THE BAHAMA ISLANDS 177 



small returns, coupled with the increasing cost of production, because of de- 

 creasing productivity of the soils and the greater use of fertilizers, have made 

 pineapple growing less profitable. The outlook is decidedly discouraging to 

 the growers, but the conditions, as said before, are largely the result of their 

 own making. The Bahama growers, knowing the conditions, still do not 

 attempt to improve them. It is evident to them that shipping in bulk is not a 

 satisfactory way to put fruit on the market. The market demands that a 

 product be put up in an attractive manner, and this can be done only by 

 using suitable packages. Crates can be obtained at a small cost, and if the 

 fruit were carefully packed it would arrive in good condition, better prices 

 would be assured, and the losses would be reduced to a minimum. But the 

 growers, as a whole, deem it too much trouble to use more than the ordinary 

 or customary means of packing and shipping. That such improvement 

 would increase their profits there is not the slightest doubt. A few growers 

 whose shipments are small, have tried the plan and received increased re- 

 turns, more than enough to justify the additional labor and cost. 



The better shipping facilities possessed by Cuba and Jamaica enable 

 them to compete successfully with the Bahamas. Ocean steamers ply regu- 

 larly and often between their ports and ports of the United States, while the 

 steamers from the Bahamas are irregular. The use of large vessels in the 

 fruit trade is also hampered by the lack of harbor accommodations for vessels 

 of over 10 feet draught. Therefore the Bahamas must rely entirely upon 

 sailing vessels. There is one objection, however, to shipping pineapples by 

 steamer. The holds of such vessels are hot, and fruit does not keep well, 

 and where it is packed properly in crates, or even in barrels, it should arrive 

 in better condition by sailing boats. Shipment in this way also has the ad- 

 tage of being much cheaper. 



Florida promises to become the strongest competitor , in the production 

 of pineapples. The industry is being developed there rapidly, and because 

 railroad facilities can outstrip all competing countries, especially with a 

 heavy duty imposed upon the foreign products. Cuba, Jamaica and Florida 

 all produce larger, improved varieties, which are more in demand, particularly 

 in the fancy trade. The Bahama Scarlet pineapple, although smaller, is 

 sweeter and less fibrous, and if put on the market properly should hold its 

 own against these larger and more showy varieties. The American duty does 

 not discriminate in the matter of quality, and it behooves the Bahama grower 

 to put only the best of fruit upon the markei;, and by calling attention to its 

 better quality, to create a demand which no competition can injure. 

 12 



