A Description of the island of Jamaica with the other isles and territories in America, to which the English are related ... : taken from the notes of Sr. Thomas Linch, Knight, governour of Jamaica, and other experienced persons in the said places : illustrated with maps / published by Richard Blome.

The Soyle, Fertility, &c.

It is in most parts (especially the north) of a rich and fat Soyle, be∣ing of a blackish Earth, in many places mixt with a Clay, and in some, as the south West Parts, it is of a more red and loose Earth, but every where incomparable apt to produce, and liberally to answer the Cultivators cost and paines for what is planted; being alwayes Springing, and its Trees and Plants never disrobed of their summer Livery, every month be∣ing to them as our May, or April.

Here are many Savanas which are intermixed with the Hills and Woods, (especially in the

North and South parts, where are great store of wild Cattel) which by report were sometimes Feilds of Indian Maiz, or Wheat, which when the Spaniards became Masters of the Isle, they conver∣ted to Pasture for the feeding of their Cattel; bringing hither from Spain, Horses, Cowes, Hoggs, and Asenegros for a Breed, after they had destroyed all the Na∣tives, or Indians, which according to calculation, did amount to a∣bout 60000. which Cattel did exceedingly encrease, witness the great heards of Horses, and other Cattel, that are now wild in the Woods; besides the great quan∣tities of Cows that have been Killed by the English, since they became Masters thereof: And these Savanas are the most bar∣ren, as being so long made use

of without Tillage; yet doth they produce such great Plenty of Grass, that the English are constrained oft-times to burn it up.

Notes

• Its Soyl, and Fer∣tility.
• Savanas, formerly Fields of Indian Maiz.