S U A' T R a; 
1767 and 1768, about September and Odober ; in 1 772, between June 
and Auguft, and for the four fucceeding years was feldom received earlier 
than November and December. Lon^ continued droughts, which fome- 
times happen, flop the vegetation of the vines, and retard the produce. 
This was particularly experienced in the year 1775* when for a period- 
of about eight months, fcarcely a Ihower of rain fell to moiften the 
earth. The vines were deprived of their foliage ; many gardens perifh- 
ed, and a general deftrudlion was expeSed, But this apparent calamity 
was attended with a confequence not forefeen, though analogous to the 
fifual operations of nature in that climate* The natives, when they 
would force a tree that is backward, to produce fruit, ftrip it of it's 
leaves, by vvhich means the nutritive juices are reCen^'ed for that more 
important ufe, and the blofToms foon begin to ihew themfelves in abun- 
dance. A fimllar cffcdt was difplayecl in the pepper gardens, hy 
the inclemency of the feafon. The vines, as foon as the rains began 
to defcend, threw out bloflbms in a profufion unknown before j old' 
gardens which had been unprolific for two or three years began to bear; 
and accordingly the crop of 1776,7 confiderably furpafled that of many 
proceeding years. 
f 
The pepper is moftly brought down from the country on rafts (j-aciee) 
whidh are fometinies com po fed of rough timbers, but ufually of large 
bamboos ; with a platform of the fame, fpUt, to keep the cargo dry. 
They are ftecred at both head and ftern, in^the more rapid rivers, with 
a kind of rudder, or ikull rather, having a broad blade, fixed in a forlc 
or crotch. Thofe who fteer zxt obliged to exert the whole llrength of 
the body, m thofe places efpccially where the fall of the water is fteep, 
and'the courfe winding. But the purchafe of the fkull is of fo great 
power, that they can move the raft bodily acrofs the river, when both 
ends a^ a&d upon at the fame time. Bl3t notwithfbinding their grear 
dexterity, and their judgment In chuiing the channel, they are liable to- 
meet with ob£lru£tlon in large trees and rocks, which, from the violence 
of the ftreamjOverfet, and fometinies daflj their raft to piece?*. * ' 
If 
