Page:Mexico in 1827 Vol 1.djvu/73

Rh. These are but spots of cultivation on so large a surface as that presented by the territory of New Spain; but it is supposed that the ground cleared, in the vicinity of each, is capable of producing a supply of wheat, sufficient for a population, five times as numerous as that of Mexico, at the present day.

This is partly owing to the fertility of the soil, which gives an extraordinary ratio of increase, and partly to the large consumption of maize and Bananas, in lieu of wheaten flour, in the Tierra caliente, and upon the whole line of coast. The difficulty of communication with the table land renders wheat an article of luxury to the inhabitants of these regions; for, strange as the assertion may appear, in the present state of the roads it would be easier, and cheaper, for towns upon the Eastern and Western coasts to draw their supplies from the United States, or California, by sea, than from the nearest corn lands on the Table land. American flour, for instance, sells for fourteen dollars per barrel, at the Havanna, after paying a duty of six dollars. Each Carga, (or 300lbs. weight) of flour, from Atlisco, if sent as a mule load to Veracruz, would cost this, or more, as freight, at the present day, without allowing any thing for prime cost. Veracruz could, therefore, be supplied from Kentucky, or Ohio, at almost one half the price which flour now costs there; nor do I think that the amelioration in the internal communications of New Spain can easily be carried to such