INTRODUCTION OF FOREIGN PLANTS.

Samoan Reporter, Issue 9, 1 March 1849, Page 4

INTRODUCTION OF FOREIGN PLANTS.

He who introduces but a single plant into a country, says some writer, may be considered a public benefactor. We look with interest on the magnificent orange and tamarind trees which still stand at Point Venus, on Tahiti, planted by Bligh; and on the shaddock tree, which, till lately, stood at Huahine, planted by the hand of Cook. But the most humble native-teacher, who now conveys to other islands the orange, the lime, the banana, sweet potato, pine, custard, and papaw apples, &c., is no less worthy of the thanks of our country than the greatest of our navigators. It is interesting to observe, that, when these worthy agents of our Missionary Society bring on board the Mission Ship their little odds and ends of property, to embark on their mission of mercy to other islands, they have almost invariably a box of plants, or a parcel of roots and seeds. It must not be thought, that the islands of the Pacific are now the solitary abodes they once were. They are visited by hundreds’ of whalers and traders ; and, consequently, it is of the greatest benefit, in preserving the health of their crews, to be able to get fresh supplies of vegetables and fruits. At the same time, it confers a benefit on the natives, by giving, in exchange for their produce, our hardware, cutlery, and cottons. The benefit is even more extended in opening up markets for our home manufacturies. / In after years, it will be interesting to know who first conveyed to the several islands many of the finest tropical productions. Even now, short as the period is, it would be difficult to ascertain who first introduced manv of them. Of all the foreign plants which have been introduced into Samoa, none have been more extensively propagated and valued than a species of banana, previously unknown in the South Seas, although in Samoa alone upwards of fifty different species of the Musa are found. I 4 rom the excellency of its fruit and its great weight, together with the adaptation of its lowness to resist violent gales, it promises to take the precedence of every other variety usually cultivated. Some notice of its history, therefore, is worthy of record. When our late lamented Missionary Mr. Williams returned from England in the 44 Camden,” in 1838, His Grace the Duke of Devonshire kindly supplied him with some cases of plants, in one of which was one designated 44 Chinese Banana ’’—(most probably, the Musa Cavendishii, the origin of which is said to be the Isle of France). Mr. Williams not having a settled place of residence for some time after he landed, the cases were left under my care. Little vitality seemed to remain; but, anxious to preserve, if possible, some of them, I had them carefully transplanted into my garden. This Chinese banana was the only one which survived. In about twelve months, it produced a bunch weighing nearly a hundred pounds. From this single plant have sprung the thousands to be seen everywhere in Samoa ; and they are fast spreading in other groupes east and west. It is surprising to see, in the short space of ten years, a plant so extensively propagated. But, when we calculate, by geometrical progression, what a plant, which will average but six suckers a year, will eventually produce, the result is amazing.

The value of the banana in these seas can scarcely be estimated. What Baron Humboldt says of it in Mexico may be quoted here, and applied to Samoa. He doubts “ whether there is any other plant on the globe which, in so small a space of ground can produce so great a mass of nutriment. Eight or nine months after the sucker has been inserted in the earth, the banana begins to form its clusters, and the fruit may be gathered in less than a yearA spot of 1,076 square feet may contain, at least, from thirty to forty plants, which, in the space of a year, at a very moderate calculation, will yield more than 4,410 lbs. avoirdupois of nutritive substance. The produce of the banana is to that of wheat as 133 : 1, and to that of potatoes as 44 : 1.”

Wm. Mills.