I 7 2 



TlMEHRI. 



The President in reply said he did not think they had 

 any need to fear repression, if they confined themselves 

 to subjects that were non-political in the right sense, 

 which would include what is known as Political Economy. 

 The Secretary read a letter from the Government 

 Secretary to the Commercial Committee, asking that 

 body for a report as to the advisability of a revision 

 of the Colonial Duties and Customs Ordinance. 



The President said that this letter would serve as an 

 answer to Mr. Tinne with regard to political questions. 

 The Society is responsible to Government with regard 

 to its constitution, and here was a case of what may be 

 called a political question referred to them by the 

 authorities. The letter was referred to the Committee. 



The Secretary read the following letter from Dr. H. 

 A. A. Nicholls, Dominica, in answer to queries as to the 

 packing of fruits tor shipment: — 



Sir, — I beg to acknowledge your letter of the 23rd ultimo, and I have 

 pleasure in supplying the information you desire in regard to export 

 trade in oranges and limes. 



The fruit is picked from the trees in a green condition. That is, the 

 fruit must be fully formed, but not ripe. The best condition is just 

 before the colour turns from green to yellow. The greatest care pos- 

 sible must be exercised in the gathering, as thereon depends, to a great 

 extent, the success or not of the shipment. Special spring hand scis- 

 sors are made in the States for the cutting of the stalk of the fruit, for 

 it must not be pulled off the trees, but carefully cut from the bearing 

 branch, in order that no bruising may result. Long step ladders lightly 

 made lor portability, have been imported here from the United States 

 for the purpose of gathering oranges from the trees. They are known, 

 I believe, as fruit-gathering ladders. After the fruit is gathered it should 

 be carried carefully in shallow baskets to the store, and there allowed 

 to remain spread thinly on the floor, or on shelves, until it is perfectly 

 dry. It is then picked over, the bruised and inferior fruit rejected, and 

 the stalks cut close to their insertion in the fruit. The next thing is to 

 sort the fruit, for better prices will be gained in the markets if the 



