JAMAICA. 



BULLETIN 



OF THE 



BOTANICAL DEPARTMENT, 



CD 

 CD 



Few Series,] JANUARY, FEBRUARY, MARCH, 1899. 



Vol. VI, 

 Parts I-in 



A VISIT TO MONT PE LIE R. 



By William Harris, Superintendent, Hill Gardens. 



Montpelier, the property of the Hon. Evelyn Ellis, is situated in 

 the parish of St. James, on the border of the parish of Hanover, and is 

 102f miles from Kingston on the Montego Bay line. This line of rail- 

 way is laid through some of the most fertile, and most picturesque parts 

 of Jamaica. Between Kingston and Montpelier there is an infinite 

 variety of views of hills and vales, and as the train winds in snak»*-like 

 fashion round the sharp curve? through the cockpit country, the scene 

 is ever changing and charming. For the tourist or pleasure-seeker 

 who wishes to see something of this beautiful island, no more delightful 

 trip could possibly be provided than the railway journey between King- 

 ston and Montpelier, or Montego r ay which is only 10 miles further on. 

 Immense Guinea-grass pastures with magnificient shade trees ; Banana. 

 Sugar-cane, and Logwood estate- ; Orange groves, Pimento or Allspice 

 groves, and cattle pastures are passed by in rapid succession. Tropical 

 fruit trees are plentiful evervwnere along the line, the handsome foliage 

 of the useful Breadfruit tree being especially noticeable. 



Montpelier is reached in due rime, and the visitor cannot fail to be 

 struck with the general air of prosperity which is everywhere observable. 

 The Station is built of cut stone, and is a serviceable, yet elegant 

 building with a piazza right round it, and handsome foliage plants in 

 pots assist considerably in producing a refined effect not usually seen 

 in connection with buildings of this class. 



A short distance from the Station the Montpelier Hotel is situated 

 on the summit of a low hill, and commands a fine view of the surround- 

 ing country. 



Tobacco Cultivation. — Opposite the Railway Station may now 

 {January) be seen a field of tobacco, which is a model of high-class cul- 

 tivation. There are 60 acres of tobacco in this field, and the plants are 

 in a most excellent condition, planted in rows which are perfectly straight. 

 Co The entire field has been planted out with seed imported from Havana 

 < and distributed by the Department of Public Gardens. 



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