It will naturally be asked, after the vast exertions made by the meritorious and persevering individual, who commanded both expeditions to the South Sea islands, in quest of the bread fruit tree, after the expense incurred, and the benevolent zeal displayed by the Sovereign, for the welfare of his West Indian subjects, and after the high expectations that were at one time excited by the splendid narratives of voyagers, how far the bread fruit tree has succeeded in point of cultivation, as well as in point of utility, as an article of food, on which a large proportion of the West India population could depend ? The answer to such inquiries will be unsatis factory, and such as little accord with the very flattering hopes which were at one period expected to be realized. In those colonies where the plantain tree (Musa naradi ciaca,) grows readily, the bread fruit tree cannot be in troduced with advantage, owing to the greater difficulty of cultivation in the one case than in the other, and to the very decided preference which the negroes give to the plantain. The bread fruit tree, as we have already seen, requires some years to bring it to maturity, the mode of propagation is tedious, and negrocs have no great predilection for the fruit. This may arise from want of habit, (which might indeed be overcome,) and from its not furnishing food so palatable as that to which they have been accustomed. The plantain tree, on the contrary, is propagated with wonderful facility, and yields fruit in about fifteen months. Whenever an old plantain walk, (the name given in the colonies to the place allotted to the cultivation of this vegetable,) is to be cleared, which very commonly occurs, the roots are to be had for the mere labour of removal. One root sends up many shoots in regular succession, and this it continues to do for many years. After the first planting of these, the cultivator has no further trouble than to cut down the shoots on which the fruit is fit for use,and these are in their turn regularly replaced by others. Wherever then, a sufficient number have been planted, and due attention paid, in the first instance, to every requisite circumstance, there will always be a regular succession of fruit for many years. Besides these ad vantages, the fruit of the plantain tree is the favourite vegetable food of the black population ; and it is capable of being dressed in various ways, whether it be pulled in its green or in its ripe state. These circumstances, however, can have only a local influence, as there are situations in which the plantain tree either does not thrive well, or fails altogether. In these, the bread fruit tree is likely to become a very valuable substitute ; but whether or not the experiment has been fairly made, we do not know. We are inclined to suspect, that it never has been made on a great scale. There seems to be a melancholy want of experimental activity in the colonies. even on those matters that very deeply con cern their interests. Individuals, it is true, have had sufficient foresight, and intellectual vigour, to make at tempts at improvement ; but as their efforts have been in general unsupported, it is not to be wondered that the results should be limited. This very probably originates in such a complication of causes, that it might be diffi cult to develope the share which each possesses in their common effect. Whatever they may be, it is of impor tance to the colonies, that they should be counteracted by powerful and efficient means ; and these can only be called into play, by the intelligent and liberal-minded part of the West India community, whose means of ob servation may be immediately directed to these causes, which being once traced may be obviated. At the same time, those who exert them, may not only render impor tant services to the colonial interest at large, but even benefit themselves as individuals in an eminent degree. Perhaps the establishment of societies, for promoting colonial agriculture, on a plan similar to the various agricultural societies in this country, (whose beneficial influence has been so decidedly experienced in those parts where they have been established,) might conduce to this great end.
London might be a central point, at which a chief society, composed of the colonial proprietors resident in Britain, might hold its meetings. Branches of this great society might be formed in each of the colonies. Premiums should be awarded to those who have carried any new scheme, that promises to be of utility, into effect ; and a regular correspondence kept open be tween the London society and its branches. By such means, and such only, can the whole of the resources of the colonies be called forth ; and if once a spirit of im provement and of emulation should arise, the public benefit would be incalculable. And among other ad vantages, the bread fruit tree would have all the advan tages of a full and extended trial.
Even in those colonies into which the bread fruit has not been generally introduced as an article of food, it is used as a delicacy ; and whether employed as bread, or in the form of pudding, it is considered highly palatable by the European inhabitants.
When used instead of bread, it is roasted either whole, or cut into three or four pieces.
" Bread fruit is also cooked in an oven, which renders it soft, and something like a boiled potatoe ; not quite so farinaceous as a good one, but more so than those of the middling sort." " Of the bread fruit, the Otaheiteans also make three dishes, by putting either water, or the milk of the cocoa put to it, then beating it to a paste with a stone pestle, and afterwards mixing it with ripe plantains, bananas, or the sour paste which they call mahie." " The mahie, which has been mentioned as a succe daneum for ripe bread fruit, before the season for gather ing a fresh crop comes on, is thus made." " The fruit is gathered just before it is perfectly ripe, and being laid in heaps, is closely covered with leaves ; in this state, it undergoes a fermentation, and becomes dis agreeably sweet. The core (says Dr Hawkesworth) is then taken out entire, which is done by gently pulling the stalk, and the rest of the fruit is thrown into a hole which is dug for that purpose, generally in the houses, and neatly lined in the bottom and sides with grass ; the whole is then covered with leaves, and heavy stones laid upon them : in this state, it undergoes a second fermen tation, and becomes sour, after which it will suffer no change for many months ; it is taken out of the hole as it is wanted for use, and being made into balls, it is wrapped up in leaves and baked. After it is dressed, it will keep five or six weeks. It is eaten both cold and hot, and the natives seldom make a meal without it ; though, to us, the taste was as disagreeable as that of a pickled olive generally is the first time it is eaten." " As the making of this mahie depends, like brewing, upon fermentation ; so, like brewing, it sometimes fails, without their being able to ascertain the cause. It is very natural, therefore, that the making it should be connected with superstitious notions and ceremonies. It generally falls to the lot of old women, who will suf fer no creature to furnish any thing belonging to it, but those whom they employ as assistants, nor even to go into that part of the house where the operation is carrying on." Se Dampier's Voyage round the World. .1,:count of Captain Cook's Voyage round the World dur ing the years 1767, 1768, and 1769, by John Hawkes worth, LLD. .4crount of Captain Cook's last performed in the years 1776, 1777, 1778, and 1779. The Narrative of the latter part oft/tr same Voyage, perform ed during 1780, by Captain Bing. " A Voyage to the South Sea, undertaken by command of his Majesty, for the purpose of conveying the Bread Fruit Tree to the West Indies, in his Majesty's ship the Bounty, com manded by Lieutenant William Bligh, including an Ac count of the Mutiny on board the said Ship ; and the subsequent Voyage of part of the Crew in the Ship's Boat from T o foa, one of the Friendly Islands, to Timor, a Dutch Settlement in the East Indies. (c.