408 FUETHEE PEOBLEMS OF ECONOMIC BOTANY 



innumerable failures. And later he asks whether experiments 

 have been tried in the way of making Navy twist in the form 

 Jack Tar likes, or of introducing cheap cigars into regimental 

 canteens. 



In 1897 he asks Dr. Fawcett, * Has Jamaica as yet sent 

 oranges to England ? Surely it is time that an orange trade 

 with this country should be established.* Indeed, he finds 

 it most difficult to get an eatable orange in any shape. Jaffas 

 and Floridas are disappointing ; there was no sign of a delicious 

 orange, as big as two fists, which he had met with at the Cape 

 Verds in 1839. ' In my young days it was very different 

 when the St. Michael's came in shiploads.' By 1900 : ' At 

 last we are getting really good oranges (Californian ?) at the 

 Stores at a moderate price. The W. Indies must look to 

 their laurels if they do not soon begin to supply our markets/ 

 By Christmas 1901 he is glad to see that the imports of bananas 

 have doubled and oranges have largely increased, though none 

 come up to the Calif ornians. Somehow also the Jamaica 

 bananas are not favourites ; and his own experience pronounces 

 them inferior to those from the Canaries. It is the same story 

 in 1902 ; the oranges are too full of pips and core ; they are 

 poor in appearance and not fit to be seen on the table. Some 

 scheme is needed for grading them according to quality. But 

 even then the packing sometimes was not careful. Later in 

 the year, after trying a most unsatisfactory chestful, Hooker, 

 who left no stone unturned to improve matters, wrote to one 

 of the chief importing firms ; their reply was that although 

 they had already written repeatedly, it had been to no effect 

 they are afraid the West Indians never seem to learn 

 wisdom. 



Hooker sent this answer with a sharp comment to [Sir D.] 

 Morris, whose wife at the time was in England, and had just 

 visited The Camp. 



Eeally and truly the Jamaicans do not deserve the sacri- 

 fice England is making in respect of its fruit trade. They 

 want a rousing up a good stinging series of articles in a 

 good Jamaica Newspaper or Journal they have had too 

 much pity. A smart scold and a showing up of their idle- 



