[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 “§ 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 ] 5 S fi d thor and that the Government should further undertake, in the Sebi se are the control of the chief watercourses in island, and = te them so as to diminish the considerable "rai now done to the ealteniod lands. 15045 I 130 379, ANGUILLA.—This was epee included patie the i hg “cage but now forms a part he Government of St. Kit is a low flat alani lying about 60 "he north of St. “Kitts, gore sro ee = square miles. The higher lands are along the ; the in erior is Topocaned; eej ‘slopes my ged t l e north-east ere are 7 or wamps, an e island is extremely oii The surface is patie: of mai limestone, with highly calcareous marls and stiff clays. Although the island is for the most part rocky and poor, there are several inhabitants, about 3, in number, endure great privations. 4 a account of a visit to Anguill: a in 1890 was a ene: in my Repor to the Secretary of State for the Colonies in Jl (Kew Bulletin, a ploym distress. A consi erable area was planted with Sisal pee 4 gave be very considerable. Besides many of the plants have flowered, and hence are useless for yielding fibre. 380. When the rains are soana the people, a healthy and vigorous race, raise Crops o eet potatos, cassava, pigeon-peas, and okros. Ponies, oe Robie and poultry are successfully raised, aud the ll as the produce, find a Rouen at the Pe eer is aee of St. Martin’ sand St. Thom 381. Mr. Kortright, in a memorandum placed before the Com- mission 1, refers to Anguilla as follows :—“ Mr. Hancock’s “ investigation showed a soil of aero fertility, but rendered of “an ncertain productiveness by droughts. There was a possibility * of deentasngs ning water for iiinn purposes from subterranean ing t 7 i of irrigation “the cost of putting such a scheme into effect is “ beyond the Pandey powers of St. Kitts-Nevis,” 131 XIII.—JAMAICA. 5 382. Jamaica is one of the Greater Antilles lying in the Caribbean Sea, 90 miles south of Cub ba, and about 1,000 miles a o the main ridge, others hiai pam: out in a north- south-east direction, form a surface of considerable Wakea ksrdi i 383. All parts of AGTA are picturesque and interesting. here are numerous rivers and streams, with, for the most part, a rapid fall. The Black River in the south-west i is the only one that is navigable. There is, as might be expected, a great variety of climate, the te rature ranging from the tropical heat o the plains (80° to 86°) to the comparatively cool, and s es ev cold, ames (45° t ei of the highest mountains mean falling to 70° at night. p7 ð 000 feet the mean annual temperature s 65°. The mean annual rainfall is 67 inches. In the north- Satins districts it is as high as 85 inches; in éther rs, south and west, it falls as low as 50 inches. For the most part the rainfall is well-distributed throughout the year. The heaviest rains are in ctober, hat are termed the May rains are often partial, and even fail altogether. In consequence, some parts of the island suffer from dr rought, and irrigation is necessary. As in most Ily om of the -a in the Caribbean Sea, hurricanes are occasionally destructiv 384. Jamaica possesses a large extent of land at various altitudes Suited for the cultivation of nearly all tropical and su -tropical lants. The soil is usually very productive, and even where it has been cropped hn years z aran can be restored by careful paren tion and manuring ca eee ses possibly the most varied and valuable e ae ig oe economic or industrial plants of any tropical country. These have perce all been introduced from other countries by the Botanic Gardens, and their distribution throughout every part of the island, begun in 1777, has been aaa uninterruptedly to the pios day. It t is this varied Hasnedinte advanite any may aris products, while the diversified character of its climate and soil and its abundant po STi afford me e developing almost 385. Of the total area of 2,692,480 acres, about be sca te acres, re to 2°97 e cent., are estimated to be occupied by swamps nd ky, or other bria ira lands. Of the estimated area of cultivable Maa 2,340,412 acres are in private hands, while in _ _ of the Crown there are ‘approximately 272,068 acres. Nearly half of the estimated area of the cultivable land in the ads is pA 15045 I2 132 or above 1,000 feet elevation. More than 70,000 acres of Crown l » been conveyed to the West India Improvement Company, ‘but, so far, remain unutilized; a further area of 76,000 acres is pae bai an agreement for the construction of 120 miles of railw 386. The estimated area covered by forest is 330,000 acres equal to 12 per cent. of the whole area. As only a portion of this can with safety be cleared, ge Bosra of a ruble land above given should be kodas by a ut 300,000 acres. There are now beneficially occupied in pita a 693, 674 acres, or a little more than one-fourth of the whole cultivable area. 387. Of the uncultivated lands, ign private and Crown lands, there are extensive tracts suitable for the fades ais of oranges, coffee, kola, cacao, nutmeg, and yee plants of yermanent character. The cost o coe cea Toaca to these tents is aga eer The ae is cool and healthy. It is stated raya when served by roads these lands would be within one hour, or at the most two hours, of post offices, shops, church, and msaa aid. 388. The present cultural mata in order of importance, as determined by the exports of 1895-96, are as follows :—Sugar (including rum and molasses), 360,059/.; logwood, 359,030 ; bananas, 316,56 l.; coffee, 284,8221. ; oranges, 169,7947. : : py 90,0457. ; 2 ginger, 50,3287. ; Sopor -nuts, 37 əl; c cacao, 17,5287. ; tobacco, 7,6487. ; grape fruit, 5,832/. ; oes juice, 4,8187. ; path 3,1947. ; pine- aie 524. ; eer: oli. 389. In order of si) hi ince, as determined z ‘reed = the —Pi same period :—Pimento, 63, 193 acres ; sugar, 30,036 acres ; coffee 25,559 acres; ban e 19,297 acres; cocoa-nuts, 10.940 acres ; cacao, 1,632 acres; tobacco, 261 acres; ginger, There ere numerous coe reas with mixed cultivation not included in the a were also 95,808 acres returned under Sabian alae 128,877 acres under pp i and 342,020 acres under common pasture and pimento population of Jamaica, according to the census of ish, “was 639,191 ; an increase of 56,681 on the population of é i 871. me oe of each coolie is 177. 10s. (payable during the first five years) for bringing him in, and 12/7. 10s. (payable dering the fo. following five years) for sending him ack The annual amount, 133 which falls upon the general revenue for immigration purposes is 7,900}. This is for office expenses, inspectors, hospitals, and medical attendance. SUGAR INDUSTRY. 391. The area pies götten 3 in sugar cane is 30,036 acres, equal to I-14 per cent, of the cultivable area, and equal to lo-4 per cent of “all lands under crops in the Colony, or to er cent. the lands producing exportable crops. It is approximately estimated by the Sugar Planters’ Association that the amount of capital invested in = sugar industry is 1 ,167,000/., and that the annual amount ded in wages amongst the labouring and tradesmen aiae is 37 s 3007. 392. The number of sugar estates at present existing in the Colony, with an area exceeding 500 acres, is 137. These have a total area of 266,903 acres, of which 24,785 acres are canes. There are ghee estates over aoe bi A over Farg acres, Wag a total area of 1,314 acres, of wh 187 acres In "aay there are 5,064 pai in ce eased es call 393. It would appear, therefore, that there are 140 sugar estates in ne ag with a total area of 268,217 acres, of which 24,972 acres are in canes. These, with the 5, 064 acres in canes owned by small settlers, bring the total up t o 30, 036 acres. The export of sugar 1895-96 was 21,930 tons, pa allowi ing for that locally consumed Fane third of the whole), ae ave upa production may be estimated at a little over one ton per a 394. Steam power is ae E on 95 estates, Fapa power on 38, Water and steam on 3, and cattle on 4. Raw or common musco- vado sugar is epee on 40 estates, and cai centrifugal alae n 98. fa estates only employ a vacuum pan and triple ra an important product in Jamaica, and is distilled on ‘138 out of 140 ates. In recent years the rum crop has bee ft the sugar crop. There is eua produced a cask of r 100 gallons) for every ton of sugi It is estimated by the a Planters’ ree that “the avert “cost of produ ction of one ton of sugar (muscoy ado, cured by “ centrifugal) and 100 gallons of a rum is 20%.” 395. In one district Mr. Farquharson stated it had been brought down to 16. DS. y While in the parish of Westmoreland it had been For s S zi ~ © ba | (ae) 3 — (= D ap — fae) et B g iM respectively. The percentage of extraction of juice on Jamaica estates is not given, neither are any data in regard to the recovery of sugar during the process of manufacture 396. It is admitted, honni r, that the introduction of new Machinery would assist to lessen the cost of production ; also that an amalgamation of estates in i ane districts, and the meer of a central factory “would effect a considerable savi is pointed out that “ except in the matter of crushing the cane, S0 2) 134 “ long as rum remained as valuable or more valuable than sugar, ihe existing estate appliances involved no loss of the juice actually “ obtained.” 