CHIEF INDUSTRIES. 1? 



'The chief industry of the colony is wood-cutting. The 

 average annual export of mahogany is about three million feet, 

 and of logwood about fifteen thousand tons. The cost of the 

 former ready for shipment is from 8 t'o 10 per thousand feet, 

 and of the latter from 2 to 3 per ton. 



Wood-cutting operations have now been carried on for more 

 than 200 years, -and as a result much of the finest timber within 

 easy reach of the principal rivers and their creeks has been cut 

 down. There is, however, much fine timber still to be found 

 in the interior, but probably beyond the reach of rivers. Hence 

 it is believed that the construction of a railway will not only 

 advance other industries, but at the same time stimulate the 

 production and export of the old staples of the colony. 



Out of ' an estimated extent of 1,280,000 acres of fine 

 " cohune ridge," or alluvial virgin soil, in British Honduras, only 

 some 10,000 acres, or less than one-hundredth part, is, or has 

 been, under cultivation. 



The cultivation of fruit for the American market has lately 

 been started in consequence of steam communication having 

 been regularly established under contract with New Orleans. 

 Bananas, plantains, and coco-nuts are, so far, the staple articles 

 of export, the prices obtained being Is. 9d. to 2s. per bunch for 

 bananas; 3s. to 4s. per 100 for plantains; and 70s. to 100s. per 

 thousand for coco-nuts. 



Much of the spirit of enterprise which has been developed 

 in British Honduras during the last five years is no doubt due 

 to the late Governor, now Sir Frederick P. Barlee,-K.C.M.Gr., 

 who endeavoured to create new industries, afforded facilities for 

 the acquisition of Crown lands, and promoted the establishment 

 of regular steam communication with New Orleans. At the 

 present time, for experienced planters,. -who have already lived 

 in tropical countries, and especially in the East, Bjjjitish 



