ANTIGUA.
51
ble. There are much fewer ground provisions grown than before ; for, as it is not now the proprietor's duty ] to subsist his negros, he turns his attention to the most \ profitable article, sugar ; and also because the negros i at first manifested a good deal of caprice, in refusing to purchase provisions from the estate stores—preferring corn-meal, rice, &c. from the town. The planters have ceased to cultivate, perhaps to too great an extent ; but these things will find their own level. There are as yet no non-resident laborers. All have a hut, piece of ground, and medical attendance, as before. No extra labor, therefore, is in the market, except that the plan ters occasionally hire the Saturdays of the people from neighbouring properties. Every estate maintains its full complement of laborers, both in and out of crop. There are no independent villages whatever, and though the people have the strongest desire to acquire what they call " a pot of land," meaning about an acre, yet great obstacles exist, because there are no suitable spots, except parts of actual estates, which the propri etors are unwilling, or unable to dispose of. The island can never realise the full benefits of the new system, till there are such villages, which would be to the planters as "reservoirs of surplus labor," enabling them to employ many or few hands, according to their actual wants. The economical advantages of free labor are indeed only beginning to be felt. Laborers and servants will become more escient. A family requires at present three times as many domestics as in Eng land. In the field, two or three men are required to manage a team in a plough, cart, or waggon. Agricul tural implements, cane mills, and other machinery, will be improved. The plough has long been used in the island ; but on many estates its judicious use is