October i, 1888.] THE TROPICAL 
AGRICULTURIST. 
253 
110YAL GARDENS, K H,W. 
(From the Bulletin of Miscellaneous Tn formation. 
August 1888.) 
Colonial Fiturr. — In the Kern Bulletin for the 
months of Novomber 1887 and January 1888 infor- 
mation, derived from oflicial sources, was supplied, 
respecting the capabilities of certain Oolonies for tin 1 
production of fi'uits. Tlie Bullet in for November 1887 
was wholly dovoled to a comprehensive report on 
tb.fi fruits of Canada. The Bulletin for January 1888 
was devoted to reports furnished by their respective 
: enmenta on tufl fruits of Victoria, South Aus- 
tralia, Western Australia, Tasmania, New Zealand, 
Cape Colony, and Mauritius. In the present Bulletin 
it is proposed to continue the publication of such 
reports, and we now present a summary of informa- 
tion relating to the fruit productions and fruit 
sources of the'West Indian colonies : — Jamaica, Baha- 
mas Islands, Barbados, St. Lucia St. Vincent, Grenada, 
Tobago, Trinidad, and British Guiana, 
The list of questions to which answers a r e now 
furnished uus puplishod in the Bulletin for November 
1887, pp. 2—4. This list, if consulted, will afford 
a koy to tho arrangement of the reports and fur- 
oish those, interested with the special points to which 
the inquiry has been directed. 
Jamaica. 
The chief fruit interest in the West Indies is 
commuted with Jamaica. The exports of fruits from 
this island are of the annual value of a quarter of a 
million sterling. The following Kepoit was prepared 
by Mr. J. II. Hart before his transfer to the charge 
of the Botanical Gardens at Trinilad: — 
The chief fruits of the Island of Jamaica are Cocoa- 
nut (Cocas nucifera), Banana {Musta sapiciilum), Or. 
ange (Citrus Aurantum), Pineapple (Aminos Sativa), 
Lime (Citrus Medica, var. acida), French Lime (Cit- 
rus Medico, var. Fumetta), Mango (Many if era indices, 
Citron (Citrus Medica), Lemon (Citrus Medica, var. 
f.ininiium). Shaddock (I'itrns decumana), Forbidden 
Fruit (Citrus decumana, var), Avocado Pear (I'crsea 
grMiumwC), Bread Fruit (AMocarpus incina), Neesberry 
(Achrus tiapotu), liilberry (I'accinium meridionale), 
Strawberry (Fragaria vesca), Star Apple (.Ohrysophyl- 
lum Cninito), Ciuava (Psidium Uuaia), Poinme clW 
{ I'u.ijlara. l,utrif<ili,i\, firanadilhi tPw.sijl.na macro- 
oarpa). Nutmeg [Myristiai frayrans), Otaheite Ap- 
ple | Wugenia mataeeensis), Kose Apple Eugenia Jam- 
to l ( otaheite Gooseberry (Cicca dinticha), Cashew 
I Inacardium occidentals), Grapes (Vitis viniferd), 
Oherimoyor (Anona Cherhnolia), Sour Sop (Anona. 
mitrirut.il, l'u-tard Ap))le ( .-1 it.i). Sweet 
Sop (Anona wimhmm), (lenip (Melicocca bijuya), Tree 
Tomato (Oyphomandnx bet area). 
Cocoa-nut (CoCOS nucifera). — This is placed first on 
the list on account ol its being a truit whiidi is likely 
to become in the future of more permanent value 
than anv othci K \) on account of its keeping qualities, 
(2) for iU economic value, (.tl for certainty of crop, 
(li for permanence of crop, (5) by renson of its re- 
quiring little or no cultivation, aud (ll) by its being 
adapted to many kinds of soil 
llanana (Musa sapientum). — Obtainable throughout 
the year, but most plentiful daring August and follow- 
ing months. Supply good, except nfter hurricanes; 
cultivation might be largely extended. 
Orange (Citrut AurantiumJ. In full season during 
the closing months !'.,< v 'ir. Supply very good, 
cnpablo of being largely extended. 
rmc-upple (AiHuum mtiva).— In season June, July, 
ami Angus! in large quantities; all tho year round 
in fair numbers. Could bo grown j u | ttl( j U quantit- 
ies if demand arose. 
Lime (.Cirri' ■ Medica, var, aeida). — In sensou all the 
round. If the paying demand arose the supply could 
in tbr«o or four nan !>.• mads unlimited. 