397. It would appear therefore that the oe S the sugar industry in Jamaica are of a special character. Hence they Colonies. The majority of the Jamaica estates are small (the average area in canes being only 178 acres) and they are also, for the most part, widely dispers rsed. The cost o management is therefore increased, but where rum is ao as the ‘chief crop the yield and quality of the sugar have not been considered of so much importance. In view, howeve r, of the recent depreciation in the value of rum it is possible that more attention will have to : ll t introduce better machinery and appliances, and, ere circum- stances permit, amalgamate several estates and apes central factories. In the district of Vere, where the soil is very fertile, but subject to periodical seasons of drought, it is proposed to construct irrigation works to supply the sugar estates with water. It is stated that such works would be of great utility in increasing e crops and maintaining them at a higher average than at present. 98. The position of the sugar industry as compared with other industries in Jamaica may be illustrated by the following table, in which the collective export value of sugar, rum, and molasses in certain years, is eon! eal with the total exports from the Colony during those years ——— Collective Value Yeats Total Value of of Exports of Percentage i Exports. Sugar, Rum, and of Total. Molasses. £ 4 ae y A a E 910,027 | 721 1882-83 we ase vee | 1,549,058 | 777,928 502 1886-87 -| 1,280,118 | 556,122 44°22 1887-88 see | 509,010 490,840 | 32°52 1891-92 ,722,096 | 511,213 | 29°68 1892-93 | 159,807 | 432,739 | 24°59 IIE io 921,422 426,688 222 1895- 96 fee — ric | 1,873,106 360,059 9:17 399. These figures are taken from a return furnished by the Colonial Government. sine e ever, the values of the ge as to the total akpa of iane of the Cotas would be so ci higher than the table shows. For instance, the actual ee for 1895-96 would be 20-28 instead of 19- 400, The net result is that the aA value of the sugar products in Jamaica have, during the last fifteen years, fallen m over 77 per cent. to about 20 per cent. of the total value of the island produce exported. 135 401. Duri ing the same years the per-centage of Jamaica sugars pae to the United Kingdom and other countries was as fo PERCENTAGE of SUGAR EXPORTED to the following countries, : United Years. waited - | Seren ati}: Canadas. |: 0 Kingdom. Á erión Countries. 1881-82 60°17 8: 30:55 -95 1882-83 41-65 13°46 41°04 3°85 1886-87 9°19 83-00 6-01 1s 1887-88 36-08 51°68 8°85 3°39 1-92 97 93-28 4:16 1:59 1892-93 516 89'18 4°03 1°63 4-95 5'15 89°33 4°46 1-06 1895-96 13°83 82-43 2-46 1:28 the sugar een! ced waia one time received a large share, but latterly the shipments to that country h e of a trifling chara S ents to the United Kingdom have been of a fluctuating character, but the general tendency has been to avoid sending sugars to London prea driven there by unfavourable vonditions in the New York market 403. The annual production of rum is a little over two million gallons. The exports have been almost entirely pagent to the United Kingdom, the percentage being as high in some years as 94 per cent. and never below 82 per cent. Latterly, Germany has received a share of Jamaica rum; the direct exports to that country in 1893 being as high as 11- 08 per cent. ; in 1895-96 they were slightly lower, viz., 9°55 per cent. 404. Should the sugar m Br Jamaica be still more adversely affected by low w pri mber of small settlers will e affected as well as t mpa jnierecied. in the sugar estates were paid in 1895-96 5,064 acres in canes cultivated by easants on their own pareden It is possible that canes are also grown in small patches not specially apama saa he Assistant Colonial Secretary states, “There are now over 6,000 “small sugar mills owned by the peasantry.” These are, pro- bably, cattle mills. Mr. Craig, in evidence, mentioned that the settlers “ e to make a good quality of sugar, which, after “ Since the pace e has fallen om class of sugar has almost gone - s but still the small settlers make some sugar, and either sell “ it in the local market or e the sugar estates.” The Joma now is ‘os 6d. per barre l; but, it is added, “it cannot pay to produce “ it at that price.” o e-farming, as carried on in Trinidad, does Jaai siia to have been tried, at least on an appreciable scale, in amai 405. T sugar estates in Jamaica have | y privilege of obtaining new varieties of canes for ikni 136 cultivation. Since 1870, about 60 new varieties have been main- tained under experimental cultivation by the Botanical Department at the Hope Gardens. These canes were obtained from Mauritius, Queensland, South United States, and some from Kew. eir characteristics were noted, their ’ merits carefully investigated, and the results published in the annual reports of the Department. The most valuable canes were propagated and distributed to planters in quantities of hundreds at a time. Borer and fungoid diseases have fortunately not seriously affected the cane fields in Jamaica. 406. It is admitted by oe Planters’ Association that in “ respect “to the science of agriculture th “ generally are much behi a the times.” `” The great desideratum just now is “the appointment of an experienced agricultural “chemist . ne, mouy Can vo urar the soil © D —e Q S g= eea D ar Hh experimental cultivation, as is done by similar officers in British Gui nd Barbados, the sugar industry would thereby be materially benefited. supply. Under normal conditions there roaid be no ante A or anticipating a considerable further reduction in the number and area of the sugar estates in Jamaica. It is clear, however, that with the exceptionally low prices vow ruling for both sugar and better within the next few years, according to the evidence, possibly 50 per cent. of these estates will be abandoned. Such a change must, for a time at least, adv emine affect the r ER EOE of the labouring ink and especially at a time when t emand for all tropica al pr roduce is exceptionally low. Jamai ‘ce, it is admitted, can bear such adverse near with less distur- bance of its prosperity than wed other of Her Majesty’s possessions in the West Indies ; but while the present par oe of the sugar market exist, the true e policy is obviously to safeguard the industry by every possible means. This may be done by the adoption of west limits. The sugar industr try in Jamaica Sib re lai advantages in its soil and eis ite, whilst s labour upply is, on the whole, abundant and effective. The sy of its rum, though much reduced, is still higher Te that produced i in any ‘other country. There. should, therefore, with slightly im- proved prices, be no insuperable difficulty in maintaining most of the existing estates in cultivation. * In 1805. 137 408. The progressive condition of subsidiary industries in Jamaica, as compared with other parts of the West Indies, is due g in the island for the cultivation of nu tropical products. These are supplemented by the existence ere a population of nearly “ere of a million of sturdy worke maintained a Department “of ardens an eter under many new and eime i pipes nn The average expenditure for industrial urpose he Jamaica aan G ch are established at various aaia from sea-level up to 5,000 feet, during the last 30 years has not been less than 5000/. per annum. Furt cpg the Government has fortunately been BE e d that period by progressive and able Governors, who hav botaigiautly adopted a policy whereby it was possible to pera railways (185 mia, establish hene lines (685 miles), improve communication by main roads (1,879 miles) and parochial roads (3,600 miles), practically reaching every part of the island. A weekly steam communication has been maintained round the island, completing the circuit in 120 hours, while the steam com- i rope and the i latter, is frequent, and with one exception carried on without the payment of subsidies. PUBLIC GARDENS AND PLANTATIONS. [This ga bng has charge of the several establishments AA bel e Botanic ri kajp ge (established 1857-60), situated in p Parish of Mar the Junction Road connectin. Kingston with fanai ma a 19 miles from Kingston and ten miles from Annotto Bay. This garden contains a large collection of native and foreign tropical plants. The chief features are the metum and a collection of economic, spice and fruit trees, (Elevation 580 feet. Annual mean temperature 76°2° Fah. Average annual rainfall 114 96 inch. 2. The Hill Garden, situated in the Parish of St. Andrew, on the slopes of the Blue