768 J A M A 1 C A. 



88. Rice, — Oryza. 



This plant thrives extremely well in moirt: bottoms between the 

 mountains. It ought only to be cultivated in places where the 

 ground can be flooded with water. The marfhy grounds therefore 

 in this ifland, fuch as thofe at the Ferry in St. Andrew's, the Eaft 

 end of St. Thomas in the Eaft, the lands about Black River in St. 

 Elizabeth's, Negril in Weftmoreland, and other fmiilar parts, ap- 

 pear naturally adapted to this grain, if it fhould be thought worth 

 while to cultivate it, as an additional fupply of food for the 

 Negroes. 



A gentleman having planted fome out of feafon, it grew very 

 rank, but did not bear. Upon which, he cut it down clofe to the 

 root, and fed his horfes with it. But it afterwards fprung up again, 

 and, in the proper time of bearing, yielded an extraordinary quan- 

 tity of grain. I mention this for the fake of experimentors, who, 

 <3eceived by the apparent fterility on a firft trial, if they fiiouKl 

 happen not to have hit upon the proper time of putting the feed in 

 the ground, may learn from this example in what manner to re(51:ify 

 their miftake, fo as not to be difappointed of gathering a crop in 

 the end. 



89. Ramoon. — "Tropljis. 



This tree is well known among the planters. The tops and 

 leaves of it are fucculent, and make an agreeable wholefome fodder 

 for all forts of cattle. For this purpofe the branches are lopped 

 and thrown to them in dry weather, or when other fodder isfcarce; 

 jind they are always obferved to thrive and grow fat upon this 

 aliment. The berries are about the fize of large grapes, and of a 

 pleafant flavour. 



90. Bread-nut. — AUcaJlrum arbor cum. 



The leaves andyounger branches of thefe well-known trees are a 

 hearty fodder for cattle, horfes, and fhcep. They are propagated 

 by the birds and rats from the feed ; and fometimes tliey have beta 

 planted in the dryer paflure-lands of the South- fides. I have ob- 

 ferved that every old fence in fuch places is a nurfery for thefe 

 and other valuable trees; which obfervation may furnifli a good 



hint 



