' 150 



Yalue per ioni. 



1. *Containing Nitrogen ... 0.735 "I y,g 



Equal to Ammonia 0.893 J ' 



2. **Containing Phosphoric Acid 2.447) g. 



Equal to Phosphate of Lime 5.351 J 



3. Potash ... 0.360 1/6 

 Lime ... 5.643 



Total value per ton of fine portions 17/ 



Estimated value F.O.R. Kingston = 12/ per ton. 



HISTORICAL NOTES ON ECONOMIC PLANTS Ilf 



JAMAICA. 



V. Tea. 



The China Tea tree seems to have been first introduced into Jamaica 

 in the year 1771 by a Mr. Baker under the name of the Bohea Tea 

 Tree (Black Tea, Thea Bohea). At that time, and for long after, it 

 •was erroneously supposed that Green Tea was the product of another 

 species, Thea viri'iis, and a plant of this was brought to the Island by 

 the first Island Botanist, Dr. Thomas Clarke in 1775, and planted in 

 the first Government Botanic Garden at Enfield, near the present 

 Gordon Town. From these two plants, others were propagated for Mr. 

 W alien's g^den at Cold Spring, and for Mr. Hinton East's garden 

 adjoining Enfield. Both plants are mentioned by Dr. Broughton in 

 his "Hortus Eastensis" as growing in Mr East's Garden in 1793. 



Dr. James Macfadyen, in 1837, states in his flora of Jsimaica that — 



"The tea plant was introduced into the garden at Coldspring by the 

 late M. Wallen, Esq. The house had for many years fallen into decay 

 and the garden was neglected and allowed to grow up into weeds. 

 Notwithstanding this, on clearing the land, for the purpose of planting 

 it in coifee, about two years ago, the Tea trees were found to have 

 survived, and young plants to have grown up. They are now in a 

 very thriving condition, flowering and perfecting their seeds; and a 

 supply of young plants may at any time be procured." 



Mr. John MacLean, the late owner of Cold Spring showed the pre- 

 sent Director of Public Gardens in the year 1887 Tea trees in Wallen's 

 old garden, which after Dr. Macfadyen's time had again been overgrown 

 and completely covered with bush, until disinterred by Mr. MacLean. 

 Their condition shuwed that at thai elevation they had come to stay, 

 and were perfectly able to hold their own against, native vegetation. 



Kew Gardens, an establishment which has done so much for the 

 Colonies in introducing new plants and affording scientific information 

 on cultural products, sent out plants of Assam Tea as early as 1849-50 

 to Mr. Nathaniel Wilson, Island Botanist, at the Bath Garden. 



Mr. Robt. Thomson in his Annual Report for 1868, says : 



" A Ward case of Assam Tea, containing upward of six hundred 

 plants arrived in excellent condition from India, via the Colonial 

 Office." 



Again in 1869, " Assam Tea.— Owing to the dry seasons in the 

 early part of the year these plants were retained in pots, so that their 



