Report of Society's Meetings. 171 
3. The abundant character and the high qualities of the Tropical 
fruits of the West Indies are well known ; but it was only the other day 
(on the occasion of a lecture which I gave at the Colonial and Indian 
Exhibition) that many people realised that these fruits can be brought 
to England in a fresh state, and are capable of contributing largely to 
the food supply of the inhabitants of these Islands. 
4. The fruit trade in the West India Islands is now of the estimated 
annual value of .£750,000 ; but if suitable markets were forthcoming 
and knowledge enlarged on the subject, there is no reason why this 
trade should not assume such proportions as would go a good way 
towards relieving the depression under which these Islands are at present 
labouring. 
5. As regards the actual capabilities in this direction of other por- 
tions of the Empire, and especially of the Cape and Australian Colonies, 
little is accurately known at home ; and hence I would venture to 
suggest that inquiry be made and a summary of information published 
calculated to draw particular attention to the subject. 
6.1 enclose herewith a number of questions which I have submitted 
to Mr. Thiselton Dyer ; and I am directed by him to convey his approval 
of them, and to suggest that a copy of these questions be forwarded to 
each of the Colonial Governments, with the request that the informa- 
tion desired be supplied as fully as possible, together with copies of any 
official reports, documents, or returns published in the Colonies directly 
or indirectly bearing on the subject. 
1. Please give a list (giving both local and scientific names) of the 
chief fruits grown in the colony, in order of importance. 
2. During what months are the chief fruits obtainable ? What quan- 
tities of each (approximately) are available for export, and what are 
the wholesale prices locally ? 
3. What fruits are at present exported (1) in a fresh or (2) in a pre- 
served state? Please state the destination, the quantity, and the 
estimated value of each sort. 
4. Are all or any of the fruits mentioned above capable of being 
produced in much larger quantities than at present ? If so, what steps 
are necessary to start or develop a fruit trade ; and what inducements, 
if any, do local men specially desire to open or extend a trade in fresh 
or preserved fruits, either with the mother country or neighbouring 
States ? 
Y 2 
