Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1865-02-03
Some Fncts About Peru.

AZ lne meeting Ol tHe TarHerS tluO, on
Tuesday afternoon, Jan. H. Mr.. P. G. Squier
gave an account of the ancient and modern ag-
riculture of Peru. We select from his dis
course few of the most interesting items:
THE INcAs
At the time Of the discovery of America by
Europeans. Peru was governed by the Incas,
who were both prists and rulers, and they had
established the most absolute despo,sm. The
organization of society was a kind of socialism,
without either poverty or wealth. On the birth
of male child certain portion of land was
assigned him, and this was Increased when he
reached the age of ten years, and still farther
when he was married, amounting then, how
ever, to little more than an acre. Only small
proportion of the country is arabic land, and
that can be cultivated only by means of artif-
cal irrigation, as there is no rain. Under the
Incas every foot of land susceptible of tlage
was cultivated to the very highest degree. Ca
nails were constructed two hundred miles in
length, winding round mountain peaks to pre-
serve the level, passing over aqueducts of ma
sonry 60, so and 100 feet in height, and finally
distributing their waters into number of val
leys. These valleys were not only cultivated
over their bottoms, but the mountain sides were
terraced as high as the water could be led.
COTTON CULTURE IN PERU.
Within few years the cotton culture in Peru
has been greatly extended 1t is carried on
mostly by foreigners, generally English and
Scotch, though there are few Americans
The laborers are nearly all Chinese, who are
imported by the planters. A bonus of some
S400 is paid for them. and they are bound to
work eight years at IS per month. Owing TO
ba obi lnta pl tbn IL.
soil by the artificial system of irrigation, the
cotton is of very superior quality it is better
than any raised in the United States except the
Sea Island
AGRICULTURAL IMPLEMENTS
Among the planters, the English and Scotch
who employ Chinese laborers use generally
good implements, but among the natives the
tools are very simple. Oa the coast the plow
is employed to some extent. but it is a very
rude implement. 1t is q stick of wood sharp
ened at the end, nothing more than a wooden
wedge. 1t is drawn by single OK, by means
of traces attached to his horns, and he is guild
ed by means of cord which is passed through
his nose. The plow is the same that is gener-
ally used in Europe. have seen one Just like
it within ten miles of Paris. Even this plow
is used in Peru only on the coast the one i'm
plement with which the agriculture OF Peru is
a short handle, to be welded with one hand.
CONDITION OF THE PEOPLE.
The mass of the people live in the most mis-
cradle and squalid condition. Their dwellings
are made by ping up loosely a circle of stones
some three or four feet high, and covering il
with roof of grass. Their cooking utensils
consist generally of one earthen pot ard three
or four dried bones. Perhaps the whole furni-
OF hp bousa milo
RIVERS LOST AND FOUND.
Some of the rivers that flow down from the
mountains sink in the sand and utterly disap-
pear. In some of the valleys the Incas had the
sand excayated 10 the depth Of several feet, SO
as to get within reach of the subterranean wa
ters. and when ground was found sufficiently
moist it was cultivated. The sand thrown out
formed great ridges across the valley. The
moist strips between these ridges are now the
choice localities for the cultivation of the grape.
Looking down the valley you see nothing but
succession of dry, barren ridges of sand bu,
if you climb to the top of one of these YOU look
down upon q display of verdure unsurpassed
on the face of the earth.
DRUNKENNESS.
The three principal crops of Peru are Indian
corn, cotton and the sugar cane. The Juice of
the sugar cane in the United States and Cuba
seldom yields more than six per cent. of sugar,
but in some of the valleys of Peru it yields
more than fourteen per cent. A large portion
of it is made into the intoxicating drink called
ag,tardiente. This rum is drunk by all classes
OF the people, old and young rich and poor
male and female, religious, and irreligious, and
at all times of the day and night. The general
condition of the people of Peru may be said to
be that of drunkenness.
DIFFICULTY OF COOKING.
Mr.. Squier described large lake in the
mountains l2,500 feet above the level of The
sea- the waters Of which are some 20 degrees
warmer than the surrounding atmosphere. The
warmth of the water so tempers the climate
that Indian corn may be grown on the borders
of the lake, but water boils at so low a temper
ature at this high altitude that it is difficult to
cook any kind Of food properly. 1t is custo-
mary, therefore, TO soak corn several months
before the attempt is made to cook it in the
lukeworm boiling water of that altitude See
entlfc american.
The Whirring of Doves.