Mountains, about 20 miles Sige Jerusalem thorn is from the Spanish Main. The prickly pear is a Mexican plant. Returning to the history of the Department under review, it appears that the first public Garden established in the island was the old Botanic Garden at Bath. In the Journals of the House of Assembly, Vol. VIII., 1784-91, p. 602, mention is made of Dr. Thomas Clarke, “ Practitioner in Physic and Surgery,” who came to the island in 1777, at the particular instance and request of the late Sir Basil Keith, to superintend two Botanic Gardens, then intended to be established in the islan European Garden, which, lowever, was never established, and the other was the “ Tropical Garden ” at Bath. A private garden possessing many rare and valuable plants had d by =, it to ~ Assembly of Jamaica for the use of the public at their wn pri an poa Ae in the ae y of the Bi itish, West Indies, mbl f erati i Indies), purchased in 1792-93 the magnificent Botanical Garden of Mr. East and a it on the public establishment, under the car ilful gardeners, one of whom, Mr. James Wiles, had circumnavigated ni globe with Captain Blig oh.” An i Narra catalogue of the plants in this Garden, at the time of Mr. East’s decease, was prepared by Dr. A. Broughton, and forms an eae under the title of “ Hortus Eastensis” to Bryan Edwards’ History of the British West Indies, Vol. 1. p. 475. From it we gather that as early as 1782 m mango, akee, cinnamon, a ie jack tree, bichy or kola, date palm, rose apple, litchi, turmeric and many valuable plants, numbering nearly 600, had already been introduced into the island and. were becoming on acclimatis a letter PE to Sir Joseph Banks by the Botanic acd es, Jamaica, 1793, we gather that we breadfruit > leaves Epari in 17 88) “were upwards of 1 t high, wit 36 inches long, and the success in ea eater este has penser fe the most sanguine expectations; the cinnamon tree is become very common, and mangoes are in such plenty as to be planted in the negro grounds. There are, also, several bearing trees of the eset Or bastard breadfruit . and we have one nutmeg pia The Botanic Garden at Liguanea continued to be under Mr. Wiles’ care (superintended by a Committee of the House of Assembly) for many years, while that at Bath was entrusted to * For services in introducing the Bread Fruit Tree 1,000 guineas were granted in 1793 to Captain Bligh and 500 guineas to Lieutenant Portlock, 144 Dancer as Island Botanist. The allowance for the two xed at 8007. ardens was fi The duties of the Island Botanist W fined as follows: “To collect, class and describe the native plants of the island; to use his endeavours to find out ani 8, with such oe as he may have acquired relative to thelr uses and virtue For the purpose of rig aes the breadfruit and other Nese plants from the Botanic Garden the Committee of the use “appointed several ae for each county, to receive a distribute the allotments destined for them,” ge cea eased as sufficient numbers were prepared for he cr hairmen C proportions delivered and distributed, “ by pegin means,” it is ipasa stated, “ the public has deri iv ed all the advantages to be expected from these establishment During the — 1791-1807 the Committee in charge of the Botanic Gardens, with Mr. Sei es , greatly developed and improved t ha em. Inquiries made everywhere for new products ; thanks and a % wane voted rit the introduction of valuable plants ; and these were cultivated and distributed with m assiduity and care. In order to make the saap less dependen on America for supplies every encouragement was given to ies ag sitio of yams, cocoes, a eee a such products as t adfruit, zezegary or wanglo, nutmeg, clove, cinnamon, ingen pe coffee, it being helioeed that Da “ cultiva- tion of these valuable exotics ‘will, without doubt, in a course of years bape the dependence of the Sugar Islands on North America for food and necessaries ; and not only supply sub- ay for future generations, but, probably, furnish fresh incitements to arer S new improvements in the arts, and n subjects of commerce These beneficial efforts, long and successfully TENEN were however greatly relaxed after the year 1807, and under the influence of domestic troubles, want of due Lhedinten of the value and nature of Botanic Gardens, and the need of strict economy, a bill was introduced into the House of Assembly in i Bo d n brought to the credit of the public.” This bill was finally passed in Decemb ber, 1810, and, the Garden passing to private hands, many of the valuable plants contained in it, and collected with so much care and industry, were entirely lost. ‘(b ) The Garden at Bath was however oo though in a very reduced state, Dr. Stewart West acted for some time as Island Botanist bego was engaged in aabcane the hras that had been f the Gardens, for the purpose of propagating and distributing them (b) Gordon Town is still known as “ The Gardens,” 142 In the year 1824 an effort was made to restore the value and usefulness of the Botanic Gardens, and a Committee appointed to inquire into the state of the Botanic Garden, ir’ MB, one ‘ape ts s That the hep vs Sardon in k, Thom eta the east and south seas, some of which are now naturalized in this island, and more might be added, greatly to the advantage of its inhabitants. Your “Committee, therefore, recommend that proper care may be taken to preserve the valuable plants which the Ga den now contains. That in Sone pe above con- pi attended to, namely, the investigation of the many unknown native plants of this island, which, from the properties of those already known, it is reasonable to infer would prove highly beneficial in augn 1enting our internal resources, by supplying various articles either for food, for medicine, or for manufactures, to be cultivated, prepared and e xported as staple orga et by which great comm ercial advantages might be obtained ; amon others the various vegetable dyes pir particular attention as promising a fruitful field for discovery. at it appears to your Committee that the person fit for undertaking such inquiries ought to be a well educated and scientific man, combining with his botanical knowledge sufficient information in experimental chemistry to enable him to discover the useful qualities of such indigenous plants, and improve the productions of those already own ; but at the same time your Committee strongly recom- mend that such person should not be a medical man, as his whole time and attention ought to be applied to promote the above objects. Your Committee recommends to the House to instruct the Commissioners of Correspondence to direct the Agent to apply for such a person to the President of the Linnean Society ndon.” Asa result of this proposal Mr. J Macfayden was selected and approved of as a Botanist and arrived in the island in 1826. me time it was so that the Botanic Garden at Bath hein too distant from Kingston and the seat of government to wer the intention propped: aua it was recommended that a bili be brought in for purchasing a proper a for such a Garden n the vicinity of Kingston or Spanish Tow This proposal was, however, never carr ba into execution, and on the death of Mr. Macfayden, the Garden at Bath, “fast falling tenance of the Garden even in its reduced state, and >a no remuneration had been made to him for its superintendence - In 1833, in another fit of economy. owing to domestic conan and the need for further retrenchment, a Committee was appoin to eati on the best means of diminishing the contingencies 143 St. Thomas the Apostle. The late Mr. Nathaniel ita from the Royal Gardens, Kew, was appointed Curator of the Garden in 1847, and devoted m many years, often labouring Bi great (discouragements, in maintaining and improving the Garden and introducing new plants. His yearly reports contain sufficient evidence of the value of the Garden, small as it was, to an island entirely dependent for its prosperity on E agani interest ; and assisted and encouraged by Thomas Wharton, Mr. Wilson laboured most successfully i in “oe propagation and distribution of valuable plants, and especially in developing the “ fibre ” resources of the colony. Writing in 1861 Mr. ‘gp referred to the cya intro- duction of seeds of the valuable cinchona tree to Jamaica, “through the liberality of shi British Government and recom- mendation of Sir y onth of of Si Hooker, of Ke 7 October, 1861, Mr. Wilson n reported that he had “ over four hundred healthy plants quite ready for planting out.” As the climate of Bath was unsuitable for the successful growth of cinchona, by the kindness of the late Dr. Hamilton, they were tried at Cold ii Coffee Plantation, St. Andrew, at an elevation f 4,000 ft. e Mr. Wilson found “the climate and soil to be all he could ripen and as it afforded every facility for carrying out so valuable an experiment he at once availed himself of it, and planted out in the coffee fields, on the 16th November, 1861, Sadan plants of each species, then about two and two and a- half nches in height. In sels months after, a plant of the red bark Rinne: succirubra) had attained to the height of forty-four inches, with leaves measuring thirteen and vom inches long by eight and three-quarters inches broad. i December, 1863, i.e., when two years old, measured six feet in height, with es ‘branches ides a cireumfer rence of stem at the It may be at yn 2 B fas) ~~ — jas] BS + n B that time Ay pind of. cin ito bark from the Government Plantations to the 30th September, 1884, was 73,533 PT of the value of 16,327/. There was no exportation in 1885 A consignment of 150 bags of various qualities kig, despatched to London in December, 1886. The bark weighed 17,009 pounds, and was sold for 5427. 