The white sort of Ginger is made by only scraping the fresh Root clean of its outward Membrane, and exposing it in the Sun till it be dry. This white Ginger is easily spoil'd by Worms. Some say that in the Windward Islands or Caribes, 'tis only dried on a sandy Bay.
There is a white sort prepar'd as the black, only it is boil'd in Lime-water, which makes it, as they say, not so wholesome. This Root is very often injured by Worms as well as China Roots, which are apt to breed a small light brown Scarabæus, like that bred in Rhubarb.
Preserv'd wet Ginger, is made by drawing up the Ginger while 'tis young, about three months old. After cleansing, 'tis soak'd in water for a day, then boil'd in fair water shifted six or seven times, it giving each water a very biting tast, then 'tis clear'd of its outward Membrane, soak'd again in fair water, and put into a Syrup made of fine Sugar. It draws the Sugar, say they, and leaves the water behind it to be thrown away, then 'tis put into fresh Syrup, and so several times, and not boil'd up till the last shifting, after which 'tis kept for use. Dry preserv'd Ginger is only this expos'd to the Suns Beams till dry.
Guinea Corn, and great Indian Corn, are ripe in three Months or a little more, from their respective plantings, Patato's in four, and Yams in twelve months.
The way to make Cane-Drink.
Take six or seven long Sugar-Canes, cut them to pieces, beat them in a Mortar, put them into a Kettle, with about three Gallons of water, boil them for a pretty while, then put as many fresh Canes, and about a Gallon of water more; Boil them again. When 'tis cool, strain your Drink, set it in a Jar, and put to it the white of an Egg beat to froth, to which some of the Liquor is added. Let it work twelve hours, then Bottle it, it looks very clear.
Bonano and Plantain Drinks are severally made by mashing of either of these ripe Fruits with water, till it comes to be pretty well mix'd with the Fruits, then they let it stand in a Trough twelve hours, and draw it off.
These Liquors are very much us'd for ordinary Drink in the remote Plantations, and North parts of this Island.
I was assured here, that in this part of the land, at a place called Wague Water, Horses still remain wild in the Hills among the Woods, and that whensoever they are taken and forc'd to stay in the Savannas, or are openly exposed to the Sun, they dye in some time.
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