13 



Furthermore the wagon roads are often poor, and as 

 citrus fruit is a bulky crop, distance from a seaport 

 should be considered. 



Labor in the West Indies is not very good for horti- 

 cultural work, and a prospective grower should be pre- 

 pared to teach rather than boss. 



Social Conditions may not properly be classed as a 

 horticultural problem, but it has proved to be fully as 

 important as any of the above mentioned. The majority 

 of those engaged in citrus culture, not alone in the West 

 Indies, but in Florida and California as well, are in the 

 business because they like it. They are engaged in it be- 

 cause it is pleasant outdoor work in a tropical climate and 

 they are willing to sacrifice some of the monetary gain for 

 the pleasure of living "close to nature," but churches, 

 schools, good neighbours and good government are all 

 necessary factors. The climate is often asked about by 

 prospective settlers, but that is really of minor impor- 

 tance. The climate is favorable enough in practically 

 all parts of the West Indies for Northern people to live 

 comfortably. 



The Man whether he be the owner or the manager, 

 is of more importance to the success of the undertaking, 

 than any of the foregoing factors. It is often the case he 

 knows nothing about citrus growing at the beginning, and 

 of course he must be prepared to pay for his experience. 

 This however he can always obtain cheaper by working 

 for another man than for himself, and it is a very good 

 plan to begin working in well kept orange groves in 

 different places. A year's experience of this kind will 

 be worth more than several years In one small grove. 

 There are few branches of agriculture as highly develop- 



