Робинзон Крузо
Agricultural Experience
HalfFebruary,March,halfApril: Rainy,thesunbeingthenon,orneartheequinox.
HalfApril,May,June,July,halfAugust: Dry,thesunbeingthentothenorthoftheline.
HalfAugust,September,halfOctober: Rainy,thesunbeingthencomeback.
HalfOctober,November,December,January,halfFebruary: Dry,thesunbeingthentothesouthoftheline.
Therainyseasonsometimesheldlongerorshorterasthewindshappenedtoblow,butthiswasthegeneralobservationImade. AfterIhadfoundbyexperiencetheillconsequenceofbeingabroadintherain,Itookcaretofurnishmyselfwithprovisionsbeforehand,thatImightnotbeobligedtogoout; andIsatwithindoors,asmuchaspossibleduringthewetmonths.
InthistimeIfoundmuchemployment,andverysuitablealsotothetime,forIfoundgreatoccasionofmanythingswhichIhadnowaytofurnishmyselfwithbutbyhardlaborandconstantapplication; particularly,Itriedmanywaystomakemyselfabasket;butallthetwigsIcouldgetforthepurposeprovedsobrittle,thattheywoulddonothing. Itprovedofexcellentadvantagetomenow,thatwhenIwasaboyIusedtotakegreatdelightinstandingatabasketmaker’sinthetownwheremyfatherlived,toseethemmaketheirwicker-ware; andbeing,asboysusuallyare,veryofficioustohelp,andagreatobserverofthemannerhowtheyworkthosethings,andsometimeslendingahand,Ihadbythismeansfullknowledgeofthemethodsofit. ThatIwantednothingbutthematerials;whenitcameintomymindthatthetwigsofthattreefromwhenceIcutmystakesthatgrewmightpossiblybeastoughasthesallows,andwillows,andosiersinEngland,andIresolvedtotry.
