254 
THE TROPICAL AGRICULTURIST. [October i, 1888. 
an enormous degree if proper facilities were afforded 
for placing them in suitable markets. The produc- 
tion of the other fruits mentioned could be increased 
to a very large degree if any profitable demand were 
to arise. 
The steps necessary to develop the fruit trade are: — 
1. Suitable and speedy transport. 
2. Certain markets. 
3. The institution of a system of brands at port 
of export so that fruit of a certain brand should be 
of uniform quality; in a similar manner to the go- 
vernmental inspection of fish stuffs in the province 
of Nova Scotia, which does not permit an inferior 
article to be exported. 
4. A better system of packing, methods for which 
might be introduced under Govercment control for 
a time to show cultivators that higher prices would 
surely accrue from well-packed fruit. 
5. To introduce a syndicate for packing, delivery, 
and sale of fruit produce in the best markets, instead 
of trusting to brokers and irresponsible agents. 
6. Telegraphic communication from responsible 
agents to enable sellers to place their produce at 
ports where there is the best demand from time to 
time. 
7. And not least, money at easy rates to assist 
cultivators or an agricultural loan bank. 
As to preserved fruits, the local methods hitherto 
in vogue are too expensive. What is required is to 
institute the modern English and American methods, 
which should be done by someone conversant with 
the extensive plant required in a preserved fruit 
factory. The price of locally preserved fruits is pro- 
hibitory to their extensive sale, and as a rule the 
taste of buyers is not consulted. An article suitable 
for the West Indies does not as a rule suit the 
European palate. 
The quality of Pine-apples, Bananas, Oranges, Le- 
mons, Mangoes and Neesberries grown in Jamaica 
is of such a high character, that if suitable transport 
were provided they would obtain a ready sale in 
almost any market in their fresh state. 
[Why should not fruits be grown in Oeylon for 
export to India at least if not ultimately to 
Australia?— Ed. T. A.l 
Bahama Islands. 
The principal fruits of the Bahamas are Pine- 
Apple, Sweet Orange, Banana, Grape Fruit, * Coco- 
nut, Plantain, Limes, Mango, Sapodilla, Tomato, 
Water-melon, Pumpkin, Alligator or Avocado Pear, 
Guava, Tamarind, Lemon, Sour or Seville Orange, 
Shaddock, Sour Sop, Sugar Apple, Ground or Pea-nut, 
Mammee, Cucumber, Rose Apple, Bread Fruit, Egg 
Plant, Cashew Nut. 
The Pine Apple is obtainable from the latter part 
of May to end of July. Crop amounts to about 
G.000,000 fruit. The wholesale local prices are 2s. 
per dozen for the first cuttings, or pick of the 
fields, Is. 3d. to Is. &d. per dozen for the second 
cuttings, and 9d. to Is. per dozen for the third cuttings. 
The Sweet Orange, Grape Fruit, Lime, Lemon, 
Shaddock and Sour Orange are in season from 
Octobtr to! January. The Sweet Orange yield is 
fully 4,000,000. The wholesale local price is XL per 
thousand. The Grape fruit crop amounts to about 
150,000. Wholesale local price 2s. per hundred. Of 
the Lime, LemoD, and Sour Orange no estimate can 
be given. Only a small quantity of each is available. 
At the present time they are grown chiefly for local con- 
sumption. The wholesale prices are respectively 9d. to 
Is. per hundred, 15s per thousand and 10s. per thousand. 
The cultivation of the Shaddock having materially 
declined within the past 15 years, the crop does not 
now amount to more than 4,000 to 5,000 fruit. The 
wholesale price is 4s. per hundred. 
The Banana, Plantain, and Coconut can be obtained 
throughout the v< ar. The annual yield of the Banana 
must be fully 400,000 bunches, by far the greater part 
of which is locally consumed. Tho quantity available 
for export at any one time does not exceed more than 
* A variety of the Shaddock or the Pumelow. 
2,000 bunches, and these would have to be collected at 
different points. Wholesale price is from Is. to 2». 
6d. per bunch. 
The Plantain is extensively grown, but being an 
important article of food, nearly the entire crop is 
consumed in the Colony. The annual yield is nearly 
equal to that of the Banana.* The quantity available 
for export, however, is much less, and does not exceed 
at anyone time more than 300 to 400 bunches. Whole- 
sale price is from Is. 6d. to 4s. psr bunch. 
The Coconut is also extensively consumed at home. 
The annual crop is about 1,000,000 nut.--, of which from 
8,000 to 10,000 can be obtained any month for export. 
Wholesale price £4 per thousand. In a short period 
the crop of this fruit ought to be double that of the 
present time. A few years ago large numbers of trees 
were planted throughout tho Colony, which will 
soon commence to bear. 
The Tomato is obtainable from December to March. 
It is raised both for home consumption and for export. 
The quantity annually exported is about 2,000 bushels. 
Wholesale price average 4s. per bushel. 
The Mango is in season from June to August. No 
reliable estimate of the extent of the crop can be given. 
It is never less, however, than 1,000,000 fruit, nearly 
all of which are locally consumed. Owing to the rapid 
ripening and decay of this fruit alter being plucked 
it is almost impossible! to export it wi'h any prospfct 
of success. It will not stand a sf a-voyage of over a 
few days' duration. The foreign trade is therefore ex- 
ceedingly small, and is almost entirely coufined to the 
near port of Key West. 
The above remarks also upply to the Avocado Pear, 
the Sapodilla, the Sour Soap, and the Sugar Apple. 
The Avocado Pear is obtained in August, September, 
and October. Wholesale prices 4s. to b's. per hundred. 
The Sapodilla, first crop, is in season in February and 
March, and the second crop in August and September. 
The tree grows without cultivatiun and in the greatest 
abundance. The annual yield is immense, being several 
millions, only a proportion of which is utilized. Whole- 
sale price 9d. per hundred. 
The Sugar Apple is not available for export, and (he 
Sour Soap in a limited quantity only (not over 1,000). 
The wholesale price of the latter is about 15s. per 
hundred. 
The Water Melon is obtainable in quantity for export 
from May to September. The crop is about 10,000 only, 
about one-third of which is exported. Wholesale price 
average £1. 5s. per hundred. 
The Pumpkin can be obtained throughout the year, 
but principally during the summer and autumn months. 
Annual yield about the same as that of the Water 
Melon. Wholesale price also about the same. 
The Guava is in season from August to October. 
Crop large, and is almost entirely used in the manu- 
facture of preserves. There is no foreign trade in the 
taw fruit. Wholesale price about 2s. per bushel. 
There can be no doubt that tho fruit can be improved 
by higher cultivation. Manures an 1 fertilizers should 
be more generally and freely used. The fields and 
orchards should be kept clear of weeds. The Orange 
and other fruit trees should be regularly and carefully 
pruned and scraped. 
Barbados. 
The chief fruits grown in Barbados are Bananas, 
Oranges, Shaddocks, Tamarinds, Mangoes, Star Apples, 
Golden Apples, Avocado Pears, Guavas, Grapes, 
Cashews, Sapodillas, Pine Apples, Chili Plums, Pome- 
granates, Mammee Apples, and Papaws. 
2. (a) What little fruit there is chiefly obtainable 
from September to March, (h) The only fruit avail- 
able for export are Tamarinds, (c) The ; wholesale price 
of Tamarinds varies from three shillings to five shillings 
]}ir hundred pounds. 
* The distinction between bananas and plantaxs is 
unknown in Oeylon. — Ed. T. A. 
f With special care mangoes have reached Vienna 
from Bombay in good condition,— Ed, T, A. 
