New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-07-06

fruit trees, and in the production Of the better
grades of oranges coffee, sugar and
other marketable crops, the nurseries mainly
serve the purpose Of furnishing the grounds Of
the few welI-tO-dO landowners with roses and or
namental shade trees. Jamaicans have not yet
been convinced that nature can be materially
aided by improved methods of horticulture They
expect the and the rains TO do all the work.
and in their servile dependence upon nature In
its luxuriant and wasteful wildness, they are
falling TO convert the island into the most fruit
full garden of the West Indies
A visit TO Eewcaste, where the British garri-
son is encamped, l abandoned in order TO spend
day at Spanishtown, the old capital Its glory
has departed with the transfer of the govern
ment TO Kingston, but it is a delightfully."- quaint
town, with its deserted Spanish plaza its rambling
lanes ard vine-cOvered houses, and its legislative
halls and official residences falling into decay
Spanisbtown is the starting point for some of the
most picturesque drives the island The best
Of these-the road 10 Rio Cobre Dam and Bog
Walk-oners a succession Of magnificent views, and
is Justly esteemed by the natives the finest bit Of
river and mountain scenery To De seen in the
West Indies Not cOntented with driving over
il once | returned from Bog Walk TO SpanishtOwE
by carriage in preference TO taking the railway
directly to Porus. At this season rains come on
suddenly and driving is attended with the risk
Of a d;enchiug. out of a clear sky great
isolated mass Of cloud Unexpectedly gathers over
head, and in moment the rain comes in a flood
against which neither carriage-top nor slde-cur-
tains offer adequate protection. The shower
passes almost as quickly it rose, but In
evitably will be followed in few hours by
another. A double drenching my afternoons
drive cost, yet, even with these misadventures,
can recommend the Bog Walk road IS one Of the
richest and most varied revelations of the beau
ties of tropical scenery 20 be enjoyed IN the
West Indies The English have not done all
things well in Jamaica, but they have opened
a system Of roads in every quarter OF the island
which is unrivaled in the tropics. Winter tour
lists who cane out 10 Vaudeville, SpanishtOwn.
Kingston and ST. AIMS Bay cannot Iaise the out
cry usually heard IN lnyalids res0rls-tlat there
IS no source Of recreation. lie sl1Oothest ana
best of roads are open III every direction, ana
the scenery in mountain and glen Is lncomparably
beautiful.
Rural jamaica, while it charms the idea, does
NOT convince the Judgment that great industrial
future is in reserve for this West indian paradise
The sugar plantations are insignificant IN size
and equipment in comparison with those Of Cuba.
Although in the old days THIS was the most pros
perous Of the islands Industries, IL IS now dcclln-
mo the number Of acres OF cane under cultivation
being materially less than 1t was "a decade ago.
Fresh masses OF capital are required, II cOInpetl-
zion with more vigorous canc-prOduclng Islands
is IN be conducted, and these are not supplied.
The English are not making investments in the
STAND and Americans who have put their money
INTO expensive plant, and organized extensive
business and commercial centres, are wondering
- tIev will ever see II again Without improve
ments in machinery the sugar industry here must
inevitably decline, and there ere no indications
that investors are prepared 10 increase theI
Liabilities The coffee product remains nearly
,totiouary. like the gross exports OF the island
Intelliaent labor is lacking for large develop
ment on the Uobacco industry Logwood CON
tine n
land and the United States, but most Of il con
sists of old stdmps and roots. the remnant OF