JAMAICA HURRICANE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 1633, 4 November 1916, Page 4

JAMAICA HURRICANE.

PL A NTE RS' AIT S POR TUNES

Jamaica, fertile and sun-kissed, has paid a heavy penally for its climatic advantages. When an adverse visitation of nature strikes the island the effect is overwhelmingly disastrous. Normally, .Jamaica produces sixteen million bunches of bananas each vear. The greater port of this vast crop is sold to the United States. Geographical conditions are such that the United States of America are the natural markets for Jamaica bananas. The journey occupies only live days, therefore there is no necessity for elaborate arrangements of cool chambers and ventilation on board ship. Keen competition amongst American buyers ensures a high price for the fruit till the year round. Another reason why America is specially favoured in regard to the purchase of Jamaica bananas is the existence of only one safe harbour in Ihe island for large ocean-going vessels, and that is Kingston. All kinds of small craft, including Norwegian* tramps, collect the fruit, and convey it lo New York and Boston. The railway facilities of Jamaica are limited and costly.

Exceptionally unfortunate is this Jamaica disaster. To the island colony sorrows come not by single spies, but in battalions. On August 13th, 1015, a hurricane destroyed the greater part of the banana crop. Shipments fell from 400,00(1 bunches weekly to less than 50,000. Just a year later. August loth, 191 (i, the entire crop has been demolished, Two hurricanes of equal severity and devastating effect have never been recorded in such rapid succession during the thirty-six years that Jamaica has seriously devoted herself to the cultivation of bananas. Under normal conditions the United Emil Company of Boston cultivate on their own lands 4,000,000 bunches of bananas annually in Jamaica, apart from their large contracts with growers. Not since 1003 has Jamaica been *o severely punished by storm. After that catastrophe shipments of bananas were suspended for ten months, and I lie cocoanul trees were entirely destroyed. There is just the possibility in regard to the present disaster that the fruit has been blown down whilst the trees remain. That this may be so is sincerely to lie Imped, as cocoanuts are an important source of revenue lo the island. They have been appropriately mimed “Consuls of the East” in Ceylon; and in Jamaica the fruit is deemed a steady source of income. The excellence of the Jamaican cocoanttl is fully appreciated by the fruit trade, which recently have willingly paid for it at Ihe rale of 23s to 2Ss per 100 wholesale in London. Five years are needed for a cocoanul tree to come in him ring, but. after that period Ihe yield is perennial. Every tree is estimated at a capital value of i’l, but it is probald v more.