6 



In appendices are published the details of Plants and Seeds distributed and 

 received. The Catalogue of plants cultivated was published early in 1893 and has, as 

 before stated under correspondence, brought us enquiries for plants from Kew and 

 from many other gardens in all parts of the world ; and I am every mail receiving 

 applications for copies from parties interested in Tropical cultures. The value of a. 

 Catalogue of this kind to such an institution as the Royal Botanic Gardens is therefore 

 plainly shewn. 



BULLETIN. 



The Bulletin of the Royal Botanic Gardens has been continued, the numbers 

 issued were : No. 17, containing classified lists of plants or Catalogue, April ; No 18, 

 containing articles on the Rubber industry and Cane diseases and Pests in Trinidad ; 

 No. 19, September, consists of a report on "Cocoa" in Nicaragua, giving the details 

 of the introduction of Theohroma pentagona or ''Alligator Cocoa." Theobroma 

 Cacao or " Nicaraguan CrioUo." Theohroma hicolor or "Pastaste" Cocoa. The "Tiger 

 Cocoa" of Veragua ; and Theohroma aufjustifolia "Monkey Cacao," "Cocao Meco" or 

 "Cocoa Mono" of Nicaragua. No. 20, December, contains articles on an experiment 

 with Cocf^a seeds, the Cola Nut, Cane diseases and extract, Circular notes, Nos. 2, 3, 

 4 and 5 and Cacao disease. These Bulletins are now, by the kind permission of His 

 Excellency Sir F. N. Broome, K.C.M.G., issued at intervals. The series have been 

 much in demand as affording current information of a practical character, of interest 

 to planters and agriculturists in general. They also form a medium of exchange for 

 obtaining similar information of what is being done in other parts of the world, as 

 recorded by similar publications, and I have to thank many correspondents for regular 

 exchanges. 



ECONOMIC SECTION. 



To record the work of this Section would simply mean for the greater part a 

 repetition of the notes in former year's reports, but the Section has been carefully 

 continued in accordance with the ascertained wants of cultivators. I, however, men- 

 tion a few items. 



Calathea Allouya has yielded under good cultivation a fine crop of tubers 

 much larger in size than any hitherto seen, and nearly twice the size of the tuber as 

 ordinarily seen in the markets. Supplies of this were successfully sent to numerous 

 Botanic Gardens, and information has been received in several instances that the plants 

 are thriving well. 



Maranta Arundinacea. — From tubers obtained direct from Bermuda, we have 

 manufactured a small quantity of starch or arrowroot. This is certainly a finer 

 sample than any previously grown and fully proves the constant need there is for 

 change of plants and seeds from one district to another, as the quality of the product 

 and the yield is much better from the imported plants. 



Lemons. — Our plants of these raised from seed of imported Sicily Lemons grow 

 fruit of large size, and of excellent quality, but they are not much sought after, as the 

 "Lime" is in most cases preferred. 



Citrons. — We have proved that Citrons can be grown of a fair size and of a good 

 quality, but there appears to be no demand. 



Piper Nigrum. —One of our plants this year produced good fruit. At the Convict 

 Depot a nice crop was harvested which has been reported as of excellent quality by 

 the London brokers, a report being obtained through the favor of the Director, Royal 

 Gardens, Kew (see Kew Bulletin for March, 1894-). This culture is reported on fully 

 in our Garden Bulletin, No. 21, and Kew Bulletin for February, 1894. 



Uncaria Gambir. — Plants which we reported last year as doing very poorly have 

 taken a turn for the better, and one plant especially is growing freely and hopes are 

 entertained that it may now be acclimatized. 



Vanilla. — Our cultivation of the species mentioned last year has been continued 

 with a view to testing which is most suitable for extended cultivation in Trinidad. 



Cacao. — The system of drying Cacao artificially by hot water, which was intro- 

 duced at the local Exhibition of 1890 by a model made at our Gardens, has gained much 

 approval during the three years which have since elapsed, and two or three large sets 

 of apparatus are at work and others are now being put up on several of our largest 

 estates. 



I note in Ceylon papers a discussion on the confusion existing as to the word 

 "Cacao" and "Cocoa." So far as Trinidad is concerned this has but little interest. 

 The tree is "Cacao" to Spanish speaking people, and "Cocoa" to the English, and 

 those engaged in trade know what is meant by the use of different words for the same 

 article, and it is probably impossible to devise a system of naming which would be 

 universally adopted by conimercial firms and the public in different parts of the world. 

 I append a short extract from the Ceylon Observer for the information of our planters. 



