its auspices than any other in South Am 15 42. There is also a class of Europeans in the Colony were: that ine usefully direct their attention to these Crown lan e described by Mr. Jenman as “chiefly of British birth and rs iban excellent training for the successful me mical “management of agricultural enterprises.” Thes bya over- seers of sugar estates, who at present supply the anes ome back- bone of the great staple industry of the country. Owing to the ment. These me h climate should prove most valuable as pioneet in opening up the Crown lands of the Colony. Many are men “ who possess skill “and ingenuity in dealing with difficulties, and tact in the “management of workpeople 180 the patience to “wait during the ve Sin required for the property to be create n, starting with a small capital, care- “ fully counting the ak jaca d . . . and adapting their “ undertakings to their means, could not . . . fail to succeed.” Should an appreciable number of the sugar estates in the Colony be thrown out of cultivation, or amalgamated to form larger properties, a, of the present overseers will no longer be required. It would be a wise policy on the part of Government to make on ee aati of lands, under rain pean saat to a selected number of these men, and endeavour to keep them in the Colony. They would form the nucleus of a very valuable Per EEn for the e apua of new industries. . The class of small farmer, or black peasant, is not a large one in British Guiana. It is chiefly confined at present to the negro villages on the coast, and t o the su gar estates, where pe of land are rented for growing Pedera hex a visions. It i evidence that many of the latter, as sis some of the free edatiea, are anxious to obtain lands of their own, nein are prepared to pay reasonable prices for them The Government has already in hand a scheme whereby these people are to be settled on estates bought for the purpose. On the coast, both negroes and coolies readily take up land, but there is always a a difficulty as to the maintenance special difficulty. The coolie immigrants take so readily to rice cultivation, and the raising of small stock and poultry, that for some time, at least, they would find . advantageous to settle on or , how cued the coast lan ds. ome, however, might be engaged on coffee cacao estates on the river nde, where already, greed md iractability a ee habits, they have proved of yi ce. 44. To rol and encourage the means here suggeste for settling he pee lands of British Guinn: it is desea to form a permanent Board of Agriculture, composed of nominated mem- whom three or four, at least, should be Government officials. This board should be supported by public mee and devote itself entirely to the work of promoting su iary industries. A board, as here indicated, was strongly eran 16 mended by the Special Commission on Minor ee oe appointed — aS Lord Gormanston in 1888. This Com is a in the following words :—“ The depressed condition “of the staple industry of the Colony at present, and the pro- * Soka outlook as to its improvement, strongly impress upon : Commission sa necessity of urging upon the Government “of this Colony to take steps to foster the development of “ agricultural products to aosa the deficiency caused by the “ decline of the main industry.’ 45. The present circumstances of the Colony are even more depressed than they were in 1895 and it is desirable that no time should be lost to aia me most accessible Crown lands of the Colony, leaving to the future the development of interior lands, whi 2 ill require means of communication of a more costly character. SUBSIDIARY INDUSTRIES ON THE COAST LANDS. 46. On the coast lands mapa by sugar estates it is admitted that the conditions are not very favourable for subsidiary industries, and, as far I am aware, there are no industries that could imme Peat aise or in the near fi uture on such lands take the ase of sugar. 47. If the sugar industry became greatly SE E or abandoned in British Guiana, these stiff clay lands could therefore be turned to little account in promoting the future prosperity of the Colony. They are bit adapted for growing sugar, but fit for little else. They are mostly under sea level, and entail a considerable yearly ao a ture in drainage and maintenance. The climate is also unfavourable sto the growth # plants nsually cultivated in the lowlands in the tropics, as few of them can bear prolonged dry seasons, and fewer still the Bree trade winds that blow steadily for r many months in the piss 48. These remarks, it t be remembered, apply only to what are known as the front pari of the Colony now actually under cane cultivation. They form a narrow strip of alluvium alon the sea-board, ane extend only afew miles up me estuaries of the ə principal rive . The area of these lands is only part of the lotsa ae of the Colony, and only eR one- “twentieth rt of the estimated cultivable lands in private hands. Nev theless, in this small area is now concentrated all the SA agencies which have built up the wealth of British Guiana, and here, also, the pa maen of the population resides and gets its means of subsist 49. rge eis, nment of sugar would necessitate a com- plete change in the industrial condition of the Colony, and a gradual ake of a large portion of the population from the coast to the river, and other lands in the interior. If, however, ies which, though they may not supply the place of sugar, may usefully Pannan the food resources of the Colony and 17 render it less depen apse imports from other countries. these industries the m t pro omising are the cultivation of rice, fruit, cocoa-nuts, and aa raising of cattle, RICE CULTIVATION. ; a in pM The i iyers in 1895-96 were 49,262,831 lbs. (about 22,000 tons), of the value of £183,394 There is a Customs duty on rice at the rate of 35 cents. per 100 lbs., yielding a yearly revenue of shale “£30, 000. Rice sells locally at 30 cents. per peri Considering the favourable conditions that have always existed for the cultivation of rice in British Guiana, it is a matter of oor? that it has not already become an established industry. 51. As long as high E suse for sugar, etn it was more profitable to grow sugar than rice. Under present circumstances there can be no doubt that
“picking and curing the produce ready for shipment is
under ten shillings for what sells for about 40s. to 60s. per cwt.
The coffee produced on this estate finds a ready market locally.
With suitable app anos the cost of curing might be reduced to
about one-half, at lea
75. As regards a for coffee and cacao estates, it will be
‘sugar cultivation, to which they contine their labour.
“ Portuguese, excluding the native-born, make good industrious
e sepia and besi ys bulk of the provisions produced in the
“are excellent agricu turists, Puger, oe and
“industrious; but as the immigration has bee topped for
“many years now, most of them still left have Di to other
“ business, some to farming up the rivers, other s burning charcoal
“and Sa hard wood in the same regions
iy e indications are in favour of there bein
ng a moderate
supply of labour, at least for the first estates started on the
Demerara River and elsewhere ; but in the event of a considerable
sources. there is likely to bea reduction in the area under
sugar-cane, some of the labour thus set free might be attracted to
the coffee estates, and later on a scheme might be organised for
obtaining a aus supply of immigrants bia the over-populated
island of Barbados
78. In these days, when the price of all tropical produce is
exceptionally low, it will be necessary to exercise the greatest
care and judgment in starting new plantations. British Guiana
offer exceptional advantages in soil and climate, and in
commas to suitable market These are m
elements on which t e the existence of large and successful
industries. So far the labour required on the co d caca
estates now existing is quite equal to the demand. On Coverden
Estate Mr. Barclay employs free coolie and some negro labour at
wages ranging from Is. to 1s. 8d. per day for unskilled labour, and
2s, per day for skilled labour, such as pruning, &c. At task work
aad ae ee are earned. Houses are provided in all
case point of s apes EE is hea both coffee and cacao
require Tess sees per acre t the sugar cane. Mr. Barclay,
fro is own experience, is of pore on that “ cacao would onl
“ require about one-fourth of the number of people that cane
“ would,”
CACAO.
79. Incidentally references have already been made to the
cultivation of cacao in British Guiana. In former days cacao was
chiefly aah in a Renee f Berbice. The maximum yield
was reached in the aa a vhen 113,956 lbs. were exported.
This qumay gradually declined until the year 1832, when it
finally dis 'evival of cacao cultivation is of a
comparatively recent date. The plantations now existing are on
No. 1 Canal, and on the east bank of the Demerara River.
Mr. Jenman points out that the moist atmosphere of the forest
region inland “is essential to the well-being of cacao and
tithe other valtivatod plants. In regard to this, as in many
ge l n
on
“ the banks of the rivers, and, as a rule, distant from the estuaries
“ and coast.”
80. on cacao estates visited on the Demerara River were Land
of Canaan, 17 miles above Georgetown, Coverden, a little higher
up, and y heid, about 35 miles from Geor etown. These are in
Hon. A. Weber ; it has 173 acres established in cacao of various
ages, yielding an average crop of 28,000 lbs. per annum. Ina
good year as much as 40,000 lbs. have been produced. The trees
ha in a healthy condition. SS n is nan by Mr. R. A.
f a su
g charge of an
E A cacao planter from Trinidad. The T lisesion and
26
upkeep of this property are equal to anything in the West Indies.
The yield of trees now in bearing is about 50,000 Ibs., bringing in
a gross return of £1,040. Mr. Barclay’s evidence given before the
Royal Commission is most valuable, as indicating the possibilities
of establishing subsidiary industries on the Demerara
Some parts of the estate have been established by the aid of catch
crops, Which have brought in a total i of £1,200 for plantains
and tanniers, disposed of in the Colo
81. Land of Canaan, the eee of Mr. Charles Ross, is
Stns aa both in Liberian coffee and cacao. There are also
e flourishing kola and nutmeg trees. Thisis in charge of an
intelligent black man, Spupeivined by pe ee Hag from the pro-
The estate is carefully managed, and the cacao trees are
bearing good crops. It must be sala A that all the coffee
and cacao me so far established have been ane? ied efforts,
and, as one of the posa stated in evidence, “if he were
“ commence again he would plant his estate at es half the a
It cannot be too kartis a that no new industries teen
be attempted to be started in British Guiana, except by men witha
special knowledge of them. A mae or cacao planter requires as
much training and experience as a sugar planter. The failures
and disappointments hitherto ad in regard to subsidiary
feiras in this colony have been almost entirely due to a want
of knowledge and to errors in the selection of land
82. A very important means of reducing the cost of establishing
coffee and cacao plantations would be to find a market for the
bananas and plantains that might be grown on the land as catch
crops during the time the permanent trees are attaining the
bearing age. On this point I cannot do better than quote
Mr. Jenman, bleee in 1888, very igea iiy stated his views in the
following words
“ Were an os banana or plantain trade once established,a very
“ great impetus would thereby, no doubt, be given to the establish-
“ ment of cacao and coffee plantations. There is no exportable
ei pomo dity of a character now that will pay ar cultivator to
wona ee scale between the trees during the years of their
fancy. Yet it is essential for the well- -being of the plants that
“ generally, the population dependen eady to adopt such
“« means of getting a living, would be vest price Aird insufficient
“to make it successful. A large and permanent demand for
“ bananas or plantains would meet the case entirely, and the cacao
“ or coffee planter, while establishing his trees, would be able to
“make a living, with some margin of profit beyond, in the pro-
“ duction of these fruits. All cultivators in the Colony, whatever
“ As I mentioned in a note a few weeks ago, the cane farmer
“ would be enabled to adopt, to some extent, at any rate, a
27
t “ profitable ee aeni system of rotation of crops; and now
wes at it is the to
“ possibly conflicting their interests at present, to combine and
“ settle, once for all, the question of the possibility of a — trade.”
BOTANIC GARDENS.
[THE Botanic Gardens in British Guiana were started in 1879,
on land known as Vlissengen, immediately at the back of George-
s under water during the greater part of the year.” The total
area is about 185 acres. At the present time about 85 to 100 acres
are actually under cultivation.
e first efforts to start the gardens were assisted by visits made
to the Colony by Mr. Prestoe, the Superintendent of the Botanic
Gardens at Trinidad. In August, 1879, Mr. G. S. Jenman, F.L.S.,
formerly of Kew, who had been for some years fapasintendcil of
the Botanic Gardens at Castleton, Jamaica, was appointed Superin-
tendent. Mr. Jenman still remains in charge.
A loan for 50,000/ was raised in the first sie for the
purchase of the land and laying-out the Gardens. This sum was
expended during a period oi five years—from 1879 to 1883, In the
latter year a further sum 0007. was voted for levelling and
planting up the land nese ein to the ser Agee roads. For
some time afterwards the annual vote was 2,5007. In 1885-86 it
was slightly reduced. During 1896, including the up-keep of
various gardens in Georgetown, and the Public Garden at Berbice,
it was ae It is Sg that the first cost of establishing
the ardens, apart from their maintenance of late years has
a chat 60,0007. The | Sarees foe the Superintendent and Head
Gardener, both of artistic design, were added in 1883.
Owing to the liability to excessive moisture during the rainy
season, and to oie of dry weather at other seasons, with strong
breezes blowing for many months in the year, the task of
almost unsurmountable difficulties. Almost simultaneously, pia
quantities of water accumulating on the land had to be got rid o
an elaborate system of drainage, while water for irrigation hanes
the dry season had to be regularly pumped by a steam engine
erected for the purpose.
It is to ar credit of all concerned, that papag rae these
and numerous other drawbacks, the Botanic Gar n British
Gui ate amongst the most attraetive of any in tl ropics.
There are extensive ore. well-kept lawns and groups of palms of
a very ornamental charact
28
The roads are carefully planned and in saat condition.
They are constructed of burnt clay and have a reddish tint
neighbourhood of Colombo, Ceylon The re numerous lakes
with aquatic plants. The in ndigenous Vi re regia is seen not
only in the wae but also commonly in the canals s in and around
and N. luteum are also very striking aquatic plants, A noted
avenue of venerable Orinoque trees (Hrythri a Ades is the only
attractive feature r emaining of the or riginal si The old gnarled
bright-flowering climbing plants. A drive under these trees is
part see ene cool and shasta In 1887, the trees in flower
re described as presenting “a most glorious sight ” ; covered
with a mass of golden-orange food
The principal features of the establishment consist of the
nurseries with propagating arar and shelter houses for ferns and
co
ids, th j
kept lawns with turf as close as in an English garden dotted with
ornamental trees and shrubs, the lake, drives through a park-land,
and winding avenues. The collection of palms includes about 200
species. Some of the pery are of singular size and beauty.
Nipa fruticans, a or stemless palm, growing in the salt marshes
and coast of the ian Ocean, is thoroughly established in the
la Tanina eas birds have made their home in the
gardens and are carefully a One of the most interesting
is the spurwing, which may be s r cma over the lily leaves
or along the banks. Of other cians the tapir and manatee have
small portions of the gardens to themselves, while turtles, electric
eels and alligators, are recorded as denizens of some of the lakes
e Superintendent has also charge of the Victoria Law Courts
ee, ena Buildings grounds, Arinna House grounds,
the Promenade Garden and Queen’s College grounds, all at
Georgovi He has also diaree of the Public Gardens at Berbice.
The latter, consisting of about two acres, was completed in 1885
at a cost of 1,0007. It is in care of a native gardener.
The following particulars of the cost of maintenance are taken
ed t
from the estimates submitted to the Court of Policy of British
Guiana for the official year 1896-97 :—
Approved BP pe
BOTANIC GARDENS. Estima te. Eor
Fixed Establishment. j
$ |
Superinte a ae ee A I es | 320
Head D Maa yens to ee 200 en $72 ae "S nis 1,200* | lL. 200
Assistant Gard Ste a Bs 720 | 720
Total, Fixed Establishment ... Soe 3,840 | 3,840
E
* With residence.
29
Approved Esnat
BOTANIC GARDENS. 3 stimate. 896-97.
1895-96.
$ $
Brought forward ... es eh i 3,840 8,840
Exclusive of Establishment.
To Assistant Gardener, ioe Maa in lieu of a 240 240
ae sš 60 60
Stati ionery and Con ntingent Expenses a R des 150 150
For Botanising Expediti as eee oe 960 960
Travelling Allowance... š 100 100
or maintenance of—
lower Gard 4,500 $
Turse 3,000 3,000
toads 1,000 j
Park L 1,000 i
rriga ng 1,500 1,500
Public Gardens, Berbice ... ka 720 720
Gov se Garde ot uth eee 960
A ile doer pea Georgetown .. ee arl] 250 250
y a Law = ie Saas |} 250 250
Soldiers’ Old Burial G 100
1,000 1,000
Experimental Cane Cultivation
Total. exclusive of Establishment
—=—=——- OO ——_
Total, Botanic Gardens ... we .. | $20,110 | $19,630
|
|
Of late years the gepa plants of British Guiana have
received careful attention. Large vap ey of dried and living
specimens have been received at Kew fr Mr. Jenman,
many new species have been renal and described in
Hooker’s Icones Plantarum. Much still remains to be done in
investigating the arboreal vegetation of the Colony, and especially
in identifying the plants yielding valuable timbers, indiarubber,
gums, ete.
The following books and memoirs deal more or let: a with
the systematic and economic botany of British Guiana
Schomburek, Robert H. Twelve coloured views in the interior
of Guiana, with descriptive letterpress. London, 1841.
Schomburgk, Richard. Versuch einer Fauna und Flora von
Britisch liana. Leipzig, 1848. 8vo. Flora, vol. iii.
(Reisen), pp. 787-1212.
Schomburgk, Richard. Botanical Reminiscences in British
Guiana. Adelaide, 1876.
Russell, William. The Cocoa-nut Palm : its Culture and Diseases.
Georgetown, 1876,
30
Schomburgk, Richard. On the Urari; the Deadly Arrow Poison
of the Macusis, an Indian Tribe in British Guiana. Adelaide,
1879.
im Thum, E. F. Among the Indians of Guiana. London, 1883.
Svo PP- 445, illustrated.
im poe E. F. Palms of Britia Guiana : Timehri, iii. (1884),
p. 219-276. Also Reprin
Oliver, D., and im Thurn, E. F. The Botany of the Roraima
Expedition of 1884: Transactions of the Linnean Society,
2 series, Botany, ii., pp. 249-300, tt. 37-56. The descriptions
repeated in Timehri, v., 1886, pp. 145-223.
Hawtayne, G. H. Description of British Guiana, with Notes and
List of Exhibits. Indian and Colonial Exhibition, 1886.
Jenman, G. S. Report on some of the Indiarubber and Gutta-
percha Trees of British Guiana. Georgetown, 1883.
Jenman, G. S. Report on Balata and the Balata Industry, Forest
Laws, &c. Georgetown, 1885.
Jenman, G. Primeval Forests of British Guian
ee Giironicle 3 ee i (1887), pp. 541-543, 513-
575 ; 637-639.
Jenman, G. S. Report on Macwarrieballi (Forsteronia gracilis),
new Indiarubber Plant of British Guiana. Georgetown,
ae on the sugar industry valuable information is contained
in “ Reports on the Agricultural Work in the Botanical Gardens,”
by G.S. Jenman, Government Botanist, and J. B. Harrison, Govern-
ment Analyst, for the years 1590 ; 1891-92 ; ; and 1893-4-5. The
. sonst Printer, Georgetown.
A summary of these Reports is contained in ‘The Results
of Recent Scientific Se ase into e Pri Improv e-
ment of the Sugar Cane,” by J. B. son. Timehri (1897
pp. aa Sugar Cane (1897. pp. 118 139 ; 453-475). [Also a
83. In the development of subsidiary industries the Botanic
gic at Georgetown are capable of holt valuable assistance.
nformation respecting
oe resources of the Colony, and he has’ distributed numerous
o
community. He has also taken an active part in the agricultural
experiments carried on in conjunction with Professor Harrison to
improve the sugar-yielding properties of the cane, and the
31
atone Bac manures. The most promising canes are
distribute m time to time amongst planters, and the appre-
ciation of rey aie ep in this direction was prominent! y brought
under the notice of the Commission.
84. The following table indicates the number and value of the
plants sold from the Botanic Gardens during the last 14 years :—
Year. Plant. Value.
$
1889 c ae one ee se 28 8241:28
LBS 1.2. Pete ae a ah eon 1,431°31
IRSD ias sae woe Ti eek 1,6382:07
S86. . .<. wee me You see PIO a ye numbers 1,160°10
DBRT re aa a aa y ele 748 29
11 Wardian s and
13 tons couse 4 cane.
1888 6,518 71817
1889 6,196 665°08
1890 7,258 1.423°29
1891-2 5,685 96442
1892-3 * 6,962 1,436-03
1893-4 4,608 1,093°19
1894-5 -$ 5,424 97559
oe es ee a Ae 6,222 699
1896-7, January ae em ee 19,765 660°42
and 23 loads and
4 barrels sugar canes.
