TRACTS ON VARIOUS SUBJECTS, &c. 183 



of Ladder Hill ; and thrives in a colder temperature, both to the 

 northward and southward of Plantation-house, as well as at 

 Long Wood. The hedges that have been already formed at those 

 places, will soon become nurseries for its further propagation ; 

 and as it possesses a triple advantage, by making the most im- 

 pervious fences, by being useful as a vegetable, and by guarding 

 itself against goats and other animals, I think that every means 

 should be used to extend its culture. 



The plants already growing on Ladder Hill, cover several acres. 

 I shall recommend that the leaves of these, at proper seasons, 

 should be planted all down the north-east point of the mountain : 

 in order that ample supplies of this Cactus may be at hand for 

 the shipping. 



I acknowledge my obligations to you for your endeavours to 

 send supplies of the Nopal and Tuna to this island: but of all 

 you sent, I received no more than sixteen leaves. These arrived 

 in the rainy season, and were immediately put in the soil, -but 

 most of them were destroyed by white maggots that had bred in 

 them, which I think is a strong proof they do not delight in 

 moisture. 



I concur in your idea that the establishment of a iev/ villages 

 in the interior would be desirable ; but this plan cannot conve- 

 niently be carried into effect until husbandry is farther advanced ; 

 for at present most of the necessaries of subsistence, excepting 

 potatoes and vegetables, are brought from James's Town : but 

 when pork shall be raised at the farms, together with grain for 

 feeding poultry and hogs, and wheat also raised, and ground in 

 the interior into flour, the convenience of country habitations will 

 be far greater than at present. 



It is certainly a most serious evil that we have scarcely any 

 class of inhabitants who are solely dependant on their own 



