TRACTS ON VARIOUS SUBJECTS, &c. 173 



as to be of little value either as a wood of utility, or for firewood. 

 It should therefore be cleared away at Long Wood, where it inter- 

 feres with agriculture, leaving only intermediate rows for shelter, 

 for it occupies at present, ground capable of agriculture without 

 being of the smallest use, and is not sufficiently elevated to answer 

 the purpose I am recommending : the peaks that should be 

 covered with Avood, being elevated far above the level of Long- 

 Wood. 



As it would be an undertaking of labour and expense, more 

 perhaps than would be given to cover the sides of the ridges towards 

 the summits with wood, I have suggested to some gentlemen, 

 and particularly to Major Hodson, as Arabian dates are sent here 

 for sale (the seeds of which will grow), that if he would put some 

 of these seeds in his pocket on going to these peaks, and make 

 his servants stick them into the rich soil on these elevated ridges, 

 he might clothe them with trees in this easy, slow, but general 

 manner, that would not be eaten by the goats, would take strong- 

 root, and from its luxuriant growth in Mysore, which in climate 

 and elevation approaches that of these peaks, there can be little 

 doubt of their thriving, and when any more useful trees can be 

 reared these trees may be cut down or thinned. I have also sug- 

 gested that the seed of the Guinea grass scattered on these 

 summits would grow and distribute itself, and be the means of 

 afl^brding the best of fodder to the tine English cattle reared on 

 the island. 



The fir tree which you have reared with the same view, and 

 mean to distribute at low rates, will be planted where they can 

 be enclosed, and taken care of, but even some of these may be 

 planted on these peaks, and if surrounded with a circular wall for 

 a few feet, may be then left without further care, a ftw prickly 

 pear leaves covering the top of the enclosure. In India, where 