110,892 $14,427-12
The large quantities of seeds A pti eg and cuttings disposed of
every year are not included in the aboy
85. When the interior lands are in course of being settled it will
be found desirable to establish branch gardens in certain districts
for the purpose of supplying seeds and plants to thee starting
new industries, and to furnish them with selected fruit trees, such
as grafted oranges, grape-fruit, mangoes, &c. These would not be
obtainable by any other means. The men in Nees arge n such
selection and treatment of soils and a hints in regard to
the requirements of new or little known plan ater on one
or two agricultural instructors might be added to the staff,
and th ul evote themselves, as in Jamaica, to th
work of visiting and instructing settlers, and giving practical
demonstrations in fting and pruning orange and other
fruit. trees, coffee, and cacao, and i and inexpensive
d
methods of preparing crops for market. The progress made
meder the oeibaar nes: anan of such agencies would soon
repay the There ample evidence “of this in the rapid
development Ot new Boen which has taken place in other
coun
32
GOLD INDUSTRY.
86. The discovery of the einen goldfields in yo
in 1856, led to the search for g n British Guian he firs
attempts failed, and it was not el 1880 that placer eT was
successful in the Parani river, a branch of the Mazaruni. In 1884
regulations were issued by Gove ent a royalty of 5 per
cent. was imposed on the gold obtained, which amounted in that
year to 250 es. Since that time considerable progress has
been made. The value of the gold exported during the last six
years has been as follows :—
Year. Value. Year. | Value. |
|
£ £ |
1890... sae sie 235,083 1893... ee wee 511,368 |
1891.. vee ie 376,385 1894... vas a 500,446 |
1892... = we | 494,551 1895... E ee 449,876 |
ce ‘companies are ier eine oS vate capi The gold
i g in the of the forest, and in many cases at a
considerable distance from t h weeks ar
often occupied in reaching them, and in consequence the expenses
are heavy. So far, the gold has been obtained by placer washing,
mining for gold has only just been started. Mr. George
Garnett stated in Koruny last : “ The first really A gprs Sep
‘mine has only bee mo nother t
er engagement They
“ are almost entirely negroes, oolies are unable to do the heavy
“ digging and shovelling required.”
38. During 1891 about 20, ont pees were igor in the
gold districts, these serving erage, about three months
each, so that there were elke about si yoi or 5,000 diggers in the
bash. e number registered in 5-96 for gold-mining
urposes was 17,638. It is probable a i total number directly
and indirectly concerned i in ae gale industry is not much below
30,000 soul Jonge is of a hat labour in the
goldfields is Haen profitable to cis Colony—not necessarily to the
oe as employer—than any other industry, He estimates
men aie in washing gold “ have produced a net
* oak of 480,000/., whereas in the sugar industry they would
“ only have produced 48,0007.” The energy employed in the case
gold has, according to this witness, been ten times more
age than in the case of sugar.
further increased it is probable that settlements will be established
33
to supply the mining camps with provisions. By these means a
gradual settling of the Crown lands in the interior might be
90, The te ied sie in by fees, licences, and royalty a
revenue of: ab 5,0007. annually. It is indispensable that better
commu SF roede shoud be poeren Ae between the coast and the
` nd
development on systematic lines. At present everything is left
to chance explorers. No one with the necessary experience and
knowledge of gold mining has been able to devote sufficient time
to furnish a reliable report on the capabilities and prospects of the
Government might the services of competent experts, an
survey of the most promising gold fields so that their
d
than at present, and the results would prove of value at a time
when new sources of income are most required.
FOREST PRODUCE.
91. Next to gold the principal forest products are timber,
charcoal, guttapercha sie aiat indiarubber, resins and various
nuts, such as souari and crab n
irder .—The principal commercial timbers of the erni are
greenheart, mora, wallaba, bullet wood, letter wood, The
most valuable is pe a known also as the bibiru Nesta ndra
Rodiei). This tree (one of the laurels) is widely distributed
on rocky soils Pere the banks of the Essequebo, Mazaruni, and
Cuyuni rivers, but not extending more than about 100 miles inland
from the coast. The bark yields a valuable tonic medicine,
biberia. The timber is very hard and durable, and is specially
valuable in the c onstruction of canals, wharves, dock gates, and
in shipbuilding. It withstands the attacks of the teredo and
lasts longer than any p er timber under water. According
millions of cubic feet that have never been touched by the axe.’
These are protected to the extent that those squaring less than
12 inches are not now allowed to be cut. The total export of
timber is about 16,0007. annually.
Wallaba is the next most valuable timber. It is exported in
92. ll
the form of shingles for roofs, charcoal and staves. Char
exported to the value of 10,0007. annually. The indiscriminate
valuable alg: in certain districts
93. Mora (Dimorphandra Mora) is found growing gregariously
in Scan swampy ground. It is a large tree, yielding a timber
1504 C
34
used locally for railway oes and in shipbuilding. The bullet
tree yields not only a har “ite very durable timber, but also the
local guttapercha, known as ba he timber, one of the hardest
and densest in the Colony, is ae heavy to float, and it is exported
only to a slight extent.
94. Balata.—This is obtained by coagulation from the milky
juice of the bullet tree (Mimusops globosa). [It is really inferior
in quality to true guttaper rehi which is the produce of an East
i I m
known as the ordinary Aa
95. The headquarters of the Balata industry are in Berbice, the
The yield per tree varies a good deal, not only in regard to size,
but also the her ea of the year. The largest trees may yield as
much as 0 pounds of balata, whereas a young tree a foot in
our r hi
necessarily limits the area to about 20 square miles, for the
bleeders do not care to go many miles in, as they almost invariably
bring out their milk to the riverside to sun or air dry it. A
number of grants of the same size can be taken out together, or in
other parts of the country by one person.
96. Rubber.—There are probably several species of trees yielding
indiarubber to be found in the Guiana forests. One, the Hatie
(Hevea spruceana) is closely allied to a tree yielding the Para
rubber of commerce, the most important caoutchouc tree now
existing. The Hatie is found in the upper Shasta of the Essequebo
and Mazaruni rivers, and probably yields at of the crude rubber
sometimes received from that region. is also found in some
districts on the Ponoi river. Mr. Jania calculates that from
a large pos several pounds of Soe might t be produced.
milk of a tree or trees known as “ Touckpong ” or “ Cumakaballi ”
s sometimes mixe i Saia milk but it is not separately
pre d. A specimen of rubber obtained by Mr. Jenman from 4
arge twining plant known locally as “ Macwarrieballi,” and
determined to be Forsteronia gracilis was received at Kew in
1888. It was shown that if the plant from which this rubber was
prepared existed in any quantity in the interior of the Colony, the
coliection of the rubber would be a very promising commercial
undertaking pol Bulletin, 1888, pp. 69-71).
35
. It is very desirable that all these ge trees should be
carefully and exhaustively cb. ogee in o to find out their
rue value. It is probable that it may be found profitable to
establish natural plantations in districts where the best rubber
trees are already found. This could be done with little difficulty,
and it offers the best means of immediately extending the area
under rubber trees in different parts s of the Colony. Meroni p
are plentiful it would only be lapaz to clear away some of th
other vegetation and aliow $ rubber trees more light aa air, as
well as thinning them out ai Sa crowded. Where the conditions
are favourable, and the plants only sparsely ae wild seedlings
might be tran ari ah or oped Laney “ dibble x ” at intervals to
fill the vacant plac The of this plan pile ot be con-
oneal as the ties would poi little seuntan after they are
well started.
98. The forest ag at pregent yield a yearly revenue of
oie 48, ise made i s e money,” royalty on timber,
oal,
of the staan regio on of the Co ome he is a trifling sum, and
These forests, rightly controlled, aia constitute an important
source of wealth to the Colony. Owing to the difficulty of
reaching the region above the falls, the forests below have ioe
cut over al times and the best timber removed. In some
localities firewood cutters and charcoal burners are destroying ©
v: le timbe i
o
Hitherto they have only been partially protected and it is evident
that they are in danger, at least in the most ac cessible districts,
of being seriously injured, The vaa regiona sees the falls ar
sS m ë
proper regulations, they would b capable of supplying valuable
timber and contribute Peara to the wealth of the Colony.
15045 C2
36
III.--BARBADOS.
99. Barbados is the most easterly of the West es eae
and faces the trade wind piha ie T hee the Atlantic. ae a
little larger than the Isle of Wig and contains 166 sq
miles or 106,470 acres. The land rises in gentle slopes or tortie pni
from the sea to an elevation of about 1,000 feet. The highest
point is Mount Hillaby, 1,145 feet. The conformation of the
surface renders every part suitable for URRIA. Only 6,470 acres,
nt., are returned as rocky or useless land, and 66 acres
of the island. Practically all the land is owned privately. There
e no Crown or Colony lands. Excellent roads render every
part of the island accessible. The climate is Brie healthy.
100. Barbados was settled in 1625, and has alway ained in
the possession of Great Britain. It has been acetate cultivated,
and the cane fields and pasture lands have the appearance of a
well-kept garden. Even i in the seventeenth century it was described
as h
ack. The natural increase of the native population has always
rendered coolie or any other immigration unnecessary.
SUGAR INDUSTRY.
101. For the last 200 years the sugar cane has been extensively
cultivated in Barbados. The present area under cultivation in
ate se is 74,000 acres, equal to 70 per pint of the total a area of
lo;
in properties now existing is about two millions sterling. The
number of sugar estates is 440, with an average area of 168 acres.
There are 23 with an actual area over 500 acres, eat 139 with less
tha acres. The sugar estates, the proprietors of which do not
reside in pe Colony, number 150, with an area of 48,550 acres, or
a little more than two-thirds of the total area under cane culti-
wa: e estates with a total area of 6,708 are owned by public
compani
Me nes Tke cultivation on the estates in Haroni is carried on
most mie and s oe manner. The soil is Dna
value of the artificial manures used in the island during the ten
vears 1886-95 is estimated at 696,8867., or an average of 69,8897.
r annum. The cost of the very considerable amount of farm-
yard and other similar manures is not included in this amount.
Canes are oa Eee: annually, but on the higher lands they
are tin ooned,” and thus give rise to crops without annual
ines.
37
103. In ne e robida of the canes, 99 only of the estates use
steam pow The remaining 341 are dependent on wind power.
:
1)ra
and (2) centrifugal sugar. Muscovado Atala is produced by 432
estates, containing 94 per cent. of. the total area, while centrifugal
sugar is produced on eight estates, containing 6 per c mitt of the
aa area. Rum s distilled on four estates. The cost of pro-
ducing rum is en at 3d. per g EEA keliai vi of the vuli of the
molasses used.
104. The exports of sugar from Bar aari average about 50,000
ns per annum. Although th uantity produced has not
materially apia of late years (except in 1895, w ey there was
a short crop, owing to unfavourable seasons and disease), the value
has fallen dep considerably. For instance, the collective export
eer of sugar, rum, and molasses in 1884 reached a maximum of
,113,938/.; in 1890 it was 1 vote 720/., while only six years later
= 1896) i it had fallen to 577,3
and represent in fact 97 to 98 per cent. of the total exports of the
produce of the Colony. a oe therefore, wholly dependent
on the cultivation of the sug:
105. In 1882 60 per cent. i di sugar pues in ya -n
was shipped to the United Kingdom, the mainder goi o the
United pee, (17 per cent.) oe Canada (2 per ce je" 1896
5 per cent. only was shipped to the United Pst hn 93 apei cent.
to the United States, and only 2 per cent to Canad
106. The bulk of the ma bados sugar is seer ene shipped to the
United States, and this in spite of a duty of 40 per cent. ad
valorem placed upon it in that market. It is almost penia used
for refinery purposes. Under present circumstances there is no
other market for muscovado sugar, and if this were loit the
industry would be in a still more precarious conditio
107. Particulars GRAE the average cost of producing a ton
of muscovado sugar are elsewhere given. Briefly, it
stated that the cost of production of a ton of ordinary Barbados
sugar is 9/. 16s. 2d., less 17. 4s. per ton received for provisions,
live s tock, &e. is makes the net cost 8/. 12s. 2d. As the
a
serait price of muscovado sugar in February last was £8 8s.
per ton, = Bean on every ton of sugar produced in Barbados was
4s. 2d.
108. aie ra relation which exists between the amount of the
rainfall and the yield of crops in Barbados is shown in the
following table :
Average rainfall | Average tie
Decades. for the 10 Years. | for the 10
1850 to 1859 ... ven lk 59°19 41°516
1860 to 1869 ... wth a 58°39 s
1870 to 1879 ... s p 59°70 : .
1880 to 1289 ... se =o 65°47 596
38
109. Owing to the imperfect crushing of the canes in the present
mills, and the somewhat crude methods of manufacturing the
sugar, there is a oair loss in nearly all =
estates in Barbados. According to careful pari hie ae
the Analytical Chemist and the Superintende of Botunient
Station, and based on experiments Selenite o over a years, it
is stated that there is “an ge f over 2,000 pounds of
“ sugar per acre left in the canes after crushing, which is burnt in
“the megass hey pa this could have
“been recovered by more perfect crushing.” This may be
expressed in another way. In eit arate of imperfect extrac-
tion, it now requires 13°6 tons of cane to produce one ton of sugar.
With the best machinery 9°5 tons of cane would be sufficient to
produce a ton of sugar. The manufacture, go Ae. w Professor
D’Albuquerque, is equally defective. He states: “For every
“ 100 pounds sucrose ASAS ge sugar) contained in the juice
“ not more than an average 5 pounds of ordinary ido
su i i f i
imperfect manufacture, of 25 tons of sugar in every 100 tons
contained in the juice extracted.
110. There are reasonable grounds for believing that, if central
factories could be established in Barbados, the sugar industry
would have a chance of becoming more prosperous. Professor
Harrison, after a detailed series of experiments, finally arrives at
the following striking conclusions in favour of cent ral factories :
ith the average Barbados canes containing 14°5 per cent. of
“ sucrose, the gain in value of the reee ‘would be approxi-
; From this mu e
“ 5s. 9d. per ton of canes, thus leaving a gain of 5s. per ton of
; w up of cane ra
“ central factory producing refining crystals. The yield of canes
“per acre in Barbados in fairly favourable alone may be
“ estimated at 25 tons, and the gain per acre by the adoption of
“ the central factory system, at the present range of prices, would
“amount to £6 ds.’
111. According to this statement, if only one half of the area of
romers estates were to adopt the central factory system, the total
reased value of the sugar produced wouid amount to nearly a
quarter ofa million sterling.
PK at a low rate of interest to establish a oe thr oar.
equipped Mate factories supervised by thoroughly eeii
a ble men, includi od chem „if ke
; ag kept
to the standard already attained in Barbados, would always result
in canes of high saccharine quality, while the level character of the
39
country making it convenient for the construction of tram lines,
with the excellent roads already existing, should enable the canes
o i cos
Probably nowhere else in the West Indies, except possibly in
Antigua, could sugar be produced at so low a cost as i
bados.
113. Amongst the ieia class of (eok people cane farming
might eventually beco an important means of utilising the
estates. This class could raise canes by the labour of themselves
and their families more cheaply than the estates, and it would be
to the general advantage of the community to encourage cane
farming, as thereby the area under c pae would possibly be
increased, and a class of labour not otherwise productive would
be contributing to the wealth of the Colony.
114. In aid of kean sugar econ try valuable work has been carried
(M
— of the Botanic Station at Dodds. These investiga-
ons have been directed to: (1) the effect ot manures; (2) the
Mise tae tie value of already existing varieties of the sugar-cane ;
(3) the raising of new varieties of igartea ne from seed, and an
ft va as co
E iseases
published since 1886 AB a — and summarising the
results for the raon of pla
115. In 1888 it was shown at nA Tak Botanic Station to be
possible in a systematic manner to raise canes from seed, and
advantage has been taken of this every year to produce seedlings
differing from all known varieties. These are multiplied by pro-
pagation from cuttings, and the more promising ones are planted
in plots and reaped and analysed. The results have shown that
seedlings can be raised giving a heavy yield per acre and juice of
high quality ; that when certain seedlings are cultivated side by
upon the Rouse cane. Whe enever the eine of seedlings
raised elsewhere has warranted it, specimens have been procured
m other stations. The station = has supplied seedlings to
various parts of the world.
BOTANIC STATION.
[The Botanic Station is attached to the boys’ reformatory school
at Dodds, and the labour of the inmates is utilised to aiii
i e The f
h was
umerous sea of ca were obtained from Jamaica
and ‘elsewhere, and, in arcane with Professor Harrison,
40
Mr. Bovell, the eee oe undertook | carried out a very
valuable series of cultural experiments to determine = best
varieties of canes suitable for the ations of Barbados. After
artificial and other manures on the growth and yield of canes
was carefully followed. The results of these investigations were
published in annual reports prepared by Protonsor Harrison and
Mr. Bovell. After Professor Harrison’s removal to British
Guiana, the experiments at Barbadoes were e contin ued by his
successor, Professor D’Albuqueryue, still with the valuable
cultural assistance afforded by Mr. Bovell.
The observations and investigations carried on at the Barbados
Botanical Station are generally acknowledged to be of the highest
value to the staple industry of the is serj The facts so far
obtained show that a good deal more is possible to be done to
improve the yield of canes. In fact, it is surprising that
doing for the sugar-cane what has been so successfully accom-
plished in European countries in regard to the beet.
Besides the experiments in sugar-cane, steps have been taken
at the Dodds Botanical Station to cultivate other plants,
especially species of Agave, Furcrea, oo ia, Bohmeria,
for fibre purposes. The present land is, however, too clayey
for such plants, and also too much exposed to strong and dry
winds. While it has answered very well, up to a certain point,
for useful experiments in regard to sugar-cane, the site at Dodds
is quite unsuitable for the neg alec of other plants. The wind
is most injurious to them, and during certain seasons of the year
newy is little or no water aoha “for purposes of cultivation.
It would be of considerable advantage in the interests of the
sugar industry, as well as of others, to possess an experimental
station in another part of the island.
If such a second station were established, it is possible that
plants likely p eat value to Barbados. The
sland is now s ely dependent on sugar, that it is ver
desirable to encourage, as far as possible, any measure calculated
to i e it. It is also equally important to
support it other and subsidiary industries. There are still
large a of waste land i arbados where a fibre industry
i e cessfully established, and also other lands where
paon yielding ta barks might be cultivated. These cannot
experimentally tried at Dodds owing to the unsuitability of
of the soil and the exposed character of the situation.
The following may be ess consulted in regard to the
economic resources of Barbados
Hughes, Griffith. The Natural History of = Barbados. In
ten books. London, 1750. Folio. pp. 314, tt. 29. Botany,
pr. 97-256.
41
Maycock, J. “ Flora Barbadensis. London, 1830. 8vo. with
a geological ma
parades Robert. History of Barbados. London, 1848.
8vo. (Flora, pp. es
Harrison, J. B., and Bovell, J. R. Reports of the results
obtained (with pons cane cultivation) i in the Experimental du
at Dodds Reformatory for the years 1886, 1887, 1888 and 188$
Bovell, J. R. Report of Results obtained on the Experimental
Fields rn Dodds Reformatory for the years 1890, 1891.
D’Albuquerque, J. P., and Bovell, J. R. Reports on the
Experimental Fields X Dodds Reformatory for the years 1892,
1893, 1894, 1895 and 189€
To assist in starting subsidiary ee ies in Barbados, Mr. Bovell
has issued the following Bulleti
(1.) “ Mauritius and other mi Sanus 1891.
(2.) “ Canning and Preserving Fruits and Vegetables,” 1891.
(3.) “Cultivation of Wattles and Wattle-barks for tanning
purposes,” 1892.
(4.) “Report on the Fungus attacking Sugar Canes in the West
Indies,” 1893,
(5.) “The Cultivation and Manufacture of Arrowroot,” 1895.
