3. Jamaica.—

Further information confirms the prospect of success in the cultivation of Cinchona in Jamaica (see Kew Report for 1877, p. 15).

Mr. Thomson reports (August 13th, 1878,) that in the parish of Manchester the growth of Cinchona is an accomplished success. "The average height of the group of trees which I examined is over 25 feet, the largest specimen, however, measured 35 feet, with its trunk near the ground 2 feet in circumference; this latter size is about equal to our best specimens at the Government plantation, now nine years old. The trees in question are finely developed and very healthy, and are growing in an ordinary coffee field. These trees are growing at the remarkably low elevation of 2,000 feet. A few hundred pounds of bark taken from some of the same batch of trees was stripped and sent to England last year; this bark realised 2s. 1d. per lb., a very satisfactory price considering the age of the trees (seven years) and particularly the low elevation at which they were grown. . . . . . . Thousands of acres in this beautiful parish, with an altitude of about 3,000 feet, present conditions more especially adapted to plant."

A parcel of bark of Cinchona succirubra from Jamaica sold in London in September of last year fetched 2s. 10d. per lb., being a higher price than was reached by either East Indian or Ceylon bark sold at the same time.

Mr. Nock, who is in charge of the Cinchona plantation at Gordon Town, informs me while this Report is in preparation, that "having cut down 100 trees of C. succirubra about 10 years old, the yield of bark amounted to 1,391 lbs. of trunk bark, and 269 lbs. of branch bark, making a total of 1,660 lbs. of green bark. I expect this to lose three-quarters in drying, which will bring it down to 415 lbs., which at 2s. 6d. per lb. will realise over 50l. As the trees are planted 303 to the acre, an acre is worth at 10 years over 150l., which proves Cinchona cultivation in Jamaica to be a profitable undertaking. The average height of the 100 trees was 22 feet, not including 3 feet of the young wood at top. The average circumference close to the ground being 18 inches, and at 5 feet above the ground 13 inches. The tallest tree was 35 feet, with a circumference close to the ground of 30 inches. The smallest was 11 feet high, circumference 13 inches." The Government has authorised the extension of this plantation by 100 acres.