101 
“ to 1,500 feet elevation.” The plants under experimental culti- 
vation at the Station produce large crops, and everywhere they 
e A 
CACAO. 
296. The cultivation of cacao is next in importance to that of 
limes, and the e produce promises to become an important article 
of export. Dr. Nicholls gives the cere hice brief notice of the 
pets as now existing in the islan 
“As sugar declined in Neri oe cao happily rose in price, and 
“ itg cultivation was taken sa ma when the sugar 
n ‘the great markets. In recent years, however, more attention 
u “hag been directed to the selection of seeds and plants, and now 
5 higher prices are given in the home markets for the better 
2 kinds of Dominican cacao. The Botanic Garden has done 
Some very useful work in this direction, for planters eagerly 
“ buy up the seedlings raised there, and the Curator wisely takes 
rticular care to sow none eid the best pee ai sie It is 
3 “ satisfactory to notice that the exports of c l 
x increasing. In the year 1883 the export of this siipli corvée 
to 473,355 Ibs., valued at 7,8897., whilst last year close upon a 
3 million poun nds were sen nt away from the island, the actual 
L figures being 993,456 lbs., valued at 13,4537. The output may 
a be expected to increase considerably in a few Tes as much of 
the cacao salvation has not reached the bearing stage.” 
c 
297. The following Table indicates the prices obtained for 
Dominica produce in the London market during the last six 
years :— 
: Concentrated 
aE Duaa. re Lime time Tule ce, gerpre Oil | apr res — 
. Per Cwt. ulice. Per d. o; O. imes, 
Per Gallon. 52 Galls. a Per Pound. Pa seme 
1891 53s.—60s, ls.—1s. 3d. 17/.—18/. ls. 5d. — 
1892 62s.--67s. 1ld.—ls. 3d. 177.—182. ls. 8d 8s. 6d. 
1893 60s.—64s. Js.—ls. 2d. | 14l. 103. —152. ls. 8d. 8s. 9d. 
1894 48s.—56s. | 11d.—ls. 2d. 121, ls. 7d. 6s. 6d. 
1895 43s.—50s. 9d.—ls. 1d. 127. 12s. 6d, ls. 9d. 4s. 9d, 
1896 40s,—46s. 9d.—I1s. 1d. 127. 15s. 2s. 8d. 4s. Td. 
This table shows that nearly all the poun exported has 
fallen considerably in value during the last six years, and it 
emphasises the necessity for greater economy and skill in cultiva- 
tion, and for iy nadie the best labour-saving machinery for 
preparing the produc 
