12 



The Jamaica Bulletin wliicliwas started in a small way in 1887, appear- 

 ing at irregular intervals, lias now increased to a publication of twenty- 

 four pages appearing regularly once a montli. It is sent free by post to 

 all who ask for it, and the circulation is steadily increasing. The depart- 

 ment, indeed takes in some respects a wider scope than the experiment sta- 

 tions of the United States, for not only are practical lectures given in various 

 parts of the island, but an agricultural elementary school is managed un- 

 Ser its auspices, and the boys are trained in practical work in the gardens 



Parade Gtardej^. 



The Parade garden was formed for the recreation of the inhabitants 

 x>f the City of Kingston, the principal port of the island and the seat 

 of government. It is about seven acres in extent, with shady 

 lawns, lily tanks, borders of ornamental plants, and numerous palms 

 and tropical flowering trees. It is lighted in the evenings by electric 

 light, and a military band performs once a week. Elevation, 60 feet ; 

 annual mean temperature, 79^ F. ; average rainfall, 34.73 inches. 



King's House Garden. 



The garden and groimds around King's house, the residence of the 

 governor, amount in extent to 177 acres. The avenue from the entrance 

 gate to the house is formed of the willow fig (Ficus henjamina), and 

 the royal palm {Oreodoxa regia), with borders of ornamental shrubs 

 and creepers, such as crotons. Hibiscus, Acalypha, Tabernaemontana, 

 Mnssaenda, Tinnea, Bambusa, Dracaena, Musa, Bignonia, Antigonon, 

 Stephanotis. In the garden, adjoining the house, there are orchids, 

 ferns, palms, climbers, and ornamental plants generally, with several 

 lawns, and a tank for nymphseas and the Victoria regia. Elevation, 400 

 feet; annual mean temperature, 78.7° F. ; average rainfall, 47.24 

 inches. 



Hope Garden. 



Hope garden is situated in the Liguanea plain between five and six 

 xniles from Kingston at the base of the billy country' through which, 

 the road passes for ten miles or so to the Blue mountains. The plain 

 of Liguanea is one of the dry districts, the average annual rainfall at 

 Hope being only 51 . 5 inches. Vegetation is affected not only by the 

 want of rain, but also by the sea breezes, which in their passage across 

 the plain become quite dry. The plain is characterized by the presence 

 of Cactacese, such as various species of Cereus and Opuntia. The trees 

 include Prosopis juliflora (cashaw or the mesquite of the mainland,) 

 Guiacum officinale (lignum vitae), Parkinsonia aculeata (Jerusalem 

 thorn.) As we approach Hope, at the base of the hills the rainfall in- 

 creases, from 35 inches in Kingston, and Catalpa longissima (the yoke 

 wood tree), and Pithecolobiutn Saman (the guango) occur, while the 

 Cactaceae disappear. 



The character of the flora is affected also by the soil, which is alluvial 

 without any admixture of clay. Where limestone rock commences on 



