3 



In liabit the plants are usually climbers, but a few species trail along the ground. Their corallas 

 are usually funnel, or bell-shaped, and in colour are either cream, bud', yellow, white, rosy, violet, pur- 

 ple, various shades of blue, scarlet, crimson, or a combination of tw > or more of these colours. 



There are about 30 species of Ipomaaa natives of .Jamaica, but only half a dozen or so are cultivated 

 as ga den plants, although the majority of them are well worth a place in any garden, their lovely 

 flowers, albeit so shortlived, being surpassed in beauty by few others. 



Ipomcea bona-nox, L. — This is known as the " inion-flosver" from the fact that its large, pure white, 

 and fragrant floweis open only after sunset, but they remain open till nine or ten o'clock the following 

 morning. The corolla tube is 3 in. long, and the limb about 4 in. diameter. 



I. sinuata, Ort- This species has palmate leives about 4 inches in diameter, and its bell-shaped 

 corolla, which is about \\ in. long, is white with a crimson throa:. This plantis frequently grown in 

 gardens as an ornamental climber. 



I. pentaphylla, Jacq. — This plant has digitate leaves, and its delicate, white, funnel-shaped corolla 

 is about \\ in. long. 



I. quinquefolia, Gr. — This species has small, digitate leaves, and a coiolla about f of an iueh long, 

 of a pale buff colour. 



J. sidcefolia, Chois. — This is known as " Christmas-wreath'' in Jamaica, and a branch of it in flower is 

 indeed a ready-made wreath. It is exceedingly floriferous, and its corolla which is about an inch long, 

 is white in colour, with a yellowish throat, and dark at the base, and it is fragrant. 



I. umbellata, Mey. — This species has cordate leaves, and its flowers are produced in urabelliform 

 cymes, often as many as two dozen flower buds and expanded flowers in a single cyme, and there are 

 usually half a dozen flowers open together. Its corolla is bell-shaped, about an inch long, and of a clear, 

 yellow colour. This is a very attractive and beautiful plant when in flower. 



I. purpurea, Lam. — Leaves small, cordate ; corolla about 1 inch long, purple in colour, with white 

 throat 



I. coccinea, Linn. — Leaves ovate-cordate, about 3 'in. diameter ; flowers produced in loose cymes; 

 corolla crimson, or orange- scarlet ; tube 1 in. long, and the limb about f in. across. Thi°. is a beautiful 

 tpecies and is often cultivated. 



I. Quamoclit, Linn. — A slender twiner ; leaves pectinate, about 4 in. long ; corolla crimson or white; 

 tube 1 inch long, and limb about \ inch in diameter. This charming species is frequently met with in 

 gardens, and is known as Sweet- William." The white form is not at all common. 



J. Horsfalliw. — A magnificent species with digitate leaves deep green in colour, and funnel-shaped 

 flowers of a rich crimson colour. It is not generally known that this plant is found in a wild state in 

 Jamaica, but, nevertheless, such is the case. I have seen it growing wild at various elevations from near 

 the sea-shore up to 4 000 feet, and so plentiful is it in some districts that an excellent starch is prepared 

 from its tubers 



I believe there are in cultivation varieties of this plant with flowers of various shades of colour be- 

 tween crimson and pure white. 



I might add to this list the names of many more beautiful species, all easily obtainable, and all 

 easily grown. Indeed, it may be said that these are plants requiring no cultivation whatever; they will 

 grow and flower in any ordinary garden soil. In a wild state they are found growing in pastures, 

 hedges, along roadsides, and in waste places generally. 



Porana paniculata, Roxb. — This plant belongs to the same natural order (Convolvulaceae) as the 

 Genus IpomEeu It is a very strong-growing climber, native of the East Indies, and is kuown in Ja- 

 maica by the colloquial name of " white coralila." Like the Ipomaeas it is now flowering profusely. It 

 has ovate-cordate leaves, so densely covered with gray tomentum underneath as to give them a whitish 

 appearance. Tne flow«rs are produced in paniclts at the ends of the branches in almost countless numbers. 



The corolla is wh:te in colour, and bell-shaped, like a miniature convolvulus. This is an excellent 

 plant for covering a screen, fence, or even a tree, and when in full flower it is beautiful. Coming in 

 flower too, as it does, towards the end of the year, when white blossoms are particularly useful for de- 

 corative purposes, is a recommendation, if oue weie needed, in its favour. 



The plant is not over particular in its requirements ; it will be found to thrive well in a sandy loam, 

 with a moderate supply of water. Cuttings of ripe, or half ripe wood, root freely in sand. 



W. Harris. 



17th December, 1888. 



CULTIVATION OF PINE APPLES. 



The following note w .s sent in answer to a Correspondent, and may be useful to others: — 

 " I do not think that any attention has as yet been paid to the question of manure for soil exhausted 

 by cultivation of Pine Apples. Land is abundant and the difficulty has been overcome by re-planting 

 in fresh ground. But it is a very important question, and I shall always be glad to receive communica- 

 tions on the subject from growers. No doubt, in time with our accumulated experience, we shall be able 

 to hit upon a system wheieby we can always grow Pines in the same plot. 



"In considering what manure to apply, we must first of all remember that Pines, above all 

 things, requires perfect drainage. If the physical character of the soil is such that water is l ; able to be 

 held for any time, Pines suffer, whereas in a light, sandy soil, they flourish. It would, therefore, not be 

 judicious to apply stable or cattle manure, which goes on decaying for a long time in the ground, and re- 

 tains moisture. On the other hand liquid manure, prepared from animal manures, and applied in a light 

 soil, would doubtless be very beneficial, and would sufficiently supply nitrogenous food to the plants. 

 Phosphates and mineral food generally would probably be best supplied from crushed bones, and the 

 ashes resulting from the thorough combustion of bush and vegetable refuse." 



