June r, 1881.] 
THE TROPICAL AGRICULTURIST. 
69 
port in other countries, there is no reason to doubt 
that it will prove, equally so, in Jamaica. In view, 
however, of the numerous advantages to be derived from 
the local manufacture of coconut oil and poonac, (the 
residual cake) and of the many purposes to which 
«oconnt fibre, properly prepared, may be applied, the 
desirability of establishing coconut mills, with suitable 
machinery, is a question which must yearly suggest 
itself in view of the increasing returns from the coco- 
nut plantations in this island. It is true, that the 
English and American markets are capable of utilizing, 
at fairlv remunerative prices, all the nuts that may 
be sent them, but the advantages to the island in the 
sale of nuts are not at all comparable to those which 
would arise if the local manufacture of coconut oil 
and coconut fibre were undertaken, ani carried on in 
an efficient manner. 
At Hope plantation, we read, 
I'he Sappan, an East Indian dyewood, of great value, 
appears to grow with great vigour, and plants have 
been largely propag ated. 
Of the Bath garden Mr. Morris writes :— 
This interesting remains, of what was the only 
Botanic Garden, of the Colony, for more than eighty 
years, is still maintained for the sake of its valuable 
trees and palms. I regret to record that, during 
the late hurricane the fine Pinus in the centre of 
the <'ardeu was blown down and that two valuable 
•nutmeg trees were lost. During the past year. I 
have endeavoured to increase the usefulness of this 
garden by establishing nurseries of Liberian coffee, 
cacao, nutmeg, cinnamon, &c, &c, in order to ren- 
der it available for the distribution of these plants in 
the Eastern poriious of the Island. As already 
mentioned in a report, published after my first visit 
to the Bath Garden, this district appears to be 
eminently adapted for the successful cultivation of 
most tropical plants requiring a rich soil, and a warm, 
humid climate. The plants of Liberian coffee, already, 
growing in k this and the Plantain Garden River 
district, are among the most promising in the Island, 
aud if cacao and nutmeg were added, these would 
constitute sources of industry particularly suitable 
to the wants of the people, and likely to be most pro- 
ductive and successful. 
Mr, Morris's remarks on Liberian coffee are sub- 
stantially the same as those quoted by us from his 
separate pamphlet on the subject, Of cacao we read : — 
In the propagation and distribution of this valu- 
able product attention has been almost entirely con- 
fined to the best kinds of Trinidad Cacao. From 
trees of these varieties imported in 1873-74, a large 
supply of pods have been gathered and about 12,000 
seedlings established in bambu pots. Several cases of 
pods have also been obtained direct from Trinidad, 
which had beeu carefully selected and packed under 
Mr. Prestoe, the Government Botanist's personal super- 
vision. As the ultimate success of cacao cultivation, 
in Jamaica, will depend on the nature and value of 
the produce, the first consideration of every planter 
will naturally be the selection of the best varieties 
as seed trees. From these, when established, he will 
be able to extend the cultivation, selectiug again those 
varieties which appear to he most suitable to the parti- 
cular circumstances of the soil and climate. This must 
naturally be a slow process, but I would at the out- 
set of what possesses all the elements of a sound and 
successful enterprise, recommend that, only the best 
varieties of Trinidad cacao be planted at first, and 
that the cultivation b» kept carefully free from such 
deteriorated aud worthless varieties, as will only lead 
ultimately to disappointment and loss. Kllorts are be 
ing made through Dr. Ernst, to introduce some of 
the best variet.es of Caracas cacao, About fifty plants 
of Trinidad ( acao have been lately planted at the 
Hope, in the neighbourhood of the land irrigated by 
the water courses, and they have hitherto done, well. 
Owing to the effects of the hurricane no pods are 
expected to be produced on the trees at Castleton 
for some time, but the stock of plants already estab- 
lished, will, it is believed, be sufficient for present 
requirements. The collection at C;istleton has been 
increased by planting out 54 plants during the past 
yoar, in the old canetield, where they are doing well. 
On the general distribution of Trinidad cacao from the 
Castletou Gardens, Mr, Syme makes the following 
report . — 
"Plants of this variety are in great demand, but, 
strange to say, it is by the well-to-do of the com- 
munity. It is to be regretted that the peasantry, 
settled on some of the best cacao-growing lands of the 
colony, do not cultivate more of this plant. One 
reason for this is that they are disheartened by the 
raids made on the pods and their contents by the 
rats. It would well repay them for the trouble and 
expense of systematically poisoning and otherwise pre- 
venting the rats from getting to the pods ; or by 
simply training the young trees to a single stem for 
a height of from 4 to 5 feet, and then lixing a piece 
of sheet tin around each stem/' Although Cacao cul- 
tivation was an important industry in Jamaica about 
a hundred aud fifty years ago it had so declined that 
twenty years ago the only trees in the Island were 
a few inferior kinds scattered here and therein settler?' 
gardens. Owing, however, to the encouragement given 
to the industry by Government, by introducing the 
best varieties of Trinidad Cacao and disseminating in- 
formation on the cultivation and curing of this im- 
portant product, a decided improvement has, lately, 
taken place, both in the quantity and quality of the 
exports. 
Tobacco and vanilla are also favourably reported on. 
Of indiarubber it is said : — 
A Wardian case, containing a number of Lnndolphias 
or African rubber plants was lately received f> om Kew, 
and they are a valuable addition to the India rubber 
plants already in the Island. Mr. Syme reports that 
they are doing well, and are readily propagated by 
cuttings from twigs. Of the India rubbers, already 
introduced the most promising is the Ceara rubber tree, 
(Manihot Glaziovii), a native of Ceara, a coast town and 
district of Brazil in lat. 4° 5", possessing "a very dry arid 
climate for a considerable part of the year." This 
plant is, evidently, of a very hardy character and adapts 
itself readily to the exigencies of culture. Plan s at 
Castleton, (600 feet), and at the Farade Garden, 
Kingston, (50 feet), are doing well. At the former 
gardens young trees when about 9 to 12 feet high 
were beginning to flower, but the hurricane deprived 
us of the hope of procuring seed this year. Some 
four or five hundred seeds, received from Ceylon, 
will, however, afford good opportunities for further 
extending the cultivation Judging by repor's re- 
ceived from S. America it is possible that extensive 
tracts of dry, and stony almost worthless lands, in 
the plains, maybe turned to good account by means of 
this cultivation. 
Of the Para rubber there are only two plants in 
Jamaica, and of the Castilloa elastic none. Mangoes 
are doing well, the areca grows aud fruits freely, and 
the kitul quickly attains to maturity and an immense 
size. Another staple of ours is reported on thus :— 
A plant of the best variety of Ceylon Cinnamon was 
brought out from Kew early in the year. It has been 
planted out at Casileton and under Mr. Syme's care 
is growing freely. From what has come under my 
observation, it appears that there are two kinds of 
Cinnamon in the Island. One is undoubtedly a form 
or variety of the Ceylon Cinnamon, C. Zeylanicum, 
but, whether, owing to the nature of the soil and 
climate or to deterioration from other causes, it doe* 
j ro appear to possess the delicate aroma, taste and 
i colour, of the true Ceylon Cinnamon. The Cinnamon 
I tree, even, in Ceylon, varieR in a peculiar manner ao- 