9s. There has been no export since that time. In 1857 a grant was passed by the Legislature for purchasing land for a Botanic Garden at Castleton, in the parish of St. Mary, 19 miles from Kingston, and steps were at once taken to establish the garden and remove such plants as could be spared from 144 Bath. In 1862-63 a grant was made for the salary of an assistant gardener to Mr. Wilson, and Mr. Robert Thomson, formerly o Kew, received the appointment. The Garden at Castleton was then finally established, and ultimately, by the influence of Sir John Peter Grant, the Govern- ment Cinchona Plantations were opened in 1868, and ‘placed aides the management of Mr. Thomson, who, on Mr. Wilson’ s retirement, had been appointed superintendent. T re-organized, and Mr. D. Morris, M.A., F.L.S., assistant director of the Botanical Gardens in Ceylon, was appointed the first director. In 1886 Mr. Morris was promoted to the post of assistant director of the Roval Gardens at Kew, and he was succeeded in Jamaica by Mr. William Fawcett, B.Sc., F.L.S., of the Natural History Department of the British Museum. Mr. Fawcett still remains in charge. He has lately been appointed a member of the Legislative Council. In the Report of the Royal Finance Commission of 1882, the Department was referred to as follows :— “Jn a purely agricultural country like Jamaica a well organized the climate and soil, but also for the dissemination of the know ledge requisite to cultivate the products sai the isl on to the best advantage. We found that this Departm ne good work, and the public appreciation of the A a iris aile by it is eie fast.’ Sans following is a copy of the Estimates for the maintenance of e Public — ee Plantations in Jamaica for the year ending 31 at March, 1896 Sub-heads under which the vote isi accounted for by the Director of Public Gardens and Plantations. f o 1895-96. | 1896-97. A.—Head Office— DE the | Bae a: a. Salari arjes as es pas Sa -- | 1,649 5 0; 1,705 0 0 . Ser eg er ap. Die be Ob 288TH 6-8 B.—Hope Garden 1,130. 0 0) 1,130.0 .0 C.—Hill Garden and Orange Experimental Garden 550 0 0] 550 60 D ae ai 410 0 0 410 0 0 E.—Pa ii fun oa a 266 0 0 516 0 0 F.—King’s ng piney Gardens sii sid i ee 500 0 0 500 0-0 G.—Bath Garden Fe was Le “= 50 0 50 0 0 Total ... 145 Details of the above. 1895-96. | 1896-97, $ A nen, Ses £ s a: . Salaries :— ` Director of Public Gardens and Plantations... 600 0 0 600 0 0 Reimbursement for Travelling viene os 109 5° 0 150 0 0 Cler r 140 0 0 150 0 0 Superintendent at Hope ( Garden 200 0 0 200 0 0 at Hill Gar ae 200 0 0 200 0 0 o Ai ante Garden bh 200 0 0 200 0 0 9 at ` 100 0 0 100 0-0 a at King’s ag 100 0 0 105 0 0 Total for Establishment 1,649 5 01. 1,705 0 0 b. — Library 60 0 0 60 0 0 Herbarium, Assistant i charge 80 0 0 80 0 0 y Co aparasa Pants for Gardens and 70 0 0 70 0 0 Herbarium Messengers and Office contingencies .., a w 0 (0 75 0 0 Importation and exchange of Plants ... ie 100 0 0 100 0 0 “100 0 0 100 0 0 “eal including Printing of Bulletin 150 0 0 150 0 0 Furniture 819 0 32.60 > Eaxtrouticn in Cultivating and Curing of 150 0 0 150 0 0 Economic Plants. i, Sg of head quarters - aps Gardens. | 2,000 0 0| 2,000 0 0 removing office furniture, et Total ... 2,793 19 0| 2,847 6 0 B.—Hope Garden Formation ner maintenance of OM, in- 960 0 0 960 0 0 cluding } saris and REUMA ating : = supply 120 0 0 120 0 0 arts, Harness, Tools 50 0 0 50 0 0 Total .. 1,130 0 0] 1,180 0 0 C.—Hill anaes 4 aintena: a 235 0 0 235 0 6 rang F oi ental Garden ' 300 0 0 300 0 6 Toon si Ean CREIA ; i 15 0 0 15 0 u Total .. 550 0 0 550 0 0 D.—Castleton Garden— Boe 3 ce of Garden . 330 0 0 330 0 0 i nts 50 0 0 50 0 0 oe Soil and Manuring š 2 0 0 20 0 0 d contingen A 10 0 0 10 0 0 Total ... 410 0 0 410 0 0 E.—Parade ite asia, Kingston és ss 221 16 O 221 16 0 persa ound Grass Lawns + we 250 0 0 ply g 344 0} 34 4 0 Hatem Tools on 10-00 10 0 0 Total ... 266 0 0 516 0 0 * Under authority of resolution of Council of 1891. 146 — 1895-96. 1896-97. E ek. 6 s: å nr ee. s House Gardens— aa aa ss ae 485 0 0 485 0 0 eng Harness, Tools ae med m ee 16.0 0 1p 20 Total ... nee 500 0 0 500 0 0 | G.—Bath Garden— Maintenance a jeiz Pon a Se 50 0 0 m 0. 0 | Total ... TEA | 50 0 0 50 0 Q The following are some of the principal works treating of the Botanical and Economic resources of Jamaica :-— ; A ican to oe agen Madeira, Barbados, Nieves, S. Christ Seah J with the Natural History of the herbs and trees By eee Sivan, M.D. 2 vols. London, 1707 The Civil ma Natural History of Jamaica. By Patrick Browne, .D. Illustrated with 49 copper-plates, by George Dionysius Ehret. London, 1789 Hortus PREE or a Botanical Description, and an account of the s, &c. of its indigenous plants hitherto known. By J aie La nan vols. Jamaica, 1814. Flora of the British West Indian Islands. By A. H. R. Grisebach, M.D., F.L.S., Professor of Botany in the University of Gottingen. London, 1864. Handbook of Jamaica. 1881. Ferns of Jamaica (W. Nock), pp. 148-148. Orchids of Jamaica (G. Syme), pp. 148-150. Poisonous Plants of Jamaica (J.J. Bowrey), pp. 150-152. ari of Sugar Cane (De B. Spencer Heaven), pp. -16% Institute of Jamaic ectures on Objects of Productive Industry (Series 1), 1881. Tine foods, Coffee, Cinchona, Timbers of Jamaica, Stock raising, Mineral springs.] Cacao : How to grow and how to cure it. D. Morris. 1882. Lectures on Objects of Productive Industry (Series 2), 1884-85. [Native and Fibre Plants, Cultivation of Ramie, Cultivation of Orange, Vine and its Culture, Fogotabie Chemistry. ] Lectures on General Agriculture. [Treatment of Soil, Plant Life, Farm Animals, Agricultural Pests. ] Jamaica in 1887. A handbook of information respecting the a agriculture, and works of reference on the island. 1 147 Fawcett, William. Index to Economic Products of the Vegetable m in Jamaica. Kingston, 1891. Jenman, G. S. $ ser ee List, with descriptions of the Ferns and Fern ANT f Jamaica. Builetin Botanical Department, 1890-93 ; Naw Series, 1894-1 897. Bulletin of the agra R Jamaica. Edited by illiam Faw Sc., F.L.S., Director of Public Gardens and eee ° ols I.-IV. Ga progress). | 410. According to Bryan Edwards, Jamaica had cae attained the meridian of its prosperity in 1787, just 110 years Sine be useful to contrast the quantity and hr of ita exports those days with the exports of to-da e following table eats the principal articles of export, with their total value in 1787 and 1396 respectively :— 1787. 1896. Articles. Quantity. Ee Quantity, Sl S 2,028 t y ? 32,995 t H ugar k ons 22,995 tons Rum 2,543,025 gallons 1,881100 gallons | | Mola 6,416, — | Pimento 5,504 ewts 97,347 cwts. Coffee 195 34,391 =, Cacao 82 10370 oo 4.816 = HAW: 5 fain MED Ibs. | $ 2,283,728 = |. 1,775,016 Tobacco 8,140 | 15,297 Ibs. Mahogany aie tons — Logw GWL j | 84,477 tons Fustic a — bd Fruit n a Value, 536,8117. Miscellaneous ‘products a Value, 147,236. — 411. From a study of this interesting table it will be noticed that, with the exception of cotton n, indigo, and mahogany, all the principal industries of 1787 remain to this day. The new indus- tries are fustic and oe eer bananas, oranges, cocoa-nuts, grape-fruit, limes, to if the price of sugar in 1787 (a about “401. j is compar red with its present price (10/.), at alone would probably account for the difference between 2,283,728/. and 1 175, 016z. It is evident, however, that at a later period than 1787 the 3,852,621/.; the average annual value for the five years ending in 1815 was 3,588,903/. ; while for the five years ending in 1833 (the last five years of slavery) they had dropped to 2,791,478.t It is * Jamaica Handbook, 1881, p. 348. + Jamaica Handbook, 1881, pp. 349-350. 15045 148 papari to find that, notwithstanding the immense depreciation n the value of its staple productions, and in spite of the series of he changes of exceptional severity through which it had passed, Jamaica is still in a comparatively prosperous condition as compared with 110 years ago. The capacity for further development is undeniable, for only about one-fourth of the cultivable area is actually under crops. If, as is possible under prec circumstances, the value of either the sugar crops or the fruit trade were ouble d, Jamaica would ney valu of its exports as it ever was in the days of slavery. But as regards the general ee of the inhabitants, their social con- ditio on, and civic efficienc T is undeniably in a better position than it ever was befo COFFEE. 