Page:Vol 6 History of Mexico by H H Bancroft.djvu/589

Rh Of farinaceous plants, mention must be made of the plantain, potato, and manioc, the first named being to the coast-dwellers what corn is to the people of the uplands. It is wonderfully prolific, producing on a given area more nutrition than any other known plant.

Occasional efforts have been made to develop the cultivation of various vegetables, in the desire to increase the supply of aliments for the poorer classes, but these attempts have been attended with little result.

Equally unsuccessful have been steps taken to revive the cultivation of cacao, which in colonial times fell to insignificant proportions. The attempt, however, has checked to some extent its importation from other countries, which in former years was considerable.

The future cultivation of the coffee shrub affords a more favorable prospect. This plant was introduced