161 
TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS, 
These islands were once included under the Bahamas, to which group 
og Re geographically belong. At present they are under the Government 
J 
In ba ones of a visit made by the Commissioner eini Island to 
Lorimers on Middle or Grand Caicos in J uly 1889, h 
“ Shortly after sunrise on the morning of the 10th Guat tI started 
k to Bourbarra, about four miles distant, and on the way there I 
visited the Pita plantations which have been established by Mr. Alfred 
Stubbs, of Cockburn Harbour. This gentleman, whose e grandfathe en 
e last slave-owner on the Caicos, whose house still stands, owns not 
pe than seven to eight piny acres on this Island (Grand Caicos) 
alon d is by slow ghee beineing portions of this under 
cultivation i in fibre plants. His system has been to lease his land to 
the ‘farmers’ (or ‘planters’ as ihe call themselves) at the rate of 
about two dollars per acre per annum, under the conditi ion of their 
rear. 
planted oak about half of which is now fit for cutting. His plants are 
placed too close to each other, and have not been kept clean, but they are 
ould fu 
f 
ong. Some plants that I saw in the village enclosures, whic 
received proper attention, were much finer, the leaves being stout and 
well-coloured and not less than 4} feet long 
. The fibre eres planted out by ae Stubbs a I believe, the true 
‘pita.’ [Specimens have since been received at Kew, and they are 
undoubtedly pens rigida, var. aus. ] They are exactly similar to 
those found in Florida and the Bahamas. They have but one thorn, an 
ases at the end wot the leaf. They have all ai grown from mapati 
plants 
e people are most anxious to start fibre cultivation on their own 
account, but I could not advise them to do so, until I can see my way to 
ensuring a sale for their leaves, as of course they could not buy 
machinery for themselves. Although the Government have but spa 
land in that district fit for provision farms, they have about 2, 
fit t for Pita, most of which : in eecalleit position for affording wale 
i arefu 
ations ipea able to induce earen persons here to form a company an 
‘mport the necessary machinery.” 
The further development Api a fibre industry at the Caicos Islands 
has been already fully ey ribed. It appears that at West Caicos Pita 
Plants in good’ co nditio were found growing in the bush. The 
ean er of a fibre sensei (lately formed) had land in an advanced 
of preparation for planting purposes, ae he hoped in October 
(1890) be set out plants of which upwards of 200,000 were already 
in h At East Caicos (Breezy Point) as were 15,000 to 20,000 
acres s suitable for Pita cultivation, and some 200 acres have been already 
JAMAICA. 
As might be naturally expected, there has been considerable effort 
— to introduce plants of Sisa 1 hemp for Sprea tal trial in 
i n 
