Ixx INTRODUCTORY CHAPTER. 



seemed very generally to be admitted, that whilst St. Helena can 

 furnish large quantities of potatoes and vegetables at moderate 

 rates, it could seldom be necessary to make any demand for 

 beef at the island price, which is fourteen pence per pound ; for 

 in all disorders incidental to seamen after long voyages, (except 

 in cases of great debility,) it is probable that a vegetable regimen, 

 combined with ships provisions and wholesome beer, may be 

 nearly, if not wholly as efficaciousin promoting a recovery as a 

 change from salt to fresh meat. The question seems to be, whether 

 sixteen pounds of potatoes (which cost fourteen pence) be equiva- 

 lent to one pound of fresh meat. The experiment is worthy a 

 trial, if not already made. 



From these recent facts, it will readily be perceived how very 

 easily St. Helena might be rendered the most perfect and com- 

 plete place of refreshment for ships in the world. All that is 

 wanting is to promote and encourage the culture of the lands. If 

 the present scale of cultivation were enlarged, and plantations 

 of trees extended to many of those parts that are unfit for other 

 purposes, there cannot be a doubt, that every necessary refresh- 

 ment for fleets, and food for the inhabitants, as well as useful 

 timber and fuel, might be produced in the greatest abundance. 



The laudable spirit for improvement, which at present exists 

 among some of the landholders, affords a fair prospect of attaining 

 all these objects. " Plantations of trees," says Governor Wilks,* 

 " are become a favourite object with most of the landholders, 

 " since the destruction of the goats, has begun to shew that trees 



were upon the sick list, incapable of duty : but on the 1st of September, when he sailed 

 for England, most of them were restored to health ; ancj the sick list was reduced to 

 thirty. Their recovery was chiefly ascribed to tiie abundant use of vegetables, and whole-; 

 some beer. 



* Governor Wilks's Agricultural Report, dated lOth March, 1815. 



