April i, 1892.I 
THP TROPICAL AGRICULTURIST. 
767 
On inveetigation I found that “ Phylloxera ’’ had not 
yet appeared. 
There are other economic products grown around 
Lima such aa olives, Opuotia vnlgaria (the edible 
" prickly pear ”)> •» alao the Opuiitia coohinellifera, 
upon which the cochineal insect (Coccus cacti) livua, 
I waa also ebown epeoimena of “ Rhea,” nr China 
Orosa {Bohvteria nhea) which woa the fireat 
sample of this valuable fibre plant that 1 had ever seen. 
It measured flj feet long, and had aleo the appearance 
of having been cot too soon for commercial purpoaos. 
This plant only awaits the invention of machinery for ■ 
the separation of the fibre to make it one of the moat ex- 
tensively cultivated produota. 
IIILI, REGIOKI 
Oommenoinir our journey by rail and passing up to an 
elevation of 7.(100 feet above the sea, wo traversed a 
country almost in every respect similar to that just 
described. 
At Matuoana (7,788 feel) a cereal-producing district 
is entered npon, lliinlj-pcpnlated by Chola or Hill 
Indiana, who taka full advantage of every stream of 
water to irrigate their small patohes of wheat, barley 
and root crops, Amoogst the fruite produced in this 
districts are peaches, apples, pears, palta or Avocaila 
pear, figs, oranges and ohitimoya, which are mostly 
grown in the vicinity of the stations, where they find a 
ready market. 
The topography of this region is very irreglar and 
renders cultivation difiicnlt. 
The cereal and root-producing disriots would ap- 
pear to extend from an elevation of 7,788 feet to, in 
sheltered situations, 12,000 feet- 
On leaving Chiola we enter a rich mining dislriots 
with Yauli as a centre, immediately aaeeuding to the 
summit at 16,700 feet elevation, and theuoe desceed- 
ing by way of Pachachaoa and Oroya. The road 
leading to Tarma from Oroya immediately ascend 
until the summit of the most easterly range of the 
Andes is reached at an elevation of 10,700 feet, the 
distance fmm (.'hicla being about 62 miles by road. 
This tract of country possesses few if any attrac- 
tions to the agriculturist, chiefly owing to its ex- 
treme altitude and conseciuent low temperature. The 
soil, moreover, is poor and is productive of little 
vegetation other than pasturage. 
The graaing land around Oroya is, however, capable 
of rearing large flocks of sheep, and is only partly 
occupied hy a few Indiaos and the r flocks. 
This ore-producing zone ombraocs snob rieb silver 
mining centres ss Vauli and Cerro de Pasco, and 
need only bore be mentioned aa presenting a Urge 
field tor further development by capitalists interested 
in this industry. 
The flora of this district is chiefly represented by 
herbaoeouB pereunials, with short grasses, and U of 
little interest beyond that of a cold mciinfain flora. 
The supply of labour required for the existing 
mines in the neighbourhood of the railway is drawn 
from the more populated villages at lower alfitudes. 
^'he men are paid at the rate of TU to 80 cents of 
^ sol, with small perquisites. 
Cerro de Pasco and its neighbourhood is dealt with 
towards the end of my report. 
TRMVEHATi: ZONE. 
Kxtending from 18,000 feet to 8,000 feet ; or in the 
locality of Paloa. Oolonred yellow on the msp. 
Average temperature, taken in July and Augnst at 
larma, maximum 72 deg. minimum 62 deg. I’aht. (In 
shade). 
Ou reference to the map accompanying my report it ' 
Will be observed thst this zone includes important centres 
trade and agricnltural conditions in the intcrier. 
The climatic and general oliarscteristics of the 
osstern elopes, looking down upon the Amazonio 
egion, at an elevation of 13, (KX) feet, are similar to 
,?°®o foond npon the Western Cordillera, facing 
Jracilio, at ao elevation of 12,000 feet. 
