22 



Islands, besides growing wild in many of the islands in the Carib- 

 bean Sea. It has proved the only profitable pine-apple to grow, 

 and those contemplating taking up the growing of pine-apples 

 will do well to bear this fact in mind. It is the only kind that 

 sells for remunerative prices in the markets of the world. It is a 

 splendid shipper, and, whilst not of finest quality, it possesses a 

 good appearance, and is of a large size. Large crops of market- 

 able fruit may be depended upon, for the plants are practically 

 free from disease, and are vigorous and very prolific in slips and 



suckers. 



CONCLUSION. 



The growing of pine-apples is a plesaant occupation, and if 

 followed with care and proper attention, success is not uncertain, 

 if adequate transportation or a local demand, such as canning 

 factories, not too distant from the plantation, can be depended 

 upon. Growing pine-apples to be sold at |d per lb. delivered 

 at the factory will pay the planter fairly well, and will allow 

 the factory to earn a reasonable percentage on the investment. 



Sixteen thousand pine-apple plants can be planted on I acre, 

 and if the business is properly managed, the fields should pro- 

 duce 80 percent, fruit in from fourteen to sixteen months. Each 

 pine-apple should average not less than 3 lb., and if the grower 

 is so fortunate as to have a large local demand for his fruit, he 

 will not be under the necessity of going to the expense of buying 

 crates, wrapping paper, nails, and pre-paying freight on his 

 shipments. The business of consigning fruit is not as satisfac- 

 tory as it should be, and the unfortunate planter is compelled to 

 submit to many an injustice ; but in Cuba and Florida, 75 per 

 cent, of the pine-apples and oranges are sold for cash in the 

 fields or in the groves at a contract price, the buyer taking all 

 risk of shipment. 



BOARD OF AGRICULTURE, 



Extracts from Proceedings. 



The usual monthly meeting of the Board of Agriculture was 

 held at Headquarter House on Wednesday, I Ith December, 1907 

 present : Hon. H. Clarence Bourne, Colonial Secretary, presiding 

 Hons. Director of Public Gardens, the Island Chemist, the Super 

 intending Inspector of Schools, and Messrs. D. Campbell, D. G, 

 Murray, E. W. Muirhead, Conrad Watson and the Secretary. 



Cotton.— Letter from Messrs. Kerr & Co. referred by the Go- 

 vernor, the Secretary's minute, which had been circulated, with 

 members' remarks thereon. Mr. Watson snbmitted a paper he 

 had written on "The Cotton Industry in Jamaica," which was 

 read. Mr. Murray moved that Mr. Watson's paper be sent to the 

 Governor as the opinion of the Board on the whole matter of 

 cotton growing here. Mr. Muirhead seconded; and this was agreed 

 to. Mr. Murray said that Mr. Watson had made cotton growing 



