Page:Vol 3 History of Mexico by H H Bancroft.djvu/239

on its deep soil of red clay^[1] were produced most of the tropical and subtropical fruits. The raising of tobacco and sugar, of which plantations were first established early in the seventeenth century, was still the leading industry, but here, as elsewhere in New Spain, nature was so prodigal of her gifts hat little effort was needed on the part of man, and many of the Spaniards grew wealthy almost without exertion.^[2] Although in 1790 an earthquake demolished or damaged

Vera Cruz Province.

nearly all the buildings, the town appears to have steadily increased in prosperity, for in 1810 it contained at least eight thousand inhabitants.^[3]

Among the most flourishing towns in the province was Jalapa, where, between 1720 and 1777, the annual fair was held, on the arrival of the fleet from Spain,

1. The depth was at least ten feet.
2. The principal industry was sugar-raising, and at this date there were more than 30 sugar-mills in Córdoba, worked mainly by Indians.
3. Eight thousand to 10,000, of whom five eighths were Spaniards. Diario Mex., xii. 233-4.