Page:The Present State of Peru.djvu/532

474 We conclude by the observation, that in the spaces already discovered, elevated grounds of a considerable extent, overspread with cinchona trees, which were unknown to the ancient inhabitants of these mountainous districts, are to be found. Large plantations of cacao which, at the end of three years, will afford two annual crops, may be made in different parts; and, independently of the superior quality of the produce, it may be conveyed to Lima at a less expence than attends that which is sent by sea from Guayaquil. The anil and anotto are collected at all seasons; the coca and cotton yield two crops annually; and the sugar-cane ripens within the year. The tobacco is said to be of so excellent a quality, that there cannot be any doubt of its cultivation being allowed, for the purposes of commerce. In such a case, this site alone will suffice to keep within the kingdom, the considerable sums now exported to the Havannah for the purchase of that commodity. There are spots well adapted to the cultivation of rice, beans, almonds, every description of esculent plants, and fruits for the dessert, not omitting the pine-apple. The breeds of cattle may not only be made to supply the wants of the population of the adjacent mineral territories, but may likewise contribute towards the resources of the capital, which draws a part of its supplies of this description from Conchucos, situated in a more remote part of Peru. The maize flourishes whereever it is sown; and its plants are so fruitful, that scarcely a spike or ear can be found which measures less than a foot in length. Wheat cannot be cultivated, unless at Chapacra; but the want of this grain will not be felt, because it is procured from the high lands at a very cheap rate, and because the Indians prefer the yucas, which grow to a very large size, to bread. Either boiled or toasted, they are highly relishing; as are likewise the plantains, of which there are several varieties, all of them delicious, and more particularly the small red plantain of Otaheite, which has been already introduced.

We pass over the wax, the honey, the singular trees, and other valuable productions; together with the rich lavatories (lavaderos) of gold, which were not subjected to any trials by Bezares, who, it should be observed, was so much occupied by his enterprise, that he had scarcely time to take a cursory view of the mines he had discovered. We could dwell with enthusiasm on the cinnamon, which may be rendered so lucrative; on the balsams, vanillas, and numberless other productions that may be drawn from the Plains of the Sacrament, and principally from the part situated on this side of the Cordillera by which they are intersected.