New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-04-07
THE COFFEE REGIONS OF XEXICO
TWO AMERICANS WHO HAVE BEEN PROSPECTING
IN THEM TELL OF THE ADVANTAGES
TO RE rOIND THERE.


W. F. Pinkham. OF Mount Vernon. y. H.. and r.
T. Kennard. OF Walas,on. Mass. who have been
visiting Southern Mexico. investigating the coffee
planting industry. with view OF making invest
men;s returned to this city recently on board the
Ward Line steamship Yucatan. Both men are
wealthy and enthusiastic over the future OK
coffee planting which has hitherto received little at
tent!on from Americans Both Mr.. Pnkham and
Mr.. Kennard made the trip on their own RESPONSE
)nity and have no intention Of investing other than
as private individuals. Mr.. PInkham was at tho
Grand Union Hotel and talked interestingly to
Tribune reporter concerning his trip
with view to investing said he. I'VE have
spent the entire winter studying and travelling
through thos, Mexican States which produce coffee.
our object was to know definitely the comparative
value OF the business OF coffee growing under the
varying conditions OF quality and quantity of labor
available; climate. quality and cost OF land. and
facilities for and the cost OF transportation
Mr.. Pinkham is a practical mining and civil en-
gineer and Is a member of the American Institute
OF Mining Engineers. "Mr kennard and L. ne con-
tnued. thoroughly looked over the coffee districts
OF the States OF Vera Cruz Oaxaca and Jaiisco. ana
then moved on to the mountains OF Chiapas. by way
OF Frontera and San Juan Bau,ista. Two months
In the saddle gave the information we were
seeking The Indians. the class from which the
labor IS drawn. strong and healthy, thoroughly
peaceful. and respect for them continued 10
grow as. from village 10 village. they shared with
the little they nai ana treated US Win d SouF-
tasy not always found in more civilized commune
ties The few French and German planters whom
We met did not the peon system form or
slavery abhorrent 10 New England ideas. with the
Indians and | must say that | think they are
more successful than are, those who do. they
make good. cheap and easily procurabe help The
Climate depends almost entirely upon the elevation
above the sea evel-at 25oo feet. which is suitable
elevation for coffee planting ten degrees Is the
average difference between July and January, and.
being practically free from insect pests that e'eva-
ton is securely surrounded by conditions OF health
and physical comfort which cannot be found on
the plains Rainfall Is abundant and well distributed
throughout the year. Corn yields three crops year
on the same land. and IN every month one sees II
I'm all stages OF its growth. Land at present 10
cheap but. signs are not wanting 10 show that the
best OF II Will IN few years De put 10 use anu %
become practically unpurchasaple ,..,
tat to express a wegrounded belief mat the state
OF Chiapas vii. shorty become one OF me largest
producers OF hlgh-grade coffee IN the wora: Inc
duction. and coffee will necessarily command goo!
price for years 10 come. The people or the United
States particularly those OF the NSrtn nd ARE
profits will be realized not only In coffee, BUT IN
many other products by Intelligent investors. in
short, In the regions OF the Atlantic watershed
that visited the lands are cheap; the climate de.
lightful. labor plentiful and available and crops
rich and varied | can imagine no better country
The coffee Plantations vary In size from I'VE
square miles 10 twenty or twenty-five square miles
The coffee plant begins to bear after -FOUR years.
Mr. Pinkham and Mr.. Kennard secured options on
several desirable tracts OF land. one twenty-loWH
square miles In area. They Will return home ana.
after with sN, %n1 b arc OPENING
ch.apas s t0r the Cultivation q the deshtial berry