Page:Books from the Biodiversity Heritage Library (IA mobot31753000820123).pdf/60

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mainder of the Sugar-Canes after the juice is squeezed out for the making of Sugar, but now of late 'tis kept in heaps, that so after their new clear'd Land has by Tilling been worn out, they may Dung it with this.

They clear ground, likely to be useful, by felling the Trees as near the Root as they can, the Timber if near their Work, they cut into smaller pieces, split it, and use it in the Stokeholes as Fire-wood to boil up the Sugars, if not they gather the Branches, put them in heaps, and fire them here and there in the Field, wherby the Field is not only clear'd, but made rich with the Ashes. The most part of Fields are not stub'd up, but the Roots of the Trees, with about three, four, or five Foot of the Truncs stand in the Field, and sometimes the fallen Body of the Tree lies along till it decays and rots. A Field being so clear'd, Negros with Hoes, make smaller or deeper holes, at nearer or farther distances according to the thing to be planted, and another coming after throws in the Seed, or plants the Root, and covers it with Earth, and so if a good Season has preceded it seldom misses to thrive, and is kept clear of Weeds till it be able of its self to choak them.

Fields which have before been planted several times are before Rain is expected clear'd of the Stalks and Roots of any Plants may have grown there, and they being gather'd in heaps, are burnt; and so the Fields are planted after a Season, or let grow in Grass for Pasture, as occasion requires.

There is no places after Rain more fruitful than the Savannas.

Where the Roots of Trees do not hinder, trial has been made of the Plow, and it has done well for Sugar-Canes, &c. to be planted in.

The Inhabitants of Jamaica are for the most part Europeans, some Creolians, born and bred in the Island Barbados, the Windward Islands, or Surinam, who are the Masters, and Indians, Negros, Mulatos, Alcatrazes, Mestises, Quarterons, &c. who are the Slaves.

The Indians are not the Natives of the Island, they being all destroy'd by the Spaniards, of which I have said something before, but are usually brought by surprize from the Musquitos or Florida, or such as were Slaves to the Spaniards, and taken from them by the English. They are very often very much checquered in their Skin, by Cupping with Calabashes, are of an Olive colour, have long black lank Hair, and are very good Hunters, Fishers, or Fowlers, but are nought at working in the Fields or slavish Work, and if checkt or drub'd are good for nothing, therefore are very gently treated, and well fed.