ESTATES IN THE VALLEYS OF CUERNAVACA AND CUAUTLA. 63 



pensile and massive foliage amid the densest groves of oranges, 

 aloes, and forest trees. The valley of Cuernavaca is one of those 

 picturesque regions which are so well calculated to bring back a 

 fanciful beholder to the scenes he has conjured up in youth whilst 

 perusing the story of Paul and Virginia, or the glowing descriptions 

 of the Arabian Nights. 



It is in this charming region that some of the opulent citizens of 

 the republic, have succeeded the wealthy Spaniards in the princely 

 domains and haciendas of the tierra caliente. In the neighborhood 

 of Cuernavaca we find the estates of Temisco, San Gabriel, Trenta 

 Pesos, El Puente, Meacatlan, San Gaspar, San Vicento Chiconcuac, 

 and Atlajomulco. The valley of Cuautla unites with that of Cu- 

 ernavaca, on the east, and contains, among others, the prominent 

 estates of San Nicolas, Atlihuyan, San Carlos, Acotesalco, Pantit- 

 lan, Cocoyoe, Calderon, Casasana, Santa Inez, Coahuistla, Ma- 

 pastlan, and Tenestepango. 



In the state of Oajaca there are the fine haciendas of Guendolein, 

 Arragon, Chicomastlahuaca and Ayotla, besides smaller plantations; 

 and, in the state of Vera Cruz there are many valuable estates in 

 the neighborhood of Orizaba and Cordova. The last mentioned 

 establishments produce annually from 40,000 to 50,000 arrobas of 

 sugar ; whilst those in the valleys of Cuernavaca and Cuautla de 

 Amilpas, (calculated in all, at forty-eight, in number,) yield about 

 800,000 arrobas of sugar and syrup — besides 50,000 barrels of 

 rum. These products, together with some indigo and coffee, raised 

 in these two last named valleys, swell the value of agriculture in 

 these branches to two millions and a half annually. On the estate 

 of Guendolein, in Oajaca, 40,000 arrobas of sugar were yielded 

 every year, which sold in the federal capital at about $160,000. At 

 Atlajomulco, in Cuernavaca, 880,000 square yards of land were 

 cultivated in cane, which produced 4,600 cwt. of refined sugar, 

 7,800 cwt. of molasses, and 300 cwt. of syrup. From the syrup 

 is distilled the common chinguerito, or a superior species of bev- 

 erage known as aguardiente de cana. At the estate of Santa Inez, 

 near Cuautla, 4,000 barrels of this spirit are annually distilled and 

 sold in Mexico at $32 each, which, with a deduction of eight dol- 

 lars for transportion and duties, will leave a return for the planter 

 of 24 dollars per barrel. In addition to this production of ardent 

 spirits, the estate produces annually about 40,000 loaves, of twenty- 

 three pounds each, or 920,000 pounds of refined sugar ; and here, 

 as elsewhere throughout the planting districts, it is calculated that 

 the molasses, syrup, and in some places, the aguardiente, pay all 



