COTTON TEXTILES IN FOREIGN COUNTRIES. 33 



GUATEMALA. 



REPORT BY CONSUL-GENERAL HOSMER. 



While attempts have been made to manufacture cotton goods in this 

 republic on a small scale, nothing of a successful or permanent char- 

 acter has been effected. 



COTTON GROWING IN GUATEMALA. 



Some twenty-five years ago Sea Island cotton was planted near the 

 Pacific coast, and an abundant crop of the raw material was raised. It 

 seemed, as I am informed, both practicable and profitable to extend its 

 growth, the soil and climate favoring, to a remarkable degree, the cult- 

 ure of the plant, but during the second or its following season the fatal 

 u army-worm" put in its destructive appearance, committing such rav- 

 ages that the planting and cultivation was abandoned, and has not 

 been resumed since that time. 



IMPORTS BY COUNTRIES. 



Hence the republic of Guatemala depends upon foreign markets for 

 the supply of cotton textiles, the principal portion of which is imported 

 from England ; next in quantity is from the United States. 



I am unable to follow strictly or exactly the requirements of the De- 

 partment's circular of May 27, 1889, but have endeavored, by careful 

 inquiry, to acquire such facts and figures as will afford approximate in- 

 formation to the cotton manufacturers of the United States for the ben- 

 efit of their trade. 



The custom-house of Guatemala classifies cotton goods of all kinds, 

 with the value of and duty on same, in gross sums, as follows: 



From England. Prints, white shirting, brown cottons, sheetings, bed- 

 spreads, cotton clothing, hosiery (half and long hose), undershirts, 

 handkerchiefs, all of cotton, to the value of $873,594.20 ; duties there- 

 on, $721,676.10. 



From United States. Prints, brown cottons, sheetings, drillings, 

 hosiery (half and long hose), all of cotton, to the value of $89,286.17 ; 

 duties thereon, $64,298.30. 



From France. Prints, white shirting, calicoes, cotton clothing, hosiery 

 (half and long hose), all of cotton, to the value of $27,395.48 ; duties 

 thereon, $26,514. 



From Belgium and Germany. Drillings, hosiery (half and long hose), 

 all of cotton, to the value of $26,983.80 ; duties thereon, $16,619.82. 



Total import value, $1,017,259.65; duties, $829,108.22. 



These sums are based upon the Guatemalan j?eso, or Peruvian so?, 

 which is worth 68 cents United States gold. 



The specific kinds of cotton goods imported into this market from 

 the United States are Pacific H sheeting, 36 inches; Massachusetts C, 

 608A 3 



