X iv S207 Colunthbia Sie eae te in the Wity of Tlew York, Library. GIVEN BY Prot NLS 4 mb) it Pty #) BULLETIN OF THE BOTANICAL DEPARTMENT, JAMAICA. EDITED BY WILLIAM FAWCETT, BSc., F.LS. Director of Public Gardens and Plantations. New Series. Vol. I. KINGSTON, JAMAICA: GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE, 79, DUKE STREET. 1894. 2. pritte Ld Ld 3 New Series.| — JANUARY, 1894. BULLETIN © 4p OF THE BOTANICAL DEPARTMENT, JAMAICA. Published by the Department of Public Gardens and Plantations. EDITED BY THE DIRECTOR, WILLIAM FAWCETT, BSc. F.LS. CONTENTS: Liberian Coffee ae | - PAGE l Sugar Cane Seedlings ~ ~ 14 PRIC E—Twopence. A Copy will be supplied free to any Resident in Jamaica, who will send Name and Address to the Director of Public Gardens and Plantations, Gordon Town P.O. KINGSTON, JAMAICA: GoveRNMENT Printine Orrice, 79 DuKe Street. hg Tick | 1894. ie ‘ F: ; Es . { nt “fp B | ron mage ee ——-- —- %) sxe 13 JAMAIOAz 333 4 ¢ BULLETIN OF THE BOTANICAL DEPARTMENT. New Series. | JANUARY, 1894. — 2 LIBERIAN COFFEE. CoFFEA LIBERICA, Bull. Liberian Coffee is a native of Guinea, and is found on the low hills from near the sea-coast to considerable distances inland. The climate of the west coast of Africa is very damp and the rainfall heavy. This species grows naturally into a tree, 20 to 40 feet high, with a long tap root. The berries are much larger than those of ordinary coffee, and do not drop from the branches for a long time after they are ripe. They differ also in the pulp becoming very hard, when dry. Soil.—The soil should be deep, rich, and friable. Soil that is very shallow or altogether clayey, and situations where water is retained for any time, must be avoided for plantations. But a certain amount of clay mixed with stones or limestone debris is not prejudicial, if the drainage is perfect. Climate-—Although in Liberia this coffee grows with an excessive rainfall, said to be 187 inches, it is certain that such a large amount is not by any means necessary. It gives large crops at Castleton Gardens with a rainfall of 110 inches and a mean temperature of 76°F, at an elevation of 580 feet. Even at Hope Gardens with an average rainfall of 55 inches, it grows well, and produces a crop; and proba- bly in situations as dry as the Liguanea plains, it would, if irrigated, bear heavily. Elevation.—It is essentially a tropical plant, and probably would - not succeed at higher elevations than 2,500 feet, but where ordinary coffee does well, there is no need to replace it by its rival. In any stlitable places below the lower limit for ordinary coffee, it would repay cultivation. Planting.—The seeds may be sown in a nursery in beds about 4 feet JjANAQ 2) ok 343 O o 2a, @;<¢ wide in‘ gcd :soil: well .dug* and pulverised. They should be sown 3 or 4 inches. apart, and afterwards transplanted into bamboo joints for convenienee :of: carriage: ta the fields. They may also be sown in bamboo pots at first! ° The nursery should be shaded from the direct rays ot thpsuRs ss “Siete ; When the plants are put out in their permanent position, they will still require shade, and perhaps bananas are the most suitable plants for this purpose. It is possible that in dry situations, permanent. shade trees will be found necessary, and perhaps the best are the guango, the bread fruit, and jack fruit trees. The distance apart for planting depends a gocd deal on the soil, and whether the tree is topped. It may vary from 8 to 12 feet. Topping.—As to topping Liberian Coffee trees some planters do not top them, but allow them to grow up naturally. In Liberia they are topped down to 5 feet, and planters there say that they obtain larger - crops by this plan. When the trees grow up high, considerable injury may be done by careless pickers. It may be found that 5 feet is too low, and 8 feet for instance, a better height ; but just as the practice of topping ordinary coffee varies throughout the island, it will be found necessary to experiment with Liberian Coffee and discover the best method for each district. Yield.—Extracts are given below from the Kew Bulletin showing that crops of 9 to 12 cwts. per acre can be obtained from trees after the third or fonrth year. Pulping. The tough fibrous character of the pulp renders the ordinary coffee pulper quite unsuitable for use with Liberian Coffee, and for some time after attention had first been called to this new product by Sir Joseph Hooker from Kew, no satisfactory pulping machine was invented. 3 Now however, a machine has been devised by Messrs. John Gordon & Co., 9 New Broad St., London, E.C., and on application to them, they have supplied the following information about their pulper, which is the only special machine required for treating Liberian Coffee, as all the other machines treat Arabian and Liberian Coffee equally well :— “The annexed engraving represents Gordon’s Improved Coffee Pulpers which has been specially designed for pulping Liberian Coffee. “‘ John Gordon & Co. have made many experiments for the purpose of obtaining an efficient machine for pulping this kind of coffee, and they now venture to submit this machine to planters, as the result of their labours, with confidence that it will be found to possess a greater efficiency than any machine hitherto offered for this purpose. “The machine is provided with a Rotary Screen and an Elevator ; it is also fitted with a patent Adjustable Breast, having removable working parts made of steel. “The Hopper is divided into two unequal parts, and the coffee berries are delivered into the larger division with a constant stream of water, the water being absolutely necessary to float the coffee over into the machine, and to carry off the pulp and skins. The coffee 5) berries, which, owing to difference in size, pass through the machine unpulped, are discharged by the Screen into the Elevator, and delivered by it into the smaller division of the hopper, and thence it passes into a separate channel of the breast, which should be adjusted to the size of the berries thus brought into the machine by the Elevator. “The working of the machine is simple, and the only part which requires care is the breast, and if this be carefully fixed and its chan- nels intelligently regulated, no difficulty whatever will be found in obtaining good results, always provided that the coffee be ripe and Freshly picked. 4 “ We give particulars and prices of single and double Pulpers :— Single. Double. Complete, packed for shipment £60 = £110 Gross weight in lbs. 1,684 3,244 Measurement in cubic feet 48 124 Number of packages 6 » a Will pulp ripe Coffee per hour, in lbs. 1,100 2,200 « This engraving represents our Liberian Pulper, without Elevator, and with a Flat Oscillating Sieve, in place of the Rotary Screen, and which, although not equal to our Improved Pulpers, illustrated and described above, some of our friends have been able to do very good work with them. They are similar to our ordinary A and B size Pulpers, which have been so successful with Arabian Coffee, but they are provided with special Breast and Cylinder for the treatment of Liberian Coffee. These Machines can be worked - f either by Hand or by Steam. In order to obtain good results, it is imperative that the Coffee be ripe, freshly picked, and led into the Hopper wth a constant stream of water. They are made in two sizes :-— 12 ins. 24 ins. Complete, packed for shipment £28 £47 Gross weight in lbs. &30 1,232 Measurement in cubic feet 29 40 Number of packages 5 6 Will pulp ripe Coffee per hour in lbs. 700 1,400 ‘We make larger Pulpers than those shewn on this sheet and which are provided with a Separator for classifying the Cherry Coffee, each size thus obtained being delivered into a particular channel ad- justed to that size. This arrangement greatly assists the pertect pulping of the berries, since the machine has practically to deal with berries of the same size. “A Separator also can be used in conjunction with two or more separate Pulpers, each Pulper adjusted to take one size of berry.”’ In Java the Liberian Coffee cherries are fermented before they are pulped. Messrs. Gordon state in the Kew Bulletin :— ‘We have supplied pulpers for Liberian Coffee to Java, West Coast of Africa, and mostly to the Malay Peninsula. One firm there, Messrs. Hill & Rathbone, have had six or seven pulpers; they have also our peelers and separators. “ Tt is quite imperative that water be used in pulping, and where it is not obtainable the only course, we fear, is to dry the coffee in the cherry, when it can very well be peeled, only this takes some power “Our peelers and separators will treat Liberian equally as well as ordinary Arabian Coffee, and as far as these machines are concerned there is no difference of construction. It is only in the operation of pulping where difficulty has been found, necessitating a special pulper.” Illustrations of their peelers and separators given below may also be of use to planters who are thinking of taking up this cultivation ;— CYLINDRICAL SEPARATOR, For Pulped Coffee. 6 “The annexed engraving represents a machine for separating the pulp from the coffee after it has been discharged from the pulper. “ This machine is very simple and complete, and only requires to be fixed on two wooden beams over a tank containing water. The cylinder should be immersed in the water to the depth of about four inches. “ Tt is substantially constructed of very stout iron rods, securely fixed in wrought iron rings, as shewn; the Hopper, bearing and mouth piece at the feed ends, being in one piece. “ The cylinder is also fitted with an internal worm or screw for pro- pelling forward the pulp. “Tt is made in the following, or any intermediate lengths, at pro- portionate prices, and can be supplied either thoroughly well painted, or galvanized :— 3 Length in feet. | Diameter in inches. Painted. Galvanized, 2 S ak ot oo Sy 5 18 £11 10 0 £14. 0; 0) ie 5 24 1710 0 210 0 |8 w& 10 18 21° 050 26-00’ “ere 10 24 32 10 0 30 0 0 "9 pu The ten feet cylinders can be supplied in two halves, for convenience of transit at an extra charge, as follows :— For the 10 ft. by 18 in. Oe £1 15s. extra, “ 10 ft. by 24 in. es £2: 208) * Smour’s Patent CoFrFEE PEELER & POLISHER. “NI i 5 maT . AU) ts —* ~“s : I Without Fan. With Fan. Size xn ...| 18 inch. 36 inch. 18 inch. 36 inch. Price ..|£25 0 0)|£45 0 0|£35 0 0) £59 4 O Packing and Delivery fo). a),/,,' 7.04.0 210 0 1} &o 0 3.0 0 London Gross Weight lbs. 336 ; 1,054 432 L266 43 Maximum - Revolutions per 120 120 120 120 minute Capacity per hour cwt. 2 | 8 2 8 Packing for Mule Carriage extra sda eh the 3 det 2) GN “This excellent and:simple machine has met with the greatest suc- cess, and its superiority is proved by the higher prices obtained for coffee which has been treated by it. Smovut’s PEELER is now considered indispensable and is employed in all the large establishments for the cleaning of Coffee in London, Hamburg and European ports. There are no complicated parts with springs or other contrivances to get out of order, and owing to the strength of its construction no part is liable to breakage or to wear out. “The working of this peeler is extremely simple. The machine hav- ing been put in motion, the parchment coffee is fed into the hopper, when it is only necessary to adjust the weight on the lever of the dis- charge door and the regulator on the Fan and the Coffee will be turned out with the desired finish. If the machine is properly adjusted, the Coffee will only require to be passed once through it. 8 * This peeler possesses the advantage, that it can be worked equally well at any power up to its maximum, the quantity of Coffee cleaned being in proportion to the power applied. It works without noise and without creating dust and it is the only machine that does not break a single grain of coffee. We venture to say, that it is also the cheapest Peeler in the world, as no other machine at the same price can pro- duce an equal amount of work. “We can supply it either with or without the Exhaust Fan, as shewn by the above illustrations. By means of the Fan the Coffee is delivered quite clean and fit to be passed at once to the Separator. This arrange- ment is a very valuable improvement, as it saves not only the time oc- cupied, but also the labour required to carry the coffee to a separate Fan for the purpose of removing the dust and chaff. The Exhaust Fan will be sent to blow in the direction shown in the sketch, unless spe- cially ordered to blow in the opposite direction. “When more than one machine is required, two or more can be cou- pled together and driven by one band. This machine can be divided for mule carriage when desired.” The following account of an experiment in planting Liberian Coffee appeared in the Madras Maii of 10th May, 1890 and was republished in the Kew Bulletin for November, 1890 :— Some 15 years ago I received a couple of Liberian plants from a number presented to a Planters’ Association by Government. These had come out to the country, I believe, from Kew direct, in a Wardian case. Planted in a back garden and almost unnoticed and uncared for, they grew broad and high till now they are about 26 feet and have apparently no intention of stopping. In the evil report soon after prevailing regarding Liberian Coffee, I supposed there was nothing in it till at length 1 began to notice that the trees were bearing very well, and that there was no trace of leaf disease. Then I planted out 200 or 300 seedlings, in a new clearing along with Arabica, and these, now seven or eight years old and in a more shel- tered position than their parents, have done even better. Planted 10 by 10 over Arabica they have now ran up to 16 or 18 feet, all exactly of one type, and are bearing exceedingly well; the crop on them for this season cannot well be taken at less than three pounds of clean coffee per tree. The Arabica underneath them has suffered frightfully from fungus regularly every year, yet I challenge any one to find a sign of it on them. A few of the old leaves, turn yellow and tumble off, as was the natural way of our old staple before the days of leaf disease, as I] well remember before 1868. We know that Liberian Coffee will grow at the sea-level; the ones above referred to are at 2,500 feet in sheltered bamboo land: whether they will do well at higher elevations remains t» be seen, but as far as I can see I am satisfied, and only regret that I did not do eight years ago what I am doing now, viz., plant Liberian all over my clearing with the Arabica and let the best win. To sum up, the points of difference between Liberian and Arabica I find as advantages :— 1. That it does not get fungus, or only in such a way that the health of the trees is in no way affected, 2. That it is a tree, not a bush, running up to 30 feet in height before 15 years old, and in consequence is not injured by drought. 3. That judging by the trees in evidence, and the way they go on growing, and by the fact that they do not come into bearing till four or five years old, this variety may be taken as much longer lived. 9 4, That itis a heavier bearing tree when once fairly started; those in evi- dence now yielding 10 to 20 ewts. per acre, calculating on the clean coffee yielded, and admitting that only some 700 trees to the acre can be grown instead of at least double that number of the old kind. 5. That being a deep-rooted plant, it is not affected by drought, while a very slight shower is quite sufficient to bring out and set the blossom ; which, moreover, has the further advantage of fading and falling off within the day of its opening, so that it is hardly possible that it can be injured by rain or hail as is so often the case with the delicate Arabica blossom. Even in the very driest season, when the other plants appear on the point of destruction, these look cool and green and not turning a leaf. §. That the cost of cultivation is comparatively little. There is no pruning to do beyond pulling off the suckers for two or three years to prevent the tree from running up into too many stems, the crop is carried on the same wood (and extensions of it) year after year, and there is, therefore, no old wood to cut out. The shade of a thick, tall tree like this, where they pretty well cover the ground would effectually prevent weeds from becoming troublesome, and as the roots are deep down, the debilitating effects of weeds even if they did grow, would be very little felt. 7. The berries (of the size of a walnut) remain firmly fixed on the tree for many weeks after they are ripe enough to pick ; eventually they fall off, and may be gathered off the ground, In the case of a scarcity of labour this might be an advantage. Against these good points we may set the following :-— 1. That this species gives very little return till at least the fifth year, while in low-lying districts some return is got from Arabica in the second year. 2. That the value in the London market, from a sample lately sent home, is about 10 per cent. lower than that of ordinary coffee. 3. ‘hat in districts under the south-west monsoon, whose flowering season is in March and April, the crop instead of beginning to « ripen in October and finishing in January or February takes a whole 14 months to ripen. The flowering season is the same as the other, but though some berries will turn ripe in the following April much of it will not be ready to gather until July. Thus the tree carries two crops at the same time, and all mixed together on the same branches. Sometimes at the end of the spring we may see at the same time the crop of the previous season as large as plums, and partially turning red, the crcep of the current season the size of peas, and a further sprinkling of the curious eight-petalled, heavily scented blossoms as large as the palm of a child’s hand, All these mixed together among the the large dark, glossy leaves, give the tree a most rich and hand- some appearance. There are now one or two points about which some information may be of interest. ; Picking.