New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-04-11
MAGUEYES.

keeping with the scenic surroundings The
stately Nevada de Toluca rivalled in height only
nv Popocatepetl Orizaba and Xtaccihuatl, looms
I'D from the valley of San Lazar to make the lasV
stage of the journey as impressive as the 1lrst
Toluca is one of the Oldest Mexican cities. hav-
ing been one of the strongholds OF the 1oICece
before the ascendency of the Azecs was established
in the great valley by the lakes but it is one OF
the newest and most modern in its general APP
pearance 1t is the capital of the Federal State
of Mexico and il has Government palaces DulId-
inCs and churches of recent construction ana
architectural pretensions 1t has college of eX
cellent reputation and a spacious, wel-conducted
market. 1t has also a special brew of beer which
is sold everywhere in Mexico. and has added not
q little TO its contemporaneOus fame. Ioluca
affects aunty. youthful air. and does not care to
be reminded of its ancient history Its pride Is
centred in its new institutions and buildings. and
in the hustle, energy and industrial activity dis
played by its peope. This afiectation Of newness
does not enable it to dispense with two OF the
old-time abominations--a miracle-worklng image
and bull-ring
In the vicinity Of Toluca one of the character
istic products of the Mexican tableland can be
Soon i'm its highest state of cultivation. This
is the maquey or century plant. known to science
as the Aqaye Americana. 1t is the vegetable
well from which pulque is drawn-the chlel ana
almost the only native brew. Its leaves 1urnish
the fibre exported as ixtle for the manuIacture
of rope brushes and cloth. The same hDre sup
plies material for paper, and IL mas many OOher
industrial uses. Indian women take the prlckly
points of the spiky leaves and make pms and
noedIes of them. Their husbands thatch their
huts with the dried leaves ana also ourh them
as fuel when fire is to be kindled. 1t is
tho nlateau and generally in soil where nothing
cleo will thrive At Toluca il is sheaf of broad
reer blades from 3 TO 10 feet in height. While
IL Crows wild in every patch of neglected ground,
IL is cultivated on large scale both for pulque
and ixtle, and is one Of the most profitable crops
IN the line of the Mexican National from the
canital all the way TO the border fields and
matches of magueyeS are the most familiar objects
Of the landscape; but it is in these central high
lands that the most vigorous plants are seen. 1t
is here too that the best puique is made
The Indian race, with its inexhaustible resources
Of natience. is admirably fitted TO stand watch
over this plant and to milk it at the proper times
,d seasons There are certain signs of maturity
which do not escape the practised eye. When
the stem suddenly shoots up and the bending
leaves are straight and bristling the time for
blaomiuQ is at hand. The stem is then cut of
aid the heart of the plant is pierced with a
sbarp spoon, and cavity several inches deep
Is made, SO as to allow the sap to collect. At
sunrise, noon and at sunset the honey-wster, as
IL is called, is drawn eli By means of long
oourd, one end of which is in the liquid and the
other in the Indians mouth From the gourd the
sap is emptied into earthen jars and thence car
ried into cellars, where it is to be fermented.
The milking continues day after day until the
Juice dries up. Then the leaves are cut off,
washed and dressed and the fibre is sent market
as ixte and exported in quantities.
One Indian can take charge Of 300 magueyes a
day during the milking season The dressing
Of the leaves furnishes employment for thousands
Of Indian women, since it is largely done by
hand, the strength of the fibre being impaired
by machinery. The most vigorous plants when
they have reached maturity in the eighth year
viii yield from three to seven quarts Of LIQUID