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C— SubsSlrcctor General of tbe National bureau of Statistics at Costa tRica.— Commissioner of Costa tRica at tbe Cotton States anfc Unternae tional Eipositlon at Htlanta, ©a. , 1895. ^ NOTE.— ^r. IRicbarb IDillafranca will be accessable at the Cotton Slates and lutemational Exposition for all intending visitors to Costa Rica, and will be pleased to give personal letters of introduction, and furnish any additional specific information that may be required. All communications should be addressed to the Costa Rica Pavilion, Atlanta, Ga., until December 31st, 1895, and thereafter to care of Typographic Depart- ment, Sackett & Wilhelms Litho. Co., iio Fifth Avenue, New York. Coeta IRica: ^be (5em of Hmencan IRepublics. ^ ILbe Xanb, Me IRcsouicce ant) 1lt9 people. . . 36v . TRtcbar^ IDillafranca, ■©elegatc sent b^ Costa tRica to Stu^v tbc System of public Unstruction in tbc lilnltct Slates.— Jformer Consul ffieneral of Costa "IRica to California.— Secretari? of tbe delegation of llDon&uras to tbe lPan=Hmcdcan Congress, 1889=90, at "DClasbington, S>. C— Sub=Birector ©eneral of tbe IHational ffiurcau of Statistics at Costa ."IRica. — Commissioner of Costa "IRica at tbc Cotton States an6 1lntcrna= tional Exposition at Htlanta, ©a., 1895. ^ NOTE.— /n>r. 1Ricbar& IDillafranca will be accessable at the Cotton States and International Exposition for all intending visitors to Costa Rica, and will be pleased to give personal letters of introduction, and furnish any additional specific information that may be required. All communications should be addressed to the Costa Rica Pavilion, Atlanta, Ga., until December 31st, 1S95, and thereafter to care of Typographic Depart- ment, Sackett & Wilhelms Litho. Co., no Fifth Avenue, New York. 52698 Copyrighted 1895 BY Richard Villafranca. SACKETT & WlLHELMS LiTHO. CO., "^ J Typographic Dkp't., Paul Pfizenmayer. Mgr., \ 110 Fifth Ave., N. Y. Hutbor'6 Bebication. Uo tbe people ot tbe xaniteb States, because i appreciate their incomparable thrift and unparalleled industry, and because my long residence among them, has aroused in me an honest sentiment of deep, fraternal sympathy in their welfare. UO tbe people of Costa IRica, with earnest gratitude, and full appreciation of their kindly feeling. Uo tbe Students qX tbese ifacts, tbe IDisitors an& IFlew Settlers of Costa IRica from tbe XHnite^ States, because I have a congenial interest in the welfare of Costa Rica, and a well-founded conviction, born of long experience, of its resources, and because I firmly believe that the country will never reach the high state of development and prosperity which its wealth warrants, without the aid and hearty co-operation of Yankee energy. UO Ubese an& all ©tbers, interested in acquiring for themselves a brighter future, I dedicate this series of facts and notes. Contents* PAGE. llntroDuction 7 WXb^ It is Desirable to ILive in Costa IRica 9 Ibow to (3et tTbere n Zbc Uime anD Cost 13 XLo IReacb tbe Capital— San 5ose 14 <5eoarapbical position ot tbe TRepublic 15 Brea, population an& political Divisions 16 <3eneral tTopograpbv 19 Mountains, Islands, Peninsulas and Capes 19, 20 Rivers, Lakes and Harbors 22 Climate anO Seasons 24 Table of Average Montlily 'i'emperature and Rainfall ... 27 CTbe people 28 Language, Religion, Public Instruction, Native Aborigines. 28, 30 Foreigners, Industries 30, 32 Government 36 Occupations 37 Amusements 39 jIBeans of Communication 39 Avenues of Transportation and Approximate Distances . . 39 Railroads 42 Telegraph System 43 Telephone 44 The Postal Service 44 Inter-Oceanic Canals of tlie Future 45 Commerce 45 Exportation and Importaliou 46 Articles that are Produced in the Country, but have been Imported 47, 4<^ iRates of Exchange 49 PAGE- "Matural IRcsources 50 Productions 50 Table of Mines and Mineral Resources 51 Mineral Springs 52 Useful and Ornamental Woods 53. Medicinal and Oleaginous Plants 57 Dye Plants 64 Textile Plants 65 Agricultural Products 67 agricultural iproDuctions 71 Coffee 71 Manner of Cultivating Coffee and Estimated Profits .... 75. Important Letter Bearing on the Subject by Former U. S. Consul 8a Bananas 86 Expense of Banana Productions and Profits 90 Table of Banana Plantations 94 Cocoa 96 A Letter on the Subject by John Schroeder 98 Manner of Cultivating Cocoa and Estimated Profits .... 102 Sugar Cane 106 Cotton and Wheat 107 Cocoanuts 109- Rice, Beans and Corn 109. Potatoes 114 Sarsaparilla and Vanilla 114 Tobacco 114 India Rubber 115 Indigo 115 Indigenous Fruits and New Culture 116 An Affidavit by an American Citizen Bearing on the Subject. 116. Comparative Table of Expense of Production and Net Profit in Costa Rica and the United States 121 Stock Farming 124 Costa IRlca's (3reatC6t Mant— JEmigration 134 Wbere to Settle 139 Ifntrobuction^ FTER having traveled extensively throughout the United States and Costa Rica, and visited nearly all the republics from the Isthmus of Panama to the greatest of the World's Republics — the United States — I humbl}' present this series of notes, facts, and im- pressions of Costa Rica. The material has been gathered in a neutral way from all accessible resources, and especially from my personal connections with the National Bureau of Statistics. This favored position has enabled me to gather valuable information, which I present in this pam- phlet in a somewhat disconnected style; My definite appoint- ment as Commissioner of Costa Rica to the Cotton States and International Exposition reached me at so late a date that this pamphlet must, of necessity, be hastily prepared and printed ; but I hope that my readers will be able to read between the lines, and gather from the tabulated facts the true story of Costa Rica's quiescent wealth. Having crossed and recrossed, and lived for prolonged periods in both the United States and Costa Rica, I modestly claim to have viewed things, while in Costa Rica, with an Amer- ican eye, and have devoted special attention to studying the- industries and national resources of the country of especial in- terest to progress in America. I have often been strongly impressed, and even grieved,, while travelling over the western states and territories, at the hard and unremunerative efforts of an honest people trying tO' make lands, that seem to me like deserts, produce food. It hardly seems possible that, in this age of adventure and ad- vancement, an almost unlimited territory, with a tropical sun, a temperate climate, assured rains, lands whose fertility are exhaustless, and whose seasons permit of two or more; crops a year, should be left neglected, while men, failing to- cultivate wastes, die of discouragement. Yet such is the case, and all because of the mistaken, popular report of burning heat, death'dealing fevers, etc., which exist only in the low lands, and swamps, and of which Co.sta Rica has very little. We have,, indeed, reached a time Avhen the tide of emifjration should gro South, to Costa Rica, the tropical land, with a prolonged May day splendor, where neither oppressive heat nor freezing cold prevail, and the flowers are ever in bloom. It is to the people of the United States, that the Costa Ricans look for true American labor to develop its sleeping wealth. It is to them, that they look for men with the blood of never- dying thrift coursing through their veins. It is from them, and them onh', that Costa Rica expects permanent develop- mental aid, and if this book falls into the hands of men of honest efforts, who can and will unite it to southern lethargy, its object will be effected, and my work, which is devoted alike to the Americans and Costa Ricans, will have served its mission. Mb^ is Costa IRica 2)esirable as a Ipeimanent Ibome ? ^'^^^^ 1^0 ANSWER the question that heads this article is, beyond doubt, the easiest thing imaginable, and can be done by simply saying, because pleasure, wealth and health can readily be obtained in this delectable spot. In order to prove that this statement is not exaggerated, I can only say, " Go thither and be convinced ! " But before you go, kind reader, permit me to point out some of the most important features of the countiy. First: — Costa Rica, with an area of 31,220^ square miles, which makes her twice as large as either Switzerland or Denmark, and three times the size of Belgium, has about 243,205 inhabitants, and a total annual business with foreign countries amounting to ^13,271,779, which averages $54.57 per individual, including women and children. This is a larger proportion per capita than that of France, Italy or * For more detailed information on this subject apply to, or address I'Sdv. "Klcbacb ©tllafranca, at the Cotton States and Intei-national Exposition until December 31, 1895; and thereafter at Typographic Department, Sackett & Wilhelms Lithographing Co., no Fifth Ave., New ^'ork. Spain, where the rate of foreign commerce is $40.05, $14.08 and $17.62 respectively. The above figures clearly demon- strate that the people are extremely active, and that the resources of the country are marvelous to permit them to accomplish so much, when they are in need of so many of the facilities possessed by older nations, such as scientific workmen, railroads, and improved machinery. These would perform in an hour, the work that now takes the native of Costa Rica one or two days. The traveler will notice at once, the peculiar configuration of Costa Rica with its range of mountains, transversing the country in almost a southeasterly direction, rising abruptly from the level lands on the coast, and forming beautiful pla- teaus and extensive valleys at different altitudes, which resem- ble the terraces in a garden ; its large rivers, many of them navigable, and numberless other smaller streams that irrigate every foot of ground, and afford motive powers for all indus- tries ; with abundance of excellent harbors on either ocean. All these circumstances explain perfectly the reason for finding in that country the most varied productions of both the tropical and temperate zones, at such short distances that a man can, in one day, attend to his wheat field situated in the colder region of the plateau, give his instructions on a coffee plantation located in a warmer and lower position, descend still further to the sugar-cane " fincas " where he superintends the manufacture of hs sugar, and from thence proceed to hotter and lower lands to inspect the works of cacao gatherings banana planting, rubber culture or mahogany cutting. In this country, where no extremes of heat or cold exist, the most fanciful persons may, in only a few minutes, remove their headquarters to any temperature ranging between 55° and 82°, and whatever locality be their choice, they will always find that the temperature selected will remain almost unchanged through- out the length of their visits, though extended for a year. There you can find stores where all the luxuries of the European markets are sold ; markets well provided with the necessaries of life and dainties to satisfy the most capricious appetite ; houses, large and small, comfortable and pretty, but, remember, they are no palaces ; coquettish parks where excel- lent bands play several times a week for the benefit of the citizens ; pubHc buildings, large, substantial and even elegant, but not costing twenty millions of dollars, as did the capitol of Albany, naturally do not pose as marvels ; schools and col- leges provided with competent native and foreign teachers where children may get a very good education ; hospitals and other charitable institutions ; mineral springs, warm and cold, with ex- cellent medicinal properties ; fertile and abundant land that yields everything imaginable ; rich mines of gold, silver, copper and iron, mercury, coal, silex, white and variegated marble, onyx, sulphur, pumice stone, alabaster, alum, quartz, crystal, etc.; forests containing valuable woods for building, dyeing and furniture making ; and finally, a government thor- oughly republican, that besides protecting the rights of each citizen, is willing to offer every inducement to honest foreigners who desire to establish themselves in a country, where the people are most hospitable, and ready to welcome with open arms, every one who comes into the repubUc, bringing new ■elements of progress and civilization. Ibow to (5et ^bere. There are two important ports in the country ; Puntarenas on the Pacific Ocean, and Port Limon on the Carribbean Sea. Both of these ports are touched regularly by comfortable steamers. For travelers from any of the Eastern section of the United States, the best plan is, undoubtedly, to engage passage in one of the weekly steamers which, leaving the port of New York, sails by way of Colon to Limon ; this route is perhaps the longest, requiring from thirteen to fourteen days to land in the territory of Costa Rica, but it affords perfect comfort, as the steamers used by the two lines, which run between the ports mentioned, are provided with everything necessary for the convenience and pleasure of the passengers. Another route is especially serviceable for people leaving any of the Southern or Central States ; this goes from New- Orleans directly to Limon, and consists of small steamers engaged in the banana trade. This trip is made in from four, to four and one-half days, a circumstance which, together with the low cost of passage, is quite an inducement to those who are willing to disregard the lack of comforts on the vessels. There is a third route which is usually adopted by the people from California or others of the Western States. By this route steamers are boarded in San Francisco ; after touch- ing at many of the Mexican and Central American ports, pas- sengers land at Puntarenas, after a period of fifteen or six- teen days. This trip affords the traveler many opportunities of visiting the main sea ports of Mexico and Central America, and even a few of the interior towns ; some of the points not in its favor are its long duration, and the inconveniences expe- rienced in journeying from Puntarenas to the capital of the country, a jaunt which is both tedious and expensive, owing to the many changes from the railroad to the backs of mules, and vice- versa. For Europeans the best system is to take a steamer from any of the principal ports, bound direct to Colon, where they select the route which best suits their purpose. If desirous of saving time, the most practical way of reaching Costa Rica is by embarking on one of the vessels that run between Colon and Limon, making the trip in about a day and a half; but if they wish to visit the mines or farming lands of the western slope, the most feasible plan would be to cross the Isthmus of Panama by rail, and take there, one of the steamers sailing to the Central American ports, reaching Puntarenas in a day and a half after leaving Panama. j: r u •ti o y ^U g _--!^--: ^5 Colon l1 Mai on ; t by rai < TO e 'V* U -H ' ' Conne British ^ ] to Por I to San ONiTiaAvax cC NI HlVil X 70 r :>j£>VHaMXS' • w < SSVT 3 "5 ^' c ai § 1" e53 O W J ^ oii o < < ■t >. r C/) w u 3 S E rt lU c" O tad tfi ^ bc ac o S tn 1! « ■£t3 J (1) 2: ^ 'A S z z V. ■^ e 10 ■ji il g J t^ < < J u u ■S} ;5 H "" fc ■Si < < ^5 u u — X uo < <; 1h O C Oh Oh < u . U Zo IReacb tbe Capital-San Jose.* When the traveler arrives at Puntarenas, where the landing is made in pretty little boats which carry him to a substantial iron pier, he must procure " carreteros " to carry his baggage in ox-carts to the interior, paying for such services from thirty cents to one dollar and a half per arroba (25 pounds), accord- ing to the season ; the rates are highest during the winter, and lowest in the summer season. As it takes from five to eight days for the ox-carts to reach the capital, it is wise to carry small valises containing a couple of suits and some changes of linen. It is also quite important to engage the services of a man or " maletero " to attend to the horses or carry the valises. When all these preparations have been made, the next step is to purchase a railroad ticket for the journey of the fourteen miles which separate the port from a small town called "Esparta"; here horses have to be engaged to ride to the city of Alajuela (36 miles) over a road which passes through a number of little towns and settlements. It is often the case that the horses will become lame or tired, and travelers are compelled to remain a day, and perhaps a night, at a peasant's house or in a village where there are no hotels ; hence it is quite necessary to carry saddle-bags well supplied with edibles, and also a few blankets. On arriving at Alajuela the mules are left, and the passen- gers are glad to rest on the luxurious cushions of a train which runs to San Jose (the capital), a distance of thirteen and one-quarter miles. The traveler lands at Limon without having to go through the annoyances experienced in most ports of Central America, for, when the steamer reaches the magnificent wharf, he finds * For more detailed information on this subject apply to, or address Ittix. 1Ricbar^ IDillafranca, at the Cotton States and International Exposition until December 31, 1895; and thereafter at Typographic Department, Sackett &. Wilhelms Lithographing Co., no Fifth Ave., New York. 14 a commodious railway which will convey him to a place near Reventazon. Here the road branches off, and the traveler may remain in the same train, which will take him through beautiful forests and imposing canons to the old capital (Cartago), and thence to San Jose, making the whole taip in about six or seven hours. If, on the other hand, he prefers to take the branch line to Carrillo, which is the terminus, he will certainly see many a gigantic iron bridge, and the won- derful plains called, " llanos del Sta Ciira," where hundreds of banana plantations, thriving in veritable luxuriance, contrib- ute their products to supply the demanc 3 of the United States markets ; but he will experience the inconvenience of traveling from Carrillo to the capital (twenty-five miles) on horseback, spending an entire day in covering that short distance, and very often sufifering the discomfort of a heavy shower. This latter route was the only available one from Limon to San Jose up to the 17th of December, 1890, when the second line was inaugurated and opened to the public. Notwith- standing the inconvenience of the horseback ride from Carrillo to San Jose, strangers should not fail to make at least one trip to, or from Limon, through that marvelous portion of the country ; reserving for another day, the jaunt over the former route, for it, too, is full of incomparable beauties. (5eootapbical position of the IRepublic Of the five independent nations of Central America, Costa Rica is the most southern, having on the northwest the Republic of Nicaragua, and on the southeast the Republic of Colombia, South America ; its eastern shore is washed by the waters of the Carribbean Sea, and its western confine is the Pacific Ocean. It lies between the 8° and 11° 16' north 15 latitude, and the 8i° 40' and the 85° 39' longitude west of " — - V the meridian of Greenwich. A 6asual glance at the map will demonstrate that Costa Rica, by th? mere fact of its geographical position, is destined to be, in the Hear future, one of the most important sections in America, and ti.e possibilities of a rapid growth appear as an unquestionable certainty, when we consider that its eastern and western boundaries are the two oceans, whose waters penetrate into the irre(jularities of the coast line, forming num- berless harbors, safe/ and attractive, wherein vessels can always find valuable xargoes, brought from the interior either by rail or fluvial communications. No less important is the fact that either the Nicaragua or the Panama Canal (or both) will have to be built, thus sup- plying the country with new facilities for transportation, and converting it into a sort of universal warehouse for vessels going and coming from every part of the world. The salubrity of its climate, the comtorts of civilization, the beauties of nature, the hospitality of the people, the undis- turbed condition of the political institutions, and the countless resources found in the land, will doubtless make of Costa Rica one of the most desirable of places to immigrants seek- ing shelter, from either the penetrating cold or the suffocating heat experienced in most other places, not excepting Europe or the United States. Hrea, population anb political divisions. Area. — The area of the Republic of Costa Rica is calcu- lated in 31,220!/^ square miles, but the probability is that the territory is much larger. There are so many different opin- ions on the subject, the above estimate has been accepted as 16 the one that approaches nearest to the truth, until a survey of the country reveals the real extent, and, brings before the public the hidden and, undoubtedly, exhaustless resources of the many portions at present unknown. Population. — The number given as the population of the country is not absolutely correct. Some estimates place it at 250,000 inhabitants, while others give but 200,000. This ; discrepency is due to the difficulty encountered in the prep- aration of the census, which arises from the fear of the villagers to inscribe their names, believing that such regis- tration is intended either for military services or for taxation. Therefore they seek refuge in the forests where they^ remain until the work is done. To avoid these unsatisfactory results, other plans, less accurate, have been resorted to by the Gov- ernment, and the official reports for the year 1892 show that the country's population amounts to 243,205. Political Divisions. — Inhabitants distributed in five pro\- inces and two " Comarcas " as follows : Province of San Jose. County of San Jose 39,112 " Escasu 6,522 " " Desamparados 6,471 " " Puriscal 6,845 " " Aserri 6,030 " " Mora 5.814 " " Tarrasu 2,583 " " Goicocehea . . 3,341 Total 76,718 Province of Alajuela. County of Alajuela 19,300 " Grecia 8,797 " " San Ramon 9,928 " " San Mateo 3)353 " " Naranjo 6,847 " " Palmares ... 2,770 Total 57.203 Province of Heredia. County of Heredia 16,480 " Barba 2,964 " " Santo Domingo 5, 118 " " Sta. Barbara . 