ARBORICULTURE 



295 



Agricultural Experiment 

 Station. 



All agricultur.il experimeut station is 

 maintained at Mexico City. I visited the 

 buildings and grounds. The location and 

 soil are well chosen. There are many 

 small trees and shrubs, some of great 

 beauty. The stock, mostly Holstein cat- 

 tle, was very fine. 



The weeping willow seems to be a fa- 

 vorite about the moist lands of Mexico. 

 Its shade is refreshing, and as a tree it 

 is ornamental; but why grow so many 

 trees which possess no valuable qualities 

 upon land of such high value, when the 

 eucalyptus and catalpa Avill thrive under 

 the same conditions and produce lumber 

 and timber of the highest value, and yet 

 are equally ornamental for shade? 



A series of experiments which would 

 illustrate European and American meth- 

 ■ods in farming, showing various im- 

 proved implements, and planting a vari- 

 <.'ty of forest trees not common to the 

 country, especially those of high value 

 in manufactures and for economic uses, 

 would be of immense import to the Ee- 

 ])ublic. 



If to this permanent exhibit Ameri- 

 can and European manufacturers should 

 send specimens of their wares, with ex- 

 ])erienced men to operate them and show 

 their use, it would add to their sales and 

 benefit the farmers of Mexico. 



The railways would doubtless bring 

 representative citizens from various por- 

 tions of the Eepublic, at reduced rates, 

 if not free, for instructions and for ob- 

 servations. 



It would well repay the United States 

 Government to send a number of stu- 

 dents from the various colleges to Mex- 

 ico to learn of her people more of irriga- 

 fion. of masonry and many things in ag- 

 riculture, in which Mexico so greatly ex- 

 cels. There is not an architect in the 

 United States but could gain some valu- 

 able lessons in building and in planning 

 structures by a tour of observation 

 thrnugb our neighboring Republic. 



Pyramids of Cholula. 



The pyramids, now consisting of three 

 artificial earth mounds, were old when 

 the Spaniards first landed in Mexico. The 

 larger pyramid erected by pre-historic 

 people rises to a height of more than one 

 hundred feet, and covers probably forty 

 acres. It is surmounted by a church of 

 great antiquity. Stone steps lead to the 

 summit by a very easy ascent. By a wind- 

 ing stone stairway we reach the top of 

 the tower and walk out upon the brick 

 roof, where a panorama of wonderful 

 beauty is spread out before us. The 

 peaks of Popocatepetl and Iztaccihuatl 

 are in plain view, although not now in 

 eruption. In former times these two vol- 

 canoes blazed before these ancient 

 mounds, as in awe the Indians offered 

 their sacrifices. The churches, with lofty 

 spires and venerable with age, which are 

 seen from Cholula heights, number a 

 score, and seem but a stone's throw dis- 

 tant. In some the ornamentation is of 

 wondrous beauty. Four and five hundred 

 years are given as the age of many. 



The plaza was alive with people, buy- 

 ing and selling wares of many kinds, as 

 well as fruits and edibles. The valley is 

 a series of fertile farms, fields of corn, 

 maguey (pulque) and other crops. The 

 people are happy and contented. 



Cholula Station is on the Interoceanic 

 Railway, and is directly at the base of 

 the largest pyramid, so one may go from 

 the City of Mexico or from Puebla to 

 the village without change of cars. 



The old church in which the Indians 

 made a stand against the invading Span- 

 iards still stands, and is well worth a 

 visit. 



The surrounding country is a rich ag- 

 ricultural region of great interest. 



Where did the immense quantity of 

 earth come from with which to erect 

 monuments of such magnitude? How 

 long ago were they constructed? 

 Whether by slaves or voluntary labor? 

 are speculative^ queries. The worship of 

 the sun, sacrifice of human lives and va- 

 rious religious rites occupied the minds 

 of ]ireliistnric men, raiher than the busi- 

 ness iiulustrics of modern civilization. 



