AGRICULTURE OF LEW CHEW. 25 



the main, of light, red-clay loams, intermixed with pebbles of various sizes and color ; some 

 lower lands, chiefly basins, consist of a blue or slate-colored stiff clay ; and the bottoms, and 

 valleys leading to them, being formed of the alluvium of the above, with vegetable matter, are 

 rich, friable, argillaceous loams. The lands become higher and poorer as we advance north, 

 until we arrive at the parallel of the head of Barrow's bay, about the middle of the island, 

 where cultivation ceases, except in small vales. 



The middle section is composed of hills and mountains ; the soil of which, as far as observed, 

 is generally a white clay mixed with sand, and lying upon red clay, hard, dry, and poor. The 

 native growth is shrubbery or chapparel, but the mountains in the distance appeared clothed 

 with trees. Near the sea, on either side, are plains of small extent, being the embouchures of 

 mountain-valleys. These are mixed loams; there are also some sandy deposits, cultivated. 

 Kocks : gneiss, soft granite, &c. 



The northern third or fourth of the island is also mountainous, but having some large plains. 

 These consist of a rich, dark-colored loam, as far as observed. Red-clay uplands show them- 

 selves, and the sides of some of the small mountains are of a greyish-colored gravelly soil. 

 Eocks that crop out: slate, &c. 



Climate. — Supposed to be, in general, genial to the pursuits of the cultivator of the soil. 

 "Droughts" are spoken of in an official Lew Chew document, and we know that the country is 

 in the direct range of typhoons or hurricanes. These drawbacks are not frequent. 



Roads and bridges. — In the southern part, the roads are from six to ten feet wide, and even 

 from twelve to fifteen near the larger towns or cities. They are paved with rough stones, where 

 liable to become very soft or muddy on the occurrence of rain, or to wash on acclivities. They 

 are carried over streams by substantial, well-built stone bridges, with from one to three Roman 

 arches; some of them are very old, and are built to endure for ages. I noticed in the side-rail 

 of one, a single stone twelve feet long, ten inches thick, and about two feet wide or deep. In 

 the less cultivated and mountainous parts, the roads dwindle away to mere foot-paths or Indian 

 trails ; and in many places, by grading or wear, they pass through deep cuts from six to ten 

 or twelve feet. Passages over the spurs and ridges are effected literally by scales or steps 

 cut into the soft stone or firm clay, or by stones rudely but conveniently placed. The bridges 

 also become different, being merely planks loosely secured, and supported upon rude piles of 

 stones. 



Enclosures and fences. — There are none in the open cultivated country, except where it bor- 

 ders upon the wilder parts, in which, it is said, wild boars may be found. In the less culti- 

 vated portions there are very large enclosures, embracing several hundreds, or even some 

 thousands of acres, and also smaller ones around detached huts or hamlets. They are formed 

 of small timber, sometimes split, and made indifferently into pickets, palings, stake and rail, 

 &c, assisted sometimes by a kind of flat, leaf-shaped coral, and at times by a well-made ditch 

 and bank ; the latter built of large sods inverted and regularly laid. In one place a horizontal 

 fence was seen, the object of which was not obvious at first sight. It appeared as if designed 

 for a shelter, but no use for one was perceptible. The hill-sides were so steep that an upright 

 fence, unless very strong, must soon get out of order and become useless ; but, being set against 

 the hill, and upheld by perpendicular pieces supporting what should be the upper edge or top 

 of the fence, it was well secured, and formed an effectual barrier from either side, unless an ani- 

 mal were disposed to go out upon it, and take a long leap below. 



Tenure. — Of this, it is conjectured that all lands are held by government, and let by it to 

 4s 



