B O O T A N. 
1 40 
large mango tree stood in the middle of the garden, with its branches 
bowing down with fruit, which was not expected to ripen till the end 
of August: in Bengal they are in season in May. Punukka is esteemed 
the warmest part of Bootan, and, from its soil and situation, is chosem 
for the culture of exotics. Our English plants suffered by this inju- 
dicious care. The gardener brought me a handful of lettuces, weak 
and bitter, and also a few cabbage leaves, equally degenerate, with a 
small specimen of potatoes, not bigger than boys’ marbles. Mr. Bogle 
had formed great hopes from the introduction of this vegetable, and 
they had been taught to call it by his name ; but either from ignorance 
or idleness, they have failed in the cultivation of this valuable root, 
and the stock is now almost exhausted. 
It is much to be regretted that the natives of Bootan possess no 
knowledge of gardening. What fruits, or what vegetables, might not 
be here cultivated to the highest perfection! The climate of Bootan 
affords every degree of variation at this season of the year, from 
summer heat to the freezing point ; for at the same time that the 
inhabitants of Punukka, are cautious of exposing themselves to a ver¬ 
tical sun, those of Ghassa feel all the rigour of winter, chilled by 
perpetual snows : yet both these places are within view of each 
other. 
Total strangers to the luxury of the table, the Booteeas cannot think 
any thing worth their care, which nature has not, in the common order 
of things, bestowed upon their soil. They have a few fruits indeed in 
great perfection : their oranges are exquisite, their peaches and apricots 
very good; so also is the pomegranate; walnuts cannot possibly be 
