7 
“& values between ‘ Sa best and this ‘ Ceylon’ was too 
“ induce us to go on buying, except in small lots occasionally for m 
“and improving. On lately inquiring the value, our brokers tell. us 
“ the bulk of it is going to the United States of America, and there 
“ fetching 3s. 6d. per 
“ Best ‘ Portal’ Cayenne is not worth ls. to-day, so that we 
“ open to doubt the statement to that extent; but it all leads to this 
that if our Jamaican friends would prepare a few ewts. of paste 
* be ascertained, but that difficulty wtp be bridged over by inquiries 
‘instituted by those who are known to ask for a public purpose rather 
“* than by interested deale 
“ Tf, therefore, you oil add this to the many | far ol inane 
« branches of investigation, which, no doubt, ‘run’ your time already 
“ too closely, we feel sure you will excuse the mention of it. 
“ Any facts as to Annatto preparations, &c. we should be glad to 
“ give so far as they are known on this side on 
In reply to this letter, it was iörittóned that the tendency 
but to export the seeds in a cured state. Owing to the fact 
that prepared Annatto is subject to a heavy duty in America, while 
the cured seeds, as a raw product, are admitted free of duty, growers 
the year 1886, chiefly to America, from Jamaica to the extent of 
369,284 pounds, of the ule of 7,6937. Itis evident that oe re in 
the aration of butterine, and analogo us substances, or some 
special process of dyeing, Annatto has been found of aS" in the 
United States, and an ged has been given to the stride He which 
than 20 years. It is only right, however, to point ot that Abinto 
it still a precarious a and somewhat uncertain article in commerce, and 
the demand is distinetly limited ; it may, however, receive attention as a 
subsidiary subject, and A meet the demand in America it is evidently 
according tò 
Messrs. Burgoyne, Burbidges, Cyriax, and Farries Prices Current, June 
1887, as follows :—“ Spanish flag, re-rolled, No. I, 3s. 3d. per pound ; 
“ Cake (Fu ulwood), 3s. 6d. per pound; extra super, 3s. 9d. per 
“ pound.” 
A further letter, which has been received from Messrs. S G. 
Gaai & Co., dated 17th June 1887, contains some useful hints, 
which may be of ‘service in the colonies :— 
“ We are much obliged by your reply on Annatto production. 
“Tt should not overlooked that seed though gradually taking the 
“ place of mpc and flag (7.e. pio tity in flag). Annatto is too low to 
« Indeed 8d. was a very high pri ice for it several years ago. ` We do 
« use the seed continuously and the paste an 
- «The latter from Guadaloupe is now about the value of the seed, or 
“& under 3d., but the Cayenne best brands are more than thrice that in 
“ first hand—more than 9d. per Ib. 
“There is when certain colours are prevalent, a large demand for 
* flag Annatto or cotton aiid for silk dyeing, and we must expect 
