22 SIX MONTHS IN MEXICO. 



houses, and their fences ; ropes, thread, cloth, 

 and paper, are also made from it ; some part 

 of the plant is also used medicinally, and the 

 root, prepared with sugar, is converted into 

 dulces or sweetmeats. 



Sugar is made by the Indians in most parts 

 of Mexico, though formerly imported from 

 Spain. It is sold in small cakes, at a very 

 reasonable rate. Aguardiente, a spirit re- 

 sembling whiskey, is obtained from the canes 

 in large quantities. Coffee is grown, though 

 not very generally ; I saw some of an excel- 

 lent sort, within three leagues of Xalapa : 

 and during my stay, an English gentleman 

 was in treaty for an extensive hacienda, with 

 the intention of cultivating this plant on a 

 large scale. 



Cotton of a very fine quality is abundantly 

 produced in most of the warm parts, but it is 

 manufactured to great disadvantage by the 

 natives. A variety, of a fine cinnamon 



