14 



Annals of Horticulture, 



the island by its discussions and publications. It was in the 

 spring of 1889 that small shipments of fruit, chiefly oranges 

 and bananas, were first made to the American markets by the 

 newly subsidized line of steamers. These shipments were 

 necessarily of an experimental character, and produced very 

 varying results, some fruit fetching fair prices, and others 

 being sold at a loss. This, however, is not difficult to ac- 

 count for. The shipments were of a spasmodic character, 

 and the processes of packing and picking, which demand the 

 greatest care, were but little understood. The first opera- 

 tions, too, were commenced at a rather unfavorable period of 

 the year, in which Trinidad fruit had to compete with that 

 from other well-known fruit-growing countries where the re- 

 quirements of the market were thoroughly understood, and it is 

 not surprising, therefore, that the pioneers of the new indus- 

 try were somewhat disheartened at the results obtained. The 

 Central Agricultural Board and its agents, however, urged 

 the people to persevere, and in the opinion of Sir William 

 Robinson the industry may now be considered to be firmly 

 established. The principal exports have consisted of oran- 

 ges, limes and bananas. Experiments have been made with 

 other products, but not with satisfactory results. Five thou- 

 sand two hundred crates of oranges were shipped in the four 

 months ending December 31, 1890, which constituted the 

 season for that year. Two larger plantations were started 

 during the year, and numerous smaller ones. A notice writ- 

 ten by the Governor calling attention to the advantages of 

 this industry was extensively circulated throughout the colony 

 in English, Spanish, French and Hindustani. Trinidad limes 

 were first placed on the New York market in 1889. These 

 did fairly well, and in 1890 there was a considerable increase 

 in the shipments. Several abandoned lime plantations have 

 been reclaimed, and the exports of this product will, no doubt, 

 increase rapidly, as it has been discovered that they can 

 compete favorably with Sicilian lemons. The shipments of 

 bananas have considerably fallen off in 1890 as compared 

 with 1889. The fruit spoils very quickly, and it has been 

 found that small quantities cannot receive the special care 

 and attention which they require. Large areas are, however, 

 being planted up with bananas, but the excessive rainfall of 

 1890 has somewhat retarded operations. Dried bananas have 



