Робінзон Крузо
Agricultural Experience
therichnessofthefruits,andtheweightofthejuice,havingbrokenthemandbruisedthem,theyweregoodforlittleornothing: astothelimes,theyweregood,butIcouldbringbutafew.
Thenextday,beingthe19th,Iwentback,havingmademetwosmallbagstobringhomemyharvest; butIwassurprised,when,comingtomyheapofgrapes,whichweresorichandfinewhenIgatheredthem,Ifoundthemallspreadabout,trodtopieces,anddraggedabout,somehere,somethere,andabundanceeatenanddevoured. BythisIconcludedthereweresomewildcreaturesthereabouts,whichhaddonethis;butwhattheywere,Iknewnot.
However,asIfoundthattherewasnolayingthemuponheaps,andnocarryingthemawayinasack,butthatonewaytheywouldbedestroyed,andtheotherwaytheywouldbecrushedwiththeirownweight,Itookanothercourse; forIgatheredalargequantityofthegrapes,andhungthemupupontheout-branchesofthetrees,thattheymightcureanddryinthesun; andasforthelimesandlemons,IcarriedasmanybackasIcouldwellstandunder.
WhenIcamehomefromthisjourney,Icontemplatedwithgreatpleasurethefruitfulnessofthatvalley, andthepleasantnessofthesituation;thesecurityfromstormsonthatside,thewaterandthewood; andconcludedthatIhadpitcheduponaplacetofixmyabode,whichwasbyfartheworstpartofthecountry. Uponthewhole,Ibegantoconsiderofremovingmyhabitation,andtolookoutforaplaceequallysafeaswhereInowwassituate,ifpossible,inthatpleasantfruitfulpartoftheisland.
