The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1906-12-02
BIC CROPS RAISED
BY MEXICANS

Consul Victor l. Duhaime of Saitillo
states that Coahuila holds the third
place among the states producing the
largest amount of wheat in Mexico. He
writes:
In this consulate district alone the
crop Tor this year is estimated to be
about 1000, 900 bushels The yield gen
orally averages from ten to fifteen
bushels TO the acre Winter red wheat
Is soWn in October and the crop gather
ed the following May or June The
quality compares favorabIy with United
states wheat The price ranges from
$3.50 10 50 per bushel Mexican currency
($l-25 to $3.50 United States currency1.
About one-third of this crop is grown
by irrigation. The wages paid To
workmen for harvesting ranges from
20 cents TO 81 day Mexican currency
tS11@ TO 80 cents United States cur
rency).
This branch Of agriculture is yet en-
tirely IN the hands of Mexican ranch
men owing TO the introduction of
modern agricultural implements the
area is being increased each year. The
large steam plows, cultivators. thrash
ers, and engines, and almost every
kind Of improved farming machinery
now aid in the preparation of a greater
amount of virgin soil not underta ken
before owing TO the crude facilities
This improved system of economic cul-
tivation by labor saving machinery has
proved 10 be so profitable and attrac-
tive that landowners are now directing
their attention to this branch Of aeri
culture with much more energy and
activity. Consequently the value Of
agricultural land is advancing appre-
ciably and the farming sections are be-
coming more thickly settled and pros
porous. Travelling modern steam
thrashing machines are in general use
In this vicinity there are six modern
rolling mills running by steam and nine
stone mills operated by water power
The nour they produce is of an excel
lent quality and finds ready sale in
all parts Of the republic, so much so
that d large amount of wheat is i'm
ported here from the United States
keeping these mills in constant opera-
ton day and night to supply the de
mand for the fine grade of flour which
this locality has acquired a reputation
for. 1t is shipped in burlap sacks. two
bags containing about 200 pounds or
one barrel OF -four, the demand usually
exceeding the supply.
Wheat straw furnishes the principal
food for the animals, there being no
hay raised here. Owing to some pecu-
liarity of the soil it contains sufficient
nutritive element 90 replace hay in
feeding stock, on which they thrive and
keep in good healthy condition. The
price Of wheat straw ranges from $40
TO $50 Mexican currency (s5 to $40
United States currency per ton, owing
70 its abundance and proximity to mar
ket.
The duty on imported wheat was re-
moved entirely during the first six
months of this year, and during this
period the Importation was much lar
ger than any previous year. The i'm
portation of American wheat into Mex
leo during the last twelve months
amounted 10 100000 gold. demon
stratlng that this is the nearest avail
able market for American wheat. The
supply here is never equal TO the de-
mand. and this will prove a profitable
field for American wheat exporters. The
railroads entering Mexico are all of the
standard gauge and are fully equipped
for the handling and prompt delivery
without change to points of distinction
& - -.