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Decline of Ochos Rios

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catch glimpses of the far-away hills to the south, and directly back of the village, on an eminence, lies beautiful Shaw Park. At one time bountiful hospitality was dispensed, but the death of the owner changed everything.

There are no objects of special interest in Ochos Rios. Fishing is carried on to a limited extent, but there is no organized effort for proper catching and curing. The harbor is largely landlocked, and forms a port of refuge for storm-beaten craft. Men-of-war often anchor there to obtain supplies of beef and fresh water for their crews, and to give "liberty" to the

men.

Ruins of an old Spanish fort are to be found near the bay, but rank vegetation has largely covered them. Weeds spring up in a night, and this noxious growth is very difficult to eradicate.

In addition to its large pimento interests, orange raising made Ochos Rios a point of considerable importance years ago. Nowhere in the Island could a place be found which, size considered, shipped as many million oranges as formerly were sent from this port. Exporters used to bring thousands of pounds sterling into the town, but nine years ago the trade had a severe setback, because of fearful losses sustained by them when the fruit was sold in New York in competition with Florida oranges.

The finest selected Jamaica oranges, even from the best trees, are not equal in flavor to the delicate, thinskin fruit obtainable on the Halifax or Indian Rivers, in Florida. It was thought the low prices in New York were caused by the style of package, for

ventilated barrels were altogether used for years. In the hope of obtaining higher prices exporters changed from barrels to imitation Florida boxes and crates. They also used fancy paper, and marked the count on boxes with stencils; but all to no purpose. Jamaica laborers are too clumsy to pack oranges as attractively as they are packed in Florida and California. They have erratic ideas of size, and little idea of neatness. One firm brought down orange sizers at considerable expense, and tried to teach native packers how to use them. It had to abandon the task as hopeless, and sent the sizers back to Florida.

The Jamaican laborer constantly forgets what he should do, and it is no wonder that dainty Americans refuse to buy fruit which is too unripe for eating, badly assorted, put up in a slipshod manner, and without regard to size or accurate count. Instead of being allowed to color on the tree, oranges are generally pulled green. They should be cut from the stem with scissors when fit for shipment. "Pulled" fruit is always sure to decay earlier than

stem-cut.

Florida and California will in time send so many oranges to New York as to make exports from Jamaica impossible, except at such heavy loss as no one will be willing to face. The business has fallen off sadly, and exporters who formerly shipped several thousand barrels per steamer, now do not ship more than fifty. Had Jamaicans kept abreast of the situation and supplied only honestly packed, properly matured fruit, it is possible they might have kept the trade in their hands a few years longer; but the inevitable stoppage

Decline in the Orange Trade

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of business of importance could not have been long averted.

Traveling along the seacoast, we next pass through an arid territory, very sparsely settled. For a few miles hardly a hut is seen, but White River lies ahead. It derives its name from the peculiar milky appearance of the water, due to the nature of the rock at its source over which it flows. Cocoanut trees, thatch palms, orange trees, and pimento walk abound in this rich section. Occasionally flocks of sheep are passed, then follow one hill after another until one of unusual steepness is sighted ahead. This is the uncomfortable Spring Valley Hill, and caution is advisable in making its descent. The road is protected by masonry walls, the tops of which have been whitewashed in order to be discernible at night. It is well these walls are there, for if a carriage should topple over, it would go hard with the occupants.

At the foot of this hill flows the Rio Nuevo (new river). It is a placid stream, wider than the Ochos Rios, but being unbridged, often compels pedestrians in flood times to wait two or three days prior to venturing across. The scenery here reminds one of Connecticut valleys, and but for the presence of a few tropical trees and a banana plantation, the resemblance would be complete. A moonlight view of the river leaves indelible memories; but this may be said of most of the north shore scenery.

Another very steep hill must be climbed after leaving Rio Nuevo wharf, and while making the ascent visitors have a chance to study the wild scenery and rock-bound coast at this point. As dangerous seas

break at Rio Nuevo as can be found anywhere along the north shore. Boats have been wrecked, and in stormy weather fruit steamers have to weigh anchor and stand out to sea, leaving cargo to rot on the sands.

(Begun in issue March 16. To be continued).

EASY SCIENCE 80

Submarine Diving.

(Begun in issue of May 25.)

But perils from sharks and tangling of the hose are slight compared with the risk the diver runs of rupturing a blood vessel in every descent. Divers have been hauled up dead in their armor after having been plentifully supplied with air. In each case it was found that the air pressure had caused a fatal stroke of apoplexy.

There is also the danger from fright. A diver was at work on a sunken vessel and the air-hose became fouled so that it was impossible to haul him up. Plenty of fresh air was supplied, but for five terrible hours he was a prisoner, not having been able to disentangle the air-hose. Another diver went to his rescue, and after freeing him signaled to haul him up. When the armor was removed he was dead. Fright had killed him.

The diver is subject to attacks by sharks, swordfish, devilfish, and monsters of the deep. He carries for protection a double-edged knife with a razor blade. It is held in a water-tight brass sheath, and can be drawn out instantly. This is his sole defense.

Tightening the Waistband.

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It is necessary for the diver to hold up his suit while the waistband is tightened, in order that the breastplate will fit properly; otherwise the helmet

[graphic]

PLATE III.-TIGHTENING BAND AROUND WAIST.

(Described in Easy Science in this number.)

could not be properly adjusted. These two parts are screwed together by a screw bayonet joint. One eighth of a turn locks them together.

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