22 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



inches on uplaml. The C'entnil Anieiiean rice is of far better 

 quality tlian that produeed in the United JStates, but there is no 

 iiulling machine in the country. Figs grow rapidly, and the foreign 

 grapes thrive adrairabl}'. 



There are in the woods many beautiful timbers for cabinet work 

 tliat we know nothing about ; l)ut they are liard to get out, for the 

 soil is so soft that oxen sink iu it almost to their bellies. Many 

 are so heavy as to sink in water, but sometimes raits are built of 

 mahogany and these heavy woods are placed on them and so floated 

 down. There are also man}' valuable drugs, saps, and juices un- 

 known to us ; one tree when cut down exudes a natural paint. 

 The Shnaba Cedroyi, found in tlie southern republics, is reputed a 

 specific for serpent bites. 



The states of Central America are almost all burdened with 

 debts. In one of them a loan of $27,000,000, negotiated in 

 Europe for Ijuilding a railroad, yielded only $5,000,000 for that 

 purpose, the remaining $22,000,000 being swallowed up in the 

 commissions of the negotiators ; and a similar case occurred in 

 another state. The railroad which was built was of narrow gauge ; 

 and the sleepers sink in the soil and are eaten b}' insects and soon 

 break, so that there are only three miles where the}' dare to run a 

 locomotive. The road is used for the transportation of fruit ; 

 which in tliirt}- miles of such travel is damaged more tiian b}' a 

 long sea voyage. 



The inhabitants are ready to welcome all foreigners except 

 Chinese. The duties on imports are very high ; at Puerto Cortez a 

 dozen cans of tomatoes were charged with a duty of $9.67 ; and a 

 cooking stove which would cost $26 here cost $140 in Guatemala 

 Cit}'. The grant to the Tropical Products Company includes a 

 free port of entry, which in a country where duties are so heavy 

 is a verj' important concession. Thegovernmenthaskept its word 

 with the Compau}'. The physique of the natives is fine and labor 

 is plent}'. The merchants deal principally in aguardiente and 

 gambling implements. 



The Coin[)any sent to the Southern States of our nation for 

 negroes, l)ut without success, and then used Caribs, who at first 

 wanted pay in advance but afterwards they did not want their 

 pay at all. The government encourages intemperance because it 

 is a source of revenue ; the natives drink pure alcoiiol and lie down 

 in the gutters. The native laborers must not be induced to lay up 



