204 STATISTICAL ACCOUNT OF THE 



ground, after the fruit is gathered, and in succession, it pro^ 

 duces another crop. A plantain has nearly the shape of a pars^. 

 nip or carrot, but continues of equal circumference to both 

 ends, and is guarded from the rays of the sun, by a thick peal 

 or skin ; when roasted, it is more like bread than any other 

 vegetable, and is produced in bunches, which weigh from 

 fifty to seventy pounds. 



The only usual spfecies of grain are the maize, or Indian 

 corn, which produces six weeks or two months after planted; 

 and the Guinea corn, which only yields one or two crops in 

 a year. The Guinea and Scotch grass are cultivated in prefer- 

 ence to hay, and produce abundance of fodder for cattle ; 

 negroes are employed regularly in cutting grass for the supply 

 of the town, which they dispose of for a shilling per bundle. 



Cotton is the only produce which this Pomaroon coast avails 

 itself of to any degree of excellence, for which purpose it is 

 equally as good as any other land in the colonies. Of sugar 

 and coffee, there are estates, but neither answer so well as cot- 

 ton, from the being land too rich and saline. It is a fact that 

 the land improves with every crop that is taken off, as does also 

 the quality of its production. The cultivators and settlers of 

 this coast had a great deal to contend with in accomplishing 

 what they have ; a marshy track of country, covered with 

 immense heavy bush, was entirely to be drained, cleared, and 



