9 



When it was decided by the Legislative Council in 1886 to make a Botanic Garden at Hope, there 

 were only some 23 acres fairly clean, viz. : — 



Ac. Ro. Po. 



Sugar cane experimental ground ... ... 1 3 19 



Pinery ... ... ... 1 14 



Economic plants and fruit ... ... 2 36 



Garden and Nursery ... ... ... 1 2 32 



Teak Plantation ... ... ... 7 



Guinea grass pasture ... ... ... 10 2 



Total ... 23 2 21 



About 28 acres (C) have been left in wood, and I do not propose that this portion shall at present 

 be touched. 



The remainder has been cleared, leaving a few trees here and there ; the bush has been billed down 

 over and over again, and besides, about 70 acres were planted in corn, in order that the cultivation of 

 the ground might provide opportunity for a more thorough eradication of weeds. The constant turn- 

 ing over of the ground, whilst hoeing the weeds does the soil good ; it also allows the stones to be 

 picked out and the surface to be gradually levelled. 



This plan is very thorough, and leads to the best results in the shortest time. But it is a very ex- 

 pensive process, and, owing to the want of funds, it had to be abandoned in the early part of the year. 

 In consequence of having then a very heavy expenditure and of the necessity of keeping within the 

 vote, there was not suflBcient money avilable for the remainder of the year to keep the Garden indecent 

 order. 



Without an enlarged grant, all that can be done is to proceed very gradually, hoeing, levelling, 

 picking stones, and laying down Bahama grass over small portions at a time, planting out trees, shrubs, 

 &c., in defined portions of the area, — keeping the original purpose steadily in view, namely, to form a 

 Geographical Garden with patches of economic plants here and there, the intervening spaces being 

 covered with Bahama grass (Cynodon Dactylon.) 



The portion (B) on tho left of the entrance gate was cleared of bush and trees, and planted with 

 Guinea corn, but it is impossible to continue to keep it clean with the present vote. According to my 

 original design it was intended in this area to form collections of economic plants, such as medicinal 

 plants, fibre plants, brought together for comparative study. 



The Sisal Hemp plantation is to be considered as an undertaking quite apart from the regular 

 work of the garden. It had its origin in the fact that it was impossible to get plants from their native 

 country, Yucatan, or from Bahamas, owing to the prohibition of any export ; to tho desire of many 

 planters in Jamaica to obtain plants in large and small quantities; and to the willingness of the Govern- 

 ment to aid the industry, and meet the wishes of planters in every possible manner. 



In the first place, 23,000 plants were imported from Turks Island for a plantation at Hope. These 

 were intended, not for distribution, but to be grown to afi'ord material for experiment with machinery 

 when the leaves are fully ripe, — to determine whether when grown on soil like that of the Liguanea 

 plains^ the fibre is of good marketable quality and of fair percentage,— and to supply suckers in abund- 

 ance for future distribution. 



Very many of these plants were found on arrival to be so young that they had not survived the 

 close packing to which they had been subjected. Mr. Stoddart, who had had experience in Yucatan 

 in the management of Sisal Hemp, and had written a pamphlet on the subject which was published by 

 the Jamaica Government, was engaged for some weeks in starting the plantation. 



The area (D) on which the Industrial School buildings were erected, was chosen as having the 

 the most suitable soil for planting. It was necessary to cut down trees, dig out the stumps, and 

 several times clear the bush. The whole area had to be strongly fenced, and even so for some time 

 watchmen were on guard night and day to prevent damage being done by stray cattle, trampling down 

 the plants and eating the young tender shoots. 



Numerous applications having been received for plants, 100,000 were obtained from Messrs. Rea- 

 soner, Bros., from Florida. Delay, however, occurred in forwarding the last portion of the number 

 and several planters refused to take the plants which they had already ordered. These where there- 

 fore planted at Hope in nurseries, and some afterwards transferred to the permanent plantation, which 

 consists now of about 47 acres, with 28,000 plants. 



The transfer of Mr. Cradwick to Hope and Mr. Harris to the Hill Garden, took place at the end 

 of September, 1891, in consequence of the ill-health of the latter. 



A nursery has been formed a few yards back from the drive. The plants on sale have been ar- 

 ranged there in groups such as trees, shrubs, palms, roses. The paths between the groups have been 



