26 
' ’ The discoloration of the dried banana on keeping has been found to be a source of disadvantage 
to the successful marketing of the product. 
(c) In Jamaica there are three factories which produce a considerable amount of leather, but their 
operations are not on a scale sufficient to enable them to finance a central research association such 
as is mentioned in the third paragraph of the Secretary of State’s despatch. These factories require 
to be kept in touch with the latest technical developments. 
(d) Cattle in Jamaica suffer grievously from ticks. The Colonial Government contemplates 
making the use of cattle dip compulsory. Successful extermination of the tick is, however, uncertain 
unless and until the life history of the silver tick (AmbJyomma cajanense, Fab.) and the tropical 
horse-tick (Dermacentor nitens, Neum.), and the period for which each stage of these two species can 
survive without access to a host, have been determined. In this case, the minimum periods between 
dippings of infected stock and for quarantining infected pastures for successful tick eradication are- 
dependent on the facts above mentioned. 
( e ) Jamaica holds a unique position in that the pimento tree ( Pimento, officinalis , Lind.) is 
indigenous to the country and also grows plentifully therein. 
Recently it has been discovered that pimento leaves from Jamaica yield an essential oil, which 
contains. 89 per cent, of phenols, consisting of practically pure eugenol, from which vanillin, the 
essential ingredient of vanilla, can be produced. The yield of this oil obtained by the Imperial 
Institute from dried pimento leaves sent from Jamaica was 29 per cent., equal to one pound of oil 
from 70 pounds of the green leaves. This oil was valued in London in September, 1.919, at 14s. per 
pound. A 7 ani]lin was then selling at 80s. per pound. In this case the problem is to find out how most 
economically to obtain eugenol. Secondly, how to. obtain vanillin most economically. Thirdly, 
how to obtain (economically) a tanning extract from pimento. The local Department of Agriculture 
is studying these problems but the Department’s work can only be on a strictly limited scale. 
In regard to less pressing matters the Governor referred to correspondence indicating the Colony’s 
anxiety to bring about the establishment of an agricultural university for the West Indies, and to 
other correspondence regarding a proposal for the revision of the geological survey. 
Note .—The question of Panama disease of bananas is engaging the attention of the Colonial 
Research Committee in consultation with the Colonial Governments concerned, namely, the Govern¬ 
ments of Jamaica and British Honduras, and the Imperial Department of Agriculture for the West. 
Indies and the Director of the Royal Gardens, Kew. 
In regard to leather, it lias been suggested to the Governor that the local leather manufacturers 
might join the British Leather Manufacturers Research Association. 
The.Governor has been furnished with expert advice in regard to the question of ticks. 
An industrial chemist has been added to the staff of the local Department of Agriculture and is 
at present principally employed in studying the question of the preparation of phenols for the pro¬ 
duction of eugenol and vanillin. 
A geological survey of Jamaica was carried out about sixty years ago, but suffered in complete¬ 
ness and uniformity of treatment owing to the death of the Director during its progress. During the 
subsequent period considerable advances have been made in geological science, and it is desirable 
that full advantage should he taken of these. The matter is of special importance in connection with 
the study of the underground water supply. Accordingly proposals are being made with a view to 
the revision of the survey. 
LEEWARD ISLANDS. 
The industries of these Islands are mainly agricultural, and tiie necessary researches in 
connection with them are carried out under the supervision of the Imperial Department of Agriculture, 
to which reference is made under a separate head at the end of the West Indian section. 
In Dominica, Montserrat and St. Kitts, and especially in the first-named, there are many 
rivers and waterfalls suitable as sources of mechanical power. These are not, however, of very 
great magnitude. At present they are not utilised, except to a limited extent for electric lighting in 
St. Kitts and Dominica. 
In regard to minerals, small quantities of galena and baryta spar are found in Antigua, and 
copper sulphide frequently occurs in the heavier rocks of the south-west district, but no minerals are 
known to exist in payable quantity. An inferior type of mixed iron and aluminium phosphates is 
mined in Redonda. High-grade deposits of calcium phosphate occurs in Barbuda; these were 
formerly mined, but mining has been abandoned, probably owing to the expenses of transport. 
In St. JKitts-Nevis, sulphur occurs in crystals in the volcanic crater in St. Kitts, and also in 
two small deposits in Nevis, at Pinneys and at the Farm. The hot baths iff Nevis are noted for their- 
healing properties, and it is possible that their waters may be found to be radio-active. 
In Dominica, hot sulphurous springs in which crystals of sulphur are deposited occur at the 
Boiling Lake, the spring of Soufriere, in the south, and the springs at Wotton TV avoir, east of Roseau. 
Iron also occurs, and it is possible that manjak or asphalt may exist. Manganese is known in 
pockets. 
In Montserrat, gypsum is found, and a little sulphur. 
Tn the Virgin Islands, copper and molybdenum occur in limited quantities in Virgin Gorda. 
The mine was originally worked for copper, and 170 tons, valued at £20 per ton, were shipped in 
1841, but shortly afterwards operations ceased. Within the last three or four years the tailings at 
the mouth of this mine have been w T orked for molybdenite and a limited quantity exported. It is 
not improbable that other minerals of commercial value exist in payable quantities in the Virgin 
Islands. 
In Dominica attention was drawn to the poor physical condition of the peasantry and to the 
need of co-operative factories to assist the peasants in preparing the lime crops for market. 
Note .—As stated in the body of the report, the Colonial Research Committee have made pro¬ 
vision for the engagement of a geologist to make an examination of the mineral resources of the 
Leeward Islands. 
