COUNTY OF ST. PATRICK. 323 



of the district is also a serious drawback. Dwelling-houses 

 should be built more in the interior. At present cacao and 

 provisions may be said to be the only articles cultivated ; lately 

 they have commenced planting coco-nuts, which thrive admirably. 

 Moruga is still more scantily inhabited, and produces only a little 

 cacao and provisions. 



Colonel Hamilton once attempted, under the Government of 

 Sir Ralph Woodford, the establishment of a hato, or stock-farm, 

 principally for the breeding of horned cattle and horses, in the 

 natural savanna of Erin; the farm did not succeed, if public 

 rumour is to be believed, owing to the ravages among the 

 animals of bats (vampires) and ticks; it is, however, very 

 probable that the whole concern was ill managed. Seams of 

 lignite exist along the south coast, from Cedros to Guayaguayare, 

 the extent of which has never been ascertained. Near Moruga? 

 it occurs in layers ; the beds at Erin contain the carbonaceous 

 matter diffused throughout their whole extent. 



Produce is brought to town by droghers or pirogues, after 

 rounding Point Icacos — a tedious, expensive voyage. A path 

 through the Virgin Forest leads from Moruga to the Mission of 

 Savanna Grande, or Princestown. The telegraphic wire, con- 

 necting Trinidad with Demerara, is laid along this track. I 

 have already mentioned Chatham Road; it is highly desirable 

 that it should be, as soon as possible, transformed into a good 

 cart road. I have no doubt that, when this road is completed, 

 and the contemplated steam communication round the island is 

 established, many applications will be made for crown land in 

 this district. 



The above two wards abound in excellent timber, particularly 

 fustic and cedar. They are drained by several small streams, and, 

 among others, the Erin, La Ceiba, Siparia, Luna, and Moruga ; 

 the latter, a tidal stream. They have all a southerly course. 

 Population in 1881, 1,573; 1871, 396. 



The county of Saint Patrick consists partly of waving 

 and partly of hilly lands, being traversed from E. to W. by the 

 southern range. The greatest part of it is crown property. 

 Except at Oropuche and Cedros, the population has rather 

 decreased than increased. As regards the soil, it may be divided 

 into two zones : from La Brea to Cedros it is generally 

 light, poor in organic matter, as shown by the extensive 



