48(5 PROPAGATION OF CHINCHONA Chap. XXV III. 



Huanuco, arrived at Ootacamund on the 13tli of January, 

 1861, and those of the " red-bark " followed in the end of 

 February, On the 7th of April 463 plants of C. suecirubra 

 and six of 0. Calisaya reached their destination on the 

 Neilgherry hills in very good condition, considering the 

 length of time they had been in Wardian cases, and thus the 

 experiment was fairly commenced. 



The first soAving, which took place in January, was not very 

 successful, because Mr. Mclvor was induced to use too reten- 

 tive a soil, having been misled by the treatment of seeds 

 adopted in Java ; and only 3 to 4 per cent, germinated. 

 The second sowing took place early in March, the soil used 

 being of a much freer nature, half composed of burned earth ; 

 and 15 to 25 per cent, germinated. Encouraged by tliis 

 result, Mr. Mclvor used a soil composed entirely of burned 

 earth for the third sowing, which took place in the beginning 

 of April, and included the seeds of the " red-bark " species. 

 Of this sowing 60 per cent, germinated, and of the seeds of 

 0. micrantha 90 per cent. It is to be remembered that all 

 these seeds were collected in the South American forests 

 some months before, and that they had passed through the 

 perils of several climates, and a voyage of many thousands 

 of miles. 



In May all the plants of O. suecirubra had taken fairly to 

 the soil, and were in a healthy and flourishing condition, 

 those of C. Calisaya were doing well, but recovering more 

 slowly from the effects of the voyage, and the seedlings were 

 growing fast. The temperature given to the plants was 60° 

 in the morning, rising to 75" in the day, with plenty of light 

 and air ; this treatment having proved to be best adapted for 

 their rapid growth. Of course they Avould grow higher if 

 shaded, and consequently drawn up, according to the erro- 

 neous plan adopted in Java ; but this is not what is wanted, 

 and, by giving them plenty of light and air, they grew into 

 fine strong plants, as broad as they were long. 



