226 QUARTERLY JOURNAL. 



The Bertholletia excelsa, producing the dehcious brazil nut, from 

 15 to 20 kernels of which are enclosed in a thick outer rind ; the 

 copoifera, yielding the balsam copaiva ; the annatta {Bixa oreU 

 lata), much used in this country, under the name of otter, for co- 

 loring cheese, are a few of tlie natives of the Brazil fruits. The 

 Capsicum annuum, yielding the cayenne pepper ; the Quassia 

 amara, furnishing a valuable drug ; the pungent and odoriferous 

 vanilla ; the ipecacuanha, whose root is an invaluable drug ; the 

 tonqua bean, much prized for its delicate aromatic seed ; the sarsa- 

 parilla, noted for its various virtues, are among the economical plants. 



Face of the country. Viewed from the sea, the country ap;)ears 

 rugged and mountainous ; but on a nearer approach, its appearance 

 is highly beautiful and picturesque, clothed as it is with the most 

 luxuriant vegetation, its hills covered with thick woods, and its val- 

 lies with a verdure which never fades. Towards the interior, the 

 land rii^es by gentle gradations to the height of 6000 feet above the 

 level of the sea. A large part of the interior is overspread with an 

 impenetrable forest. 



Agriculture. In no country would agriculture yield greater re- 

 turns to the industrious cultivator, but, unhappily, in no country is it 

 more generally neglected. A passion for seekmg gold and diamonds 

 has nearly destroyed all relish for every other labor. Maize, beans 

 and cassava root are raised in considerable quantities. In many 

 parts wheat and other European grains are reared. Coffee and sugar 

 are cultivated to a great extent, as well as tobacco and cotton. 

 Vanilla and sarsaparilla are obtained in abundance. 



SOMETHING ABOUT MANURE AND ITS APPLICATION. 



BY JESSE RYDER. 



Almost all the farmers of this country are obliged to depend on 

 the resources of their own farms for the supply of animal and ve- 

 getable manures which they can command. Mineral manures are 

 more generally purchasable ; but as stimulants and absorbents, they 

 can only operate in conjunction with the vegetable matter of the 

 soil (the humus or mould), the principal supply of which to culti- 

 vated land, is obtained from our cattle yards, and is returned to the 

 earth again from whence it came. 



