AGRICULTURE. The agricultural resources of Ecuador are considerable. The soil in the lower portions, as well as in the elevated valleys. is of singular fertility and produces a large variety of crops. The principal product is cacao, which is cultivated chiefly in the provinces of Alanabi, Guayas, and Oro. Estimate. in 1888 placed the number of cacao-tree. at over 47,000,000, with an annual production of over 26,000.000 kilograms (37,000.000 pounds). Next in importance to cacao is coffee, which is cultivated in several dis tricts. The conditions for sugar cultivation are very favorable. and the industry is gradually extending. Tobacco, ivory-nuts, rice, Indian corn, as well as the common cereals, such Is wheat, barley, oats, and a number of medicinal and industrial plants, are also raised for the home market, as well as for export. The rubber-tree abounds, and the eollecting of rubber is a grow ing industry. The cattle and sheep holdings are huge, and <•onsiderable alfalfa is cultivated. Cheese is a staple food.
:NlAxt-t-At"rtims. CoMMERCE, AND TRANSPORTA 'HON. With the exception of some coarse fabrics for native consumption. straw braid used for the manufacturing of hats and other articles. Ecuador has hardly any manufactures. The commerce. although steadily is as yet unimportant. The exports consist chiefly of cacao. Coffee, sugar, ivory-nuts, rubber, are shipped, aml some gold. The export: have in crrases 11,032,511 sueres (4'1.7 eents) in 1893 to 15.-119,222 sucres hi 1900. The imports, consisting mostly of textile:. metal ware, and
necessaries of life, have risen during the same period from 10.032,163 to 13,431.179 sueres. The trade is mostly kith many, Great Britain, and the United States. The commerce with the United States in the period of 1890-1900 has increased as follows: Imports Iron] Ecuador, in 1890, $836.437; in 1900, $1.524.378. Exports from the United States in 1890. $903,159: in 1900, $1,216.008. The United States imports most of Ecuador's rubber and a considerable portion of it cacao, ex ports to it railway supplies and foodstuffs. The chief ports are Guayaquil. Alanta, and Esme ralda, The mountainous surface of the country is unfavorable to the development of transporta tion facilities. The roads are mostly for pack animals, being almost impassable during the rainy season. The chief road runs from Quito I q.v.), the capital, toward Guayaquil and the ocean. Of open rail,way lines Ecuador has only about. 67 miles—a. short line from Duran, south of Guayaquil. to Chimbo. A line about 300 miles in length, from Quito to Guayaquil, is to be completed about 1903. It is being put through by foreign capital. and its entire cost is estimated at $18,000,000. The coast rivers are navigated by American and native steamers. There is telegraph communication between Quito and Guayaquil. and also with Colombia, while Guay aquil has cable connection with Panama and Peru.