181 



sent year, as the other logwood countries appear to go on exporting ex- 

 ceptionally heavily still. 



Tho logwood growers in Jamaica forget however, that the prices 

 during the last years were run up too high and a sudden reaction was 

 not altogether unforseen. 



Even to-day (being 35/ — below the highest point) we are still 10/ to 

 15/ higher than in the year 1886, and at that time, every grow r in 

 Jamaica seemed to be satisfied with the prices then ruling. 



During next year there may be an improvement in the value, but, I 

 doubt, that we shall see prices again as high as we had them in 1894, 

 and at that time there was a fear that Aniline colours might interfere 

 with the sale of logwood, but there is no such chance with the present 

 prices of logwood. 



I may be wrong in my above opinions, but nevertheless I gladly 

 submit the same, at your request, and remain 



Very sincerely, yours, 



Dr. Emile Bucher, to J. Allwood, Esq. 



Spanish Town, 16th July, 1896. 



Dear Mr. Allwood, 



I have to acknowledge the receipt of your letter dated 14th inst., 

 asking me to give my opinion as to the cause or causes for the present 

 drop in price of logwood and as to the future prospects of the trade. 



From facts ascertained by tho latest statistics showing that Logwood 

 as a dye is yet as much in demand as ever, and also from the fact that 

 the better classes of Logwood continue to be bought at their former 

 high prices, it is to be inferred that the main reason of the fall of 

 Jamaica Logwo >d is to be sought in the bad quality of a portion of 

 Jamaica Logwood lately exported. At the same time, those countries 

 that produce a quality of Logwood superior to the Jamaica product 

 appear to be able by increased exports to supply the immediate wants of 

 the market. From information lately received, I understand that 

 Haiti and San Domingo have begun exporting Logwood Roots, whilst 

 Honduras and Mexico are said to make ever increasing shipments. 

 Under these conditions, it is natural enough that consumers keep shy 

 of the comparatively poor Jamaica Logwood. 



If it is considered that one ton of Honduras or Mexican Logwood 

 will do the same work as one and a half tons of Haiti Logwood and two 

 tons of Jamaica Logwood, it is evident that for an increase in the 

 export of each ton of Mexican Logwood the wants of the market will 

 be lessened by a quantity equal to two tons of Jamaica Logwood. 

 Taking the average exporting capacity of Jamaica at 90,000 tons per 

 annum, it would be sufficient for Mexico and Honduras to exceed their 

 exports by 45,1)00 tons annually to enable the market to do without 

 Jamaica Logwood. If Haiti and San Domingo contribute to this end, 

 as seems to be the case, the necessary result must be a depreciation of 

 the Jamaica Logwood. In my opinion, such a depreciation will continue 

 as long as our competitors are able to keep up the present rate of their 

 shipments. 



It is not unlikely that the supply of Roots from Haiti and San. 



