152 
be difficulties at first in eniin such a system into Jamaica, 
but as its working elsewhere has od the test of many years its 
practicability and birpadia measai nenda be doubted. 
CACAO. 
. Cacao cultivation was introduced into Jamaica by the 
T A In 1671 there were 65 walks in bearing and many 
n e 
abont 30 years old The following table, showing the value of 
the ss since 1876, illustrates the gradual growth of this 
industry :— 
p 1876. | 1880. 1885. 1890. 1896. 
j 
£ £ £ £ 
Value = $ 1,286 | 10,918 9.715 | 14,539 | 17,528 
ver Cacao cultivation has been greatly fostered by the Bouni 
Department by the introduction of seeds of the best varieties 
from Trinidad, Grenada, and o PRE The officers of the 
quality of the produce as steadily improved. In Jamaica a cacao 
estate can very economically be re concurrently with the 
cultivation of bananas ng export. It is estimated that all the 
working expenses, up to the aid of the fourth or fifth year, can 
be cleared by the profit arising from the sale of the bananas. This 
fact is full of encouragemen those intending to take up cacao 
cultivation, and it je pipere ae whereby thousands of acres of 
land formerly in sugar may be utilised for a permanent and 
remunerative industry. 
PIMENTO. 
428. Jamaica pepper, pimento, or “allspice” appears in commerce 
iii wi dry berries Jy black pepper. They have a warm 
c flavour, and are used as a spice. The tree is indigenous 
to a ‘sland, and its cultivation is of the simplest character. The 
plants are estab blished from seeds distributed by birds, and require 
only to be thinned and gier free from weeds. The a is 
irregular in quantity, aoa the price of late years ej 
exceptionally low. he expenses are correspondingl 
value of the pimento exported from riasin ca (the aa aoh Aari 
that pr er this spice) is shown below 
— 1876. 1880. 1885. 1890. 1896. 
£ £ £ £ £ 
Value...  .. - os | 39,973 | 145,568 | 85,694 | 81,321 | 90,046 
