PASTURAGE. 



159 



and to the rains. The fuel, likewise, is another 

 most enormous source of destruction ; and 

 although for this purpose some selection might 

 be made of the qualities of timber which are 

 less valuable, no thought is given to the matter. 

 The havock which is committed in bringing out 

 of the woods a tree that has been felled for any 

 particular purpose is likewise immense ; for 

 many trees are cut down to make a path from 

 the usual road to the spot upon which the tree 

 which is to be brought out is laying, that the 

 oxen may enter to convey it away. It will be 

 said, that the great object is to get rid of the 

 superabundant quantities of wood, and this is 

 no doubt the case ; but according to the present 

 system, very little land is radically cleared of 

 wood, and yet the large and valuable timber is 

 undergoing rapid destruction. Virgin woods 

 however certainly do yet exist to a great extent. 

 It is said that those of Apepucos, which is near 

 to Recife, are connected with the woods in the 

 neighbourhood of Goiana, a distance of fifteen 

 leagues. 



Of the lands for planting canes I have already 

 treated. 



Each sugar-plantation has one large field in 

 which the buildings are placed. It is very 

 rarely that estates are supplied with a second 

 inclosure, consequently the cattle, or at least 

 that part of it which is required after and before 



