Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1893-08-11

Tho principal products OF Jamaica are
shown in the Manufactures Building in at
tractiye arrangement, some OF them after ar
tistic designs and all OF them so as to develop
their value to the island in its relations with
the commercial world. Tobacco, one OF the
important crops, is shown in festooned ropes
Of natural leaf and in fancy cases Of the
manufactured article.
When it comes to coffee, says the Chicago
News. thecommissioner grows eloquent, an :
pointing to a great array of samples. he says
"COffee-farming in Jamaica is fast becoming
one Of our principal industries. We raise a
peculiarly fine brand of coffee, which virtu-
ally fixes the price OF the commodity. Very
little, if any. OF our coffee finds its way into
the American market. II is sent to the Eng
lish warehouses, where it commands higher
price than the product OF any other country.
Here. indicating a large case. is the en-
tire history Of Jamaica coffee. The speci'
mems in the case show the processes through
which coffee must be put before II is ready
for the market. from the original pod, or
husk, in which the coffee bean is taken from
the tree. TO the green coffee of commerce. A
large proportion of the country in which this
coffee is raised is practically unsettled, but
every attraction is being offered to induce
immigration and the land is rapidly being
taken up. Before a great while we hope TO
have it completely settled
Those who visit the Jamaican section, how
ever. linger longest over the wonderful col
lection of dried plants loaned by the Gov
ernment. The collection is said to be very
valuable. 1t contains every variety OF eco
monte plant indigenous to the country Ar
ranged with regard to color and form, the
exhibit forms one OF the most interesting
features OF the pavilion.
Around the southeast end of the section is
arranged the sugar exhibit 1t ranges from
vacuum pan. or pure white graduated, to
muscOvadO, or the dark brown, sticky stun
frouswhich comes molasses candy. There
are 80, 4S7 acres of sugar cane under cultiva-
ton in Jamaica, and the production OF sugar
gives employment to great numbers OF the
islanders.
Ginger in all its forms is on exhibition in
the southwest corner of the section. Not
only preserved ginger, but the original gin
ger root from which the hot medicine Is
made. Starch and tapiOca made from tho
cassava root. graded and arranged with re-
erence to quality, may be seen in their espe
cal section.
In fruits the banana and cocoanut take the
place OF honor. In the cocoanut section is
shown what may be done with the fruit.
There is cocoanut oil made from the milk
and meat, a huge flower pot made from the
root OF the tree, brushes OF all descriptions,
ropes. hammocks and even serviceable-
looking coat made from the fiber Of the husk.
Banana -four is shown and visitors are asked
to sample little cakes made Of it. The cakes
or biscuits taste very much like cookies and
are said to be very nourishing.
Jamaica produces pimento. or allspice, in
large quantities. A liquor is made from the
ripe pmento berry. 1t is favorite drink OF
the natives. Another drink is sort OF tea
made fran the kola nut. This nut, it said,
has wonderful nutritive qualities. piece
small enough TO be carried in the vest pocket
will II Is said. sustain life for several days.
The island OF Jamaica is situated in the
Caribbean Sea, about 5000 miles tothe south
west OF England, 100 miles west OF St. Do
mingo and ninety miles south of Cuba. 1t Is
five and a-half days from New York and two
and a-half days from Tampa. Fla. Kingston
is the capital of the island, which is under
British rule. There is a resident governor
appointed by the crown.