206 SUGAR CANE. 



the growth of corn. In one field where the business 

 of husbandry is going on, the grain is being cast into 

 the earth, and watchers take their stations to chase 

 away the birds. Beside that field, or divided only 

 by a slender fence, the corn which has been recently 

 sown, is in the blade, and the more advanced begins 

 to blossom; in another the corn stands thick and 

 rustles in the breeze, and the reaper is putting 

 in his sickle. And thus it often happens that the 

 declivity of a gently sloping hill, exhibits all the 

 beauties of the season at a single view. This also 

 occurs on a large scale throughout the country, for 

 although there is in general a settled time for the 

 great harvest, yet it frequently occurs that the most 

 favourable season for sowing in one place is a month 

 later than that in another, at the distance even of 

 one or two leagues; and that further still, the time 

 in another is not yet arrived. This variety is occa- 

 sioned by different aspects, or by exposure to different 

 degrees of heat or shade, or on the sloping sides of 

 sunny mountains. Yet Quito has its scourges, for 

 without them it would be a paradise, and men require 

 to be constantly reminded that this fair earth has 

 experienced a terrible revulsion. Furious tempests 

 of thunder and lightning frequently occur, and the 

 still more terrific phenomena of subterraneous 

 thunder. 



The Sugar Cane and Cotton are both cultivated 

 in great perfection throughout Quito. 



The Sugar Cane (Saccharum qfficlnarum) is an 

 elegant and jointed reed, rising occasionally to the 



