254 COFFEE : ITS CULTIVATION AND PROFIT. 



the customs returns, and even in the United States, 

 which has always taken by far the greater pro- 

 portion of the crop, its sale at that time was 

 comparatively small, about 1,800 to 2,700 cwt. 

 How great an impetus has been given of late to 

 this industry may be judged from the fact that 

 in the year 1881 the imports into these three 

 countries were: into England, 3,193 cwt.; France, 

 13,054 cwt. ; and the United States, 124,213 cwt. ; 

 besides small amounts sent to Barcelona, Ham- 

 burg, Santander, and Antwerp. 



The finest qualities of Coffee are produced on 

 the western slopes of the Mexican plateau, in the 

 States of Colima and Michoacan, but the supply 

 is very little in excess of the home demand, and 

 only a small quantity of these classes is exported. 

 The great bulk of the Coffee that finds a market 

 abroad is grown near Cordova and Orizaba, in the 

 State of Vera Cruz, and also in the southern State 

 ofOajaca. Up to a few years ago the berry used 

 to be very carelessly prepared, and presented a bad 

 appearance when offered for sale, which, added to 

 the irregularity of the supply as also of the price, 

 was probably the reason why it was not more 

 extensively exported to Europe ; but these defects 

 are now being remedied, consequent on the estab- 

 lishment of a large and increasing trade, and it is 

 probable that ere long Mexican Coffee will become 

 better known and appreciated in the European 

 markets. 



