Agriculture in Mexico. 



379 



Agriculture in Mexico. 



The Consul-General of the United States, who is stationed 

 at Monterey, has recently written a report containing infor- 

 mation which is of interest in connection with an article 

 which was published in an earlier part of this volume relat- 

 ing to the agricultural and economic conditions of Mexico. 



It would appear that, owing to the scarcity of water, a 

 large extent of land cannot be utilised in Mexico, where 

 until recently farming was carried on in a very primitive 

 way. During the last twenty years, however, modern imple- 

 ments have been introduced and great improvements have 

 been thereby accomplished. 



Cattle rearing is stated to be a very profitable business in 

 Mexico, as the cost of labour is low, varying from sixpence 

 to one shilling a day according to the locality ; the taxes 

 are also low ; and there are large tracts of inexpensive 

 land, which is suitable only for grazing. 



The improvement of the stock has recently been taken in 

 hand by interested persons and a successful result is antici- 

 pated. The great demand for meat which obtained in Cuba 

 during the recent war between Spain and America increased 

 the price of cattle to such an extent that the northern parts 

 of Mexico were apparently depopulated of their stock, which 

 cannot be fully replaced for many years. 



Dairy farming is said to be remunerative in the neighbour- 

 hood of the large towns, where milk sells at one shilling per 

 gallon, and butter at from is. 6d. to 2s. per pound. Wheat 

 is cultivated in the high table-lands of Central Mexico. The 

 crop appears to be a fairly profitable one, but the Consul 

 mentions that the grain is not equal in quantity and quality 

 to United States wheat. 



Horticulture is growing into importance, inasmuch as 

 fruit and vegetables can be produced in Mexico from four 

 to eight weeks earlier than in the United States and the 

 industry appears destined to assume large proportions. 



