THE TROPICAL AGRICULTURIST. [October i, 1881. 
Condiments and Spices. 
Cardamoms. — I am not aware when the valuable Malabar variety was first introduced, but it 
has probably been cultivated by the natives for a long period. Dr. Thwaites advocated its system- 
atic culture in his report for 1868, and about 1873 it began to be taken up. The Gardens now 
supply large quantities. 
Nutmeg. — This dates further back than the existence of the Gardens, but it is included iu the 
sale list for 1845 — the seeds offered at 2s. a dozen, and plants at 12s. a dozen. Within the last two 
years there has been a revived demand for this ; and as the Gardens possess a number of trees in full 
bearing, large orders can be met. During this year and the last, between 14,000 and 15,000 seeds 
have been distributed to the newJy-opened low-country estates. 
Clove. — The history of this is very similar to the last, but the revival of its cultivation is less 
marked thau in the case of nutmeg, and our supply exceeds the demands. 
Other spices introduced into Peradeniya at various periods are : — Jamaica Allspice, Mada- 
gascar Clove, Jamaica Ginger, Grains of Paradise, Lesser Galangal. The indigenous peppers, 
cinnamons, &c, are also kept in stock. 
Perfumes. 
Vanilla. — From 1853, or earlier, the Director of the Gardens has not ceased to push the 
cultivation of this, and at one time a large quantity was grown at Peradeniya, 64 lb. of the pods 
being sent home for experimental sale in 1866. A few estates now grow this in considerable 
quantity, and the Gardens continue to keep up a moderate supply. 
Of other perfumes, the Gardens contain Ilang-ilang, Patchouli, Ciiscus grass and Lemon 
grass. 
Fibres. 
Cotton. — Experiments were made on the growth of good varieties of cotton in the Garden in 
1 852-53 ; and in spite of the unsuitable character of Peradeniya for the plants, a small supply of 
different varieties was kept up for many years here in case of demands. In 1860-62 there was 
some attempt at taking up the cultivation in Ceylon of the good sorts, but this soon ceased. At 
present the " Sea-Island" is the only variety remaining in the Garden. 
Manila hemp and China grass or Rheea fibre were introduced in 1852 and 1853, and are 
still kept up in the Gardens. Neic Zealand flax is now grown at Hakgala, having been long 
since introduced to Ceylon. * 
Of Dyes, Arnatto, Inditjo, Red Sanders wood, Safflower, Logwood, and Turmeric are grow- 
ing- here. The Cochineal-C&ctus and insect were introduced in 1853, but did not succeed, and 
more recently the cultivation of Saffron has been attempted. 
Of Oil plants, the Gardens have introduced the Oil Palm, the Earthnut, and the Tallow' 
tree of China ; and grow Gingelly (Tel) oil and other native kinds. 
Timber Trees. 
Sandal ivood was first grown at the Gardens in 1869, but this was probably a re-introductioD, 
the plant having been lost. It does not succeed in Peradeniya, but plants sent thence to the drier 
districts are doing well. 
Mahogany was introduced before the period to which these Notes refer, and several old trees 
are in the Garden and scattered over the Island. They rarely fruit, but fresh supplies of seed have 
been recently obtained from the West Indies. 
The Gardens have introduced also the Sal of India, the Rain-tree of Venezuela, and the Bucare 
of Tropical America (" Bois immortelle" of the West Indies), as well as many other foreign timber 
trees, and several very useful Bamboos. 
(Jf Fodder plants, the Teo-sinte grass and the Paspalum ( P. conjugatum ) have been 
introduced at Peradeniya. Lucerne has also been experimentally tried. Whether the valuable 
Guinea Grass and the Mauritius Grass owe their existence here to the Gardens at an earlier 
period, I have no present means of ascertaining. The Algaroba or Mesquit Bean of South 
America has been recently acquired. 
There are also some very important plants which do not come well under any of the above 
heads. 
Tobacco. — The Shiraz, Manila, Maryland and Lattakia varieties, introduced in 1853, 185J, 
1860, and 1868, respectively, have all been carefully cultivated at Peradeniya, ;ilthough the climate 
and other causes rendered it impossible to keep up a stock on the slight chance of its being 
