254 TRINIDAD. 



is perhaps too much neglected in the western archipelago ; for, 

 although little nourishing, it is a wholesome aliment. A few trees 

 only are met with in the island, and, yet, it would form an in- 

 valuable resource for the poor, or, at least it might serve to feed 

 or fatten swine. The bread-fruit tree thrives in good or even 

 poor soils, and requires very little or no attention. It is very 

 prolific each tree bearing, every season, from seventy-five to one 

 hundred and sixty pods, and each pod affording sufficient for a 

 meal for two persons. They sell at about two cents each. It is propa- 

 gated by cuttings from the roots ; the root is severed from the tree, 

 and raised from under the ground ; after about three weeks, 

 buds begin to appear on the part thus raised ; it is then taken up, 

 and separately planted. 



Tubercles (Dioscoreacece) Yam (Dioscorea). This is the most 

 important of colonial tubercles. It is farinaceous and wholesome, 

 containing, according to Payen, twenty-seven per cent, of nitro- 

 genous principles. It may be used as a substitute for bread, either 

 boiled or pounded after boiling, or dressed with meat : another 

 advantage is that it keeps for several months, provided it be laid 

 up in some dry place. There are two species of Yams Dioscorea, 

 Triphylla, and Saliva, the hard and the soft leaved. Amongst 

 the former, the Portuguese and Cruinea Yams are the best 

 varieties, and most farinaceous. The Guinea Yam gives the best 

 and quickest return, but it germinates early in March. The 

 Portuguese sort comes in later and preserves better, but does not 

 give so good a return. Both varieties also resist the attacks of 

 the parasol-ants much better than any other kinds. 



The different varieties of water yams, or the soft-leaved species, 

 are more prolific but not so delicate : they come in later, and 

 keep until the middle or end of July. With proper care and 

 attention yams grow well in any land, but they thrive best in 

 good soils, particularly in loam and on hills. The soil must be 

 well prepared for the reception of plants ; generally, large holes 

 or trenches from eighteen to twenty-four inches deep and two 

 feet in diameter are dug, and filled with decaying vegetable 

 matter, or trash, then covered with earth and the plant placed 

 below in the hole, or trench. Some people are content with 

 raising mounds about two feet high, in which they lay the plants ; 

 they are commonly set at four feet apart with a prop stuck in the 

 central interval of every four plants, to serve as a support to the 



