Year: 1870

July -, 1870.


WE have been permitted to publish the follow
ing interesting extract from letter from gen.
tleman long resident at Caao, Peru, in which
will be found valuable information in regard to
the productions of that country:


Respecting this country, in many particulars
it is about 80 years behind the present age, but-a
fair prospect of much improvement.


With regard to the sugar crop there is quite
an abundance raised on this coast, all that is
consumed here is produced in the country, and
besides the home consumption there was from
seven to eight thousand tons shipped each year
for the last two years, mostly to San Francisco,
that being the best market for it. This year the
shipment will be comparatively small, the market
being dul! in San Francisco thus far. There is
one extensive refinery in Callao which supplies
many Of the consumers here; the most that is
used here is refined by the planters themselves
on their estates which is cheaper and yields more
sweetness as the process is not very perfect, but
the sugar is not so clean and white.





very limited, the natives are very backward in
raising large crops. they manage to raise only
enough to keep the market supplied at very
high rates The soil is well adapted to raising any
kind Of vegetation, corn, grass and vegetables
growing the whole year through. All it requires
is energy to make it garden spot, as there
is raln, irrigation Is used on the coast, in the
interior they have rain. There is no wheat
raised in Peru, it all comes from Chile, also most
of the -four. that is consumed here There are
-four Mills here. notwithstanding that Merchants
can get -four cheaper from Chile, with a duty on
it Of two dollars bag containing one hundred
pounds. This heavy duty is put on to stop the
importation Of -four from Chile. They are ad-
ding more expenses on it in the way of Custom
House regulations so as to stop it entirely, think
ing by that to be able to encourage people of
this country to raise wheat enough for this mark
ct. 1t well be sometime yet before that is done
Labor in Chile Is much cheaper than here, and they
are much more enterprising and industrious than
the natives Of this country. The principal labor
on plantations here is coolie labor they are bought
here for eight years per contract then set free
during which time they suffer much in the hands
Of the planters who often drive them to despera-
ton. They consider Cinnamon very inferior
race to themselves when in reality they are bet
ter race of people than the lower class Of this coun
try.


A new company has been established for the
purpose Of receiving agricultural products in
consignment, making advances on them with a
moderate interest. No doubt such an institution
will thrive, rendering large profits in behalf of the
producers.


We are to have a Horticultural Academy
built outside Of Lima, which is a great step in ad-
vancement- The gentleman who has made the
plans Of this establishment has just published a
treatise the introduction Of silkworm into this
country, the Mulberry tree would thrive here.
He was the promoter Of the cultivation Of cotton
in this country which did very well during the
American War. but now it does not pay to
raise i. it costs too much to get it to market.
The many rail roads now building in the country
by the government. will no doubt greatly deve-
lope the country, there being miles Of beautiful
valley land for raising wheat and all kinds Of
produce.


Everything at present looks prosperous for the
country. the many Rail Roads building, seem to
have smothered that great spirit which has 80
long existed for revolutions, keeping the country
so much behind others. There are great many.
very extensive projects in contemplation which
will no doubt benefit the country if ever they get
through The present President Balia is very en-
thusastic over improvements, but the exchequer
will not always be found equal to the desire. An
Austrian Embassy arrived here for the purpose
Of making treaty Of commerce and Navigation 4
with Peru. the Austrian frigate is expected here 4
soon. The President made decree on the ID 4
CT April last, establishing au income tax on !
every one yitbout distinction. 1t has been deemed
too high and altogether arbitrary measure.


With respect to political news Of any kind,
there IS nothing to communicate; the country
every where appears to be quiet. and the people
intent on business. and under its blessings, the
great interests Of the nation continue in their
prosperous and beneficial improvements Cash
s abundant, transecti6ns easy, and the balance in
he banking establishments show large sums Of
currency existing. The active capital 10 the diff
sreBt banks according tothe last balance, is about
rwenty-fFe Millions Of dollars. This abundance
of cash induces every one to think on new UNDER
iakings and the great prosperity in commerce
md agriculture is indeed surprising. The TX
:bequer Is vel of at present. payments are made
'eguIariy'for all the necessary improvements.