—There is no difficulty about this; a notched bamboo enables the coolie to get up among the branches, and he then strips off all that is ripe, or nearly so (taking care not to rip off the small berries), cropping it all on the ground, and collecting afterwards into baskets. It takes four bushels of these huge cherries to make one of parchment (instead of two as with Arabica), but even so, the fruit being so large, a coolie can pick quite twice as much as of the other, and the cost per ton of clean would be much the same. 10 Curing. —I have seen advertisements of special pulpers made in Ceylon for Liberian Coffee, and have no doubt that they are as effective as they are represented, Any one growing a quantity of this coffee would have to employ machinery. I have tried experiments on a small scale with my cherry, and found that it was no use to pass the stuff through an ordinary disc pulper (set of course very wide,) because the husk never (at this elevation) gets soft enough to squeeze out below the chop but rolls up into a hard ball and comes out with the parchment in front; and I found that when the chop was set wide enough to allow the husk to pass, the bean went with it, Moreover the work was so hard that four coolies were completely tired out in pulping two bushels. Then I found that the simplest way of getting at the parchment was to put it up in heaps in the pulping house to rot. This may seem barbarous, but the colour of the clean coffee so treated was quite as good as some treated ‘in the ordinary way, indeed the parchment envelope of the bean is so thick and strong that it completely protects it from injury from heating. Moreover this kind of coffee will carry nothing but a dead whitey-green colour no matter how the curing may be done. If allowed to dry in cherry some heavy peeler might perhaps break it up, but it seems to me as hard and tough as the very best road metal and I much doubt whether a coffee curing firm would undertake it on the usual terms. As regards the drinking qualities of this variety, I can safely say that no one who had not previously been told would know that he was not drinking the pucka article, the same quantity of powder goes further and I cannot notice any inferiority of quality. Unsuspecting guests have often said ‘‘May I have another cup of this excellent coffee?” and they usually look somewhat surprised when told what it was. If you try to sell it in the bazaar whole and clean (looking something like date stones in shops) natives decline to buy it. ‘This one kind bad imitation coffee” they will say, but if you smash it up and mix a little dirt with it they will take it readily, and never find out the difference. Planting.—Owing to the seedling throwing out a strong, deep, tap root, something like that of a jack tree, I am inclined to think that when a plantation has to be made it would be better to have the pits made ready by May, and then to put one or more seeds in each pit as early in the south-west monsoon as possible, so that the seedlings may get established before the end of the north-east monsoon in December. But if not grown to any great size they can be lifted with a little special care from nurseries in the ordinary way. Considering the fact that Liberian coffee does not come into bearing till two or three years after the other, it may probably be a wise plan for one going in for its cultivation to pit his clearing 4 by 4 and to plant Arabica, afterwards putting in the giant kind down every other row, making them thus 8 by 8. The Liberian is much too robust to take any notice of its little friend, while by the time it has come into bearing you may safely assume that the Arabica has given what it can in maiden crops, and unless heavily manured has already made arrangements for returning to a better world where there is no fungus. The Kew Bulletin for November, 1892, contained the following ac- count by Mr. T. H. Hill, giving actual figures of results obtained :— The more important plantations yielding regular crops of Liberian Coffee are established in Java and in the Straits Settlements. In the latter the yield per acre in full bearing is given as ranging from 94 cwts. to 114 ewts. per acre. Placing the price of Liberian coffee as low as 90s. per cwt., this would show a gross return of from £42 to £52 per acre. This is a higher return than is obtained from almost any plantations of Arabian coffee. 11 These figures, it should be remembered, are based on returns supplied to Kew by an experienced and competent planter, and the details are given below. LIBERIAN Corree CRops FROM ESTATES IN THE PROTECTED NATIVE STATES OF THE Manay PENINSULA. Average per Acre for a Produced. Years in Full Bearing. Liysum Estate, In SuneEr Usonc— Piculs. Cwts. Weedy at times. In 1884, 28 acres under 4 years old \ Senay 299 29 12 , 29 3 29 : in Jeep, Zo, | «aver 4. ‘ i i; under4 _,, : 1 312 “ 3713 ee er ae ar ae : n : » over és : 25 , junder4 ,, ; \ tia In 1887, 65 acres of coffee in full bearing 345 ,, 4093 ” 1888, 65 29 99 29 | 542 ,, 6433 » 1889, 65 acres in full bearing . iy MBLID.. 4, Rem » 1890, 65 3 re ae | 583° ,, 692 | — I 3.316 | Average per acre for 4 years in full bearing _ . ; | 93 cwts. S’nran Estate, 1x SuneEr Usona— Weedy at times. | In 1885, 8 acres under 4 years old . 78 or 92 Be) 28 oy) 2 3 ” 29 ; | id In 1886, 8 ,, 9 5 4 ” 2 2 29 ” 4, 9 284 ,, 336 29 9» 29 35, 29 In 1887, 36 __,, a ae sa ” \ 208 “ 238 +) 9 92 4 29 In 1888, 45 acres in full bearing : .| 417 “ 495 * 1889, 45 < - : 396 ,, 471 « 1820, 45 “ < : .| 409 ,, 481 1,447 Average per acre for 3 years in full bearing .| : 10 7-10 cwts. We tp’s Hitt Estate, in SELANGOR— Clean. | In 1886, 19 acres under 4 years old. \ O74 or 325 2 » over 4 ,, 29 : In 1887, 55 acres of coffee in full bearing 339 ,, 402 » 1888, 55 a = " 422 ,, 501 », 1889, 55 x ‘ id | 552 ,, 657 »5 1890, 55 9 29 29 .| 327 ,, 376 1,936 Average per acre for four years in full bearing. ; ; 3 8-10 ewts. Batu Caves Estate, In SELANGOR— : Weedy at times. In 1888, 113 acres under 4 years old . |. 6G or “TS “ 1889, 112 ¢ 5 years old . : GE 5 AS ** 1890, 114 acres of coffee in full bearing a ag, Average per acre for 1 year in full bearing 3 ; ; 112 ewts. . REMARKS. it Crop was lost in 1884, 1885, 1886, and 1887, from want of labour. ‘The crop on Weld’s Hill was thrown back by heavy pruning and un- suitable weather for ripening. The crops for 1891 will not decrease these averages. Pe oh Ee 12 . Suncet Usone.— Linsum Estate. Crop from ist January, to 31st December, 1891. z aq |e | Lid ae Aa az|'s Boxes off ©, |, . | = | & | Date planted, Age. 5a vs & Remarks. ‘all ars Cherry. 5 |as 3B S.5 | ES : Ne) $A |[o.80 4 |z% oO iH 15 | 1 | May to July1881) 11 years -| 1,0853 | 111 | 7.40 25 | 2 | Karly 1880 -|11 years &| 1,873 200 | 8. Very wide | 5 months planted. | ‘ | 35 | 3 | December 1887,|4 years &| 1973 213} .60 | Old cacao land | May 1888 over planted. Many vacaucies. 22 4&5) April to June|10 years -| 1,760 188 | 8.50 1882 | 18 | 7 | October to No-|3 years & 131 143} .70 | The out-turn is . ‘| vember 1888 over taken on the ) average where- as on young coffee 8 boxes make 1 picul * A picul = 1334 pounds. SuNGEI Usgone.—S’LIAN ESTATE. Crop from 1st January to 31st December, 1891. f Ao) Vee ) : | © 08 s = Boxes off 2 (“2 | & | Date planted. Age. | 54 |85 5 Remarks. =| Qari ord “5d By | Cherry. a5 Ay S . | At a f=} s 4 ° a Ay ge O <4 14 oO I 4} 1 | In 1882 -|10 years -| 233 22 | 5.75 9| 2 | May 1882 = Ds -| 963 96 [19.60 23 | 3 | August 1882 -|9 years &; 1,3763 | 138 | 6.00 8 months 9 4 | September 1883-| 8 years and 4033 | 40 | 4.40 | Close planted. | 7 months 15 SELANGOR.—WELD’s Hitt Estare. Crop from 1st January to 31st December, 1891. a qd jes 2) x @ (|g& ai|3 Boxes off 8 ['2 . = |& | Date planted. Age. Ss 352 Remarks. 7 = Cherry. = 8 sue Sif 4 SO 3.80 <4 |4 ii i «1 Ae SEBS 65 | — | August, 1882 -|9 years and} 3,614 448.80/6.90| = 7° 4 months 5B? 32 35 | — | October, 1887 -|4 years and| 989 122.50) 3.50) “$ Be 2 months Pai? Fey See a} Sen Se Sae msao & SELancor.—Batu Estate. Crop from 1st January to 31st December, 1591. ° os | S 33 2. 38 | o | Boxes of | & 3 < 2 | a f& | Date Planted. Age. 5.8 25 S| Remarks, es Cherry:| 2% |, % 3 ty 3 q — qa 3S = ro) Ss i A -_ Oo * = vie ore ao JAMAICA. BULLETIN OF THE BOTANICAL DEPARTMENT. New Series. ] MAY, 1894. be CALABASH AND ABORTION IN CATTLE. The publication of the following correspondence may induce those who take an interest in the subject to continue enquiries. There seems to be considerable doubt about calabash being the cause. It is quite possible that the true cause may be the presence of an ergot on the flowers of the grasses. The ergot of the pharmacopeea is a fungoid body, which is parasitic on common rye, but it also attacks wheat, barley and a number of other grasses. A grain of rye attacked by the fungus has its tissues destroyed, and is converted into a hard ob- long body 4-14 inches long, of a purplish colour outside, white inter- nally, but the size varies with the grass, and is generally smaller. Mr. €. A. T. Fursdon to Director of Public Gardens and Plantations. I have lost some twenty calves this year through abortion, and have been unable to discover the cause, which I expect is some plant that the cows eat in the pastures. An old man now tells me that it is the common calabash (Crescentia Cujete), which I see in your list of Economic Plants you state is a purgative. Can you tell me if this tree has been known to be eaten with the above effect, as if so I shall certainly have all here destroyed, or is there any other tree or plant known to produce abortion in stock. Director to C. A. T. Fursdon, Esq. “The only reference I can find to your question is in Barham’s Hortus Americanus, who says :—“‘It is said that the pulp, if eaten, will make a cow cast her calf, or a mare her colt. It is certainly known (if not too well known) to be a great forcer of the menstrua and of the birth and after-birth, therefore ought to be very cautiously given or taken.” This refers to the common calabash. I will make enquiries and see if anything is generally known of this property, but it certainly seems advisable to cut down all the ealabash trees in your pastures.” 66 Mr. J. W. Edwards te Director. In answer to your enquiry about abortion in cows and mares, I cannot say that I know of the calabash or any other plant in this- country, when entire, producing such unfavourable results. At this property we have had but occasional cases, and I advocate- on the first appearance ‘of a case of abortion in any pasture to remove the cow or mare from the other animals, as it is of a sympathetic nature.” Mr. J. P. Clark to Director. “T cannot say I have ever suffered from cows casting their calves through eating calabash, of course I have had cases, and will observe in future if one occurs whether it is in the calabash season.” Mr. Henry Maxwell to Director. ‘“‘T have several calabash trees growing on the common here (Friend- ship) and have noticed the cows eating the pulp with no bad effects. I made enquiries of several of the oldest black headmen in the adjoining properties and they also have never experienced it or heard of its having that effect. I do not know of any plant that causes it in either case. 1 have hada few cases amongst cattle in very hot and dry weather and attributed them to that coupled with bad water causing poverty in the animal.” Mr. J. I. Cohen to Director. ‘Referring to your letter in reference to question of calabash pulp, I have spoken to two of my managers, practical men, and both say they have never known such a thing though it is well known that the pulp of the young calabash is used by people for cleaning their bowels after a fall and the leaves I believe are used by women for tea for forcing the menstrua. It is well known that if a cow or several cows happen to see one cow cast her calf, that they are also likely to do the same and if a mare should see the dead carcass of a cow or horse in a putrid state she is likely to cast her foal. This is all the infor- formation I can give you on the subject.” Mr. Stafford Maxwell to Director. ‘“T have never known a cow cast her calf or a mare her foal from eating calabash. I had a cow at Northampton that always ate the calabash from the trees, and she calved every year ‘The pulp boiled is a very strong purgative, and if given to either cows or mares when they are heavy in young, it will bring on abortion. If there are several cows in calf or mares in foal, and one casts its young, the others will too, if allowed to remain in the same pasture, brought on from sympathy. Mares also cast their foals from bad smells, and very dry Guinea grass. Mr. C. L. Walker to Director. ‘“‘T have a great quantity of the common calabash at Ballards Valley in St. Mary, ‘and must cer tainly say that my breeding cows of which I keep a good number there have not suffered in the way you men- tioned. Probably it is the wild calabash and not the common one which causes abortion among cattle.” Mr. A. C. Kennedy to Director. ““T have lopped calabash trees in Manchester for my cattle during 7 == 67 the dry seasons, and never noticed any ill effects on the cattle. My father, the late Alan Kennedy of Somerset, in the Parish of Manches- ter, pointed out to me a mistletoe then growing on a Timber Sweet- wood Tree, which had a small longish leaf which he said would cause an abortion in cattle, and not much of it would be required, say about a handful or a couple of good mouthfuls.” Mr. E. W. Muirhead to Director. ““With reference to the calabash producing abortion in cattle and horses, during my experience I have heard of cattle being affected in this way, but not horses. Just lately Mr. D. mentioned to me the loss of a few calves which he attributes to their eating the calabash. Cattle and other stock are very fond of the calabash and feed on it in dry weather. I may also mention that the bush of the Red peas, bean, Guango trees affects horses, asses, &c.” Mr. J. Shearer, Duncans. “‘T received yours about the supposed effects of the fruit of the cala- bash tree. Knowing very little about the matter myself I have con- sulted several parties having experience in stock-breeding. Enclosed is a note from Dr. Dewar and one from my Overseer at Drax Hall Es- tate. Dr. Dewar says the calabash is not known as an emmenagogue among the natives of Jamaica, but I have been informed by another that it is used for such purposes by the natives of Hayti. Abortion among cows is catching or sympathetic, and if one cow leads off in presence of others in the same condition several may follow suit.” ““T do not see how the abortions can be attributed to the eating of calabash, for as you know the cattle by the seaside Pens eat it com- monly it being plentiful and feeding short at times of the year. I am sure it is not known amongst the negroes as an emmenagogue. This is the first I have heard of this property as pertaining to cala- bash. * G. P. Dewar.” ‘“‘ Regarding the calabash causing cows to cast their calves I have never heard of it before. I have seen them eating the fallen ones, and taking them from the lower branches, and cattle seem to be fond of them. J enquired of a couple of old men here, but they know of no other use of the calabash more than for colds, and in cases of a severe fall the juice is given with castor oil. JOHN ELLs.” Mr. J. W. Fisher to Director. ““T have been making enquiry as to the effects of the calabash pulp or juice on cattle or horses, but have failed to obtain any information corroborating Barham’s mention that it causes abortion. It is, how- ever, generally used by the creole midwives to assist in bringing away the after-birth in child-bearing—and is considered a great forcer of the menstrua. It is also often used in cases of a severe fall—given mixed with oil and vinegar With regard to the instance you allude to of a large number of 68 calves having been lost through abortion, I should think it was caused through sympathy, as it is well known that when one cow in a pas-. ture casts her calf, several others feeding along with her are very likely to do the same.” Mr. DeB. Spencer Heacen to Director. “‘T may say that I believe I have lost calves in consequence of the cows being placed in paddocks where they were able to get at the fallen green calabashes. Recently two cows were placed in a pasture where there happens to be plenty of calabash growing, and both slipped their calves, which were well advanced. 1 have known for some time that the negroes used calabash juice for cases of hard labor and also for other purposes, but was not aware that it had so powerful an effect in breeding stock as that mentioned by Barham in his Hor- tus Americanus. A syrup of calabash juice and white sugar is an excellent remedy for coughs, either common or consumptive, so the calabash has its beneficial uses if it is deleterious for stock that sre breeding.” Mr. Adam Roxburgh to Dt ector. “T cannot say that it has ever come under my own observation that calabash eaten by an animal when carrying will cause abortion. Like your correspondent, however, I have, during the past month, had no less than four cases of abortion amongst my breeding cows. I have enquired of my cattlemen as to whether they have noticed the cows eating calabash, but they have not seen them doing it, though we know that the cows do eat the pulp sometimes, and it is quite possible that they may have been doing so lately. The pulp of the calabash is used also by our peasantry as a cure for colds and sprains. Now it is likely that it acts by contracting the blood vessels round the bruised parts, and it is just as likely that it would act in the same way on the womb, and by the contraction of the organ cause abortion. Hence it is very probable that Barham is quite cor- rect in what he says.” Rost. WALLACcE’s Farm Live Srock or Great Brirary, in a chap- ter on ‘‘ Cows and their Management,” states :— “‘ Causes of Premature Labour— 1, Eating ergotised grass in autumn. 