412. The Pe coffee crop shipped from Jamaica was in 1814, when 272,321 cwts. were exported. This was more than three times the quantity shipped in 1895-96. Jamaica coffee is of three well-marked qualities. The sort that obtains the highest prices is -grown on the southern slopes of the ae Mountains, at elevations of 3,000 to 5,000 feet. The area for new plantations is now very limited. The Sethe ASRR is i pianos not one-third of the whole), but the a ge prices are from 100s. to 142s. per ewt. The next sort is ee coffee, grown in the mountains of Manshestir and St. Ann’s, at elevations of 1 00 to 2,500 feet. This obtains prices from 65s. to 90s. per cwt lar; antity recently have been 35s. to 45s. per cwt. It has been shown that if the settlers were provided with a central factory, worked by people who thoroughly understood the curing of coffee, the ceo of the produce would be increased K least 20 per cent. “ Assuming “ that two-thirds of the coffee ra in Jamaica is settlers’ gee “and taking the loss on oratia of defective curing at 20s. “ cwt. there is here an annual actual loss to the island of “ nearly 200,0002.” 413. There is another point: it has been conclusively proved that a good deal of abandoned land in the Blue Mountains and elsewhere can be made productive by juicing cultivation and manuring. In fact, portions of old coffee estates, bought by settlers, have latterly been brought into an excellent state of 1 einer tion. The crops are sold in the cherry to the neighbouring antations, which thus act as central factories. Coffee cured in is manner fetches Pete in some cases equal to good Blue Moditain coffee. There is evidently a promising field for development in this diriotion, sia in the pera Mountains and in the coffee districts of Manchester 414. Liberian coffee, alrea = tally akak in uneei with the other West Indian Colon 8s being largely taken up in amaica. It will grow in alani Tocalitice with a moist climate even on some of the old sugar estates. It is more hardy, and 149 consequently less subject to disease, than the Arabian coffee, and the return per acre is only a little less valuable. It is the most suitable coffee to be established under the shade of bananas in the north-eastern districts of the island. There is a large number of Liberian coffee trees established for many years at the Castleton Gardens. These now the most rigid economy in the work of cultivation. As in former periods, the price will no doubt rise, and well-established coffee properties should become as valuable as they have ever been FRUIT TRADE. 415. The fruit ee E spite anger: and the United States, hich is now the mportant industry in the island, was started in 1869 by the gee of Captain Bush, who, after one or constitutes 30 p cent. of the total value of the exports of the Colony ; sugar seer ha 11 per cent., and rum 93 per 2 416. The following is a detailed iist ae the fruit ne fruit products exported from Jamaica in 1895- Fruit. Quantity. | Value. £ Bananas ae oe ... | 4,220,796 bunches a : 316,560 Cocoa-nuts ... S i awe | 9,443,452 s rae en 37,774 ath co ee et ee wo ee e f 169.794 í \ 045 boxes ... 5.83 Grape-fruit ... is die i 7253 barrels po 58 $ Shaddocks . . y an ote e 118 A j 4363 boxes... t 20 Tangerine oranges... } 19 barrels 12 ; 87} boxes... 768 Limes i 1,767 barrels ee FI $ Lime juice au 128,483 gallons 4,818 Pine-a ne 4,192 dozens 524 Unenumerated fruits von yi A morgat 3 p : arpes echia ge se e ave ki iy : Kola-n wd 5 ERS 11, 609 the ee 291 Total value £536,811 417. Most of the fruit so far shipped has gone to New Done. Philadelphia, and Boston. This valuable trade was started o very simple lines. At first the fruit was purchased in es 150 quantities from negro peasants in the neighbourhood of Port Antonio. There was practically no capital invested in the culti- vation. The settlers were induced to grow bananas in small patches of an acre or two and to deliver the fruit at the port of shipment. Inthe aggregate these small patches hes en —— Fie aa to fill all the first pie engaged in the trade. The fruit rade in Jamaica is now s ans o crating nearly 500; 0007. from 107. to 207. per acre, the planter is able, with a comparatively small capital, to establish his land in cacao, coffee, m utmegs, limes, oranges, and cocoa-nuts, which, when the bananas are exhausted, ica, but o e est eram Talents ‘suitable for the hie Latterly, many sugar estates have been converted into banana walks, ega all sections of the community have taken part 418. delicious oranges is a most bares here of the resources apr t is EET and the export of fruit ten years ago (1886-87) was of the value of 58, 2887. Last year (1895-96), owing to the falling off of supplies from Florida, there arose a sudden and keen demand for Jamaica oranges in the _ United States with the result that the total is may not be maintained in future years ; Pai it i that the island can furnish almost any tropical produce serded intelligence and care are brought to bear upon the cultivation and suitable means adopted for shi pping the produce 419, The grape-fruit is a member of the ssi tribe that has lately come into great favour in the United Sta It is a fruit allied to the shaddock, but smaller, and with a finer flavour. ‘ie ortuna were already plentiful in Jamaica, and the island was at once able to meet the demand. Last year the value of the exports was nearly 6,0007. It is probable that it may eventually be more profitable to grow the grape-fruit than the oran nge, 420. The cultivation = pine-apples for the ae States market is greatly influenced by the extent Lge value of the cultivation carried on in Cale. "Bek oun, and in the more tropical parts of Florida. At present there is an ROHR SS demand in the United tes owing to the falling a away of exports from Cuba. This ma y suggest the desirability of giving poo attention to the subject in Jamaica. In the Liguanea ins the conditions are very favourable for pine cultivation, but the subject has not been taken 151 up in such a systematic manner as it deserves, and there is not su eatin care taken to select and pack the fruit for export purpose 421. nee ing to the a ie interest taken = the oe Governor of Jamaica , Sir Henry Blake, in grape culture, this become Sirain in ae aie and is itoan for its tonic properties. This may eventually = come a valuable subject for expo At present it is little know 423. The supply of new pico erie and other fresh vege- tables for winter use in America is rece sings! emesi attention in Jamaica. With the ES ips now municating wit the island it may be possible to create a valuable trade in these ities. 424, Attempts are now being made id: organise a fruit trade between Jamaig ca and England, by means of ships fitted with pable rmi seen gape erie: the results at first were not so successful as could be wished. There is, however, little d doubt that before long Jamaica fruit will be Ton shipped to this country. According ment we 000 and 5,000 West India Docks on the 5th April last. It was stated to have “realised the highest ape ge of all concerned.” In Covent Garden Market 1,500 bunches were sold at prices varying from 12s, to 6s. 6d. per bunch, “at ai NA ar sales were at oe “ Ts. per bunc bunches m “6 „ ready sale at 5s. Gd. to 10s. 6d. per bunch, ee, khe ton ‘was described as ‘ very good,’ at Glasgow bag? fruits “ were sold seth at such high prices as 14s. to 16s. per ** bunch.” It is believed that there is a better market for Jamaica bananas in England than in the United States. Hence the possible development in this direction is very considerable. 425. Besides bananas there is a favourable opening in this 5 ae country for oranges and pine-apples. In both cases it is essential that only the best fruit be selected for shipment. It shoul be packed in suitable cases and presented in as re a condition as possible. Last winter some of the Jamaica oranges fetched higher prices than any in the English market. It has been suggested that all produce of this kind should be inspected by a competent Government oflicer before ame and all rigid and badly packed fruit rejected. This practice is becoming generally n for rte produce both in the United States and in Australia ere is no doubt of 152 be difficulties at first in eniin such a system into Jamaica, but as its working elsewhere has od the test of many years its practicability and birpadia measai nenda be doubted. CACAO. . Cacao cultivation was introduced into Jamaica by the T A In 1671 there were 65 walks in bearing and many n e abont 30 years old The following table, showing the value of the ss since 1876, illustrates the gradual growth of this industry :— p 1876. | 1880. 1885. 1890. 