NOTES OF A BOTANIST 
CHAP. 
who live in a country of peace and plenty, but 
above all of good roads, to appreciate the obstacles 
that beset all undertakings in countries where none 
of those blessings exist. . . . 
[It only remains to say that Spruce's long- 
continued labour and extreme care were crowned 
with success. The young plants reached India in 
good condition, and the seeds germinated and 
served as the starting-point of extensive plantations 
on the Neilgherry Hills in South India, in Ceylon, 
in Darjeeling, and elsewhere. 
The latest reports from the India Office, which 
I owe to the kindness of Sir Clements Markham, 
seem to show that none of the districts where the 
plantations have been made are really suitable, 
either in climate or soil, to the natural requirements 
of the trees. This is indicated by two facts. It is 
stated that although the trees grow well when 
young, yet they suffer from dryness of the soil in 
the dry season, so that artificial watering sometimes 
has to be resorted to. It is also stated that it has 
been found necessary to resort to the application of 
large quantities of stable manure and lime to keep 
the plants healthy. 
In Sikhim the rainfall of 125 inches is said to be 
distributed over less than 150 days, so that the 
larger part of the year is rainless. In the Neilgherries 
violent winds are said to be very hurtful and some- 
times destroy the larger trees. 
Now the great feature of the native Cinchona 
forests as described by Spruce is the prevalence of 
rains almost throughout the year, and especially of 
a constantly moist soil, kept so in dry weather by 
