The record-union., 1895-08-03

cultivated now grow, it ought to be easy
there to gather the means of comfort
able existence. The region farther down
towards the Gulf, through which one
passes on the journey from San Luis
Potosi to Tampico, comes nearer to ones
| ideal of tropical scenery than that pre-
scented almost anywhere else in Mexico;
the forests apparently impossible for
their abundance of tangled vines. the
| brilliant flowers scattered here and there
in the dark green foliage, and the wide
stretches Of country in which the tall and
dignified palms are the conspicuous OBJ
jects.
The part of Mexico tributary to Qua
dalaja has not only almost unlimited az
| ricultural resources. but also excellent
opportunities for manufacturing. A few
miles from the city there is a fall in the
largest river of the republic. which some
persons. by powerful effort OF the
imagination, like to call the Niagara OF
Mexico. 1t has been utilized to a certain
extent, but only very small traction OF
it's power developed. It runs certain
mills in the neighborhood; it furnishes
the electric light of this city; and there
appears to be no reason why the whole
system of street cars might not be driven
by power from the same source. and still
leave enough for many years Of indus
trial growth.
The recent progress in manufacturing
cotton goods in Mexico has raised in
quiries concerning the raw material and
the resources of the country respecting
this form of agricultural produce, and
reasonable conclusion is that the records
give US no information of period whom
cotton was not cultivated here. The
Spaniards found 1t under cultivation on
their arrival. and amoug the presents
which Cortes received shortly after he
had destroyed the city of Cholula were
800 suits of cotton clothing. They
found it not merely in few places, but
throughout almost all the territory which
at present belongs to the republic, and it
was even in use by the Indians of Califor-
MIA. Articles of cotton figures in nearly
| ali the presents received by Cortes from
the natives, and they were found among
the first presents sent by him to the
King OF Spain. So numerous are the
dians that it has been affirmed that 1t was
more extensively cultivated before the
Conquest than during the period of Span
ish domination. In the latter period the
Indians, who had previously worked in
dependently. were reduced to slavery in
the service of the invaders, and called
away from their customary occupations
and compelled to follow the directions of
their masters, under whom agricultural
| interests were neglected and the cultiva-
ton Of cotton declined. The last century
of Spanish rule witnessed, however, an
improvement in agriculture and in the
condition of the Indians, not 80 much on
account Of improvement in the laws as
on account of the fact that these laws
were not enforced with rigor.
The repressive system had proved itself
an economic blunder, and with the re-
turn of the Inhabitants to larger degree
of freedom there was an increase in
nearly all kinds of production, and in the
production of cotton with the rest. To
| such an extent was the production of
cotton carried on in the last years
| of the old regime, that it en-
tered as an important ttem into the
trade with Spain. but on account Of the
great cost of transportation by land only
| planters near Vera Cruz were able to OBJ
| tain any considerable advantage from
this trade. The amount sent to Spain in
| 1761 was only $3.50 pounds, while in 1910.
about fifty years later, it amounted to
800, 200 pounds. These figures are not
| necessarily in the ratio of the amounts
| produced, for in the intervening period
| the new commercial code between Spain
and her colonies had established almost
complete freedom of trade, and by this
had greatly increased the shipments of
wares both ways. In the seven years.
from 1902 to 1908, inclusive. Mexico i'm
ported cotton goods to the value of
$l3, l52, 4l6. The freedom OF trade which
the colonies enjoyed in the last years of
Spanish rule not only increased The I'M
portations but also the amount of do
mestic production.
In the early part of this century cotton
was produced in nearly every State of
Mexico, but only limited area in some
of the States was suited to its cultivation.
The regions especially adapted to il are
three-the lower portion of the slope
| toward the Pacific, the gulf coast and an
interior district lying between Saltillo
ana Chihuahua. The different parts of
these several regions are not Of uniform
importance. In the gulf district the best
lands are found in the State of Vera Cruz.
Yet, during the war between the Northern
and Southern States Of the Union, the
State Of Temaulipais produced large
quantities Of cotton, through which the
producers made large gains. But the re-
turn of peace and the revival of the South
deprived this region of its importance in
the production Of cotton. The amount
raised declined from year to year, and fell
in the course Of time to almost zero.
With the view Of bringing about re-
vival, the Government, in 1882, instituted
inquiries and experiments to determine
the best means of restoring the early
prosperity, but without noteworthy sue
cess. In the State of Vera Cruz, how
ever, the cultivation is still continued,
the annual production amounting ap-
proximately to 25.000,000 pounds, and
with prospects of ex tension.
On the side of the Pacific the territory
adapted to the cultivation OF cotton is
much more extensive, but less fully de-
veloped. It embraces a strip of territory
100 miles wide, more or less, reaching
from Hermosillo to the border of Guate-
mala.
The progress of cotton-planting in this
western region, as well as the progress of
civilization generally, has been greatly
impeded by the lack OF means of COM
munioation. Of the large number of
companies that have received conces-