160 POLYNESIAN RESEARCHES. 
induced us not only to recommend it to the natives^ but 
also to plant with sugarcane the ground already cleared 
and enclosed. 
The proprietors of the cotton garden watched the 
progress of the plants with care and anxiety, accom¬ 
panied probably with some of those golden dreams 
of future emolument which frequently operate very 
powerfully on the minds of individuals commencing an 
enterprise, which, although in some degree uncertain as to 
its results, yet promises, upon the whole, an increase of 
wealth or enjoyment. Unhappily for them, the ground 
they had chosen was unsuitable, and many of the 
plants were not productive. The first crop, however, 
was gathered, the seeds carefully picked out, and the 
cotton packed in baskets. When a ship arrived, they 
were eager to dispose of it, expecting far more in 
return than the warmest encouragement in its culture 
had ever warranted. Their estimate of its value had 
been formed according to its bulk; and when it was 
weighed, and they saw a large basket-full weigh only 
two or three pounds, and a proportionate price oifered, 
they were greatly disappointed. They brought back 
their cotton, and hung it up in their houses till another 
ship arrived, when it was again presented for sale ; but 
being again estimated by weight, little if any more was 
offered for it.' Some sold what they had collected, 
others were so disappointed, that they seemed hardly to 
care what became of it. This circumstance, together 
with the length of time and the constant attention that 
a cotton plantation required, before any return could be 
received, greatly discouraged them, and prevented their 
continuing its culture. They chose rather to feed a 
number of pigs, or cultivate the vegetables in demand 
