IKTRODUCTIOK. xlr 



M, Poivre, defirous to enrich the colony 

 cntrufted to his care, with every ufeful 

 produdion diftributed in fuch profufion 

 throughout the four quarters of the world, 

 purchafed from the old Eaft-India company, 

 the garden of Montplaljir^ which he wifiied 

 to cultivate himfelf for the purpofe of raif- 

 ing exotic plants. He fet the firft example 

 of turning up the earth, in order to deftroy 

 radically aU noxious weeds, and by this 

 operation to enfure the fuccefs of his plan- 

 tations. 



It is well Icn own that to M. Poivre alone 

 the Ireuch colonies are indebted for the 

 nutmeg and -cloves^j and this fervice, which 

 i.vill foon open a new fource of commerce 

 to France, doubtlefs, not be forgotten. 

 To him alfo they are indebted for the bread- 

 fruit, and the dry rice of Cochin-china. In 

 fhort, his garden at MBnlphiifr contains a 

 multitude of valuable plants, of which 



Cere, 



