, 1891-04-01

ptOtIlOuiIS tue luu6ISSIS Vi rs GlONCt OAAO"
Committee. The Flower Society had expand
ed into the Horticultural Society and he was
glad to SLY that the Society had aourished.
and he hoped, would still continue to flourish,
(Applause.)
Mr.. Morris. who was received with applause,
said Your Excellency, Ladies' and Gentle
men, it affords me great pleasure to be present
once more in Jamaica and to have an oppor-
tunity Of speaking about some Of the subjects
of Botanical and Industrial interests with
which | am more Intimately acquainted. My
presence here this evening IS entirely due to
the Invitation I received from the President
of the Horticultural Society, and / have
pleasure-great pleasure. in complying with
the request that I should meet the members
here. Since l accepted that invitation, how
ever, his Excellency the Governor, has been
so good as to ask me not to con6ne myself
specially to Horticultural subjects, because
this will be my only opportunity OF speaking
in Jamaica with regard to these matters. /
will therefore speak also of kindred subiec' S.
subjects on which perhaps | have spoken to
many here to-day, but which are OF the great
est Importance.
A change for the better in Jamaica.
Naturally it gives me very great pleasure
to come back to Jamaica after five years or SO
and find a change for the better all round.
1l6GG is LOU lLl6 SliHllUGSu uOuDU ulldU lllS Od-
maica of to-day is very different from the
Jamaica Of 10 or Is years ago. ! need not
refer to the Exhibition or the other circum-
stances which have brought about that great
improvement III the circumstances Of the l&-
land. We should have to travel o consider
able distance in order to see how the present
prosperity has arisen, but | cannot help
referring to Sir Anthony Musgraye (applause).
He it was who first asked me to come to
Jamaica and take charge of the Botanical
Department, ana during the time was here
he was most kind and sympathetic IN his
manner to me, and | assure you that it was
through his sympathy and interest that the
Botanical Department was able to do what 1T
has done in fostering the industries of this
island. Since that time che progress has been
very rapid.
The Growth Of the Fruit Trade.
l may refer especially to the growth of
the fruit trade. Only a few years ago the sta
pie industries of Jamaica consisted of sugar,
rum, pimento coffee and ginger. In fact that
list | think, would include all the leading ar
ticles exported from this island then but
now that list has augmented and includes ar
ticles little thought of formerly. The fruit
trade has grown and the banana industry to.
day is one of the most striking examples Of
the possibilities Of building up the smallest
lluISCiy " IL lllOSG iupOIGdIC anu ulOoU "
cessful enterprise. Some years ago bananas
were grown in this island and exported,
but without any organised method until
lately, when with extended means of trans
port, railways, better roads, telegraphic
communications, subsidies to steamers be-
tween New York and Jamaica, the industry
was built up to its present prosperous condi-
ton. These improved means of ~communica-
ton are to be regarded as the elements
calculated to increase your industries and
extend the general prosperity of the island.
Therefore whatever is done here to bring the
result of your cultivation within easy reach at
the consumer is the best thing that could be
done by you.
The horticultural Society and it's Work.
Before passing to other subjects let me re-
fer to the Horticultural Society. have been
lately through the whole Of the West Indian
Islands and noticed exactly thor circum-
stances, aud n owhere have | noticed such a
large number of flowers and ornamental
plants in cultivation in gardens as in Kings
ton. ! attribute that in some degree to the
Horticultural Society. The society has bound
together all lovers of flowers and gardening
generally and in that way it has been success
full in accomplishing much good.
The Cultivation of Vegetables.
/ wish to make a suggestion to the members
Of the Society on the cultivation of vegetables.
[ do not think sufficient attention has been