94 A VOYAGE TO Book VIÍ- 



CHAP. Vill. 



FcrtiUtii of the Territories of Lima, and the Manner 

 of cuUivating tJie Soil. 



IT is natural to think tliat a country^ where rain 

 is seldom or ever known, must, of necessity, be 

 totally barren ; whereas the coiinirv of I.ima enjoys 

 a fertility to be eiAied, prodiicing' all kinds of grain, 

 and a prodigious variety of fruits. Here industry 

 and art supply that mjisture which the clouds seem 

 to withhold : and the soil is by this means rendered 

 remarkably fruituil, amidst a continual drought. 



It has already been observed, that one of the prin- 

 cipal cares of the Yneas was the cutting and dis- 

 posing- in the most advantageous manner, trenches 

 or small canals, in order to conduct the waters of 

 the rivers to nourish every part, and render large 

 fields ca]?able of producing grain. The Spaniards 

 finding these useful works ready executed to their 

 hands, took care to keep them in the same order; 

 and by these are watered the spacious fields of 

 wheat and barley, large meadows, plantations of 

 sugar-canes and olive-trees, vineyards and gardens 

 of all kinds ; all yielding uncommon plenty, Lima 

 differs from Quito, where the fruits of the earth 

 have no determined seasons ; but here the harvests 

 are gathered in, üud the trees drop their leaves, ac- 

 cording to their respective natures ; for those whicli 

 grow spontaneously in a hot climate, though the 

 liveliness of their verdure fades, their leaves do not 

 fall off till others supply their place. The blossoms 

 also have their respective times, and are correspond- 

 ently succeeded by fruits; so that this country 

 resembles those of the temperate zones, no. less in 

 the product and seasons of corn, blossoms, fruits 



and 



