HORTICULTURE IN MEXICO. 



THE NATURAL ADVANTAGES OF THE REPUBLIC 

 FOR FRUIT GROWING. 



BY LEON N. STUART, 

 Gen'l Mgr. La Virginia, Montemorelos, Nucoo Leon, Mexico. 



The great diversity of climatic conditions of Mexico, caused by its 

 physical location in the tropics, with its high altitude of tablelands 

 and mountain system, enables fruit growing to cover a wider range 

 of varieties than are found in most any other country. 



From the Gulf on the Tropic of Cancer running south and gradu- 

 ally rising higher to an elevation of four thousand feet in the south- 

 ern part and widening out into the interior, crossing over to the 

 Pacific side and north to Mazatlan, we have the pure tropics entirely 

 free from frost, in which the most delicate and luxuriant plant growth 

 thrives, such as vanilla, mangoe, bananas, pine apples, papaya, 

 coffee, rubber, etc. ; while bordering on the same, but extending up to 

 a higher plane and farther north, we get a semi-tropic region which 

 is subjected to a few light frosts, but not heavy freezes. It is here 

 that the finest quality of oranges, lemons, agua-cates and pomegran- 

 ates are grown: farther north, and up to 6,000 to 8,000 feet high, on 

 the great table lands, we get the temperate zone, with all its varied 

 products quite similar to those of the Middle and Northern states of 

 the United States. 



Commencing on the low coast lands and following the same line 

 of latitude, we find that every 280 to 400 feet ascent is equivalent to 

 going one degree latitude north, hence as we go from the lower lands 

 to the higher plateaus, there is a change from the luxuriant and deli- 

 cate tropical plants to the sturdy pine and oak trees of the far North. 

 As the temperature changes so also changes the humidity and rain- 

 fall, the low warm lands being bountifully supplied with 100 inches 

 annually at the Isthmus to 25 or more inches at the north; the semi- 

 tropics having a much lighter rainfall, irrigation is required to insure 

 full crops yearly; while in the temperate and great central districts 

 we find the true arid zone, with its dry, clear, rarified and invigorat 

 ing climate so conducive to health. 



The semi- tropic and temperate lands comprise the greater part of 

 the territory of Mexico and it is here that man comes to help nature 

 by taking out in canals water from the streams that come from the 

 high mountain peaks which rise above the general tablelands and. 