(6. r s P Stock foods and how to use them,” 1895.
(7.) bservations on the Agricultural Chemistry of the Sugar
Cane,” ‘ie n) 1896. ]
116. Since the end of 1890, disease of the sugar-cane caused by
the fungus (Trichosphæeria Sacchari) has attacked the growing
s, rendering it impossible on many estates to continue the
t effecti
together with
exercising great care in selecting healthy plants and destroying all
refuse of diseased canes. The greater part of the island is now
planted in such varieties, and disease is much less prevalent.
[Full information respecting the various diseases affecting
sugar-cane in the West Gia is contained in the pages of the
Kew Bulletin. The rind disease was described in Kew Bulletin,
1893, p. 149. What was known as the root disease was discussed
in Kew Bulletin, 1893, p. 347. These are probably different forms
of one and the same disease. An account of the general treatment
of fun and insect pests injurious to sugar-cane was published
in Kew Bulletin, 1894, p. 167 ; sepa ons article entitled “ Sugar-
cane disease Barbados” appeared in Kew Bulletin, 1895,
pp. 81-88. In this latter is given full iar in regard to
local treatment of diseases of the sugar-cane. ]
118. The Barbados Agricultural Society has erisha since aga
It receives a grant from Government of 1507. towards prizes at
ae for agricultural produce. It holds monthly rn
and it has initiated many movements favourably affecting the
42
agriculture of the Colony. The Analytical Committee of this
society supervises the carrying out of the Fertilisers and Feeding
Acts. It procur m z all th I
Government chemist. By these means a high standard of purity
in these articles is maintained in the island.
INDUSTRIES OTHER THAN SUGAR.
19. While sugar is the staple —— of the island, other
industries are carried on to some ent. Fresh vegetables, such
as Sweet potatos and yams, ‘yore as rotation crops on the
sugar estates. These are a, S he yield a return equivalent to 17.
on every ton of sugar produced. On this basis the total value of
these bye-products would be about 50,000/. annually. The sweet
potatos and yams are largely consumed ied’ and furnish the
principal foil of the labouring classes. They are also exported to
rinidad and nig ie oh ue of the Benet in 1896 was
6,2917. Maize and gui orn are also grown, but not nearly to
the extent of mpira ioa ir ekom ments. Tamarinds, the fruit
of the Indian tamarind, are produced abundantly in the island, ga
after being preserved in hot syrup are T orted chiefly to t
United Kingdom. The value in 1896 was 1,230/.; in 1885 it si
2,407/. Barbados aloes, prepared by boi iling the juice of the
a smi int
quantity exported depends on the state of the market abroad. It
is never very large. Latterly ice has been manufactured for
export to the neighbouring colonies. The value shipped in 1896
was 1,574/
120. Efforts are eee, ane to pe an apres = connection
with the deposits of “ manjack,” e pitch, found in the
interior of the island. The cea in 8896 were S78 1 cai of the
value of 1,7567.
121. The fisheries of car nae are described in a very interest-
ing report prepared by Captain F. R. Barton, A.D.C. It is
estimated that 1,500 persons Shiai their living thereby, ge that
the annual value of the fish caught is about 17,000/. sterling.
seven months. After exceptionally large catches the fish become
exceedingly cheap, selling for about five or six pounds for a penny.
of the sea-egg or sea urchin (Echinus) also forms a rich
and nutritious food. The sea-eggs are obtained by diving in four
to six fathoms of water. Besides those above mentioned several
uit:
43
122. Returning to a consideration of agricultural industries, it
may be pointed out that the physical conformation of the island,
with its open expanses gently sloping towards the sea, and the
rong tré i
enclosed situations, similar to the ae a is pae of the
Canaries. ma plan will m succeed but only to a limited
extent. i
shipping at mena The coffee produced is of good quality,
in spite of the low elevation at which it is grown. At present it
is sold in the island, in bags of five pounds each, at ls. per
pound.
123. On the waste lands in the interior Wattles (species of
Acacia) might be e grown for the bark, which yields a considerable
percentage of tannin. There was an ae a few years ago for
growing plants yielding white-rope fibres ; the prices now are not
encouraging as they were in 1889-91, but are still good.
124. The cultivation of grasses for fodder purposes is systemati-
cally carried on, but there is still room for larger areas, especially
n
irrigated, have yielded in good years cut grass of the pea value
of 6007. The feeding of cattle for milk and food purposes with
this and similar grasses might be considerably extended. The
“sour grass” of Barbados is a hardy and excellent pasture grass
ay grass” is found principally on low-lying sae near the
sea; it yields excellent grazing during the rainy seaso hese
pasture grasses also might be further aki ee ie colin
so as to support a larger number of cattle and hor
125. In the event of any new industry arising capable of being
established in the island, valuable assistance could at once be
afforded by the Botanic Station at Dodds.
44
‘ IV.—TRINIDAD.
126. Although less than one-half the size of Jamaica, Trinidad
is a rich and productive isla anc It was for many years the most
The north coast is eimai through its whole extent, the east
t surf from the Atlantic as to be almost
most northerly fringes the north coast, and rises in Tucuche to
feet ; the central range runs obliquely across the island to
San Fernando, while the southern runs para and near to the
south coast. The country between these eek is hilly or
undulating, and admirably adapted for purposes of cultivation.
There are many small and somewhat sluggish rivers, all running
either east or west.
127. The soil is varied, extremely fertile, and capable of
producing fete crops of sugar, cacao, and, indeed, all “ee
n from its destructive influen The climate is anai i
mp and en aa in the hot season, but in winter is usually
esl and plea The mean maximum temperature is a
a 69°, while the mean annual is 79°. The
average seca rainfall for 30 years, published by Mr, ia is
66 inches; the average for the last four, 1892-96, was 75 inches.
In a very dry year, as in 1873, the rainfall may be as low as
44 papri while in an exceptionally wet year it has been as high
as 87 in
e The capital of the island is Port of Spain, with a popula-
tion, in 1891, of 33,273. This is situated on a gentle slope
oat scat the Gulf of Paria. It is an important town, with
me public buildings; it is lighted with electric light, and
poaa seven miles of tramways and 450 miles of telephone
Other incorporated towns are San Fernando, with a
population is 230,000, or 131 to the rat mile. It is composed
of English, German, French, Spanish, and a large proportion,
more Ran two-fifths, of East Tn cae pë coolie immigrants. The
number of i mmigrants introduced since immigration commenced
in 1845 i is 105,226, and the number who have returned is 16,024.
The estimated number now in the island is 83,000.
129. The total area of the island is 1,120,000 acres, of which
320,000 acres is estimated to be the area of swamps and of rocky
and other useless land. The r epe area of cultivable land is
800, oO r cent. of the total area. Of this area there
were in private hands on the ae. cee 1895, 433,843 acres,
45
and in that of the Crown 366,157 acres. Nearly all the unalien-
poa cultivable lands are either in natural savannahs or covered
d actual area under forest is n own, nor,
hie to the tax on lan g now levied at a uniform rate
ein
all lands, is it known what area is beneficially oceupied by
cultivation, or what proportion this bears to the cultivable area,
0. e principal cultural industries in order of ee aea
are sugar, molasse es, ram, cacao, bitters, cocoa-nuts and coffee
he value of the exports of are chet and manu-
factures for he last five years was as follows :—
| | |
PS | 1°92, | 1893. | 1894.! | 1895. | 1896.
| >
£ £ £ £
Sugar, rum, Olaa; Pee: | 775,877 | gal By fis! 675,343 689,550 774,381
Cacao -| 648,103 | 535, 055 509. 803 yen 452,141
Cocoa- nuts ex $e cos 34,424 | 32, 35,663 67 26,197
Asphalt Kee 121,631 | 98°5 112,401 ar ar 5 106,950
Minor produ ucts | | : al
Coffee, fruits, pint A ee ae | 9,073 | 8,085 4,862 3,800 3,680
Total value of exports.. | 1; B0108 É 516,352 | 1,338,077 | 1,436,326 | 1,363,319
SUGAR INDUSTRY.
32. The sugar industry is undoubtedly the dominant industry
in Trinidad, and those engaged in it have practically controlled
the destiny of all classes of the community. Sugar is almost
exclusively produced on the large extent of level country border
ing on the Gulf of Paria, constituting es ‘one of the finest iiite
e West Accordi
principal sugar estates in Trinidad have a total area of 66,4
acres ; of this about one half, or 33,805 acres, were actually under
u
not quite 13 per cent. There was in addition a considerable
amount of what is described as sonaid labour” employed, which
may have been supplied either by free immigrants or Creoles.
133. The average total amount paid on these estates in the
production of ee during the dnc 1894 to 1896 was 448,638/.,
or alittle over 107. per ton. It may be mentioned that none of-
these figures are conclusive, as Moy they do not represent
the whole n anes. The total production sugar in
Fernando, and it was found more profitable to hire out the land
in feat lots, (3) the remainder were abandoned because they
46
ae only raw or muscovado sugar, and were too small to
rrant the cost of erecting modern machinery ge appliances, or
Derine there was a lack of funds to carry them on.
134. It is estimated that the total amount of Ciia invested by
n ore Popa is about 2,500,000/., of which three-fourths
machinery and oth i
n process uscovado sugars. At
time the same average total crop is manufactured on = estates,
common muscov. = sugar six with an output pe about
5,900 tons, make entrifagal muscovado Bi while all the
remaining estates "36 in number, make m pan su It
gar
may be accepted, therefore, that on the acas pore in Trinidad,
with t few exceptions, “ advantage has been taken of the m
“ modern improvements in boilers, furnaces, multiple eva eee
- Spank mills and other aie fies zand that most of the estates
“are now fully equipped for producing the best qualities of sugar
at the cheapest possible rates
135. Trinidad makes a [argo quantity of sugar known as ‘ ‘ yellow
crystals,” which goes into direct consumption in this country, and
for which a higher price is paid than for refining sugar.
136. The value of the various aE paee ao of sugar exported
during the last six years is as follo
—— 1891. 1892. | 1893. | 1894, 1895. 1896.
£ £ £ £ £ £
Muscovado si va 234,239 164,120 157,296 96,389 46,002 35,509
Centrifugal we ia 143,348 118,717 491 "759 343,989 165,722 293,177
Vacuum Pan .. ae 285,202 $92,505 108.882 157,632 384,691 371,661
Total .. re 662,789 675,342 | 757,937 598,010 596,415 | 700,347
137. It will be noticed that the value of common muscovado
sugar has decreased oot at =. in 1891 to 35,5097. in 1896,
while the value of va actory sugar of a higher class,
has increased from 285, 2021. a "1891 to 371,6617. in 1896.
138. The principal markets for Trinidad sugars are in the
United Kingdom and the United States. More than one half, or
29,333 tons out of a total crop of 54,730 tons, was shipped to the
United Kingdom in 1895. The quantity shipped ne the United
States was 24,750 tons; to all other countries Sot ton
139. Very little information is available regar
character of the cultivation an the system of mainat followed
on Trinidad estates. There no agricultural chemist actively
i S t
undertaken by the superintendent of the Botanic Gardens, acting
in co-operation with a sub-committee of the Agricultural Society
47
A second report from this body was presented in April last.
Some of the canes under trial are stated to be promising,
and it is believed that the work done “ will be of considerable
future:value,” The root and rind fungus has been prevalent ee
the cane fields, and cane-borers and root-destroying gru
caused a certain per-centage of loss, as in other sugar shinies es.
140. Although va K aers: produced has really increased, the
ie
value of the m expor rtec from Trinidad has ser iously
decreased. The ah average value for three quinquennial
periods and for ie “i ear 1896 is as follows :—
——— ja 1881-85. | 1886-90, | 1891-95. 1896.
| |
Ses eee Se ae £
Value of molasses exported 59,509 | 51,560 | 46,892 36,488
141. Tt is stated that “ the only market of importance for several
‘ years past has been Martinique, where owing to the prote —
arral, it could be worked up at a profit.” There i is some dan
ormerly good molasses: where shipped ‘to the Dominion of
almost entirely ceased. Vacuum pan molas asses, as : nearly all ike
sugar is taken out, are only pees fie being distilled into rum,
D
in 20 years from 2s. to ls. 3d. per gallon, while in European
markets it is barely saleable. In spite of this, the T
produced has more than doubled during the
annual haa value of the exports for ‘three quinquennial patel
is as follows
142. The value of Trinidad rum in the local market has fallen
1
_—— 1881-85, 1886-90. | 1891-95.
£
4,587
£ £
Value of rum exported ... dee me 2,464 | 3,529
143. Connected with the local consumption of rum is the
manufacture of bitters, an article for which Trinidad has a con-
siderable reputation. These bitters are produced by one firm
only, and the nature and proportion of the ingredients used are
kept secret. The following is the value of the bitters exported
during three quinquennial periods and the year 1896 :—
EAMA nates’
— | 1881-85. | 1886-90. | 1891-95. | 1896.
|
£ £ £ £
Value of bitters exported... -.. | 31,377 40,057 37,663 31,646
48
144. Cane-farming was started in Trinidad about nine years ago
as a means of employment to those who would not work o n the
sugar estates for wages; or, at least, for the wages offered ss the
stigar estates. These people generally include the better class of
labourers; who readily take up the cultivation oh canes on their
own or hired land, and are sg S to seii the canes at a fixed
sum per ton to the neighbouring factori The a arias at present
is 9s, pér ton. Itis believed that by medi of this system profit-
cultural labourers and small proprietors, and that the sugar
industry would be greatly benefited. It would undoubtedly be
advantageous to keep this labour in the eects wage ee of already
in nto the Crown | ands, where there are no roads and no facilities
for disposing of the produc
r cane-farming in Trinidad will become an
established industry will depend, of course, in the first place,
on a continuance of the present sugar industry, and subsequentl y
on the facilities offered by the factories for bringing in the canes
and the prices ats as compared with the profits actually made
vide for unfavourable seasons, and allow for an occasional increase
in the price of sugar, the arrangements should be elastic enough
to fully compensate the farmer for the time and labour devoted
to the cultivation uf the canes. The greater risk is incurred by
the cultivator ; once the O are produced, tho manufacture of
8 he f
cane-farming has been carried on for years the factories have
prospered, while the cultivators fave come to grief, shows how
aer it is that a share of the profits of the factory beyond a
ertain amount che = to the cane farmer, in addition to the
eae paid for the
6. During en year "1895 there were 17, 502 tons :of farmers’
canes taken by the factories, while in 1896 the amount had
increased to 62629 tons, or nearly fourfold. It is stated that
“unless the factories have to reduce the present prices, the
“industry will extend still further . itis being taken up
“by all classes, both coolie and Creole.” The Acting Governor,
“the sugar industry if properly carried out and encouraged,”
and adds, “I am strongly in favour a a peasant proprie-
“ tary ey small holdings, which are a source of great strength to
“the country.”
CACAO INDUSTRY.
147. Cacao cultivation has been EROL TAR in Trinidad from
its earliest: days, eo hen island is probably more widely known
th: its sugar e gm area under regular
en ae meer eR to the Superintendent of Crown Lands, in
1879 was 24,158 acres. The present area is not given, but it must
be considerably larger. The majority « of the cacao estates are of
49
small area—from 10 to 50 acres, The value of the cacao exported
has steadily risen of late years. In 1881 the exports were of the
value of 266,613/. In 1895 they had increased to 620,6347., or
24,219/. more than the value of the s
cin
10,038 bags of cacao was 17,0257., or an average of 17. 14s, per bag
of 165 pounds. As the exports for 1895 amounted to 158,813 bags,
on this assumption the cacao industry is the means of distributing
269,965/. annually in the Colony.
ge
plants from the roprietor, to keep both cacao and shade trees
weeded and vacancies supplied, and eventually to give up the land
established in cacao on payment at the rate of Is. per tree. The
payment for the cacao trees when fully planted is from 12/. to 147.
r stem has worked fairly well with intelligent
its only merit,
=
=<
©
acre.
contractors in both Trinidad and Grenada, but its
there is a sufficient amount of labour there is no doubt that a
good cacao estate could be more efficiently planted, and at a less
cost eventually, by the proprietor himself.
49. Returns submitted to the Royal Commission showed that
15 selected estates distributed over the island had an aggregate
area of 5,524 acres. The yield in cured cacao on an average of
l cas
containing 357 acres was returned as yielding 1,500 bags per
annum, or an average of over four bags per acre. In the case of
15045 ; : D
z Mo. Bot. Garden
1398. i
50
old and neglected estates, the yield was less than one bag per acre.
As rege - a cost per bag s producing cacao during the last
three yea: the returns owed considerable variation,
Prap on ntie quality of = find the rate of wages, difficulty
of transport, and — causes. The lowest cost was returned by
an estate -i 311 acres, producin g 947 bags. This was 1/. 6s. 3d. per
bag. The highest, on estate of 927 rt, producing only 100 bags
of cacao, was returned at ol. per bag. e average cost for the
whole of the 15 estates was at the rate of 17. 15s. 10d. per bag,
or 1/. e ee ee ewt. ten oe of the large estate producing
1,500 b e average “sold in the London market”
was Assie at 11 dollars Or. be “Td, j—or 17. 11s, 14d. per cwt.
150. With care in regularly supplying new trees, and constant
attention to the cultivation of cacao, Mr. Gannes is of opinion that
e
his family had an estate a hundred years ‘old, still in pe order,
and yielding large crops.
151. In notes on herria of commercial cacao, Mr. J. H. Hart,
the superintendent of the Botanic Gardens, has drawn
attention of the Agr ieulinal Society to the cons sidera ble variation
in quality which recta n the cacao shipped from rinidad, and
states that “the higher alesis are ina decided minority.” The
samples exhibited before art society ‘ st gp to show that there
“had been little endeavou to se elect and grow upon
scientific lines the best and high priced: forms.” Mr. Hart states,
“ according to o my observations, the quality = Trinidad cacao, taken
‘asa whole, h ring the pastiten years
sf wand if the ne ar on it nin certainly ýe a matter of very
“ serious the near futur if then,” . he
conti ~ “ Trinidad ¢ cacao is esta declining i in quality, a and if
“it is true that, owing to the prominence of the bitter flavour,
manufacturers are not able to use so much of it as formerly, it
the Sates of the cacao industry is us s also
another point connected i dn ad. iow ‘Wh to the
on. Mr. Leotaud, there are over 18,000 small peasant proprietors
coffee, fruit, and vegetables. There are besides about 500 people
with oldi ngs from 20 to 100 acres. In all the small holdings the
people © make vey ordin line cacao, ‘selling in the Lon on
30,0007. Similar systematic
instruction might also be given in regard to the cultivation of
coffee, fruit, and other subjects.
Ben AR
51
COCOA-NUTS,
153. The low coast = of Trinidad have been utilised for the
planting of cocoa-nuts on a moderately large scale. The cocal on
the east coast stretches for about 18 to 20 miles. Latterly, owing
ually. p bly to
soil, and the want of suitable manures, Trinidad nuts are
smaller than those produced in Central America; and, there-
ore, command lower prices. In the returns presented to the
Royal oe ee seven cocoa-nut estates had an aggregate area
of 5,798 a The average number of nuts produced by these
S re.
hese figures show very clearly that at present prices the cocoa-
nut industry in Trinidad is notin a flourishing condition.
154. A factory for the manufacture of cocoa-nut oil has lately
been established at Port of Spain, with branches on the east coast.
Is, l
There is an import duty o er gallon on oil from abroad.
This practically protects the local production. From data supplied
o the ission, it a rs that in the five months, from the
Ist of _August to the 31st ay December, 1896, 320,000 nuts were
made into oil, costing 33s. 4d. per thousand. The yield of oil was
at the are of 24-23 lee per “oe nd nuts, with 118 lbs. of
cocoa-nut meal. The net profit o oil and meal yielded by
1,000 nuts was 6s. 4d., and on 320,0 O00 nak 1017. 6s. 3d. Both oil
and meal are used locally. The coolie immigrants practically take
all the oil for their own consumption. The collector of Customs
States : “ Cocoa-nut oil has disappeared from the import returns
‘ since the duty was imposed, and the market is now supplied by
“ local produce.’
