TRACTS ON VARIOUS SUBJECTS, &c. m 



SECTION XXVIII. 



Mr. Miller's Directions for rearing Scotch Pine are applicable to the Finer 

 aster — St. Helena Pineaster Wood described — weightier than common. 

 Fir — thrives upon poor Soil — average Growth about two Feet in the Year 

 — sometimes grows more than three Feet. Plantations of Firs at St. 

 Helena more profitable than in Europe — Computation of their Value in 

 twenty Years. Negligence and Inattention to the planting Law much to 

 be regretted — The fittest Trees for St. Helena Plantations enumerated — 

 Furthet Notices upon the Growth of Trees — and upon the necessity of 

 extirpating Goats, and tending Sheep. 



JVlR. Miller's directions for planting the Scotch pine are in 

 general applicable to the Pineaster, which is the species of pine 

 growing at Plantation-house, and at other places on this island. 

 This is described in Miller's Gardener's Dictionary. " Pine 

 " tree with two thick smooth leaves in each sheath, and pyramidal 

 " acute cones; the Wild Pine, or Pineaster." 



The wood of St. Helena pineaster of twenty-four years growth, 

 which has the appearance of pale mahogany, is weightier than 

 common fir, in the proportion of 6 to 5, and apparently surpasses 

 in quality all the sorts that are usually imported here. It grows 

 even upon poor, hard, clay soil, and consequently may be culti- 

 vated with better success in many places : but particularly about 

 the middle of the island, where there is better soil, more moisture, 

 and a cooler temperature. 



According to personal observation and particular attention to 

 pineasters of different ages, I have observed that, in general, their 

 average growth is about two feet in the year. This is upon dry 



