122 
weis e n condition. In а deep (nor reaching up to the oe 
ay о plantation was in co of being established. Where 
exhausted by the cultivation of оке а grounds the soil was good pe 
the plants healthy. In deep valleys o of this kind cacao evidently 
requires little overhanging shade. а practically requires nothin 
in hi 
winds came up the е valley from Be sea; hence shelter belts of galba 
Сбн Calaba) от pois-doux ( Inga laurina), planted across the 
trend of the valley would afford the гыр protection possible. The vege- 
tation in the upper reaches d these deep Montserrat valleys is very 
striking and luxuriant, Hug сы, with slab-like buttresses, grow on 
the sides, and these are literally clothed with masses of odii ferns, 
and bromeliads. Depending from their upper branches ar merous 
lianes and climbing жен. NE A of green n leaves, relieved 
here and there by the bright flowers of Ipomceas and Bignoniads. Оп 
the tops of the РКА ра ор trees are Roca now more coria- 
ceous leaves, and covered with masses of mosses and lichens. Here also 
are numerous tree-ferns and mountain palms, and the ground is carpeted 
with lyco ods and selagine 
I was due at Plymouth early i in the afternoon the proposed expe- 
dition to the south and round the Soufrière had to be given up. In 
order, however, to see another district of the island the return journey, 
which proved a very interesting one, was made over Windy Ridge and 
back to Riehmond, on the other side of St. George's Hill. 
At the desire of the Commissioner and the Legislative Council I met 
a number of the leading proprietors and planters at the Court House, 
Plymouth, at 4 o’clock, and gave an address on minor industries, The 
Commissioner took the chair. At this эса а large number of negro 
freeholders was quee. and they appeared to take great interest in the 
proceedings. A collection of plants and specimens had been brought 
kinds of economie plants and poing up produce, such as bananas, 
orauges, рше ме for shipmen 
the Botanical "Sith and кше following report upon 
it was afi eris presented to the Gov 
The Montserrat Botanical Station is in course of being established 
on a small plot of land, originally about two acres in extent, to the 
south-west of the town of Plymouth. It is close to the sea, and about 
a quarter of a mile from tne landing ре. It is тутыш on all sides, 
except that facing the sea beach. A public road runs between the 
station and the sea, formed out of the original two acres оди by the 
Government. At ‘the back the land is bounded by a somewhat stee 
slope about 30 or 40 feet high composed of stone and gravel. This 
however, for the sake of keeping it in order, and forming a suitable 
background to the cultivation carried on at the Botanical =н, to 
acquire the whole slope or at least to lease it at a nominal re 
can be of little or no value to the present owner. The boundary on 
posts to keep out trespassers g fence of Galba or Lime trees 
should ultimately be ished here. Between the station ground and 
the public road ^ rustic fence has been constructed, which appears to 
answer very well for the present. An entrance to the Station is 
necessary at ч pete point to the town, and a suitable gateway 
placed there. The drain or watercourse constructed to carry off the 
