148 
papari to find that, notwithstanding the immense depreciation 
n the value of its staple productions, and in spite of the series of 
he changes of exceptional severity through which it had 
passed, Jamaica is still in a comparatively prosperous condition 
as compared with 110 years ago. 
The capacity for further development is undeniable, for only 
about one-fourth of the cultivable area is actually under crops. 
If, as is possible under prec circumstances, the value of either 
the sugar crops or the fruit trade were ouble d, Jamaica would 
ney valu 
of its exports as it ever was in the days of slavery. But as 
regards the general ee of the inhabitants, their social con- 
ditio on, and civic efficienc T is undeniably in a better 
position than it ever was befo 
COFFEE. 
412. The Pe coffee crop shipped from Jamaica was in 1814, 
when 272,321 cwts. were exported. This was more than three 
times the quantity shipped in 1895-96. Jamaica coffee is of three 
well-marked qualities. The sort that obtains the highest prices is 
-grown on the southern slopes of the ae Mountains, at elevations 
of 3,000 to 5,000 feet. The area for new plantations is now very 
limited. The Sethe ASRR is i pianos not one-third of 
the whole), but the a ge prices are from 100s. to 142s. per ewt. 
The next sort is ee coffee, grown in the mountains of 
Manshestir and St. Ann’s, at elevations of 1 00 to 2,500 feet. 
This obtains prices from 65s. to 90s. per cwt lar; antity 
recently have been 35s. to 45s. per cwt. It has been shown that 
if the settlers were provided with a central factory, worked by 
people who thoroughly understood the curing of coffee, the ceo 
of the produce would be increased K least 20 per cent. “ Assuming 
“ that two-thirds of the coffee ra in Jamaica is settlers’ gee 
“and taking the loss on oratia of defective curing at 20s. 
“ cwt. there is here an annual actual loss to the island of 
“ nearly 200,0002.” 
413. There is another point: it has been conclusively proved 
that a good deal of abandoned land in the Blue Mountains and 
elsewhere can be made productive by juicing cultivation and 
manuring. In fact, portions of old coffee estates, bought by 
settlers, have latterly been brought into an excellent state of 
1 einer tion. The crops are sold in the cherry to the neighbouring 
antations, which thus act as central factories. Coffee cured in 
is manner fetches Pete in some cases equal to good Blue 
Moditain coffee. There is evidently a promising field for 
development in this diriotion, sia in the pera Mountains and in 
the coffee districts of Manchester 
414. Liberian coffee, alrea = tally akak in uneei with 
the other West Indian Colon 8s being largely taken up in 
amaica. It will grow in alani Tocalitice with a moist climate 
even on some of the old sugar estates. It is more hardy, and 
