BETTY'S HOPE ENVIRONMENT

An Antiguan Sugar Estate

An OECS, CIDA PROJECT

Betty's Hope is situated on the edge of the Limestone Region and the Central Plain of Antigua. Geologically, the area is composed of sedimentary rocks; primarily of tuff and mudstone.

The area receives medium to low rainfall and the soil is fertile. Since the earliest days of colonisation, the land has been extensively cultivated, first for tobacco, and from the 1660's, sugarcane.

Despite the abusive practice of mono-cropping, the soil continued to to yield high quantities and qualities of sugarcane and its byproducts, sugar molasses and rum.

With the demise of the sugar industry on Antigua in the 1970's, the estate was abandoned. The vegetation is dominated by aggressive alien species of plants.

During the colonial period, many exotic species were introduced to Antigua for their aesthetic and practical values. The Tamarind provided shade and was resistant to drought, and produced an edible fruit. The Cordia was also highly resistant to drought, produced a valuable hardwood and was constantly in flower. Both were planted around the estate, particularly close to the houses and along the roads and paths where shade was needed.

THORNY ACACIA - The current vegetation is composed of primarily alien species that were introduced to these island intentionally and accidentally. Of these the Thorny Acacia is the most successful and now dominates the landscape. "Cassie" as it is known to Antiguans grows rapidly and is used for making charcoal. It is also used as a fuel as it has a high calorific value and for local remedies. It is of African origin.

THE NEEM TREE - Is a native of India, having been introduced into to Western Hemisphere in relatively late years. It was probably not in use during Betty's Hope's working days. It is a fast growing tree and suits a dry climate.  It has been used for a variety of home remedies, and is considered a very valuable plant. It is also useful as an insecticide when prepared properly. Other uses have been for fevers, women in pregnancy, blood pressure and chronic rheumatism.

Neem Tree (Azadiracta indica) Adr. Juss

Wild Tamarind - (Leucaena leucocephela)

WILD TAMARIND a Legume of the Mimosa family -  This is a native shrub or small tree with cream white ball-like flowers and with abundant thin flat dark brown pods. The seeds are often used for local handcrafts. It is fast growing  and common everywhere and soon takes over abandoned fields. It fixes nitrogen from the air and can invigorate poor soils. There have been many uses in the past, as a coffee substitute, for hoe handles, a vegetable, for tanning, a brown and red dye, fodder, charcoal, fever, a gum, back pain and worms.

SUGAR APPLE of the Annonaceae - A small wild native fruit tree that can withstand droughts well. Its close relative is the soursop, but the fruits are much smaller and are made up of fleshy pads which are pulled off and eaten. Drinks and sherbets are made from the fruit. Other uses of the plant, have been as an insecticide, for home remedies as for colds, flu, coughs, fever, upset stomachs. It is also as a soporific.

Sugar Apple - (Annona squamosa) L.

Black Willow - (Capparis cynophallophora) L.

BLACK WILLOW - of the Caper family seen on the Buff at Betty's Hope. This bush plant grows as a small tree and is rather attractive with its small fragrant shiny dark green leaves and white to mauve flowers. It is usually left standing in a building plot as an ornamental. The bright scarlet interior colouring of the pods was used by the Amerindians as a dye. The timber has been used as posts, hoe handles and fuel.

ALOE or BITTER ALOES of the Lily family - This small plant with gray-green leaves easily grows on poor soils. The flower stalk rises from the middle of the leaves some 30 inches high bearing many 1 inch flowers. The plant had so many uses in Antigua and Barbuda that it is known as 'Single Bible'. The greatest use for the slimy interior of the leaves is for burns, including sunburn. Some of the other uses have been as a laxative, ulcers, swelling, colds, asthma, worms, increasing the appetite, antidote for urchin spines, and conditioning the hair.

Aloe - (Aloe vera) (L.) Burm.

Dildo or Organ Pipe Cactus - (Cephalocereus royeni)

DILDO CACTUS - This large tall cactus is common in the bush land of Antigua and Barbuda. As is usual with the commonest plants it has had many economic uses in the past. The small fruits are edible, jams and syrups have been made from them. Sterile water may be found in the stems, which leads to the nibbling by goats. When the flesh is dried and powdered it can be used as a soup. The dried branches, when set alight, burns with sparkles, hence it was once used to celebrate Guy Fawkes Day known as 'Packing Night' (9th & 11th Nov) in Antigua and Barbuda.

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