84 WORCESTER COUNTY HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. [1904. 



and is used for dyeing. The cotton tree is a very conspicuous 

 tree in the landscape, growing much larger than other trees, 

 and its peculiar trunk formation impresses one with the idea 

 of stability. Its wood is very light and is not of much value. 

 Orchids are found growing in the branches of this cotton tree, 

 sometimes completely hiding the bark; this with the Jamaican 

 mistletoe and other plants of a parasitic growth gives the 

 appearance of the tree being well laden. The ponciana is a 

 tree of considerable size, with its finely cut leaves and great 

 long seed pods. 



One might continue almost indefinitely in describing the 

 great varieties of trees. I was told by a native that he could 

 readily collect two hundred specimens of wood from a very 

 limited area. 



Probably no one variety of fruit is so extensively cultivated 

 as the banana. This we see growing in great abundance, and 

 the shipments north frequently reach a half million bunches 

 weekly. They are picked green, carefully brought on the 

 heads of the natives to the storehouse, then transported to 

 the wharves to be loaded on the steamers. It is interesting 

 to watch this latter process, as the natives pass in line with 

 a bunch on their heads to the gangplank, receiving one shilling 

 for carrying one hundred bunches. They are carried largely 

 by the women. They also load coal in the same way, carrying 

 a bushel at a time. The following couplet is rather illustrative : 



" Here's to the land of the Banan 

 You pay what they ask and get what you can!" 



The cacti is found in and about Kingston and it forms a- 

 hetlge that no form can penetrate, and our barbed wire fence 

 will certainly have to take second place. 



The roads are all under government control and are kept 

 in excellent condition, crushed limestone being used and all 

 the work performed by hand. 



Much can be said historically concerning Jamaica, beginning 

 with its discovery by Columbus in 1494, continuing for nearly 

 one hundred and fifty years under Spanish rule and since then 



