V 



ke?narks on the Culture of Exotic Vegetables. 161 



the value or means of improving the face of their country, and 

 bettering- their own condition, or providing more certain 

 provender for their cattle, are induced to lead a nomade life ; in 

 which the losses they sustain would deter others, less patient of 

 hardships, from leading so wandering a life, in search of a scanty 

 and poor subsistance for their flocks and herds. It is therefore 

 to be hoped that some spirited individuals may be found, to set 

 the example to their countrymen, when they themselves are 

 made acquainted with the most likely method of carrying sucli 

 improvement into effect. 



It is acknowledged that the scarcity of water, and the pre- 

 vailing droughts, are great obstacles to agricultural improve- 

 ments in this colouy ; but, if it is in the power of man to draw 

 from the atmosphere, moisture for the establishment of certain 

 vegetables, it can only be accomplished by the extension of 

 forest planting, it being well known that trees possess a powerful 

 attraction for clouds, and, after obtaining a sufficiency of moisture 

 for themselves, impart the superfluity for the sustenance of 

 smaller vegetables. 



The topographical histories of several countries, record the fact 

 of a change of climate having beiug caused by the indiscriminate 

 destruction of the trees; and farther state the difficulties ex- 

 perienced in the attempts to re-establish the indigenous plants of 

 those countries. Experiments ought therefore to be made, both 

 on the plains and high lands with such exotic productions, as are 

 known to resist the severe action of the winds, and the effects of 

 cold and drought in their native climates, and which serve as 

 tkreens for the establishment of more prized, though perhaps not 

 more valuable productions. 



The apparent barrenness of the several mountainous regions of 

 Southern Africa at the present day, is no proof that they never" 

 were covered with timber of large dimensions. The present 

 form of the rocks themselves, and the connection of the various 

 strata of which they are composed, are evident proofs of the 

 changes they have undergone at some remote period ; and 

 although no fossile remains has been found, indicative of large 

 forests having once existed, yet, at this day, the same species of 

 trees are to be met with (though of a diminutive size) on them, 

 which are found in all their perfection in the forests of the 

 coast. 



I am aware of some instances in the colony, of the Oak 

 remaining in a quiescent state for years; and in consequence of 

 these solitary examples, several persons have been deterred from 

 making farther attempts; but the planting of a single tree, or a 

 row of trees, and their failure, is no criterion to judge by, as to 

 the practicability of rearing whole forests. The soil and climate, 

 therefore, are too often blamed, when the fault lies in the 

 indolence of man. We ought, therefore, to repeat the trials of 



xx 



