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How They Till the Soul and Plant

The Indians till the soil very diligently, using a kind of hoe made from fish bone fitted to wooden handles. Since the soil is very light, these serve well enough to cultivate it.

After the ground has been well broken up and leveled, the planting is done by the women, some making holes with sticks, into which the others drop the seeds of beans or maize. Then the fields are left alone, for the three winter months, from December 24 to March 15, are extremely cold. During this time the natives seek shelter in the woods, since they go naked. As soon as the cold winter is over, they return to their homes and wait for the crops to ripen. They gather the harvest and store it all for the rest of the year. None of it is used for trade unless they barter a small amount for some household article.

Monday, 15-May-95 14:17:42 PDT