110 
“to provide for the carriage of canes to central factories.” 
‘It is probable, therefore, that the increase in the cost of pro- 
d be quite 
“might be obtained for the superior article.” Sugar, though not 
regarded as the only resource of the island, largely supports the 
population, ribet = total rion s biao cause severe and wide- 
‘spread dis The los the already reduced, 
* would be lisastrons, as braket the ini ronis is payable by the 
“ sugar estat 
315. It is admitted, however, that the substitution of other 
Baynes), concludes, “ If, therefore, ee can be done for sugar, 
“ efforts should pia made in the direction of enabling the pro- 
“ prietors to pro capital for eosin ng new industries and 
~ ge over the eas before they can be brought to profitable 
nt.” 
ALTERNATIVE INDUSTRIES. 
316. The intelligent and progressive action adopted by the 
Montserrat Lime Juice Company has had a very beneficial “effect 
in suggesting other subjects of cultivation in theisland. Next to 
sugar, the most important industry is that of lime juice, which 
has been in existence for the last 25 years. The area under 
cultivation in lime trees on the Montserrat Company’s estates, is 
1,247 acres, containing 250,000 trees, while 153 acres are in limes 
on sugar estates and on small tear distributed over the 
island. The following table illustrates the quantities and value 
of the lime juice exported during the tea seven years :— 
— | 1800. | 1891. | 1892. | 1893. | 1894. | 1895. | 1898. 
Gallons.| Gallons.}| Gallons. ye Gallons.| Gallons, Gallons. 
Raw lime juice 68,503 | 119,493 | 72,590 8.280 | 130,245 | 65.260 
Concentrated lime juice `. | 15451| 10145] 5190| "6&2 | 210| 2272| 666 
Total value .. | £7,063 | £9,419 | £4,859 | £8,243 | £729 | £6,802 | £4,261 
| 
317. The average yearly value of both raw and concentrated 
pa juice exported from Montserrat is therefore about 6,000/ 
’ e 
As a rule the lime trees grow fairly well in Montserrat, but 
ri ei localities they suffer from blight, which requires special 
atm 
318. Coffee has a cultivated for a long period in some parts 
of the island, and some old trees still remain. The cultivation 
has recently been pahaneemteeed by the Montserrat Company, and 
by - H. Wilkin, a local proprietor, and about 100 to 120 
acres are now in course of being established. Mr. Barber, late 
Se Re ee 
