Page:The empire and the century.djvu/924

 and, indeed, it needed looking [after, for the island was in a very poor way, and the people apparently in despair and listless. Instead of bestirring themselves, they were giving way to the ruin fast overcoming them. There is no doubt whatever that the lack of energy and enterprise was in a large degree responsible for the poor condition of the island five years ago. Had a strong effort been made to introduce other industries in lieu of the abandoned sugar trade, Jamaica would have been in a better position to-day. The dependence upon one industry has killed other places, even as it brought partial desolation to Jamaica; but the fillip given to the cultivation of bananas, pines, etc., owing to the evidences of activity shown by the establishment of the new steamship line, the opening of splendid hotels, and the greater amount of energy that had to be thrown into the banana industry, caused a general awakening which undoubtedly had a good effect, as it inspired hopes of better times in many breasts.

Although the trade of the islands has not increased by leaps and bounds, returns show a decided and continuous advance. But Jamaica has not yet risen to the occasion, for it will require far more than the growing of bananas to restore her fallen fortunes. The cultivation of cane, and the manufacture of sugar, the establishment of central factories, the making of preserves and condiments, and the undertaking of every branch of industry that can be carried on profitably, must be introduced to Jamaicans would prosper. In the new interest created by the British Cotton Growing Association in the cultivation of Empire-grown cotton there are undoubtedly rare possibilities, and, if followed up, not only in Jamaica, but in the other islands under British dominion in the Caribbean Sea, as it ought to be, the future can be looked forward to with every confidence. The suitability of the soil and climate have been clearly demonstrated, and it only requires enterprise and determination to make the issue certain. In fact, samples of cotton brought to this country have realized as much as