1 882.] Barbados. 219 



rounded by fields which soon will yield golden fruit, and working 

 with an energy which wind, weather or a fluctuating market im- 

 pose, they lead a regular life, interrupted only by questions of 

 local government, and by attempts at sanguinary revolt on the 

 part of idle or dissatisfied negroes. On high points, exposed to 

 view, for long distances may be seen staffs with movable arms or 

 other indicators. They serve as telegraphic signals, and a men- 

 acing attitude on any one plantation will soon be known all over 

 the island. Thanks to good management, however, occurrences 

 such as formerly devastated many plantations are becoming more 

 infrequent from year to year. 



Few places, perhaps, can be found which at one glance display 

 so much quiet scenic beauty and at the same time so fully illustrate 

 the power of man as expressed by his industry. Groves of ma- 

 hogany trees, the slender, graceful form of the noble palm, the 

 clearly cut shore line, and the blue sea beyond, are combined with 

 highly cultivated fields and subservience of wind and water to the 

 will of man. 



The products of Barbadian industry are mainly the middle 

 grades of sugar, which are largely exported to England. It seems 

 strange to note, in view of this latter fact, that supplies and other 

 materials are drawn from the United States to a great extent. 

 American meats, canned fruits and vegetables, and even horses 

 and mules, are met with everywhere. Owing to the climate, stock 

 degenerates very rapidly, and neither serviceable animals nor good 

 meat is raised on the island. An exception to this rule must be 

 made in favor of the donkeys, however. Although of sorry ap- 

 pearance and presumably ready to lean up against the nearest 

 post for support, these animals are capable of a prodigious amount 

 of work. Disproportionate as the size of the little brutes and 

 their loads may seem, they trudge steadily along, requiring only 

 occasional physical admonition on the part of their drivers or 



On account of the thorough cultivation of the island but few 

 wild fruits are found, and in consequence the table of the work- 

 ing classes is not the most varied one. Salt fish, bread and 

 sugar cane form the staples. Codfish is imported in large quan- 

 tities, and some of the native fish are prepared in a similar manner. 

 Nearly every man, woman or child, returning from the fields, 

 carries a long succulent cane. Often a small boy may be seen 



