This stream further up has a good site for machinery, which is located upon lands of Senor João Franco, that will be disposed of if they are desired. This point would serve a good purpose in regard to much of the land, which is best suited for agricultural operations, yet it is six or eight miles from the Ribeira, upon which shipment must be made.
With a view to accommodate the products of these lands, Senor Miguel proposes to donate land for a depot on the river below his residence, to which point there is a practicable route for a road, which is now in use.
After passing the mill site to which allusion is above made, we ascended a very steep mountain, and the descent was equally steep on the other side, so that this soil, though presenting a favorable aspect, is not likely to be in requisition for cultivation.
Leaving this elevation we visited a coffee field of Senor Francisco de Paula, upon the slope of a high hill. The trees were generally about six years growth, and consequently at that age when the yield should be best, yet the crop was by no means good, while the size and appearance of the trees was unfavorable.
Whether the nature of the soil or the manner of planting may be the cause of the failure, I could form no definite opinion.
Immediately at the villa of Xiririca a field of coffee, with fifteen thousand trees, belonging to Senor João Franco, gave a much more encouraging prospect for the culture of coffee.
These trees are for the most part four years old, and while larger and healthy, they were loaded heavily with fruit, presenting by far the most favorable aspect of any trees of the same age that have been seen anywhere.
Here seems also to be an exception in the growth of the coffee tree upon the level plain near the river, and although the bluff is high, so that there is never an overflow of this land, yet it is what is usually denominated as bottom land with us.
It has been alleged that in this whole region of country, the coffee plant does not bear but a few years, when it declines, or even dies.
But in the ground adjoining these trees, some antiquated trees, supposed to be fifty years old, are still standing, without any special indication of decay, and I have seen elsewhere very old trees bearing fruit.