I79I» LITERARY INTELLIGENCER. 195 



No fooner was the fociety inftituted, than they caft their 

 eyes on Dr. Anderibn of Madras, as a peifon on whofe good 

 offices they could depend, in forwarding any plan, thatpromif- 

 ed to render the lot of any part of the human race more agree- 

 able than it had been. The prefident accordingly wrote to 

 him, acquainting him with the nature of the inllitution, and 

 requeuing his aid in procuring for them, feeds or plants of 

 any vegetable produdlion, that he judged proper for their 

 illand. The following is the anfwer Dr. Anderfon returned 

 to this letter ; with a copy of which, the editor of this work 

 has been lately favoured. The information it contains, may 

 be of ufe to the inhabitants of other warm regions, and 

 therefore it deferves to be made public, that the example 

 may help to llimulate others, to purfue a fimilar plan of con- 

 du£l. 

 " To Robert Brooks, Efq. Governor, and the rejl of 



" the Governors and Members of the St. Helena Plant- 



" er''s Society. 

 Gentlemen, 



" I have been favoured with your letter and plan, which 

 muft affoid general fatisfadion, from the very laudable ob- 

 jects of its views. 



" There can be no doubt, but the whole may be execut- 

 ed, from the variety that appears in the temperature of 

 your atmofphere. 



" At prefent, however, I (hall confine myfelf to three ob- 

 jecls that feem of the firft importance, viz. the fupply of roots, 

 grain and herbage for food, wood for fuel, timber and fhelter 

 for the yam vine, cotton and indigo, as fome employment 

 for perfons that might otherwife remain idle. 



The yam I have feen in your illand, being the Arum Ef- 

 ciilcntum, requires a marfhy foil ; and the lofty iituation of 

 the arable land in St. Helena will never admit of much land 

 being laid out in this manner ; whereas the yam, Diofcoria^ 

 j4lata of LinnccuK, is more wholefome and pleafant for food, 

 and in light garden mold, the dews from heaven will almoft 

 prove futhcient watering for its nourllhmcnt. 



The convolvoliis Batatas may be planted with the plough, 

 and affords a good kind of food. 



In cafe you cilabliih Tanks, I would recommend, as foon 

 a.s their waters fink three or four feet, little holes may be 



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