These trees yield a profusion of thick red gum (not unlike the
'sanguis draconis') which is found serviceable in medicine, particularly
in dysenteric complaints, where it has sometimes succeeded, when all
other preparations have failed. To blunt its acrid qualities, it is
usual to combine it with opiates.
The nature of the soil is various. That immediately round Sydney Cove is
sandy, with here and there a stratum of clay. From the sand we have yet
been able to draw very little; but there seems no reason to doubt, that
many large tracts of land around us will bring to perfection whatever
shall be sown in them. To give this matter a fair trial, some practical
farmers capable of such an undertaking should be sent out; for the spots
we have chosen for experiments in agriculture, in which we can scarce
be supposed adepts, have hitherto but ill repaid our toil, which may be
imputable to our having chosen such as are unfavourable for our purpose.
Except from the size of the trees, the difficulties of clearing the land
are not numerous, underwood being rarely found, though the country
is not absolutely without it.
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