The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1899-11-26
SOME CUSTOMS OF MEXICO
THE LOVE OF. FLOWERS EXTENDS
FROM THE HIGHEST To LOWEST
How the Mngney Plant Ia used.
PuiGur Is the National Drink.
To Make TortiIIns.
Cwrltten for The POST


Irrigation is most important factor in
the agricultural development of the Re-
public of Mexico. The dryness of the
climate prevents unreasonable rains and
irrigation enables the farmer to water his
crops when they most need 1t. In this
way the irrigated crops are more certain
and abundant than those dependent upon
rain. The method OF irrigation Is very
simple, and can largely be entrusted to
unskilied labor. 1T consists of letting the
water from the bitches flow along the
plowed burrows all over the fields,
MsAico has hot springs which originally
belonged TO the AztcCs. Many miraculous
cures have been effected by these waters
and II Is their belief that no ailment, short
OF mortal wound is impervlous to their
influence The Indians almost worshIpped
the springs, believing them to be inspired
by an unseen spirit.
On the cliffs of many canyons are to bo
seen ioftily perched dwellings,. occupied
by brown-skinned race.
Many people claim the cliff dwellers
are an extinct people aud have been wiped
out by pestllence and savage war. Others
believe they were the ancestors OF the
Indians, who still dwell on the mesas OF
the Southwest This Is mootcd question,
and many strange, weird and starting
stories could be written were all the hidden
secrets OF the mountain Businesses known.
The Totecs occupied Mexico centuries
before the Aztecs. but there Is no account
gwen to tell from whence they came. The
Aztecs came later and their origin Is not
known, but II Is generally accepted that
they originally came from India, crossed
over Boring Strait. aud wandered on with
the setting sun, until Texas and Mexico
were reached. Il Ia told when they behc,d
10 an ,.is
they exclaimed, Texas" which means
paradise" from which exclamation this
great state derived It's name,
The AZtecs can not be regarded as saw
ages, but AS a people far advanced above
barbnrism. They have left many testimo-
malls to the social compleSity and to the
development OF art and crafts among the
men of their race. Their carving and
picture writing will stand the test of cLm-
parson In this Nineteenth century.
They built temples. the walls OF which
were several feet thick. with high stone
wall surrounding them. The strength ~
the buildings was their protection from
hostile Indians. On the Zacoa. In Mexico
City, the Azrecs first built their temple;
the spaniards destroyed II, and built a
small church. Years later, tho ground WAS
again cleared to make room for the press
ent imposing ediilce, which is larger than
st, Peters cathedral. In one OF these
towers IL bell that Is exceeded In size
only by the famous one OF Moscow. Besides
this, there are Hfty other bells
President Diaa and his family occupy
the National palace in winter. II Is n
rather plain. two story building, aud re,
maeSsbi 10 the vast space 1t covers. II
is about 700 feet square. In Il are the
various departments of the government, n
Is on thu site OF Montegumas palace and
belonged TO the family OF cortez until il
was purchased BY the king OF Spain for
his yiceroy and rebuilt IN 1893 II is .
veritabls fortress. with Its wires and the