Prospects For Pacific Pepper
p. 97 · Read in the full issue
Pacific Pepper
FIVE of the six countries which control the destinies of the South Pacific are either partially or wholly dependent on foreign markets for their supplies of pepper and the cultivation of Black pepper as a promising cash crop is now re ceiving attention in this area It is thriving in Fiji.
The pepper plant grows in hot damp countries and flourishes best
in low-lying areas with good drain age and a moderate to heavy rain fall.
It requires shade from other foliage and is averse to strong winds and prolonged drought. Pepper is easy to process and store and lends itself to cultivation in association with coffee and cocoa.
An interesting article on this sub ject appears in the January issue of the SPC Bulletin. t At the end of January an RNZAF Sunderland went to the aid of a Fijian boy who had been mauled by a Barracouta in the Lau Group. The flyingboat could not land but directed a ship to the aid of the boy.