, 1890-04-09

statements on this latter point, it is only
'rightHto say that none of them are positive
w misleading, and at all times they are
discussed with a mudesty, and an evident
desire ia. arrive at a right conclusion, that
disarsn criticism. Besides the Sugar-cane
and cocoa nut palms, there are industries
connected with fruits, fbreS, spices, annat.
to, saTrow-rOOt, pepper, malzr, medical
plants, scent producing plants, cocoa.
ramie, tea, tobacco, aud many others vel
euited to the soil and climate. Ii IL we'll
known that in former days large fortunes
were made BY sugar planters in the West
Indies. Now, however, even the best
estates do little more than give a small
return on the capital invested, while many
cannot even do this. 1t would be unwiSe,
therefore, tor tue West Indies to c0nine
their attention exclusively, or indeed,
largely, to tue sugar cane. Already a
change is taking place. jamaica has pi.
pneutO, coffee, tropical fruits, cinrhona,
slye.wOods, annatO, cac"0; Ttlnliad has
cacaO, cocoa nuts; Grenada grows almost
exclusively cacao and spices; MontSerrat IS
noted for its lime plantations and lime
Juice; while Dominica exports concentrat-
ed lime. Juice, cacaO, c0coa-nuts, as we'll rs
oranges to the neighbouring islands. The
DnWKu % " GAN NNttA ~ W 's( -
Indies 10 become more and more diversified,
and it is well it shonld be so. With such
good markets for produce of all kinds in
the United States and Europe, il Is evident
that. West Indian planters '0uId regain
much of their former prosperity II only they
adapted themselves to the new order Of
things. To assist them in the develOpe-
ment of new Industries, Government
botanical gardens arr III course of
being established, under the auspices
of Kew, IN every island, and t ON these
new plants and information respecting
their cultivation are being widely dis
tributed. In such Il work entprpriS!ng
governors, such as the late Sir Anthony
MuSgravt. and the present Governor OF
Trinidad, Sir William Robinson, and others
have taken an active part. Ii is nor, how
ever, IN regards iuIIStrical subjects oliy
that interest in the Wesl Indies has reyiv-
ed late. Fle publication Ot GrlSeotrirS
''FiorA.0f the British West indian Isl mas
In 1864 Zone Of The series Ut Colonial tioras
projected by the late Sir William H0okrr)
waKfUr a long time the only effort made i'll
the cause of botanical science il this part
OF the world. Since that time both the
fauna and fora have received systematic
attention in this country aud in the United
States, and after a lapse of nearly two hun
dred years we are beginning to have II
clear idea of the distribution OF life III the
Caribbean Archipelago.
A joint Committee of the Government
Grant Committee of the Royal Society and
OF the British Association, has been en-
gagedfor the last three y~earS.in invesIigdt.
ing ascertained DEFICIENCIES in the funa aud
and fora. Almost every page OF Mr..
Rulkeley'e work aftsrds ample evidences of
the aid heehas received, directly or Indirect.
~, from the botanical efforts Of recent
years. More, however, might have been
said of the special plants which are char
acteristic of the several islands, and which
contribute 80 large a share to the interest
ot daily life in them. 1t is to be hoped the
day iS not far distant wien this first un-
p sttntious guide-boOk TO the Lesser An
tlles will be followed by others, not less
Interesting. but still more fully meeting the
requirements of those who may visit them
with pleasure or 90 to them in the hope OF
pursuing some of the numerous industries
Ulen'd 10 ~srltlerS in these beautiful islands.
D. NJ.