62 
SUGAR CANE. 
their gambols as well as their greediness. It is in 
vain to set traps for these creatures, however baited; 
and the only way to protect the plantations and de- 
stroy them, is to set a numerous watch, well armed 
with fowling-pieces and provided with dogs. The 
Negroes, who are very fond of monkey shooting , and 
who esteem their flesh a delicacy, are always ready 
to perform this part of their service. 
In the lowland plantations the rats do a vast 
deal of mischief by destroying the canes. They are 
said to have been introduced from Europe by the 
shipping, and have since multiplied prodigiously, 
breeding in the ground under loose stones and 
bushes. These, like the monkeys, serve the field 
Negroes for food, and are even said to be sold pub- 
licly in the markets of Jamaica. 
The canes are cut in our islands towards the end 
of February, or in March and April, as at this sea- 
son they are as ripe as the nature of the soil will 
allow them to be. The quantity of sugar yielded 
by their juice, will be always in proportion to the 
dryness of the season, and this is the reason why in 
January four hundred gallons of juice commonly 
yield, upon an average, forty-eight gallons of sugar 
and molasses ; in February from fifty-six to sixty- 
four ; in March from sixty-four to seventy-two ; and 
in April sometimes eighty. 
But we must now return to Mr. Edwards, who, 
after he has given an account of the different ma- 
nures which are laid upon the land to promote the 
vegetation of the plants, conducts us from the field 
