CINCHONA CULTIVATION IN CEYLON. 
515 
We have already briefly adverted to the affections in the treatment of which cinchonine 
may doubtless prove beneficial. The [endemic influences of tropical climates differ ac¬ 
cording to their isothermal position, and with them the intensity and variation of the 
febrile phenomena, precisely-as in temperate regions important modifications in the 
character and type of fevers from climatic vicissitudes are daily experienced. Hence, not 
a few of the successful cases of cure ascribed to the virtues of this alkaloid have been 
thought to be due rather to an earlier accession of the crisis in the less severe attacks, or 
to a spontaneous decline of the disease, than to the medicinal potency of the remedy. 
One of the chief military surgeons of France, M. Levy, after a varied series of observa¬ 
tions on its reputed efficacy, thus conclusively sums up:—“ No military physician has 
attempted the employment of cinchonine in the malignant fevers ( fievres pernicieuses ), 
a reserve which is recommended by the results of experiments, and which ought to be 
imitated in civil practice.” 
We have now brought under the notice of our readers, so far as space will permit, a 
concise summary of the events connected with the experimental culture of the Cinchona 
plants in Jamaica, and appended those controversial points on the ultimate decision of 
which the selection of the species deemed most valuable for medicinal or therapeutic 
purposes will be based. We may, in conclusion, point out that these products, as they 
gradually become naturalized to their mountain homes, demand but a trifling amount of 
manual care or skill to secure their successful development, while the preliminary ex¬ 
pense, or outlay, attending the introductory stages of growth would be comparatively 
insignificant.— From the Jamaica Guardian. 
CINCHONA CULTIVATION IN CEYLON. 
BY G. H. K. Til WAITES, F.L.S., DIRECTOR OF THE BOTANIC GARDENS. 
The cultivation of these valuable plants at the Hakgalle Garden continues to progress 
most successfully under Mr. MtNicoll’s unintermitting attention and care. Not the least 
doubt need now be entertained as to the climate of Ceylon being suitable for the growth 
of Cinchonas ; their healthy condition at Hakgalle is all that can be desired. It is true 
that Cinchona succirubra requires to be planted in a somewhat sheltered situation, but it 
does not suffer so much from the wind as might be supposed from the texture and large 
size of its leaves. Cinchona Conclaminea (or Cinchona officinalis , as it is now called) Mr. 
M‘Nicoll reports as being much better able to withstand the influence of the wind, its 
leaves being of a moderate size, and of a firm consistence; and, as it requires a cool 
climate for its cultivation, those portions of the fine forests of the Central Province 
which are at too great an elevation for the successful cultivation of coffee, are well 
adapted for the growth of this species of Cinchona. 
Through the liberality of the Government of Netherlands India, an important addi¬ 
tion has been made to our stock of Cinchonas, by the contribution from the plantations 
at Java, of some healthy young plants of Cinchona Calisaya: out of fifteen plants re¬ 
ceived in January last, twelve reached to Hakgalle in fine condition, and Mr. M‘Nicoll 
has been enabled, by striking cuttings from them, to increase the number very con¬ 
siderably. 
As it was thought expedient that persons desirous of undertaking the cultivation of Cin¬ 
chonas should have an opportunity, as soon as possible, of ascertaining whether the plant 
would succeed in situations contemplated for it, a limited number of plants of Cinchona 
succirubra was disposed of some months ago at the rate of 5s. each plant. The propa¬ 
gation of Cinchona succirubra and Cinchona officinalis having gone on rapidly at the 
Hakgalle Garden, since that time plants of these two kinds are now on sale there at the 
rate of Is. each plant; and it may be expected that there will soon be a considerable 
demand for them, though the present prospect of coffee planting being so remunerating, 
must of course operate to some extent in giving a check to enterprise in other and new 
directions. 
Mr. M‘Nicoll reports to me that there is now at the Hakgalle Gardens the following 
stock of Cinchona plants :—• 
Cinchona succirubra , planted out in the forest. 250 
(The largest plant being 10 feet high, with the stem 7 inches 
in circumference at the base.) 