155. In a paper recently read before the Agricultural Society,
Mr. J. H. Hart, F.L.S., the Superintendent of the Botanic Gardens,
nuts, into “ copra,” a term applied in commerce to the dried
kernel, which is largely used in Europe for expressing oil.
It is said to contain 54 per cent. of oil, and if dried at 100°, 66 per
e trade exists in this article. It is estimated that at
S,
= freight on a ton of aaa are said to be 3/. so that the planter,
y converting the nuts into copra, would presumably obtain on
6,000 nuts a net return of 97. 10s., instead of 4/. 10s. as at present.
OTHER SUBSIDIARY INDUSTRIES.
156. As regards other industries likely to be successful in
Trinidad, Mr. Hart has prepared a valuable memorandum (Council
Paper No. 110 of 1895). which deserves to be carefully studied.
15045 D2
52
One of the most Trae of subsidiary cultivations is that of
coffee. Both Liberian and Arabian coffee are already grown in
the island to a ni extent. Mr. "Hert states: “ It has been
“ proved that coffee of first-rate quality can successfully coana
“in Trinidad.” Machinery for preparing the pro oduce has b
recently introduced, and it has proved to be well suited to bath
arge and small cultivators.
157. Several samples of coffee were shown from Trinidad at the
Indian and Colonial ee 1886. In the report furnished
“and that only ae care, and skill are required to give the
“ coffee its proper value
158. Kola is recommended by Mr. Hart to be grown in the
same soil and under the same cultural conditions as cacao. The
produce is, however, more readily prepared than cacao, and should
a considerable demand arise for West India kola it could be largely
supplied from Trinidad.
159. Rice can be grown in large quantities, both hill rice and
swamp rice. It is estimated that about one-eighth of the quantity
consumed in the island is produced locally. The total imports in
1896 were 23,326,715 Ibs., so there is a considerable opening for
rice-growing amongst t the coolie disor seats who are usually well
acquainted with the cultivation
160. poe or pigeon-pea, dried and split, is largely gg ee
from India. This is a well-known food in the West Indies.
The plant is most a cultivated in Trinidad, apes it is
utilised as a rotation crop. The importation from India could,
therefore, be Spon with.
61. There are several other food plants not sufficiently culti-
vated in Trinidad to supply local requirements. For instance, t the
k
districts is obtained from th ighbouring coas S
cemabpiag The total a and fruits imported into the
Colony in 1896, according to the Collector of Customs, “ were
* y at 30, 0007., or nearly 3,000/. more than in 1895, an
“ increase of 5 l. occurring in English potatos, chiefly from
* Cana About one-half the vegetables — are her ape:
“to the West one ” Under ordinary circumstances it may be
more profitable t o devote undivided attention to apne and cacao,
d es of food as required, but under present
=)
d
O
$
Pee
S
ho?
$
atch crops are so easily and necessarily grown to afford shade to
young cacao, there should be an effort made to produce a sufficient
supply of vegetables for all local requirements. It is in evidence
that the chief element causing the importation of vegetables is the
~
x
99
a oads are said not to be available, t least not convenient,
for the land carriage of such produce, and hence it is brought by
the cheaper water carriage from ne a and elsewhere. A
regards choice fruits, it is probable that, owing toa difference in
earth they are more abundantly produced an ame and
obago than in Trinidad. The same argument cannot, however,
be applied to Spas as these are ee abundantly produced
locally, and only require a cheap transit 4 mpete successfully
with those “hee from the anan ey
162. Notwithstanding the considerable liai made a eee
tobacco in the island, tobacco and cigars are ost
us
mports a revenue of 30,
Collector of Customs states that “there is no sign whatever of any
‘serious competition from native grown tobacco.” One means
of extending the cultivation of tobacco oe be the or Ochs aaa
the community, it is possible that a few families would be
willing to settle in the isla nd, and establish a regular tobacco
makes cigars which are sold locally at one to seven dollars per
hundred.
163. Some years ago —_ efforts were made by Sir William
Robinson to start a fruit trade between Trinidad and the Unite
States. A subsidy of 5, 500 was given to a line of steamships
trading between Port of Spain and New York. The first ship-
ments consisted of small lots of fruit, “ inferior in size and badly
bright yellow colour. No other banana, however superior in
flavour, has any a E value in America unch
usually consists of 7 to 10 bundles or hands. Those with less
seven hands are not saleable. At the time the fruit trade
was started in Trinidad this particular banana, pega m Gros
M as cultivated only to a small extent; in fact, it was
scarcely possible t d it in many districts of the island lt
Ww erefore, impossible to establish a suce trade in
t à = ed , I
100 acres of good land established in bananas will yield (during
the second and subsequent years after planting) about 500 bunches
per week. Hence, to produce sufficient bananas to give a start to
54
164. The opinion was offered in evidence that Trinidad was
too far from New York to carry on a successful trade in fruit.
This view was not supported by the experience of Captain
Forwood, of Jamaica, who cited the instance of a successful fruit
trade established jat Santa Martha, a port on the mainland of
South America, in almost the same latitude as Trinidad, and at
about the same distance from New ork. The steamers from
“ New York would last eight and a half days.” There has also
been introduced a simple method of ventilating fruit ships with
air fans worked by steam. ‘These assist in keeping the fruit
in good order on longer voyages than heretofore.
There is apparently no falling off in the demand for bananas in
the American market, and the trade ig steadily increasing. The
to justify action being taken by some of the West Indian Colonies
to share in them. There is also the possibility of shipping West
Indian fruit to Europe. This subject is more fully dealt with in
E :
166. Nutmegs have been grown to
Trinidad. “Trees in the Botanic Gardens have yielded crops
e
vanilla, and possibly also in cardamoms, especially the large
Mysore cardamoms so extensively cultivated in Ceylon. The
nt.
or this
purpose. Tonga beans in transit were shipped to the United
States from Port of Spain in 1896 to the value of 30,0007.
55
- 168. According to the Customs return, cattle are imported into
Trinidad to the value of 35,0007. It is probable that most of this
l i V
ment has maintained for many years a farm where Indian cattle
for estate purposes are bred and sold, and the results have proved
ai satisfactory. If more attention were devoted to la aying down
maintaining good pastures throughout the island, it is possible
that raising cattle for food purposes would ultimately be the means
of supplying all local requirements.
BOTANIC GARDENS.
[THE following historical sketch of these Gardens is based on
information contained in the Annual Report for 1887 :—
The Royal Botanic Gardens are situated about two miles from
the landing place at Port-of-Spain, at an elevation of 130 feet
above mean sea level. They are ee ee either by cab
or tram. They form the only pleasure grounds to the Governor’s
residence, but are open daily to the public, pani gare small portions
reserved for private use. e Gar were established in the
ye
of Mr. D. Lockhart (Kew Bulletin, 1891, pp. 310-311). Many of
the plants were imported from Caracas and St. Vincent, in which
j raapbagiaed Humbolt’s “Cow-tree,” Brosimum utile, and the
Zaman or Saman, Call iandı ‘a Saman. These, with many kinds
of BuT e E he introduced into Trinidad. A small but curious
orchid has been named after him, Lorkhartia elegans. It appears
that attention was specially given during . Lockhart’s time to
the introduction and cultivation of the various spice trees.
Under the fostering care of Lord Harris, for many years
Governor, the Gardens flourished, and their area was considerably
extended. It is said that he annually expe meS from his private
purse a large sum towards their developmen
Mr. Purdie, well known from his DG on the mainland, in
Jamaica aid er West Indian Islands, Was successo
servicé of Kew in 1841. He was appointed Botanical Collector
for that establishment in 1843. In that capacity he visited
Jamaica, New Grenada, and other places on the mainland. One
of the principal obj ects of his trip was to introduce the Ivory nut,
hy te
Mr. Toh hn Sm ith, T brnir Curator of the Royal Gar ae ns, Kew,
i is
St.
recominendation of Sir William oo he was appoinied to
56
succeed Mr. Lockhart in 1846. In 1851 he again visited the
mainland, going as far as 700 miles above Angostura., In 1854 he
visited , under instructions from the Trinidad Govern-
ment, to ascertain if there was anything to be See from their
mode of cultivating and manufacture of su He died in
October, 1857, and was buried in the Garden, a eee of Scotch
granite being ‘erected over his remains.
Grisebach’s “ Flora of the West Indies” bears ample testimony
to the value of Mr. Purdie’s labours. He was succeeded by
Dr. Cruger, a collector and scientist of no mean repute. In 1864
Henry Pr had been trained at Kew, succeeded
o
é
P
4
ment in 1886 he was succeeded by the present Superintendent,
Pu . who had long been connected with the
Botanical Department eres
The Garden has been in re ce for more io 70 years, and
is iemmsyncdily one of the oldest in the West Indie
The total area is at 63 acres. The Botanic ae proper
cover 41 acres; nurseries, 85 acres; Government House grounds,
10 acres ; Soak eats house and garden, 84 acres.
The residence of the Governor faces south, and is a fine
aliases erected in 1875, principally of hewn native stone. It
ania se a large savannah of several hundred os known as the
Queen’s Park, which forms a splendid pastur , race-cou rse, and
Sickie field, &c., beyond is seen the su nar of the town of
the Superintendent, while near the nursery grounds are buildings
or the accommodation of the members of the staff and for
herbarium and officers.
The following particulars of the annual cost of the Trinidad
Botanic Gardens are taken from the estimates presented to the
Legislative Council in 1896 :—
Approved x :
ROYAL BOTANIC GARDENS. Estimate | Mstimate for
= 1896.
for 1895.
Personal Emoluments. Bod, V « Y
Superintendent... ‘i 350 0 0 350 0 0*
allowance as Recorder of Meteoro-
ical Observa tions. 25- 0-0 25 0 Of
a to £150... z 134 3 4 143 6 8
Sk ae to wee ü ies 83 6 8 93 6 8
Foreman (tem porary) pon vee ie Ze 100 0 0 100 0 0
Herbarium Assistant . ene Ta a ae S p 0 31 5 0
Total Personal Emoluments ... igs 728 16 0 742 18 4
Quarters provided. An additional £50 was added ti Mr. Harts salary in n 1896.
Temporary allowance to Mr. Hart.
37
Approved :
ROYAL BOTANIC GARDENS. Estimate | Estimate for
4 1826.
for 1895.
Other Charges. EE E S E oF
Brought forward a ae Re a 728: 15 07 943 18-4
Fidias Allowance A et paari A 50 0 0 50 0 0
e intenance ardens and Plantations 640 0 0 640 0 0
Netty in Queen’s Park and
Belmont Lands.
And sane aaa ek ‘aie a AE N 3 0e 52 0 0
Watchm 453 en Or cn Be. 00 52 0 0
istic ma 2 z £36 — .<. ed zu $32 0 0 t32 0 0
Labourers £22 330 0 330 0 0
Purchase of Rain dga een Office con- 50 0 0 56 00
tingencies, & |
Maintenan se of Grounds round Government Te og) 7% @ 0
‘Bui
Seats for Botanie as &e. ae P “ik 50 0 0) oes
Purchase of Hor. ee Sik a re | Si -6 p
Total, other charges ..... | 1,731 0 0) 1,718 5 O
|
Total, Botanic Gardens ... ss | 2,454 16 0} 2,461 3 4
The following Books and Memoirs contain further information
respecting the economic resources of Trinidad :—
Crueger, H. Outline of Flora of Trinidad. London, 1858. Svo.
pp. 27.
Eaton, D. ©. Fendler’s Ferns of Trinidad : oe Botanical
Gazette, November, 1878. A list of 114 specie
Harris, C. Alexander. Description of Trinidad. Handbook of
West Indies (with list of Exhibits). Indian and Colonial
Exhibition. London, 1886. [Contains also (pp. 29-33) the
ernacular and Botanical Names of the Woods of Trinidad, by
S. Deveni AE
Jenman, G. S. The Ferns of Trinidad : Journal of Botany, 1887.
pp. 97-101.
De Verteuil, L.A. A. Trinidad; its Geography, Natural ag Pr
Present Condition and Prospects. 2nd edition. London
1884,
Redhead, J. F. A. Fruits of Trinidad: Kew Bulletin, 1888,
pp. 191, 192.
Hart, J. H. Report on Forest Conservation. Colonial Office,
1891.
art, J. H. Bulletin, Botanical Department, Trinidad. 1888-96
(in progress). ]
58
169. The Botanice Gardens in Trinidad at ae are
amongst the most efficient of any in the Coloni Mr. Hart,
the Superintendent, is an energetic, capable oticét, who is
devoted to his work. Between the years 1887 and 1896 there
were distributed 285,317 economic and other plants, and 123,731
seeds. A large correspondence—about 2,000 letters annually—
<- have for years encouraged the development of local industries,
and if their scope were enlarged in the direction indicated below,
there is no doubt they would be capable of rendering still greater
f
distribution of merely omena plants, and in maintaining
flower _be ds and border und Gover üment Hoge. In
in the more important and sa duties of inate "the
agricultural interests of the Colony. Further, the area of the
present garden is too small, and the soil generally too poor, for
experimental cultivation of economic plants is mme `
therefore, that land be obtained elsewhere for a purely experi-
mental station, where economic plants could be cultivated on a
ic
larger scale, and where young men could be trained in agricultural
pursuits At this station also, the trial ales of new varieties of
ar-cane could be established, and a tematic investigation
be instituted into their merits, as is dohe in British Guiana and
Barbados.
170. It has been suggested that a portion of the land lately
acquired by Government at Diego Martin for waterworks might be
devoted to the purposes of an agricultural station. The details of
a scheme of this kind need not be e given here. Tt is sufficient to
say that a somewhat analogous plan has been found very successful
in Jamaica, and there is little doubt, if started on proper lines, it
would be equally successful in Trinidad.
171. The cause of failuré in starting dapni industries in
Trinidad, as in all the West Indian Colonies, is due to a want of
knowledge of even the simplest maa of ore bnldiral moth ods.
An experiment is often undertaken by men with no experience
whatever of the plants they eiea t itn, but who yet under-
take to produce crops requiring great sane and judgment. Such
experiments inevitably ser in failure. Again, subsidiary industries
e only thought of when there is a Droas collapse o
. ural
future ventures, ea = = particular industry is regarded, often
und eservedly, as hop:
172. Neither in ez jews schools nor in the. aera
schools in the Colo ony is any special instruction. give
59
agriculture. “ Agricultural pursuits are followed,” it is said, “at
“the Church of England Reformatory, at Diego Martin,” but no
particulars are given. Itis probable that the boys are emplo oyed
only to raise a portion of their own food. It is desirable that at
least theoretical instruction in agriculture bd given in the
elementary schools, and Readers, such as those lately prepared
for the Board of Education in Jama aica, be introduced for that
purpose, An instructor in agriculture could be usefully employed
to give lectures to teachers in training and regularly visit pons
schools in order to encourage agricultural teaching. Scho
gardens might also be started, and a small extra grant given for
satisfactory teaching and extra care of gardens
ate o permanently improve the condition of agriculture
tention must be steadily aeons to instil better methods of
sultivetion amongst the people, and to teach them both by precept
and example the advantages that aie from care in the selection
and preparation of the soil, in the use of suitable manures, in
aie hate Begin sig tending the plants, and in preparing the
produ as to command the highest pr ices. These remarks
apply t ar and new gman es alike. To i mprove the methods
of salieri the plants already established, and raise the quality
of the produce, would be a most valuable means of immediately
improving the pasted oon of the people, and lead eventually to the
introduction of y new industries. No systematic attempts
e except
among the peasants in that island is strong evidence of the value
of the practical instruction here indicate d.
Crown LANDS.
174, The Crown rang of acultivable character may be estimated
at about 300,000 acres. These constitute the most valuable asset
an terwa
(2) ea distribution of the population in remote parts removed
from control and from suitable markets for their produce. It is
probable that if, owing to a decline in the industry, there is a
partial abandonment of the sugar lands in the Colony, parcels of
60
private lands may eventually be brought within reach of small
settlers, and these, if accessible by roads and in the neighbourhood
of habitations, should relieve undue pressure on Crown lands.
It is necessary, also, before further areas of Crown lands are
alienated, = certain tracts are defined as reservations for
ber purposes to conserve the rainfall, and to prevent injury
by destructive floods. In other West Indian Colonies this
mportan ter has been overlooked until too late, and in some
it will be emai probably at a considerable cost, to buy back
lands that ought never to have been alienated. Forest, as is well
known, should be carefully preserved on uplands where its
destruction would either (a) expose the lowlands to injurious
winds ; or (4) where its clearance from the catchment areas of
rivers would, by diminishing the natural storage of rain which a
forest affords, expose the lowlands to floods in the rainy season or
a dearth of water in a dry.
175. From this review of the capabilities and circumstances of
Trinidad, it is evident that although the sugar industry is in a
critical position, and may eventually be seriously reduced, the
resources of the island, if carefully developed, should still
maintain it in a condition of comparative prosperity. ere
should, however, be no delay in organising measures to safeguard
the cacao and other industries capable of yielding emplo yment to
the labouring classes, and there should also be a einn prose-
cution of efforts to instruct and encourage the people in
cultivation of the land, and in producing articles of high quality
for export purposes.
176. Instruction in sound agricultural methods, the opening of
b
moderate rate of interest would find as active a response in
Trinidad as in any part of the world.
7 s confirming this view, it may be mentioned that the
increase in the net value of the exports of native produce and
manufacture shows, according to a memorandum submitted by
the Government Statist, that E up to now Trinidad has lost none
“ of its wonderful powers of development and progress. Notwith-
“ standing a heavy fall in the price of both cacao, and cocoa-nuts
“ the increased value of ey exports during 15 years has not only
* made igs te shortage of 506,989/. in the exports of the sugar
“ products, but has added 558, 4387. to the total, bringing it up
n oe A ,678,552/. at the end of 1885 to 7,236, 9907. at the end of
6l
V.—TOBAGO.
175. The island of Tobago comprises an area of 114 square
miles, or about four-fifths the size of Barbados, It is 20 miles
north-east of Trinidad, with which island it was politically
amalgamated in 1888. The surface is generally hilly, with
anne valleys andravines. The highest ridges attain a height
2,000 feet. Of the total area (73,313 acres) probably not more
iar 10, 000 0 are at present under cultivation. It is estimated that
there are about 11,000 acres of land, partly i in forest and partly
cleared, belonging to the Crown. In the original settlement of
Tobago there was a reservation made of three chains on the coast
line, and also of the highest positions, extending over sot acres,
on the main ridge. The latter was made with the expressed
object that the effects of the rainfall might not be ee
The average rainfall is 64:20 inches. There are two wet seasons,
May and October. The dry months are February, Mart, and
April. The soil is generally rich and fertile, and the island i is
capable of yielding nearly every kind of tropical produce
179. The population in 1891 was 18,353 or 161 to the square
mile, The portion of the population directly Sasi in the
sugar industry is returned at 5,000, or 27 per c This is
probably i in excess of the actual number, as the total a of -a
s
sugar, rum, and mo
climate is described by the Chief Medical Officer as “one o
the healthiest in the topics.’
SUGAR INDUSTRY.
180. In 1862 there were 65 sugar ang: ces in the island
At the present time they are reduced o 38, not one-half of which
employ steam ite "The at area ne r sugar is 2,000
acres, or 20 per t. of the whole cultivated area. Most of the
present estates are, oe only no ominally in cultivation. “The
“cultivation of sugar is carried on solely on the metayer system ;
“the owner of the estate supplying the land on which the canes
to base a c comparison of the yield, but it may be assumed that the
manufacture is of a rude aa and that there is a great loss of
available sugar. The sugar mills are all small and only common
muscovado sugar is ma
181. It is stated that abolition of the metayer system would
be beneficial to all concerned. It is probable that cane farming
e
rtu land. t
farming with 60 farmers who have agreed to sell their canes at
4s. per ton, the estate undertaking the carting to the mill, In the
62
evidence of the Commissioner (the Hon, W. Low) it is Lgl “one
“ factory could be placed to windward, and one to leeward.” He
is of opinion that “a factory would pay, even if Satoiin bounties
“be maintained.”
