ON THE CULTURE OF MYRTUS PIMENTA. 
177 
foliage. In the months of July and August a profusion of white flowers pleasingly 
contrast with the dark green leaves, the whole forming an object of vegetable 
beauty rarely surpassed ; while the rich perfume which is exhaled around, and which 
is wafted by the gentlest breeze, renders an assemblage of these trees one of the 
most delicious plantations of even a tropical clime. When the leaves are bruised, 
they emit a fine aromatic odour as powerful as that of the fruit ; indeed it is said 
that they yield by distillation a delicate oil, which is often used in the dispensaries 
as a substitute for oil of cloves. 
" The pimento tree grows spontaneously in many parts of Jamaica ; it abounds 
more particularly on the north side of that island, in elevated spots near the coast. 
When a new plantation of these is to be formed, no regular planting or sowing 
takes place ; it is usual to appropriate a piece of land either in the neighbourhood 
of a plantation already formed, or in a part of the woodlands where these trees are 
scattered in a native state. The land is then cleared of all wood but these trees, 
which are left standing, and the felled timber is allowed to remain where it falls to 
decay and perish. In the course of a year young pimento plants are found springing 
up on all parts of the land ; produced, it is supposed, in consequence of the ripe 
berries having been scattered there by the birds, while the prostrate trees protect and 
shade the tender seedlings. At the end of two years the land is thoroughly cleared, only 
those plants being left which promise a vigorous growth ; these come to maturity 
in about seven years from the first formation of the plantation, and usually attain 
to the height of thirty feet. But though apparently of so easy propagation, it is 
only in those parts where the tree is of spontaneous production. Edwards observes, 
that ' this tree is purely a child of nature, and seems to mock all the labours of 
man in his endeavours to extend or improve its growth ; not one attempt in fifty 
to propagate the young plants or to raise them from the seeds, in parts of the country 
where it is not found growing spontaneously, having succeeded.' The tree was in- 
troduced into this country in the early part of last century, but the fruit does not 
ripen. It is delicate and difficult to manage, requiring at the same time warmth 
and a great deal of air. 
" The flowers scarcely fade and give place to the berries ere these are fit for 
gathering; since if the fruit be suffered to ripen on the tree, it loses its pungency 
and becomes valueless. W T hile yet green, therefore, the berries are carefully picked 
by hand ; one person on the tree gathers the small branches ; and three others, 
usually women and children, find full employment in picking the berries from these. 
The produce is then spread out on terraced floors,' and exposed to the action of the 
solar heat for about a week ; in the course of this time the berries lose their green 
hue, and become of a reddish brown. When perfectly dry, they are in a fit state 
for exportation. 
" In a favourable season the pimento crop is enormous : 1 A single tree has been 
known to yield one hundred and fifty pounds of raw fruit, or one hundred weight of 
the dried spice, there being commonly a loss in weight of about one-third in curing.' 
This return is not, however, of very usual occurrence, as the produce is variable ; a 
VOL. IV. — NO. XLIV. A A 
