It is made from the leaves of the _mate Yule_, a
plant which grows in Paraguay and Brazil. The natives generally
drink it without sugar or milk, sucking it up from the vessel in
which it is made through a small tube. It is, however, greatly
improved by the addition of sugar and milk, or, better still,
cream. This greatly softens the bitter taste which distinguishes
it. None of the party liked it at first; but as they were assured
by those in the country that they would like it when they became
accustomed to it, they persevered, and after a time all came to
prefer it even to tea.
Occasionally one or other of the boys went over to Rosario with the
cart, and Mr. Hardy bought some hundreds of young fruit
trees--apple, pear, plum, apricot, and peach--some of which were
planted in the garden at the sides and in rear of the house, others
in the open beyond and round it; a light fence with one wire being
put up to keep the cattle from trespassing. Clumps of young palms,
bananas, and other tropical trees and shrubs were also planted
about for the future adornment of the place. Fences were erected
round the cultivated ground, and an enclosure was made, into which
the cattle were driven at night. These fences were easily and
cheaply made. The wire cost little more at Rosario than it would
have done in England, and the chief trouble was bringing the posts,
which were made of algaroba wood, from the town.
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