ACTICAL ARBORICULTURE 339 



The President gave me a cordial welcome to the Republic of Mexico as rep- 

 resentative of the International Society of Arboriculture, and expressed gratifi- 

 cation for the visit and the interest taken in his country. I was assured that the 

 Government would co-operate with our Society in all efforts to advance the cause 

 of arboriculture. 



President Diaz is well informed in regard to prevailing conditions, and vari- 

 ous plans were discussed for the extensive planting of trees about the borders 

 of lakes and moist locations throughout Mexico. 



Experiments will be made at once to test the adaptibility of several species of 

 forest trees not indigenous to Mexico. 



I was also received by Sr. Genl. Manuel Gonzales Cosio, Minister of Fomento, 

 with whom I had a very interesting interview. The Minister assured me of his 

 interest in the subject and explained at length the forestry laws of Mexico. 



Unusual honors were accorded our Society by all the Government officials, as 

 well as by many prominent citizens of the Republic. 



PYRAMIDS OF CHOLULA. 



The pyramids, now consisting of three artificial earth mounds, were old when 

 the Spaniards first landed in Mexico. The larger pyramid erected by pre-historic 

 people rises to a height of more than one hundred feet, and covers probably forty 

 acres. It is surmounted by a church of great antiquity. Stone steps lead to the 

 summit by a very easy ascent. By a winding stone stairway we reach the top of 

 the tower and walk out upon the brick roof, where a panorama of wonderful 

 beauty is spread out before us. The peaks of Popocatapetl and Iztaccihuatl are 

 i:i plain view, although not now in eruption. In former times these two volcanoes 

 blazed before these ancient mounds, as in awe the Indians offered their sacrifices. 

 The churches, with lofty spires and venerable with age, which are seen from 

 Cholula heights, number a score, and seem but a stone's throw distant. In some 

 the ornamentation is of wondrous beauty. Four and five hundred years are given 

 as the age of many. 



The plaza was alive with people, buying and selling wares of many kinds, as 

 well as fruits and edibles. The valley is a series of fertile farms, fields of corn, 

 maguey (pulque) and other crops. The people are happy and contented. 



( holula Station is on the Interoceanic Railway, and is directly at the base of 

 the largest pyramid, so one may go from the City of Mexico or from Puebla to 

 the village without change of cars. 



The old church in which the Indians made a stand against the invading Span- 

 iards still stands, and is well worth a visit. 



The surrounding country is a rich agricultural region of great interest. 



Where did the immense quantity of earth come from with which to erect 

 monuments of such magnitude ? How long ago were they constructed? Whether 

 by slaves or voluntary labor? are speculative queries. The worship of the sun, 

 rifice of human lives and various religious rites occupied the minds of prehis- 

 toric men, rather than the business industries of modern civilization. 



