The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1892-08-27


there are less natural difficulties to contend
with. American enterprise and machinery
are only needed to make Honduras one of
the greatest mining countries in the world.
Humboldt said that 'ENature had done
everything for Honduras; white man has
done nothing
NEW ERA.
But in 1876 new era began. Under
the influence of DIR. Marco A Soto (Presi-
dent from 1876 to 1889, the opening of
the fruit trade and making of internal i'm
provements were commenced. A national
telegraph line was established; free schools,
with compulsory attendance, were inaugur-
ated; wagon road was started from the
capital to the Pacific coast, which has been
completed, and further extended by Presi
dent Bogran, so that the highway now
crosses the Republic from the Atlantic to
the Pacific ocean.
In 1850 the first American mining com
pany started operations. This company
has now 35 stamps, and produces bullion
to the amount of 500 900 monthly. They
purpose increasing their plant to 100
head of stamps There are now about 40
mining companies organized for work in
Honduras Most of them are American.
Many of them are producing bullion,
others are erecting machinery, and Others
developing property. There have been
some failures, principally for lack of capi-
tal Large sums have been invested by
English companies, one of them having
30 stamp mill. Some of the famous old
mines are being reopeued, which will un-
doubtedly pay the investors handsomely.
VAST FORESTS OF TIMBER
of magnificent pines, oaks, cedars, mahog
any, rosewood and other precious cabinet
woods may be classed as among the chief
sources Of the national wealth. Fustic,
logwood and Brazil wood are plentiful.
Buttonwood, lockwood, satinwood, fronwood
and lignum vitae are also found. The In
dia rubber tree is natural to the soil, is
cultivated to some extent and yields good
rubber.
The soil of Honduras is extremely fer
tile In the coast regions the various
species of tropical vegetation are luxuriant,
and on the elevated lands maize and sever
al grain producing grasses of the temperate
zone yield ample harvests with rudest cul
tivation. In planting corn a long, sharp
stick is used, with which hole is m ade in
the ground, the grain dropped in and left
to nature and the rich soil, without any
further attention from the husbandman till
harvest time. Very little plowing is done,
and then by a rude wooden affair drawn by
yoke of oxen.
Corn is the staff of life in Honduras 1t
is made into corn cakes called tOrtillas
The dried grains a~a hnilAd in wood ashAa
to remove the hull, and subsequently wash
ed in clear water, generally at stream.
They are then placed on a grinding stone
and reduced to a pulp with a round stone
roller, similar in shape to rolling pin.
The paste is then moulded by the hands
into hot cakes and placed upon hot earth
enware dish to bake. They are nicely
Drowned on both sides, and should be eaten
hot This method of making tortillas was
in voge long before the conquest.
Sugar cane is indigenous to Honduras,
and thrives well in all parts of the country
to an elevation of 1000 feet. 1t grows with
out replanting Is to 20 consecutive years.
1t is of an excellent quality, and attains
remarkable growth. 1t is capable of being
manufactured into the best sugar known.
No refining process has yet been used in
the state. From the cane is made the
great drink of the country, "aguardiente.
Coffee likewise fourishes, and is of an
excellent quality. The best indigo in the
world is made in Honduras, whence it is
taken to the great annual fair of La Paz,
at San Miguel, Salvador, at which place
European merchants congregate to pur-
chase indigo, vanilla beans and products of
Central America.
Tobacco of fine grade is raised The
various fruits and vegetables of the tenn
perate zone can be raised in the interior
and require but little care.
The Pita plant grows luxuriantly, the
leaves attaining length of seven to ten
feet. From them is obtained fibre OF
very fine texture, so fine that it can be used
as an adulterant for silk.
Only within few years have any facili
ties for expectation of the principal pro-
ducts been afforded Among these are
cocoanuts and bananas. The expectation
of bananas from Honduras last year
amounted to 2,500,000 punches. This
represents only about 30 per cent of the
production of the country, the balance
being consumed at home or lost in the
fields 1t grows with luxuriance delight
full to behold in all parts of the country
1t is to Central America what the potatOe
is to Europe and the United States. 1t is
an ingredient in almost every dish, and is
served up boiled, roasted, baked, stewed,
fried and raw. The poorest Indian can
afford this luxury, which he has only to
pluck from among the golden clusters with
in reach of his hand 1t attains its great
est perfection in moist rich SOIL There
is no such thing as season for them; it