182 INTRODUCTION OF THE CINCHONA TREK 



atmosphere, it is in a great measure equivalent to altitude, in like manner 

 as a high and dry climate is to that of moisture, and which influences the 

 growth of plants accordingly. These cinchona trees grow to a lofty size in 

 their native forest attaining a height of 50 feet, and in some instances 70 

 feet and 30 inches diameter, producing 253 lbs. of dry bark, which 

 will give some idea of the value of an acre of land with these trees 

 arrived at maturity ; — planted at distances of 25 feet apart, an acre will 

 contain about 70 plants, each producing 253 lbs. of bark, at 6s. per lb., would 

 amount to the surprising sum of 5,313?.* The native forests of Cinchona 

 are fast giving way before the axe of the "barkers," and it is firmly 

 believed by the best judges and eye-witnesses, that the supply of these 

 barks will soon become too small for commercial purposes ; and the price 

 is fast on the increase, on account of the scarcity of bark and the general 

 and increasing interest of the tree producing it to meet future demands. 

 The English, Indian, and other Governments are sparing neither pains or 

 expense to establish extensive plantations of Cinchona, wherever the plant 

 is likely to thrive. In 1854, the Dutch Government commenced its culti- 

 vation in Java with half-a-dozen of plants, which reproduced themselves 

 by seeds, in 1857, and, by the end of 1859, the plants numbered 100,133 — 

 some of them over 20 feet in height. This rapid progress was certainly 

 not made under more favourable circumstances than this island presents ; 

 and I mention it to prove how much can be done by an industrious nation, 

 by well-directed energy to add to the wealth of a community at a very 

 trifling expenditure of money, labour, or time. I have no hesitation in 

 saying, from my knowledge of this climate, and experience with the treat- 

 ment of the plants, that the Cinchona plant can be grown here to any 

 extent, and to as great perfection as it is in Java, or elsewhere, more par- 

 ticularly by skilled labour placed under proper management. And I there- 

 fore hope that the successful issue of this experiment in my hands may 

 not be lost sight of by either the English or this Government, but meet 

 with approbation. And as a desire to crdtivate the plant here, which is 

 not a question, like many others, involving a great expenditure of labour 

 and money ; but one which recpiires to be assiduously conducted on prac- 

 tical principles, when cultivation might rapidly extend to many parts of the 

 island, clothing the mountains to their summits, ultimately proving as 

 remunerative as our richest vales, and thereby improve the social condition 

 of the country." 



Mr Thwaites, the Director of the Royal Botanic gardens, Peradenia, 

 Ceylon, in his report, dated Sept. 21, also speaks of the success of his 

 labours as follows : 



" It gives me great pleasure to report very satisfactorily upon the 



* Mr Wilson assumes a selling price of 6s. per lb. ; but this is the highest current 

 rate here for the very best red bark, the range having been, in the last two years, from 

 2s. to 6s. per lb. The present quotations (Dec. 1861), for other descriptions of 

 Peruvian bark, are, Crown and grey, Is. 2d. to 2s. 6d ; Calisaya flat, 3s. 6d. to 3s. 9d.; 

 ditto quill, 3s. 4d. to 3s.- 6d. ; Carthagena, lOd. to 2s. ; Pitayo, Is. 6d. to 2s. 2d„ — 

 Editok. 



