The herald., 1922-03-09

prepared by the National Geographic So
ciety, Washington. u. g
On the gentle slOping hillsides of the
northern portion of single state OF
the great Brazilian republic there are
some 7O0.O00.D00 coffee trees. Here
on the famous rich, red soil (terra
rossa), under extraordinarily favorable
climatic conditions, the state of Sac
PaulO is producing annually close TO
ihree-quarters of the worlds total
coffee crop Small wonder II is that
this state ranks so high in the num-
Der and in the character Of its popu-
lation; in the development of its rail-
roads; i'm It's general commercial and
industrial activity. Small wonder is
1t that the city of Sac PaulO is so full
Of life and energy that Santos has be-
come so famous port, that the Santos
docks and the Sac Paulo railway at
tract so many visitors. Coffee Is the
handspring of all this development.
Coffee is the prevailing topic Of con-
versation. Coffee Is the key to the
financial situation. Coffee is king.
As a famous waterfall, or an i'm
mense steel plant, or a great forest, or
q wonderful view attracts the traveller,
90 this remarkable Brazilian coffee dis
trict has a fascination all it's own for
the "globe-trOtter," or for the more
leisursly traveller who seeks to know
something more definite about our
South American neighbors; or, more
particularly, for any one to whom
mans achievements In changing the
face Of nature by making the earth
produce what he needs and what he
finds profitable are source Of salts
faction and inspiration.
Journey Of Great Interest.
The heart Of the coffee country can
be reached in less than three weeks
from New York. The voyage to and
from Rio Janeiro Is a delight which
cannot fail to satisfy even those who
are not naturally lovers of the sea
What can be more ideal for any one
who Is tired out with the wear and
tear of busy life than that voyage
Of two weeks from New York to Rio
over the calm seas and under the
bright skies of the topics?
From Rio de Janeiro a journey OF
about eight hours takes the traveller
across the coast range of mountains
(Serra do MARI and along the valley
Of the Parahyba river to the city Of
Sac Paulo, which lies in position o
immense advantage to its commercial
development. From the city of Sa'
Paulo the heart Of the coffee countr.
is reached in short days journe!
along one of the lines of railroad which
20 In a northerly or northwesterly di
rection across the open campos Of
through the scattering woodlands.
In about two ho1rs after leaving tn,
city of Sac Paulo the traveller begin!
TO see the first considerable coffee
plantations, and from that time OF
the journey is one of the greatest In
terest. Coffee is everywhere. Mile
and miles of coffee trees stretch away
mp and down the gentle slopes Of thu
rolling topography. often as far as tn
eye can see-grest broad waves o
green, with the narrow lines of the rec
soil showing In merked contrast will
the green of the leaves. II is sigh
which is not soon forgotten. Here anC
there are small patches Of forest which
have not yet been destroyed to max,
way for the coffee. And then there
come great stretches of rugged grass
lands. partly used for grazing purposes
or locally for farming. where the sol
II not right for the coffee tree.
Charm Of the Fazendas.
On the lower slopes of the hills o.
on the lowlands, standing out Ii
marked contrast with the green coffee
trees, are the white buildings of tn,
Acknowledgement, substantial stone ant
stucco manor houses, with wild
verandas and large windows, surround
ed by gardens filled with palm. ant
banana, and orange, and mango trees
the extensive outbuildings, for tn
stables and for the machinery. for tn
laborers and for the superintendent, be
ing placed at a respectful distanc,
from the manor house.
All these Brazilian fazendas have |
peculiar CHAIRMAN appearance o
solidarity. of comfort, Of peace. and o
prosperity-as they lie there, sur
rounded by the wealth Of their coffee
\ trees, with cattle grazing on the neigh
boring fields. and with ever-busy. pic
turesque Italian laborers caring 70
the precious crop, whose market price
are quoted daily in all the importan
papers throughout the civilized world
The coffee trees on a Brazilian plan
tation begin TO bear In from two t