i3,2 HORTUS JAMATCENSIS. Cotnea 



about the '*ee'i, which is solitary, ovate, covered, armed with the awn of the co- 

 rolla, winch iiowever easily falls otr". The male llowers are peduiicled, solitary, or 

 in jiciirs, accomoan}ing the hcraiaphrodite, smaller. Calyx a two-valvtd glume; 

 corolla tvvo-vatvcd, smaiier; nectary as in the hennaphrodite ; the pistil has a 

 small angular, aborti\e, germ ; two styles, and no stigmas. There are two species 

 now cultivated in'Jamaica. 



1. SORGHUM. 



Aiilimn Tndicum aritndnuiaa, laule eranis flavescerttlhus. Sloane, 

 V. 1, p. 104. Panciuni 7. Ertxtutn maximum, panicida stncta 

 cyt ndiiicea aristitta. Browne, p. 134. 



Glumes villose ; seed compressed, awned. 



Panicle contracted, ovate, upright, but as it ripens drooping ; calyx green, pube- 

 scent; awn I'rowu at bottom, smooth and whitish at top; seed naked, free, sub-glo- 

 bular, compressed a little on both sides, smooth without, shining, of a milky whiteness, 

 wth a black umbilical clot. This differs so little from the following as scarcely to make 

 therii a distinct species The stalks rise six or eight fet^t, or even more ; the leaves are 

 loi-g and broaci, embracing the stalks ; the flowers come out in large oval panicles at 

 the tops of the stalks, succeeded by roundish seeds, enveloped in chaff, and bristles, 

 wiiich defend it from the hirds. These plants were brought from Africa to this island, 

 and are now generally and very extensively cultivated, not only on account of the valu- 

 able qualities of the grain, but of its amazing productiveness. In the rich lowlands of 

 Jamaica, an acre is often known to produce from thirty to fifty bushels, in the moun- 

 tainous parts It does not succeed so well, as, from the superior quantity of moisture 

 and coolness, it runs into such a luxuriancy of stalk and leaves, as to produce little 

 or no fruit. Tlie gram, when ground, yields a most excellent fine white flour, very 

 nourish ing, and, under different modes of preparation, foruis an essential part 

 of food for the negroes. Poultry of all kinds are very fond of it ; and it is also a most 

 nourishing food for horse? and hogs, especially if given to the former on the spikes, 

 plucked from the main stalk of the ear, which they will eat, spikes and all. in this 

 state it is considert d by many as superior to great corn, as the trash surrounding the 

 grain is not only of itself good food, but assists in cleaning the animals intestines from 

 tjots and worms. The stalks are also an excellent food for stock, and, when dried, 

 may be kept for use a great length of time ; they contain an agreeable luscious juice> 

 which, pr;iperly prepared, i^ould yield very good sugar. This corn must be planteci 

 froii) September to November, and is ripe in January and February ; it is not produc- 

 tive at any other season of the year. The grain, if well dried, and stored upon the ear, 

 will kecp'for several vears, and is geneitally thus preserved on most plantations, where 

 it is cultivated, from crop to crop. 



2. SACCHARATUS, SUGAR. 



Erectumviaximum, paniculis flurimis decUnatis, Browoe, p. 135. 

 Glumes villose ; ail the seeds awned. 

 This is so like the foregoing in every respect, as hardly to be distinguished but by 

 its bearing successive panicles from all the upper joints. Browne calls it Guinea, 

 wheat. 



See Guinea Grass* 



GUINEA 