2. Injury, as from horning by other cattle, hunting by dogs, crushing through narrow doorways, staking and bruising on a railway journey, «ec. 3. Walking through a dung heap, or over boggy or soft land, and getting strained. 4. Very cold or foul water, or too many frosted turnips, especially if given in the house while the animal is not moving freely about. 5 Superpurgation, either natural or induced by physic. 6. Any contagious febrile disease of a serious character; for ex- ample, infection arising from association with newly aborted cows which are affected with contagious abortion, or from bad animal smells. “The last is perhaps more common and dangerous than all the 69 others put together, because its work is done unseen, and it often can- not be easily avoided, even when its presence is detected.” Gro. ARMATAGE in “ Every Man His own Carrie Doctor.” (—6th Kd., 1890), writes as follows :— “‘ Abortion frequently proves a source of continued loss and anxiety to the stock breader, from the numerous instances in which pregnant animals expel the foetus after one of their number has committed the act, the malady appears to run through the herd with almost electric celerity, and, in some instances, even particles of enzodtic characters, from which it has been considered to possess ccntagious properties. We are, however, now certain that such a conclusion is an erroneous one, Ae can confidently account for the disease in excessive plethora, presence of pugnacious animals, disposition to chase each other, de- rangement of digestive or urinary organs, leading to violent straining, colic, &c., as well as blows, falls, leaps, &c., and all such influences that are likely to sever the connection between mother and fetus} These may be termed vital and mechanical causes. Professor Tanner—in ‘ Veterinary Review,’ Vou. I.—maintains, this disease occurs in more instances than are either discovered or ad- mitted, from the effects of the ergot of rye-grass, to which is awarded similar ecbolic properties as are supposed to obtain in the ergot of rye. A humid atmosphere or wet season, he, states, are required to produce the ergot upon fully ripened seeds. This, howev er, fails to account for abortion, which occurs as often in dry seasons. . “ Abortion is not a contagious disease as applied by the term in the sense in which it is always used. The rapidity and certainty with which animals successively abort, is, doubtless, caused by a morbid nervous excitement, of which the cow is particularly sensible, induc- ing a general uneasiness in which premature contraction of the womb is ‘ensured, or detachment of the usual means of connection between mother and foetus, and consequently, death of the latter. Enzodtic forms of abortion, doubtless, arise from the peculiarity of vegetation during certain seasons, as well as by bad smells, the result of some local putrifaction, a morbid sensitiveness in the cow favouring a wild excitement, which deranges the contents of the uterus, and perpe- tuates the disease in a herd. When it occurs in cattle exclusively housed, it may be generally traced to defective drainage, and some- times to inoculation by putrefactive germs coming in contact with the mucous membranes of the genital organs. In this instance, the em- bryo or foetus doubtless dies from a faulty condition of the blood. COGCIDZ, OR SCALE INSECTS.—V. By T. D. A CockerEty, Professor of Entomology at the New Mexico Agricultural College. (20.) Lecanium urichi, Ckll. (The Ants’-Nest Shield-Scale). Diagnosis.—About the size and shape of a half-pea, but somewhat smaller and flutter; red-brown, very shiny, with black or blackish in- terrupted lines indicating the segments. Legs and antennz appa- rently absent in the adult female. Distribution —Only known from Trinidad, where it was discovered by Mr. Urich. 70 Habits.-- Found in the nests of an ant, the Cremastogaster brevispi- nosa of Mayr. Destructiveness.—The food-plant is unknown, but it may be as- sumed that the insect is not seriously destructive. (21.) Lecanium begonie, Dougl. (The Begonia Shield-Scale). Diagnosis—In shape similar to the last, but only about an eighth of an inch long; shiny, so dark brown as to seem black. The scale is not equally convex in each direction; consequently, the outline as seen from the side is pyramidal, while seen from the end it is rounded. This scale, from its very different habitat, is not likely to be con- founded with the last; but should any doubt arise it may be set at rest by examining the substance of the scale by transmitted light un- der the microscope. In wrichi it presents numerous large round gland- spots, but in begonie it consists of distinct oblong plates, each having a gland-spot in its centre. Distribution.—Originally from Demerara, but since found by Mr. Barber in Antigua. Food-plants.—Begonia in Demerara, Terminalia in Antigua. Pro- bably it will be found to infest various plants. ; Destructiveness.—It is likely to be troublesome in gardens. Enemies.—It is severely attacked by a Chalcidid parasite in Anti- gua. On one leaf, 22 out of 35 scales showed parasite-holes. The parasite appears to represent a new species. (22.) Lecanium depressum. Targ. (The Hibiscus Shield-Seale). Diagnosis.—-Like the last, except in shape, being twice as long as broad. Dark chocolate brown, very shiny, convex, having the dermis finely reticulate, as in begonie. Distribution.—First found on cultivated species of Hicus at Florence, Italy, and in Paris. Mr. Maskell reports it from plants in green- houses in New Zealand; alsofrom Australia, and the Sandwich Islands. In the West Indies, it was first found by Mr. Barber on Hibiscus in Antigua; recently Mr. Urich has detected it on the same plant at Port-of-Spain, Trinidad. Food-plants.— Various ; Hibiscus, Ficus, Hakea, guava, bamboo, «ce. Destructiveness.—It is undoubtedly a serious pest wherever it be- comes abundant. Mr. Barber remarked that it was enormously fertile. Remarks.—Mr. Maskell, of New Zealand, is of opinion that this, L. begonie and L. nigrum of Nietner all represent different forms of a single species; which, according to the law of priority, must be called L. nigrum. While I am not altogether prepared to accept this view, it must be admitted that they are at least very closely allied, and it is important to bear in mind the possibility or probability of their specific identity. Lecanium nigrum has hitherto only been known from India and Ceylon, where it attacks coffee. According to Mr. E. E. Green, how- ever, it is seldom found on coffee, though “ sometimes present in large numbers upon the Croton-oil plant and the Ceara rubber, where it pro- duces the usual effect, viz., a heavy fall of leaf and black fungus.” (23.) Lecanium hemisphericum, Targ. (The Brown Shield-Scale.) Diagnosis—Small, very convex, hemispherical, reddish-brown, usually crowded together on the plant. 71 Distribution.—Very widely distributed, being found in Europe, the United States, New Zealand, Australia and the West Indies. Food-plants—Very various ; Izora, peach, orange, oleander, camel- lia, Dracena, orchids, chrysanthemum, Anona muricata, Salvia, Eran themum, Dendropthora cupressoides. Tabernemontana coronaria, Cycas, guava, Terminalia, &e. Destructiveness—Extremely injurious in gardens, especially on shrubs and creepers ; the number of different plants it is liable to in- fest and its powers of rapid multiplication, make it very difficult to fight. In Jamaica it abounds in the gardens of Kingston, and has been found also at Cinchona, Port Antonio and other places. In _ Antigua Mr. Barber found it a ‘terrible pest to variegated Eranthe- mum.” and also sent a single scale on a leaf of Terminalia catappa (associated with L. olee and L. begonie), and a pale variety on Salvia. Mr. Barber also reports it from Montserrat, where it infests Cycas. In Trinidad it is found at Port-of-Spain on Eranthemum ; also at San Fernando on a garden plant not specified. Enemies.—lt is remarkably free from the attacks of parasitic or predaceous insects, but fortunately succumbs to a fungus. This fun- gus was found by me on scales infesting Tabernemontana in Col. White’s Garden in St. Andrew, Jamaica; it is a white growth, which mummifies the scales, and is probably a state of some Cordyceps. Curiously enough, the same or a very similar fungus was described by Mr. Barber as infesting the scales in Montserrat at about the same time (March-April, 1893) as my account of the Jamaica fungus first appeared ; Mr. Barber’s article, together with a reprint of mine, will be found in the Supplement Leeward Islands Gazette, 22nd June, 1893. Variety hibernaculorum, Boisduval.—This is larger than typical hemisphericum, but it seems clear that Boisduval and Signoret were mistaken in supposing it a distinct species. It is reported to occur on many different plants; Brexia, Phajus, &c., especially in greenhouses. Coquillett reports it from pear and orange; in Demerara it is recorded with some doubt as found on Cyrtanthera. Mrs. Swainson sent me a single specimen large enough to be referred to hibernaculorum, which she found on a fern in Jamaica. The Brown Scale on Coffee.—Many years ago the English Entomolo- gist Walker described Lecanium coffee, a species injurious to coffee in India and Ceylon. It is likewise found on the tea-plant, but whether it infests garden plants does not seem to have been ascertained. In Ceylon it lives at altitudes above 3,000 ft., and is supposed to be des- troyed by red ants. Signoret describes it from specimens sent to him from Bahia, Brazil, where, he says, it appears to cause great havoc in coffee plantations. Mr. Barber, in the article above-mentioned, reports Lecanium hemis- phericum as injuring coffee in Montserrat; with it is found a small red ant, Tatramorium auropunctatum. The facts given by Mr. Barber would at once suggest that he had L. coffee, but he is familiar with the hemisphericum, and would have made no mistake; besides which he sent specimens to Prof. Riley, the U. 8. Entomologist, who confirmed his identification. The explanation of this circumstance is fairly evi- dent. namely, that hemisphwricum and coffee are one and the same species. The close resemblance between them has long been known, 72 and on comparing the description given by Signoret, and the various figures published by Mr. Green of Ceylon, I can scarcely doubt the identity. (24.) Lecanium filicum, Boisd. (The Fern Shield-Scale). Diagnosis.—Like the last, but somewhat smaller, with the sides: more or less furrowed. Young specimens are white. Distribution. —Found on ferns in Kingston, Jamaica; also in the United States , Europe and Australia. Food-plants.V arious ferns ; Pteris, &e. Destructiveness.—Troublesome in gardens and hothouses. Remarks.—It is doubtful whether this species is distinct from the last, which is also sometimes found on ferns. (25.) Lecanium olee, Bern. (The Black Shield-Scale). Diagnosis.—Hemispheerical, somewhat larger than hemisphericum,. marked by one longitudinal and two transverse ridges, which form to- gether a raised letter H. Colour black, varying to brown, the latter state being var. testudo, Curtis. It is to be remarked that the ridges, s0 conspicuous in this species, are to be observed in the young of hemisphericum ; but they do not remain in the adult, as in ole. Distribution.—-Common enough in Kingston, Jamaica; found by Mr. Barber in Antigua, and by Mr. Urich in Trinidad. Also in Europe, California, Florida, 8. Carolina, New Zealand, Australia and. Hawaii. Food-plants.— Recorded from many different plants ; olive, camellia, Cassinia leptophylla, orange, guava, Ficus Carica, oleander, holly, live oak, peas, apricot, plum, pomegranate, Oregon ash, bittersweet, apple, Eucalyptus, Sabal palm, California coffee, rose, Cape jessamine, Ha- brothamnus elegans, Bracheeton, heath, Brexia, Crateva, Soushumber, Ter- minalia, almond, Acer dasycarpum. Artemisia californica, Abutilon, Ke. It was Mr. Maskell who recorded it on Cassinia leptophylla, and since that time he has separated the specimens found on this plant as a distinct species, Lecanium cassine. It is from New Zealand. Destructiveness— Well-known, especially in California, as a very in- jurious scale. In the West Indies it does not appear to do so much harm as L. hemisphericum, nor is it, at least i Jamaica, a serious pest of the orange or olive. At Moneague, Jamaica, I searched the bitter orange trees, and found only one example of the scale. Although common in Kingston, an olive tree in the yard of the Jamaica Insti- tute was not attacked by it. Enemies.—It is known to be attacked by a fungus in Australia; in California a species of Capnodium doubtfully referred to C. citri, was found on dead scales, and it was surmised that it might attack living ones. The larva of a moth, Zrastria scitula, Rambur, preys on it in Europe; while in Australia it is similarly attacked by the larva of Thalpochares coccophaga, Meyrick. A beetle, Rhizobius ventralis, Er., was found useful as an enemy of the Black Scale in California; this beetle is a native of Australia, whence it had been introduced to feed on scale-insects A Chalcidid parasite, Tomocera californica, Howard, destroys it in California at Orange, Cal., in 1889, it was observed that. 80 per cent- 73 of the scales were destroyed by this parasite. The name of the genus, Tomocera, has been altered by Mr. Howard to Dilophogaster, but I think without necessity. The following table may facilitate the identification of the West In-- dian Shield-Scales :-— (A.) Without distinct ridges in the adult. (a.) Very flat, dark brown, tessellated ... L. tessellatum. (b.) Very flat, greenish or pale brownish, more or less triangular ... LL. mangifere. (c.) Shghtly or moderately convex, rather soft, never dark brown or black. i. oval, brownish or yellowish ... L. hesperidum. ii. oval,very small, brownish-crimson L. rubellum. iii. broader than oval ... L. terminalia. iv. longer than oval L. longulum. (d.) Moderately convex, not soft, shiny, brown or black. i. elongate or oval forms L. depressum. L. assimile, var. ii. shorter, broader forms L. begonie. L. urichi. (e.) Very convex, hemispherical, brown... L. hemisphericum. L. filicun. (B.) With distinct ridges forming an H. L. olee. (To be continued.) Las Cruces, New Mexico, U.S.A. April 19, 1894. ——$—$— EXPORT OF POTATOES, ONIONS AND TOMATOES. The following letter has been received by the Governor from Messrs. Gillespie Bros. & Co. in answer to inquiry made on the subject. No. 4 Stone Street, New York, April 17th, 1894. Your Excellency :—We think a good trade could be made in the exportation of potatoes, onions and tomatoes, because we think your market could place these articles here earlier than Bermuda does In the depth of the winter, however, the consumption is limited, and we think 100 barrels every two weeks of potatoes, and from 300 to 500 crates of 1 bushel each of onions, and 500 crates of tomatoes, would be ample. We would quote fora large sized potato (and by the way, we would recommend that they be assorted and properly marked) $7.50 to $10.00, and, in extreme cases, as high as $15.00 being paid per barrel. Mediums fetch from $5.50 to $6.00 Onions are worth from $2.25 to $2.50 per bushel, while tomatoes are worth, packed in small crates and then in carriers, from $4.50 to $6.00 per carrier, which contains six baskets of about three quarts each. Weare making arrangements to send you an empty carrier and the baskets, and will, on a subsequent occasion, take pleasure in sending you the price of these packages. We think there is also a good market for 74 an earlier asparagus, which would be cultivated on your highter alti- tudes and brought to great perfection With faster steamers we think that strawberries could also be brought here to advantage. We remain, Sir, Yours faithfully, 3 GiLLEsPIE Bros & Co. To His Excellency Sir Henry A. Blake, Governor of Jamaica, &e. AN ORCHID FROM CAYMAN ISLANDS. SCHOMBURGKIA T'HOMSONIANA, Reichenb. f. In Veitch’s Manual of Orchidaceous Plants, Part IT, published in the latter part of 1887, the following notice of this plant occurs :— “ Flowers only seen by us. Pseudo-bulbs, leaves, and inflorescence as in 8S. tibicinis, but smaller. Sepals and petals limear-oblong, 14 inches long, the petals a little narrower than the sepals, cream-white at the base, passing to buff-yellow at the apex, the sepals: simply undulate, the petals crisped. Lip three-loped, the side lopes triangular, rolled over the column, white on the exposed side; the middle lope oblong, emarginate, much crisped, deep maroon-purple, disc yellow, traversed by five raised lines which extend to the base of the lip, and of which the two outside ones are the broadest, in the central area between the side lopes, these raised lines are deep purple, and from which on either side are numerous oblique purple streaks. Column triquetral, bent, bidentate at apex, pale green. “ Schomburgkia Thomsoniana, Rehb. in Gard. Chron. II. s. 3. (1887) p. 38. ; “ A species new to science and to horticulture that has recently flowered in the collection of Mr. W. J. Thomson, at St Helen’s Lan- cashire. Nothing is recorded of its origin.” The habitat was not known until May, 1888, when I brought it from the Cayman Islands. My specimens were named at Kew, and a note inserted in the Kew Bulletin for July, 1888, p. 162. ) Dr. Strachan visited these Islands in 1892, and noted two varieties, of which only one grew in Cayman Brac. He has been good enough to contribute the following paragraphs :— “§. Thomsoniana, var. albo-purpurva. Flower larger, colour cream or white and purple, lip with throat deep purple and tip but little re- curved. S. Thomsoniona, var. minor. Flower smaller, colour canary-yellow and purple, lip without much purple in throat, and tip extremely re- curved, | “Var. minor was the only one I collected in Cayman Brac, but in Grand Cayman I found both varieties, and var. albo-purpurea was in greater abundance than minor. In habit and general structure the varieties show no marked difference. Henry Srracuan, F.L.S8.” Mr. Rolfe writes from Kew Gardens that the specimens sent by me to Kew from Grand Cayman and Cayman Brac are “ practically uni- 75 ‘form in s'ze,—evidently ‘var. minor, Reichenback’s original is dis- tinctly larger, segments + inch longer. This may represent ‘ var. albo- We; “purpurea. ALFALFA GROWING IN AUSTRALIA. In the dry districts of the colony, where alfalfa growing has been attempted on a pretty extensive scale, the experiment has invariably proved an unqualified success. The majority of the failures have no doubt been caused by treating the plant badly during the first year of its existence No stock should be put on alfalfa the first year after sowing, and it is better to allow two seasons’ growth then cut, if possi- ble. iy that time the plants should be thoroughly established, and are hard to kill out. In feeding crowd the stock on, and eat off as quickly as possible, then shift as soon as ever the paddock is bare’ The alfalfa patch should be divided into three convenient-sized enclosures, and each grazed in rotation. It is keeping the stock too long on a certain piece that does the harm to alfalfa. As soon as the plant is fed down it has a tendency to throw up shoots for next crop. Look at the crown of a matured plant, and it will be noticed that the new growth starts princi- pally from the circumference of the woody apex in delicate white shoots,. and also from the remains of old flower-stems. ‘l'his means that as soon as the old growth is fed off the new growth starts, and, if the con- tinuous feeding is going on, they get trodden and nipped off, and, being very tender and immature, bleeding takes place, causing much damage to the crop. One serious injury will throw that field back all through the season. This is the most important point in alfalfa-growing, and the greatest reason that it has not been a success in many instances. Nine out of ten paddocks are killed or ruined the first two years, the first principally. 