AMERICAN LUMBER IN FOREIGN MARKETS. 19 



PRICES. 



The prices of lumber in Vera Cruz are: Pine, rough, wholesale, $36, 

 retail $45 per 1,000; dressed, tongued and grooved, wholesale, $37, 

 retail, $50 per 1,000. It is generally $5 to $10 per 1,000, higher at 

 other ports in this district. These prices are in Mexican money. The 

 Mexican dollar at present is worth only 55 cents American. 



CLIMATE. 



The climate adjacent to Yera Cruz ismoistand hot, and,forabout seven 

 months of the year, unhealthy. There is a difference of opinion as to 

 the climate north and south of this port, but I would say moist and 

 warm, but more healthy. Forty to 50 miles inland from the coast 

 the climate is mild and all that could be desired; about 80 miles 

 inland Mount Orizaba is seen covered with snow at all times of the year. 

 Thus it will be observed that in this consular district we have, within a 

 less distance than 100 miles, land level with the sea and the highest 

 peak in North America, with climate corresponding to the different 

 altitudes. 



GENERAL BUILDING. 



House building, on a small scale, consumes considerable of the pine 

 lumber brought from the United States. The ship building carried on 

 here consists of the making of sailboats and rowboats only, the largest 

 not exceeding 60 tons burden. The construction of the Tehuantepec 

 Eailway is now under way, there being something like 125 miles com- 

 pleted on the Atlantic side, with, perhaps, an equal number of miles 

 on the Pacific side. 



EXTENSION OF LUMBER TRADE. 



I can make no suggestions that would help to extend the lumber trade 

 tween the United States and this country; for I notice that all the 

 umber imported comes from the United States, and unless the natives 

 an be induced to build better houses and more of them, or Americans 

 come, take land, and settle here, the trade in American or any other 

 kind of lumber will not improve. 



CHARLES SCHAEFER, 



Consul. 

 VERA CRUZ, January 30, 1894. 



