ONION AND TOBACCO SEED FOR DISTRIBUTION. 



Onions. 



Onions have been so successful in some parts of this Island, that the importance of this product 

 should be made widely known to small settlers. Much money is made in Bermuda by the export of 

 Onions. The seed there is obtained regularly from the Canary Islands every year. 



In order to encourage the starting of this cultivation generally, seeds has been imported from 

 Teneriffe, and small quantities will be distributed free to those who make application for it for them- 

 selves, or to Ministers of Religion, and others, who will undertake to distribute it amongst small 

 settlers. 



Bulletin, No: 18, contains notes on cultivation, and will be sent free to those desiring information. 



Tobacco. 



The export of Cigars for year ending 31st March, 1892, was more than three times the amount 

 exported three years ago, and it is likely to increase in even greater proportion, if Tobacco of really 

 good quality, properly cured can be obtained. 



Messrs. Machado have kindly supplied the Department with good seed from plants grown from 

 seed imported last year from Havana. This is now ready for free distribution to those who make appli- 

 cation for it. It should be stated how much land it is intended to plant. 



Information on cultivation and curing of Tobacco is given in Bulletin, No 13, which is available 

 to growers. 



EUCALYPTUS. 



Eucalyptus trees have obtained a reputation for destroying the germs of malaria in districts where 

 fever is prevalent. 



The Campagna of Rome is extremely unhealthy in summer, owing to malaria, but an interesting 

 experiment with Eucalyptus has proved the value of this tree and shown conclusively that the repu- 

 ation it has earned is well deserved. About two miles from Rome is the Convent of Tre Fontane, 

 commemorating the martyrdom of St. Paul. A few years ago the Convent was always abandoned 

 by the monks during the summer months as it was impossible to live there in the malarial season. 

 Now, however, since Eucalyptus trees have been planted all round the Convent, the monks remain 

 throughout the year. 



There are numerous species of Eucalyptus in Australia (of which country it is a native) adapted 

 to various conditions of climate, soil, elevation, &c. Experiments have been carried on in the Public 

 Gardens to ascertain what species best suit the various conditions existing in Jamaica. The difficul- 

 ties in raising seedlings at Hope have been great, but it is hoped that in time sufficient plants may ba 

 obtained to supply free all the demands that may be made. If species were found capable of such accli- 

 matisation as logwood, spreading naturally in malarial districts, it would be of the very greatest 

 benefit to the Island. But meantime if seedlings can only be grown in sufficient quantity for general 

 distribution a vast improvement in the present condition of the Island may be made by judicious 

 planting of belts of trees round dwellings, and between towns and swampy districts. 



The destruction of the fever germs is due to the fact that the leaves contain a volatile oil and a 

 volatile acid, which are given off into the surrounding air, and by combination with oxygen are 

 changed into peroxide of hydrogen. Germs passing through such an atmosphere are invariably 

 killed. 



While the Eucalyptus oil is oxidising there appears to be an action going on by which oxygen is 

 changed into the very active and healthful ozone. 



Mr. Bosisto, whose extensive works for the manufacture of Eucalyptus oil in Australia are 

 famous, wrote on the subject nearly twenty years ago, giving results which he had obtained by ex- 

 periment, not in a chemical laboratory only, but by dealing with 4 tons of material daily for about 20 

 years. He showed not only in what way the leaves acted, but pointed also to the very powerful root- 

 action which absorb immense quantities of water from swampy soils. The roots thereby to a great 

 extent drain swampy land and their absorbent powers are assisted by the very abundant leaf surface 

 which enables the tree to pass the water off into the atmosphere as healthy vapour. This draining 

 action is in itself of immense service in preventing the possibility of the malarial germs finding a 

 suitable soil. Australia possesses in a very high degree immunity from fever maladies, the fevers of 

 the large towns being due to insanitary conditions. 



Dr. Day of Geelong recommended, according to Mr. Bosisto, as an excellent and very agreeable 

 disinfectant, deal saw-dust, mixed in the proportion of about one ounce of Eucalyptus oil to the bushel, 

 and remarked that after .keeping it mixed for four months, he found it to contain a much larger 

 quantity of peroxide of hydrogen than it did when first mixed and that it continued to accumulate. 



Eucalyptus oil is said to have proved valuable in Europe during the epidemic of influenza, and it 

 is probable also that it may prove of service in visitations of cholera. Dr. Day's method is certainly 

 worthy of trial. 



Applications for plants should be addressed to the Director of Pnblic Gardens and Plantations, 

 giving descriptions of locality, as plants will be supplied first to malarial districts. A few plants are 

 now available for free distribution. 



CONCENTRATED MANGROVE JUICE FOR TANNING. 



The following correspondence has been received on the subject of the use of Concentrated Man* 

 grove Juice for tho purpose of Tanning : — 



