A true & exact history of the island of BarbadosLigon, Richard
History
A true & exact history of the island of Barbados
Ligon, Richard
Barbados -- Description and travel; Plants -- Barbados; Sugar -- Manufacture and refining -- Barbados
And for that there is none of more use than the _Physick-Nut_, I will
begin first with that, which though the name seem to promise health,
yet, it has poyson lodg’d secretly within, and that poyson may bring
health, being physically applyed, and in fit times and seasons. The
reason why I think it poysonous, is, because Cattle will not brouse,
nor feed on the leaves, nor willingly come neer the shade. This tree
will grow to be eighteen foot high, but we have a way to employ it;
as for beauty and use, there are none such in the Iland. This tree
(_which is of the height as I have told you_) has many sprigs, of
four, five, and six foot long; we lop them one after another, and as
we take off the branches, cut stakes of them, about foure foot and a
halfe long, and stick them in the ground an inch deep, and no more,
close to one another, in the manner of Palissadoes; and so, with a
rail of either side, to keep them eeven, and here and there a spur
or braket on either side, to keep them steedy for a month; by which
time, they will not only gather roots to strengthen them, and hold
them up, but leaves to cover their tops, and so even and smooth they
fall, as to cover the tops of themselves, at least two foot and a
halfe downward; and will in a month more, be so firmly rooted in the
earth, as you may remove your railes and brakets, to assist those
that are planted after them, in other places. These leaves being
large, smooth, and beautifully shap’t, and of a full green, appear
to your eyes like so much green Satin, hang’d on a rail or line, so
eeven and so smooth they hang naturally.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account