CINCHONA CULTIVATION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XX, Issue 6821, 27 September 1883, Page 6

CINCHONA CULTIVATION.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir, —I have read your remarks on cinchona cultivation in Auckland with some interest, but , I fancy Mr. Malcolmson is being misled as to the suitability of the climate, in very much the same way as I was myself. During the years 1881 and 1882, and the summer of 1883, experiments were made in Tauranga, Auckland, and Mangonui with the view of introducing the cinchona plant into the country, but without success, even of so modified a nature as to justify further prosecution of the attempt. The seed was freshly imported from Ceylon, India, and Java, but, though it germinated, it speedily died off. The experiments were made with succirnbra, officinalis, and ledgeriana seeds, so I may say a very fair trial was made, while the cultivation was attended to by two gentlemen who had bien many years in Ceylon, and were practically acquainted with cinchona cultivation in all its branches. Whether it is that the nights are too cold, or the sun heat not sufficiently sustained, I cannot say, bat I record the failure as.a fact. The soil north of Auckland is, as a rule, too stiff for the cultivation, but if the climate suited there can be no questlon'that.the soil of the Te Puke Hills, near Tauranga, is just what is wanted for the . purpose, as it is free and porous. Mr. Mason,, of the Parnell Nursery, conld give Mr. Malcolmson some information about the cinchona seed he treated for Mr.. Edwards,: of Mangonui, aud all I would advi'e is'that the further .experiments should be made in as inexpensive a mariner as possible, as thus the loss will.be.minimized.— I am, &c.,* John Duncan. Wellington, Sept. 18, 1883.