HACIENDA SAN ANTONIO. 91 



A deep archway on the left-hand side of the road in- 

 troduces you to the courtyard. In common with all the 

 haciendas we had seen on the table land, the mass of 

 buildings here are imposing from their great size and so- 

 lidity of structure. Besides the dwelling house of the 

 proprietors, built like the town houses in a quadrangle 

 round an interior open court, they comprise a church, 

 dwellings for the dependants, stables, and other offices on 

 a large scale, and a granary, which, for massive architec- 

 ture and dimensions, might serve for a state prison. This 

 granary is calculated to hold twelve thousand cargas of 

 maize, each carga weighing one hundred and eighty Eng- 

 lish pounds. 



The principal products of the estate are maize and pul- 

 que. Of the former the annual produce alone is estima- 

 ted at eight thousand cargas. The whole domain is under 

 excellent cultivation and management, and both from the 

 excellent system of irrigation and drainage pursued, and 

 its vicinity to the capital, is accounted one of the most 

 lucrative in the whole valley. 



The mode of culture of the maguey,* from which, as 

 I have before mentioned, the pulque is derived, may de- 

 mand a little further elucidation. 



In appearance the great agave is a stately aloe of a 

 dark green hue with leaves of great size and thickness. 

 I have not unfrequently seen it rise higher than my head 

 when seated on horseback. 



Its culture is a very productive one. The prime cost 

 and the whole expense of labour demanded by the plant 

 from first to last, may be estimated at three dollars and a 

 half, and the ultimate produce at ten. In the sale of 

 land, the well grown maguey plants are computed at the 

 average value of five dollars. They are set in regular 

 rows, about three yards apart, and come to perfection in 

 from eight to ten years ; when, if left to themselves, 

 they would flower. 



This is the interesting moment for the cultivator. He 

 watches the plant, till by well-known signs he sees that 



* Agave Americana. 