2,845 " " San Rafael 4,204 Total 31,611 Province of Cartago. County of Cartago 25,898 " " Paraiso 7,819 " "La Union 4,256 Total 37>793 Province of Guanacaste. County of Liberia 5,883 " " Bagaces 1,476 " " Nicoya 4,577 " " Sta. Cruz 5,948 " " Las Canas 2,165 Total 20,049 Province of Puntarenas. County of Puntarenas 8,869 " " Esparta 3,298 Total • 12,167 COMARCA OF LiMON. County of Limon 7,484 Grand Total 243,205 Thus the territorial extent of Costa Rica, given as 31,220^ square miles, and its population as 209,644, only averages the small proportion of 6.71 inhabitants for each square mile, which compared with the population of Massachusetts (221.8 per square mile), Rhode Island (254.9 P^^ square mile), Italy (261.79 P^^ square mile), Netherlands (312.86 per square mile) and Belgium (481.71 per square mile), proves that the 18 population in Costa Rica should not be less than 6,924,707 inhabitants, and as large a number as 15,039,227 could live comfortably and derive the benefits of a country whose sur- prising wealth is but dimly realized, even by the natives them- selves. (Beneral TTopootapb^. fIDountaine* The territory of Costa Rica is crossed from northwest to southeast by a range of mountains which ramify in every direction forming high plateaus, extensive valleys and lofty hills, some of which are of a volcanic nature. The principal branches of the main range are the mountains of Talamanca, towards the southeastern portion of the country ; the moun- tain of Dota, located near the centre and running from east to west, forming five or six smaller ranges, the principal of which are known as Cerros de Bustamante, Salvage, Caraigres, Can- delaria and Puriscal, which ultimately unite and form the mountain Azul ; the mountains of Chirripo and Turrialba in the province of Cartago ; Toro Amarillo and Barba in Heredia ; Congo, Tigre, Poas, San Carlos and Mt. del Aguacate in Ala- juela ; Cerros del Sardinal, Camalina, Naranjo and Sarnoso in Guanacaste ; Maderal, Matapalo, Campana, Mallasmo, Sta Rita, Ario, Cerros del Ojo de Agua and Cerros de la Cueva in the peninsula of Nicoya ; finally, Sal-si-puedes on the penin- sula of Golfo Dulce. The principal peaks, which tower above these mountains, and their heights are as follows : Pico Rovalo (7,200 feet), Ujum (9,600 feet) and Pico Blanco (i 1,800 feet) on the Tala- manca, range and Cerros de la Muerte on the mountains of Dota. The volcanoes in the country and their elevations are : Irazu (11,500 feet) and Turrialba (11,350 feet) in Cartago; Cacho Negro in the mountains of Sarapiqui, and Barba (8,700 feet) in the Barba Mountain (both in Heredia) ; Poas (8,895 19 feet) in the mountains of Poas, Alajuela ; Tenorio Miravalles (4,700 feet), Rincon de la Vieja and Orosi (5,200 feet) in the range of Guanacaste. Of the volcanoes only a limited num- ber show any signs of activity, and these were considered nearly harmless until the last of 1888, and the first of 1889, when some severe shocks reminded the peaceful inhabitants of Costa Rica of the existence of these proud sentinels, who shook down a few antique, incommodious houses which they would not consent to longer disfigure the country. While the country is well provided with such a great num- ber of mountains, whose different altitudes occasion the great- est variety in climate and, consequently, of products, there are also wide valleys located at various heights, most of them being surrounded by stately hills. There are also extensive plains on the Atlantic and Pacific Slopes, on the shores of Lake Nicaragua and the banks of the San Juan River, from which the mountains rise, sometimes gradually, but more often ascending suddenly until their summits are lost in the clouds. These plains, being the lowest, are always the warmest sec- tions of the country, and as they are thoroughly irrigated by countless rivers and rivulets flowing from the neighboring mountains and hills, produce the most luxuriant vegetation that can be desired. The principal plains or " Uanuras " are, in the North, Tortu- guero, Guatuso, Sta Clara, Colorado and San Carlos ; in the South, are El General, Pirris, Nueva Sta Maria, Canas Gordas and Terraba. There are a great many others scattered over the republic, especially in Guanacaste and in the most southern portion of the country, which are not as well known as those mentioned ; these owe their celebrity to their inexhaustible resources. 1l0lant)0, peninsulas ant) Capes, The islands in the Pacific Ocean are as follows : — west of Guanacaste we find the islands of Castalinas and Samara. In the Gulf of Nicoya lie Chira, Venado,Bejuco, Caballos, Benu- gale, Jasper, Alcatraz and San Lucas Islands ; the last one is used by the Government, who send there criminals of serious offences. West of the most southern part of the country are found the islands of Onepos, El Cano, and the celebrated island of El Coco, where there is supposed to be a hidden treasure, left there by pirates, and which has been frequently, but unsuccessfully, sought by believers in the legend. On this same island, the Government has erected a penitentiary for the incarceration of criminals condemned to the highest possible punishment. In the Atlantic Ocean is the island of Uvita which lies opposite the town of Limon ; on this island a quarantine station and a hospital have been established by the Govern- ment. Forming the entrances to Bocas del Toro and Laguna de Chiriqui Bayo are the islands of Colon, San Cristobal, Bastimento, Popa and Escudo de Veraguas. The principal peninsulas and capes along the Pacific coast are Capes Descates, Murcielagos, Gorda, Morris, Hermoso, Filibustero, Guiones, and Quinanes on the western shore of Guanacaste. On the eastern side of the Nicoya Peninsula are found Capes Blanco, Bocana, and Vela. On the eastern side of the Nicoya Gulf are Capes Puntarenas, noted for the pretty port located on it, (also called " Puntarenas "), and Capes Caldera, Sucia and Herradura. Laved directly by the waters of the Pacific Ocean, and lying between the Nicoya and Dulce Gulfs are Capes Judas, Dominical, Uvita, Mala, Violin, Llor- ona, Salsipuedes and Matapalo ; the last four are on the western side of the peninsula of Gulf Dulce, while projecting from the eastern side, and into the gulf are Capes Sombrero, Fifrito, Arenitas and Tigre ; on the eastern side of this same gulf are Capes Golfito, Del Banes and Platanal. The most southern point on the Pacific coast is formed by Cape Burica, which is the place where the limits of Costa Rica reach Colombia. The capes on the Atlantic^Oceaii are Punta de Castilla, which is most northern and marks the beginning of the boun- dary Hne between Costa Rica and Nicaragua ; Blanca or Portela projecting between the Moin and Limon Bays ; Capes Cahuito, Carreto, Monos and Sarabeta on the eastern coast of Talamanca, and finally, Cape Valiente at the entrance of Laguna de Chiriqui. IRivere, Xakee anb Ibarbore* The many navigable rivers which empty into the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans, Lake Nicaragua, and the San Juan Rivers, forming natural highways for the transportation of the products of the country, and the multitude of smaller rivers which cross the land in every direction, thus fertilizing the soil, originate from the mountainous character of the country and the short distance between the oceans. Under the influ- ence of the tropical sun, dense clouds are drawn from these two vast bodies of water, swept over the country by the pre- vailing trade winds, condensed by the gigantic mountains and coaxed to descend, finally, in heavy showers, which thoroughly impregnate the ground. The density of the forests retains the moisture thus obtained, and produces innumerable crystal-like springs that burst out from the sides of every hill and mountain ; many of these streams unite in their course and form the rivers with which Costa Rica is so well provided. The direction in which the rivers flow is determined by the great range of mountains that crosses the country, dividing it into two important slopes, the Atlantic and Pacific ; thus it is that the rivers springing from the eastern side of the range empty into the Atlantic, and those on the western side into the Pacific. There is, also, a slope of minor importance, formed by a cross range in the northern part of Costa Rica, which causes a number of rivers •to flow into Lake Nicaragua and San Juan River. FLOWING INTO Lake Nicaragua. San Juan River. << (( (( Atlantic Ocean. Bahia del Tortugfuero. Pacific Ocean. Gulf of Nicoya, Pacific Ocean. The principal navigable rivers are RIVER River Frio, " San Carlos, " Sarapiqui, " San Juan, " Parismina, California, Francisco Maria Soto Reventazon, River Changuinola, " Palacio, " Penitencia, Naranjo, Savegre, Baru, Tempisque, Las Piedras, There are eighty other rivers which, though not navigable, are large enough for all other purposes and afford abundance of motive power. Besides these, countless rivulets are found in every direction. The country has no lakes of great importance. There are a few of small dimensions, and of no use for commercial pur- poses, but their banks will eventually prove of great import- ance as sites for winter and summer resorts for the people of northern regions, who may wish to sojourn in Costa Rica. The principal are Lake Manata toward the northwest near Sarapiqui River. Poas on the volcano of Poas. Barba " " " Barba. Sansan toward the east near Sixola, River Talamanca. Tenorio toward the west in Guanacaste. Sicope toward the south, north of Golfo Dulce. San Carlos toward the north , on the plains of San Carlos. 23 Both coasts of Costa Rica, the eastern and the western, are well provided with large and sheltered ports and harbors, wherein vessels of any dimensions can safely enter. The principal ones on the Pacific coast are the bays of Salinas, Murcielago, and the Santa Elena in the Gulf of Papagallo situated towards the northwest ; the bays of Culebra and Cocos on the coast of Guanacaste ; Port Puntarenas, Ballena, Caldera and Herradura Bays in the Gulf of Nicoya ; Brava and Sierpe Bays in the southern part of the Comarca of Pun- tarenas ; Agujas, Golfito and Pavon Bays in Dulce Gulf, and, finally, David Bay in the most southern portion of the coast. On the Atlantic coast are found the Boreas del Colorado at the mouth of the Colorado River, the Bay of Tortuguero wherein empty the Penitencia and Sierpe Rivers ; the Paris- mina Bay into which empties the Parismina River ; the Pacuare Bay into which the Pacuare River flows ; the Moin Bay and the port of Limon both on the loth parallel of latitude, Limon being a few miles east of Moin ; Port Viejo between Capes Cahuita and Carreta ; Sandan Bay which is a little south of the Telire River and a number of other bays in Bocas del Toro and Laguna de Chiriqui. Climate anb Seasons,* The general impression held by foreigners, who have never visited the country, in regard to the climate is, as in otlier matters, a very erroneous one. The fact that the southern cities of the United States, particularly the sea-ports, are warmer and, perhaps, less healthy than those of a more north- ern climate, is no good reason for the belief that countries, lying still farther south and nearer to the equatorial line, must *For more detailed information on this subject apply to, or address fftir. "IRicbart IDillafranca, at the Cotton States and International Exposition until December 31, 1895; and thereafter at Typographic Department, Sackett & Wilhelms Lithographing Co., no Fifth Ave., New York. 24 be warmer and more unhealthy in the same proportion, as their relative distance from the poles. The natural conditions of Costa Rica are such, that even located as it is between degrees 8° and 1 1° i6' north latitude, no extremes of heat are ever felt. The temperature is uniform and mild throughout the entire year, varying only according to the altitude of the locality. On the coast and up to about 1, 600 feet, the temperature varies from 72° to 82° F. ; at 1 ,640 feet, it is about 69.80°; at 2,625 feet, about 66.20°; at 3,937 feet, from 57° to 60° ; at 5,905 feet, from 51.80° to 54.40°, and at 9,186 feet, ranges from 44,60° to 48.20°. The mild temperature enjoyed throughout the country necessarily contributes to the salubrity of the climate, and there are, therefore, no endemic or malignant diseases. Nor even on the coast, always warmer, generally low, and often swampy, are known to exist any coast fevers ; this is due, perhaps, to the constant sea breezes, which carry away the miasmas, that would otherwise accumulate and injure the healthful conditions of the coastal belt. To say that on the coast there are never any attacks of malaria would not be altogether exact, for people going from the colder to the warmer regions of the country, or foreigners from more northern latitudes, are subject to them if no proper care is taken to avoid them ; for this reason it is advis- able not to use too freely the water, fruits and liquors, and to avoid a lengthened exposure to the direct rays of the sun or the dampness of the evening until acclimated ; then, living on the coast is nearly as safe as in the interior. The death rate given below for 1889 will clearly demon- strate that the climate of Costa Rica is, undoubtedly, perfectly healthy. " The total amount of deaths in the whole country was estimated as 2.54 per cent, for each one hundred inhabi- tants ; of these, 1.501 per cent, were children under ten years of age. The mortality in Puntarenas, for the same year, was 3.84 per cent, for every one hundred individuals. The large 25 mortality among children, amounting to 58.97 per cent, of the whole death rate, is due entirely to the lack of care and knowledge on the part of the peasants in raising their off- spring, who are allowed to go barefooted, are scantily clothed, and permitted to eat fruits which are not considered whole- some, even for grown people. Comparing the above figures with those obtained in other countries, it will be noticed that Costa Rica, even with such a heavy loss of children, has a far better climate than Charles- ton, S. C, where the death rate is 3.079 per cent, per one. hundred inhabitants; Mobile, Ala., 3.12; Louisville, Ky., 3.215 ; Washington, D. C, 4.868 ; Montreal, 3.72 ; Berlin, 2.904 ; Dublin, 2.91 ; and St. Petersburg, 5.14. These are but a few of the many large cities located in more northern climes. There are but two seasons in Costa Rica as in all tropical countries : the rainy season, called " invierno " or winter, which begins in May and ends in December, and the dry season, " verano " or summer, which takes up the rest of the year. As has already been stated, there are no extremes of cold and heat ; the temperature being mild and uniform in every part of the country, the trees never lose their leaves, and the various plants thrive equally well in one month as in another ; all of which tends to make each season a perennial spring. The seasons, therefore, are only distinguishable by the rain-fall which, on the Pacific Slope, occurs during the months already designated, while on the Atlantic Slope the case is reversed ; that is to say, on the Atlantic side, the winter commences in December and ends in May, leaving the remaining six months for the summer or dry season. None of the scourges that afflict other countries at different times of the year ever trouble Costa Rica ; tempests, hurri- canes and cyclones are entirely unknown, while floods, which ruin plantations and villages in other countries, never occur in this republic, notwithstanding the copiousness of the rains ; this is owing to the mountainous formation of the country. 26 The following table shows the temperature and rain fall of San Jose for the years 1886, 1887 and 1888, and by them may be judged the rest of the countr}^ 00 u w w !A O o Q •P H o Q 10 •saB3^\ i UI 9SBJ3AY O vo O O r^ vc 00 >0 M O r^ r^ M r^ CO ro 10 CN cc w 10 t^ ctn 10 CO 0* rO d M vd "O •saB9^ ? UI N r^ o 9anjBJ9diu9j] f^ ^ <20 •8881 01 CO 00 ON w 01 vO 0\ C7^ On On 00 vc vO ^ vO VO VD ^ '^ ^ •9JlHHa9dlU9J^ 9SBJ9AY •SS8I 'IIM uiB-a qoui •'^881 ON O ON CO O LO ON \C ro ^ 10 ON O to Tj- 0« ON o -^ ON o o CO ON n „ (N "+ ^ 10 CO w ON ^ h-f ro 10 On "+ >-i 00 h-l 00 ':)-• r^ 10 0) 10 i-i VD '^ 00 00 t^ ID VO vO M VO On ON VO 00 ON ON VO 10 cc ON 10 VO 10 VO VO r^ ^ CO vO VO CO VO VO VO VO VO vC VO VO 00 CO ON ON VO W Q < W W 00 VO 00 Q H < •9aniBJ9diu3j^ 92BJ9AY "IIM "F'a V"! '9881 '* ■^ 10 ON ON 00 CO ON fO "0 VO 00 VO 10 VO 10 VO VO VO ON VO ON VO oc VO VO VO 00 vO 00 o rO rO to VO M 00 ^ VO O 0< ON 10 00 VO VO W 00 >0 VO M H-l 0) •9arnBJ9dui9 T 00 »OiO0 ^-sI-ioon =,«»5t=>A^ movo Hoooo (N ^ 9x)BJ9Ay o fO ON o rO CO 'O 00 00 VO 00 10 M3 to LO "^ ^ On "^ •9881 •sqiuoj\[ '9881 10 VO VO VO O ON 00 t^ VO VO 00 kO '^ ^ VO ^ u Oh rt s o 9 -^ o Q o to 00 VO O 27 In the year 1888, the rain fall in San Jose was 60.841 inches, which compared with that of the United States shows that, out of the sixty-seven principal places in the latter coun- try, only four of tiiem had a greater amount of water than the capital of Costa Rica, while the others have had as much as 51.05, corresponding to New Orleans, La. ; 44.43 New Haven, Conn. ; 42.18 St. Louis, Mo. ; 30.05 Detroit, Mich.; and as little as 9. 16, corresponding to San Diego, Cal. ; 6.12 Fort Bridge, Utah ; and 6.1 1 Fort Garland, Col. XTbe people; The natives of Costa Rica are principally the descendants of the early Spanish settlers and conquerors, who came to this country in the latter half of the sixteenth century. They are son^ewhat above their neighboring nations in the arts of civili- zation, and can usually be depended upon as peaceful, law abiding and loyal citizens, and among them, the riotous and revolutionary elements so prevalent in the Latin States, are quite unknown. Costa Ricans are noted for their sobriety, simplicity, moral- ity and somewhat limited love of work. They are robust, healthy and long-lived. The prevailing language is like that of all Central America, Spanish, but English, German and French are spoken by many, and one would have little difficulty in traveling over the countiy without even a rudimentary knowledge of Spanish. *For more detailed information on this subject apply to, or address flftr. fRiCbacb VDillafranca, at the Cotton States and International Exposition until December 31, 1895; and thereafter at Typographic Department, Sackett & Wilhelms Lithographing Co. 1 10 Fifth Ave. , New York. 28 There are several increasing colonies scattered oxer the coun- try, and they experience little vernacular annoyance in trans- acting business. Indeed, one can become familiar with a working knowledge df the native tongue in a verK'' short time. IRelioton, The Roman Catholic faith is the prevailing religion of the country, but the political institution is extremely liberal in this, as in all other matters. Persons of all creeds, and no creeds, are received with hearty good will. Several Protestant churches are thriving, and the greatest harmony exists in all communities, from the highest to the lowest social scale. public Unstruction, In Costa Rica education is making rapid strides. Public instruction is entirely in the hands of the National Govern- ment, and under the direct supervision of a special, minister. Primary education is compulsory and free. Every resident is entitled to the school privileges and can either give or receive instruction. The Hon. Dr. Pedro Perez Zeledon went to Europe with the special mission of studying the various systems of educa- tion, and to his efforts have been added the constant inves- tigations and personal visits made, both here and in Europe, by the noted gentleman, the Hon. Dr. Mauro Fernandez. The Minister of Public Instruction appreciated the great advantage in the methods of elementary tuition, made within recent 3^ears in the United States, and did me the honor to appoint me a delegate to study the American system of public instruction with a view to its adoption in Costa Rica. The Minister is at present using every endeavor to establish high grade schools, and adopting, as far as possible, the system in vogue in the United States and abroad. 29 The facilities for higher education have not been neglected, and the country boasts of a University, a Young Ladies' High School, a well regulated college, a promising school of agri- culture, and in addition to these are many private schools, and the Physico-Geographical and Meteorological Institution, sup- ported liberally by the government. The time is not very far distant when Costa Rica schools will be second to none in the world. mative Hbottoinee. Costa Rica, when compared with the South and Central American States, holds a position that is quite unique and envious in respect to its native Indians. Their numbers are few and their tribes are completely separated from the civilized- race. They are quiet and peaceable, looking upon the en- croaching civilization with an air of resignation, and honoring white men with almost a spirit of worship. The foreigners are not very numerous in proportion to the total population, but those that have selected homes in Costa Rica, have come to stay. Every industrious foreign family is doing well, and their friends are following them as rapidly as possible. Applications for land and special privileges have been re- ceived from families and colonies now struggling against the disadvantages of many of the western American states and territories ; more especially from people who have suffered through the droughts and other crop failures in Oklahoma^ Dakota, Nebraska and Montana. A representative of a very large colony is at present in Costa Rica, selecting land for people now in Oklahoma, who are preparing to emigrate to a more promising land. The following list, furnished by the Bureau of Statistics, of 1892, gives a fair idea of the actual proportion of foreigners : 30 List of Foreigners Residing in the Provinces of Costa Rica IN 1892. Provinces and Comarcas. < K c 0. J s- 22 17 6 9 7 9 160 12 9 4 42 56 15 195 10 7 I 33 33 23 132 92 24 22 446 468 128 1,302 2 12 — 2 7 78 204 I 2 — — 6 .^8 Central America. J? Guatelmala 90 Salvador 57 Honduras 25 Nicaragua 122 North America. United States .... 