62 
[ Eep. No. 564. ] 
body, I do not doubt; for your undertaking, if successful, will eventually 
prove highly important to the interests of the Union, from the improve¬ 
ment which the peninsula of Florida will derive from^ the introduction 
into its soil of the many plants that you are so anxious to propagate. 
From the inspection of the papers on the subject with which I was favor¬ 
ed while you were here, I arrived at the conclusion that many of those 
plants were admirably adapted to the soil of a considerable portion of the 
peninsula, and particularly to the soil of the islands, to portions perhaps 
that will not be susceptible of any other profitable planting. As to the 
cost of production, and consequent profit to be expected from the culti¬ 
vation of your plants, you of course are best able to judge. I however, 
should doubt of your being able to compete with the little expense incur¬ 
red in their cultivation in their native soil, and the slightly increased value 
from cost of transportation, most, if not all of the produce of the plants 
being free from duty. It has been truly said, however, that ^.^he who 
makes only one spear of grass grow where none grew before, is a bene¬ 
factor to mankindand I, therefore, shall be truly glad to learn that 
your project is in a fair way to result favorably, though as I have observ¬ 
ed, I doubt you will be the one to profit by that result. 
In relation to the conversation had with me as to the cost of clearing 
an acre of land upon this island, walling it in, and getting it ready for 
planting, I have only to say, that the sum I then named without catcula- 
tion, I am convinced would be found very near the truth. The lowest 
price for which a wall of ordinary height can be erected here around an 
acre of ground, with the stones taken from the land itself, is $2 per perch 
(or 16 feet,) and as a square acre takes about 50 perch to surround it, it 
gives ^100 as the cost oi.enclosing alone, and I have no doubt (and oth¬ 
ers concur with me in opinion) that another ^100 would be expended in 
clearing away wood, stumps, &c, before the ground would be in a proper 
state for the reception of seeds, &c. Of course the greater extent of ground 
you have to enclose, the less wall you have to the acre, as, for instance, 
4 square acres would require only twice ihe quantity of one acre. On the 
main land you would probably pot meet with as many difficulties in the 
way of preparing the soil, and here you are aware we are peculiarly situ¬ 
ated, the price of labor, living, and every thing being excessively high. 
You ask after the condition of your stingless bees which you sent to 
me from Campeachy. I received them, as you are aware, in April, 1835. 
The' seven hives sent were all delivered ; though most of the bees had died 
on the way, one of the hives being entirely without them. The six hives in 
which the bees remained have been taken good care of, but the number 
of the bees has not materially increased. The fact of their being sting¬ 
less I have substanciated to my satisfaction. The hive- that was unoccu¬ 
pied, contained a small quantity of honey, but not enough to enablame 
to judge of its quality. It was in a comb, not constructed like that of the 
cornmon honey bee, but resembling a collection of small bags, sometbing 
similar, I understand, to the comb of the humble-bee. 
I should be pleased to receive copies of the agricultural publications to 
which you allude, as containing letters upon Key West. I have not met 
with any of them. 
Respectfully, sir, yours, 
W. A. WHITEHEAD. 
Dr. Henry Perrine, 
Washington City. 
