AGRICULTURE OF LEW CHEW. 37 



failed. The soil used was a stiff, tenacious clay. Possibly it was well prepared in the begin- 

 ning ; but very soon after the plants came up, there was a heavy, beating rain, followed by hot 

 dry weather, which completely consolidated and hardened the earth. This appears never to 

 have been again loosened or pulverized. The result was, that although the potato tops were 

 large and vigorous, yet they yielded no tubers. Upon examination, the main stock had been 

 pressed upon and strangled just below the surface, and was black and dead, together with all 

 the roots below ; and additional roots had been thrown out by the stem just at the surface, 

 which alone preserved the strength and verdure of the vines. I regretted this failure, as it 

 would probably deter the inhabitants from repeating the experiment. 



The Indian corn was not more successful. From the same causes, it was stunted and dwarfed. 

 In addition, hard winds prostrated it. The yield was a few small ears, imperfectly filled with 

 grains. The interpreter informed me they were acquainted with maize previously, but that 

 hurricanes prevented its cultivation. 



The tomatoes succeeded rather better. Beside other unfavorable circumstances, the soil 

 where they were planted was poor, being drawn and shaded by trees. But the vines, though 

 much crowded, were of fair growth ; and the fruit, though small, was quite abundant. 



This report might be regarded by some as very long, and, for such, a mere enumeration of 

 rice, wheat, sugar, &c, as the produce of the island, would be sufficient. But to give a proper 

 idea of its agriculture, details are necessary ; and these have to be as extended for a small 

 country as for a large one, where the management and productions are the same. With this 

 remark, it is respectfully submitted. 



D. S. GKEEN, Surgeon U. S. Navy. 



To Commodore M. C. Perry. 



