381 
> 
391. This fact alone would be sufficient to place Dominica in a 
different category to others of the Leeward Islands, such as 
St. Kitts, Nevis, and Antigua, in which the sugar industry has 
struggled again st depression : and retained its position as practically 
the only industry of the 
392. In. Dominica the pr LENS of sugar has already given 
way, doubtless because the processes both of cultivation and 
manufacture were more E "a and wasteful than in other 
places. The industry was never on so oe a , footing in 
Dominica, and has keretre Sain à 
395. Since, however, Dominica has never be so great a sugar- 
bani Colony as most of the others, and sugar exports now 
only form 15 per cent. of the value of the whole, it i is ppt ud 
to discuss the question of taking special measures fa 
Dominica is concerned to re-establish the sugar industry there. 
396. It is with the de evelopment of the other industries that the 
Colony will be mainly ¢ ned in future. In this direction 
there is not only Med good “ground tor dopo. but considerable 
progress has already b f the exports of 
cocoa have risen from 6, ALI in 1882, is 13, "531 in 1896 ; of limes 
and lime juice from 5,1097. to 14,851/.; of essential oils from 
295/. to 5,012/. ; of fruit and vegetables from 607/. to 1,348.. ; 
and of coffee from 321/. to 967/. in the same period. 
397. But this is not enough. If Dominica is to be self-support- 
ing, if an efficient Government is to be provided for out of its 
revenue, and the people are to be prosperous, or even comfortable, 
these industries must extend still an and there is, happily, 
no reason why this should not be the c 
398. The great extent of the c sirable’ area of Crown lands has 
already been noticed. These lands are undeveloped ; ai are 
mostly covered with nba much of which is sai o be 
valuable. Care, no doubt, ought to be taken not to Om 
increased risks of landslips or ied by allowing too much of the 
highest lands to be deforested, for the rainfall in Dominica is 
eavy ; but even allowing for the utmost Rh in this respect, 
a 
is believed to be very rich and fertile, and the appearance of such 
pat pec as have been cultivated confirms the probability of its 
eing s 
399. So ome of this land ought to be disposed of under proper 
regulations to peasant cultivators, and some of it may prove 
attractive to investors of capital or persons who are in a position 
to occupy and cultivate estates of their own. The Government of 
the Colony will have to be guided by circumstances in the dis- 
posal of it; it is not possible, under present conditions, to say 
what opportunities will arise which may lead to its being eccupied 
and cultivated, At the time of our visit all sale of Crown lands 
had been temporarily suspended owing to negotiations which 
were then pending for ə. large concession toa company. We 
believe these negotiations have fallen through, but in any case the 
sale of Crown la nds t to cult tivators in suitable localities oughtto be 
* 
resumed. 
į 
