SETTLEMENTS ON THE DEMERARY, &€. 203 



English system of cultivation begins with the lands nearest to 

 the sea ; but the Dutch, probably from the fear of those buc- 

 caneering expeditions, of which Sir Walter Raleigh had given 

 a specimen, at the expence of the Spanish settlers in Guyana, 

 began, but fruitlessly, their establishments at the interior ex- 

 tremity of the lowlands, and as far up the different rivers as 

 they found the navigation convenient, and the soil docile. I 

 trust it will not be long before the British have covered the 

 reproachful traces of ruin and desertion, with new dwellings 

 and wider cultivation. 



The estates already made between the Essequebo and Po- 

 maroon rivers, are variously valued from fi,ve to eighty thou- 

 sand pounds sterling each, according to the extent of culti- 

 vation, number of negroes, buildings, &c. &c. This coast 

 possesses a considerable advantage over the other sea coasts, 

 from its being able to rear any quantity of plantains, the land 

 being so very luxuriant and rich, while those estates on the 

 east coast of Demerary, are obliged to purchase plantains 

 weekly in the river, and keep a craft employed in conveying 

 them for the support of the negroes. 



The plantain or bannanna tree, is a native of Guyana, and 

 produces fruit nine months after planted, it is about ten feet 

 high; one plant produces three or four stems, which grow 

 perfectly straight, but are cut down within six inches of the 



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