118 
to 28s. per acre for land for pine growing. They usually receive 
2s. per dozen for the early fruit, and about 8d. to 1s. for the late 
fruit. Messrs. Halliday and Uphill, who started a Fruit P poima. L 
Association, consider that pine growing could become a profitable 
industry if the mail steamers Lineal sci facilities for 
shipping. Mr. Halliday stated that “o of pines would 
“ give a return of 11/., and that the ont on spent acres W oe be 
“ sufficient to maintain a labourer on that alone.” The chief 
difficulties are want of knowledge on the part of the cultivators 
and of suitable communication with the port of shipm 
351. The fact that this industry has struggled on in spite of all 
difficulties for so many years is a proof that the natural conditions 
are evidently very favourable to it. If a canning establishment 
similar to the one just started at Montserrat were erected in the 
pine-growing district, it is possible that sufficient fruit Cais be 
grown to keep it regularly employed. This would be a means of 
utilising all the small pines and ies produced after the shipping 
season is over. 
352. The value of the fruit na vegetables exported from 
Antigua Bung the year 1896 was 2,5027. 
353. Liberian coffee was successfully grown at an agape 
plot established by the Superintendent of Agriculture at y 
Ponds. The plants were described as _ vigorous and emiting 
me h 
introduced and fruited. Kola, grapes, and figs have also been 
introduced. 
. On the whole, the circumstances in Antigua cannot be 
wrod as favourable for subsidiary industries. It might produce 
more fruit and vegetables for ita own one. and thus e less 
dependent on importations from other countries. Under this 
head it may be noted that 8,065 barrels of corn meal, of the value 
of 3,5731. were oo and consumed in wal in an island where 
maize can be grown as cheaply as in any part of the world; o 
corn and grain iheie were imported 37,157 aiet of the value of 
3,296/.; of pickled beef, pork, and other meats, there were 
imported and consumed 637, 101 praca ed og value of 6,4371. 
while of oil-meal and oil-cake for man ere were impor i 
633,394 pounds, of the value of 1,4237. "The total value of these 
commodities, all of which might have been advantageously pro- 
duced by persons not biggie in the sugar industry, was 14,729/. 
Attention might also be directed to ry ites the pastures of the 
island aå Nore the cultivation of the admirable “ sour grass” 
in all s e localities, and to devant the cattle industry, 
which = lee of late years from disease and drought. 
BOTANIC STATION, 
TA Botanic Station was started at Antigua in 1889. The first 
Curator was Mr. A. G. Tillson, who had been trained at Kew. 
Mr. Tilson remained in charge ‘until J nes of this year, sia he 
, after nearly eight years’ service ays site selected heed 
a portion of an old sugar estate known as Clare Hal ll, about a mile 
the east of St. John’s, the capital. This was Sonay the only ne 
