spices. 259 



and plenty of shade ; it grows particularly well under protection 

 of the saman-tree. At St. Ann's government-gardens it yields 

 about 15 pounds per tree. Nutmegs sell here at 60 to 80 cents 

 (2s. 6d. to 2s. lOd.) per pound. 



Cloves [Caryophyllus aromaticus). — The clove has also been 

 naturalised, and thrives well ; it requires a good, but rather dry 

 soil, and, contrary to the nutmeg, is injured by too much shade ; 

 it is very scantily cultivated. 



Cinnamon {Cinnamomum zeylanicum and C. cassia). — The 

 latter species, or variety, is cultivated here by several persons, 

 but a few only prepare cinnamon from it. There are to be found 

 at St. Ann's a few plants of the Cinnamomum zeylanicum ; they 

 look very healthy, although planted in rather poor soil, and yield 

 excellent cinnamon. 



Pimento [Eugenia pimento). — Though not indigenous to the 

 island, the pimento thrives admirably ; there are two distinct 

 species or varieties here. Pimento is largely exported from 

 Jamaica, and such might be the case with Trinidad also ; yet it 

 is only cultivated for its leaves or berries, which are used in 

 culinary or confectionery preparations. 



Black pepper {Piper nigrum) thrives very well indeed, but is 

 cultivated by a few individuals only, and more as an object of 

 curiosity than utility. 



Cayenne pepper {Capsicum annuum). — All sorts of capsicums, 

 and the bird -pepper {Capsicum baccatum) especially, are so com- 

 j J mon here, that the people take no care in preparing them for 

 preservation as a condiment. 



Vanilla [Vanilla planif alia). — The vanilla grows wild in our 

 forests, but it is not the best kind. There are, it seems, two 

 distinct species distinguishable, not only by the size of the fruit, 

 but also by its fragrance ; the larger species is more fragrant, and 

 also more common. The vanilla grows on those trees which do 

 not shed their bark, generally creeping along the trunk in a 

 straight line, the extremity and divisions hanging downwards. 

 Rats, oppossums, and squirrels are very fond of the vanilla, and 

 it is difficult to save it from their attacks, as they eat it as soon 

 as it arrives at maturity. The vanilla might be cultivated here 

 to advantage, although it eventually causes the death of those 

 trees to which it adheres. 



Ginger [Zingiber officinarum) , Turmeric [Curcuma longa), 