4 . -the average tomperatnre of the zone msy bo taken at 
»ba town of Tarma (9,800 feet). 
i n * is very slight, probably not exoeediiig 15 
Oohea per annuni. 'Phis, however, oonld only be judged 
from the flora, as noaconrate data oould be obtained. An 
exception might be made with regard to the rainfall at 
an elevation of above 12,000 feet, where it would seema 
to be heavier than at a lower altitude in the neighbour- 
hood of Tarma. 
The atmosphere is brncing, aud the district generally 
is recommended by the medical profession as an excel- 
lent health resort in cases of pulmonary complaints 
The flora native to this region is represented by such 
plants are generally found in a dry climate, aided 
aa they are by a hiavy dew-fall. The existing 
vegetation is of a dwarf cbaraoler, and is chiefly 
represented by such orders as Gomposilm, Papt- 
lionaciD, Osetaceie, Liliacem and Amaryllidacem ; tne 
latter by its two species of Agave. Wherever water 
is applied to the land by way of irrigation, the 
type of flora changes, masses of beantiful Oaloeo- 
larias. Geraniums, Ageratum, and Salvias, with the 
striking forma of Tacsonias and anoh-like garden 
plante taking the place of the usual dry country orders. 
The conditions of agriculture iu this region are 
very favourable. 
The soil is rich and of easy eultivation, being of 
vclcanio origin. So far as is mssible, use is made of 
the small streams from the hillsides for irrigation, 
the root crops usually occupying the land so situated. 
The mode of cultivation is of the most primitive 
character, the old-fashioned wooden plough drawn by 
oxen serving all the purposes of our modern implements, 
P rmieg operations oommonoe during the short 
sea<:nn of slight rains or dews, in the months of 
October and September ; the grain ripening in May 
and Jnne. 
The cereals cultivated are wheat, barley and oats. 
The extent of land unde, cuhivation ooeld not be de- 
finitely ascertained ; but judging from the area visited, 
aud from information obtained, it was evident that 
every available acresvas under crop. Making an es- 
timate of what was seen, 1 should say that the cereals 
grown are in the proportion of two-thirds to the other 
crops. 
The land yields well, while the grain is heavy 
and of good quality. 
There is a considerable quantity of maize produced in 
this zone, more especially in the warmer elevations. 
Lsnd capable of being irrigated is preferred for the 
cultivation. Among tho food plants of the natives it 
holds a prom font place. 
The plant has a range of altitude of from 11,000 
feet to 1,200 feet, although it aonld seem to thrive 
heat at about 8,000 feet. The dry climate of Peru 
favours the extensive cultivation of this valuable 
product, which forms a considerable article of trade 
with the mining districts. 
Of the root crops, potatoes rank next in importance 
to cereals. Tho varieties are not numerous, but are 
excellent in quality. The far-famed potato, known to 
the natives aa " Ba/ia amanlla," or yellow potato, it 
of medinm size, round, with a very thin skin, having 
a yellow flesh, which, when boiled, retains its dis- 
tinctive colour. It commands the highest price and 
is much in demand. The other varietiea are also 
very superior in quality. 
The yield per acre is, in my opinion, above the 
average English crop ; but, as with ceresls, so with 
potatoes, no correct estimate could he obtained of 
the production of thU district. 
Arracacha escMlenta . — This hertaoeous psrennial 
resembles the psrsnip in foliage, and is grown 
in the cooler regions for the sake of its tuber-like 
root. It is a nutritious food plant; but, from the 
' rather objectionable flavour it possesses— which, how- 
ever, after several boilings can be removed— has only 
a limited demand. . , ^ 
“Alfalfn'’ (Medicaqo saHva) affords lbs principal 
pastiirsge. This highly nutritious perecn at is largely 
'"^n'thriv'es best in the dry dislriots of Peru, the 
cultivation of the plant extending from an elevation 
of 11, .100 to .3, OIK) feet, at which low altitude it 
appears to rot from excessive heat and moisture. The 
laiid is prepared as for oeroals ; the seed is then sown 
broadcast and irrigation follows. The plant, which 
