34' 



market values of raw material only about one-fourth as much 

 as its nearest competitor. Not only therefore the high yield 

 of starch in cassava place it prominently before manufacturers 

 as a probable new material for the great glucose industry, at 

 present practically dependent upon corn, but moreover 

 cassava contains two other constituents worthy of considera- 

 tion in this connection, namely, its 3 per cent, of sugar. 

 against the o - 4 per cent, in corn, and 168 per cent, of fibre, as 

 compared with 220 per cent, of corn. Manufacturers are now 

 considering the importance of these facts, and there is good 

 reason for expecting the erection of at least two gluco 

 factories in the near future, which will depend upon cassava 

 for their raw material." The same authority says in another 

 report: "The actual profit on the feeding of the cassava 

 steers was 48'42 per cent, on the investment. The cotton 

 seed steers returned a profit of 3743 per cent., and the corn 

 fed steers 14*98 per cent. The difference between lots 1 and 

 2 is decidely apparent, and shows cassava to be very 

 materially the cheapest and best ration which can be used for 

 fattening purposes. The most astonishing fact, however, is 

 the very great difference demonstrated between the cost and 

 the result of feeding corn and feeding cassava, the difference 

 being almost two-thirds in favour of the latter-. Cassava 



proves itself a most superior beef fattening food 



I pointed out that the cassava is peculiarly drought resisting 

 flourishing as it does in arid regions, as well as in humid 

 regions. Thus about 14 inches of rainfall secured abundant 

 crops, whereas for rice cultivation from 50 to 60 inches are 

 requisite. I also pointed out that some of the varieties when 

 cooked as Irish potatoes rival that edible in point of palat- 

 ableness 



" The cultivation is exceedingly simple ; it thrives under 

 " the most diverse conditions of climate, on t^e Liguanea and 

 "other dry plains, on rocky hill sides, as well as on humid 

 " plains and hills wherever the soil is friable or gravelly. To 

 " obtain large crops it must be planted annually ; it may be 

 "planted twice a year in Jamaica; the roots or tubers can be 

 " dried to keep for some time, thus the weight is greatly 

 " reduced for transport to be brought from distant parts to a 



" factory As a matter of fact an acre of it is 



"worth more than an acre of sugar cane." 



The other article is as follows : — " The cultivation of cassava 

 " or Manioc (Manihot utilissina) is spreading rapidly in Florida 

 " and the neighbouring States. One great advantage is that 

 " the plant grows in sandy soils unsuited to most crops, and can 



