GINGER. 211 



duction to Jamaica, says Lunan, it has be- 

 come an article of considerable export ; for 

 which purpose it has been generally culti- 

 vated. 



It is calculated that the quantity of this 

 root consumed in Europe, is about one mil- 

 lion of pounds annually. 



Ginger was known in England in Queen 

 Elizabeth's reign, as Gerard says; " Our 

 men which sacked Domingo in the Indies, 

 digged vp ginger there in sundry places 

 wilde." This author adds, ■? Ginger groweth 

 in Spaine, in the Canarie Hands, and the 

 Azores. Ginger," he continues, " is most 

 impatient of these our northern regions, as 

 myselfe haue found by proofe; for that there 

 haue been brought vnto me at seuerall times, 

 sundry plants thereof, fresh, greene, and 

 full of iuice, as well from the West Indies, 

 as from Barbarie and other places, which 

 haue sprouted and budded foorth greene 

 leaues in my garden in the heate of somer ; 

 but as soone as it hath bin but touched with 

 the first sharp blast of winter, it hath pre- 

 sently perished both blade and roote." 



It appears to have been known in London 

 about the year 1566 or 7, and was evidently 

 introduced by the Dutch ; as Gerard states, 



9 



