311
An.1686
Sago. The Plantain-tree or Shrub.
the Cloth but a light sort of Husk, which they throw away; but that which falls into the Trough settles in a short time to the bottom like Mud; and then they draw off the Water, and take up the muddy substance, wherewith they make Cakes; which being baked proves very good Bread,
The Mindanao People live 3 or 4 months of the year on this food for their Bread kind. The Na- tive Indians of Teranate, and Tidore, and all the Spice Islands, have plenty of these Trees, and use them for food in the same manner; as I have been in- form'd by Mr. Caril Rosy, who is now Commander of one of the Kings Ships. He was one of our company at this time; and being left with Captain Swan at Mindanao, went afterwards to Teranate, and lived there among the Dutch a year or two. The Sago which is transported into other parts of the East Indies, is dried in small pieces like little Seeds or Comfits, and commonly eaten with Milk of Almonds by those that are troubled with the Flux; for it is a great binder, and very good in that distemper.
In some places of Mindanao there is plenty of Rice; but in the hilly Land they plant Yams, Po- tatoes, and Pumkins; all which thrive very well. The other Fruits of this Island are Water-Melons, Musk-Melons, Plantains, Bonanoes, Guava's, Nutmegs, Cloves, Betel-nuts, Durians, Jacks, or Jaca's, Coco-nuts, Oranges, &c.
The Plantain I take to be the King of all Fruit, not except the Coco it self. The Tree that bears this Fruit is about 3 foot, or 3 foot and an half round, and about 10 or 12 foot high, These Trees are not raised from seed, (for they seem not to have any) but from the roots of other old Trees. If these young suckers are taken out of the ground, and planted in another place, it will be 15 months be- fore they bear, but if let stand in their own native Soil