Enslaved African horticultural knowledge & the Garden

in 1786 Alexander Anderson sent a letter to London talking about the botanical garden in St Vincent of which he had recently taken charge. Below is an extract in transcription and it contains historical language which today we find highly offensive.

I have taken the decision to use the offensive word just once, then replace it with ***** as it doesn't need to be repeated. It is a tricky balancing act staying true to the original letter whilst balancing contemporary and appropriate sensitivities. Apologies in advance if the language offends.

“there is no cultivating plants with success in this Country without screening them from the direct rays of the sun and retaining the natural moisture of the earth by shade…[currently]… every part of the Garden [is] open & exposed with fast growing plants, which prosper in all soil & situations & which are useless & ugly...The most proper plan and … the one I should have adopted, had I possession of the Botanic Ground in a state of Nature … [would be to]… only clear… the underwood & vines and so sown my seeds & my plants with little trouble…is there any thing more [ridiculous] than a spot of land intended for a garden in this Country [to be] cleared as in Europe. I have often viewed the nigroe gardens with [surprise] being filled with all kinds of vegetables in the greatest [perfection] while their masters garden was a bed of dry earth, this I [readily] found to be from the ***** tracing the footsteps of Nature, by leaving every [tree] that would shelter the labour of his hand, while his master acted the contrary…"

There are a number of ways to read this quote but what is clear is that Anderson witnessed the results of enslaved Africans vegetable gardens (often called provision grounds) on St Vincent and realised that if the Garden was to be successful under his superintendentship, then this model would need to be instituted.

Under his circa 25 year tenure, Anderson added 1,250 plant species to the original 60 or so he inherited. This amazing increase would have not have been possible if Anderson had not utilised the horticultural techniques of enslaved African people. I will write more about the importance of enslaved labour in another post so watch this space; their horticultural skills need to be fully acknowledged.

Extract of original letter from the 'The most proper plan' to '...acted to the contrary'