ORANGES IN JAMAICA. 427 



utoiimer to Now Voik, PhilarlelpUia, ;mkI Ualtiraore. At kliis rako the yield ftdni 

 siugle trees has been estimated to lauge from 10s. to 20s., and even more according to 

 the age and size of the tree. Growers who i)ack their own oranges usually obtain 

 V2s. a barrel in ICiugston. Latterly, the tendency of prices has been upwards. Man- 

 chester "stem cut" oranges, carefully wrapped and packed, are worth 16«. ($4) a 

 barrel in the local export market. lu New York they are worth from |5 to $S per 

 barrel according to fluctuations in the market. A barrel contains from 350 to 400 

 oranges. Thus it will be seen that the profits of tlie large grower greatly exceed 

 those of the peasant. 



GKNBRAL KEMAEKS. 



The spontaneous character of orange cultivation in Jamaica is a noticeable feature. 

 It is only during recent years that a new character is being given to the culture by 

 systematic plantingand increased attention. The official count of oranges exported in 

 the year ending September 30, 183.3, is :34,OdO,000. Almost all these were wild oranges 

 or spontaneously grown fruits. The climate of Jamaica, in the elevated portions of 

 the interior, is believed to be exceedingly Well adapted to the cultivation of the 

 orange, and the soil also. The excellent seedlings spontaneously grown may be ad- 

 duced in support of this belief. When cultivation is bestowed the first effect is to in- 

 crease the size of the fruit. Manuring is ranch neglected, but when manures are ap- 

 plied the increased yield and the more rapid growth of the tree are very noticeable. 

 The tree is a gross feeder, and requires lime, potash, and phosphatic and aramoniaoal 

 manures. Cow manure is the compost applied in Jamaica. The orange industry is 

 limited to the export of the fruit to the United States and Canada. No commercial 

 attempts have been made to extract the essential oils for perfumery. 



The length of the season of fruiting in this island is also noteworthy. Those who 

 are experimenting with irrigation entertain the idea that the season may be con- 

 trolled so as to produce fruit at any desired time of the year by its aid. But this 

 may prove a doubtful advantage, as^summer-grown oranges would enter into cotnpe- 

 tition with northern fruits in their own markets. For the same season a summer crop 

 of bananas is not so valuable as the crop produced during the absence of northern 

 frnit. The natural close of the orange season in Jamaica is marked by the fruiting 

 of the Star apple, and then all classes prepare for themselves the tropical dainty 

 which the Creoles style " matrimony." This is a mixture of fresh orange juice with 

 the pulp of the Star apple, co which various flavors are added according to taste. 

 But the simple admixture is a delicious compound and is universally relished. 



TRINIDAD. 



REPORT JiT CONSUL flA WYEB. 



Orange and lemon trees are attended with good soil and climate in 

 this colony ; but they are mostly in a semi-cultivated condition, as, hith- 

 erto, planters have given their attention to the more important indus- 

 tries. The frnit, however, is of good size and quality, a considerable 

 number being shipped to New York by direct line of steamers. Figs 

 and olives are useless in this colony, the former being destroyed by 

 frugivorous bats, and the latter do not bear. 



Moses H. Sawyer, 



Conml. 

 United States Consulate, 



Trinidad, B. IF. J., Novemher 22, 1889, 



