HONDURAS. 29 



is somewhat larger than the variety found in the islands, but weaker in 

 its aroma, and has not yet entered into the commerce of the country. 



The Anona, of several varieties, is also indigenous ; the Aguacate, or 

 Alligator Pear (Persea Gratimima); Citron (Citrus Tuberosa); Tamarind 

 (Tamarindus Occidentalis); Guava (PsidiumGuajavas); Pines (Bromelia 

 Ananas); Mango (Mangofera Domestica); Papaya (Carica Papaya); Zapote 

 Granado (Punica Granatum); Mamay (Lucuma Bomplandi); Nance; 

 Jocote,or wild Plum ; Manzanilla, etc., etc. 



The Vanilla (Epidendrum Vanilla) occurs in the same district with 

 the sarsaparilla, and is remarkable for its luxuriance and the size of its 

 pod. It has not yet become an article of export, but the specimens 

 which have been sent to the United States and Europe have already 

 elicited orders beyond the capacity of the available labor of the coast to 

 supply. 



In nearly all parts of Honduras wild guava trees abound. In 

 the region drained by the Patuca and its tributaries, particularly 

 in the valley of Juticalpa, thousands of bushels of guavas ripen 

 each year, only to be eaten by wild animals or to rot on the 

 ground. A large part of this yield might be profitably made to 

 contribute to the earnings of the people of these valley s, by pro- 

 viding means for its easy and quick transportation to factories 

 where this now waste product could be preserved . This is also 

 true of a large variety of indigenous fruits which would sell 

 readily in other countries. Coffee and cacao prow well even on 

 the coast, and require nothing more than ordinary attention to 

 make them very profitable to the producer. 



OTHER INDUSTRIES. 



Fruit-growing absorbs the attention of many who learn of the 

 natural resources of northern Honduras; but other industries can 

 be carried on there with as great gains as are obtained from fruits, 

 or even greater. Sarsaparilla from Honduras has for many years 

 been recognized as the best in the markets. By judicious man- 

 agement it can be made to yield 1,500 to 2,000 pounds of roots per 

 acre per annum. At rates current on the coast, this is equal to 

 $575 to $700 per acre. By the adoption of better methods in 

 handling the roots, their value will be increased until this crop 

 will become the source of immense revenue to settlers on this 

 grant. 



