168 
THE TROPICAL AGRICULTURIST 
[April i, i8q2. 
is about feet bigb, can be out ia »iz months after 
■owing, and yields as many as three exoelleut crops 
per annnm. 
So prolifio is the growth that, without resowing, 
the plant can be depended on to prodnoe good crops 
for 16 years. It could bo well preserved by ensilage ; 
but thw bene&oial method of storing has not yet been 
adopted by the people. 
This district presents very favourable coeditious 
to the rearing of cattle; and it is somewhat surpris- 
ing to find that the town of Lima receives most of 
its sappliea by steamer from Paoasmayo and else- 
where, while this district oonld amply meet all its 
demands. The cattle are in very good condition 
and are fed on Alfalfa and the straw of the oereals. 
Communicatien ia carried on by means of horses, 
mules and llamas, as pack animals. 
Tarma, the seat of Government of the Jnnin I’rovinoe 
is a town of considerable importance, geographically, 
being in direct communication with Jauja, Oroya, Cerro oe 
Pasco, and the Cbanoliamayo Valley, illie popula- 
tion, largely composed of traders, numbers from 5,000 
to 6,000. 
It is the centre of the religions ceremonies of 
the Itomiah Church, and possesses ordinary schools. 
Tarma may be considered as a great receiving, or 
trading, station. To it the Ohanohamayo and Yitoo 
Valleys send all their production of coffee, rum and 
coca, which are again transmitted by rail to L‘ma and 
the coast. The towns of Junin and Jauja obtain their 
supplies from Tarma, from whence are also obtained 
all the requirements of these distriots. There is an 
open market held every day in tho Plaza, where the pro- 
dnoe of tho surrounding hdls is exposed lor sale. With 
the ciooption of agrionltnre, no special industry exists. 
Witli tho development of the surrounding districts, 
and of the Ohanohamayo and Porenc Valleys, Tarma 
should become a town of vast importance. It has fair 
facilities for transport at present ; bnt, with the exten- 
sion of the railway to tho town, a groot impulse would 
be given to the general trade of the whole proviooe. 
For present requirements there appears to be suf- 
ficient labonr. The native Indian, content with his 
lot, makes no effort to seek now fields of work. 
Possessing a soil so fertile, growing almost vVery 
neoesaity of life, he is perhaps to be excused for 
regarding any extra exertion as supetllauus. 
On enquiry of the representative of Government, 
however, 1 was informed that a supply could be 
obtained from the district of Jauja ; aud, on consul- 
tation with several merchants I fonnd this staieuont 
to be substantiated. 
The general reanlts derived from the mode of cnl- 
tivation by the natives are so satisfactory that it 
appears to me difficult to suggest improvement. 
The natives are in full possossien of tho land 
all around this district ; but I see no rea'oii why 
Europeans oonld not, with very groat advantage t« 
themselves, enter into terms and arrange for the 
purchase of block s of land. 
A large and profitable industry oonld bo introduced 
in the onltivation of the “Sisal Hemp” plant, which, 
in the neighbourhood of Ambo, is already found grow, 
ing wild in this zone, and ia known in that loealitv 
by the name of "Pita” (see note p. 24). As a fibre 
producing plant it has received very great attention 
in countries favonrable to its growth, and from a 
commercial aapcct ia highly remunerative. 
Another indnstry which might be tikcu np with 
advantage ia that of olive growing. 
With the oontinnod diminution of the supplies o' 
olive oil from Italy has arisen a Irrge domsnd for, 
the oil in other countries; and from the very favonrable 
conditions prevailing in this region, I am of opinion 
that its introduction would prove of great value to 
**'Tho^cU^to and soil would also favour the eft blisl - 
ment of vineyards, should a sufficient demand arise. 
BlSMl.TBOPlCai. ZONE. 
Extending from Palca 8,000 feet, to Naranjal, 8,650 
ieet< coloured on mop pink. Average temperature in 
shade, maximum 75°, minimum 65° Faht. 
