A.JE. Verrill— The Bermuda Islands. 631 



was required to plant it on each side with figs and pomegranates. 

 The path seems to have been made in some sort of a waj r , but he 

 obtained other grants for clearing it out in 1625 and 1626, but was 

 accused of not having done his work as agreed. 



Whether he planted the figs and pomegranates is not stated,* but 

 no trace of them can now be found there. That whole narrow strip 

 of land is now barren and too much exposed to the salt winds on both 

 sides, for the growth of such plants. But the order indicates that 

 the practice had then become common. 



A law was enacted by the Assembly, in 1620, requiring figs and 

 pomegranates to be planted in the hedges or fences wherever the 

 native palmettoes, formerly used for that purpose, had died out. 

 (See p. 629.) 



In a proclamation by Governor Bell, in 1627, he complained that 

 persons unlawfully robbed his "vineyard" of "figgs," "pown- 

 granates" (pomegranates), lemons, and oranges, though he intimated 

 that he had but few lemons and oranges. 



A law was passed in (1630) forbidding all persons from picking 

 figs from the land of another, or from the public lands in " baskets 

 and tubs," though they might pick them for their own eating, 

 ('apt. John Smith (1629) stated that figs were then very abundant. 



An intoxicating fermented liquor was soon made from the figs 

 and called " Figg-drink." The sale of it to apprentices was pro- 

 hibited in 1627. Prosecutions for the unlawful use of it are recorded 

 in 1630. 



In March, 1631, John Bunnion was indicted for stealing "a caske 

 of fio-o-e drink," and there are several indictments for drunkenness 

 and riotous conduct (stabbing in one case), as a result of using this 

 drink. 



An order was also promulgated by Governor Hey don, in 1669, 

 requiring figs and cedars to be planted along all the highways, which 

 were to be 12 feet wide. This indicates that horses and carts were 

 not then in use. 



Figs had become so abundant on the common lands of St. George's, 

 in 1642, that a special code of rules or laws was enacted to regulate 

 the number of hogs or "shoates" those persons having a share in 



* It is doubtful if this was ever done as ordered, for Captain Stokes was sub- 

 sequently charged with fraud and neglect of duty in connection with this path, 

 etc. He was tried and convicted of evil practices in 1627, and dismissed from 

 the service. He was then an old man, addicted to drinking and riotous living, 

 and was thought guilty of selling the public store of powder to obtain liquors. 

 He had been for many years in command of the "King's Castle." 



