69 



Liguanea plain has lately been invaded by tobacco growers, and the 

 plantation near Hope is very promising. The soil may not contain 

 enough humus, but this can be obviated by "green manuring" and 

 perhaps the best plants for ploughing in for this purpose is the Cow Pea 

 (Vigna sinensis ). 



Eucalyptus. The planting of Eucalyptus is of great importance in 

 Jamaica. Seedlings are difficult to raise, and probably can only be done 

 to any extent in the Public Gardens. They are distributed free. A 

 beginning has been made in planting them in different parts of the 

 island, and reports received will be found in Appendix IV, page 87. 

 Seeds are constantly being received from Baron Sir F. Yon Mueller, 

 Government Botanist in Melbourne — the "Prophet of Eucalyptus," 

 from Kew Gardens, and from Botanic Gardens, and others in Australia. 



Timber Trees of various kinds are also distributed free in order to 

 encourage sylviculture. There is a demand from the Hill Garden for 

 Pinus Massoniana, Oupressus macrocarpa, and Juniperus Bermudiana 

 by coffee planters. Every endeavour will be made to get seeds of trees 

 that are desired by the public, and to provide strong and healthy seed- 

 lings, if notice is given a year or two in advance. The most generally 

 useful tree, where it can be grown, is undoubtedly the West Indian 

 Cedar ( Cedrela odornta ). 



Dragon's Blood Tree. Attention has been directed to this tree, 

 a native of Jamaica, but there appears to be very few of them left. 

 Seeds from the trees at Castleton are sown, and it is to be hoped that 

 several plants will be established in different districts. 



Rubber Trees. These have not proved very successful in the island 

 hitherto, but it is possible that some of the different kinds may do well 

 in various parts of the island. 



SCIENTIFIC STUDY. 



Botanic Gardens should aid in the study of pure science, for science 

 always tells on practice. 



On the side of Chemistry, I am endeavouring to help in the study of 

 the properties of the fresh Kola nut, and the changes that occur during 

 drying ; on a cheap method of obtaining the digestive principle of Pa- 

 paw ; and the analysis of the West Indian Dragon's Blood in order to 

 coi? pare its properties with those of other kinds. 



On the botanical side, dried specimens of native plants have been sent 

 to the Herbarium of the Botanic Gardens at Berlin. Prof. Dr. Urban, 

 Assistant Director of the Berlin Gardens, is devoting himself altogether 

 to the study of the systematic botany of the West Indies. Grisebach's 

 Flora requires thorough revision, and since its publication (A.D. 1859- 

 1864) a large number of new species have been discovered. Prof. 

 Urban's work will serve as the foundation for separate floras for each of 

 the Islands. 



Dr. Bower, Professor of Botany in the University of Glasgow, is 

 studying the development of the sporangium in certain Cryptogamia, 

 and I am endeavouring to help him with material Irom native plants. 