103 Canada — Mexico 29 South America. Colombia 173 39 15 — 37 479 69 812 Venezuela 9 i — — — — — 10 Ecuador 7 7 — — — 4 — 18 Peru 6 I — — — — — 7 Bolivia i — — — — — — i Chili 6 — — — — — — 6 Argentina i — — — — — — i West Indies. Cuba 83 22 7 II 3 8 22 156 Hayti — i — — — — — i Jamaica 63 6 16 5 i 2 541 734 Porto Rico 18 — — — — — 28 46 Europe, Spain 509 74 46 44 30 93 35 831 Portugal — — — — — — 19 19 France 124 12 13 i 6 21 12 189 Germany 261 21 15 4 10 10 21 342 Switzerland .... 20 7 i — — — — 28 England 162 6 11 5 7 48 7 246 Turkey 2 i — — — • — — 3 Austria i i — — — — — 2 Denmark 17 — — — — — — 17 Holland 9 i — — — 2 — 20 Italy 484 38 50 20 3 15 12 622 Belgium 16 — — — — 8 2 26 6 I I II 5 7 48 7 I 38 50 20 3 2 15 8 12 2 17 I 17 15 5 26 28 2 Russia 2 — — — — — — 2 Asia. China 67 17 17 15 5 26 28 175 Hindostan 19 i — — — — — 20 Africa 12 — — — — — 2 14 Oceanica 18 — — — — — — 18 Total 2,156 395 262 138 634 1,293 1,051 6,: 31 The inexhaustable fertility of Costa Rican soil and the extremely favorable climate, that can be depended upon as constant, will for a long time make agriculture the principal occupation. It is, indeed, a coffee-growing country, but as the fields are worked, hundreds of other industries, which are accessory to agriculture, must also thrive. The ground is tilled, and the crops gathered in the most primitive way. Very few labor-saving machines have been introduced. The following tables show the present industries and their in- creased number since 1883 : INDUSTRIES IN THK REPUBLIC, FRO.M 1S83 TO 1893. Province of San Jose. Factokiks and Shops. 18S3. 1SS8. 1S90. 1892. Foundries 2 2 2 2 Blacksmith Shop . . . . iH 25 27 25 Gunsmiths 2 3 3 3 Saw-mills 14 16 17 16 Soap Factories ..... 3 5 5 5 Printing 4 8 8 ,9 Brick-yards 15 21 22 22 Limekilns 3 7 8 7 Sugar-mills 442 455 457 455 Ice Houses i 2 2 2 Coffee-mills 70 80 82 80 Marble-yards i 1 i i Sculpturing i i i i Carpenter Shoi)s ..... 28 31 32 31 Breweries i 2 4 3 Distilleries i i i i Tailoring 25 25 26 25 Tanneries 8 g ■ 9 9 Shoe Factories 32 38 39 38 Barber Shops ..,..13 17 18 17 Saddle-makers 9 11 11 n Bakeries 20 22 . 21 22 Drug-Stores 10 15 16 15 Dyeing 3 5 5 5 32 Province of San Jose — Continued. Candle Factories .... 25 5 5 5 Photographers i 2 3 3 Hat Factories 2 o o o Bookbinderies r 3 4 4. Watchmakers 56 6 7 Silversmiths 3 4 4 4 Confectioneries o 5 5 5 Flour-mills o i i i Silk-mills o i o o Cartridge Factories . . . o i i i 'Fine" Brick-yards . . o 2 o o Furniture-makers . . . . o 5 5 5 Lithographing o o o o Total 761 836 851 842 Province of Heredia. Factories and Shops. 18S3. 1S88. 1890. [892. Blacksmith Shops .... 6 7 7 7 Gunsmiths i — — — Saw-mills ..8 6 6 6 Soap Factories i i i i Brickyards i 4 5 4 Limekilns 5 — — i Coffee-mills 7 85 85 85 Sugar-mills 54 59 59 59 Carpenter Shops .... 14 37 37 37 Tailoring 16 17 17 17 Tanneries 9 5 5 5 Shoe Shops 13 16 16 r6 Barbershops 7 12 12 12 Bakeries 5 3 3 3 Drug Stores .7 9 9 9 Dyeing i 2 2 2 Candle-makers 5 — — — Watchmakers 2 3 3 3 Silversmith 5 2 2 2 Silk-mills — i i — Furniture-makers .... — i i i Saddle-makers — i i i Confectioneries — i i i Total 267 272 273 272 33 Province of Alajuela. Factories and Shops. 18S3. 1888. Blacksmith Shops ....11 11 Gunsmiths i i Saw-mills 35 35 Printing i i Brick-yards 29 29 F.imekilns n 12 Coffee-mills 69 75 Sugar-mills 393 4^9 Carpenter Shops .... 20 28 Tailoring 13 13 Tanneries 5 - 5 Shoe Shops 13 ^7 Barber Shops 6 9 Saddle-makers 8 8 Bakeries 4 7 Drug Stores 16 16 Dyeing i 5 Candle-makers 10 — ■ Watch-makers 3 4 Confectioneries — i Furniture-makers .... — 2 Sculpturing — i Total 651 703 IS90. 1892. 12 II I I 35 35 I I 29 29 12 12 76 75 415 418 28 28 13 13 5 5 18 ■ 17 9 9 8 8 7 7 15 16 5 5 5 5 I I 2 2 I I 699 700 COMARCA OF LlMON Factories and Shots. 1.SS3. Founderies i Saw-mills 2 Carpenter Shops .... 2 Tailoring 2 Tanneries 3 Shoe Shops 2 Barber Shops i Blacksmith Shops .... — Bakeries — Drug Stores — Sugar Machinery, etc . . — Total 13 20 34 1888. 1890. 1892. I I I 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 I I I 3 3 3 2 2 2 I I 2 I I I I I I I — — 19 20 1890. 1S92, 9 9 I I 18 18 4 3 72 92 19 19 H 14 16 16 12 12 4 4 4 4 2 2 4 4 I I 4 4 4 4 Province of Guanacaste. Factories and Shops. 1S83. 1888. Blacksmith Shops ....14 9 Gunsmiths i i Brick-yards 17 18 Limekilns 3 14 Sugar-mills 70 72 Carpenter Shops .... 22 19 Tailoring 26 14 Tanneries 17 16 Shoe Shops 16 12 Barber Shops 4 4 Saddle-makers 4 4 Bakeries 22 2 Drug Stores 3 4 Dyeing i i Silversmiths 6 4 Candle Factories .... 40 — Saw-mills 3 4 Total 269 188 188 COMARCA OF PUNTARENAS. Factories and Shops. 1883. ^888. Blacksmith Shops .... 5 9 Gunsmiths 2 2 Saw-mills i i Brick-yards i 2 Limekilns i i Ice Houses i i Coffee-mills 7 — Sugar-mills 11 19 Carpenter Shops .... 8 15 Tailoring 11 7 Tanneries i — Shoe Factories 6 8 Barber Shops ..... 2 6 Bakeries 3 7 Drug Stores 5 5 Candle Factories . . . . i — — — Silversmiths 3 3 3 3 Furniture makers .... — 2 2 2 Dyeing — i i i Total 69 89 89 89 35 1 S90. 1892. 9 9 2 2 I I 2 2 I I I I 19 19 15 15 7 7 8 8 6 6 7 7 5 5 Province of Cartago. Factories and Shops. 1883. 1888. 1890. 1892. Blacksmith Shops .... 4 5 5 5 Saw-mills 9 9 9 9 Printing 2 i i — Brick-yards 54 34 34 34 Limekilns 6 10 10 10 Coffee-mills i 16 16 16 Sugar-mills 41 55 55 55 Carpenter Shops .... 5 8 8 8 Breweries i i i i Tailoring 4 10 10 10 Tanneries 7 3 3 3 Shoe Factories 7 9 9 9 Barber Shops 5 3 3 3 Saddle-makers 2 5 5 5 Bakeries 2 3 3 3 Drug-Stores 8 8 8 8 Dyeing i o o o Candle-makers 5 — — — Watchmakers 3 4 4 4 Silversmiths 3 4 4 4 Soap Factories — i i i Sculpturing — i i i Furniture-makers .... — 3 3 3 Foundries — — — i Tot^l 169 193 193 193 Zl^c (5ov>ernment. Since the proclamation issued in Guatemala on the memor- able 15th of September, 1821, declaring the absolute inde- pendence of Central America, Costa Rica has remained a rep- resentative Republic. The present Constitution was issued on the 7th of December, 1 87 1 . It guarantees notability of citi- zens and equality before the law. It asserts the right to hold property, permits liberty of thought, press and speech. The enjoyment of all these and other civil rights apphes to foreign- ers of all nations as well as the Costa Ricans. The whole Government is constructed more or less accurately, on the model of the United States. 36 The political struggles are at times threatened with corrup- tion, and finances are often as badly handled as by their more advanced comtemporaries — the New York and Chicago alder- m^h. Such sins, however, have prevailed everywhere, and are not confined to Costa Rica alone. The elections are on the whole characterized by calmness. There are no clearly- defined opposing parties, hence the conflict is usually more personal, but the terminations are quiet and .peaceful. An important item to foreigners is Article I2 of the Consti- tution, which says: " Foreigners enjoy within the Territory of the Nation all the civil rights of the citizen. They can practice industries and conduct their business, possess real estate, buy and sell it, navigate along the coasts or in the rivers, practice their religion, serve as witnesses, and marry according to law. They are not obliged to become naturalized, or to pay un- reasonable contributions." These privileges have always been faithfully granted. The Government is ever ready to support foreign efforts to de- velop the countr}^ and takes a warm interest in all new ven- tures introduced with honest objects. ©ccupations* The individual trades, professions and numerous occupations are given in the table below. The significant fact about this table is the extremely small number of skilled workmen in proportion to the total population. Even many workmen here •enumerated are unskilled and incapable. The professional men, particularly the doctors, are entirely insufficient. There is about one doctor to 8,000 people, while in the United States we have one to every 800 of the population. This is perhaps an excellent argument in favor of the gen- eral healthfulness of the country, but more skilled medical men would find a field for really good scientific practice. There is here, indeed, a grand opportunity for Americans, all 37 of uhom the natives specially admire. Energetic tradesmen and scientific workingmen with a small capital are certain to find good openings, and lucrative practices are open to bright men of all professions. Apothecaries .... Architects Bachelors of Arts . . Bakers Barbers Beltmakers Bookbinders .... Brewers Butchers Carpenters and Cabi- netmakers .... Cartdrivers Cigarmakers (males 38, females, 488) . . . Clergymen Clerks, etc Coachmen Confectionists and Pas- try Cooks .... Cooks (males 30, fe- males 3,917) . ■ . Day laborers .... Dentists Divers ....... Doctors Dyers Engineers Farmers and landhold- ers Governesses .... Gunsmiths Hatmakers (males 219, females 292) . . . Horticulturists . . . Hotelkeepers . . . Jewelers Lawyers Occupations. 44 Leather-dressers 5 193 66 67 18 10 5 268 871 1,924 526 119 703 29 151 3.947 18,278 7 20 25 7 13 >479 360 10 511 8 42 12 78 Linen ironers . . . Marble-cutters . . Masons and stonecu ters Matmakers .... Mattress-makers Mechanics .... Merchants, commission men and bankers Milliners . . . Mine-owners . Muleteers . . Musicians . . Nurses . . Painters . . . Photographers Preceptors . . Printers . . . Public employes Sailors .... Sculptors . . Seamstresses . Servants (males females 112 Shoemakers Silversmiths Smiths .... Soapmakers (mal females 112) Soldiers in service Students . . . Surveyors . . Tailors . . . Tinners . . . Washerwomen Woodcutters . 30 ^S Hmueements* Costa Ricans have made it possible to mingle work and pleasure in the most delightful way. In the cities, amusement is often considered more important than business, and there the means of pleasurable recreation are abundant. In San Jose has been constructed a modern theater that is not equaled in Central America, and its grandeur in some respects rivals New York theaters. Many other theaters and places of amusement are scattered over the country wherever there is a sufficient population to support them. The natives are also patrons of fine art, and love music above all. There is a piano in nearly ever}^ well-regulated home, and great numbers gather daily in the parks to listen to excellent music <;ivenby the military bands. There is, indeed, an air of music, a vein of poetry, an element of romance and an effervescence of .sentiment wherever young people assemble, and the dark-eyed maidens are simply irresistable. flDeans of Communication/ Bvenuee of Il^ransportatton ant) Hpproiimate E5i9tancc5. From San Jose to 115 points in Costa Rica. SAN JOSE. .MILES. ROADS. Escazu 4>< Cart road 7/2 Santa Ana Pacaca 14 Chile 18 " " San Pablo 30 Saddle road Santiago del Puriscal 24 Cart road Candelarita 30 Saddle road La Vibora 27 " Sapotal 27 4< <. *For more detailed information on this subject apply to, or address \ffl>r, 1R{cbar^ IDillafcanca, at the Cotton States and International E.xposition until December 31, 1S95 : and thereafter at Typographic Department, Sackett & Wilhelms Lithographing Co., no Fifth Ave., New York. 39 Avenues of Transportation and Approximate- Distances — Continued. SAN JOSE. MILES. ROADS. Curridabat 3 Railroad and cart roadi Guadalupe 3 Cart road San Vicente 3 " " San Isidro 6 t( La Palma 12 '' " La LagTjna 15 It It La Boca del Infierno i8 " " Carrillo 25>^ It tt Limon 98 Railroad Boca del Toro 160 Navigation from Limoii Alajuelita 3 Cart road Desamparados 3 " " Tres Rios 7 Railroad and cart road. Cartago 12 It It .1, San Miguel 4X Cart road San Cristobal 12 " " Los Frailes 18 Saddle road Las Cruces 18 " . " Bustamante 21 " " San Pablo Dota .27 Cart road San Marcos 30 It It Santa Maria 36 u u Nueva Santa Maria 60 Saddle road Faquita 75 U 11 Carrala 123 It it Boruca 120 l< ^ " " Rosario 12 It t. Cangrejal 24 Cart road Cartago 12 Railroad and cart roaif Paraiso 16X " Juan Vinas 27 tt u Orosi 18 Cart road Agua Caliente 15 Tramway and cart road Guatuzo 25/^2 Cart road Tucurrique 36 " " Chirripo 42 Saddle road San Miguel 27 t< tt Turrialba 33 Cart road Cot 18 tt San Cristobal 24 It 11 Santo Domingo i% Railroad and cart road Heredia 6 11 it It San Joaquin 9 " 40 Avenues of Transportation and Approximate Distances — Continued. SAN JOSE. MILES. ROADS. Villa Barba 9 Cart road Carrizal 12 It t< Tambor •5 " Vara Blanca 30 " " San Miguel 42 Saddle road San Ramon 51 " La Virgen 54 " " Chilamate 60 " " Muelle de Sarapique 66 " " Hacienda Vieja 72 Navigation Trinidad III " Villa Santa Barbarra 12 Cart road Alajuela 12 Railroad and cart road San Pedro de la Calabaza 18 Cart road Sabanilla 18 " San Rafael I9>^ " " Los ojos de agua 18 " " ■Grecia 24' (k <> San Roque 27 It ti Los Angeles 27 (t (( San Jeronimo 30 " " La Barranca 25>^ 11 (t Naranjo 33 " Sarcero 40;^ " " Tapezco M'A tt <( Zapote 45 " " Buena Vista 48 " " La Cuesta Vieja 54 " " Peje 60 " " Muelle de San Carlos 69 Saddle road Estero Grande 78 Navigation Boca de San Carlos 123 •' Boca del Rio Frio (de Peje) Saddle road Sarchi 3" Cart road Sahinos 42 '^ Atenas 24 " San Mateu 36 " Santo Domingu 39 " Esparta 47 " " Puntarenas 60 Railroad and cart road Bebedero 132 Navigation Las Canas 139 Cart road Bagaces 147 " " Liberia 165 " 11 ■ La Cruz (Front. Nicaragua) 201 Saddle road Filadelfia 177 Cart road Palmira 180 ■' " Belen 183 " " Santa Cruz 198 " " Veintisiete de Abril 209 It t( Tempate 213 •' " Santa Rosa 220 " " .J^icoya 213 <> <« 41 IRatlroabs. The railway system of Costa Rica is being rapidly im- proved, and encouraged by the Government. All the lines will be the property of the State at the expiration of the time of each charter grant — 99 years. The principal road now operating is the Atlantic Railroad, of which the Government owns one-third of the stock ; an English syndicate, which now operates the road, controls the balance. The tracks of this road extend from the port of Limon on the Atlantic, westerly to Alajuela — a distance of 147^ miles. It has a branch which starts from a point about forty miles west of Port Limon, extends southward, and then westward until it reaches Carrillo, a place at the foot of the Irazu Mountain. The Pacific Railroad starts from Puntarenas on the Pacific Ocean, and extends eastward to the city of Esparta at the foot of the Aguacate Mountains, a distance of about fourteen miles. This is to be extended to Alajuela (30 miles). Here the two roads will meet, forming a complete Trans-Costa Rican railroad with many new, and nearly all modern facilities. This will, indeed, be a most beautiful and picturesque line, winding among towering mountains, and ploughing through the dense, tropical forests, from the Atlantic to the Pacific, in less than twenty-four hours. Alajuela is already connected with Heredia, which is also connected with Cartago, by means of a railroad spread over a distance of twenty-seven miles. This passes through San Jose, the capital of the country, and is an important part of the general system. Many new roads and branches have been proposed, some of which will be ready in a few years. One will have its tracks extending from a point where the San Jose & Carrillo Railroad crosses the Jimenez River and the Rio Frio, which empties into the San Juan River. There has been a long felt 42 want of prompt communication between Port Limon and the upper part of the San Juan country, and this railroad will furnish it. The far-reaching value of the road can hardly be appreciated by those not thoroughly familiar with the enormous extent and unlimited fertility of the land, previously neglected because of imperfect transportation. The road, further more, establishes every communication with the neigh- boring Republic Nicaragua. Aside from the railroads there are, in Costa Rica, very easy means of communication by way of paths, wagon roads and water ways. The following table shows the avenues of trans- portation by land, and a glance at the map will at once, indi- cate the many convenient water routes : ^elcgrapb S)?9tem. All centers of population in the Republic are connected by wire with each other, and joined to the neighboring nations and the world in general by a most complete telegraph system. Costa Rica was first among Central American countries to have a telegraph service, and now has the cheapest rates ; a rate which is less than the prevailing price of wire service in the United States. Only twenty cents is charged for a message .sent to any part of Central America. We append here a list of the principal telegraph offices. TELEGRAPH OFFICES. San Jose Barba Liberia Asserri Santo Domingo Bebedero Desamparados San Antonio de Belen Bagaces Escasu Alajuelita Guasimal Santa Ana Grecia La Palma Pacaca Naranjo Las Canas Puriscal San Ramon Santa Cruz Cartago Palmares Filadelfia Juan Vinas Atenas Nicoya Paraiso San Mateo La Cruz La Union Puntarenas San Rafael Heredia Esparta Santa Barbara 43 The capital — San Jose — and the principal cities, have now a well-established telephone service. The Government entered into a contract with an American company and its extension throughout the whole Republic will soon be realized. ^be postal Service* Mails. The mail service of the Republic is very good. Costa Rica is a member of the Universal Postal Union, and in 1890, there was completed a system of parcel delivery through the mails to the United States, which has become a very impor- tant aid to commerce, and a most valuable convenience ta citizens of both countries. The local service is modern and effective, and the foreign mails are sent and received as often as the present steamship lines call. There are nearly 100 post offices scattered over the Repub- lic which in the year 1890-91 handled 2,101,428 pieces . Below is a list of the most important offices : San Jose Escazu Asserri San Isidro Puriscal Alajuela Guaytil Juan Vinas Santo Domingo Santa Barbara San Rafael San Antonio Cartago Heredia Alajuela Grecia San Pedro LOCAL POST OFFICES. Puntarenas Atenas San Ramon Naranjo Sat. Carlos Quemados Carrillo Limon Bebedero Liberia Las Carias Sardinal Rivas Sta Cruz Nicoya Humo Baliena Old Harbor San Bernardo Terrabr, Boruca Esparta La Union Sta Maria Dota Jimenez Reventazon Siquirres Matina Palmares San Mateo Desmonte La Cruz San Joaquin Paraiso The Government is using every reasonable endeavor to improve the means of communication, but the foregoing chapter clearly shows that the system is already well estab- lished ; and Costa Rica can easily boast of its railroads, tele- graphs, telephones and mails. 44 Zbc 1lnter*»®ceanic Canals of tbe JTuture* The Costa Rica-Nicaragua and the Panama Canals are such important problems that the nations of the earth must, sooner or later, combine in determined efforts to complete them. Just at present the Nicaragua is in a fair way to be finished at an early date. All Costa Ricans hope for its suc- cessful construction by Americans and with an American capi- tal, for they are bitterly opposed to the grasping methods of the European nations. An intra-continental communication between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans is of such boundless importance to the world, that either one or both of these canals is an absolute necessity. Costa Rica, occupying almost exactly the territory between the two canals, with its shores washed by the two great oceans, will ere long reap the benefit of such an unparalleled natural position; this will be the final event which shall place Costa Rica among the most privileged of nations, and will make of her the " Gem of American Republics." Commerce. The onward march of commerce is far in advance of the increasing population. In 1850 the value of exportations and importations was about equal, and were each figured at about a million dollars. In 1893 Costa Rica exported products to the value of nearly ten million dollars and imported nearly six million dollars worth of goods. To understand the phenomenal development of commerce since 1883, we offer the following table which tells its own story. *For more detailed information on this subject apply to, or address /IDr. 1Ricbar^ Villafranca, at the Cotton States and International Exposition until December 31, 1895: and thereafter at Typographic Department, Sackett & Wilhelms Lithographing Co., no Fifth Ave., New York. 45 Surplus Surplus Years. Exportation. Importation. of Exportation. of Importatbn. 1884 $3,745,400 $3,521,900 $223,500 •rsss 2,535,500 3,660,900 $1,125,400 1886 2,257,600 3,537,600 1,280,000 1887 4,689,100 5,601,200 912,100 1888 4,052,300 5,201,900 1,149,600 1889 4,612,800 6,306,400 1,693,600 1890 6,664,700 6,615,400 49,300 1891 6,116,800 8,351,000 2,234,200 1892 4,725,900 53,89,700 663,800 1893 4,294,200 5,833,400 1,539, 200 $43,694,300 $54,019,400 $272,800 $10,597,900 The trade, however, has been mostly with Europe. It be- hooves American merchants to study this question carefully. It can and must be changed very soon, because the maxim ■' America for Americans " is becoming more and more a deep seated sentiment, and furthermore, it is not reasonable that merchants should send to the Old World for goods, and await their arrival for a period of months, when the American markets are more easy of access, while the means of com- munication are daily improving. The principal obstacle to American trade has been the higher rate of interest, shorter terms of credit and badly packed goods. The Europeans offer greater inducements to secure the busi- ness by making special goods for Spanish American markets, and keeping representatives moving over the territory ; matters which merchants of the United States have neglected. Imported and Exported. — The primitive condition of industry in Costa Rica is clearly shown by the following table, indicating the extensive importation of articles, most of which actually thrive better in Costa Rica, when properly cultivated, than elsewhere. It would take but a few years of scientific study and experiment to not only cultivate enough of these article.'' for the home market, but for profitable exportation. 