BOOK in. CHAP. VIII. 699 



efteemed in all countries where it is known, and is found a fbitablc 

 part of diet for all ages, but in particular agreeable to infants, old 

 perfons, valetudinarians, and fuch as are on the recovery from fick- 

 nefs ; and, prepared with milk, it is highly approved of in confumptive 

 habits. 



From what has been premifed it appears, that this is not a plant 

 which can be every where cultivated. It will not thrive in the dry, 

 low parts of the South fide, nor on elevated or rocky fpots in the 

 mountains. It requires a flat, rich, moift foil, well Iheltered by 

 furrounding heights; which occafioned Sir Hans Sloan to remark, 

 " that it is but ill living where there are good cacao walks ;" for fuch 

 moift, unventilated places are, without doubt, the moft unwholefomc 

 for mankind to rcfide in. Yet, where fuch glades or fpots are found, 

 they certainly cannot be turned to any fort of culture, that will yield 

 more profit ; and it doss not follow, that, becaufe a fettler is pofTef- 

 fed of fuch a fpot, that he is therefore to live upon It; fince the fitu- 

 ation fuppofes the neighbourhood of higher fpots more proper for 

 conflant refidcnce. 



Sir Thomas Modiford, about the year 1670, drew a plan for the 

 fettlement and management of a cacao walk, wi'Ji a computation of 

 the expence. 



At that time, Negroes were bought for two-thirds Icfs than the pre- 

 fent rate; common white fervants were to be had without wages, and 

 24/. a year was thought fufficient for the wages and diet of an over- 

 feer. The expence now, compared with what it was in his 

 time, is as 700 to 250, or near 3 to i more; it is needltfs therefore, 

 to quote his calculation, but his general diredions in regard to forming 

 fuch a plantation, may be of feme fervice. 



He propofes fix able Negroes, and four white fervants, with one 

 overfeer, and the land in wood. The firft operation, after providing 

 proper dwelling-houfes, is to fall, clear, and plant four acres in pota- 

 toes; which, if the work is begun in the middle of March, may be 

 very eafily performed with ten hands, by the middle of April. After 

 this, they may continue to fall, clear, and fet plantain fuckers until the 

 latter end of February in the following year. In this fpace, which is 

 above ten months, they may have cleared and planted 21 acres, beiidts 

 keeping clean the ground that is planted. A good flock of provilions 



4 U 2 being 



