RESIDENCE AT SOCCATOO AND MAGARIA. 
217 
are to be sown between the rows of doura, which is frequently the 
case. The third operation is to draw the weeds and earth towards 
the roots of the doura a little before it ripens. When ripe, the 
slaves go into the field or plantation, pull it up by the roots, and 
lay it in rows between each row of millet which is left to ripen : 
it lies in this state four or five days, when they cut the heads offj 
tie them up in bundles, and carry it home ; where, after lying 
upon sheds made of the branches of trees for a few days to dry, 
what is not wanted for use is stowed away in their granary. As 
the seeds of the doura begin to ripen, it must be constantly watched 
by the slaves, who are perched on trees, or on raised platforms, with 
dried gourds, which they shake to make a noise, at the same time 
shouting and hallooing to frighten away the flocks of small birds 
which come to devour the grain, and which at this season fly in 
myriads, making a whirring noise with their wings when they rise. 
The doura is very subject to blight, caused by a kind of winged 
insect, of a black colour, something like the bugs on a camel ; its 
smell is most offensive, and if killed by the fingers, the stench can 
hardly be borne, and is not easily washed off. The millet and 
calavances remain a month on the ground after the doura. 
The stalks of the doura grow to the height of nine and ten feet ; 
the thunder storms, accompanied with rain and wind, often bend 
these stalks when near ripe, so that the roots are raised above 
ground, and the plant dies if the slaves the next day are not sent 
in to hoe the earth up to the roots of such as are broken down. 
The stalks of this grain are frequently used for fences and the 
rafters of their houses. Sometimes they tie the bean and millet 
straw into bundles, and carry them home for their camels. Their 
granaries are made in the form of a large urn or pitcher, raised 
from the ground about three feet by stones. They are made of 
clay and chopped straw, and are raised to the height of eleven or 
F F 