46 O M o ^ o l-^ CO o ^ o ^ rO t^ '^ rO CO LO PI rO r*- pi O OS ■* lO lO lO CO 00 LO Tf so ^ as PI t^ VO O. u ^ LO l-H t^ lO t^ t^ rO l^ VO O t-^ so lO as r^ VO 3 _0 vo' cf\ t^ t^ o »-( t^ OS >o r^ o LO ^ rO M as tF CO w ON -* CO r^ ■ rt 1-1 T3- r^ t^ CO lO CO (N rO LO ^£5 t^ -* o PI VO •xl- o PI ■^r^OOlO rot^ PIOn OS O rO 00 ro O CO ^ •^co,C rOONOD« i-iONt^-^VOONwioPllOMiO lo t^ VO o 1-I-* ■rt-'^vDo CO -^ l_ ON PI ON HH ,_, VO -+ •+ l-H •^ •* o O CO •* ON •* PI ON VO LO ON I^ t^ •* PI rO ON CO_^ l-H ON t^ -^ VO__ OS »-H lO PI lO rC l-H CO „" ON vo" ds pr pr p6 vo' ON co- oo" Pi lO PI to o PI VO to PO l-H ^ co M l-H l-H ^ o r^ CO J^ o ON VO o ^H CO r^ ON ,_, 1— < CO ON PI LO -^ 00 « rO ON -* rO CJN rO o l-H On t^ VO_ VO in VO -sl- PI r^ PI rO t^ rO l-H VO vo" 00 ro o" PO "# l-H 00 Ov *"* PI m PI ON ^ „ lO rO oo t^ t^ o PI o o VO w <~0 LO O PI PI PI PI PI l^ CO PI oo ^ LO PI CN >-i 00 PI HH ro VO ^ t^ rO VO r^ t^ LO rO ^wCOrOPIi-i -^rOOOOO VOro'^PI "OOvOO '~ ON ro CO PI 00 t^ 00 LO t^ PI 00 t^ PI VO l-i PO 00 -^ CO rO rO O O OO VO Tt MM O w lO ON PI t^ ^H ro ON ^ ON ON t^ l-H ■rf o" dv pT t^ CO t^ rO t^ "^ O ON C^ LO t^ ON PI LO VO VO t^ lO O VO CO LO O r-. ON PI O" "' " o c^ PiOOVOOO OCOOO" ro LO ON PI VO 1-1 1^ ON <0 ro rO LO PO ON r^ to '^ 11 as 00 CO -nJ- M o CM p( ro 00 to 00 S5 o PI PI ■* t^ VO t>. CO 00 ON ON 1- o PI o CO n vo ON o to tM o LO lO CO CO 11 VO 11 VO PI (N tN LO CO VO VO PI PI On ^ lO ^ t^ PI ON o '^ H- ( 11 (J.) 1— 1 m -^- '^ r^ '^ CO C) h-1 CO <.Ts CO PI pi r^ PI CO PI PI PI PI ON o -+ r^ rt VO PI r^ CO Tf VO VO VO PI CO VO vn CI rn () ON o ^ t^ VO >* LO) PI r^ If) L/3 VO PI 00 HH 00 O CO 1^ CO u~> <) CO as H CO •<* 1 n M CO VO lO o PI ON M r^ ON ON -* n d\ CO ii~ M PI (N tTv VO t^ C^ PI ON o (3N ^ VO ►- ii^ %^ i:^ ^fe(^ M •%% 47 • 1 1 1 1 1 1 C^ t^ J>. OV ro CO a 1 1 1 1 1 1 t-H -* M CO VO )— 1 "5? VO ^ (-H < 1 1 1 1 1 1 CO CO CO VO 1 1 C 1 1 1 1 M to LO lO 1 1 rO M "u CO O \o t^ VO rO •* 00 Tf t-t t^ (N 00 t^ 6 ID \D 1-1 O o r^ a\ VO CO a\ o s u 01 t^ l^ VO si O '^ rO o p) 00 rO "0 CO CO a\ 5i! ro M rO M tH M M i-i M ] w 00 M M ON t^ t^ cs 1-^ r^ r-^ o d ^ 0^ w P) On r<0 rO VO o o 1-H 0) o o VO o M ON r^ m o O t^ rO -3 tl "^ On LO LO t^ i5 l^ On ON lO (N) On ■* -* VO r-. ON O r^ o -^ On d r^ 00 VO t» t^ ^ VO VO t~- CO O -^ ON M t^ CI ON 1^ ON r^ VO O VO 0) lO lo r-- l^ ON LO ON 01 I-I O o 1-1 oo 1 1 1-1 CO ON ^ CI 1-1 j ] lo i-T ON CO o LO 01 M M M CO 00 M 01 CO LO VO 01 01 ^ CO Ol o o ON CO HH vo^ 0_ o t^ o q_ 01 Ol CO Cfv oo t^ CO co" l^ ^ VO CO CO ^ t^ 01 01 01 00 01 01 1-1 01 o ON 01 >-i LO CO t^ <» -* CO 01 On CO d o 01 CO 1-1 d ON CI VO 01 CO CO 1-1 VO VO M CO 01 ON LO ^ CO 01 1-1 ro LO -^J- t^ 00_^ 'f rC tC d d M '^ CO d f_, i/-) CO n CO LO CO d ^ oo Vt5 d ^ o VO LO CO () VO (JN ^ M %i^ Ui W=fe^ W^fe^ W^^= )4 ^m> W%^ M%* IRates of lEicbanoe. In the following table of exchange rates it will be seen that there has been a great and steady increase in recent years. This is due to the increased volume of importation and the payments on the national debt. It is, however, extremely favorable for intending settlers, since an American dollar in gold is worth at present about two and a half in the native currency. Exchange on London at Ninety Days' Sight. Years. 869 870 S71 872 873 874 S75 876 877 878 879 880 881 882 883 884 885 886 887 892 893 Maximum Rate Minimum Rate A ^_ of Exchange. of Exchange. Average K.aie 10 per cent. 5 per cent. 7P er cent. 15 c ( 5 " 9 ( ( 10 ' ' 7 8 " 14 " 8 12 " 14 " 8 II " 15 1 < 9 12 15 ( < 8 12 18 " 12 " 15 10 " 5 " 8 12 " 5 " 9 16 ' ' 5 12 19 ' ' 12 " 15 19 " isV^ " 17 24 1 ( 10 18 24 ' ' 10 " 17 25 ' ' 9 18 35 ' ' 24 30 54 ' ' 34 " 42 36 " 29 " 33 52 ' ' 40 41 56 ' ' 44 51 58 < ( 42 " 51 65 ' ' 50 " 58 116 ' ' 64 " 95 156 ' ' 96 " 124 49 National Bank Value of Value of Average Rate Years. Paper Money Importation Exportation in Issued. in Gold. in Gold. Exchange. 1883 . $474,332 $2,166,000 $2,163,700 17 per cent. 1884 . 752,828 3,521,900 3,745,400 18 1885 . 1,365,178 3,660,900 2,535,500 30 1886 . 1,295,866 3,537,600 2,257,600 42 ' 1887 .• 2,059,927 5,601,200 4,689,100 33 1888 . 2,462,844 5,201,900 4,052,300 41 1889 . 2,999,438 6,306,400 4,612,800 51 1890 . 3,832,452 6,615,400 6,664,700 51 1891 . 4,074,728 8,351,000 6,116,800 58 ' 1892 . 3,366,686 5,389,700 4,725,900 95 ' 1893 . 4,186,267 5,833,400 4,294,200 124 ' flatural IResources/ lprobuction6» The different altitudes of land and the consequent variety of temperature, the numerous rivers, the richness of the soil, the abundance of rain and sunshine, and the short distance that separates the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, all contribute to the extraordinary diversity of the vegetable products found in Costa Rica. Here, growing with equal facility, are found the fruits and the plants of both the Torrid and Temperate Zones. The mineral wealth that the country contains is so remark- able, the first discoverers of this territory bestowed upon it the name Costa Rica (Rich Coast), because of the rich de- posits of mineral matter found there. Equally noticeable are its vast fauna, the multitude of wild game, and the countless birds of rare plumage and melodious song. The species of birds already known amount to 692, but the names of these, and most of the animals, we shall omit for want of space in which to insert so numerous a hst. * For more detailed information on this subject apply to, or address /H>r. 1R^Cbar^ Willafranca, at the Cotton States and International Exposition until December 31, 1895; and thereafter at Typographic Department, Sackett & Wilhelms Lithographing Co., 110 Filth Ave., New York. 50 (D oj ,>.^>,>,>.>:>, c5 in c^ c/5 c75 c^ c7i uo c75 oj 'dTS'd'd'aTJ'd'a o^n^ cu ex, cu Cu cu 'o'o'o'o'o'o'o'o g^-o o^&g^g^o' oooooooououuuuu > o tfi * rt Vh v^ :-<' ;-<' S "S (U (U OJ (^ O 5 'Z o ci (/] 13 OJ OJ ^ u o P ON CO M c .2 u u o u 03 D 8 ^ HH o 13 < (U <, <; (J C <*H CO <*H _aj rt ^ (i; oS 6 3 3 s ^ w o u Oh •f? sis' h-I Id w < (X < Q H ffi 02 ^ hH ^ .3 o w TS r3 h1 •-1 a 03 c iS o iz; 2 11 M CJ oi oi OS o! J C/1 J J COO OS 2 V u => C rtmo3<;;'4-i4_i4_)4_>-i_) hH l-Mcnh/)'-^rto3a3oirt iJ-i _^;jq^ U> li o o o e S „ 6^ O3o3yo3™o3o3a3oj _^ p^ pd ^ f^ I .s .s .s .s ,y'^JP'::i'Zi'ziZ^ii^'Ziz^ <^ "^.^ <^ ^ ^s os 03 os 01 oi 03 03 OJ OJ UJ (U 3 =i 3 3 03 :3 -d tx U O o < 03 _03 (U HH --H J^i ^ 0; tS tn ^tnjH (Li'dO> P-i^ 51 There are also found abundant deposits of quartz crystal in. San Ramon ; coal in Puriscal, Desamparados, Pacuare and Talamanca ; alabaster and alabastrita in Cartago ; granite, fine and ordinary, in Cartago and San Ramon ; white marble in San Ramon, San Marcos and San Lucas ; fine and ordinary clay in Cartago, Alajuela, San Marcos and Mora ; alum in Cartago ; fine and ordinary slate in Mora, and jasper in San Marcos. Many other minerals like silex, onyx, tophus, plas- ter, lapidary stone, sulphur, mercury, pumice stone, tripoli earth, ochres, fine and ordinary, etc., have also been dis- covered in different sections of the country. The mining industry of Costa Rica is lying dormant, only for the want of willing hands to awaken it into living, lux- urious existence. It is even now struggling through all sorts of difficulties, for the reasons given in all industries — want of labor, proper machinery, etc. It needs only these, and courage to resume the rank held by the country in this respect when it was discovered by Christopher Columbus. " Up to 1890, the gold mines of Aguacate alone had yielded about 17,000,000." flDineral Springe. Almost everywhere throughout the country mineral and thermal waters are found. The most celebrated are those of Agua Caliente, about five miles from the city of Cartago, for the exploration of which a stock company has been formed under the name of " Bella- Vista Company." This society has has erected a magnificent building, which fills all the require- ments of a bathing establishment responding to modern exi- gencies, and of a hotel affording all desirable comforts to in- valids or travelers. The analysis of the water of Agua Caliente made by the chemist, Dr. C. F. Chandler, of Columbia College, New York, in 1887, gave the following results : 52 Sodium chloride . Bicarb, lithium '* sodium " magnesium " calcium * ' barium " strontium " iron . . . ' ' copper ' ' manganese Sulphate potassium ' ' sodium . Phosphate sodium Biborate " Arsenite ' ' Alumina " Silica ' ' Organic matter 61.2922 Traces 15.1568 13.0165 56.0627 0.2624 Traces 1.3588 Traces Traces 2.5775 37.7258 0.1 108 1.7669 Traces o. 11 66 3.6157 Traces Total 193.0627 (Signed) C. F, Chandler, Ph. D. The figures given represent grains, and the analysis was made fi"om the quantity of water to a gallon of the United States, which contains 231 cubic inches. There exist mineral springs in many other localities. Those most resembling Agua Caliente are those of Orosi, in the same neighborhood as the former, and those of Salitral, near San Jose. "^eeful ant) ©rnamcntal Moobs. Rare qualities of useful woods are found in every part of Costa Rica. For hardness, unique shades and durability, these rival the world, and as the resources of the country are developed, the avenues of transportation improved and the railroads extended, the woods will yield a golden harvest. The list given below comprises only the more important trees known at present, and the crosses indicate the districts in which they thrive. 53 Building and Cabinet Woods. J Z Area 4 Almendra + ■••+•• ■ Aguacatillo + • ■ -! — h " blancf> + • Albahaguilla,* + ■ + Aguacate + . Anonillo Amanllo Azaharillo Brasil + • . • H-r +++ • • ■ i" ■ " nacar + . Balsa + . +++++ • • + + + + + + . . .+ + + + Balsamo negro . . Batea Corteza amarilUi -' . " blaiica . . " negra * . . " de venado ..+ ..+ Cortes Corteza ++ . . . . + . H Cedro amargo " .... H — [-++ . H — I — h . + . . +H — h . . -f . . . -f . . . + . " duke* ++++++++++++++++++ +++.+++.+ " pachote . . . . + + . +++ ... + . + ... Caoba * + . . +++ . . ++++++ ++++ . + + " nacar * + Cristobal * + . . +++ . + .+ . + . . + + Cocobola * +-f ... + .-. ++ -'- . .+ . + . + . . nambar -..+ ...+ + + ..++.+ •■ + Chaparro + + + Chirraca * + .. + .. + .++ + Cucaracho + Cerillo + Copalchisillo ...;....+ Cherr^ * ++ Cocora + . Cascarillo -j- . . . Coquito +H — 1- Cacique + • + Cacho de venado -j- Cachimbo + Canela * + • ■ ■ ■ Come negro + ■ ■ • + Copalchi + . + ■ Chancho + ■ Capulin + .++ + + ■ + . .+ . ++++ + Chilamate Campana + • ■ Carboneillo * + + -+ . ♦Cabinet woods. 54 in O O Is — ~ — Building and Cabinet Woods — Continued. ■JU o ■— 1 c •6 o E 2 3 o E d 2 1 C8 C 11) o c -5 1) (U i 1 Q o •e cd m d i5 d 1 .5 'n .2 o 3 u IE U in c3 c t; a o 3 Q c E W Q a, < §< O •< w 5 rt en cfi id u £ g a; O 3 J ft. in o Candelilla Caragra Cuerecillo Chilillo . , + + + Curd Cerro Culantrillo Chaperno Carao macho + Ceiba +- + + + Caimito Cuajada Danto " amarillo . . " bianco Encino -f Espabey Espino Colorado .... " agudo " bianco Estaquilla Ebano + ++ - + + + + + + + + ++ + + + I'Vijolillo + Guapinol ..+ ... +H — | — h Guayabo * + -\- + . . . . Guayabillo * + ... + . ++ . -h • • ++ . - + +++ I Guacimo * + + + + Guachipelin +++++++ . +++ • ++ - -i-+ . + . -{-++ • - ++ . - Guanacaste -\ — | — f- .... + + + .. Guayacan * + ++ ++.++.++ f- " bianco + ........ Granadillo* ++ + . + • +++ . - Guiscoyol + Genisaro + + ..... -|- ■ - Guaitil ++ Golondrina + . Haya + + Huitilimon . Huitimonte + Hinchador + Ira Colorado +++ . ++++ ....+ .. +++ " bianco + .. + . + ...+ ....+ .... + " amarillo ++..++..++..++.' " rosa ++ . + . ++++ . . . +++ . + " mangle ++ . + + Jadl + ...... Jocote-fraile '■ • + Lechilla + + *CaLiinet woods. 55 Building and Cabinet Woods — Continued. coiO wl Lorito ..... Lloron * . . . . Lagarto .... Lagartillo-negro Loro-negro * . Laurel* .... Lantisco .... Limoncillo . . . Llayo Maria Mariquita .... Madera negro " hierro . . . Madero Madrono Murta Moral * Melon * Muneca Maranon Mangle Nispero* Nance Naranjo de monte . Ojoche Ocora Pochote Piche Pocora Papa * Palo frio " azul Plomillo Pisco Pappaturro negro * Poroporo Peiiie de mico . . Quizarrd " negro* . " amarillo * " barcino . " cacho . . " clavo . . Quizarracillo . . . Quina Quiebra hacha * . Roble * " negro . . . + + . . . ++ . . + . + . . + . . . + . . + . ++ +. .++ . .+ . .+ + . .+ . .+ . .+ + . + + + ++ . +++++ + .+.++. +++ + +++ + . .+ . +++ . ++ + -++ . + . +++- + + +++ . + . ++ + + + + + + . . .+ . ... ++ . ++ . . . ++++++ . . . +++ + + + .+ + + +■ . . .+ .+ +++++ . + . . . ++++ .+ + ++ .' .' ++ + + + + . + ++ + + + + + + + +4- . .+ +- + .+ + .+ + + + +++ .+ + + + . ++++ . + + .+ . .+ + + .-f+ + ++ + . +++ . + + . . . -f . . + + .++. + . + . .+ +.+.++. ++++ . +++ . + . + + . + . . . -*-- f ♦Cabinet woods. 56 — — o — — — — o ci TJ ;_; OJ rt ^ rt ^ Building and Cabinet >4J "5 rt H 6 rt o Q o ^ o p o ui ic c Q ,o Woods — Continued. o >3 5 u d (LI 3 OS .2 S ra S f^" « ^ n 'i^ U 0) c c c5 Q 3 •< o O 2 0) 1) c cd (/3 5 u Oh rt J ■lti o c 3 W o O 3 Roble enema + . . . + " amarillo + . . . Ronron * + . . +++ . + . + .++.+ . . . + . +++ . Recina + ++ + .+ + +- Raton Sizzi* Sahino + • Sanjuanillo * -| — [- + Santa Rosa + . Surd -f+ . ++ ++ + . + .+ + + + Sierrilla + Siete cueros . . . ' -I — h Sayo + Sandalo Tirrd + ...+ .++..+ +++ Tiquizzirri + + + ■•• + TubiSs + .+ + Tucuico + Treshuevos * + Titora + Tempisque , + Tamarindo + Uruca + + + + Vainilla Venado + ■ Venecunco + Yoz + . . . + + + . Yas . . . Yuguilla Yambaro . Zapotillo . Zopilotillo Zorrillo . . + + + ++ + + + + + + +++ . + + Zapote mico + ♦Cabinet woods. flDcMcal an^ iS)lca9inou6 ipiants. These are principally the result of indigenous or spontaneous growth, a part of the local flora, and with scientific care and intelligent indus- try will always be a pregnant source of revenue. The following list indicates the habitat of each plant mentioned : 57 Medical Plants. 2 ' S W,Q Oi^ <3i ,.2 Oc,!-] '^cedera / + . . . . .+ ..+ . . + . + . ++++ . Achicoria + .. f .++..+ . . +++ . +-4- + + . Agrd + ....++ + . . +^ . + . . Aguacate + + + ...+ .... Ajenjo + ....++.. ++++H- . . +++ . + + + + Ajo Albahaca + . . . . . + + .. . . + ■ ■ + f . Alcotan + . Amapola + . -|- ...-(- + . . . H — h . + . + • Anisillo + + + ... ++++ . + Anono + + + Apasote + . + • • ++ • ■ + • +++ Aromo + + H — h . • . + ■ Artemisa + • • ++++ • • + . • + . ++++ + Azahar de monte + + Alacran + . . . + Agarico bianco + " negro -|- Azafran -)- Aloe f + + + + Aconito -(- Arnica -|-~|- Albarrana + Asta de ciervu + Aceituna -\- Azuceiia + . . . Adormidera , + . . Avellana -|- Anacahuita Alerojo Albahaca de anis r-j_ Almendro -j- Balsamito -(- |- Balsamo de Tolu + . . . -| — |- ..+ ■••.+ -(--i- . . " " Peru -f- -|-4- . '. Barbasco + • • ■ + Bodoque Borraja . Betivir . + ++++++++++++ + . ++ + + Balsamo de Brasil Bitamo Belladona . . . Beleno + + + ++ + ++ + .+ Bijaroo • ... + .. Berro -(- Bijagua -\- Balsamo negro Bicho Conchalagua + . . . . f . . .1 Canela 58 ++ . +++++ Medical Plants. Continued. L.ana agna .... ' fistula papitaneja iCarao parboncillo ■ • • Cardosanto amarillo " bianco Carvalla Cedron Cerraja China +++ ++ . ++++- + + + ■. .+. .+. + . . +■+ + + i- . . + ++ -I- . ++ . + + + + . -V + + + + ++ ++++ + . .+ + + + -f + + . ++ + . + + + H- + + + . ++- Chipilin Chirraca + . + . + ++ . Cola..dealacran + ■ • Contra yerba -!-. + .. + . + ■• Copal + . + ...+ . -f+ . Copalchi + . + .:■■• -+-++ i- +++ Copey + . . r +-*- . -j- ■ . • • Corralillo + Cucuhneca Culantrillo + . + • • +++ • • • • ^r f - +++++ Chicasquil t- ..... + Culantro coyote .... + + + ■ + • -| — h ■ Cardon + ; " "^ Cordoncillo + + ■ ■ Carana + .. + + Coloquintida + + ' Cebada + . + .... + ++ . Copaiba H — (- Cerillo + Cedril + Coco + + . . . .+ +++ ++ . + .+ . + .+ + + ++ + . + + + Cativo -| — h ++ Coyol f- • Capsico + • Cornizuelo de centeno + . Contra veneno + Chan + + Cuasia + Cuasquite + Capitana + + Chile de perro + Camibar + Cominillo + Cristalillo Caucho Calabazas Chiquite ChiquizA Cebadilla 59 + + ++.++ -h + + ++ + . Medical Plants. Continued. + Corrimiento -\ — \- Coroso + . . . . Clavelina + . . Cuerno de ciervo + . . . . Cero + . Coquillo * + Chasmol -j- Cebovejetal . . + Doradilla + . . . ++++• • + ■ +++++++++ • - + Duerme muela Dijital ++ + Dormilona + + Dragon + ++++ -+ ■ . . Eneldo + + ++ . Escoba blanca . . . . + . .+ . . + . .+ . .+ . . " de castilla ... + + + + " negra .... + ..+ .. + _!_..++....+ " de Sn Pedro . + Escobilla + .... + . + ... + . ++ + . Escorsoneda + . . . ++ + •• + ■ + •• + Eucaliptu Estoraque + . . --(--f Espinillo . Estramonio Frailecillo Francesa . + + + + ++ + . .+ Florifundia + Frijolillo Golondrina + • Guaco + . . . +++ + + . + + Guapinol .... Guarumo + -f + .... Guizaro -f -f -!-■•--(- Guitite + -I- . . . . +-f+ . . 4- + 4- . + Garrapatilla + . .-[-■ + • + ■ + Guayaca -\- Gomalaca -|- Guaria + + Granada Giiis-coyol -j- Guacuco -(- Grama morada 4- . Gavilana -)- Higurilla blanca ... + ... + . + ++ . .4-. . . .-f' + ' + ^ ■ -\- " colorada .. + ... + . + -f-|- ..4-....-|-,-i- Hieuero . . 4- + - Hinojo -{- . Hoja del baso .... + ■ " de Estrella + + " del milagro . . . + . . . . -f-|- . ++ . . 4-+++ 4- + + + . ++ ++ 60 Medical Plants. Cunlinued. S o d -n rt cc o o £ a; re u -1) o a rt rt c ■ ■j; S o Q » ■2 a c tu. Q- o 1- •u 5 re 3 Q J, u C3 a: rt £; u rt o rt as ■^ ■n ri' cS rt u re re ,o l; c i) 2 r: n c o c ■A I, X. a 3, < S < ■Ji o < X cr. -1 2; a iT. X J a. X + Hoja de poro + . . . " sen ++...++ ++..++.+ " del aire H — H -f " " guaco + + " " corazon + Hombregrande ++ . . . ++++ + .. + .. Hule ++ + . + Hongos H — h Helecho macho + H — |- + Holatillo + Kuitirre . Ipecacuana Itabo . . . (avilla + . . . + + Jengibre + . + . + .++. ++++++ . . ++ • • + . . . + . Jenocuabe -j- ■ • + ■ ++ .... H — f- . . . + Juanislama + • • ■ • H — h . + ■ - + • - ■ -\ — h • + ■ -+ Jalapa + + + jaral + Jinote Jocote Lechilla + ...+ .. Lengua de ciervo + " de vaca .... + + • • Llanten + ..+ .. + .++..+ ••. ++ + Linaza + . + ....-f + ++ . .+ + + Liquidambar + Limoncillo + Limon + -j- Lirio del valle + Lechuga + Lagarto Lombricera f Leche de vaca 4- Malva +++ . + . + .++. +++++++++ . + . + . ++++ Manzanilla +++ . + +++ . +++ + +++ . . + Maraiion -f + + ■■ 4-.-. Matasano . Mechoacan + -++ .+ Mejovana + Morera + Mozotedecaballo . . . +++++ . -f . . + . +++++++ . + . + Mostaza + 4 .. + ... + + +.+ - . .+ Manfi + • Menta + ■ Mastuerzo . . . • + . Maria + - Mora f Melisa Mais Negro + 6i Medical Plants. Continued. t55 w 1^1 [■u ; o 1 rt ,.2 *t-i r" 3 11 < o < o c« .2 cfi ffi ?. H o Q M ^1 d 5 c ,-) .2 o 2 o o 5 5 •J C t; si "3 Q C n ifi t« u5,u Dh J J ;=; C/J CQ J a, w O Maravilla . , ivlalacagiiite Melosa . . , + + + Matiar .... Mastranto . . Masquitaguiste Maquenque . . Nacasacolo . . Naguapate . . Naranjo Agris + 5J; .+ + . + . + . f+ + + ++ angu Oregano + Oroziis + Ortiga + -I- + ++ + . ■f+ + + Ojo de Pajaro Olotillo . . . Ocote . . . . Opis .... Papelillo . . Platanillo . . + + + + Pilo Polypondium H — h Polipor de Gviilite + . Poroporo +++ ■ Palmik H-+ ++ ++ lera + Parrua .... Por6 Policaria .... Pichichin . . . Pipapica . . . Pico de Pajaro Pimiento . . . Pontespate . . Perejil .... Pepermen . . . Peine de Mico Panama .... + + + + + + . ++ + . + + + + ++ + + Pechote + Palo-Conejo -|- . Palma de Yolillo i- Purga de Fraile + Quina + ++.... + . + ... -^- ... + Ouitirri + + + Qui^bra muela Quita calzon Raiz de china + " " mora . . ■ + + Reina de la noche . . . + + - + • H — V .. + ... Romero +++ . . . + . + . ++++ • ++ • • + Reida + + + . . . + . ++ . . ++++++++ 62 + O . T3 c « 2 3 o \ ■gi-e . T in rt u Medical Plants. •m _• H 1 rt rt o u rli c • 3 1 Continued. o 3 cd 3 2 c (11 2 t3 33 1 c 1 5 ra 0) « >> o 5 0] u rt V.1 o 1/2 W Q cu <,§ < O < J J g J5 m J a, W O J RuiDarbo Rudilla . . Raspa guacal Rosa .... + .+ +- -+ .+- •++ . + -h " de castilla + . . . " t^ + . . . Rabo de puerco -|- . Raicesilla + Ruibarbo panzon -j- Salvia + . .^. +++. + . .+++. . .++.+ + Sagii + + +++ San Antonio . . . San Diego -f San Carlos + + Sanco_ + .... + .++...++.++.. + .. Sensitiva + + + + •• Sontol + ++ Suelda con suelda Simaruda .... Sanguinaria . . Sierra de gallo . Saragundi . . . Sl^mprevia . . . Sotacaballo . . . Savila + + + + + + + + Sandal .... Semicontra . . Sana luego . . Sangre amarilla Talcacao . . . Tamarindo . . Tapate .... Tuete .... Toro Tragacanto . . T6 Targda .... Tucila .... Tacaco .... + -f + .+ + +++ . + +- + + + + ++ . .++ . ++ . . + . . + + . + + + + + Tuna + . . . + Tiquilote + Tremenlina -f- Una de gate Urtica + Valeriana ++ Vainilla ++ -f . Verbena + ■ + • + . ++ ■ Vermut 6 absent H- . . . . + + Viborana -f--|--|---4- Verdolaga -j- + + + + . + + . -f + + 63 Medical Plants. •V < o F d 2 2 d 4) o .s E o (U P 10 0) "3 Q O Continued. c ni in >3 E Q a u 'u 3 Cl, < 5 U2 'o u O nl c (P •< 01 ■5 ni U a aa Q 5 m d .i! 2 ^ .2 o' o O K C a ■Ji in nl K C 3 CL, ■c E Varilla negra Violeta . . . + + . .+ + Vainilla negra Yazd + Yerba-buena -i — | — \- . " cacao " culebra 4- " del pesar -| — )- " santa -f . . . + -f- " mora -|-f , . . ++ . . + • ++ " t6 +++++++++ . +++ . ■ + . + + + + + + tinta ' " tora " del viejo " chau " escudilla Zacate de limon .... + .... " de olor 2^rzaparrilla + . + . . + .4-. \--\ — (--f -| ( (- Zorrillo + -'r . . . '. '. ++ . . +++ . + . + ++ + +.++.+ + + + + . ++ . . + S)^e llMant0. The products from which dye stuffs are made are of an excellent ^ quaUty. The plants are numerous and thrived in the districts indidated below. Dyk Plants. Achote Almendro Anil . . . Azul . . . Achiotillo Aromo Brasil . . Carao . . Capulin o 2: ca c CU c a 3 Oi W 2 Q + + . ++ . . . +++ . . ++ . + + + + +.+ + +++ + .+ + -f + . .+ + .++.+ Carmin Cebollin . Coloradito Elequeme -f- +++ . . +++ + . +++ . +++++ + .4- + 64 Dye Plants — Continued. o o H ■n nl n1 "^ -D • K rr -6 ci! o '^ re re c re i 6 re re 5 re 5 o re re V re re o re d 1-2 5 u re 6' _3 O . re re re re "3 Q c o o = 1 « t: X r. .M en a: W a CL, < < re o,^ < Xi re K ■f^ re re C/3 •J a, J, J ^; re rt 1 re 3 W o O 2 Encino bianco H — I — 1-+ .. + + • + • Encino Colorado ...+ .... + -(-... Fruta de agra + . Guacharo Grana + + Guaitil ++ Jiquilite + . . . ++ . . + 'aboncillo H — f- . . H — (- + agua -I- -+ .+ fi angle . . Mercolina Moral . . Moran . . Nacascolo Nan cite Nance . . . + . . . + .+ ++ + .4- . + . + + + + . + .++. ++^- . + + + + + . .+ . .+ + . + .+ + + + + ++ . . + . . . + ++ . +++ . + + + + + .+ . .+ Ojo de buey . . Parriia Pavel Palo amarillo Ratoi.rillo + Sanguinaria +++ -. ■ ■+ + . . + . + .+ Sangre de drago . . . + + . . . Sanjuanillo + + Saca-tinta +++ . . ++ . . . . .++.++. . .++.++. +++ Targua Colorado ... + + + •• H — h + - Timor + .. + .. + .. .^. ... ++ Tucuico + + Una de gato + Ubita . . ; + . Viborana + . . . + Vainilla + i Verba tinta + Yuqnilla + . + . + . + • • • . + .