Scientific Intelligence — Botany. 193 



proved the capability of various other spots, immediately to the west 

 of the Jumna, for the culture of this important staple. Moreover, 

 we are informed that, during the present cold season, Dr Jameson 

 has not only selected many new sites in theKangra valley, but com- 

 menced operations, by the despatch of several hundred thousands of 

 seedlings. Besides this, the fact which we announced some time ago, 

 that the Supreme Government had determined on the establishment 

 of tea plantations along the whole of the mountainous part of the north- 

 west frontier, from the Sutledj and the new country west of it to the 

 Kali, coupled with the circumstance, that an annual grant of a lac 

 of rupees has been lately authorised to carry them on in an efficient 

 manner, prove that our rulers are fully alive to the importance of 

 firmly establishing this culture in Upper India. Should these en- 

 deavours prove successful, and private skill and capital be employed 

 hereafter to continue what the State has so happily begun, it is not 

 going beyond the bounds of probability to expect, that, in the course 

 of time, tea, the produce of our own dominions, will not only com- 

 pete successfully with that of China in the market of this metropolis, 

 but add another to our list of export articles. 



The next paper is contributed by Dr Robert Wight, superintend- 

 ent of the Government cotton-farms in the Coimbatore District, — 

 On the Culture of the American Cotton in India, and the proper 

 time for sowing it in various localities. We had expected a longer 

 and more elaborate paper on a subject of such importance ; neverthe- 

 less, as the remarks of one having considerable experience of this 

 staple, and possessing an intimate knowledge of physiological botany, 

 we can scarcely doubt they will prove valuable to those engaged in 

 a similar pursuit. Dr Wight is of opinion, that in his district, as 

 indeed throughout the western coast of the Peninsula, where the NE. 

 monsoon is usually of short duration, July is the most favourable 

 time for sowing the Mexican variety ; while August and all Septem- 

 ber is the best season for localities along the eastern coast, the same 

 monsoon being there of gi-eater force, and extending over a longer 

 period ; and that as respects districts subject to the SW. monsoon, 

 " the last week of May and all June will probably be found the most 

 suitable seasons, the exact time being determined by the individual 

 season and avei-age duration of the rains at each station." 



Dr Campbell, the superintendent of Darjeeling, communicates, in 

 the third article, an experiment which he has instituted on the cul- 

 ture of the tea-plant at that sanatarium, and which promises a fa- 

 vourable result. He thinks it reasonable to expect quite as good tea 

 to be produced there as at Kumaon, and in that opinion he is sup- 

 ported by Dr Jameson. Darjeeling possesses an advantage over tho 

 Kumaon and Gurhwal provinces in point of elevation, being 7000 

 feet above the sea. Dr Campbell promises to report progress. We 

 shall watch it with attention. The introduction of this valuable plant 



VOL. XLV. NO. LXXXIX.— JULY 1848. N 



