THE BAHAMA ISLANDS 181 



CONCLUSION. 



The majority of the population of the Bahama Islands is composed of 

 negroes, who are not well educated ; but compulsory education laws are now in 

 force, and it is hoped much good will result. If the educational system could 

 include instruction in practical agriculture and horticulture, this would be a 

 great step toward improving the condition of the people dependent upon the soil 

 for their livelihood. While at present, agriculture is passing through a period 

 of depression, there seems to be no good reason why, with the selection of special 

 crops, more intelligent methods of cultivation, and better business methods, 

 certain lines of agriculture should not succeed wel] on the Islands. The finan- 

 cial success of a number of men, who employ modern methods of cultivating and 

 marketing their fruit, is a sufficient demonstration of the possibilities of 

 agriculture in the Bahama Islands. 