++. + . + . + + . . Verba mora + XEeitilc ipiants. After further investigation and experiment, it will probably be found that there are few textile plants at present cultivated in any part of the world, that cannot be made to yield profitable results in some parts of Costa Rica. Below is a list of those at present best known, and the cros.ses indicate the di.stricts in which they thrive. 65 d O c ■^ 1 Tkxtile Plants. 6 k! c: 5 E 6 o s 5 D o u d 5 nf 3 V n1 c d "5 n rt « si « a ^ £ rt o rt'a; - o' U t« rt ,o V- <1J O a; 2i; r, V X c c c 758 15,160,878 11,611,530 7,490 23,446,278 405,053 18,632,438 $3,925,330 Total 2,458,132 112,974,482 $58,397,197 Bananas, Of the exportable articles of Costa Rica, the next in im- portance to cofTee is, undoubtedly, the banana. Its cultivation was begun on the Atlantic coast in 1879, ^^^ originated from the inducement offered in the easy transportation afforded by a railroad, which traveled across a small section of the coun- try, admirably suited to this business. Whether it was due to the commercial caution of the people, who avoid venturing largely in a new enterprise, or S6 because they did not imagine an article, which was so common and so lightly appreciated in their own country, could attain so great a value in foreign markets, the fact is that the culti- vation of bananas began on a very small scale. The first three hundred and sixty bunches of bananas, which were exported to the United States in 1880, proved that bananas could become a new source of wealth to the country, and the Government promptly ceded liberal grants of land to those who were willing to develop the industry. The results can be well judged by the following table, which shows the number of bunches exported from 1883 to 1889 and their value. Years. Number of Bunches. Value of Bananas. 1883 110,801 $55,400 1884 420,000 336,000 1885 401-183 302,457 1886 595,970 476,775 1887 .■ 889,517 669,544 1888 854,588 530,765 1889 990,898 569,020 Total. . . .4,262,957- $2,939,961 In 1888 there were already sixty-one extensive banana plantations, and a large number of minor ones, which pro- duced 896,245 bunches, valued at $537,74/. This infant industry is getting to be more important every day. The bananas, which grow spontaneously in the tropical countries, have been, since 1879, an article of foreign com- merce. Before, they were planted in the coffee plantations to shade the young trees and shelter the grains from the winds, that would sweep down the unmatured berry. The fruit of the banana was used to feed pigs, or grew without any culti- vation in the mountains and plains, thus going into absolute waste. The laboring classes in those countries generally kept a few plants in their back yards and used the green fruit. boiled with salt, or roasted on hot coals, instead of bread. The varieties of bananas are great, there being some tAventy- 87 five or thirty classes. The better ones are, when perfectly- ripe, baked in an oven with a slow fire, after being peeled and buttered along- a longitudinal incision which is made in the fruit ; thus prepared, it becomes a delicious food. The pro- duction of this article, which was thus limited, has been greatly increased, due to the American fruit companies, who began to send vessels to Mexico, Central America, Columbia, Guianas and West Indies, making monthly trips, and paying fancy prices for the fruit. The sudden rise in the price of an article which was, for those people almost without any value, induced them to start small plantations. The success ob- tained by the trial, together with the moderate amount of capi- tal, labor and enterprise required, encouraged them and some foreign firms to establish large plantations. These are generally located near the railroad lines, on the banks of rivers, or on the coast, thus saving labor and expense for transportation, and too much handling of the fruit. The lands chosen for the production of the banana are those that contain extensive alluvial deposits, composed chiefly of blue clay impregnated with marine salt, and rich in decomposed vegetable matter. On the large plantations, where more capital is used and the labor is better organized, it can be noticed that the trees are planted from twelv^e to fifteen feet apart, in the form of squares, and where irrigation is required, trenches are dug between to adniit the water passing through them as often as it is neces- sary. In places where the rain is abundant, or where the soil is damp, the bananas grow best. It is generally at the end of nine months that the plants mature, and after that time the fruit can be gathered every week in the year, provided the plantation has been well kept and has had a good start. At that time the trunk of the tree attains a height of from eight to ten feet, and is about thirty- six inches in girth. From the trunk, which is porous, and yields an excellent fiber, are thrown out palm-like branches to the number of half a dozen or more. The bunch of fruit 88 appears at the junction of the trunk and branches, and con- sists of from four to twelve of what are termed " hands," each hand having eight or twelve bananas on it. A bunch of eight " hands " or clusters is counted as a full bunch ; while those that have from five to seven are taken as half bunches ; bunches with less than five hands are styled third class ; the others, respectively, first and second class. From the root of this tree several shoots or " suckers " sprout, each of which in turn becomes a tree, and bears a bunch of bananas ; these may be transplanted. After the bunch has been cut the tree is usually felled. In fact, planters generally cut the tree in order to gather the fruit. The manner in which the banana is cultivated is certainly the easiest, as very little skill or labor is demanded, nature doing almost all the work. The first cost of planting an acre of land is from ^50 to ;^6o, the production being from 600 to 800 bunches to the acre, which makes a cost of about seven or eight cents per bunch. These are sold on the plantations to the American fruit companies for from fifty to sixty cents ^ American gold. They in turn sell them in this country for from one to three dollars per bunch. It is calculated that a vessel with a dead-weight capacity of i,000 tons could carry a cargo of 20,060 bunches. It is already a known fact that the loss on the voyage rarely ex- ceeds fifteen per cent. ; therefore, if the balance were to be sold at the low price of one dollar per bunch, the profit made on the trip on the cargo of bananas only, without calculating at all the profits that could be had carrying passengers and mails, would amount to no less than ^7,000 after the payment of all the expenses. The estimated loss of fifteen per cent, which the vessel suf- fers, could be greatly diminished if there were better facilities of transportation in those countries, where the bananas are taken from the plantations to be loaded on trains, small steamers, or canoes, on springless carts, or on the heads of the laborers. riie bananas intended for exportation are cut while they are. yreen, stowed in the vessel carefully, and in such a way as to jiermit the air to circulate freely, and to av^oid the rays of the sun, which Avould ripen the fruit before it reached its destina-. lion. Any slight bruise made on the skin of a green banana, although apparently unnoticeable at first, develops in the ripe fruit into a black spot, which tends to lessen the value of the fruit in the market. As it is generally the case, that the fruit produced for exportation in tropical countries, finds ready purchasers in the ])lanters, who pay for it at the moment of its delivery, and ship it to the markets of the United States in their own vessels, there is no established rate of freight on bananas. The owners of the vessels usually share the risk on such cargoes with the insurance companies. lExpenee of Banana prot)nctton0 anb profits. To better illustrate the profitable business that can be made by planting bananas, an estimate of the expenses and produc- tion of a plantation of 69 acres (40 " manzanas ") is given below, taking into consideration, at the same time, the various difficulties to be encountered in tropical countries, such as bad roads, scarcity of labor, high prices of seed, etc. Estimates of Richaj'd Villafranca, consul-general of Costa Rica, which were submitted to, and approved by the superintendent of the Costa Rica Railroad. Expenses of planting a manzana of land (1:7242 acres) first year : (i) Cutting down the underbrush, burning, and clearing $35-oo (2) Price of 270 suckers, at $25 per thousand • 6.75 Five weed clearings, at $7 each 35- 00 Total cost for the first year $76.75 90 Expenses made on 40 manzanas (69 acres) of land, according" to the foregoing estimate : Clearing, planting, etc. , on 40 manzanas, at $76.75 each $3,070.00 Board and other expenses of an overseer, for 12 months, at $30 a month 360.00 (3) Interest on $3,430 in 12 months, at 6 per cent, a year 205.80 Total cost for the first year $3,635.80 Board and other expenses of an overseer, for 12 months 360.00 (4) Four weed clearing, at $280 each 1,120.00 (5) Cutting down 54,000 bunches, at 2;f4c. each 1,350.00 Cost of a portable house 1,000.00 Plows and other agricultural implements . 500.00 (6) Interest on $7,965.80, at 6 per cent, a year 477-95 Total cost at the end of the second vear . $8,443.75 INCOME DERIVED FROM THE ABOVE PLANTATION. 40 manzanas, with 270 suckers each, equal to 10,800 suckers ; 10,800 suckers yielding 5 bunches each, equal to 54,000 bunches ; 54,000 bunches, sold at 50 cents each, make $27,000.00 Deducting all of the expenses made in the two years 8,443.75 (7) Leaves a net profit at the end of the second year, of $18,556.25 NOTES. (i) The estimated cost of $76.75 per manzana occurs when the land is cleared, burned, etc., before planting ; but it would only amount to $60 or $65 if the planting were done first and the clearing after. (2) The best results are obtained when the trees are planted eighteen feet apart ; thus it would necessitate only 270 suckers to one manzana. (3) This plantation is supposed to be started by a person who, having only money enough to buy the land, is compelled to mortgage the property to secure funds to improve the same ; therefore it is calculated that he is paying an interest of six per cent, a year and not eight or ten, because the $3,430 is the total 91 ■expense of the first year, which ag^gregates in small amounts •every month. The same i) applicable to the second year. (4) The weed clearings of the second year are neither as fre- quent nor expensive, as the banana plant is fully developed and its heavy foliage stops somewhat the growth of the weed. (5) This item is very much exaggerated, as a man can easily cut down a bunch in less than half a minute ; but in order to give the laborers, who usually work ten hours a day, the amplest time to rest, smoke, and take their meals, it is here calculated that they cut down only one bunch every fiften minutes, or forty a day, for which work they get one dollar ; thus the cutting of one bunch costs two and one-half cents. (6) The samejreasons expressed in Note 3 are good in this case, with the only difference, perhaps, that in this instance the amount calculated for interest could, without danger, be stricken out, as the plantation has been in a state of productiveness since the tenth month after it was started, and no merit has been made of the profits obtained in that period of time from the tenth month to the twenty-third. (7) The amount of $18, 556. 25 represents the clear profits real- ized up to the end of the second year. In this estimate are not included the profits derived from the sale of bananas from the tenth month to the twenty-fourth ; nor those obtained from planting a great many other fruits, such as lemons, limes, pine- apples, cocoanuts, oranges, maranones, cocoa, etc., all of which necessitate hardly any extra expense to plant and keep in good ■condition, giving on the other hand the most flattering results. Most of the bananas grown in those countries, whose names have been already mentioned, are shipped to the United States, the greater part of them going to New Orleans, Baltimore, Philadelphia, Boston, and New York ; from these ports they are distributed throughout the States. As has already been said, to start a banana plantation re- quires very little skill, labor of anxiety. After securing a suit- able piece of ground, located as near as possible to a navigable river or a railroad, the first thing to be done is to clear away the underbrush ; then dig the holes at distances of from twelve to sixteen feet, forming squares in which the vertices of the four right angles correspond to one hole, wherein a plant or sucker is placed and covered with a small layer of earth. If the land is mountainous, the trees may be felled either 92 before or after planting the bananas. Each of these methods has its advantages. If the land be cleared after planting, there will be, naturally, some loss occasioned by trunks falling on the young plants ; but on the other hand, the plantation has been advancing while the clearing was being done, and the saving of time well repays the destruction of the few plants which may be buried under the fallen trees. The Second plan delays the starting ot the plantation, and, consequently, defers the period for gathering the first crop. Five weed-clearings the first year, and three or four during each of the succeeding years, are all that are required to keep the plantation in a good state of productiveness. After the second year the trees are fully developed, and the amount of shade thrown prevents a luxuriant growth of underbrush ; thus the weed-clearings are needed less frequently. At the end of the second year the crop is abundant, and the only labor required to gather it is to fell the tree. For this purpose one or two oblique cuts are bestowed on the trunk with a large, sharp knife, which forces it to bend at once beneath the weight of its ripened burden. It must be remem- bered that, in the spot where one tree has fallen, two or three others immediately spring into existence (often in less than a week), and as they thrive and bear fruit equally well at all times of the year, there can be a repetition of banana-cutting once or twice a week, according to the size of the plantation. The above instructions, and a little care in handling the bunches of bananas are all the enterprise requires to obtain the excellent results already shown. The following is a quotation from an official letter from Costa Rica : "A lOO manzana banana plantation, free from any combina- tion with coffee or cacao, will yearly produce 250 bunches per manzana fit for export — 2 5 ,000 bunches per year. The smaller bunches not suitable for sale, probably from 50 to 100 bunches per manzana, have to be used on the farm for cattle and hogs. 93 . " During the first five years of its growth, the banana pro- duces export bunches (racimos). Afterwards tlieir size de- creases, and hence the quality needed; in this case they are utilized for home consumption. " In order to keep the saleable stock up to 25,000 bundles, it is, therefore, necessary to increase the plantation every year with 20 manzanas of new plants. The old part of the planta- tion, that yearly drops out, is generally converted into pas- tures (potrero)." Bunches of bananas exported during 1884 were 425,000; in 1893, 1,150,000 bunches were sent out of the country; making a total in the ten years of 8,650,000 bunches. ^able of :©anana plantatione. HARVESTS AND VALUE. 1890. Yield Value fumber. Names of Farms. in Bunches. in Dollars, I America 9,295 $3,295 2 Arta 2,149 743 3 Amistad 28 8 4 Angelina 13.191 4,921 5 Babilonia 38,431 16,717 6 Bornemann 20,649 7,846 7 Brooklyn 24,097 10,002 8 Cabana i>i33 321 9 Ccvncepcion 13,298 4,324 10 Cinarrones 3,789 1,062 II Cartaeo 5,226 2,295 12 Costa Rica 18,164 6,893 13 Colombiana 16,556 6,510 14 Cristina * 15,785 5,418 15 Cubero 270 100 16 Celina 7,647 2,487 17 Constancia 59 26 18 Cultepper 27,191 10,742 19 Cairo 6,053 2,093 20 Corinto 3,741 1,170 21 Cacao 3.807 ^307 22 Cosme Peralta 2,267 852 23 Dos Novillos 8,607 3.238 94 T. \BLE OF Banana Pi i-ANJATIONS. Co uiti7iued. Yield Value Number. Names of Farms. in Bunches. in Dollars. 24 Destine 266 80 25 Estrella 1,924 748 26 Experienca 14,347 4,665 27 Emilia 14.310 5,164 28 Esmeralda 14,790 5,452 29 Freehold 19,214 6,196 30 Foxhall 8,910 3,461 31 Flores 433 144 32 Guapiles 18,931 6,388 33 Granja 4,025 1,253 34 Glencairns 271 85 35 Guasimo 27,515 10,591 36 Hogar 17,638 6,468 37 Hirroquois 13,236 5,630 38 Irazu 7,198 2,395 39 Juanita 58 18 40 Livertad 1,410 495 41 Lola 12,134 4,631 42 Libano 4,887 1,588 43 Miller 3,937 1,220 44 Maria 6,008 2,389 45 Mullner 32,661 12,663 46 Molino 19,354 6,470 47 Montesano_ 283 70 48 Mercedes 7,501 2,888 49 Malvonia 691 220 50 28 Mile 150 48 51 28 Mile 153 53 52 New Prospect 7,272 2.327 53 Numancia 13,486 4,090 54 New York 7,428 2,460 55 Otillia 4,721 1,613 56 Palnira 14,319 4,428 57 • Pacifica 19,284 6,428 58 Parlsmina 8,920 3,049 59 Providencia 6,947 2,370 60 Pepilla 3,462 1,310 61 Panchita 200 67 62 Rosario 4,467 1,580 63 Runnebaum 11,678 4,647 64 Reventazon 14,117 5,321 65 Riatti 6,444 2,443 95 Table of Banana Plantations. — Conti?iued. Yield Value Number. Names of Farms. in Bunches. in Dollars. 66 Rio Verde 12,428 4,262 67 Rio Hondo 8,204 3,194 68 San Nicolas 10,286 3,968 69 Siquirres 20,153 7,553 70 Salvador 7,577 2,505 71 San Jose Creek 1,070 315 72 Santa Clara 4,822 1,707 73 Santa Ines 435 146 74 Selva 6,305 2,227 75 Turrialba 7,744 3,011 76 Toro Amarillo 44 13 77 Williamsburg 20,863 8,095 78 Varias fincas pequenas Total. r 374,901 142,986 ,091,025 $405,672 Cocoa. (Cocoa or Thesbrama.) Although this article is not sufficiently cultivated now to rank among the leading products, whose exportation add a notable increase to the wealth of the country, yet its adapti- bility to various regions in Costa Rica, its excellent quality, the small amount of labor required to grow it, its longevity, and finally, the large profits derived from it, are all favorable points which enable us to predict that soon the cacao industry will fairly rival that of bananas, and, perhaps, even that of coffee. The Government of Costa Rica are fully aware of this fact, and liberal inducements are offered to all who are willing to develop this avenue of wealth. Large plantations of this industry were worked, many years ago, in the valley of Martina, and great quantities of the article were exported ; the enterprise was abandoned, however, partly through lack of transportation facilities, and partly through fear of the Mosquito Indians arid pirates, who invaded the region. ,96 Cacao and other valuable products have received but little attention in Costa Rica, since coffee plantations began to ab- sorb all the time and capital ; the efforts in this latter direction have been so well compensated, the planters have had no occasion to enter largely into new enterprises, even although so thoroughly profitable as cacao has been proven to be. As has been already stated in previous tables, cacao is culti- vated at present in the following countries : Aserri (San Jose), Atenas and Naranjo (Alajuela), Heredia (Heredia), Paraiso (Cartago), in the whole of Guanacaste, in Golfo Dulce (Pun- tarenas) and in Limon. Cacao Exported from 1884 to 1889. Years. Founds. Value in Dollars. i««4 9>927 $3,227 1885 16,271 4,084 1886 5,776 2,223 1887 10,906 4,708 1888 18,410 3,576 1889 28,830 12,386 Total 90,110 $30,276 The number of plantations regularly established up to i, was one hundred and ninety-eight, having in all 56,426 trees that yielded in the same year, 331,900 pounds, valued at ^165,770, as follows: Provinces Number of Numb-.-r of Nunil.>erof ," Value and Counties. Plantations. Trees. Pounds. '"^i Money. Naranjo (Alajuela) . . 9 1,142 5, 600 ' $2,800 Heredia (Heredia) . . 7 452 1,800 720 Limon 182 54,832 324, 5'. trees on 25 man^. Total, 17,927 17,927 5. Payment on shares, I2, 500 — ■ Deposit from 4th year, |4,497 •-..■• 16,997 7,500 bunches plantains, ^937 ; corn, |2oo .... 1,137 Total expenses for culture, etc J^3i53o Cash deposited with C. T 4,604 5th 3'^ear's plantation, 10,000 trees on 25 manz. Total, $8, 134 $8, 134 6. All shares paid up ; deposit from 5th year, $4,604 . $4,604 10,000 bunches plantains, $1,250; corn, $200 . . . i,45o Total expenses for culture, etc $2,920 Cash deposited with C. T. 3.134 No more new plantation. Total $6,054 $6,054 7. Deposit from 6th year ^■3,134 10,000 bunches plantains, $^1,250 ; corn $200 ; cacao, 50 centner, $2,500 • ,■5,950 Total expenses for culture, etc .: 92,765 Dividend on shares paid with io per cent. . . . rt 2,000 Cash depost with C. T. 2,319 Dividend paid with $2,000. Total $7,084 $7,084 8. Deposit from 7th year $2,319 10,000 bunches plantains, $1,250; corn, 5^2oo ; cacao, 150 centner, $7,500 8,950 Total expenses for culture, etc $3,425 Dividend on shares paid with 20 per cent. .... 4,000 Cash deposit with C. T 3.844 Dividend paid with $4,000. Total $11,269 $11,269 9. Deposit from 8th year $3,844 5,000 bunches plantains, $625 ; corn, $200 ; cacao, 250 centner, $12,500 13,325 Total expenses for culture, sacks, drying ma- chine, etc $7,665 Dividend on shares paid with 20 per cent 4,000 Cash deposited with C. T 5,504 Dividend paid with $4,000. Total $17,169 $17,169 xo. Deposit from 9th year $5,504 2,500 bunches plantains, $312; corn, $200; cacao, 350 centner, $17,500 18,325 Total expenses for culture, etc $6,015 Dividend on shares paid with 60 per cent 12,000 Cash deposited with C. T 5.501 Dividend paid with $12,000. Total $23,516 $23,516 100 3 1. Deposit from loth year $5)5oo Last crop of plantains, $200 ; no corn this year ; cacao, 450 centner, ?i22, 500 22,700 Total expenses for culture, sacks, machinery, etc. $6,555 Dividend on shares paid with 80 per cent 16,000 Cash deposited with C. T - 5,645 Dividend paid with $16,000. Total. ..... .$28,200 $28,200 12. Deposit from nth year $5,645 Corn, $200 ; Cacao, 600 centner, $30,000 30,200 Total expenses for culture, etc $6,595 Dividend shares paid with 100 per cent 20,000 Cash deposited with C. T 9,250 Dividend paid with $20,000. Total $35,845 $35,845 13. Deposits from 12th year $9,250 Corn, $200 ; cacao, 700 centner 35»20o Total expenses for culture, new houses, etc. . . . 