INTRODUCTORY CHAPTER. xlv 



the ashes of the several parts of tlie salsoUi plant, and a just 

 comparison alsowiih those ("roin the furze and lihtckberry-biishes. 

 But, as the very linuted scale of these experiments did not admit 

 of sufHcient heat to vitrify the ashes into a cake, it seems proba- 

 ble that the results of the sulsola would have been materially 

 different, and perhaps more favourable, if the experiments had 

 been made upon a larger quantity of the plant. I say more 

 favourable, because I observed that those who have had consi- 

 derable practice in burning, considered the loose ashes of very 

 little value compared with those formed into cakes. 



The very high commendations which have been bestowed on 

 the St. Helena barilla (particularly upon the improved speci- 

 mens), by persons who have a practical knowledge of its manu- 

 facture, have induced me not to withhold some further informa- 

 tion in my possession, relative to the nnide of burning; the rapid 

 re-production of the plant, and the practicability of extending its 

 culture throughout many parts of the island which are wholly 

 unfit for any other purpose. 



Although the sah^ola be a marine plant, and grows spontane- 

 ously on the most barren places, where neither corn, nor escu- 

 lents, nor trees, will grow ; yet it is of that nature, that it grows 

 with ureat exuberance iu the gardens and fields in the interior of 

 the island. This I determined by several experiments, of which 

 it will suffice to give the detail of one at Plantation-house. 



Soaje of the seed, which is ijlack and extremely small, taken 

 from plants on Ladtler Hill, were sown on the 7th February, 

 1810 in a box filled with garden mould. The plants appeared 

 on the 4th March. On the 2(1 May they were eight inches high. 

 Soon aiterthey grew so large in the box, that I determined to 

 transplant them. Accordingly about a dozen were removed to 

 the Plantation-house garden, where they continued to thrive ; 



