48fi 



HISTORY OF THE VEGETABLE KINGDOSf. 



cloves are easily detected by their pale colour, 

 shrivelled appearance, and want of flavour. 



Tlie pungent and aromatic virtues of the clove 

 reside in th\p essential oil, combined with the 

 resinous matter of the spice ; but it does not 

 appear that these qualities are absolutely neces- 

 sary to the growth or fructification of the tree. 

 To give to this its greatest value, it must, how- 

 ever, be cultivated in a situation where they can 

 be elaborated in the greatest quantity. Its pro- 

 fitable growth is therefore limited to a very nar- 

 row range of temperature and climate ; as the 

 clove loses its flavour if the situation be too 

 moist or too dry, too near the sea, or too much 

 elevated above its level. Though the tree be 

 found in the larger islands of Eastern Asia, and 

 in Cochin China, it has there little or no flavour. 

 The Moluccas seem to be the only places where 

 the clove comes to perfection without cultiva- 

 tion. 



This tree is so great an absorbent of moisture 

 that no herbage will grow under its branches ; 

 while the cloves, when gathered, if placed in a 

 heap near a vessel of water, are found very much 

 to have increased their weight at the end of only 

 a few hours, in consequence of the large por- 

 tion of water which they have attracted and 

 imbibed. It is said that both the grower and 

 trader in cloves avail themselves of the know- 

 ledge of this fact, and since this spice is always 

 sold by weight, thus give a factitious value to 

 their goods. 



Pimento or Jamaica Pepper (myrtus pi- ' 

 meuta.) This is another species of the same 



ISi. 



J? 



Pimento, 

 family. It is an extremely handsome tree ; a 

 native of South America and the West Indies, 

 especially of the island of Jamaica, whence the 

 benies or pimento of commerce are exported in 

 large quantities. This tree grows to the height 

 of about thirty feet, with a smooth brown trunk, 

 and shining green leaves, resembling those of the 

 bay ; branches, coming out on all sides, are 

 clothed in the most luxuriant foliage. In the 

 months of July and August a profusion of white 

 flowers pleasingly contrast with the dark green 

 leaves — the whole forming an object of vegetable 

 beauty rarely surpassed ; while the rich perfume 



which is exhaled around, and which is wafted 

 by the gentlest breeze, renders an assemblage of 

 these trees one of the most delicious plantations 

 of even a tropical clime. When the leaves are 

 bruised, they emit a fine aromatic odour as 

 powerful as that of the fruit ; indeed it is said 

 that they yfeld by distillation a delicate oil, which 

 is often used in the dispensaries as a substitute 

 for oil of cloves. 



The pimento tree grows spontaneously in many 

 parts of Jamaica ; it abounds more particularly 

 on the northern side of that island, in elevated 

 spots near the coast. When a new plantation of 

 these is to be formed, no regular planting or sow- 

 ing takes place ; it is usual to appropriate a 

 piece of land either in the neighbourhood of a 

 plantation already formed, or in a part of the 

 woodlands where these trees are scattered in a 

 native state. The land is then cleared of all 

 wood but these trees, which are left standing, 

 and the felled timber is allowed to remain where 

 it falls to decay and perish. In the course of a 

 year young pimento plants are found springing 

 up on all parts of the land ; produced, it is sup- 

 posed, in consequence of the ripe berries having 

 been scattered there by the birds, while the pros- 

 trate trees protect and shade the tender seedlings. 

 At the end of two years the land is thoroughly 

 cleared, only those plants being left which p.ro- 

 mise a vigorous gi-owth ; these come to maturity 

 in about seven years from the first formation of 

 the plantation, and usually attain to the height 

 of thirty feet. But though apparently of so easy 

 propagation, it is only in those parts where the 

 tree is of spontaneous production. Edwards 

 observes, that " this tree is purely a child of 

 nature, and seems to mock all the labours of 

 man, in his endeavours to extend or improve its 

 growth : not one attempt in fifty to propagate 

 the young plants, or to raise them from the seeds, 

 in pnrts of the country where it is not found 

 gi-owing spontaneously, having succeeded." The 

 tree was introduced into this country in the early 

 part of last century, but the fruit does not ripen. 

 It is delicate and difficult to manage, requiring 

 at the same time warmth and a great deal of 

 air. 



The flowers scarcely fade and give place to the 

 berries, ere these are fit for gathering ; since, if 

 the fruit be suffered to ripen on the tree, it loses 

 its pungency and becomes valueless. While yet 

 green, therefore, the berries are carefully picked 

 by hand ; one person on the tree gathers the 

 small branches ; and three others, usually women 

 and children, find full employment in picking 

 the berries from these. The produce is then spread 

 on terraced floors, and exposed to the action of 

 the solar heat for about a week; in the course of 

 this time the berries loose their green hue, and 

 become of a reddish brown. When perfectly 

 dry, they are in a fit state fur exportation. 



