Industrial and commercial South AmericaPeck, Annie S. (Annie Smith)
History
Industrial and commercial South America
Peck, Annie S. (Annie Smith)
South America; South America -- Economic conditions -- 1918-
=Coffee=, as in Colombia, is called a product of the temperate clime,
growing at an altitude of 1500-6500 feet but best at 3000. A tree
is said to live 50 years and to produce a quarter to a half a pound
annually. About $16,000,000 are invested in the industry; there are
approximately 260,000,000 trees. Venezuela claims to be second in
coffee production, exporting over 100,000,000 pounds in 1919.
=Cacao= needs a warmer climate than coffee, and moist air; hence it
grows well on slopes near the sea having a temperature of 80°. But it
is found and cultivated in other parts, growing wild in Guayana and
near the upper Orinoco. Where cultivated, 80 trees to the acre are
approved, of course at first shaded. After five years two crops a year,
in June and December, are expected. Trees average a life of 40 years,
with an annual production of 220-250 pounds an acre. About 16 seeds are
enclosed in a long red and yellow pod, which turns purple when ripe.
After being gathered, they are heaped in piles on the ground, left a
few days to ferment and burst, when the seeds are shelled, washed, and
housed. There are two grades here, the _criollo_ or native, of very
high grade, growing in valleys near the sea, and the _trinitario_,
imported from Trinidad. The Chuao Plantation is said to produce cacao
of a particularly sweet and fine quality, which is generally exported
to France. Over $12,000,000 are invested in the business. In production
Venezuela is third. There are more than 5000 plantations.
=Sugar.= The sugar industry is rapidly developing. New mills with
modern machinery have been erected and more acres are planted. A mill
at Maracay can crush nearly 1800 tons of cane daily, with an output of
sugar of 80 tons. Four species of cane are cultivated, the indigenous,
the _criolla_, most largely, as being sweeter and otherwise giving
good results. The reaping is arranged so that the grinding may be
constant throughout the year. The canes near Lake Valencia are longer
and thicker, with more juice but less sweetness. The best quality of
sugar is produced near Guatire, three hours by motor from Caracas; the
largest quantity on two plantations near Lake Maracaibo, each having a
daily output of 800 tons.
There are four varieties of products: sugar, brown sugar, alcohol, and
rum, all of which many large plantations are equipped to produce. Of
the two near Bobures, Zulia, one has 5000 acres under cultivation, the
other nearly as much. The total capital invested is above $10,000,000.
An increasing foreign market is expected.
=Tobacco= is grown in many sections, thriving in humid fertile soil. It
develops in six months, but requires great care. There is much variety
in the quality, some being strong and heavy, some delicate with fine
flavor and aroma. A little is exported to Havana and there mixed for
making cigarettes. The annual production, above 3000 tons, might be
increased.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account