273 
per acre. Itis unsafe to give a detailed calculation of the outlay re- 
quired in establishing a plantation or cafetal up to the time of yielding 
the first paying-crop, as much depends both upon the locality and the 
intelligence and economy of the planter, so that published estimates are 
apt to mislead. It may be stated, however, that, after the plants begin 
to bear a full crop, the cost of annual cultivation, up to sale in local 
market, is from six to seven cents a pound. 
It is very difficult to give any definite idea of the price of land in the 
coffee-growing regions. The average price, as per sales which have been 
made in the valley of Cordova beyond the vicinity of the city during 
the past two years, has been about $10 per acre; and, at points out of 
the reach of the railroad in the same State of Vera Cruz, sales have 
been made at $5 per acre, or even less. But this has been in a time 
of great business depression ; and, with a revival of commerce and a 
growing demand for coffee-lands, the price would very soon advance, 
possibly 50 or 100 per cent. 
In what has preceded I have referred particularly to the coffee region 
having the valley of Cordova for its center, for the reason that it is the | 
locality at present of the greatest production in the republic, and is 
most accessible to the American market. But there are several other 
localities in the country where the cultivation is receiving considerable 
attention, and is assuming some importance in exportation. One of 
these localities is the district of Soconusco, in the State of Chiapas, im- 
‘mediately upon the borders of the republic of Guatemala. Hon. Matias 
Romero owns a plantation in that district, and the recent revival of 
this industry there is almost entirely due to his encouragement. Sev- 
eral Americans and other foreigners have located there, and are engaged 
in planting, and quite a number of the resident-proprietors have em- 
barked extensively in this cultivation. Among the special advantages 
presented in this district is the cheapness of land and labor. Public or 
government lands, which are subject to entry by foreigners, can be taken — 
at from $20 to $25 per caballeria, (a Spanish measure of about 105 acres.) 
Private lands have been sold at from $50 to $100 per caballeria; but native 
land-owners here, as elsewhere in Mexico, have very little disposition to 
part with their estates. Continued success in coffee-culture and a grow- 
ing demand will largely increase the price. Wages are reported at 25 
cents per hand a day; but, of course, this very low price could not be 
continued with a greatly increased demand for labor. The chief imped- 
iment to the development of this industry in Soconusco is the fact that 
this district is a disputed territory, claimed by both Mexico and Guate- 
mala, and until this vexed question is settled the tenure and protection 
of property will remain insecure. 
The valley of Uruapan, in the State of Michoacan, has great celebrity 
for its fertility, and for the superior quality of the coffee grown there. 
But the most noted region, especially for the excellence of its coffee, 
is the State of Colima, on the Pacific coast; its product being so highly 
esteemed that it commands a fabulous price in the city of Mexico and 
more distant places of the republic. The planting of coffee began in 
Colima in 1858, to a very limited extent, with plants obtained from 
osta Rica. The article produced was found so superior to any other 
grown in the country, sample lots sent to private parties in Europe 
being pronounced equal to Mocha, that in 1873 quite an impetus was 
given to the cultivation, and since that year over one million plants 
have been set out, which are now beginning to bear; and the planting 
continues to increase, coffee promising to become the principal article 
of export and a fertile source of wealth to the State. The demand for 
