Page:Appleton's Guide to Mexico.djvu/124

96 products of Mexico are coffee, sugar, tobacco, cocoa, and cotton. All except the last-named are exported.

Coffee (café) was introduced into the West Indies about the year 1714, and was thence advanced to New Spain at the beginning of the joresent century. It grows best in the temjaerate zone, and in the shade of the forest. It is now cultivated in eight States—viz.. Vera Cruz, Oaxaca, Chiapas, Tabasco, Guerrero, Colima, Michoacan, and Morelos. The State of Vera Cruz yields the largest quantity.

Colima ranks next, and produces the finest variety of the article. It rivals the choicest Mocha brand. There is a great demand in foreign countries for Mexican coffee; and doubtless the annual production will soon be doubled if not quadrupled.

Sugar-cane (caña de azucar) is grown extensively in all but seven States of the Republic. The greatest amount of sugar comes from Morelos, and the State of Vera Cruz ranks second. Irrigation is necessary for its successful cultivation in some States. Sugar-cane grows both in the