WEST INDIES. 
ettAP. i.] 
33 
the end of three or four months* to be soaked into 
and incorporated with the mould. At this period 
the ratoons are again well cleaned, and the spaces 
between the ranks effectually hoe-ploughed ; after 
which very little care is thought requisite until 
the canes are fit for cutting; the ancient practice 
of thrashing ratoons (i. e.) stripping them of their 
outward leaves, being of late very generally and 
justly exploded. 
Such is the general system of preparing and ma¬ 
nuring the lands in Jamaica. I have been told 
that more attention is paid to this branch of hus¬ 
bandry, in some of the islands to windward; but I 
suspect that there is in all of them, very great room 
for improvement, by means of a judicious rotation of 
crops and artificial assistance. Why, for instance, are 
not the manures of lime and sea-sand, which abound 
in these islands, and have been found so exceedingly 
beneficial in Great Britain, brought into use? Lime¬ 
stone alone, even without burning, (the expense of 
which might perhaps be an objection), has been 
found to answer in cold, heavy and moist lands ; 
no other trouble being requisite than merely to 
spread it over the ground, and break it into small 
pieces by sledge-hammers. Of this, the quantities 
are inexhaustible. Marie is another manure of 
vast and general utility in Great Britain. It enrich¬ 
es the poorest land, opens the stiffest, and sweet¬ 
ens and corrects the most rank. Lands have been 
raised by the use of this manure, from two shillings 
per acre to a guinea, annual rent. Now there is 
Vol. III. E 
