New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1854-11-16


eco n tortoise sb.l tsf...................... 20
PrOySons exported 70 various loOo
ro,., ot.,,o-.. ss37s4
But these exports do not correspond to the
period in which the imports mentioned oy the
Minister were entered they correspond 70 the
imports II sde the preceding year. (tor when
have no official return.) 1t is known, however,
that the imports Of ISL were Of a mach less
amount than those for the year 1852, above cited.
The exports corresponding in point OF fact 10 tue
imports of 1852 are those Of 1853 the period when
the returns are made and those exports OF lc93
were in coffee, which is the staple product OF the
country:
90 900 o. ntss which at average Of 80 gi7es an
.mo.ns G :;3n. ci n: .3coit:to; Of .uf.r
hid,s etc which must be taken at an average 49,
above f'V'
Total co)
It's updeniabe that for the last few years the
exports have been inferior to the imports, and
that Costa RIGA is in debt for pretty large bal
snce Of trade the cause of which UNUSUAL state oil
things shall eDdeayor to explain
In 1861 the ceffee crop il reported (there ex-
ist 10 official returns for the years previous TO lo5O
TO have been above 100000 quintsls: it is
therefore evident that the exports were then
equal to the imports. 1t must. however, be
remarked that the average price of the quintal
was not at that period so high as it is at pres
ent The year lo46, which was the period i'm
mediately following the one in which this large
crop was produced, was disastrous year, aad
the price Of coffee fell low in the British market
The Costa Bicans q have already mentioned this
eircumstsnce) became alarmed, and IN their
fright destroyed many of their plantations, and
thereby large portion of the wealth upon which
they relied for the payment Of their imports
This wealth they have had since TO replace by
new plantations and ii is my belief that the diff
ference that exists between the imports aud ex-
ports is represented by the amount of capital In
vested in these new plantations, which are now
gradually coming into produce; it would SEEM
therefore, that in few years the imports aud ex,
ports will be balanced, and that the latter VIII
be sufficient not only to pay for the current I'm
ports, but also for the debt due 10 other nations
from former years, which debt itself will have
been partially diminished by many foreign credit
OTIS becoming the owners of estates now IN the
possession Of native merchants. Unfortunately,
The scarcity Of labOrers caused by the removal oil
many families from the cOhee-y yielding provinces
TO the distant frontier settlements, Is serious
obstacle to the increase of the eXpOrtable pro-
ducts Of the country, and has already caused the
complete abandonment Of the cultivation OF TO-
baccO and the limitation of that OF the sugar
cane. This scarcity Of hands hnders also the
development of the cultivation OF cocoa, which
nav be considered in the present circumstances
of the country, as even more profitable than that
Of the coffee tree, inasmuch as II requires fewer
hands in its production and fetches higher price
in the market. The actual production of cocoa is
small, and it is cultivated only in the environs of
Matina on the Atlantic border. The quantity
raised being far from sufficient for the cOnsump-
ton Of the country, the Costa Ricans introduce
large quantity from the neighborng State OF Mic
aragua, whence they draw also a yearly supply OF
several hundred head of cattle. The Government
of Costa RIGA has endeavored to give some im-
pulse TO the cultivation OF cocoa by offering
premium for the establishment OF new plantations
on the Pacific coast. The decree, however, has
produced no effect upon the natives, because, on
the one hand the intentions of the Government
are thwarted by the want of laborers, and on the
other by the Incidence of the natives who
have resOrted TO the new settlements
the Administration have thought proper to
exclude foreigners from the benefit OF this decree
The tobacco which was raised in the valley OF
San Jose was of an excellent quality and Pc
culiarly aromatic flavor. 1t is unfortunate that
the Government should have been in the necessity
OF suppressing this branch Of agriculture.
To develop the resources, vegetable, mineral
and commercial Of Costa Rica, large iminlgra-
ton from Europe OF from the United States 10 ao-
solutely necessary; and it would be the well I'M
derstood interest of the Government and people
of Costa Rica 10 further, by every means In their
power, such an immigration but their jealousy OF
foreigners does not allow them to continue this
course.
IL is important that the emigrants from Europe,
who wish to settle in Costa Rca, should consider
seriously before they unOertake such task, IN
der circumstances so different to those they have
been accustomed to, not only the advantages that
the country offers but also the manifold obstacles
they will have TO cOnqner-the opposition they
will have to contend with, and the influence oil the
climate. against which they will have TO struggle.
TIE number and strength of the ARMS, and the
doered perseverance of the MINDS of the Family,
are the great requisites, without which the emf
grants cannot hope for success. Unity OF feeling
auc of purpose must guide them, and they must
expect severe labor to free the soil from the rank
vegetation which so thickly covers IT, and TO as
sign to it limits which il would very seon overlap
were they to slumber in their work.
One Of the great dficultes-the most import
ant perhaps-against which the immigrants have
to guard. is the extreme dampness of the atmo-
spLere, which under the hot tropical sun, very
soon eneryates them, and renders them an easy
prey to fever. If they escape this danger they
have 10 battle with the climate in other respects;
they have TO make the best of the short intervals
of time when the rain does not pour from the
heavens. aud to adapt skillfully their knowledge
of agriculture TO the novel circumstances IN which
they find themselves, by repeated experiments on
a small scale the rules they followed IN Europe
being not always the best they follow in Costa
Rica, where the very fairness of the soil will not
upfreGuently cause them trouble.
1t will be- therefore, the eolonist's object to
combine bis plans in such manner as to secure as
well as possible the health of his family at the
same time that he provides for their maintenance
do not pretend 10 set up rules whereby to guide
him: local circumstances must control his plans;
l.. \ 4 - O., ha axcvsad &c I few ideas