AGRICULTURE IN MEXICO.

Mexican farming is widely different from that in the United States. Irrigation is necessary in the greater portion of this country, and, on account of the scarcity of water, a large extent of land can not be utilized. When the owner of land has sufficient water for the purpose indicated, he holds on to his property and rarely can be induced to sell, as it is of permanent value to him. For the last three hundred years, large tracts of land have been owned by individuals or families who have spent heavy sums of money for canals and dams in order to make them productive. On account of this and the attending expenses of irrigation, there are fewer small farmers in Mexico than there are in the United States. Until recently, farming in Mexico has been on the primitive order, but the Mexican is an expert in irrigation, and if he can get the water his land becomes fertile and yields generously. During the last two decades, decided improvements have been accomplished through the introduction of modern implements into farming in Mexico. The increase in production corresponds to the improvements in farming apparatus. The great railroads of the country have been important factors in this advance, enabling farmers with a surplus of production to ship to those less fortunate.

The cost of labor is from 25 to 50 cents (12 to 24 cents in United States currency)* per day, depending on the locality. There are two crops of corn a season, upon which the farmer averages $50 ($24.05) per acre gross. Sugar cane, turned into piloncillo, or brown sugar, averages from $150 to $200 ($72. 15 to $96. 20) per acre gross; beans, from $60 to $80 ($28.86 to $38.48) per acre; rice, from $75 to $100 ($36.08 to $48. 10) per acre; all other products realizing correspondingly high prices. Thus it will be seen that the profits of the farmer must be large. Hay is not made in any great quantity, but corn fodder is sold to advantage. Baled oat and wheat straw sell at from $50 to $60 ($24.05 to $28.86) per ton. Adjacent to cities, a lucrative trade is carried on in green barley and corn, which are cut before maturity and delivered in the cities to owners of horses and cows.

Cattle raising is, and has always been, a profitable business in Mexico, consequent upon cheap labor, low taxes, and the large tracts of cheap land which are suitable for grazing only. Until recently, no attempt has been made to improve the stock; but certain large cattle men have now undertaken to do this, and steady improvement

*Taking the valuation of the Mexican dollar, as estimated by the United States Director of the Mint, July 1, 1899, at 48.1 cents.

is certain henceforth. The demand created during the late war with Spain and the high prices which obtained in the United States increased the price of cattle to such an extent that the northern portion of the country has become depopulated of its stock, which, it is said, will take several years to replenish. This means a continuance of high prices in cattle in that quarter.

Dairy farming in the neighborhood of large cities is lucrative, milk selling at 50 cents (24 cents) per gallon, and butter at 75 cents to $1 (36 cents to 48.1 cents) per pound. Those engaged in this business make money rapidly.

Fruit and vegetable farming is beginning to attract attention, Formerly, this amounted to simply enough for the home market. Now, an effort will be made to supply the United States with early fruits and vegetables. The movement is in its incipiency, but it is destined to grow into large proportions. Oranges, lemons, tomatoes, beans, etc., are produced in Mexico from four to eight weeks earlier than in the United States. Hence, this will be a profitable business

in the near future.

Wheat is cultivated in the high table-lands of central Mexico and is fairly profitable. It is not the equal of that grown in the United States either in quantity per acre or quality. Para and Bermuda grass give pasturage in many sections of the country. They are said to be equal to any in the world.

Parts of the country are adapted to the growth of tropical products, viz, coffee, vanilla, rubber, cocoanut, cocoa, etc., the quality of all being first class. It is said the best vanilla in the world comes from the State of Veracruz and the best cocoa from the State of Chiapas. The coffee of Michoacan is said to be equal to any; the tobacco of Veracruz is preferred by many to that of Habana, and the sugar production of southern Tamaulipas or northern Veracruz is said to be surpassed by that of no country save Hawaii in quantity, and it is more profitable to the producers, for the reason that seven to ten crops are the result of one planting, whereas the Hawaiian planters get only two.

Taken as a whole, farming in Mexico is an inviting field for persons of capital and intelligence. JOHN K. POLLARD, Consul-General.

MONTEREY, June 20, 1899.

BRICK FACTORY IN MEXICO.

The brick manufactory of Monterey, Mexico, was established in 1891 with a capital of $250,000 Mexican,* and has a concession from the Government exempting it from taxes for the period of twenty years. During the last three years, the company has shipped 6,500,ooo brick, principally for the construction of sewers at San Antonio, Tex., and at present it is shipping 1,000,000 monthly to Mexico City for similar purposes. The annual output is about 24,000,000. There are 40,000 dry-pressed brick and 40,000 wet brick made daily, the wet being placed in drying sheds in piles for five or ten days and then in the oven, or kiln.

There are one hundred and fifty men employed and five or six boys, all told, the wages paid ranging from 62 cents to $2 Mexican (29.8 to 96.2 cents) † per day. Machinists receive $150 ($72.15) per month, and the foreman $130 Mexican ($62.53). The superintendent receives $150 ($72.15), as does also the burner (man who attends the kiln).

