for the Government by some means to prevent the shipment of inferior quality. The same remark applies to oranges, logwood, &c. Coco-nuts.-The export of coco-nuts has been greater during 1891-92 than during any year for the past ten years, in spite of great mortality amongst the trees at Montego Bay. A report was made on this disease, (Bulletin No. 23) but scarcely anything has been done by owners of trees to make use of the remedies suggested. Coco-nut butter has been manufactured in Europe since 1888. It is of great hygienic and dietetic value. The process of manufacture has been patented, and no details can be obtained. Coco-nut oil, however, can easily be made, and can be used with great advantage in cooking, and in other ways, in place of cooking-butter, or olive-oil. If the oil is put while still hot into hermetically sealed tins, or into bottles using cotton wool with the stoppers, it out to keep sweet for an indefinite time. Coffee.-The value this year exceeds that in any year during the last ten years though the amount exported was not as large as in 1888. Venezuela, Columbia, and Hayti, having declined to enter into reciprocity agreements with the United States in connection with the McKinley Bill, their coffee, exported to the States, amounting in the total to 76,096,700 lbs, becomes subject to a duty of 3 cents per lb. Shipment of coffee in parchment is strongly recommended to small settlers, who have no mill of their own. They will find it much more economical than to pay, as some of them do, as much as 3/ per bushel for milling. The remarks made by the Collector of Taxes in Trelawny is that all the coffee (which was but an average crop) was badly cured, no care being taken in its preparation at all, which means a great loss of money to the producers and the Island. Corn Imported.-Corn cannot be grown here as cheaply as in the States, and therefore the importation will probably increase as the means of communication between ports and remoter parts of the Island are improved. Ebony, West Indian.-West Indian Ebony or Coccus Wood is only valuable when it can be supplied in large pieces. Attention should be paid to clearing this wood of the parasites by which it is so liable to be covered. Ginger.-The export of Ginger has taken an immense stride during 1892, and the value per cent. has also increased. The growing and curing of ginger is an industry admirably suited to small settlers, while the preparation of preserved ginger is one which may well be recommended to the notice of the Women's Self-Help Society. Hints on ginger are given in Bulletins Nos. 26 and 29. Fibre.-The cultivation and preparation of Sisal Hemp is one of the most important amongst new industries. Extracts from reports full of details for the practical planter, written by Mr. James M. Roe on the Bahamas Plantations and by Mr. C. R. Dodge, Fibre Expert for the United States, are published in Bulletin No. 24. It is not a cultivation for the small settler. Not less than 200 acres should form a plantation, and perhaps not les than 500 acres can be worked economically. The plantation should be in such a situation that roads and tramways can be easily made through the whole extent. At Hope, planters can see for themselves all that concerns the practical cultivation. A re The question of machinery for extracting the fibre is not one that is at present of pressing moment for the island, but enquiries are constantly made by me as to progress of improvement in machines, and the invention of new processes. port on the Weicher Machine was given in Bulletin No. 22. Hon. Captain Jackson, Colonial Secretary in the Bahamas, informs me that Albee Smith is improving his machine, that Van Buren's is very like Kennedy's, and that much is expected of an invention by Forbes,-a process of extraction by steam in closed cylinders. Correspondence is also maintained on the subject with Mr. C. R. Dodge. Limes.-Some effort should be made to make this fruit more known in England than it is at present. Limes might largely supplant lemons in popular flavour. Lime juice. This industry might be more flourishing, if the essential oil were extracted from the peel, and a first quality of lime juice made from the drainings of the fruit when cut before being pressed to make the "concentrated" juice. It is said also that the Jamaica concentrated juice is burnt in consequence of the concentration being carried too far, the strength being 90 ozs. of citric acid per gallon instead of the strength obtained in Sicily from 65 to 70 ozs. Liquorice.-Liquorice is another plant for the small settler. It will grow where the orange flourishes, in deep rich soil. A notice of it is inserted in Bulletin No. 29. Mangoes.-This export will never be of any great value, unless the fruit is picked by the hand and packed with care, for the least bruise is fatal. Good mangoes would doubtless fetch a high price in New York. Nutmegs.-The attention of planters and small settlers has been directed to the cultivation of nutmegs and to the large profits to be made in suitable localities. Articles on the subject have appeared in the Bulletins Nos. 24, 25 and 26. It is pleasing to find that this cultivation is being entered upon with spirit and energy, as many as 20,978 plants having been sold by the Department during the year. All the nutmegs used as seed are most carefully selected on one of the best estates in Grenada. Great care and attention are given to them at Hope Gardens, and it is satisfactory to learn from the largest grower that they can be obtained cheaper and in better condition from the department than if he grew the n himself. Oranges. The value of this export has never been so low since 1881. Apparently nothing will check the export of inferior fruit and the consequent loss in the market, unless it be the intervention of the Government. This fruit should always be carefully picked and handled so as to prevent the least bruise; a knock that would crack an egg, spoils an orange for export. Grading into sizes, and packing in boxes are also matters that require attention. Pine Apples. When inferior pines sell in the States in the early Spring at 18. each, it is surprising that not more is done in extending the area of cultivation here. This fruit would travel well even to England, if packed to as not to touch, and about 20 in a box. Rice.-There is no reason why a large quantity of rice should not be raised in the island, as there are large tracts where it will grow. A small quantity of "hill rice" is being obtained from India for experiment in the Red Hills. Sugar Refined. While the exports of sugar are not declining, there is a great increase in the amount of refined sugar imported, due to the remission of the duty of 2d. per lb. There is a fair chance now for the development of the manufacture of preserves, since refined sugar is so much cheaper,-ginger, orange, marmalade, guava, &c. Strawberries.-Notes on the cultivation of the Strawberry are given in No. 29. This is a fruit which might be grown in large quantities in the Red Hills district. Experiments are being made with several varieties sent from Kew. Tea.-It has been ascertained that tea of good quality grows rapidly in the island. The only drawback is the want of abundance of cheap labour. The plant might, however, be grown where there is a fair supply of labour, and manufactured for home consumption. Tea plants will be supplied to those who apply for them. Tobacco, Cigars.--The export of cigars has increased considerably, and it is understood that it is capable of much greater extension, if the cigars were pushed by merchants in Europe. The amount of unmanufactured tobacco exported is very small, being only 990 lbs., of the value of £34 15s. Od. during this year. Vegetables.-Articles giving the results of growing varieties of English peas, appear in Nos. 23, 24, 25, 29. The experiments are still being carried on. There would be a ready demand in Kingston for a very large quantity of this vegetable. Onions (see No. 24) do well in certain parts of the island. |