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future, such, for instance, as Jalap, which sells at Is. 6d. per lb , Orris 

 Root at 75s. to 80s. per cwt., China Grass, a variety of Ramie which 

 can only be grown successfully in the hills, and realizes twice the price 

 of the tropical Ramie ; fruit trees of temperate climates, and of high 

 elevation both in the new and old worlds. 



As this region is the best in the Island for coffee, it is reasonable to 

 suppose that it is the best for oranges, since the soil requirements of 

 both are much the same. Although no tests have been made in com- 

 paring the oranges of Manchester with those grown here, many, who 

 know both, declare in favour of those grown in the Port Royal 

 Mountains, where splendid fruit is produced at as high an elevation, 

 at any rate, as 4,100 feet. 



The Government has just lately established an Orange Experimental 

 Garden and Nursery as part of the Hill Garden establishments at an 

 elevation of about 3,900 feet A large number of budded and 

 grafted trees have been imported from Florida, and also from Rivers in 

 England, who supplied growers in Florida and California in the early 

 days for their groves : these are permanent stock trees, from which 

 buds will afterwards be taken for budding on Seville and Lemon 

 Stocks. Several thousand seedlings of the above stock are being 

 grown, also of the Jamaica Sweet Orange, Grape Fruit, Tangerine and 

 Shaddock, 



Olives have been grown in the Island for many years, but so far no 

 fruit, nor even a flower, has been produced. It is probable that this 

 may be accounted for by their having been planted at too low an eleva- 

 tion. Eighty plants of the variety, Frantojo, yielding an excellent oil, 

 have just been presented for trial by Col. (now Lord) Malcolm of 

 Knockalva, and these, together with others from Florida, have been put 

 out at various elevations ranging from 3,500 feet to 5,500 feet. 



Grape plants from Persia have been imported from California. They 

 grow on the table-lands of Persia, have a distinctive character of their 

 own, very highly spoken of by travellers ; they ripen early and as they 

 have a firm flesh and tough skin, they will probably prove serviceable 

 for early shipping. The native Grape of Jamaica, so abundant in these 

 hills, though of no value as a fruit, may turn out to be of special worth 

 for grafting the more tender European varieties. 



These are a few of the cultures which may be taken up when roads 

 are made. The prosperity of Jamaica will advance by leaps and bounds 

 with the increased production rendered possible by means of communi- 

 cation, and a temperate climate all the year round will be available for 

 invalids, within a few hours' drive of Kingston. But these benefits 

 will also attract settlers from England when it becomes know r n that we 

 have a Florida and a California in an Island under British rule, with 

 all the advantages of those climates and none of the disadvantages. 



The road to Newcastle is already being made, and it is to be hoped 

 that very soon a beginning will be made with the road by Guava Ridge 

 to Mavis Bank, as this is the main artery for all the country from Silver 

 Hill to Arntully ; from Mavis Bank it is to be continued up the Yal- 

 lahs Valley to Silver Hill on the west, to the Hill Garden on the east, 

 and on to Whitfield Hall, Abbey Green, Radnor and Arntully." 



