Book I. 



AGRICULTURE IN NORTH AMERICA. 



91 



to sleep at proper times, to promote their fatting. Wind and sounds of every kind have 

 been long known to have a powerful effect on this genus of animals. Private persons 

 brought up techichis, quadrupeds, similar to little dogs ; turkeys, quails, geese, ducks, 

 and other kinds of fowl. In the territories of the lords were bred fish, deer, rabbits, 

 and a variety of birds ; and at the royal residences, almost all the species of quadrupeds, 

 and winged animals of those countries, and a prodigious number of water animals and 

 reptiles. We may say that in this kind of magnificence Montezuma II. surpassed all 

 the kings of the world, and that there never has been a nation equal in skill to the 

 Mexicans in the care of so many different species of animals, which had so much know- 

 ledge of their dispositions, of the food which was most proper for each, and of all the 

 means necessary for their preservation and encrease. 



1164. The Mexican cochineal, so greatly valued in Europe on account of its dyes of scarlet and crimson, 

 demands a great deal more care from the breeder than is necessary for the silkworm. Rain, cold, and 

 strong winds destroy it. Birds, mice, and worms, persecute it furiously, and devour it ; hence it is neces- 

 sary to keep the rows of opuntia, or nopal, where those insects are bred, always clean ; to attend constantly 

 to drive away the birds, which are destructive to them ; to make nests of hay for them among the 

 opuntia, by the juice of which they are nourished; and when the season of rain approaches, to raise 

 them with a part of the plants, and guard them in houses. Before the females are delivered they cast their 

 skin, to obtain which spoil, the breeders make use of the tail of the rabbit, brushing most gently with it 

 that they may not detach the insects from the plants, or do them any hurt. On every lobe they make three 

 nests, and in every nest they lay about fifteen cochineals. Every year they make three gatherings, reserv- 

 ing, however, each time, a certain number for the future generation ; but the last gathering is least 

 valued, the cochineals being smaller then, and mixed with the prickles of the opuntia. They kill the 

 cochineal most commonly with hot water. On the manner of drying it afterwards the quality of the colour 

 which is obtained from it chiefly depends. The best is that which is dried in the sun. Some dry it 

 in the comalli, or pan, in which they bake their bread of maize, and others in the temazcalli, a sort of 

 oven. (Clavigero, vol. i. p. 357 to 381.) 



1165. The fruits of Mexico are very numerous, the banana, (Jig. 194.) and granadilla, 

 (Jig. 195.) are very common. The bread-fruit and cocoa are extensively cultivated ; 



and a number of sorts of anona, or custard apple, (Jig. 196.), and especially the cheri- 

 moyer (A. tripetala), which is much esteemed. In short, all the fruits of Europe and 

 most of those of both Indies are to be found in the gardens of the nobles and the priests. 



SuBSECT. 3. Present State of Agriculture in the British Possessions of North America. 



1 1 66. The principal British provinces in America 

 are Canada, New 13runswick, Nova Scotia, Cape 

 Breton, and the adjacent islands of Newfound- 

 land and the Bermudas. 



1167. Canada is an extensive country, and the 

 only British province in which agriculture is 

 generally pursued. The climate of this country 

 is extremely irregular ; in July and August, the 

 heat is often 96 -', while in winter the mercury 

 freezes. The ground is covered with snow from 

 November till May, when it thaws suddenly, 

 and vegetation is instantaneous. The surface of 

 the country is generally mountainous and woody ; 

 but there are savannas, and plains of great beauty 

 towards Upper Canada. 



1168. The soil consists principally of a loose 

 dark-coloured earth, ten or twelve inches deep, 

 lying on a bed of cold clay. This thin mould, 

 however, is very fertile, and yields plentiful 



