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progress has been considerably delayed. Half an acre containing 

 eight hundred plants, was planted out in August at a height of a little 

 over four thousand feet at the Cinchona Plantation. The propagation 

 of this plant from cuttings will be carried on during 1870 in order to 

 increase the area cultivated to two acres." 



Further, " The eight hundred plants of tea planted out in August 

 1869, at the Cinchona Plantation are in a vigorous state of health, in- 

 deed they are quite equal in this respect to the finest coffee plants of 

 the same age 1 have witnessed anywhere. 



*' The plants now range from three to five feet in height, have re- 

 cently blossomed freely, and have a good crop of seeds set, from which 

 they can be propagated to a large extent in a few months. There are 

 several distinct varieties among these plants, which like the Cinchona^ 

 may be turned to account by selecting and adapting them to the altered 

 circumstances of climate. The necessary conditions of altitude, soil 

 and continuous moisture for the successful cultivation of this great 

 staple commodity, are obtainable over a vast extent of the hilly dis- 

 tricts, and, considering the favourable geographical position of Ja- 

 maica together with the desirability of introducing new products, I 

 would submit to the favourable consideration of the Government the 

 advisability of establishing an experimental plantation of ten acres." 

 (Eeport, 1870-1871.) 



In 1872-73 experiments in making tea were made : 

 "The eight hundred plants of this valuable variety of Tea that were 

 planted at the Cinchona Plantation four years ago have grown with 

 great luxuriance, and have already become naturalized, consequently 

 the plant can be increased to any extent. Samples of Tea of superior 

 quality have been manipulated by a Coolie who had been employed in 

 the Assam Plantations." 



Again in 1878-74, we find : '" Several lbs. of the !Assam variety of 

 this plant were prepared by a Coolie who had some knowledge of the 

 process; these samples proved of tair quality. More skilled manipula- 

 tion is, however, necessary to produce Tea of good quality. This plant 

 could now be propagated to any extent, and it grows with the greatest 

 luxuriance." 



In 1874-75, "Fair samples of the Assam variety of Tea have been 

 manipulated. No plant in the island grows with more luxuriance and 

 facility than this, and I see no reason why it could not be extensively 

 grown. For example, Jamaica has maintained her position in the 

 markets of the world with regard to Coffee, notwithstanding the al- 

 most universal competition. Many thousands of acres of land on the 

 slopes of the Blue Mountain Range are admirably adapted to this pro- 

 duct, and this land is quite unsuited for Coffee culture owing to its 

 being too humid. The value of the Tea exported from Calcutta to 

 Europe has increased in ten years fi'om a quarter of a million to two 

 millions of pounds sterling." 



In a '* Report on the Jamaica Collection of Products at the Inter- 

 national Exhibition at Philadelphia, 1876", Mr. Thomson writes: — • 

 "J he Judges at the Exhibition considered the Tea of good quality and 

 accordingly awarded a medal for same." 



In December, 1883, Dr. Morris, at that time Director of -Public 



