48 CHINCHONA CULTIVATION. IN. INDIA. 
bark. As an argument against this system, it has been advanced. that 
Chinchona plants do not throw out any branches ; but this isa mistake; - 
as we have some plants, although little more than fifteen months old, 
with eleven to thirteen branches, and some of these branches themselves 
measure 3$ feet in length, and the secondary branches 1 foot 4 inches. 
There is certainly nothing in the habits of all the species of this plant. 
but what promises to be admirably suited to this method of cultivation; 
and from our own observations, I feel convinced that much, if not the: 
whole, success of the cultivation depends. upon our results in this part 
of the operation. ol TA ii 
“ In order to obtain the greatest produce from our plantations at an 
early date, it appears to be desirable to place our plants rather close 
together, and with this object in view in our operations of this season, 
we have prepared to place the shrubby varieties at a distance of 7 or 
8 feet apart, which will give about 889.190.680 plants respectively to 
the acre. The layer-grown species at 9 and 10 feet apart, will . 
give about 537 aad 435 plants to the acre; this of course would be 
much too close to remain to retain their full size, but when they begin 
to crowd and impede the growth of each other, they can be thinned 
out, and this operation will no doubt furnish a large supply of bark, as 
they will probably not require to be thinned out before the twelfth 
year of their growth, as when they first begin to crowd sufficient light 
and air will be afforded by lopping and pruning a portion of the 
branches. T E 
“So far as our operations have progressed, the experiment has been: 
eminently successful both as regards the number, genuineness, and value 
of the species introduced, their increase and cultivation. . The very ine) 
portant fact has also been established that the climate of the Neilghere — 
ries is suitable for the growth of all the most valuable species of Chine) — 
chona, and. that the plants possess as great power of withstanding: — 
extremes of wet. and drought as is generally the case with evergreens. — 
It has also been ascertained that the Chinchonas, like nearly every: 
other plant, have a distinct period of growth, which extends over about’ 
nine months of the year, the remaining three months being one of: 
comparative rest; this has especially been clearly demonstrated by our: E 
seedlings in glass-houses, for although the temperature and moisture. 
were kept nearly uniform through the year, yet towards the season of — 
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