3 io NOTES OF A BOTANIST 



who live in a country of peace and plenty, but 

 above all of good roads, to appreciate the obstacles 

 that beset all undertakings in countries where none 

 of those blessings exist. . . . 



[It only remains to say that Spruce's long- 

 continued labour and extreme care were crowned 

 with success. The young plants reached India in 

 good condition, and the seeds germinated and 

 served as the starting-point of extensive plantations 

 on the Neilgherry Hills in South India, in Ceylon, 

 in Darjeeling, and elsewhere. 



The latest reports from the India Office, which 

 I owe to the kindness of Sir Clements Markham, 

 seem to show that none of the districts where the 

 plantations have been made are really suitable, 

 either in climate or soil, to the natural requirements 

 of the trees. This is indicated by two facts. It is 

 stated that although the trees grow well when 

 young, yet they suffer from dryness of the soil in 

 the dry season, so that artificial watering sometimes 

 has to be resorted to. It is also stated that it has 

 been found necessary to resort to the application of 

 large quantities of stable manure and lime to keep 

 the plants healthy. 



In Sikhim the rainfall of 125 inches is said to be 

 distributed over less than 150 days, so that the 

 larger part of theyear is rainless. In the Neilgherries 

 violent winds are said to be very hurtful and some- 

 times destroy the larger trees, 



Now the great feature of the native Cinchona 

 forests as described by Spruce is the prevalence of 

 rains almost throughout the year, and especially of 

 a constantly moist soil, kept so in dry weather by 