The district extending from Tarma to Palca, tho 
limit of the temperate zone, is of great fertility, and 
is highly culiivated, giving results as gratifying as 
those already described. 
The present road to the tropical region follows very 
closely the river (Ihaucbamayo, passing the village 
of Acobamba, at which place there is a good highway 
leading to Junin and Corrode Pasco. 
There are indications here that the whole district ia 
but tho entrance to a large valley ; and, aa further 
progrtst is made, ample confirmation of this is ob- 
tained. 
The river at Palca runs ncrlh-eastwards through 
high and |>reoipitons hills which admit of bnt scant 
cnItivatiOD. 
Entering tho semi-tropical zone at Palca, we tra- 
verse a country so oloaely allied to the tropical zone 
lying beyond, that a detailed description of the flora, 
climate, and agricultural conditions generally, need 
but a passing reference, 
Oradnal signs of a change of temperatore now begin to 
mauifest themselves. The country assumes a mete 
clothed appearance, and nature generally is indicative 
of a semi-tropical aspect. The atmosphere contains 
more moisture, and as we proceed further down the 
valloy the climate and temperature gradually merge 
into those of the tropics. 
The ebaraotcristio flora in this zone ia what might 
bo expected to ho met with when approaching that 
of a truly tropical type. The following orders may 
be taken aa representative. 
The hill.oountrv genera of Melaatomacrse, the strag- 
gling forms of Rubus, the showy Bromeliads or 
iBcbinea and Billhorgin, growing upon the branebea 
ot email treis, with an undergrowth of Oommelinace- 
ouB and other oreeping plants. The forest presents 
as striking a transitiooary form as that ot tho olima'e, 
from the small sornb to the giant monarohs of an 
Amazonio forest. 
Agriculture in this district lotos much of its atlrsc- 
tion when so closely allied to the tropical region be- 
yond, which presents to thn oultivator so much more 
favourable a scope for his efforts. 
Moreover, the lay of the land passed throngb, being 
so precipitouB, cultivation is mnob restricted. 
The read which runa through the enlire valley is 
being rapidly extended eastward, and will serve, when 
completed, as the cutlet to the Gbanchamayo and 
Perond Valleys. Too muob importaueo cannot be 
attached to this undertaking, as by moans of thisroute 
all the produce of the v U ys will be transmitted to 
Tnrma, Lima and the cuast. 
The gradient of the road is such as to admit of easy 
transit, being 6 in 100. 
Any land suitable for oultivalion is so limited in 
extent aa not to merit further notice. 
TROPICAL ZONK. 
Coloured green on the map, extending from the 
Chanohamayo Valley, 3,G60 feet, to the Oaaoades on the 
River Perene, 1,060 feet elevation. Temperature taken 
in the shade during July aud Angust, maximum 82°, 
mioimum 70° Faht. Average ealimated rainfall 86 
inches. 
The scenery in this valley, caperislly in the lower 
react es of the semi-tropical zone, is truly magnificent. 
Tho hills are rugged and stand out in bold relief while 
the river bounds headlong down until a gorge of about 
200 feet deep, and 60 feet in breaiithia reached. Here 
the eye scans a long expanse of beautifnl undulating 
laud, part of which ia richly onllivaled, presenting a 
scene of activity that would gladden the heart of the 
most lager of agrionlturista. This is known as tie 
Chanch mayo Valley. 
Humour had led mo tn form very favourable opinions 
on the fertility of this valley, and I had anxiously 
awaited I he opportunities of verifying for myself, 
first ban I, the inforramficn I bad received. 
Favourable as this information had been I am pleased 
to be able to repoittbatl found the actual facts to 
warrant oven mure glowing descriptions ot ao spUudid 
a proapect. 
There; as far as the eye can reach, lie thonaanda 
of Borea of the most beautiful land, suitable for ail 
tropical prodnots. 
