Nashville daily patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1855-1857, 1856-03-04

Il,
oen,ral American celebrity. 1t was addressed
"a a friead in Washington, and not intended
for publication:
GRANADA, Jan. l0.-Hy Dear Colonsl.-I have
lately taken tour through one Of tho most inter
estiug sections Of Ncardgua-that Cf the DEPART
Inent OF Rivas--and have seen enough of the
fertility Of the SOIL the agreeable climate and fine
scenery there, TO satisfy me that in a very short
time this portion of the State must be a point of
great attraction TO the immigrant who comes here
10 foloE agricultural pursuits. The entire route
from Granada to the old capital Of Rivas or Mica.
Tagua, is through very fne aud fertile country
but not much cultivated between Granada aud the
river GonZ lies. There are, il is true, few cacao
estates, but they quite neglected, and at most
Of the haciendas along the route may be seen
ruined indigo watts, some Of which must have been
built at very great expense. The little Indian
village OF Nindyme is the only town of conse
quence between Granada and the river Gonzales, a
distance Of nearly seventy miles. This village is
situated in the midst Of vast and most fertile
plain; but The people pay no attention TO the cult
Walton OF the soil, beyond the rasiug of corn; aud
this they raise only in small patches.
The old haciendas of OchomOgo San Fancisco
and Others along the route, have been allowed to
60 TO decay almost entirely, and the business OF
cacGo raising and indigo making, which was formerly
the great business OF these estates is now wholly
neglected, and for no possible reason except that
the proprietOrs have from time to time been robbed
by the government OF all they earn; and have be-
come disbeartened Many Of these proprietors
would now recommence working their estates, but
the revolution has so impoverished them that they
are anxious TO sell their lands for money enough
20 commence again upon new lands. Estates that
three years ago were held at $50 900 now be
bad at from $1,000 to $4,000; and these same
estates will pay back the purchase money in two,
certainly three years. have arrived at this latter
conclusion from statistical calculations which
think are correct, and which based on the best
and most reliable information / can obtain. For
instance, cacao estate will produce--so the cacao
growers here tell me-nearly If not quite 5000
pounds Of cacao TO the acre. The cacaO Of Mica
sragua is the finest in the world, aud though it lie
unknown in the American market, would certainly
command as high a price the best article from
any other country-say ten cents per pound.
According to this calculation, each acre would
produce $50 worth, which would amount to $4,000
if hundred acres were cultivated Now the labor
OF ten men is more than enough to keep the estate
in order, gather aud prepare for shipment the
entire crop. One hundred and fifty dollars each
would be a very high rate for the wages OF these
men per year-say $500 fop labor. The other
charges-freight custom dues. &c, could not
exceed $500 more. This would bring the Mica.
ragua cacao into the New York market at ten cents
per pound, and leave to the raiser clear profit OF
81, 900 yearly from one hundred acres thus cult
waited. There very many estates that will
produce results similar to those above calculated
now for sale, at such prices have before named
and which are IN bearing condition, nothing more
being wanted than the removal Of the underwood,
which has accumulated during three years OF ne
glect The tree retains its vigor aier il once
arrives at maturity, long the oak or the pine
much longer than the apple tree.
have said that the Of Nicaragua never
finds its way to North America. This is because
Of the fact that il is all consume in the States Of
Central America, and lie sold at prices varying from
20 to 80 cents per pouud The people OF Central
America would not drink such chocolate is call
cd the best in New York at any price.
During few years, doubtless, ali the cacao that
can be raised in Nicaragua would find immedi.
nte market at home, and at much higher prices
than could be obtained for it in the United States;
but should the business of growing it be gOue Into
extensively, . have no doubt will be the case
very soon, the local markets WouG become over
stocked, and a foreign market would have to be
found. Should the paates Of Nortd Americans
ever become acquainted with the favor Of the de
licious chocolate we have here, they would never
give up the luxury at any price; but | have en-
deavored TO show that Nicaragua can compete with
other countries in producing this delicious bever.
age, even ut the prices which now paid in the
United States for very inferior articles, and, there
fore, conclude that the purchase Of these estates
will be very POPULAR speculation on the part Of
emigrants to this country.
From the Longales river to Rvas, q distance Of
about two miles the entire land along The road is
under cultivation-but in most rude snd primitive
manner. COrn-common Indian cOrn-is sown
broadcast not planted in bills or rows, aud yet it
seems to flourish. / do not know how much is
produced per acre by this mode OF cultivation,
but the ears large and the grain fully developed
hence, conclude the product must be very
great. There is not such thing as grist mill IN
the entire country, and the only corn bread, such
rs is common in the United States, that have ever
tasted in Nicaragua, was made OF meal imported
from New York. We cut the young corn for horse
fesd-it is the only fodder for horses in Granada
cut the ears, cob and all, when very young after
boiling, make il into tOrtiiids with cheese, ald
tortiiiGs without cheese; but cannot make that de-
licious article, "Hooser bread"
/ wish some Ody would come out here with a
corn mill, make fortune for himself and make US
happy at the same time. ! Am sure such would be
the result Of such a speculation. We would not be
very particular about fine -four if we could only
have our corn broken into pieces without the pro-
cess OF boiling il in ley. We would not grumble
much il the hulls were not taken of, il the
-four were = little coarser than that your corn
bread is made oil at ST. Louis or New York There
are plenty Of water privileges here there is plenty
OF corn 70 grind, and there are plenty 'Ct Amer-
cans TO eat corn cskes. All We want 10 q mill,
Who will come out here aud make us happy in
this respectS II you know the miller who will
give US good corn meal, pray you tell him there
IS Il fortune for him here IN Nicaragua, and beg
him to come out aud put il in bis purse.