334 CAMPS IN THE CARIBBEES. 



particular allowed it to deteriorate from its pristine 

 vigor of a century ago. Coffee-trees of many years' 

 growth grew by the side of young plants set out to 

 replace the aged and enfeebled ones. The plantation 

 is divided into small squares a few hundred feet in 

 length, by long rows of quick-growing trees called 

 pot's douce, -pomme rose, and oleander. This is to 

 protect the tender coffee-plants from the wind, and 

 from the hurricanes which sometimes ravage these 

 islands. These long rows of high trees give the cof- 

 fee estates a striated appearance at a distance. The 

 coffee-tree is allowed to grow to a height of but six 

 or eight feet, as this insures more perfect berries and 

 renders the gathering easier. The younger plants 

 are further protected and shaded by plantains and 

 bananas, which attain a great height in a twelve- 

 month. 



Coffee was early introduced into the West Indies. 

 It is said that, of three plants entrusted to the captain 

 of the first vessel bringing it, two died, and that the 

 remaining one was only kept alive by water withheld 

 from a famishing crew. The first coffee was grown 

 in Martinique ; hence, though that island does not 

 raise enough for its own consumption at the present 

 time, all coffee exported from Guadeloupe is known 

 as "Martinique coffee." Its cultivation is easy and 

 pleasant, although somewhat expensive and difficult 

 during the first years of its growth. Being generally 

 situated on the mountains, the coffee plantations are 

 considered as the most healthy and desirable places 

 of residence in the West Indies. At the height of two 

 thousand feet, in the mountains of Guadeloupe, the 

 temperature varies from fifty-five degrees, Fahrenheit, 



