175 
REMARKS ON THE CULTURE &c. OF MYRTUS PIMENTA 
(PIMENTA VULGARIS). 
This species produces what is called Jamaica pepper, or All-spice, and has been 
long- cultivated in the hot-houses of this country as an ornamental plant. It be- 
longs to the twelfth class of the Linnaean system Icosandria, and first order Mono- 
gynia, and to Myrtacece, the myrtle tribe of the natural or Jussieuan system. In 
the stove, when well managed, it forms a handsome plant, and the flowers, which 
are white and not showy, are succeeded by its purple spherical drupes; these are 
surmounted by the persistent calyx. The berries, from their peculiarly rich 
flavour, have been thought to combine in a degree a little of all spices, hence the 
name All-spice. Before the fruit ripens, the berries are taken off the tree and 
dried, carefully avoiding- exposing them to the sun ; in this shady situation they 
are carefully turned and regulated ; in a few days they become withered and dry, 
assuming- a brown colour, when they are packed either in bags or casks for sale. 
The aromatic sub-astringent taste of the berries is pleasant and agreeable, being a 
resemblance of a decoction of cinnamon, cloves, and nutmegs; these properties are 
principally found in the skinny parts of the dried fruit, from which they are better 
extracted by infusion in water than by distillation or spirit. Druggists use them 
to allay or cover the disagreeable taste of some remedies, or to impart warmth to 
others ; but they are chiefly used in the kitchen. An oil nearly equal to that of 
cloves is obtained by distillation, and has not unfrequently been substituted for it. 
It is a West Indian species, found most abundant in the hilly parts to the north 
side of Jamaica, where it is described as growing to the height of thirty feet. In 
our stoves it grows freely if well attended to ; but, if only for a short time neglected, 
the vermin by which it is so liable to be attacked make such havoc with the leaves 
as to rob them of that clear, glossy, vigorous appearance so peculiar to them when 
healthy, and consequently the beauty and aspect of the plant are greatly impaired. 
These insects, called the thrips, appear on the under surface of the leaf, and com- 
mence their work of injury by gnawing the cuticle and extracting their juices, much 
in the same way as the red spider (acarus), which give the leaves wherever they 
appear a brown husky dirty appearance; the most effectual means of exterminating 
this enemy is by powerfully syringing the whole plant well in the evening, re- 
peating the operation until they finally disappear, and to prevent their "return it is 
necessary to watch diligently and wash frequently ; some practitioners have effec- 
tually destroyed them with tobacco-smoke, and sulphur in a dry state sprinkled over 
the injured plant will drive them away, but the former we find much the best. The 
compost should consist of sandy loam and peat well incorporated ; carefully potted in 
this compost, observing to drain well, it will grow freely and make a handsome 
plant, not forgetting to use every caution to prevent the intrusion of insects, for if 
ever these enemies are allowed to gain the ascendancy, they not only destroy the 
