Fruits (continued)

All these Grow in the lowlands but the largest timber Grows far back in the Mountains — the Bread fruit is to be had at all seasons, but it is most plenty at the Harvest, when they Gather it in and lay it up in store making it into a sour past by fermentation Calld Mahee which shall be discribed in its place — the Cocoa Nuts, plantains & almost evry sort of Food are plenty at all seasons alike. Their Cultivation does not extend to any great degree; the Chief Articles of it are the Cloth Plant, Yava, Tarro & Sweet potatoes and some times they plant Cocoa Nuts & Plantains but these plantations are generally the labour of the Chiefs and if they make one in their lifetimes they sufficiently do their duty — they seldom plant any Breadfruit trees as they grow up wherever the root is Seperated, by the Hogs or otherwise and they have often to root the young ones out, to Clear the ground of them, but the Plantains want Planting sometimes after the Westerly winds which if they are not secured are often blown down and these are the only things they take any pains with, nor can this be said to Cost them either Labour or Toil and as evry part of the Island produces food without the help of Man, it may of this Country be said that the Curse of Eden has not reachd it, no man having his bread to get by the Sweat of his Brow nor has he Thorns in his path.

Indigenous Histories