Los Angeles herald., 1891-10-11
Routes of Travel and Railroad
Fare.
The Americans Cordially Received by
the Mexicans.
The Government Apparently stable-Life
and Property Safe-Some Ofthe
Products of the Country.
Valuable Points.
TBY GEORGE RICE.

at your request, MI. EulIOrs Will en-
deavor to answer them through the col
umhs of your valuable paper.
The railroad from Ell Paso is the Mex
lean Central, or rather "Central Next
can," and is frst-class in track and
equipment. Its passenger rates are
by the Mexican congress, which
makes travelling by rail within the reach
of all.
The railroad fare from Los Angeles to
FL Paso is $3.50 for first class, and for
second class $25. From Ell Paso
to the City of Mexico, first class,
is $S1.25; second class is 2O.9O.
There is a third-class car, and
rates still lower, but only the poems or
Indians ride in this car. Pullman cars
of the latest patterns are run on all
trains, the same as in the United States.
The people of Mexico favor Americans,
or "gringos," coming into Mexico and
becoming citizens and entering into
business. The government is giving
every encouragement to our people,
and guarantee of fair play.
The days of revolution are passed, all
factions are represented in the present
government, and all seem to be
united in building up the republic.
The late raid across the Rio Grande,
supposed to be instigated by Ruise San
doval, who is wanted in Mexico, conse-
quently hates President Diaz and the
authorities in general, does not cause a
ripple of disturbance at the capital.
The central government is strong, and
will continue to live, notwithstanding
occasional outbreaks may occur in the
outlying states, where the people have
not caught on to the progress of the CEN
trail states. Progress is the motto OF
the day. Rapid strides have been made,
even during the past year or so, and
still greater advancement will be the
outcome of the next few years. Not
longer than year ago everybody car
ried revolvers, openly, and concealed
stilettos, or to use an Americanism all
went "well heeled." Today hardly one
goes armed, and these do so more from
habit than from any possible necessity
of defense. We travelled quite extern
sfvely, and ventured into places that we
would not enter under ordinary circum-
stances; yet carried no weapons, and
never had cause to wish that we had.
Life and property are as safe as in the
United States, under similar circum-
stances, and the Americans who go to
Mexico and engage in honest business,
in good faith, will not only be warmly
welcomed, but make money. While
Mexico is one of the oldest countries in
the world, still it is new, and like all
new progressive countries, is a good
place in which to make money.
An inspection OF map shows at
glance the superior facilities OF trans
portation, enjoyed by Mexico. The CEN
trail states are nearer by rail to the
eastern markets of the United States
than are we in Southern California, and
the fruit growers, what few there are,
have the same rate of freight, SO that
prince of freight men, Wilkins, of the
Central Mexicano, informs us.
What can they grow? 1t would be
easier to tell what can not be grown in
Mexico?
All the tropical fruits grow in the
shot region" bordering on the Gull OF
Mexico, California and the Pacific ocean,
and grow to perfection. In the temper
ate region or on the table lands, ranging
from $500 feet to 5000 feet high, the
entire range of fruits, vegetables and
cereals of northern states and California
are produced. But for the lack of proper
and systematic culture the great valleys
of the temperate zone of Mexico would
compete with us in California and also
with the east iteelf.
Nearly all the inquiries addressed me
ask about coffee lands, etc. The best
coffee lands are situated in the temper
ate belt, about 1000 feet above sea level,
and in Mexico the best coffee is grown
ON the Pacific slope in the state
of Colima, although the state OF Vera
Cruz yields the largest quantity. Those
who had much experience say that the
best place to ''grow coffee for profit" is
in Colima, Wichoacan, Oaxaca, Guerrero
and Cheapas, on the Pacific side, besides
being more healthy. The Colima coffee
has for years riyaled the choicest Mocha
brand.
AS for oranges, it occurs to me, at
present, that the best place to grow
them is in California.
Tobacco is indigenous to Mexico; it
derives it's name from the town of To
bsco, in Yucatan. The quality is good,
but home consumption leaves little Tor
expectation.
Banana culture belongs to the TERRA
Cdll6uJc, nOb oAO 40 peAAN w w
exceedingly profitable.
The maguey, our century plant, grows
everywhere and seems to pay better
than any other crop in Mexico. Pulque
is made from the sap, and everybody
drinks it. The center of the plant is cut
out, from which the sap is gathered
three times per day into hog skins
and carried on the backs of peon
or burro to the cellar and allowed to fer
ment. 1t tastes like buttermilk day
or go old, and takes more glasses to make
a man drunk than of beer. Pulque is
said to be a specific in all kidney
troubles, and from the great quantities
consumed one would think that the pop
ulace were all in the last stages OF
Bright's disease. Mescal is made from
the leaves OF the same plant, which are
pressed in mill, the juice being dis
titled; the roots of the maguay plant, or
sotol, the small plants, are also distilled,
out of which tequila is made; both are
similar, at least in effect, to our whisky.
A glass of tequila, of about the same
quantity as a drink Of whisky, is sold in
the barrooms for one and two cents per
glass; pulque. one cent per glass
schooners, two cents. You see, / know.
The taste of the latter is horrible, and
the natives must think so, as they
take a pinch of salt after each drink,
TO deaden the smack, / suppose.
The best time to visit Mexico is from