9,075 Dividend on shares paid with 20,000 Cash deposited with C. T i5,375 Dividend paid with $20,000. Total . . • $44,450 S44,45o 14. Deposits from 13th year $i5»375 Corn, l^^oo ; cacao, 800 centner 40,200 Total expenses for culture, fencing, sacks, wagons and horses 9»075 Dividend on shares paid with 100 per cent. . . . 20,000 Cash deposited with C. T 26,500 Dividend paid with |2o,oo. Total $55,575 $55,575 15. Deposit from 14th year $26,500 Corn, I200 ; cacao, 900 centner, $45,000 45f20O Total expenses for culture, sacks, repairs on fences and houses $8,275 Dividend on shares paid with 200 per cent .... 40,000 Cash deposited with C. T 23,425 Dividend paid with $40,000. Total $7i,7oo $7ii7oo i6. Deposit from 15th year $23,425 Corn, |2oo ; cacao, 1,000 centner, 150,000 .... ;^50,200 Total expenses, for culture, sacks, repairs, etc. . $8,275 Total amount deposited with company treasurer . 65,350 Dividend in treasurer's hands, $65,356. Total . . $73,625 $73,625 RECAPITULATION. Capital invested, |2o,ooo. Total dividends paid upon said capital during 16 years, $203,350, or about $12,700 per year. lOI The value of the share of the company's property the r6th; year stands as follows : 50,000 cacao trees at $2 with land |ioo,ooo 70 manzanas pasture land at $50 3.500 Houses with 5 manzanas grounds 3,000 Fences 1,000 Machines and implements 3,000 Wagong, horses and boat 360 Harnesses and saddles 100 Furniture for house and office 190 Total value of property |ii 1,150 You will have observed, that any income from small items of husbandry, as garden stuffs, fowls, dairy products, etc. , is not quoted, because household and farm-hands generally consume them, with or without permission. Also your attention must certainly have been drawn to the large yearly deposit with the company treasurer. If a single party is owner of the plantation, of course no deposit is necessary ; but in a share company a different arrange- ment has to be followed. Shareholders may more or less neglect to pay in due time, or disunion to be settled may create delay in payments ; but the cacao culture does not permit of any delay in the settlement of expenses, for the plantation will become crippled, or even killed under the quick tropical vegetation. Therefore, a deposit, sufficiently large, to carry on the work under arising controversies, is required. A cacao plantation, similar to the one under discussion, will continue for an unlimited future in full bearing power, if duly attended to. Without regular attention, the trees will turn sylvan and their fruit diminish in quantity or even dis- appear. If you or your friends make up your mind to start a cacao farm on shares, then you had better elect among yourselves an administrator, who can always be present on the farm and conduct the work. Respectfully, John Schroeder. riDanner of Cultivating Cocoa anb lestimateb profits* Selection of Land. — The lands best adapted to the cocoa or " cacao " growing should be of a dark, vegetable, alluvial soil slightly mixed with sand and clay. Thev^ need to contain a great deal of moisture, and for that reason level ground, with rivers or streams running through it, is preferable, as the rain water, or that from the irrigating ditches, flowing slowly, has ample time to penetrate to the roots of the trees. Foot-hills, having sufficient moisture, are also desirable, but it must be re- membered that, though damp soil is necessary to the whole- some growth of the plant, deposits of water produce a con- trary effect and rot the roots of the trees. The temperature required must not fall below 74° F. nor rise above 100° F. Virgin land, forests especially, is doubtless the best, as in it is found the richness of soil required, and in case of forests, the amount of shelter necessary for growing cacao, without incurring the extra expense of planting shade. Preparing the Land. — If the plantation is to be started on forest land, no other preparation is needed except to clear away all the underbrush ; but if the land selected has been previously cultivated with other products, it is probably destititute of adequate shading, which must be at once supplied. Shading. — This is absolutely necessary to protect the trees from the direct raysof thesun, and, whennot furnished by nature, must be provided at least six months in advance of the trans- planting of the cocoa trees. The banana-tree may be used as a provisional shade, and must be planted at the same time that the coral-tree (Erythrina), generally called " madre de cacao" (mother of cocoa), which is usually the one adopted as the permanent shade tree. The banana tree grows very rapidly, thus affording in time the required shade for the newly trans- planted cocoa-trees, but, while the latter grow to a height of eighteen or twenty feet, the banana only reaches that of eight or ten feet, and soon fails to accomplish the desired object ; hence the necessity of having a tree like the *' madre de •cocoa," which grows as high as sixty feet. After having cleared the land, and placed the stakes in 103 straight parallel lines — thirteen or fifteen feet apart — to indi- cate the spot where the cocoa-trees are to be inserted, the planting of the banana-trees is done; these are arranged in such a manner as to supply the necessary shade, and not in- terfere with the growth of the coral-trees. The latter develop from four seeds, placed around the stakes at a distance of twenty inches. The object of planting four seeds is to allow a selection from the four trees — or as many of them as may^ thrive — of the most perfect, leaving it thereto fulfill its mission as guardian, while the others, being unrequired, are uprooted and cast out. The banana-trees may be destroyed as soon as the " madre de cacao " has developed sufficiently to furnish the necessary protection from the rays of the sun. Nurseries. — The preparation of a nursery for cacao is very- much the same as for coffee ; therefore, seed plots of about twelve inches in height, forty-eight inches in width, and of any desired length, have to be made. These are then provided with shade, and ditches are left between them to irrigate the beds frequently. The seeds must be of the best quality ; those are considered such which were gathered from the thoroughly ripened pods, growing on the branches of the tree, and not on the trunk itself. After the seeds have been taken out of the pods, they are put into water for about twenty -four hours, in order to soften the cuticle which surrounds them; this simplifies the operation of separating the skin from the grain. Some planters cut the cuticle lengthwise before putting the seeds into the water, but this plan, besides being more laborious, is somewhat risky, as the grain, itself, may be injured while making the incision. At the expiration of the twenty-four hours the seeds are planted, one by one, at distances of about twelve inches. After that, care must be taken to keep the seed-plots perfectly free from weeds and thoroughly irrigated. Nurse- ries can be started at almost any time, but the months of October and November are preferable, as by April or March. 104 foUowihg, the tree will be ready for transplanting, and may derive the benefits of the rainy season, which begins at that epoch. Planting. — This is done generally at the beginning of the rainy season. In place of the stake inserted in the ground, several months before, we now plant one of the trees, taken ' out of the nurseiy with its roots surrounded by a square lump of the earth in which it grew. Cultivation. — After the tree has been located definitely, with the shade necessary for its proper growth, the work is simply that of keeping the land free of weeds and well irri- gated ; paying, besides, some attention to the unnecessary suckers and shoots, which must be destroyed to give greater vigor to the main tree. Thirty months after the tree has been transplanted, it begins to bloom, but this florescence must not be allowed to develop, for it would rob, prema- turely, some of the strength of the tree ; hence it must be .taken down. Harvesting, Etc. — When the plantation is between three and a half and four years old, the first regular crop appears; the trunk and the branches being then covered, from top to bottom, with pods. After that the crops occur twice a year^ about the months of July and December, but pods, green and ripe, are found in blossom at all times ; therefore, gather- ings may be done, once or twice a week, and even daily, ac- cording to the size of the plantation. The production con- tinues to increase until the eighth year ; after that, it is more or less even for forty years or more. The pods are from ten to twelve inches long, and resemble a musk-melon ; they grow from the branches and trunks of the trees, and are considered fully ripe when their green color has become a slightly yellowish or reddish tint ; this occurs about four months after the blossom has appeared. The pods are pulled down from the trees, and the nuts taken out of them by simply breaking or cutting the pod in two. The 105 nuts are then placed for twenty-four hours in a tank of water, and constantly stirred about to destroy the mucilage-like substance which adheres to them ; then they are taken out and spread on a patented stone or " patio " to dry in the sun. The drying process may be done in stoves, or other machines similar to those used for coffee. When the nuts are thoroughly dried, the cacao is ready for the market, and the planter, to reap the large profits invariably derived from the production of this article, the cultivation of which has required so little skill, machinery, capital or labor. Every tree is calculated to yield about fifty pods, each containing about forty grains ; fifteen grains weighing about one ounce ; thus a single tree's production is estimated in six and one-third pounds. Sugar-cane, Although sugar-cane grows well almost all over the country and is extensively cultivated, sugar does not as yet constitute one of the exporting articles, and probably will not as long as there are products like coffee, bananas, cocoa, etc., which bring to the planters handsomer profits. This article is, therefore, produced merely to supply the local demands ; but even so, there is always a scarcity of it which requires large importations of foreign sugar. The sugar-cane is used largely in Costa Rica as forage, in the manufacture of whiskey or " aguardiente " ; and to pro- duce the raw sugar or " dulce " which is consumed entirely by country people. There are no refineries, but there are a few establishments, which make granulated and lump sugar of a rather light color, by the centrifugal process ; these, and the imported sugar are eaten by people living in the cities, and very rarely anywhere else ; the " dulce " being preferred by country people, not so much because of its cheaper price, as for its strong taste to which they are accustomed. Acreage of the Sugar-cane Cultivated, and the Amount of sugar and " Dulce " Produced in il io6 Provinces. 1"^ j; 3 u V ^(5 Sanjos^ . . . 4,819 170,200 6,255,100 $20,424 $625,510 $645,934 Alajuela . . ■ 5.076 794,800 9,242,000 95,376 924,200 1,019,576 Cartago . . . 1,466 394,500 878,600 47,340 87,860 135,200 Heredia . . • 1,114 — 1,446,400 — 144,640 144,640 Guanacaste . ■ 719 — 406,600 — 40,660 40,600 Puntarenas . • 1,471 — 207,000 — 20,700 20,700 Limon . . . 122 8,500 18,300 1,020 1,830 2,850 Total . . 14,787 1,368,000 18,454,000 $164,160 $1,845,400 $2,009,560 Added to the ^2,009,560 worth of sugar and " dulce" pro- duced in the country, there was ^83,125 of foreign sugar imported, making a total consumption of ^^ 2, 092, 68 5 for the year 1889. The manner in which sugar-cane is cultivated is so simple, it would hardly seem proper to give a description of it here ; but this much may be said : — Sugar-cane, in Costa Ricea, grows extremely tall and stout, and unlike that raised in other countries, does not need to be replanted every two or three years. If due care is taken, the plant will give satisfactory results for a term of from five to seven years. Cotton an^ TObeat, The first of these products received considerable attention many years ago, when it was cultivated, spun and woven into cloth by the natives. The improved and increased means of communication with the outer world gradually brought about many ghanges ; among these was the introduction of cotton fabrics from foreign ports. The lower prices and the better quality of these imported goods compelled the primitive mills to stop working, and the cotton fields to be abandoned. Wheat, too, was formerly produced in sufficient quantities to supply the local demands, and was ground into flour by means of small mills of the most primeval order. The culti- vation of this grain to-day is badly neglected, and the quanti- ties produced fall far short of satisfying the demand. This is 107 due entirely to the reasons given before regarding other pro- ducts : — Viz., scarcity of and high prices paid for labor, and the existence of more profitable industries. In the face of these facts, it is easy to understand how Costa Rica introduces foreign flour, and even the vi^heat required for the running of a recently established mill which possesses all the modern improvements. Table Showing the Amount of Wheat and Flour Intro- duced IN THE Years 1884, 1886, 1887, 1888, 1889. Amount of Amount of Wheat Flour Total of Years. in Pounds. in Pounds. Wheat and Flour. 1884 158,972 158,972 1886 15,898 283,064 298,^62 1887 72,270 125,153 197,423 1888 9,507 167,319 176,826 1889 26,822 209,150 235,972 124,497 943.658 1,068,155 This official record shows that wheat was planted in 1888 in the provinces of Alajuela and Heredia. In the first of these 59.50 bushels, of which were harvested 226.33 bushels, thus yielding a proportion of four to one. In the province of Heredia 57.85 bushels were sown, and 564.36 bushels were gathered ; a proportion of ten to one. Table Showing the Amount of Wheat Sown and Har- vested in 1888. Number of Number ot Bushels Bushels Rates of Counties. Planted. Harvested. Production. Alajuela ii-35 82.04 7.22 to i Grecia 22.70 66.41 2.93 to r Naranjo 25.45 77-88 3.06 to i Total for the Province of Alajuela . . . . 59.50 226.33 3.80 to i Heredia 12.77 56-74 4-43 to i Santo Domingo .... 18.21 223.92 12.29101 San Rafael 26.87 283.70 10.55 to i Total for the Province of Heredia . . . . 57.85 564-36 9.75101 Grand Total . . . . 117.35 790.69 6.7410 i 108 The number of acres planted in the province of Alajuela was 39.66, which yielded at the rate of 5 .70 bushels per acre ; in Heredia 38.56 acres, which yielded at the average rate of 14.53 bushels per acre ; making the total average ten bushels per acre. The county of Santo Domingo produced as high as 18.44 bushels per acre, and San Rafael, 15.84 bushels per acre. Comparing these results with those of the United States, shows that only Wyoming yields 19.5 bushels more than St. Domingo, while there are but ten states which produce more than San Rafael. On the other hand there are twenty states where the production falls below that of Heredia, and ten others which do not reach the average production of Costa Rica. Cocoanute* The cocoanut grows in the warmer portions of Costa Rica, and particularly well on the coasts, where the forests are thickly studded with these gigantic trees. The fruit has had only a limited local demand, and but recently became an ex- port. If the demand of the foreign ports should ever exceed the supply, now found growing in a wild state in the forests, the forming of regular plantations could be done very easily at a nominal cost, as it needs no special oversight or much labor to cultivate this tree, whose fruit has such a multiplicity of useful qualities. Heretofore, a few banana growers or other farmers on the coast have planted a small number of these trees, more with the intention of beautifying their estates, than with that of deriving any pecuniary benefit from them, IRicc, Beans ant) Corn. These three products constitute the principal articles of food for the peasants of Costa Rica, and are also seen frequently on the tables of the well-to-do classes. The cultivation of rice in Costa Rica demands very little care and no irrigation to produce two crops a year of a very 109 superior quality of grain ; but, owing to the causes so fre- quently mentioned in this pamphlet, there is not enough pro- duced for home consumption, and foreign rice has to be imported to make up the deficiency. Beans and corn are grown almost all over the country, especially the latter, of which three crops a year is not an un- common occurence in a number of places. It seems almost incredible, that with such wonderful facilities, there should be occasion to import, at times, even the necessaries of life which would grovv^ so well and abundantly in the country ; but such is the lamentable fact, which goes to prove once more that Costa Rica's small population are so fully engrossed in one or two wonderfully profitable enterprises, that many other pur- suits, perhaps not equally advantageous, are somewhat disre- garded. These are waiting for the current of immigration, anxiously desired by the natives, who would gladly see strangers building large fortunes in a short time, in exchange for the benefits derived by the inhabitants from a larger pro- duction, and greater development of the natural resources of this marvelous country. The following table will show the number of pounds of rice, beans and corn planted in each of the provinces of Costa Rica ; giving the production of each article, and the rates of the seeds sown, to the amount harvested in i: "uiji}onpoj«i )o ssjB^ to t-» pi io"?b -^ r^ rt p) t^oo -^ "pajsaAjBq S[3qsnqjo .isquinf^ •paiUBid S[3qsnq jo jaquin^ C^ lO PI rt ON t^ C^ ON OnX ►h o vo rovo vO t^ PI On fO On On -1 O O t^ " O On fO rO O ^ rn -* P) P) ON r^ PI VO rO O w lO ON rO O OnOO PI i-i PI T^ ro rO t^ VO t^NO -^ PI w fO \0 *-< VO CO VO IT) NO VO ^ 2 t> C5 CS ^ N - 03 - X t- J, B 1 " ^ IS a ^ as u ■iiopDnpoid 05 rt C5 rt IS 2 M O M «S a rt CD n sy jo saiB^ onoo n lo o t^ PI lOwlOPI-HlOlOlOO X t^ P) t^ -1 PI U" " PI CO M r-( M 1-1 M 1 Irt CO CO PI z < M Q -^ CO M ON ON ON ON t^ OnvO ■* O 1 ■* ^ ir> rr 1 ON •^ CO t^ O t^ t^ M -"I COVO O X On CO 1 O i •pa}S3AjBq d "^ lO Onvo' CO 00 ovco'^TJ-iocodvl d rf t^pi lO z < S[3qsnqjo rt po P* <~0 <^ M X lO PI O CO O VO VO M M r~, ^ CO ■Si J3quin>j r^ O PI NO ro lO t CO " CO t^vo lO P q_ uox PI VO Z ^ *-H OnnO "^ PI CO 00~ ov ov pT pT "^F p M CO rt" lO o: PI CO CO CO •pS}UE|d OsiO '^ ON o o t^ Tj- ^ lO O 00 VO -1 lO VO rt ^ » * lOCO rOCO -H VO lO t^ coco "7 f <^i "^ 3 t q VO X IC siaqsnqjo lO On CO rove lO 4 IT) '^ d^ 6 ■^ lo M CO PI no' d On .laquin^^ 00 O O CS 'rt ON VO VO ON Tt CO O CO u- > CO ON'^^rt ^ (5 L »H >H lO PI ■^ PJ CO PI Irt PI Tf Irt vO__ X ON hT pT (rt 1? o H U •uopanpoad 1 » t. 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'O HH lO M M* •pauiBio o i^ " 1-1 vo sisqsnqjo vd w t^ t-L - o UT^ rO ^ r^oo 00 0\ M -N^Nrl o NO lOCO r^ (N irj r^ ^ ON t^CO 1-1 CO ^ ^ ON o o i-Too" '^M^" m" ON lO ON t;}- t^ M ON to 1 0_N0__ tOOO" CO CO O) ^O CO O M On t^ r^CO ON to CO CN <"5 OOO ^ r^ (N M lO On CO O . co M •;)- IN 1-1 00 spqsnqjo ^ ^ ^^ „• ^ aaqiun^i oo « . . o • • o • ' c ^ '^ Jft-fi c c c iS fciii rt rt 0) rt O Xmu^imn H O O M O 1 ^a> CO MO CO M NO 1-1 a, CO eo lO CO o\ Tt CO 1-1 0< to Nrt ?^ "3 (U O -1-1 ™ " "^ • - rt n! a a ^ rt b o 3 tfi O a J ^ CJ rrt CO Table showing the number of acres planted with Rice, Beans AND Corn, and the number of bushels that each acre YIELDED, IN 1888, — BY COUNTIES. Counties. , —Rice. < San ]os6 — Escasu — Desamparados .... 4.13 Punscal 16.69 Aserri 4.35 Mora 49-12 Total for the Province of San Jos6 . . . . 74.29 Alajuela 54.53 San Rani6n 60.20 Grecia 10.08 Naranjo 8.72 Atenas 11^.62 San Matos 4i-93 Palmares — Total for the Province of Alajuela .... 288.08 Cartago — Paraiso 86.90 La Union — Total for the Province of Cartago . . . . 86.90 Heredia — Barba — Santo Domingo .... — Santa Barbara .... — San Rafael — Total for the Province of Heredia .... — Liberia 23.28 Nicoya 37-15 Santa Cruz 5.04 Bagaces 5.19 Caiias — Total for Guanacaste, 70.66 Puntarenas 26.78 Esparta 231.98 Golfo Dulce 136.17 Total for Puntarenas, 394.93 Total for the Republic,9i4.86 61.27 3.791-75 28.03 16,863.48 41.25 "3 rt2 rt2 t 1-. -5 < 0. — 123.72 14.06 412.00 42.94 739.90 12.20 1,430.70 53.41 15-96 335-56 18.55 826.20 16.57 36-17 149.26 37-78 412.00 42.92 81.06 30-73 76.02 655-34 28.56 82.96 130.40 1,509-57 26.94 18.87 306.73 4,042.97 33.27 68.61 38.18 141.93 243.82 38.38 828.09 66.69 60.27 196.20 46.50 2,287.33 34-50 38.39 99.90 24.07 839.44 33-73 31-99 153-66 18.11 590.96 59-64 50.34 270.98 16.99 307,33 21.43 17734 23-50 2397 186.13 44.98 — 100.87 1,088.93 22.50 28.47 504-22 5,543-50 33-75 83.10 41-43 — 61.37 57-27 1,483-74 54-34 9-74 564.40 56-48 2,576.89 34-40 — 7.22 33-56 56.29 109.38 4,170.01 49.88 9-74 632.99 41.90 — 323.26 20.18 874.73 45-03 — 9-83 15.00 68.94 78.03 — I-51 15.02 222.86 20.36 — .94 12.06 156.14 49.07 — 15-75 351-29 iS.oi 270.14 1,592.81 47.52 — 19.89 43.78 77.86 44-38 19.06 249.57 46.86 18.05 7-52 71.24 137.22 61.74 29.99 11-95 14.22 162.34 92.31 ie.8i 13.02 8.69 220.97 27.23 — 7-57 33-32 22.70 26.40 41.09 38.22 84.44 796.50 53-o6 102.64 23-35 20.89 298.70 43-96 76.26 91.72 18.04 258.42 31-32 22.27 9.46 124.53 11.67 160.57 717.69 22.77 59-43 18.09 34.66 potatoee* The potatoes cultivated are of an extremely fine quality and, if planted in proper soil and at suitable elevations, the production is large. At present, the real potato is seen only in the provinces of Cartago and Alajuela. Here it is planted with great success on the hillsides, and a careful study of the country will show that many other places are well adapted for potato cultivation. As the railroads are completed, this will be an important and remunerative article, if exported to Col- ombia and neighboring States, where a more tropical climate renders their growth impossible. Sarsaparilla an^ IDantlla, These, like the india-rubber, are natural products which grow in the forests without any cultivation or care of any kind. Both are valuable commercial articles and are largely exported to foreign markets. tobacco. The quality of the tobacco produced in Costa Rica is known to be excellent, and previous to the time it became a govern- ment monopoly, large quantities were exported. A few years ago the Government, wishing to have this agricultural indus- try revived, granted full liberty for its cultivation, restricting only its sale, which continued a national monopoly. The trial proved then, in regard to tobacco, the same truth that has been made evident with many other products which grow easily and well in the republic ; that while the scarcity of labor and the consequent high prices demanded for it pre- vail in Costa Rica, no attractions will divert the efforts of the people from the production of coffee, bananas, etc., which yield such surprisingly large profits. The quantity of tobacco raised was not a success, as few would engage in its cultivation ; hence the Government was compelled to continue importing it to supply local demands. 