68 



latter cause, nothing can avail until the vitality is strengthened, and 

 the attack will regularly recur, until the causes which lead to such 

 recurrence have been removed. 



It is therefore necessary to ascertain the cause of a plant becoming 

 "diseased" or enfeebled before any certain remedy can be applied-- 

 for it is patent that it would be quite useless to dress a Banana Avith 

 Bordeaux mixture, if it was not attacked with fungus, or to treat it 

 to a dose of insecticide, if there were no insect present ; the trouble 

 being really caused by unsuitable conditions of the soil or climate. 

 If plants are really attacked by insect or fungoid pests it should 

 first be ascertained whether these are of a destructive character, 

 or whether the attack is induced by previous weakness or feebleness 

 arising from other causes, and until such a course is taken remedies 

 can seldom be applied with good effect. 



134.-SMILAX OFFlCmAhlS -Ktmth. 



" Saese." or " Sarsaparilla." 



The product of this plant is generally knoAvn under the name 

 of Jamaica Sarsaparilla on account of its being formerly shipped to 

 England from Central America via Jamaica ports. The plant likes a 

 good rich soil, and should be planted near to trees upon which it can 

 climb. The root is the official part of the plant. A large quantity 

 is annually collected from the woods of the interior of Central 

 America being principally brought down to the coast by the Indians, 

 by whom it is exchanged chiefly for clothing with the traders or 

 merchants of the coast ports. The plant thrives well in Trinidad 

 and could be largely grown if the prices offering were such as to 

 encourage its cultivation. The plant thrives in the Royal Botanic Gar- 

 dens, where it may be seen at any time. The rcot gives little 

 trouble to harvest, and can be prepared for market in two or three 

 days, in dry weather. 



135.-ARTHOSTYLIDIUM PRBSTOEI.-i^/i«»•o. 



Native Bamboo. 



This plant was first discovered by my immediate predecessor Mr. 

 Prestoe after whom it was named by the late General Munro. It was 

 re-discovered in the St. Ann's hills by my late Assistant Mr. Broad- 

 way, in 1892. Plants flowered this year in the Gardens which enabled 

 us to secure good Herbarium specimens and I am indebted to the Kew 

 Authorities for the correct determination of the plant. 



