402 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
[ May 21, 1891. 
and at one time they produced nearly all the sugar required for the 
world’s consumption. When slavery was abolished their prosperity 
declined, and latterly they have been much depressed. Their 
inherent fertility and their advantsgeous geographical position 
were, however, bringing them renewed prosperity, and before long 
they will probably be as noted for their fruit, spices, and other 
products as formerly they were renowned for their sugar. From a 
botanical point of view the volcanic islands with elevated lands 
covered with virgin forests were the most interesting. The 
littoral or seashore plants would be the first met with. They con¬ 
sisted of the poisonous manchioneel, the Seaside Grape (Coccoloba), 
the Coco Plum, and the naturalised Cocoa Nut. Trailing on the 
ground would be found the Goat’s-foot Convolvulus (Ipomsea) 
and the Seaside Bean (Dolichos Lablab). In swampy places would 
be found the Mangrove trees, sometimes with oysters on their 
stems, the majestic Swamp Fern, Acrostichum aureum, and nume¬ 
rous Sedges and Grasses. Where rockv clitfs overhung the sea 
would be found species of Clusia and Plumieria, the ubiquitous 
Keratto or native Agave, several Tillandsias, Pitcairneas, and 
numerous Cacti. In some places there would be twining stems 
of Cereus triangularis, and in others the globular or truncate 
masses of the Turk’s-head Cactus (Melocactus communis). In 
less rocky, but equally dry places, would be met several species of 
Acacias, Logwood, Tamarind, Calabash, Euphorbiads, and weedy 
looking Crotons. Going inland, and especially in following one of 
the many valleys or ravines reaching into the heart of the coast 
ranges, the vegetation would become richer, greener, and more 
varied. There would be tall trees, with numerous Ferns, Begoniads, 
climbing shrubs, and Aroids. In the rich lowlands, nearly every¬ 
where, the indigenous vegetation has been cleared to give place 
for sugar plantations. Where these have been abandoned the 
vegetation often consists of introduced weeds, and assumes a scrubby 
character. The true luxuriance of tropical vegetation is now 
seen to the best advantage in the mountains of Jamaica and 
Dominica, in the high woods of Trinidad, or the deep and rugged 
gorges of St. Lucia. Here are majestic trees with huge slab-like 
buttresses, their branches literally clothed with climbing Aroids, 
wild Pines, Orchids, and festooned with bright flowered creepers. 
On the highest slopes Tree Ferns spread their feathery fronds, and 
the banks are softly clothed with masses of Filmies of all shades 
of green. The broad-leaved Heliconias, or Wild Bananas, cover 
moist slopes, or fringe the banks of pools and streams. 
Mr. Morris then briefly referred to the chief cultivated plants 
in the West Indies, and exhibitfed vnews of the most striking 
characteristics of each island. Where there are so many condi¬ 
tions favourable to the growth of plants, the task of the cultivator 
was to repress rather than to urge. He had to fight against tropical 
weeds with a persistency which his northern brother cculd scarcely 
realise. Gardening in the tropics was stove cultivation in the open 
air. Heavy downpours of rain and the fierce rays of the sun had 
to be equally borne, and hence shrubs and trees were more in 
favour than herbaceous plants. Indeed, delicate plants required 
the shelter of trees and rocks, and they seldom flourished anywhere 
unless they were beyond the reach of the fierce play of the 
elements. 
The chief horticultural work in the West Indies at present is 
associated with the Government Botanical Gardens, There are 
few, if any, horticultural establishments in private hands. In the 
neighbourhood of all the large towns every house has a garden. 
Palms, Tree Ferns, very showy Crotons, Orchids, bright-flowering 
trees and shrubs are grown according to the fancy of the owner. 
In the verandahs are numerous Ferns in pots, variegated-leaved 
Alocasias, small Palms, and numerous creepers. Every European 
seeks to grow Roses with more or less success. The two best 
Roses for the tropics are Marechal Niel and La France. These 
delight in hot situations, and are in flower nearly all the year 
round. ^ At Barbados the Crotons are not merely bushes, they 
develop into trees with the most gorgeous colours. Orchids are 
mounted on blocks, and hung under the branches of Fig or Mango 
trees, or attached to the trees themselves. Some private collections 
of Orchids at Jamaica and Trinidad are of considerable interest 
and value. During the last twelve years the Botanical Gardens in 
the West Indies have been greatly extended. Every important 
island now possesses a garden which is the centre of horticultural 
work, and performing the functions of a school of practical 
horticulture. Flower shows are regularly held, and the taste for 
gardening is extending to all classes of the community. 
