SIX MONTHS IN MEXICO. 



17 



with one hand, whilst with the other he urges 

 the animals forward, with a stick armed with 

 a point ; this is the general practice when 

 ploughing for maize ; but when employed for 

 wheat, a smaller plough-share is intro- 

 duced. 



The coa or spade is a simple triangular 

 instrument of wood, armed with iron, and is 

 used with great dexterity by the Indians. 



The wheat is the finest I have ever seen. 

 The fields of it are very extensive, and the 

 grain is trodden out by mules, as it was for- 

 merly in Europe, and as it still is in Egypt, 

 by oxen. 



Barley is not much in request, but it is 

 sometimes given to horses, principally in a 

 green state, instead of maize. I have no 

 doubt but that excellent malt might be made 

 from it. 



The Indian corn, or maize, is very ge- 

 nerally cultivated ; from it is produced the 



VOL. II. c 



