18 9i-] A Visit to the West Indies. 131 



1890, and returned to the same port Jan. 29th, 1891. Our 

 vessel, a yawl-rigged schooner of fifty-one tons, was com- 

 manded by Capt. Freeman Boynton, an experienced naviga- 

 tor in the West Indian region. The party consisted of Dr. 

 Rothrock, D. J. Bullock and J. P. Moore, of Philadelphia, and 

 the writer. 



The month of November was spent cruising through the 

 Bahamas of which group we visited New Providence, Eleu- 

 thera, Cat Island, Watlings, Crooked Island, Fortune Island 

 and Great Inagua. 



Excepting Inagua the islands are quite similar in geological 

 and floral characters. Over the coral limestone are scattered 

 thin patches of soil which have collected in the depressions, 

 the larger and deeper of which are termed banana holes. It 

 was surprising to see so much vegetation growing from so 

 little soil. But the ligneous flora consists mostly of shrubs, 

 eight or ten feet high, while trees of even moderate height are 

 uncommon, although Andros is said to be thickly wooded. 



The land owners are at present greatly interested in the 

 cultivation of Sisal hemp, l the fiber of which promises to be- 

 come an important production of the islands. The plant is 

 admirably adapted to thrive on the almost soilless rock, where 

 few other economic plants would grow. When a plantation 

 is once established successive crops are taken from the sarrte 

 plants. 



The pine apple 2 is cultivated more or less throughout the 

 islands but chiefly on Eleuthera, where the peculiar red soil, 

 which is best fitted to produce the finest fruit, is found in 

 greater abundance. No fertilizer had been used, and the grow- 

 ers found that the soil, strangely enough, was wearing out, 

 with no virgin soil to draw upon. This result will come about 

 |n time, even in a tropical country, especially where the soil 

 is thin. But now a chemical fertilizer is imported from the 

 United States and the land is yielding large returns. 



The cocoa-nut 3 is cultivated everywhere especially near the 

 sea-shore, where it finds the best conditions for its growth. 

 The milk of the nut is very refreshing to a thirsty traveler. 

 Many a time, on a hot day, when oppressed by the heat, I 



1 Agave rigida Mill. var. Sisalana Engelm. Acad. St. Louis, iii. p. :*I6. (For 

 article on the industry, see Northrop, Pop. Sci. Mo Mar. 1891.) The names fol- 

 lowing are those used in Grisebach's Flora of the British West Indies. 



I T\ <-» «-. « « — . * d ■■-» ■ 



^Ananassa sativa. (Bromel.) 

 Cocos nucifera. (Palm.) 