7 JAMATCA., BULLETIN OF THE BOTANICAL DEPARTMENT. New Series. | JULY, 1894. Ae 2 REPORT ON THE COCKPIT COUNTRY. Sir, I was directed by His Excellency the Governor to inspect and re- port on the country round Ipswich, considering it as a sample of the Cockpit country, with reference to its capabilities for cultivation ; and have now the honour to submit the followimg remarks for His Excel- lency’s consideration. I am unable to say whether the country along the railway for some distance on both sides of Ipswich station, is a fair representation of what the whole of the Cockpit country is like, but I imagine that at any rate a very good idea can be obtained of the conditions necessary before this part of the island can be utilised to any extent. The following statement of areas in the three parishes of Trelawny, St. James, and St. Elizabeth, of Crown lands and lands liable to for- feiture to the Crown, refers to this special formation known as ,‘ Cock- * and shows that there must be cogent reasons which have hitherto it,” Heedtad these lands from being utilised :— Crown Lands. Forfeitable Lands. acres. acres. Trelawny 24,800 31,000 St. James 2,100 10,000 St. Elizabeth 1,200 (about) 10,000 (about) Total 28,100 (about) 51,000 (about) Grand total of unutilised lands in the Cockpit country about 79,100 acres. The origin of the word “ Cockpit” is said to be due to the peculiar appearance of immense hollows of the shape of an inverted cone. This is not very evident near Ipswich, the hollows being rather trough-like, very deep and the sides almost or quite precipitous. I was taken to the top of a hill to see Bunder Hole, a huge hollow, several acres in extent, with precipitous sides of limestone rock, the depth of which has been estimated at over 400 feet. Such a spot as this appears to be quite useless, even if the soil at the bottom is of the richest description, for there isno means of entrance. The surface of thé country is covered 98 with large blocks of limestone, and it is to this character of ruggedness,. as well as to the steepness of the sides of the hills and valleys that the inaccessibility of the country is due. Some of the valleys if once rendered accessible would probably be found to be exceedingly rich in their soil. Ipswich valley is one of the most charming spots in Jamaica. The Y.S. river which runs through it has deposited a great depth of finely divided rich alluvial soil, forming a level plain of some extent, surrounded by picturesque hills covered with large trees. I was told that when this plain was cultivated for sugar, the Bourbon cane ratooned, to the knowledge of my informant, 13 years in succession. It is now only used for pasture, but as there is a good driving road through it, and the railway on the hill just above, such a valley ought to prove a mine of wealth to the owner if cultivated. in bananas, cocoa, andnutmegs. There are possibly many more valleys of the same general character in the Cockpit country. The soil varies here and there, sometimes a hollow contains too much clay, but wherever a river has made such a deposit asin the Ipswich valley, it will in all probability be found to be a mixture of some clay from the weathering of the limestone, mixed with material derived from the disintegration of trappean and granitic rocks, all in a very fine state of division, thus forming a most fertile soil. A sandy deposit which had been used to some extent on the railway in making concrete, is evidently a disintegrated granitic rock, the grains of which are not water-worn. The “brugadoo,” which in some parts of the island is very soft, is here quite hard, the materials, of trappean origin, being apparently cemented together by a deposit of iron. Although, judging even by the appearance and the character of the natural vegetation, the soil in the Cockpit country is very fertile, and would well repay cultivation, the difficulties to be encountered in cross- ing the country have been an absolute bar to its being taken up. With- out roads produce cannot be brought to the market, and the fertile soil is worth nothing. With roads, leading to such valleys as Ipswich, this part of the island would prove to be one of the richest. But on the other hand the expense of making roads would be so great, that if under- taken at all, they could only be made by the Government. It remains to point out what cultures might be undertaken in the vicinity of the railway, and any roads which may at present exist, or may be formed in the future. Wherever bananas can easily be taken to the roads or railway, they could be grown toadvantage. Cocoa and nutmegs might be cultivated at all the lower elevations, and Liberian Coffee also by planters who could plant sufficient to keep a pulper-and other machinery at work. Common or Arabian Coffee would do well at the higher elevations. Of rubber plants, the Central American rubber tree (Castilloa elastica) should grow well almost everywhere, if planted amongst other trees, and the native rubber plant, or ‘‘milk withe” (Forsteronia floribunda) should be encouraged and planted chiefly in the higher elevations. I have, &c., W. Fawcerr. The Hon. The Colonial Secretary, Kingston. 99 NOTES ON PLANTS YIELDING RUBBER. I. Para Rupper (Hevea brasiliensis, Muell, Arg.) Source .—Para rubber obtains the highest price in the market. It is yielded by trees, which are chiefly Hevea brasiliensis, and H. Spruceana. The trees are usually 60 feet in height when tapped, and they should be at least 18 inches in circumference H. brasiliansis has trifoliate leaves, the leaflets being lanceolate Locality.—These rubber trees grow in the forests on the Amazon and its tributaries, and the provinces of Para and the Amazons have hitherto been the chief source of the rubber supply. But as the trees are being quickly destroyed by injudicious methods of tapping, collectors have now to go beyond Para, and have penetrated even to Bolivia. Soil.—The soil in which the trees grow is deep and rich, mainly alluyi.l, sometimes a stiff clay, sometimes a vegetable mould; and it is frequently inundated along the banks of the rivers. A large extent of low coun- try on the banks of the Amazon is under water during the wet season. Temperature.—The temperature is very equable throughout the year, ranging from 73° F. to 95°, though not generally above 87°, the mean for the year being 81°. This condition of temperature is an important one; as is proved by the failure to grow these trees in Northern India, where the nights of the winter months are cold, while the experiment in Ceylon and South Burma is said to be a success. Rainfali.—The rainy season lasts from January or February to June or July, the highest monthly rainfall of 15 inches beingin April. The rest of the year is called the dry season, when little rain falls, though there is scarcely a week without some showers. It is at this time that the rubber is collected. But in other districts it rains more or less all the year round, and in these places collecting rubber is difficult and not profitable. or, if the stem of the tree is wet, the milk spreads over the bark instead of running into the cups; moreover, rain falling into the milk will prevent it from properly coagulating. The atmosphere is excessively damp. | Best Districts in Jamaica.—The Para rubber trees will probably only succeed in Jamaica in districts with an annual rainfall over 75 inches, at elevations not at any rate greater than 2,000 feet. Itis impossible to state without experiments what the upward limits may be. The districts in which experiments may well be made are parts of Portland, st. Thomas in the East, St. Mary’s, St. Ann’s, Hanover, Westmoreland, St. James’s, St. Elizabeth, Manchester and Clarendon. A dry season for collecting appears to be desirable, and possibly in this respect the west end of the island possesses greater advantages than the east-end. Collection of Rubber.—Mr Robert Cross, who was employed by the Government of India to obtain seeds and plants of rubber trees in America, gives, in his Report to Government, the following accoun's of the method employed in Para to collect the rubber :— “ The collectors begins to work immediately at daybreak; or as soon as they can see to move about among the trees. They say the milk flows more freely and in greater quantity at early morn. I do not attach much importance to this statement, but I have recorded it. Another and more probable reason is, that as rain often falls about two or three 100 o'clock in the afternoon the tapping must be done early, as in the event of a shower the milk would be spattered about and lost. The collector, first of all, at the beginning of the dry season, goes round and lays down at the base of each tree a certain number of small cups of burnt clay. At the lesser trees only three or four are put, but at the larger ones from eight to twelve are deposited. The footpaths leading from tree to tree are likewise cleared of sapling growths, and the bridges over the gapos (natural ditches) formed at each place by the trunk of a tree are, where necessary, replaced. On proceeding to his work the collector takes with him a small axe for tapping and a wicker basket containing a good-sized ball of well-wrought clay. He usually has likewise a bag for the waste droppings of rubber, and for what may adhere to the bottoms of the cups. ‘These promiscuous gathermgs are termed ser- namby, and form the ‘negrohead’ of the English market. The cups, as already stated, are of burnt clay, and are sometimes round but more frequently flat or slightly concave on one side, so as to stick easily when with a small portion of clay they are pressed against the trunk of the tree. Thecontents of fifteen cups make one English imperial pint. Arriving at a tree, the collector takes the axe in his right hand, and, striking in an upward direction as high as he can reach, makes a deep upward sloping cut across the trunk which always goes through the bark and penetrates an inch or more into the wood.* ‘The cut is an inch in breadth. Frequently a small portion of the bark breaks off from the upper side, and occasionally a thin splinter of wood is also raised. Quickly stooping down he takes a cup, and pasting on a small quantity of clay on the flat side, presses it to the trunk close beneath the cut. By this time the milk, which is of dazzling whiteness, is beginning to exude, so that if requisite he so smooths the clay that it may trickle directly into the cup. At a distance of four or five inches, at tlie same height another cup is luted on, and so the process is continued until a row of cups encircle the tree at a height of about six feet from the ground Tree after tree is treated in like manner, until the tapping required for the day is finished. This work should be concluded by nine or ten o’cleck in the morning, because the milk continues to exude slowly from the cuts for three hours or perhaps longer. [I may state that there isa greut difference among collectors in the performance of these duties. Some take care to get good clay previously and in- corporate it well, so that a very small portion is needed to lute the cups to the trunks, they also. work with great neatness and intel igence, and invariably collect a good quantity of milk. Others, again, do not take the trouble to prepare clay beforehand, but merely scrape up a handful when they require it at the side of a gapo, which is often of little con- sistence, so that a large quantity is required to fasten the cups. This class of collectors have often many fragments of clay or other impurities in their milk, the result of not following a proper method of working the quantity of milk that flows from each cut varies, but if the trée is large and has not been much tapped, the majority of the cups will be more than half full, and occasionally a few may be filled to the brim. * Collins says:—A long perpendicular incision is made from near the base and extend- ing high up the trunk. On each side of this line and meeting it are numerous small oblique cuts. Sometimes a-basal cut is made extending some distance round the trunk on each side of the vertica! cut.” 101 But if the tree is much gnarled from tapping, whether it grows in the rich sludge of the gapo or dry land, many of the cups will be found to contain only about a tablespoonful of milk, and sometimes hardly that. On the following morning the operation is performed in the same way, only that the cuts or gashes beneath which the cups are placed are made from six to eight inches lower down the trunks than those of the previous day. Thus each day brings the cups gradually lower until the ground is reached. The collector then begins as high as he can reach, and descends as before, taking care however, to make his cuts in separate places from those previously made. If the yield of milk from a tree is great, two rows of cups are put on at once, the one as high as can be reached, and the other at the surface or the ground, and in the course of working, the upper row descending daily six or seven inches, while the lower ones ascend the same distance, both rows in a few days come to- gether. When the produce of milk diminishes in long-wrought trees, two or three cups are put on various parts of the trunk where the bark is thickest. Although many of the trees of this class are large, the quantity of milk obtained is surprisingly little. This state of things is not the result of overtapping, as some have stated. Indeed I do not believe it is possible to overtap a tree if in the operation the wood is not left bare or injured. But at every stroke the collector’s axe enters the wood and the energies of the tree are required in forming new layers to cover these numerous wounds, The best milk-yielding tree I ex- amined had the marks of twelve rows of cups which had already been put on this season. The rows were only six inches apart, and in each row there were six cups, so that the total number of wood cuts within the space of three months amounted to seventy-two. It grew close to a gapo only eight inches above high-tide mark, and being a vigorous tree the cups were usually filled, but with two years or so of such treat- ment the tree would probably be permanently injured. It has been sup- posed that the quality of the milk is better in the dry season than during the rains. Such is the case with some vegetable products, but as regards India-rubber there ought not, I think, to be any appreciable ditference. In the rainy season the milk probably contains a greater portion of water, but on the other hand, I am of opinion that then a larger quantity of milk flows from the tree. No doubt the dry season is the most suitable for caoutchouc collecting, although wherever a plantation is formed with preparing-house convenient, tapping may certainly be carried on when the weather is fine.”— _“ Collection of the Milk.—Going from tree to tree ata sort of run- ning pace, the collectorempties the contents of the cups into a large calabash, which he carries in hishand. As he pours the milk out of each cup he draws his thumb or fore-finger over the bottom to clean out some which otherwise would adhere. Indeed, a small quantity does remain, which is afterwards pulled off and classed as sernamby. The cups on being emptied are laid in a little heap at the base of each tree, to be ready for the following morning. The trees occur at various distances from 10 to 100 yards apart, and as I travelled over the intricate net- work of muddy footpaths, I continually felt perplexed and surprised that the natives have not yet seen the advantages that would be derived by forming plantations, whereby more than twice the quantity of 102 caoutchouc might be collected in one-fourth the time, and at far less cost of labour.” The fresh milk exhales an odour of ammonia, and if it has to be car- ried to any distance 3 per cent. of liquid ammonia is added to keep it unchanged, but it is much better to coagulate the rubber on the day of collection, and so prevent any danger of decomposition which results in impurity of the rubber, and consequently a low price in the market. Yield.