Vol. V. No. 101. 



THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS. 



79 



WEST INDIAN PRODUCTS. 



Jamaica Coflfee. 



In the Jamaica Gleaner for January 18 last, there 

 is an account of an interesting lecture given to the 

 members of the Christiana branch of the Agricultural 

 ■Society of Jamaica by Mr. Robert Thomson, In.structor 

 in Agriculture. 



Speaking of coffee and its cultivation, Mr. Thom- 

 son says that for a long period of years coffee has been 

 one of the important staple products of the island, and 

 that it has contributed powerfully to the establishment 

 •of innumerable small settlers everywhere, and has been 

 their main source of income: — 



The finest quality of coffee can only be grown at 

 great elevations above the sea in Jamaica, between 3,500 

 and 4,.500 feet. This coffee is sold in England at about 

 120s. per cwt. ^Manchester grown coffee, that grown at 

 about 2,000 feet on estates or plantations, is of good medium 

 quality, and should be worth from 70s. to 80s. per cwt. 

 But the Blue Mountain coffee holds a unique position in the 

 market; it is the finest coffee in the world. The climatic 

 conditions, and the soil, together with the admirable care 

 devoted to its cultivation, and to its manipulation, have all 

 conduced to the establi:ihment of this renowned coffee. Thus, 

 Jamaica [jroduces the finest coffee in the world, together with 

 another important grade of coffee, namely, that qualitj' in 

 greatest demand in commerce. 



But, unfortunately, it also produces the very worst 

 (juality, and this in considerable quantity. It is planted 

 by the small settlers anywhere, without discriminating in 

 any way as to the congenial requirements of the plant. 

 There are thousands of acres grown at only a few hundred 

 feet above sea-le^eL The prices obtained for this inferior 

 stuff' range from 2-5s. to 32s. per cwt., barely more than 

 one-third realized for that grown on plantations on the hills, 

 where it can be grown to the extent of many thousands of 

 acres. 



For the production of a good marketable coft'ee the 

 plant should never be cultivated tuider 1,200 to 1,500 

 feet in this latitude. 



This planting of coffee at an inadequate altitude, 

 and the consequent production of an inferior article, 

 in Mr. Thomson's opinion, should be discouraged by 

 ■every possible means. The small settlers, too, should 

 not be so apathetic, but should be more alive to their 

 interests by paying due attention to cultivation, 

 picking, curing, and preparation for mai'ket. Coffee so 

 tended, even if grown somewhat under 1,000 feet 

 above sea-level, would be worth 50 per cent, more than 

 the price of 30^s. per cwt. now obtained. 



The Canadian Market. 



Writing to the Imperial Commissioner of Agri- 

 culture from Montreal on January 18 last, Mr. J. 

 Russell Murray reports as follows : — 



A very steady but inactive market without any marked 

 change has ruled for some weeks. In New York, a firmer 

 market held for a week, but prices are again relapsing to 



their former level. In Montreal, about 30,000 bags of 96* 

 centrifugals were delivered during the past month, at rates 

 about 2;/t7C. c. it f., equalling !g2-66 duty paid. Grocery 

 sugars, muscovados and centrifugals, are e.Ytremely c^uiet, 

 lotting being confined to small lots. 



Scotch refined sugar made from British West Indian 

 sugar continues a large factor in the market. Local refiners 

 lowered prices 10c. last week in sympathy with New York. 

 Yellows were advanced 10c. in New York ; no change, 

 however, was made here. The combine of the Wholesale 

 Grocers' Guild, of which the refiners and canners are 

 a component part, are under prosecution by the Crown, owing 

 to alleged limitations being placed on business by such 

 combinations. The case will be before the courts at Toronto 

 next week. 



SUGAR TARIFF. 



Nothing has transpired regarding the future from the 

 sittings of the Commission, but it is remarkable that not 

 a single effort has been put forth by the Briti.sh West Indian 

 Islands to support the representations made to the Com- 

 mission for the admission of the better grades of grocery 

 sugar to Canada on a better basis. By natural progress of 

 manufacture, British West Indian sugars have steadily 

 improved in colour and grain, and the consuming demand 

 calls for a better class, but the tarift remains obsolete. This 

 lack of action is cau.sing comment. 



-MOLASSES. 



Barbados molasses continue to be distributed in small 

 lots : the trade, however, remains (|uiet. Stocks are not 

 heavy, and buyers of new crop are expecting very low 

 quotations. 



coco A-X UTS. 



Manufacturing interests are steady, but there is little 

 business otherwise. Prices remain very steady. 



SPICES, ETC. 



Pimento sales are slow and the advance in price is difticult 

 to obtain locally, some holders allowing stocks to be 

 distributed at the original figure. With regard to nutmegs, 

 a small steady business is done, but there is no change in 

 price. The new crop of ginger is being looked for, mean- 

 while the trade is dull. 



CONSIGNMENTS OF SUGAR AND MOLASSES. 



Shippers desirous of shipping on consignment during 

 the present season will please advise early in order that sales 

 may be made in advance of arrivals. 



SHIPPING MANGOS. 



In a note supplied to the Journal of the Jamnica 

 Agricultural Societij for January 1906, Mr. Aston W. 

 Gardner gives wholesome advice on the ■subject of the 

 picking and shipping of mangos. He says that the best 

 variety for export is the East Indian. The fruit should be 

 picked in full condition, as that picked too green never 

 ripens. At least an inch of stem should be left on each 

 mango to prevent it from bleeding. 



In packing, each mango should be placed in a separate 

 division. Speaking from his own experience, 5Ir Gardner 

 says that it is useless to ship mangos after Julj-, and he hints 

 that if shippers would personally superintend the selection 

 and the packing of the fruit, tliey could command prices 

 higher than those now given. 



