Annals of Horticulture. 



neighbors may be expected to make demands upon our mar- 

 kets as soon as northern energy and capital utilize their vast 

 resources. The horticulture of Trinidad was briefly outlined 

 in a previous volume.* The Bahamas must be considered 

 as important future competitors in both domestic and foreign 

 markets in certain products. 



In his latest report to the Colonial Office, the Governor, Sir 

 Ambrose Shea, according to the London Times, states that 

 the Bahamas offer great inducements for fruit-growing. Pine- 

 apples are at present the principal crop, but the particular 

 description of land required for their culture is a limited 

 quantity. Of late years the growth has been much improved 

 Fruits by the use of fertilizers, with a considerable increase of quan- 

 Baha'rn'as 6 tity- The crop yields large profits. At twopence each an 

 acre of pineapples returns £±o to ^45, and though precari- 

 ous, from its perishable nature, while such results are possible 



of the cultivators, beyond its present limit ; for the increas- 

 ing competition of Cuba and Jamaica is a further element of 

 insecurity in the future of this industry. In oranges a good 

 business might be done, if the accounts of Florida enterprise 

 in this fruit are a fair criterion. At present the oranges of 

 the Bahamas are roughly handled, being generally shipped in 

 bulk in vessels' holds, and often without compartments. The 

 fruit is equal to any in the world, and when, for the most part, 



could not fail to be remunerative. The facilities for produc- 

 tion are fully up to those in Florida, and the colony is entirely 

 free from all risks of frost, which so often blights the Florida 

 crop. The success of the industry in this colony would be 

 partial, however, until the proper system of packing were 

 adopted to insure delivery at market in good condition. 

 With this point secured and the advantage of steam communi- 

 cation, which is fast becoming available, orange growing should 

 be a profitable source of employment. Tomatoes are grown 

 to a moderate extent, but the production might be largely 

 increased, and when more intelligent enterprise from abroad, 

 of which the prospect is now encouraging, is brought to bear 

 on various opportunities for steady money making in the 



