'16 OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCK RELATING TO THE PARA GRASS. 



tlie planters on these islands derive the principal means of sub- 

 sistence. 



The preservation of such stock, during epochs of long and 

 severe droughts, has ever been very precarious, as being entirely 

 dependent on the results of former good seasons, during which 

 considerable quantities of corn-leaves and indifferent grasses are 

 gathered, dried, and carefully stored. 



Mucli were they to be blamed who neglected such precau- 

 tions at proper times, as vi'ith the return of every dry season 

 vegetation is not only stopped, but becomes almost entirely 

 extinct, causing that remarkable fallow ruddy appearance in 

 these islands which so particularly distinguishes them from other 

 spots under the tropics. 



But even these precautions have not always proved sufficient 

 in such instances, as not only one, but several succeeding years 

 of drought have from time to time visited these islands, during 

 which all that had been stored of food was consumed, in con- 

 sequence wiiereof the greatest part of stock died auay. What 

 inhabitant of Cura^oa does not bear in mind the painful recol- 

 lection of the losses sustained in the years 1842 and 1843 ? 



Though the introduction of hay from the United States took 

 place under these circumstances, yet few but wealtliy inhabitants 

 could avail themselves of this expensive object, and this only 

 for the preservation of but a few horses, and other animals of 

 burden ; meanwhile, all the rest of the stock which could not 

 be properly stalled, and which remained wandering about in the 

 fields, was lost. 



This short bvit true picture of but a part of the shadow-side 

 of a planter's existence on these islands, bearing a faithful re- 

 semblance to the tale of the Danaids, exposes briefly of how 

 great necessity it is to attach more interest on these islands to the 

 cultivation of good grasses. 



In consequence, it will not be astonishing to see a few planters 

 accede w^ith fervour to the cultivation of this article, they being, 

 however, limited by want of better to the cultivation of Guinea 

 grass, which has that disadvantage of requiring during the dry 

 season constant irrigation, by want of wliich it not only be- 

 comes soon hardened, and, as such, unfit to nourish stock, but 

 is even apt to wither and fade away entirely, as is the case with 

 mostly all other vegetation on these islands ; indeed, to shoot 

 out again with the first showers of a rainy season, but having 

 meanwhile undergone, during many succeeding months, a total 

 stop in growth. 



In this necessity now, a good and continual article for food 

 for stock has at length been provided; our late Governor, 

 Baron R. F. Van Raders, Actual Major-General and Governor 



