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-tinue to do well, also the Himalayan grass, — Pennisetum orientale. 

 Seed saved from old plants of the latter grass grew freely, although 

 imported seed failed to germinate. Stock are extremely fond of the 

 three grasses named, and our animals never miss an opportunity of 

 cropping them. 



Orris Root. — Our plants of Iris germanica are growing luxuriantly 

 and have already formed rhizomes of a considerable size. If the 

 rhizomes develop the peculiar violet odour here, and there does not 

 appear to by any reason why they should not, the cultivation of that 

 plant should become of considerable importance in the hills. It grows 

 in poor soil, without manure, and its preparation for market is of the 

 simplest, the roots being merely dried in the sun, trimmed and the 

 skin pared off. In December last Orris root was sold in London at 

 64/6 per cwt. It is largely used in the preparation of toilet powders 

 (violet powder), perfumery, and to some extent medicinally. 



China Grass — This grows to a height of 10 feet or more at the Hill 

 Gardens. It is the variety of Boehmeria nivea (Ramie) with the under 

 surfaces of the leaves white, and produces better quality- of fibre than 

 the Rhea or Ramie of the Malay Archipeligo, the leaves of which are 

 green on both sides. China Grass is suitable for cultivation in the 

 hills, whilst Rhea or Ramie is only adapted for cultivation in the low- 

 lands. 



Orange cultivation at Resource — Resource is a property of 162 

 acres which reverted to the Crown about 25 years ago. It is situated 

 on the southern slopes of the Blue Mountains, about 9 miles from 

 Gordon Town, and ranges in elevation from 3,400 to over 4,000 

 feet. Some of the best oranges in Jamaica are grown by settlers on 

 land adjoining this property. A parochial road runs through the pro- 

 perty, and as it is within half-an-hour's ride of Cinchona, it has been 

 placed under the management of that establishment, and now forms one 

 of the Hill Gardens. 



As might be expected, an old property which had been so long out of 

 cultivation, save a few patches of provision ground worked by tenants, 

 required a great deal of heavy work to restore it to something like 

 order. There were no fences, no field roads, and rank bush and large 

 mango trees of useless sorts grew everywhere, filling the land with roots 

 and impoverishing the soil. These had to be removed, the ground thor- 

 oughly dug up, and immense quantities of roots and stones removed. 



It is importamt that the ground for oranges should be thoroughly 

 and carefully prepared ; time is lost rather than gained by putting out 

 the plants in soil that has not been worked into condition suitable for 

 their growth, and moreover, they are likely to become diseased and 

 stunted. The removal of stumps is not absolute^ necessary, but ren- 

 ders subsequent culture much easier. In a word, everything is to be 

 gained by careful cultivation at the start. "Work was commenced in 

 October last by enclosing a portion of the land with a substantial wire 

 fence ; since then 149 chains of fence hvae been erected ; 95 chains of 

 road have been dug, and ground was prepared for plants ordered from 

 Messrs. T. Rivers & Son, England, and Messrs. Reasoner Bros., Florida. 

 Seed beds were prepared and have been sown with large quantities of 

 sweet orange, sour orange, lemon, lime, shaddock, grape-fruit and other 

 seeds, the best fruits obtainable being procured to supply the seeds. 



