1 Ocr., 1898.] QUEENSLAND AGRICULTURAL JOURNAL. 301 
Heonomics. ° 
The amount of ginger exported from this island during the last ten years 
is shown in the following table* :— 
Lb. 
1887 ie 7 me 133 a3 oe 1,121,827 
WEE xe a, 1 oo a te 1,141,877 
1889 Ba re af ay. mS an 1,002,653 
1890 (half-year) ... oo ae 9 oe 554,193 
1891 xe a Es oe Pf: ba 1,219,197 
1892 3 oe a a5 rn a 1,822,531 
18938 =e HG ay vs its aS 1,526,884 
1894 Les 2, PF ba 2 te 1,672,384 
1895 i: Ae, Pes ars “ss As 1,736,460 
S96 meee si nh a aa ss 1,960,609 
The yield and profit of the ginger crop depend somewhat upon the nature 
of the soil. In favourable seasons rainfall, sunshine, planting, care, and curing 
are also factors. An average yield can be estimated at from 1,000 to 1,500 Ib. 
dried ginger per acre. In exceptional cases, 2,000 lb. have been gathered. 
There are planters in Jamaica who plant ginger here and there in patches, and 
uathering as little as 100 Ib. ina year. Ginger is well adapted to the small 
planter, and admirably suited to the peasantry of Jamaica, who, by slow 
evolution, are passing from serfdom to manhood and independence. 
The Botanical Department, through its corps of agricultural instructors, is 
now going among the people and showing them exactly what may be done in 
the way of improving their methods of cultivation. The Jamaica Agricultural 
Society is conducting practical and extensive demonstrations to show the use 
and value of fertilisers. These have already an important bearing upon this 
crop. Information recently to hand states that the crop which will be gathered 
in the coming season (spring, 1898) will probably be the largest ever grown 
upon this island. ‘This is due to the improvements in cultivation, together with 
an abundant rainfall. Unfortunately for the ginger planter, a largely increased 
production will tend to lower prices. 
J am aware of the fact that these notes will add but little to the already 
recorded observations upon giuger. It may be questioned whether such a 
eommon article of materia medica merits any extended research. We should, 
however, realise that any drug that holds a name and place in medicine is of 
sufficient importance to merit our best efforts. 
Our knowledge of the changes which take place in crude drugs, due to 
the methods of preparation, is very meagre. Karl Dieterich (Berichte der 
Deutschen Pharm. Gesellschaft, 1896, p. 335) says :— 
“Thus it is that Iam convinced that the study and development of this 
branch of pharmacy- will yield far more than theoretical results, and that the 
analysis of fresh and dried drugs at different stages will be of great practical 
advantage in directing the proper manipulations to be employed in producing 
uniform and superior products.” 
* Wigures obtained from the office of the Collector-General of Jamaica show that more than 
one-half of the crop is shipped direct to the United States ports. 
The amount of ginger imported into the United States from all parts of the world, from the 
years 1890 to 1894, was as follows :— 
Lb. 
ipa eR ee RE Ey es OED 
189 less ite re nts et! Sie if $5 2,697,989 
1892: ... yes Git ees a nee te =, ks 1,431,295 
{803°82"" 7, OT wi Os, ee Se co 071042 
