178 
ON THE CULTURE OF MYRISTICA MOSCHATA. 
very plentiful harvest seldom occurring above once in five years. Pimento com- 
bines the flavour and properties of many of the oriental spices, hence its popular 
name.' " 
On the Myristica moschatay True 
Nutmeg". — The treatment of this plant 
is but little known amongst cultivators 
in this country, in consequence perhaps 
of there being but few plants existing in 
our collections. A plant in His Grace 
the Duke of Devonshire's collection 
at Chatsworth is treated after the fol- 
lowing manner : — The soil used is a 
mixture of light loam or light loam and 
peat, to which is added a little sand ; in 
this compost it grows strong, always 
maintaining a healthy appearance, and 
in the spring, when other stove plants 
are potted, it receives additional pot- 
room. In potting we take care to use Myiistica Moschata, or Nutmeg, 
plenty of drainage, and as much as pos- 
sible to avoid over shifting; shortly after potting, the plant commences growing, 
when it requires a good quantity of water, which, if the pot be well drained, passes 
through without injury, but in the autumn and winter we find it best to give but 
little, merely sufficient to keep the soil only just moist. It is, like the preceding, 
subject to the attacks of thrips, &c., which can be only effectually and conveniently 
guarded off by frequent and powerful syringing. When the leaves and wood are 
growing, and consequently tender, the plant must not by any means be exposed to 
the hot mid-day sun, as it is likely to become much injured and rendered very un- 
sightly the whole season. It is very difficult of propagation, cuttings from the 
half-ripened wood should be planted in sand, covered with a glass, and plunged in a 
gentle heat, amongst saw-dust, observing to use every means to keep down the 
damp ; carefully layered and a little sand placed about the wounds, as recommended 
for the species above, is a ready and successful method of obtaining young plants. 
The plant, when well grown, is very handsome, attaining, it is stated, in its native 
country as much as thirty feet in height, of an upright growth ; the leaves are 
oblong-acute, of a lucid texture, and quite smooth. The flowers are deficient in 
beauty, being of a simple whitish-green colour, and rather wanting in show. It be- 
longs to the Linnsean class Dioscia, and order monadelphia^ and to Myristacecs 
(Nutmeg tribe), of the natural system. 
The succeeding very instructive hints on Myristica Moschata quote from 
the Library of Entertaining Knowledge : — 
" The Nutmeg — Myristica moschata — is a native of the Moluccas ; and after the 
possession of these islands by the Dutch, was, like the clove, jealously made an 
object of strict monopoly. Actuated by this narrow-minded policy, the Dutch 