1896. j £ £ £ £ Value = $ 1,286 | 10,918 9.715 | 14,539 | 17,528 ver Cacao cultivation has been greatly fostered by the Bouni Department by the introduction of seeds of the best varieties from Trinidad, Grenada, and o PRE The officers of the quality of the produce as steadily improved. In Jamaica a cacao estate can very economically be re concurrently with the cultivation of bananas ng export. It is estimated that all the working expenses, up to the aid of the fourth or fifth year, can be cleared by the profit arising from the sale of the bananas. This fact is full of encouragemen those intending to take up cacao cultivation, and it je pipere ae whereby thousands of acres of land formerly in sugar may be utilised for a permanent and remunerative industry. PIMENTO. 428. Jamaica pepper, pimento, or “allspice” appears in commerce iii wi dry berries Jy black pepper. They have a warm c flavour, and are used as a spice. The tree is indigenous to a ‘sland, and its cultivation is of the simplest character. The plants are estab blished from seeds distributed by birds, and require only to be thinned and gier free from weeds. The a is irregular in quantity, aoa the price of late years ej exceptionally low. he expenses are correspondingl value of the pimento exported from riasin ca (the aa aoh Aari that pr er this spice) is shown below — 1876. 1880. 1885. 1890. 1896. £ £ £ £ £ Value... .. - os | 39,973 | 145,568 | 85,694 | 81,321 | 90,046 1538 429. Under the shade of the pimento trees cattle are raised on a rich grass, called pi se eh grass, that thrives on dry limestone soil. Pimento may therefore be regarded as only a bye-product on lands usually prasi to stock raising GINGER. 430. Ginger a heats en pa is vipa associated with Jamaica, This can be grown in almost every part of the tropics ; but the ginger l in the rich soils in Ae mountains of Jamaica usually fetches the highest prices. What is commercially known - as common Jamaica ginger has lately risen from öls. to 74s. per cwt., while good qualities have risen from 62s. to 98s. 6d. per cwt. These prices are due to the exceptionally large proportion of oil contained i e ai kim: The is an exhausting b fertility a these yeg by the use of suitable manures. In xperiment carried on by the Jamaica Agricultural Society at the oe of the Governor, good crops of ginger have been produced on abandoned lands. If this is confirmed by further trials, one of the most important problems connected with the maintenance of the ginger industry will have been satisfactorily solved. 431. It is needless to pass in review all the numerous other industries now existing, or capable of being called into existence, in Jamaica. The exports of annatto, lime juice, isha dye woods, bitter-wood, lancewood rs, satinwood, ebo r cocos wood, lignum vitæ, walking sities (from thinnings. of sain) trees), phen iamarinds, sarsaparilla and nutmegs are already more ess prominent. They could be greatly increased at any time if Specie al attention were devoted to them. There are also medicinal plants, essential oils, spices, such as car seam eno pepper, cinnamon, and vanilla, coca, sisal hemp, cassava, chilli castor oil, papain ‘(the dried juice of the papaw), une cinchona barks. All of these already exist in the island, and are only waiting for favourable circumstances to be Ter a into important industries INSTRUCTION IN AGRICULTURE. 432. In Jamaica there exists a larger body of landholders than possibly in bari other part of the West Indies. This is variously estimated at numbers ranging from 90,000 to 100,000. There are no doubt aa persons who have more than one holding, but it is m that one in every an persons in rss ca is l aisis of bei ing systematically Pop gene and of anra crops. ‘Tt is this n the economic condition of the island that tak only in general demand, but yielding connie prices. Mo of uire for their successful mani ipulation a se articles certain amount of skill and aptitude on the part of the cultivator, 154 Men who have hitherto perfor.ned only the rough work of hoeing ot be lants, and in preparing the produce in a careful and attractive manner. It is admitted that the f training agriculturists of this character must be begun, theoretically, at le the is cae y ae ston ady Sas in pne efforts Aas sheen that the character of practical agriculture can be improved in the island, and that the people can be rendered capable of responding to the requirements of the markets of the world 433. Assistance by grants, varying from 1/. to 10/. per annum, is offered by the Education Department to elementary schools for the sme of agriculture as a special subject. In addition, all country schools are expected to teach the elementary principles of agriculture as a part of the general course. Recently the Board of Education has brought out, through Messrs. Blackie and Son, two Jamaica Readers, the use of which will be compulsory in all hes them to benefit later by instruction in the proper modes of culti- vation of any phios r crop; or, eventually, in special cases, to take up the systematic study of agriculture as a science. A supplementary oaia in Tropical Agriculture is also in contemplation 434. The ESER to qualify for grants given to elementary schools in the first stage (Class A) are that the elements of scientific agriculture are satisfactorily taught and illustrated by OX! conduct the illustrations heen Ei in this ‘snes, sm the pee stage (Class B) the elements of scientific agriculture must be aiai taught and illustrated by practical work in the field ; d he teacher. I i done by the children and directed by the n this case (1) a piot of land of at least a quarter of an acre in extent must be provided ; (2) s plot must be surroun good and sufficient fence, and the possession of it legally defined ; (3) the kind of plants to be cultivated, and the exact Satih r and kind e l the cultivation must be conducted on improved scientific methods, and not on the lines of the ordinary unscientific cultivation usually practised in the islan 435. In training colleges for teachers the principles | pa botany and serice are required to be paver up i. ADE Fo ond year se, including the supply of plant food, manure as z supple- mental source of plant food, the principles aing the growth of crops, and the variation in their yield and quality. [59 436. Practicaldemonstrations and lectures are regularly delivered in certain districts by the officers of the Botanical Department. These include such important points as the cultivation and pre- paration for market of coffee, cacao, oranges, kola, and grapes, the methods of dealing with various kinds of soils by digging, ri The Botanical Department issues a monthly Bulletin dealing with E ga nd horticultural subjects of local interest, and gives hints with regard to the treatment of insect and fung oid ee s of plants, and the cultivation and curing of all aa products likely to be suited to the island. Further, an industrial school is attached to the Hope Gardens, where the boys ae school for two hours, daily, and at other m the i i Apprentices from Lagos were lately trained at Jamaica for service on the West Coast of i ese are now engaged in agricultural work in their own country 437. There is also the question of ie agricultural education necessary to instruct those who may afterwards and proprietors of estates and fit them for availing themselves of the results of modern advances in improving local agriculture e and instructors attached to the present bigh schools and colleges, where scientific agriculture could be systematically taught in conjunction with field work and experiments. Referring to this subject the Headmaster of the High School in Jamaica writes as follows i in the Journal of the Agr tains ‘al Society for May 1597 :— have endeavoured to show that whatever else it may, or may oe e wise to do, the primary and the greatest need is the sa “ introduction of the scientific methods of modern agriculture nto Jamaica. At present, whenever a Jamaica proprietor 5 wishes es to improve his adiivanian and the method of handling n “ almost any product, he has to get his agents from ab , anc et, in face of this, surprise is expressed that the intelligent os i eia y turns away from agriculture. e has at s present no ae ee of being trained to become valuable, of “ be eing fitted to fill the most useful and best-paid posts, or of r The pae f “ t country is poor; we cannot re to a wd shoal ¢ say ‘ ‘the “ truth is just the other way ; it has become absolutely necessary “ ‘to our progress; the truth is we cannot afford not to do it, not 156 “*to use every method which the experience of foreign countries “ ‘shows to be conducive to improving our agricultural methods “cand results; and that experience is unanimous in insisting on “ «the necessity of Scientific Agricultural Education 438. Before closing this review on the industrial condition of Jamaica, it may be useful to refer to the gocieties, institutions, and other agencies