94 



possible regularity of supply, and uniformity, or otherwise of quality. 

 Thus, on offering a new fat or oil to a soap boiler, the first enquiry will 

 be : k< Can I get this by the ton ? and is there a regular supply to be 

 had ? It will aot pay me to introduce a new article to the public and 

 when a demand is created to find there is no supply." With respect to 

 gums, it should be recognised that it pays the exporter to sort the gum 

 into qualities where labour is cheap : a uniform white gum fetching 

 a much better price in proportion than a mixed or dirty product. 



4. Packing. — Doubtless in tropical climates there is some difficulty 

 in drying drugs properly, so as to avoid mouldiness. It must be re- 

 cognised however, that the value depends very largely on proper drying 

 There should be no difficulty in drying many drugs under the roof of a 

 dwelling where the air is hot and a current can be easily established 

 and where the drug is protected from the heavy dew. Many drugs, 

 such afc oca leaves, lose much of their alkaloid if packed before being 

 properly dried. The question of packing fruits also is one of the great 

 importance to colonists. Thus, Jamaica oranges packed unassorted in 

 boxes, even if of very superior quality, will fetch only a very inferior 

 price, for the reason that the wholesale fruiterer cannot see inside the 

 barrels, and thus has to buy so to speak, " a pig in a poke." But 

 oranges that are packed of uniform size and quality, each in tissue 

 paper, a definite number in a box of definite size, with air spaces between 

 the box and boards and protected by transverse ribs from crushing, and 

 thus allowing circulation of air, will, he knows, pay him to buy, because 

 he can see something of their state and knows what each contains. In 

 other words, the exporter who wishes to ensure a profitable transaction 

 must first learn the requirements of the market to which he sends them, 

 and must keep himself as well informed as possible as to the state of 

 repletion or depletion of the stock in the market. 



THE WOODPECKER. 



Amote on the Woodpecker attacking Cocoa pods and Oranges was 

 published in the Bulletin for April, page 58 ; and correspondence was in- 

 vited to ascertain the extent to which Cocoa and Orange planters suffer. 



Information has beeu received that the Woodpecker attacks 

 Oranges in the Port Royal Mountains. 



A correspondent near Priestman's River writes as follows : — 

 u With regard to Woodpeckers : every Cocoa planter in this district 

 suffers from their depredations. 



" They cut a hole in the pod, take out the beans, and bite them in 

 two. They do this damage at all seasons of the year, but not quite so 

 much now that they are nesting. They eat crickets, etc., sour-sop, 

 orange seeds, etc. 



u I think it would be wise to protect them only during a short 

 season. One man informs me that he once had to resort to poisoning 

 them." 



