^Dining. 25 



as coal-bearing by an eminent geologist. The measures are quite ex- 

 tensive, being easily traced from Yurecuaro to near Ameca with oc- 

 casional interruptions through volcanic intrusion. The developments 

 already made, show that the coal or lignite veins extend over perhaps 

 thirty square miles. How much beyond these limits, it would be im- 

 possible to state. It exists in considerable quantities. There are a 

 number of veins overlying each other, and varying from two inches to 

 fifty inches in width ; but, as the explorations have not yet found the 

 veins in place, it is impossible to say exactly what their condition will 

 be. A feature which adds considerably to the value of these deposits 

 is an extensive deposit of bog iron in the immediate vicinity. If 

 further exploration discovers considerable quantities of commercially 

 valuable coal, it is easy to estimate the results to the industries. Other 

 beds of coal have been discovered but of less consequence, and in 

 several of the northern states of Mexico there are known to exist large 

 deposits. 



Mexican industries will be completely revolutionized when they can 

 use cheap coal instead of wood for all purposes, thus cheapening the 

 cost of manufacturing by using cheaper fuel, which is so important an 

 item of expense in manufacturing. 



Mexican Miners. While the laborers employed in Mexico will not 

 compare in efficiency with the labor of the miner in the United States, it 

 must be borne in mind that the American miner works eight hours and 

 receives $3 per day, or $6 in Mexican money, and $6 in Mexican 

 money will employ from eight to twelve Mexicans, wages varying from 

 5oc. to 75c. per day. As for the climatic conditions, it is only necessary 

 to say that in all the mining districts of Mexico a miner can work 365 

 days in the year. There is never any snow or cold weather in winter, 

 and the heat in the summer is not so extreme as in St. Louis, Chicago, 

 or New York, and never enervating. A pair of blankets at night are 

 indispensable every night in the year. 



Mining Laws. The mining laws of Mexico issued during the 

 Spanish rule, which were kept in force until 1884, were both liberal and 

 wise, and were intended to encourage mining. The domain of the 

 mines remained in the Government and it gave temporary titles to any- 

 body who discovered one, and who was willing to work it, but only as 

 long as work was done in the mine. When the discoverer or owner 

 could not for any reason continue to work it, and allowed a certain 

 time to elapse without doing any work, the mine reverted to the 

 Government and anybody else willing to work it could obtain a tem- 

 porary title over it. This system was changed, by our Mining Code of 

 1884, to the effect of giving the mines in fee simple to the discoverers of 

 the same, whether they were worked or not by those who denounced 

 them, and the only cause for forfeiting the title is the failure to pay a 