—Each tree is said to give 2 ounces of milk in a day, and the milk yields from 30 to 50 per cent. of rubber. Dr. Trimen statesin his Report of the Royal Botanic Gardens for 1893 :— “ Though I have expressed the opinion that this is a cultivation more suited to a Government Department than to private planters, yet if the cultivator can afford to wait for about twelve years, there is little doubt of a profitable return. After the trees are once in full bearing they are said in Brazil to continue to yield for a period of 75-100 years.” The growth ofa tree in the Henaratgoda Garden in Ceylon, a wet district, has been at the following rate, the measurement being taken at 3 feet from the ground :— Age in years. Circumference. feet inches. 4 1 4 5 i; 39 6 2 1h 7 BOF it 8 0) 9 ook | 10 4 1 11 4 5} 12 yy al 13 5 6 16 ern i f G eas In the Jamaica Gardens the growth has been exceedingly slow, but in other localities in the island, doubtless the increase would be as great as in Ceylon. Methods of preparing the Rubber.—Mr. Cross gives the following details of the preparations of the Para rubber :— ‘« The collectors of the region I visited, resorted with their milk to a large shed situated on the bank of the river Guama. Here were various species of palm nuts, representing Attulea excelsa and Kuterpe edulis, stored in heaps, and several jars for the preparation of rubber. These jars were 18 inches high and the bottoms were broken out. At the base they were 7 inches in diameter, bulging out in the middle to 12 inches, and were narrowed at the mouth to a breadth of 2 inches. Each person wrought on his own account, and so small jars were em- ployed, but where a number of men are collecting for one master much larger jars are in use. The milk, on being put into a large flat earthen vessel, is put down on the floor in a convenient place. Adjacent thereto the jar is sat on three small stones, which raises it to 14 inches above the floor. The narrow space beteen the base of the jar and the floor allows the air to enter, which causes a current of smoke to ascend with remarkable regularity and force. When the fire commences to burn 103 strongly, several handfuls of nuts are put on, then some more wood and nuts alternately. These are dropped in at the mouth of the jar until it is filled to within four inches of the top. Due care is taken that a suffi- cient proportion of wood is put in with the nuts. The mould on which the rubber is prepared resembles the paddle of a canoe, in fact, at many places on the Amazon this is the article most frequently used if there is much milk, and when the rubber is prepared in bulky masses. Occa- sionally the mould is slung to the roof, as the weight in handling it during the process would otherwise be very fatiguing. A little soft clay is rubbed over it to prevent the rubber from adhering, and it is after- wards well warmed in the smoke. The operator holds the mould in one hand, while with the other he takes a small cup and pours two or three cups of milk over it. He turns it on edge for a few moments above the dish until the drops fall, then quickly places the flat side two inches above the jar mouth, and moves it swiftly round as if describing the form of a cipher, with his hand, so that the current of smoke may be equally dis- tributed. The opposite side of the mould is treated in the same way. The coatings of milk on the mould on being held over the smoke imme- diately assume a yellowish tinge, and although it appears to be firm on being touched, it is found to be soft and juicy, like newly curdled cheese, and sweating water profusely. When layer after layer has been repeated, and the mass is of sufficient thickness, it is laid down ona board to solidify, and in the morning cut open along the edge on one side and the mould taken out. Biscuit rubber when fresh, is often four or five inches thick. On being hung up to dry for a few days, it is sent to market. When I saw the process of smoking the rubber performed, as just described, I was considering the statements of Keller, and other travellers who write on this subject, all of whom seem to believe that the smoke from the palm nuts possesses some peculiar or strange pro- perty by which means the milk instantly coagulates. But on one occa- sion, when the collector was commencing to smoke some milk, I saw him wait for a short time, during which he put his hand repeatedly to the mouth of the jar, and soon learned that he could do nothing until the smoke was hot. The dense white smoke rose abundantly, but the milk would not thicken on the mould. After a little while thejar became heated and the operation went on quite satisfactorily. I put my hand to the mouth of the jar, but could bear the heat scarcely a second, and although the temperature of the smoke was apparently less than boiling water, yet 1 judge it must,have been at least 180° Fahrenheit. There- fore the rapid coagulation of the milk is simply produced by the high temperature of the smoke. I haveno doubt that with a strong current of heated air, or a good pressure of steam from a pipe, a similar result would be obtained. The finely divided particles of soot which forms a por- tion of the smoke undoubtedly absorb a considerable amount of moisture although at the same time it must be looked on as an impurity. I have no hesitation in giving my opinion that equally as good rubber could be prepared by putting the milk in shallow vessels, and evaporating the watery particles by the heat of boiling water.” Another account is, that, ‘ Small cups are attached to the trees, and, when filled with juice, are emptied into tin pails of a certain size, having close fitting lids, the cups being again attached to the ‘trees. After going the round of the trees, the contents of this pail are emptied 104 into another a size larger, and so on, till the covered pail of largest size: is filled and ready to be strapped on to the saddle of a mule for removal. By this plan the natives are saved the trouble of condensing and pre- paring the milk for the market, by smoking. The large can of rubber milk on arriving at the magazine, is emptied into a bath of water, the. temperature best suited to the rubber being a matter of experience. The lumps of rubber that form in the bath are immediately pressed into thin flat sheets, and carefully wiped. By this means the acid is forced out of the cells or pores in the lump, thus preventing the so-called “rotten” appearance. Propagation._-Propagation may be by seeds or by cuttings. Seeds are the most convenient, but they soon lose their vitality. Cuttings are made from twigs that have begun to harden. Trees in Jamatca.—There are young trees at both the Castleton and Hope Gardens, but they have not yet yielded any rubber. The bark is about 4 inch thick, and the lactiferous vessels lie in the inner half of the bark. From examination made in the gardens, it would appear that this tree will succeed only in Jamaica grown as a forest tree with its bark shaded, and its roots in a soil which is constantly wet. Itis quite possible that these conditions are mere important than the rainfall, and that the tree might be grown in the swamps along the South Coast. Para RwvBBER IN CEYLON. As stated in the Kew Report for 1876, p. 8, Mr. H. A. Wickham, a resident on the Amazon, was commissioned by the India Office, to col- lect seeds of Hevea brasiliensis. He arrived in England on June 14th with 70,000 seeds obtained on the Rio Tayajos, and on August 12th following, about 2,000 plants raised at Kew from these seeds were des- patched to Ceylon in 38 Wardian cases. Ninety per cent. of the plants reached their destination in perfect condition. A further consignment of 100 plants was sent in 1877, making the total number of plants transmitted to Ceylon 2,119 (Kew Report, 1877, p. 15.) The following correspondence gives the first result of the experiment which affords anything like commercial data for deciding whether the cultivation of this staple would be a paying enterprise in the Old W orld :— Dr. Trimen to Royal Gardens, Kew. (Received February 6th, 1893.) India rubber (2lb) from Hevea brasiliensis grown in Heneratgoda Botanic Garden, Ceylon, in 1892. The tree from which this was obtained is now 15 years old, and the stem has a circumference of 6 ft. 5 in. at a yard above the ground. us has now been tapped three times, and has given the following eld :— | 4 In 1888 it gave lb. 113 oz. “ 1890 < 2ib. AD) oz. « 1892 « 2lb. 13. oz. Making a total of 7lb. 2% oz. of dry rubber in five years. The tree is in no respect the worse for its treatment; the rest in al- ternate years permitting the scars on the trunk to become completely healed. (Signed) Henry TRIMEN. ( ) j ate Os i Sie Ae Pa ea, oe aia ‘ete ME o> e he at 7 105 Messrs. Hecht, Levis & Kahn to Royal Gardens, Kew, 21 Mincing Lane, London, E.C., 7th February, 1893. _ Dear Sir, We have received your yesterday’s letter, and also the sample of Cey- lon rubber which you have sentus. The quality of this rubber is very good indeed, and the curing of the same seems to have been effected in- the proper manner. This quality would be easily saleable, and we esti- mate its value to-day as being about 2s. 3d. to 2s. 6d. per lb., according to whether the rubber would be dry or damp. It would be easily sale- able in large quantities. We return the sample to you, according to your desire. We remain, c., (Signed) Hecut, Levis & Kann. John R. Jackson, Esq., Royal Gardens, Kew. (Kew Bulletin, July 1893]. Assam RUBBER. (Ficus Elastica, Roxb.) Source.—Assam Rubber* is obtained from large trees of Ficus elas- tica. This fig tree generally germinates in the fork of another tree, sending down immense aerial roots into the ground and from the top of these (60 to 100 feet high) it throws out its branches. Locality.—It grows in the damp forest which clothe the base of the Himalaya Mountains in Sikkim, and stretch away into Assam and Burma. Effect of Soil, etc., on yield,—“ As the distance from the hills in- creases, and the atmosphere in which the tree grows, gets drier, the quantity of rubber to be obtained from a tree decreases; and whilst it is stated by the men who fetch it from the hills, that one tree is able to produce from 2 to 3 maunds [160 to 240 lbs.] the men who gather it from the forests at the foot of the hills, only get from 20 to 30 seers (40 to 60 lbs.| per tree, and if far away from the hills, only half that quantity is obtained, especially if the ground is gravelly or otherwise severely drained”. G. Mann, Conservator of Forests, Assam. Yield—tIn Algiers, this tree thrives, but does not form milk in sufficient quantity to make it a profitable source of rubber. Continu- ous tapping for 6 months year after year, Mr. Mann affirms, will kill the trees, and accordingly he urged either that tapping should be re- stricted to three months a year (January, February, and March), or that a regulation should be made prohibiting the tapping of Forests more frequently than once every three years. Mr. Mann further gives instructive figures as to the value of the rubber trees and their yield of caoutchouc. ‘‘ Assuming that a tree reaches its full size at fifty years without tapping, and would after that yield every third year one maund of rubber, which would be collected, manufactured, and deli- vered in Calcutta at 15 rupees per maund, and should realise the pre- sent price of good rubber, viz., 35 rupees per maund, it would have a net profit of 20 rupees, per tree every third year. Besides this one __ * The information about this rubber in India is chiefly derived from Watts” Dictionary of Economic Products of India. 106 -maund of lac may be reckoned on from every tree per year, which, if collected at its present rate, could be delivered in Calcutta at 10 rupees “per maund, whilst it fetches 15 to 20 rupees per maund, there now, which is a profit of 5 rupees at least per tree yearly. All these figures are the lowest, and the tapping the most cautious; still if the tree planted lives a second fifty years, which it is sure to exceed, it produces 320 rupees for rubber and 250 rupees for lac, which is more than any two timber trees of fifty years each, which might be grown in that time could equal,” Mr. Mann then deals with the two kinds of rubber manufactured by the people of Assam, viz., one in irregular solid lumps or loaves about 16 to 20 oz., in weight, and the other in balls of rubber threads each weighing 12 to 160z. The price paid (in 1869) for the two kinds varied, he says from 8 rupees to 12 rupees but this was paid for by pieces of Eri silk cloth of that value in exchange for a maund of rub- ber. This fetched in Calcutta from 20 rupees to 40 rupees per maund, but Mr. Mann adds ‘‘if care were bestowed on the manufacture, it be- yond doubt would fetch much higher prices”. Messrs Martin Ritchie & Co., however, purchased their rubber only in the fluid state from the people who tappped the trees. It was brought to them either in earthen pots or cane baskets made water proof with a previous coating of rubber, This coating of rubber Mr. Mann states, was held to retain the sap in its fluid state. He goes on to say that, rub- ber in this fluid state was first purchased at 8 rupees per maund, but soon rose to 5 rupees for the best or thickest procured from the erial roots, and 4 rupees for the next best procured from the lower part of the stem, and 3 rupees for the worst supposed to come from the upper branches of the tree and to have been mixed with the juice of other species of Figs and water. A full grown rubber tree of about 50 years old will yield at the very lowest 10 lbs. of rubber, if very carefully tapped, and this quantity may be expected about 16 times, which will be an equally safe estimate for calculating the yield of a rubber tree. To be quite on the safe side, calculate 10 trees per acre which would give about 1,600 lbs. of rubber fromevery acre. This, at the price at which rub- ber was collected in the Darrang district and sold, and deducting the expenditure incurred in collecting it, would give a net profit of 54 ru- pees per 80 lbs., or 1,080 rupees per acre in 50 years, and if the rub- ber trees have a longer life, the yield may be reckoned for their re- maining years of life at the same if not at a higher rate. Collection— Among forest trees and in regard to dimensions, this is facile princeps and there is no other, not even the Banyan, that ap- proaches it in dimensions and grandeur. Mr. C. Brownlow points out that every portion below the head of the foster tree is strictly root and incapable of throwing out a branch, and as the head is rarely less than 60 to 100 feet high, it is no easy matter to procure a branch. These cables and buttresses as they approach the ground, throw out smaller and subsidiary rootlets of all thicknesses down to that of twine. If any of these be cut they die below, but from above grow again downwards. It is only necessary to see the tree to appreciate the fearful risk encountered by the gum gatherers, who by no means con- fine their operations to the base but climb up as high as the roots ex- 107 tend and higher along the horizontal branches, chopping at intervals of every few inches, the cuts answering as well for their foothold as for the sap to exude from. Were the base of the tree alone tapped the yield would be very insignificant, especially in trees that have been frequently tapped before. And as the trees occur very sparsely, and long distances have to be gone over to meet them, it becomes an object to get as much off at each cutting as possible. The trees must be twice climbed, once to cut it and a second time after the gum has dried (which takes a day or two) to gather it. This is done by pul- ling off the tear which gathers below the wound, which brings away with it all the gum that has exuded, and these tears have only to be moulded together to agglutinate intoa ball. The quantity that can thus be collected ‘at one cutting does not exceed 8 to 10 lbs. Of course no mercy is shown to the trees, all of which suffer severely ; and many are killed outright. The damage they sustain is apparent in the large cankers, and buttresses rotted off, owing to the bark being unable to heal over the frequent wounds they have received all round. The foliage is wanting in luxuriance, and dried branches and roots lying about testify to the injury in health that the tree has sus- tained. Mr. Mann specially insists on the following points being observed :— “ (1.) Fresh cuts to be made only in February, March and April, and the trees to have rest for two years between each tapping. (2) The cuts to be at least 18 inches apart, to penetrate inte the bark only, not into the wood, and to be made with an instrument more suitable than the ones at present used. Mr. Mann prefers the German timber scoring knife. “ (3) As far as possible, the milk to be collected in a fluid state in narrow-mouthed rattan baskets, and to be brought to central manufac- tories. “‘ (4) Endeavours to be made to convert the milk into a solid state by a process of slow drying similar to that practised in Para. ““ (5) Those varieties of caoutchouc which dry naturally on the tree to be collected with care, and to be picked so as to get rid of all im- purities. Planting.