BAH I A— SAO FHANGISCO RIVER 107 



There is no export tax in Bahia, but various little taxes, such as 

 agricultural administration tax 1*5 per cent., statistical tax 2-2 per 

 cent. ; in all, these levies come to 3-7 per cent. 



In Bahia we got to know the cotton along the Sao Francisco and 

 that grown along the railway between Joazeiro and the city of Bahia. 

 We also examined the various cottons in the stores of the mills. 



The quality of cotton and the conditions under which it is grown 

 vary in this State so much that a short extract from my daily notes 

 will probably convey a more correct idea than an attempt at 

 generalising. 



SAO FRANCISCO RIVER (continuation) 



Following on the Sao Francisco river from the last description in 

 the previous chapter on Minas we got to Malhada, 481km. distant 

 from Pirapora and 888km. from Joazeiro. 



Our next stop Avas at Carinhanha, 483km. from Pirapora and 

 886km. from Joazeiro. 



Opposite this town there is an estate belonging to Mr. Augusto 

 Jaep, called " Cerra do Ramalho," which is said to be well-managed, 

 but it was too distant for us to visit. 



Land is very cheap here ; one man bought 500 square kilometres 

 for 50 contos in 1915. 



As soon as one enters the State of Bahia one is forcibly reminded 

 that politics, sometimes local, sometimes of State nature, play a very 

 important part in the lives of the people. The question of having 

 street lights or not, was the primary cause of a revolution in a 

 neighbouring place, " Carinhanha," which lasted several months and 

 spread to surrounding districts, also to Malhada. There are frequent 

 political turmoils in the State of Bahia, and when the European reads 

 exaggerated statements of these in his newspapers, the conclusion is 

 often drawn that this state of affairs applies to the whole country, 

 which, of course, is entirely A\Tong. These disturbances are of a local 

 nature. It is true, politics occupy the minds of people in every State 

 to a great extent to the detriment of business, but generally differences 

 are adjusted without bloodshed. In Bahia this is not the case and 

 Malhada and Caranhanha bear traces of a violent passage at arms. 

 Many buildings show the bullet holes, even churches have not been 

 spared. Devastation has been increased by the great flood which 

 took place in 1919. Many houses on the high bank of the river were 

 destroyed and at the time of our visit were not yet restored. 



There is a new ginning factory at this place, its gin has 50 blades, 

 it is driven by an English steam engine, the boiler is also English, 

 but there was no cotton to gin. In normal times this port is of 

 importance as the cotton from Bella Flores, Monte Flores and Caitete 

 is brought here. This cotton is now shipped from " Bom Jesus de 

 Lapa " and has to be carried a greater distance on muleback before 

 it reaches the boats. 



At a small place called Volta we saw a little field containing 

 mostly " Inteiro " cotton, measuring 32mm., its fibre was strong and 

 silky. It was the second year of its growth. 



