The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1845-10-10

EDITORS CORRESPONDENCE.
From our rsgulaJcors.pondsutl
Nrw YoRK. Oct. &. I845

EDITORS CORRESPONDENCE.
From our sgualeons.pondsntl
New YoRx. Oct. 8, Ie45.
In my last letter, gave brief sketch of the geo
graphical position, form Of government, of the re-
venues and expenditures, imports and exports OF
the Argentine republic. will next proceed TO say
something in reference to its climate, soil, produc-
tons, and the character Of the people.
Il is said, that you proceed south Of the equa-
tor, you meet with cold weather much sooner than
when travelling north Of the line, towards the north
pole In other words, that the same temperate ati-
tudes south of the equator are colder than those
, north Of it. This may be true on the ocean; but
as far as La Plata is concerned, the observation
does not appear to hold good We have before re-
J marked, that the Argentine republic extends from
300 to 40 south latitude. According to the best
information we have, we find the climate in winter
much mder than is experienced within the same
degrees in the United States. The winter (cor-
responding with our summer) at Buenos Ayfes, in
$40 &c. is colder than the temperature Of No
vember on the same parallel Of latitude with US. II
is said to be very seldom that any ice IS seen White
frost marks, generally, the greatest degree of cold.
In summer (Which corresponds with our winter
monhs) the heat is said to be very intense, and felt
very severely on the vast plains Cor pampas) in the
interior.
One great peculiarly of this country is the vast
plains, which about hve-sixths OF Its entire
surface; large section Of which, in the northern
part of the country lying between Paraguay and
Bolivia and the Cordlleras, is but little known. II
is called "Granchuca," and embraces an area of
from ITO to 100 square miles, Much of this vast
tract is doomed to perpetual steriy. In its north
ern division there is found forests but the great
err part is one vast sandy and arid desert. South of
the 33d degree of south latitude, vast, rich pampas
are entered Upon Covered with rank gruss and 9TH
er vegetation. They embrace an area Of country
equal to 49, 900 square miles They are almost dead
de
east On these plains vast herds Of cattle are raised
They bear in profusion long grass, tall thistes, and
| clover.
1 In the spring Of the year (about this time) the
pampas are everywhere green with grass and young
ihistles The latter grow apace till they cover the
i feet. These finally mature and decay. From the
effect of storms, &c, they fall to the ground where
| their stalks lie and rot The clover springs up
| in the most uxuriant manner, afording the finest
natural pasturage for cattle in the world. During the
existence Of the tall thistles, the only method of
travelling through along paths beaten thfotgh them
by cattle and wild horses.
i The streams which traverse these grassy PAM
pas brackish; but, by digging from twenty TO
twenty-five feet in the ground, fresh water is OBJ
tanned. The SOIL from all accounts, is as rich as
our best prnrie land with this difference in its fa-
vorthat from the fact fits producing clover, &c,
is much better adapted for grazing purposes. All
that is wanted to make it one of The finest grain
growing and cattlerasing countries on earth, fs an
industrious, free, and intelligent population. Some
portions of the pampas are so very dry, that 1t Is
said dead animals dry up, and gradually decay,
without putrefaction. On the contrary, the atnio-
sphere in Buenos Ayres isvery humid, but not con-
sidered unhealthy
The pampas are very tbinly populated-the
huts of herdsmen occurring, frequently, only with
In twenty miles Of each other. No roads exist;
mere paths trails seen, which are constantly
shifting. The southern portion of the pampas is
inhabited by Indians.
i The interior basin Of La Plata is watered by no
fiavigabe river, if except the Colorado, whose
tributaries afford the principal streams met with.
Several large rivers lose themselves in interior lakes,
without ever reaching the ocean, the principal of
which, is the Rio Duce, intersectng the provinces
of Tucaman and Santiago; and then falling into the
Lake de los Porangos or great salt lake, which IS
thirty-fve miles long, and twenty wide. Several
other large lakes or luscons are met with in the
pampas, as the Ybera, in Cofrientes. 1t measures
abont one hundred square miles, and supplies four
Fl rivers
In the northern section of La Plata, all the plants,
shrubs, DC met with in tropical climates, are
abundant Farther south, or as far as Correntes,
the soil produces cotton tobacco, flee, sugar-cane,
indigo, &C.; the culture of which, however, 10
nearly entirely neglected by the scattered natives.
large portion of the southern districts is ex-
tremey well adapted to the growth of Indian corn,
wheat, and other grain. whoat, ro., OK
tent, forms an article Of export The implements
of agriculture Of the rudest and most imperfect
structure; such as are wholly unfit for cultivatng
the Soil, as 1t should be treated
II Immense tracts Of low land are inundated by the
waters of the La Plata, which it is supposed under
proper culture, would yield vast quantities Of rice.
The western provinces produce the wild cactus, of
great size and variety on which the cochneal feeds.
is said these provinces formerly sent from 5000
to 10000 lbs. Of cochineal to Peru per annum. The
trade, by divisions and wars, is now cut off. Aoes
also abound
The macerated fbres Of plant called chaco makes
excellent yarn, from which are manufactured ropes,
bags, fshlng-nets, pouches, mats, DC. The fbres
are often beautifully dyed by the natives, with a
great variety of bright and indelble colors Might
not this plant be grown in the United StaesS Bon
pland found three species of indigo growing wild in
the country with an insect which afforded fine
green dye. Near Paraguay the Peruvian bark tree
is found, with immense tracts covered by mimesas
of large size, from the fruit of which the natives
prepare an intoxicating drink, called algaraba.
The chief of wealth in the La Plata is de-
rived from the immense herds of cattle which wan
der in great droves the pampas. In the prov
ince Of Buenos Ayres alone, the number Of cattle
is estimated at from 100000 to 4,0O0,000; TO
which may be added from 100000 to 1900, 900
for the other provinces. In addition to these it is
said hundreds and thousands perish from droughts
and foundations, without affecting the market
Collaborating estates frequently met with OF
great size. One is described which covers 81 square
miles, and which contained 800 head of cattle, and
: 500 head of horses and mules
Candotis estate is said 10 have been the largest
in La Plata, which Mr.. Robinson describes COW
ering 300 square leagues of territory and contain.
ing 100000 head of horned cattle, and 30, 900 head
Of mules and horses The annual increase on this
estate and other well-reguated estates, was esti-
. mated at from 30 to 40 per cent.
Since the emancipation of La Plata from the
Spanish yoke, cattle that formerly worth only
from 81 90 to 81 25 apiece, have risen to "A 0O
and to "a IS per head. Horses used to sell for Sc
cents piece, but many now worth three or -four
times as much.
The estates Of Santa Fe formerly sent ,00C
mules annually to Peru. The latter, however, be.
ing the last division in South America to rebel against
the royal government of Spain, maintained, for q
long time, a hostile position towards La Plata