278 SCHOOLS—LA NGUAGE—PRODUCE. 1829. 
the government has made several attempts to improve the con- 
dition of the inhabitants; among which, the instruction of public 
schools, was not the least important. From an official report 
there appear to be ninety schools, in which 3,840 children 
receive an education, according to the abilities of the masters, 
who are employed; but these, from the small salary attached 
to the situation, cannot be expected to be superior. 
The language in common use, is Spanish ; the original 
Indian tongue being almost forgotten: but it is supposed to 
be the same as that spoken by the Indians of Madre de Dios ; 
for, on a late occasion, a whaler which had been upon the coast 
of those islands, and had taken on board an Indian, as a pilot, 
called at Castro; and during her visit, the Indian communi- 
cated with those who understood the language of the Chonos, 
and by them was tolerably well understood. This Indian has 
been frequently embarked on board American or English 
sealers, which frequent those coasts, to serve as a pilot to the 
seal-rookeries.* He is known by the name of Dan. 
The products of the island, for the year 1828, according to 
the census, and returns, officially made, were— 
Wheat.. 64,935 fanegas (175 lbs. in a fanega) about 200,000 bushels. 
Barley.. 21,645. 
Potatoes 194,805. 
and the muster of stock, and apple-trees, as follows :— 
Elornedseattle sr «sleet allem ete 5,411 head. 
Sheep 2. cs.--.cnd~--ider -- 10,080 
Shane 6) aigtono.occe ea norco 21,645 
Apple trees ..-.......--+-5 75,754 
The manufactures of the province are Carro, a coarse woollen 
cloth, two and a half, or three yards long, and three quarters 
of a yard wide, used for men’s garments, and of very durable 
quality. 
Ponchos—both these and the carro are manufactured by 
women, in a rude sort of loom, of wool dyed of various colours 
from plants that are found in the island, or imported for the 
* Places where seal congregate—so called always by the sealers. 
