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SAN ANTONIO-HER TRADE,
cas. Coahuela contains over 50,000 square miles, and a population of
about 75,000. They are nearly all white, and a better class of Mexicans,
which is an exception to most of the Mexican states. The mountains west
of the middle have on their western slope an abundance of timber, gener-
ally well watered, with springs and small streams, while the larger part is
covered with excellent grasses; beyond this is a sandy waste. The moun-
tains and table-lands were at an earlier day ranged by wild cattle and
horses, though they have nearly disappeared through domestication and
sale. The stock interests are now, however, very considerable, and like
other industries are constantly gaining more attention. Farming, like in
the other states, is principally conducted in the river valleys. The prin-
cipal farming districts are in the valleys of the Toya river, the headwaters
of the San Juan, Sabinas, Negras and Rio Grande. There are many
creeks and springs used for irrigating, affording crops in dryer sections.
The principal crops grown are corn, wheat, barley, melons, etc. The
RAILROADS AND CITIES
of the State, are all in a fair way of development, principally through the
investment of foreign capital, which has to some degree awakened the dor-
mant energies of the natives. Saltillo, Morelos, Monclova, and Piedras
Negras are the principal cities, the former being the largest and the Capi-
tol.
It is in the extreme southern portion of the State, with a population of
13,000, and from present appearances is destined to be the metropolis of
Northern Mexico. It is on the line of the Mexican National Railway, lead-
ing out from Laredo, Texas.
Parras has long been an important place, about fifty miles west from
Saltillo, but for want of railway connection, and no prospects in that res-
pect, must remain as she is, and see her former competitor assume the
reins of supremacy. Monclova is a thriving town on the line of the Mexi-
can National. Piedras Negras, opposite Eagle Pass on the Rio 'Grande, is
prospectively an important Railway centre, being the present Northern
terminus of the Mexican International, and is also the point where the
American & Mexican Pacific is to cross the Rio Grande.
The railroads thus far built in Coahuela are as indicated above, the for-
mer traversing the State from North-east to South-west, its Southwestern
objective point being Mazatlan, on the Pacific. The Mexican National Rail-
passes way through the lower Rio Grande, "V" of the State, thence along
the Western border of Nuevo Leon to the South-eastern corner of Coahuela.
This road leads on to the City of Mexico, through a gap in the State of San
Louis Potosi exists. This completed, Coahuela will have a through line to the
Capitol of the Republic, and thence to Vera Cruz or the Gulf Coast.
THE MINES AND MINERALS
of Coahuela are the richest we have yet mentioned, as they are not con-
fined alone to silver and gold, but furnish all the metals necessary to a