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TIMBER TREES. 



The natural wealth of a country is to a very considerable extent estimated by its vegetable pro- 

 ductions. These of course vary very much ; some countries of the globe simply teem with valuable 

 timbers and other vegetable products, whilst others, owing to climatic conditions, are almost barren 

 wastes, and all the arts and devices of man cannot make them otherwise. In Jamaica we have a 

 climate, or I might say variety of climates, capable of supporting the vegetable products of most of 

 the temperate, sub tropical and tropical countries of the world, and we are indebted to other countries 

 for the majority of our useful trees and plants, some of which have become so plentiful aad common 

 as to be looked upon as indigenous to the soil, by those who, perhaps, have never given the matter a 

 thought. 



The Mango, which is found almost everywhere from sea-level up to about 4,000 feet elevation, 

 and upon the fruit of which the peasantry partially subsist during a portion of the year, was introduced 

 from the East Indies ; the Breadfruit which furnishes such a nutritious culinary fruit is a native of 

 the South Sea Islands; the valuable Logwood which has proved to be a source of wealth to many in 

 recent years who were fortunate enough to possess it in quantity, came hither from Honduras ; the 

 seeds of the invaluable Guinea Grass were accidentally introduced from the West Coast of Africa • 

 Coffee, one of the principal crops of the Island, had its original home in Abyssinia; Cocoa is indigenous 

 to tropical America ; the Nutmeg is a native of the East Indies, whilst the Cinnamon comes from 

 Ceylon; the Akee and the Eola nut were brought from the West Coast of Africa ; whilst the Orange, 

 Lime, Lemon, the Shaddock and the Citron had their original home in India ; the Granadilla and 

 Siceet-cup, the Naseherry and the Cashew, the Sweetsop and Custard-apple, the Avocado Pear and the 

 Gitava all come from tropical America ; the Fig is a native of the Mediterranean Region, the Loquat 

 of Japan ; the Wampee and Litchee are from China, the Clove is from the Moluccas, whilst the Bete) 

 Pepper is fron Java; Cinchona i& from Peru and Bolivia and the native habitat of the Ginger i 

 tropical Asia. * 

 This list might be added to almost ad infinitum, but enough has been said to show from what 

 widely separated, and differently situated parts of the world the trees and plants that tend to supply 

 our every day wants, were originally procured. The larger number of the plants introduced and es- 

 tablished by our ancestors would appear to be such as they, no doubt, considered would be most useful 

 in providing for the daily wants of the inhabitants, or in yielding substances used in the arts and 

 manufactures of the world. In this they proved to be right, and it is a proof of the keen foresight, 

 and great thoughtfulness with which they were possessed. It will be observed, however, that the 

 list which I have given contains few or no trees yielding timber of any value. It must be admitted 

 that there is a deficiency of useful timber trees in this Island I am aware that there is a limited 

 supply of West Indian Cedar, a most valuable timber, a small quantity of Mahogany, Mahoe, Tacca 

 and Juniper Cedar, and perhaps a few other kinds, but not in quantity, and the trees frequently grow' 

 in almost inaccessible places, or if they are easily got at, it is often difficult to get the timber to the 

 nearest main road. What I wish to point out is that we have no trees in quantity, yielding timber 

 which could take the place of the Pitch Pine and Whiie Pine lumber now so largely imported. That 

 valuable timber at one time was plentiful here is evident ; old buildings and substantial articles of old 

 furniture to be seen in some parts prove this ; but through waste and, I am credibly informed wan- 

 ton destruction in many instances, the supply has been reduced to a minimum. 



Onr proprietors and planters generally, have little or no time to devote to the subject of reforesting, 

 even were they inclined to do so. There are thousands of acres of land now lying idle, suitable for the 

 growth of West Indian Cedar, than which, I believe, there are few better timbers for all-round pur- 

 poses. The tree is a native, is easily raised from seed, of fairly quick growth, and after being planted 

 would require little or no care. Of other useful timbers the Mahogany, Mahoe, Juniper- Cedar, Yoke 

 Broad-leaf, Tacca, &c. should be extensively planted. But there is no reason why planting opera- 

 tions should be confined to the few valuable trees either indigenous, or naturalized here. At the com- 

 mencement of these notes I gave the names of some of the fruit and other trees and plants introluced 

 at one time or other from various parts of the world, and indicated the native country of each, merely 

 to show the wide range we have to select from. If fruit trees, &c. from the places named thrive so 

 well here, why not timber trees ? There is no reason why they should not, and, as a matter of fact 

 the Public Gardens have proved that very many valuable exotic timber trees are admirably suited for 

 various parts of this island, but beyond arousing a passing interest, and perhaps disposing of a few 

 plants of several kinds, they have not succeeded in inducing landowners to plant timber trees to any 

 appreciable extent. This is greatly to be regretted. The Department of Public Gardens is in a posi- 

 tion to obtain seeds or plants from most parts of the world, but there is no use in putting its corres- 

 pondents to the trouble of forwarding seeds, and in its incurring considerable expense in raising 

 plants which are not likely to be accepted even as a gift, by those who have the land to grow them. 



It must be borne in mind that seedling timber trees are not like Eoses, Crotons or Geraniums ; they 

 cannot be kept in a nursery for years, re-potted, fresh cuttings made when required, &c. As soon as 

 they have grown to a certain size they must be planted out, or they become stunted and worthless, and 

 eventually perish. 



This is a subject that deserves serious attention ; valuable timber is exceedingly scarce in accessible 

 places ; even ordinary timber is fast giving place to brushwood, so that firewood is scarce in many 

 parts and an expensive commodity and good fence posts are difficult to obtain at high rates : and this in 

 a country where it would only be necessary to put in such plants by the thousand and allow them to 

 grow; nature, in the majority of cases, would attend to their requirements. 



W. Harris. 



