356 BOTANICAL GAZETTE [ NOVEMBER 
the soil and climate of this island are so fortunately suited. Courage may 
be taken from th perience of Ceylon, where the effects of the failure of its 
great staple of coffee have in a few years been largely diminished by atten- 
tion to the cultivation of tea, cocoa, and other products, which has been 
materially benefited by the interest and fostering care of the botanical depart- 
ment of that island. The infl f a trained and scientific chief over such 
a department must be felt as well in the interchange and in the consequent 
continuous and careful thought of the information and experience of old and 
practical planters and cultivators, as in the education and training of the 
younger and inexperienced, and in the intelligent and profitable application 
of means and labor of both peasant and proprietor, to present and to new 
objects of cultivation. 
The work of the gardens department, its chief aims and pos- 
sibilities, have frequently been brought before the public of 
Jamaica in the present director’s annual reports. Thus in 1892 
occurs the following: 
The two main divisions under which work in a colonial botanical depart- 
ment may be classed are: first, the supply of plants yielding products new 
to the agriculture of the colony, or of a better kind, or such as are not readily 
obtainable otherwise, involving experimental and nursery grounds in such 
situations as are suitable ; second, the providing of information regarding the 
kind of soil, climate, etc., fitted for the plants, their proper cultivation and 
preparation for the markets. The second division is most economically an 
effectively carried on by means of printed matter combined with correspond- 
ence; but practical demonstrations of methods in the gardens are advisable 
whenever they can be carried out. Both divisions imply considerable CHETES 
pondence with persons in other countries as well as a complete herbarium 
and a good library. . 
During the past twelve and one-half years, from the time that Mr. Morris 
was first made director, to March 31, 1892, about 220,000 plants have been 
distributed from Castleton alone, besides seeds which would produce at least 
as many plants. This gives an average for a year of 17,600 plants, me 
includes those sent to Hope for distribution from that center. 
Of those plants, about half the number were such as may be termed 
strictly ‘‘economic,’’ such as cocoa, nutmeg, cloves, cinnamon, Liberian a 
fee, vanilla, oranges, East Indian mangoes, cardamon, kola. The remainder 
were palms, roses, ferns, orchids, and miscellaneous trees and shrubs, among 
which are included timber trees. 
I stated in my report for the year 1887-8 that although it was not the 
mission of a botanic garden to undertake the work of a horticultural sen 
lishment, and supply the public with ornamental plants, I thought it right 
