( 10 ) 
Kola Nut {Sterculia {Cola) acuminata). — This tree is commonly cultivated in Jamaica, 
here it ripens its seeds in September, growing well in places with a moderate rainfall up to at 
ust 1,000 ft. of altitude. In answer to my request I received from the Botanic Garden there a 
Dx containing 190 seeds, which have germinated well, and will, I hope, succeed. I shall be glad 
: a stock of young plants, as the only two trees we possess (at Henaratgoda), though now seven 
?ars old, have not as yet flowered. The Kew “ Bulletin” for November, 1890, contains a full account 
; this product. 
Sisal Hemp {Agave rigida, var. sisalana). — Much interest has been recently taken in this 
bre plant in consequence of the very large and important industry developed in it at the Bahamas, 
s several applications about it have been made to me, I applied to the Director of Kew Gardens for 
)ecimens, and in May received a box of plants from that establishment. These were planted out at 
eradeniya in September, and are growing luxuriantly. 
New Zealand Flax {Phorrnium tenax), — Mr, Nock sends the following note : — 
Several inquiries were made about this fibre plant at the beginning of the year ; and in order to ascertain 
hat weight of leaves a single plant would give, one about eight years old was selected, which was growing in good 
■il on the margin of a pond in the Garden. It produced 225 leaves, and these varied in length from three to eight 
^et, and weighed 107 pounds. An acre, at this rate, reckoning the plants at 6 ft. apart, would produce the 
lormous yield of about 54 tons. 
Nutmegs. — A rather large sale of seed has been made during the year at Peradeniya, where 
ar grove of old trees continues to yield large crops throughout the year. Several i^lanters in the 
iw-country are now taking up this cultivation seriously. Judging from our experience here, it 
in scarcely fail to be a very -profitable one when the trees once reach full bearing. 
Chinese Gmgev. — In my report for 1885 I recorded the receipt from Kew of the roots of the 
lant said to afford the familiar “ preserved ginger ” of commerce so largely exported from China, 
id remarked that it was clearly quite distinct from the ordinary ginger plant. As it has never 
lade any attempt to flower with us, it has been impossible to determine its name with any kind of 
ertainty, though it appeared to be a species of Alpinia. A few years ago, at the request of Mr. Ford 
E the Hongkong Botanic Garden, I sent a specimen to that Garden, and Mr. Ford now informs me 
lat it has flowered with him, and proves to be nothing but the common and well known Alpinia 
kdanga. This, the “ kaluwala ” of the Sinhalese, is commonly grown in all native gardens, and 
owers here freely. On a comparison of the foliage of the two plants I can certainly see but very slight 
ifferences, the leaves of the Chinese ginger being merely somewhat shorter and broader, of a 
licker textiire, and darker in colour especially beneath. The rhizomes are identical, and both have 
le taste well described by Roxburgh as a “ mixture of pepper and ginger accompanied by some 
egTee of bitterness.” The Sinhalese use the rhizomes in native medicine, but never as a condiment, 
.ccording to Hanbury and other writers this is also the “ Java Galangal,” or “ Greater Galangal,” 
f the London drug market, and the “ Galanga major ” of the old pharmacists. It is a little difficult 
) believe that the “ preserved ginger ” of commerce is the produce of the same plant, especially 
s the rhizome has not the appearance of the commercial article ; and I cannot help suspecting 
re possibility of a mistake having been made when originally sending the plant to Kew.* 
Tuherous-rooted Vine { Vitis Martinellii). — This species of vine, native to Cochin-China, has 
een -wTitten of as affording a grape of good flavour. We obtained the plant in 1883 from Hongkong, 
nd during the past year it for the first time produced fruit at Henaratgoda in September. It in no 
.'ay answers to its reputation, being small, very slightly juicy, and, like most of our wild species, 
.’ith a harsh and bitter taste. In its present state it is quite useless as an edible fruit. 
Fruit Garden at Hakgala. — Mr. Nock reports : — 
During the early part of May a good many of the imported fruit trees started into active life after their long 
jst. hut. as was to be expected, the high winds which occurred soon after checked them, and the growth they made 
•as not at all sati.sfactory. However, one plant of “ Kentish Fillbasket” apple set twelve healthy fruit ; these, on 
(.•count of the .small size of the plant, were thinned out to five, all of which came to perfection. The largest 
icasiire'l nine inches in circumference, and was well-flavoured. “ King of the Pippins ” .apple bore six ; four of 
' 1 ( 01 ripened ujj and were excellent in flavour and colour. Two Morelia cherry plants made very fair growth, and 
ach (ilant ripened a few fruit, .as also did the raspberries. The figs, too, have grown well, and one kind, “White 
wdiia.” has borne a rjuantity of very good flavoured fruit. None of the other imported plants look at all well, and 
;tv<; nunainial dormant for many months. 
'I'he blackberry plants raised from English seeds have done very well. Several kinds have flowered, and one 
»rt. fliiljiu iHiirroiiniuH, has borne a quantity of good-sized well-flavoured fruit. One spike had on it 32 berries, and 
In an article on the xdtint in the Kew “Bulletin” for January, 1891, however, I see that the determination is 
as correct. 