182. The rates of wages are 8d. to 10d. per day. The practice o
paying wages either in “kind or at such long intervals as one to tw
months is said to be prevalent. The labouring classes are doseribed
as “fond of sugar cultivation, and reluctant to give it up.” If the
cultivation of sugar were revived, it is stated that the considerable
ve
ould be ‘
would probably prove excellent cane farmers. The conditions in
Tobago as Sagi soil and climate are so similar to Barbados that
a large portion of the surplus dah of the latter island might
bs settled i families at a small cost in Tobago. The two islands
are only about 24 hours distant.
183. “The cost of producing a hogshead of sugar (2,000 lbs.
Wty sa ae the metayer system is about 7/.” nite is equiva- .
lent to 7/. 16s. 9d. per ton. The decline of the ar industry
ae ae last 25 years is shown in the following deh a giving the
average annual value of the collective exports (sugar, rum, and
molasses) for the periods named -—
Periods Average Annual
Value.
: £
1875-1879 Efe on 71,000
1880-1884 ... ia =i 49,000
1885-1889 .... fee gus 18,000
1890-1894 ... Ea sic 10,000
The value for the year 1896 was 5,1097. Formerly the bulk of
the Tobago sugar was shipped to the United Kingdom. At
present, tier: of it is sent thither, as, according to the evidence,
“ Tobago sugar is practically excluded from the British market
a the economic condition of the island, and left a
siderable number of labourers or metayers, without the means
wp support. The estates were sold at almost nominal prices, and
many were broken up. ‘The people took to the cultivation of
ground provisions to supply themselves with food, while many
emigrated to Trinidad. hose that remained paruazled on for
some time scarcely earning the means of existen
e present condition of Tobago, in spite of its fertile
185. The
soil, healthy climate, and an ao ES labouring population, is a
striki ing instance of what may happen to other portions of the
63
West Indies, unless timely and well organised efforts are made
to improve the sugar industry and (where suitable conditions
exist) atte? new industri ies,
OTHER INDUSTRIES THAN SUGAR.
186. Cacao.—-About one- rch oe the total area is above 1,000
feet elev vation, hence there is a diversity of climate suitable for
most tropical and be tr piel “leita” Considerable effort is being
made to encourage the cultivation of cacao. Altogether about 700
acres has already been established in small patches from one to
ten acres in extent. The Commissioner states that “316 acres in
‘cacao have been planted in ae Pap from the Crown
“during the last three or four yea The exports, so far, are
of
um,
2 450 bags (of 150 Ibs. each) were exported in 1896 to Trinidad.
rg instructor in cacao from Trinidad was appointed by the
Government last year, he he has hlsoaay “given much valuable
o grower Ir rably of the
(Mr. Low) is of opinion that on the extension of the cultivation
of cacao and cotfee “the future welfare of the island will
Khea depend,”
187. Coffee.—Large areas are suitable for coffee in the higher
lands. Mr. Hart recommends that the trees be geome by heavy
belts of the natural forest on the ridges, and around the most
exposed fields. “If properly harvested and A, coffee should
yecome a most liere cultivation, and one that should show a
“ considerable margin of profit.” Tobago coffee, in the New York
market, has paneis been placed at an exceptionally high value.
188. Cocoa-nuts.—Large plantations of the cocoa-nut palm
extend along the coast. The issioner states that “ cocoa-
“ nuts abound, and are aera used —e in addition to which
“more than half a million are ually exported. With
“ scientific sion pga the outpat a eee could be consider-
“ably improved.” The e exports in 1891 were 884,210 nuts, of the
value of S TOD, Mr. Hart reports that “the trees were in good
health, and no disease of a A pag eee ae noticed.”
The nuts, however, were small. Fo e improvement of the
cultiv ation, it was sae soma to Ges isa ati Tria Central
America or Jam: Possibly careful attention to manuring and
areva the secs dua dry seasons would also have a beneficial
effec
ia. Fibre Plants—A valuable fibre plant known as “silk
grass” (a species of Furcræa) is abundantly found in the island.
This yields a w ie eas fibre similar to Sisal hemp. It has lately
been cultivated o abandoned estate near Logie ro ugh. The
Dour established Gaboni 100 acres) will not, however, justify
the ary expenditure for machinery p extract the fibre
A Montator of at least 1.000 acres would be required to keep the
machinery regularly employed. The cost of a Todd machine or
imi hine with engine and press,
Bahamas, would be about 1,000/. This would prepare half
of fibre per day. The present price of Sisal hemp is about 14/. ie
64
ton.” A goaia be necessary therefore to produce it ready for
shipment in Tobago at about 6/. or 8/. per ton. With the cheap
la bour Suam in the island, and the vigour with which the
plants grow, this might not be impossible. It would necessarily
require experienced management to start it
190. Stock Raising.—Mr. Hart states : “ Owing to the abundance
* of guinea-grass in both the Leeward and Windward paee
“ the breeding of horses, cattle, and small stock could be rried
oe on
‘xcellent mutton is also raised in the island.”
191. One witness recommends that “the Government should
“import two thorough-bred sires, two first-class asses, pure-
“bred Zebu bulls, and English rams and start a
‘*“ small stock ferm to improve the breed of all kinds of
“ stock in the island.” It is s suggested that the present tax on brood
mares and she-asses should be remitted. During the year 1896,
586 cattle, of the value of 1,465/., were exported to Trinidad.
This trade might be greatly increased. It is (ean ot the total
imports of cattle into Trinidad amount to 35,000/. ually.
192. As showing the singularly diversified ak er of the
productions of Tobago, the felons list is Ere n of the value of
the exports to Trinidad during the year 1896 :
£
Sugar i ate a ar it pee © |
Molasses ... seat ans “te oh os 156
Cocoa-nuts ve eee i ue ios 210
Cocoa-nut oil va a an pa 621
bina, vegetable products i ai 50
Fruit i n pac ackag ie ve ae 6
Poultry ... Sr A 871
ggs 313
edar 40)
Turtles (27) 16
8 (6) . 15
Cattle (586) 1,465
ogs (6) ..
Goats (2,153) 432
Horses (65 650
Pigs (1,774) 1,327
Sheep (338)
Total oe 10,340
193. There is no agricultural society existing in the island, nor
any organisation maintained for the improvement of local
industries. Agriculture is not taught in schools. Itis mentioned
* In Messrs. Ide and Christie’s Monthly Circular for June 1897 it is stated
that “ Bahamas fibre on spot realized 157. 10s. for 54 bales of good q fos uality.”
65
in evidence that much advantage would result from “the
“ establishment of a small but wall « organised botanical pine for
eeds
ue the Botanical Department in Trinidad was in existence for
short time, but it was given up owing to the straitened circum-
Ds ces of the island. This station “might b be revived on the
ore of the ee made to that effect in the Appendix
o this report. It would be desirable, also, that the Superin-
tendent of the Trinidad Gardens should annually visit Tobago
o advise in regard to new industries, and to arrange to supply
ire and plants to those desirous of cultivating them
194. Mr. Hart might also advise in regard to the injury to
cultivation pai by the “ yellow ant” known in Trinidad as the
mbrella ant.” This is Hiesari egua in a petition of
ee urg presented to the Commission by Mr. Clemens.
195. The Commissioner states that steps are being taken to open
ps the Crown lands by selling them in ll lots to
labourers. So far these sees are being taken n slowly, but
roads are being made to some of them, at a cost o Al
including those to the Crown lands. It is important that the
planting of the Crown lands should be carefully supervised, in
order to prevent their impover ETENE merely for the temporary
purpose of growing ground provisions.
[The Bibliography of Tobago is scanty. The following
works and memoirs may be usefully consulte dix
DA aE: Henry Iles. History of the Island of Tobago. Kings-
n, 1866.
Hay, L. G. Description of Tobago (with list of Exhibits) : Hand-
book of West Indies, Indian and Colonial Exhibition (pp. 13-
89). London, 1886.
Hooper, E. D. M. Report on the Forests of Tobago. Colonial
Office, 1887.
Report on the Agri-Horticultural Resources of Tobago, by Je H.
Hart. Trinidad Bulletin, No. 12, 1889.]
15045 E
66
VI—GRENADA.
196. Grenada is a mountainous and picturesque island, con-
taining about 133 square miles, or about one-half the size of
valleys and ravines come down to the On the windward
side, the slopes are easier, with ei “of comparatively Ne
land extending north and south eras el to the coast. Ther
numerous springs and streams, and two crater tates exist. The
most striking of the latter is the Grand Etang, at an elevation of
1,740 feet. The conformation of the country is generally well
suited for agricultural purposes; the rainfall is usually regular
and abnndant, and the soil is fertile. The latter has been formed
oa a re ay. hen th
marly character resting on broken rock it yields large crops of
cacao and nutmegs. een is a particularly healthy island ;
rricanes
country are in fair order ; those in the mountains are bridle paths,
but are suitable for the transport “of produce. A regular coasting
service is maintained round the island.
197. Connected eo Grenada are certain outlying islands called
the Grenadines. ge e Carriacou and Cannouan.
These, owing to the ähiióst complete destruction of the original
forest, have an arid climate and a poor soil. The estimated area
of Grenada and the Grenadines is about 85,015 acres. Only about
a
the present century Grenada was a pros poma pe colony.
present the sugar cane is cultivated to a small e tent. The —
island is now devoted to the cultivation of po ices, pro-
visions, and fruit. Tropical fruits and vegetables are dani
produced, and of good quality. The food of the negro peasants
consists of yams, sweet potatos, pigeon peas, Indian corn or
maize, cassava, and bread fruit. The population in 1891 was
53,209, or 400 to the square mile. = Har estimated in December
1895 at 59,101, an increase of 11 per cent. Nearly one- Aii of the
adult eg is directly engaged i in A adriai pursuits.
198. In 1895, in Grenada a d Carriacou, there were 6,799 hold-
< Abhe
estimated area of the Crown lands is from 3,000 to 4,000 acres.
About 11 per cent. of the total area of the Colony is still covered
with forest. The principal cultural industries in order of
pa rra are cacao, spices, sugar, cotton, ground provisions,
fruit, c d The esti ieri area under cultivation in
these aaia is as follows :—cacao, 20, cres; spices, 2,000
acres ; sugar, 1,000; cotton, 1,000 acres ; of ee cultivations, Í, 000
acres. The area dider ground provisions and fruit is "not
estimated ; the area in pasture land is about 7,000 acres.
199. The principal exports of the Colony for the year 1893
were A the value of 313,0007. They were made P ret ‘aap ae :
eacao, 281,004/.; spices, "14, 6051. ; cotton, 7,3431. ; n seed,
1,4934. ; live sone 2,4431. ; “logwood, n. grain, Ko aR
67
7312.; coffee, 2267. ; fruit, 831/.; firewood, 964/.; ground ri
200l. ; hides, 1537.; kola nuts, 16/.; manures, 1481. ; poultry,
6967, ; cocoanuts, 91/.; turtle shell, 1187.
SUGAR LNDUSTRY.
ivation ; t em
ettlers, are scattered all over the
sugar works still existing are kept up chiefly for the
distillation of mrs of which there is a local annual consumption
of 60,000 gallon
The e gradual wee of E exports of sugar from Grenada is
shown in the following table
Year. Value of Exports. Year. Value of Exports.
£
1882 20,688 1893 731
1883 25,877 1894 30
1884 18,395 1895 15
At the present time the aie does not produce sufficient sugar
for its own consumption. In 1895 upwards of 500,000 pounds of
muscovado sugar were imported from the neighbouring colonies.
201. The growth of other industries is shown in the following
comparison of exports for the years 1881 and 1893-94 :—
Exports. | 1881. | 1893-94.
| |
Lbs. Lbs.
E | 8,864,000 8,500,000
Spices ae ss 100,000 200, 000
Sugar 3 2,038,000 | 14,000 |
202. There are some good lands at low elevation not yet taken
ap for any seated industry. One witness considers that such lands
are more suited to the cultivation of the sugar
ing else . and were it possible to make sugar a paying
ety, in the West Indies, such lands would Held. splendid
return
Cane farming and central factories are suggested as
the most iatis means for effecting this
CACAO.
203. The first planting x cacao in Grenada took place on
mountain lands in a cool and moist atmosphere, above the then
68
extended over nearly every part of the island. oe substitution
of cacao for cane in Grenada has rendered the island entirely
independent of sugar. This is the only West Taint colony o
importance where this is actually the case. While there are
feature of Grenada that the labouring classes A e considerable
number of small holdings. There are 5,600 holdings under
5 acres, covering a total area of 8, = acres 3 843 eras from
5 to 20 acres, Pe ng a total area of 7,231 acres; and 205
hollings treet 20 to 100 acres, covering a total area of 8,830
acres. nce, the numbers of persons owning properties con-
taining wan than 100 acres is 6,648, or about 11 per cent. of the
total population of the Colony.
204. Latterly the price of cacao, as indeed of almost every
tropical produce, has greatly declined, This has caused some
S
ced, bu nce pec
These are uia ya the EEA ‘of Grae as follow
205. “ Anyone who has watched carefully the progress of events
“ during the last quarter of a century, cannot have failed to see
“ what eat difference there n t peasant
“ proprietors S m r plantation labourers of
“ former times. ere is, however, an obverse side,
“ which is patent. to the praevia . Unaccustomed to
“ appreciate values, they have spent money in building houses
“ too large and expensive in their desire + improve their ho omes,
“and they have not practised the economy necessary at the
“start of new fortunes and in the case of limited incomes.
a real value of money, u to estimat
“accurately the spending power of their properties, by the
“ advancers of money on produce, who, in order t h them-
(43 -n
‘ p č
5 instances, to run up to very large sums. system has been
‘ruinous to peasant proprietors, resulting either in the loss of
“their properties or in a condition of present want, enforced
“by the necessity of extricating — anben from debt and of
“ endeavouring to save their holding
06. The statements above given are supported by the fact
that in niau last the attention of the Royal Commission was
drawn to the large number of properties advertised for sale i
el island under levy for unpaid taxes pei 1895-96. These
uled i
unted to upwards o
Guacetta of te February 1897. As hase in thi memorandum
furnishe ed by the Acting Colonial Secretary, taxes were eventually
paid on 145 properties; in 29 cases the properties were sold and
page os eet Nee REPETA parted
peta ear oa | Osis = oa a ath i:
69
the owners were evi icted or are
liable to eviction, while the
T
eee unsold were forfeited to the Government. he
remaining properties numbered 294, and of these 29 only
land.
HEr any
207. The Agricultural Commission ke ted by Sir Charles
Bruce in 1895 indicated in its report that the circumstances
described above as affecting the peasant mr with some
notable exceptions, were applicable also to the proprietors of
d
large estates. It stated “most of
“ island
the agriculturists in the
are in a nape of great ‘financial difficulty.”
It continued : 6 In our o
ial
“ demanded for money in the islan
he connection between
h rate of inte
“the standard rate for short loans is 8 to 10 per cent. and more ;
“for loans made for a period of years, airs the condition that
“ the borrower shall bep yam cacao to or through the lender, to be
“ sold on commission, 6 per petes Bij chargec he
g
at a slightly better price, it
arder at cacao estate urdened
“with mortgages bearing such high rates of interest.”
208. Further, many owners bought their present estates ist
borrowed money when cacao was selling at 90s. per bag ;
that cacao has depreciated to 50s. per bag they have still to hae
the same sg of interest out of proceeds reduced by nearly one-
half. The remedy it pci by the Agricultural Commission is
“ the Tere bisak of money into the colony by a Governmen
bar * guarantee to = lent out ata reasonable rate of interest
‘on security of an ‘unquestionable character.”
209. The range of prices in Grenada cacao during the last
12 years is shown in the following table :—
|
Year. Ist January. | = Ist July. Ist December.
s. S, $.
1884 72 to 80 63 to 79 6l to 78
1887 | 63 to 72 70 to 77 60 to 70
1890 53 to 64 55 to 63 54 to 64
1893 ENE SES 64 to 68 71 to 76 61 to 64
1896 E ee 44 to 50 41 to 47 40
It is admitted that at in 1896 were lower than they have
been for more than 20 y
The cost of production of cacao in Grenada is approxi-
210,
mately placed by Mr. Lascelles at
t 17. 5s. per cwt. Mr. Gurney
poe es the cost of producing a bag (168 Ibs.) of cacao at Ll. 5s. to
This would kes at the rate of 16s. 8d. to 17. 3s. 4d. per r ewt.
t is pors aerie from t
the h
are unencumbered and carefully and skilfully worked there is
- Still a in for profit even at present prices.
70
211. The postion and prospects of Grenada cacao are discussed
by so capable an authority as Mr. Gu urney in the following
words :—“ atic pirar to the fall in price for ereo via
“of about one-fourth, during the past two years, ing
* impossible to foretell how prices neds go in the erat cae
“Iam salted to ae they will not go much, if any, lower, at
“any rate for some years), I consider ths cultivation as at une
“ establis Te in TPKE YAE is sound and profitabie
“From my experience cacao is not to be relied on to give a
A apperaat average crop above the altitude of, say, from 600
“ to 800 feet. At an altitude higher than me the seasons affect
“ the t ee “ade A successive wet seasons, of which we
“ have had more than our share of late TE, besides mountain
“lands are fae more Srpenaive to work and in order, also
arasites, moss, oe which in the lower land they are com-
“ paratively free fro
“ As a general rule I consider cacao trees to be in full bearing
“at nine to ten years of age, at which age five to six hundred-
“ weight per acre is a fair return, and should be the average
“output per acre for 20 years to ae gate the cacao
“ receives ordinary care and tillage.
“ At present range of prices the net result may be taken as at
“ 40s. per hundredweight, equal to 10/. to 127. per acre; an
“ cost, say at 3/ .per eases ncluding cost of curing, produc
“but it must be r mbered this applies only to a oes
“ established, coveredin piece of cacao. Taking the average cost
“ per of, s , 1} PE (168 lbs.) to proprietors
“ working a. ona ee scale, each bag of cacao costs 1%. 5s.
“ to 17. 15s. ; in other words, 100 acres of fairly established cacao
“should yield, say, 300 bags, realising 9007. The cost of produc-
“ tion of this quantity would probably be 4507. to 500/., including
“ staff, curing, porterage, shipping expenses, &c.
“ Cacao cultivation has been extended during the past 20 years,
“mainly through the labouring classes obtaining by purchase
- wag have planted up a large area of rented garden lands in
cacao on the different estates throughout the coma Seapets ps
“ sotitted ec gain have been planting up all the Wh
private lands have been bo ught by labourers EV Gane
oO
A
s in the
hina been sold for 4/. to 6/. per acre. In all cases easy terms of
payment were arranged.
2. In the Report of the Agricultural Commission of 1895 the
a suggestions were offered in regard to the maintenance
of the
71
“and good management. In short, there must be economy of
“ production all round, But it must be economy by which
n ura
ethods generally, and in the cultivation of the land in
"ta pancnalae with the prime object of increasing the productive
“ capacity of the cacao plantations.”
SPICE CULTIVATION.
213. Grenada owes to the late Colonel eae the initiative in
any part of the New World. This estate is situated in a depression
i 250 t
in the centre of the island. and contains o 300 a anipe of
nutmeg trees in an excellent state of ranere Nutmeg and
As stated in the v Bulletin, 1891, j, on an estate in
Grenada, at an a of 1,100 feet, a number of nutmeg trees,
re „ Covering 0 acres of land, known y
annual Ae of nutmegs and mace of the gross value of about
“ 1,000/. sterling.” This is, of course, a very exceptional instance.
