THE BAHAMA ISLANDS 179 



The orchards have never received the care they should, even when the 

 industry was in a flourishing condition. This is due to the lack of knowledge 

 on the part of the growers. 



The Bahama Black Loam, which is suited to the production of the citrus 

 fruits, occurs in large areas. Because of the stony character of this type it 

 is better adapted to the production of tree fruits than to the smaller cultivated 

 crops. 



As with pineapples, oranges and grape fruit are shipped in bulk in sail- 

 ing vessels. There is no grading into sizes or as to the condition of the fruit. 

 The consequence is that low prices are received, and with the present import 

 duty levied by the United States, profits are still less than in the case of pine- 

 apples. 



As stated elsewhere, the production of grape fruit has become more im- 

 portant in the last few years. It promises to become more profitable than 

 any of the other citrus fruits, or even any of the other export products. There 

 is an increasing demand for it in the United States and the supply is not 

 equal to the demand. At present California and Florida are the only com- 

 petitors. The Florida crop cannot be depended on because of the liability to 

 injury by frosts and freezing, and the California product is of poor quality, 

 and alone cannot supply the trade. In years when the Florida crop fails, the 

 Bahama grape fruit supplies the deficiency, and high prices are received. 

 But even without this factor the production of this fruit proves very profit- 

 able. It succeeds well on the Islands, and is of superior quality. The trees 

 are not so subject to disease as the orange. The fruit is most successfully 

 grown by grafting the improved varieties on the native sour orange stock. 

 The trees bear well. Two crops can be picked in a season. The December 

 picking, coming into the market during the holidays, is more in demand and 

 brings higher prices. 



The exports are increasing slowly, but there is a likelihood of more rapid 

 increase if the present high prices continue. But the same haphazard meth- 

 ods of growing are employed as with the orange, the fruit is shipped in the 

 same manner, and as long as this continues the outlook is not without some 

 uncertainty, especially if Florida competition should become stronger and the 

 American duty should be increased. 



The fruit meets with a ready sale in the large American cities. It satis- 

 fies the demand for a first-class fruit, and with the high prices received the 

 duty can be paid and still leave a fair profit to the grower. There is one grower 



