184 



THE CASTOR-TREE. 



of water from the house-top each shower of 

 rain produces sufficient moisture, and the owner 

 is relieved from any farther trouble in this re- 

 spect. At the expiration of five months the 

 shoots begin to make their appearance above 

 ground, and at the end of twelve months from 

 the time that the cocos were first put into the 

 earth, the young plants may be removed.* 

 They are then placed at the distance of eight 

 or ten yards from each other, upon the land 

 that has been cleared for the purpose of re- 

 ceiving them. As soon as they have once taken 

 root, and by far the major part of them fail not 

 so to do, very little care is necessary. They 

 must however be preserved tolerably free from 

 brushwood, at least during the first years ; and 

 indeed at all times the fruitfulness of the tree 

 will be increased, if it is allowed its due 

 space, t 



THE CARRAPATO OR CASTOR TREE. 



This plant may be, as well as the coco, 

 reared in sandy soils, but it will flourish witli 



* ; ' On pretend que I'arbre est aidant d'annees d. rapportcr 

 du Jruit, quit a e'te de mois en terre, avant de pousser son 

 germe." — Nouveau Voyage, &c. torn. iii. p. 267. 



Labat does not however vouch for the truth of the state- 

 ment. He speaks of the cabbage of the coco-tree being 

 very good ; and I agree with him. A coco-tree was cut 

 down at Itamaraca, and the vicar sent me the cabbage, o* 

 which several dishes were made, and they were excellent. 



f Vide Appendix for a farther account of the coco-tree. 



