FIJIAN PRODUCE.

Southland Times, Issue 1006, 19 August 1868, Page 3

FIJIAN PRODUCE.

The correspondent of the " Sydney Morning Herald," under date June Bth, says : — In my letter forwarded by the last opportunity I expressed my intention of making a few notes upon the table of Fiji exports therein enclosed. Our first, and for the present, most important article of commerce, is Cotton. — In 1865, 2400cwt., valued at £9200, was sent away. In the previous years in which cotton was collected it was inconsiderable, and must only be looked upon as experimental. Although cotton had been a frequent topic of conversation among the old residents, and although it was readily conceded that Fiji could send as good a sample of the fibre into the market as could be produced elsewhere; yet by all parties it was thought that the markets were too distant, and the expense involved in freight toffee Colonies, where it had to be soldf stored, re-shipped, and another charge made upon it for freight to England, would so lessen the value of the article, that its cultivation would be auything but profitable. The war in the United States, however, so increased the market value of the raw material, that in 1862-3 all parties were convinced that it could be cultivated here at a considerable profit. Every basket full was then bought in from the natives ; and they being anxious to know why their grey calico and prints were rising so rapidly in value, were told the reason, and strongly urged the plant for themselves. In some districts, the advice was followed. So that now a considerable portion of the cotton exported is grown by the natives. The old residents at once commenced plantations, the produce of which, with that brought in by the natives, added LIO,OOO to the amount of the cotton export ; so that in 1866 there S were 5880 cwt., valued at L 19,600. In '65 and '66, we had a large increase of settlers, nearly all of whom commenced cotton plantations. Although we had two severe hurricanes which destroyed a great amount of cotton, and great difficulties in obtaining labor, and food for the laborers, yet the increase for 1867 was over L 14,000. Last year, 7586cwt. was shipped to the Colonies, valued here in Fiji at L 34,000. Our prospects this year are encouraging. Nearly all the produce of the past two years was from newly-planted trees, and from which several crops may be expected. In fact, the Sea Island cotton trees on many of the plantations do not cease to yield even in the wet season ; cotton in all stages of growth is found upon the same bush. In addition to the produce of all the trees from which last year's crops were plucked, there will be that of the new plants on extended and enlarged plantations, as well as that from the plantations of the many settlers who arrived during the past year. Then, again, we must not forget the many plantations belonging to the natives, from the produce of which they hope to pay oft their liabilities to the United States Government. This heavy demand, no doubt, will, in the end, be of benefit to the Fijians, for the trees will continue to be productive after the d«bt has been paid off. The late successive falls in the price of cotton have discouraged many, so that several planters have, in consequence of the decrease in price, determined to plant Sea-island only, which will always command its price ; and it is equally productive with the different inferior sorts. The kidney and Egyptian seed, at present

rates, -will scarcely pay. Notwithstanding, however, the decrease in price, when we consider the increase in the . amount of exports during the past three years, and the difficulties with which all had to contend — yiz.j severe hurricanes, floods, and in consequence scarcity of food for laborers, amounting almost to a famine, and remembering likewise that a considerable part of the capital obtained for last year's crops will be expended to increase the produce of thi_ year, we may estimate the exports of cotton for 1868 at from £50;000 to £55,000. CocdiinJT Oik. — The dacrease in the quantity of oil sent to the dolonies during the past three years, shows more fully than anything else the disastrous effects of the hurricanes which successively swept these islands. In 1865 the value of the oil exported amounted to £11,000; in 1866 it was £9000, and last year it fell to £3260. There is generally time to replant a cotton | plantation after a hurricane, and secure within a few months a crop which would more than pay expenses ; but with the nut groves it is otherwise. The palms get such a severe shaking that they do not recover from it for twelve months^ then when the leaves grow again and the buds come out, it requires another twelve mottths before ' the nuts arrive at maturity. It was a sad sight to see the groves after the blow ; their long and graceful leaves were torn off and scattered, and the buds and nuts destroyed ; whilst all the trees looked as though a fierce fire had scorched the life out of them. Now, however, they again contribute their share towards the beauties of our tropical scenery ; and, what is of far more importance, they again furnish a good supply of nuts, the produce of oil from which; at the end of the present year, will show most favorably in our list of exports. Directly after 1867 list was closed, more than fifty tons of oil were sent up to the Colonies ; so that in this item, too, we may confidently look forward to a large increase when our next list is published. Beche-de-Mee. — This is an article which fluctuates considerably in the quantities . collected. The coast from whence most of the fish is procured is now at war, so that we need not expect any increase in this article. Some will be collected by the different fishermentribes towards payment of the American debt. Next year, I suppose that coffee will be upon our list of exports. A sufficiency for the wants of Fiji is already ripe, and on many of the plantations much care is bestowed upon the plant. It flourishes well, but does not fruit until its third year. There is much thought and talk about sugar planting, and, in fact, the only thing which hinders the formation of a company is the want of an experienced man to superintend the making of it. Ten or a dozen planters have agreed among themselves, that if they can get some gentlemen to import the necessary apparatus, they will each plant on an average 25 acres of the cane.