162 BRITISH POSSESSIONS IN AMERICA. 



Average annual imports during the same period — 



Lumber ^35,273 



Shocks £32,067 



Value £. 



l 67,340 



Balance of exports over imports .... 46,885 

 Add increase in the export of logwood extract, about 10,000 



Grand total 56,885 



There can be no doubt that the exports have, during the 

 years 1888 to 1904, fallen off by not less than £200,000 a year. 



The Crown lands of Jamaica are stated to comprise an area 

 of 75,000 acres, but further lands have probably reverted to 

 Government since the last return. The 75,000 acres are 

 situated chiefly on the Blue Mountains, in St. Ann and 

 Trelawny ; they include the headwaters of the Eio Grande. 

 The Crown lands are under the Director of Public Works ; 

 there is no separate Forest Department. 



The authorities of Jamaica were of opinion, some years ago, 

 that forest conservancy was not necessary, as lumber could 

 be imported from America at cheap rates. Since then, the 

 exports of logwood have very considerably fallen off, and it 

 appears that deforestation has commenced to interfere with 

 the water supply in the eastern districts ; moreover, forests 

 are necessary to prevent, or at any rate reduce, a torrential 

 flow of the rivers and to protect the low lands. Under any 

 circumstances, the forests on the main ridge should be 

 preserved. Hence, the following measures seem indicated: — 



(1) Pieservation of the highlands on the Blue Mountains 

 and elsewhere. 



(2) Demarcation and survey of the reserves ; their protection 

 against fire, theft, alienation and trespass. 



BARBADOS. 



This island has an area of 166 square miles and a population 

 of 195,588, which makes 1,178 to the square mile. The island 

 has a line of hills running from north to south, rising to 1,145 

 feet above the sea ; this hill range is intersected by ravines, 



