26 
THE TROPfCAL AGRICULTURIST 
[July i, 1890. 
In Q-uiaua, Tibisiri flbi’e is obtained from the inner 
surface of the spiral leaves of the Ita Palm (Mauritia 
flexuosa) ; it is used by the Indians for making ham- 
mocks, &c. Tlio leaves are cut before they are open 
and the midrib separated by drawing each division of 
the leaf tbroug-h the finger and thumb. After drying, 
the fibre is ready for use without further preparation. 
About a quarter of a pound may be procured from 
each leaf, and it the central leaf is left uninjured, no 
evil effect is produced on the tree. Bags or matting 
could be cheaply and easily made from this fibre, as 
well as hats, similar to those known as Panama. 
The foregoing is only a brief enumeration of some 
of the many uses to which leaves are industriously 
aj)plied. — P. L. Sihmonds. — Qimhners’ Chronicle. 
MAESII-PKODrCED DISEASES. 
It is not every one who has a proper conception 
of what malaria means and really is. Malaria 
really means bad air ; but for some reason, diffi- 
cult to define, it has been restricted to the emana- 
tions from swampy districts. For example, a man 
who hat fever and ague (or, as it is known among 
professional men, intermittent fever) is said to be 
suffering from malaria: whereas a man suffering 
from the noisome effects of sewer-gas in his house 
is assuredly the victim of malaria, though not 
suffering from intermittent fever. The fevers, then, 
and the ailments following in their wake, that are 
produced in districts where there are warmth and 
decaying vegetable matter, are said to be malarial. 
Malaria is a hydra-headed disease. Even that 
one form of it, “ fever and ague,” presents itself 
in various forms. It occurs most frequently in 
newly-populated districts ; and in lands from which 
it has been supposed to liave vanished it has been 
reproduced when their soil was turned. A man 
who has suffered once may suffer again, after a 
score of years, by simply running down in health. 
It may appear first as a chill, followed by intense 
fever, which, in its train, is follow'cd by a sweat- 
ing stage. It may appear simply as an intense 
neuralgia, and it may be noted that the most 
frequent form of malarial neuralgia appears over 
the brow, and is known as “brow ague.” As if 
there yvas some similarity, distant, no doubt, between 
paludal fevers and sewer-gas poisoning, it may be 
noted that neuralgic symptoms characterize both, 
and quinine certainly seems beneficial to both. 
Formerly, quinine, and, indeed, all the cinchona 
preparations, were more appreciated than they are 
at present. In the whole range of medical treat- 
ment nothing ever is encountered which is more 
wonderful than the action of quinine in malarial 
fevers. With its administration the diseases dis- 
appear, and that quickly. No doubt the dwellers 
in old countries and the residents of old towns 
would derive great benefit from a far freer use of 
quinine ; and here we should take occasion to point 
out that the ordinary sulphate of quinine, the form 
usually used, is objectionable ; it irritates the 
stomach, is quite insoluble, and is frequently not 
all absorbed. 
The soluble quinine Tabloids are the best 
preparation, inasmuch as one of them dissolves in a 
little water the minute it touches it. They do not 
irritate the stomach, can be taken without the 
taste being percoivod, and none of the drug is lost 
in the system. Those suffering from enervated 
heallh, wliother from sower-gas or marsli ema- 
nationi', overwork, worry, sleeplessness, or any of the 
thous.ind ills that go liand in hand with civilization, 
wih find quinine useful — more useful as atonic than 
any of llie myriad drugs that glut the market. 
Under ordinary circumstances a two-grain Tab- 
loid is .ulllcient. In malarial troubles as mucli as 
twenty giuius should ho takou in a day. — “ Health," 
London, 
TRINIDAD COFFEE. 
The Iloyal Gardens, Kew, to Colonial Office. 
Royal Gardens, Kew, April 1889. 
