682 



JOURNAL OF THE ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



1. The introduction, distribution, and cultivation of good varieties of 



plants. 



2. Establishment of plantations near the shipping port, or in easy 



communication with it. 



3. Careful attention to picking, grading, and packing the fruit. 



4. Regular service, at sufficiently frequent intervals, of properly 



equipped steamers. 



Introduction of Plants. — The introduction of fresh plants forms an 

 important portion of the work of a department responsible for the pro- 

 motion of agricultural industries. These fresh plants, so introduced, may 



Fig. 188. — Banana. 



either be species completely new to the locality or better varieties and races 

 of species already there. A few examples will serve to demonstrate that 

 careful attention has been and is being given to this work in the West 

 Indies. 



The Mangosteen (Garcinix Mangostana) was introduced from the 

 East into the Royal Botanic Gardens, Trinidad, where it first fruited in 

 1875, and has since continued to do so at irregular intervals. It has also 

 fruited in the Botanic Gardens in Jamaica, and at St. Aroment, Dominica. 

 (Specimens from the latter locality, grown by Dr. Nicholls, were exhibited 

 at the Show.) 



