The other articles which were planted, corn, beans, and sweet potatoes, were growing under great disadvantages, but gave signs of sufficient fertility in the soil to warrant better results. Upon inquiry as to the growth of cotton, we were shown two stalks that had sprung up among the brush, which gave very little promise of a yield, and no inference could be drawn from such a specimen.
Some coffee trees of three years growth were seen upon this ground, but their appearance was unfavorable, and it is most likely this crop would prove unprofitable in this sea-coast region.
The soil of the serra being mixed with that of the flat land in this particular locality, gives better results than could be obtained from either taken separately, and it would doubtless make a good return for labor bestowed in transferring soil from these slopes to the damp flat land below.
It is due to the man João and his two sisters, to state that they were neat and clean in their dress, and presented rather more of a genteel appearance than is seen among the lower class of people in this country. With their decent bearing, it was a matter of surprise that no more skill or industry was manifested in the culture of the small piece of land which was planted.
We got one of these women to prepare coffee for us, and with the remnant of our cold victuals made a very respectable breakfast. Some of the party had partaken so freely of sugar-cane, that it became a subject of discussion as to the bill for damages that might be brought against the consumers of the products of this man’s farm.
After descending two miles further, we stopped at a farm of Senor Ferreira, where there is a building for a residence, including the machinery for a rice-mill. Here we saw corn growing tolerably well, and also rice and sugar-cane of fair quality; but the cultivation of the land showed but little more care than at the other place. It is evident that this property, which he desires to sell, has induced him to confine his arrangements to an examination of the few points worthy of notice along this river. But we saw enough here to convince us that the country is not adapted to our purposes.
Mr. Jackson bought at this house two otter skins for fifty cents each, the boy declining to take the price until we got some distance from the house, when he came running after us with the skins, asking for the money.
In going down the river several shots were fired with pistols at water-birds, a ligarto, &c., but there was no execution done by any of the party.
At one point on the margin of the river we saw several parties preparing to embark in canoes, with stores of various kinds, intended to serve them in visiting the villa during the approaching festival.
Following after us were two canoes, in each of which a woman was assisting to paddle while standing up, and seemed to be accustomed to this kind of service. Already a number of people from the surrounding country have arrived with their supplies, bringing even their fuel in the canoes, and they live in freedom from all restraint, after camp style, during their sojourn at the place. These festas are religious ceremonies, without much show of solemnity, in which mass is said, and is followed by sky-rockets and fire-works of various kinds. Then comes the banquet by the festeiro, and such other festivities as the occasion may suggest, or the people desire for recreation.