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It has a large fibrous root, and is well-calculated for stony ground 

 where there is little earth ; it even grew among rounded stones 

 that had been washed three years before*. 



The intendant, who had a taste for rural economy, and more par- 

 ticularly his lady, were very anxious to make their own butter and 

 cheese, and expressed a great desire to be instructed in the process 

 as practised in England, though milk was very scarce ; and it was 

 not without much difficulty that, after sending a few miles, about 

 three gallons were collected. In the mean time such household 

 utensils as were most fit for the purpose having been made ready, 

 and others procured, very excellent butter was produced, and after- 

 wards a few cheeses were made, which there was every reason to sup- 

 pose would prove good. The lady interested herself greatly in the ex- 

 periment, not onl}' performing part of the operations, with the assist- 

 ance of her daughter, but inviting several of her friends in the towo 

 to see with what little trouble the processes were performed, and 

 distributing the products among them-f- : — a rare example of in- 

 dustry ! I am decidedly of opinion that, Avere the females of 

 Brazil better educated, especially in whatever relates to domestic 

 economy, and were they accustomed to see the concerns of a 

 household conducted with regularity and order, they would be 

 very different subjects of society ; for I have ever observed in 

 them that inquisitive disposition and desire of information, which 



* It was then in seed, of which I collected a small quantity j since my return, I 

 have sent part of it to the Agricultural Society, and the remainder I have distributed 

 among gentlemen who will endeavour to promote its growth in this country. It is 

 rather a hardy grass, as it grew in situations which were all so cold, that the bananas 

 and cofFees were frequently blighted. 



f The ladies particularly wished to have the cheese of a fine colour, like that sent 

 thither from England ; and I was at no loss for an ingredient for tinging the milk, as 

 the tree, which produces the seed from which annatto is made, grew spontaneously in 

 the neighbourhood. . 



