154 HISTORY OF THE [book hi, 
yams and other esculent vegetables. The soil is 
stony; the best is a loose black mould, on a clay.. 
In some places, the upper stratum is a stiff clay, 
which requires labour, but properly divided and 
pulverised, repays the labour bestowed upon it. 
The general produce of sugar (its only staple pro¬ 
duction) is one hogshead of sixteen cwt. per acre 
from all the canes that are annually cut, which be^ 
ing about 4,000 acres, the return of the whole is 
an equal number of hogsheads, and this was the 
average fixed on by the French government in 
1782, as a rule for regulating the taxes. As at St. 
Christopher’s the planters seldom cut ratoon canes. 
This island, small as it is, is divided into five pa¬ 
rishes. It contains a town called Charles Town, 
the seat of government and a port of entry, and 
there are two other shipping places, called Indian 
Castle, and New Castle. The principal fortification 
is at Charles Town, and is called Charles Fort* 
The commandant is appointed by the crowm, but 
receives a salary from the island. 
The government, in the absence of the gover¬ 
nor-general, is administered by the president of the 
council. This board is composed of the president, 
and six other members. The house of assembly 
consists of fifteen representatives; three for each 
parish. 
The administration of common law is under the 
guidance of a chief justice, and two assistant judges, 
and there is an office for the registry of deeds* 
