Page:Mexico in 1827 Vol 2.djvu/489

Rh in the centre of a fine valley, about twelve leagues in circumference, the whole of which belongs to the Marques del Jărāl, the most opulent landed proprietor of Mexico, and one of the most extensive landholders in the world. Besides the estate of the Jărāl, he possesses several large Haciendas in Zăcătēcăs, and his lands extend, with little interruption, as far North as Săn Mătēo, from whence he takes his second title. His riches are immense, and proceed from various sources. According to the data given me by the Administrador, he has of ganado mayor, y menor, (horned cattle, sheep, and goats,) with horses, and mules, (cavallada, y mulada,) at Sierra Hermosa, and other places, three millions of live stock. Of these, 30,000 sheep are sent annually to the Mexican market, where they average from twenty to twenty-four reals, (two and a half and three dollars) each.

As many goats are slaughtered at the Casa de Matanza of the Jărāl, where tallow (Cebo) is made from the fat, which sells upon the spot for four and a half dollars the arroba, and is often retailed in Mexico at two reals the pound. The skins are worth six or eight reals each, and are disposed of to the leather-dressers of Guădălajāră and San Luis Pŏtŏsī.

The ratio of increase for wheat in the valley of the Jărāl is twenty-five to one, a thousand fanegas being the ordinary produce of forty fanegas sown. In a good year the crop infinitely exceeds this, and