137 



Medicinal Plants. 



five or six plants to each of a dozen or more random localities, placing them 

 in the hands of wholly irresponsible parties is not a conclusive test. Several 

 hundred cinchonas should be transplanted in each locality chosen as already 

 suggested. 



APPENDIX. 



According to Willis Weaver, C. cordifolia, Mnt., is found in Peru and New 

 Granada at between 6,000 and 8,000 feet, up to the frost regions of 9,000 feet (probably 

 under shelter of forest). It is of robust constitution and grows with rapidity and 

 vigour. This is evidently a hardy species and is worthy of a trial in California. 



According to Cross the temperature of the best natural cinchona region 

 fluctuates between 35 degrees and 60 degrees F. The optimum temperature is from 

 53 degrees to 66 degrees P. In open places they will endure a minimum of 32 degrees 

 P. In the botanic gardens of Melbourne, where cinchonas have been grown for 

 many years, they have resisted a temperature several degrees below 32 degrees and 

 as high as 100 degrees P. C. succirubra is most easily raised from seed, best under 

 some cover as mats. They produce seeds copiously several years after planting. P. 

 von Muller states chat C. succirubra, was first introduced into California by himself, 

 presumably about 1879 or 1880, together with the principal other varieties, and that 

 they thrive well in the lower coast ranges as far north as San Francisco. According 

 to the late Dr. H. H. Behr, C. succirubra does much better in California than 

 C. calisaya. 



The Dutch cinchona plantations are undoubtedly the most successful, finan- 

 cially and in every other way. The income from the enterprise is more than double 

 the expense of culture and shipment. The enterprise can in all probability be made 

 a success in California, and perhaps other portions of the United States, as Florida. 

 The attempts should be made carefully. A suitable fund should be available for the 

 purpose. Some competent botanist should be sent to the Dutch (Java) and British 

 (India) plantations to study methods of propagation, culture, removal and drying of 

 bark, etc. This would prove profitable in the end. The State of California should 

 have sufficient interest and insight into the development of its great possible 

 resources to make a suitable appropriation. 



A CONSULAR DOCUMENT. 



The following very interesting extract is taken from the United States Daily 

 Consular Reports (May 19, 1905) and explains itself : — 



Under date of March 8th, 1905, United States Consul R. M. Bartleman, Seville, 

 Spain, transmits the following translation of an article from the " Kolnische Zeitung " 

 of March 1st on the cultivation of the cinchona tree, which he thinks should be of 

 interest to tree planters in certain parts of the United States. The article was 

 supplied by a planter in Dutch India : — 



The seed utilized is obtained from a peculiar species, producing no bark, and 

 consisting only of parent trees, which are the result of numerous crossings and of 

 much labour and patience. Their successful improvement is expressed by the fact 

 that the bark of some of the trees is now capable of a yield of 20 per cent, or more of 

 quinine against a former production of only 2 per cent. The improvement is not 

 limited to the action of pollen, grafting being likewise resorted to. The seed is 

 obtainable at from $1'43 to $11"90 per gram ■( 15*432 grains) and a small improved tree 

 of abundant bearing is purchasable at $4"05. A gram of the seeds contains about 

 2,500 seed corns, so light in substance as to be moved by the gentlest breath of air. 



A small, oblong-shaped house is constructed from bamboo, open on one side, 

 wherein is deposited the richest earth procurable, previously thoroughly boiled so 

 as to exterminate all insects and weed germs. About forty days after seed has been 



