of a territory which, situated between the fifteenth and thirty-third degrees of latitude, possessed such variety of climate that nearly all the food plants known in Europe could be raised there. Something was also gained when he issued his celebrated ordinances of 1524, and caused the introduction of foreign grains, plants, and live-stock.[1]
Although the southern provinces were far more fertile than the northern, agriculture gradually progressed in the latter, stimulated by the mineral wealth, which gave new impulse to population. The hold once gained by the settler was in most cases maintained, although the mines which created it were abandoned. A certain influence was exercised by the clergy, from whose orchards and gardens new plants were distributed over other parts of the country. The crown also displayed some interest; old laws were remodelled; new ones framed in quick succession; and the representatives of the government in the colonies urged to encourage the cultivation of the soil. Settlers in new districts were entitled to land according to rank, being obliged to build houses, plant their ground within a certain time, and possess a certain quantity of stock.[2] The right of property was not acquired till after a residence of four years, when the owmer might sell it, though not to a church or convent. Nor was he allowed to hold within the same term two grants in different settlements. The distribution was made by the viceroy or the governor, with assistance of the city council,[3] the regidores being entitled to
- ↑ See Hist. Mex., ii. 132-4, this series.
- ↑ 'Haciendo distincion entre escuderos y peones y los que fueren de ménos grade y merecimiento.' The dimensions to be granted were either peonías or caballerías. The former comprised a ground-plot 50 feet wide by 100 in length, sufficient land to sow 100 fanegas of wheat or barley, and ten of maize, two patches of terrain for orchards, eight for other trees requiring dry ground, and pasture land for ten breeding sows, 20 cows, five mares, 100 sheep, and 20 goats. A caballería included a building lot of 100 by 200 feet, and the other grants were five times the size of that of a peonía. Good and inferior land was to be distributed in just proportion. Recop. Ind., ii. 39.
- ↑ Recop. de Ind., ii. 40-1; where detailed ordinances may be found as to the manner of making applications.
