Report of Society's Meetings. 163 



blank. The steamers in the Jamaica trade could not do 

 the work, special vessels must be built. The Company 

 were not ship-builders but he did not think there would 

 be any trouble in getting the steamers. 



In reply to questions from the members, Captain 

 Baker informed the meeting that the average price per 

 bunch of nine hands in Jamaica was 37 cents to 45 cents ; 

 for three months in the year there was a competition and 

 prices were higher ; 240 to 300 suckers were planted to 

 an acre ; labour was calculated at one man to 3 acres, 

 while manure might be required or not according to the 

 soil. 



Mr. Winter then proposed the following resolution 

 which was seconded by Mr. Jacob Conrad : — 



"That this Meeting being of opinion that the opening up of the 

 Fruit Trade with the United States would be of immense value to this 

 country, and having heard from Captain Baker that the Boston Fruit 

 Company, which he represents, would be prepared to place a swift line of 

 steamers upon the route ; this meeting earnestly recommends that the 

 Legislature of this colony should favourably consider the importance of 

 coming to an arrangement with the Boston Fruit Company in order to 

 ensure quick and certain communication between the port of this 

 colony and Boston, or other ports of the United States." 



The resolution having been supported by Messrs. 

 Gibson and Cunningham, it was carried unani- 

 mously, and copies ordered to be forwarded to the 

 Governor and Court of Policy as well as the Banana 

 Commission. 



The President (who had arrived while Captain Baker 

 was speaking) apologised for his absence at the opening 

 of the meeting, he having been unexpe6ledly detained, 

 and spoke in favour of the resolution. 



After some remarks of Mr. Johnson as to the dilatory 

 way in which the Government had carried on the 



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