Nov. 1, 1902. J THE TROPICAL 
AGRICULTUEIST. 
fade and then wither. The rhizome', or roots, should 
then he harvested like potatoes, bnt care should be taken 
not to injure the ' races ' or ' hands.' When the 'races' 
have been freed from the small fibrous roots, they are 
sent to the market either as green or cured ginger. 
The cared article may be either ' coated ' or ' uncoated' 
ginger. The former, also known as ' black ' ginger, 
consists of pieces of rhizomes, or roots, about four 
inches long which have been plunged into boiling water 
to kill them, and afterwards thoroughly dried. The 
drying is nsnally effected by spreading cut and ex- 
posing the roots to the enn. During the process the 
ginger must be occasionally turned, while it is advis- 
able to take it in every evening just as the sun goes 
down on account of its tendency to mildew. The 
' uncoated ' or ' white ' ginger roots are well washed 
and scraped or peeled, and then put up to dry from 5 to 
10 days in the sun, beini- sometimes bleached in a 
■weak solution of chloride of lime. Provided they aro 
kept from the sun, the roots may, if necessary, be 
kept for two or three days after digging before being 
scraped or peeled ; bnt it is preferable to scrape or 
peel without delay. In some places the ginger, after dry- 
ing is put into baskets and undergoes a ' bumping ' 
operation for 2 or 3 hours daily for several days, which is 
believed to facilitate its 'keeping ' properties but this 
process is not usual. The entire operation of curing 
could be done by women and children. Ginger, depend- 
ing on the quality, fetches from £2 to £4 per cwt . , 
Experiments at the Grove have recently shown that 
a patch of ginger yielded at the rate of 14,000 lb. of 
green ginger which shrunk, when diy, to 5,000 lb. 
per acre. The value of this when well cured would 
probably be about £40. 
Bee-Keeping. — Many of you may have heard the 
interesting lectures given by the Bee-Expert, recently 
employed by the Impeiial Department of Agriculture 
who visited the island early last year. By that visit 
bee-keeping received a stimulus, and several persons 
have engaged in what may be made a most fascinating 
and profitable study and occupation. A few remarks 
based on the experience of those at present engaged 
may be of value and interest. First, as to the coat of 
starting in bee-keeping. It is as well to commence 
with only two hives so that your attention may be 
concentrated upon them. The initial cost for the two 
hives would probably be : 
(1) Two hives, with one s. d 
super (locally made) 14 0 
(2) Six additional supers — 6 0 
(3) Two Italian Queens — 12 6 
(4) Two swarms — — 9 0 
(5; 250 Sections — — 5 0 
£2 6 6 
Prom these two hives the following annual results 
conld reasonably be expected : 
Honey in sections 256 
or Extracted honey... 160 bottles, 
The present price (and I must give the warning 
that, as most of the neighbouring islands are gradually 
engaging in the industry, the prices will fall there) is 
from 6d. to 9d, a section, and from 6d. to Is. for a 
bottle of extracted honey. This is a very fair return 
within twelve months with an original outlay of £2. 
6. (i. After the first year there are fewer expenses, 
with consequently greater profits. 
Monteerrat honey has received high praise in the 
other islands. For fuller information about this sub- 
ject, see the valuable, well illustrated pamphlet is- 
sued by the Imperial Department of Agriculture, 
called Bee-keeping in the West Indies. It can be obtained 
from the Local Agents of the Department price 4d. 
Kkgulatios of the Quality op Expoeted Fruit. 
At the West Indian Agricultural Conference held 
last January, the Hon. S, Olivier, Colonial Secietary 
p( Jamaica, read a paper on ' KegiUatiug the 
quality of Exported Fruit.' According to the offjcip.l 
report of the proceedings, he pointed out how owing 
to the regrettable action of persons shipping immai^ 
ture or badly packed fruit there was a very real 
danger threatening the fruit trade of these Oolonies. 
If such a course were pursued without check "West 
Indian fruit wonld earn a bad name, and fail to 
command the confidence of the market. Ho stated 
that it was impossible to forbid absolutely the im- 
portation of any kind of frnit, however bad, or to give 
a Government guarantee after inspection to all fruit 
shipped. 
He proposed a general scheme, the main features of 
which were : — 
(1.) The establishment of a complete register of all 
growers and packers, with a nominal lioenca for pack- 
ing house. 
(2.) The marking of all packages with the name 
and address of the packer and hia packing 
houses. 
(3.) The establishment of standard grades for 
size and quality of fruit throughout the West 
Indies. 
(4.) The inspection of the picking houses and 
packages, at any point before shipment, by proper 
inspectors. 
(5.) The presence of a responsible agent in the 
selling market. 
(6.) It was suggested that, to maintain a high 
standard of fruit exports, inspectors should have 
power to brand packages found to be improperly 
described, 
"Yon will thus understand the importance of placing 
a good, and at the same time a well graded quality 
of fruit or vegetables on the market. Two or three 
points are to be observed. Taking onion growing, 
for example, you have to ensure ; — 
(1.) That a good quality is grown. 
(2.) That only the good onions are exported, and 
in boxes containing equal sizes. 
(3.) That onions of different varieties are kept 
separate. 
(4 ) That each year the same kind of onions ara 
Bent under the same name. 
(5.) That yon send to your market the onion that 
people want, not what you think they want, or should 
want. Tbis persistent disregard of what the buyers re- 
quire and attempts to force upon them articles which 
we suppose they ought to use, have done more than 
anything else to injure British commerce. People will 
often pay fancy prices for what they like, but absolutely 
refuse to look at what they do not want. 
(6.) That you always keep a good name in business 
transactions. A good name is a considerable asset in 
business, and you must resolutely set your face 
against any one attempting to injure the good namo 
of any West Indian industry. 
Experiment Stations.— Before concluding I beg to 
advise you to pay frequent visits to the Experiment 
Stations and Plots which have been established in 
this island by the Imperial Department of Agriculture. 
Here you will not fail to learn valuable lessons and 
gain information of the highest interest. I often walk 
through them myself and never leave without having 
gained both pleasure and profit. 
Concluding Kesiarks. — Such is a brief sketch of 
of what has occurred to me with regard to what small 
owners might do to help themselves. Even if the 
sugar market were most favourable and the stern 
hand oE compulsion were not pushing us onwards to 
seek other means of livelihood, profit and pleasara 
might be derived from the pursuit of these minor 
industries. In tlie times before us, that must in any 
case be fraught with anxiety, we need to induce every 
one to act vigorously, and to lead them to work 
industriously and intelligently. No work is worth 
doing badly ; and he who puts his best effort into 
every task that ccmes to him will surely outstrip hini 
who lazily awaits his opportunities. " * 
