St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1902-06-07
IN THE SUNNY TROPICS.
Beautiful Palms, Fruits and Prairie
Grasses That Lend Charm to
Central Mexico.

AS the train leaves Cordoba and rolls
along over the even track OF the Vera
Cruz & Pacific railroad, we are be-
wildered at the sight Of such natural
splendor and cultivated beauty, says
the Mexican Herald. Behind us tow
ers the peak of Orizaba, $4,000 feet
high, snow capped and radiant in the
moraing sun with all the colors of the
rainbow. On either side are beautiful
coffee trees, laden with blossoms and
berries and interspersed with grace
ful banana plants. Rounding curve,
our attention is drawn to field OF
pineapples or of sugar cane, and while
enjoying these beauties there looms
up magnificent pasture of Para
grass dotted with fine cattle, nipping
the succulent stems or quietly resting
beneath the shade of the orange trees.
AS gradually down grade speeds the
train, passing here and there banks
of flowers, azaleas, morning glories
and hedges of the beautiful tulipan,
we see, tumbling over the rocks many
feet below, the waters of the Rio
Blanco, following their serpentine
course towards the gulf, presenting a
never-to-be-forgotten scene.
As we near Motzorongo, the hills
close in, the heat becoming greater.
Our discontinue, however, is only
momentary, for almost Immediately
the hills begin to widen out and the
cool, refreshing breezes again are
felt.
The further on we go, the more
luxuriant becomes the vegetation and
the more enticing the country.
We are polling further into the
tropics, through groves of palms, their
graceful foliage waving us welcome
across magnificent prairies, the cool
breezes tanning us as we go.
The best is reserved for the last.
Gradually the train slows up and we
arrive at the Papaloapam river. The
sight most pleasant to the tropical
farmer and investor, has been reserved
until now. As we gradually approach
the dense woodlands, with rich black
loan covered with dense tropical
growth, we see the majestic ceiba
mingling with the graceful palm, the
| wild rubber, cedar. mahogany, rose
wood and zapote adding their wealth,
while the abundance of clinging vines
and Towering plants add richness
of unrivaled beauty. Birds Of all
colors fit from limb to limb, from bush
to bush, while the bright plumaged
parrots hover near as if seeking news
from their comrades in captivity.
| Again we come to the fields of Para
grass, rich and abundant, each acre
capable of supporting an OK for II
months. Fields of hundreds of acres
stretch before us, studded here and
there with palms, the fat cattle revel-
ing in the luxuriant grass, fully as high
as their backs. Now pastures, now
woodlands, forests of palms, focks OF
parrots, herds of horses and cattle,
bright plumaged birds and banks OF
| flowers succeed each other in rapid
succession until at last we arrive at
Aqua Fria. This station is situated
in the midst of the most beautiful
| tropical lands imaginable. 1t is true
and well-established fact that where
timber grows all things will grow
This fact is emphasized at Aqua Fria
for here we find in great abundance
magnificent timber, sugar cane, rub
Der, tobacco, cacaa, pineapples, vanil'
la, coffee, oranges, lemons, bananas
| rice. corn, beans, etc.