266 



A few of the seedling canes promise well, especially No. 95, but the 

 majority will be discarded after finally testing with the Polariscope. 



Experiments are being still c ntinued with the Grape Vines. From 

 a large number of varieties imported from the Royal Horticultural 

 Society's Gardens at Chiswick and elsewhere, probably only 2 or 3 kinds 

 will be found suitable for growing in Jamaica. Varieties of 

 American Grapes and some Persian Grapes have also been imported, 

 one of the latter has fruited, and proves to be a small sweet grape 

 without seeds. A Black Hamburgh Vine bore fruit, ripening in April. 

 An effort will be made to get an earlier bearing next season. 



The Superintendent is paying particular attention to the selection of 

 good Ripley Pines, and points out a curious fact in connection with the 

 marking of the leaf of the Green Ripley. If there is a broad red stripe 

 in the centre of the leaf, the fruit will turn out good ; in other cases the 

 fruit goes into holes at the bottom and is attacked by ants. Experi- 

 ments were made with different manures, but no difference was noticed. 



Experiments were also made in manuring bananas, but as the water 

 for irrigation was cut off to keep other plants supplied during the 

 drought, no results were obtained. 



"With regard to budding Oranges, it is still a question what kind of 

 stock is the most suitable both for the lowlands and for elevations of 

 2,000 to 3,000 feet. At Hope trials are being made of Seville Orange, 

 Sweet Orange and Rough Lemon. The Rough Lemon stocks grow 

 best in the early stages, but a considerable time must elapse before any 

 definite information can be gained about their subsequent growth and 

 their freedom from gumming and other diseases. 



From experience of our plantation of Ramie, it is quite evident that in 

 dry districts like Hope it is quite useless to try this cultivation. What 

 might be done under constant irrigation such as can be had near Spanish. 

 Town, cannot be ascertained at Hope, as the water is frequently locked 

 off for several hours during the day. 



The Superintendent has found that the public prefer to pay Is. each 

 for Roses obtained by circumposition to 4d. for those raised from cut- 

 tings, and the Roses at Hope are now all propagated by the former 

 method. 



Orchids, Cannas and Pot plants generally have made a good show 

 during the year. 



Slow progress is being made with the extension of the Botanic 

 Garden as distinct from the Nurseries, and plantations of economic? 

 •plants, but naturally the latter have the first claim on our attention. 

 A few trees have however been planted out. 



The boys of the Industrial School are being taught in the Gardens 

 on the same lines as before, and are making good progress. 



The number of visitors to Hope Gardens during the year has been 

 more than twelve thousand. When the Electric Tram Line is con- 

 structed, and runs past the gates, several alterations must be made to* 

 provide for the comfort and pleasure of the visitors, who will then come 

 in much larger numbers. 



Castleton Gardens. 



The attention of the Superintendent at Castleton has this year been. 

 chiefly devoted to the work of thinning overgrown parts of the Garden,. 