French Lima (Oitriu Medica, var. Liimtta)— Toil 
0M»MMI reiuloe) is larger, with .skin resembling 
un orange; it ii u very line fruit. Tho supply is 
■Mil, but worthy of extensive cultivation. [Have 
we got it iu Coy Ion .— L'u. | 
Mango (Manyifera, indica) .--Throughout the island 
the supply is now practically Unlimited, but were an 
export demand, to arise, better varicli :s would be 
planted and tho valuo increase 1. In season June, 
August. 
Citron (Citrus Medica). — Supply small all the year 
round. Capable of being extensively grown at bwer 
elevations of excellent quality. 
Lomon (Citrus Medica, var. Limonum |. — Supply small, 
but of excellent quality ; could be extensively grown. 
Shaddock i Citrus decumana).— See Lemon. 
Avocado Pear (Ptrsea yrutissima) . — Supply very 
good. In season from June to September at different 
elevations. Supply could be very largely extended in 
a few years. 
Bread Fruit (Arlocarpns inqisa). — Supply small com- 
paratively, except iu moist districts; iu season during 
most months of the year. If cooked by baking will 
keep well for two or three weeks. [We have never 
heard of it being so kept in Ceylon? — Ed. T. A. 
Neesberry (Achras Sapotii). — One of the most deli- 
cately flavoured and wholesome fruits grown. Gather- 
ed when "full," it will stand transport well. In 
season June to November- 
Bilberry ( Vacci.ihim meridionale\. — A wild mountain 
fruit which could bu readily cultivated ; n.akes a fine 
coloured natural jelly, a good wine, and is exeller t 
for tarts. June and August. [Has the bilberry ev. r 
been tried in Ceylon ? —Ed. T. A-] 
Strawberry (Frayaria vesca). — A small variety re- 
sembling tin: Alpine species. Iu season on the mount- 
ains at 4,000 feet during nine months of the year, wild. 
Star Apple (Ghrysophyll um Cainito). — In season June 
to September. A fruit difficult to transport. 
Guava (Psidium Guava), — Supply limited. Wild; no 
good varieties cultivated though present. June aud 
July. 
Pome d'or (Passijlora laurifolia) and Grauadilla 
(P. macrocarpu). — Could be cultivated in quantities 
for export. July September. [Was at ouc time 
(forty years ago) largely cultivated iu Ceylon and 
ought to be to still. — Ed. T, A.~) 
Nutmeg (Myrislica fiayrans). — Mentioned hero for 
sake of its pericarp or outer fleshy envelope which 
is succulent aud possesses a fine mild spicy flavour; 
makes an excellent and rare preserve, which only 
waits to beeome known to eucourage a large demand. 
Otaheite Apple (Kuycnia malUCcensis ) and Hose 
Apple (Eugenia Jambos). — Make excellent preserves, 
and are in season from June to October. They possess 
a flavour which reminds of the smell of rose, the 
latter especially. 
Otaheite Gooseberry iCicca dislicha). — An acid fruit. 
Might be bottled as gooseberries. 
Cashew (Anacardium occident.de). — Make an excell- 
ent preserve; will not stand transport. Nuts, when 
ro.isted, are a choice dish for dessert. 
Grapes (VUie viuifera). — Grown in small quantities 
in the neighbourhood of Kingston, chiefly tho Muscat 
varieties, but never likely to become a reliable crop, 
all the year rouud. 
Cheriuioyer (Anona Chcrimolia). — A mountain fruit of 
great delicacy, but difficult to transport. July to 
September. 
Sour Sop (Anona muricata), Custard Apple (A. 
reticulata), Sweet Sop (./. squamosa), and Geuip (Meli- 
cocca bijuya). — Tropical fruits of ordinary value. 
June to October. 
Tree Tomato (Cyphomandra betacea). — A tree beariug 
a fruit of exellent quality, which when preserved, 
gomowhnt resembles in col >ur aud flavour the Apricot 
of Europe. Will only grow at elevation of :t.(XX) ft- 
and upwards in a temper .tin e of (!:t y mean annual. 
Tho tree fruits all the y< ar round; is easily culti- 
vated, aud tho snpp'y could be increased to any 
extent in two or three years.* 
Of tho fruits m >st capable of being produced in 
larger quantities tho first M mentioned are most 
deserving of notice, for they curd tie extruded to 
* It is equally successful in (Ceylon. This fruit an I tho 
vegutablo chu-cho axfl valuable nr. positions, due to the 
enterprise of Mr. Nock ut the llak^alla Harden*. 
