63 
West Indies, unless timely and well organised efforts are made 
to improve the sugar industry and (where suitable conditions 
exist) atte? new industri ies, 
OTHER INDUSTRIES THAN SUGAR. 
186. Cacao.—-About one- rch oe the total area is above 1,000 
feet elev vation, hence there is a diversity of climate suitable for 
most tropical and be tr piel “leita” Considerable effort is being 
made to encourage the cultivation of cacao. Altogether about 700 
acres has already been established in small patches from one to 
ten acres in extent. The Commissioner states that “316 acres in 
‘cacao have been planted in ae Pap from the Crown 
“during the last three or four yea The exports, so far, are 
of 
um, 
2 450 bags (of 150 Ibs. each) were exported in 1896 to Trinidad. 
rg instructor in cacao from Trinidad was appointed by the 
Government last year, he he has hlsoaay “given much valuable 
o grower Ir rably of the 
(Mr. Low) is of opinion that on the extension of the cultivation 
of cacao and cotfee “the future welfare of the island will 
Khea depend,” 
187. Coffee.—Large areas are suitable for coffee in the higher 
lands. Mr. Hart recommends that the trees be geome by heavy 
belts of the natural forest on the ridges, and around the most 
exposed fields. “If properly harvested and A, coffee should 
yecome a most liere cultivation, and one that should show a 
“ considerable margin of profit.” Tobago coffee, in the New York 
market, has paneis been placed at an exceptionally high value. 
188. Cocoa-nuts.—Large plantations of the cocoa-nut palm 
extend along the coast. The issioner states that “ cocoa- 
“ nuts abound, and are aera used —e in addition to which 
“more than half a million are ually exported. With 
“ scientific sion pga the outpat a eee could be consider- 
“ably improved.” The e exports in 1891 were 884,210 nuts, of the 
value of S TOD, Mr. Hart reports that “the trees were in good 
health, and no disease of a A pag eee ae noticed.” 
The nuts, however, were small. Fo e improvement of the 
cultiv ation, it was sae soma to Ges isa ati Tria Central 
America or Jam: Possibly careful attention to manuring and 
areva the secs dua dry seasons would also have a beneficial 
effec 
ia. Fibre Plants—A valuable fibre plant known as “silk 
grass” (a species of Furcræa) is abundantly found in the island. 
This yields a w ie eas fibre similar to Sisal hemp. It has lately 
been cultivated o abandoned estate near Logie ro ugh. The 
Dour established Gaboni 100 acres) will not, however, justify 
the ary expenditure for machinery p extract the fibre 
A Montator of at least 1.000 acres would be required to keep the 
machinery regularly employed. The cost of a Todd machine or 
imi hine with engine and press, 
Bahamas, would be about 1,000/. This would prepare half 
of fibre per day. The present price of Sisal hemp is about 14/. ie 
