NATURAL PRODUCTIONS. 
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merely roasted or boiled tlie same day it is pulled, or it 
Avill spoil, and is a light and palatable vegetable ; the 
bitter casava requires some preparation before it can be 
eaten. The roots, in shape somewbat like dahlia roots, 
are peeled and grated on a large tin grater ; the mash 
is then washed in many waters, and dried in the sun ; 
this is called farine, and is Avhite in colour, and not unlike 
sago. It is eaten in this state with the gravy of the 
dish on the table. From farine large round thin cakes 
are made and baked on an iron sheet ; these resemble 
oatmeal cake, and are a common article of food, espe- 
cially among the Spaniards. From the water in which ' 
the grated casava is washed is made a very fine sauce, 
highly prized by connoissieurs, and is called casaripe. 
The Avater in AA’hich the casaA^a is Avashed is a deadly 
poison, Avhile the casava is Avholesome food. The bitter 
casava is called by the Spaniards, manioc. 
Indian corn, or maize, is groAvn to a large extent, and 
used for feeding horses, mules and fowls. It is also 
ground into meal by large hand-mills, and boiled for 
food ; AA'hen thus prepared, it is called hominy, or corn- 
coocoo, and is a someAvhat coarse but a AAholesome and 
nutritious diet. The proportion of fat contained in maize 
is considerable, and certainly the people Avho live upon 
it chiefly are both strong and stout. 
Tavo crops of maize are obtained during the year — one 
called Avet-season, and the other dry-season, corn. Its 
return is something marvellous ; instead of a hundred 
fold, it AA'ould be no exaggeration to say that it yields 
a thousand fold, for from one grain you get a stock 
haA’ing two large ears, containing many hundreds each, 
and sometimes there are three ears on the stock. It 
must be said, lioweA'er, that corn needs a rich soil, and 
A'eiy soon makes a poor one ; it impoAT.rishes the soil 
A'ery quickly, and it is only in A’irgin soil that it is seen in 
perfection. There it Avill attain to a height of fifteen or 
eighteen feet ; the lea\'es and top of the stem, or corn 
bush, are the best of fodder for stock; A^ery fattening. 