Sir, — With reference to my letter of the 7th April, 
1888, forwarding a Report on samples of Triuidad 
Coffee prepared at the Botanic Gardens by Mr. Hart, 
I am oesired by Mr. Thiselton Dyer to inform you 
that ho has recently received further specimens of 
Trinidad Coffee from Mr. Hart, consisting of Arabian 
and Liberian sorts in clurry, parchment aud cleaned. 
2. Mr, Hart has taken considerable interest in pro- 
moting a Coffee industry in Triuidad, and in these 
efforts he has been , judiciously supported aud encouraged 
by His Excellency Sir William Robinson. 
3. It must be very gratifying to all concerned to find 
that during the interval since the last samples of 
Trinidad Coffee were submitted to Loudon Brokers, a 
considerable improvement has taken place in the pre- 
paration and curing of the beans, and there is no 
reason to doubt that Trinidad Coffee could eventually 
be established as an article of Commerce on the same 
footing as Trinidad Cacao. 
4. I have pleasure in enclosing a copy of a Report 
by Messrs. Wilson, Smithett & Co., furnished through 
Messrs. Shaud & Co., on samples of Trinidad Coffee 
just receiver! from Mr. Hart, and Mr. Thiselton Dyer 
will be glad if the information contained in it is com- 
municaled to Sir William Robinson so that it may bo 
rendered accessible to those who are interested in Coffee 
growing in Trinidad. I am, &c., 
D. Moeeis. 
Description oj Samples rf Coffee from Trinidad 
Botanic Gardens. 
1 . Parchment. Grown in Santa Cruz — Prepared in 
Gardens. 
2. Liberian. Grown in Gardens — Prepared by fer- 
mentation. 
8 . “Creole” 0. Arahica. Grown a.nd prepared by 
Machinery in the Gardens. 
4. Pea-berry. Picked from above. 
5. Parchment Coffee. Grown aud prepared in 
Gardens. 
6 . Mocha. Grown aud prepared in Gardens. 
7. “Creole” C. Arahica. Grown at Santa Cruz — 
Prepared in Gardens. 
8 . Venezuelan Coffee, selling in Trinidad at 20c. per 
lb. or 83s. 4d. per cwt., retail. 
9. Triuidad Coffee. Grown at Santa Cruz — Pre- 
pared by fermentation. Dr. Chittenden’s- 
10. Trinidad Coffee, dried in Cherry. Mr. Fitz Simons, 
considered fairly good by our Cocoa planters. 
11. Montserrat District Coffee. Won 1st prize against 
all others, San i'ernarrdo. 
12. Hybrid Mocha. Grown aud prepared in Gardens. 
Deport on Samples of Coffee from Royal Botanic 
Gardens, Trinidad, By Messrs. Wilson, Smithett 
<£' Co., No, 41, Mincing Lane, London, E. C. 
1. In parchment of rather dull uneven colour, and 
this appears to be shewn also in the berry when the 
outside shell is removed. Considerable importations 
from various countries have taken place of Coffee in 
this stage, and a loss of 16 to 20 per cent, takes place 
in preparing it for market — allowance for which loss 
is made by Customs, Value about 75s per cwt. as it 
is, if Loudon cleaned it would realize about 90s per cwt 
5. In parchment brighter and apparently better dried, 
the berries after shelling being also superior to No. 1, 
78s per cwt- If London cleaned, about 93s per cwt. 
2 Liberian, browner than the usual imijortatioua. 
of Ceylon Liberiau. A yellow colour is preferred. The 
berry is of good size. 78s per cwt. 
3 . "Flat boldish berry of dark colour with a ten- 
dency to fading. This is dullish and more nearly 
approaching some Central American kinds than Ceylon, 
yOs per cwt. 
4. Pea-berry of uneven colour and too much 
mixed with .split and ragged berries to command sale 
in Eastern Europe, where higli prices are paid for 
even colory pea-berry. \Ye doubt if this prepara- 
