102 



MAIZE. FLAX. — POTATOES. 



[chap. v. 



Indian corn hand-mills are used, made of the common scoria- 

 cious basalt: in these mills, the upper stone fits into the 

 lower one, as a conical stopper into a bottle ; it is turned by 



HAND-MILL. 



a fixed upright stick; this stick is frequently tied at the 

 upper end to the branch of a tree, to give more purchase. 



MAIZE. 



An attempt is now being made to introduce several varieties 

 of the milho, or maize, in some parts of the north of the 

 island : it is intended that it should supersede the vine, 

 which bears no fruit capable of making good wine in those 

 districts. One enterprising gentleman imported some men 

 from the Western Islands, where they are excellent farmers, 

 to teach the labourers the cultivation of this grain. 



FLAX. 



A great deal of flax is grown on the northern side of the 

 island ; in such a climate, the New Zealand flax (Phormium 

 tenax) might be cultivated with great advantage. 



POTATOES. 



Potatoes yield about five crops in two years. This plant 

 has not here escaped the blight which affected it in other 

 parts of the world, and its loss was severely felt by a popula- 

 tion dependent on the cheapest description of food; in event 



