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tations for them and himself, which are generally miserable sheds, 

 supported by four posts, and commonly called ranchos. His negroes 

 are then directed to cut down the trees and brushwood growing on 

 the land, to such an extent as he thinks they will be able to 

 manage. This done, they set fire to all they have cut, as it lies 

 on the ground. Much of the success of his harvest depends on 

 this burning ; if the whole be reduced to ashes he expects a great 

 crop ; if, through wet weather, the felled trees remain only half burnt, 

 he prognosticates a bad one. When the ground is cleared, the ne- 

 groes dibble it with their hoes, and sow their maize, beans, or other 

 pulse ; during the operation they cut down any thing very much in 

 the way, but never think of working the soil. After sowing as much 

 seed as is thought requisite, they prepare other ground for planting 

 eassada, here called mandioca, the root of which is generally eaten 

 as bread by all ranks in Brazil. The soil * for this purpose is 

 rather better prepared ; it is raked up in little round hillocks, not 

 unlike mole-hills, about four feet asunder ; into which are stuck 

 cuttings from branches of the plant, about an inch thick and six or 

 eight long ; these soon take root, and put forth leaves, shoots, and 

 buds. When enough has been planted for the entire consumption of 

 the farm, the owner, if he is rich enough, prepares means for grow- 

 ing and manufacturing sugar. He first employs a carpenter to cut 

 wood, and build a mill with wooden rollers for crushing the canes, 

 by means of water if a stream is at hand, if not, by the help of 

 mules. While some of the negroes are assisting the carpenter, 

 others are employed in preparing ground in the same way as for 

 mandioca. Pieces of cane containing three or four joints, and in 

 length about six inches, cut from the growing stem, are laid in the 

 earth nearly horizontally, and are covered with soil to the depth of 

 about four inches. They shoot up rapidly, and in three months 

 have a bushy appearance not unlike flags ; in twelve or fifteen 



* Mandioca requires a dry hot soil, of a sandy nature. 



