Grand River times. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1851-18??, 1851-08-20


of Tuspan and Chicontepec. 1t was here in
these delightful groves, among its flowers, lis
tening to its delightful songsters, mingng with
its kind and hospitable inhabitants, spent
pleasant year. II is of the productions Of this
country that intended to give you the dull sta
tistcs.
We will commence with sugar cane This
article grows in great abundance, and far supe-
rior TO any of the Cuba varieties. While the
Cuba cane requires to be laid every three years,
this will continue to yield in good quantity ten
or twelve. 1t is to be much regretted that the
mills here are Of such miserable construction;
merely made Of wood, they simply produce from
the cane material called peloncle, which is
done up and sent away to be manufactured into
sugar. The quantity of peloncille to the almud,
or ninety square yards, is about seven thousand
pounds. think this character of cane would
answer well in Florida or Louisiana, rs it grows
wild in the mountain district of llamatlan. The
cane can be obtained through the American
Consul at Tampico, as there is constant COM
munication through an interior natural canal
from that place to the town Of Tuspan.
The tobacco plant grows wild throughout the
provinces of Tuspan and Chicontepec. This ar
ticle is Government monopoly and therefore
not extensively cultivated by private persons;
yet in its wild state it is superior 10 the Cuba
varieties. Two crops of tobacco could easily
be raised per annum in this part of Mexico, and
at much less expense than in any part of the
United States.
The country and land is well adapted to the
cultivation of cotton. 1t is produced abundant
y and of a very superior quality There are
found here two species of cotton, both of long
staple-the one bush, the other vine, which
is very prolific, bearing bolls nearly the whole
year, with the exception of one or two months.
In the careless manner it is cleaned, ninety
yards square produce easily 600 pounds Of clean
cotton; but have no doubt, by proper atten-
ton, with the aid of machinery etc, this amount
could be vastly increased. would recommend
to our Southern cotton-planters to obtain var-
cites of the Seed and try them on their planta-
tons. The staple is long and fine.
Three varieties of corn are raised, and two
full crops in one year, yielding 70 bushels to
the so varas, or about IS yards square. The
varieties are soft white, hard yellow, and prolif-
ic white, besides a small blue corn of very pro-
life kind Bread from corn is the principal food
of the people, as no wheat is raised in the prov
inces. Ninety square yards will yield annually
lao bushels of corn.
The black beans of the famous frigole grow
here in vast quantities, and of a quality far SUI
perior to any part of Mexico Every one who
has ever visited any part of Mexico is well ac-
quainted with the famous frijole dish brought on
the breakfast table by all Mexicans.
Rice grows in great abundance and of finer
quality, larger in grain, and whittier than any in
the United States. Ninety yards square yield
1900 pounds of clean hulled rice properly cul-
tivated, there is no doubt it would Weld much
more. | recommed this variety to southern
planters.
Indigo grows wild in every direction, but its
culture is entirely neglected This article could
no doubt, be proftaby cultivated and the whole
of the United States could be supplied from the
provinces Of Tuspan and Chicontepec.
Fustc, well know in commerce as dye-wood
grows in the extensive forests Of this province
in great abundance and vast size. Quantities
are yearly shipped to France, and from thence
to this country. 1t could be transported direct
to the United States at much less expense, and
would no doubt be profitable.
Pimento grows wild every where, and is ripe
about the month of September.
Sarsaparilla is Indigenous, and grows wild in
great abundance, and can be obtained all the
year round.
Every rancho has its apiary, and honey and
was in great abundance and cheap. This could
no doubt be made profitable business.
The argave Mexcana, petat, and long-leaved
matchette grow here in great abundance, and
hemp is made from them equal to jute or Sisal.
This part of Mexico being near to US, the arti-
cles could be obtained here better and cheaper
than at Sisa or the East Indies.
Cocoa grows finely and of much better quail
ity than that from Tabasco but, owing to the
port of Tuspan not being one of entry, this ar
ticle has not been extensively gathered for en-
portation, but is used in preference to all other
kinds by the inhabitants.
The India rubber tree grows in great abund-
ance, and the gum produced from it is of a SUI
perior quality; yet, owing to the causes stated
above, but little is gathered
Gum copal can be obtained in great abundance
from the tree producing it, as it is Indigenous to
this part of Mexco besides, many other gums
used in commerce can be, and are found here in
great quantities.
The vanilla aromatica grows well, and those
trees adapted to its culture are numerous. This
plant, being parasite, requires for its propaga-
ton trees which do not shed their bark--a eli
mate warm, and regular temper to cure and pre-
serve them. 1t is used to flavor ice creams, cam
dies, cakes, soaps, and perfumery. A specimen
of this plant can be seen at the National Conser-
vatory; it is worth in commerce from twelve
to sixteen dollars per pound A few vines will
WELD this quantity. 1t is one of the most valu-