380 JOUKNAL OF THE KOYAL HORTICULTUEAL SOCIETY. 



The Formosan Government annually exports six and a half million 

 pounds of crude camphor and three million pounds of camphor oil. It is 

 said 75 per cent, of the world's supply is produced in Formosa, leaving 

 25 per cent, to be produced from Japan and China. 



A regular system of afforestation is being carried out by the Formosan 

 Government, whereby a constant supply of raw material is secured for the 

 future of the monopoly they have held for the last ten years. The 

 camphor tree seeds freely, and the seed must be picked quickly when it 

 becomes ripe, for it soon blows away. A wise course is adopted in 

 setting aside in every forest a certain number of seed-bearers, which 

 are protected. During the past ten years three million young trees have 

 been planted, and a steady annual planting will go on. 



There are two varieties of trees — and it requires an expert to detect 

 the difference between these two varieties in the standing trees — the 

 camphor-producing tree and the camphor-oil producing tree, the former 

 of which is the more valuable. 



Eeports from Japan estimate the number of trees planted there during 

 the past ten years at eight millions. 



It is interesting to learn that the bulk of the world's camphor 

 production goes into the manufacture of celluloid. Celluloid factories 

 have been erected in Japan, and favourable terms are made every year 

 with the Government for a supply of raw materials. 



Turmeric. 



Turmeric is one of the very common plants grown by the natives in 

 all tropical countries. The roots are pounded down and used in many 

 ways ; it is one of the chief ingredients in curry powder. It is a valuable 

 colouring matter, and is used for tingeing chemical test paper. It is 

 extensively used by the natives in dyeing their skin, and forms one of the 

 necessary toilet requisites of the village maiden when performing her 

 daily bath. Being an ornamental plant it is often cultivated in private 

 gardens. The rhizome is still largely used by European dyers, especially 

 by wool and silk dyers for the production of compound shades, olives, 

 browns, &c. It gives a bright yellow colour without the aid of a mordant, 

 but when mordants are used with it it yields other colours not unlike 

 those obtainable from the yellow-woods. 



Grains of Paradise. 



More than one species of Amomum are turned to use, either in the 

 seeds or tuberous roots. Grains of Paradise resemble the seeds of the 

 Cardamom and has been known to the ancients ; the seeds to the taste 

 are agreeably aromatic. 



Like all plants of this natural order they are fond of shade and 

 moisture. 



A. masticatoriwn Thw., as the name suggests, produces a sweet 

 aromatic root, which is chewed with betel-leaf. 



A. pterocarpum Thw., aromatic seeds in a sweet pulp. 



A. aromaticum Roxb. is one of the common Indian species, and 

 when the fruit ripens the capsules are carefully gathered by the natives 



