The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-11-12
THE FRUITS OF PARAGUAY.
ONE OF THE PRINCIPAL PRODUCTS
OF THAT COUNTRY.
shows They Are Unknown Here.
But Would BE Imported IL Amer
lean People Knew Their Quality.

John n. Rufhn. consul Of the United
States at Asuncion. in a report TO the
state department makes some interest
ing statements regarding the fruits OF
Paraguay. He writes: II DO not think
Paraguayan traits have at any time
reached our markets. but they are among
me most luscious n the world. and de
serve the attention OF importers. be-
lieve 1t would be profitable TO start a
fruit-preserving establishment In Para
quay. Sugar can be obtained at reason
able rates; factory Is already in opera
ton here and another is being erected.
The Argentine Republic and Uruguay
would offer ready markets for the pre-
serves. A concession should be asked for
the right OF preserving the fruits OF the
country. with exemption from duties.
Guaya IS one of the most abundant OF
Paraguayan fruits There are immense
numbers of trees throughout the country.
and women bring the fruit in bushel
baskets to Asuncion. 1t Is yellow
skinned fruit, about as large around az
an American dollar. and contains many
small seeds. The tree looks like our
plum tree, and yields about one and half
bushels. The season is from January to
April. and commences again In August.
Out of season they cost from 80 cents TO
ss2s bushel. The fruit makes delicious
Jelly, clear and light red In color. 1t
Is retailed by private parties for from 80
TO 50 cents gold a can, the can being one
and half inches In height. and six
inches in diameter The Jelly. feel sure.
would not only find ready acceptance In
the United States. but Europe. This fruit
is also used TO make paste. which sells
for 90 cents gold a can OF the size above
described Another class OF sweets is
made from the hulis of guava. Theses
have taste something like ounces.
They are put up in small cans OF about
one inch In diameter and FIVE inches In
height, each can costing 20 or 70 cents
gold Naranjitas. or small bitter oranges,
produce excellent preserves. They are
about the size OF lemon. The bitter
taste Is extracted by immersion in run
ming water. ana the orange entire-skin
and puip--is preserved. / am Informed
that this orange holds the favor much
better than the sweet variety. The tree OF
the naranjita IL small and yields about
five bushels. l am told that three years
after planting the tree Ia ready to bear,
and that sometimes bears twice a year.
The lemon. or llmon. az It Is called here.
Is not found in as great abundance as
the naranjitas. but IL also OF extensive
growth II is not quite as large as our
lemon. and is preserved entire, like the
naran1ita The lemon tree produces from
two 10 three bushels. They can be bought
for about two-thirds OF a cent gold per
dozen in December ana January: at other
times for cents or more a dozen.
"Aguai is a most delicious fruit the size
OF plum. with two or three shiny seeds.
The tree is the size OF a large apple tree
and yields about four bushels. The fruit
costs 40. so and 70 cents a bushel from
septemberto the end OF November. Many
are found In the vicinity Of Asuncion.
especially in the town OF Iambare: also
in Campo Grande. Abacaxis IL kind Of
Brazilian pineapple that has been intro
duced Into Paraguay. and grows abund-
antly II is very juicy and exceedingly
sweet. am informed by experienced per-
sons that the abacaxis. when preserved.
will retain its flavor and remain fresh
for years. Labor here Is cheap-women
about 20 cents a day; men 30 TO 70 cents.
The cans. with labels. etc. should be
made In the United States and sent here
ready to be fllied and soidered. Freight
rates from here to Buenos Ayres are SO
in Argentine paper tabout "a gold per 40
cubic feet: and thence to the United
States &c cents gold per cubic foot. re-
Gently had conference with the new
minister OF foreign affairs-Senor Don
Fabio Quieroie-who desires to interest
American capital in this country. He in
formed me that his ministry would he
glad to furnish any Information as to the
products. natural resources. etc. Of Para
quay. have been Informed that oranges
are exported from Australia TO London.
They are also sent from Paraguay 10 the
London market, where they bring the
best price. The journey. including delaya,
Is about forty days. II direct steamship
service IL instituted between New York
and Buenos Ayres. which ! am Informed
IL projected. oranges could certainly be
sent TO our markets. The season Is from
May to September.
Oranges, can he obtained here for al
most nothing. The great point Is 10 es-
tablish means Of communication. when
n bullock cart carries q load OF oranges
over rough roads for some days. they are
hardly worth shipping when they get to
the river, yet these oranges in the high
lands are among the best in the republic.
I'm regard to the possibility Of United
States trade IN this line. / addressed In
Guiries TO the minister Of foreign affairs.
His reply Is worth perusal. not only by
orange growers. hut BY coionlsts and inn
migrants. II also gives information as
90 custom house duties which win be Of
interest 20 exporters. The letter reads. In
part by the law of colonization and
immigration OF 1855 sixteen squares ~
land are granted TO any family composed
OF three adults or ave persons. Including
children. and definite title in the property
is given after they have cultivated thu
land for Eve years. The following are
free OF customs duties Machinery in gen
erAt for industry and agriculture and for
steamships: tools and furniture belonging
10 immigrants. rails. bolts. nuts. dsh
plates. crossings. switches, turntables, 10.
comotiveS. wheels with or without shafts
or axles; rolling stock for railroads or
tramways. tubes for water or gas works
mining powder, seeds. piows, bush knives
fencing wire. telegraph wire. empty bar
rels or casks. dsmiSohns. and bottles, sci
enttnc instruments. utensils and materials