The New Orleans bulletin. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1874-1876, 1875-10-23
THE ISLAND OF COZUMEL.
Its Climate and Products.
Inducements Off red to Immi-
grants by the Mexican
Government.

grees 80 minutes, and famous as the site O
some of the grandest and most impressive
ruins and monuments of prehistoric race t.
be found on the continent of America, is al
present the obi act of considerable interest il
New Orleans, as we'll as in the City of Mexico
with reference to its colonization. Attention
has been attracted to this island on account
of its favorable location, the salubrity of its
climate, and the great variety and value of it,
productions.
The island is As miles long and from Is tc
IL miles in width; its surface is generally
level, but rising in places to an elevation Of
| 70 feet. The rocks consist of shell lime, and
make lime of the finest quality. The soil is
q black, sandy loan, very productive and
easily cultivated, the machete being the only
implement in use by its present occupants.
| Its temperature during the winter half of
the year ranges from 60 to IS degrees; during
the summer from IS to 30. The nights are
invariably cool and pleasant, rendering a
blanket necessary to comfort. The rainy sea-
son is the most pleasant, rain falling less fire.
| quently than in New Orleans, and continues
from middle OF May to September; during the
remainder Of the year there are occasional
rains, generally sufficient for agriculture.
Surrounded by the sea, rarely without good
breeze, 1nvigorating the system, and render
ing the heat, even in the sun, not unpleasant.
The coast is beautiful, and the water so clear
that the bottom can be seen at depth OF
forty or fifty feet, and affording good bathing
on clear white sand. Storms are believed
to be less frequent than in New Orleans. The
timber consists principally of hard wood, some
durable as iron, unsuitable for plank, but
making good scantling and heavy building
timber. The well water is good and abund.
ant. wells from fifteen to thirty feet deep and
water about the same temperature as our cis-
tern water, and may be drank freely without
burdening the stomach, probably from con-
tanning carbonic acid gas.
Its wild animals are principally raocoons,
foxes, opossums, wild cattle and hogs; among
birds, turkeys, pheasants, pigeons, doves;
fish and turtle, and of fine quality, are aoun-
dant.: Mosquitoes and flies are very trouble
some in the woods during the rainy season,
but rarely in the clearings or houses, so that
generally mosquito bars are not used.
Rats mice, and ants are troublesome, but
there are no dangerous reptiles.
The houses are built Of an easily worked
stone, or a concrete of lime, sand, and small
rocks, sometimes of poles or palm leaf, which
appear to answer good purpose and last WELL
The products are those common to the
tropics, including cocoanuts, pine apples,
coffee, lemon, lines, oranges, sugar, bananas,
plantains, figs, grapes, tamarinds, arrow root,
cashew nuts, and q variety of wild fruits;
ginger, vanilla and arrow root grow wild, and
produce largely if cultivated
Corn and sweet potatoes are raised almost
without cultivation; the first will make two
crops year.
Cattle, hogs and poultry require no care ex-
cept that necessary to keep them domesti-
Gated.
Cows of improved breed sell at fifteen to
eighteen dollars, equal to those valued at seven
ty-fve to one hundred dollars in New Orleans.
Tobacco equal to Havana affords three cut
tings year, about one thousand pounds to
the acre, if well cultivated.
Hens lay and hatch all the year round.
There are several harbors that, with some
improvement, would be amply sufficient. At
San Miguel, q good wharf with twelve feet
water can be built fifteen feet from shore ct
slight expense.
The present population is eight hundred,
seven-eighths of whom are Indians peace
able, temperate, and moral people,
Ths climate is very healthy and peculiarly
adapted to persons with weak lungs. Old
age is common-as an instance, man eighty
four years old. travels every month eighteen
miles, with load weighing one hundred and
eight pounds
Labor costs fifty cents day, without Loard,
but is uncertain. Clearing land in the usual
manner costs about eight dollars an acre.
By law passed by the Mexican Congress
May 31st the Executive is authorized to enter
into contract with individuals or companies
for the introduction of immigrants, and to
subvention such companies or individuals by
a payment of q stipulated amount for each
family landed or settled under the provisions
of the law, and to make advances to contra
tors for companies equal to one-half of the
subvention agreed upon, to aid in carrying
out the contracts.
To colonists land will be sold at moderate
prices and on a convenient credit. Provis-
IONS for one year will be furnished, and ad-
vances made for the purchase of utensils and
construction of buildings. They will be ex-
empt from military service, from all taxes ex-
cept municipal; from payment of certain du-
ties and interior taxes on provisions, turni-
ture, implements, machinery, materials for
building, ETC., for ten years, and all vessels
bringing ten families to any Mexican port will
be exempt from port dues.
MIR. McAllister, 172 Julia street, whose
notes taken during residence of two months
have supplied the above particulars, will give
any further information in his power person
ally. He himself was so well pleased with
the island and people as to purchase place,
and is preparing to return.
The President has stopped at Washington
for a few days on his tour around the world.
The people pay him $4,000 year, and the
allow him free passes. He is an ex-
pensive figure head. Kron Prinz Freddy has
also returned with the Kaiser. The Govern
ment has been in the hands of subordinates
from June until October 18TH "Nero fiddled
while Rome was burning" The President
has drawn upon the Treasury durino his