The wet brick are used in paving the streets, setting boilers, etc., and the dry for building purposes. There are nine kilns, six having

a capacity of 280,000 and three a capacity of 400,000 brick. From twenty-five to thirty days are consumed in burning a kiln after the brick have been placed therein.

Dry-press and mud brick, standard and fancy shapes, and tiling for paving and roofing are among the products of this enterprise. The plant is situated on the main line of the Monterey Mineral and Terminal Railroad, facilitating the loading of brick into cars.

The machinery comprises one Ross Keller, six mold dry-press machines with a capacity of 40,000 brick daily, and two Pendleton mud-brick machines with a capacity of 40,000 brick daily.

Owing to the large increase in the demand for their product, the company has installed an electric-light plant, and the works run. day and night, which will increase the output considerably.

The clay from which the brick are made is of a very fine quality, and is of a deep crimson color after being burnt. There is enough clay in sight to supply the plant for a period of twenty-five or thirty years or longer. It is conveyed to the machines by means of a mule tramway and cable, thirty mules being used for this purpose.

There is quite an extensive commissary at the plant, where the

*In 1891, the Mexican dollar was valued at about 75 cents in United States currency.

+ Taking the valuation of the Mexican dollar, as estimated by the United States Director of the Mint, July 1, 1899, at 48.1 cents.

workmen can buy all their supplies at current market rates; there are also houses for them to live in. The officers of the company are J. A. Robertson, president; J. H. Robertson, vice-president and general manager; T. A. Robertson, secretary and treasurer; and L. J. Heder, assistant manager and superintendent-all Americans.

MONTEREY, June 20, 1899.

JOHN K. POLLARD.

Consul-General.

NEW RAILROAD LAW OF MEXICO.

The Department has received from Ambassador Clayton, under cover of a dispatch dated Mexico City, June 14, 1899, copy and translation of the new railroad law of Mexico, promulgated April 29, 1899. A copy has also been received from Consul-General Barlow, of Mexico City, under date of June 14. Mr. Clayton says:

Heretofore, each concession has been the subject of a special law. The general law will hereafter apply to all new concessions, and to all concessions previously granted the terms of which do not conflict with this law.

The new law renders it more difficult to obtain subsidized concessions, and accentuates the control exercised by the Government over companies.

Railroads are divided into those of general and those of local interest. Only the former can be subsidized. Among those of general interest, the law designates those of prime importance yet to be constructed. Such are the lines to connect the central network of railroads with the Pacific Ocean and the Isthmus of Tehuantepec, Yucatan, and Guatemala. Lines of prime importance may be subsidized. Other projected lines may be declared to be of prime importance upon the advice of the cabinet.

Formerly, the supervision exercised by the Government was technical-to secure regularity of operation and safety of passengers. In the future, the inspectors appointed by the Government may also call for an account of the financial operations of companies, issues of shares, their obligations, sinking funds, etc. They will have power to examine the books and all papers relating to the company. This supervision will also be exercised over the formation of new companies. Hereafter, a company must first submit to the Government an estimate of the work to be performed on the proposed road, and the amount of capital stock to be issued will be determined from the projected work. It is intended thus to prevent the formation of companies with a capital stock disproportionate to the proposed enterprises.

This law forbids, under penalty of forfeiture, the selling or hypothecating of concessions to any foreign state. Any shares, bonds, or obligations purchased by a foreign state shall be forfeited to the Mexican Government. The property of railroads in Mexico shall be subject to the civil code of the Federal District, except as provided by special law.

The law of December 25, 1877, and that of December 16, 1881, excepting the article relating to the acquirement of telegraph and telephone lines by the Government, are repealed.

The full text of the new railroad law is filed for reference in the Bureau of Foreign Commerce.

BIDS FOR RAILS IN BRAZIL.

Minister Bryan sends from Petropolis, June 16, 1899, a newspaper extract announcing the opening of bids for furnishing rails and accessories to the Central Railway of Brazil. The extract, translated, reads:

On the 12th day of August, 1899, at 12 o'clock, proposals will be received for furnishing the following:

40,000 meters (43,600 yards) of steel rails, Type C.

8,000 plates for joining rails (4,000 square bores and 4,000 round bores).

5,000 screws for binding.

00,000 chairs.

3 crossings complete of %.

55 crossings of .

24 crossings of 1.

55 pairs of switches with working apparatus.

20,000 joining plates for Rail B (10,000 square bores and 10,000 round bores). Bids must state the eligibility of the manufacturer, term of delivery, and the prices. Only bids from well-known firms of undoubted standing will be considered. The designs, specifications, and terms of the contract are kept in the central office, to be examined by competitors. Persons wishing to compete must present themselves at this office at the hour above indicated, bringing sealed bids, dated and signed, with their place of residence indicated, and in the deed of delivery must be shown the receipt of the deposit of 2,000 milreis ($1,080) in the treasury of the railway, as a guaranty of good faith.

The bidder whose offer is accepted must sign the contract within eight days, counting from the date of communication of the same. In event, however, of refusal or failure, the deposit above referred to will revert to the railway.

The bids will be opened and read in the presence of the parties interested.