TRACTS ON VARIOUS SUBJECTS, &c. ^ ]95 



willow, the indigenous red wood, and the large species of Mor- 

 gossa [Melia azederach), are without exception, the very best 

 trees for this island. They are of quick growth, and all evergreens ; 

 they stand the trade wind in the most exposed situations ; and 

 most of them are equally useful for timber as for fuel. To this 

 list I may venture to add the Bois noir, or black wood. Of this 

 tree I lately received some seed from Governor Farquhar at the 

 Isle of France, who is of opinion that the black wood might be a 

 valuable acquisition to the St. Helena plantations. So far as I 

 can at present judge, I have reason to believe it will succeed 

 admirably. The young plants are already finely Come up, and 

 are much more forward than any other of the seeds that were 

 sown at the same time. " The JBois noir-, at the Isle of France, 

 " is beautiful during nine months of the year, grows surprisingly 

 " quick, and yields a timber that is excellent for ship-building, 

 " and other valuable purposes." 



Of the trees I have here enumerated, there is, I believe, only 

 one (the JHorgossa) which is fit for underwoods ; and as these 

 would be extremely serviceable for fuel, because they re-produce 

 after being cut down, I would recommend extensive plantations 

 of Morgossa, China peach, island peach, fig, guava, orange, and 

 lemon trees, all of which bear cutting, and, after being once es- 

 tablished, would yield a succession of fuel for many years. 



Plantains, too, are deserving attention. If the low grounds, 

 where there is a good supply of water, were filled with groves of 

 this excellent fruit, they would not only be a great acquisition as 

 food for man, but their stems would yield, after the fruit is ripe, 

 abundance of nutritious fodder for cattle ; which would secure 

 the landholders from such ruinous losses in cattle as have, at times, 

 occurred in seasons of drought ; and which I am fully convinced, 

 from all I have read on this subject, and from the successful trials 



