412 THE TROPICAL 
To the Editor. 
DIFFERENT EUCALYPTI (GUM TREES.) 
Botanic Gardens, Sydney, Oct 2. 
Dear Sib, — Moticinpf a remark in your 
Journal for September, page 196, I beg to 
inform you that the botanical name of the 
Tuart is Eucalyptus gomphocephala D.O. 
and that of the Crimson Flowering Gum is 
E Jicifolia, F.V.M.- Yours faithfully, 
J. H. MAIDEN, Director. 
A NEW REMEDY FOR MALARIAL 
FEVER. 
London, Oct. 8. 
DearMr. Editor, —In looking; over the Tropical 
Agriculturist of the 1st September, I read on 
page 188 that " Erucca Suniatranaj is said to be 
as much a specific for dysentery as quinine is for 
malaria." This is no compliment to the drug 
because it is well-known now that quinine is not 
the medicine to take for malaria, and it is being 
abandoned in all parts where it is possible to obtain 
the extract made from Cassia Beareana. This 
remedy has been tried by hospitals in the United 
Stttes, after reading the interesting account of the 
cu''e that this plant effects when it attacks the 
bl'ickwater fever. From your remark I should 
think that you had not seen the book I am en- 
closing herewith, which is a repahlication from 
the " Lancet," and some remarks by Mr, Holmes 
appended. 
Men are going out now to the East and West 
Coasts of Africa and also to Central Africa, with 
supplies of this drug, because they do not now 
dread attacks of this severe form of malarial fever, 
known as blaclcwater fevpr. 
One doctor from the United States reports that 
one of his patients was attackea on the 16i,h May, 
1902. He took qninii.e sulph. 8 grains on Friday, 
the 16th May and had a subspquent attack. He 
then took Cassia Beareana 30 drops in water 
every two hours, taking 1 oz or a little more 
altogether. He had no subsequent attacks. The 
blood was examined on the 16th May, 1902, and 
contained the tertian parasite ; on May 21st 
it was examined again and there was no sign of 
any organism. This shows how thoroughly the 
drug does its work. 
If you know of anyone who would like to make 
experiments with this remedy, we should be 
pleased to send some if they are unable to obtain 
it out there.— Yours truly, 
TflO. CHRISTY. 
GREEN TEAS. 
London, Oct. 8. 
Sib — I am pleased to see much more 
attention given in the direction of making 
« greens," if only the proper class of greens 
could be turned out. In London it would 
appear that a large quantity could be placed 
if Ceylon arrived anvwhere near the class 
of China greens asked for. — Uolouiing greens: 
now is it to be dhecked is the question put 
AGRICULTURIST. [Dec. 1, 1902. 
The " Thirty Committee" should take up this, 
and endeavour to arrive at some method of 
check, as to colour tea bids farewell to Ceylon's 
boast of Pure Ceylon Tea. " TEA." 
CACAO IN 1877 AND 1902 : 
A Leaf from the Past. 
Among old papers we came across the following 
letter never published before ; — 
Gang Warily Estate, Gampola, Oct. 16, 1877. 
Dear Sir, — I enclose for the benefit of the 
readers of the Observer, and more particularly 
for those who are taking an interest in the 
advancement of the Cacao cultivation enterprise, 
some valuable information received from Home 
in the shape of an extract from th« " Journal 
of Applied Science " for 1874, — a multiim in 
parvo of all that relates to the cultivation and 
preparation of Cacao for the market. As this 
new product is exciting, and, I think, deservedly 
so, a good deal of attention at present in the Spicy 
Isle, tiie matter embodied in sheets sent, seems 
to me to be particularly applicable to its growth 
in Ceylon. As the enclosed is a copy of a copy 
some errors may have crept in, but, I daresay, 
they will be immaterial. I trust Sir James 
Lonj^den will take an interest in this new in- 
dustry in which his past experience would be 
sure to be a valuable help and guide to intend- 
ing pioneers, and with a little encouragement 
from Government in the way of supplying plants 
of the most approved kinds, etc., a creditable 
future for this fine plant and excellent beverage 
may be safely predicted. There may be failures 
at first — but, if at first you don't suceed, why 
just "try, try, try again "!— Yours truly, 
OA' CANNY. 
[Referring the above to the writer, it has 
brought us the following veiy interesting reminis- 
cences. — Ed. T.A. 
Dolosbage, Oct. 16, 1902. 
Drab Mr. Editor,— I was much interosted in 
reading my old letter bearing date, 16th October, 
1877, exactly a quarter of a century ago, and it 
recalled to my recollection all the early aniic'pa- 
tions and struggles with this grand product. What 
sanguine estimates we used to frame, when Old 
King Coffee gave us the go-bye, of the new pro- 
ducts which, we hoppd, would take its place — Cin- 
chona, Liberian Coflee, etc.— srone, gone, are all 
the old imaginary figures. How nice they looked 
on paper ; but they may have served a purpose in 
keeping up one's spirits during troublous times. 
Even '* Qiieea " Tea looks as if she were going to 
follow suit ! 
I think you will find by turning up old Observers 
that I was one of the first to call attention to 
cacao as worthy of cultivation. Hearing that 
there were old cacao trees on Fallekelly estate, I 
made a special visit there. I forget the date, but 
it shows it was an early one for the old trees I saw 
were in a neglected sort of state, and the late Mr. 
li B Tytler was not ihen very enthusiastic about its 
culiivation on a large sca'e. 
The cacao article frncn the " Journal of Applied 
Science," I have carefully read over, and consider 
its matter good ; but, of course, modification^ must 
be made* when adapting it to the state of things 
* Muph that has been written in our Tropical 
Agriculturist and in Mr. Hart's useful little book 
has placed the article of 28 years ago out of date. 
—Ed. T.A. 
