B 



Messrs. JElder JDempster & Co. iiave with a view to improve and estab- 

 lish this cultivation on a commercial scale decided to cultivate several 

 acres on the Liguanea Plain under my supervision. My long experience 

 in tropical agriculture, coupled with the advantages accruing from a care- 

 ful study of this culture in Jblorida, where during my sojourn on the great 

 pineapple fields I acquired much information, will enable me to turn to 

 practical account improved methods of cultivation, the application to our 

 most suitable land of the accumulated' knowledge of Florida. I therefore 

 hope to be able to instruct intending cultivators as to the most approved 

 soils and methods applicable to Jamaica. 



Pineapples are exposed in Jamaica to the burning sun throughout the 

 year far more than is the case in Florida. I feel convinced that the in- 

 auguration of the shed system merits attention for the purpose of ward- 

 ing off the full blaze of the sun and. for securing congenial atmospheric 

 conditions. I therefore beg to suggest that I may be empowered to make 

 an experimental trial of a one acre shed, 2 or 3 of the best varieties to be 

 cultivated. On the dry Liguanea Plain, in places where the soil is ex- 

 tremely sandy, I am of opinion that these sheds will prove invaluable. 



To cover an acre with laths costs about ^300 per acre in Florida. There 

 timber is cheap. We have bamboo which doubtless will answer the pur- 

 pose perfectly, and it is cheap. Of this material I purpose making my ex- 

 perimental shed. Possibly creepers trained on wires might be siibstituted 

 for laths eventually. The remarkable improvement appertaining to the 

 pineapples under sheds in Florida can probably be attained by cultivation 

 under sheds here. Thus the Eipley;: judging from Floridian experiences, 

 will be considerably augmented in size and improved in quality (a little 

 difference iti the size of the fruit doubles its value) and the fruiting season 

 is in some measure regulated by shed culture. In Florida, as already 

 stated, no expense is spared to ensure these oonditio'ns. Such a valuable 

 crop is worthy of any improvement of soil, &c. 



With regard to this cultivation on the rocks of the kdys, similar rooky 

 land abounds in Jamaica, — extensive areas under rank Dush and consi- 

 dered uncultivable, 1 hese wastes with sufficient rain can be o on verted into 

 pineapple fields. Little capital is requisite beyond what is necessary for 

 the purchase of suckers. One man can cultivate several acres. Were 

 these hills in Florida hundreds of acres would be planted yearly. Besides 

 we are practically exempt from the plague of mosquitoes that torment the 

 lives of growers on the keys. Sheds are not used on the keys. The rain- 

 fall is about 60 inches. In Jamaica, too, as on the bare rocky lands of 

 the keys, limes and tomatoes could be extensively cultivated, both for 

 England and America. Tens of thousands of barrels and crates are ex- 

 ported from the keys, and large sums of money are amassed therefrom. 



In addition to the methods of cultivation applicable to Jamaica, to 

 which I have referred, I have the pleasure to recommend the initiation of 

 another system, which I anticipate will prove most successful. Bearing 

 in mind the peculiar conditions of soil under which the plant is cultivated 

 on a great scale, viz., in the sandy soil of Florida, and on the rocks of the 

 keys, I have arrived at the conclusion that we have in Jamaica another 

 peoiiliarly favourable condition of soil on which it can be cultivated with 

 the greatest success. Between Old Harbour and the foot of the Manches- 

 ter Hills, and in other localities, there are thousands of acres of compara- 

 tively level limestone rock, on which there is a thin layer of earth about 

 9 inches deep. Only small trees grow on this land. The soil is too shal- 

 low for other cultures. The rainfall is about the same as on the keys. 



Sand or rocks in Floij^iTIJf^bot the most perfect drainage oonceiv- 