—In his report for 1884, Mr. Mann gives the following particulars :—‘‘ The present area under cultivation is fully stocked, containing 12,511 trees : they have been planted at 25 feet apart in the lines, which latter are 100 feet apart: this is double the number of trees that was planted on an acre at the commencement. The oldest trees are about 30 to 40 feet in height, and a few from 45 to 50 feet but this can- not be put downasthe average growth of Ficus elastica in ten years, since half this time and longer, these plantations were entirely experimental, and everything had to be learned, as, for instance, the first trees were all raised from cuttings, which mode of propagatiou has been given up, since the trees raised from seed have proved much hardier and faster growing, and as to the planting of rubber seedlings high up in the forks of other trees, this also has almost entirely been given up, be- cause such trees in most instances, did not make more than a few leaves in the year, and it would, as a matter of course, be out of the question to plant rubber trees where they would take a century to become large enough for tapping, when such trees can be grown ina different way 108 in one-fourth of the time. On the other hand, it has been found that trees planted on small mounds of earth, 3 to 4 feet in height grow very much better than if they are planted on ordinary level ground, and this plan has therefore also been adopted, although it adds considera- bly to the cost of making these plantations, but the faster growth of the trees amply compensates for the higher expenditure. The method of planting adopted from the beginning has been to clear lines from east to west through the forest for the young trees a hun- dred feet apart : the width of the lines is 40 feet, so that a broad strip of forest 60 feet wide is left standing between these lines to ensure the utmost amount of moisture in the atmosphere for the young rubber trees. At first the lines were only cleared 20 feet broad, but it was found after afew years that these closed up very soon and thus retarded the growth of the young trees by shutting out the requisite amount of light. However, the widening of the lines also brought about the faster growth of the scrub in them, besides that of the rubber trees, and more money, time, and attention has in consequence to be spent, es- pecially in the rainy season, on those plantations, than had at first been anticipated, but the greatest and most costly difficulty that had to be overcome was the effectual protection of rubber trees against deer, which during the first few years constantly bit off the young plants, and, where they were not entirely ruined by this, they were so much injured and retarded in growth that a considerable increase in expen- diture on these plantations had to be incurred on fencing to prevent it. But for the future this expenditure will not be necessary, since it has been found that saplings 10 feet and more in height can be transplanted without difficulty and with perfect success, and if such saplings are tied firmly to stakes, the deer can do little or no damage to them.” Assam Rubber in Jamaica.—There area number of these trees in va- rious parts of Jamaica. Mr. W. M. Douet has extracted good rubber from a tree at Sweet River, near Say.-la-Mar, by making V-shaped in- cissions with others leading intothe lowest point. He says :—“ By making several incisions in the roots, branches, and lower parts of the trunks I have extracted 2 lbs. from a tree at one time. The juice runs very slowly and hardens on the tree ; I strip it off and roll it into balls. The trees are large, 12 to 15 feet in circumference and 450 to 60 feet high. They appear to be very old. The late Mr. H. O. Vick- ers made some experiments in extracting the rubber from these trees, and found that he obtained a greater flow at full moon, also during rainy weather... The average annual rainfall for the last ten years is 64 inches 17 parts.” Mr. M 8. Strickland has also extracted good rubber from one of these trees at Great Valley, Flint River. He writes, ‘‘ The manner in which the rubber is taken isa rough one ; the trunk and branches are cut with a machette, a small lump of clay is taken to catch the milk as it drops, and formed into a ball. But the milk can be taken by cutting the tree and allowing it to drop into a calabash... The tree here would not do for cocoa shade, as it branches out 5 feet from the: ground, and the branches are large and low. The roots runa lng distance, and are also very large large. The measurements are : girth of trunk, 16 feet ; girth of nearest br ranch to ground, 8 feet. Jestimate the height of the tree to be 65 feet.” Ea 109 Mr. W. Harris, Superintendent at Cinchona, made some experi- ments on three trees at Pleasant Hill just below the Hill Garden, by kind permission of Messrs Balguy and Turner. Incisions were made in the bark of the trunks, branches and one large root, but nearly the whole of the rubber was obtained from the trunk of the oldest tree. When any part of the bark was punctured, the milk appeared imme- diately, but the flow quickly ceased, thoughit could be prolonged by removing the milk as it flowed from the incision. Only about one-fifth of a pint of milk was obtained each day for three days from the three trees, making in all three-fifths of a pint. The following method was adopted in preparing the rubber: the milk was kept in the tins in which it had been collected until the following day in each case. Through evaporation of the water, it had become thick, but in order to hasten coagulation, boiling water was added. The milk readily mixed with the water and was easily removed from the tins. The whole was poured into saucers, and placed on the top ofa cooking stove. The rubber soon coagulated, was removed and pressed out into flat pieces. This is a sufficient indication of the plan that might be adopted on a large scale. The total amount of rubber thus obtained amounted to 4 ounces, which shows that this rubber tree would not be profitable at an elevation of 3,500 feet. Preparation of the rubber in Assam.—Collins states that the prepara- tion on a commercial scale is to pour the milk into large wooden bins, 6 feet square, and partly filled with water, the caoutchouc after a time floating on the top. The caoutchouc (being still fluid) is then taken out and boiled over a slow fire in iron pans, 4 to 6 feet in diameter, and 2 to 24 feet deep, 2 parts of water being added to the caoutchouc, and the whole stirred constantly. As soon as the caoutchouc coagulated into a mass, it was taken out with iron forks and pressed, and again boiled and pressed, and then dried in the sun, and finally washed over with lime. * JAMAICA RUBBER. Forsteronia floribunda, Don. Jamaica rubber is not as yet known in commerce, though attention was called to it in the Annual Reports of the Department of Public Gardens and Plantations for 1883, and 1884, and again in Bulletins, No. 10 (January, 1889) and No. 21 (January, 1891). Source.—It is derived from the juice ofa climber known locally as the “Milk Withe” (Forsteronia floribunda), which is generally as thick as a man’s wrist, sometimes muchthicker. This withe is found in the woods, climbing to the tops of the highest trees; but it also grows over rocks fully exposed to the sun. Soil, &¢ —The Geological formation is the “White Limestone”. The surface of the ground is exceedingly rough and difficult to tra- verse on account of the sharp and jagged edges of the hard crystalline limestone. The soil is lodged in hollows of varying extent and depth between the projecting limestone blocks. Collection of Milk.— When a cut is made through the bark of the Milk Withe a milky juice flows out for about two minutes, but a num- ber of incisions are necessary before sufficient fluid is collected to fill a four-ounce bottle. Care should be taken not to cut into the bark }10 deeper than is necessary so that the wound may soon be healed by the formation of new bark. Yield.— Messrs. Silver of Silvertown India Rubber Company re- ported on samples sent to them in 1888 that one quart of juice yielded one pound of dry and washed caoutchouc, or about 22 ounces of ordi- nary crude caoutchouc, but the sample sent in 1890 yielded only at the rate of two ounces per quart. Probably the difference was due to collection in the former case during the dry months and in the latter during the wet season. The value of the rubber in 1890, was stated by Messrs. Silver to be 3s. 2d. per pound. Preparation of the Rubber.—The rubber coagulates simply on expo- sure to a dry atmosphere, but from experiments made, it is probable that the method described under Assam Rubber as the one used on a large scale would prove the most successful. Propagation.—This plant may be propagated by seed, or readily by cuttings. CoLoMBIAN Scrap or CotomBia VIRGEN RuBBER. Mr. Robert Thomson, of Bogota, Colombia, in 1888 described this rubber as follows, as reported in the Kew Bulletin :— “This rubber is known in commerce as Colombia Virgen. It has been exported chiefly to the United States, and next to the Para rub- ber, it has realized the best prices in the market...... ‘“‘T have established in this country during the last five years a plan- tation of this rubber, consisting of about 70,000 trees, this being, I be- lieve, as yet the only plantation made of this sort. Under cultivation this tree thrives admirably, growing with great rapidity, and averaging about five feet a year. Crops are obtainable in from six to eight years, but a tree five years old yields as much as 1 lb. of rubber. It is a large forest tree, the trunks attaining six and seven feet in circumference. Four arrotas (100 lbs.) of rubber have been extracted froma single tree, but the average yield is far less ..... “The important consideration as regards this species, apart from its intrinsic value, is that it grows at great elevations on the Colombian Andes, viz., at from 6,000 to 8,000 feet above the sea. ‘“« Prior to the wholesale destruction of this tree (but few now re- main) by the rubber collectors, I explored some five years ago, the forests wherein it abounded in order to examine ,the soil, climatic and other conditions affecting its growth. It may be mentioned that its area of distribution has been peculiarly limited to a small section of the Cordilleras some 1,500 miles from the sea. The total quantity of rubber exported during the few years the article existed could not have amounted to many hundred tons. “ It is very difficult to propagate the tree from cuttings, hence I have had to resort, during my supervision of the plantation, to propagation from seed, which, moreover, were always procured with much difficulty.” Messrs. Hecht, Levis, and Kahn, write in May, 1890, to Royal Gar- dens, Kew :— ‘We beg to say that Colombian scrap rubber has been known in the market for the last few years, and is of a very superior quality indeed. 111 It would be difficult to give you the exact average market value, but it has varied during the last few years between 2s. 3d. and 3s. per lb. At the present moment the value is about 2s. 11d to 3s.” This rubber tree would be an important addition to the products of Jamaica, as from the data given by Mr. Thompson, it is probable that it would grow on the Blue Mountains above the range for coffee. SUGAR CANE DISEASE. Sir, The attention of Sugar Planters was directed in the Jamaica Bulletin (Nos. 43 and 45, and Parts 2, 3 and 4) to diseases in Canes which have done much damage in Barbados and other West Indian Islands, The most deadly of these diseases is due to a fungus attacking the stems, but I have seen no trace of this fungus (Trichosphaeria) in Jamaica. Canes have also been attacked in Barbados and Java with a “ root-disease,”” which is caused by a fungus (Colletotrichum falcatum.) I investigated on an estate in Jamaica an affection of Canes, and traced it to a fungus in the roots, but was unable without specimens or drawings of Colletotrichum to determine whether it was the same. Some of the roots preserved in spirit were brought by me to England, and have been carefully examined in the Jodrell Laboratory at Kew. Mr. Massee has indentified the fungus as Colletotrichum falcatum, on account of which was published in the Kew Bulletin, and reproduced in the Ja- maica Bulletin for last February. I do not think that there is any cause for alarm in Jamaica, if reasonable precautions are taken to stamp out the disease wherever it occurs. It may be known by the soft outer portion of the rootlets becoming soft and de- cayed when they are affected. The whole cane should be taken up and barnt As the ground may be infected with the disease, it would be pru- dent not to plant canes in the same spot for at least a year, nor any plant of the same family, such as corn, Root-crops, such as Sweet Potato or fruits, such as Pine Apples, would probably not be attacked. Careful se-. lection should be made of tops from strong and perfectly healthy canes for planting, and it would be advisable to get them from a district where the disease does not exist. I have, &c., W. Fawcertr. Director of Public Gardens and Plantations. The Hon. The Colonial Secretary, Kingston. PRESERVING MANGOES. Now that Mangoes are in season, the following hints on preserving the fruit, by Mr. E. M. Shelton, of the Dept. of Agriculture, Queensland, may be useful :— CANNING. After peeling, the fruit is seperated from the stones by slicing into pieces of convenient size; these should be stewed for a few minutes only, before pouring into the cans, in syrup strong or weak in sugar to suit taste or the fruit may be cooked in the can with syrup as before. There may be a difference of opinion as to the palatabieness of canned mangoes. A considerable number of those persons who have tasted the results of our work have pronounced the canned fruit excellent, while others have de- clared their indifference to it. A like diversity of opinion, we note, holds respecting the raw fruit, particularly with those unaccustomed to its pe- culiar flavour. Mangoes stewed in the form ofa sauce will be found a 112 -welcome addition to any dinner table, ‘As good as stewed peaches,” we thave heard them pronounced. MARMALADE. Webster defines marmalade as “preserve or confection made of any of the firmer fruits boiled with sugar, and usually evaporated so as to take the form of a mould.” Nearly in this sense the word ‘‘ marmalade” is -used in this essay. Peel and slice the mango, cutting close to the stone, and cook, using plenty of water. Boil until the fruit is thoroughly disin- tegrated, when the pulp should be run through the colander with the purpose of extracting the “wool.” Sugar should now be added to suit _ the taste (about # fb. to the pint of pulp,) and the mass boiled until clear, -when it should be poured into the moulds or jars in which it is to be kept. This marmalade is of a rich golden yellow colour, it retains the form of the mould perfectly, and it seems in all respects to satisfy the most ex- acting taste. In the absence of the experience necessary to test the keep- ing qualities of mango marmalade, it would be the part of wisdom to seal the jars designed for future use while hot with wax, or better yet, with a plug of cotton wool. J ELLY. For jelly, prepare the mangoes by slicing as for marmalade, boil the frait with water, prolonging the boiling only to the extent of extracting the juices. Great care shonld be taken in boiling as the mango rapidly ‘boils to pieces,’ in which case it is impossible to make satisfactory jelly. Pour off the juice strain and boil down to a jelly an operation that occu- pies only a few moments, as the mango is rich in gelatinous materials, the pulp remaining after the jelly has been removed may be used to advantage in making marmalade. In the amount of sugar used in making jelly, the housekeeper is safe in following old practices in this respect with other fruits, It is impossible to give exact rules in all the operations connected with working up this fruit. In general it will be well.to use in boiling, water somewhat to excess. and as the mango “ cooks” readily, constant watchfulness is needed to prevent burning. To show something of what is possible in the way of results with this fruit, I may say that in our experiments thirteen good sized mangoes gave one pint of jelly and five quarts of marmalade. This certainly must be counted a very favourable, not to say remarkable result. THE CULTIVATION OF VEGETABLES. The cultivation of the better kinds of vegetables is slowly but surely finding favour amongst the peasantry of the upper parts of St. Andrew, as they are beginning to find out that it is no more trouble to raise superior kinds of cabbage, peas, beet, carrots, turnips, Wc., than the coarse kinds which they had been accustomed for years to grow, and also that they can find ready sale, and command higher prices for the superior kinds. There is no reason, however, why they should not grow a larger variety than they do, and grow them in quantity too. The soilis admirably adapted to the successful culture of a large variety of delicate and wholesome vegetables, and that they could be easily disposed of at highly remunerative rates there is not the slightest doubt, as “scarcity of good vegetables” is a universal cry. The great fault to be found with those who grow vege- tables is that they make no effort to keep up a continuous supply—a suc- cession of crops. A man grows afew cabbages, turnips, carrots, beet-root and peas once a year and thinks he does something wonderful, whereas he might raise a crop of the same things, and many others every month or six weeks of the year, and thus keep up a constant supply. Then, again, 118 few of the growers know exactly when to gather the respective crops; they are either gathered too soon, before the flavour of each is fully de- veloped, or are ‘allowed to remain so long as to become tough and fibry. One rarely gets a dish of nice green-peas, for instance; they are either gathered before they are half their natural size, or are allowed to remain on the stems till they are nearly ripe enough for seed. Beet-roots again, are generally allowed to remain in the ground till they become old and woody, consequently