Travels in Peru and India by Sir Clements R. Markham
CHAPTER XXIX.
271 words | Chapter 65
CHINCHONA-CULTIVATION.
Ceylon--Sikkim--Bhotan--Khassya Hills--Pegu--Jamaica--Conclusion.
The complete success which has attended the cultivation of
chinchona-plants in the Neilgherry hills, encourages the hope that
similar happy results will follow their introduction into other hill
districts of Southern India, which have been described in more or
less detail in previous chapters. I have no doubt of the suitability
of the Pulney hills, the Koondahs, the Anamallays, and Coorg for such
experimental cultivation; and trials should hereafter be made on the
Mahabaleshwurs, the high hills east of Goa, the Baba-bodeens, Nuggur,
Wynaad, the Shervaroys, and the mountains between Tinnevelly and
Travancore.
The hill districts of the island of Ceylon, which have the
necessary elevation, and are within the region of both monsoons,
also offer peculiarly favourable conditions for the cultivation
of chinchona-plants, probably equal to the best localities on the
peninsula of India. Mr. Thwaites, the Director of the Royal Botanical
Gardens at Peradenia, takes a deep interest in this important
measure, and under his auspices there can be no doubt of its ultimate
success. It was from the first determined to send a portion of
the chinchona-seeds to Ceylon, although the whole expense of the
undertaking has been borne by the revenues of India, and no assistance
whatever has been given by those colonies which will thus profit by its
success.
The gardens at Peradenia are 1594 feet above the level of the sea, and
the following table will give a correct idea of the climate:--
----------------------------------------------------------------------
OBSERVATIONS taken at PERADENIA, in Ceylon, in 1857.
----------+--------------------+----------+---------------------------
| Thermometer. | Rainfall |
+------+------+------+ in |
MONTH. | Max. |Mean. | Min. | inches. | REMARKS.
----------+------+------+------+----------+---------------------------
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