[XXXII-13] They do not yield a high income, however, the consumption at home being comparatively small, and the demand of the neighboring states limited. Id., 209-11, 272. Gov. is endeavoring to improve the breed.
[XXXII-14] Comparative values: Indigo—as early as 1630 the yield was 10,000 quintals a year; the production from 1791 to 1800 was 8,752,562 ℔s. at $2 a ℔.; 1864, $1,129,105; 1877, $2,146,423. Coffee—1864, about $80,000; 1877, $2,115,669. Maize—1877, $2,786,433. Sugar and muscovado—1877, $334,361. Rice—1877, $154,728. Hides and deer-skins—1876, $444,805. Cattle—1876, $672,948. Aggregate values for 1876-7—including rum made from molasses, and set down at $925,457—were $15,448,794. These figures are from official sources, but may not be altogether reliable. Salv., Diario Ofic., Oct. 21, 1875; Id., Gaceta Ofic., Feb. 7, 24, 1877; Feb. 19, 1878.
[XXXII-15] The cotton is of superior quality, and grown in considerable quantities; the cacao is second only to Soconusco; the sugar-cane is indigenous, and yields beautiful sugar; the indigo has a high reputation; the coffee is fully as good as Costa Rica's, and flourishes well in the higher grounds. The same may be said of tobacco. Maize and rice grow in perfection and abundance. Stout's Nic., 73-85, 345-53; Dunlop's Cent. Am., 265-7; Baily's Cent. Am., 120-4; Squier's Cent. Am., 363-4, 377-8, 663; Id., Trav., i. 34-9, 158-63; Id., Nic., 620-2; Lévy, Nic., 458-81; Wells' Hond., 141-3; Id., Walker's Exped., 116; Laferrière, De Paris à Guatém., 77-80; U. S. Gov. Doc., H. Ex. Doc., 75, 210-12, 216, vol. x. Cong. 31, Sess. 1; Pan. Star and Herald, March 13, 1886.
[XXXII-16] Exempting them from taxation and otherwise. Rocha, Cód. Nic., i. 191-4, 206-11; ii. 106-11; Nic., Reg. Ofic., 328-9; Id., Dec. y Acuerdos, vol. for 1851-61, passim; Ley de Agric., Feb. 18, 1862; Nic., Boletin Ofic., Feb. 15, 1862; Id., Gaceta, years 1865-74, passim.
[XXXII-17] Mahogany abounds, especially on the margins of the branches of the large rivers. The cutters are mostly Mosquitos and Caribs, who hire themselves for the season at $10 to $15 a month and fed. In 1862-9 the govt adopted the plan of farming out the privilege of cutting mahogany. The caoutchouc trees were by law declared in 1860 govt property. Nic., Mem. Min. Hac., 1862; Id., Gaceta, Apr. 1, 1865; El Nacional, Nov. 10, 1860.
[XXXII-18] Nutritious grasses and water are scarce in the summer. On the other hand, an immense quantity of vermin constantly torment the animals, and disease takes hold of them, killing many. Cows yield only a small quantity of milk. A dairy possessing 150 to 200 milch cows is said to do well if they yield 50 lbs. of cheese per day. Lévy, Nic., 478.
[XXXII-19] Said to be as good as that of Soconusco; but the country is generally too high and cold for cacao culture; nor is the climate favorable for cochineal, cotton, or grape, owing to excessive rains. Molina, Bosq. Costa R., 30-1; Astaburuaga, Cent. Am., 37. Spec. laws have been passed for the promotion of cacao and indigo culture. Costa R., Col. Ley., xi. 299-301; xii. 216-17; Id., Col. Ley., 1866, 161-2; Id., xix. 184-6.
[XXXII-20] As late as 1829 her sole article of export was Brazil wood. The miserable condition of the country made its name ridiculous. But in a few years the situation became changed. An act was passed Sept. 7, 1831, to promote coffee culture, and in 1835 the first export of the article took place. Another decree for the same purpose was issued in 1843. Id., iii. 94-6; El Nicaragüense, Jan. 9, 1856. In 1845 no less than 45,000 quintals were produced; in 1848 double that quantity; and in 1850, 140,000 qls; from 1854 to 1856 there was no increase, owing to cholera, locusts, and the Walker war in Nic. However, the crop of 1856 was about 55,200 qls. Costa R., Gaceta, Jan. 26, 1850; July 1 to Sept. 23, 1854; Id., Boletin Ofic., June 29, 1854; Id., Mem. Sec. Rel., 1856, 10-12; Guat., Gaceta, Oct. 7, 1853; Wagner, Costa R., 41, 307-21; Squier's Cent. Am., 454-72; Laferrière, De Paris à Guatém., 48-9; Belly, A trav. l'Amér. Cent., i. 397-400.
[XXXII-21] In 1862 there was a fair crop: 1873, 333,843 qls; 1874, about 300,000 valued in Puntarenas port at $15.50 per quintal of 100 lbs.; 1876, a scanty crop; 1877, 186,000; 1877, 180,652; 1879, excessive rains caused heavy loss; 1884, about 375,000 quintals; but 1885 only yielded 125,000 or 130,000. Costa R., Informe Sec. Interior, 1862, 10-11; Id., Sec. Agric., 1874, 28; 1876, 20-1; 1878, 14; 1879, 22; Laferrière, De Paris à Guatém., 34; Jülfs, Die Seehäfen, 18; Pan. Star and Herald, Apr. 9, 23, 1885.
[XXXII-22] The manufacture of rum from sugar-cane is a government monopoly. The cultivation of tobacco has been for many years under the strictest regulations; its manufacture and sale was exclusively in the hands of govt agents. In 1850 it was declared free from Jan. 1, 1852, but the law was repealed June 23, 1851. In 1869 the monopoly was abolished, but restored again by law of Feb. 4, 1884. Molina, Bosq. Costa R., 30; Costa R., Col. Ley., x. 132-40; xi. 331-3; Id., Col. Ley., 1869, 15-17, 219-20; Id., Mem. Sec. Hac., 1852-3; Id., Mem. Sec. Gobern. Hac., etc., 1884, 25-6.