Mr. Gurney, who has had charge of Colonel Duncan’s estates for
many years, gave the meh e ee before the Commission
in regard to nutmeg cultivatio
214. “This is a cultivation = great help to the island; the
“ people in most cases have a- few trees in their holdings, eat the
“ estates have areas more or Pa akak, To ‘his small pon
ounds
Sayra able scale, as ra the planting to the bearing profitably
the trees a period, under favourable cng ST of not
it is of a golde n colour. "The dales of cloves is net 80
promising as nutmegs, as the market is ee overstocked with
supplies from Zanzibar and the East Indies
COFFEE.
2i6. The Agricultural Commission of 1895 reported in regard
to coffee as follows :—“ There has been among our witnesses a
12
“ general concurrence of opinion on the point that coffee is the
Me ‘ best and in every way the most suitable economic plan
“ encourage in this island as a reer asic and ‘second string
our present staples—cocao and nutmegs.
o
’ to
(13
217. It was recommended that n e in regard to the best
methods of planting, growing, and curing coffee should be dis-
tributed in the island, and that the Botanis Station should supply
plants at cost price. Mr. Whitfield Smith speaks highly of the
prospects of Liberian coffee in Grenada. He states that Liberian
coffce is very hardy “ and grows in localities where paeng any-
thing else will grow, from the sea-shore up to 1,500. culti-
vation is being taken up by large planters on land too high for
If the peasants were as. encouraged to purchase or rent
possible to establish a considerable area with Liberian coffee in
the island. “ Thisis all the more probable,” Mr. ene continues,
“ when it is remembered that to the tenants and peasants who
“ planted cacao in this way in years gone by Grenada Sires the bulk
“ of the cacao fields existing at the present day.
218. Mr. Gurney is a strong advocate for the cultivation of
coffee as an adjunct to cacao and n utmegs. “I find,” he adds,
“the Liberian coffee the most hardy and the most suitable to eur
“class of labourer and cultivati tion . . it thrives from sea-
“ level to the mountains.” Pr ms have recently been offered
y overnment of Grenada for the encourage offee
cultivatio nd e is every indication that the subject will
would be well :
latter would then take are place of the former if it failed. It is
fell kno
coffee loses its seats coarse flavour by keeping. at,
probably, is the reason why Liberian coffee is more in demand in
the American than in the English market.
OTHER INDUSTRIES.
219. The cultivation of Kola has received some attention in
Grenada, and is extending. Mr. Gurney states that the trees grow
readily at most elevations, and, in his opinion, will eventually
prove a source of revenue. The trees take as long to come into
poring as nutmegs, but require little or no attention ; and the
prices E obecbana “are most erratic and unreliable at present ” ; but
it is pointed out that “any price realised over, say, 4d. per lb.
would yield a profit.’
220. There is probably not sufficient land easily accessible for
embarking in a Banana cultivation, but the cultivation of Oranges
and grape-fruit should be remunerative, as citrus fruits generally
are excellent quality. The oranges clos ely resemble the once
us St. Michael’s orange, and the ontply is abundant. Some
shipments made to New York in 1895 cleared 4 dollars per barrel.
While prices are good, it kaila be most desirable to carry on a
TOPES ES
Wate
‘4
(E)
regular orange trade in Grenada. The grading and packing are
points to which special attention should be devoted. The
Government might assist by placing the shipments under some
system of pat lets sion to prevent the export of inferior fruit and
supply the services of an instructor to show how the fruit should
be handled and selected to suit the market. Other subjects that
the trees at present existing in island should be kept clear of
other vegetation, and extended in nares localities. According to
there is a want of “trained professional aid in
helping to grow new industries” and “imported professional
skill ” to find out which products and cultivations would best
suit the various tracts of land which make up the grand total of
20,000 acres now lying ruinate in the Colony. Such assistance
could be afforded by the staff at the Botanic Station, which should,
however, be increased as suggested later on
the whole the circumstances of Grenada are not of a
e chi
n
the interest of the cacao SEEEN sirm which r ~ EE,
“ change should take place in a condition of things which is a
“ healthy and beneficial one for both country and people. With
z ‘ their properties free of mortgage sani other de a and with more
rtainly far better, in the cases of all but very small
“ holdings, than those of mere labourers on estates.
221. Efforts sae be made to keep the land already under
cacao in a productive state, and to maintain the trees in a
thoroughly healthy mrnebinieg. Old and decayed trees should be
oy replaced by young trees. The use of manure is to be
encouraged on intelligent lines, ail subject to the character and
Sonena of the soil. On this point the valuable report
presented by Professor Harrison on the soils of Grenada will
prove of great service.
made for saber ing suitable manures of guaranteed quality at the
lowest possible cost
223. It is most important that the interest of the small settlers
in their Bolins should not be allowed to slacken, or that the
cultivation be neglected owing to the fall in prices. Every acre
of land now in cacao that is abandoned isa loss to the community
74
at large. I would recommend that the services of the Curator of
the Botanic Station be again utilised to visit the outlying ae
at frequent intervals, and to give oe es and demonstrations
the treatment of the soil, the best methods of cultivation, ae
curing the produce. The ‘advantages of aes a plan have already
been clearly shown, and just now ‘they would be of the greatest
value in assisting to es the chief industry of the Colony in
an effective conditio
BOTANIC STATION.
[A full description of the Botanic Station at Grenada appeared
in the Kew Bulletin, 1891, pp. 149-152. The station was started
in 1886. Itis situated about a mile to the eastward of the town
of St. George by road ; but may be reached by water by a much
above the garden boundar e locality was described by a
former Governor (Sir Walter Sendall, K. ‘good site,
The objects of this garden were stated as follows :
“To introduce and distribute plants of great ee ecco value, to
supply practical hints respecting new promising industries,
and to develop prov isting minor industries.” The
first Curator was Mr. iott, from the Jamaica Gardens,
who took charge in March, 1886. To him is due the credit for
laying out the permanent Eross of the pon garden and
planting the principal trees now co ntained in it. Mr. Elliott
e i — and was aed Saat after a brief interval by
in turn gave “place, in ae Tr. sATA
B,
ot
=
oro
5
©
4
©
gq
g
B
g
O
et
me
mai
@
g
Zg
S 2
[ae]
=)
3:
Oa L
oO
E
Q
fa)
a
=
bs
le
ag
a
oO
2
=
—
eq
in charge. In addition to the pine Gar den, he is sunday
for the Government House Grounds, the ata A of the Morne
ae Estate and Quarantine Station, of the mangrove shores of
he lagoon near the Botanic Station, and of the apout Lands. In
hie report for the year 1896 Mr. Broadway affords ample evidence
of the service prre to the agricultural interests of the island
by the Botanic Statio
Attention was drawn to a fine variety of orange, believed to be
peculiar to Grenada, and hence called the Grenadine orange.
t is a fcbust grower, and the fruit larger than the
ord sweet orange, with a thick rind and abundant juice. It
oo that it would be an acceptable fruit in foreign
ence ee tee! aaa ays
75
An at tempt was made to grow tobacco on land adjoining
overnment House Grounds. The produce was cured and sold
locally at 10d. per pound. Further Bagiri are in hand.
n December, 1896, the first crop of seed of a species of
Renilla, one of the African rubber vines, was collected in
the garden. The plant had climbed to the top of a Saman tree,
and there the fruit “Laem Other valuable rubber plants that
Racha seed in 1896 were the Para Rubber rion: brasiliensis),
ral America Rubber (Castillon elastica), and the Ceara Rubber
ne Glaziovii).
wo new kinds of coffee were introduced—the Sierra Leone
native coffee (Coffea stenoph yila), and Abbeokuta coffee. The
latter has not yet been determin
The receipts for about 4,000 plants sold, all at less than cost
price, was 7; e plants received from Kew and other estab-
lishments amounied to 2,116, while the number of packets of
seeds received was 272.
Attention was called by the pea to the serious effect of
deforestation in Grenada. The timbers are everywhere being
gradually destroyed to convert gt charcoal. This subject is
referred to in a later section of this Report.
e Herbarium of Grenada Plants consists of a fair collection ;
i 700 cher were added during 1396.
Having visited the Grenada Garden on three occasions, Viz.,
in 1886, 1891, and Th respectively, I am able to speak from
personal observation of the improvements that have steadily taken
place, in spite of the an is changes in the office of Curator.
The garden, as seen in March last, was in excellent condition ;
the growth that had taken place amongst the trees, especially
species of Hucalyptus and Casuarina, and in several species of
palms, was remarkable. Of the latter, Oreodoxia regia was 25 ft.
high and Joakina singularly strong and healthy. With a suitable
n r
see garden in the ics--as indeed everywhere else—the
nada Garden Berdie piia a most attractive and useful
inatitutio
The following treat of the botanical and agricultural resources
of Grenada:
Wells, J. Description of Grenada (with list of exhibits). Hand-
book of West Indies. Indian and Colonial Exhibition (pp.
29-33). Lo npn , 1886.
Hooper, E. D. M. Report “ the Forests of Grenadaand Carria-
cou, Colonial Office, 1887.
urray,G. A Hala in Grenada: Gardeners’ Chronicle,
ser 3 (1888), i., p. 8.
Morris, D. miele Enterprise in the West Indies—Grenada :
Kew Bulletin, 1891, pp. 145-152.
Smith, G. W, Grenada Agricultural and Botanical Bulletin.
St. George’s, 1890-93.
16
Report of the Agricultural Commission appointed by Sir Charles
Bruce in 1895. Government Printing Office, St. George,
1896.
ai Edward. Grenada Handbook for the years 1896 and
1897. London, 1896-97. [List of Indigenous Trees and
Shrubs by W. E E E. Broadway, pp. 196-204.]
Harrison, J. B. Rocks and Soils of Grenada and Carriacou,
with notes on the Agricultural Chemistry of Cacao.
Colonial Office, 1597.]
TEACHING AGRICULTURE IN SCHOOLS.
225. It is hoped that efforts wil! be made to teach agriculture,
at least theoretically, in the elementary schools, and to start
school gardens, so that the cultivation and treatment of the soil
come more popular than they appear to be at present
amongst the rising generation. In regard to the soti point the
Committee charged with the preparation of evidence for the
a
m
“ agriculturists of the services of the younger portion of the
“labouring class.” This is understood to refer to the sap etree
of children at school beyond a certain age. The same subject is
discussed in the statement NE cht by the various ai as of
religion as follows :—* In many instances the acquisition of a small
“holding results in the persistent labour of the individual owner,
ish tent to grow upin any
“thing but a thrifty con Radio, In this respect small holdings
“do not tend to promote thrift, especially among the younger
“ generation.
“ We are of the opinion that the lack of thrift, and the indiffer-
“ence of the younger generation, might be remedied by the intro-
“duction of the subject of agriculture in the school curriculum.
t
“elementary schools ; but the present staff of teachers cannot be
“ expected to go beyond that, inasmuch as by the code of education
“ recently inaugurated the teaching power of the schools has been
= considerably reduced. We are, however, of eo that further
“instruction in that branch may be imparted by the appointment,
“in each parish or district, of a competent itinerary- agriculturist,
“w ee e should visit every school in the pariah, and teach the
“& oy jec
CLEARING FORESTS.
226. Mr. Lascelles drew the gg wed of the Commission to the
evil effects likely to arise from the further removal of the original
forest in Grenada. is coe has already been the subject of a
letter by the Administrator (the Hon. Edward Drayton), in which
he made an appeal to the Road Boards, “ a e aee of
77
aene as well as to the island ly. Mr. Dra
concludes :—“ I feel assured that, _ these anes sonnei yen, you
“ will do all in your power to assist in the c rvatio the
‘remaining forests of the island, and that aa u a ii p and
« persuade those in your vicinity to have a rational regard for
‘their own and the general interests when contemplating the
= Da oraint clearance of lands.
227. Sir Charles Bruce, in the Blue Book Report for 1895,
returns to the same subject. He records that, “on the 30th
m
“ the damage under these heads being estimated at over es
“ Many acres of cultivated ew ťa also laid waste or carried
‘away. A catastrophe of t e kind, in 1894, had ara
“called my attention to rap ne soeasity of providing against the
“denudation of the forest lands in the Colony . . it is
“admitted that such clearings, if undertaken without proper
“ precautions, are the fruitful cause of torrents, and generally
“ of clearings on the slopes of the mountain ridges of Grenada
“ tending to produce such results.
228. This important matter should be dealt with by making
reservations of all forest lands above certain well-defined
lines. e Crown lands can be dealt with at once, but it is
tej
6d. per a In any case, I have no Ea in stating that any
further ae sce of the high mountain lands in Grenada is fraught
with considerable danger to the future AU of the island.
229, CARRIACOU.—This is the largest and most important of
i the Grenadine Islands belonging to Grenada. It has an area of
a 6,913 acres, with a population of 6,190 souls. The chief town is
Hillsborou ugh. The Royal Commission landed on this island for
a
a prosperous little island, with no less than 22 sugar estates
h full working order. All these have disappeared.
230. The only cultivation for export purposes now is cotton.
It is stated that the average production per acre is only 50 pounds
of li
Medical officer, “most of the land is
“ proprietors, who demand rents that are much too high under
78
“ existing circumstances.” In consequence “ three-fourths of the
“ labouring men are forced to emigrate in search of work, leaving
“ the women and children to suffer great hardships.”
231. The cultivation of Sisal hemp appears to have been started,
but afterwards abandoned. Owing to the cheap and plentiful
labour and the dry climate, it is possible that this might be
successfully established in the island. There is little doubt it
would
]
recurring periods of drought. These are probably attributable to
the destruction of the forests in former times for sugar boiling,
and latterly to the reckless cutting down of timber for fire-wood
exported to Barbados.
232. Mr. Hooper, in 1887, referred to the subject in the follow-
ing words: “It is certain that in Carriacou, for the last seven
“years, the rains have been slight an irregular in their
“ distribution. As a consequence the level of the water under-
‘ ground must have receded below its normal point, and it
“would require several very heavy rainy seasons to bring it
S Ai E
“ back to its accustomed aeigh e recovery of
“ water is indefinitely delayed he system of clearance
“ of all the vegetation, whether forest or other, which so regularly
“ obtains throughout the i : ould strongly advise
“ down to a reasonable level . - also trees, such as mahogany
“and red ceder, should be planted in all suitable localities.”
233. It would be of advantage if the Curator of the Botanic
Station at Grenada were to visit Carriacou and examine
carefully into its capabilities for growing a selected number of
products. The Government might then encourage the cultivation
bl
¢ SY eae EDC WOE etl od ae S
ine pen spermine
VII.—ST. LUCIA.
234. The Island of St. Lucia is the Bee of the Windward
; s an area of 233 squa e miles, rather less than
Middlesex. The surface is very hilly. The main axis of elevation
trends from north to south, with numerous ridges and aks
n elevation of 3,000 feet. The scenery is bold and rugged,
o
ingu
still covered with forest. The valleys are very rich and fertile,
but the only ones at present cultivated are the Mabouya, Roseau,
and the Cul-de-sac valleys. Two large districts in the northern
d n portions of the island consist of comparatively
undulating or level count There, is an abundant supply o
moisture from frequent showers, and vegetation seldom suffers
from drou gees decd iy was one ea rainfall
Observations 74 abov -level,
recorded a rainfall of RI 39 eae In 1894 the record showe
81:55 i it indicated 113 inches olute
October, while in the same month the absolute minimum was
60°2° Fah. The climate in some of the valleys is not so healthy as
elsewhere.
225. In St. Lucia only a comparatively small extent of land has
been under systematic cultivation. Itis estimated that not one-
fourth of the total area is beneficially occupied at present. Much
of it that once was cleared has since relapsed into ruinate or
forest tr In the interior are large tracts of mountainous
lands belon to the Crown. Some of these are at present quite
inaccessible, eithat by roads or ädla patli:
236. The population of the census of 1891 was 42,220 ; on the
31st December 1895 it was estimated at 45,906, or an increase of
3,686 since 1891. This is at the rate of 197 to the square mile,
The death rate in 1895 was 22-4 per 1000. Immigration from
India was resumed in 1878; there were in the colony at the end
of 1895 721 indentured coolie immigrants. The total East Indian
population at present in the island -is estimated at about 2,560.
The former connection of the island with France is shown by the
existence om a a patois almost universally spoken by the
labouring cla
2 Sehr products in order of importance are sugar, r
molasses, cacao, logwood, coffee, ginger, ia black pepper,
vanilla, and graines d’ ambrette, or vegetable m
products; grown for local use are arrowroot, r (Cumak
development of St. Lucia has hardly ve The par yya of
other plants is of a partial and fitful character
apparently an entire absence of practical heerlen respecting
the requirements of most subsidiary industries.
80.
228. Castries, the capital, possesses an excellent harbour, and is
becoming an important naval and military station. The Imperial
expenditure for military purposes in 1895 amounted to 45,1947. This
is to be greatly increased by the construction of new works during
the next few years. When the headquarters of the aig in the
West Indies are ultimately removed from Barbados to St. Lucia,
the latter island should derive considerable benefit fsa the money
annually circulated. In Barbados this has hitherto been estimated
at about 50,0007. Soufriere, near the Pitons, is the next town in
importance to Castries, with a population of about 3,000 souls, It
s the centre of an interesting er district oe sugar,
ck fruit and spices are grown
239. The E table gives the quantity and value of the
principal exports in 1896 compared with the three preceding
years :—
|
| 1893. | 1894. | 1895. | 1896.
Exports. : l |
| Quantity. Value, Quantity. Value. 'Quantity. Value. | Quantity. Value.
| |
Tons. E- Fong | £ | Tons. £ Tons. £
Sugar We 4,437 | 90.571 4,483 | 66,161 3,627 49,355 3,618 | 61,949
Gals. Gals. | | Gals, Gals.
Molasses .. 253,680 4.756 293,320 | 3,722 | 279,960 3,499 105,000 1,444
Rum .. a 1,700 112 1,400 | 106 | 9,900 1,033 1,300 92
Lbs, Lbs. | Lbs. Lbs.
Cacao re 1,037,600 | 38,910 983,200 23,513 696,200 15,664 | 1,066,900 | 14,396
Tons. Tons, Tons. Tons.
Logwood .. 6,292 | 37,782 7,116 37,359 5,086 25,430 1,904 4,284
|
SuGAR INDUSTRY.
240 The total value of the collective sugar products (sugar,
rum and molasses) in 1896, compared with the total products
exported during the previous four years, was as follows :—
|
Years | 1892, | 1893, | 1894. | 1895. | 1896.
i
"i | £ £ £ £ £
Exports of collective sugar products .. 99,000 96,000 70,000 54,000 63,000
Exports of other products .. ès = | 79,000 | 126,000 | 122,623 94,000 73,000
Total exports Ei ik | 178,000 | 222,000 | 192,623 | 148,000 | 136,000
The decline in the value of the exports of sugar products in
1895 was due to a fall in prices, and yeobetiy, also to the presence
of cane disease diminishing production. No in vestigation has yet
been made locally into the latter subject. The shrinkage in the value
of sugar products on an average of years, although considerable,
not been so great in St. Lucia as in some of the other islands.
241. St. Lucia was at first devoted to the cultivation of cotton,
cacao and jp afterwards coffee was added. Later the culti-
vation was more exclusively devoted to cane, owing to the
increasing prices paid for muscovado sugar in the London market.
