Raising wheat by means of irrigation has never been tried; no plow is ever used; and the only instrument is the native hoe, in the hands of slaves.

The chief object of agriculture is the manioc, which does not contain nutriment sufficient to give proper stamina to the people.

The half-caste Portuguese have not so much energy as their fathers.

They subsist chiefly on the manioc, and, as that can be eaten either raw, roasted, or boiled, as it comes from the ground; or fermented in water, and then roasted or dried after fermentation, and baked or pounded into fine meal; or rasped into meal and cooked as farina; or made into confectionary with butter and sugar, it does not so soon pall upon the palate as one might imagine, when told that it constitutes their principal food.

The leaves boiled make an excellent vegetable for the table; and, when eaten by goats, their milk is much increased.