BOTANICAL INFORMATION. 503 



Maranhao, and to compare it with the plan pursued in the 

 Province of Pernambuco. 



Those districts in Maranhao which are preferred for raising 

 the Cotton-shrub are the low wet grounds, where Adaja 

 Palms (Attalea compta, Martius), prevail. The soil generally 

 consists there of black earth, mixed with fine quartz sand j 

 and these districts bear the same name as in Pernambuco 

 {Vargenes). The first process is to root up and burn all other 

 trees and bushes ; and in the month of January the seed is 

 sown ; five, six, or even twelve seeds being dropped into one 

 hole, from 3 to 4 inches deep ; and the holes at a distance of 

 9 or 6 feet, generally without any regular order. At Parna- 

 hyba, Pernambuco, and Rio Grande do Norte, where the 

 culture of the Cotton receives peculiar attention, they plant 

 the seeds in holes, set in a regular quincuncial order, and in 

 long furrows, 14 feet apart in wet soil, in the Catingas 8 feet, 

 and on dry sandy soil, but 6 feet from each other. It is 

 necessary to avoid depositing the seeds at too great a depth, 

 when they always rot ; for which reason, the plantations in 

 wet districts are surrounded by drains. 



frequently the Fazendeiro raises Beans, Maize, or even 

 Mandioicca in the spaces which intervene between the Cotton- 

 shrubs, The seed, which is of very rapid growth, appears 

 above ground in a few days, fourteen at most, and the young 

 plants make very quick progress. Under favourable circum- 

 stances, the Cotton-shrub, if left to itself, continues in perfec- 

 tlQ n from twelve to thirteen, and sometimes even twenty 

 years, flowering, and (if strong) bearing fruit twice annually ; 

 and as those plantations which are situated among close, 

 dana p, primitive forests, are always later than others in dry 

 and loftier spots, so the Fazendeiro who cultivates it exten- 

 sively, can en[ jpi y n i s negroes in collecting the produce 

 throughout half the year. The crop commences, in the 

 Province of Maranhao, about ten months after the sowing ; 

 * he seed is committed to the earth in the period between 

 September and November, and the principal harvest takes 

 P'ace in J u i y aru j August. A good deal is often mature 