almost flavourless and not worth cooking. This might be remedied somewhat if purchasers of vegetables would take a little trouble to explain to the growers when the various kinds offered for sale are at their prime. We cannot yet expect too much; one . point, and the principal one has been gained by their being induced to grow European vegetables at all; sooner or later they will see that it is to their advantage to cultivate them with care, and to take them to market in the best possible condition. There is another point, however, which deserves the serious consideration of small growers, and that is the pro- miscuous method of planting followed by the majority of them, and which generally ends in failure and disappointment. Their motto is ‘ multum in parvo,’ which may be ‘carried out if gone about in a methodical manner, but when indiscriminate planting is resorted to, without the least regard to order, or the requirements of the several things grown, failure must be the result. It is no uncommon thing to see in a small patch of ground, yams, sweet potatoes, corn, cassava, sugar cane, red peas, cabbages, turnips, a pumpkin or two running wild, a few coffee bushes, and the whole under the dense shade of bananas and plantains, and choked with grass and weeds. Cultivation under such circumstances cannot be a success. ‘The same number of plants might be grown in the same plot of ground, but the plot should be sub-divided, and each division planted with one kind of crop. No more labour would be required, finer crops would be the result, and failures and disappointments less frequent. The successful vegetable grower must go about his work in asystematic manner, from preparing the seed beds or boxes, till his produce is fit for table. The ground, too, should be eropped systematically ; if a piece is planted with cabbages this season try it with turnips next, peas the following and so on, but there should be a regular rotation of crops, the same thing should not be grown for two seasons in succession on the same piece of ground, and when the plot is properly sub-divided this system is easily followed. After a few seasons of such cultivation the grower finds out which vegetables thrive best in his soil, and also the months of the year in which they do best, e. g., cabbages may be a failure with him in summer but may thrive well during the winter orspring months, and the observant and systematic grower will take care to have a vacant piece of ground for cabbages at the season when he knows from past experience they are going to be a success with him. Experience, every thing depends on that; every grower must find out by experience what his ground is capable of producing ; his neighbour a mile or two away, and perhaps several hundred feet higher or lower, may grow good potatoes, turnips, carrots or what not, but he must find out by ex- periment and experience what his own land can produce, and once he has gained that experience it is invaluable to him. He knows exactly what to plant, and when to plant, and unless something unforeseen occurs he may reasonably look forward to success. At the same time the grower who is anxious to succeed may get useful hints and information from his more successful neighbour, and he would do well whilst gaining experience to test such hints and intormation, and he may profit by them. A mutual interchange of opinion in this, as in other cases, often leads to good results. I have mentioned that many more kinds of vegetables might be grown, 114 or at any rate given a trial, and will now enumerate a few. In the Parish of Manchester, and probably other parts, 1 understand that a large number of kinds of excellent vegetables are grown, but my remarks have special reference to the hills of St. Andrew, with which I am more intimately acquainted. Artichokes.—Procure offsets or suckers and plant in groups of three or four, at least four feet apart in good, open, rather sandy soil, thoroughly dug up and well manured. If planted early in the year these will produce heads during the summer and autumn. When gathering the heads cut the stems close to the ground and new suckers will be produced, and these, if carefully thinned, will produce a late crop. The artichoke is a good ee and much liked by many people, but is seldom to be obtained . ere. Beet-root.—This is grown to a small extent, but in avery indifferent manner. ‘The seeds should be sown in drills 15 inches apart where the crop is to grow, ina deep, well manured and well pulverized soil in the open, The seedlings should be thinned as soon as large enough to be handled to 8 or 9 inches apart. When ready for use the roots should be lifted very carefully so as not to bruise or injure them, and the tops should be screwed off, not cut. If at all injured they lose their colour and flavour in boiling. There are numerous varieties of Beet, but probably the best for cultivation here, where the soil during dry weather often becomes caked and hard, are the turnip rooted sorts. Celery.—Sow the seeds thinly in a box of fine soil, and as soon as the plants have made two or three leaves they should be pricked off into boxes of light soil to which has been added some fine, rotten manure, and when they are strong enough they may be planted out in the trenches. The latter should be 4 feet apart, 18 inches deep and about 15 inches wide. In the bottom of each, place a good layer of perfectly rotten manure, over this spread a couple of inches of fine soil and put out the plants, in showery weather if possible, but if not then the young plants should be well watered. As the plants increase in size they should be earthed up with the soil from between the trenches to blanch them. At each earthing up, the soil should be pressed pretty firmly around each plant to exclude light and air and ensure blanching, Cucumbers.—It is usual to soak the seeds in water for a few hours before sowing ; this softens them and causes them to germinate quickly. It will be found, too, that the good seeds sinks after a time and bad ones float and are thus easily detected. Ridges or hills should be prepared and the seeds planted not less than 4 feet apart. 'he roots should be top-dressed about once a fortnight with good manure mixed with soil, and they should never be allowed to suffer for want of water. When the plants have made three leaves they should be stopped. This will cause them to throw out side shoots which should also be stopped, and the vines will soon spread in all directions and cover the ground. Some long, dry grass should be laid under the fruits to keep them clean. Ifthe grower chooses to go to the trouble of making a temporary arbour over which to train his plants, he may expect to be rewarded with much handsomer and finer fruit. Leeks —Sow the seed in a boxin the month of January. If the seedlings come up too thick, they should be thinned to about an inch apart, and those that remain should be planted out in trenches when they are about as thick asa goose quill. The trenches should be prepared in the same way as for celery, but need not be so deep and only 9 to 12 inches wide and about 18 inches apart, and the distance from plant to plant in the trenches should be 9 or 10 inches. They should be earthed up in the same way as celery to blanch them, a a? 115 Lettuce —These may be had all the year round. Sow the seed in a box, As soon as the seedlings are large enough to handle dibble them out in rows in a piece of ground that has been well dug up and manured. As they are of very quick growth, a row of Lettuce may be planted almost any where in the well-tilled garden amongst young cabbage, or between the rows of celery, or leeks. Snails, &c., are very fond of tender Lettuce, but a little soot, lime or wood-ashes placed within the rows, or round the plants will stop their depredations. Cabbage Lettuces are best for culture here, as they form heads much more freely than the Cos varieties. Parsley.—This should be grown in every garden. The seeds may be sown in drills 10 or 12 inches ‘apart or along the edges of beds, The ground should be previonsly dug to the depth of at least a foot and well manured. ‘The plant is biennial and once fairly started into growth gives no further trouble. Parsnips.—The ground for these, as for carrots, &c., should be worked deep to allow the roots to penetrate freely, or they are liable to become forked, Sow in drills in March or April, and again in November, 1 inch deep and 18 inches apart. All that is needed afterwards is to thin the young plants to about 12 inches apart, and keep them free from weeds. Radishes.—Sow thinly in beds anywhere in the garden. Only sow a little at a time, but successional sowings should be made every three or four weeks to keep up a constant supply. Salsafy or Vegetable Oyster—Sow the seedin drills 10 or 12 inches apart where the plants are to remain. The seedlings should be thinned to 6 or 8 inches apart. The roots are eaten boiled, and the young tender leaves make a very good salad. Scorzonera.—This requires the same treatment as Salsafy, and is used in a similar way. Garlic.—Plant the bulbils in shallow drills, 1 foot apart, and allow a dis- tance of 6 inches between them, and cover to the depth of 2 inches with fine soil. After the leaves have turned yellow, the bulbs may be taken up dried’ and hung up in bunches in an airy room or shed. Every garden should have its patch of pot herbs suchas Thyme, Sage, Sweet Marjoram, Basil, Borage, Mint, &c. Mustard and Cress should also be sown frequently in every garden. I have said nothing here about Tomatoes, Garden Eggs, Melons, Gourds of various kinds, Indian Kale, Kohl Rabi, English Peas, Turnips, Carrots, &c., as their culture is fairly well understood, althougi they are not much grown. There is no reason, however, why they should not be largely grown, as they are of easy culture and give quick and profitable returns. Excellent Irish Potatoes are grown, but the supply is never equal to the demand, and the prices asked for them are generally exorbitant. W. Harris, UTILIZATION OF BANANAS FOR MEAL, ALCO- HOL, &e. Stanley’s work ‘‘ In Darkest Africa’* called the attention of the world to the dietetic value of bananas, especially for invalids. Since that date experiments have been made for the purpose of so preparing *Page 240. ‘ We had often wondered during our life in the forest region, that “the natives did not appear to have discovered what invaluable nou~ “ rishing and easily digestible food they possessed in the plantain and 116 bananas that they might be made use of in all climates, not merely as fruit, but in the form of meal to be cooked as gruel, puddings, &e. In Jamaica it is of great importance to discover some plan for the utilization of the fruit, which at present 1s wasted,—the small bunches, and those that are unfit for export for other reasons, such as bruising or over-ripeness. A Committee of the Board of Governors of the Jamaica Institute, with the Director of Public Gardens as Chairman, investigated this sub- ject some time ago, but the conclusion arrived at then was that the data in their possession were not such as to encourage any hopes of planters being able to manufacture the waste bananas themselves or dispose of them to a factory. The Director has, however, been making en- quiries in London, and has had an interview with a Dutch engineer, Mr. Hartogh, who has invented machinery for the conversion of bana- nas into various products. ‘The specimens seen of these products were of excellent quality, and it is interesting te note that the peel can be used in certain cases for manufacture as well as the pulp of the fruit. The prospects of this new industry are now more hopeful, and it seems probable that factories will be started in Jamaica for the utilization of bananas that now are wasted. Mr. Hartogh, after seeing the references to bananas in Stanley’s book, visited Dutch Guiana in 1892, with the object of studying the prepartion of bananas so as to utilise the large proportion of starch contained in them for food, and for other industrial pur- poses. He invented various machines, and has prepared dif- ferent products from the banana, which have been submitted for analy- sis and test to specialists in all the industries in which starch pro- ducts are employed. Whether his special methods are of such a nature as to be profitable both to the planter and the manufacturer, the results of the tests to which the products have been submitted will be interesting to all growers of bananas. They have been published in connection with an exhibit in the Antwerp Exhibition of this year, made by the “ Stanley Syndicate,” which has been founded by Mr. Hartogh, and by Mr. Asser, Civil Engineer at the Hague, who actsas Secretary. An experimen- tal factory has for some time been at work in Dutch Guiana. Among others, experiments on a large scale have been carried out in Mr. Katuxe’s manufactory of yeast and alcohol at Konigsberg, and at his request in a laboratory at Berlin. An account of these experi- ments was published in the weekly paper “ Alcohol,” in its numbers 10, 11,12 and 15. The use of banana flour is regarded in this periodi- cal as opening a perfectly new prospect for the industry in question. It is affirmed that the richness of banana flour in starch is in a special state which facilitates in a most remarkable manner the production of “banana. All banana lands—Cuba, Brazil, the West Indies—seem to ‘‘ me to have been specially remiss on this point. If only the virtues “ of the flour were publicly known, it is not to be doubted but it would “ be largely consumed in Europe. For infants, persons of delicate di “ gestion, dyspeptics, and those suffering from temporary derange- “ ments of the stomach, the flour, properly prepared, would be of uni- | “ versal demand. During my two attacks of gastritis, a light gruel of * this, mixed with milk, was the only matter that could be digested.” 117 yeast without diminishing the quantity of alcohol. The latter has a fine aromatic flavour. Mr. Kautxe, one of the best known manufacturers of yeast in Ger- many, writes in this connection : ‘“ Banana flour, without doubt, from “ its richness in starch and its good flavour, is particularly suitable for “the manufacture of yeast. This flour is easily rendered saccharine. “ The yeast obtained by adding banana flour to the other ingredients “has a good colour, all the requisite properties of an excellent class “ of yeast, and moreover, keeps well. The alcohol obtained frem it “ leaves nothing to be desired, so that this flour may be introduced as ‘‘ an article of commerce and employed without any special prepara- “tion.” Satisfactory experiments have also been made in some breweries where 20 o/o of malt has been replaced by the flakes and flour of ba- nanas. The flavour of the beer was not altered and the quantity of liquid was increased, and the malt was replaced by a less expensive substance. Experiments are being made in which the proportion of banana flour is increased. One of the great Belgian brewers writes: “These flakes were macerated in the vat with the malt and the re- sult was much superior to that of maize and the flavour of the must ‘irreproachable ; the drainage of the mixture was a little difficult at “first, but after being stirred a second time the draining proceeded ra- “idly; briefly, the use of the flakes may be considered both advanta- “ veous and easy in brewing”. Different banana flours, and notably that prepared specially for the manufacture of glucose, have been tried in some glucoseries. Although difficulties were met with in the manufacture, principally with respect: to discoloration, it has been shown that the glucose obtained from it has a good flavour, is very sweet and slightly aromatic. It*is highly probable that a special study of the subject will sur- mount the slight difficulties which at first presented themselves in the use of this new product in glucoseries. Very nourishing bread has been made from equal proportions of bananas and wheat and rye flour, and even from a mixture of 2 ba- nana and 4 ordinary flour. A sweet banana flour having an agreeable flavour of fresh fruit ap- pears to be specially suitable for cakes and biscuits. SCIENCE A NECESSITY FOR SUCCESSFUL AGRI- CULTURE. At no period has science so largely benefited agriculture as at present, and the time has long since past when there is nothing to be done but to plant the seed in thespring and gather the harvestin autumn. While agriculture has made much advancement during recent years, yet it has hardly kept abreast of the times during the last decade, and some of the other industries have pushed ahead of this most ancient and honourable occupation. Agriculture has excluded itself too much from the other lines of industry, and is just now coming abreast of the times through the aid which science has rendered. This is particularly true in some special lines. Farm crops are at- tacked by two kinds of organisms—the injurious insects and the 118 parasitic fungi—and it is in dealing with these that perhaps the most advancement in scientific agriculture has recently been made. The insects eat the leaves and suck the sap of the plants, while the parasitic fungi feed upon the rich juices of plants, causing a great check in growth. How much damage is caused by injurious insects and parasitic fungi cannot be estimated in just so many shillings and pence, but it is safe to say that fully one-fourth of the average yield of all farm produce is destroyed by injurious insects alone. That is to say, that were it not for the insects, the yield would be one-fourth greater than it is at present. To one who has not given this matter attention, this statement may be received somewhat doubtfully ; but it is, nevertheless, only too true. By the application of proper remedies a large part of the loss caused by injurious insects can be prevented, and that with but little trouble and expense. It