219 



may be sent, but the tree grows to a much larger size, and the larger 

 the wood the better the price obtained. Jamaica ships yearly a fair 

 amount of this dye-Avood, but Trinidad ha3 not as yet so far as I am 

 aware, competed in the market. It is not intended to represent 

 " Fustic " as a paying crop to grow when everything ejse has failed, 

 for if everything else fails "Fustic" will probably be found in the 

 same category, but attention is called to its presence as an indigenous 

 tree which, when fairly Avell grown and prepared for market, is worth 

 some five guineas per ton. It is not a tree requiring cultivation or 

 shade. It is a true native, and will grow up in many places from 

 self-sown seed. It is not particular as to soil, and will grow in almost 

 any locality if planted, and does not require protection of any kind. 

 It is considered to be a tree fully deserving of the attention of 

 proprietors wdio wash to improve and increase the value of their pro- 

 perties. A corner planted in " Fustic" would cost little or nothing 

 for upkeep, and would annually increase in value. It is certainly a 

 tree whose growth, with that of Logwood, should be encouraged by 

 those who possess landed interests in the Island of Trinidad. 



P.S. — During the current week and for the first time in ten 

 years, we noticed logs of this wood being cut in St. Ann's for export. 



August 15, 1896. 



209.- GUINEA GRASS- 



Panicum maximxim, Jacq. — Panicum jmnentoruyn, Pas. 

 Guinea grass is said to have been introduced into Jamaica as 



bird food about 1740. 



In that colony taxes Avere paid in 1879 on 115,576 acres under 

 Guinea grass. " Analysis shows it to be very rich in nutritive 

 qualities, and where this grass can be fully established in the West 

 Indies it is probably the best fodder plant known for permanent cul- 

 tivation.'"' 



Though so largely grown in Jamaica it does not find the same 

 favour in Trinidad, probably owing in some measure to our having a 

 fuller supply of natural fodder in the form of Para grass i^Paiiicum 

 viuticum, Forsk) which does not require — in our lands — the same care 

 as Guinea grass. 



Guinea grass flourishes best on lands having a fair proportion of 

 lime in their composition, and does not do well on heavy clays. It 

 can stand a large amount of drought, but will not endure a soil con- 

 stantly saturated with moisture. The land should be prepared for 

 planting by ordinary plovighing, or forking, giving it at the same time 



* Kew Bulletin. 