that have been of service in pro moting the prosperity of the island. One of tbe oldest is the Tnstitute of Jamaica, which, by means of its museum and library, as well as by its lectures and premiums, has stimulated inquiry into a large agricultural subjects. It has also put forth a scheme emigrants a Great Britain and hie Aba Thon is a t eee Institute Pee igi the series of horticultural shows held in ingston since 1881, and led to the formation of the Jamaica Hortentaral Sekt in 1885. he Royal Jamaica Society of Agriculture and Commerce and Merchants’ Exchange was also established in 1885, and n the most ul and valuable institutions of island.” he Jamaica Agricultural Society, a more recent creation, was started in 1894. This has received very influential and general support, and the President, Sir Henry Blake, takes an ee interest in its work. It publishes a monthly “Jour nal,” hi t 1881 from the vernment Printing Establishment, contain very complete historical, statistical, be: general information. This is probably one of the most useful handbooks connected with * any of Her Majesty’s possessions. (Signed) D. MORRIS. London, 31st July 1897. * The London Agent is Edward Stanford, Cockspur Street, S.W. 157 APPENDIX. SCHEME FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A DEPART- MENT OF ECONOMIC BOTANY AND FOR AGRI- CULTURAL INSTRUCTION IN THE WEST INDIES. ublic the Commission for developing the resources 0 the ward and Windward Islands and Tobago, and for affording ip od to the experimental cane cultivation to be carried on, in continuance of present efforts, in British Guiana, Barbados, and Antigua. It is understood that concurrently with the eem of this scheme steps would be taken by the Government in each island to open roads, to settle the people on the land, and vide facilities for delivering produce at the nearest shipping po por It is further understood that a subsidy would s ranted by the Imperial Government—(1) to establish direct steam communica- tion (weekly or fortnightly as required) between "Dandies and St. Vincent and New York, and (2) for cheap and regular steam communication by means of two or more small steamers between the several members of the Leeward and Windward groups con- necting with each other, and with the ing York steamers at a central point such as Barbados or St. Luc It would be desirable to ange ae dal tariffs by these steamers as would afford facilities for the T ae of produce at specially low rates of payment, and supply a ready and con- venient means of moving from one island to iait to all classes of the community.” The probable amount of the subsidies required wea be 5,0907. for the service to New York, and 1,8007. to 2,5007. each for the local steamers; 10, 000/, should be sufficient for both services, It may be pointed out that the islands under oman aga form an extended chain, the component parts of which divided by intervals of sea varying from 20 to 100 miles ne orm the rn boun z extreme points are distant seven days by the route taken at aie by the Royal Mail Company’s steamers which require a detention of two en and nights at Barbados The duties to be entrusted to the proposed Department have been described in the report as follows: (1) to supervise and extend the work of the present Botanic Stations ; ; (2) to start * The Royal Mail Company anae also be asked to afford special facilities for the par of bulletins, —, economic plants between a the West Indies. Such akici shoul i tween the Best pial for the purpose of improving the general welfare of these erien 1553 pries aak for training boys in agricultural pursuits ; (3) theo retical (and to some slight ribo nt the Fricke) ate of agriculture in elementary achivels (4) to promote the teaching of scientific agricuiture in saute and schools; (5) to organise horttenTraral “shows and exhibitions of implements and machinery suitable for is cca and curing tropical products; and (6) to prepare bulletins, leaflets, and other literature on subjects suitable for euina in the West Indies The duties devolving on the Botanic peer may be more fully described. ey are to devote themselves in a systematic manner to the work of introducing, kasseret oa distributing all the promising economic plants of the tropics ; they are to initiate the itt ts, in the efforts made in the larger colonies to secure improved varieties of the sugar cane. They are to actas centres for diffusing accurate information, and as training institutions for the practical teaching of tropical agriculture ; also as the headquarters from S w economic plants, their suitable iraina and the best methods for a and peg the prire or for AES eat wre might be provided ie the local governments in lieu of continuing ihe present payments to the botanic stations. It is de inable that the funds contributed by the Imperial Government should be wholly devoted to the efficient working of the department, and not to establishing gardens or erecting permanent structures. ADMINISTRATION, It is recommended by the Commission that “a competent Imperial officer ” be appointed to take charge of the Department, whose duty, briefly stated, would be to develope the agricultural resources of the Wind ward and Leeward Islands and Barbados. s been suggested that this officer should act under the ath ‘quihority of the Secretary of ate and should locally the Imperial Government. The most PARAT paR he AA in view of the present Mail p akaiona d would be Barbados is scheme might be submitted beforehand, and receive the careful consideration of the several governments concerned, but when the general policy has been settled it sN be understood that all administrative See pe nd the charge of all the existing and any further Botanic Stations established in the Windward and Leeward — are left entirely in the hands of the Imperial office ht also act, as ps required, as oe antuoaley k the other Colonies. It is an essential part of the scheme now set forth that it should be consistently carried out for a period of 10 years at least. hat Pa 159 Head Office. - £ *Chief Office ins aie 1,000 {Travelling superintendent ” Kis silo 400 e 200 Travelling and office expenses 600 Total ... ee gas 2,200 TOBAGO, The Commissioners state that i is desirable that a botanic “station be established at Tobago subordinate to the Botanic ¢ ergs ce at Trinidad, having for its fag the a pei “of the e end.” The island is too poor to support os a station itself, and it is very iniprotatits that Trinidad, at at least, will ‘be prepared to assist it. include it under the present scheme. The very well be left to the rimat eaa of the "Piinida ment. The grant proposed might be expended as Dia :— Botanic Station, Tobago x Curator, 150/.-200/. 200 = ~~ Instructor, “701. -1007 100 For 50 v sation L5/.. 120 Tools, manure, &e, 30 500 tor 6 labourers, 15/. =- A ee sie 90 3 students, 10/. ... “ey ae Kis 3a 30 GRENADA. The present Botanic Garden, with the limited means at its command, does useful work, but, in accordance with the recom- mendation of the Co ommission, és this work should be extended “and the station held responsible for agricultural instruction, for ltivation, ed the employ- The piia are to be a seldotod from the mens scho ols and given a small weekly sum (in fact, a EEE to Asd he Director of = aes te Department in Jamica receives salary Bire o i Government analytical chemist at Aer Guiana oo 1,0007. a + To complete one a year of inspection — all the islands, staying night in each one, would occupy about hs. is, therefore. cantin to have the services of a nik sent ae to pact in o various es and to be in charge of the head office when the chief officer is on 160 them while iy oo at the Garden. The full course should be for five yea ome assistance might be given from Grenada to the Island a fain Nes as indicated in the report on that island. The details of the vote are as follows :— Botanic Station, Grenada. x urator... ii Ves aes Yee se 200 Agricultural Instructor, 130/.-150/, bie 150 Travelling and house allowance... ee 70 Foreman i ae 70 10 labourers, 157. ge ied ve za 150 4 students, 107. ats sis $i om ees 40 Tools, plants, &c. —.... a are ae 50 730 St. VINCENT, This island and Dominica require not only immediate assistance to prevent the people from becoming absolutely destitute, but n This subject has ben already dealt with in the preceding report. It is proposed to employ two agricultural instructors, to increase the number of students to six, resin start in each island an industrial school to train 25 boys in agricultural pursuits. These boys are not to be criminals, but those placed under training by the consent of their parents, or orphans, and destitute children. The pau te cost of the industrial schools proposed in this scheme is based o N These may be lo meg from ie local governments. The total grant of 1,5007. is proposed to be expended as follows :— Botanic Station and Industrial School, St. Vincent. £ oa aes Kae peu S kancalar instructors, 150. ot a. rO) Travelling al allowance ees rae 80 1 foreman ah 70 1 D 60 12 labourers, 157 180 6 students, 107. ; oa «x bas 60 Tools, manure, &e. ae Am a koi 50 1,000 Industrial School... 