Their Beef here is very well tasted, and good, unless when Guinea Hen-weed rises in the Savannas, which is immediately after Rains, or when they are so parch'd that Cattle can find nothing else to feed on, this having a very deep Root, and being then green. Then their whole Flesh tasts so much of it, that one cannot well eat it, at which time likewise it infects their Milk, and very much their Kidnies. Every thing made of Milk tasts, when the Cows eat it, so strong of it, that there is no using with pleasure any thing made therewith. This is commonly thought to come from their eating Calabash-Tree-Leaves, which in that scarcity are fell'd to feed their Cattle; but it comes from this Herb, and not thence as is vulgarly supposed. Cattle feed on the Calabash Fruit in dry times. Horses in the Woods are sometimes kill'd by them, the Fruit sticking so fast to their Teeth that they are not able to open their Chaps to feed.
The Butchers remedy the smell of the Guinea Hen weed in Cattle, by putting them into other feeding Grounds before they are slaughtered.
Veal is very common, but none thought good but what comes from Luidas, where the Calves are very white flesh'd; whether this comes from this places being mountainous, or bleeding and giving them Chalk, as in Essex, I cannot tell, but the price of it was so extravagant, that in the Assembly they past an Act that it should not be sold dearer than twelve pence per Pound.
A great part of the Food of the best Inhabitants, for their own Tables, of the produce of the Island, is Swines-flesh, and Poultry of their own raising.
Swine are of two sorts, one running wild in the Country amongst the Woods, which feed on the faln Fruits, &c. and are sought out by Hunters with gangs of Dogs, and chiefly found in the more unfrequented, woody, inland parts of the land. After pursuit, and that they are wearied by the Dogs, when they come to a Bay, they are shot or pierc'd through with Lances, cut open, the Bones taken out, and the Flesh is gash'd on the inside into the Skin, fill'd with Salt and expos'd to the Sun, which is call'd Jirking. It is so brought home to their Masters by the Hunters, and eats much as Bacon, if broil'd on Coals. These Hunters are either Blacks or Whites, and go out with their Dogs, some Salt and Bread, and lye far remote from Houses, in Huts, in the Woods, for several days, in places where Swine come to feed on the Fruits, &c. returning with more or less Meat, according to their good or bad Fortune. The Indians are very exquisite at this Game. The same method is used for wild Kine which are now but very few, and those in the Woods in the North side, Wild Goats there are some on the Salt-Pan Hills, not to be seen but in dry Seasons when they come down for water.
Swine
