218 
a Se i in the Caicos mre and the reports from the plantations, 
ards the close of the year, were satisfactory. ‘Two companies, im 
West Caicos Fibre Conipalty; ’ Limite d, at West Caicos, and the Eas 
Caicos Company, Limited, at Breezy Point, formed for the purpose of 
raising pita plants and extracting the fibre, registered under the com- 
nies ordinance, and there are several private plantations. A small 
shipment of fibre was made to New York pe: the year from one of 
the latter, and the first quality fetched a cent a pound more than the 
second quality—an equal price to the best from Yucatan. This speaks 
well for the quality of the fibre which can be produced in these islands, 
and promises a bright future for the local fibre industry. 
The following note on Frurt E CH in the Bawamas is given 
in the Blue Book Report for 1891:—The Colony offers great induce- 
ments for fruit-growing. Preble are at present the pred p 
but the particular description of land required for their cultu 
limited quantity. of late years the growth has been inda ch improved by 
T 
o 
beyond its present limits, for the increasing competition of Cuba and 
Jamaica is a further element of insecurity in the future of this industry. 
s a good business might be done, if the oe of Florida 
enterprise in this fruit are a fair criterion. At present the oranges of 
this country are roughly handled, being generally pres in bulk in 
vessels’ holds, and often without compartments. The fruit is equal to 
any in the yadi and when, for the most part, it receives no attention, 
the result of careful cultivation could not fail to be remunerative. The 
ds Pee for pone are Bs up to those in Florida, and we are 
le free us all risk of frost, which so often blights the Florida 
The success of the industry in this Colony would be partial, how- 
ever, until thé p propèr birre of packing were adopted to ensure delivery 
at market in good cond 

