Edible Products. 



244 



[Sept. 1906. 



Extract from a letter from the Director of the Imperial Institute to the 

 Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies, dated December 20, 1904 :— 



The trade report made by Mr. Chalmers on the tobacco of Jamaica is of 

 considerable interest. The fact is already appreciated in this country that Jamaica 

 is able to produce cigars of excellent quality. The quality does not, however, appear 

 to be uniform. The subject is so important that no effort should be spared to take 

 whatever steps are needed for the development of the industry. If the recommend- 

 ations made by Mr. Chalmers in his report, are to be followed, it would seem highly 

 desirable to obtain expert advice with reference to the cultivation, picking, 

 fermentation, and curing of tobacco suitable for the manufacture of cigars. This 

 assistance could best be obtained from Cuba, or from Sumatra or Florida, where 

 suitable varieties of tobacco are successfully produced. 



This step has been recently taken in connection with the development of the 

 tobacco industry in South Africa and also in Ireland. 



Extract from a letter from the Board of Trade, Commercial Department 

 (Intelligence Branch) to the Colonial Secretary, Jamaica, dated December 7, 1904: — 



In the report from the expert, referred to above, interesting information 

 is (as you are aware) given, embodying the results of his inquiries and 

 investigations into the growing of tobacco in your colony, and the possibility 

 of the establishment of a very lucrative industry in connection therewith ; 

 and there is no doubt that the particulars contained in this report would be of 

 considerable interest to the representatives of the tobacco trade in this country. 

 The value, however, of the information given would be materially enhanced if the 

 report itself were accompanied by samples of the various grades of tobacco produced, 

 and such samples (If produced) could be exhibited at the offices of this branch in 

 illustration of Mr. Chalmers' report, and could be retained here for examination by 

 tobacco importers in this country, and afterwards sent to the Imperial Institute, or 

 otherwise disposed of as might be directed. I should be glad, therefore, if arrange- 

 ments could be made for samples of such tobacco to be forwarded to this branch for 

 the purpose indicated. 



Extract from a Minute from the Director of Public Gardens and 

 Plantations to the Colonial Secretary, Jamaica :— Professor Dunstan states that 

 Jamaica cigars are of uniform quality. This fact is due to the trade bring at 

 present of only small dimensions, and there is no doubt that the quality will 

 gradually become uniform as larger stocks of tobacco are used for an increased 

 trade. Expert advice would be of great assistance, as Professor Dunstan suggests, 

 especially as to Sumatra tobacco, when it is possible for the Government to spare 

 the necessary money. The Department has, however, studied the problems of 

 cultivation and curing with the help of trained Cubans, and has a practical school at 

 Hope Gardens, where any one is welcome to come and learn, and where the appren- 

 tices are taught during their time of service. 



I have sent samples of tobacco to Mr. Worthiugton, of the Intelligence 

 Branch of the Board of Trade, but I do not think that it is possible to do much at 

 present in an export trade of leaf tobacco. The samples should not, therefore, be 

 put forward as soliciting orders, but only as indicating what Jamaica can produce. 

 All that is now grown is required for the cigar business, which is gradually growing, 

 but large orders might lend again to a catastrophe in our trade. We should aim 

 rather at quality than quantity. 



Extract from a letter from the Director of the Imperial Institute to 

 the Director of Public Gardens and Plantations, Jamaica, dated March 30, 1905 : — 

 I have received through the Colonial Office a copy of a memorandum prepared 

 by you with reference to certain suggestions made by me in a letter, dated 



