260 



CULTIVATED VEGETABLES. 



vicinal of the animal creation, drinking freely 

 of it, derives health and vigour from its use. 

 The meagre and sickly among the negroes 

 exhibit a surprising alteration in a few weeks 

 after the mill is set in action. The labour- 

 ing horses, oxen, and mules, though almost 

 constantly at work during this season, yet 

 being indulged with plenty of green tops of 

 this noble plant, and some of the scummings 

 from the boiling-house, improve more than 

 at any other period of the year. Even the 

 pigs and the poultry fatten on the refuse." 



" He," says Slare, " that undertakes to 

 argue against sweets in general, takes upon 

 him a very difficult task : for nature seems 

 to have recommended this taste to all sorts 

 of creatures ; the birds of the air, the beasts 

 of the fields, many reptiles and flies, seem to 

 be pleased and delighted with the specific 

 relish of all sweets, and a distaste is con- 

 trary. Now the sugar-cane, or sugar, I hold 

 for the top and highest standard of vegetable 

 sweets." 



After these observations on the virtues of 

 sugar, we can scarcely be surprised at the in- 

 creased consumption of this valuable article. 

 It preserves the juices and substances of 

 fruits in all countries, and in all seasons. It 



