This plant grows most abundantly in Ceylon, and is thus described by
Bishop Heber. After speaking of the visits of a forenoon, he adds: “In
the afternoon we drove through the far-famed cinnamon-gardens, which
cover upward of seventeen thousand acres of land on the coast, the
largest of which are near Colombo. The plant thrives best in a poor,
sandy soil, in a damp atmosphere. It grows wild in the woods to the size
of an apple-tree, but when cultivated is never allowed to grow more than
ten or twelve feet in hight, each plant standing separate. The leaf is
something like the laurel in shape, but of a lighter color. When it
first shoots out it is red, and changes gradually to green. It is now
out of blossom, but I am told the blossom is white, and spreads, when in
full blossom, to cover the garden. After hearing so much of the spicy
gales from this island, I was much disappointed at not being able to
discover any scent, at least from the plants. In passing through the
gardens, there is a very fragrant-smelling flower growing under them,
which at first led us into the belief that we smelt the cinnamons, but
we were soon undeceived. On pulling off a leaf or twig, you perceived
the spicy odor very strongly, but I was surprised to hear that the
flower had little or none. As the cinnamon forms the only considerable
export of Ceylon, it is of course preserved with care. By the old Dutch
law the penalty for cutting a branch was no less than the loss of a
hand; at present a fine expiates the offense. The neighborhood of
Colombo is particularly favorable to its growth, being well sheltered,
with a high, equable temperature, and as showers fall frequently, the
ground is never parched.”
[Illustration: TREE TEMPLE AT MATIBO IN PIEDMONT.]