342 
PRODUCTIONS OF THE EARTH. 
ARTICLE III. 
NOTES ON THE IMPORTANCE OF DISPERSING THE VARIOUS 
VALUABLE PRODUCTIONS OF THE EARTH. 
BY MR. I. SOMERSET. 
Observing that you have given in your valuable Register the best 
method of conveying plants and seeds across the ocean, I send vou a 
few notices to shew the importance of spreading the numerous valu¬ 
able productions of the earth throughout the various colonies of 
England, and also how easily any individual may assist in confer¬ 
ring the greatest benefits on mankind, if he have facilities for plant¬ 
ing or dispersing such things among his friends or neighbours. 
In 1493, Columbus ordered those whom he left behind him at 
Fangori to search for gold-mines, and to sow European seeds. 
In 1493, Columbus took a cargo of domestic animals, seeds, vine- 
cuttings, and sugar-canes on board, and discovered Dominica. 
1494. The King of Spain ordered Columbus to prepare a farm, 
to lend the labourers fifty bushels of wheat and other corn from the 
government stores for seed, with twenty couples of cows, mares and 
other beasts of burden. Gardeners and husbandmen were sent out, 
and the settlers were also ordered to build houses and plant vineyards 
and gardens. 
1494. Columbus founded the town Isabella. Several sorts of 
seed were sown, which grew rapidly and luxuriantly. On the shore 
of the river they made orchards and gardens, in which all kinds of 
the larger herbs, such as radish, lettuce, coleworts, borage, &c. be¬ 
came ripe within sixteen days after the seed was sown. They have 
likewise melons, gourds, cucumbers, and other like matters; as also 
the roots of canes or reeds, of the liquor whereof sugar is made, but 
the liquor is not yet hardened. The like they affirm of plants of 
vines, saying that they have the second year gathered ripe and sweet 
grapes, but by reason of too much rankness they bear but few clus¬ 
ters. All kinds of pulse, as beans, peas, fitches, tares, and other 
such are ripe twice a year. 
1503. Orando found out the chasing of the wild boar in St. Do¬ 
mingo. There were none when the Island was first discovered, but 
the domestic animals brought by the Spaniards had run wild and 
multiplied exceedingly. The governor gave orders for cultivating 
mulberry trees. 
1516. The plantain tree was carried from the Canaries to His¬ 
paniola, by a Dominican. 
