Page:The Present State of Peru.djvu/128

102 The preceding calculation is but little augmented by the small quantity of vicuna wool, the annual exports of which may be estimated at ten thousand piastres; and by the two thousand quintals of cinchona, or Peruvian bark, of Piura, Chachapoyas, and Huambos, which, at the low price of twenty-five piastres the quintal, amount to fifty thousand piastres. A peculiar species of the latter article has been recently procured from the mountainous provinces of Huanuco, Tarma, and Xauja; but in such inconsiderable portions as not to merit a commercial consideration. As its superior quality has given it a decided preference over all the other kinds which have been discovered in America, it is to be hoped that abundant supplies of it will hereafter be obtained. It is known by the name of roxa, or red bark; and differs essentially from the other varieties, which bear the appellation of arrollada, or quilled bark.

The national laws strongly recommend the introduction and cultivation of the wool trade, which cannot, however, be advantageously prosecuted in Peru. In addition to the expences of cleansing, carding, and combing, which are rated very high, the charges of its transport by land and sea are so considerable, that it does not hold out any ultimate advantage to the exporter. The arroba of wool, of twenty-five pounds weight, on the spot where it is sheared, is estimated at a piastre; its freight from the provinces of Xauja and Pasco to Lima, at four reals; the expences of cleansing, &c. at two piastres; and those of its transport to Cadiz, at three piastres. As it is there subject to a heavy duty of three piastres three reals, independently of the commission, risk, and terest