Low Land clear'd of Wood is very proper for Hay, which has been here made in very few days, and feeds Horses very well, but the greatest part of the Nourishment of Horses is Scotch Grass, and Indian Corn.
After Seasons, i.e. three or four, or more days Rain, all manner of Provisions, Maiz, Guinea Corn, Pease, Patatas, Yams, Plantains, &c. are planted. The Ground, after these Grains and Provisions are gathered, is clear'd, before they expect a new Season, of the remaining Weeds, Stalks and Rubbish, which are put in heaps and burnt.
Their new clear'd Grounds are too rich, those which have been manur'd for a long time need Dung, which now they begin to look after, not burning their Trash as formerly, but keeping it in great heaps to rot, in time to make the better Dung.
The Stalks of Guinea-Corn and trash, (that is the marc, or remaining part of the Sugar Canes, after the Expression of the Juice whereof Sugar is made,) is used in Barbados, for fire wood, in three or four of the Stoke-holes, where a less degree of Fire is sufficient, and begins to be in use in Jamaica, in places where Fire-wood is scarce.
In places clear'd, and ruin'd or grown wild again, the several sorts of scandent or climbing Plants, especially Convolvuli, do so much abound and prosper, that there is no passing without a Bill to cut ones way; they are so high, as not only to mount up the young Shrubs but even to the tops of the tallest Trees, whence they hang down, and often pull down the Trees with them.
Trees faln in the Path, and turning to Mould or Earth, I have observ'd here to yield just the same sort of Earth for colour, &c. as the Soil is, in which they grew.
The Meat of the Inhabitants of Jamaica, is generally such as is in England, as Beef, Pork, and Fish, salted and preserved, and sent from hence and Ireland, Flour, Pease, salted Mackrels, &c. from these Places, and New-England, or New-York; on which not only the Masters feed, but also they are oblig'd to furnish their Servants both Whites and Blacks with three Pounds of Salt-Beef, Pork, or Fish, every week, besides Cassada Bread, Yams, and Patatas, which they eat as Bread, and is the natural Product of the Country.
Although there is here in the Savannas great plenty of Cattle, yet they cannot keep Beef past some few days, and that salted, otherwise in three or four hours 'tis ready to corrupt. Butchers always kill in the morning just before day, and by seven a Clock the Markets for Flesh-Meat are over.
Their
