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CINCHONA CULTIVATION IN JAMAICA. 
CINCHONA CULTIVATION IN JAMAICA. 
With reference to our article published a few days since, on the introduction of Cin¬ 
chona plants in Jamaica, we had the gratification of announcing that two of the most 
valuable alkaloids peculiar to their barks, viz. quinine and cinchonine, had been obtained 
from the young leaves by Staff-Surgeon Dr. Daniell, in sufficient quantities to justify 
the belief that the permanent establishment of these products in our mountain districts 
must eventually prove to be an inestimable acquisition to the resources of the island. 
The species of Cinchona constituting the subjects of these experiments comprised the 
leaves of .the Cinchona succirubra, or red bark, C. micrantha and C. nitida, or grey barks. 
The specimens were transmitted by Mr. Wilson, for examination and analysis, to Dr. 
Daniell, from Cold-spring coffee plantation, a locality of about 4000 feet elevation, and 
therefore, from its position, well adapted for their development and propagation. The 
prosperous rearing of these plants, it is evident, cannot otherwise than be dependent on 
the sites selected for their naturalization and subsequent growth, and on these points 
the indications for our guidance are obviously those where the local climate and natural 
advantages of soil approach, or may be assimilated as far as practicable, to those forest 
regions from whence they were originally exported ; indeed, the prominent feature tha 
regulates their commercial or medicinal value is the quantity of alkaloids they are sup¬ 
posed to yield. The production of these organic bases is influenced, to a considerable 
degree, by the altitude of various mountain slopes or ranges, with their respective clima¬ 
tic agencies. A cool and somewhat equable temperature, a misty or humid atmosphere, 
the sequence of alternate rains and sunshine, with a moderate heat throughout the day, 
rendering the leaves constantly bedewed by moisture, in combination with a rich vege¬ 
table mould, are conditions deemed most favourable for the increase of their remedial 
qualities. These objects were doubtless held in view by the island botanist, when, as 
approximating towards such congenial requisites, he resolved to institute the experi¬ 
mental trial of their acclimation on the Cold-spring estate, the success of which is now 
placed beyond question by the following interesting statements:— 
In November, 1861, a number of young Cinchona shoots, from two to two inches and 
a half high, were transplanted from the gardens of Bath to the above-mentioned estate. 
In the course of a year, one of the hardiest ( Cinchona succirubra ) attained nearly four 
feet (forty-four inches) in height, with leaves from thirteen to fourteen inches in length, 
and between eight and nine inches in breadth. The dimensions of this plant, at this 
date (two years of age), have advanced to six feet, bearing ten branches, and a stem, the 
circumference at the base of which is not less than four or five inches. Other seedlings 
of the same species, with those belonging to the Cinchona micrantha and C. nitida , re¬ 
moved at a similar period, have progressively gained corresponding proportions, and 
several of the latter kind possess not only branches, but leaves measuring fourteen inches 
long by ten inches broad. By a recent Report, the whole are in a remarkably healthy 
and flourishing state. Thus, so far, the two great problems, whether the climate and 
altitude of the mountain regions of Jamaica might be found propitious for the develop¬ 
ment of these invaluable products ; or whether, if, under such circumstances, they would 
yield a sufficient supply of febrifuge alkaloids to repay the cost and trouble of their 
cultivation, have been decisively solved. 
In connection with the subject, there are, however, other details well worthy of con¬ 
sideration. It is now clearly understood that the constituent alkaloids of the Cinchona 
trees differ, not only in amount and variety, but also with reference to their medicinal 
effects on the human system. These therapeutical properties, to a great extent, deter¬ 
mine the appreciation of each species. In several respects, therefore, the most important 
and remunerative of all the Cinchonas at present under culture in the island is the C. 
succirubra , or red bark. In about equal proportions, it affords a richer percentage of 
quinine and cinchonine than any other species, not even excepting the famous yellow 
bark ( Cinchona Calisaya). The young shoots have hitherto proved to be the most 
vigorous and hardy, of ready propagation and easy growth, and Mr. Wilson remarks that 
lie has experienced less difficulty in preserving them alive than any of the other kinds. 
On the Cold-spring district they were planted in open spaces between the coffee bushes, 
freely exposed to the influences of fresh air, rain, and sunshine, and required no further 
attention than an occasional clearance of the circumjacent weeds.* Another argument 
* The following meteorological data, recorded in 1859 at the Military Hospital, Newcastle, 