is here that the science of entomology comes to the rescue of the agriculturist by bringing forward insecticides to lessen, and indeed in some cases to entirely prevent, the loss caused by the ravages of injurious insects. . In many cases the loss through damage by parasitic fungi is no less than that caused by the attack of injurious insects. The diseases of the grape have, perhaps, received the most attention at the hands of mycologists, and the beneficial results of their work in this branch of scientific agriculture manifest themselves on every hand. Grape diseases were formerly but little prevalent, but during recent years they have increased in their distribution and destructiveness to such an extent that it is now almost impossible to bring the grapes to maturity without the application of a fungicide to check the growth of the parasitic fungi which are the cause of the grape diseases. This being the case, the viticulturist knows that the application of the Bordeaux mixture is as fully an important part of success as pruning or cultivation. But it has also been recently shown that many plant diseases other than those of the grape can be checked in like manner by the application of fungicides. A prominent example of this is found in the good resulting from the application of Bordeaux mixture to potatoes, recent experiments showing that this fungicide not only prevents the potato rot, but also so very largely increases the yield that it would pay well to apply the Bordeaux mixture for this latter purpose alone, where potatoes are subject to early blight. This increase in yield was a result unlooked for when the experiments were condueted. ‘This same fungicide is used in spraying apple trees to prevent the apple scab, and experiments last season at the Cornell station show that the Bordeaux mixture not only prevents the scab, but it increases both the yield and keeping qualities of the fruit. But in other lines of agriculture, science has but recently shown many things of interest. The matter of sub-irrigation has received attention at the hands of some of our stations, and the experiments have shown that this system of irrigation is much superior in its results to the usual methods Agricultural chemistry, dairying, and bacteriology are as yet but new sciences, and this is especially so in the intimate relations which they bear to each other. ‘The matter of the fermentation of milk is now receiving much attention, and 119 bacteriology will probably soon show us a method of greatly prolong- ing the sweetness of milk. By a method of milk testing, we are now able to say just how much butter-fat a given amount of milk contains, 7. e, how many pourds of butter can be made from the given quantity of milk. This being the case, the milk now sold at creameries is paid for in proportion to the amount of butter-fat it contains. Thus we see the intimate relations existing between the sciencies which underlie agriculture. We also see that science has brought agriculture forward to the state of advancement in which it now stands. That agriculture should be our foremost, as it ever has been primarily the most important, industry there can be no doubt. But science has not completed its work in aiding agriculture. Indeed, tbe results so far obtained but go to show the possibilities which lie beyond. Other equally important results in scientific agriculture may be looked for, and if the agriculturist wishes to be successful, he should put the latest results of scientific investigations into immediate practice. The greatest aid to the agriculturist in this country is the experiment stations— and it is through these institutions that much of the future aid to agriculture will be brought forward.—( American Agriculturist. ) CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE DEPARTMENT. LIBRARY. New Ferns of 1892-93 by J. G. Baker. [Kew.] Report on Dept. of Agriculture N. W. Provinces & Oudh for 1893. [Kew.] Report on Bot. & Afforestation Dept. Hong Kong for 1893. [Supt.] Report of Agri. Work in Bot. Gard.. B. Guiana for 1891-92. [Supt. | Report on Exp. Fields, Dodd’s Reformatory Barbados, 1892. [Supt. ] Report Bot. Station St. Lucia, 1893. [Curator. | Report Bot. Station, Lagos, 1893. [Curator] Report Bot. Station, Gold Coast, 1893. [Col. Secy.] Report Bot. Station Antigua, 1893. [Curator. ] Report Dept. of Agri,, Queensland, 1892-93. (2 copies). [Dept. of Agri.] Report on Rust in Wheat Experiments, &c. [Dept. of Agri., N. S. Wales. | Agri. Gazette of N.S. Wales, May, 1891, April & May, 1894. [Dept. of Agri. ] Agri. Journal of Cape Colony, Nos, 10-13 May & Juue 1894. [Dept. of Agri. Agri. aati & Planters’ Journal, Barbados, Nos.6 & 7 June & July, 1894, [Editor, ae Monthly, Honolulu. Nos. 6 &7 June and July, 1894. [Editor.] Sugar Journal and Trop. Cultivator, Queensland. No. 4, May, 1894. [Editor.] Sugar Cane. No. 300. July, 1894. [Editor. ] Supp. to Leeward Islands Gazette. Nos. 29-30. [Dept of Agri.] Journal Field Nat. Club, Trinidad. Nos.2 & 3. June and August, 1894 Secy. | ee 1 Journal of the Agri. Horti. Socy. of Madras. Jan.-March, 1894. Secy. Beanie Gazette. Nos.6 &7. June & July, 1894. [Editor.] Bulletin Royal Gardens, Kew, Nos. 90 &91. June & July, 1894, & app. II. 1894. [ Kew. ] Balletin Bot. Gardens, Trinidad. No. 22. April, 1894. [Supt.] Bulletin Dept. of Agri. Brisbane. No.2. March, 1894. [Dept, of Agri.] Bulletin Torrey Bot. Club. Nos.6&7. June & July, 1894. [Editor.] Bulletin Koloniaal Museum, Haarlem. May, 1894. [ Editor, ] Bulletin de L’ Herbier Boissier, Suisse. Nos. 6 & 7. June & July, 1894. [Conservateur. } Revue Agricole. No.5, May, 1894. [Conservateur. ] Science Gossp. No.5, July,1894. [Kditor.] Chemist and Druggist. Nos. 738-745. June-July, 1894, [Editor.] 120 Times of Ceylon. Nos. 21-28. May-July, 1894. [Editor.] Minnesota Botanical Studies. Bulletin No. 9. [Dept of Agri.] Contrib. from Gray Herb. of Harvard University by B. L. Robinson. [Author. ] New Commercial Plants & Drugs. No. 11, by T. Christy, [Author.] Plantas novas cultivadas, Jard Bot. Rio de Janeiro IV. [ Director. ] Catalogue of Plants in Island of Penang by ©. Curtis. [Author. ] Report of Jam. Soc. of Agri. & Commerce. [Secy. | Report by Mr. Crowther on his recent visit to the W. Indies. [Col. Secy.] SEEDS. From Royal Gardens Kew. Aloe marginata, Polygala speciosa, Doryanthes adhatodes, Leucodendron argen- teum, Strelitzia Regine, Strelitzia augusta, Irvingia Barteri, Clematis Stanleyi. From Government Botanist, Melbourne. Atriplex vescarium, Atriplex nummularium, Atriplex halimoides, Calycothrix tetragona, Callitris verrucosa, Eucalyptus microcorys, Ficus sp. (New Guinea), Leptospermum myrsinoides, Pittosporum phillyroides, Podolepis acuminata, Mar- silea Drummondii, Tecoma jasminoides, Xanthorrhoea Preissii, Mesembryanthe mum australe. From Mr. Joseph Myers, Mandeville. Lace Bark Seed. From Botanical Gardens, Mauritius. Acanthophoenix crinita, Corypha elata, Dypsis sp., Dictyosperma alba, Hyo- _ phorbe Verschaffeltii. From Botanical Gardens, Lagos. Momodora tenuifolia, Irvingia Barteri. From Botanical Gardens, Shibpur, India. Dalbergia latifolia, From Botanical Gardens, Saharanpur. Onion Seed. From Botanic Gardens, Bangalore, Cassia montana. : From Botanic Gardens, Ceylon. Erythrina Vespertilio. From Botanic Gardens, Grenada, Brownea grandiceps. From Mr. T. Christie, London. Maragogipe Coffee. From Mr. J. C. Harvey, California. Acacia juniperina, Aristolochia elegans, Brahea sp., Erythrina Caffra, Erythea armata, Erythea edulis, Cooperia pedunculata, Heteromeles arbutifolia, Lathyrus splendens, Pritchardia sp., Washingtonia filifera. From Oolonial Botanist, Brisbane. Acacia decurrens, Anthistiria membranacea, Astrebla pectinata, Astrebla ely- moides, Bursera australasica, Archontophcenix Cunninghamii, Calamns Muellerii, Eleeocarpus cyaneus, Eucalyptus acmenoides, E. corymbosa, E. Baileyana, E. hemastoma, E. microcorys, E. Planchoniana, HE. resinifera, E. saligna, E. sidero- phloia, E. tereticornis, E. trachyphloia, Gmelina Leichhardtii, Macadamia terni- folia, Macadamia Youngiana, Myrtus tenuifolia, Panicum decompositum, Pitto- sporum phillyroides, Pollinia fulbra, Polyosma Cunninghamii, Schizomeria ovata Vitis hypoglauca. Vol. I. New Series.| AUGUST & SEPTEMBER, 1894. p44 5, 9, BULLETIN BOTANICAL DEPARTMENT, JAMAICA, Published by the Department of Public Gardens and Planiatwns. Eprrep ey THE Director, WILLIAM FAWCETT, B.Sc., F.LS. CONTENTS: os Shipping Bananas and Pine Apples. - pace 121 ‘ Todd’s Machine for Sisal tlemp ~ 121 y Treatment of Diseased Sugar Canes = -— 123 Insect Pests — 126 * Onion Cultivation in Egypt - 13] Forestry - 133 Agricultural Products of Nicaragua — 138 Forestry by Professor Balfour - 140 _ Contributions to the Department - 158 P RIC E—Fourpence. A Copy will be supplied free to any Resident in Jamaica, who will send Name and ; Address to the Director of Public Gardens and Plantations, Gordon Town P.O. SI CAS UI CUICUIUAI PLL CAI CAT CALA KINGSTON, JAMAICA: GOVERNMENT Printine Orricy, 79 Duxe STREET. 1894, Ls ye retry be) aay a JAMAICA. BULLETIN OF THE BOTANICAL DEPARTMENT. Vol. I. New Series. | AUGUST & SEPTEMBER, 1894. Parts 8&0. SHIPPING BANANAS AND PINE APPLES TO THE LONDON MARKET. Mr. Gerald, of Messrs. J. B. Thomas, Ship Brokers, Covent Garden, states that lar ge bunches of bananas, well selected, well packed, and arriving in good condition, obtain a price varying from 18s. to 35s. per bunch. He advises that the bunches should be packed in crates—one bunch to a crate. Each bunch should be rolled once in a sheet of cotton- wool, and then wrapped in paper, which may be waste newspaper, or any other kind of paper. The crates should have the shippers’ mark on outside, and also a letter or number to indicate whether first class or second class. It is better toship by way of New York their agent there (Mr. Thos. P. Wallace, 187 Reade St.)would decide whether to forward or not.* As soon as a shipment reaches Liverpool, fruit would either be sold there or sent on to London, according to the state of the market. From New York through freight would be paid to London, and if stopped at Liverpool, deduction would be made for rail between Liverpool and London. Pine Apples should be wrapped in paper, and packed tight in crates, 24 to 30 in each crate. Those from Florida get from ls. to 2s. each, those from St. Michaels 6s. to 8s. each. TODD’S MACHINE FOR SISAL HEMP. Hon. Col. Secretary, to Director af Public Gardens and Plantation, 10th July, 1894. Sir, I am desired by the Officer Administering the Government to for- ward herewith, for your information, a copy of a Despatch from the Secretary of State for the Colonies, with enclosures relative to a Machine for extracting Fibre from Sisal Hemp now in senses operation in the Bahamas. I have, &e., (Signed) J. ALLWoop, 122 Circular. Downing Street, 2nd June, 1894. Sir, With reference to my Circular despatch of the 12th of August, 1893, I have the honour to transmit to you copies of a despatch from the Governor of the Bahamas, and of a letter * from the Director of the Royal Gardens, Kew, respecting a Machine for extracting Fibre from Sisal Hemp, manufactured by Mr. Todd, of New York, which is: now in successful operation in the Bahamas. I have, &c., (Signed) Ripon. The Officer Administering the Government of Jamaica. Bahamas, No. 64. Government House, Nassau, N. P., 24th April, 1894. My Lorp, With reference to communications, verbal and otherwise, that I have received from the Colonial Office during the past three years on the subject of Machines for the extraction of Fibre, on which information was desired for the Fiji Government, I have now the honour to ac- quaint your Lordship that I am at length in a position to speak de- finitely of a Machine that is now in successful operation in this Colony. 2. The Machine in question is one manufactured by a Mr. Todd,t of New York, and during my late visit to the Munroe Plantation at Abaco, I witnessed its performance and have no doubt it will be uni- versally adopted here. It dresses the Fibre perfectly and witha minimum amount of waste, and though half a ton is all that a single Machine will yield as a day’s work, the principle is so sound that all that is necessary 1s to increase the number to meet any required needs. 3. I may observe, however, it does not necessarily follow that the * Todd” Machine will be suitable where the conditions of the plant are not similar to ours—I am not informed of the nature of the plant at Fiji—buat it may be instructive to know that the leaves of the Bahama Plant which hold the Fibre are from four to six feet long, that they are free from gum, and the threads separate without combing. Little washing is needed, and the whole process of extracting, washing, and drying is the work of one day. Ihave, &c., (Signed) A, SHEA, Governor. The Most Honourable, The Marquis of Ripon, K.G., &c., &e. Royal Gardens, Kew, May 22nd, 1894, Sir, I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of May * Gov. No. 64 24th April, 1894, Kew, 22nd May, 1894. + Address—J. C. Todd, Patterson, New Jersey, U.S.A. 123 19th, transmitting a copy of a despatch from the Governor of Bahamas respecting the “Todd” Machine for extracting Fibre from Sisal Hemp. . 9. This Machine is described in Report No.5 “ Fibre investiga- tions in the United States,” issued by the Department of Agriculture, pp. 25, 26. The Governor’s despatch gives the first information as to its practical working which has reached Kew. As the success of the Sisal Hemp enterprise in Bahamas entirely depends ona satisfatory Machine being found for the purpose of cleaning the Fibre, the in- formation contained in the Governor’s despatch is decidedly encourag- ing. The price of Sisal Hemp is just now lower than it has ever been. It is quoted at £16. 10s. per ton, compared with £54 three years ago. 3. Sir Ambrose Shea correctly points out that “it does not neces- sarily follow that the “Todd” Machine will be suitable where the con- ditions of the plant are not similar.” In Fiji the most plentiful species is Furcreea gigantea, or Mauritius Hemp. It is possible that the “Todd” Machine may clean Furcreea leaves, but it cannot be as- sumed. 4, The attention of the Governor of Fiji should be drawn to the Mauritius Machine as likely to answer his purpose. It is described in the Kew Bulletin, 1890, pp. 98-104. It is very cheap, can be easily » worked by a low horse-power, and attended by Indian coolies. Iam, &c., (Signed) W. T. Tuistteton-Dvyer. Edward Wingfield, Esq. C.B., Colonial Office, Downing Street, 8. W. TREATMENT OF DISEASED SUGAR CANES IN THE WEST INDIES. [From the Kew Bulletin for June, 1894.] In consequence of the appearance of disease affecting sugar-cane in the West Indies, great attention has been devoted to the subject at Kew, and in the course of official correspondence with the Colonial Office, and with local authorities in the islands concerned, various recommendations have been made with the view of enabling the sugar planters to deal effectively with it. Funeoiw Disease. The diseases chiefly engaging attention at the present time are the rind-fungus (Trichospheria sacchari), and the root-fungus ( Colleto- trichum faicatum.) It is possible that these may eventually prove to be different forms of one and the same species, but the investigations on this point have not yet been completed. There is apparently a danger that attention is being diverted in the West Indies over too wide a field, and that the few, but really destruc- tive enemies of the sugar cane are likely to be overlooked. The re- commendations made from Kew have, therefore, been confined to cer- tain well-established facts, and to precautions and treatment calculated to improve the industry generally. For instance, it has been sought to impress upon those engaged in sugar growing, in the first place, to select only the best and strongest canes for planting purposes. This _ a 124 is a matter so obvious that it would hardly seem necessary to mention > it. There is, however, sufficient evidence to show that, following the - routine practice of a bygone age. cane-tops for planting are too often taken from weak and worn-out canes, and even from those which are > actually diseased. When this is done disease in the cane-fields is inevitable. Not only so, but the disease every year takes stronger hold of the cane-fields, until at last the cultivation threatens to become unproductive. Another point dwelt upon is that the diseased canes, directly they show themselves, should be cut out in the fieldsand burnt. This pre- caution would prevent the spread of the disease during the season of growth, and allow the healthy canes to fully mature before they are cut. Lastly it has been recommended that after the canes are cut and the crop is over, the stubble and refuse left on the fields should be burnt. ‘This would tend to cleanse and purify the land by destroying the spores, and afford hope for more immunity from disease for the next year’s crop. These, briefly stated, are the general measures, which, if steadily and carefully pursued, must gradually stamp out the disease in all the islands. It will be noticed that they require no special appliances or material; they can be carried out by each planter without considerable expense, and with no technical skill or knowledge necessary beyond what is possessed by every sugar planter in the West Indies. So far, however, although the mischief effected by disease is already serious, the action taken locally has not been at all commensurate with the gravity of the situation. Valuable time has been lost, and the position has been steadily getting worse instead of better. It is all the more noticeable to find that in the island of St. Vin- cent definite action has at last been taken, and a committee appointed to inquire into the disease of sugar canes in the island has presented a Report which itis hoped will stimulate action in the other islands.