250 TRINIDAD. 



I am aware that the formation of agricultural societies is 

 more difficult in Trinidad than in some of the old colonies, on 

 account of the scattered position of our sugar estates. But it 

 might be attempted in the Naparimas, with the accession of 

 Savannah Grande, Oropouche, Pointe-a-Pierre, and Couva. I 

 fear, however, that the main obstacle arises from the position of 

 the immense majority of sugar-planters; they are generally 

 subordinate, and by no means free agents being dependent on 

 the caprice of some conceited attorney, or the exigencies of an 

 absentee proprietor. This is the more to be regretted, in that 

 most of the managers of estates are native or other Creoles of 

 respectable families, and standing high in public estimation, not 

 only for professional qualifications, but also for sobriety, honesty, 

 and general information. 



ALIMENTARY ARTICLES. Cerealia Indian corn or maize 

 (Zea mais). Inferior to wheat only, in point of nutritive qualities, 

 the Indian corn is one of the most nourishing grains, and superior 

 to rice, rye, barley, or potatoes: the proportion of starch is 67*55 

 per cent. ; of gluten and other azotised substances, 12*50 ; of 

 fatty matter, 8*80 whereas that of bran is only 5*90. (Payen.) 

 It has been ascertained that individuals subsisting on this grain 

 are, in general, stronger and more robust than those using either 

 rice, barley, or potatoes. Indian corn is also a very wholesome 

 aliment, and forms the principal article of food of nearly one half 

 of the southern population of Europe, of a very large proportion 

 of that of Asia and Africa, of nearly the whole population of 

 South America, and of a great part of North America. Maize 

 grows well in Trinidad, and thrives remarkably in good soils : 

 the average yielding, per acre, is from twelve to fifteen barrels in 

 ears ; its price varies from 80 cents to 2 dollars per barrel, and 

 the cost of raising the crop per acre from the seed is about 8 dollars 

 under our present imperfect system of culture. Corn is raised 

 either in high or low lands ; when in the former, it is planted at 

 the commencement of the wet season, and in the latter part of 

 May ; in low lands, in January or February so that two crops 

 may be commanded every year. It is planted in holes of slight 

 depth, being made with the point of a cutlass or a sharp-pointed 

 stake, and at a distance of four feet apart, from three to five 

 grains being cast into each hole. When at about three weeks 

 growth, it is well hoed, and weeded once more, when two months 



