150 SOILS AND AGRICULTURAL CONDITIONS 



It is not known when the native stock was improved, or when citrus 

 fruits were introduced, but they were grown by the earliest colonists, and 

 by 1800 had become a rather important product. Their production was, how- 

 ever, seriously affected by the scale and other insect pests. Oranges were the 

 first of these fruits to be exported, and at times have been shipped in large 

 quantities, but in late years, owing to the American tariff and competition, 

 the exports have fallen off. The groves have been neglected, and the pro- 

 duction has become small indeed compared to what it formerly was. 



Shaddocks or grape fruit have been produced for exjDort, the latter 

 becoming of increasing importance, as competition is less and prices such that 

 the production is profitable even with the payment of tariff duties. Limes 

 and lemons have never become of any importance for export. 



Bananas have been exported to some extent, but these products cannot 

 compete with those of Cuba and other countries having better shipping facili- 

 ties. There are many other tropical fruits, but they have never become of 

 commercial importance. 



Sugar cane was introduced, but did not prove successful, and only small 

 patches are now being grown. The canes are only used for home consump- 

 tion, no sugar being made. 



Tobacco was introduced, and was quite extensively cultivated during the 

 seventies, with fair success. Cigars were first exported in 1878, but tobacco 

 growing has now been discontinued. 



Tomatoes were introduced in 1875, and in 1879, 8130 boxes were ex- 

 ported to the United States. Tomatoes are still grown universally, but not 

 for export. 



Sisal was introduced about 1850,- but its value as a fiber plant did not 

 receive recognition until some thirty years later. Samples of the fiber were 

 sent to London, and were pronounced of superior quality. To further the 

 industry a commission was sent by the Bahama government to Yucatan, where 

 sisal growing had proved very profitable, to report upon the advisability of 

 introducing the industry into the Bahamas. The commission reported favor- 

 ably, considering the soil and climatic conditions of the Bahamas similar to 

 those of Yucatan. Companies were organized by English capitalists in 1887 

 to grow sisal on an extensive scale, and plants of machinery for cleaning 

 the fiber were installed. To foster the industry the Bahama Assembly passed 

 two acts in 1889. One provided for a duty of 20 per cent ad valorem on all 

 fiber imported, which had heretofore been in the free list. The second granted 



