MANUFACTURES. The manufacturing indus tries have progressed slowly. though in recent years. with the advent of lunch foreign capital and the cessation of political revolutions that were long the curse of the country, there has been a large development of many industries. There. are now over 3000 small establishments for the manufacture of sugar. The first cotton mill was erected in 1834. In 1899 there were 107 cotton spinning and weaving mills with spindles, 13,944 looms, consuming 57.201.573 pounds of raw cotton and producing 3.795,446 pounds of yarn and 11.875.764 pieces of cloth. Puebla, Ja lisco, Vera Cruz, Coahuila, Tlaxcala, the City of Mexico. Rio Blanco. near Orizaba, and the falls of Juanacatlan• near Guadalajara, are the centres of largest development in the cotton industries; 2211 distilleries produced 864.858 gallons of spirits: 721 tobacco factories. with Vera Cruz as the chief centre, used 5.510,567 kilograms of
tobacco, leaking 328.605.915 packages of ciga rettes, 45,438,759 cigars, 64.302.282 cheroots, be sides pipe tobacrc•o and snuff. Woolen and linen spinning and weaving (over 20 mills producing underwear, carpets, etc.). the manufacture of glass, drugs, chocolate, paper, porcelain. dour, and .soap, and beer brewing are also important industries. The artisans of the plateau are skilled in making the broad-brimmed Mexican hats, silver ornaments. jewelry. saddlery, leather work, and embroidery, and in other arts that contribute to the distinctive finery of Mexican attire and equipment. The feather work and other products of the Indians are still highly prized. The Government encourages the devei opulent of home industries by imposing a tariff amounting on an average to about 38 per cent. on the declared value of nearly all imported goods.