TRACTS ON VARIOUS SUBJECTS, &c. 189 



[Melia Azederach*) are, without exception, the finest trees for 

 this island. Their growth is rapid ; they are all evergreens ; 

 stand the trade wind in the most exposed situations, are extremely 

 ornamental, and most of them are equally uselul for timber as for 

 fuel. Under all these advantages, I should prefer them to the 

 Arabian date for clothing the summits and sides of the highest 

 ridges ; and as upon these there is a cooler temperature, and a 

 greater degree of moisture, it may be expected they would grow 

 with more luxuriance than those in the vicinity of Plantation- 

 house. I do not, however, object to the Arabian date, since it 

 would tend to the objects in view, and would be a valuable ac- 

 quisition to the fruit trees of St. Helena. 



The fermenting balls which you described in the Madras 

 Gazette, of the 22d of February, 1812, were found to surpass even 

 your most sanguine expectations. Some of the passengers in a 

 ship where they were daily used, assured me, that, during the 

 voyage to St. Helena, they had the lightest and finest bread they 

 ever tasted on board ship : they compared their breakfast rolls to 



* I have, at present, some beautiful specimens of the Melia, from seed received from 

 Dr. Roxburgh, which was sown on the 26th of February, 1812. The young trees were 

 transplanted on the 3d of October, 1812, and some are now three feet high, spreading out 

 horizontal branches, and forming a tliick foliage about four feet in diameter. The young 

 trees when transplanted at seven months growth, had tap-roots, like a small parsnip. These 

 roots were as long as the stems above ground, and both together, of the largest plants, 

 measured from 18 to 24 inches. They are, therefore, peculiarly suited to this climate j and 

 are, by far, the best of all the Indian trees I have received. Neither the Teak nor Sissoo 

 seed, nor any other of the many timber trees, for which I am indebted to Dr. Roxburgh's 

 kindness and attention have succeeded at Plantation-house ; notwithstanding they were 

 sown and treated according to his directions. However, the trees I have enumerated 

 would be sufficient for every purpose ; and if the planting system he followed up, St. 

 Helena, in the course of even twenty years, would yield a considerable supply of useful 

 timber, and abound with fuel. 



