BOOK III. CHAP. VIII. ^tj 



prejudicial to weak eyes, and is therefore cautioufly given to very 

 young children. 



86. Grassy-Cyperus, or Sedge. — Cyperus. 



There are a great many varieties of this plant in the ifland. The 

 roots of all are efleemed Ipecifics in peftilential fevers. 



87. GuiNEY Grass. — Holcus mqjor qlfurgens. 



This plant, like the Scotch grafs, is univerfally cultivated in the 

 ifland for pafture and the ftable. It is planted by the root, or the- 

 joint, when the earth is well-moiftened with rain. It does not re- 

 quire fo much moifture as the Scotch grafs; and is juftly efteemed: 

 a more hearty and nourifhing fodder. After it is planted, parti- 

 cular care is taken to keep the ground well-hoed, and clean about 

 the roots, till they are well-eftablifhed. 



When it firlt feeds, it is ufual, at the time of maturity, to turn; 

 in cattle to graze, that, by Ihaking the plants, the feed may be 

 difperfed, and their vegetation accelerated by the dung. When the 

 flocks are old, the roots appear extended into very large tufts, and 

 the leaves fhort and llender, intermixed with dry, hard ftems ; thefe 

 are burnt off, without injury to the root, a little before the fetting- 

 in of the rains; and,, the root being divided, a new plant is made 

 on fome detached piece. Upon the firft fall of rain, the old- roots 

 recover their former verdure, and flioot up furprizingly quick. In. 

 the drier lowlands, it may be. cultivated to the beft advantage in 

 trenches; but in the mountains and more inland parts it thrives 

 bell, and in fome places runs into a fed. When planted in the in- 

 tervals of cane-pieces, it occupies no ground that is convertible to 

 any other ufe; but ferves as fodder for the mules, horfes, and^ 

 working cattle; affords a valuable addition to the flock of manure ; 

 and proves a fafeguard to the canes againfl the fpreading of acci- 

 dental fires. It is alfo planted in the gullies and other wafle parts. 



The ufual time of planting it on the South- fide is in September, 

 or OtR:ober. Where it is in fuf^icient quantity, it may be cut, fun- 

 dried, and put in ricks, for the working cattle in crop-time; and 



makes a very nourifhing hay, 



88. Rice,. 



