During the first years that I spent in Paraguay, rice was so scarce
that, as it was brought from other countries, it hardly ever appeared at
our table. It was never sown, and none would go of their own accord to
gather or carry away rice, which grows at a great distance on the
northern shores of the Paraguay; justly fearing the Payaguas, who
infested those places. Instructed, at length, by the Portugueze
Brazilians, we began to sow rice, and the crop was more than could be
consumed. But as it is very difficult to take the grains of rice out of
the ear, the Indians preferred eating maize, which is pounded in mortars
with little trouble. Let no one entertain a notion that the sowing and
cultivation of rice require any particular artifices; for it is sown and
reaped exactly in the same manner as European wheat, with this
difference only, that the seeds must be committed to the earth at the
commencement of spring, and in a moist situation. Many have affirmed
positively that rice will only grow in marshy places; but we found that
which was sown in woods, or rather in ground that had formerly been
wooded, to yield a more abundant harvest than what was sown in a marshy
situation. For a place that has been previously occupied by trees,
retains, for a long time, its native humidity, and the ashes of the
trees that have been cut down and burnt on the spot, incredibly
fertilize the soil. In places of this kind the Guaranies used to sow
tobacco, maize, and most other things except cotton, with great success.
But, good heavens! how have I lost myself in this labyrinth of trees,
shrubs, and plants! I shall hardly be able to find my way out of the
wood; yet it is best to tarry there awhile till, after having described
the medicinal trees, I have enumerated all the rest which are useful in
building, or on other accounts worthy of note.
THE TAYỸ, OR URUNDEỸ
QUEBRACHO.
The tayỹ, or tajibo, and the urundeỹ quebracho, either of a red, or pale
colour, excel in hardness and size; both trees are called by the
Spaniards _quebracho_, or _quebrahacho_, because, unless dexterously cut
by a skilful woodman, or carpenter, they break the axe at the first
blow, being as hard as iron; for _hacha_ means an axe, and _quebrar_ to
break. The quebracho colorado, when covered with its bark, is red. As
soon as it is cut down and worked upon, the rosin in which it abounds is
melted by the hot air, and flowing to the exterior parts of the wood,
gives it a red hue, and causes it to shine like porphyry. The Guaranies
burn pieces of the tree tayỹ, receive the smoke or soot arising from
them into a clean dish, and by pouring hot water upon it, convert it
into ink, which, mixed with gum and sugar, is by no means to be
despised.