Planting
       

Cotton was the leading crop export during the 1700's for Petite Martinique. During the time of emancipation it was no longer seen as a profitable business. The smaller islands, were being boycotted by countries in the temperate zone. At that time, Europeans were packing up and leaving for their homes. Those who stayed and continued living here in the islands, continue to plant the usual cotton but no longer to export. From then on, all planting, was done for the sole purpose of maintaining their livelihood.

Now, corn and peas are what most Petite Martiniquans would plant. Anxiously awaiting the coming of the rain season, which starts around the months of may, june, july. The people of the island would start cutting down the dried trees, left back by the 6 months of continuous battering of the sun known simply as the dry season. When the rain season sets in the first indication would be a very large ring around the sun around mid-day. Then a smaller ring around the moon at night when the moon is starting to full.

  
           
     
 
     
 
 
 
Maroon  

If the time has passed and no rain has fallen, the Elders of Petite Martinique would plan a date for a Maroon. The Maroon is an African tradition brought here in the Caribbean, during the time of the slave trade. The Maroon consist of a sacrifice presented to God, in turn being blessed with lots of rain. With the earth being dry for so long there would not be any fruits to be offered up. So animals are killed, cooked and layed on a table, for the offering. The Elders would sing their traditional African folk songs, in prays to God. In addition to the singing and the offering up of the sacrifices. The Elders accompanied by some younger people, would journey up to the Piton to throw sugar, in hope that the sweetness of the hill would attract the rain.
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When the rains starts to fall, the Elders would start to plant. Planting both corn and peas in the same hole, in repeated rows. It is not known for corn or peas to suffocate the other, so it was seen as an excellent idea to plant that way. Ever so often, during the weeks after planting the garden would have to be de-weeded, so that the corn and peas would grow properly. In time, when the crop has fully grown and it bears it's fruit, the people of Petite Martinique would share that fruit with other families, mostly those who never had the time to plant.
 
     
 
 
 
Rearing Animals
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In the event of planting, there are some people who just prefer rearing animals. Mostly sheep and goats. Goats would be used for events like the Maroon or at a Wake, to pay respect to the dead. Sheep on the other hand, would be used mostly at Weddings or for lunch on christmas day. Being that these animals would only be eaten on special occasions, there are lots of them roaming around in the dry season but tied to a tree in the rain season.