LAND QUESTION AND PROPOSALS OF THE AGRICULTURAL COMMISSION 131 



division of the large estates, labour contracts, immigration, agricultural 

 education, importation of agricultural implements and machinery and man- 

 ures, encouragement of the cultivation of textile plants, etc. roads, land 

 credit, the encouragement of Hvestock improvement and rural industries. 

 But, considering that the collection of data and the minute study of all 

 these questions would defer the solution of those which are still more 

 urgent, the Commission decided to concentrate its attention first of all on 

 irrigation, division of farms and colonisation. 



In view of the immense quantity of irrigation works required in the 

 whole countr}', the Commission recommends the Government to undertake 

 without delay those works which are under consideration or already studied, 

 such as those of the haciendas of Arnapa and of Costena in the State of Tepic, 

 and of Penuelas in that of Jalpa. This should be done without prejud- 

 ice to the ulterior examination of the general problem. 



In its report the Commission declares that the colonisation of the country 

 can only be accompUshed bj'' means of the encouragement of the natural 

 course of immigration that is by opening to the foreign agricultururist 

 the possibiUty of attaining in the Republic a higher degree of prosperity 

 than in his own countr\^ and with less effort : and also faciUtating for Mexic- 

 ans the purchase of land gi"vang a certain return in the proximity of the 

 large markets so that they may hope to accumulate savings and may face 

 the future with confidence. While leaving the door open to foreigners, it is 

 recommended to give the preference to Mexicans, and attempt to bring back 

 those who have emigrated and to employ the Mexican labour remaining in the 

 country. With this object, the Government should endeavour immediately 

 to distribute the communal lands, {ejidos) of collective use and others of 

 similar character among poor labourers, on condition that the land shall 

 not be transferable for 20 years. 



Holdings capable of irrigation and those which, owing to their situ- 

 ation, their soil or their salubrity, give promise of remuneration to the 

 agriculturist, must be divided. 



The Commission then, having studied the subject of the holdings most 

 desirable for the Government to bu}?- with a view to parcelHng them out, 

 recommends that those be chosen that can be irrigated and cultivated, 

 and are purchasable at a price not above 25 pesos per hectare. The purchase 

 at a high price of large estates already in course of cultivation would im- 

 pose hea\^ pecuniar}' burdens on the Government and would Umit the 

 number of farmers benefited, without much increasing the national wealth. 

 The Government must carry out at its own expense on the holdings it may 

 purchase the works required to ensure good results such as irrigation, reclam- 

 ation, drainage, breaking up virgin soil, the opening of country' roads and cart 

 roads from the interior to the nearest railwa}' stations etc. 



IvOts of ground will be sold to labourers who have a small capital, or 

 to those who by good conduct and ability may be able to obtain it. This 

 capital must be in vested in the purchase of the necessary'- livestock, agricul- 

 tural implements and farm requisites. To poor labourers without 

 capital to begin farming the Government may grant holdings on lease 