114 Table showing the tobacco imported into Costa Rica dur- ing the years 1884, 1886, 1887, 1888 and i! Leal Chewing- Years. Tobacco. Cigars. Cigarettes. Tobacco. Total. 1884 . • 4,207 14,296 978 16,616 36,097 1886 . . 95,818 11,841 2,298 — 109,957 1887 . . 91,207 9.274 3.902 — 104,383 1888 . . 84,282 12,723 3.056 — 100,061 1889 . . 132,291 15,628 4,128 — 152,047 Total . 407,805 63,762 14,362 16,616 502,545 The Castilloa elastica is found growing wild in a great many of the virgin forests of the country, and the india-rubber extracted from it has always been one of the prominent ex- ports of the republic ; adding, thereby, a generous share to its wealth. The abuses committed by the india-rubber hunters, who, in order to gather the valuable gum in as short a time as pos- sible, often ruined the trees with the careless process adopted by them for this purpose, have compelled the Government to issue a decree prohibiting the extraction of this substance from the national lands without a special permit. This has been freely granted, however, to any individual or company who has solicited the right, and guaranteed the non- destruction of the trees. Then, again, the Government, de- sirous of encouraging the increase of such a profitable pro- duct, the cultivation of which is so easy and inexpensive, has offered large rewards to those who undertake to plant a cer- tain number of the india-rubber producing trees. flnbigo. This is another child of the Costa Rican soil. The condi- tions in many localities are highly conducive to an extensive growth of the " giquislite " from which the indigo is extracted, but since chemical substances have been introduced in the "5 place of vegetal le dyes, indigo has received scant attention, and is produced in only very small quantities. llnMocnoua ifrults an^ 1Rew Culture. Nearly everywhere among the plantations are found edible fruits, which are not, at present, objects of special culture There can be little doubt that scientific study and experi- ment will enable nature to perfect the present indigenous fruits, and even produce new and improved varieties. Among the most important, but neglected, species are — oranges, limes, peaches, figs, quinces and pomegranates. Nearly all fruits imported from the United States and Europe thrive ad- mirably on the plateau. The local fruits of a more tropical origin are very profuse ; the most important are pineapples, aguacates, anonas, sapotes, papaws, jocotes, mangle, grena- dilla and cocoanuts. In addition to these are the fruits of several palms, those of two cacti and a host of others of less importance. Other products of this order that are important to the settlers, since they form a part of staple food, are ton.a- toes, egg-plants, pimento, water-melons, ayote, chayote, zapo- ote and other fruits of various cucurbitacee. The following sworn statement from a prominent citizen of the United States is quite sufficient to prove that the develop- ment of agricultural products can in no wise be exaggerated. Affidavit of Charles de Martin in Regard to the Resources of Costa Rica, Judging Them by His Practical Experience. I, Charles de Martin, citizen of the United States, and recently from Calistoga, California, wishing to make this report reliable for all to judge of the wonderful resources of Costa Rica, swear that what I below relate is the strict truth. Having heard for some time a great deal of Costa Rica, I determined to leave California for a while and find out for myself what had been told me. I arrived here on the 8th of Octobei: of 1887, spent some time in search of a nice piece of land, which, besides being situated near the capital, 116 I could buy cheap. I finally succeeded in securing a lot of over two acres, and also succeeded in having the Govern- ment send to California for cuttings. They were sent here in the steamer Honduras, and they laid sixty-nine days on the way. Most of them arrived in a condition not fit to be planted; nevertheless, the few that reached here in good condition I planted with the following result: Japanese Quince, planted May 15, 1888 (14 months ago), has had two small crops already. Apples, planted May 15, 1888 (14 months ago), have a height of seven feet, and a trunk of six inches in circum- ference at one foot from the ground. Figs, planted May 15, 1888 (14 months ago), have had three crops; the trunk being seven inches in circumference. The first cuttings having reached here almost all useless, I ordered more, which came in good condition, and are now planted, giving the most encouraging results. Vine Tokay, planted May 15, 1888 (14 months ago), gave the first fruit on the 4th of July, 1889, on the 3d of August, on the 12th of May of 1889, on the 4th of July, 1889, on the 15th of July, 1889, and still there is some more. The cuttings taken from this vine, which were planted in November, 1888 (8 months ago), are now four feet nine inches high and two and a half inches in circum- ference. Olives, planted September 17, 1888 (10 months ago), are now six feet high and two and a half inches in circum- ference. Winter Nel Pears, planted January 22, 1889, have a height of six feet and three inches in circumference. Egg Plums, planted January 22, 1889 (6 months ago), are eight feet high and three and a half inches in circum- ference. French Prunes, planted January 22, 1889 (6 months ago), are eight feet high and three and a half inches in cir- cumference. Peach Trees, planted January 22, 1889 (6 months ago), are eight feet ten inches high, and five inches in cir- cumference, and already bringing forth fruit. The Zealand Peaches, about three years old, can produce twenty dol- lars worth of fruit, and are just as good for canning as the 117 California ones, which at home in cans is worth fifteen cents, while here they are sold at seventy-five cents each. Apricots, planted January 22, 1889 (6 months ago), are five feet high. No one, judging from the foregoing information, can deny the fact, that this is a marvelous country. The soil all over the Republic is of such richness, that even the proud Cali- fornian who boasts of the fertiUty of his country, seeing the fertility and productiveness of this soil, almost imagines his country to be a desert. The natives are industrious, in their own way, and although knowing positively nothing about agriculture, produce coffe, cocoa, vanilla, bananas, cocoa-nuts, rubber, potatoes, peaches, quinces, wheat, rice, corn, etc. ; in fact, all the fruits and vegetables of the Torrid Zone. In conclusion I will add something about corn, marblehead cabbages, straw- berries and artichokes, that I have under cultivation. Corn, planted April 17th (three months ago), is twelve and a half feet high, and the ears are plentiful and very large. The corn here gives from two to four crops a year. Strawberries bear all the year round, and in the most abundant manner. Marblehead Cabbages, planted April 17th, 1889, have cabbages so beautiful and sweet as would surprise any one ; the weight of them is from ten to twelve pounds each. Artichokes, planted in November, 1888, are bearing from five to seven each. It is the general opinion among my American friends here, that people from the States who would come with a few hundred dollars, and knowing something of agriculture, could make an independent fortune in a very short time, especially when, added to the advantages already described, you have a Government disposed to protect foreigners ; and the country has so many facilities for transportation, which, together with the high prices of products, the efforts of a farmer would be more than sufficiently compensated. The price of grapes here is one dollar a pound, apples fifteen to twenty-five cents a piece, pears twenty-five to forty cents each, etc. I hope this information, which in every respect is a true one, may induce some of my countrymen, who are not well rewarded, to come to Costa Rica, as I am fully convinced that before long they will gladly thank (Signed) Charles de Martin. San Jose, Costa Rica, July 15th, 1889. 118 The undersigned, Notary Public of this RepubHc, certi- fies that the foregoing signature that reads ' ' Charles de Martin," is authentic, and was made in my presence. (Signed) Ricardo Jimenez. San Jose, July 20th, 1889. The undersigned Assistant Secretary of the Departments of State and Justice of Costa Rica ; Hereby certifies : that the foregoing signature that reads " Ricardo Jimenez, " is authentic. (Signed) Alberto Brenes. National Palace. San Jose, July 20th, 1889. Consulate of the United States of America. San Jose, Costa Rica, July 22d, 1889. I hereby certify that the signature " Alberto Brenes" of the precedent certificate, is authentic, and that the said Al- berto Brenes is the Assistant Secretary of State of the Re- public of Costa Rica. Witness my hand and Consular Seal. (Signed) J. Richard Wingfield. Fee to 84. $2.50 U. S. gold. Paid— J. R. W. From the Official Gazette, Number 167, of July the 20th, 1889. Number 47. National Palace, San Jose, July i8th, 1889. In view of the documents formulated on account of the memorial presented by Mr. Charles de Martin, citizen of the United States of America, who now resides in this city, and whereby he asks this Government to place him in possession of the land inscribed in the Public Records, in the part corresponding to the Province of San Jos6, volume 187, page 523, number 7856, and entry number 8 ; basing his demand on what was stipulated on the third clause of the contract which he made with this Department of Interior on the 15th of November, of 1887, to direct the works of plant- ing and cultivating the vine in a place near this city. considering : That in said contract it was agreed that the Government would donate to Mr. Martin the land cultivated, as has already been mentioned ; and which donation would be con- sidered as a compensation for his work, provided that, if after eighteen months counted since the first of January of 1888, Mr. Martin had obtained good results in the cultiva- tion of the vine, according to a report given by experts. 119 CONSIDERING : That the report given by the experts John Richard Wing- field and Enrique Jimenez Nunez, to be found on pages three and four of the documents formulated, and wherein it is stated that the results obtained by Mr. Martin in the culti- vation of the vine are fully satisfactory ; reason by which he has become entitled to have the donation which he now asks for ; the Vice-President in charge of the Executive power COMMANDS, that the necessarj^ instructions be given to the Land Depart- ment, so that they should proceed at once to make a deed of donation of said i)roperty, as a recompense to the work performed, in accordance with his contract of November 15, 1887. ^ Let it be published. Signed by the Vice-President, (Signed) ZuNiGA. El infrascrito Encargado de Negocios de la Republica de Costa Rica en Washington. Hace constar ; que lo anterior es una traduccion fiel del documento original. Washington, D. C, Marzo 9 de 1S91. Anselmo Volio. [seal.] UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, DEPARTMENT OF STATE. To all to whom these p7'esents shall co7ne, Greetmg : I certify, that Anselmo Volio, whose name is subscribed to the paper hereunto annexed is now, and was at the time of subscribing the same, Charg^ d' Affaires ad interim of Costa Rica, at W^ashington, D. C, duly commissioned; and that full faith and confidence are due to his acts as such. In testimony whereof, I, James G. Blaine, Secre- tary of State of the United States, have hereunto subscribed my name and caused the seal of the Department of State to be [seal.] affixed. Done at the City of Washington, this i6th day of March, A. D. 1891, and of the In- dependence of the United States of America the one hundred and fifteenth. James G. Blaine. Many hard working men have found it difficult to make lOO, or even i,ooo acres of land in the United States produce a fair living. For the benefit of those, I introduce here a table showing the expense of production in Costa Rica, compared to that of the United States, and I wish again to remind the reader that cultivations can be so arranged, as to assure an almost per- petual harvest. Comparative ZTable of jErpenec of production anb 1Ret profit in Costa IRica an^ tbe 'mnite^ States. For One Acre of Land Cultivated with Tropical Plants in Costa Rica. One acre is equal to 4,840 square yards or 0.576 of a manzana. Coffee. Total Expense $136.22 Total Production, 2,016 pounds, at 40 cts . 806.42 Net Profit $674.18 Cacao. Total Expense $94.46 Total Production, 864 pounds, at 70 cents . 604.80 Net Profit $510.34 Sugar-Cane. Total Expense $100.22 Total Production, 6,760 pounds, " dulce " at 4 cents 230.40 Net Profit $150.18 Rice, Total Expense $50-40 Total Production, 2,764 pounds, at 11 cents, 304.12 Net Profit $253-72 121 Beans. Total Expense $10.94 Total Production, 950 pounds, at $7.27 per quintal 69.06 Net Profit $58.12 Corn. Total Expense . $22.46 Total Production, 1,647 pounds, at I4. 23 per quintal 69.06 Net Profit $48.60 Bananas. Total Expense $58.17 Total Production, 1.555 bunches at 30 cents, 466.50 Net Profit $408.33 Potatoes-. Total Expense $86.97 Total Production, 380 bushels, at $12.00 for II bushels 414.00 Net Profit $327.03 Tobacco. Total Expense $190.65 Total Production, 576 pounds, at $1.00 . . 576.00 Net Profit $385.85 The calculations herein contained about the production, etc., of the United States have their foundation on figures taken from several publications of the Department of Agriculture, Washington, D. C. The prices of corn, wheat, etc., etc., are the general average price given by the same Department. By the foregoing table can be noticed that the maximum and minimum of production, in 1894, of the different articles therein mentioned was as follows : Corn. New Hampshire, 52.4 bushels per acre, valued at $23.95 max. South Dakota . . 3.7 " " " 1.69 min. 122 New Mexico, . South Dakota Montana . . . South Dakota Indiana . . . . South Dakota Oregon . . Nebraska . Oregon . . Nebraska . Connecticut Maryland . Idaho . . , Nebraska . Nevada . Nebraska Wheat. 36.2 bushels per acre, valued at $17.77 niax. 4.0 1.96 mm. Oats. 40.1 bushels per acre, valued at $12.99 max. 7.6 2.46 mm. Rye. . 19.3 bushels per acre, valued at $9.67 max. .4.5 " " " 2.25 min. Barley. . 38.6 bushels per acre, valued at $17.06 max. . 5.7 " " '• 2.52 min. Buckwheat. . 38.0 bushels per acre, valued at $21.12 max. . 3.7 ■' " " 2.05 min. Tobacco. 1,516 pounds per acre, valued at $103.08 max. . 590 " " " 40. 12 min. Potatoes. 178.0 bushels per acre, valued at #95.40 max. 22.0 " " " 11.70 min. Hay. .4.0 tons per acre, valued at $34. i6ma.x. 0.5 " '' " 4.27 min. Therefore, the article that paysbestis tobacco, when planted in the State of Connecticut that yields 1,5 16 pounds per acre, and its value amount to ;^ 103. 08. Another product which gives a fair income is potatoes, when planted in the State of Idaho, that yield per acre 178 bushels, and its value amount to ;^95.30. The next best are : Hay, in Navada, that yields 4.0 tons per acre, valued at ;^34-i6. Corn, in New Hampshire, that yields 52.4 bushels per acre, valued at ^23.95. Buckwheat, in Oregon, that yields 38.0 bushels per acre, valued at ;^2i.i2. 123 Wheat, in New Mexico, that yields 36.2 bushels per acre, valued at ;^ 17.77. Barley, in Oregon, that yields 38.6 bushels per acre, valued at ;^ 1 7.06. Oats, in Montana, that yields 40.1 bushels per acre, valued at $12. gg. Rye, in Indiana, that yields 19.3 bushels per acre, valued at $9.67. The total number of acres planted in 1894 (in the United States) with the above-mentioned articles, was as follows : Products. Acres. Yielded. Value. Corn .... . 62,582,269 1,212,770,052 bsh., $554-719.162 Wheat . . . . 34,882,436 460,267,416 " 225,902,025 Oats . . . 27.023,553 662,036,928 " 214,816,920 Rye . . . 1,944,780 26,727,615 " 13.395,476 Barley . . 3,170,602 61,400,465 " 27,134,127 Buckwheat. 789,232 12,668,209 " 7,040,238 Tobacco . . 523.105 406,678,385 lbs.. 27.760,739 Patatoes . . 2,737.973 170,787.338 bsh., 91,526,787 Hay . . . 48,321,272 54,874,408 tons. 468.578,321 Therefore, in the year 1894 there have been 181,975,220 acres of land used up with the nine previously mentioned ar- ticles, which produced $1 ,630,875,795, or an average of ^8.96 per acre. StocF^ Ifarmina* This industry is new and will be one of the promising occu- pations of the future. The cattle of Costa Rica are at present not sufficiently numerous to supply the local demand, but the forage, as can be seen in the table below, is abundantly able to support great herds of cattle. The food is vastly more abundant than in many parts of the United States. The + indicates the districts where each variety of forage grows. 124 o &12 •n rt O o c H-2 N 0) IC U rt o Forage. Ml) O >— 1 c caslJ. sampa riscal. U cd" u m "v 3 3 a "c rt 4> o ■« d S d '3 5 ■s ?? o U a r a C CO n 5 Q s o p moo. ii8 2,845 4,204 5,883 2,165 1,476 5,948 4,577 8,869 3,298 7,484 Number of Cattle. 9,132 587 r,o77 408 482 314 152 226 2,438 802 1,033 701 334 639 379 3,439 1,058 625 2,836 485 743 391 366 632 96 87 229 313 1,087 407 395 Proportion for One Person. 0.233 0.090 0.166 0.059 . 0.079 0.054 0.058 0.162 0.125 0.080 0.II7 X.II2 0.099 0.093 0.137 0.162 0.135 0.146 0.172 0.163 0.145 0.137 0.087 0.107 0.044 0.059 0.038 0.068 0.122 0.122 0.052 The following letter from Mr. John Schroeder, the former United States Consul to Costa Rica, himself an expert on all 126 matters pertaining to agriculture, gives a clear and unbiased view of the subject, and being an official letter to the Bureau of Statistics, has an important bearing on this department of farming. San Jose, Costa Rica, America Central. Dear Sir : It may of course be taken for granted, that your question about the result of cattle-farming in Costa Rica, is based upon foregoing experience in this branch of farming and husbandry in your home. Else the following investigation will only partly benefit you, as the present let- ter is not intended to serve as a treatise upon general stock- raising, but only upon its practical result at present applica- ble to Costa Rica. As statistic computations can only exhibit fully their meaning and their consequences by making them compare with similar computations abroad, I shall also quote what experience has taught in some other countries in the matter of cattle-farming. Norway in Northern Europe, and Costa Rica in Central America, are both exceedingly mountainous countries. The development and character of the original native cattle are, therefore, in several respects very similar. Their meat and fat are the produce of pastures, but their dairy produce to a great degree depend on hay, grain and roots. It is well to remember that a >ow"s natural aptness to produce milk is one thing, and the quantity p;^duced another, because the latter depends upon the food^'and treatment of the animal and not upon its mere propeiVsity. I call your special at- tention to this distinction, because in ninety cases out of one hundred I have found elsewhere, as well as in Costa Rica, that the complaint as to poor milkers righteously ought to read ' ' poor treatment and insufficient feeding. ' ' The introduction of milkers from abroad or the mixing of races is, therefore, in itself no guarantee for success. With proper treatment and judicious selection among the native cattle, I think the immigrant will succeed better than with imported. Under my personal inspection as farmer in Norway, a comparative trial was made during several years, the trial including nine cows of mixed breed — Norway, Scottish, Holstein — and eighteen cows of pure Nonvay mountain breed. The weight of each animal is added as a factor necessary to judge rightly its comparative value as a milk producer. The food was not the best or richest, but the cows received all they could eat of the farm's produce. 127 From June 15, to October i, the cows were daily turned out on pasture consisting partly of natural grasses and partly of short white clover. October i, they were tied up in the stable for the winter (260 days), and the daily food consisted of hay and different roots equivalent to the nutrimental value of twenty pounds of hay ; also of four pounds of oat-straw and eight pounds of rye and wheat-straw for chaff, equiva- lent to six pounds of hay — in all equivalent to twenty-six pound of hay per day to each cow. Cows OF Mixed Native AND Foreign Breed. Life Weight. Yearly Milk Produce. 684 pounds. 3,056;^ quarts. 632 3-048^ " 564 " 2,876i< " 620 2,830^ " 784 " 2,827>^ " 463 " 2,452>^ " 655 " 2,422^ 572 2,136^^ " 640 1.65334 " 5,714 pounds ; 23,2 34 quart; s, or 2,522 quarts per cow> Cows OF Pure Native Breed. Life Weight. Yearly Milk Produce. 425 pounds. 3,895 quarts. 528 " ,■ 2,797/'^ " 589 " 2,730 651 " 2,38834 '• 371 " 2,643^ " 486 2,583^ " 447 " * 2,523^ " 447 2,430 435 " 2,295 601 2,272>^ " 564 " 2,250 589 " 2,133^ " 271 " 1,996 463 " i,99ij^ " 392 1,982^4 636 " 1,968^ " 415 " i,687>^ '• 500 1.425 8,810 pounds ; 41,264 quarts, or 2,292 quarts per cow. Total, 14,524 pounds. Total, 64,558 quarts. 