204 



value to ITS and to others (viz.) " Suckers" of the best kind of Date 

 palms. It came somewhat as a surprise to me to learn that the 

 Director at Kew was unaware of this tree fruiting in the West Indies ; 

 but such a fact [which in the multitude of his occupations, is readily 

 understood] shews the stern necessity for accurate annual official 

 record of Agri-Horticultural work being kept by authorized persons, 

 and published by the country which it chiefly interests for reference 

 at other places beside its own centre. The demand for the Annual 

 Reports and Bulletins issued by this Department affords convincing 

 proof in support of the value of such records ; as not only are they 

 being sought by cultivators, but they are also in demand at the 

 largest Botanical centres in Europe and America, as affording suitable 

 references to many enquirers, and they bring us an adequate return 

 in exchanges. If the fruiting of the Date palm had been recorded 

 twenty years ago, as it could have been, we might by this 

 time have been in possession of Date palms giving excellent fruit, 

 as I am sure the Director of the Royal Gardens would have been one 

 of the first to help on, as he always does, anything which promises to 

 become of permanent value, and means would have been found to 

 secure plants of the best kinds. 



There is just one point more, which, however, should not for a 

 moment retard the introduction : it this is — will the best kinds grown 

 from suckers produce as good a quality of fruit here as in their native 

 country ? Let us try and see ; we shall be no worse off if we prove a 

 negative while the possibility is encouraging. 



203.-ARECA CATECHU, L. 



" Areca Nut" or " Betel Nut." 

 This pretty palm was first introduced into England very many 

 years ago, it is one of the oldest species in cultivation and has been, 

 known to the Chinese people from time immemorial. 



The earliest mention of this palm in Chinese botanical works is 

 contained" in a description of Changan, the capital of the Emperor 

 Wu-ti, B.C. 140 — 86, where it is referred to under the name of Pin- 

 lang, a name apparently derived from Pinang, and by which it is 

 known in the Malay Islands, whence the Chinese anciently derived 

 their seeds. 



Notwithstanding the high estimation in which it has long been 

 held by Asiatics, by whom it is supposed to sweeten the breath, 



* Pharmacographia, FlUckiger and Hanbury. 



