Paraiso,
Cartago,
La Union,
San Isidro,
San Vicente,
Guadalupe,
Curridabat,
Santa Maria,
San Marcos,
Aserri,
Desamparados,
San José,
Central,
Santo Domingo,
Heredia,
San Isidro,
San Rafael,
Barba,
Santa Barbara,
San Joaquin,
San Antonio,
Alajuela,
Sabanilla,
San Pedro,
Grecia,
Sarchi,
Palmares,
Atenas,
Desmonte,
San Mateo,
Esparta,
Puntarenas,
Quemados,
Guacimal,
La Junta,
La Palma,
Cañas,
Bebedero,
Colonia Cubana,
Filadelfia,
Sardinal,
Bagaces,
Liberia,
Santa Rosa,
La Cruz,
Turialba,
San Ignacio,
Buena Vista,
San Jerónimo.
The number of private telegrams dispatched in 1896 to the interior was 270,284; of official messages to the interior was 69,172; official telegrams transmitted to Central America, 1086; private telegrams to Central America, 6554; telegrams received from Central America, 5413; cablegrams received, 26,762; cablegrams transmitted, 2845.
The total receipts from the telegraph service amounted in 1896 to 183,791.75 pesos, and the rates are very cheap. The nearest cable station is San Juan del Sur in Nicaragua.
There are also 203 miles of telephonic wire between San José and other communities and plantations, with about 2500 daily calls.
X.
AGRICULTURE AND LIVE STOCK.
Agricultural enterprise in Costa Rica is chiefly devoted to coffee. The proper coffee zone lies between 800 to 1400 meters of elevation on both ocean slopes. Experiments have proved that the coffee-tree can also be successfully cultivated at a height of 600 meters, and still lower down, by moderating the glare of the sun with adequate shades and by pruning to correct excessive growth and fructification.
“Coffee was introduced into the country from Havana in 1796 by Francisco Javier Navarro, as were also the mango and the cinnamon. The first seeds were sown in Cartago. Much credit for the propagation of coffee culture in Costa Rica is due to Padre Velarde, under the government of Don Tomas de Acosta, who took great interest in agriculture.