631 A. E. Verrill—The Bermuda Islands. 21 
No) 
was required to plant it on each side with figs and pomegranates. 
The path seems to have been made in some sort of a way, but he 
obtained other grants for clearing it out in 1625 and 1626, but was 
accused of not having done his work as agreed. 
Whether he planted the figs and pomegranates is not stated,* but 
no trace of them can now be found there. That whole narrow strip 
of land is now barren and too much exposed to the salt winds on both 
sides, for the growth of such plants. But the order indicates that 
the practice had then become common. 
A law was enacted by the Assembly, in 1620, requiring figs and 
pomegranates to be planted in the hedges or fences wherever the 
native palmettoes, formerly used for that purpose, had died out. 
(See p. 629.) 
In a proclamation by Governor Bell, in 1627, he complained that 
persons unlawfully robbed his “vineyard” of “figgs,” ‘‘ pown- 
granates” (pomegranates), lemons, and oranges, though he intimated 
that he had but few lemons and oranges. 
A law was passed in (1630) forbidding al! persons from picking 
figs from the land of another, or from the public lands in “ baskets 
and tubs,” though they might pick them for their own eating. 
Capt. John Smith (1629) stated that figs were then very abundant. 
An intoxicating fermented liquor was soon made from the figs 
and called “ Figg-drink.” The sale of it to apprentices was pro- 
hibited in 1627. Prosecutions for the unlawful use of it are recorded 
in 1630. 
In March, 1631, John Bunnion was indicted for stealing ‘a caske 
of figge drink,” and there are several indictments for drunkenness 
and riotous conduct (stabbing in one case), as a result of using this 
drink. 
An order was also promulgated by Governor Heydon, in 1669, 
requiring figs and cedars to be planted along all the highways, which 
were to be 12 feet wide. This indicates that horses and carts were 
not then in use. 
Figs had become so abundant on the common lands of St. George’s, 
in 1642, that a special code of rules or laws was enacted to regulate 
the number of hogs or ‘‘shoates” those persons having a share in 
* It is doubtful if this was ever done as ordered, for Captain Stokes was sub- 
sequently charged with fraud and neglect of duty in connection with this path, 
etc. He was tried and convicted of evil practices in 1627, and dismissed from 
the service. He was then an old man, addicted to drinking and riotous living, 
and was thought guilty of selling the public store of powder to obtain liquors. 
He had been for many years in command of the ‘‘ King’s Castle.” 
