552 THP TRDmiSAt AGRICULTURIST. (February t, 1895. 
YucA.— Multiplies in a prodigions manner, it is greatly 
appreoiated, and is indispenable. It is gathered at 
the tenth montli, and each plant generally gives an 
" orroba," worth 4 reals (say la 2d). 
Maize. — Grows with credible rapidity, and three 
crops a year can be obtiiined. This plant constitutes 
the general fodder for all domestic aBitnale. It yields 
abundantly, and two qaintals are worth 5 to 6 soles. 
FeejoIiES (Beans), — Like maize grow rapidly, and 
the crop matures in 40 days. It is worth 4 soles 
per quint&l. 
Bice. — Is easily grown without irrigation ; two crops 
a year are obtained, and it is the article in greatest 
demand. Its value is one sol per " arroba." 
OoCA produces very well. It is the article moat 
appreciated in the whole of the mountain districts, and 
is worth 8 solos per " arroba." 
To these must be added all classes of vegetables 
which grow well, such as various sorts of potatoes, 
cabbages, tomatoes, lettuce, mani (pea nut), came to 
(sweet potato), and the following fruit — melons, water 
melons, oranges, lemons, pines, plantain tree, "paltas" 
(Avocat pear tree), chirimoya (custard apple), pspaya, 
guava trees, figs and grapes. 
All these we saw as far as San Luis, up to which point 
the laada already under cultivation reach. None of 
these products require artificial irrigation, nature 
having done all that was wanted. 
From San Luis de Shuaro to the River Eiienas and 
its confidence with t!se Peren^, the greater part of 
the land is wooded, and is inhabited by Indians, 
Amuyses, and Oampas tribes, although in small number. 
At times two or three leagues, may be covered without 
anyone being met. These Indiana are docile and 
intelligent, and the Oampas tribe is believed to be 
numerous. We believe ihat they cannot be prejudicial 
but, on the contrary, must be useful to a colony 
such as we contemplate. 
These lands in our opinion offer to a colony a flatter- 
ing future, by reapon of the fertility of the soil, the 
many fine water-courses which intersect them in all 
dire jt-ions, and, above all, on account of the climate. 
The temperature at Metruro is 22 degrees centigrade 
(7 2 Fahrenheit) and the elevatioa above the level to 
the sea is 4,00U feet. 
The following is the description of these lands : 
Leaving Sau Luis on the right, and on the banks of 
the river Paifl»B at about two or three leagues from 
that point, a fine pampa is met with of about two 
leagues in length, with small undalations declining to 
the south, and many water-couree§ having a sufficient 
quantity of water to work a factory. On this pampa 
are all classes of trees of the most exquisite woo 3, 
such as cedar, walnut, mahogany, gum tree, jacaranda, 
chonta, pucheri, cascarilla (Peruvian bark), oak of 
different classes, and above all the oaoutchouo (India 
lubber), which if cultivated would bring mmediateSprofit. 
Here Bre found wild tbe indigo tree, vanilla, cotton, 
and vegetable ivory in great abundance; and it is 
believed that in these regions all classes of plants 
may be grown. 
From this point and leaving Metraro for the river 
Efienas large '' pajonalea" (grass plains) are met with, 
giving good and abuudaut pasturage for the rearing 
of sheep, cattle, and goats ; and it may be believed 
that on thtse heights corn and other cereals can be 
produced, if not on a large scale, at least in suffi- 
cient quantity for the requirements of the Colony ; 
and we may hope the s»me with regard to the vine. 
Vegetation is so varied and abundant that only a 
visit to thebe places can give any idea of what they 
contain. Here are met with mines of salt, which some 
day may have great importance, and mines of very 
good iron and copper, not being worked at present. 
