Evening star., 1899-07-19
FARMING IN MEXICO
An Inviting Field for Persons and Capital
and Intelligence.
Interesting Statements by Consul
General Pollard of Monterey to
the State Department.

Consul General John K. Pollard writes to
the State Department from Monterey,
Mexico, at length regarding agriculture in
that country. Mexican farming is widely
different from that in the United States.
Irrigation is necessary in the greater por-'
ton OF the country, and, on account of the
scarcity of water, large extent of land
cannot be utilized. When the owner of
land has sufficient water for the purpose
indicated, he holds on to his property and
rarely can be induced to sell, as it is of per-
manent value to him. For the last three
hundred years large tracts of land have
been owned by individuals or families who
nave spent heavy sums of money for canals
ana dams in order to make them produc-
tive. On account of this and the attend
ing expenses of irrigation, there are fewer
small farmers in Mexico than there are in
the United States. Until recently, farming
IN Mexico has been on the primitive order
but the Mexican is an expert in irrigation
ana IL he can get the water his land be-
comes fertile and yields generously. Dur
ing the last two decades decided improve
ments have been accomplished through the
Introduction of modern implements into
farming in Mexico. The increase in pro-
auction corresponds to the improvements
IN farming apparatus. The great railroads
or the country have been important factors
in this advance, enabling farmers with a
surplus OF production to ship to those less
fortunate.
The cost Of labor is from 25 to 20 cents
az to "a cents in United States currency
per day, depending the locality taking
the valuation of the Mexican dollar, as es-
timated by the United States director of
the mint, July 1, 1899, at 4S.1 cents
There are two crops of corn season.
upon which the farmer averages $50 (S2i05)
per acre gross. Sugar cane, turned into
pilonciilo, or brown sugar. averages from
$3.50 to $500 CS72. 10 to S96. 20) per acre gross;
beans, from $50 to $50 ($2S ST to S3S 4Sl per
acre; rice from $40 to 500 ($36OS to s4s 1W
per acre; all other products realizing cor
respondingly high prices. Thus it will be
seen that the profits of the farmer must
be large. Hay is not made in any great
quantity, but corn fodder is sold to advan-
tage. Baled oat and wheat straw sells at
from $50 to $50 (S24.05 to SOS. SO per ton
Adjacent to cities a lucrative trace is car
r1ed on in green barley and corn which are
cut before maturity and delivered in the
cltles TO owners of horses and COWS.
Cattle Raising Profitable.
cattle raising is, and has always been, a
profitable business in Mexico consequent
upon cheap labor, low taxes and the large
tracts of cheap land which are suitable for
grazing only. Until recently no attempt
has been made to improve the stock: but
certain large cattle men have now under
taken TO do this and steady Improvement
Is certain henceforth. The demand created
during the late war with Snain and the
high prices which obtained in the United
States increased the price of cattle to such
an rNtrht that the northern portion of the
country has become depopulated of its
stock. which, it is said, will take several
years to replenish. This means a continlt-
ahce of high prices in cattle in that quar-
ter.
Dairy farming in the neighborhood of
large cities is lucrative milk selling at 80
cents GA cents per gallon, and butter at
% cents to 81 (36 cents to 4S1 cents per
pound. Those engaged in this business
make money RAPIDLY.
Fruit and vegetable farming is begin
hihS TO attract attention. Formerly this
amounted to simply CROUCH for the home
market Now an effort will he made to
supply the United States with early fruits
and veset7 bles. The movement is in its
inc1pfency, but it is destined to grow into
large proportions. Oranges lemons torna-
toes, beans, &c, are produced in Mexico
the United States. Hence this will be a
profitable business in the near future
Wheat Fairly ProftabIe.
Wheat is cultivated in the high tablelands
of central Mexico and is fairly proffta BILE
1t is not the equal OF that grown in the
United States, either in quantity per acre
or quality. Para and Bermuda grass give
pastnrage in many sections of the country
They are said to be equal to any in the
world.
Parts of the country are adapted to the
growth of tropical products. viz. coffee,
vanilla, rubber, cocoanut, cocoa, &C. the
quality of all being first-cIass. 1t is said
the best vanilla in the world comes from
the state of Vera Cruz and the best cocoa
from the state of Chiapas. The coffee of
Michoacan is said to- be equal to any; the
tobacco of Vera Cruz is preferred by many
to that of Habana, and the sugar produc-
ton of southern Tamaulipas or northern
Vera Cruz is said to be surpassed by that of
no country save Haw ali in quantity, and it
is more profitable to the producers, for the
reason that seven to ten crops are the re-
suit of one Planting, whereas the Hawaiian
planters get only two. Consul General Pol
lard says:
Taken a whole, farming in Mexico is
an inviting field for persons OF capital and
intelligence"