Cotton-growing soon disappeared. Cacao gradually received less
SL
hed and in many cases the trees were even cut bestek:
make way for canes. According to Mr. Hooper this has gaed
within the last 30 years. Since, however, the island Fesito to
depend on a single industry the price of sugar has grea tly and
steadily declined. The sugar cultivation now remaining is chiefly
attached to the large factories or usines established in the
Cul-de-sac valley, Roseau Valley, Dennery and Vieux Fort
242. The St. Lucia Usines and Estates ice ae Limited, own
or lease 13 estates, with a total area of 5 925 ra These estates
a
of hands employed is from I,700 to beim The machinery is all
of Ek pa description, turning out vacuum-pan centrifugal sugar
for the American market. The ete factory has a total area
actual cost of producing vacuum-pan centrifugal sugar is
given at 107. per ton. About 100 tons of canes were bought last
year from small Sabsrsere or cane farmers. With regard to this
Cul-de-sac beta the rigagees, according to the Blue Book
report for 1895, gave ative of their intention to withdraw from
the property, and to cease working both the factory and estates.
Tt seemed possible that, under such circumstances, the property
would revert to the condit tion of jungle “ while not only would
estates provisionally fora year. The aay were so far favourable
that it is possible that this important presi aG will
maintained on more successful lines han heretofore
243. Besides the large estates there are about 10 small areas
owned by peasant proprietors where no outside labouris employed.
The proprietors and families work the estates, and the canes are
either sold to the neighbouring usines or made into iia for local
consumption. The aggregate ae Ҥ these 5 amir properties
the a urned at.
caused distress in certain districts, but in some cases the labourers’
have been allowed ba rent land and grow ground provisions for
their own subsisten ;
244, Other estates on which the cultivation of canes is abandoned,
d int
ng rum, while a ae are rented out to be cultivated by
metayers who supply the canes to be crushed, under an arrange-
ment that the proceeds ioe divided between the proprietor and
the labourer. The latter is only a temporary expedient, and will
15045 aes
82
possibly last only while ratoons are produced. No new planting
is likely to be undertaken with present prices.
245. As regards the general position of the sugar nag ie
St. Lucia differs very materially from St. Vincent. In St. Luc
while the cultivation is not extending even on lands in the
neighbourhood of the central ames the fact that bs yan equipped
factories do exist, turning ou a high class of sugar at a minimum
loss in crushing and manufa AA gives the hate a papm
advantage in meeting present difficulties. It is possible, if cane
farming were well-organised and kadh remunerative for those
rom Barbados. The cost of introducing these would no
amount to more than &s. to 12s. per head
OTHER SSRUS TSENG
of the island appear to be well eiai for cacao. It grows etre and
yields excellent ps St. Lucia Usines and Estates Com-
pany, Limited, has 100 in oops and it is stated that “ the
results are satisfactory.” It is added that this is the case only
on special soils, and where the conditions of shade and exposure
and moisture are suitable.
247. On the Crown lands there are 127 holdings of not less
than 5 acres, 104 holdings of not less than 10 acres, 21 holdings
of not less than 20 acres, and one holding of not less than 50 acres.
In all there are 253 holdings with an aggregate area of 2, 500 acres.
About 75 40) cent. of these holdings are in course of being planted
in cacao
is being tried in many districts. The Arabian
coffee is only wallabies ie elevations above 1,000 feet. h
localities are obtained with difficulty, and, besides, it is unde-
St Lucia ginger kia pal sold during the past yea ra 390)
at 76s. per cwt. in the London market. It has been Aaa
equal to that ordinarily shipped from Jamaica.
83
BOTANIC STATION.
[THE first Curator of the Botanic Station was Mr. John Gray, a
highly qualified English gardener, who had been engaged for six
years in carrying on experimental cultivation under General
the task of laying out and establishing a garden on what w:
possibly the most unpromising spot in the whole of the West
ndies. He suffered much latierly from ill-health, and died in
January, 1895.
The Voice of St. Lucia for the 17th January, 1895, stated :
“ Mr. Gray did good work in planning, laying out, and tastefully
planting ae was a half-filled swamp when it first came into
his hands, but which in three years’ time he transformed into a
beautiful garden, which, though small, is an ornament the
own i
in the West Indies. In the matter of economic aha he raised
aE pet ieee thousands of cacao, coffee, nutmeg, cola, and sisal.”
cession to Mr. Gray, Mr. John C. Moore yes appointed
Tae in July, 1895. Mr. Moore was a member of the gardening
staff at Kew, ae previously had been employed e the Right
Hon. Evelyn Ashley, at Broadlands, Hants. Latterly, provision
has been made for supplying the Curator with a horse “in order
to visit the out-districts Am advise the peasant proprietors and
others with respect to the pae Paths of their lan
In the memorandum of evidence submitted to the Commission
by Mr. Moore, the following ii ara are given respecting the
work of the station :—
“The object of the station is to encourage the cultivation of
economic plants, and propagate them for distribution amongst the
people. The station receives regularly seeds and plants from the
Ro al Gardens, Kew, and oSer Ikara as well as literature
“ An annual progress report is oat issued, giving the results
of the year’s work. Builetins would be pre epared if they could
be printed by the Government Printing Office. So far this has
not been possible.
“If the Curator were supplied with an assistant to take charge
of the station during his absence, and with the means of getting
o
y, and s
them, by practical lessons, how to grow ~~ oe their cacao and
coffee owed and cure the produce for e
wing economic plants were distributed from the
Botanic Station in 1896 :—
offee -i 194
Cacao 3,530
Nutmeg i 767
Kola nut : 348
Oranges... “a isi eae ; 122
Various fruits ce is = ae 144
Total plants ... dk s: 20g (0D
15045 F2
84
The demand for economic plants from the Botanic Station so far
exceeds the supply
As regards new industries the following are the most
promising :—
acao is being gradually extended, and is remunerative at the
lowest price last year ; the peasantry are capable of growing cacao,
provided they are taught how to cultivate it properly, and curing
the produce.
Liberian and Arabian Coffee; both these are successfully
cultivated in a small way. Liberian coffee is calculated to be most
valuable if extended on Ape ea scale. Arabian coffee is
best for high elevations.
Nutmegs grow extremely well, and yield good crops ; mixed
with coffee and cacao in su uitable soils they should be ve
remunerative. Trees are in bearing at the Botanical Station at
six years old.
Fruits might be very largely grown ; good sorts ee to be
grafted and budded, especially oranges, grape fruit, &c.,
Further information respecting the resources of St. Lucia may
be obtained from the following publications :—
Harris, ©. Alexander. Description of St. Lucia (with list of
exhibits). Handbook of Indian and Colonial Exhibition
(pp. 90-97). London, 1886.
Hooper, E. D. M. Report on the Forests of St. Lucia. Colonial
Office, 1587.
Cropper, R. P. Fruit Industry of St. Lucia. Kew Bulletin, 1888,
pp. 185-187.
McHugh, R.G. Handbook of St. Lucia. 1890.
Morris, D. Botanical Enterprise in the West Indies, St. Lucia.
Kew Bulletin, 1891, pp. 134-140.)
me bts Botanic Station was started at Castries in ed The
statio: o small for experimental cultivation, but it has done
excellent Te in raising seedlings and distributing them all
ver the island. e total cost of the station, including the
ad of the curator, in 1896 was 3587. ; the gun received for
16, 705 05 plants sold at nominal prices was 39/. About 4,000 pianis
harge to pu ands.
rown
60,000 number of economic plants sold from 1889 to 1895 rae
be cee for peedegd r cultivation either - in the neighbour-
poe of Castries or Soufriere. If it were possible to work such
an experimental station by means of labour supplied by a reforma-
tory or industrial school, as in Barbados, there would arise the
55
double advantage of training the boys in agricultural pursuits, and
of raising crops of value to the island. New and improved canes
might also be introduced and cultivated for distribution to the
sugar estates. What is suggested, is not an expensive Government
farm, but a simple and practical neukan where economic lente
could be experimentally cultivated on a larger scale than is possible
at the present botanic station, and where the produce could be
cured in such a way as to serve as object lessons to the peasant
cultivators.
251. In some districts, as in the northern portions of
the island where the land is undulating, cattle-raising may
e carried on with success. The cattle required to supply
the troops are at present imported from Porto Rico. The
authorities have, however, agreed to accept local cattle pro-
i they are i ou
egre locally. The best tropical grass is the Guinea grass. Thi
ight be established in fenced pastures, and form a valuable
food, especially during ie seasons. A demand is also arising for
orses and mules. There are thousands of acres of land suitable
tors loai -pens ” as in aes aica. 18,921 6 5
lee hee OS
aoe year 1883 the two kinds of essential oils were not discriminated in the table of
COFFEE.
292. About 50 years ago Dominica used to produce large
quantities of hee fa soltan. The exports are stated to have
15045 G2
100
reach or huna > in a single year. The decline of coffee
cultiva Dominica is variously attributed to political
Sacirtanve the leks of the “white fly,” restrictions of the
slave trade, and the superior profit arising from sugar one of
these can be said to be operative at present. The “ “white fly” is
own to attack ay coffee only iy it is cultivated a a
low elevation. Above 2,000 feet the fl uses no anxiety, as it
Appear not to Bariah ` in moist aaps districts. Moreover,
e fly does not affect Liberian coffee, which can be cultivated
D om sea level up to the point where the Arabian coffee begins.
293. Of late years planting has been a up in many districts
with marked success, and coffee once mo e appears in the list of
exports. The coffee " exported during ihe last six years is as
follows :—
Year. 1891. | 1892, | 1898..| 1894. | 1895. | 1896.
Quantity (Ibs.) ... ... | 7,420 | 22,020 | 8,890 | 14,264 | 19,020 | 25,786
Value (£) ga 240 734 333 536 713 967
294. The Administrator (P. A. Templer, Esq., C.M.G.), formerly
of the Ceylon Civil Service, placed before the Commission the
following particulars respecting the prospects of the cultivation
o Amae offee on large estates by European planters in
Dominica :
“ While moni on leave in England, I m ire COPENH of
e gabe many old Ceylon coffee plan m I met as to
es “ thè cost of opening kai land and Senas it ate haeta a
with Arabian coffee. I was told that 20/. to 257. per acre added
“to the original cost of the land would be a liberal estimate.
“ Taking the higher figure for Dominica, but ey ee in pr bo
“purchase price of land (even at piin an estate of 300 a
“ assuming the whole of it to have been opened and med a
"3 P uld, at the end of four saa when it would be in
“s ring, have cost 7,5007. To this must be added, say, 2,5007.
. “ for buildings, machinery, and stock, and the capital invested
‘ma set down at 10,0002. ; 5 cwt. of clean coffee to the acre is
M
ency, and counting labour at one labourer for every
aq — getting 10d. e day and Depr ng four days a week), the
“balance, 2,5007., oe a very fair return for the capital
sd invested, even ee due allowance is made for bad seasons and
“ occasional failure of crops.
_295. Liberian coffee was introduced into Dominica about
T
“ experiments that have been made with this plant since its
* introduction show that it snes be cultivated from sea-level up
101
“ to 1,500 feet elevation.” The plants under experimental culti-
vation at the Station produce large crops, and everywhere they
e A
CACAO.
296. The cultivation of cacao is next in importance to that of
limes, and the e produce promises to become an important article
of export. Dr. Nicholls gives the cere hice brief notice of the
pets as now existing in the islan
“As sugar declined in Neri oe cao happily rose in price, and
“ itg cultivation was taken sa ma when the sugar
n ‘the great markets. In recent years, however, more attention
u “hag been directed to the selection of seeds and plants, and now
5 higher prices are given in the home markets for the better
2 kinds of Dominican cacao. The Botanic Garden has done
Some very useful work in this direction, for planters eagerly
“ buy up the seedlings raised there, and the Curator wisely takes
rticular care to sow none eid the best pee ai sie It is
3 “ satisfactory to notice that the exports of c l
x increasing. In the year 1883 the export of this siipli corvée
to 473,355 Ibs., valued at 7,8897., whilst last year close upon a
3 million poun nds were sen nt away from the island, the actual
L figures being 993,456 lbs., valued at 13,4537. The output may
a be expected to increase considerably in a few Tes as much of
the cacao salvation has not reached the bearing stage.”
c
297. The following Table indicates the prices obtained for
Dominica produce in the London market during the last six
years :—
: Concentrated
aE Duaa. re Lime time Tule ce, gerpre Oil | apr res —
. Per Cwt. ulice. Per d. o; O. imes,
Per Gallon. 52 Galls. a Per Pound. Pa seme
1891 53s.—60s, ls.—1s. 3d. 17/.—18/. ls. 5d. —
1892 62s.--67s. 1ld.—ls. 3d. 177.—182. ls. 8d 8s. 6d.
1893 60s.—64s. Js.—ls. 2d. | 14l. 103. —152. ls. 8d. 8s. 9d.
1894 48s.—56s. | 11d.—ls. 2d. 121, ls. 7d. 6s. 6d.
1895 43s.—50s. 9d.—ls. 1d. 127. 12s. 6d, ls. 9d. 4s. 9d,
1896 40s,—46s. 9d.—I1s. 1d. 127. 15s. 2s. 8d. 4s. Td.
This table shows that nearly all the poun exported has
fallen considerably in value during the last six years, and it
emphasises the necessity for greater economy and skill in cultiva-
tion, and for iy nadie the best labour-saving machinery for
preparing the produc
102
FRUIT INDUSTRY.
298. According to the Kew Bulletin, 1888, p. 197, “from the
“time of its settlement Dominica has been justly celebrated for
“its fruit. Of all the British Possessions in the Lesser Antilles,
‘it is now regarded as having the best promise of a large and
“ remunerative trade, not only with the United States and Canada,
“but with Europe.” Again, i
“in any other part of the world, an abundant rainfall, and a wide
“diversity of climate . . . the capabilities of Dominica for
“ the culture of tropical and subtropical fruits can scarcely be over
The chi
Dominica, provision could be made for a subsidy to provide
shipping facilities for St. Vincent and Dominica the small
York on the evening of certain days, decided upon beforehand,
throughout the year. It would e necessary also that telephonic
in the fruit trade, and a regular tariff of prices agreed upon, in
accordance with the size and quality of the bunches supplied.
BOTANIC STATION.
Pp
steps take h
until January, 1891 that the
was actually in the possession of the Government. Previously
small nursery had been established in the unds of Govern-
ment House. The late Superintendent of Agriculture stated :
a ip 108
“The founding of the Botanic Station in Dominica will probably,
it ae years, be referred to as one of the greatest strides in the
progress of the island during recent times.” As shewn later, the
Station ae distributed during the yea six years 165,000 economic
plants, or an average of 29,000 ann The cost of the
Station in 1896 was £400, while the aap recapi for plants sold
were £99.
The Station lies immediately at the back of the town of Roseau,
and about half a mile from the landing place. Itis on the right-
terminates near the first bridge over the Roseau river, Immedi-
ately above the land, to the south-west, is the Morne, an elevated
plateau about 500 feet above the lev el of the sea. On the edge
of the Morne, overlooking the Station, are precipitous cliffs, and
at the foot of these are easy slopes, suitable for cultivation.
h
i
or other. e site is well sheltered from prevailing winds to the
south and east. On the northern side it is somewhat apa and
will require to be protected bya belt of trees. An abundan
supply of water is available from the mains of the Roseau
reservoir. These ae through the naadh of the fi d.
It was pointed out (Kew — kpa 119) that the
objects in view in establishing this Sta aii strictly —
mental and economic. Ornamental oad were to be gro
A lar }
useful and se aaa plants already existed in the island at
St. Aroment, the property of Dr. H. A. A. Nicholls, C.M.G. These
had been sent out from time to time from Kew, to the late
with the development of Dominica, and he has contributed
humerous cuttings, mee bulbs, and plants fr from St. Aroment for
the purpose of establishing the Station and for distribution in the
island.
The first Curator was Mr. Charles Murray, from the unseen
Botanic Gardens, appointed September 9th, 1889. He was
after transferred to Grenada. Mr. Henry F. Green was eek
to succeed him, August, 1890. The work of arig. out the ground
of the present Station was carried out by Mr. Green, and he also
took a deep interest in forming the ices eai plots of
104
economic plants. Mr, Green resigned in February, 1592. to take
harge of a private enterprise in the north of the island. After-
wards he became Superintendent of the Rulbrindlery School at
Roseau, until it was abolished in 1896. The next Curator as
Mr. Joseph Jones, who had been trained at Kew. He arrived in
the island in March, 1 1892. Mr. Jones eaii took up the
duties of his office with energy oe enthusiasm and he has proved
an excellent Danin It is stated in evidence that he has
rendered “ services universally mer mi asthe by: the ‘planters of
and.”
The folowing particulars respecting the distribution of economic
sae siat the Station were placed before the Commission by the
Curator
* The chief object of the garden has been to raise and distribute
cheap rates ooon plants. That this work is gradually
R will be seen by the following table, giving in round
numbers the yearly distribution of plants since 1891 :—
IBI SS a oe F ka ,000 Tag distributed.
T en dee ai ey ir: 7,000 5
1893 22000 J j;
1894 30,000 , 5
1895 aut a ei 36,000 ,, i
fae nee aw --- 42,000 _,, ‘
1897 to date (March 10th) ... SO, me
“The above are all ete plants ; no attention is paid to
raising ornamental plan Plants are charged at ve ry low
t
rates, in most cases ton the actual cost of - production. For
example :-—
1. Cacao plants in pots, a little over a farthing each.
2. Coffee plants aia ba beds, packed for distribution, less
than a farthing
3. oe Ske ee 18 months to 2 years old, in pots at
ch.
s a the present, the great demand has been for a
; -a promising industry, and one very suitable for Dominic
l 5000 plants have been distributed altogether, and the
i F
consist of coffee, S, Cacao, oranges, kola, nutmegs, small
quantities of vanilla, a few plants of two new varieties of kros
for Senan es cultivation, fruit trees, &c.
“Of the above, DEY a very poan Bay im has been sent out
of the ‘sland the n mber averag 1,000 yearly. Applications
sae plants are doniethuias numero ta fro om the i
ut only surplus mok te be supplied to them, t t
repo Sap ateata pp em, as. priority mus
“The distribution = sa has also been large ; no less than
Beco cacao-pods of good varieties, capable of yielding 44, 660
plants, having been sent out to local planters duri e past
uring
three years, as well as uantities of Blue Mountai -seed,
kola, and Tiberian oE eed. Seen:
ey a eat Se pl ee a = fa EEIE s EN
105
“Other important work is also carried on at the garden. One
object is to bring together a collection of plants, “Beige oo
ible to obtain
of economic value. In many ait it is only possi a
single plant, and this has then to be cared for till it pee te at
maturity, when it can be cS and distributed.
“At present, the garden contains many vonee plants,
trees, ramie, two new varieties of coffee, fibre rk and others
which may prove useful.
“Small experimental plots of various economic plants have
also es started, and will prove highly interesting.
“The outlook for the present year is promising as regards sale
of plants. The number on order at present is over 30,000. So
r there is no sign of a T diminution in the demand for plants.
za will be ob served that there i considerable variety in the
plant distributions, and on is as it aR be, for Dominica is
capable of supporting a varied agricultur
“Tt is hoped that an influx of Lae will now commence, and
enable old industries to be extended and new industries to be
started, and thus open to Dominica an increase of prosperity.”
What is required is to extend the work of the Station, employ
agricultural instructors to visit and encourage the cultivators,
and establi sh an industrial school at which boys could be
trained in agricultural methods. Particulars of a scheme in this
direction are pi in the Appendix.
The following are the principal poea Tene to the
botanical and agricultural resources of Dominica :
Prestoe, Henry. Report on the Coffee Cultivation of Dominica.
1875.
Johow, F. Vegetationsbilder aus Westindien : eine Excursion
nach dem kochenden See auf Dominica, “ Kosmos” ii., 1884,
pp. 112- 130, 270-285. Abstract in ‘ Engler’s seco pep vii.
(1886), ‘ Literaturbericht, p. 76.
Churchill, J. Spencer. Description E Dominica (with list of
xhibits. Handbook of the West Indies. Indian and
Colonial Exhibition (pp. 114-133). London, 1886.
