^152 



•Gardens and Plantations, addressed a letter on this subject to Govern- 

 ment, as follows : — 



" The small plantation of Tea, established at aa elevation of 5,300 

 feet near the Latimer fields of the Government Cinchona Plantations, 

 is in a thriving state as regards the growth of the plants, many of 

 which are from 9 feet to 12 feet high. With the exception of some 

 email samples of Tea prepared for exhibition purposes — one of which 

 obtained a Gold Medal at Philadelphia in 1876 — no attempt has 

 hitherto been made to utilize these Tea plants. Both in the Annual 

 Reports and in other publications issued by this Department attention 

 has been called to the existence of this experimental Tea plantation ; 

 and seed has been distributed from time to time amongst private 

 planters in the hope of drawing their attention to the facilities which 

 the Island offers for a Tea industry. So far, however, nothing has been 

 done with Tea in Jamaica by private parties, beyond planting a few 

 trees in gardens for ornanoental purposes But with the influx of 

 planters from Ceylon, possessing practical acquaintance with the cul- 

 tivation and curing of Tea, I am hopeful a start will soon be made to 

 prepare Tea, if only, as in the early days in Ceylon, to supply local de- 

 mand. 



As mentioned in my late paper, read before the Royal Colonial In- 

 stitute, I estimated that with indentured coolie labour and an expe- 

 rienced planter from Ceylon and India, Tea might be grown in the 

 West Indies and placed in the market at a cost not exceeding 7^d or 

 8d. per pound. At the present time very inferior Chinese Tea is sold 

 in Jamaica at 4s. 6d. to 5s. per pound. Hence there is here a very 

 good opening for a Tea industry. 



The plants at present in Jamaica were received through the Royal 

 Gardens in 1868, and their existence here indicates with what foresight 

 and intelligence these Gardens have contributed to the furtherance of 

 colonial interests, and to laying the foundation of local industries." 



To this letter Sir Joseph Hooker, Director of Kew Gardens, replied 

 through the Colonial Office as follows :— " It appears from a letter of 

 Sir Joseph Rogers that in 1868 Assam Tea plants were forwarded 

 from Kew to Jamaica. The variety most in favour at present in 

 India is what is called the Assam hybrid, and I think that the 

 introduction of this into Jamaica is probably the best step to aim at. 

 Tea seed is generally regarded as difficult of transmission, inasmuch as, 

 like most oily seeds, it rapidly loses its vitality. In the course of last 

 year, however, the Lebong Tea Company forwarded to the Royal Gar- 

 dens a box of seed in excellent order which germinated freely. 

 Application has, therefore, been made to this Company for its good 

 offices in meeting the request of the Jamaica Government, and I now 

 transmit copies of letters received from the Secretary showing what 

 has been done in the matter. From these seeds, when they arrive, as 

 a matter of precaution, a supply of plants will also be raised to be for- 

 warded to Jamaica as well as the remainder of the seed." 



In his Annual Report for 1883-84, Dr. Morris draws attention to 

 its economic value as an industrial plant for Jamaica, and recommends 

 it to the serious and thoughtful attention of planters. He continues 

 .as follows : — 



" Several samples of an excellent Tea have lately been prepared at the 



