Macfadyen^s Flora of Jamaica. 593 



This tree was introduced into England in 1739, and, when 

 grown in pots, is always stunted ; but, as it is of rapid growth, if 

 turned out early in the season, in good soil, and in a warm situ- 

 ation, it would probably make a splendid appearance during the 

 summer months ; and, as it is so readily propagated, a stock of 

 young plants might easily be kept in a flued pit, to insure a 

 succession as the old plants were killed off. This mode of 

 treatment might be applied to many of the plants of warm 

 climates now requiring the green-house or stove; and the re- 

 ward to the cultivator would be ample, in the very superior 

 degree of foliage that would be produced during the summer 

 months. In short, if half the care were bestowed on this kind 

 of culture that is given to dahlias, we should soon have a new 

 world of tropical beauty in British gardens. 



Thea viridis, the green tea plant, " was introduced into the 

 garden at Cold Spring by the late M. Wallen, Esq. The house 

 had for many years fallen into decay, and the garden was neg- 

 lected, and allowed to grow up in weeds. Notwithstanding this, 

 on clearing the land, for the purpose of planting it with coffee, 

 about two years ago, the tea trees were found to have survived, 

 and young plants to have grown up. They are now in a very 

 thriving condition, flowering and perfecting their seeds ; and a 

 supply of young plants may at any time be procured." (p. 119.) 



Qityus Aurantium, the sweet orange, is cultivated and natu- 

 ralised, as is the bitter orange. Independently of the excellence 

 of the fruit, the orange is amonj; the most ornamental of Jamaica 

 trees. "It is graceful in its port, with leaves beautifully formed, 

 and of a rich green ; and it fills the air with the perfume of its 

 clusters of delicately white blossoms. In the parish of St. John, 

 in particular," continues Dr. Macfadyen, " the trees may be 

 seen in thousands in the pastures and in the negro villages, 

 forming beautiful objects during the months about Christmas, 

 laden with their golden-hued fruit ; which, for richness of 

 flavour and for sweetness, cannot be surpassed. In that dis- 

 trict, a bitter or a sour orange is rarely to be met with. It is 

 deserving of remark, indeed, that the sweet orange is produced 

 in its greatest perfection in districts which, like that of St. John, 

 belong to the limestone formation ; whereas they are very in- 

 ferior (being more or less sour or bitter, even when raised from 

 seeds of the sweetest sorts) when grown where any of the other 

 rocks prevail. Little or no care is bestowed in Jamaica on 

 the cultivation of the orange. As the fruit, notwithstanding this, 

 is produced in the greatest abundance, and of so fine a quality, 

 it must appear surprising that it is not made an article of ex- 

 portation, as few of our objects of cultivation would give a more 

 favourable return. Were the fruit carefully hand-picked from 



Vol. XIII. — No. 93. a Q 



