438 



is said to be 1 lb., and in exce2:»tionally favourable years as much 

 as 1| Ibs.^ Tlie trees seem to suffer from over-sliading, and better 

 results might be obtained by the use of species of Alhizzia or Ery- 

 tliriim as shade-trees, coupled -oith judicious topping and 

 2>riuiiug. A disease affecting both the leaves and fruits of the 

 coffee, on which it appears in the form of round blotches, is 



probablv 



Aavida, Cooke. It is 



most abundant in deep ravines and shady places. 



Trom Santa ]ilarta Mr. Da^^'e travelled by rail to Cienaga, and 

 thence by steam-launch to Barranquilla, passing extensive 

 stretches of mangrove swamps. Small quantities of mangrove 

 bark are exported to New York via Puerto Rico, but there is 

 no doubt that many thousand tons could be exported annually if 

 the Magdaleua delta were suitably exploited. The mangrove bark 

 destined for export seen in Barranquilla was divided into large 

 pieces,^ whereas that exported from Madagascar and East Africa 

 IS cut into small pieces, 5 in. long and 2 in. broad. 



from 



Ma 



fertile alluvial land, capable of producing enormous crops of 

 sugar, cocoa, rubber and other tropical products; but the country 

 IS very sparsely inhabited, and the inhabitaTits obtain their living 

 by cuttmg^ wood for the passing steamers, and grow no more 

 tood than is required for their own needs. 



_ The first step in the development of this region should be the 

 improvement of the navigable channel of the Magdaleua. The 

 practice of cutting the trees on the river-banks should be pro- 

 hibited, as this leads to the washino- away of the banks. 



The condition of agriculture in the Lower Magdalena region 

 might be greatly improved by the establishment of a model plan- 

 tation conducted on commercial lines, where sugar, cocoa, rubber, 

 cotton, maize, nee, kidney-beans, etc., could be grown, and the 

 best mcUiods of cultivation demonstrated. 



Immenseareasof the Lower Magdalena basin arc covered with 

 forests, which might under suitable administration become one 

 ot the principal sources of revenue in Colombia, ludging from 

 the large selection of useful woods seen by Mr. Dawe at Barran- 



?w •* A, 7*^ ^ , "^ ^^ imposed on each tree of certain kinda 

 tliat is lei^ed, and the work of re-afforestation should be token in 



if°lL-l?u!^!!.?.,^ ^^^ ^^? ^^'^^^^ h<3vej)een destroyed. This is 



„ ■ -i-r -,^ . , where there 



gi .^^ 



The means of communication are very good. 



d 



the 



MVc.1.T.r Vr -f W^'' iP'^* °^ ^^^""-^ navigation on 



seon 



Locust Buron\iT'/ri l^"^^'^^^^^^^^ the establishment 



-Liutusx ijuieau to control the post. 



