3 
purpose of cutting and exporting timber; and it was 
agreed that they should do nothing else. There 
were no Spanish settlers, or native inhabitants, to 
pursue agricultural pursuits. The negroes whom 
the settlers took with them were wood-cutters, and 
for nearly three centuries the Creole negro has been 
born to the wood-cutting industry. The negro of 
British Honduras is one of the finest wood-cutters in 
the world. He does not show any great aptitude for 
agriculture. And so for over 200 years the exports 
of the colony were practically confined to mahogany, 
cedar, and logwood. This could not go on for ever. 
The price of logwood fell; also that of mahogany 
and other timbers, though not to the same extent, 
and the difficulties of getting timber out increased. 
In the earliest days it could be obtained close to the 
river banks. As the most accessible places were 
cut out, it was necessary to go further back, 
haul the logs some distance to the river 
banks. But for the fact that nature renews 
the supply, the mahogany industry must have come 
to an end before now. But the seeds are scattered by 
the wind, and fall in plaqes where many take root. 
Where cutting takes place trees are found of different 
sizes. Those of sufficient diameter are cut out and 
the other trees left. Cutting may cease in a par¬ 
ticular area for any number of years from five, to 25, 
when trees will be found which have become of 
merchantable size, and cutting is resumed. But the 
timber industry is not at present open to much 
further development. It is to be hoped that private 
owners and the Government will enter on a system 
of reafforestation; but the benefit of this would not 
be felt by the present generation. There is plenty 
of untouched mahogany in the country which can 
only be got at if means of transport are provided, 
which have hitherto not existed. It is probable, 
however, that any opening up of new country, and its 
