The millet is reaped at the end of May; at that time the marabouts receive it from their slaves and the hassanes from their zenagues, or tributaries. This millet supports them till the month of July when the rainy season commences; they then withdraw from the banks of the river, and live entirely on milk. If any millet remains, it is laid by till the next dry season. In the month of November, when the waters begin to subside, the Moors send their slaves to sow the ground which has been flooded by the rains, or by the overflowing of the river. It is at this season also, that the zenagues come down to the banks of the river to cultivate millet. The slaves of the same camp lodge together, and cultivate the same district; each field is marked out, and the produce carefully kept in a separate place. Their method of cultivation is exceedingly bad, but it gives them little trouble. With a thick stick they make holes in the ground six inches deep, and into these holes they drop three or four grains of millet, covering them with sand or light mould. They never prepare the ground in any way, and only weed it after the millet has come up. To save themselves trouble they select a poor soil, because a richer would require more weeding, and they are naturally lazy. When the seed is sown, they wait quietly till the millet makes it appearance, then thin it a little, and weed round the roots to give it air; many do no more than this, and suffer the grass to grow up between the roots. When the ear begins to show, they stay in the field to drive away the birds, which would devour the grain before it is ripe; and this occupation does not allow them a moment’s rest: they walk about the field incessantly, shouting and throwing stones, and at night they lie down among it to protect it from gazelles, porcupines, and wild boars, which would make great havoc. When the millet is ripe, they cut it, and thrash it with sticks. The grain is put into sacks, and carried to the camp, and those who have reaped more than they are likely to want carry the surplus to the markets, and sell it to the dealers.