B O O K 11. CHAP. VII. 59 



It endemial: perhaps the inhabitants at this time are lefs addided 

 to drinking new rum, and therefore lefs affiiifled vvitii it. The air 

 of this parifh is in general reputed healthy; and the habitations 

 throughout the vale being for the mofl: part built on rifing ground, 

 they are not fubjecl; to damps. This tract was among the fnfl: fet- 

 tled with lligar-plantations, and what it produces now of this com- 

 modity is of an excellent quality ; but the land is thought to be 

 much worn. The truth is, that lome of the plantations here were 

 formed upon-a gritty, red, and naturally flerile foil, which, for 

 want of regular manure, and having loft by degrees its fuperficial 

 coat of vegetable mould, became lefs and lefs produ6live, till the 

 proprietors threw them up as unfit for the fugar-cane. But others, 

 who have purfued a better hulhandry, ftill reap advantage from it 

 in reafonably good crops. The air of the mountains is perfectly 

 fine and healthful. Upon one of them, near the confines of St. 

 Catharine's, is the governor's polinck or provifion ground, which 

 has a fmall but neat villa upon it, and was purchafed by the af- 

 fembly, as an occafional retreat, during the hot months, for the 

 commander in chief. The foil of thefe mountains is fertile; and 

 they are chiefly appropriated to fuoply the eftates in the vale with 

 the different kinds of vegetable provifion, and lime and timber for 

 repairing their works. This parifli contained, 



Annual produce. 

 Negioci. Cattle. Sugar-works, j Hogflieads. | Other Settlements. 



In 1734' 75^^ 444i 

 1740, 8475 4813 



1745, 8239 4797 



1761, 9057 



1768, 8382 5782 41 1 3$"^"^ I 37 



It appears from hence to have made little or no progrefs fince the 

 year 1740 ; and the increafed number of cattle, amounting to 969, 

 are probably the (lock brought upon thofe runs, which, after being 

 in canes, have been converted into pafturc. 



1 2 SECT. 



