, 1891-04-01

lands, which are produced at the very time
when they would be most in demand In the
northern continent. Col. White is an en-
thusiastic gardener and these peas are an
earnest of what could be done under proper
circumstances and suitable arrangements. l
would urge all those here to-day to do what
they can to support the Society in this de-
partment and while they cultivate roses and
ornamental plants let them go in also for
the growing of first class vegetables and
fruits.
Potatoes.
I was at one of the other islands about 4
weeks ago on a large sugar estate. The
planter took me into his field saying he had
something there to interest me l went aud
noticed that he had got about 10 acres plant
ed in what are called Irish or IN glish Pota-
toes. He said to me II can grow those or
the hills round the sugar canes without any
extra cultivation but what the canes re-
ceive. I put them in about the beginning
or middle of October and by Christmas they
are fit to be taken up. l buy my SEED po-
tatOes at about 81 a barrel. 1reap 8, 7or8
and in particular instances 9 barrels OF good
potatoes from the one barrel, for each Of
which I get e.. These potatoes ship to the
New York Market during December and
they are very readily bought up
1t can be readily understood that q large
population like the United States would be
able to take, about Christmas, almost any
quantity of these new potatoes which can
i e produced so easily in this country. (Hear
hearl. But you must have the particular
kind of potato the potato referred to was the
very best Kidney Potato, and they must be
planted so as to be sent away in the depth
of winter while arrangements must be made
beforehand in New York to receive them
and distribute them throughout the cities
of the West.
Tomatoes.
The planter [ refer to also raised in the
open air large crops of tomatoes, that were
planted on the hills in soft friable soil.
They were first raised in beds and after
wards planted out on these hills. They
came into bearing and were tomatoes like
this Showing the "PerfectiOn"J that is not
corrugated but smooth. They are ga
thered when nearly ripe, wrapped up Sc
parately in soft paper, packed in small
boxes and sent to the States, where think
there should be as large a demand for PO-
tatOes and Tomatoes as possibly any coun-
try like Jamaica could supply. The Gov
ernor is very anxious indeed now that he
has carried the Exhibition successfully so
far, to know how the people can increase
the prosperity of the island. I would say
this in regard to that-CeTtainly take mp
the cultivation of these vegetables. POta-
toes will travel better to the States than
bananas tomatoes will not travel quite so
we'll but with care will arrive to find a
ready market.
Lines.
There is another industry and a very i'm
Dortant one. which has been too much ne
elected, and which ought to te taken up, l re-
fer to thu cultivation of lines. Anyone will
tell You they are growing wild in the island,
but that is not the point. Are they growing
in any kind of systematic Guilty. alton the
answer is No. And why not? Because
people nave not fully realised that these
lines are capable of starting a most import
ant industry. I am speaking from expert
ence and observation and not merely from
hearsay. YOu are planting bananas on q
large scale throughout the island and when
the bananas are finished what will become
oil the land IF it falls back into bush you
are living not on the interest of your money,
but on the capital itself. There are thou
sands of acres in Jamaica growing bananas
which are also capable of supporting per
manent crops Of coffee, nutmegS, cocoa,
snice plants &c. 1t is not the first time
that | am trying to enforce the lesson upon
YOU, that you, the people of Jamaica, are
not sure Of their present prosperity unless
the land is put into permanent cultivation
(aoplause.l Bananas last only for a time,