Mr. Morris then exhibited views of the mcst striking West 
Indian plants, views of a West Indian town, views of gardens, 
and closed with an account of a very interesting little Palm only 
36 inches high when fully developed, which he had found during 
his recent visit to the Leeward Islands. This is a species of 
Thrinax, apparently new to science, very similar in habit to 
Phoenix Roebelini. 
NEW EOSES—THE FRENCH CONTINGENT, 
Hybrid Perpetuals. 
A GLAXCE at the National Rose Society’s last published report 
reveals to us the curious fact that in the years 1887,1888, and 1889 there- 
were offered for sale 228 Roses “of all comers.” Out of these about 
thirty were British-raised flowers, either seedlings or sports, leaving 
200 as the modest offering of our foreign friends. Amongst these are, 
of course, a large number of Hybrid Perpetuals ; but when one comes 
to ask how many of these have, or are likely to have, a permanent 
position, we have only to say that by the analogy of late years not 
above half a dozen, if so many. Time was, when English growers for 
sale used to get all the new Roses and propagate largely ; but finding 
that they had in so many instances spent their labour in vain, for they 
had to throw aw'ay the greater portion of them, and so have become 
more chary, and only propagate those of which they may hear something 
privately, or judge from the raisers’ names that there is a probability of 
their being worth growing. 
There are, as I have already said, only nineteen new Hybrids in 
Messrs. Ketten’s list of new Roses, and out of these there are four, of 
these are a couple each from Schwartz and Eugene Verdier, from both- 
of -whom we have in times past received good flowers. 
Ketten Freres, 
Ayina Scharsach. —Raised by Geishwood ; flowers fresh rose colour, 
brighter in the centre, often clear purple, cup shaped. This is very- 
suggestive of a Hybrid Tea with the unpleasant magenta colour which 
many of them assume, and I believe it is the raiser who has already 
given us Hybrid Teas, which do not seem to find much favour, 
CORBCEUF, 
Cecile Morand, —Red shaded with deep carmine, only moderately 
vigorous, and therefore I fear will be of no use to us. 
Comte de Brasson. —A seedling of the raiser, but let out by Bruzean,. 
shaded rose, with deep carmine flowers in clusters. 
Moread-Eobert, 
Commandant Larreit de Lamalaqxde. —Carmine red shaded with 
scarlet; flowers large and full, opening well, shape perfect. Named after 
the commander of the fort Mont Rouge at Paris. This may be very 
interesting to the good gentleman’s friends, but does not interest us 
much. 
Madame Lenesle. —Purplish velvety carmine, shaded with violet; a very 
doubtful character. 
Eugene Verdier, 
Docteur Bastien. —Currant rose and bright magenta ; flowers medium 
sized ; very free flowering. 
Souvenir de Cecile Vilin. —Amaranth red, with purplish velvety 
crimson large and full flowers. Called after the daughter of a rosarian at 
Brie, whose early death it records. 
SODPERT ET NOTTING, 
Joseph Bcqueid. —Carmine lake, shaded with vermilion ; flowers large- 
and imbricated, shape of Cabbage Rose; a seedling from Duhamel Monceau 
and Charles Margottin. 
VlGNERON. 
.Jules Lemaitre. — Lovely carmine red ; flowers large, f ill, and 
globular; a seedling from Madame Isaac Pereire, and, therefore,, 
probably more of a Bourbon than an H.P. i 
Madame E. Forgeot. —Flowers clear cerise red, medium sized ; a seed¬ 
ling from Jules Margottin and Elizabeth Vigneron, neither of them now- 
considered amongst &st-rate Roses. 
Madame Eugene Sehille. — Flowers cerise red, deeper towards the 
centre, footstalk firm, and flowers neat; a seedling from Madame 
Charles Crapelet. 
Dubreitil. 
Lamartine. —Carmine red, with velvety shading, verging to violet, 
a little fringed towards the centre ; flowers erect, 
Tesnier, 
Madame Charles de Bostang. —Flowers colour of the China Rose^. 
outside mauve rose ; seedling from Countess of Oxford. 
Liabaud. 
Madame Pierre Liahaud. —Flesh white, large and full; a seedling: 
from Madame Isaac Pereire, named after the raiser’s daughter-in-law. 
Itougier-Chauviere. —Velvety purplish, amaranth red; plant very 
vigorous, 
Schwartz (Widow> 
Madame Bclville. —Bright rose, shading off to the edge of the petals, 
and passing into clear bright rose, large and full ; a seedling from 
Alfred Colomb. a good parentage. 
BogerLamhelin. —Velvety currant red marked with pure white and 
