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

Agriculture is about to assume in this coun-
try its natural position and Importance Here
tofore it has been held in but secondary consd-
Grafton. The cause of this was that land was
plenty and the population small bnt with the
increase of population our agricultural and hor-
ticultural necessities have increased. Our lands
have also increased, taking into the Union all
climates, embracing those similar to the tropic
and congenal to the growth of tropical fruits
and vegetation. We are now looking Asaward
for tea, sugar, canes, fruits, etc. Some Of these
articles can no doubt be found much nearer home,
and can be obtained at but little cost COMPARE
lively. therefore offer, for the benefit of those
who feel an interest in this subject, few agri-
cultural statistics, collected by myself at random
during the late Mexican war, while stationed in
the provinces of Tuspan and Chicontepec. |
must here remark that very little attention was
paid to agriculture in any part of Mexico previ-
Gus to their independence, or while colony OF
Spain, from the fact that the mother country
classified her colonies, some of which she devo-
ted to agricultural pursuits, while from others
she only distracted the precious metals. The
island Of Cuba, on the Atlantic side, and Chill,
on the Pacific, were encouraged and directed by
the Spanish crown to pursue altogether agricul-
ture 1t is well known fact that both Chill
and Cuba contained mines Of copper, silver and
gold. These mines were not allowed to be
worked but the mines of Mexico and Peru
were extensively worked. In the latter depart
ments agriculture was forbidden; so much so
that in Peru wheat was not cultivated, but it
was supplied from Chill and Mexico was sup
piled in coffee and sugar from Cuba, although
both these articles could be supplied by the for
mer in greater quantities and of better quality.
She therefore rendered her colonies mutually
dependent on each other-in fact, keeping the
natural resources dormant. Peru possessed
naturally better soil and climate for agricult-
ure than Chill; her natural manures lay in mines
inexhaustible, along her coast and on her hills;
yet she was not permitted to use them abund-
antly. Mexico possessed naturally better soil
than Cuba, yet she was not allowed to cultivate
more than enough to yield sparingy to her in
nabitants, but Cuba was taxed in the agricultur-
ol productions to her utmost extent to supply
Mexico. The natural productions of the latter
were never fully developed, but she was left to
herself, and to run wild in prolific natural
growth, without the aid of art; and while agri-
cultural instruments were plenty both in Chill
and Cuba, Mexico was destitute of them, and
the native was left his matchett only to scratch
up his prolific soil.
The provinces of Tuspan and Chicontepec are
blessed with all climates. While we find the
department of Chicontepec very warm, we have
the department of Tonticomatlan both cold and
warm. But, in order to give better idea of
these provinces, will here give their bounda-
ries; they are bounded on the north by the dis
trict of Tampico, on the east by the Gulf of
Mexico on the south by the districts of Papant-
la Estate of Vera CRUZ and Haunchnango,
Estate of Puebla,) on the west by the district of
Hugutla. Its greatest extent from north to
south is seventy miles, and from west to east
sxty-five miles. 1t extends sxty-five miles on
the gulf coast Three rivers empty into the
gulf off which there is g9od anchorage; these
are Tanguino, Tuspan, and Cazonis. On the
latter river there is French settlement, having
purchased their lands under the Mexican law en-
couraging emigration and settlement. They are
employed in raising vanilla, sarsaparilla, sugar,
cotton, rice, procuring India rubber from the Pa
10 de Ule, or caoutchOuc, which grows in great
abundance, gum copal, etc. These are export
ed to France by way of Vera Cruz. Tuspan,
the beautiful villa, is embraced between three
fower-cothed hills, and is built on the banks of
the river of the same name, the banks of which
are covered with plants and flowers of all vari-
cites; the orchidee and legumnosea vex the air
with their delightful fragrance. The soil and
climate are both congenial to vegetation; the
river abounds in fish; the wood resounds with
the wild sweet notes Of the feathered songster.
The river meanders through soil not exceeded
in richness and productiveness by any in the
world not exceled by any of the West India
Islands in its tropical productions. The guava
grows wild so does the lime and lemon. COT
fee, cotton of two kinds, the tree grape, sugar
cane, rice, cocoa, tobacco, vanilla, indigo. pi-
mento, sarsaparilla, are the Indigenous plants of
this department. The forest, plains, banks of
streams, and the river are prolific in all kinds of
woods, flowers and beautiful birds, The rich,
gaudy, and fragrant plumerea fatigues the air
along the upland banks of the river by its beau
ty and fragrance; the datura, single and double,
with its bel-like blossoms, clogs the senses with
its fragrance; and the waters are green and fra
grant with the leaves and blossoms of the sea-
side daffodil, lotus, and other aquatics. In this
natures favored spot the shades Of night are
scarcely drawn over before the ear is assailed by
the sweet soft notes of feathered songster,
which comes floating in almost seraphic strains
through the calm solitude of the night; you are
lulled TO sleep imperceptibly, and the senses be-
come dormant in gush of fragrance and music.
The morning is ushered in by the loud scream
of the cojoleto, or tufted purple turkey, and the
noisy chichilaca and chattering voluble parrot
Every tree top soon has an occupant of the
feathered tribe making the air melodious with