253 
_ From what has "— already stated, it would appear that the cultiva- 
purposes. The demand for Gambier appears to be extending both in 
this country and in the United States, but the supply at present fails to 
satisfy consumers either as to the quality or quantity. 
If the Gambier plant is capable of being successfully grown, and 
would yield its special product in other localities as well as it does in 
the Malay States, there is no reason why so valuable an industry should 
not be introduced to the West ith a Africa or to such West Indian 
Colonies as Trinidad and Demer It does not necessarily follow 
that the same wasteful system of UA should be adopted in other 
Colonies. The m ei is one ees ay very fairly be takap, "p in con- 
requires à dose ric soil and a high . range of temperature, si 
y 
bmi AR A e eultivated. 
In t st instance, seeds might be obtained from the Straits 
Settlements. Owing, however, to the regular cropping of the leaves, 
the plants do not ears seed regularly, and what is peo aged may be 
found somewhat shy in germinating. Plants of Gambier have been 
paeo Aeron to the Royal Was Kew ey present they 
own under — treatment, and appear to be healthy and vigorous. 
There i is pet however, at present any stock for distribution. 
n the official statistics of imports into the United Kingdom, Cutch 
is rages combined. with Gambier. The figures for the last 
three years, are :— 
Year. Tons. Value. 
. £ : 
1886 - - ^ 28,369 654,438 
1887 - - - - 27,258 658,364 
1888 - " - 28,135 704,731 
The Tropical pietre (April, 1889, p. 671), however, estimates 
that Cutch onl unts to about one-fifth of the total imported. 
Gambier Pardi: remains as the most — aud preponderant 
tanning material in the commerce of the Eas 
