THE CULTIVATION OF CITRUS FRUITS IN THE WEST INDIES. 443 



The standard box for oranges, grape fruit, and lemons is 27 inches 

 by 12^ by 12^, with a centre partition of 1 inch thickness. This centre 

 partition bears the weight of one-half the fruit when the box is placed on 

 end, thus protecting the bottom layer of fruit from the great pressure to 

 which it would otherwise be subjected. The boxes will accommodate 

 from 96 to 252 oranges, grape fruit 48 to 80, and lemons, 252 to 300. 

 The most desirable sizes for oranges are 150 to 176 to the box. 



When the fruit has been wrapped it should be carefully laid in layers 

 in standard boxes, each layer of fruit alternating with the row below ; 

 this method of packing gives greater elasticity to the whole, thus enabling 

 them, to withstand rougher handling in transit. 



When the box is full the top layer should protrude about § inch above 

 the top of the box. The cover should then be placed on the top, and 

 gentle pressure will bring it into position, when it can be securely nailed. 

 In this way a box of firmly packed fruit is obtained. The box should 

 then be stencilled at both ends, showing the estate mark or brand, together 

 with the number of fruits in each box. 



Industry. 



Citrus fruits to the value of £98,410 17s. 6d. were exported from the 

 British West Indies last year. Of this total Jamaica contributed 

 £96,697 4s. Od., Trinidad and Tobago combined £1,047 ; Dominica £666 ; 

 Grenada 13s. 6d. 



It will be seen by the above figures that with the exception of Jamaica 

 the cultivation of Citrus fruits on anything like a 'commercial scale is still 

 in its infancy. These figures, however, do not show the amount of 

 attention that has been paid to this industry in some of the smaller 

 islands during the last seven or eight years. 



In Dominica alone over sixteen thousand Citrus trees have been planted 

 out during this period, occupying an area of about 150 acres, and steady 

 progress is being made in this direction year by year. The trees are in 

 a most flourishing condition and many are now commencing to bear, 

 so that in a very short time the results of this labour should show itself 

 on the exports of the island. 



It has now been proved that good marketable oranges and grape fruit 

 can be grown in Dominica. 



A fair average seven-year-old orange tree should produce one box of 

 good shipable fruit, allowing for wastage. Some trees are shy bearers, so 

 that an acre containing one hundred trees should not be expected to yield 

 more than sixty boxes of good fruit, and this is a reasonable return after 

 seven years. As the trees advance in age their productiveness increases 

 until the yield is doubled or even trebled. 



In Dominica Crown land suitable for Citrus growing can be obtained 

 at 12s. net per acre. Labour being cheap, an acre of oranges can be 

 thoroughly cultivated at a cost of £3 10s. Od. to £3 15s. Od. per annum. 



Twenty-five acres of oranges can be established up to seven years old 

 for about £1000 ; this does not include cost of land. 



Navel oranges will fetch from 10s. Qd. to 12s. 6d. per box in the 

 London and Canadian markets up to Christmas. Ordinary oranges — not 



