384 



THE TROPICAL FRUIT STOVE. 



Dutch East Indian Company. This plant arrived in a healthy condition^ 

 and was placed in the botanical gardens of Amsterdam, v>'here, by care- 

 fol management, it was made to bear seeds, and in the course of a few 

 years many young plants were raised from its produce. 



Many years elapsed, however, ere the progeny of the Amsterdam 

 plant was conveyed to a more congenial climate, and where it could be 

 rendered practically useful. It was not till the year 1718, that the 

 colonists of Surinam began to form coffee plantations, and nearly ten years 

 more had passed before the plant was conveyed by the French to their 

 colony in Martinico. The advantages attending the cultivation were 

 now, however, become so manifest, that it quickly spread through the 

 neighbouring islands. In 1728, Sir Nicholas Laws first introduced the 

 coffee plant into Jamaica, where it was cultivated on the estate since called 

 Temple Hall, in Laguanea. In four years after that period it had already 

 proved itself of sufficient importance to command the attention of the 

 legislature of that island, and an act of council and assembly was passed 

 to encourage its growth. 



The annual consumption of coffee in Europe has been estimated to 

 amount to 110,500 tons, of which it is calculated that 10,000 tons are 

 consumed in Britain alone.'' — Tropical Agriculturist. 



The culture of the coffee as a plant of ornament is exceedingly simple, 

 and where there is room to spare for them in a large garden, a con- 

 siderable supply may be obtained from half-a-dozen trees. At one 

 period of our practice we had twenty-four of these trees in a full bearing 

 state, and annually procured from them several pounds weight of berries, 

 which when roasted and ground in the usual manner produced to the 

 proprietor very excellent coffee of his own growth. These trees, for 

 want of better accommodation, were grown in a large vinery from February 

 till October, and required little other attention than that of a liberal 

 supply of water. From the latter end of October till February they are 

 placed in a pine stove, as they are very impatient of cold. The fragrance 

 of their blossom, and the beautiful red appearance of the ripe fruit, with 

 successive crops of berries in various stages of growth, had a very good 

 effect. They are propagated most readily from seeds, which will vegetate 

 and grow rapidly, and plants three years old under good management 

 will produce fruit, and continue for many years. 



THE LoauAT (Mcspilus japordca). 

 This is a native of Japan, which has been long an inhabitant of our 

 greenhouses, and indeed has in many instances been found to succeed in 