128 By the above comparative trial it is ascertained : That the twenty-seven cows have produced 444 quarts of milk for every 100 pounds life weight. That nine cows of mixed foreign and native breed have only given 407 quarts per each 100 pounds life weight. That eighteen cows of pure native breed gave 468 quarts for every 100 pounds life weight, being considerable more in proportion to their weight and size than heavier foreign mixed cows. By a similar trial with fifteen cows of pure Ayrshire breed, allowing each one daily fodder and feed to the value of twenty-nine pounds of hay, the average result for one year was 1 , 954 quarts per cow. Applying the above observation to Costa Rica, where the native cattle generally is of middle size, I should think it preferable to make good selections among the native stock rather than to introduce foreign large-bodied cattle at expensive cost : and which require a higher and richer feeding than the farmer can procure on the regular pastures. I have treated the dairy question rather lengthily, because the production of butter and cheese ought to be prominent in Costa Rica, where the cattle need not be stabled, where no provision for hay is made, and where butter can not be had under one dollar per pound and the coarsest of cheese not under forty cents per pound. A 2,000 quarts' milker will yearly produce about eighty-five pounds of butter and three hundred pounds of cheese. The complaint, that it is very difficult to rear calves in this country so they will turn out good milkers, and that for this reason the fanners have been obliged to import English, Holstein and Swiss cattle to create a superior dairy stock, I shall meet with observations fully well-known in old dairy countries. The Durham breed and its mixtures are expressly formed for producing meat and fat for the butcher shop, and for this particular purpose the calves are richly fed. The cows will hardly give a rich flow of milk for more than five months after calving. The introduction of Durham blood in a dairy stock will, therefore, not better, but ruin the milking qualities in the original stock. Several farmers in Costa Rica have in this way unintentionally retarded their expected progress. In forming your young dairy stock you must not allow the calves to enter into a state of fattening, because this 129 ])ropensity will prevent the milk-organs from development. A richly reared calf is already full-grown at sixteen months of age when the calf is allowed to follow and suck the mother, and it will certainly turn out a butcher calf, even if the mother is a good milker. On the contrary, if the calf is fed moderately with mixture in the milk of coarser feed, its growth will be considerably slower, and it ought not to drop its first calf before two and one-half years old. As its structure is not inclined to form much meat, the milk- organs will develop more strongly when, after calving, the young mother is placed in a good pasture. The above ought to be an answer to your questions about dairy business and rearing of young stock for a dairy farm. Next comes the beef-cattle question: The consumption of fresh beef (hardly any beef is barrel-salted) is as general among all classes in Costa Rica as potatoes in Ireland. Fresh beef constitutes the daily dish all the year round, and only a comparatively small quantity is cut in long strips and air-dried for conservation like the Indian pemmekin in North America. In order to maintain a paying dairy-farm, it is necessary to rear the dairy stock on the farm, as grown and good cows seldom are for sale, but young beef cattle — steers— from two to three years old can always be had at the rate of from thirty to forty-five dollars, according to the size, from South America, Golfo Dulce, Guanacaste, Nicaragua, etc. It is, therefore, more than a local question, if it does not pay better to buy lean young cattle from steer-raisng districts, and fatten them until ready for sale after five or six months' cattle-run on the rich and ever green pastures of Costa Rica. Calculating that loo quarts or 200 pounds of fresh milk give about fifteen pounds of cheese at fifty cents^$7.50, and three pounds of butter at $1. 00^^3.00, in all — $10.50; and that a calf during its sucking time ( 6 months ) consumes at least 600 quarts, then the coming steer (one year old) costs 6 x $10.50 or $63.00, besides the daily expense of attend- ance and risk of infantile sicknesses. Consequently a farm with extensive pastures had better be stocked with purchased steers, two or three years old at, perhaps, $44.00, than with home-reared beef cattle at $63.00. A regular lean two to three year steer, of native breed, Avill average 550 pounds life-weight. After five or six months' good pasturage it becomes 650 life-weight. The 130 same steer killed in lean condition will give from 300 to 350 pounds meat, while fattened it yields from 400 to 450 pounds of meat. On the market this life steer will average $70.00. Fifteen hands lean steers, imported from South America at $60.00, may, in fat condition, reach 700 pounds of meat and sell at from $90.00 to $110.00. In districts blessed with evergreen pastures, as Rio Frio, San Carlos, Sarapiqui, Lower Reventazon, San Juan, Hatina, Santa Clara, Sixola, and intermediate smaller val- leys where Guinea-grass is cultivated, the fattening process is completed in from five to six months. In other parts of the interior it takes, according to location and grasses, from one to several months more. Guinea-grass grows with ad- vantage only in the hot zone. All money calculations in this communication are made under the present system — one dollar American gold equal to $2.50 Costa Rica currency. From the foregoing you will find that parties with suffi- cient capital may do well by opening cattle-farms, and present owners of stock "haciendas" coin money, when they thoroughly understand all the branches of the busi- ness; but it takes a man in the vigor of youth to succeed. For my part I am now too old to enjoy daily horseback races over extensive cattle runs, and to manage unruly steers and neglectful stock-hands. I prefer to handle a plantation whose trees live, grow and rest in the place in which they are put. The accounts for one year of a non-paying farm, ex- clusively managed as a combined dairy and beef farm, is hereby given to enable you to judge where economical cur- tailing has to come in to make cattle-farms pay. At the time of my visit this year I found the farm to contain : Four hundred manzanas a pasture at lyo $28,000 100 Manzanas timberland at J^20 2,000 Houses and dwellings for farm hands and stables 4,000 40 cows at |ioo 4,000 40 calves up to one year of age at |io 400 40 steers up to two years of age at 1:30 1,200 40 steers over two years fat and nearly ready for market at $yo 2, 800 60 steers bought lean for fattening at $50 (high price) . . . 3,000 5 saddle and pack horses at I50 250 4 large hogs, 1,200 pound weight 480 20 small pigs 40 4 goats and sheep at f 10 80 Furniture, implements, saddles, ox-carts, etc 450 Total capital represented $46,700 131 Income. Milk of 20 cows at 2,000 qts., one real per quart — 40,000 qts . |5,ooo Milk of 20 cows at 360 qts., one real per quart — 7,200 qts . . 900 Sale of 40 steers over two years old, farm-reared, at f8o . . 3,240 Sale of 60 steers, bought and fattened, at f 80 4,800 15 fanegas, 9,000 pounds corn, at $20 per fanega 300 20 cajuelas frijoles — beans — 500 pounds, at $4 per cajuela . 80 4 hogs at 300 pounds each — 1,200 pounds — at 40c. a pound . 480 8 goats and sheep at $10 80 Income of poultry yard and platanos 60 Total income $14,900 Expenses. Milk to calves, 27, 200 quarts — a real indoor expensive young stock .... S3, 400 60 steers, bought for fattening, at $44 2,640 15 laborers at feo per month — $450 x 12 months 5,400 Beef, poultry, corn, frijoles, milk and platanos included in expenses for household, repairs, implements, fencing . 300 Total L'xpense $13,540 Income |i4,900 Expenses 13,540 Leaving net profit $1,360 But $1,360 is hardly three per cent, interest upon the in- vested capital $46,700, and not at all satisfactory in a coun- try where you receive ten per cent, yearly interest backed with first-class security with no effort. If from the capital you subtract the real estate value, $30,000, leaving the rest $16,700, as the only capital due to produce interest, then you reach about eight per cent. In my opinion, there were one or more leaks in the man- agement of this farm which w^orked to the disadvantage of the yearly result. Without going into a minute criticism you will, for instance, find fifteen farm-hands too many. Farm-hands, of course, are necessary, but they have to be under strict control and limited to the least possible num- ber, or they will eat up all the proceeds, and prove a can- cer to the most promising farm. To manage this farm I would say it needs one laboring foreman (the superintendency conducted by the owmer in person) and three cattlemen, who, in the morning, bring in and milk the cows and feed the calves. Also one cheese and butter-maker, who, by using the Centriful Cream Sep- arator, will, by II o'clock a.m., have easily disposed of all the dairy work. The rest of the day these men, excepting the foreman and the butter-man, may cart out the manure 132 and clean the stables. If the cows have been stabled and fed during the night they may bring in fresh cut grass for the next night, clean and cure the calves, and, after dinner, by 4 o'clock p.m., bring in the cows and out-going calves to suck their mothers. Also four day laborers, who, with the foreman, are steadily employed in cleaning brush and dead grasses out of the pastures, and one cook, who also attends to t'le poultry yard and keeps the superintendent's rooms in on^er. This makes in all ten hired men instead of fifteen. In San Carlos I have seen similar stock farms managed with six men and their foreman. The expense of salary and maintenance for fiifteen men is above quoted at $7,200. Deducting one-third, or $2,400, this saving added to the foregoing net profit 1 $1,360) brings the net income up to $3,760, (.'r fully eight per cent, interest upon the total capital, $46,701'. The daily cc^ sumption of beef, pork, lard, tallow and other articles m. -nufactured from cattle and hogs, reaches in Costa Rica 100,000 pounds, or 36 ^^ million pounds per year. The consumption of milk, cheese and butter, can, at present, not be ascertained, but it is certain that this coun- try, though eminently fitted for beef, dairy produce and pork-raising, for lack of cattle-farming, has yearly to im- port from the United States of America and Europe the fol- lowing articles : — Salted and canned beef and pork 149,850 Tallow (Stearin) 76,408 Butter 77,204 Cheese 67,748 Condensed milk in cans 52,126 Cattle (life) 1,930,832 Smoked hams and sausage 26,116 Tallow for candles 237,718 Lard 1,822,800 Lard oil 10,984 Lard for soup 204,636 Fat for greese 27,864 Ordinary soap 395, 900 Meat and pork provisions 60,122 Leather, cord and sole 7,082 Poultry 800 To this importation has to be added smuggled goods, not accounted for, but amounting to a considerable sum, be- cause this illegal trading is the natural consequence of ex- aggerated traffics, and serves as a popular regulator in all countries burdened with immoderate duty on the first necessaries of life. 133 All products of cattle-farming have consequently a sure home market, and you may feel convinced that capital, in the hands of experienced owners and managers, can be in- \'ested with a sure prospect of success in stock and dairy farming in Costa Rica. Respectfully, John Schroi",der. Costa IRica's (Breatest Mant- lEmioratlon. The overwhelming natural resources of Costa Rica have led me into a healthy enthusiasm in writing this pamphlet. My statements are, however, in no wise exaggerated. It is. an unbiased record of what I have learned from personal ex- perience. It is not a land-booming scheme, but my impression of the Costa Rica of to-day and its future. Those who have carefully studied this tabulation of facts,, must have become convinced of the great need of Costa Rica, namely — an increased population — and the fact is as important to America as to Costa Rica. The element necessary to make this a thrifty garden spot is American emigration. The following is an extract from a letter which I addressed to the Government of Costa Rica, from California, in 1889. This, expresses my sentiment to-day. " If it may be said that Central America, situated as it is, probably forms the most important section of the world, since it is washed on either side by the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, and is connected on the north with Mexico, while to the south lie all the remaining Republics of Spanish America, and that it presents a thousand facilities for direct and rapid com- munication with the principal commercial centres of the globe, how can we over-estimate the brilliant possibilities of our small but beautiful country, which surpasses in so many points its neighboring Republics ? T34 Costa Rica, with most fertile lands, with a great variety of climate and products, with numerous rivers that are either navigable, or can be rendered so, with excellent harbors, with extensive forests, rich in timber, and cabinet and dye woods, with a growing industrious and honest population, and above all with the prospect of having on the north and south, canals which will unite the two great oceans, giving to the countrj' the greatest facility for transportation, which will eventually make it the center of traffic of both Americas ; the great ware- house where the immense fleet of vessels, sailing between the two oceans will, of necessity, replenish their stores. This countiy, so endowed by nature, is destined to become, not only an agricultural and industrial center, but also a place whither, on account of its mild cHmate, and its intermediate position between the great cities of North and South America, thousands of people will resort who find themselves obliged to seek refuge from the suffocating heat of summer, and the severe cold of winter. Since this Republic combines so many advantages which are being but slowly utilized, since an imperious necessity demands it, and since the capital of the country permits it, and we are still indefinitely postponing the progress which we ought now to be making, why should we not take measures at once for reaching this desirable end, since it is now so easily obtainable ? Let us give an impulse to immigration, which is the most potent instrument of progress ; let us gather in those who are honest and industrious, that they may unite to form one peo- ple with our own. Moreover, the following words of Sar- miento are not to be forgotten, for they are indisputable truths: " The greatest enemy of the Spanish- American Re- pubHcs is the wilderness — the insufficiency of population ;" likewise these others of Felix Frias : " Every European man who enters Chili is an element of order, for he is a hand at the plough and in the workshop — a man decently dressed, along side of one in tatters, a worker beside an idler — ^this is 135 the great agent of civilization. These are of more avail for our material interests than any institution whatever, and with- out them, institutions are but a house built on the sand." Let us follow the example of other countries that have ris'='- within so short a time and now attract the attention o^ :e world, without having the material resources which we ^' ' jss.. While we look with admiration upon what has been donO in other places, let us say to ourselves : " We ought to do as much." Firm in our purpose, let us show no vacillation in carrying out an enterprise that will confer greatness upon Costa Rica, and immortality upon the Government by which it is supported. Let us look for a moment at the progress of California ; the development of the Argentine Republic ; the wonderful changes that have taken place in Lower California ; and the astonishing growth of the settlements of Oklahoma, Guthrie and Purcell in the Indian Territory, in the United States ; all of which is due solely to the stream of immigration which they have been able to attract. California, which in 1847 and '48 was almost a wilderness, without towns, agriculture, manufactures or commerce, has to-day a population of nearly two million, numerous cities of Importance, manufactures without number, and a vabt extent of cultivated land — all of which, when reduced to figures, give results that cause astonishment. The Argentine Republic affords clear proof that its rapid progress is due to immigration. In 1865 there were only three settlements in Santa Fe, and now there are a hundred and ninety. At that time there were only 29,585 acres in cultivation, and now there are 1,482,053. On November 3d of the year just past, Mr. E. Sundblad, Commissioner of Immi- gration in Buenos Ayres, reported that 20,147 persons had arrived during the preceding October, which added to the arrivals from January to September made a total of 1 2 5 ,402 . The progress which is observable in this republic, and which 136 is known to the whole world, has had its beginning within a very few years, so much so that in 1883 the Argentine consul at Havre reported that 794 persons had sailed that year ; the next year the figures rose to i ,704. On the other hand Mr. S. Lamas, Inspector of Immigrants in . °nos Ayres, under date of November 19, 1888, reported to th nister that 5 ,020 French had already arrived in that month, from which he estimated that 100,000 would have arrived by the end of the year. The consuls to the other European nations furnish statements equally as flattering, from which the stream of immigration for the past year may be safely estimated at 200,000 persons, who being judiciously distributed and eager to secure an independent position, per- haps unattainable in their own native country, will have made great progress during the year in their new home. Even in not very desirable localities progress is seen to be in proportion to immigration. As an example of this we may point to the sandy districts of Lower California, where in 1886 there were only 500 inhabitants, living in wretchedness ; but since that date, when the Mexican Government granted an American company a tract of 18,000,000 acres, all has been changed, and there are not only several towns of considerable importance, connected by 140 miles of railroad, but there are also telegraphs, telephones, electric lights, good hotels, exten- sive schools and magnificent acqueducts for irrigating lands that previously could not be made to produce anything for want of water. Perhaps there is not recorded in the history of the world an event so remarkable as the one related by the North-American Press, in describing what passed at Oklahoma at 10 A. m. on the 22d of April last, when 15,000 persons in 3,090 wagons and on several hundred horses, were waiting for Captain Woodson to give, in the name of the United States Govern- ment, the word " Forward," upon which they should proceed to travel the remaining two miles to the place, previously 137 inhabited only by Indians, but now to be apportioned among those desiring to form the new settlement. By the night of that same day, April 22d, the lots had been staked off, and the streets laid out ; and the tents of the host, pitched in their respective places, formed a city that will serve forever as an example to other nations, and prove that the fearless and go ahead American character is capable of accomplishing appar- ent impossibilities. Two days later, there not being room for the people who continued coming, it became necessary to locate in other places, the towns called Guthrie, Pur(j-^ ^l and Harrison, which at once received 6.000, 4,000 and 3,000 inhabitants respectively. The next da}' Guthrie had two banks doing good business; and at the post office at 9.15 A. M., 233 persons stood in line waiting their turn, 500 having already been waited on. If all this was done in places where the natural resources are less abundant and varied than in Costa Rica, there is no reason to doubt our becoming in a very short time a happy, prosperous nation, if we can turn towards our fertile waste places that stream of immigration now flowing into less desirable localities. The people of Costa Rica love the institution of the United States ; they heartily admire its worthy sons. It is because of this, and other fraternal sentiments, and because they appre- ciate the importance of their peculiar ingenuity, inventive ability, and original mechanical resources, that Costa Rica offers to share with them its natural wealth, its hospitality, and its friendly congratulations. Enough has been said throughout this pamphlet to show that wealth cannot be plucked from the flowering plants with- out effort, nor can gold be washed from the surface dust without hard work. Emigrants should not go to Costa Rica, or any other new country, without enough money to assure an independence for the greater part of the first year. A man who has this, and a Yankee love of work and industry, is certain to succeed in Costa Rica. Mbere to Settle.* Where to settle is probably the most difficult problem. A mistake in this will make the difference of success or failure to the emigrant. So much depends upon the special trades or industries to which persons are adapted, or which they may select as their future occupation, that this cannot be defi- nitely discussed here. This applies particularly to agriculture, since there is a vast difference between the high and the low lands, "u :h a corresponding difference in the productions of the soil. To make an advantageous selection requires special knowledge of the country, which a new comer would not be apt to acquire until many unfortunate mistakes had been made. Upon this, and all other questions, I shall be glad to talk personally to intending settlers at the Cotton States and International Exposition. All letters of inquiry from intend- ing visitors or settlers will receive prompt attention. *For more detailed information on this subject appl}' to, or address Mv, IRiCbart IDillafranca, at the Cotton States and International Exposition until December 31, iSg.s ; and thereafter at Typographic Department, Sackett & Wilhelms Lithographing Co., jio Fifth Ave., New York. ^ ^ Ilk «|!^ ?3p- 7^ i^p ^ Hbpertisements. ^ -Js- ^ ,^^^ ' \^°^ nV^' -^r. m^' o ^0' . ' ' .v\^- '^^', --/- N .^r % M. ■/ ,0 c w^ :^#^ v7:%. ^^\ f^ .Oo. N^" •' "r" .O X^^X. "^^P^^' v^"' V''-^"^-"*''""^- . " o ^ . > 0^ ■■■•■ -"^ '' rj-<^ ,00 A-^" 'X'^ *^ ^<^^ V .y>. '%? .\^^' .0> ,^ ^^'^ K N^"^' ■^00^ x^-^ -^^^ '..^^.. '> ^-

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