Another expedition has been dispatched, consisting 
of MtBcjib. KoBs and Sinclair, two well-known Ceylon 
plaiitorH. The primary object of this expeditioa is to 
ascertiiin if the cultivation of coffee, tea, and other 
tropical products could be undertaken on a commercial 
bafiiB ; but tliey will report generally on all the land 
they visit. Their rop irt has not yet been reoeivedi but 
n tlio meaulime it moy bo interohting to quot e shortlj 
irom a letter written by one of them, hifi general view 
of tho country, lie writes : " One has to modify 
their preconceived notions of the tropics after a sojourn 
in this peculiar country I have hitherto, for inetsnc^ 
thought that European emigraots — as labourers — were 
wholly unsuited for the tropics. This does not apply 
to Peru. Whatever difficulties may exist as regards 
transport or intercommunication, there can be no 
reasonable doubt that this vast region offers a field for 
coloijization such as can be found in few other 
parts of the world, it is not merely the marvellous 
productiveness of the foil that calls for admiration, 
but the variety and healthfulnesa of the climate 
that seems so much to surpass that of any other 
country I have ever come across. In the pury 
tropical temperature, such aa we experienced amida 
tbe moist luxuriance of the Peren6 Valley,' it may 
be, and is possible, by uuwoated exposure to oontrnct 
fever, but taken as a whole, I do not believe tthere 
is a healthier climate under the sun than Peru, and 
it is impossible to think of any race of huiaan 
beings who might not find a congenial home here, 
and whose chance of longevity might not be 
iacresaed by a residence in one or other of the various 
localities." 
Mr. P. v. G. Clarke, of the Government Gardens, 
Ceylon, accompanied this expedition to the banks 
of the Peren^, and the information be brings confirms 
that received from Messrs. Boss and Sioclair, to the 
effect that the lands in that district are suitable for 
every kind of cultivation and that most of the valuable 
products, such as coffee, cocos, vanilla and India rubber 
are found in a wild state. 
The reaulta of these investigations show, so far, that 
there is an immense field for planting and , settlement, 
but that the want of railway communication is very 
seriously felt. The board has decided to take no 
definite action for the settlement of any part of this 
district until the Central Bailway is opened to Orya 
and until the hereafter-mentioned survey through the 
district has been made. Meanwhile application has 
already been made to the Government for a grant of 
land in this district, and they have allocated 600,000 
hectare s out of which the Corporation is entitled to 
select 500,000 hectares (1,250,000 acres). 
Under an agreement dated 28tli January, 1890 
with the Government of Peru, the Corporation 
has the right to build a Bailway to one of the 
navigable rivers in the Amazonian Provinces, and is 
entiled to receive an allotment of 6,000 hectares 
(15,r00 acres) of unappropriated land for each kilo- 
melra of railway constructed. The Corporation in turn 
is obliged to send an expedition to locate the most 
saiable route for this Railway, but the building of 
the line is entirely optional. Instructions have been 
sent to Lima for the necessary expedition to be dis- 
patched in the early part of next year, and, it being 
a matter of almost national importance to Peru to 
open up the whole of the Central district, the Cor- 
poration hopes that special inducements will be offered 
to them by the Peruvian Government to build this 
Railway. 
It is to be hoped that the Corporation will not help 
in what threatens to be " the overproduotion of tea" 
and I must try and put in a word to that end. In 
coflee and the other products mentioned, there is 
plenty of scope and great encouragement to 
cultivation. The report of the Spaniards evidenti 
carried little weight in " the City" or in England 
whereas that of "the Ceylon planters" is eageily 
and trustfully anticipated. It is a great complimenti 
of course to Ceylon which is now more than e^eB 
recognized as the best nursery for tropical plantttBi 
I trust Messrs, Sinclair and Boss may arrive, aa 
expected, about the 13th January in good health 
and spirits. 
Sugar Cultivation in the Sandwich Islands, 
encouraged by exceptional United States laws, has 
assumed suoh importance that seven pages of tho 
llouolulu " Planters' Monthly" are occupied with a 
directory o£ persons employed ou the plantations, 
