of the old iſlands, from having been a conſiderable number of years under cultivation, are ſo much worn out, as to require great attention to make them bear the culture of the ſugar-cane. And the Planters there are obliged to let the land lie a year or two fallow occaſionally, or only plant ſuch vegetables as yams and potatoes, the roots of which open and enrich the ſoil; beſide, it muſt be well dunged previous to planting.
Again, no more than one-half in ſome plantations, in others only one-third part of the land is yearly planted with canes; the other part being prepared for growing rattoons, turned into paſture for cattle, or given to the negroes for gardens, in order to improve and render it fit for the canes. The rattoons, it is neceſſary to acquaint the readers, who may probably not know the ſugar-cane, are ſecond canes, which ſpring from the roots of plant canes, after they have been cut down and
made
