192 TRACTS ON VARIOUS SUBJECTS, &c, 



land : npon better soil, the growth would no doubt be quicker ; 

 for, in some cases, I have seen them shoot three feet in twelve 

 months. A good many of these trees may be seen at the east side 

 of the lawn at Plantation-house, which are already well grown. 

 The seed-bed was sown in May, 1809, and the young trees trans- 

 planted in May, 1810: one of which, in four years, already 

 measures ten feet eleven inches high. Even this small specimen 

 of a pineaster plantation is sufficient to shew the advantages that 

 would, in a few years, be derived from the establishment of large 

 plantations. Judging from the size of some pineasters, planted 

 by Colonel Patton, about eight or nine years ago, I am of opinion 

 that the^r*^ thinning of St. Helena plantations might take place 

 in nine years from the seed ; at which time, the stems would yield 

 many pieces of small timber, fit for a variety of purposes ; and 

 the branches would furnish abundance of excellent fuel ; an 

 article at present so very scarce on this island. 



According to Mr. Miller, the first thinning, in the northern 

 climates, takes place at sixteen or eighteen years growth ; because, 

 he says, they are four years old when transplanted : but here they 

 are set out after being about ten months, or one year, in the seed- 

 bed. I conceive their quick growth in this climate, may be 

 ascribed to the powers of vegetation not being at any time sus- 

 pended : which is not the case in cold and frosty regions. 



The advantages therefore of forming plantations of tirs at St. 

 Helena are much greater than in Europe ; the expenses will be 

 much sooner reimbursed ; and the best trees, being left for growing 

 timber, will be of great value ; and at this island would establish 

 fortunes for the younger branches of even the present generation. 



It may not be unprofitable to take a view of the advantage that 

 would accrue from the proposed plantations. The result will, I 

 trust, operate as a powerful stimulus to exertion, and will, I hope. 



