234 TRINIDAD. 



market of Trinidad with yams and sweet potatoes to the amount 

 of nearly £1,200 sterling yearly. 



Aracete — Tanias (Caladium esculentum and Colocasia anti- 

 quorum). — Several species of caladium are cultivated in Trinidad ; 

 some of them, as the plantain tania (so called from its size and 

 form), grow very large, and are an excellent food. The tania 

 may be ranked amongst farinaceous substances, and is very 

 wholesome : the part used is the rhizoma, or underground stem, 

 which is generally boiled. 



Vegetables. — Most of the vegetables of temperate climates 

 may be grown in Trinidad, from December to May or June ; 

 but during the rainy months they suffer from excessive humidity, 

 and are liable to rot ; native vegetables, on the contrary, thrive 

 well during the wet season. Good carrots and turnips are 

 grown, as also excellent cabbages, though small. Three different 

 beans, being species of Phaseolus, are cultivated here — the 

 French, the red or dwarf, and the black bean ; the latter is very 

 prolific, but on account of the dark colour of the husk, is com- 

 monly prepared as French beans, or as salad ; it is particularly 

 abundant during the wet season. Together with these may be 

 classed several species of peas (Lolichos) — of which three different 

 kinds are much used ; they are known by the French under the 

 respective names of pois-souche or the stump pea, the black-eyed, 

 and pois chiches, all of which, with the pigeon or angola pea 

 (Cytisus cajanus), are commonly sold in our markets. It is to be 

 regretted that more attention is not paid to the cultivation of the 

 latter pea. 



The Cajan is a shrub which may be planted on the borders 

 of cane-fields, or of any other cultivation, so as to have the 

 benefit of the tillage necessary for the growth of more important 

 plants. It is a very good vegetable when dressed soon after 

 being gathered. The pigeon pea is also excellent for restoring 

 the fertility of fallow lands. 



The Ochro {Hibiscus esculentus) is abundant ; tomatoes 

 {Solanum ly coper sicum) and melongens {Solanum melongena) are \ 

 plentiful, and require but little attention. Pumpkins and 

 squashes {Cucurbita maxima and melopepo), as also the christo- 

 phine or chouchow {Sechium edule) require no other trouble than 

 that of planting. Jerusalem artichokes (Heliantkus tuberosus), 

 cucumbers (Cucumis vulgaris), and radishes (Raplianus saliva) 



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