6 
Hithe 
“ maintained for the West Indies, one at Jamaica and the other at 
“ Trinidad. From these centres, but especially from that of Jamaica, 
“ economic plants and information by means of annual reports and 
“ other publications have been regularly furnished, and such agencies 
“ have greatly assisted in enlarging the scope of experimental culture.” 
In the Report of the Royal (West Indian Finance) Commission, 
appointed in 1883, Paragraph No. 247, it was stated that there was 
a growing inclination on the part of the planters in other West Indian 
Colonies to apply for seeds and plants to the botanical establishment in 
Jamaica, which could supply each island with what it required in the 
most economical manner. Sir Joseph Hooker, commenting on this 
report, at the request of the Secretary of State, in a letter dated 
26th January 1885, expressed the opinion that there could be no doubt 
that the future prosperity of the West Indies would be largely affected 
by the extension to other islands, unprovided with any kind of botanical 
r 
Jamaica, offered the following suggestions in a letter addressed to the 
Jolonial Secretary of Jamaica, dated 28th October 1884 :— 
“ Being supported by the Government, it is very desirable that a 
“ Government officer or a board appointed by Government should be 
“ in general charge of the proposed botanical station , and that all 
seats enna relating to it be carried on through such officer or 
oard. 
** As the results of a botanical station are so entirely dependent on 
“its supervision and management, I would su if 
0 1e 
“ Possibly the Colonial engineer or the Crown surveyor would be 
“able to do this in some ony, while a member of the Colonial 
“ and protected (fenced) situation, and within reach of water is the 
$ first requisite. A small potting and tool shed are all the buildings 
“ actually required, while bambu for pots, and banana leaves and 
` West Indian Colonies. ‘The station as already mentioned should be 
$ near the seat of Government, close to the chief shipping port of 
the Colony, and well placed as regards communication with the 
a “ The chief points requiring attention as regards the supervision of 
r the station are the regulation of working hours, the prompt treatment 
of seeds and plants immediately they arrive, the assignment of plants 
4 

