114 
XI.—ANTIGUA. 
1,200 to 2,000 feet. 
uncultivated, while the low lands with a moderately productive 
soil, are capable of yielding goed crops. 
332. As regards configuration and soil, Antigua possesses three 
well-marked divisions. These do not pass imperceptibly into one 
to the west and south is composed of trap rocks, with trap breccias 
and some basaltic greenstones. The intermediate or central 
island from St. John’s Harbour to Willoughby Bay, is composed 
of various clayey formations ranging from loose friable marls of 
a yellow colour to a whitish indurated clay. In this district 
e marine and fresh-water flint beds, wit merov 
fossils of corals and shells and interesting specimens of silicified | 
woods. 
33. The soils of Antigua are nowhere very deep, except ir 
` certain broad valleys. In composition they are very varied, but 
and productive. They are fortunately very retentive of moisture, 
and respond readily to tillage and manures, 
334. The rainfall is small and uncertain. The average on a 
number of years is given as 45 inches. The climate is dry, and 
occasionally there are seasons of severe drought. There are few 
or no streams, and the only water available is that accumulated in 
ponds and pools. Latterly reservoirs have been constructed to 
supply drinking water to St. John’s and some of the country 
districts. 
335. St. John’s, the capital, is an extensive and attractive city, 
with a fine cathedral and other public buildings overlooking the 
harbour. The population is about 10,000. The other towns are 
Falmouth and Parham. e latter is on the north-east coast. 
The population of Antigua in 1891 was 36,119, or 1,155 more than 
in 1881. Portuguese immigrants were at one time introduced, 
and latterly 385 Chinese. The latter have nearly all disappeared. 
Many of the Portuguese and their descendants remain, and some 
are Owners of sugar estates, while others are leading shopkeepers. 
The white people numbered 1,830, or about 5 per cent. The 
proportion of the population engaged in the sugar industry is 
stated to be 34 per cent. “Labour is plentiful and fairly efficient.” 
The wages have been reduced generally since 1894; men now 
