Removal of Jungle 197 



from boats. In wet periods certain grasses and 

 plants grew an inch or more per day, and the work 

 had to be done repeatedly over the same territory. 



Toward the end of the dry season, spaces were 

 cleared by fire, whenever they could be b "rned 

 over without danger to property because of the 

 trade winds that assist in spreading flames. Near 

 all permanent settlements where the topography 

 permitted, the ground was prepared for using 

 mowers, and on some steep hillsides heavy spikes 

 were used on the wheels to prevent the machines 

 from sliding downhill. This was especially neces- 

 sary where the hillside terminated at the abrupt 

 canal banks. At times, when the tall grass needed 

 cutting, the ground was so soft that the use of 

 horses meant the creation of many new breeding 

 places by hoof-prints, etc. If the grass remained 

 uncut, evaporation was retarded and mud breed- 

 ing aggravated conditions. 



The day's work had to be arranged according 

 to weather conditions. 



