On the same account that the high Land wants tillable Earth, and is barren, the low Land is very deep of fat and black Mould in some places a great many yards deep, so that the fat, black Earth of Olaus Rudbeck, would be no certain Argument of the length of time from the Deluge, there being none in the high Land, and a great deal more than enough in the low. Hence it comes that all low Land, near high, is the most fertile, and all high Land is scarce cultivated, the one being extreamly fertile, the other not.
All the high Land is covered with Woods, which are great high Trees, some of them very good Timber; they are very tall slender, straight, and one would wonder how such Trees could grow in such a barren Soil, so thick together, among the Rocks. The Trees send down their fibrous Roots into the Crannies of the Rocks, where here and there they meet with little Receptacles, or natural Basins, wherein the Rain water is preserv'd not only for the Roots of the Trees to give them Nourishment; but likewise to give Birds and Insects drink, and sometimes Passengers on the Roads. It is likewise ordinary for Rain-water co be kept in the Spurs of Cotton, and other Trees made hollow, and to be drunk by Hunters, and others, sucking it out with a wild Cane.
'Tis a very strange thing to see in how short a time a Plantation formerly clear'd of Trees and Shrubs, will grow foul, which comes from two causes; the one the not stubbing up of the Roots, whence arise young Sprouts, and the other the Fertility of the Soil. The Settlements and Plantations of, not only the Indians, but even the Spaniards, being quite overgrown with tall Trees, so that there were no Footsteps of such a thing left, were it not for old Palisadoes, Buildings, Orange-Walks, &c. which shew plainly the formerly clear'd places where Plantations have been.
There are the same Layers of Earth one over another, as are to be met with in Europe. And the same difference of Soil, appears here, that does in England, on digging of Wells, &c.
Most of the Savannas, or Plains fit for Pasture, and clear'd of Wood like our Meadow-Land, lie on the South side of the Island, where one may ride a great many Miles without meeting any the least Ascent. Some of these Plains are within Land encircled with Hills, as the Magotty Savanna, &c. 'Tis probable, these being void altogether of Trees, that they are either so naturally, or rather have been clear'd by the Indians, in order to plant their Maiz there, and other Provisions.
These Savannas answer our Meadow-Grounds in Europe, and after Seasons, i.e. Rain, are very green and pleasant, but after long droughts are very much parch'd and withered.
Low
