313
An.1686
The Plantain-fruit.
springs out of the top a strong stem, harder in sub- ftance than any other part of the body. This stem shoots forth at the heart of the Tree, is as big as a mans Arm, and as long; and the Fruit grows in clusters round it, first blossoming, and then shoot- ing forth the Fruit. It is so excellent that the Spa- niards give it the preheminence of all other Fruit, as most conducing to Life. It grows in a Cod a- bout 6 or 7 inches long, and as big as a mans Arm. The Shell, Rind or Cod, is soft, and of a yellow colour when ripe. It resembles in shape a Hogs- gut pudding. The inclosed Fruit is no harder than Butter in Winter, and is much of the colour of the purest yellow Butter. It is of a, deli- cate taste, and melts in ones mouth like Marmalet. It is all pure pulp, without any seed, Kernel or Stone. This Fruit is so much esteemed by all Eu- ropeans that settle in America, that when they make a new Plantation, they commonly begin with a good Plaintain-walk, as they call it, or a Field of Plantains; and as their family increaseth, so they augment the Plaintain-walk, keeping one man pur- pofely to prune the Trees, and gather the Fruit as he sees convenient. For the Trees continue bear- ing, some or other, most part of the year; and this is many times the whole food on which a whole Family subsists. They thrive only in rich fat ground, for poor sandy will not bear them. The Spaniards in their Towns in America, as at Ha- vana, Cartagena, Portabel, &c. have their Markets full of Plantains, it being the common food for poor people: Their common price is half a Rial, or 3 s. a dozen. When this Fruit is only used for Bread, it is roasted or boiled when it's just full grown, but not yet ripe, or turn'd yellow. Poor people, or Negroes, that have neither Fish nor Flesh to eat with it, make Sauce with Cod-pepper, Salt and Lime-juice: which makes it eat very savory; much better than a crust of Bread alone. Sometimes for a