SPICES OF THE TROPICS 261 



tree may yield as much ;is 1 c\vt. of the dried spice. Jamaica is 

 the only country at present that exports this spice, and its annual 

 export varies from 9 to 10 million pounds or more ; the average 

 price realised in the Island is about 15s. per 100 lb., though some- 

 times it is as much as 30 to 40 shillings for the same quantity. 

 The market price in England is about 2\d, to 3J. per lb. 



Pimento oil, which is obtained by distillation from Allspice 

 leaves, is imported into London and sold for about 2s. 9d. to 3s. 6</. 

 per lb. Added to rum, it forms what is known as bay-rum. 



Allspice, Lemon-scented. (Phiicnta citrifolia. Myrtaceae). 

 This distinct spice-tree was introduced from Dominica to Pera- 

 deniya in 1888, and has become perfectly established here, being 

 now about 40 feet high and of an erect slender habit ; but it has 

 not yet fruited. The leaves upon being bruised emit a delightful 

 lemon-scented odour. 



Allspice, Carolina. (Calycanthus tloridiis. Calycanthaceae). 

 A hardy shrub of North America, the wood and roots of which are 

 of a spicy nature, and smell strongly of camphor. 



Allspice, Japan. (Chimonanthus fragraus. Calycanthaceae). 

 A shrub with small pale yellow Mowers. Suited for high elevations 

 only. 



Bay Tree, or "Wild cloves." (Pimenta acris. Myrtaceae). 

 A small erect West Indian tree, the aromatic leaves of which yield 

 by distillation an oil which is used in the preparation of bay-rum. 

 A return may be obtained in about three years from planting, and 

 on an average 100 lb. of leaves will yield about 16 oz. of oil. It is 

 estimated that the return per acre may be at least 53 lb. of oil, 

 which at 5s. per lb. is worth 13. The tree has been established 

 at Peradeniya, and may be seen in the Spice collection there. The 

 dried leaves, obtained mostly from trees growing naturally in the 

 forests, are exported from Dominica and other West Indian Islands 

 to America, etc. 



Cardamoms; " Ensal " S. (Elettaria CarJaiiioiniini. Scita- 

 mineaeX A perennial with large leafy shoots, 8 to 15 inches long, and 

 strong creeping root-stock (rhizome), native of the moist forests 

 of Ceylon and Southern India up to 3,000 feet. In cultivation 

 it thrives best at 3,000 to 4.000 feet, and in partial shade. 

 When starting a plantation, sufficient forest trees should be left to 

 provide shade, as well as to afford protection from strong winds. 

 The spice consists of the fruit, or rather the numerous small seeds 

 enclosed in the green ovoid capsule. The fruits are gathered 



