32 



It is commonly said, that the Barberry tree pre- 

 vents the ears of corn in its neighbourhood from being 

 productive. This opinion prevails as well on the con- 

 tinent as in England. Whether there be any truth in 

 it I am not able to say, it is very generally believed ; 

 and therefore,, however improbable, it ought not to be 

 hastily rejected ; but M. Broussonet, a celebrated 

 French naturalist, who has paid particular attention to 

 whatever is connected with agriculture, has asserted, 

 that it is a prejudice void of foundation. 



RICE. The native place of Rice, like the other 

 sorts of grain in common use, is unknown ; Linnaeus 

 has made it a native of Ethiopia, but has not given 

 his reason for this opinion. Tt is cultivated in great 

 abundance all over India, where the country will ad- 

 mit of being flooded ; in the southern provinces of 

 China, in Cochmchina, Cambodia, Siam, Japan, &c. 

 In Japan it is very white, and of the best quality. 



In the hilly parts of Java, and in many of the east- 

 ern islands, rice is planted upon the sides of hills, 

 which can be only watered by rain; it is, however, 

 planted at the beginning of the rainy, and reaped in 

 the beginning of the dry season; and is called by the 

 natives Paddy Ginning, which signifies Mountain Rice. 

 In the western part of India this kind is entirely un- 

 known. It is however well known in Cochinchina, 

 where it thrives in dry light soils, mostly on the sides 

 of hills; not requiring more moisture than the usual 

 rains and dews supply, neither being frequent at the 

 season of vegetation. 



