Page:Mexico in 1827 Vol 1.djvu/70

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44
MEXICO IN 1827.

upon this subject I shall have occasion to enlarge in a subsequent part of this work. It therefore only remains for me to add here, that the districts now most abundant in maize, are the Băxīŏ, (which comprises the central part of the Table-land;)—the plains of Tŏlūcă,—the Southern and Eastern parts of the valley of Mexico itself,—the state of La Pūēblă, and the vicinity of Āgŭas Călĭeñtĕs. It may, however, be grown wherever there is water to be obtained, and will be so, undoubtedly, as the demand increases. In some parts of the country, a variety of fermented liquors, known by the general denomination of Chicha de maiz, are prepared from maize by the Indians; they are all more or less intoxicating, as is the Pulque de maiz, or Tlaolli, which is composed of the sugary juice or syrop, extracted by pressure from the stalk. Before the conquest this syrup was condensed by the natives, and used as sugar.

CEREALIA.

Under this head I include Wheat and Barley, Oats being but little known: for cattle, barley is in general use, either mixed with maize, or alone.

Wheat succeeds well throughout the Table-land of Mexico. The minimum of height, at which the proper temperature may be found for bringing it to perfection, has not been ascertained; but both in the Tierra caliente, and on the Eastern and Western