1884.] PLANTING ENTEBPBISE IN THE WEST INDIES. 341 



prosperity of these islands. The pine-apple trade of the Bahamas, 

 chiefly confined to New Providence, is carried on both with England 

 and the United States, a large proportion of which is in canned 

 goods. The coco-nut plantations are confined chiefly to Inagua and 

 islands to the south, whence the nuts are conveniently and easily 

 shipped. At the Turks and Caicos Islands in the neighbourhood, 

 now under the Government of Jamaica, a very praiseworthy and 

 energetic effort is being made by Mr. Llewelyn, the Commissioner, 

 to cultivate oranges, pine-apples, and fibre-plants, which, so far, 

 promises to be well seconded and supported by the inhabitants. 



The fruit trade of Jamaica has now become an established in- 

 dustry, which is rapidly being taken up by both European and 

 negro settlers. Nearly the whole of the fruit is shipped to the 

 United States, to the ports of New York, Philadelphia, and P)alti- 

 more. Some of the trade is, however, in course of being diverted to 

 New Orleans, which is within only three days of Jamaica, and in 

 close communication with all large centres of industries in the 

 Western States. The fruit trade of Jamaica, inasmuch as it fosters 

 and strengthens other and more permanent industries, is deserving 

 of every encouragement; and it is no doubt with this view the 

 Government has promoted facilities for the employment of contract 

 steamers between Jamaica and the United States, so as to find a 

 ready and expeditious market for the produce. As shown, when 

 discussing the prospects of cacao cultivation in Jamaica, the profits 

 arising from the sales of bananas, for instance, enable planters to 

 establish the land in cacao, and similarly the same facilities are 

 offered for the cultivation of Liberian coffee, spices, india-rubber, 

 and numerous other plants which would otherwise be beyond the 

 reach of persons possessing small means. The present position of 

 the fruit trade in Jamaica will appear from the following table of 

 exports for the year 1882 : — 



