- 392 
124. In ae with the question of introducing new industries 
into the West Indian Colonies, or of extending existing industries, 
it must be borne in mind that for many of the special products 
of the West Indies Miet is only a limited demand. There is, for 
example, a comparatively large market for coffee, but not for 
such products as stieg or nutmegs, and if they yeh dero 
sively grown in a number of the Islands they cease 
‘to command a remunerative price. This has Sechs. pappan 
in the case of arrowroot. 
EDUCATION :—ELEMENTARY, AGRICULTURAL, AND 
INDUSTRIAL. 
125. In the course of our stay in the West Indies our attention 
was frequently called to the question of the progress of general 
education, and we obtained a considerable amount of information 
on this subject. There me n a marked increase of expendi- 
ture on this account in nt years, and, no doubt, the efforts 
made for the wetenei di of alo nav been largely neran 
The total expenditure on education amounted to about 95,0007. 
1882, and to nearly 180,000/. in 1896, showing an increase of 
about 90 percent. It may be hoped that in Jamaica and Grenada, 
and probably in Trinidad also, it will not be found necessary, on 
financial grounds, to curtail this ex penditure, but if the sugar 
industry fails in British Guiana and in theislands not mentioned 
above, the revenue may be quite unequal to the maintenance of 
the whole of the existing schools 
26. At the present time a system of training in agricultural 
occupation is much needed. We think that some, at least, of the 
botanie stations should have agricultural schools attached to them, 
n m 
part of the course of education in the public schools generally, 
the Botanie Department would be in a position to render valuable 
assistance 
TE Agriculture, i in one form or another, must always be the 
chief and the only great industry in the West Indies, us a system 
of training in other industrial occupations, on a limited scale, is 
desirable, and would be beneficial to the pe Nee 
ESTABLISHMENT OF A TRADE IN FRUIT :—SHIPPING 
FACILITIES, 
128. There are good grounds for thinking that the West Indies 
might profitably grow fruit for export in larger quantities than at 
present. The fruit trade between Jamaica and New York has 
already attained important dimensions, and it seems possible 
that a similar trade might be established withisome of the other 
Islands. 
199. In time it might be found practicable to send fruit to the 
London market. If this could be eae the gain to the whole of 
the West Indies would be very great. We believe that the 
opportunity of selling their fruit cheaply in London would be of 
