45 



Our soil is what is known to the general cultivator as " a hungry 

 soil, i.e., it will take up an almost unlimited supply of ordinary 

 manure, the effect of which disappears in an extremely short space of 

 time ; and the difficulty of procuring frequent supplies of such, is one 

 which has to be overcome, ere crops can be reaped and plants in 

 general be made to put on a well cultivated appearance. 



In the course of time much may be done to render the tillable 

 area of the Garden more fertile, and it is hoped that when its con- 

 stituents are fully known from mechanical, chemical and cultivator's 

 analysis, measures may be devised which will render it much more 

 productive than it has ever been during past years, and enable us 

 to grow our plants with better results. 



It is quite true — as mentioned by our geological friend — that it is 

 only in a climate like Trinidad that our soil would produce anything 

 " but the scantiest vegetation," and it is a fortunate circumstance 

 that we are blessed with a climate which enables our plants to 

 make the most of the food which is available from atmospheric 

 sources, and upon which they in a great measure depend to carry out 

 the ordinary functions of growth. 



118.-ROSES. 



To grow roses well in the West Indies, two things are essentially 

 necessary. The first is a well sheltered but unshaded position ; and 

 the other a great depth of rich and fertile soil not occupied by the 

 roots of trees or other gross feeding plants. Unless these two con- 

 ditions are present, the return of the rose grower is but a poor one, 

 and will hardly compensate for outlay upon plants. The conditions 

 of climate render it impossible to grow those kinds of roses which 

 in temperate climes are grafted or budded upon what is there 

 a hardy stock, for it is certain that the stock used — either " Briar " 

 or "Manetti" — is much more feeble in a tropical climate than the 

 rose itself, and it is therefore much better to use plants which are as 

 nurserymen term it, " on their own roots," i.e., struck or propagated 

 from slips or cuttings of the branches of the rose itself. Even when 

 this is done, the kinds selected should be those which are known to be 

 natives of countries having a warm climate, or have been raised by 

 hybridization from such plants. What are known as Hybrid per- 

 petuals are — in the main — of little use for tropical growth ; although it 

 is true there are a few notable exceptions. The Tea and Bourbon 



