HONDURAS. 21 



wrote in reply to questions forwarded from the Department of 

 State: 



Honduras is a mountainous country, drained by a number of large 

 rivers fed by rapid tributaries, many of wh'ch are natural water-powers 

 capable of running mills of almost any capacity. They can be secured, 

 not only without cost, but I think that the local authorities of the large 

 towns would give material aid toward the establishment of saw-mills 

 and other kinds of machinery, which are greatly needed by the country. 

 Such establishments would pay best in the interior, especially in the 

 rich Department of Olancho, where lumber, furniture, wagons, carts, 

 carriages etc., would find a ready market, and where northern men can 

 enjoy a most delicious climate, and surround themselves, by a little 

 industry, with all the comforts and luxuries of both temperate and tropi- 

 cal zones. 



There is little or no need of calling attention to the advan- 

 tages which will result to Honduras and to any persons or com- 

 pany through supplying this demand. Those advantages will 

 become more plainly apparent when a good wagon road shall 

 have been constructed to connect the north coast with the interior 

 of the Republic. The opening of such a road from the head of 

 navigation to the city of Juticalpa, the capital of the rich De- 

 partment of Olancho, will enable such a company to furnish, at 

 lower prices than have ever been known there, all the lumber and 

 furniture which will be needed in the great valley system of 

 which Juticalpa is naturally the commercial center. 



The north coast of Honduras alone uses from 2,000,000 to 

 3,000,000 feet of pine lumber in a year, and the Bay Islands from 

 150,000 to 250, 000 feet per annum. Mill run long-leaved pine, un- 

 planed sells for $35, and planed for $45 per M. All the lumber 

 used on the coast of the Carribean sea, from Yucatan in the north, 

 to Venezuela in the south is imported, chiefly from Nova 

 Scotia and the United States. The consumption will increase as 

 great public works will be undertaken in Central America, and 

 as the people of other lands learn something of the advantages 

 these sub-tropical countries offer to enterprise and capital. This 

 increased demand this grant will, by reason of its favorable 

 geographical position, excellent harbor and other advantages, be 

 able to supply at fair prices from its almost inexhaustible forests. 



