A. E. Verrill — The Bermuda Islands. 623 



fully cultivated come (maize), pumpkins, melons, beans, peas, 

 tobacco, and other garden vegetables not recorded. (See p. 545.) 



The first party of settlers, according to Hughes and Governor 

 Moore, succeeded in raising a good crop from the seeds that they 

 planted, although they arrived in July. Probably they had the 

 benefit of the experience of the three pioneers, and were favored 

 with a wet summer. Moore stated that the first settlers planted at 

 that time "four score and one" kinds of seeds, but only a few were 

 named by him, among which were the melon and cucumber. Their 

 next crop was nearly a failure, according to Hughes (see p. 549), and 

 probably many kinds of plants, that they tried, died out at once. 



Probably parsnips, radishes, carrots, turnips, beets, lettuce, and 

 the English artichoke were introduced at this time, if not by the 

 pioneers in 1610 ; the first two were mentioned as abundant, by 

 Governor Butler, in 1619, and Capt. Smith mentioned the artichoke 

 in 1624. 



American potatoes, which had then been known in England for 

 only about sixteen years, were sent over by the Company in 1613 

 and planted. They increased rapidly, but through carelessness were 

 nearly lost again soon after, but the supply was replenished from 

 two stray tubers, accidentally found. From these they soon obtained 

 a large increase. A shipment of 20,000 lbs. of potatoes to Vir- 

 ginia, which is recorded even in 1620, well illustrates their rapid 

 increase. 



Indian corn, first raised in 1610, was at first, and for many years 

 after, the principal article of vegetable food, though sweet potatoes, 

 common potatoes, and pumpkins were largely used. 



In the Commission of Governor Tucker, February, 1616, reference 

 is made to the various seeds that were sent out, at that time, with 

 directions for planting them and caring for the young plants. 

 Among the plants then sent were grape vines and vine cuttings, 

 with directions to plant new cuttings every year, the seeds of anise, 

 cummin, sweet fennel, sweet marjorum, basil, onions, mulberry, 

 oranges, lemons, and citrons. 



Governor Tucker was described as a good gardener, and doubtless 

 he planted and reared all these species, though most of them never 

 became of any commercial importance, as the Company hoped they 

 would. 



The oranges, lemons, and grapes seem to have succeeded best, for 

 seven years later, in 1623, a law was passed imposing penalties on 

 those who should steal oranges, lemons, grapes, and other fruits. 



