Aug. 2 , 1897 .] 
THE TROPICAL 
AGRICULTURIST. 
83 
AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT IN 
JAMAICA— AND IN CEYLON. 
The subject of “ agricultural development 
is one that may be regarded as a continuous per- 
manent topic of discussion in Ceylon. We can 
never exhaust it, for there is always some _ new 
product” or some fresh development of existing 
industry which demands attention. Now our 
text is found in the interesting and instructive 
extracts we have been tempted to make 
below from a lecture recent y delivered 
in Jamaica by Dr. Morris, C.M G., of Kew, before 
the Governor and a large body of the residents. 
This lecture was followed by an animated dis- 
cussion in which the Governor bore nis full 
share ■ and if it be true that Sir Henry Blake 
is erelong to succeed Sir Charles Mitchell at 
the Straits, with the reversion some years hence, 
possibly, of the Governorship of Ceylon, a more 
than ordinary interest will attach to his views 
and to his personal experience of agricultural 
development. Dr. Morris travelled over a wide 
ranc'e of subjects : he is particularly sanguine 
over the prospect opening before Jamaica of 
developing a great fruit-growing industry and 
export to meet the yearly growing demand from 
the United States. We need not follow him in 
all he says under the head of “ bananas, grapes, 
oranges, grape-fruit, pine-apples, tree tomatoes,” 
or even “potatoes.” It may be hard to say 
what Ceylon could do as a rival with existing 
fruit-exporting countries were her resources pro- 
perly tried and with the aid of refrigerating 
rooms in ocean mail steamers. But, apparently, 
that time has not come yet; and we are more 
concerned, practically, with what he tells us 
about giueer, tobacco, tibres and agricultural 
teaching. What Dr. Morris says under the last 
heading is of special interest. He believes in 
agricultural teaching : he would begin even in 
the elementary schools, and the sooner the two 
“ Readers,” so much praised, are introduced into 
Ceylon, the better for the rising native genera- 
tion ; while, undoubtedly, to follow up such 
elementary learning, there ought to be a special 
A<^ricultural School or College in a Colony like 
Ceylon. Strangely enough. Dr. Morris did not 
give much encouragement in reference to fibres 
—Ramie, Rhea or China Grass (all three ex- 
changeable terms) was the only one suited to 
Jamaica, and even for it he spoke very cautiously, 
although he was met eventually by good reasons 
from the Governor wiry the people of Jamaica 
ihould do a good deal in Ramie and Rhea growing 
and preparation. So, in respect of “ rubber,” 
Dr. Morris is afraid to encourage any ventures, 
because of the continued large developments of 
original sources of wild rubber in so many parts 
of Africa. But we scarcely think Dr. Morris 
makes sufHcient allowance for tlie constantly 
widening and increasing demand for rubber ;— the 
thousand-and-one uses it is put to, which were 
not dreamt of a few years ago, and the thousand- 
and-one additional uses which the next dozen 
years or so may bring to light. Then, if we bear 
n mind that to plant and bring a rubber planta- 
tion into bearing, requires ten to a dozen years, 
we suspect there is every reason to anticipate a 
widened demand and a lessened supply from 
Africa, as from South America, the Eastern 
Archipelago, Assam, &c., before A.D. 1907-9 is 
upon us. Agriculture and planting everywhere 
have their attendant risks, in all their branches ; 
bnt in Ceylon— following the Heneratgoda ex- 
n 
perience as tabulated by Mr. Willis— we consider 
Para Rubber Culture as safe an industry as and 
which can he recommended to capitalists any 
planters who are not in a hurry for immediate 
returns. 
ARICULTURAL DEVELOPEMENT IN 
JAMAICA. 
EXTEACTS FROM LECTURE BY DR. MORRIS, 
C.M.G.: GOVERNOR SIR HENRY BLAKE 
IN THE CHAIR. 
BANANAS. 
The cultivation and export of bananas are industries 
of very recent growth. In 1886-1887 the value of the 
bananas exported from the Colony was £145, 959. 
Last year the value had increased to £315,821. 
I am aware that the prospects of the banana trade 
with the United States are not so favourable as they 
once were. It is therefore of great importance that 
new markets should be found and the recent trials of 
shipments of fruit to England deserve to be fully 
followed up. 
GRAPES. 
At last in Jamaica, thanks to the initiative of His 
Excellency the President, grape cultivation is now 
being generally taken up in the neighbourhood of 
Kingston On the table tonight are fine samples of 
Black Hamburgh Grapes grown at the Hope Planta-' 
tions. It may be possible before long to supply all 
local wants in this delicious fruit and eventually 
export some of it in the early winter months to New 
York where fresh grapes would be greatly appreciated 
and command high prices. 
ORANGES. 
The capabilities of Jamaica to ship large quantities 
of delicious oranges is a most striking proof of the 
vast resources of the island. Hardly any orange trees 
have as yet been systematically cultivated here. Yet 
there are several millions existing over the island 
in a semi-naturalised condition. From these trees 
the export of fruit in 1886-87 was of the value of 
£58,288. Last year owing to the falling off of supplies 
from Florida there was a keen demand for Jamaica 
oranges in the United States. Jamaica was fully 
able to meet this sudden demand and it shipped 
oranges of the large value of £169,293. I am glad 
to find that steps are now being taken to cultivate 
oranges in a thoroughly systematic manner and that 
budding and grafting is being regularly pursued. 
GRAPE FRUIT. 
Amongst citrous fruits there is no fruit which 
appears to be in greater demand and obtains such high 
prices as the grapefruit. This is a variety of the 
shaddock or pumelow. It is so called because it grows 
in clusters as in a bunch of grape. On account of its 
tonic properties it has lately come into great rcq mst 
in the American market. The most esteemed sort 
is of good size, with a pale yellow, polished rind. 
Grape fruit should be allowed to get thoroughly 
full on the tree. Immature fruits are of an inferior 
flavour. The season appears to be from December 
to April. The tree when budded is a vigorous grower 
and very prolific. It is recommended to bud on 
either the sour orange or rough lemon stock. If 
the soil is deep use the sour orange stock. If shallow 
and rooky use the rough lemon stock. Provided the 
fruit is full juiced and of a delicate flavour the larger 
sizes are more in favour than the smaller ones. 
PINE APPLES. 
There appears to be an increasing demand for pine* 
apples just now in New York owing to the falling 
away of exports from Cuba. The best season is 
during the mouths of March to May. There is no 
fruit that gives a better return for the extra care 
bestowed upon it especially in grading and packing. 
TREE TOMATOES OR PLU.MS. 
I find that these are not appreciated in America. 
Their use in Jamaica has been always regarded as 
beneficial as a liver tonic. There is no doubt of their 
yfbplesomewess, They evidently require to be tried 