Nicholls, H. A. SH The Natural Resources of the Layou Flats in
the Island of Dominica. Handbook of the West Indies.
Indian and Colonial Exhibition (pp. 120-126.) London, 1896.
Nicholls, H. A. A. Fruits of Dominica. Kew Bulletin, 1888,
pp. 197-214.
Morris, D. Botanical Enterprise in the West Indies: Dominica.
Ag Bulletin, 1891. pp. 115-119.
106
Morris, D. Colony of the Leeward Islands, Dominica.
sip A Royal Colonial Institute, Vol. xxii. are PAT
pp. -241.
amie C. A. Bulletin, Agricultural Department. [Supplement
to the Leeward Islands Gazette. |
I. Cacao in Dominica. 1892.
VIL. Cane-killer in Dominica. 1892.
IX. Botanic Station, Dominica. 1892.
XIV. Failure of Cacao crop in Dominica. 1892-93.
XV. Botanic Station, Dominica. 18%
XXXI. Botanic Station, Dominica. 1893.
Barber, C. A. Agricultural Journal of the Leeward Islands,
1594.
Durian Fruiting in Dominica, pp. 32-34.
Gambier Plants in Dominica, pp. 44-45.
Cacao Plants in Dominica, pp. 68-69.
Nicholls, H. A. A. List of Orchids flowered in Dominica in L894.
Agrie iiin ‘al Journal of the Leeward Islands. 1894. Part iii.,
p. 67.
Hamilton, R. G. C. Report of the Royal Commission (1893)
appointed to Inquire | into the Condition and Affairs of
Dominica. London, 1894.
Naftel, C. O. Report on the Forest Lands and Estates of Dominica
and o on the Agricultural ¢apabilities of the Island. 1897. ]
300. In Dominica, as elsewhere, the burden of all suggestions
to i o minor industries is to instruct and encourage the
small cultivators to make the best use of the land, and grow
successfully such plants as will enable them to produce articles
for export—in fact, to do something more than grow ground pro-
visions, which it is admitted at present only supply themselves
and their families with the bare means of existence. In the
late Sir Robert Hamilton’s report on Dominica, he dwelt very
strongly on the need of teaching the small settlers on these lines.
e recommended: “ They should be instructed as to the soil,
n situation, and exposure rira paies for the cultiv premi oa Ee
am
Og
“ suitable ; with the distances that trees of each sort should be
“ planted apart, which differs even with the same description of
“ cultivation on steep and on flat s pa eoi ; with the best mr
“of sheltering such of them as require shelter ; with the b
“ways of pruning the tre rees ; and vi piren and laasaga
“ the produce for market
301. Dr. Nicholls suggests that agricultural instructors and
gardeners should be trained at the Botanic Station. “ It would,”
he says, “ be to the manifest advantage of the agricultural interest
Bae eae et pen ri oe peste athe dE
Wp): aN PSR a a hg ee SEN OP ech ae e tan ay we ie
107
“of the island were such a system of training established. If
“agriculture were taught in the schools throughout the island,
“is dependent for its prosperity entirely on agriculture.”
LAYOU FLATS.
302. One part of Dominica is particularly well suited for being
successfully opened for new industries. This is an extensive
istrict almost in the centre of the Island, known as the Layou
and Sara Flats. I visited bats ces in stn and again this year.
The country is broken u o ravine d low mountain slopes,
but is evidently well amera for omiani of cultivation. A ful
almost every riara of tropical produce. Dr. Nicholls enumerates
twelve valuable timber trees found abundantly in the forest, and
adds (see Kew Bulletin, 1891, pp. 116—117): “The forests of
t
s erty that the tare wood fede of Dominica preponderate
ene over the fast growing and soft conic kinds.
s to be remembered that in these districts the lands are
not exhausted lands. They are virgin soils that have hardly been
touched. these grounds it is difficult to realise that so fertile
both by the mother county and by those seeking employment and
a suitable investment for capital in tropical industries. This can
only be attributed to attention being directed in other directions
and to the want of roads and the impossibility of reaching the
interior, where lie unutilised the richest lands in the West Indies.
The climate is healthy, the seasons are regular, rain abundant, and
there is a sufficient labouring population available for al
immediate purposes.
108
X.—MONTSERRAT.
304. sper an is situated 27 miles south from Antigua and
40 miles miles north of Guadeloupe. It has an area of 39 square
miles. ale ea is rugged, and composed of a series of rocky
hills and ie ges, culmina ating in several high peaks from
2,500 feet to 3,000 feet high. The island is evidenly of volcanic
origin, and a soufriére exists in the high lands to the south.
ere are easy slopes on the western and south-eastern sides, ar nd
these are chiefly in calibration. Other portions of the island are
somewhat steep, and broken up into numerous valleys and
ravines. he higher parts of the island are clothed to their
summits by dense forest with cabbage-palms, tree-ferns, wild
bananas, and some valuable timber trees. Although the surface
is, on the whole, so rugged and broken, it is estimated that the
greater part could be advantageously placed under cultivation.
305. The soil varies from a light sandy loam to a stiff clay,
and is generally of considerable depth. The mean annual
temperature is 78°. The annual rainfall is about 56 inches in the
lowlands and 78 to 80 inches in the hilly par : = the interior.
The heat is seldom oppressive, as it is ered by the
sea-breeze. The climate is one of the Tea, in the West
Indies.
306. The roads in the island have hitherto been maintained in
good order. Some were even picturesque and;well shaded with trees.
These roads were, however, so seriously injured by heavy floods
at the close of 1896, that it will be some time before ilies are
restored to their former condition,
307. The island contains 25,000 acres. There are no Crown
lands. The ee area in forest is 5,000 acres, or one-fifth of
the whole. About 15,000 acres, or three-fifths of the whole island,
are suitable for E while the area actually under crops is
10,000 acres, or 66 per cent. of the cultivable area. The principal
industries in order of importance are sugar, limes, coffee, cacao,
oth
crops commonly grow sland are sweet potatos, yams,
eddoes, beans, pigeon-peas, cassava, arrowroot, tous-les-mois, aloes.
ginger ndian corn. The f ogee trees furnish tz 2 again
oranges, bread-fruit, bread-nuts, and ws. Many drugs, gum
and resins are found in the mountain woods, and pimento is cai
to be plentiful, but is not collected for expor
308. The population in 1891 was 11,762, or 1679 more than in
1881, chiefly belonging to the Church of Englan d. There are no
East Indian immigrants. The inhabitants (362 to the square mile
are peaceful and quiet. Montserrat isan island of small cultivators
who hold freehold allotments of 1 to 3 aeres ea e
about 1,200, and live in thriving villag The cottages are well
aS and surrounded by small pia with fruit trees and
109
tended to improve the circumstances of the black people, and
render them as co and, until recently, as thriving as any
in the West Indie
309. Wages at present are 8d. to 10d. per day for men, and 5d,
to 6d. for women. Most agricultural work on estates is, however,
done by task.
SUGAR INDUSTRY.
310, The area under cultivation in sugar cannot be exactly
stated, but may be approximately estimated at 6,000 acres, equal
to 40 Lagi sei of the cultivable area, and 66 per cent. of all lan ds
under ps. The capital invested in we sugar industry is
Sia be 60,000/., and in other industries, 40,0007.
1. There are 26 sugar estates in the pore with a large number
of small holdings also planted in cane. Five important estates are
owned by absentee proprietors, and, inin to litigation the
selon on these is at present suspended. Twelve estates
mploy steam power, ten wind power, and two water power.
the estates produce raw or muscovado sugar, while rum is
distilled on one estate only.
312. It is stated that the sugar industry is carried on, partly by
proprietors working their own estates, partly by the metayer
system, and partly by small holders. Particulars respecting the
extraction of juice, and the return in marketable sugar per ton of
canes, are not available. It may be assumed that in these respects
the sugar industry in Montserrat is in the same condition as in
St. Vincent, Antigua, and St. Kitts-Nevis, and that there is a con-
siderable loss = available sugar, amounting possibly to about sa
to 50 per The industry is admitted to be “in imminen
a ieor: aa of extinetion, as prices at present are below the cost of
“ce produce
313. The value of the collective exports of sugar and molasses
(there is no ram ye capa with the per-centage during the last
five years, are as follow
Years. 1892, 1893. 1894. 1895. 1896.
£ £ £ £ 8-
Value of collective exports, | 22,745 | 20,172 | 17,128 | 5,286 | 14,967
sugar, and molasses.
oip Beers foes = 75 63 80 81 61
Total exports ... as . | 80,469 | °82,204 | 21,371 | 16,220 | 24,213
314, No attempts. have been made to produce vacuum pan or
centrifu l su “ Any such oo to nse ve any chance of
“ success,” it is stated, “must be on a comparatively large scale,
“and the formation of the island uke it difficult and expensive
110
“to provide for the carriage of canes to central factories.”
‘It is probable, therefore, that the increase in the cost of pro-
d be quite
“might be obtained for the superior article.” Sugar, though not
regarded as the only resource of the island, largely supports the
population, ribet = total rion s biao cause severe and wide-
‘spread dis The los the already reduced,
* would be lisastrons, as braket the ini ronis is payable by the
“ sugar estat
315. It is admitted, however, that the substitution of other
Baynes), concludes, “ If, therefore, ee can be done for sugar,
“ efforts should pia made in the direction of enabling the pro-
“ prietors to pro capital for eosin ng new industries and
~ ge over the eas before they can be brought to profitable
nt.”
ALTERNATIVE INDUSTRIES.
316. The intelligent and progressive action adopted by the
Montserrat Lime Juice Company has had a very beneficial “effect
in suggesting other subjects of cultivation in theisland. Next to
sugar, the most important industry is that of lime juice, which
has been in existence for the last 25 years. The area under
cultivation in lime trees on the Montserrat Company’s estates, is
1,247 acres, containing 250,000 trees, while 153 acres are in limes
on sugar estates and on small tear distributed over the
island. The following table illustrates the quantities and value
of the lime juice exported during the tea seven years :—
— | 1800. | 1891. | 1892. | 1893. | 1894. | 1895. | 1898.
Gallons.| Gallons.}| Gallons. ye Gallons.| Gallons, Gallons.
Raw lime juice 68,503 | 119,493 | 72,590 8.280 | 130,245 | 65.260
Concentrated lime juice `. | 15451| 10145] 5190| "6&2 | 210| 2272| 666
Total value .. | £7,063 | £9,419 | £4,859 | £8,243 | £729 | £6,802 | £4,261
|
317. The average yearly value of both raw and concentrated
pa juice exported from Montserrat is therefore about 6,000/
’ e
As a rule the lime trees grow fairly well in Montserrat, but
ri ei localities they suffer from blight, which requires special
atm
318. Coffee has a cultivated for a long period in some parts
of the island, and some old trees still remain. The cultivation
has recently been pahaneemteeed by the Montserrat Company, and
by - H. Wilkin, a local proprietor, and about 100 to 120
acres are now in course of being established. Mr. Barber, late
Se Re ee
Lil
Superintendent of the Agricultural Department in the Leeward
Islands, wrote as follows respecting the coffee growing in
Meister rat :—
acres each, but there are large areas rigs som e districts where
Liberian coffee might be successfully grown. Experiments are
being started in this direction by the Montserrat Company.
The quality of the coffee, prepared by Mr. Hamilton, is
mentioned as exceptionally good.
industry. The price obtained for small lots, cured and aed
by sa peste Company, was equal to the best West Indian
caca
821. Arrowroot of good quality is also being produced in
Montserrat. Its preparation is favoured by an excellent supply of
ap epee Pray ntserrat arrowroot is regarded as nearly as good
e best sorts from Bermuda, and probably surpasses any other
aty makeke in this part of the world.
322. Vanilla.—In the neighbouring island of Guadeloupe
vanilla cultivation is a thriving industry. The true vanilla plant
is already established under cultivation in Montserrat, and it
might be extended under suitable conditions.
323. Tobacco.—The opinion is expressed that the cultivation cm
tobacco might be introduced. In former days wa
iy grown in the island ; at present it would be ae ae
o obtain expert assistance to start the aori ieea and cure the
oe on satisfactory lines
324. Ginger ga well, but has never been cultivated on a
large scale. In connection with a pev ag establishment
recently started by the Montserrat Company, it is probable
that ginger will receive more attention, especially by small
cultivators.
325. N vy are said to do well, and kola nuts are also
promising. Ground nuts and other oil seeds are suggested as sub-
sidiary nabran i in favourable localities. Papain, a prepa aration
from the juice of the papaw fruit, is being exported in increasing
quantities. This is a small industry not ath of much develop-
ment; otherwise the limited market for it would be destroyed.
112
326. The vt aha te table shows the value of exports other than
sugar and lime jui
Year. Arrowroot.| Cacao. | Coffee. | Bay Oil. Papaine.| Total.
& £ £ £ £
1892 333 8 2 — 40 38
1993 “ss 906 6 31 — 133 1,146
1894 ... aes ae 663 125 379 — 149 1,316
1595- a roe oo 391 98 . 112 162 393 1,156
1896... 669 62 789 461 501 2,482
FRUIT TRADE.
327. The small cultivators in Montserrat are an industrious and
thrifty people, and they could grow both fruit and vegetables on
dition of the people would be greatly improved. he only
reason why fruit and vegetables are not more largely grown is
the absence of suitable facilities for shipping the produce.
328. There ol no special agencies employed in Montserrat in
ae oving the sugar or any other industry. There is no agri-
tural society, pea agriculture is not taught in schools. On the
Sree for 1897 the education vote has been diminished by the
closing of the High School, and the withdrawal of the boys under
apprenticeship at the technical school at St. Kitts.
329. A Botanic Station, with a gardener in charge, was started
at Montserrat in 1890, on a small plot of land to the south-west of
the town of Ply mouth. The space available was utilised for the
cultivation of a selected number of economic plants. Large
cultivation and treatment of new plants The principal E
were estate proprietors, and not small cultivators. The latter had
the absence of shipping facilities, there was no prospect of being
able to find a market forthe produce. Owing to the straitened
circumstances of the island, the botanic station has now
abolished, and the services of the gardener diverted to other
duties. The work done at this station, baer ne limited means at
its command, was distinctly an the only organi-
ion existing for improving and ex i he cultivation of
industrial plants, and its abolition destroyed the pe of
immediately benefiting the agricultural interests of the island.
113
330. The condition of Montserrat as a whole is far from satis-
factory. The resources of the local vernment are exhausted,
m h
small settlers, with good land and a strong desire to utilise it, are
unable to dispose of their produce. There is sper opportunity
for the yigi of subsidiary industries, but, as in the of
ae AN ae t and Dominica, it is necessary for re he development
adopt an entirely new "po olicy, ry to carry it on en si.
ka a number of years, to produce permanent results
[The following Papers eh Memoirs afford information
respecting the island of Montserrat :
Hollings, J. S. Description of Montserrat (with list
Exhibits), Hand-book of West Indies. Indian and Colonial
Exhibition (pp. 124-139). London, 1886.
Kew pati 1888, pp. 214-215. The Fruit Industry of
Montserra
Morris, D. Botanical Enterprise in the West Indies: Montserrat,
Kew Bulletin, 1891, pp. 119-124.
Morris, D. Colony of the Leeward Islands : Montse
ae Roy al Colonial Institute. Vol. xxii. (1890-91), ii 941-249.
Barber, C. A. Supplement to Leeward Islands Gazette:-
X. Botanic Station, Montserrat, 1892. XX. Rainfall Returns see
for 1892.] ee
114
XI.—ANTIGUA.
1,200 to 2,000 feet.
uncultivated, while the low lands with a moderately productive
soil, are capable of yielding goed crops.
332. As regards configuration and soil, Antigua possesses three
well-marked divisions. These do not pass imperceptibly into one
to the west and south is composed of trap rocks, with trap breccias
and some basaltic greenstones. The intermediate or central
island from St. John’s Harbour to Willoughby Bay, is composed
of various clayey formations ranging from loose friable marls of
a yellow colour to a whitish indurated clay. In this district
e marine and fresh-water flint beds, wit merov
fossils of corals and shells and interesting specimens of silicified |
woods.
33. The soils of Antigua are nowhere very deep, except ir
` certain broad valleys. In composition they are very varied, but
and productive. They are fortunately very retentive of moisture,
and respond readily to tillage and manures,
334. The rainfall is small and uncertain. The average on a
number of years is given as 45 inches. The climate is dry, and
occasionally there are seasons of severe drought. There are few
or no streams, and the only water available is that accumulated in
ponds and pools. Latterly reservoirs have been constructed to
supply drinking water to St. John’s and some of the country
districts.
335. St. John’s, the capital, is an extensive and attractive city,
with a fine cathedral and other public buildings overlooking the
harbour. The population is about 10,000. The other towns are
Falmouth and Parham. e latter is on the north-east coast.
The population of Antigua in 1891 was 36,119, or 1,155 more than
in 1881. Portuguese immigrants were at one time introduced,
and latterly 385 Chinese. The latter have nearly all disappeared.
Many of the Portuguese and their descendants remain, and some
are Owners of sugar estates, while others are leading shopkeepers.
The white people numbered 1,830, or about 5 per cent. The
proportion of the population engaged in the sugar industry is
stated to be 34 per cent. “Labour is plentiful and fairly efficient.”
The wages have been reduced generally since 1894; men now
115
ed 8d. to 10d. per day, Ait dd. to 6d., and children under
6, 3d. to 4d. per day. “Owing to the cheapness; of food and
: clothing the cost of living is small.”
SUGAR INDUSTRY.
336. Sugar and molasses = Ace aren the only products of
the soil exported from Antig The sugar estates number 78,
ut some are grouped rr Sy and worked as one. One estate
only has more than 500 acres under canes, 32 have between 200
and 500 acres, 28 beyond 100 and 200 acres, and 13 between 50
and acres. The area in canes on all the estates above
mentioned is 15,058 ako ke 545 acres are cultivated to in small
plots of less than 50 acres each. The total area in canes in the
island is, therefore, 15,603 acres; of this 8,335 acres, or more than
one-half, are owned by absentee proprietors.
337. The average annual exports of sugar during the last
15 years are as follows :—
Periods. ` 1882-87. | 1887-91. | 1892-97.
ee a a | | i
| Tons | Tons. | Tons.
Average annual production of sugar... | 12, 225 | 14,320 | 12,521
i
It is estimated that 500,0007. are invested in the estates now
existing.
338. The cultivation of the land has always been carefully
attended to, and latterly, under the advice of Mr. Watts, the
analytical chemis t, increased attention has been devoted to the
composition of the soil and the use of artificial 1 manures.
339. The sugar produced is almost entirely raw or muscovado
sugar. There is only one vacuum pan plant in the island. It is
admitted ep „processes of crushing and manufacturing are “ very
se 5
imperfec
340. It is stated in the memorandum of evidence submit ted by
saved by improved machinery and skilled supervi iom
341. Based on the years 1893-94, the weight of cane ane:
to produce 1 ton of sugar (weighed and sold in New York)
Was 13°37 tons, but including 1895, when Serge and drought-
stricken canes were reaped, it required 13°84 tons of canes
produce 1 ion of sugar. “Taking 13°37 tons as sige basis for
„« Over muscovado porada: The Governor remarks : om
“ modity at the present day can afford to sacrifice half the value
whi ch” proper sien: may obtain from it.” Mr. Wa
15045
H2
116
estimates the total loss to the island by the continuance of the
sent muscovado process at “a moderate computation” to be
art of the West Indies, it cannot possibly ete with
muscovado process with the imp ane processes popra by ae
aneii ot countries.
F
BE. “The reason,” as given in evidence, “ why large factories
were not erected in prosperous times was because th fits
o sugar
“ were instituted on reliable data to show the ue that was being
“ sustained by the ordinary muscovado process
343. Very little rum is now produced in Antigua. The amount
distilled in 1896 was 16,969 proof gallon Rum isim mported from