INTRODUCTORY CHAPTER. li 



and forming a matted texture over the soil, which at a distance 

 resembles a fine rich meadow. 



But whatever may be the quantity of salsola plants at present, 

 I have no doubt it might be greatly increased, and at a trifling 

 expen>e, in the following manner. 



Having succeeded in raising plants from the seed in Planta- 

 tion-house garden, and npon some barren spots on which the 

 salsola was growing spontaneously, there can be no doubt of the 

 possibility of extending the culture. It seems to me, that the 

 least expensive mode would be, to loosen the soil in the intervals 

 among the natural plants intended to be cut ; to postpone cutting 

 vintil the seed is perfectly ripe ; and, after cutting, to spread the 

 plants upon the loosened soil, and beat them a little before they 

 are carried to the fire. I conceive, that by these simple means, 

 the seed would be sufficiently deposited for the purpose of vege- 

 tation. If, however, an entire new plantation is to be made, I 

 would recommend that the surface soil should be previously 

 loosened by a rake or harrow, and the seed very thinly sown, 

 and then bush-harrowed with the salsola itself If the sowing 

 were to take place just before the rains are expected, the new 

 Plantation would thrive exceedingly ; and if permitted to remain, 

 as already mentioned, for eighteen months before the first crop is 

 taken, it would yield one or two crops a year. New plantations 

 might also be formed from seed beds ; as the young plants have 

 been found to thrive well after transplanting. 



I have dwelt the longer upon this subject, because it holds 

 out a fair prospect of obtaining some return for the heavy 

 charges that are annually incurred by maintaining this small 

 establishment. 



Amongst the various lichens with which the island abounds, 

 there is that valuable species called Orchel. The circumstances 