161 ST. LUCIA, It is stated in the Commissioners’ report that “more suitable “land for the purpose of experimental cultivation in connection i d.” The Local ve buildings. St. Lucia offers an excellent field for the development of minor industries. Everything hitherto has been stopped by want of means. The grant proposed may be applied as follows :— Botanic Station and Industrial School, St, Lucia. ae £ Curator wa 200 Agricultural instructor, 1307. to 1501. . <= - 400 Travelling and house allowance aa 70 Foreman 70 10 labourers, 15/ 150 4 students... a wi aes P 40 Tools, plants, es: cA a. me = 50 730 Industrial School... 500 1,230 BARBADOS, Provision is suggested for maintaining two experimental stations for sugar cane cultivation at Barbados, one at Dodds, and the other on the highlands in the ratooning districts of the island. The complete depen ndence of this colony on sugar renders it o devote special Pee to the raising of new canes arine contents. The officers in e sultation ias the Governme nt o do itherto made by the botanic station a 207. p to he Janies Gardens would cease under the ien Y this eme Botanic Station and mac: MEETA Cane Cultivation at Barbados, 1,5 DOMINICA. Remarks on this vote have already been given under St. Vincent. The details are here repeated, 15045 L 162 Botanic Station and Industrial School at Dominica, urator a ets en 2 agricultural instructors, 15 | ME et ee: 800 Travelling allo in a atk 50 oreman os Sas 70 1 foreman .. an 60 bourers, 15/.... 180 6 students, 107. ... sais 60 ools, manure, &c. me Dag an 5 9 1,000 Industrial School... o a e e a a N 1,500 MONTSERRAT. The station established in this island in 1890 was abandoned for want of funds to carry it on. An agricultural instructor is much needed to visit and encourage the peasants (in case shipping facilities are provided) in the cultivation of fruit and other products for export. For training boys in agriculture, arrange- ments might be made with Antigua. This vote is arranged on the same lines as that for Tobago, where the circumstances are very similar. Botanic Station at Montserrat. £ Curator, 150/.-200/. te vee aO aerei instructor, 707. -1007. ee ees ae Foreman Re tee ive aio 50 *8 laoaret 157. ees pie wen rome i Tools, mantre, ee. nen es dii ve 30 500 *Or 6 labourers... as wis ae ey 90 3 students... zt oe TE = a 30 ANTIGUA. The chief and practically only interest in this island is sugar. Hence it is proposed to provide for systematic experiments in raising new varieties of cane, and in improving the cultivation by the nse of manures and other means, as in Barbados and British also endeavour to improve the am cre _ other minor industry that offers hope of succe The ly a goo er pats at Antigua which chau be Ganan on its 163 Botanic Station and Sugar Cane Experiments at Antigua. £ Botanic station eee ie w» 450 ugar cane experiments... ha dis z 000 1,000 ST. KITTS-NEVIS. The same organization is suggested in St. Kitts-Nevis as in A i with the addition of an industrial school and an cultural instructor. The latter should devote special attention to the peasant proprietors at Nevis. St. Kitts-Nevis. £ Curator, 150/.-200/. m a wa sie. | eee Agricultural instructor ... sat Mae W 70 6 labour ers, 15/. oe se T y 90 3 students 107. Ake eis ha $e 30 Manure, tools. ke Ir E an ra a 440 Sugar cane eat +“ ay sa U Industrial school . i z: oe we Oe 1,240 SUMMARY. Botanic Stations and Industrial Schools. $ Tobago 500 Grenada ... 73 t. Vincent 1,500 St.Lucia ss: 1,230 Barbados 1,500 ominica 1,500 eevee 5 ntigu TF aT ath ox LOO St. Kitts-Nevis DA a des yak s (Agee 9,700 BRITISH GUIANA. The important character of the investigations carried on by M Harrison and Jenman in raising and testing new varieties l to ete provision for these investigations and to leave the detailed arrangements ie. pe settled after consultation with the Government of British Gui Sugar ear “experiments in British eg kea = LOGUE. 164 HORTICULTURAL SHOWS. These shows are suggested as effective means of bringing into notice the resources of the islands and of creating an intelligent interest in improving the cultivation of the soil and in prosecuting new industries. The funds set apart for this purpose would be chiefly spent in bringing together implements of field and garden husbandry, in explaining the ma aoe a mode of ka of suitable machinery for cleaning and c produce and in “exhibiting samples of produce skilfully cial and packed for export purposes. One or two shows might be held ann Same in each island co-operating with any local efforts made in the same directi Grant 5007. GRANTS TO ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS. Following the veep OF set by the Education Department in Jamaica, it is proposed to make small grants in aid in two classes (A) to schools in which the theory of agriculture is satisfactorily taught, and (B) a slightly increased grant in cases where in addition to the teaching of the theory of agriculture school gardens of experimental plots are maintained by the efforts of rs and scholar amoun who reach a satisfactory standard of attainments. For the first year or two the total amount of these grants would necessarily be very small as the chief outlay would consist of ex ne nses incurred in giving instruction to and in PPPE the teac Grants 5007. on petit ‘&e. Bulletins, such as are now issued by the oe Ss . in the West Indies, are regarded as indispensa reaching the more pune members of the community and of diffusing amongst them accurate information in regard to roduc The leaflets, eidar in addition, would be distr bated amongst the labouring classes after lectures and demonstrations by the ocala instructors, and copies would be s popie i to the peasantry. The leaflets would contain eae expressed in simple and clear language, on the treatment of the soil and plants, aud worded so as to be used for diciation lessons in the me classes in elementary schools. Readers would be prepared for in elementary and industrial schools dealing with the familiar plants of ee a Gra ata £ ae SO pee TO COLLEGES AND SCHOOLS. There are no institutions existing at present in any part of the West Indies where the scientific teaching of Agriculture is carried ment clerkships, while the better paid appointments connected with agriculture are —_ from outside or by a small number o: 165 local men who by hard plodding and the slow teaching of practical experience have qua oT, Ragnar to undertake charge of plantations. These local men are useful but they have had no scientific training, ian aplis B from their position, are restricted not only in their capability of realising the progress made in other ee Led of adapting ipo progress to their own circumstan Unless brought up family tes, agriculture is re Bbc as a suitable sia a by young men in the West Indies ; in fact they avoid it as much as possible, and their ras a is unfortunately followed by the better class of peasant proprietors, who prefer to educate their children for positions as clerks or as assistants in stores to any work connected with agriculture. A long period must elapse before there is a considerable change in this respect, but in certain Colonies such as Barbados, Jamaica, Trinidad, and British Guiana, where there exist colleges and schools of high standing, it is very desirable to make provision for the higher agricultural education necessary to instruct those who may after wards become managers and pro- of mod advances aios and training given in temperate countri e of little service to men who are estined. for tropical decries Such men Grants might be offered for sound agricultural teaching to the Codrington College at Barbados, the Queen n’s Colleges at meu and British Guiana, and tothe Jamaica High School. The amo of the grant paid in each case would depend on the srie Sae pupils who show ability to pass a written and oral examination, and on the character of the aiaa mr for laboratory teaching and field work. Some assistan this direction might be rendered by the officers and establi Tana connected with the Department, but spec cial teachers, one at each c ee would be necessary, at salaries from 350/ to 500/. a annum Grants... ads fe! 2,600/. SUMMARY. Botanic Department. £ Head office 2,200 Nine botanic stations and four industrial schools 9,700 ugar cane ‘experiments at British Guiana sn © ii, a eee shows, exhibition of imple- ments, &e. oe ~~ i pm eave, Oe shel bulletins, leaflets, and o 500 Grants to elementary schools for teaching t ae of agriculture and care of ros wear garden 500 Grants re “colleges and schools for teaching scientific agriculture 2,600 17,000 To this might be added the subsidies, estimated at 10,000/., for steamer services, making a total of 27,000/. D. M.