Page:Appleton's Guide to Mexico.djvu/249

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THE MEXICAN NATIONAL RAILWAY.
221

through a region where considerable wheat, maize, and barley are cultivated. On reaching the top of the hill, the observer may obtain a magnificent view of the Lake of Pátzcuaro, with the vast rolling country beyond. The hamlet of Santa Clara is soon reached. There are copper-smelting works here, charcoal being used for fuel. The ore is brought in leathern sacks on mule-back from Churumuco

Manzanillo Bay.

and Inguaran, about 65 miles distant. It is worth from $10 to $20 per carga (300 pounds). Proceeding farther, the traveler will traverse a well-timbered district. Stately ash-trees line the streets of one of the villages, and the forests in the neighborhood contain fine spruces and pines. A French settler is about to erect a steam saw-mill here. A great deal of freight is carried along this route. One