December i, 1891,1 
THE TROPICAU AORIOUl-TUmST- 
447 
riBRE CULTIVATION. 
(This and the foUoir.inn article are Frlracts fivm the 
Annual Uepurt on the hahaman, hu Gorernor Sir 
Aoibrotte SheOy K.C.M.O.y 
Steady progress continues to be made in this in- 
dustry, with increasing faith in its value and per- 
inanenco. A report of the cultivation to the present 
time has been prepared by order of the Government, 
which, though strictly accurate, would not convoy 
true impressions to tnose at a distance. 
The report speaks of '1,100 acres being already 
planted with •2,50fl.(X)0 of plants, but it states that 
there are also l,:i00,ouo plants in nurseries, which, 
being in course of growth, adds 60 per cent, to the 
active cultivation, making an aggregate of over 
0,000 acres. Plants are now kept much longer in 
nurseries to lessen the cost of weeding, which is an 
expensive operation, and annually attended to after 
the plants ace set out in the fields. 
There has been some question as to the time to 
bring the plantings to maturitv, but four years is now 
the accepted period, wliilo plants retained in the 
nurseries, as above staled, wilt mature in three years. 
There is but little to add to former reports on this 
enterprise, which has passed ont of the experimental 
stage and wiU not probably present any now features 
of interest until exports of fibre begin, which wiU be, 
on a moderate scale, in 1S92. then developing annually 
into proportions of increasing importance. 
The value of fibre, like that of other products, will, 
of course, be subject to market condition from time 
to time, but, in the natural order of things, it will 
ever be the main export and. regarding all the surround- 
ing circumstajices, it is difficult to see how it can 
fail to pay present investors handsomely and to be, 
to them, a source of income less liable to fluctuations 
than is the case with moat commercial adventures. 
The time is now approaching when the machines for 
separating the fibre from the leaf will acquire prac- 
tical importance ; of those now in use none seem to 
meet all the requirements. Some of them clean the 
fibre well ; but the process is wasteful, and the correc- 
tion of this defect is the object to be 
accomplished. With so great an interest at stake we 
must suppose inventive genius will be found equal to 
the occasion. Professors Bdison has directed his 
attention to the matter of docorlication and ho hopes 
ho has found an effective method which avoids waste. 
The treatment is by solution of crude petroleum, and 
this Government is now in communication with the 
Professor. If the re.sults meet our requirements, a 
most important end will be attained, which will have 
the further advantage of enabling small cultivators 
to dross their own loaves instead of being compelled 
to sell them at a loss to a largo neighbouring 
planter, who is able to procure a machine. 
The process being onterpriaed by Professors Bdison 
embraces other and most valuable interests in this 
Colony Many thousands of tons of pino-apple leaves 
are now annually left to waste. The fibre commands 
a high price, from tfiO to i!»0 a ton, for use in fine 
textiles The small quantity now produced comes 
from China, where it is roughly and expensively 
prepared for want of a machine sufficiently delicate 
to extract the tender fibre without injury. The pro- 
posed mode would seem to meet this difficulty, as 
all strainer friction is avoided, and '.the result of 
ponding inquiries is looked for with great interest. 
T’he imra^iate effect of successful experiment would 
bo to turn a waste product into an article of much 
value, adding substantially to tho returns of pine-apple 
cultivation and this process may be applied to tho 
growing crop. It is understood that tbo same solution 
may be used many times, and, if present hopes are 
roilised, the petroleum will be admitted free of the 
duty now imposed. — Trinidad Affricultuml Record. 
AGRICULTURE. 
Apart from tho fibre cultivation agriculture is 
confined chiefly to pine-apples. The people raise 
maize and sweet potatoes for their own use, and their 
maintenance is much assisted by these crops. Cotton 
shows -an increase, being £1,593 in value compared 
with £1,074 in 1889. There is no reason why this 
business should not be extensively prosecuted, as most 
of tho islands are well adapted for its cultivation. It 
is hoped that tho presence of strangers now coming 
in to pursue tho fibre industry will act on cotton pro- 
duction. to tho advantages of which their attention 
cannot fail to be directed. It is quite possible that, 
in time, cotton may be found only second to the 
fibre in the category of exports from tho Colony. TIio 
pine-apple crop realised £49,795, as compared with 
£^5,558 in 1889. Of canned pine-apples there wore 
exported 26,799 cases, valued at £6,126, and in 1889 
the export was 21,683 cases, with a value of 
£4,300. In oranges there was an export ef £3,961, 
tho output of 1889 having been £3,040. Careless 
cnlturo and a reckless mode of shipping, very often 
in bulk in vessels’ holds, must militate against the 
success of the orange growers. There aro advantages 
for the cultivation of oranges in these islands nut 
known in Florida, as we aro proof against frost, which 
often visits that country. This branch of employment 
may also be favourably affooted when men of enter- 
prise from outside, appreciating the opportunity, nse 
It with energy and the application of well-ordered 
methods Of packing and shipping. — Trinidad 
Ayricultural Record. 
CEYLON EXPORTS AND DISTRIBUTION, 189 i. 
