COTTOx\-\\ OOL. 



391 



creases the work of the people employed. In the kind Appendix: 



with black smooth seed, the grain does net appear to 



be enclosed by the wool ; therefore it is only necessary 



to loosen it, and it falls, as one may say, of itself. 



These two species seem not to differ in the appearance 



of the tree or flower, and cultivators only distinguish 



them by the seed, and both kinds are sometimes found 



upon the same plant. 



Cotton Plantations. 



In the driest part of the island leeward, they plant the 

 cotton-tree about the month of November. At this time 

 the grounds are generally free of every kind of weeds re- 

 maining of the preceding rainy season. If the ground 

 be fallow, it is necessary before planting to grub it up and 

 free it entirely of the roots that lie deep. This ought to 

 be done some time before, in order that the roots which 

 may be left may have time to rot. 



There are many advantages attending the plantation of 

 cotton-trees by the line. That of preserving a suitable 

 distance between each plant, so that they cannot obstruct 

 each other by their roots or branches. The replacing the 

 rotten seed, or that destroyed by insects, becomes easier, 

 and the labour which the plant requires is more quickly 

 performed, and better superintended by the proprietor or 

 his delegates, who can assign to each workman his task 

 and make him responsible for the performance of his 

 duties. In fine, when it is requisite to renew the planta- 

 tion, the rows render this operation easy, and even advan- 

 tageous to the new plant. The seed may be sown even 

 when there has been no rain. A slight blow of a pick-axe 

 is sufficient to make the hole where it is to be deposited; 

 but great care must be taken that there be no stone at the 

 bottom, which might incommode the roots, or heating by 



the 



