VEGETABLE PKODUCTIONS. 
187 
On the northern division, there are several mills and dis- 
tilleries between Mina-titlan and Acayucam ; but, like those of 
Guichicovi, their products are of an indifferent quality, notwith- 
standing the exceeding richness of the cane, and the abundant 
sources of water-power. 
The cane may be cultivated generally up to the altitude of 
five thousand feet, and in some favorable exposures, even to six 
thousand five hundred feet Yera Cruz is a large export market 
for this article of produce. 
Although the distribution of the plants of the Isthmus, as has 
been said, may be considered general, the theohroma cacao 
forms somewhat of an exception, and is not found south of the 
dividing ridge between the two oceans. 
In the central sections at San Miguel Chimalapa, and at El 
Barrio, and Boca del Monte, some attention is paid to its culti- 
vation ; but the bulk of that grown on the Isthmus is north of 
the Jaltepec River, and on the lands east of the Coatzacoalcos, 
near the confines of Tobasco. Of this valuable spontaneous prod- 
uct, there are two varieties, one of which grows wild, and is little 
esteemed. The other, called " petaste," produced in considerable 
quantities near ITuimangillo, has a delightful aromatic flavor, 
and is greatly preferred. This latter is grown from the seed, 
which is always sown under the shade of the madre, that the 
poisonous influence of the tree may prevent the destruction of 
the young plant by birds and insects. At the expiration of the 
fourth year from the original planting, the madre is cut down, 
and the cacao-tree left to take care of itself. In the fifth year 
it attains its full growth, and yields abundantly. The quality is 
said to be superior to that of Guayaquil or Maracaibo, and the 
prolific return which characterizes its cultivation is sure evi- 
dence of its importance and value. The lands east of the 
Coatzacoalcos seem particularly adajjted to its growth. 
The plantations of tobacco (the nicotiana tahacum of Linnaeus) 
are both numerous and considerable, especially in the northern 
and central divisions of the Isthmus. That raised in the Chi- 
malapas and on the uplands generally, is known by the name of 
" tabaco del monte." This variety is powerfully narcotic, 
coarse, and grows to a large size, the leaves averaging thirty- 
