SIX MONTHS IN MEXICO. 



19 



very mild) ; cauliflowers and cabbages are 

 also fine. 



The tropical fruits are not, I think, to be 

 surpassed in any other part of the world. I 

 have already mentioned, in my account of the 

 markets, their very luxuriant appearance : few 

 objects can give more pleasure to the newly 

 arrived European. But those fruits that 

 were originally imported from Europe are by 

 no means equal to our own. This, however, 

 I am convinced, is principally owing to want 

 of attention, and knowledge in the art of cul- 

 tivating them. The whole management, as I 

 have previously hinted, is confided to Indians 

 entirely ignorant of the European arts of hor- 

 ticulture; and the engrafting of fruit trees 

 has not yet, I believe, been introduced. 



The banana (the niusa) is extensively cul- 

 tivated, and of great importance, furnishing 

 the inhabitants in the warmer parts with a 

 wholesome aliment. It is sold in the market 



c 2 



